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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5), by Fanny Burney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5)
+       or, Female Difficulties
+
+Author: Fanny Burney
+
+Release Date: September 15, 2011 [EBook #37439]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WANDERER (VOLUME 3 OF 5) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME III
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+
+From the time of this arrangement, the ascendance which Mr Naird
+obtained over the mind of Elinor, by alternate assurances and alarms,
+relative to her chances of living to see Harleigh again, produced a
+quiet that gave time to the drafts, which were administered by the
+physician, to take effect, and she fell into a profound sleep. This, Mr
+Naird said, might last till late the next day; Ellis, therefore,
+promising to be ready upon any summons, returned to her lodging.
+
+Miss Matson, now, endeavoured to make some enquiries relative to the
+public suicide projected, if not accomplished, by Miss Joddrel, which
+was the universal subject of conversation at Brighthelmstone; but when
+she found it vain to hope for any details, she said, 'Such accidents,
+Ma'am, make one really afraid of one's life with persons one knows
+nothing of. Pray, Ma'am, if it is not impertinent, do you still hold to
+your intention of giving up your pretty apartment?'
+
+Ellis answered in the affirmative, desiring, with some surprise, to
+know, whether the question were in consequence of any apprehension of a
+similar event.
+
+'By no means, Ma'am, from you,' she replied; 'you, Miss Ellis, who have
+been so strongly recommended; and protected by so many of our capital
+gentry; but what I mean is this. If you really intend to take a small
+lodging, why should not you have my little room again up stairs?'
+
+'Is it not engaged to the lady I saw here this morning?'
+
+'Why that, Ma'am, is precisely the person I have upon my mind to speak
+about. Why should I let her stay, when she's known to nobody, and is
+very bad pay, if I can have so genteel a young lady as you, Ma'am, that
+ladies in their own coaches come visiting?'
+
+Ellis, recoiling from this preference, uttered words the most benevolent
+that she could suggest, of the unknown person who had excited her
+compassion: but Miss Matson gave them no attention. 'When one has
+nothing better to do with one's rooms, Ma'am,' she said, 'it's sometimes
+as well, perhaps, to let them to almost one does not know who, as to
+keep them uninhabited; because living in them airs them; but that's no
+reason for letting them to one's own disadvantage, if can do better. Now
+this person here, Ma'am, besides being poor, which, poor thing, may be
+she can't help; and being a foreigner, which, you know, Ma'am, is no
+great recommendation;--besides all this, Miss Ellis, she has some very
+suspicious ways with her, which I can't make out at all; she goes abroad
+in a morning, Ma'am, by five of the clock, without giving the least
+account of her haunts. And that, Ma'am, has but an odd look with it!'
+
+'Why so, Miss Matson? If she takes time from her own sleep to enjoy a
+little air and exercise, where can be the blame?'
+
+'Air and exercise, Ma'am? People that have their living to get, and that
+a'n't worth a farthing, have other things to think of than air and
+exercise! She does not, I hope, give herself quite such airs as those!'
+
+Ellis, disgusted, bid her good night; and, filled with pity for a person
+who seemed still more helpless and destitute than herself, resolved to
+see her the next day, and endeavour to offer her some consolation, if
+not assistance.
+
+Before, however, this pleasing project could be put into execution, she
+was again, nearly at day break, awakened by a summons from Selina to
+attend her sister, who, after quietly reposing many hours, had started,
+and demanded Harleigh and Ellis.
+
+Ellis obeyed the call with the utmost expedition, but met the messenger
+returning to her a second time, as she was mounting the street which led
+to the lodging of Mrs Maple, with intelligence that Elinor had almost
+immediately fallen into a new and sound sleep; and that Mr Naird had
+ordered that no one should enter the room, till she again awoke.
+
+Glad of this reprieve, Ellis was turning back, when she perceived, at
+some distance, Miss Matson's new lodger. The opportunity was inviting
+for her purposed offer of aid, and she determined to make some opening
+to an acquaintance.
+
+This was not easy; for though the light feet of Ellis might soon have
+overtaken the quick, but staggering steps of the apparently distressed
+person whom she pursued, she observed her to be in a state of
+perturbation that intimidated approach, as much as it awakened concern.
+Her handkerchief was held to her face; though whether to conceal it, or
+because she was weeping, could not readily be discovered: but her form
+and air penetrated Ellis with a feeling and an interest far beyond
+common curiosity; and she anxiously studied how she might better behold,
+and how address her.
+
+The foreigner went on her way, looking neither to the right nor to the
+left, till she had ascended to the church-yard upon the hill. There
+stopping, she extended her arms, seeming to hail the full view of the
+wide spreading ocean; or rather, Ellis imagined, the idea of her native
+land, which she knew, from that spot, to be its boundary. The beauty of
+the early morning from that height, the expansive view, impressive,
+though calm, of the sea, and the awful solitude of the place, would have
+sufficed to occupy the mind of Ellis, had it not been completely caught
+by the person whom she followed; and who now, in the persuasion of being
+wholly alone, gently murmured, 'Oh ma chère patrie!--malheureuse,
+coupable,--mais toujours chère patrie!--ne te reverrai-je jamais!'[1]
+Her voice thrilled to the very soul of Ellis, who, trembling, suspended,
+and almost breathless, stood watching her motions; fearing to startle
+her by an unexpected approach, and waiting to catch her eye.
+
+[Footnote 1: 'Oh my loved country!--unhappy, guilty--but for ever loved
+country!--shall I never see thee more!']
+
+But the mourner was evidently without suspicion that any one was in
+sight. Grief is an absorber: it neither seeks nor makes observation;
+except where it is joined with vanity, that always desires remark; or
+with guilt, by which remark is always feared.
+
+Ellis, neither advancing nor receding, saw her next move solemnly
+forward, to bend over a small elevation of earth, encircled by short
+sticks, intersected with rushes. Some of these, which were displaced,
+she carefully arranged, while uttering, in a gentle murmur, which the
+profound stillness of all around alone enabled Ellis to catch, 'Repose
+toi bien, mon ange! mon enfant! le repos qui me fuit, le bonheur que
+j'ai perdu, la tranquilité precieuse de l'ame qui m'abandonne--que tout
+cela soit à toi, mon ange! mon enfant! Je ne te rappellerai plus ici! Je
+ne te rappellerais plus, même si je le pouvais. Loin de toi ma
+malheureuse destinée! je priai Dieu pour ta conservation quand je te
+possedois encore; quelques cruelles que fussent tes souffrances, et
+toute impuissante que J'etois pour les soulager, je priai Dieu, dans
+l'angoisse de mon ame, pour ta conservation! Tu n'est plus pour moi--et
+je cesse de te reclamer. Je te vois une ange! Je te vois exempt à
+jamais de douleur, de crainte, de pauvreté et de regrets; te
+reclamerai-je, donc, pour partager encore mes malheurs? Non! ne reviens
+plus à moi! Que je te retrouve là--où ta félicité sera la mienne! Mais
+toi, prie pour ta malheureuse mère! que tes innocentes prières
+s'unissent à ses humbles supplications, pour que ta mère, ta pauvre
+mère, puisse se rendre digne de te rejoindre!'[2]
+
+[Footnote 2: 'Sleep on, sleep on, my angel child! May the repose that
+flies me, the happiness that I have lost, the precious tranquillity of
+soul that has forsaken me--be thine! for ever thine! my child! my angel!
+I cease to call thee back. Even were it in my power, I would not call
+thee back. I prayed for thy preservation, while yet I had the bliss of
+possessing thee; cruel as were thy sufferings, and impotent as I found
+myself to relieve them, I prayed,--in the anguish of my soul,--I prayed
+for thy preservation! Thou art lost to me now!--yet I call thee back no
+more! I behold thee an angel! I see thee rescued for ever from sorrow,
+from alarm, from poverty, and from bitter recollections;--and shall I
+call thee back, to partake again my sufferings?--No! return to me no
+more! There, only, let me find thee, where thy felicity will be
+mine!--but thou! O pray for thy unhappy mother! Let thy innocent prayers
+be united to her humble supplications, that thy mother, thy hapless
+mother, may become worthy to join thee!']
+
+How long these soft addresses, which seemed to soothe the pious
+petitioner, might have lasted, had she not been disturbed, is uncertain:
+but she was startled by sounds of more tumultuous sorrow; by sobs,
+rather than sighs, that seemed bursting forth from more violent, at
+least, more sudden affliction. She looked round, astonished; and saw
+Ellis leaning over a monument, and bathed in tears.
+
+She arose, and, advancing towards her, said, in an accent of pity,
+'Helas, Madame, vous, aussi, pleurez vous votre enfant?'[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: 'Alas, Madam! are you, also, deploring the loss of a
+child?']
+
+'Ah, mon amie! ma bien! ameè amie!' cried Ellis, wiping her eyes, but
+vainly attempting to repress fresh tears; 't'aì-jè chercheè, t'aì-jè
+attendue, t'aì-jè si ardemment desireè, pour te retrouver ainsi?
+pleurant sur un tombeau? Et toi!--ne me rappelle tu pas? M'a tu
+oubliee?--Gabrielle! ma chère Gabrielle!'[4]
+
+[Footnote 4: 'Ah, my friend! my much loved friend! have I sought thee,
+have I awaited thee, have I so fervently desired thy restoration--to
+find thee thus? Weeping over a grave? And thou--dost thou not recollect
+me? Hast thou forgotten me?--Gabriella! my loved Gabriella!']
+
+'Juste ciel!' exclaimed the other, 'que vois-je? Ma Julie! ma chère, ma
+tendre amie? Est il bien vrai?--O! peut il être vrai, qu'il y ait encore
+du bonheur ici bas pour moi?'[5]
+
+[Footnote 5: 'Gracious heaven! what do I behold? My Juliet! my tender
+friend? Can it be real?--O! can it, indeed, be true, that still any
+happiness is left on earth for me!']
+
+Locked in each other's arms, pressed to each other's bosoms, they now
+remained many minutes in speechless agony of emotion, from nearly
+overpowering surprise, from gusts of ungovernable, irrepressible sorrow,
+and heart-piercing recollections; though blended with the tenderest
+sympathy of joy.
+
+This touching silent eloquence, these unutterable conflicts between
+transport and pain, were succeeded by a reciprocation of enquiry, so
+earnest, so eager, so ardent, that neither of them seemed to have any
+sensation left of self, from excess of solicitude for the other, till
+Ellis, looking towards the little grave, said, 'Ah! que ce ne soit plus
+question de moi?'[6]
+
+[Footnote 6: 'Ah!--upon me can you, yet, bestow a thought?']
+
+'Ah, oui, mon amie,' answered Gabriella, 'ton histoire, tes malheurs, ne
+peuvent jamais être aussi terribles, aussi dechirants que les miens! tu
+n'as pas encore eprouvé le bonheur d'être mère--comment aurois-tu, donc,
+eprouvé, le plus accablant des malheurs? Oh! ce sont des souffrances qui
+n'ont point de nom; des douleurs qui rendent nulles toutes autres, que
+la perte d'un Etre pûr comme un ange, et tout à soi!'[7]
+
+[Footnote 7: 'True, my dear friend, true! thy history, thy misfortunes,
+can never be terrible, never be lacerating like mine! Thou hast not yet
+known the bliss of being a mother;--how, then, canst thou have
+experienced the most overwhelming of calamities! a suffering that admits
+of no description! a woe that makes all others seem null--the loss of a
+being pure, spotless as a cherub--and wholly our own!']
+
+The fond embraces, and fast flowing tears of Ellis, evinced the keen
+sensibility with which she participated in the sorrows of this afflicted
+mother, whom she strove to draw away from the fatal spot; reiterating
+the most urgent enquiries upon every other subject, to attract her, if
+possible, to yet remaining, to living interests. But these efforts were
+utterly useless. 'Restons, restons où nous sommes!' she cried: 'c'est
+ici que je te parlerai; c'est ici que je t'écôuterai; ici, où je passe
+les seuls momens que j'arrache à la misere, et au travail. Ne crois pas
+que de pleurer est ce qu'il y a le plus à craindre! Oh! qu'il ne
+t'arrive jamais de savoir que de pleurer, même sur le tombeau de tout ce
+qui vous est le plus cher, est un soulagement, un dèlice, auprès du dur
+besoin de travailler, la mort dans le coeur, pour vivre, pour exister,
+lorsque la vie a perdu toutes ses charmes!'[8]
+
+[Footnote 8: 'Here, here let us stay! 'tis here I can best speak to
+thee! 'tis here, I can best listen;--here, where I pass every moment
+that I can snatch from penury and labour! Think not that to weep is what
+is most to be dreaded; oh never mayst thou learn, that to weep--though
+upon the tomb of all that has been most dear to thee upon earth, is a
+solace, is a feeling of softness, nay of pleasure, compared with the
+hard necessity of toiling, when death has seized upon the very heart,
+merely to breathe, to exist, after life has lost all its charms!']
+
+Seated then upon the monument which was nearest to the little grave,
+Gabriella related the principal events of her life, since the period of
+their separation. These, though frequently extraordinary, sometimes
+perilous, and always touchingly disastrous, she recounted with a
+rapidity almost inconceivable; distinctly, nevertheless, marking the
+several incidents, and the courage with which she had supported them:
+but when, these finished, she entered upon the history of the illness
+that had preceded the death of her little son, her voice tremblingly
+slackened its velocity, and unconsciously lowered its tones; and, far
+from continuing with the same quickness or precision, every circumstance
+was dwelt upon as momentous; every recollection brought forth long and
+endearing details; every misfortune seemed light, put in the scale with
+his loss; every regret seemed concentrated in his tomb!
+
+Six o'clock, and seven, had tolled unheeded, during this afflicting, yet
+soothing recital; but the eighth hour striking, when the tumult of
+sorrow was subsiding into the sadness of grief, the sound caught the ear
+of Gabriella, who, hastily rising, exclaimed, 'Ah, voilà que je suis
+encore susceptible de plaisir, puisque ta société m'a fait oublier les
+tristes et penibles devoirs, qui m'appellent à des tâches qui--à
+peine--m'empêchent de mourir de faim!'[9]
+
+[Footnote 9: 'See, if I am not still susceptible of pleasure! Thy
+society has made me forget the sad and painful duties that call me
+hence, to tasks that snatch me,--with difficulty,--from perishing by
+famine!']
+
+At these words, all the fortitude hitherto sustained by Juliet,--for the
+borrowed name of Ellis will now be dropt,--utterly forsook her. Torrents
+of tears gushed from her eyes, and lamentations, the bitterest, broke
+from her lips. She could bear, she cried, all but this; all but
+beholding the friend of her heart, the daughter of her benefactress,
+torn from the heights of happiness and splendour; of merited happiness,
+of hereditary splendour; to be plunged into such depths of distress, and
+overpowered with anguish.
+
+'Ah! que je te reconnois bien à ce trait!' cried Gabriella, while a
+tender smile tried to force its way through her tears: 'cette ame si
+noble! si inebralable pour elle-même, si douce, si compatissante pour
+tout autre! que de souvenirs chers et touchans ne se presentent, à cet
+instant, à mon coeur! Ma chère Julie! il est bien vrai, donc, que je
+te vois, que je te retrouve encore! et, en toi, tout ce qú'il y a de
+plus aimable, de plus pûr, et de plus digne! Comment ai-je pû te revoir,
+sans retrouver la felicité? Je me sens presque coupable de pouvoir
+t'embrasser,--et de pleurer encore!'[10]
+
+[Footnote 10: 'Ah, how I know thee by that trait! thy soul so noble! so
+firm in itself; so soft, so commiserating for every other! what tender,
+what touching recollections present themselves at this instant to my
+heart! Dearest Juliet! is it, then, indeed no dream, that I have
+found--that I behold thee again? and, in thee, all that is most
+exemplary, most amiable, and most worthy upon earth! How is it I can
+recover thee, and not recover happiness? I almost feel as if I were
+criminal, that I can embrace thee,--yet weep on!']
+
+Forcing herself, then, from the fatal but cherished spot, she must
+hasten, she said, to her daily labour, lest night should surprise her,
+without a roof to shelter her head. But Juliet now detained her; clung
+and wept round her neck, and could not even endeavour to resign herself
+to the keen woes, and deplorable situation of her friend. She had come
+over, she said, buoyed up with the exquisite hope of joining the darling
+companion of her earliest youth; of sharing her fate, and of mitigating
+her hardships: but this softening expectation was changed into
+despondence, in discovering her, thus, a prey to unmixt calamity; not
+alone bowed down by the general evils of revolutionary events; punished
+for plans in which she had borne no part, and for crimes of which she
+had not even any knowledge;--not only driven, without offence, or even
+accusation, from prosperity and honours, to exile, to want, to misery,
+and to labour; but suffering, at the same time, the heaviest of personal
+afflictions, in the immediate loss of a darling child; the victim, in
+all probability, to a melancholy change of life, and to sudden privation
+of customary care and indulgence!
+
+The task of consolation seemed now to devolve upon Gabriella: the
+feelings of Juliet, long checked by prudence, by fortitude, by imperious
+necessity; and kept in dignified but hard command; having once found a
+vent, bounded back to nature and to truth, with a vivacity of keen
+emotion that made them nearly uncontrollable. Nature and truth,--which
+invariably retain an elastic power, that no struggles can wholly subdue;
+and that always, however curbed, however oppressed,--lie in wait for
+opportunity to spring back to their rights. Her tears, permitted,
+therefore, at length, to flow, nearly deluged the sad bosom of her
+friend.
+
+'Helas, ma Julie! soeur de mon ame!' cried Gabriella, 'ne t'abandonne pas
+à la douleur pour moi! mais parles moi, ma tendre amie, paries moi de
+ma mère! Où l'a tu quitte? Et comment? Et à quelle epoque?--La plus
+digne, la plus cherie des mères! Helas! eloignée de nous deux, comment
+saura-t-elle se resigner á tant de malheurs?'[11]
+
+[Footnote 11: 'Alas, my Juliet! sister of my soul! abandon not myself to
+sorrow for me! but speak to me, my tender friend, speak to me of my
+mother! where didst thou leave her? And how? And at what time? The most
+precious of mothers! Alas! separated from us both,--how will she be able
+to support such accumulation of misfortunes!']
+
+Juliet uttered the tenderest assurances, that she had left the
+Marchioness well; and had left her by her own injunctions, to join her
+darling daughter; to whom, by a conveyance that had been deemed secure,
+she had previously written the plan of the intended journey; with a
+desire that a few lines of direction, relative to their meeting, under
+cover to L.S., to be left till called for, might be sent to the
+post-offices both of Dover and Brighthelmstone; as it was not possible
+to fix at which spot Juliet might land. The initials L.S. had been fixed
+upon by accident.
+
+Filial anxiety, now, took place of maternal sufferings, and Gabriella
+could only talk of her mother; demanding how she looked, and how she
+supported the long separation, the ruinous sacrifices, and the perpetual
+alarms, to which she must have been condemned since they had parted;
+expressing her own surprise, that she had borne to dwell upon any other
+subject than this, which now was the first interest of her heart; yet
+ceasing to wonder, when she contemplated the fatal spot where her
+meeting with Juliet had taken place.
+
+Each, now, deeply lamented the time and consolation that had been lost,
+from their mutual ignorance of each other's abode. Juliet related her
+fruitless search upon arriving in London; and Gabriella explained, that,
+during three lingering, yet ever regretted months, she had watched over
+her dying boy, without writing a single line; to spare her absent
+friends the knowledge of her suspensive wretchedness. Since the
+irreparable certainty which had followed, she had sent two letters to
+her beloved mother, with her address at Brighthelmstone; but both must
+have miscarried, as she had received no answer. That Juliet had not
+traced her in London was little wonderful, as, to elude the curiosity
+excited by a great name, she had passed, in setting out for
+Brighthelmstone, by a common one. And to that change, joined to one so
+similar on the part of Juliet, it must have been owing that they had
+never heard of each other, though residents of the same place. Juliet,
+nevertheless, was astonished, in defiance of all alteration of attire
+and appearance, that she had not instantly recognized the air and form
+of her elegant and high bred Gabriella. But, equally unacquainted with
+her indigence, which was the effect of sundry cruel accidents, and with
+the loss of her child; no expectation was awakened of finding her either
+in so distressed or so solitary a condition. Now, however, Juliet
+continued, that fortunately, though, alas! not happily, they had met,
+they would part no more. Juliet was fully at liberty to go whithersoever
+her friend would lead, the hope of obtaining tidings of that beloved
+friend, having alone kept her stationary thus long at Brighthelmstone;
+where she could now leave the address of Gabriella, at the post-office,
+for their mutual letters: and, as insuperable obstacles impeded her
+writing herself, at present, to the Marchioness, Gabriella might make
+known, in a covert manner, that they were together, and were both safe.
+
+And why, Gabriella demanded, could not Juliet write herself?
+
+'Alas!' Juliet replied, 'I must not even be named!'
+
+'Eh, pour quoi?--n'a-t-tu pas vu tes parens?--Peut on te voir sans
+t'aimer? te connoître sans te cherir? Non, ma Julie, non! tu n'a qu'à te
+montrer.'[12]
+
+[Footnote 12: 'And why? Hast thou not seen thy relations?--Canst thou be
+seen, and not loved?--known, and not cherished? No, my Juliet, no! thou
+hast only to appear!']
+
+Juliet, changing colour, dejectedly, and not without confusion, besought
+her friend, though for reasons that could neither be assigned nor
+surmounted, to dispense, at present, with all personal narration. Yet,
+upon perceiving the anxious surprise occasioned by a request so little
+expected, she dissolved into tears, and offered every communication, in
+preference to causing even transitory pain to her best friend.
+
+'O loin de moi cette exigence!' cried Gabriella, with energy, 'Ne
+sais-je pas bien que ton bon esprit, juste émule de ton excellent
+coeur, te fera parler lorsqu'il le faudra? Ne me confierai-je pas à
+toi, dont la seule étude est le bonheur des autres?'[13]
+
+[Footnote 13: 'Oh far from me by any such insistence! Know I not well
+that thy admirable judgment, just counterpart of thy excellent heart,
+will guide thee to speak when it is right? Shall I not entirely confide
+in thee?--In thee, whose sole study has been always the good and
+happiness of others?']
+
+Juliet, not more penetrated by this kindness, than affected by a facile
+resignation, that shewed the taming effect of misfortune upon the
+natural vivacity of her friend, could answer only by caresses and
+tears.
+
+'Eh mon oncle?' continued Gabriella; 'mon tout-aimable et si pieux
+oncle? où est il?'[14]
+
+[Footnote 14: 'And my uncle! My so amiable, so pious uncle? Where is
+he?']
+
+'Monseigneur l'Eveque?' cried Juliet, again changing colour; 'Oh oui!
+tout-aimable! sans tâche et sans reproche!--Il sera bientôt, je crois,
+ici;--ou j'aurois de ses nouvelles; et alors--ma destinée me sera
+connue!'[15]
+
+[Footnote 15: 'My lord the Bishop?--Oh yes! yes!--amiable
+indeed!--pure!--without blemish!--He will soon, I believe, be here; or I
+shall have some intelligence from him; and then--my fate will be known
+to me!']
+
+A deep sigh tried to swallow these last words. Gabriella looked at her,
+for a moment, with re-awakened earnestness, as if repentant of her own
+acquiescence; but the sight of encreasing disturbance in the countenance
+of Juliet, checked her rising impatience; and she quietly said, 'Ah!
+s'il arrive ici!--si je le revois,--j'éprouverai encore, au milieu de
+tant de désolation, un mouvement de joie!--tel que toi, seule, jusqu'à
+ce moment, a su m'en inspirer!'[16]
+
+[Footnote 16: 'Ah, should he come hither!--should I be blest again by
+his sight, I should feel, once more, even in the midst of my desolation,
+a sensation of joy--such as thou, only, as yet, hast been able to
+re-awaken!']
+
+Juliet, with fond delight, promised to be governed wholly, in her future
+plans, occupations, and residence, by her beloved friend.
+
+'C'est à Brighthelmstone, donc,' cried Gabriella, returning to the
+little grave; 'c'est ici que nous demeurions! ici, où il me semble que
+je n'ai pas encore tout à fait perdu mon fils!'
+
+Then, tenderly embracing Juliet, 'Ah, mon amie!' she cried, with a smile
+that blended pleasure with agony; 'ah, mon amie! c'est à mon enfant que
+je te dois! c'est en pleurant sur ses restes que je t'ai retrouvée! Ah,
+oui!' passionately bending over the grave; 'c'est à toi, mon ange! mon
+enfant! que je dois mon amie! Ton tombeau, même, me porte bonheur! tes
+cendres veulent me bénir! tes restes, ton ombre veulent du bien à ta
+pauvre mère!'[17]
+
+[Footnote 17: ''Tis at Brighthelmstone, then,--'tis here that we must
+dwell! Here, where I seem not yet, entirely, to have lost my darling
+boy! Oh my friend! my dearest, best loved friend! 'tis to him--to my
+child, that I am indebted for seeing thee again! 'tis in visiting his
+remains that I have met my Juliet!--Oh thou! my child! my angel! 'tis to
+thee, to thee, I am indebted for my friend! Even thy grave offers me
+comfort! even thy ashes desire to bless me! Thy remains, thy shadow,
+would do good, would bring peace to thy unhappy mother!']
+
+With difficulty, now, Juliet drew her away from the fond, fatal spot;
+and slowly, and silently, while clinging to each other with heartfelt
+affection, they returned together to their lodgings.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+
+Elinor, kept in order by a continual expectation of seeing Harleigh,
+ceased to require the presence of Juliet; who, but for the sorrows of
+her friend, would have experienced a felicity to which she had long been
+a stranger, the felicity of being loved because known; esteemed and
+valued because tried and proved. The consideration that is the boon of
+even the most generous benevolence, however it may soothe the heart,
+cannot elevate the spirits: but here, good opinion was reciprocated,
+trust was interchanged, confidence was mutual.
+
+The affliction of Gabriella, though of a more permanent nature, because
+from an irreparable cause, was yet highly susceptible of consolation
+from friendship; and when once the acute emotions, arising from the tale
+of woe which she had had to relate, at the meeting, were abated, the
+charm which the presence of Juliet dispensed, and the renewal of early
+ideas, pristine feelings, and first affections, soon reflected back
+their influence upon her own mind; which gradually strengthened, and
+insensibly revived.
+
+Juliet immediately resigned her large apartment, and fixed herself in
+the small room of Gabriella. There they settled that they would live
+together, work together, share their little profits, and endure their
+failures, in common. There they hoped to recover their peace of mind, if
+not to re-animate their native spirits; and to be restored to the
+harmony of social sympathy, if not to that of happiness.
+
+Yet, it was with difficulty that they learnt to enjoy each other's
+society, upon such terms as their altered condition now exacted; where
+the eye must never be spared from laborious business, to search, or to
+reciprocate a sentiment, in those precious moments of endearing
+converse, which, unconsciously, swell into hours, ere they are missed as
+minutes. Their intercourse was confined to oral language alone. The
+lively intelligence, the rapid conception, the arch remark, the cordial
+smile; which give grace to kindness, playfulness to counsel, gentleness
+to raillery, and softness even to reproach; these, the expressive
+sources of delight, and of comprehension, in social commerce, they were
+fain wholly to relinquish; from the hurry of unremitting diligence, and
+undivided attention to manual toil.
+
+Nevertheless, to inhale the same air, and to feel the consoling
+certitude, that they were no longer cast wholly upon pity, or charity,
+for good opinion, were blessings that filled their thoughts with
+gratitude to Providence, and brought back calm and comfort to their
+minds.
+
+Still, at every sun-rise, Gabriella visited the ashes of her little son;
+where she poured forth, in maternal enthusiasm, thanks and benedictions
+upon his departed spirit, that her earliest friend, the chosen sharer of
+her happier days, was restored to her in the hour of her desolation; and
+restored to her There,--on that fatal, yet adored spot, which contained
+the ever loved, though lifeless remains of her darling boy.
+
+Juliet, in this peaceful interval, learnt, from the voluble Selina, all
+that had been gathered from Mrs Golding relative to the seclusion of
+Elinor.
+
+Elinor had travelled post to Portsmouth, whence she had sailed to the
+Isle of Wight. There, meeting with a foreign servant out of place, she
+engaged him in her service, and bid him purchase some clothes of an
+indigent emigrant. She then dressed herself grotesquely yet, as far as
+she could, decently, in man's attire; and, making her maid follow her
+example, returned to the neighbourhood of Brighthelmstone, and took
+lodgings, in the character of a foreigner, who was deaf and dumb, at
+Shoreham; where, uninterruptedly, and unsuspectedly, she resided. Here,
+by means of her new domestic, she obtained constant intelligence of the
+proceedings of Juliet; and she was no sooner informed of the musical
+benefit, in which an air, with an harp-accompaniment, was to be
+performed by Miss Ellis, than she sent her new attendant to the
+assembly-room, to purchase a ticket. Golding, who went thither with the
+lackey, met Harleigh in the street, as he was quitting the lodgings of
+Juliet.
+
+The disguise of the maid saved her from being recognised; but her
+tidings set her mistress on fire. The moment seemed now arrived for the
+long-destined catastrophe; and the few days preceding the benefit, were
+spent in its preparation. Careless of what was thought, Elinor, had
+since, casually, though not confidentially, related, that her intention
+had been to mount suddenly into the orchestra, during the performance of
+Juliet; and thence to call upon Harleigh, whom she could not doubt would
+be amongst the audience; and, at the instant of his joining them,
+proclaim to the whole world her immortal passion, and expire between
+them. But the fainting fit of Juliet, and its uncontrollable effect upon
+Harleigh, had been so insupportable to her feelings, as to precipitate
+her design. She acknowledged that she had studied how to die without
+torture, by inflicting a wound by which she might bleed gently to death,
+while indulging herself, to the last moment, in pouring forth to the
+idol of her heart, the fond effusions of her ardent, but exalted
+passion.
+
+The tranquillity of Elinor, built upon false expectations, could not be
+long unshaken: impatience and suspicion soon took its place, and Mr
+Naird was compelled to acknowledge, that Mr Harleigh had set out upon a
+distant tour, without leaving his address, even at his own house; where
+he had merely given orders that his letters should be forwarded to a
+friend.
+
+The rage, grief, and shame of the wretched Elinor, now nearly destroyed,
+in a moment, all the cares and the skill of Mr Naird, and of her
+physician. She impetuously summoned Juliet, to be convinced that she was
+not a party in the elopement; and was only rescued from sinking into
+utter despair, by adroit exhortations from Mr Naird, to yield patiently
+to his ordinances, lest she should yet die without a last view of
+Harleigh. This plea led her, once more, though with equal disgust to
+herself and to the whole world, to submit to every medical direction,
+that might give her sufficient strength to devise means for her ultimate
+project; and to put them into practice.
+
+Mr Naird archly confessed, in private, to Juliet, that the real danger
+or safety of Miss Joddrel, so completely hung upon giving the reins, or
+the curb, to her passions, that she might, without much difficulty, from
+her resolution to die no other death than that of heroic love, in the
+presence of its idol, be spurred on, while awaiting, or pursuing, its
+object, to the verge of a very comfortable old age.
+
+He acknowledged himself, also, secretly entrusted with the abode of Mr
+Harleigh.
+
+Elinor, when somewhat calmed, demanded of Juliet when, and how, her
+meetings with Harleigh had been renewed.
+
+Juliet recounted what had passed; sparing such details as might be
+hurtful, and solemnly protesting that all intercourse was now at an
+end.
+
+With a view to draw Elinor from this agitating subject, she then
+related, at full length, her meeting, in the church-yard, with the friend
+whom she had so long vainly sought.
+
+In a short time afterwards, feeling herself considerably advanced
+towards a recovery, Elinor, impetuously, again sent for Juliet, to say,
+'What is your plan? Tell it me sincerely! What is it you mean to do?'
+
+Juliet answered, that her choice was small, and that her means were
+almost null: but when she lamented the severe DIFFICULTIES of a FEMALE,
+who, without fortune or protection, had her way to make in the world,
+Elinor, with strong derision, called out, 'Debility and folly! Put aside
+your prejudices, and forget that you are a dawdling woman, to remember
+that you are an active human being, and your FEMALE DIFFICULTIES will
+vanish into the vapour of which they are formed. Misery has taught me to
+conquer mine! and I am now as ready to defy the world, as the world can
+be ready to hold me up to ridicule. To make people wise, you must make
+them indifferent; to give them courage, you must make them desperate.
+'Tis then, only, that we throw aside affectation and hypocrisy, and act
+from impulse.'
+
+Laughing, now, though with bitterness, rather than gaiety, 'What does
+the world say,' she cried, 'to find that I still live, after the pompous
+funeral orations, declaimed by myself, upon my death? Does it suspect
+that I found second thoughts best, and that I delayed my execution,
+thinking, like the man in the song,
+
+    That for sure I could die whenever I would,
+    But that I could live but as long as I could?
+
+'Well, ye that laugh, laugh on! for I, when not sick of myself, laugh
+too! But, to escape mockery, we must all be guided one by another; all
+do, and all say, the very same thing. Yet why? Are we alike in our
+thoughts? Are we alike in our faces? No. Happily, however, that
+soporiferous monotony is beginning to get obsolete. The sublimity of
+Revolution has given a greater shake to the minds of men, than to the
+kingdoms of the earth.'
+
+After pausing, then, a few minutes, 'Ellis,' she cried, 'if you are
+really embarrassed, why should you not go upon the stage? You know how
+transcendently you act.'
+
+'That which might seem passable in a private representation,' Juliet
+answered, 'might, at a public theatre--'
+
+'Pho, pho, you know perfectly well your powers. But you blight them, I
+suppose, yourself, with anathemas, from excommunicating scruples? You
+are amongst the cold, the heartless, the ungifted, who, to discredit
+talents, and render them dangerous, leave their exercise to vice, by
+making virtue fear to exert, or even patronize them?'
+
+'No, Madam, indeed,' cried Juliet: 'I admire, most feelingly, the noble
+art of declamation:--how, then, can I condemn the profession which gives
+to it life and soul? which personifies the most exalted virtues, which
+brings before us the noblest characters, and makes us witnesses to the
+sublimest actions? The stage, well regulated, would be the school of
+juvenile emulation; would soothe sorrow in the unhappy, and afford
+merited relaxation to the laborious. Reformed, indeed, I wish it, and
+purified; but not destroyed.'
+
+'Why, then, do you disdain to wear the buskins?'
+
+'Disdain is by no means the word. Talents are a constant source to me of
+delight; and those who,--rare, but in existence,--unite, to their public
+exercise, private virtue and merit, I honour and esteem even more than I
+admire; and every mark I could shew, to such, of consideration,--were I
+so situated as to bestow, not require protection!--I should regard as
+reflecting credit not on them, but on myself.'
+
+'Pen and ink!' cried Elinor, impatiently: 'I'll write for you to the
+manager this moment!--'
+
+'Hold, Madam!' cried Juliet smiling: 'Much as I am enchanted with the
+art, I am not going to profess it! On the contrary, I think it so
+replete with dangers and improprieties, however happily they may
+sometimes be combatted by fortitude and integrity, that, when a young
+female, not forced by peculiar circumstances, or impelled by resistless
+genius, exhibits herself a willing candidate for public applause;--she
+must have, I own, other notions, or other nerves, than mine!'
+
+'Ellis, Ellis! you only fear to alarm, or offend the men--who would keep
+us from every office, but making puddings and pies for their own
+precious palates!--Oh woman! poor, subdued woman! thou art as dependant,
+mentally, upon the arbitrary customs of man, as man is, corporally, upon
+the established laws of his country!'
+
+She now grew disturbed, and went on warmly, though nearly to herself.
+
+'By the oppressions of their own statutes and institutions, they render
+us insignificant; and then speak of us as if we were so born! But what
+have we tried, in which we have been foiled? They dare not trust us with
+their own education, and their own opportunities for distinction:--I
+except the article of fighting; against that, there may, perhaps, be
+some obstacles: but to be condemned, as weaker vessels in intellect,
+because, inferiour in bodily strength and stature, we cannot cope with
+them as boxers and wrestlers! They appreciate not the understandings of
+one another by such manual and muscular criterions. They assert not that
+one man has more brains than another, because he is taller; that he is
+endowed with more illustrious virtues, because he is stouter. They judge
+him not to be less ably formed for haranguing in the senate; for
+administering justice in the courts of law; for teaching science at the
+universities, because he could ill resist a bully, or conquer a footpad!
+No!--Woman is left out in the scales of human merit, only because they
+dare not weigh her!'
+
+Then, turning suddenly to Ellis, 'And you, Ellis, you!' she cried,
+'endowed with every power to set prejudice at defiance, and to shew and
+teach the world, that woman and man are fellow-creatures, you, too, are
+coward enough to bow down, unresisting, to this thraldom?'
+
+Juliet hazarded not any reply.
+
+'Yet what futile inconsistency dispenses this prejudice! This Woman,
+whom they estimate thus below, they elevate above themselves. They
+require from her, in defiance of their examples!--in defiance of their
+lures!--angelical perfection. She must be mistress of her passions; she
+must never listen to her inclinations; she must not take a step of which
+the purport is not visible; she must not pursue a measure of which she
+cannot publish the motive; she must always be guided by reason, though
+they deny her understanding!--Frankness, the noblest of our qualities,
+is her disgrace;--sympathy, the most exquisite of our feelings, is her
+bane!--'
+
+She stopt here, conscious, colouring, indignant, and dropt the subject,
+to say, 'Tell me, I again demand, what is it you mean to do? Return to
+your concert-singing and harping?'
+
+'Ah, Madam,' cried Juliet, reproachfully, 'can you believe me not yet
+satisfied with attempting any sort of public exhibition?
+
+'Nay, nay,' cried Elinor, resuming her careless gaiety, 'what passed
+that evening will only have served to render you more popular. You may
+make your own terms, now, with the managers, for the subscription will
+fill, merely to get a stare at you. If I were poor myself, I would
+engage to acquire a large fortune, in less than a week, by advertising,
+at two-pence a head, a sight of the lady that stabbed herself.'
+
+'What, however,' she continued, 'is your purpose? Will you go and live
+with Mrs Ireton? She is just come hither to give her favourite lap-dog a
+six weeks' bathing. What say you to the place of her toad-eater? It may
+be a very lucrative thing; and I can procure it for you with the utmost
+ease. It is commonly vacant every ten days. Besides, she has been dying
+to have you in her toils, ever since she had known that you spurned the
+proposition, when it was started by Mrs Howel.'
+
+Juliet protested, that any species of fatigue would be preferable to
+subservience of such a sort.
+
+'Perhaps you are afraid of seeing too much of Ireton? Be under no
+apprehension. He makes it a point not to visit her. He cannot endure
+her. Besides, 'tis so rustic, he says, to have a mother!'
+
+Juliet answered, that her sole plan, now, was to be guided by her
+friend.
+
+'And who is this friend? Is she of the family of the Incognitas, also?
+What do you call her?--L.S.?'
+
+Juliet only replied by stating their project of needle-work.
+
+Elinor scoffed the notion; affirming that they would not obtain a morsel
+of bread to a glass of water, above once in three days. She felt,
+nevertheless, sufficient respect to the design of the noble fugitive, to
+send her a sealed note of what she called her approbation.
+
+This note Juliet took in charge. It contained a draft for fifty pounds.
+
+Ah, generous Elinor! thought Juliet, tears of gratitude glistening in
+her eyes: what a mixture of contrasting qualities sully, and ennoble
+your character in turn! Ah, why, to intellects so strong, a heart so
+liberal, a temper so gay, is there not joined a better portion of
+judgment, a larger one of diffidence, a sense of feminine propriety, and
+a mind rectified by religion,--not abandoned, uncontrolled, to
+imagination?
+
+Gabriella, though truly touched by a generosity so unexpected, declined
+accepting its fruits; not being yet, she said, so helpless, however
+poor, as to prefer pecuniary obligation to industry. She would leave,
+therefore, the donation, for those who had lost the resources of
+independence which she yet possessed--youth and strength.
+
+The tender admiration of Juliet forbade all remonstrance, and excluded
+any surprise. She well knew, and had long seen, that the distress which
+is the offspring of public calamity, not of private misfortune, however
+it may ruin prosperity, never humbles the mind.
+
+Gabriella, in a letter of elegant acknowledgements, to obviate any
+accusation of undue pride, solicited the assistance of Elinor, in
+procuring orders for embroidery, amongst the ladies of her acquaintance.
+
+Elinor, zealous to serve, and fearless to demand, instantly attacked,
+by note or by message, every rich female at Brighthelmstone; urging the
+generous, and shaming the niggardly, till there was scarcely a woman of
+fortune in the place, who had not given, or promised, a commission for
+some fine muslin-work.
+
+The two friends, through this commanding protection, began their new
+plan of life under the most favourable auspices; and had soon more
+employment than time, though they limited themselves to five hours for
+sleep; though their meals were rather swallowed than eaten; and though
+they allowed not a moment for any kind of recreation, of rest, or of
+exercise; save the sacred visit, which they unfailingly made together,
+at break of day, to the little grave in the church-yard upon the hill.
+
+Yet here first, since her arrival on the British shores, the immediate
+rapturous moment of landing, and the fortnight passed with Lady Aurora
+Granville excepted, here first sweet contentment, soft hopes, and gentle
+happiness visited the bosom of Juliet. No privation was hard, no toil
+was severe, no application was tedious, while the friend of her heart
+was by her side; whose sorrows she could mitigate, whose affections she
+could share, and whose tears she could sometimes chase.
+
+But the relief was not more exquisite than it was transitory; a week
+only had passed in delicious repose, when Gabriella received
+intelligence that her husband was taken ill.
+
+Whatever was her reluctance to quitting the spot, where her memory was
+every moment fed with cherished recollections, she could not hesitate to
+depart; but, when Juliet, in consonance with her inclination and her
+promise, prepared to accompany her, that hydra-headed intruder upon
+human schemes and desires, Difficulty, arose, in as many shapes as she
+could form projects, to impede her wishes. Money they had none: even for
+the return to town of Gabriella, her husband was fain to have recourse
+for aid to certain admirable persons, whose benevolence had enabled her,
+upon the illness of her son, to quit it for Brighthelmstone: and, in a
+situation of indigence so obvious, could they propose carrying away with
+them the work with which they were entrusted? Juliet, indeed, had still
+Harleigh's bank notes in her possession; but she turned inflexibly from
+the temptation of adopting a mode of conduct, which she had always
+condemned as weak and degrading; that of investing circumstance with
+decision, in conscientious dilemmas.
+
+These terrible obstacles broke into all their plans, their wishes,
+their happiness; involved them in new distress, deluged them in tears,
+and, after every effort with which ingenious friendship could combat
+them, ended in compelling a separation. Gabriella embraced, with pungent
+affliction, the sorrowing Juliet; shed her last bitter tears over the
+grave of her lost darling, and, by the assistance of the angelic
+beings[18] already hinted at, whose delicacy, whose feeling, whose
+respect for misfortune, made their beneficence as balsamic to
+sensibility, as it was salutary to want, returned alone to the capital.
+
+[Footnote 18: Residing in, and,--in 1795!--at the foot of Norbury Park.]
+
+Juliet thus, perforce, remaining, and once again left to herself, was
+nearly overwhelmed with grief at a stroke so abrupt and unexpected; so
+ruinous to her lately acquired contentment, and dearly prized social
+enjoyment. Yet she suffered not regret and disappointment to consume her
+time, however cruelly they preyed upon her spirits, and demolished her
+comfort. Solitarily she continued the employment which she had socially
+begun; but without relaxing in diligence and application, without
+permitting herself the smallest intermission that could be avoided:
+urged not alone to maintain herself, and to replace what she had touched
+of the deposit of Harleigh, but excited, yet more forcibly, by the fond
+hope of rejoining her friend; to which she eagerly looked forward, as
+the result and reward of her activity and labour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+
+
+Left thus to herself, and devoted to incessant work, Juliet next, had
+the vexation to learn, how inadequate for entering into any species of
+business was a mere knowledge of its theory.
+
+She had concluded that, in consecrating her time and her labours to so
+simple an employment as needle-work, she secured herself a certain,
+though an hardly earned maintenance: but, as her orders became more
+extensive, she found that neither talents for what she undertook, nor
+even patronage to bring them into notice, was sufficient; a capital also
+was requisite, for the purchase of frames, patterns, silver and gold
+threads, spangles, and various other articles; to procure which, she was
+forced, in the very commencement of her new career, again to run in
+debt.
+
+Alas! she cried, where business is not necessary to subsistence, how
+little do we know, believe, or even conceive, its various difficulties!
+Imagination may paint enjoyments; but labours and hardships can be
+judged only from experience!
+
+She was equally, also, unprepared for continual and vexatious delays of
+payment. Her work was frequently, when best executed; or set apart for
+some distant occasion, and forgotten; or received and worn, with no
+retribution but by promise. Even the few who possessed more
+consideration, seemed to estimate her time and her toil as nothing,
+because she was brought forward by recommendation; and to pay debts of
+common justice, with the parade of generosity.
+
+Yet, vanity and false reasoning set apart, the ladies for whom she
+worked were neither hard of heart nor illiberal; but they had never
+known distress! and were too light and unreflecting to weigh the
+circumstances by which it might be produced, or prevented.
+
+To save time, and obviate innumerable mortifications, Juliet, at first,
+employed a commissioner to carry home her work, and to deliver her
+bills; but he returned always with empty messages, that if Miss Ellis
+would call herself, she should be paid. Yet when, with whatever
+reluctance, she complied, she was ordinarily condemned to wait in
+passages, or anti-chambers, for whole hours, and even whole mornings;
+which were commonly ended by an excuse, through a footman, or lady's
+maid, that Lady or Miss such a one was too much engaged, or too much
+indisposed, to see her till the next day. The next day, when, with
+renewed expectation, she again presented herself, the same scene was
+re-acted; though the passing to and fro of various comers and goers,
+proved that it was only to herself her fair creditor was invisible.
+
+Nevertheless, if she mentioned that she had some pattern, or some piece
+of work, finished for any other lady to exhibit, she was immediately
+admitted; though still, with regard to payment, she was desired to call
+again in the evening, or the next morning, with a new bill; her old one
+happening, unluckily, to be always lost or mislaid; and not seldom,
+while stopping in an anti-room, to arrange her packages, she heard
+exclamations of 'How amazingly tiresome is that Miss Ellis! pestering
+one so, always, for her money!'
+
+Is it possible, thought Juliet, that common humanity, nay, common sense,
+will not tell these careless triflers, that their complaint is a lampoon
+upon themselves? Will no reflexion, no feeling point out to them, that
+the time which they thus unmercifully waste in humiliating attendance,
+however to themselves it may be a play-thing, if not a drug, is, to
+those who subsist but by their use of it, shelter, clothing, and
+nourishment?
+
+If sometimes, in the hope of exciting more attention from this
+dissipated set, she ventured to drop a mournful hint, that she was a
+novice to this hard kind of life; the warm compassion that seemed
+rapidly kindled, raised expectations of immediate assistance; but the
+emotion, though good, took a direction that made it useless; it merely
+played about in exclamations of pity; then blazed into curiosity, vented
+itself in questions,--and evaporated.
+
+She soon, therefore, ceased all attempt to obtain regard through
+personal representations; feeling yet more mortified to be left in
+passages, or recommended to domestics, after avowing that her lowly
+state was the effect of misfortune; than while she permitted it to be
+presumed, that she had nothing to brook but what she had been born and
+bred to bear.
+
+Some, indeed, while leaving their own just debts unpaid and unnoticed,
+would have collected, from their friends, a few straggling half-crowns;
+but when Juliet, declining such aid, modestly solicited her right, they
+captiously disputed a bill which had been charged by the strictest
+necessity; or offered half what they would have dared propose to any
+ordinary and hired day-jobber. And whatever admiration they bestowed
+upon the taste and execution of work prepared for others, all that she
+finished for themselves, was received with that wary precursor of
+under-valuing its price, contempt; and looked over with fault-finding
+eyes, and unmeaning criticism.
+
+Yet, if the following day, or even the following hour, some sudden
+invitation to a brilliant assembly, made any of these ladies require her
+services, they would give their orders with caressing solicitations for
+speed; rush familiarly into her room, three or four times in a day, to
+see how she went on; supplicate her to touch nothing for any other human
+being; load her with professions of regard; confound her with hurrying
+entreaties; shake her by the hand; tap her on the shoulder; call her the
+best of souls; assure her of their eternal gratitude; and torment her
+out of any time for sleep or food:--yet, the occasion past, and the work
+seen and worn, it was thought of no more! Her pains and exertions, their
+promises and fondness, sunk into the same oblivion; and the commonest
+and most inadequate pay was murmured at, if not contested.
+
+Now and then, however, she was surprised by sudden starts of kindness,
+and hasty enquiries, eagerly made, though scarcely demanding any answer,
+into her situation and affairs; followed by drawing her, with an air of
+confidence, into a dressing-room or closet:--but there, when prepared
+for some mark of favour or esteem, she was only asked, in a mysterious
+whisper, whether she could procure any cheap foreign lace, or French
+gloves? or whether she could get over from France, any particularly
+delicate paste for the hands.
+
+To ladies and to behaviour of this cast, there were, however,
+exceptions; especially amongst the residents of the place and its
+neighbourhood, who were not there, like the visitors, for dissipation or
+irregular extravagance, that, alternately, causes money to be loosely
+squandered, and meanly held back. But this better sort was rare, and
+sufficed not to supply employment to Juliet for her maintenance, though
+the most parsimonious. Nor were there any amongst them that had the
+leisure, or the discernment, to discover, that her mind both required
+and merited succour as much as her circumstances.
+
+Yet there was the seat of what she had most to endure, and found hardest
+to sustain. Her short, but precious junction with her Gabriella, gave
+poignancy to every latent regret, and added disgust to her solitary
+toil. Thoughts uncommunicated, ideas unexchanged, fears unrevealed, and
+sorrows unparticipated, infused a heaviness into her existence, that not
+all her activity in business could conquer; while slackness of pay, by
+rendering the result of her labours distant and precarious, robbed her
+industry of cheerfulness, and her exertions of hope. With an ardent love
+of elegant social intercourse, she was doomed to pass her lonely days in
+a room that no sound of kindness ever cheered; with enthusiastic
+admiration of the beauties of Nature, she was denied all prospect, but
+of the coarse red tilings of opposite attics: with an innate taste for
+the fine arts, she was forced to exist as completely out of their view
+or knowledge, as if she had been an inhabitant of some uncivilized
+country: and fellow-feeling, that most powerful master of philanthropy!
+now taught her to pity the lamentations of seclusion from the world,
+that she had hitherto often contemned as weak and frivolous; since now,
+though with time always occupied, and a mind fully stored, she had the
+bitter self-experience of the weight of solitude without books, and of
+the gloom of retirement without a friend.
+
+During this period, the only notice that she attracted, was that of a
+gouty old gentleman, whom she frequently met upon the stairs, when
+forced to mount or descend them in pursuit of her fair heedless
+creditors. She soon found, by the manner in which he entered, or
+quitted, at pleasure, the apartment that she had recently given up, that
+he was her successor. He was evidently struck by her beauty, and, upon
+their first meeting, looked earnestly after her till she was out of
+sight; and then, descended into the shop, to enquire who she was of Miss
+Matson. Miss Matson, always perplexed what to think of her, gave so
+indefinite, yet so extraordinary an account, that he eagerly awaited an
+opportunity of seeing her again. Added examination was less calculated
+to diminish curiosity, than to change it into pleasure and interest; and
+soon, during whole hours together, he perseveringly watched, upon the
+landing-places, for the moments of her going out, or coming back to the
+house; that, while smiling and bowing to her as she passed, he might
+obtain yet another, and another view of so singular and so lovely an
+Incognita.
+
+As he annexed no fixed idea himself to this assiduity, he impressed none
+upon Juliet; who, though she could not but observe it, had a mind too
+much occupied within, for that mental listlessness that applies for
+thoughts, conjectures, or adventures from without.
+
+Soon, however, becoming anxious to behold her nearer, and, soon after,
+to behold her longer, he contrived to place himself so as somewhat to
+obstruct, though not positively to impede, her passage. The modest
+courtesy, which she gave to his age, when, upon her approach, he made
+way for her, he pleased himself by attributing to his palpable
+admiration; and his bow, which had always been polite, became
+obsequious; and his smile, which had always spoken pleasure, displayed
+enchantment.
+
+Still, however, there was nothing to alarm, and little to engage the
+attention of Juliet; for though ostentatiously gallant, he was
+scrupulously decorous. His manners and deportment were old-fashioned,
+but graceful and gentleman-like; and his eyes, though they had lost
+their brilliancy, were still quick, scrutinizing, and, where not
+softened by female attractions, severe.
+
+One day, upon her return from a fruitless expedition, as fearfully,
+while ascending the stairs, she opened a paper that had just been
+delivered to her in the shop, her deeply absorbed and perplexed air, and
+the sigh with which she looked at its contents, induced him, with
+heightened interest, to attempt following her, that he might make some
+enquiry into her situation. He had discerned, as she passed, that what
+she held was a bill; he could not doubt her poverty from her change of
+apartment; and he wished to offer her some assistance: but finding that
+he had no chance of overtaking her, before she reached her chamber, he
+gently called, 'Young lady!' and begged that she would stop.
+
+With that alacrity of youthful purity, which is ever disposed to
+consider age and virtue as one, she not only complied, but, seeing the
+difficulty with which he mounted the stairs, respected his infirmities,
+and descended herself to meet him, and hear his business.
+
+To a younger man, or to one less experienced, or less sagacious, this
+action might have appeared the effect of forwardness, of ignorance, or
+of levity; but to a man of the world, hackneyed in its ways, and
+penetrating into the motives by which it is ordinarily influenced, it
+seemed the result of innocence without suspicion; yet of an innocence to
+which her air and manner gave a dignity that destroyed, in its birth,
+all interpretation to her disadvantage. His purse, therefore, which
+already he held in his hand, he felt must be offered with more delicacy
+than he had at first supposed to be necessary; and, though he was by no
+means a man apt to be embarrassed, he hesitated, for a moment, how to
+address a forlorn young stranger.
+
+That moment, however, sufficed to determine him upon making an apology,
+with the most marked respect, for the liberty which he had taken in
+claiming her attention. The look with which she listened rewarded his
+judgment: it expressed the gratitude of feelings to which politeness was
+a pleasure; but not a novelty.
+
+'I think--I understand, Ma'am,' he then said, 'you are the lady who
+inhabited the apartment to which, most unworthily, I have succeeded?'
+
+Juliet bowed.
+
+'I am truly concerned, Ma'am, at a mistake so preposterous in our
+destinies, so diametrically in opposition to our merits, as that which
+immures so much beauty and grace, which every one must wish to behold,
+in the attics; while so worn-out, and good-for-nothing an old fellow as
+I am, from whom every body must wish to turn their eyes, is perched,
+full in front, and precisely on the very spot so every way your
+superiour due. Whatever wicked Elf has done this deed, I confess myself
+heartily ashamed of my share in its operation; and humbly ready, should
+any better genius come amongst us, with a view to putting things into
+their proper places, to agree, either that you should be lodged, in the
+face of day, in the drawing-room, and I be jammed, out of sight, in the
+garret; or--that you should become gouty and decrepit, and I grow
+suddenly young and beautiful.'
+
+Juliet could not but smile, yet waited some explanation without
+speaking.
+
+Charmed with the smile, which his own rigid features immediately caught,
+'I have so frequently,' he continued, 'pondered and ruminated upon the
+good which those little aerial beings I speak of might do; and the
+wrongs which they might redress; were they permitted to visit us, now
+and then, as we read of their doing in days of yore; that, sometimes, I
+dream while wide awake, and fancy I see them; and feel myself at the
+mercy of their antic corrections; or receive courteous presents, or
+wholesome advice. Just this moment, as you were passing, methought one
+of them appeared to me!'
+
+Juliet, surprised, involuntarily looked round.
+
+'And it said to me, "Whence happens it, my worthy antique, that you grow
+as covetous as you are rich? Bear, for your pains, the punishment due to
+a miser, of receiving money that you must not hoard; and of presenting,
+with your own avaricious hand, this purse to the fair young creature
+whose dwelling you have usurped; yet who resides nearest to those she
+most resembles, the gods and goddesses."'
+
+With these words, and a low bow, he would have put his purse into her
+hand; but upon her starting back, it dropt at her feet.
+
+Surprized, yet touched, as well as amused, by a turn so unexpected to
+his pleasantry, Juliet, gracefully restoring, though firmly declining
+his offer, uttered her thanks for the kindness of his intentions, with a
+sweetness so unsuspicious of evil, that they separated with as strong an
+impression of wonder upon his part, as, upon hers, of gratitude.
+
+Anxious to relieve the perplexity thus excited, and to settle his
+opinion, he continued to watch, but could not again address her; for
+aware, now, of his purpose, she fled down, or darted up stairs, with a
+swiftness that defied pursuit; yet with a passing courtesy, that marked
+respectful remembrance.
+
+Thus, in a life of solitary hardship, with no intermission but for
+mortifying disappointment, passed nearly three weeks, when Juliet found,
+with affright and astonishment, that all orders for work seemed at an
+end. It was no longer the season for Brighthelmstone, whose visitors
+were only accidental stragglers, that, here to-day, and gone to-morrow,
+had neither care nor leisure but for rambling and amusement. The
+residents, though by no means inconsiderable, were soon served; for
+Elinor was removed to Lewes, and her influence was lost with her
+presence. Some new measure, therefore, for procuring employment, became
+necessary; and Juliet, once more, was reduced to make application to
+Miss Matson.
+
+In passing, therefore, one morning, through the shop, with some work
+prepared for carrying home, she stopt to open upon the subject; but the
+appearance of Miss Bydel at the door, induced her, with an hasty
+apology, to make an abrupt retreat; that she might avoid an encounter
+which, with that lady, was always irksome, if not painful, from her
+unconstrained curiosity; joined to the grossness of her conceptions and
+remarks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV
+
+
+Juliet, in re-mounting the stairs, was stopt, by her new acquaintance,
+before the door of his apartment.
+
+'If you knew,' he said, 'how despitefully I have been treated, and how
+miserably black and blue I have been pinched, by the little Imp whose
+offer you have rejected, sleep would fly your eyes at night, from
+remorse for your hardness of heart. Its Impship insists upon it, that
+the fault must all be mine. What! it cries, would you persuade me, that
+a young creature whose face beams with celestial sweetness, whose voice
+is the voice of melody, whose eyes have the softness of the Dove's--'
+
+Juliet, though she smiled, would have escaped; but he told her he must
+be heard.
+
+'Would you persuade me, quoth my sprite, that such an angelic personage,
+would rather let my poor despised coin canker and rust in your miserly
+coffers, than disperse it about in the world, in kind, generous, or
+useful activity? No, my antique, continues my little elf, you have
+presented it in some clumsy, hunchy, awkward mode, that has made her
+deem you an unworthy bearer of fairy gifts; and she flies the downy
+wings of my gentle succour, from the fear of falling into your rough and
+uncooth claws.'
+
+Juliet, who now, through the ill-closed fingers of his gouty hand,
+discerned his prepared purse, seriously begged to decline this
+discussion.
+
+'What malice you must bear me!' he cried. 'You are surely in the pay of
+my evil genius! and I shall be whipt with nettles, or scratched with
+thorns, all night, in revenge of my failure! And that parcel,
+too,--which strains the fine fibres of your fair hands,--cast it but
+down, and millions of my little elves will struggle to convey it safely
+to your chamber.'
+
+'I doubt not their dexterity,' answered Juliet, 'nor the benevolence of
+their fabricator; but I assure you, Sir, I want no help.'
+
+'If you will not accept their aerial services, deign, at least, not to
+refuse mine!'
+
+He endeavoured, now, to take the gown-packet into his own hands;
+laughingly saying, upon her grave resistance, 'Beware, fair nymph, of
+the dormant sensations which you may awaken, if you should make me
+suppose you afraid of me! Many a long day is past, alas! and gone, since
+I could flatter myself with the idea of exciting fear in a young
+breast!'
+
+Ceasing, however, the attempt, after some courteous apologies, he
+respectfully let her pass.
+
+But, upon entering her room, she heard something chink as she deposited
+her parcel upon a table; and, upon examination, found that he had
+managed to slip into it, during the contest, a little green purse.
+
+Vexed at this contrivance, and resolved not to lose an instant in
+returning what no distress could induce her to retain, she immediately
+descended; but the staircase was vacant, and the door was closed.
+Fearful any delay might authorize a presumption of acceptance, she
+assumed courage to tap at the door.
+
+A scampering, at the same moment, up the stairs, made her instantly
+regret this measure; and by no means the less, for finding herself
+recognized, and abruptly accosted by young Gooch, the farmer's son, at
+the very moment that her gouty admirer had hobbled to answer to her
+summons.
+
+'Well, see if I a'n't a good marksman!' he cried; 'for else, Ma'am, I
+might have passed you; for they told me, below, you were up there, at
+the very top of the house. But I'd warrant to pick you out from a
+hundred, Ma'am; as neat as my father would one of his stray sheep. But
+what I come for, Ma'am, is to ask the favour of your company, if it's
+agreeable to you, to a little junket at our farm.'
+
+Then, rubbing his hands with great glee, unregarding the surprised look
+of Juliet, at such an invitation, or the amused watchfulness of the
+observant old beau, he went glibly on.
+
+'Father's to give it, Ma'am. You never saw old dad, I believe, Ma'am?
+The old gentleman's a very good old chap; only he don't like our clubs:
+for he says they make me speak quite in the new manner; so that the
+farmers, he says, don't know what I'd be at. He's rather in years,
+Ma'am, poor man. He don't know much how things go. However, he's a very
+well meaning old gentleman.'
+
+Juliet gravely enquired, to what unknown accident she might attribute an
+invitation so unexpected?
+
+'Why, Ma'am,' answered Gooch, delighted at the idea of having given her
+an agreeable surprize, 'Why it's the 'Squire, Ma'am, that put it into my
+head. You know who I mean? our rich cousin, 'Squire Tedman. He's a great
+friend of yours, I can assure you, Ma'am. He wants you to take a little
+pleasure sadly. And he's sadly afraid, too, he says, that you'll miss
+him, now he's gone to town; for he used often, he says, to bring you one
+odd thing or another. He's got a fine fortune of his own, my cousin the
+'Squire. And he's a widower.--And he's taken a vast liking to you, I can
+tell you, Ma'am;--so who knows....'
+
+Juliet would have been perfectly unmoved by this ignorant forwardness,
+but for the presence of a stranger, to whose good opinion, after her
+experience of his benevolence, she could not be indifferent. With an
+air, therefore, that marked her little satisfaction at this familiar
+jocoseness, she declined the invitation; and begged the young man to
+acquaint Mr Tedman, that, though obliged to his intentions, she should
+feel a yet higher obligation in his forbearance to forward to her, in
+future, any similar proposals.
+
+'Why, Ma'am,' cried young Gooch, astonished, 'this i'n't a thing you can
+get at every day! We shall have all the main farmers of the
+neighbourhood! for it's given on account of a bargain that we've made,
+of a nice little slip of land, just by our square hay-field. And I've
+leave to choose six of the company myself. But they won't be farmers,
+Ma'am, I can tell you! They'll be young fellows that know better how the
+world goes. And we shall have your good friend 'Squire Stubbs; for it's
+he that made our bargain.'
+
+Juliet, now, turning from him to the silent, remarking stranger, said,
+'I am extremely ashamed, Sir, to obtrude thus upon your time, but the
+person for whom you so generously destined this donation commissions me
+to return it, with many thanks, and an assurance that it is not at all
+wanted.'
+
+She held out her hand with the purse, but, drawing back from receiving
+it, 'Madam,' he cried, 'I would upon no account offend any one who has
+the honour of being known to you; but you will not, therefore, I hope,
+insist that I should quarrel with myself, by taking what does not belong
+to me?'
+
+While Juliet, now, looked wistfully around, to discover some place where
+she might drop the purse, unseen by the young man, whose
+misinterpretations might be injurious, the youth volubly continued his
+own discourse.
+
+'We shall give a pretty good entertainment in the way of supper, I
+assure you, Ma'am; for we shall have a goose at top, and a turkey at
+bottom, and as fine a fat pig as ever you saw in your life in the
+middle; with as much ale, and mead, and punch, as you can desire to
+drink. And, as all my sisters are at home, and a brace or so of nice
+young lasses of their acquaintance, besides ever so many farmers, and us
+seven stout young fellows of my club, into the bargain, we intend to
+kick up a dance. It may keep you out a little late, to be sure, Ma'am,
+but you shall have our chay-cart to bring you home. You know our
+chay-cart of old, Ma'am?'
+
+'I, Sir?'
+
+'Why, lauk! have you forgot that, Ma'am? Why it's our chay-cart that
+brought you to Brighton, from Madam Maple's at Lewes, as good as half a
+year ago. Don't you remember little Jack, that drove you? and that went
+for you again the next day, to fetch you back?'
+
+Juliet now found, that this was the carriage procured for her by
+Harleigh, upon her first arrival at Lewes; and, though chagrined at the
+air of former, or disguised intimacy, which such an incident might seem
+to convey to her new friend, she immediately acknowledged recollecting
+the circumstance.
+
+'Well, I'm only sorry, Ma'am, I did not drive you myself; but I had not
+the pleasure of your acquaintance then, Ma'am; for 'twas before of our
+acting together.'
+
+The surprise of the listening old gentleman now altered its expression,
+from earnest curiosity to suppressed pleasantry; and he leant against
+his door, to take a pinch of snuff, with an air that denoted him to be
+rather waiting for some expected amusement, than watching, as
+heretofore, for some interesting explanation.
+
+Juliet, in discerning the passing change in his ideas, became more than
+ever eager to return the purse; yet more than ever fearful of
+misconstruction from young Gooch; whom she now, with encreased
+dissatisfaction, begged to lose no time in acquainting Mr Tedman, that
+business only ever took her from home.
+
+'Why, that's but moping for you, neither, Ma'am,' he answered, in a tone
+of pity. 'You'd have double the spirits if you'd go a little abroad;
+for staying within doors gives one but a hippish turn. It will go nigh
+to make you grow quite melancholick, Ma'am.'
+
+Hopeless to get rid either of him or of the purse, Juliet, now, was
+moving up stairs, when the voice of Miss Bydel called out from the
+passage, 'Why, Mr Gooch, have you forgot I told you to send Mrs Ellis to
+me?'
+
+'That I had clean!' he answered. 'I ask your pardon, I'm sure,
+Ma'am.--Why, Ma'am, Miss Bydel told me to tell you, when I said I was
+coming up to ask you to our junket, that she wanted to say a word or two
+to you, down in the shop, upon business.'
+
+Juliet would have descended; but Miss Bydel, desiring her to wait,
+mounted herself, saying, 'I have a mind to see your little new room:'
+stopping, however, when she came to the landing-place, which was square
+and large, 'Well-a-day!' she exclaimed: 'Sir Jaspar Herrington!--who'd
+have thought of seeing you, standing so quietly at your door? Why I did
+not know you could stand at all! Why how is your gout, my good Sir? And
+how do you like your new lodgings? I heard of your being here from Miss
+Matson. But pray, Mrs Ellis, what has kept you both, you and young Mr
+Gooch, in such close conference with Sir Jaspar? I can't think what
+you've been talking of so long. Pray how did you come to be so intimate
+together? I should like to know that.'
+
+Sir Jaspar courteously invited Miss Bydel to enter his apartment; but
+that lady, not aware that nothing is less delicate than professions of
+delicacy; which degrade a just perception, and strict practice of
+propriety, into a display of conscious caution, or a suspicion of evil
+interpretation; almost angrily answered, that she could not for the
+world do such a thing, for it would set every body a talking: 'for, as
+I'm not married, Sir Jaspar, you know, and as you're a single gentleman,
+too, it might make Miss Matson and her young ladies think I don't know
+what. For, when once people's tongues are set a-going, it's soon too
+late to stop them. Besides, every body's always so prodigious curious to
+dive into other people's affairs, that one can't well be too prudent.'
+
+Sir Jaspar, with an arched brow, of which she was far from comprehending
+the meaning, said that he acquiesced in her better judgment; but, as she
+had announced that she came to speak with this young lady upon business,
+he enquired, whether there would be any incongruity in putting a couple
+of chairs upon the landing-place.
+
+'Well,' she cried, 'that's a bright thought, I declare, Sir Jaspar! for
+it will save me the trouble of groping up stairs;' and then, seizing the
+opportunity to peep into his room, she broke forth into warm
+exclamations of pleasure, at the many nice and new things with which it
+had been furnished, since it had been vacated by Mrs Ellis.
+
+A look, highly commiserating, shewed him shocked by these observations;
+and the air, patiently calm, with which they were heard by Juliet,
+augmented his interest, as well as wonder, in her story and situation.
+
+He ordered his valet to fetch an arm-chair for Miss Bydel; while,
+evidently meant for Juliet, he began to drag another forward himself.
+
+'Bless me, Sir Jaspar!' cried Miss Bydel, looking, a little affronted,
+towards Juliet, 'have you no common chairs?'
+
+'Yes,' he answered, still labouring on, 'for common purposes!'
+
+This civility was not lost upon Juliet, who declining, though thankful
+for his attention, darted forward, to take, for herself, a seat of less
+dignity; hastily, as she passed, dropping the purse upon a table.
+
+A glance at Sir Jaspar sufficed to assure her, that this action had not
+escaped his notice; and though his look spoke disappointment, it shewed
+him sensible of the propriety of avoiding any contest.
+
+Relieved from this burthen, she now cheerfully waited to hear the orders
+of Miss Bydel: young Gooch waited to hear them also; seated,
+cross-legged, upon the balustrade; though Sir Jaspar sent his valet
+away, and, retired, scrupulously, himself, to the further end of his
+apartment.
+
+Miss Bydel, as little struck with the ill breeding of the young farmer,
+as with the good manners of the baronet, forgot her business, from
+recollecting that Mr Scope was waiting for her in the shop. 'For
+happening,' said she, 'to pass by, and see me, through the glass-door,
+he just stept in, on purpose to have a little chat.'
+
+'O ho, what, is 'Squire Scope here?' cried young Gooch; and, rapidly
+sliding down the banisters, seized upon the unwilling and precise Mr
+Scope, whom he dragged up to the landing-place.
+
+'Well, this is droll enough!' cried Miss Bydel, palpably enchanted,
+though trying to look displeased; 'only I hope you have not told Mr
+Scope 'twas I that sent you for him, Mr Gooch? for, I assure you, Mr
+Scope, I would not do such a thing for the world. I should think it
+quite improper. Besides, what will Miss Matson and the young milliners
+say? Who knows but you may have set them a prating, Mr Gooch? It's no
+joke, I can assure you, doing things of this sort.'
+
+'I'm sure, Ma'am,' said Gooch, 'I thought you wanted to see the 'Squire;
+for I did not do it in the least to make game.'
+
+'There can be no doubt, Madam,' said Mr Scope, somewhat offended, 'that
+all descriptions of sport are not, at all times, advisable. For, in
+small societies, as in great states, if I may be permitted to compare
+little things with great ones, danger often lurks unseen, and mischief
+breaks out from trifles. In like manner, for example, if one of those
+young milliners, misinterpreting my innocence, in obeying the supposed
+commands of the good Miss Bydel, should take the liberty to laugh at my
+expence, what, you might ask, could it signify that a young girl should
+laugh? Young persons, especially of the female gender, being naturally
+given to laughter, at very small provocatives; not to say sometimes
+without any whatsoever. Whereupon, persons of an ordinary judgment, may
+conclude such an action, by which I mean laughing, to be of no
+consequence.--'
+
+'But I think it very rude!' cried Miss Bydel, extremely nettled.
+
+'Please to hear me, Madam!' said Mr Scope. 'Persons, I say, of deeper
+knowledge in the maxims and manners of the moral world, would look
+forward with watchfulness, on such an occasion, to its future effects;
+for one laugh breeds another, and another breeds another; for nothing is
+so catching as laughing; I mean among the vulgar; in which class I would
+be understood to include the main mass of a great nation. What, I ask,
+ensues?--'
+
+'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, rather impatiently, 'I
+assure you if I knew any body that took such a liberty as to laugh at
+me, I should let them know my thoughts of such airs without much
+ceremony!'
+
+'My very good lady,' said Mr Scope, formally bowing, 'if I may request
+such a favour, I beg you to be silent. The laugh, I observe, caught
+thus, from one to another, soon spreads abroad; and then, the more aged,
+or better informed, may be led to enquire into its origin: and the
+result of such investigation must needs be, that the worthy Miss Bydel,
+having sent her commands to her humble servant, Mr Scope, to follow her
+up stairs--'
+
+'But if they said that,' cried Miss Bydel, looking very red, 'it would
+be as great a fib as ever was told, for I did not send my commands, nor
+think of such a thing. It was Mr Gooch's own doing, only for his own
+nonsense. And I am curious to know, Mr Gooch, whether any body ever put
+such thoughts into your head? Pray did you ever hear any body talk, Mr
+Gooch? For, if you have, I should be glad to know what they said.'
+
+Mr Scope, waving his hand to demand attention, again begged leave to
+remark, that he had not finished what he purposed to advance.
+
+'My argument, Madam,' he resumed, 'is a short, but, I hope, a clear one,
+for 'tis deduced from general principles and analogy; though, upon a
+merely cursory view, it may appear somewhat abstruse. But what I mean,
+in two words, is, that the laugh raised by Mr Gooch, and those young
+milliners; taking it for granted that they laughed; which, indeed, I
+rather think I heard them do; may, in itself, perhaps, as only
+announcing incapacity, not be condemnable; but when it turns out that it
+promulgates false reports, and makes two worthy persons, if I may take
+the liberty to name myself with the excellent Miss Bydel, appear to be
+fit subjects for ridicule; then, indeed, the laugh is no longer
+innocent; and ought, in strict justice, to be punished, as seriously as
+any other mode of propagating false rumours.'
+
+Miss Bydel, after protesting that Mr Scope talked so prodigiously
+sensible, that she was never tired of hearing him, for all his speeches
+were so long; abruptly told Juliet, that she had called to let her know,
+that she should be glad to be paid, out of hand, the money which she had
+advanced for the harp.
+
+Sir Jaspar, who, during the harangue of Mr Scope, which was uttered in
+too loud and important a manner, to leave any doubt of its being
+intended for general hearing; had drawn his chair to join the party,
+listened to this demand with peculiar attention; and was struck with the
+evident distress which it caused to Juliet; who fearfully besought a
+little longer law, to collect the debts of others, that she might be
+able to discharge her own.
+
+Young Gooch, coming behind her, said, in a half whisper, 'If you'll tell
+me how much it is you owe, Ma'am, I'll help you out in a trice; for I
+can have what credit I will in my father's name; and he'll never know
+but what 'twas for some frolic of my own; for I don't make much of a
+confidant of the old gentleman.'
+
+The most icy refusal was insufficient to get rid of this offer, or
+offerer; who assured her that, if the worst came to the worst, and his
+father, by ill luck, should find them out, he would not make a fuss for
+above a day or two; 'because,' he continued, 'he has only me, as one may
+say, for the rest are nothing but girls; so he can't well help himself.
+He gave me my swing too long from the first, to bind me down at this
+time of day. Besides, he likes to have me a little in the fashion, I
+know, though he won't own it; for he is a very good sort of an old
+gentleman, at bottom.'
+
+Sir Jaspar sought to discover, whether the colour which heightened the
+cheeks of Juliet at this proposal, which now ceased to be delivered in a
+whisper, was owing to confusion at its publicity, or to disdain at the
+idea of conspiring either at deceiving or braving the young man's
+father; while Miss Bydel, whose plump curiosity saved her from all
+species of speculative trouble, bluntly said, 'Why should you hesitate
+at such an offer, my dear? I'm sure I don't see how you can do better
+than accept it. Mr Gooch is a very worthy young man, and so are all his
+family. I'm sure I only wish he'd take to you more solidly, and make a
+match of it. That would put an end to your troubles at once; and I
+should get my money out of hand.'
+
+This was an opportunity not to be passed over by the argumentative but
+unerring Mr Scope, for trite observations, self-evident truths, and
+hackneyed calculations, upon the mingled dangers and advantages of
+matrimony, 'which, when weighed,' said he, 'in equal scales, and
+abstractedly considered, are of so puzzling a nature, that the wise and
+wary, fearing to risk them, remain single; but which, when looked upon
+in a more cursory way, or only lightly balanced, preponderate so much in
+favour of the state, that the great mass of the nation, having but small
+means of reflection, or forethought, ordinarily prefer matrimony. If,
+therefore, young Mr Gooch should think proper to espouse this young
+person, there would be nothing in it very surprising; nevertheless, in
+summing up the expences of wedlock, and a growing family, it might seem,
+that to begin the married state with debts already contracted, on the
+female side, would appear but a shallow mark of prudence on the male,
+where the cares of that state reasonably devolve; he being naturally
+supposed to have the most sense.'
+
+'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, 'if Mr Gooch should take a
+liking to this young person, she has money enough to pay her debts, I
+can assure you: I should not have asked her for it else; but the thing
+is, she don't like to part with it.'
+
+Juliet solemnly protested, that the severest necessity could alone have
+brought her into the pecuniary difficulties under which she laboured;
+the money to which Miss Bydel alluded being merely a deposit which she
+held in her hands, and for which she was accountable.
+
+'Well, that's droll enough,' said Miss Bydel, 'that a young person, not
+worth a penny in the world, should have the care of other people's
+money! I should like to know what sort of persons they must be, that can
+think of making such a person their steward!'
+
+Young Gooch said that it would not be his father, for one, who would do
+it; and Mr Scope was preparing an elaborate dissertation upon the nature
+of confidence, with regard to money-matters, in a great state; when Miss
+Bydel, charmed to have pronounced a sentence which seemed to accord with
+every one's opinion, ostentatiously added, 'I should like, I say, Mrs
+Ellis, to know what sort of person it could be, that would trust a
+person with one's cash, without enquiring into their circumstances? for
+though, upon hearing that a person has got nothing, one may give 'em
+something, one must be no better than a fool to make them one's banker.'
+
+Juliet, who could not enter into any explanation, stammered, coloured,
+and from the horrour of seeing that she was suspected, wore an air of
+seeming apprehensive of detection.
+
+A short pause ensued, during which every one fixed his eyes upon her
+face, save Sir Jaspar; who seemed studying a portrait upon his
+snuff-box.
+
+Her immediate wish, in this disturbance, was to clear herself from so
+terrible an aspersion, by paying Miss Bydel, as she had paid her other
+creditors, from the store of Harleigh; but her wishes, tamed now by
+misfortune and disappointment, were too submissively under the controul
+of fear and discretion, to suffer her to act from their first dictates:
+and a moment's reflection pointed out, that, joined to the impropriety
+of such a measure with respect to Harleigh himself, it would be liable,
+more than any other, to give her the air of an impostor, who possessed
+money that she could either employ, or disclaim all title to, at her
+pleasure. Calling, therefore, for composure from conscious integrity,
+she made known her project of applying once more to Miss Matson, for
+work; and earnestly supplicated for the influence of Miss Bydel, that
+this second application might not, also, be vain.
+
+The eyes of the attentive Sir Jaspar, as he raised them from his
+snuff-box, now spoke respect mingled with pity.
+
+'As to recommending you to Miss Matson, Mrs Ellis,' answered Miss Bydel,
+'it's out of all reason to demand such a thing, when I can't tell who
+you are myself; and only know that you have got money in your hands
+nobody knows how, nor what for.'
+
+An implication such as this, nearly overpowered the fortitude of Juliet;
+and, relinquishing all further effort, she rose, and, silently, almost
+gloomily, began ascending the stairs. Sir Jaspar caught the expression
+of her despair by a glance; and, in a tone of remonstrance, said to Miss
+Bydel, 'In your debt, good Miss Bydel? Have you forgotten, then, that
+the young lady has paid you?'
+
+'Paid me? good Me! Sir Jaspar,' cried Miss Bydel, staring; 'how can you
+say such a thing? Do you think I'd cheat the young woman?'
+
+'I think it so little,' answered he, calmly, 'that I venture to remind
+you, thus publicly, of the circumstance; in full persuasion that I shall
+merit your gratitude, by aiding your memory.'
+
+'Good Me! Sir Jaspar, why I never heard such a thing in my life! Paid
+me? When? Why it can't be without my knowing it?'
+
+'Certainly not; I beg you, therefore, to recollect yourself.'
+
+The stare of Miss Bydel was now caught by Mr Scope; and her 'Good Me!'
+was echoed by young Gooch; while the surprised Juliet, turning back,
+said, 'Pardon me, Sir! I have never been so happy as to be able to
+discharge the debt. It remains in full force.'
+
+'Over you, too, then,' cried Sir Jaspar, with quickness, 'have I the
+advantage in memory? Have you forgotten that you delivered, to Miss
+Bydel, the full sum, not twenty minutes since?'
+
+Miss Bydel now, reddening with anger, cried, 'Sir Jaspar, I have long
+enough heard of your ill nature; but I never suspected your crossness
+would take such a turn against a person as this, to make people believe
+I demand what is not my own!'
+
+Juliet again solemnly acknowledged the debt; and Mr Scope opened an
+harangue upon the merits of exactitude between debtor and creditor, and
+the usefulness of settling no accounts, without, what were the only
+legal witnesses to obviate financial controversy, receipts in full; when
+Sir Jaspar, disregarding, alike, his rhetoric or Miss Bydel's choler,
+quietly patting his snuff-box, said, that it was possible that Miss
+Bydel had, inadvertently, put the sum into her work-bag, and forgotten
+that it had been refunded.
+
+Exulting that means, now, were open for vindication and redress, Miss
+Bydel eagerly untied the strings of her work-bag; though Juliet
+entreated that she would spare herself the useless trouble. But Sir
+Jaspar protested, with great gravity, that his own honour was now as
+deeply engaged to prove an affirmative, as that of Miss Bydel to prove a
+negative: holding, however, her hand, he said that he could not be
+satisfied, unless the complete contents of the work-bag were openly and
+fairly emptied upon a table, in sight of the whole party.
+
+Miss Bydel, though extremely affronted, consented to this proposal;
+which would clear her, she said, of so false a slander. A table was then
+brought upon the landing-place; as she still stiffly refused risking her
+reputation, by entering the apartment of a single gentleman; though he
+might not, as she observed, be one of the youngest.
+
+Sir Jaspar demanded the precise amount of the sum owed. A guinea and a
+half.
+
+He then fetched a curious little japan basket from his chamber, into
+which he desired that Miss Bydel would put her work-bag; though he would
+not suffer her to empty it, till, with various formalities, he had
+himself placed it in the middle of the table; around which he made every
+one draw a chair.
+
+Miss Bydel now triumphantly turned her work-bag inside out; but what was
+her consternation, what the shock of Mr Scope, and how loud the shout of
+young Gooch, to see, from a small open green purse, fall a guinea and a
+half!
+
+Miss Bydel, utterly confounded, remained speechless; but Juliet, through
+whose sadness Sir Jaspar saw a smile force its way, that rendered her
+beauty dazzling, recollecting the purse, blushed, and would have
+relieved Miss Bydel, by confessing that she knew to whom it belonged;
+had she not been withheld by the fear of the strange appearance which so
+sudden a seeming intimacy with the Baronet might wear.
+
+Sir Jaspar, again patting her snuff-box, composedly said, 'I was
+persuaded Miss Bydel would find that her debt had been discharged.'
+
+Miss Bydel remained stupified; while Mr Scope, with a look concerned,
+and even abashed, condolingly began an harangue upon the frail tenure of
+the faculty of human memory.
+
+Miss Bydel, at length, recovering her speech, exclaimed, 'Well, here's
+the money, that's certain! but which way it has got into my work-bag,
+without my ever seeing or touching it, I can't pretend to say: but if
+Mrs Ellis has done it to play me a trick--'
+
+Juliet disavowed all share in the transaction.
+
+'Then it's some joke of Sir Jaspar's! for I know he dearly loves to
+mortify; so I suppose he has given me false coin, or something that
+won't go, just to make me look like a fool.'
+
+'The money, I have the honour to assure you, is not mine,' was all that,
+very tranquilly, Sir Jaspar replied: while Mr Scope, after a careful
+examination of each piece, declared each to be good gold, and full
+weight.
+
+Sundry 'Good me's!' and other expressions of surprise, though all of a
+pleasurable sort, now broke forth from Miss Bydel, finishing with,
+'However, if nobody will own the money, as the debt is fairly my due, I
+don't see why I may not take it; though as to the purse, I won't touch
+it, because as that's a thing I have not lent to any body, I've no right
+to it.'
+
+Juliet here warmly interfered. The purse, she said, and the money
+belonged to the same proprietor; and, as neither of them were hers, both
+ought to be regarded as equally inadmissible for the payment of a debt
+which she alone had contracted. This disinterested sincerity made even
+Mr Scope turn to her with an air of profound, though surprised respect;
+while Sir Jaspar fixed his eyes upon her face with encreased and the
+most lively wonder; young Gooch stared, not perfectly understanding her;
+but Miss Bydel, rolling up the purse, which she put back into the
+basket, said, 'Well, if the money is not yours, Mrs Ellis, my dear, it
+can be nobody's but Sir Jaspar's; and if he has a mind to pay your debt
+for you, I don't see why I should hinder him, when 'twould be so much to
+my disadvantage. He's rich enough, I assure you; for what has an old
+bachelor to do with his money? So I'll take my due, be it which way it
+will.' And, unmoved by all that Juliet could urge, she put the guinea
+and the half-guinea carefully into her pocket.
+
+Juliet declared, that a debt which she had not herself discharged, she
+should always consider as unpaid, though her creditor might be changed.
+
+Confused then, ashamed, perplexed,--yet unavoidably pleased, she mounted
+to her chamber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV
+
+
+With whatever shame, whatever chagrin, Juliet saw herself again involved
+in a pecuniary obligation, with a stranger, and a gentleman, a support
+so efficacious, at a moment of such alarm, was sensibly and gratefully
+felt. Yet she was not less anxious to cancel a favour which still was
+unfitting to be received. She watched, therefore, for the departure of
+Miss Bydel, and the restoration of stillness to the staircase, to
+descend, once more, in prosecution to her scheme with Miss Matson.
+
+The anxious fear of rejection, and dread of rudeness, with which she
+then renewed her solicitation, soon happily subsided, from a readiness
+to listen, and a civility of manner, as welcome as they were unexpected,
+in her hostess; by whom she was engaged, without difficulty, to enter
+upon her new business the following morning.
+
+Thus, and with cruel regret, concluded her fruitless effort to attain a
+self-dependence which, however subject to toil, might be free, at least,
+from controul. Every species of business, however narrow its cast,
+however limited its wants, however mean its materials; required, she now
+found, some capital to answer to its immediate calls, and some steady
+credit for encountering the unforeseen accidents, and unavoidable risks,
+to which all human undertakings, whether great or insignificant, are
+liable.
+
+With this conviction upon her mind, she strove to bear the
+disappointment without murmuring; hoping to gain in security all that
+she lost in liberty. Little reason, indeed, had she for regretting what
+she gave up: she had been worn by solitary toil, and heavy rumination;
+by labour without interest, and loneliness without leisure.
+
+Nevertheless, the beginning of her new career promised little
+amelioration from the change. She was summoned early to the shop to
+take her work; but, when she begged leave to return with it to her
+chamber, she was stared at as if she had made a demand the most
+preposterous, and told that, if she meant to enter into business, she
+must be at hand to receive directions, and to learn how it should be
+done.
+
+To enter into business was far from the intention of Juliet; but the
+fear of dismission, should she proclaim how transitory were her views,
+silenced her into acquiescence; and she seated herself behind a distant
+counter.
+
+And here, perforce, she was initiated into a new scene of life, that of
+the humours of a milliner's shop. She found herself in a whirl of hurry,
+bustle, loquacity, and interruptions. Customers pressed upon customers;
+goods were taken down merely to be put up again; cheapened but to be
+rejected; admired but to be looked at, and left; and only bought when,
+to all appearance, they were undervalued and despised.
+
+It was here that she saw, in its unmasked futility, the selfishness of
+personal vanity. The good of a nation, the interest of society, the
+welfare of a family, could with difficulty have appeared of higher
+importance than the choice of a ribbon, or the set of a cap; and
+scarcely any calamity under heaven could excite looks of deeper horrour
+or despair, than any mistake committed in the arrangement of a feather
+or a flower. Every feature underwent a change, from chagrin and
+fretfulness, if any ornament, made by order, proved, upon trial, to be
+unbecoming; while the whole complexion glowed with the exquisite joy of
+triumph, if something new, devised for a superiour in the world of
+fashion, could be privately seized as a model by an inferiour.
+
+The ladies whose practice it was to frequent the shop, thought the time
+and trouble of its mistress, and her assistants, amply paid by the
+honour of their presence; and though they tried on hats and caps, till
+they put them out of shape; examined and tossed about the choicest
+goods, till they were so injured that they could be sold only at half
+price; ordered sundry articles, which, when finished, they returned,
+because they had changed their minds; or discovered that they did not
+want them; still their consciences were at ease, their honour was
+self-acquitted, and their generosity was self-applauded, if, after two
+or three hours of lounging, rummaging, fault-finding and chaffering,
+they purchased a yard or two of ribbon, or a few skanes of netting silk.
+
+The most callous disregard to all representations of the dearness of
+materials, or of the just price of labour, was accompanied by the most
+facile acquiescence even in demands that were exorbitant, if they were
+adroitly preceded by, 'Lady ----, or the Duchess of ----, gave that sum
+for just such another cap, hat, &c., this very morning.'
+
+Here, too, as in many other situations into which accident had led, or
+distress had driven Juliet, she saw, with commiseration and shame for
+her fellow-creatures, the total absence of feeling and of equity, in the
+dissipated and idle, for the indigent and laborious. The goods which
+demanded most work, most ingenuity, and most hands, were last paid,
+because heaviest of expence; though, for that very reason, the many
+employed, and the charge of materials, made their payment the first
+required. Oh that the good Mr Giles Arbe, thought Juliet, could arraign,
+in his simple but impressive style, the ladies who exhibit themselves
+with unpaid plumes, at assemblies and operas; and enquire whether they
+can flatter themselves, that to adorn them alone is sufficient to
+recompense those who work for, without seeing them; who ornament without
+knowing them; and who must necessarily, if unrequited, starve in
+rendering them more brilliant!
+
+Upon further observation, nevertheless, her compassion for the milliner
+and the work-women somewhat diminished; for she found that their notions
+of probity were as lax as those of their customers were of justice; and
+saw that their own rudeness to those who had neither rank nor fortune,
+kept pace with the haughtiness which they were forced to support, from
+those by whom both were possessed. Every advantage was taken of
+inexperience and simplicity; every article was charged, not according to
+its value, but to the skill or ignorance of the purchaser; old goods
+were sold as if new; cheap goods as if dear; and ancient, or vulgar
+ornaments, were presented to the unpractised chafferer, as the very pink
+of the mode.
+
+The rich and grand, who were capricious, difficult, and long in their
+examinations, because their time was their own; or rather, because it
+hung upon their hands; and whose utmost exertion, and sole practice of
+exercise consisted in strolling from a sofa to a carriage, were
+instantly, and with fulsome adulation, attended; while the meaner, or
+economical, whose time had its essential appropriations, and was
+therefore precious, were obliged to wait patiently for being served,
+till no coach was at the door, and every fine lady had sauntered away.
+And even then, they were scarcely heard when they spoke; scarcely shewn
+what they demanded; and scarcely thanked for what they purchased.
+
+In viewing conflicts such as these, between selfish vanity and cringing
+cunning, it soon became difficult to decide, which was least congenial
+to the upright mind and pure morality of Juliet, the insolent, vain,
+unfeeling buyer, or the subtle, plausible, over-reaching seller.
+
+The companions of Juliet in this business, though devoted, of course, to
+its manual operations, left all its cares to its mistress. Their own
+wishes and hopes were caught by other objects. The town was filled with
+officers, whose military occupations were brief, whose acquaintances
+were few, and who could not, all day long, ride, or pursue the sports of
+the field. These gentlemen, for their idle moments, chose to deem all
+the unprotected young women whom they thought worth observance, their
+natural prey. And though, from race to race, and from time immemorial,
+the young female shop-keeper had been warned of the danger, the folly,
+and the fate of her predecessors; in listening to the itinerant admirer,
+who, here to-day and gone to-morrow, marches his adorations, from town
+to town with as much facility, and as little regret, as his regiment;
+still every new votary to the counter and the modes, was ready to go
+over the same ground that had been trodden before; with the fond
+persuasion of proving an exception to those who had ended in misery and
+disgrace, by finishing, herself, with marriage and promotion. Their
+minds, therefore, were engaged in airy projects; and their leisure,
+where they could elude the vigilance of Miss Matson, was devoted to
+clandestine coquetry, tittering whispers, and secret frolics.
+
+'These,' said Juliet, in a letter to Gabriella, 'are now my destined
+associates! Ah, heaven! can these--can such as these,--setting aside
+pride, prejudice, propriety, or whatever word we use for the
+distinctions of society,--can these--can such as these, suffice as
+companions to her whose grateful heart has been honoured with the
+friendship of Gabriella? O hours of refined felicity past and gone, how
+severe is your contrast with those of heaviness and distaste now
+endured!'
+
+The inexperience of Juliet in business, impeded not her acquiring almost
+immediate excellence in the millinery art, for which she was equally
+fitted by native taste, and by her remembrance of what she had seen
+abroad. The first time, therefore, that she was employed to arrange some
+ornaments, she adjusted them with an elegance so striking, that Miss
+Matson, with much parade, exhibited them to her best lady-customers, as
+a specimen of the very last new fashion, just brought her over by one of
+her young ladies from Paris.
+
+In a town that subsists by the search of health for the sick, and of
+amusement for the idle, the smallest new circumstance is of sufficient
+weight to be related and canvassed; for there is ever most to say where
+there is least to do. The phrase, therefore, that went forth from Miss
+Matson, that one of her young ladies was just come from France, was soon
+spread through the neighbourhood; with the addition that the same person
+had brought over specimens of all the French _costume_.
+
+Such a report could not fail to allure staring customers to the shop,
+where the attraction of the youth and beauty of the new work-woman,
+contrasted with her determined silence to all enquiry, gave birth to
+perpetually varying conjectures in her presence, which were followed by
+the most eccentric assertions where she was the subject of discourse in
+her absence. All that already had been spread abroad, of her acting, her
+teaching, her playing the harp, her needle-work, and, more than all, her
+having excited a suicide; was now in every mouth; and curiosity, baffled
+in successive attempts to penetrate into the truth, supplied, as usual,
+every chasm of fact by invention.
+
+This species of commerce, always at hand, and always fertile, proved so
+highly amusing to the lassitude of the idle, and to the frivolousness of
+the dissipated, that, in a very few days, the shop of Miss Matson became
+the general rendezvous of the saunterers, male and female, of
+Brighthelmstone. The starers were happy to present themselves where
+there was something to see; the strollers, where there was any where to
+go; the loungers, where there was any pretence to stay; and the curious
+where there was any thing to develop in which they had no concern.
+
+Juliet, at first, ignorant of the usual traffic of the shop, imagined
+this affluence of customers to be habitual; but she was soon undeceived,
+by finding herself the object of inquisitive examination; and by
+overhearing unrestrained inquiries made to Miss Matson, of 'Pray, Ma'am,
+which is your famous French milliner?'
+
+In the midst of these various distastes and discomforts, some interest
+was raised in the mind of Juliet, for one of her young
+fellow-work-women. It was not, indeed, that warm interest which is the
+precursor of friendship; its object had no qualities that could rise to
+such a height; it was simply a sensation of pity, abetted by a wish of
+doing good.
+
+Flora Pierson, without either fine features or fine countenance, had
+strikingly the beauty of youth in a fair complexion, round, plump, rosy
+cheeks, bright, though unmeaning eyes, and an air of health, strength,
+and juvenile good humour, that was diffused copiously through her whole
+appearance. She was innocent and inoffensive, and, as far as she was
+able to think, well meaning, and ready to be at every body's command;
+though incapable to be at any body's service. Yet her simplicity was of
+that happy sort that never occasions self-distress, from being wholly
+unaccompanied by any consciousness of deficiency or inferiority.
+Accustomed to be laughed at almost whenever she spoke, she saw the smile
+that she raised without emotion; or participated in it without knowing
+why; and she heard the sneer that followed her simple merriment without
+displeasure; though sometimes she would a little wonder what it meant.
+
+This young creature, who had but barely passed her sixteenth year, had
+already attracted the dangerous attention of various officers, from
+whose several attacks and manoeuvres she had hitherto been rescued by
+the vigilance of Miss Matson. Each of these anecdotes she eagerly took,
+or rather made opportunities to communicate to Juliet; waiting for no
+other encouragement than the absence of Miss Matson, and using no other
+prelude than 'Now I've got something else to tell you!'
+
+Except for some slight mixture of contempt, Juliet heard these tales
+with perfect indifference; till that ungenial feeling, or rather absence
+of feeling, was superceded by compassion, upon finding that she was the
+object, probably the dupe, of a new and unfinished adventure, with which
+Miss Matson was as yet unacquainted. 'Now, Miss Ellis!' she cried, 'I'll
+tell you the drollest part of all, shall I? Well, do you know I've got
+another admirer that's above all the rest? And yet he i'n't a captain,
+neither, nor an officer. But he's quite a gentleman of quality, for he's
+a knight baronight. And he's very pretty, I assure you. As pretty as
+you, only his nose is a little shorter, and his mouth is a little
+bigger. And he has not got quite so much colour; for he is very pale.
+But he's prettier than I am, I believe. Yet I'm not very homely, people
+say. I'm sure I don't know. One can't judge one's self. But I believe
+I'm very well. At least, I am not very brown; I know that, by my
+looking-glass. I've a pretty good skin of my own.'
+
+Neither the giggling derision of her fellow-work-women, nor the total
+abstinence from enquiry or comment with which Juliet heard these
+insignificant details, checked the pleasure of Flora in her own prattle;
+which, whenever she could find some one to address,--for she waited not
+till any one would listen,--went on, with sleepy good humour, and
+pretty, but unintelligent smiles, from the moment that she rose, to the
+moment that she went to rest. But when, in great confidence, and
+declaring that nobody was in the secret, except just Miss Biddy, and
+Miss Jenny, and Miss Polly, and Miss Betsey, she made known who was this
+last and most striking admirer, the attention of Juliet was roused; it
+was Sir Lyell Sycamore.
+
+Copiously, and with looks of triumph, Flora related her history with the
+young Baronet. First of all, she said, he had declared, in ever so many
+little whispers, that he was in love with her; and next, he had made her
+ever so many beautiful presents, of ear-rings, necklaces, and trinkets;
+always sending them by a porter, who pretended that they were just
+arrived by the Diligence; with a letter to shew to Miss Matson,
+importing that an uncle of Flora's, who resided in Northumberlandshire,
+begged her to accept these remembrances. 'Though I'm sure I don't know
+how he found out that I've got an uncle there,' she continued, 'unless
+it was by my telling it him, when he asked me what relations I had.'
+
+Her gratitude and vanity thus at once excited, Sir Lyell told her that
+he had some important intelligence to communicate, which could not be
+revealed in a short whisper in the shop: he begged her, therefore, to
+meet him upon the Strand, a little way out of the town, one Sunday
+afternoon; while Miss Matson might suppose that she was taking her usual
+recreation with the rest of the young ladies. 'So I could not refuse
+him, you may think,' she said, 'after being so much obliged to him; and
+so we walked together by the sea-side, and he was as agreeable as ever;
+and so was I, too, I believe, if I may judge without flattery. At least,
+he said I was, over and over; and he's a pretty good judge, I believe, a
+man of his quality. But I sha'n't tell you what he said to me; for he
+said I was as fresh as a violet, and as fair as jessamy, and as sweet as
+a pink, and as rosy as a rose; but one must not over and above believe
+the gentlemen, mamma says, for what they say is but half a compliment.
+However, what do you think, Miss Ellis? Only guess! For all his being so
+polite, do you know, he was upon the point of behaving rude? Only I told
+him I'd squall out, if he did. But he spoke so pretty when he saw I was
+vexed, that I could not be very angry with him about it; could I?
+Besides, men will be rude, naturally, mamma says.'
+
+'But does not your mamma tell you, also, Miss Pierson, that you must not
+walk out alone with gentlemen?'
+
+'O dear, yes! She's told me that ever so often. And I told it to Sir
+Lyell; and I said to him we had better not go. But he said that would
+kill him, poor gentleman! And he looked as sorrowful as ever you saw;
+just as if he was going to cry. I'm sure I'm glad he did not, poor
+gentleman! for if he had, it's ten to one but I should have cried too;
+unless, out of ill luck, I had happened to fall a laughing; for it's
+odds which I do, sometimes, when I'm put in a fidget. However, upon
+seeing his sister, along with some company of his acquaintance, not far
+off, he said I had better go back: but he promised me, if I would meet
+him again the next Sunday, he would have a post-chaise o'purpose for me,
+because of the pebbles being so hard for my feet; and he'd take me ever
+so pretty a ride, he said, upon the Downs. But he came the next morning
+to tell me he was forced, by ill luck, to go to London; but he'd soon be
+back: and he bid me, ever so often, not to say one word of what had
+passed to a living creature; for if his sister should get an inkling of
+his being in love with me, there would be fine work, he said! But he'd
+bring me ever so many pretty things, he said, from London.'
+
+Juliet listened to this history with the deepest indignation against the
+barbarous libertine, who, with egotism so inhuman, sought to rob, first
+of innocence, and next, for it would be the inevitable consequence, of
+all her fair prospects in life, a young creature whose simplicity
+disabled her from seeing her danger; whose credulity induced her to
+agree to whatever was proposed; and whose weakness of intellect rendered
+it as much a dishonour as a cruelty to make her a dupe.
+
+Whatever could be suggested to awaken the simple maiden to a sense of
+her perilous situation, was instantly urged; but without any effect. Sir
+Lyell Sycamore, she answered, had owned that he was in love with her;
+and it was very hard if she must be ill natured to him in return;
+especially as, if she behaved agreeably, nobody could tell but he might
+mean to make her a lady. Where a vision so refulgent, which every speech
+of Sir Lyell's, couched in ambiguous terms, though adroitly evasive of
+promise, had been insidiously calculated to present, was sparkling full
+in sight, how unequal were the efforts of sober truth and reason, to
+substitute in its place cold, dull, disappointing reality! Juliet soon
+relinquished the attempt as hopeless. Where ignorance is united with
+vanity, advice, or reproof, combat it in vain. She addressed her
+remonstrances, therefore, to their fellow-work-women; every one of
+which, it was evident, was a confidant of the dangerous secret. How was
+it, she demanded, that, aware of the ductility of temper of this poor
+young creature, they had suffered her to form so alarming a connexion,
+unknown either to her friends or to Miss Matson?
+
+Pettishly affronted, they answered, that they were not a set of fusty
+duennas: that if Miss Pierson were ever so young, that did not make them
+old; that she might as well take care of herself, therefore, as they of
+themselves. Besides, nobody could tell but Sir Lyell Sycamore meant to
+marry her; and indeed they none of them doubted that such was his
+design; because he was politeness itself to all of them round, though he
+was most particular, to be sure, to Miss Pierson. They could not think,
+therefore, of making such a gentleman their enemy, any more than of
+standing in the way of Miss Pierson's good fortune; for, to their
+certain knowledge, there were more grand matches spoilt by meddling and
+making, than by any thing else upon earth.
+
+Here again, what were the chances of truth and reason against the
+semblance, at least the pretence of generosity, which thus covered folly
+and imprudence? Each aspiring damsel, too, had some similar secret, or
+correspondent hope of her own; and found it convenient to reject, as
+treachery, an appeal against a sister work-woman, that might operate as
+an example for a similar one against herself.
+
+Juliet, therefore, could but determine to watch the weak, if not willing
+victim, while yet under the same roof; and openly, before she quitted
+it, to reveal the threatening danger to Miss Matson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI
+
+
+The first Sunday that Juliet passed in this new situation, nearly robbed
+her of the good will of the whole of the little community to which she
+belonged. It was the only day in the week in which the young work-women
+were allowed some hours for recreation; they considered it, therefore,
+as rightfully dedicated, after the church-service, to amusement with one
+another; and Juliet, in refusing to join in a custom which they held to
+be the basis of their freedom and happiness, appeared to them an
+unsocial and haughty innovator. Yet neither wearying remonstrances, nor
+persecuting persuasions, could prevail upon her to parade with them upon
+the Steyne; to stroll with them by the sea-side; to ramble upon the
+Downs; or to form a party for Shoreham, or Devil's Dyke.
+
+Evil is so relative, that the same chamber, the lonely sadness of which,
+since her privation of Gabriella, had become nearly insupportable to
+her, was now, from a new contrast, almost all that she immediately
+coveted. The bustle, the fatigue, the obtrusion of new faces, the spirit
+of petty intrigue, and the eternal clang of tongues, which she had to
+endure in the shop, made quiet, even in its most uninteresting dulness,
+desirable and consoling.
+
+To approach herself, as nearly as might be in her power, to the loved
+society which she had lost, she destined this only interval of peace and
+leisure, to her pen and Gabriella; and such was her employment, when the
+sound of slow steps, upon the stairs, followed by a gentle tap at her
+door, at once interrupted and surprised her. Miss Matson and her maids,
+as well as her work-women, were spending their Sabbath abroad; and a
+shop-man was left to take care of the house. The tap, however, was
+repeated, and, obeying its call, Juliet beheld Sir Jaspar Herrington,
+the gouty old Baronet.
+
+The expression of her countenance immediately demanded explanation, if
+not apology, as she stepped forward upon the landing-place, to make
+clear that she should not receive him in her apartment.
+
+His keen eye read her meaning, though, affecting not to perceive it, he
+pleasantly said, 'How? immured in your chamber? and of a gala day?'
+
+The recollection of the essential, however forced obligation, which she
+owed to him, for her deliverance from the persecution of Miss Bydel,
+soon dissipated her first impression in his disfavour, and she quietly
+answered that she went very little abroad: but when she would have
+enquired into his business, 'You can refuse yourself, then,' he cried,
+pretending not to hear her, 'the honour--or pleasure, which shall we
+call it? of sharing in the gaieties of your fair fellow-votaries to the
+needle? I suspected you of this self-denial. I had a secret presentiment
+that you would be insensible to the fluttering joys of your sister
+spinsters. How did I divine you so well? What is it you have about you
+that sets one's imagination so to work?'
+
+Juliet replied, that she would not presume to interfere with the
+business of his penetration, but that, as she was occupied, she must beg
+to know, at once, his commands.
+
+'Not so hasty! not so hasty!' he cried: 'You must shew me some little
+consideration, if only in excuse for the total want of it which you have
+caused in those little imps, that beset my slumbers by night, and my
+reveries by day. They have gotten so much the better of me now, that I
+am equally at a loss how to sleep or how to wake for them. 'Why don't
+you find out,' they cry, 'whether this syren likes her new situation?
+Why don't you discover whether any thing better can be done for her?'
+And then, all of one accord, they so pommel and bemaul me, that you
+would pity me, I give you my word, if you could see the condition into
+which they put my poor conscience; however little so fair a young
+creature may be disposed to feel pity, for such a hobbling, gouty old
+fellow as I am!'
+
+Softened by this benevolent solicitude, Juliet, thankfully, spoke of
+herself with all the cheerfulness that she could assume; and, encouraged
+by her lessened reserve, Sir Jaspar, to her unspeakable surprise, said,
+'There is one point, I own, which I have an extreme desire to know; how
+long may it be that you have left the stage, and from what latent
+cause?'
+
+No explanation, however, could be attempted: the attention of Juliet was
+called into another channel, by the sound of a titter, which led her to
+perceive Flora Pierson; who, almost convulsed with delight at having
+surprised them, said that she had heard, from the shop-man, that Miss
+Ellis and Sir Jaspar were talking together upon the stairs, and she had
+stolen up the back way, and crept softly through one of the garrets, on
+purpose to come upon them unawares. 'So now,' added she, nodding, 'we'll
+go into my room, if you please, Miss Ellis; for I have got something
+else to tell you! Only you must not stay with me long.'
+
+'And not to tell me, too?' cried Sir Jaspar, chucking her under the
+chin: 'How's this, my daffodil? my pink? my lilly? how's this? surely
+you have not any secrets for me?'
+
+'O yes, I have, Sir Jaspar! because you're a gentleman, you know, Sir
+Jaspar. And one must not tell every thing to gentlemen, mamma says.'
+
+'Mamma says? but you are too much a woman to mind what mamma says, I
+hope, my rose, my daisy?' cried Sir Jaspar, chucking her again under the
+chin, while she smiled and courtsied in return.
+
+Juliet would have re-entered her chamber; but Flora, catching her gown,
+said, 'Why now, Miss Ellis, I bid you come to my room, if you please,
+Miss Ellis; 'cause then I can show you my presents; as well as tell you
+something.--Come, will you go? for it's something that's quite a secret,
+I assure you; for I have not told it to any body yet; not even to our
+young ladies; for it's but just happened. So you've got my first
+confidence this time: and you have a right to take that very kind of me,
+for it's what I've promised, upon my word and honour, and as true as
+true can be, not to tell to any body; not so much as to a living soul!'
+
+To be freed quietly from the Baronet, Juliet consented to attend her;
+and Flora, with many smiles and nods at Sir Jaspar, begged that he would
+not be affronted that she did not tell all her secrets to gentlemen;
+and, shutting him out, began her tale.
+
+'Now I'll tell you what it is I'm going to tell you, Miss Ellis. Do you
+know who I met, just now, upon the Steyne, while I was walking with our
+young ladies, not thinking of any thing? You can't guess, can you? Why
+Sir Lyell himself. I gave such a squeak! But he spoke to all our young
+ladies first. And I was half a mind to cry; only I happened to be in one
+of my laughing fits. And when once I am upon my gig, papa says, if the
+world were all to tumble down, it would not hinder me of my smiling.
+Though I am sure I often don't know what it's for. If any body asked me,
+I could not tell, one time in twenty. But Sir Lyell's very clever;
+cleverer than I am, by half, I believe. For he got to speak to me, at
+last, so as nobody could hear a word he said, but just me. Nor I could
+not, either, but only he spoke quite in my ear.'
+
+'And do you think it right, Miss Pierson, to let gentlemen whisper you?'
+
+'O, I could not bid him not, you know. I could not be rude to a
+Knight-Baronet! Besides, he said he was come down from London, on
+purpose for nothing else but to see me! A Knight-Baronet, Miss Ellis!
+That's very good natured, is it not? I dare say he means something by
+it. Don't you? However, I shall know more by and by, most likely; for he
+whispered me to make believe I'd got a head-ache, and to come home by
+myself, and wait for him in my own room: for he says he has brought me
+the prettiest present that ever I saw from London. So you see how
+generous he is; i'n't he? And he'll bring it me himself, to make me a
+little visit. So then, very likely, he'll speak out. Won't he? But he
+bid me tell it to nobody. So say nothing if you see him, for it will
+only be the way to make him angry. I must not put the shop-man in the
+secret, he says, for he shall only ask for old Sir Jaspar; and he shall
+go to him first, and make the shop-man think he is with him all the
+time. So I told our young ladies I'd got a head-ache, sure enough; but
+don't be uneasy, for it's only make believe; for I'm very well.'
+
+Filled with alarm for the simple, deluded maiden, Juliet now made an
+undisguised representation of her danger; earnestly charging her not to
+receive the dangerous visit.
+
+But Flora, self-willed, though good natured, would not hear a word.
+
+    No ass so meek;--no mule so obstinate.
+
+She never contradicted, yet never listened; she never gave an opinion,
+yet never followed one. She was neither endowed with timidity to suspect
+her deficiencies, nor with sense to conceive how she might be better
+informed. She came to Juliet merely to talk; and when her prattle was
+over, or interrupted, she had no thought but to be gone.
+
+'O yes, I must see him, Miss Ellis,' she cried; 'for you can't think how
+ill he'll take it, if I don't. But now we have stayed talking together
+so long, I can't shew you my presents till he is gone, for fear he
+should come. But don't mind, for then I shall have the new ones to shew
+you, too. But if I don't do what he bids me, he'll be as angry as can
+be, for all he's my lover; (smiling.) He makes very free with me
+sometimes; only I don't mind it; because I'm pretty much used to it,
+from one or another. Sometimes he'll say I am the greatest simpleton
+that ever he knew in his life; for all he calls me his angel! He don't
+make much ceremony with me, when I don't understand his signs. But it
+don't much signify, for the more he's angry, the more he's kind, when
+it's over, (smiling.) And then he brings me prettier things than ever.
+So I a'n't much a loser. I've no great need to cry about it. And he says
+I'm quite a little goddess, often and often, if I'd believe him. Only
+one must not believe the men over much, when they are gentlemen, I
+believe.'
+
+Juliet, kindly taking her hand, would have drawn her into her own
+chamber; but they were no sooner in the passage, than Flora jumped back,
+and, shaking with laughter at her ingenuity, shut and locked herself
+into her room.
+
+Juliet now renounced, perforce, all thought of serving her except
+through the medium of Miss Matson; and she was returning, much vexed, to
+her own small apartment, when she saw Sir Jaspar, who, leaning against
+the banisters, seemed to have been waiting for her, step curiously
+forward, as she opened her door, to take a view of her chamber. With
+quick impulse, to check this liberty, she hastily pushed to the door;
+not recollecting, till too late, that the key, by which alone it was
+opened, was on the inside.
+
+Chagrined, she repaired to Flora, telling the accident, and begging
+admittance.
+
+Flora, laughing with all her heart, positively refused to open the door;
+saying that she would rather be without company.
+
+The shop-man now came up stairs, to see what was going forward, and to
+enquire whether Miss Pierson, who had told him that she was ill, found
+herself worse. Flora, hastily checking her mirth, answered that her head
+ached, and she would lie down; and then spoke no more.
+
+The shop-man made an attempt to enter into conversation with Juliet; but
+she gravely requested that he would be so good as to order a smith to
+open the lock of her door.
+
+He ought not, he said, to leave the house in the absence of Miss Matson;
+but he would run the risk for the pleasure of obliging her, if she would
+only step down into the shop, to answer to the bell or the knocker.
+
+To this, in preference to being shut out of her room, she would
+immediately have consented, but that she feared the arrival of Sir
+Lyell Sycamore. She asked the shop-man, therefore, if there were any
+objection to her waiting in the little parlour.
+
+None in the world, he answered; for he had Miss Matson's leave to use it
+when she was out of a Sunday; and he should be very glad if Miss Ellis
+would oblige him with her company.
+
+Juliet declined this proposal with an air that repressed any further
+attempt at intimacy; and the shop-man returned to his post.
+
+'I must not, I suppose,' the Baronet, then advancing, said, 'presume to
+offer you shelter under my roof from the inclemencies of the staircase?
+And yet I think I may venture, without being indecorous, to mention,
+that I am going out for my usual airing; and that you may take
+possession of your old apartment, upon your own misanthropical terms. At
+all events, I shall leave you the door open, place some books upon the
+table, take out my servants, and order that no one shall molest you.'
+
+Extremely pleased by a kindness so much to her taste, Juliet would
+gratefully have accepted this offer, but for the visit that she knew to
+be designed for the same apartment; which the absence of its master was
+not likely to prevent, as the pretence of writing a note, or his name,
+would suffice with Sir Lyell for mounting the stairs. Who then could
+protect Flora? Could Juliet herself come forward, when no one else
+remained in the house, conscious, as she could not but be, of the
+dishonourable views of which she, also, had been the object? The
+departure of Sir Jaspar appeared, therefore, to be big with mischief;
+and, when he was making a leave-taking bow, she almost involuntarily
+said, 'You are forced, then, Sir, to go out this morning?'
+
+Surprized and pleased, he answered, 'What! have my little fairy elves
+given you a lesson of humanity? Nay, if so, though they should pommel
+and maul me for a month to come, I shall yet be their obedient humble
+servant.'
+
+He then gave orders aloud that his carriage should be put up; saying,
+that he had letters to write, and that his servants might go and amuse
+themselves for an hour or two where they pleased.
+
+Juliet, now, was crimsoned with shame and embarrassment. How account for
+thus palpably wishing him to remain in the house? or how suffer him, by
+silence, to suppose it was from a desire of his society? Her blushes
+astonished, yet, by heightening her beauty, charmed still more than they
+perplexed him. To settle what to think of her might be difficult and
+teazing; but to admire her was easy and pleasant. He approached her,
+therefore, with the most flattering looks and smiles; but, to avoid any
+mistake in his manner of addressing her, he kept his speech back, with
+his judgment, till he could learn her purpose.
+
+This prudential circumspection redoubled her confusion, and she
+hesitatingly stammered her concern that she had prevented his airing.
+
+More amazed still, but still more enchanted, to see her thus at a loss
+what to say, though evidently pleased that he had relinquished his
+little excursion, he was making a motion to take her hand, which she had
+scarcely perceived, when a violent ringing at the door-bell, checked
+him; and concentrated all her solicitude in the impending danger of
+Flora; and, in her eagerness to rescue the simple girl from ruin, she
+hastily said: 'Can you, Sir Jaspar, forgive a liberty in the cause of
+humanity? May I appeal to your generosity? You will receive a visitor in
+a few minutes, whom I have earnest reasons for wishing you to detain in
+your apartment to the last moment that is possible. May I make so
+extraordinary a request?'
+
+'Request?' repeated Sir Jaspar, charmed by what he considered as an
+opening to intimacy; 'can you utter any thing but commands? The most
+benignant sprite of all Fairyland, has inspired you with this gracious
+disposition to dub me your knight.'
+
+Yet his eyes, still bright with intelligence, and now full of fanciful
+wonder, suddenly emitted an expression less rapturous, when he
+distinguished the voice of Sir Lyell Sycamore, in parley with the
+shop-man. Disappointment and chagrin soon took place of sportive
+playfulness in his countenance; and, muttering between his teeth, 'O ho!
+Sir Lyell Sycamore!'--he fixed his keen eyes sharply upon Juliet; with a
+look in which she could not but read the ill construction to which her
+seeming knowledge of that young man's motions, and her apparent interest
+in them, made her liable; and how much his light opinion of Sir Lyell's
+character, affected his partial, though still fluctuating one of her
+own.
+
+Sir Lyell, however, was upon the stairs, and she did not dare enter into
+any justification; Sir Jaspar, too, was silent; but the young baronet
+mounted, singing, in a loud voice,
+
+    O my love, lov'st thou me?
+    Then quickly come and see one who dies for thee!
+
+'Yes here I come, Sir Lyell!'--in a low, husky, laughing voice, cried
+Flora, peeping through her chamber-door; which was immediately at the
+head of the stairs, upon the second floor; and to which Sir Lyell looked
+up, softly whispering, 'Be still, my little angel! and, in ten
+minutes--' He stopt abruptly, for Sir Jaspar now caught his astonished
+sight, upon the landing-place of the attic story, with Juliet retreating
+behind him.
+
+'O ho! you are there, are you?' he cried, in a tone of ludicrous
+accusation.
+
+'And you, you are there, are you?' answered Sir Jaspar, in a voice more
+seriously taunting.
+
+Juliet, hurt and confounded, would have escaped through the garret to
+the back stairs, but that her hat and cloak, without which she could not
+leave the house, were shut into her room. She tried, therefore, to look
+unmoved; well aware that the best chance to escape impertinence, is by
+not appearing to suspect that any is intended.
+
+Three strides now brought Sir Lyell before her. His amazement, vented by
+rattling exclamations, again perplexed Sir Jaspar; for how could Juliet
+have been apprized of his intended visit, but by himself?
+
+Sir Lyell, mingling the most florid compliments upon her radiant beauty,
+and bright bloom, with his pleasure at her sight, said that, from the
+reports which had reached him, that she had given up her singing, and
+her teaching, and that Sir Jaspar had taken the room which she had
+inhabited, he had concluded that she had quitted Brighthelmstone. He was
+going rapidly on in the same strain, the observant Sir Jaspar intently
+watching her looks, while curiously listening to his every word; when
+Juliet, without seeming to have attended to a syllable, related, with
+grave brevity, that she had unfortunately shut in the key of her room,
+and must therefore seek Miss Matson, to demand another; and then, with
+steady steps, that studiously kept in order innumerable timid fears, she
+descended to the shop; leaving the two Baronets mutually struck by her
+superiour air and manner; and each, though equally desirous to follow
+her, involuntarily standing still, to wait the motions of the other; and
+thence to judge of his pretensions to her favour.
+
+Juliet found the shop empty, but the street-door open, and the shop-man
+sauntering before it, to look at the passers by. Glad to be, for a
+while, at least, spared the distaste of his company, she shut herself
+into the little parlour, carefully drawing the curtain of the
+glass-door.
+
+The two Baronets, as she expected, soon descended; the younger one eager
+to take leave of the elder, and privately re-mount the stairs; and Sir
+Jaspar, fixed to obey the injunctions, however unaccountable, of Juliet,
+in detaining and keeping sight of him to the last moment.
+
+'Decamped, I swear, the little vixen!' exclaimed Sir Lyell, striding in
+first; 'but why the d--l do you come down, Sir Jaspar?'
+
+'For exercise, not ceremony,' he answered; though, little wanting
+further exertion, and heartily tired, he dropt down upon the first
+chair.
+
+Sir Lyell vainly offered his arm, and pressed to aid him back to his
+apartment; he would not move.
+
+After some time thus wasted, Sir Lyell, mortified and provoked, cast
+himself upon the counter, and whistled, to disguise his ill humour.
+
+A pause now ensued, which Sir Jaspar broke, by hesitatingly, yet with
+earnestness, saying, 'Sir Lyell Sycamore, I am not, you will do me the
+justice to believe, a sour old fellow, to delight in mischief; a surly
+old dog, to mar the pleasures of which I cannot partake; if, therefore,
+to answer what I mean to ask will thwart any of your projects, leave me
+and my curiosity in the lurch; if not, you will sensibly gratify me, by
+a little frank communication. I don't meddle with your affair with
+Flora; 'tis a blooming little wild rose-bud, but of too common a species
+to be worth analysing. This other young creature, however, whose wings
+your bird-lime seems also to have entangled--'
+
+'How so?' interrupted Sir Lyell, jumping eagerly from the counter, 'what
+the d--l do you mean by that?'
+
+'Not to be indiscreet, I promise you,' answered Sir Jaspar; 'but as I
+see the interest she takes in you,--'
+
+'The d--l you do?' exclaimed Sir Lyell, in an accent of surprize, yet of
+transport.
+
+Sir Jaspar now, ironically smiling, said, 'You don't know it, then, Sir
+Lyell? You are modest?--diffident? unconscious?--'
+
+'My dear boy!' cried Sir Lyell, riotously, and approaching familiarly to
+embrace him, 'what a devilish kind office I shall owe you, if you can
+put any good notions into my head of that delicious girl!'
+
+New doubts now destroying his recent suspicions, Sir Jaspar held back,
+positively refusing to clear up what had dropt from him, and laughingly
+saying, 'Far be it from me to put any such notions into your head! I
+believe it amply stored! All my desire is to get some out of it. If,
+therefore, you can tell me, or, rather, will tell me, who or what this
+young creature is, you will do a kind office to my imagination, for
+which I shall be really thankful. Who is she, then? And what is she?'
+
+'D--l take me if I either know or care!' cried Sir Lyell, 'further than
+that she is a beauty of the first water; and that I should have adored
+her, exclusively, three months ago, if I had not believed her a thing of
+alabaster. But if you think her--'
+
+'Not I! not I!--I know nothing of her!' interrupted Sir Jaspar: 'she is
+a rose planted in the snow, for aught I can tell! The more I see, the
+less I understand; the more I surmize, the further I seem from the mark.
+Honestly, then, whence does she come? How did you first see her? What
+does she do at Brighthelmstone?'
+
+'May I go to old Nick if I am better informed than yourself! except that
+she sings and plays like twenty angels, and that all the women are
+jealous of her, and won't suffer a word to be said to her. However, I
+made up to her, at first, and should certainly have found her out, but
+for Melbury, who annoyed me with a long history of her virtue, and
+character, and Lady Aurora's friendship, and the d--l knows what; that
+made me so cursed sheepish, I was afraid of embarking in any measures of
+spirit. My sister, also, took lessons of her; and other game came into
+chase; and I should never have thought of her again, but that, when I
+went to town, a week or two ago, I learnt, from that Queen of the Crabs,
+Mrs Howel, that Melbury, in fact, knows no more of her than we do. He
+had nobody's world but her own for all her fine sentiments; so that he
+and his platonics would have kept me at bay no longer, if I had not
+believed her decamped from Brighthelmstone, upon hearing that you had
+got her lodging. How came you to turn her into the garret, my dear boy?
+Is that _à la mode_ of your _vieille cour_?'
+
+Sir Jaspar protested that, when he took the apartment, he knew not of
+her existence; and then enquired, whether Sir Lyell could tell in what
+name she had been upon the stage; and why she had quitted it.
+
+'The stage? O the d--l!' he exclaimed, 'has she been upon the stage?'
+
+'Yes; I heard the fact mentioned to her, the other day, by a
+fellow-performer! some low player, who challenged her as a sister of the
+buskins.'
+
+'What a glorious Statira she must make!' cried Sir Lyell. 'I am ready to
+be her Alexander when she will. That hint you have dropt, my dear old
+boy, sha'n't be thrown away upon me. But how the d--l did you find the
+dear charmer out?'
+
+Sir Jaspar again sought to draw back his information; but Sir Lyell
+swore that he would not so lightly be put aside from a view of success,
+now once it was fairly opened; and was vowing that he should begin a
+siege in form, and persevere to a surrender; when the conversation was
+interrupted, by the entrance of the shop-man, accompanied by a
+mantua-maker, who called upon some business.
+
+Juliet, who, from the beginning, had heard this discourse with the
+utmost uneasiness, and whom its conclusion had filled with indignant
+disgust; had no resource to avoid the yet greater evil of being joined
+by the interlocutors, but that of sitting motionless and unsuspected,
+till they should depart; or till Miss Matson should return. But her care
+and precaution proved vain: the shop-man invited Mrs Hart, the
+mantua-maker, into the little parlour; and, upon opening the door,
+Juliet met their astonished view.
+
+Sir Jaspar, not without evident anxiety, endeavoured to recollect what
+had dropt from him, that might hurt her; or how he might palliate what
+might have given her offence. But Sir Lyell, not at all disconcerted,
+and privately persuaded that half his difficulties were vanquished, by
+the accident that acquainted her with his design; was advancing,
+eagerly, with a volley of rapid compliments, upon his good fortune in
+again meeting with her; when Juliet, not deigning to seem conscious even
+of his presence, passed him without notice; and, addressing Mrs Hart,
+entreated that she would go up stairs to the room of Miss Pierson, to
+examine whether it were necessary to send for any advice; as she had
+returned home alone, and complained of being ill. Mrs Hart complied; and
+Juliet followed her to Flora's chamber-door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII
+
+
+The gentle tap that Mrs Hart, fearing to disturb her, gave at the door
+of Flora, deceived the expecting girl into a belief that Sir Lyell was
+at length arrived; and crying, in a low voice, as she opened it, 'O Sir!
+how long you have been coming!' she stared at sight of Mrs Hart, with an
+amazement equal to her disappointment.
+
+Presently, however, with a dejected look and tone, 'Well, now!' she
+cried, 'is it only you, Mrs Hart?--I thought it had been somebody quite
+different!'
+
+Mrs Hart, entering, enquired, with surprize, why Miss Ellis had said
+that Miss Pierson was ill, when, on the contrary, she had never seen her
+look better.
+
+'Well, now, Miss Ellis,' cried Flora, whispering Juliet, 'did not I tell
+you, as plain as could be, 'twas nothing but make believe?'
+
+Juliet, without offering any apology, answered, that she had invited Mrs
+Hart to make her a visit.
+
+'Why, now, what can you be thinking of?' cried Flora, angrily: 'Why, you
+know, as well as can be, that I want to see nobody! Why, have you forgot
+all I told you, already, about you know who? Why I never knew the like!
+Why he'll be fit to kill himself! I'll never tell you any thing again,
+if you beg me on your knees! so there's the end to your knowing any more
+of my secrets! and you've nobody but yourself to thank, if it vexes you
+never so!'
+
+Mrs Hart interrupted this murmuring, by enquiring who was the Sir that
+Miss Pierson expected; adding that, if it were the shop-man, it would be
+more proper Miss Pierson should go down stairs, than that she should let
+him come up to her room.
+
+'The shop-man?' repeated Flora, simpering, and winking at Juliet; 'no,
+indeed, Mrs Hart; you have not made a very good guess there! Has she,
+Miss Ellis? I don't think a man of quality, and a baronet, is very like
+a shop-man! Do you, Miss Ellis?'
+
+This blundering simplicity of vanity was not lost upon Mrs Hart. 'O ho!'
+she cried, 'you expect a baronet, do you, then, Miss Pierson? Why there
+were no less than two Baronets in the shop as I came through, just now;
+and there's one of them this minute crossing the way, and turning the
+corner.'
+
+'O Me! is he gone, then?' cried Flora, looking out of the window. 'O Me!
+what shall I do? O Miss Ellis! this is all your fault! And now, perhaps,
+he'll be so angry he'll never speak to me again! And if he don't, ten to
+one but it may break my heart! for that often happens when one's crossed
+in love. And if it does, I sha'n't thank you for it, I assure you! And
+it's just as likely as not!'
+
+Juliet, though she sought to appease both her grief and her wrath, could
+not but rejoice that their unguarded redundance informed Mrs Hart of the
+whole history: and Mrs Hart, who, though a plain, appeared to be a very
+worthy woman, immediately endeavoured to save the poor young creature,
+from the snares into which she was rather wilfully jumping, than
+deludedly falling, by giving her a pressing invitation to her own house
+for the rest of the day. But to this, neither entreaty nor reproof could
+obtain consent. Flora, like many who seem gentle, was only simple; and
+had neither docility nor comprehension for being turned aside from the
+prosecution of her wishes. To be thwarted in any desire, she considered
+as cruelty, and resented as ill treatment. She refused, therefore, to
+leave the house, while hoping for the return of Sir Lyell; and continued
+her childish wailing and fretting, till accident led her eyes to a
+favourite little box; when, her tears suddenly stopping, and her face
+brightening, she started up, seized, opened it, and, displaying a very
+pretty pair of ear-rings, exclaimed, 'Oh, I have never shewn you my
+presents, Miss Ellis! And now Mrs Hart may have a peep at them, too. So
+she's in pretty good luck, I think!'
+
+And then, with exulting pleasure, she produced all the costly trinkets
+that she had received from Sir Lyell; with some few, less valuable,
+which had been presented to her by Sir Jaspar; and all the baubles,
+however insignificant or babyish, that had been bestowed upon her by her
+friends and relatives, from her earliest youth. And these, with the
+important and separate history of each, occupied, unawares, her time,
+till the return of Miss Matson.
+
+Mrs Hart then descended, and, urged by Juliet, briefly and plainly
+communicated the situation and the danger of the young apprentice.
+
+Miss Matson, affrighted for the credit of her shop, determined to send
+for the mother of Flora, who resided at Lewes, the next day.
+
+Relieved now from her troublesome and untoward charge, Juliet had her
+door opened, and re-took possession of her room.
+
+And there, a new view of her own helpless and distressed condition,
+filled and dejected her with new alarm. The licentiously declared
+purpose of Sir Lyell had been shocking to her ears; and the
+consciousness that he knew that she was informed of his intention added
+to its horrour, from her inability to shew her resentment, in the only
+way that suited her character or her disposition, that of positively
+seeing him no more. But how avoid him while she had no other means of
+subsistence than working in an open shop?
+
+The following morning but too clearly justified her apprehensive
+prognostics, of the improprieties to which her defenceless state made
+her liable. At an early hour, Sir Lyell, gay, courteous, gallant,
+entered the shop, under pretence of enquiring for Sir Jaspar; whom he
+knew to be invisible, from his infirmities, to all but his own nurses
+and servants, till noon. Miss Matson was taciturn and watchful, though
+still, from the fear of making an enemy, respectful; while Flora,
+simpering and blushing, was ready to jump into his arms, in her
+eagerness to apologize for not having waited alone for him, according to
+his directions: but he did not look at Miss Matson, though he addressed
+her; nor address Flora, though, by a side glance, he saw her
+expectations; his attention, from the moment that he had asked, without
+listening to any answer, whether he could see Sir Jaspar, was all, and
+even publicly devoted to Juliet; whom he approached with an air of
+homage, and accosted with the most flattering compliments upon her good
+looks and her beauty.
+
+Juliet turned aside from him, with an indignant disgust, in which she
+hoped he would read her resentment of his scheme, and her abhorrence of
+his principles. But those who are deep in vice are commonly incredulous
+of virtue. Sir Lyell took her apparent displeasure, either for a
+timidity which flattery would banish, or an hypocrisy which boldness
+would conquer. He continued, therefore, his florid adulation to her
+charms; regarding the heightened colour of offended purity, but as an
+augmented attraction.
+
+Juliet perceived her failure to repress his assurance, with a
+disturbance that was soon encreased, by the visible jealousy manifested
+in the pouting lips and frowning brow of Flora; who, the moment that
+Sir Lyell, saying that he would call upon Sir Jaspar again, thought it
+prudent to retire, began a convulsive sobbing; averring that she saw why
+she had been betrayed; for that it was only to inveigle away her
+sweetheart.
+
+Pity for the ignorant accuser, might have subdued the disdain due to the
+accusation, and have induced Juliet to comfort her by a self-defence;
+but for a look, strongly expressing a suspicion to the same effect, from
+Miss Matson; which was succeeded by a general tossing up of the chins of
+the young work-women, and a murmur of, 'I wonder how she would like to
+be served so herself!'
+
+This was too offensive to be supported, and she retired to her chamber.
+
+If, already, the mingled frivolity and publicity of the business into
+which she had entered, had proved fatiguing to her spirits, and ungenial
+to her disposition; surmises, such as she now saw raised, of a petty and
+base rivality, urged by a pursuit the most licentious, rendered all
+attempt at its continuance intolerable. Without, therefore, a moment's
+hesitation, she determined to relinquish her present enterprise.
+
+The only, as well as immediate notion that occurred to her, in this new
+difficulty, was to apply to Mrs Hart, who seemed kind as well as civil,
+for employment.
+
+When she was summoned, therefore, by Miss Matson, with surprize and
+authority, back to the shop, she returned equipped for going abroad;
+and, after thanking her for the essay which she had permitted to be made
+in the millinery-business, declared that she found herself utterly unfit
+for so active and so public a line of life.
+
+Leaving then Miss Matson, Flora, and the young journey-women to their
+astonishment, she bent her course to the house of Mrs Hart; where her
+application was happily successful. Mrs Hart had work of importance just
+ordered for a great wedding in the neighbourhood, and was glad to engage
+so expert a hand for the occasion; agreeing to allow, in return, bed,
+board, and a small stipend per day.
+
+With infinite relief, Juliet went back to make her little preparations,
+and take leave of Miss Matson; by whom she was now followed to her room,
+with many earnest instances that she would relinquish her design. Miss
+Matson, in unison with the very common character to which she belonged,
+had appreciated Juliet not by her worth, her talents, or her labours,
+but by her avowed distress, and acknowledged poverty. Notwithstanding,
+therefore, her abilities and her industry, she had been uniformly
+considered as a dead weight to the business, and to the house. But now,
+when it appeared that the pennyless young woman had some other resource,
+the eyes of Miss Matson were suddenly opened to merits to which she had
+hitherto been blind. She felt all the advantages which the shop would
+lose by the departure of such an assistant; and recollected the many
+useful hints, in fashion and in elegance, which had been derived from
+her taste and fancy: her exemplary diligence in work; her gentle
+quietness of behaviour; and the numberless customers, which the various
+reports that were spread of her history, had drawn to the shop. All,
+now, however, was unavailing; the remembrance of what was over occurred
+too late to change the plan of Juliet; though a kinder appreciation of
+her character and services, while she was employed, might have engaged
+her to try some other method of getting rid of the libertine Baronet.
+
+Miss Matson then admonished her not to lose, at least, the benefit of
+her premium.
+
+'What premium?' cried Juliet.
+
+'Why that Sir Jaspar paid down for you.'
+
+Juliet, astonished, now learnt, that her admission as an inmate of the
+shop, which she had imagined due to the gossipping verbal influence of
+Miss Bydel, was the result of the far more substantial money-mediation
+of Sir Jaspar.
+
+She felt warmly grateful for his benevolence; yet wounded, in reflecting
+upon his doubts whether she deserved it; and confounded to owe another,
+and so heavy an obligation, to an utter stranger.
+
+She was finishing her little package, when the loud sobbings of Flora,
+while mounting the stairs for a similar, though by no means as voluntary
+a purpose, induced her to go forth, with a view to offer some
+consolation; but Flora, not less resentful than disconsolate, said that
+her mother was arrived to take her from all her fine prospects; and
+loaded Juliet with the unqualified accusation, of having betrayed her
+secrets, and ruined her fortune.
+
+Juliet had too strong a mind to suffer weak and unjust censure to breed
+any repentance that she had acted right. She could take one view only of
+the affair; and that brought only self-approvance of what she had done:
+if Sir Lyell meant honourably, Flora was easily followed; if not, she
+was happily rescued from earthly perdition.
+
+Nevertheless, she had too much sweetness of disposition, and too much
+benevolence of character, to be indifferent to reproach; though her
+vain efforts, either to clear her own conduct, or to appease the angry
+sorrows of Flora, all ended by the indignantly blubbering damsel's
+turning from her in sulky silence.
+
+Juliet then took a quick leave of Miss Matson, and of the young
+journey-women; and repaired to her new habitation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII
+
+
+Experience, the mother of caution, now taught Juliet explicitly to make
+known to her new chief, that she had no view to learn the art of
+mantua-making as a future trade, or employment; but simply desired to
+work at it in such details, as a general knowledge of the use of the
+needle might make serviceable and expeditious: no premium, therefore,
+could be expected by the mistress; and the work-woman would be at
+liberty to continue, or to renounce her engagement, from day to day.
+
+This agreement offered to her ideas something which seemed like an
+approach to the self-dependence, that she had so earnestly coveted: she
+entered, therefore, upon her new occupation with cheerfulness and
+alacrity, and with a diligence to which the hope, by being useful, to
+become necessary, gave no relaxation.
+
+The business, by this scrupulous devotion to its interests, was
+forwarded with such industry and success, that she soon became the open
+and decided favourite of the mistress whom she served; and who repaid
+her exertions by the warmest praise, and proposed her as a pattern to
+the rest of the sewing sisterhood.
+
+This approbation could not but cheer the toil of one whose mind, like
+that of Juliet, sought happiness, at this moment, only from upright and
+blameless conduct. She was mentally, also, relieved, by the local change
+of situation. She was now employed in a private apartment; and, though
+surrounded by still more fellow-work-women than at Miss Matson's, she
+was no longer constrained to remain in an open shop, in opposition alike
+to her inclinations and her wishes of concealment; no longer startled by
+the continual entrance and exit of strangers; nor exposed to curious
+enquirers, or hardy starers; and no longer fatigued by the perpetual
+revision of goods. She worked in perfect quietness, undisturbed and
+uninterrupted; her mistress was civil, and gave her encouragement; her
+fellow-semptresses were unobservant, and left her to her own reflexions.
+
+It is not, however, in courts alone that favour is perilous; in all
+circles, and all classes, from the most eminent to the most obscure, the
+'Favourite has no friend[19]!' The praises and the comparisons, by which
+Mrs Hart hoped to stimulate her little community to emulation, excited
+only jealousy, envy, and ill will; and a week had not elapsed, in this
+new and short tranquillity, before Juliet found that her superiour
+diligence was regarded, by her needle-sisterhood, as a mean artifice 'to
+set herself off to advantage at their cost.' Sneers and hints to this
+effect followed every panegyric of Mrs Hart; and robbed approbation of
+its pleasure, though they could not of its value.
+
+[Footnote 19: Gray.]
+
+Chagrined by a consequence so unpleasant, to an industry that demanded
+fortitude, not discouragement; Juliet now felt the excess of her
+activity relax; and soon experienced a desire, if not a necessity, to
+steal some moments from application, for retirement and for herself.
+
+Here, again, she found the mischief to which ignorance of life had laid
+her open. The unremitting diligence with which she had begun her new
+office, had advanced her work with a rapidity, that made the smallest
+relaxation cause a sensible difference in its progress: and Mrs Hart,
+from first looking disappointed, asked next, whether nothing more were
+done? and then observed, how much quicker business had gone on the first
+week. In vain Juliet still executed more than all around her; the
+comparison was never made there, where it might have been to her
+advantage; all reference was to her own setting out; and she was soon
+taught to forgive the displeasure which, so inadvertently, she had
+excited, when she saw the claims to which she had made herself liable,
+by an incautious eagerness of zeal to reward, as well as earn, the
+maintenance which she owed to Mrs Hart.
+
+Alas, she thought, with what upright intentions may we be injudicious! I
+have thrown away the power of obliging, by too precipitate an eagerness
+to oblige! I retain merely that of avoiding to displease, by my most
+indefatigable application! All I can perform seems but a duty, and of
+course; all I leave undone, seems idleness and neglect. Yet what is the
+labour that never requires respite? What the mind, that never demands a
+few poor unshackled instants to itself?
+
+From this time, the little pleasure which she had been able to create
+for herself, from the virtue of her exertions, was at an end: to toil
+beyond her fellow-labourers, was but to provoke ill will; to allow
+herself any repose, was but to excite disapprobation. Hopeless,
+therefore, either way, she gave, with diligence, her allotted time to
+her occupation, but no more: all that remained, she solaced, by devoting
+to her pen and Gabriella, with whom her correspondence,--her sole
+consolation,--was unremitting.
+
+This unaffected conduct had its customary effect; it destroyed at once
+the too hardly earned favour of Mrs Hart, and the illiberal, yet too
+natural enmity of her apprentices; and, in the course of a very few
+days, Juliet was neither more esteemed, nor more censured, than any of
+her sisters of the sewing tribe.
+
+With the energy, however, of her original wishes and efforts, died all
+that could reconcile her to this sort of life. The hope of pleasing,
+which alone could soften its hardships, thus forcibly set aside, left
+nothing in its place, but calmness without contentment; dulness without
+serenity.
+
+Experience is not more exclusively the guide of our judgment, than
+comparison is the mistress of our feelings. Juliet now also found that,
+local publicity excepted, there was nothing to prefer in her new to her
+former situation; and something to like less. The employment itself was
+by no means equally agreeable for its disciples. The taste and fancy,
+requisite for the elegance and variety of the light work which she had
+quitted; however ineffectual to afford pleasure when called forth by
+necessity, rendered it, at least, less irksome, than the wearying
+sameness of perpetual basting, running, and hemming. Her
+fellow-labourers, though less pert and less obtrusive than those which
+she had left, had the same spirit for secret cabal, and the same passion
+for frolic and disguise; and also, like those, were all prattle and
+confidential sociability, in the absence of the mistress; all sullenness
+and taciturnity, in her presence. What little difference, therefore, she
+found in her position, was, that there she had been disgusted by
+under-bred flippancy; here, she was deadened by uninteresting monotony;
+and that there, perpetual motion, and incessant change of orders, and of
+objects, affected her nerves; while here, the unvarying repetition of
+stitch after stitch, nearly closed in sleep her faculties, as well as
+her eyes.
+
+The little stipend which, by agreement, she was paid every evening,
+though it occasioned her the most satisfactory, by no means gave her the
+most pleasant feeling, of the day. However respectable reason and
+justice render pecuniary emolument, where honourably earned; there is a
+something indefinable, which stands between spirit and delicacy, that
+makes the first reception of money in detail, by those not brought up to
+gain it, embarrassing and painful.
+
+During this tedious and unvaried period, if some minutes were snatched
+from fatiguing uniformity, it was only by alarm and displeasure, through
+the intrusion of Sir Lyell Sycamore; who, though always denied admission
+to herself, made frequent, bold, and frivolous pretences for bursting
+into the workroom. At one time, he came to enquire about a gown for his
+sister, of which Mrs Hart had never heard; at another, to look at a
+trimming for which she had had no commission; and at a third, to hurry
+the finishing of a dress, which had already been sent home. The motive
+to these various mock messages, was too palpable to escape even the most
+ordinary observation; yet though the perfect conduct, and icy coldness
+of Juliet, rescued her from all evil imputation amongst her companions,
+she saw, with pique and even horrour, that they were insufficient to
+repress the daring and determined hopes and expectations of the
+licentious Baronet; with whom the unexplained hint of Sir Jaspar had
+left a firm persuasion, that the fair object of his views more than
+returned his admiration; and waited merely for a decent attack, or
+proper offers, to acknowledge her secret inclinations.
+
+Juliet, however shocked, could only commit to time her cause, her
+consistency, her vindication.
+
+Three weeks had, in this manner, elapsed, when the particular business
+for which Mrs Hart had wanted an odd hand was finished; and Juliet, who
+had believed that her useful services would keep her employed at her own
+pleasure, abruptly found that her occupation was at an end.
+
+Here again, the wisdom of experience was acquired only by distress. The
+pleasure with which she had considered herself free, because engaged but
+by the day, was changed into the alarm of finding herself, from that
+very circumstance, without employment or home; and she now acknowledged
+the providence of those ties, which, from only feeling their
+inconvenience, she had thought oppressive and unnecessary. The
+established combinations of society are not to be judged by the personal
+opinions, and varying feelings, of individuals; but by general proofs of
+reciprocated advantages. If the needy helper require regular protection,
+the recompensing employer must claim regular service; and Juliet now
+saw, that though in being contracted but by the day, she escaped all
+continued constraint, and was set freshly at liberty every evening; she
+was, a stranger to security, subject to dismission, at the mercy of
+accident, and at the will of caprice.
+
+Thus perplexed and thus helpless, she applied to Mrs Hart, for counsel
+how to obtain immediate support. Gratified by the application, Mrs Hart
+again recommended her as a pattern to the young sisterhood; and then
+gave her advice, that she should bind herself, either to some milliner
+or some mantua-maker, as a journey-woman for three years.
+
+Painfully, again, Juliet attained further knowledge of the world, in
+learning the danger of asking counsel; except of the candid and wise,
+who know how to modify it by circumstances, and who will listen to
+opposing representations.
+
+Mrs Hart, from the moment that Juliet declined to be guided wholly by
+her judgment, lost all interest in her young work-woman's distresses.
+'If people won't follow advice,' she said, ''tis a sign they are not
+much to be pitied.' Vainly Juliet affirmed, that reasons which she could
+not explain, put it out of her power to take any measure so decisive;
+that, far from fixing her own destiny for three years, she had no means
+to ascertain, or scarcely even to conjecture, what it might be in three
+days; or perhaps in three hours; although in the interval of suspense,
+she was not less an object for present humanity, from the incertitude of
+what either her wants or her abundance might be in future; vainly she
+reasoned, vainly she pleaded. Mrs Hart always made the same reply: 'If
+people won't follow advice, 'tis a sign they are not much to be pitied.'
+
+In consequence of this maxim, Juliet next heard, that the small room and
+bed which she occupied, were wanted for another person.
+
+Alas! she thought, how long must we mingle with the world, ere we learn
+how to live in it! Must we demand no help from the understandings of
+others, unless we submit to renounce all use of our own?
+
+These reflections soon led her to hit upon the only true medium, for
+useful and safe general intercourse with the mass of mankind: that of
+avowing embarrassments, without demanding counsel; and of discussing
+difficulties, and gathering opinions, as matters of conversation; but
+always to keep in mind, that to ask advice, without a predetermination
+to follow it, is to call for censure, and to risk resentment.
+
+Thus died away in Juliet the short joy of freedom from the controul of
+positive engagements.
+
+Such freedom, she found, was but a source of perpetual difficulty and
+instability. She had the world to begin again; a new pursuit to fix
+upon; new recommendations to solicit; and a new dwelling to seek.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX
+
+
+Juliet was making enquiries of the young work-women, for a
+recommendation to some small lodging, when she was surprised by the
+receipt of a letter from Mrs Pierson, soliciting her company immediately
+at Lewes; where poor Flora, she said, was taken dangerously ill of a
+high fever, and was raving, continually, for Miss Ellis. A return
+post-chaise to the postilion of which Mrs Pierson had given directions
+to call at Mrs Hart's, at three o'clock in the afternoon, would bring
+her, for nearly nothing; if she would have so much charity as to come
+and comfort the poor girl; and Mrs Pierson would find a safe conveyance
+back at night, if Miss Ellis could not oblige them by sleeping at the
+house: but she hoped that Mrs Hart would not refuse to spare her from
+her work, for a few hours, as it might produce a favourable turn in the
+disorder.
+
+Juliet read this letter with real concern. Had she rescued the poor,
+weak, and wilful Flora from immediate moral, only to devote her to
+immediate physical, destruction? And what now could be devised for her
+relief? Her intellects were too feeble for reason, her temper was too
+petulant for entreaty. Nevertheless, the benevolent are easily urged to
+exertion; and Juliet would not refuse the summons of the distressed
+mother, while she could flatter herself that any possible means might be
+suggested for serving the self-willed, and half-witted, but innocent
+daughter.
+
+She set out, therefore, upon this plan, far from sanguine of success,
+but persuaded that the effort was a duty.
+
+By her own calculations from memory, she was arrived within about a mile
+of Lewes, when the horses suddenly turned down a narrow lane.
+
+She demanded of the postilion why he did not proceed straight forward.
+He answered, that he knew a short cut to the house of Mrs Pierson.
+Uneasy, nevertheless, at quitting thus alone the high road, she begged
+him to go the common way, promising to reward him for the additional
+time which it might require. But he drove on without replying; though,
+growing now alarmed, she called, supplicated, and menaced in turn.
+
+She looked from window to window to seek some object to whom she might
+apply for aid; none appeared, save a man on horseback, whom she had
+already noticed from time to time, near the side of the chaise; and to
+whom she was beginning to appeal, when she surprised him making signs to
+hurry on the postilion.
+
+She now believed the postilion himself to be leagued with some
+highwayman; and was filled with affright and dismay.
+
+The horses galloped on with encreased swiftness, the horseman always
+keeping closely behind the chaise; till they were stopt by a small cart,
+from which Juliet had the joy to see two men alight, forced, by the
+narrowness of the road, to take off their horse, and drag back their
+vehicle.
+
+She eagerly solicited their assistance, and made an effort to open the
+chaise door. This, however, was prevented by the pursuing horseman, who,
+dismounting, opened it himself; and, to her inexpressible terrour,
+sprung into the carriage.
+
+What, then, was her mingled consternation and astonishment, when,
+instead of demanding her purse, he gaily exclaimed, 'Why are you
+frightened, you beautiful little creature?' And she saw Sir Lyell
+Sycamore.
+
+A change, but not a diminution of alarm, now took place; yet, assuming a
+firmness that sought to conceal her fears, 'Quit the chaise, Sir Lyell,'
+she cried, 'instantly, or you will compel me to claim protection from
+those two men!'
+
+'Protection? you pretty little vixen!' cried he, yet more familiarly,
+'who should protect you like your own adorer?'
+
+Juliet, leaning out, as far as was in her power, from the chaise-window,
+called with energy for help.
+
+'What do you mean?' cried he, striving to draw her back. 'What are you
+afraid of? You don't imagine me such a blundering cavalier, as to intend
+to carry you off by force?'
+
+The postilion was assisting the two men to fix their horse, for dragging
+back their cart; but her cries reached their ears, and one of them,
+advancing to the chaise, exclaimed, 'Good now! if it is not Miss Ellis!'
+And, to her infinite relief and comfort, she beheld young Gooch.
+
+She entreated him to open the door; but, lolling his arms over it,
+without attending to her, he said, 'Well! to see but how things turn
+out! Here have I been twice this very morning, at your new lodgings, to
+let you know it's now or never, for our junket's to night; and the old
+gentlewoman that keeps the house, who's none of the good-naturedest, as
+I take it, would never let me get a sight of you, say what I would; and
+here, all of the sudden, when I was thinking of you no more than if you
+had never been born, I come pop upon you, as one may say, within
+cock-crow of our very door; all alone, with only the young Baronight!'
+
+Nearly as much shocked, now, as, the moment before, she had been
+relieved, Juliet eagerly declared, that she was not with any body; she
+was simply going to Lewes upon business.
+
+'Why then,' cried he, 'the Baronight must be out his head, begging his
+pardon, to let you come this way; and the postilion as stupid as a post;
+for it's quite the contrary. It will lead you to you don't know where.
+We only turned down it ourselves, just to borrow a few glasses, of
+farmer Barnes, because we've more mouths than we have got of our own:
+for I've invited all our club; which poor dad don't much like. He says I
+am but a bungler at saving money, any more than at getting it; but I am
+as rare a hand as any you know, far or near, says the old gentleman, for
+spending it. The old gentleman likes to say his say. However, I must not
+leave my horse to his gambols.'
+
+Then nodding, still without listening to Juliet, he returned to his
+_chay-cart_.
+
+Juliet now unhasped the chaise-door herself, and was springing from the
+carriage; when Sir Lyell, forcibly holding her, exclaimed, 'What would
+you do, you lovely termagant? Would you make me pass for a devil of a
+ravisher? No, no, no! you handsome little firebrand! name your terms,
+and command me! I know you love me,--and I adore you. Why then this idle
+cruelty to us both? to nature itself; and to beauty?'
+
+More and more indignant, Juliet uttered a cry for help, that immediately
+brought back young Gooch, who was followed by an elderly companion.
+
+Provoked and resentful, yet amazed and ashamed, the Baronet jumped out
+of the chaise, saying, with affected contempt, yet stronger pique,
+'Yes! help, gentlemen, help! come quick! quick! Miss Ellis is taken
+suddenly ill!'
+
+The insolent boldness of this appeal, was felt only by Juliet; whose
+scorn, however potent, was less prevalent than her satisfaction, upon
+beholding her old friend Mr Tedman. She descended to meet him, with an
+energetic 'Thank Heaven!' and an excess of gladness, not more tormenting
+to the Baronet, than unexpected by himself. 'Well, this is very kind of
+you, indeed, my dear,' cried he, heartily shaking hands with her; 'to be
+so glad to see me; especially after the ungenteel way I was served in by
+your lodging-gentlewoman, making no more ceremony than refusing to let
+me up, under cover that you saw no gentlemen; though I told her what a
+good friend I had been to you; and how you learnt my darter the musics;
+and how I used to bring you things; and lend you money; and that; and
+how I was willing enough to do the like again, put in case you was in
+need: but I might just as well have talked to the post; which huffed me
+a little, I own.'
+
+'O, those old gentlewomen,' interrupted Gooch, 'are always like that.
+One can never make any thing of 'em. I don't over like them myself, to
+tell you the truth.'
+
+Juliet assured them that, having no time but for business, her
+injunctions of non-admission had been uniform and universal; and ought
+not, therefore, to offend any one. She then requested Mr Tedman to order
+that the postilion would return to the high road; which he had quitted
+against her positive direction; and to have the goodness to insist upon
+his driving her by the side of his own vehicle, till they reached Lewes.
+
+Tedman, looking equally important and elated, again heartily shook hands
+with her, and said, 'My dear, I'll do it with pleasure; or, I'll engage
+Tim to send off your chay, and I'll take you in his'n; put in case it
+will be more to your liking; for I am as little agreeable as you are, to
+letting them rascals of drivers get the better of me.'
+
+Juliet acceded to this proposal, in which she saw immediate safety, with
+the most lively readiness; entreating Mr Tedman to complete his
+kindness, in extricating her from so suspicious a person, by paying him
+the half-crown, which she had promised him, for carrying her to Lewes.
+
+'Half-a-crown?' repeated Mr Tedman, angrily refusing to take it. 'It's
+too much by half, for coming such a mere step; put in case he did not
+put to o'purpose. You're just like the quality; and they're none of
+your sharpest; to throw away your money, and know neither the why nor
+the wherefore.'
+
+The Baronet, with a loud oath, said that the postilion was a scoundrel,
+for having offended the young lady; and menaced to inform against him,
+if he received a sixpence.
+
+The postilion made no resistance; the horses were taken off, and the
+chaise was drawn back to the high road. The little carriage belonging to
+young Gooch followed, into which Juliet, refusing all aid but from Mr
+Tedman, eagerly sprang; and her old friend placed himself at her side;
+while Gooch took the reins.
+
+Sir Lyell looked on, visibly provoked; and when they were driving away,
+called out, in a tone between derision and indignation, 'Bravo, Mr
+Tedman! You are still, I see, the happy man!'
+
+Young Gooch, laughing without scruple, smacked his horse; while Mr
+Tedman angrily muttered, 'The quality always allows themselves to say
+any thing! They think nothing of that! All's one to them whether one
+likes it or not.'
+
+The design of Juliet was, when safely arrived at the farm, which was
+within a very short walk of the town of Lewes, to beg a safe guide to
+accompany her to the house of Mrs Pierson; where she resolved to pass
+the night; and whence she determined to write to Elinor, and solicit an
+interview; in which she meant to lay open her new difficulties, in the
+hope of re-awakening some interest that might operate in her favour.
+
+To save herself from the vulgar forwardness of ignorant importunity, she
+forbore to mention her plan, till she alighted from the little vehicle,
+at the gate of the farm-yard.
+
+'Goodness! Ma'am,' then cried young Gooch, 'you won't think of such a
+thing as going away, I hope, before you've well come? Why our sport's
+all ready! why, if you'll step a little this way, you may see the three
+sacks, that three of our men are to run a race in! There'll be fine
+scrambling and tumbling, one o' top o' t'other. You'll laugh till you
+split your sides. And if you'll only come here, to the right, I'll shew
+you the stye where our pig is, that's to be caught by the tail. But it
+will be well soaped, I can tell you; so it will be no such easy thing.'
+
+Slightly thanking him, Juliet applied for aid, in procuring her a
+conductor, to Mr Tedman; who, though at first he pressed her to stay, as
+she might get a little amusement so pure cheap, since it would cost
+nothing but looking on; no sooner heard her pronounce that she was
+called away by business, than he ceased all opposition; and promised to
+take care of her to Lewes himself, when he'd just spoken a word or two
+to his cousin Gooch: 'For I can't go with you, my dear, only I and you,
+you know, without that,' he said, 'just upon coming; for fear it should
+put them upon joking; which I don't like; for all the quality's so fond
+of it. Besides which, I must give in my presents; for this little
+hamper's full of little odd things for the junket; and if I leave 'em
+out here, to the mercy of nobody knows who, somebody or other'll be a
+pilfering, as sure as a gun; put in case they smoke what I've got in my
+hamper. And they're pretty quick at mischief.'
+
+Juliet supplicated him to be speedy. Pleased to have his services
+accepted, he put his hamper under his arm, and walked on to the house;
+mindless of the impatient remonstrances of young Gooch, who exclaimed,
+'Why now, who'd have thought this of the 'Squire? it's doing just
+contrary; for he's the very person I thought would make you stay! for
+he's come, as one may say, half o' purpose for your sake; for he never
+plump accepted of our invitation till I told him, in my letter, of my
+having invited of you. And then he said he would come.'
+
+Then, lowering his voice into a whisper, he added, 'Between ourselves,
+Ma'am, the poor 'Squire, my good cousin, don't get much for his money at
+home, I believe. His daughter's got quite the top end; and she's none of
+your obligingests; she won't do one mortal thing he desires. She's been
+brought up at them fine boarding-schools, with misses that hold up their
+heads so high, that nothing's good enough for 'em. So she's always
+ashamed of her papa, because, she says, he's so mean; as he tells us.
+The poor 'Squire, my cousin, don't much like it; but he can't help
+himself. She's as exact like a fine lady as ever you see; and she won't
+speak a word to any of her poor relations, because they are so low, she
+says.' He then added, 'If you won't go while I'm gone, I'll give you as
+agreeable a surprize as ever you had in your life!'
+
+He ran on to the house.
+
+In a few minutes, Juliet felt something tickle the nape of her neck,
+and, imagining it to be an insect, she would have brushed it away with
+her hand, but received, between her fingers, a pink; and, looking round,
+saw Flora Pierson, nearly breathless from her efforts to smother a
+laugh.
+
+'Is it possible?' cried Juliet, in great amazement. 'Miss Pierson! I
+thought you were ill in bed?'
+
+No further efforts were necessary to repress the laugh; resentment,
+rather than gravity, took its place, and, with pouting lips, and a
+frowning brow, she answered, 'Ill? Yes! I have had enough to make me
+ill, that's sure! It's more a wonder, by half, that I a'n't dead; for I
+cried so that my eyes grew quite little; and I looked quite a fright;
+and I grew so hoarse that nobody could tell a word I said; though I
+talked enough, I'm sure; for nothing can hinder me of my talking, if it
+was never so, papa says.'
+
+Juliet now, upon closer enquiry, learnt that Flora had neither had a
+fever, nor desired a meeting; and that Mrs Pierson had neither written
+the letter, nor given any orders about a return post-chaise.
+
+The passing suspicions which already had occurred to Juliet in disfavour
+of Sir Lyell Sycamore, returned, now, with redoubled force. That he had
+made signs to the driver to quit the high road, however dismaying, she
+had attributed to sudden impulse, upon meeting her alone in a
+post-chaise; and had not doubted that, upon seeing the sincerity of her
+resentment, he would have retired with shame and repentance: but a plan
+thus concerted to get her into his power, changed apprehension into
+certainty, and indignation into abhorrence.
+
+The happy accident to which she owed her escape, even from the
+knowledge, till it was past, of her danger, she now blessed with
+rapture; and the junket, so disdained and rejected, she now felt that
+she could never recollect without grateful delight.
+
+But how return to Brighthelmstone? What vehicle find? How trust herself
+to any even when procured?
+
+She enquired of Flora whether it were possible that Mrs Pierson could
+grant her one night's lodging?
+
+The smiles, the dimples, and the good humour of the simple girl, all
+revived, and played about her pretty face, at this request. 'O yes!' she
+cried. 'Miss Ellis, I shall be so glad to have you come! for mamma and I
+are so dull together that I'm quite moped. I don't like it by half as
+well as I did the shop. So many smart gentlemen and ladies coming in and
+out every moment! dressed so nice, and speaking so polite! I'm obliged
+to wear all my worst things, now, to save my others, mamma says, for
+fear of the expence. And it makes me not look as well by half, as I did
+at Miss Matson's. I looked well enough there, I believe; as people told
+me; at least the gentlemen. But I go such a dowd, here, that it's enough
+to frighten you. I'm sure when I go to the glass, and that's a hundred
+times a-day, for aught I know, if it were counted, to see what sort of a
+figure I make, I could break it with pleasure, for seeing me such a
+disguise; for I look quite ugly, unless I happen to be in my smilings.'
+
+This prattle was interrupted by a signal from Mr Tedman, that made
+Juliet hope that he was now ready to depart; but, upon approaching him,
+he only said, 'Come hither, my dear, and sit down a bit, upon this
+bench, for we can't go yet. I have not given all my presents. And I
+don't care to leave 'em!' winking significantly: 'not that I mean to
+doubt any body; only it's as well have a sharp eye. We are all honestest
+with good looking after.'
+
+Juliet now was surrounded by young farmers, who offered her cakes or
+ale, and asked her hand for the ensuing dance; while young Gooch
+collected around him an admiring audience, to listen to his account, how
+he and the young gentlewoman, who was so pretty, had acted together in a
+play.
+
+Mr Tedman then bid her divine how his cousin Gooch was employed, and why
+the presents were not yet delivered? and upon her declared inability to
+conjecture, 'Would you believe it, my dear?' he cried, 'For all Tim
+drove us such a good round trot, the quality got the start of us! And
+now he's in the kitchen, with cousin Gooch, taking a cup of ale!'
+
+The disturbance of Juliet at this intelligence, he thought simply
+surprize, and continued, 'Nay, it was not easy to guess, sure enough. He
+must have rid over every thing, hedge, ditch, and the like. But your
+quality's not over mindful of other people's property. He's come to buy
+some hay. He come o'purpose, he says. And he's a mortal good customer,
+for he says nothing but, "Mighty well! That's very reasonable, indeed! I
+thought it had been twice the price!" Old coz chuckles, I warrant him!
+Your quality's but a poor hand at a bargain. I would not employ 'em,
+between you and I. They never know what they are about.'
+
+They were now joined by Mr Gooch, a hale, hearty, cherry-cheeked dapper
+farmer, fair in all his dealings, and upright in all his principles,
+except when they had immediate reference to his professional profits.
+'Well!' he cried, ''Squire!' rubbing his hands in great glee. 'I've had
+a good chapman enough here! I've often seen un at our races, but I
+little thought of having to chaffer with un. Howsever, one may have
+worse luck with one's money. A don't much understand business. But who's
+that pretty lass with ye, 'Squire? Some play-mate, I warrant, of cousin
+Molly? And why did no' cousin Molly come, too? A'd a have been heartily
+welcome. And perhaps a'd a picked up a sweetheart.'
+
+'Stop, father, stop!' cried young Gooch: 'I've something to say to you.
+You know how you've always stood to it, that you would not believe a
+word about all those battles, and guillotines, and the like, of Mounseer
+Robert Speer, in foreign parts; though I told you, over and over, that I
+had it from our club? Well! here's a person now here, in your own
+grounds, that's seen it all with her own eyes! So if you don't believe
+it, never believe it as long as you live.'
+
+'Like enough not, Tim,' answered the father: 'I do no' much give my mind
+to believing all them outlandish fibs, told by travellers. I can hear
+staring stories eno' by my own fire-side. And I a'n't over friendly to
+believing 'em there. But, bless my heart! for a man for to come for to
+go for to pretend telling me, because it be a great ways off, and I
+can't find un out, that there be a place where there comes a man, who
+says, every morning of his life, to as many of his fellow-creatures as a
+can set eyes on, whether they be man, woman, or baby; here, mount me two
+or three dozen of you into that cart, and go and have your heads chopt
+off! And that they'll make no more ado, than go, only because they're
+bid! Why if one will believe such staring stuff as that be, one may as
+well believe that the moon be made of cream-cheese, and the like.
+There's no sense in such a set of lies; for life's life every where,
+even in France; though it be but a poor starving place, at best, without
+pasture, or cattle; or corn, either, fit for a man for to eat.'
+
+'Ay, father, ay; but Bob Spear, as we call him at our club--'
+
+'Y're young, y're young, Tim,' interrupted Mr Gooch; 'and your
+youngsters do believe every thing. When you've sowed your wild oats,
+you'll know better. But we mustn't all be calves at the same time. If
+there were none for to give milk, there'd be none for to suck. So it be
+all for the best. And that makes me for to take it the less to heart,
+when I do see you be such a gudgeon, Tim, with no more sense than to
+swallow neat down every thing that do come in your way. But you'll never
+thrive, Tim, till you be like to what I be; people do tell such a peck
+of staring lies, that I do no' believe, nor I wo'no' believe one mortal
+word by hear-say.'
+
+'For my part,' said Mr Tedman, 'I never enquire into all that, whether
+it be true, or whether it be false; because it's nothing to me either
+way; and one wastes a deal of time in idle curiosity, about things that
+don't concern one; put in case one can't turn them to one's profit.'
+
+'That's true, coz,' said Mr Gooch; 'for as to profit, there be none to
+come from foreign parts: for they be all main poor thereabout; for, they
+do tell me, that there be not a man among un, as sets his eyes, above
+once in his life, or thereabout, upon a golden guinea! And as to roast
+beef and plum-pudding, I do hear that they do no' know the taste of such
+a thing. So that they be but a poor stinted race at best, for they can
+never come to their natural growth.'
+
+'What, then, you do believe what folks tell you sometimes, father?'
+cried the son, grinning.
+
+'To be sure I do, Tim; when they do tell me somewhat that be worth a
+man's hearing.'
+
+They were now joined by Mr Stubbs, who, seeing Juliet, was happy in the
+opportunity of renewing her favourite enquiries, relative to the
+agricultural state of the continent.
+
+Mr Gooch, extremely surprized, exclaimed, 'Odds heart! Why sure such a
+young lass as that be, ha'n't been across seas already? Why a couldn't
+make out their gibberish, I warrant me! for't be such queer stuff that
+they do talk, all o'un, that there's no getting at what they'd be at;
+unless one larns to speak after the same guise, like to our
+boarding-school misses. I've seen one or two o'un myself, that passed
+here about; but their manner o' talk was so out of the way, I could no'
+make out a word they did say. T'might all be Dutch for me. And I found
+'em vast ignorant. They knew no more than my horse when land ought to be
+manured, from when it ought for to lie fallow. I did ask un a many
+questions; but a could no' answer me, for to be understood.'
+
+'But, for all that, Master Gooch,' said Mr Stubbs, 'my late Lord has
+told me that France is sincerely a fine country, if they knew how to
+make the most of it; but the waste lands are quite out of reason; for
+they are such a boggling set of farmers, that they grow nothing but what
+comes, as one may say, of itself.'
+
+'France a fine country, Maister Stubbs? Well, that be a word I did no'
+count to hear from a man of your sense. Why't be as poor a place as ye
+might wish to set eyes on, all over-run with weeds, and frogs, and the
+like. Why ye be as frenchified as Tim, making out them mounseers to be a
+parcel of Jack the Giant-killers, lopping off heads for mere play, as a
+body may say. However, here be one that's come to our hop, that be a
+finer spark than there be in all France, I warrant me: for a makes a bow
+as like to a mounseer, as if a was twin-brother to un; and a was so
+ready to pay down his money handsomely, I could no' but say a'd be
+welcome to our junket; for a says a does like such a thing more than all
+them new fangled balls and concerts.'
+
+'Oh, and you believe that upon hear-say do you, father?' cried Tim,
+sneeringly.
+
+'Yes, to be sure, I do, Tim. When a man do say a thing that ha' got some
+sense in it, why should no' I believe un, Tim?'
+
+Juliet, who from what had preceded, had concluded the Baronet to be
+gone, earnestly now pressed Mr Tedman to fulfil his kind engagement; but
+in vain: Mr Gooch brought his best silver tankard, to insist upon his
+cousin's drinking success to the new purchase, that occasioned the
+junket; and Tim was outrageous at the proposal of retiring, just as the
+feats were going to commence. 'Before five minutes are over,' said he,
+'the pig will begin!'
+
+'Well,' answered Mr Tedman, 'it is but a silly thing, to be sure, things
+of that sort; and I never give my mind to them; but still, as it's a
+thing I never saw, put in case you've no objections, we'll just stay for
+the pig, my dear.'
+
+Flora, having now gathered that _the quality_ meant Sir Lyell Sycamore,
+began dancing and singing, in a childish extacy of delight, that shewed
+her already, in idea, Lady Sycamore, when, turning to Juliet with sudden
+and angry recollection, her smiles, gaiety, and capering gave way to a
+bitter fit of crying, and she exclaimed, 'But if he is here, it will be
+nothing to me, I dare say, if Miss Ellis is here the while; for he won't
+look at me, almost, when she is by: will he? For some people play one so
+false, that one might as well be as ugly as the cat, almost, when they
+are in the way.'
+
+'Don't be fretted, Miss Flora,' cried young Gooch, soothingly; 'for I
+shall ask Miss Ellis to dance myself; for as I shall begin the hop,
+because of its being our own, I think I've a good right to chuse my
+partner; so don't be fretted, so, Miss Flora, for you'll have the
+Baronight left to you whether he will or no! But come; don't let's lose
+time; if you'll follow me, you won't want sport, I can tell you; for the
+beginning's to be a syllabub under the cow.'
+
+Flora was not too proud to accept this consolation; but Juliet
+positively declared that she should not dance; and earnestly entreated
+that some one might be found to conduct her to Mrs Pierson's.
+
+Flora, recovering her spirits, with the hopes of getting rid of her
+rival, whispered, 'If you're in real right earnest, Miss Ellis, and
+don't say you want to go, only to make a fool of me, which I shall take
+pretty unkind, I assure you; why I can shew you the way so as you can't
+miss it, if you'd never so. And I'm sure I shall be glad enough to have
+you go, if I must needs speak without a compliment. Only don't tell
+mamma who's here, for she don't like persons of quality, she says,
+because of their bad designs; but I'm sure if she was to hear 'em talk
+as I do, she'd think quite another opinion: wouldn't she?'
+
+Fortunately for the intentions of Juliet, which were instantly to make
+known to Mrs Pierson the new danger of her daughter, Flora waited not
+for any answer to this injunction; but set out, prattling incessantly as
+they went on, to put the willing Juliet on her way to Lewes.
+
+The cry, however, from young Gooch, of 'Come! Where are the young
+ladies? The pig's ready!' caught the ears of Flora, with charm not to be
+resisted; and, hastily pointing out a style, to pass into the meadow,
+and another, to pass thence to the high road, she capered briskly back;
+fearing to miss some of the sport, if not a seat next to the Baronet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER L
+
+
+Juliet, as earnest to avoid, as Flora felt eager to pursue, the opening
+feats, hurried from the destined spot, after charging the simple damsel
+not to make known her departure. Unavailing, however, was the caution;
+and immaterial alike the prudence or the indiscretion of Flora: Juliet
+had no sooner crossed the first style, than she perceived Sir Lyell
+Sycamore sauntering in the meadow.
+
+She would promptly have returned to the farm, but a shout of noisy
+merriment reached her ears from the company that she was quitting, and
+pointed out the danger of passing the evening in the midst of such
+turbulent and vulgar revelry. She hastened, therefore, on; but neither
+the lightness of her step, nor the swiftness of her speed, could save
+her from the quick approach of the Baronet. 'My angel!' he cried,
+'whither are you going? and why this prodigious haste? What is it my
+angel fears? Can she suppose me rascal enough, or fool enough, to make
+use of any violence? No, my angel, no! I only ask to be regaled, from
+your own sweet lips, with the delicious tale of divine partiality, that
+the quaint old knight began revealing. I sigh, I pant to hear
+confirmed--'
+
+'Hold, Sir Lyell!' interrupted Juliet. 'If Sir Jaspar is the author of
+this astonishing mistake, I trust he will have the honour to rectify it.
+When I named you to him, it was but with a view to rescue a credulous
+young creature from your pursuit, whom I feared it might injure; not to
+expose to it one whom it never can endanger; however deeply it may
+offend.'
+
+Struck and disappointed at the courage and coolness of this explanation,
+Sir Lyell looked mortified and amazed; but, upon seeing her reach the
+style, he sprang over it, and, recovering his usual effrontery, offered
+her his hand.
+
+Juliet knew not whether her risk were greater to proceed or to return;
+but while she hesitated, a phaeton, which was driving by, stopt, and an
+elderly lady, addressing the Baronet, in a tone of fawning courtesy,
+enquired after his health, and added, 'So you are come to this famous
+junket, Sir Lyell?'
+
+Sir Lyell forced a laugh, and bowed low; though he muttered, loud enough
+for Juliet to hear, 'What cursed spies!'
+
+Juliet now perceived Mrs and Miss Brinville; and neither innocence, nor
+contempt of calumny, could suppress a rising blush, at being surprised,
+by persons already unfavourably disposed towards her, in a situation
+apparently so suspicious.
+
+The countenance of the mother exhibited strong chagrin at sight of
+Juliet; while the daughter, in a tone of pique, said, 'No doubt but you
+are well amused, Sir Lyell?'
+
+They drove on; not, however, very fast, and with so little self-command,
+as frequently to allow themselves to look back. This indelicacy, however
+ill adapted to raise them in the esteem of the Baronet, at least rescued
+Juliet from his persecution. Disconcerted himself, he felt the necessity
+of decency; and, quitting her, with affected carelessness, he hummed an
+air, while grumbling curses, and, swinging his switch to and fro, walked
+off; not more careful that the ladies in the phaeton should see him
+depart, than assiduous to avoid with them any sort of junction.
+
+The relief caused to Juliet by his retreat, was cruelly clouded by her
+terrour of the false suggestions to which this meeting made her liable.
+Neither mother nor daughter would believe it accidental; nor credit it
+to have been contrived without equal guilt in both parties. Is there no
+end, then, she cried, to the evils of defenceless female youth? And,
+even where actual danger is escaped, must slander lie in wait, to
+misconstrue the most simple actions, by surmising the most culpable
+designs?
+
+Neither to follow the footsteps of Sir Lyell, nor to remain where he
+might return, she was going back to the farm; when she was met by Flora,
+who, with a species of hysterical laughter, nearly of kin to crying,
+called out, 'So Ma'am! so Miss Ellis! I've caught you at last! I've
+surprised you at last! a-courting with my sweetheart!'
+
+Pitying her credulous ignorance, Juliet would have cleared up this
+mistake; but the petulant Flora would not listen. 'I'll speak to the
+gentleman myself!' she cried, running forward to the style; 'for I have
+found out your design; so it's of no use to deny it! I saw you together
+all the way I came; so you may as well not try to make a ninny of me,
+Miss Ellis, for it i'n't so easy!'
+
+Catching a glimpse of the Baronet as he descended the road, she jumped
+over the style to run after him; but seeing him look round, and, though
+he perceived her, quietly walk on, she stopt, crying bitterly: 'Very
+well, Miss Ellis! very well! you've got your ends! I see that! and, I
+don't thank you for it, I assure you, for I liked him very well; and it
+i'n't so easy to find a man of quality every day; so it i'n't doing as
+you'd be done by; for nobody likes much to be forsaken, no more than I,
+I believe, for it i'n't so agreeable. And I had rather you had not
+served me so by half! In particular for a man of quality!'
+
+Juliet, though vainly, was endeavouring to appease and console her, when
+a young lady, bending eagerly from the window of a post chaise which was
+passing by, ejaculated, 'Ellis!' and Juliet, with extreme satisfaction,
+perceived Elinor.
+
+The chaise stopt, and Juliet advanced to it with alacrity; but before
+she could speak, the impatient Elinor, still looking pale, meagre, and
+wretched, burst forth, with rapid and trembling energy, into a string of
+disordered, incoherent, scarcely intelligible interrogatories. 'Ellis!
+what brings you to this spot?--Whither is it you go?--What project are
+you forming?--What purpose are you fulfilling?--Whom are you
+flying--Whom are you following?--What is it you design?--What is it you
+wish?--Why are you here alone?--Where--Where--'
+
+Leaning, then, still further out of the window, she fixed her nearly
+haggard, yet piercing eyes upon those of Juliet, and, in a hollow voice,
+dictatorially added: 'Where--tell me, I charge you! where--is Harleigh?'
+
+Consternation at sight of her altered countenance, and affright at the
+impetuosity of her questions, produced a hesitation in the answer of
+Juliet, that, to the agitated Elinor, seemed the effect of surprised
+guilt. Her pallid cheeks then burnt with the mixed feelings of triumph
+and indignation; yet her voice sought to disguise her wounded feelings,
+and in subdued, though broken accents, ''Tis well!' she cried, 'You no
+longer, at least, seek to deceive me, and I thank you!' Deaf to
+explanation or representation, she then hurried her weak frame from the
+chaise, aided by her foreign lackey; and, directing Juliet to follow,
+crossed the road to a rising ground upon the Downs; seated herself; sent
+off her assistant, and made Juliet take a place by her side; while Flora
+returned, crying and alone, to the farm.
+
+'Now, then,' she said, 'that you try no more to delude, to cajole, to
+blind me, tell me now, and in two words,--where is Harleigh?'
+
+'Believe me, Madam,--' Juliet was tremblingly beginning, when Elinor,
+casting off the little she had assumed of self-command, passionately,
+cried, 'Must I again be played upon by freezing caution and duplicity?
+Must I die without end the lingering death of cold inaction and
+uncertainty? breathe for ever without living? Where, I demand, is
+Harleigh? Where have you concealed him? Why will Harleigh, the noble
+Harleigh, degrade himself by any concealment? Why stoop to the subtilty
+of circumspection, to spare himself the appearance of destroying one
+whose head, heart, and vitals, all feel the reality of the destruction
+he inflicts? And yet not he! No, no! 'tis my own ruthless star! He loves
+me not! he is not responsible for my misery, though he is master of my
+fate! Where is he? where is he? You,--who are the tyrant of his! tell
+me, and at once!'
+
+'I solemnly protest to you, Madam, with the singleness of the most
+scrupulous truth,' cried Juliet, recovering her presence of mind, 'I am
+entirely ignorant of his abode, his occupations, and his intentions.' Ah
+why, she secretly added, am I not equally unacquainted with his feelings
+and his wishes!
+
+Unable to discredit the candour with which this was pronounced, and
+filled with wonder, yet involuntarily consoled, the features of Elinor
+lost their rigidity, and her eyes their fierceness; and, in milder
+accents, she replied, 'Strange! how strange! Where, then, can he
+be?--with whom?--how employed?--Does he fly the whole world as well as
+Elinor? Has no one his society?--no one his confidence?--his society,
+which, by contrast, makes all existence without it disgusting!--his
+confidence, which, to obtain, I would yet live, though doomed daily to
+the rack! O Harleigh! love like mine, who has felt?--love like mine, who
+but you, O matchless Harleigh! ever inspired!'
+
+Tears now gushed into her eyes. Ashamed, and angry with herself, she
+hastily brushed them off with the back of her hand, and, with forced
+vivacity, continued, 'He thinks, perchance, to sicken me into the pining
+end of a love-sick consumption? to avert the kindly bowl or dagger, that
+cut short human misery, for the languors, the sufferings, and despair of
+a loathsome natural death? And for what?--to restore, to preserve me?
+No! I have no share in the arrangement; no interest, no advantage from
+the plan. Appearances alone are considered; all else is regarded as
+immaterial; or sacrificed. And he, Harleigh, the noblest,--the only
+noble of men!--can level himself with the narrowest and most illiberal
+of his race, to pay coward obeisance to appearances!'
+
+Again she then repeated her personal interrogatories to Juliet; and
+demanded whether she should set off immediately for Gretna Green, with
+Lord Melbury; or whether she must wait till he should be of age.
+
+'Neither!' Juliet solemnly answered; and frankly recounted her recent
+difficulties; and entreated the advice of Elinor for adopting another
+plan of life.
+
+Elinor, interrupting her, said, 'Nay, 'twas your own choice, you know,
+to live in a garret, and hem pocket-handkerchiefs.'
+
+'Choice, Madam! Alas! deprived of all but personal resource, I fixed
+upon a mode of life that promised me, at least, my mental freedom. I was
+not then aware how imaginary is the independence, that hangs for support
+upon the uncertain fruits of daily exertions! Independent, indeed, such
+situations may be deemed from the oppressions of power, or the tyrannies
+of caprice and ill humour; but the difficulty of obtaining employment,
+the irregularity of pay, the dread of want,--ah! what is freedom but a
+name, for those who have not an hour at command from the subjection of
+fearful penury and distress?'
+
+'If all this is so,' said Elinor, 'which, unless you wait for Lord
+Melbury's majority, is more than incomprehensible; what say you, now, to
+an asylum safe, at least, from torments of this sort;--will you
+commission me, at length, to apply to Mrs Ireton?'
+
+Juliet, instinctively, recoiled at the very name of that lady; yet a
+little reflection upon the dangers to which she was now exposed, through
+unprotected poverty; through the lawless pursuit of Sir Lyell Sycamore;
+and the vindictive calumnies of the Brinvilles, made the wish of solid
+safety repress the disgusts of offended sensibility; and, after a
+painful pause, she recommended herself to the support of Elinor:
+resolving to accept, for the moment, any proposition, that might secure
+her an honourable refuge from want and misconception.
+
+Elinor, looking at her suspiciously, said, 'And Harleigh?--Will he let
+you submit to such slavery?'
+
+Mr Harleigh, Juliet protested, could have no influence upon her
+determination.
+
+'But you yourself, who a month or two ago, could so ill bear her
+tauntings, how is it you are thus suddenly endued with so much
+humility?'
+
+'Alas, Madam, all choice, all taste, all obstacles sink before
+necessity! When I came over, I had expectations of immediate succour. I
+knew not that the friend I sought was herself ruined, as well as
+unhappy! I had hopes, too, of speedy intelligence that might have
+liberated me from all my difficulties....'
+
+She stopt; Elinor exclaimed, 'From whence?--From abroad?--'
+
+Juliet was silent; and Elinor, after a few passing sallies against
+secrets and mystery, sarcastically bid her consider, before she adopted
+this new scheme, that Harleigh never visited at Mrs Ireton's; having
+taken, in equal portions, a dose of aversion for the mother, and of
+contempt for the son.
+
+Juliet calmly replied, that such a circumstance could be but an
+additional motive to seek the situation; and, hopeless, for the moment,
+of doing better, seriously begged that proper measures might be taken to
+accelerate the plan.
+
+Elinor, now, from mingled wonder, satisfaction, and scorn, recovered all
+her wonted vivacity. 'You are really, and bona fide, contented, then,'
+she cried, 'to be shut up as completely from Harleigh, through his
+horrour of that woman's irascible temper, as if you were separated by
+bolts, bars, dungeons, towers, and bastilles? I applaud your taste, and
+wish you the full enjoyment of its fruits! Yet what materials you can be
+made of, to see the first of men at your feet, and voluntarily to fly
+him, to be trampled under by those of the most odious of women, I cannot
+divine! 'Tis an exuberance of apathy that surpasses my comprehension.
+And can He, the spirited Harleigh, love, adore, such a composition of
+ice, of snow, of marble?'
+
+She could not, however, disguise the elation with which she looked
+forward, to depositing Juliet where information might constantly be
+procured of her visitors and her actions. They went together to the
+carriage; and Elinor conveyed her submissive and contemned, yet
+agonizingly envied rival, to Brighthelmstone.
+
+In her usually unguarded manner, Elinor, by the way, communicated the
+various, but successless efforts by which she had endeavoured to gain
+intelligence whither Harleigh had rambled. 'If I pursued him,' she
+cried, 'with the vanity of hope; or with the meanness of flattery, he
+would do well to shun me; but the pure-minded Harleigh is capable of
+believing, that the moment is over for Elinor to desire to be his! And,
+to sustain at once and shew my principles, I never seek his sight, but
+in presence of her who has blasted even my wishes! Else, thus
+clamourously to invoke, thus pertinaciously to follow him, might,
+indeed, merit avoidance. But Elinor, now, would be as superiour to
+accepting, ... as she is to forgetting him!'
+
+'Yet his obdurate seclusion,' she continued, 'is the only mark I
+receive, that I escape his disdain. It shews me that he fears the event
+of a meeting. He does not, therefore, utterly deride the pusillanimity
+of my abortive attempt. O could I justify his good opinion!--All others,
+I doubt not, insult me by the most ludicrous suspicions; they are
+welcome. They judge me by their little-minded selves. But thou, O
+Harleigh! could I see thee once more!--in thy sight, thy loved sight,
+could I sink, at last, my sorrows and my disgrace to rest! to oblivion,
+to sleep eternal!'--
+
+Vainly Juliet essayed to plead the cause of religion, and the duties of
+life; unanswered, unmarked, unheard, she talked but to the air. All that
+was uttered in return, began and ended alike with Harleigh, death, and
+annihilation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LI
+
+
+Juliet could not but be gratified by a circumstance so important to her
+reputation, with the Brinvilles, and with those among the inhabitants of
+Brighthelmstone to whom she was known, as that of being brought home by
+Miss Joddrel, after an adventure that must unavoidably raise curiosity,
+and that threatened to excite slander. For with however just a pride
+wronged innocence may disdain injurious aspersions, female fame, like
+the wife of Cæsar, ought never to be suspected.
+
+The celerity of the motions of Elinor, nearly equalled the quickness of
+her ideas. Her lackey arrived the next morning, to help to convey
+Juliet, and her baggage, immediately to the dwelling of Mrs Ireton; with
+a note from his mistress, indicating that Mrs Ireton was already
+prepared to take her for a companion. 'An humble companion,' Elinor
+wrote, 'I need not add; I had nearly said a pitiful one; for who would
+voluntarily live with such an antidote to all the comforts of life, that
+has spirit, sense, or soul? O envied Ellis! how potent must be the
+passion, the infatuation, that can make Harleigh view such meanness as
+grace, and adore it as dignity!--O icy Ellis!--but the human heart would
+want strength to support such pre-eminent honour, were it bestowed upon
+a mind gifted for its appreciation!'
+
+Then again, wishing her joy of her taste, she assured her that it was
+reciprocated; for Mrs Ireton was all impatience to display, to a new
+dependent, her fortune, her power, and her magnificence.
+
+Juliet, with her answer of thanks for this service, wrote a few lines
+for Mrs Pierson, which she begged the messenger to deliver. They were to
+warn the imprudent, or deceived mother of the dangerous state of mind in
+which her daughter still continued; and to give her notice that Sir
+Lyell Sycamore, who could not be guarded against too carefully, was
+still in the neighbourhood.
+
+With a mind revolting from a measure which, while prudence, if not
+necessity, dictated, choice and feeling opposed, she now quitted her
+mantua-maker's abode, to set out for her new destination; seeking to
+cheer herself that, at least, by this step, she should be secured from
+the licentious pursuit of Sir Lyell Sycamore; the envenomed shafts of
+calumny of the enraged Brinvilles; the perpetual terrour of debts; and
+the cruel apprehension of want.
+
+She had not far to go; but the mortifications, for which she prepared
+herself, began by the very sight of the dwelling into which she was to
+enter. Mrs Ireton had taken the house of Mrs Howel:--that house in which
+Juliet had first, after her arrival in England, received consolation in
+her distresses; been melted by kindness; or animated by approbation.
+There, too, indeed, she had experienced the pain which she had felt the
+most severely; for there all the soothing consideration, so precious to
+her sorrows, had abruptly been broken off, to give place to an assault
+the most shocking upon her intentions, her probity, her character.
+
+Here, too, she had suffered the cruel affront, and heartfelt grief, of
+seeing the ingenuous, amiable Lord Melbury forget what was due to the
+rights of hospitality; to his own character; and to the respect due to
+his sister: and here she had witnessed his sincere and candid
+repentance; here had been softened, touched, and penetrated by the
+impressive anguish of his humiliation.
+
+These remembrances, and the various affecting and interesting ideas by
+which they were accompanied, gave a dejection to her thoughts, and a
+sadness to her air, that would have awakened an interest in her favour,
+in any one whose heart had been open to the feelings of others: but the
+person under whose protection she was now to place herself, was a
+stranger to every species of sensation that was not personal. And where
+the calls of self upon sensibility are unremitting, what must be the
+stock that will gift us, also, with supply sufficient for our
+fellow-creatures?
+
+She found Mrs Ireton reclining upon a sofa; at the side of which, upon a
+green velvet cushion, lay a tiny old lap dog, whom a little boy,
+evidently too wanton to find pleasure but in mischief, was secretly
+tormenting, by displaying before him the breast bone of a chicken, which
+he had snatched from the platter of the animal; and which, the moment
+that he made it touch the mouth of the cur, he hid, with all its fat and
+its grease, in his own waistcoat pocket.
+
+Near to these two almost equally indulged and spoilt animals, stood a
+nursery maid, with a duster and an hearth-broom in her hands, who was
+evidently incensed beyond her pittance of patience, from clearing away,
+repeatedly, their joint litter and dirt.
+
+Scared, and keeping humbly aloof, near a window frame, stood, also, a
+little girl, of ten or twelve years of age, who, as Juliet afterwards
+heard from the angry nursery maid, was an orphan, that had been put to a
+charity school by Mrs Ireton, as her particular _protegée_; and who was
+now, for the eighth time, by the direction of her governess, come to
+solicit the arrears due from the very beginning of her school
+instruction.
+
+Yet another trembler, though not one equally, at this moment, to be
+pitied, held the handle of the lock of the door; not having received
+intelligible orders to advance, or to depart. This was a young negro,
+who was the favourite, because the most submissive servant of Mrs
+Ireton; and whose trembling was simply from the fear that his lady might
+remark a grin which he could not repress, as he looked at the child and
+the dog.
+
+Mrs Ireton herself, though her restless eye roved incessantly from
+object to object, in search of various food for her spleen, was
+ostensibly occupied in examining, and decrying, the goods of a Mercer;
+but when Juliet, finding herself unnoticed, was retreating, she called
+out, 'O, you are there, are you? I did not see you, I protest. But come
+this way, if you please. I can't possibly speak so far off.'
+
+The authoritative tone in which this was uttered, joined to what Juliet
+observed of the general tyranny exercised around her, intimidated and
+shocked her; and she stood still, and nearly confounded.
+
+Mrs Ireton, holding her hand above her eyes, as if to aid her sight, and
+stretching forward her head, said, 'Who is that?--pray who's there?--I
+imagined it had been a person I had sent for; but I must certainly be
+mistaken, as she does not come to me. Pray has any body here a spying
+glass? I really can't see so far off. I beg pardon for having such bad
+eyes! I hope you'll forgive it. Let me know, however, who it is, I beg.'
+
+Juliet tried to speak, but felt so confused and disturbed what to
+answer, that she could not clearly articulate a word.
+
+'You won't tell me, then?' continued Mrs Ireton, lowering her voice
+nearly to a whisper, 'or is it that I am not heard? Has any body got a
+speaking trumpet? or do you think my lungs so capacious and powerful,
+that they may take its place?'
+
+Juliet, now, though most unwillingly, moved forward; and Mrs Ireton,
+surveying her, said, 'Yes, yes, I see who you are! I recollect you now,
+Mrs ... Mrs ... I forget your name, though, I protest. I can't recollect
+your name, I own. I'm quite ashamed, but I really cannot call it to
+mind. I must beg a little help. What is it? What is your name, Mrs ...
+Mrs ... Hay?--Mrs ... What?'
+
+Colouring and stammering, Juliet answered, that she had hoped Miss
+Joddrel would have saved her this explanation, by mentioning that she
+was called Miss Ellis.
+
+'Called?' repeated Mrs Ireton; 'what do you mean by called?--who calls
+you?--What are you called for?--Why do you wait to be called?--And where
+are you called from?'
+
+The entire silence of Juliet to these interrogatories, gave a moment to
+the mercer to ask for orders.
+
+'You are in haste, Sir, are you?' said Mrs Ireton; 'I have your pardon
+to beg, too, have I? I am really very unfortunate this morning. However,
+pray take your things away, Sir, if it's so immensely troublesome to you
+to exhibit them. Only be so good as to acquaint your chief, whoever he
+may be, that you had not time to wait for me to make any purchase.'
+
+The man offered the humblest apologies, which were all disdained; and
+self-defending excuses, which were all retorted; he was peremptorily
+ordered to be gone; with an assurance that he should answer for his
+disrespect to his master; who, she flattered herself, would give him a
+lesson of better behaviour, by the loss of his employment.
+
+Harassed with apprehension of what she had to expect in this new
+residence, Juliet would silently have followed him.
+
+'Stay, Ma'am, stay!' cried Mrs Ireton; 'give me leave to ask one
+question:--whither are you going, Mrs ... what's your name?'
+
+'I ... I feared, Madam, that I had come too soon.'
+
+'O, that's it, is it? I have not paid you sufficient attention,
+perhaps?--Nay it's very likely. I did not run up to receive you, I
+confess. I did not open my arms to embrace you, I own! It was very wrong
+of me, certainly. But I am apt to forget myself. I want a flapper
+prodigiously. I know nothing of life,--nothing of manners. Perhaps you
+will be so good as to become my monitress? 'Twill be vastly kind of you.
+And who knows but, in time, you may form me? How happy it will be if you
+can make something of me!'
+
+The maid, now, tired of wiping up splash after splash, and rubbing out
+spot after spot; finding her work always renewed by the mischievous
+little boy, was sullenly walking to the other end of the room.
+
+'O, you're departing too, are you?' said Mrs Ireton; 'and pray who
+dismissed you? whose commands have you for going? Inform me, I beg, who
+it is that is so kind as to take the trouble off my hands, of ordering
+my servants? I ought at least to make them my humble acknowledgements.
+There's nothing so frightful as ingratitude.'
+
+The maid, not comprehending this irony, grumblingly answered, that she
+had wiped up the grease and the slops till her arms ached; for the
+little boy made more dirt and nastiness than the cur himself.
+
+'The boy?--The cur?--What's all this?' cried Mrs Ireton; 'who, and what,
+is the woman talking of? The boy? Has the boy no name?--The cur? Have
+you no more respect for your lady's lap dog?--Grease
+too?--Nastiness!--you turn me sick! I am ready to faint! What horrible
+images you present to me! Has nobody any salts? any lavendar-water? How
+unfortunate it is to have such nerves, such sensations, when one lives
+with such mere speaking machines!'
+
+She then cast around her eyes, with a look of silent, but pathetic
+appeal to the sensibility of all who were within sight, against this
+unheard of indignity; but her speech was soon restored, from mingled
+wrath and surprise, upon perceiving her favourite young negro nearly
+suffocating with stifled laughter, though thrusting both his knuckles
+into his capacious mouth, to prevent its loud explosion.
+
+'So this amuses you, does it, Sir? You think it very comical? You are so
+kind as to be entertained, are you? How happy I am to give you so much
+pleasure! How proud I ought to be to afford you such diversion! I shall
+make it my business to shew my sense of my good fortune; and, to give
+you a proof, Sir, of my desire to contribute to your gaiety, to-morrow
+morning I will have you shipped back to the West Indies. And there, that
+your joy may be complete, I shall issue orders that you may be striped
+till you jump, and that you may jump,--you little black imp!--between
+every stripe!'
+
+The foolish mirth of poor Mungo was now converted into the fearfulest
+dismay. He dropt upon his knees to implore forgiveness; but he was
+peremptorily ordered to depart, with an assurance that he should keep up
+his fine spirits upon bread and water for a fortnight.
+
+If disgust, now, was painted upon every feature of the face of Juliet,
+at this mixture of forced derision with but too natural inhumanity, the
+feeling which excited that expression was by no means softened, by
+seeing Mrs Ireton turn next to the timid young orphan, imperiously
+saying, 'And you, Ma'am, what may you stand there for, with your hands
+before you? Have you nothing better to do with them? Can't you find out
+some way to make them more useful? or do you hold it more fitting to
+consider them as only ornamental? They are very pretty, to be sure. I
+say nothing to the contrary of that. But I should suppose you don't
+quite intend to reserve them for mere objects of admiration? You don't
+absolutely mean, I presume, to devote them to the painter's eye? or to
+destine them to the sculptor's chisel? I should think not, at least. I
+should imagine not. I beg you to set me right if I am wrong.'
+
+The poor little girl, staring, and looking every way around to find some
+meaning for what she did not comprehend, could only utter a faint
+'Ma'am!' in a tone of so much fear and distress, that Juliet, unable,
+silently, to witness oppression so wanton, came forward to say, 'The
+poor child, Ma'am, only wishes to understand your commands, that she may
+obey them.'
+
+'O! they are not clear, I suppose? They are too abstruse, I imagine?'
+contemptuously replied Mrs Ireton. 'And you, who are kind enough to
+offer yourself for my companion; who think yourself sufficiently
+accomplished to amuse,--perhaps instruct me,--you, also, have not the
+wit to find out, what a little chit of an ordinary girl can do better
+with her hands, than to stand still, pulling her own fingers?'
+
+Juliet, now, believing that she had discovered what was meant, kindly
+took the little girl by the arm, and pointed to the just overturned
+water-bason of the dog.
+
+'But I don't know where to get a cloth, Ma'am?' said the child.
+
+'A cloth?--In my wardrobe, to be sure!' cried Mrs Ireton; 'amongst my
+gowns, and caps, and hats. Where else should there be dirty cloths, and
+dusters, and dish-clouts? Do you know of any other place where they are
+likely to be found? Why don't you answer?'
+
+'Ma'am?'
+
+'You never heard, perhaps, of such a place as a kitchen? You don't know
+where it is? nor what it means? You have only heard talk of
+drawing-rooms, dressing-rooms, boudoirs? or, perhaps, sometimes, of a
+corridor, or a vestibule, or an anti-chamber? But nothing beyond!--A
+kitchen!--O, fie, fie!'
+
+Juliet now hurried the little girl away, to demand a cloth of the house
+maid; but the moment that she returned with it, Mrs Ireton called out,
+'And what would you do, now, Ma'am? Make yourself all dirt and filth,
+that you may go back to your school, to shew the delicate state of my
+house? To make your mistress, and all her brats, believe that I live in
+a pig-stie? Or to spread abroad that I have not servants enough to do my
+work, and that I seize upon you to supply their place? But I beg your
+pardon; perhaps that may be your way to shew your gratitude? To manifest
+your sense of my saving you from the work-house? to reward me for
+snatching you from beggary, and want, and starving?'
+
+The poor little girl burst into tears, but courtsied, and quitted the
+room; while Mrs Ireton called after her, to desire that she would
+acquaint her governess, that she should certainly be paid the following
+week.
+
+Juliet now stood in scarcely less dismay than she had been witnessing
+all around her; panic-struck to find herself in the power of a person
+whose character was so wantonly tyrannic and irascible.
+
+The fortunate entrance of some company enabled her, for the present, to
+retreat; and to demand, of one of the servants, the way to her chamber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LII
+
+
+From the heightened disgust which she now conceived against her new
+patroness, Juliet severely repented the step that she had taken. And if
+her entrance into the family contributed so little to her contentment,
+her subsequent introduction into her office was still less calculated to
+exhilarate her spirits. Her baggage was scarcely deposited in a handsome
+chamber, of which the hangings, and decorations, as of every part of the
+mansion, were sumptuous for the spectator; but in which there was a
+dearth of almost every thing that constitutes comfort to the immediate
+dweller; ere she was summoned back, by a hasty order to the
+drawing-room.
+
+Mrs Ireton, who was reading a news-paper, did not, for some time, raise
+her head; though a glance of her eye procured her the satisfaction of
+seeing that her call had been obeyed. Juliet, at first, stood modestly
+waiting for commands; but, receiving none, sat down, though at an humble
+distance; determined to abide by the consequences, be they what they
+might, of considering herself as, at least, above a common domestic.
+
+This action shortened the term of neglect; Mrs Ireton, letting the
+news-paper fall, exclaimed, in a tone of affected alarm, 'Are you ill,
+Ma'am? Are you disordered? I hope you are not subject to fits?'
+
+Juliet coldly answered No.
+
+'I am very glad to hear it, indeed! Very happy, upon my word! I was
+afraid you were going to faint away! But I find that you are only
+delicate; only fatigued by descending the stairs. I ought, indeed, to
+have sent somebody to help you; somebody you could have leant upon as
+you came along. I was very stupid not to think of that. I hope you'll
+pardon me?'
+
+Juliet looked down, but kept her place.
+
+Mrs Ireton, a little nettled, was silent a few minutes, and then said,
+'Pray,--if I may ask,--if it will not be too great a liberty to
+ask,--what have been your pursuits since I had the honour of
+accompanying you to London? How have you passed your time? I hope you
+have found something to amuse you?'
+
+Juliet sighed a negative.
+
+'You have been studying the fine arts, I am told.
+Painting?--Drawing?--Sculpture?--or what is it?--Something of that sort,
+I am informed. Pray what is it, Mrs Thing-a-mi?--I am always forgetting
+your name. Yet you have certainly a name; but I don't know how it is, I
+can never remember it. I believe I must beg you to write it down.'
+
+Juliet again only sighed.
+
+'Perhaps I am making a mistake as to your occupations? Very likely I may
+be quite in the wrong? Indeed I think I recollect, now, what it is you
+have been doing. Acting?--That's it. Is it not? Pray what stage did you
+come out upon first? Did you begin wearing your itinerant buskins in
+England, or abroad?'
+
+'Where I began, Madam, I have ended; at Mrs Maple's.'
+
+'And pray, have you kept that same face ever since I saw you in
+Grosvenor Square? or have you put it on again only now, to come back to
+me? I rather suppose you have made it last the whole time. It would be
+very expensive, I apprehend, to change it frequently: it can by no means
+be so costly to keep it only in repair. How do you put on your colours?
+I have heard of somebody who had learnt the art of enamelling their own
+skin: is that your method?'
+
+Waiting vainly for an answer, she went on.
+
+'Pray, if I may presume so far, how old are you?--But I beg pardon for
+so indiscreet a question. I did not reflect upon what I was saying. Very
+possibly your age may be indefinable. You may be a person of another
+century. A wandering Jewess. I never heard that the old Jew had a wife,
+or a mother, who partook of his longevity; but very likely I may now
+have the pleasure of seeing one of his family under my own roof? That
+red and white, that you lay on so happily, may just as well hide the
+wrinkles of two or three grand climacterics, as of only a poor single
+sixty or seventy years of age. However, these are secrets that I don't
+presume to enquire into. Every trade has its mystery.'
+
+These splenetic witticisms producing no reply, Mrs Ireton, more
+categorically, demanded, 'Pray, Ma'am, pray Mrs What's-your-name, will
+you give me leave to ask what brings you to my house?'
+
+'Miss Joddrel, Madam, informed me that you desired my attendance.'
+
+'Yes; but with what view?'
+
+Disconcerted by this interrogatory, Juliet stammered, but could devise
+no answer.
+
+'To what end, what purpose, what intent, I say, may I owe the honour of
+your presence?'
+
+The office pointed out by Elinor, of an humble companion, now died the
+cheeks of Juliet with shame; but resentment of the palpable desire to
+hear its mortifying acknowledgement, tied her tongue; and though each of
+the following interrogatories was succeeded by a pause that demanded a
+reply, she could not bring herself to utter a word.
+
+'You are hardly come, I should imagine, without some motive: I may be
+mistaken, to be sure; but I should hardly imagine you would take the
+trouble to present yourself merely to afford me the pleasure of seeing
+you?--Not but that I ought to be extremely flattered by such a
+compliment. 'Twould be vastly amiable, certainly. A lady of your
+indescribable consequence! 'Twould be difficult to me to shew an
+adequate sense of so high an honour. I am distressed at the very thought
+of it.--But perhaps you may have some other design?--You may have the
+generosity to intend me some improvement?--You may come to favour me
+with some lessons of declamation?--Who knows but you may propose to make
+an actress of me?--Or perhaps to instruct me how to become an adept in
+your own favourite art of face-daubing?'
+
+At least, thought Juliet, I need not give you any lessons in the _art of
+ingeniously tormenting_! There you are perfect!
+
+'What! no answer yet?--Am I always so unfortunate as to hit upon
+improper subjects?--To ask questions that merit no reply?--I am quite
+confounded at my want of judgment! Excuse it, I entreat, and aid me out
+of this unprofitable labyrinth of conjecture, by telling me, at once, to
+what happy inspiration I am indebted for the pleasure of receiving you
+in my house?'
+
+Juliet pleaded again the directions of Miss Joddrel.
+
+'Miss Joddrel told you to come, then, only to come?--Only to shew
+yourself?--Well, you are worth looking at, I acknowledge, to those who
+have seen you formerly. The transformation must always be curious: I
+only hope you intend to renew it, from time to time, to keep admiration
+alive? That pretty face you exhibit at present, may lose its charms, if
+it should become familiar. When shall you put on the other again, that I
+had the pleasure to see you in first?'
+
+Fatigued and spiritless, Juliet would have retired; but Mrs Ireton
+called after her, 'O! you are going, are you? Pray may I take the
+liberty to ask whither?'
+
+Again Juliet was silent.
+
+'You mean perhaps to repose yourself?--or, may be, to pursue your
+studies?--or, perhaps, you may have some visits upon your hands?--And
+you may only have done me the favour to enter my house to find time to
+follow your humour?--You may think it sufficient honour for me, that I
+may be at the expence of your board, and find you in lodging, and
+furniture, and fire, and candles, and servants?--you may hold this ample
+recompense for such an insignificant person as I am? I ought to be much
+obliged to Miss Joddrel, upon my word, for bringing me into such
+distinction! I had understood her, indeed, that you would come to me as
+my humble companion.'
+
+Juliet, cruelly shocked, turned away her head.
+
+'And I was stupid enough to suppose, that that meant a person who could
+be of some use, and some agreeability; a person who could read to me
+when I was tired, and who, when I had nobody else, could talk to me; and
+find out a thousand little things for me all day long; coming and going;
+prating, or holding her tongue; doing every thing she was bid; and
+keeping always at hand.'
+
+Juliet, colouring at this true, however insulting description of what
+she had undertaken, secretly revolved in her mind, how to renounce, at
+once, an office which seemed to invite mortification, and license
+sarcasm.
+
+'But I perceive I was mistaken! I perceive I knew nothing of the matter!
+It only means a fine lady! a lady that's so delicate it fatigues her to
+walk down stairs; a lady who is so independent, that she retires to her
+room at pleasure; a lady who disdains to speak but when she is disposed,
+for her own satisfaction, to talk; a lady--'
+
+'A lady who, indeed, Madam,' said the tired Juliet, 'weighed too little
+what she attempted, when she hoped to find means of obtaining your
+favour; but who now sees her errour, and entreats at once your pardon
+and dismission.'
+
+She then courtsied respectfully, but, though called back even with
+vehemence, steadily left the room.
+
+Not, however, with triumph did she return to her own. The justice of the
+sensibility which urged her retreat, could not obviate its imprudence,
+or avert its consequences. She was wholly without friends, without
+money, without protection, without succour; and the horrour of a
+licentious pursuit, and the mischiefs menaced by calumniating ill
+wishers, still made a lonely residence as unsafe as when her first
+terrour drove her to acquiesce in the proposition of Elinor. Yet, though
+she could not exult, she could not repent: how desire, how even support
+a situation so sordid? a situation not only distressing, but oppressive;
+not merely cruel, but degrading.
+
+She was preparing, therefore, for immediate departure, when she was
+stopt by a footman, who informed her that Mrs Ireton demanded to see her
+without delay.
+
+The expectation of reproach made her hesitate whether to obey this
+order; but a desire not to have the air of meriting it, by the defiance
+of a refusal, led her again to the dressing-room.
+
+Here, however, to her great surprise, instead of the haughty or taunting
+upbraidings for which she was prepared, she was received with a gracious
+inclination of the head; while the footman was told to give her a chair.
+
+Mrs Ireton, then, fixing her eyes upon a pamphlet which she held in her
+hand; that she might avoid taking any notice of the stiff and decided
+air with which Juliet stood still, though amazed, said, 'My bookseller
+has just sent me something to look at, which may serve for a beginning
+of our readings.'
+
+Juliet now saw, that, however imperiously she had been treated, Mrs
+Ireton had no intention to part with her. She saw, too, that that lady
+was amongst the many, though terrible characters, who think superior
+rank or fortune authorises perverseness, and legitimates arrogance; who
+hold the display of ill humour to be the display and mark of power; and
+who set no other boundary to their pleasure in the art of tormenting,
+than that which, if passed, might endanger their losing its object. She
+wished, more than ever, to avoid all connexion with a nature so wilfully
+tyrannic; but Mrs Ireton, who read in her dignified demeanour, that a
+spirit was awakened which threatened the escape of her prey, determined
+to shun any discussion. Suddenly, therefore, rising, and violently
+ringing the bell, she exclaimed, 'I dare say those fools have not placed
+half the things you want in your chamber; but I shall make Whitly see
+immediately that all is arranged as it ought to be.'
+
+She then gave some parading directions, that Miss Ellis should want for
+nothing; and, affecting not to perceive the palpable design of Juliet
+to decline these tardy attentions, graciously nodded her head, and
+passed into another room.
+
+Juliet, not absolutely softened, yet somewhat appeased, again hesitated.
+A road seemed open, by some exertion of spirit, for obtaining better
+treatment; and however ungenial to her feelings was a character whose
+humours submitted to no restraint, save to ensure their own lengthened
+indulgence, still, in appearing more contemptible, it became less
+tremendous.
+
+She began, also, to see her office as less debasing. Why, she cried,
+should I exaggerate my torments, by blindly giving into received
+opinions, without examining whether here, as in all things else, there
+may not be exceptions to general rules? A sycophant must always be
+despicable; a parasite must eternally deserve scorn; but may there not
+be a possibility of uniting the affluent with the necessitous upon more
+equitable terms? May not some medium be hit upon, between oppression on
+one side, and servility on the other? If we are not worthless because
+indigent, why conclude ourselves abject because dependent? Happiness,
+indeed, dwells not with undue subordination; but the exertion of talents
+in our own service can never in itself be vile. It can only become so
+where it is mingled and contaminated with flattery, with unfitting
+obsequiousness, and unworthy submissions. They who simply repay being
+sustained and protected, by a desire to please, a readiness to serve, a
+wish to instruct; without falsehood in their counsels, without adulation
+in their civilities, without meanness in their manners and conduct; have
+at least as just a claim to respect and consideration, for their
+services and their labours, as those who, merely through pecuniary
+retribution, reap their fruits.
+
+This idea better reconciled her with her condition; and she blessed her
+happy acquaintance with Mr Giles Arbe, which had strengthened her
+naturally philosophical turn of mind, by leading her to this simple, yet
+useful style of reasoning.
+
+The rest of the day was propitious to her new views. The storms with
+which it had begun subsided, and a calm ensued, in which Mrs Ireton set
+apart her querulous irascibility, and forbore her contemptuous
+interrogatories.
+
+The servants were ordered not to neglect Miss Ellis; and Miss Ellis
+received permission to carry to her own apartment, any books from off
+the piano forte or tables, that might contribute to her amusement.
+
+Juliet was not of a character to take advantage of a moment of
+concession, even in an enemy. The high and grave deportment, therefore,
+which had thus happily raised alarm, had no sooner answered its purpose,
+than she suffered it to give place to an air of gentleness, more
+congenial to her native feelings: and, the next morning, subduing her
+resentment, and submitting, with the best grace in her power, to the
+business of her office, she cheerfully proposed reading; complied with
+the first request that was made her to play upon the piano-forte and the
+harp; and even, to sing; though, not so promptly; for her voice and
+sensibility were less ductile than her manners. But she determined to
+leave nothing untried, that could prove, that it was not more easy to
+stimulate her pride by indignity, than to animate her desire to oblige
+by mild usage.
+
+This resolution on her part, which the fear of losing her, on that of
+Mrs Ireton, gave time to operate, brought into play so many brilliant
+accomplishments, and opened to her patroness such sources of amusement,
+that, while Juliet began to hope she had found a situation which she
+might sustain till her suspences should be over, Mrs Ireton conceived
+that she had met with a treasure, which might rescue her unoccupied
+hours from weariness and spleen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIII
+
+
+This delusion, unfortunately, was not of long duration on either side.
+Mrs Ireton no sooner observed that Juliet appeared to be settled, than
+all zest for detaining her ceased; no sooner became accustomed to
+hearing at will the harp, or the piano-forte, than she found something
+to say, or to do, that interrupted the performance every four or five
+bars; and had no sooner secured a reader whose voice she could command
+at pleasure, than she either quarrelled with every book that was begun;
+or yawned, or fondled and talked aloud to her little lap dog, during the
+whole time that any work was read.
+
+This quick abatement in the power of pleasing, was supported by Juliet
+with indifference rather than philosophy. Where interest alone is
+concerned, disappointment is rarely heavy with the young and generous.
+Age, or misfortune, must teach the value of pecuniary considerations, to
+give them force. Yet, though no tender affections, no cherished hopes,
+no favourite feelings were in the power of Mrs Ireton, every moment of
+time, and consequently all means of comfort, were at her disposal.
+Juliet languished, therefore, though she would not repine; and though
+she was not afflicted at heart, she sickened with disgust.
+
+The urgency of finding security from immediate insult and want, induced
+her, nevertheless, to persevere in her fortitude for supporting, and her
+efforts for ameliorating her situation. But, the novelty over, all
+labour was vain, all success was at an end; and, in a very short time,
+she would have contributed no more to the expulsion of spleen, than any
+other inmate of the house; had not her superiour acquirements opened a
+more extensive field for the exercise of tyranny and caprice. And in
+that exercise alone, Juliet soon saw, consisted every sensation of
+pleasure of which Mrs Ireton was susceptible.
+
+Of the many new tasks of Juliet, that which she found the most severe,
+was inventing amusement for another while sad and dispirited herself. It
+was her duty to be always at hand, early or late; it was her business to
+furnish entertainment, whether sick or well. Success, therefore, was
+unacknowledged, though failure was resented. There was no relaxation to
+her toil, no rest for her person, no recruit for her spirits. From her
+sleep alone she could purloin the few minutes that she dedicated to her
+pen and her Gabriella.
+
+If a new novel excited interest, or a political pamphlet awakened
+curiosity, she was called upon to read whole hours, nay, whole days,
+without intermission; even a near extinction of voice did not authorize
+so great a liberty as that of requesting a few minutes for rest. Mrs
+Ireton, who regarded all the world as robust, compared with herself,
+deemed it an impertinent rivalry of a delicacy which she held to be
+unexampled, ever to pronounce the word fatigue, ever to heave a sigh of
+lassitude, or ever even to allude to that part of the human frame which
+is called nerves, unless with some pointed reference to herself.
+
+With the same despotic hardness, she ordered Juliet to the harp, or
+piano-forte, and made her play though she were suffering from the
+acutest head-ache; and sing when hoarse and short-breathed from the most
+violent cold. Yet those commands, however arbitrary and unfeeling, were
+more supportable than those with which, after every other source of
+tyrannic authority had been drained, the day was ordinarily concluded.
+Mrs Ireton, at the hour of retiring, when weary alike of books and of
+music, listless, fretful, captious; too sleepy for any exertion, yet too
+wakeful or uneasy for repose; constantly brought forward the same
+enquiries which had so often been urged and repelled, in the week that
+they had spent together upon their arrival from France; repeated the
+same sneers, revived the same suspicions, and recurred to the same rude
+interrogatories or offensive insinuations.
+
+At meals, the humble companion was always helped last; even when there
+were gentlemen, even when there were children at the table; and always
+to what was worst; to what was rejected, as ill-cooked, or left, as
+spoilt and bad. No question was ever asked of what she chose or what she
+disliked. Sometimes she was even utterly forgotten; and, as no one
+ventured to remind Mrs Ireton of any omission, her helpless _protegée_,
+upon such occasions, rose half famished from the inhospitable board.
+
+Upon the entrance of any visitors, not satisfied to let the humble
+companion glide gently away, the haughty patroness called out, in a tone
+of command, 'You may go to your room now: I shall send for you when I am
+at leisure.' Or, 'You may stand at the window if you will. You won't be
+in the way, I believe; and I shall want you presently.'
+
+Or, if she feared that any one of the party had failed to remark this
+augmentation of her household and of her power, she would retard the
+willing departure by some frivolous and vexatious commission; as, 'Stop,
+Miss Ellis; do pray tie this string a little tighter.' Or, 'Draw up my
+gloves a little higher: but be so good as not to pinch me; unless you
+have a particular fancy for it!'
+
+If, drily, though respectfully, Juliet ever proposed to wait in her own
+room, the answer was, 'In your own room? O,--ay--well,--that may be
+better! I beg your pardon for having proposed that you should wait in
+one of mine! I beg your pardon, a thousand times! I really did not think
+of what I was saying! I hope you'll forgive my inattention!'
+
+When then, silently, and with difficulty forbearing from shrugging her
+shoulders, Juliet walked away, she was again stopt by, 'One moment, Miss
+Ellis! if it won't be requesting too great a favour. Pray, when I want
+you, where may I hear of your servants? For to be sure you don't mean
+that mine should scamper up and down all day long for you? You cannot
+mean that. You must have a lackey of your own, no doubt: some page, or
+spruce foot-boy at your command, to run upon your errands: only pray let
+some of my people know where he may be met with.'
+
+But if, when the purpose was answered of drawing the attention of her
+guests upon her new dependent, that attention were followed by any looks
+of approbation, or marks of civility, she hastily exclaimed, 'O, pray
+don't disturb yourself, Sir!' or 'Ma'am! 'tis only a young woman I have
+engaged to read to me;--a young person whom I have taken into my house
+out of compassion.' And then, affably nodding, she would affect to be
+suddenly struck with something which she had already repeatedly seen,
+and cry, 'Well, I declare, that gown is not ugly, Miss Ellis! How did
+you come by it?' or, 'That ribbon's pretty enough: who gave it you?'
+
+Ah, thought Juliet, 'tis conduct such as this that makes inequality of
+fortune baleful! Where superiour wealth falls into liberal hands,--where
+its possessor is an Aurora Granville, it proves a good still more to the
+surrounders than to the owners; 'it blesses those that give, and those
+that take.'--But Oh! where it is misused for the purposes of bowing
+down the indigent, of oppressing the helpless, of triumphing over the
+dependent,--then, how baneful then is inequality of fortune!
+
+With those thoughts, and deeply hurt, she was twenty times upon the
+point of retiring, during the first week of her distasteful office; but
+the sameness of the offences soon robbed the mortifications of their
+poignancy; and apathy; in a short time, taking place of sensibility, she
+learnt to bear them if not with indifference, at least with its
+precursor contempt.
+
+Amongst the most irksome of the toils to which this subjection made her
+liable, was the care,--not of the education, nor mind, nor manners, but
+of the amusements,--of the little nephew of Mrs Ireton; whom that lady
+rather exulted than blushed to see universally regarded as a spoilt
+child.
+
+The temper of this young creature was grown so capricious, from
+incessant indulgence, that no compliance, no luxury, no diversion could
+afford him more than momentary pleasure; while his passions were become
+so ungovernable, that, upon every contrariety or disappointment, he
+vented his rage, to the utmost extent of his force, upon whomsoever, or
+whatsoever, animate or inanimate, he could reach.
+
+All the mischief thus committed, the injuries thus sustained, the noise
+and disturbance thus raised, were to be borne throughout the house
+without a murmur. Whatever destruction he caused, Mrs Ireton was always
+sure was through the fault of some one else; what he mutilated, or
+broke, she had equal certainty must have been merely by accident; and
+those he hurt or ill used, must have provoked his anger. If any one
+ventured to complain, 'twas the sufferer, not the inflictor who was
+treated as culpable.
+
+It was the misfortune of Juliet to excite, by her novelty, the attention
+of this young tyrant; and by her powers of entertainment, exerted
+inadvertently, from a love of obliging, to become his favourite. The
+hope of softening his temper and manners, by amusing his mind, had
+blinded her, at first, to the trouble, the torment rather, of such
+pre-eminence, which soon proved one of the most serious evils of her
+situation. Mrs Ireton, having raised in his young bosom, expectations
+never to be realised, by passing the impossible decree, that nothing
+must be denied to her eldest brother's eldest son; had authorised
+demands from him, and licensed wishes, destructive both to his
+understanding and his happiness. When the difficulties which this decree
+occasioned, devolved upon a domestic, she left him to get rid of them as
+he could; only reserving to herself the right to blame the way that was
+taken, be it what it might: but when the embarrassment fell to her own
+lot; when the spoilt urchin claimed what was every way unattainable; she
+had been in the habit of sending him abroad, for the immediate relief of
+her nerves. The favour into which he took Juliet now offered a new and
+more convenient resource. Instead of 'Order the carriage, and let the
+child go out:' Miss Ellis was called upon to play with him; to tell him
+stories; to shew him pictures; to build houses for him with cards; or to
+suffer herself to be dragged unmeaningly, yet wilfully and forcibly,
+from walk to walk in the garden, or from room to room in the house; till
+tired, and quarrelling even with her compliance, he recruited his
+wearied caprices with sleep.
+
+Nor even here ended the encroachments upon her time, her attention, her
+liberty; not only the spoilt child, but the favourite dog was put under
+her superintendence; and she was instructed to take charge of the
+airings and exercise of Bijou; and to carry him where the road was rough
+or miry, that he might not soil those paws, which had the exclusive
+privilege of touching the lady of the mansion; and even of pulling,
+patting and scratching her robes and attire for his recreation.
+
+To many, in the place of Juliet, the spoilt child and the spoilt cur
+would have been objects of detestation: but against the mere instruments
+of malice she harboured no resentment. The dog, though snarling and
+snapping at every one but his mistress, Juliet saw as vicious only from
+evil habits, which were imbibed, nay taught, rather than natural: the
+child, though wantonly revelling in mischief of every kind, she
+considered but as a little savage, who, while enjoying the splendour and
+luxury of civilized life, was as unformed, as rough, as untaught, and
+therefore as little responsible for his conduct, as if just caught, and
+brought, wild and untamed, from the woods. The animal, therefore, she
+exculpated; the child she pitied; it was the mistress of the mansion
+alone, who, wilful in all she did, and conscious of all she inflicted,
+provoked bitterer feelings. And to these, the severest poignancy was
+accidentally added to Juliet, by the cruel local circumstance of
+receiving continual indignity in the very house, nay the very room,
+where, in sweetest intercourse, she had been accustomed to be treated
+upon terms of generous equality by Lady Aurora Granville.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIV
+
+
+Juliet had passed but a short space, by the measure of time, in this new
+residence, though by that of suffering and disgust it had seemed as long
+as it was irksome, when, one morning, she was informed, by the
+nursery-maid, that a grand breakfast was to be given, about two o'clock,
+to all the first gentry in and near Brighthelmstone.
+
+Mrs Ireton, herself, making no mention of any such purpose, issued her
+usual orders for the attendance of Juliet, with her implements of
+amusement; and went, at an early hour, to a light building, called the
+Temple of the Sun, which overlooked the sea, from the end of the garden.
+
+This Temple, like every place which Mrs Ireton capriciously, and even
+for the shortest interval, inhabited, was now filled with materials for
+recreation, which, ingeniously employed, might have whiled away a
+winter; but which, from her fluctuating whims, were insufficient even
+for the fleet passage of a few hours. Books, that covered three
+window-seats; songs and sonatas that covered those books; various pieces
+of needle-work; a billiard-table; a chess-board; a backgammon-board; a
+cup and ball, &c. &c.; all, in turn, were tried; all, in turn, rejected;
+and invectives the most impatient were uttered against each, as it
+ceased to afford her pleasure; as if each, with living malignity, had
+studied to cause her disappointment.
+
+About noon, she took the arm of Juliet, to descend the steps of the
+Temple. Upon opening the door, Ireton appeared sauntering in the garden.
+Juliet vexed at his sight, which Elinor had assured her that she would
+never encounter, severely felt the mortification of being seen in her
+present situation, by one who had so repeatedly offended her by
+injurious suspicions, and familiar impertinence.
+
+Mrs Ireton, hastily relinquishing the arm of Juliet, from expecting
+that of her son, at whose sight she was evidently surprised; now
+resolved, with her most brilliant flourishes, to exhibit the new object
+of her power.
+
+'Why don't you take care of the child, Miss Ellis?' she cried aloud. 'Do
+you design to let him break his neck down the stone steps? I beg your
+pardon, though, for asking the question. It may be very _mal à propos_.
+It may be necessary, perhaps, to some of your plans, to see a tragedy in
+real life? You may have some work in agitation, that may require that
+sort of study. I am sorry to have stood so unopportunely in your way:
+quite ashamed, upon my word, to have prevented your taking a few hints
+from the child's dislocating a limb, or two; or just fracturing his
+skull. 'Twould have been a pretty melancholy sight, enough, for an
+elegiac muse. I really beg your pardon, for being so uncooth, as to
+think of such a trumpery circumstance as saving the child's life.'
+
+Juliet, during this harangue, assiduously followed the young gentleman;
+who, with a shout of riotous rebellion, ran down the steps, and jumping
+into a parterre, selected, by his eye, the most beautiful of the flowers
+for treading under his feet; and, at every representation of Juliet,
+flung at her as many pinks, carnations, and geraniums, as his merciless
+little fingers could grasp.
+
+Ireton, approaching, looked smilingly on, negligently nodding, and
+calling out, 'Well done, Loddard! Bravo, my little Pickle!'
+
+Loddard, determined to merit this honourable testimony of his prowess,
+continued his sport, with augmented boldness. His wantonness, however,
+though rude, was childish; Juliet, therefore, though tormented, gave it
+no serious resentment; but she was not equally indifferent to the more
+maturely malicious insolence of Ireton, who, while he openly enjoyed the
+scene, negligently said to Loddard, 'What, my boy, hast got a new
+nurse?'
+
+Mrs Ireton, having stood some time leaning upon the balustrade of the
+steps which she was descending, in vain expectations of the arm of her
+son, who had only slightly bowed to her, with an 'How do do, Ma'am?' to
+which he waited not for an answer; now indignantly called out, 'So I am
+to be left to myself, am I? In this feeble and alarming state to which I
+am reduced, incapable to withstand a gust of wind, or to baffle the fall
+of a leaf, I may take care of myself, may I? I am too stout to require
+any attention? too robust, too obstreperous to need any help? If I fall
+down, I may get up again, I suppose? If I faint, I may come to myself
+again, I imagine? You will have the goodness to permit that, I presume?
+I may be mistaken, to be sure, but I should presume so. Don't you hear
+me, Mistress Ellis? But you are deaf, may be?--I am alarmed to the last
+degree!--You are suddenly seized, perhaps with the loss of one of your
+senses?'
+
+This attack, begun for her son, though, upon his romping with the little
+boy, in total disregard to its reproach, ending for Juliet, made Ireton
+now, throwing back his head, to stare, with a sneering half-laugh, at
+Juliet, exclaim, 'Fie, Mrs Betty! How can you leave Mrs Ireton, unaided,
+in such peril? Fie, Mrs Polly, fie! Mrs.... What is your new nurse's
+name, my boy?'
+
+The boy, who never held his tongue but when he was desired to speak,
+would make no answer, but by running violently after Juliet, as she
+sought to escape from him; flinging flowers, leaves, grass, or whatever
+he could find, at her, with boisterous shouts of laughter, and with all
+his little might.
+
+Mrs Ireton, brought nearly to good humour by the sight of the perplexity
+and displeasure of Juliet, only uttered, 'Pretty dear! how playful he
+is!' But when, made still more daring by this applause, the little
+urchin ventured to touch the hem of her own garments, she became
+suddenly sensible of his disobedience and wanton mischief, and commanded
+him from her presence.
+
+As careless of her wrath as he was ungrateful for her favour, the young
+gentleman thought of nothing so little as of obedience. He jumped and,
+skipped around her, in bold defiance of all authority; laughing loudly
+in her face; making a thousand rude grimaces; yet screaming, as if
+attacked by a murderer, when she attempted to catch him; though, the
+moment that he forced himself out of her reach, hallooing his joyous
+triumph in her ears, with vociferous exultation.
+
+Juliet was ordered to take him in hand, and carry him off; an order
+which, to quit the scene, she prepared with pleasure to obey: but the
+young gentleman, though he pursued her with fatiguing fondness when she
+sought to avoid him, now ran wildly away.
+
+Mrs Ireton, enraged, menaced personal chastisement; but upon his darting
+at Juliet, and tearing her gown, she turned abruptly aside, in the
+apprehension of being called upon for reparation; and, gently saying,
+'What a frisky little rogue it is!' affected to observe him no longer.
+
+The torn robe proved a potent attraction to the little dog, who, yelping
+with unmeaning fury, flew at and began gnawing it, with as much
+vehemence, as if its destruction were essential to his well being.
+
+A party of company was now announced, that begged to join Mrs Ireton in
+the garden; and, tripping foremost from the advancing throng, came,
+Selina.
+
+Ireton, flapping his hat over his eyes, leisurely sauntered away. Mrs
+Ireton returned to the Temple, to receive her guests with more state;
+and Juliet hoping, though doubtfully, some relief and countenance, bent
+forward to greet her young friend.
+
+Selina, with a look of vivacity and pleasure, eagerly approached; but
+while her hands were held out, in affectionate amity, and her eyes
+invited Juliet to meet her, she stopt, as if from some sudden
+recollection; and, after taking a hasty glance around her, picked a
+flower from a border of the parterre, and ran back with it to present to
+Lady Arramede.
+
+Juliet, scarcely disappointed, retreated; and the party advanced in a
+body. She would fain have hidden herself, but had no power; the boy,
+with romping violence, forcibly detaining her, by loud shrieks, which
+rent the air, when she struggled to disengage herself from his hold.
+And, as every visitor, however stunned or annoyed, uttered, in
+approaching him, the admiring epithets of 'Dear little creature!' 'Sweet
+little love!' 'Pretty little dear!' &c. the boy, in common with children
+of a larger growth, concluding praise to be approbation, flung himself
+upon Juliet, with all his force; protesting that he would give her a
+green gown: while all the company,--upon Mrs Ireton's appearing at an
+open window of the Temple,--unanimously joined in extolling his
+strength, his agility, and his spirited character.
+
+The wearied and provoked Juliet now seriously and strenuously sought to
+disengage herself from the stubborn young athletic; but he clung round
+her waist, and was jumping up at her shoulders, to catch at the ribbon
+of her hat, when Lady Kendover and her niece, who were the last of the
+company that arrived, entered the garden.
+
+Lady Barbara Frankland no sooner perceived Juliet, and her distress,
+than, swift as the wind, breaking from her aunt, she flew forward to
+give her succour; seizing the sturdy little assailant by his arms, when
+unprepared to defend himself, and twisting him, adroitly, from his prey;
+exclaiming, 'You spoilt little wicked creature, beg pardon of that
+lovely Miss Ellis directly! this moment!'
+
+'Ellis! Dear, if it is not Ellis!' cried Selina, now joining them. 'How
+glad I am to see you, my dear Ellis! What an age it is since we met!'
+
+Juliet, whose confidence was somewhat more than staggered in the regard
+of Selina, coldly courtsied to her; while, with the warmest gratitude,
+she began expressing her acknowledgements for the prompt and generous
+kindness of Lady Barbara; when the boy, recovering from his surprise,
+and furious at any controul, darted at her ladyship with vindictive
+violence; attempting, and intending, to practise upon her the same feats
+which had nearly subdued Juliet: but the situation was changed: the
+exclamations were reversed; and 'O, you naughty little thing!' 'How can
+you be so rude?' 'Fie, child, fie!' were echoed from mouth to mouth;
+which every step bent forward to protect 'poor Lady Barbara' from the
+troublesome little creature.
+
+The boy was then seriously made over to his maid, to be new dressed;
+with a promise of peaches and sugar plums if he would be so very good a
+child, as to submit to the repugnant operations of his toilette, without
+crying or fighting.
+
+The butler now appeared, to announce that the breakfast was ready; and
+Juliet saw confirmed, that the party had been invited and expected;
+though Mrs Ireton meant to impress her with the magnificent idea, that
+this was her common way of life.
+
+The company all re-entered the house, and all without taking the
+smallest notice of Juliet; Lady Barbara excepted, who affectionately
+shook hands with her, and warmly regretted that she did not join the
+party.
+
+Juliet, to whom the apparent mystery of her situation offered as much
+apology for others, as it brought distress to herself, went back, far
+more hurt than offended to the Temple.
+
+Hence, presently, from under one of the windows, she heard a weak, but
+fretful and angry voice, morosely giving impatient reprimands to some
+servant, while imperiously refusing to listen to even the most
+respectful answer.
+
+Looking from the window, she saw, and not without concern, from the
+contrast to the good humour which she had herself experienced, that this
+choleric reproacher was Sir Jaspar Herrington.
+
+The nursery-maid, who came, soon afterwards, in search of some baubles,
+which her young master had left in the Temple; complained that her
+mistress's rich brother-in-law, Sir Jaspar, who never entered the house
+but upon grand invitations, had been at his usual game of scolding, and
+finding fault with all the servants, till they all wished him at
+Jericho; sparing nobody but Nanny, whom the men called the Beauty. He
+was so particular, when he was in his tantarums, the maid added, that he
+was almost as cross as the old lady herself; except, indeed, to his
+favourites, and those he could never do enough for. But he commanded
+about him at such a rate, that Mrs Ireton, she was sure, would never let
+him into the house, if it were not in the hope of wheedling him into
+leaving the great fortune, that had fallen to him with the name of
+Herrington, to the young 'Squire; though the young 'Squire was well
+enough off without it; being certain of the Ireton estate, because it
+was entailed upon him, if his uncle, Sir Jaspar, should die without
+children.
+
+Juliet did not hear this history of the ill temper of her generous old
+beau, without chagrin; but the prating nursery-maid ceased not recording
+what she called his tantarums, till the well known sound of his crutches
+announced his approach, when she hastily made her exit.
+
+With the awkward feeling of uncertain opinion, softened off,
+nevertheless, by the remembrance of strong personal obligation, Juliet
+presented herself at the door, to shew her intention of descending.
+
+Occupied by the pain of labouring up the steps, he did not raise his
+head, or perceive her, till he had reached the threshold of the little
+building. His still brilliant eyes became then brighter, and the air of
+harsh asperity which, while mounting, his countenance still retained,
+from recent anger, was suddenly converted into a look of the most lively
+pleasure, and perfect good humour. After touching his hat, and waving
+his hand, with an old fashioned, but well bred air of gallantry, he
+laughingly confessed, that he had ascended with the view of recruiting
+his strength and spirits, by a private visit to the god Morpheus; to
+enable him to get through the weighty enterprize, of encountering a
+throng of frivolous females, without affronting them by his yawns. 'How
+little,' he continued, 'did I imagine myself coming to Sleep's most
+resistless conqueror, Delight! If I rouse not now, I must have more
+soporiferous qualities than the Sleepers! or even than the Sleeping
+Beauty in the Wood, who took a nap of forty years.'
+
+Then entreating her to be seated, he dropt upon the easy chair, which
+had been prepared for Mrs Ireton; and crossed his crutches, as if by
+accident, in a manner that prevented her from retreating. She was the
+less, however, impatient of this delay, as she saw that the windows
+looking from the house into the garden, were filled with company, which
+she desired nothing so little as to pass in review.
+
+Taking, therefore, a place as far from him as was in her power, she made
+herself an occupation, in arranging some mulberry leaves for silk-worms.
+
+The Baronet, whose face expressed encreasing satisfaction at his
+situation, courteously sought to draw her into discourse. 'My little
+friends,' cried he, smiling, 'who are always at work, have continually
+been tormenting me of late, with pinches and twitches, upon my utter
+neglect of my sister-in-law, Mrs Ireton. I could not for my life imagine
+why they took so prodigious an interest in my visiting her; but they
+nipt, and squeezed, and worried me, without intermission; accusing me of
+misbehaviour; saying she was my sister-in-law; and ill, and
+hypochondriac; and that it was by no means pretty behaved in me, not to
+shew her more respect. It was in vain I represented, that she was rich,
+and did not want me; or that she was disagreeable, and that I did not
+want her; 'twas all one; they insisted I should go: and this morning,
+when I would have excused myself from coming to her fine breakfast, they
+beset me in so many ways, that I was forced to comply. And now I see
+why! Poor, earthly, mundane mortal that I was! I took them for envious
+sprites, jealous of my repose! But I see, now, they were only recreative
+little sylphs, amusing themselves with whipping and spurring me on to my
+own good!'
+
+And is this, thought Juliet, the man who bears a character of impatience
+and ill humour? this man, whose imagination is so playful, and whose
+desire to please can only be equalled by his desire to serve?
+
+'And where,' he continued, 'have you all this time been eclipsed? From
+sundry circumstances, that perversely obtruded themselves upon my
+knowledge, in defiance of the ill reception I gave them, I was led, at
+first, to conclude, that you had been spirited away by Sir Lyell
+Sycamore.'
+
+He fixed his eyes upon her curiously; but the colour that rose in her
+cheeks betrayed no secret consciousness; it shewed open resentment.
+
+'O! I soon saw,' he resumed, as if he had been answered, though she had
+not deigned to disclaim an idea that she deemed fitted simply for
+contempt; 'by the mortified silence of my young gallant, that the fates
+had not been propitious to his wishes. In characters of his description,
+success never courts the shade. It basks in the sun-shine, and seeks the
+broadest day. How is it that you have thus piqued the vain spark? He
+came to me in such a flame, to upbraid me for what he called the cursed
+ridiculous dance that I had led him, that I fairly thought he meant to
+call me out! I began, directly, to look about me for the stoutest of my
+crutches, to parry, for a last minute or two, his broad sword; and to
+deliberate which might be the thickest of my leather cushions, to hold
+up in my defence, for reverberating the ball, in case he should prefer
+pistols. But he deigned, most fortunately, to content himself with only
+abusing me: hinting, that such superannuated old geese, as those who
+had passed their grand climacteric, ought not to meddle with affairs of
+which they must have lost even the memory. I let him bounce off without
+any answer; very thankful to the "Sisters three" to feel myself in a
+whole skin.'
+
+Looking at her, then, with an expression of humorous reproach, 'You will
+permit me, I hope, at least,' he added, 'to flatter myself, that, when
+your indulgence to the garrulity of age has induced you to bear with my
+loquacity till I am a little hoarser, your consideration for sore
+throats and heated lungs, will prevail upon you to utter a little word
+or two in your turn?'
+
+Juliet, laughing, answered that she had been too well amused, to be
+aware how little she had seemed to merit his exertions.
+
+'Tell me, then,' cried he, with looks that spoke him enchanted by this
+reply; 'through what extraordinary mechanism, in the wheel of fortune,
+you have been rolled to this spot? The benevolent sprites, who have
+urged me hither, have not given me a jot of information how you became
+known to Mrs Ireton? By what strange spell have you been drawn in, to
+seem an inmate of her mansion? and what philters and potions have you
+swallowed, to make you endure her never-ending vagaries?'
+
+Half smiling, half sighing, Juliet looked down; not willing to accept,
+though hardly able to resist, the offered licence for complaint.
+
+'Make no stranger,' the old Baronet laughingly added, 'of me, I beg! She
+is my sister-in-law, to be sure; but the law, with all its subtleties,
+had not yet entailed our affections, with our estates, to our relations;
+nor articled our tastes, with our jointures, to our dowagers. Use,
+therefore, no manner of ceremony! How do you bear with her freaks and
+fancies? or rather,--for that is the essential point, why do you bear
+with them?'
+
+'Can that,' said Juliet, 'be a question?'
+
+'Not a wise one, I confess!' he returned; 'for what but Necessity could
+link together two creatures who seem formed to give a view of human
+nature diametrically opposite the one from the other? These indeed must
+be imps,--and imps of darkness,--who, busy, busy still--delight
+
+    To join the gentle to the rude![20]
+
+that can have coupled so unharmonizing a pair. Hymen, with all the
+little active sinister devils in his train, that yoke together, pell
+mell, for life, hobbling age with bounding youth; choleric violence with
+trembling timidity; haggard care with thoughtless merriment;--Hymen
+himself, that marrying little lawyer, who takes upon him to unite what
+is most discordant, and to tie together all that is most heterogeneous;
+even he, though provided with what is, so justly, called a licence, for
+binding together what nature itself seems to sunder; he, even he, I
+assert, never buckled in the same noose, two beings so completely and
+equally dissimilar, both without and within. Since such, however, has
+been the ordinance of these fantastic workers of wonders, will you let
+me ask, in what capacity it has pleased their impships to conjure you
+hither?'
+
+[Footnote 20: Thomson.]
+
+Juliet hesitated, and looked ashamed to answer.
+
+'You are not, I hope,' cried he, fixing upon her his keen eyes, 'one of
+those ill-starred damsels, whose task, in the words of Madame de
+Maintenon, is to 'amuse the unamuseable?' You are not, I hope, ...' he
+stopt, as if seeking a phrase, and then, rather faintly, added, 'her
+companion?'
+
+'Her humble servant, Sir!' with a forced smile, said Juliet; 'and yet,
+humbled as I feel myself in that capacity, not humble enough for its
+calls!'
+
+The smiles of the old Baronet vanished in a moment, and an expression of
+extreme severity took their place. 'She uses you ill, then?' he
+indignantly cried, and, grasping the knobs of his two crutches, he
+struck their points against the floor, with a heaviness that made the
+little building shake, ejaculating, in a hoarse inward voice, 'Curse
+her!'
+
+Juliet stared at him, affrighted by his violence.
+
+'Can it be possible,' he cried, 'that so execrable a fate should be
+reserved for so exquisite a piece of workmanship? Sweet witch! were I
+but ten years younger, I would snatch you from her infernal claws!--or
+rather, could I cut off twenty;--yet even then the disparity would be
+too great!--thirty years younger,--or perhaps forty,--my hand and
+fortune should teach that Fury her distance!'
+
+Juliet, surprised, and doubting whether what dropt from him were escaped
+sincerity, or purposed irony, looked with so serious a perplexity, that,
+struck and ashamed, he checked himself; and recovering his usually
+polite equanimity, smiled at his own warmth, saying, 'Don't be alarmed,
+I beg! Don't imagine that I shall forget myself; nor want to hurry away,
+lest my animation should be dangerous! The heat that, at
+five-and-twenty, might have fired me into a fever, now raises but a
+kindly glow, that stops, or keeps off stagnation. The little sprites,
+who hover around me, though they often mischievously spur my poor
+fruitless wishes, always take care, by seasonable twitches, in some
+vulnerable gouty part, to twirl me from the regions of hope and romance,
+to very sober real life!'
+
+Fearful of appearing distrustful, Juliet looked satisfied, and again he
+went on.
+
+'Since, then, 'tis clear that there can be no danger in so simple an
+intercourse, why should I not give myself the gratification of telling
+you, that every sight of you does me good? renovates my spirits;
+purifies my humours; sweetens my blood; and braces my nerves? Never talk
+to me with mockery of fairyism, witchcraft, and sylphs; the real
+influence of lovely youth, is a thousand times more wonderful, more
+potent, and more incredible! When I have seen you only an instant, I
+feel in charity with all mankind for the rest of the day; and, at night,
+my kind little friends present you to me again; renew every pleasing
+idea; revive the most delightful images; and paint you to me--just such
+as I see you at this moment!'
+
+Juliet, embarrassed, talked of returning to the house.
+
+'Do you blush?' cried he, with quickness, and evidently increasing
+admiration; 'is it possible that you are not enough habituated to
+praise, to hear it without modest confusion? I have seen "full many a
+lady"--but you--O you!--so perfect and so peerless are created, of every
+creature best!'[21]
+
+[Footnote 21: Shakespeare.]
+
+'My whole life has been spent in worshipping beauty, till within these
+very few years, when I have gotten something like a surfeit, and meant
+to give it over. For I have watched and followed Beauties, till I have
+grown sick of them. I have admired fine features, only to be disgusted
+with vapid vanity. A face with a little meaning, though as ugly as sin
+and satan, I have lately thought worth forty of them! But you--fair
+sorceress! you have conjured me round again to my old work! I have found
+the spell irresistible. You have such intelligence of countenance; such
+spirit with such sweetness, smiles so delicious, though rare! looks so
+speaking; grace so silent;--that I forget you are a beauty; and fasten
+my eyes upon you, only to understand what you say when you don't utter a
+word! That's all! Don't be uneasy, therefore, at my staring. Though, to
+be candid, we know ourselves so little, that, 'tis possible, had you
+not first caught my eyes as a beauty, I might never have looked at you
+long enough to find out your wit!'
+
+A footman now came to acquaint Sir Jaspar, that the rice-soup, which he
+had ordered, was ready; and that the ladies were waiting for the honour
+of his company to breakfast.
+
+'I heartily wish they would wait for my company, till I desire to have
+theirs!' Sir Jaspar muttered: but, sensible of the impropriety of a
+refusal, arose, and, taking off his hat, with a studied formality, which
+he hoped would impress the footman with respect for its object, followed
+his messenger: whispering, nevertheless, as he quitted the building,
+'Leave you for a breakfast!--I would almost as willingly be immersed in
+the witches' cauldron, and boiled into morsels, to become a breakfast
+myself, for the amusement of the audience at a theatre!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LV
+
+
+Juliet, who perceived that the windows were still crowded with company,
+contentedly kept her place; and, taking up the second volume of the
+Guardian, found, in the lively instruction, the chaste morality, and the
+exquisite humour of Addison, an enjoyment which no repetition can cloy.
+
+In a short time, to her great discomposure, she was broken in upon by
+Ireton; who, drawing before the door, which he shut, an easy chair, cast
+himself indolently upon it, and, stretching out his arms, said, 'Ah ha!
+the fair Ellis! How art thee, my dear?'
+
+Far more offended than surprised by this freedom, Juliet, perceiving
+that she could not escape, affected to go on with her reading, as if he
+had not entered the building.
+
+'Don't be angry, my dear,' he continued, 'that I did not speak to you
+before all those people. There's no noticing a pretty girl, in public,
+without raising such a devil of a clamour, that it's enough to put a man
+out of countenance. Besides, Mrs Ireton is such a very particular quiz,
+that she would be sure to contrive I should never have a peep at you
+again, if once she suspected the pleasure I take in seeing you. However,
+I am going to turn a dutiful son, and spend some days here. And, by that
+means, we can squeeze an opportunity, now and then, of getting a little
+chat together.'
+
+Juliet could no longer refrain from raising her head, with amazement, at
+this familiar assurance: but he went on, totally disregarding the rebuke
+of her indignant eye.
+
+'How do you like your place here, my dear? Mrs Ireton's rather qualmish,
+I am afraid. I never can bear to stay with her myself; except when I
+have some point to carry. I can't devise what the devil could urge you
+to come into such a business. And where's Harleigh? What's he about?
+Gone to old Nick I hope with all my heart! But you,--why are you
+separated? What's the reason you are not with him?'
+
+Yet more provoked, though determined not to look up again, Juliet fixed
+her eyes upon the book.
+
+Ireton continued: 'What a sly dog he is, that Harleigh! But what the
+deuce could provoke him to make me cut such a silly figure before Lord
+Melbury, with my apologies, and all that? He took me in, poz! I thought
+he'd nothing to do with you. And if you had not had that fainting fit,
+at the concert; which I suppose you forgot to give him notice of, that
+put him so off his guard, I should have believed all he vowed and swore,
+of having no connection with you, and all that, to this very moment.'
+
+This was too much. Juliet gravely arose, put down her book, and said,
+with severity, 'Mr Ireton, you will be so good as to let me pass!'
+
+'No, not I! No, not I, my dear!' he answered, still lolling at his ease.
+'We must have a little chat together first. 'Tis an age since I have
+been able to speak with you. I have been confounded discreet, I promise
+you. I have not told your secret to a soul.'
+
+'What secret, Sir?' cried Juliet, hastily.
+
+'Why who you are, and all that.'
+
+'If you knew, Sir,' recovering her calmness, she replied, 'I should not
+have to defend myself from the insults of a son, while under the
+protection of his mother!'
+
+'Ha! ha! ha!' cried he. 'What a droll piece of dainty delicacy thee art!
+I'd give a cool hundred, this moment, only to know what the deuce puts
+it into thy little head, to play this farce such a confounded length of
+time, before one comes to the catastrophe.'
+
+Juliet, with a disdainful gesture, again took her book.
+
+'Why won't you trust me, my dear? You sha'n't repent it, I promise you.
+Tell me frankly, now, who are you?--Hay?'
+
+Juliet only turned over a new leaf of her book.
+
+'How can you be so silly, child?--Why won't you let me serve you? You
+don't know what use I may be of to you. Come, make me your friend! only
+trust me, and I'll go to the very devil for you with pleasure.'
+
+Juliet read on.
+
+'Come, my love, don't be cross! Speak out! Put aside these dainty airs.
+Surely you a'n't such a little fool, as to think to take me in, as you
+have done Melbury and Harleigh?'
+
+Juliet felt her cheeks now heated with increased indignation.
+
+'As to Melbury,--'tis a mere schoolboy, ready to swallow any thing; and
+as to Harleigh, he's such a queer, out of the way genius, that he's like
+nobody: but as to me, my dear, I'm a man of the world. Not so easily
+played upon, I promise you! I have known you from the very beginning!
+Found you out at first sight! Only I did not think it worth while
+telling you so, while you appeared so confounded ugly. But now that I
+see you are such a pretty creature, I feel quite an interest for you. So
+tell me who are you? Will you?'
+
+Somewhat piqued, at length, by her resolute silence, 'Nay,' he added,
+with affected scorn, 'don't imagine I have any view! Don't disturb
+yourself with any freaks and qualms of that sort. You are a fine girl,
+to be sure. Devilish handsome, I own; but still
+too--too--grave,--grim,--What the deuce is the word I mean? for my
+taste. I like something more buckish. So pray make yourself easy. I
+shan't interfere with your two sparks. I am perfectly aware I should
+have but a bad chance. I know I am neither as good a pigeon to pluck as
+Melbury, nor as marvellous a wight to overcome as Harleigh. But I can't
+for my life make out why you don't take to one or t'other of them, and
+put yourself at your ease. I'm deadly curious to know what keeps you
+from coming to a finish. Melbury would be managed the easiest; but I
+strongly suspect you like Harleigh best. What do you turn your back for?
+That I mayn't see you blush? Come, come, don't play the baby with a man
+of the world like me.'
+
+To the infinite relief of the disgusted Juliet, she now heard the
+approach of some footstep. Ireton, who heard it also, nimbly arose,
+and, softly moving his chair from the door, cast half his body out of
+the window, and, lolling upon his elbows, began humming an air; as if
+totally occupied in regarding the sea.
+
+A footman, who entered, told Juliet that his lady desired that she would
+come to the parlour, to play and sing to the company, while they
+breakfasted.
+
+Juliet, colouring at this unqualified order, hesitated what to answer;
+while Ireton, turning round, and pretending not to have heard what was
+said, maliciously, made the man repeat, 'My lady, Sir, bid me tell Miss
+Ellis, that she must come to play and sing to the company.'
+
+'Play and sing?' repeated Ireton. 'O the devil! Must we be bored with
+playing and singing too? But I did not know breakfast was ready, and I
+am half starved.'
+
+He then sauntered from the building; but the moment that the footman was
+out of sight, turned back, to say, 'How devilish provoking to be
+interrupted in this manner! How can we contrive to meet again, my dear?'
+
+The answer of Juliet was shutting and bolting the door.
+
+His impertinence, however, occupied her mind only while she was under
+its influence; the insignificance of his character, notwithstanding the
+malice of his temper, made it sink into nothing, to give way to the new
+rising difficulty, how she might bear to obey, or how risk to refuse,
+the rude and peremptory summons which she had just received. Ought I,
+she cried, to submit to treatment so mortifying? Are there no boundaries
+to the exactions of prudence upon feeling? or, rather, is there not a
+mental necessity, a call of character, a cry of propriety, that should
+supersede, occasionally, all prudential considerations, however
+urgent?--Oh! if those who receive, from the unequal conditions of life,
+the fruits of the toils of others, could,--only for a few
+days,--experience, personally, how cruelly those toils are embittered by
+arrogance, or how sweetly they may be softened by kindness,--the race of
+the Mrs Iretons would become rare,--and Lady Aurora Granville might,
+perhaps, be paralleled!
+
+Yet, with civility, with good manners, had Mrs Ireton made this request;
+not issued it as a command by a footman; Juliet felt that, in her
+present dependent condition, however ill she might be disposed for
+music, or for public exhibition, she ought to yield: and even now, the
+horror of having another asylum to seek; the disgrace of seeming driven,
+thus continually, from house to house; though they could not lessen her
+repugnance to indelicacy and haughtiness, cooled all ardour of desire
+for trying yet another change; till she should have raised a sufficient
+sum for joining Gabriella; and softening, nay delighting, the future
+toils to which she might be destined, by the society of that cherished
+friend.
+
+In a few minutes, she was visited by Selina, who, rapturously embracing
+her, declared that she could not stay away from her any longer; and
+volubly began her usual babble of news and tales; to all which Juliet
+gave scarcely the coldest attention; till she had the satisfaction of
+hearing that the health of Elinor was re-established.
+
+Selina then owned that she had been sent by Mrs Ireton, to desire that
+Miss Ellis would make more haste.
+
+Juliet worded a civil excuse; which Selina, with hands uplifted, from
+amazement, carried back to the breakfast-room.
+
+Soon afterwards, peals of laughter announced the vicinity of the Miss
+Crawleys; who merrily called aloud upon Ireton, to come and help them
+to haul The Ellis, will ye, nill ye? to the piano-forte, to play and
+sing.
+
+Happy in this intimation of their purpose, Juliet bolted the door; and
+would not be prevailed upon to open it, either by their vociferous
+prayers, or their squalls of disappointment.
+
+But, in another minute, a slight rustling sound drawing her eyes to a
+window, she saw Ireton preparing to make a forced entry.
+
+She darted, now, to the door, and, finding the passage clear, as the
+Miss Crawleys had gone softly round, to witness the exploit of Ireton,
+seized the favourable moment for eluding observation; and was nearly
+arrived at the house, before the besiegers of the cage perceived that
+the bird was flown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVI
+
+
+The two sisters no sooner discovered the escape of their prey, than,
+screaming with violent laughter, they began a romping race in its
+pursuit.
+
+Near the entrance into the hall, Juliet was met by Selina, with commands
+from Mrs Ireton, that she would either present herself, immediately, to
+the company; or seek another abode.
+
+In minds of strong sensibility, arrogance rouses resentment more quickly
+even than injury: a message so gross, an affront so public, required,
+therefore, no deliberation on the part of Juliet; and she was answering
+that she would make her preparations to depart; when the Miss Crawleys,
+rushing suddenly upon her, exclaimed, with clamourous joy, 'She's
+caught! She's caught! The Ellis is caught!' and, each of them seizing a
+hand, they dragged her, with merry violence, into the breakfast-room.
+
+Her hoydening conductors failed not to excite the attention of the whole
+assembly; though it fell not, after the first glance, upon themselves.
+Juliet, to whom exercise and confusion gave added beauty; and whom no
+disorder of attire could rob of an air of decency, which, inherent in
+her nature, was always striking in her demeanor; was no sooner seen,
+than, whether with censure or applause, she monopolized all remark.
+
+Mrs Ireton haughtily bid her approach.
+
+Averse, yet unwilling to risk the consequences of a public breach, she
+slowly advanced.
+
+'I am afraid, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, with a smile of derision; 'I am
+afraid, Ma'am, you have hurried yourself? It is not much above an hour,
+I believe, since I did myself the honour of sending for you. I have no
+conception how you have been able to arrive so soon! Pray how far do
+you think it may be from hence to the Temple? ten or twelve yards, I
+verily believe! You must really be ready to expire!'
+
+Having constrained herself to hear thus much, Juliet conceived that the
+duty even of her humble station could require no more; she made,
+therefore, a slight reverence, with intention to withdraw. But Mrs
+Ireton, offended, cried, 'Whither may you be going, Ma'am?--And pray,
+Ma'am,--if I may take the liberty to ask such a question,--who told you
+to go?--Was it I?--Did any body hear me?--Did you, Lady Arramede?--or
+you, Miss Brinville?--or only Miss Ellis herself? For, to be sure I must
+have done it: I take that for granted: she would not, certainly, think
+of going without leave, after I have sent for her. So I make no doubt
+but I did it. Though I can't think how it happened, I own. 'Twas
+perfectly without knowing it, I confess. In some fit of absence--perhaps
+in my sleep;--for I have slept, too, perhaps, without knowing it!'
+
+Sarcasms so witty, uttered by a lady at an assembly in her own house,
+could not fail of being received with applause; and Mrs Ireton, looking
+around her triumphantly, regarded the disconcerted Juliet as a
+completely vanquished vassal. In a tone, therefore, that marked the most
+perfect self-satisfaction, 'Pray, Ma'am,' she continued, 'for what might
+you suppose I did myself the favour to want you? was it only to take a
+view of your new _costume_? 'Tis very careless and picturesque, to be
+sure, to rove abroad in that agreeable dishabille, just like the "maiden
+all forlorn;" or rather to speak with mere exactitude, like the "man all
+tattered and torn," for 'tis more properly his _costume_ you adopt, than
+the neat, tidy maiden's.'
+
+The warm-hearted young Lady Barbara, all pity and feeling for Juliet,
+here broke from her quiet and cautious aunt, and, with irrepressible
+eagerness, exclaimed, 'Mrs Ireton, 'twas Mr Loddard, your own little
+naughty nephew, who deranged in that manner the dress of that elegant
+Miss Ellis.'
+
+The Miss Crawleys, now, running to the little boy, called out, 'The
+Loddard! the Loddard! 'tis the Loddard has set up the new _costume_!'
+
+Mrs Ireton, though affecting to laugh, had now done with the subject;
+and, while she was taking a pinch of snuff, to gain time to suggest some
+other, Sir Jaspar Herrington, advancing to Juliet, said, 'Has this young
+lady no place?' and, gallantly taking her hand, he led her to his own
+chair, and walked to another part of the room.
+
+A civility such as this from Sir Jaspar, made all the elders of the
+company stare, and all the younger titter; but the person the most
+surprized was Mrs Ireton, who hastily called out, 'Miss Ellis would not
+do such a thing! Take Sir Jaspar's own seat! That has his own particular
+cushions! She could not do such a thing! I should think not, at least! I
+may judge ill, but I should think not. A seat prepared for Sir Jaspar by
+my own order! Miss Ellis can dispense with having an easy chair, and
+three cushions, I should presume! I may be wrong, to be sure, but I
+should presume so!'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Jaspar, 'in days of old, I never could bear to
+sit, when I saw a lady standing; and though those days are past, alas!
+and gone,--still I cannot, even to escape a twitch of the gout, see a
+fair female neglected, without feeling a twitch of another kind, that
+gives me yet greater pain.'
+
+'Your politeness, Sir Jaspar,' replied Mrs Ireton, 'we all know; and, if
+it were for one of my guests,--but Miss Ellis can hardly desire, I
+should suppose, to see you drop down with fatigue, while she is reposing
+upon your arm-chair. Not that I pretend to know her way of thinking! I
+don't mean that. I don't mean to have it imagined I have the honour of
+her confidence; but I should rather suppose she could not insist upon
+turning you out of your seat, only to give you a paroxysm of the gout.'
+
+However internally moved, Juliet endured this harangue in total silence;
+convinced that where all authority is on the side of the aggressor,
+resistance only provokes added triumph. Her looks, therefore, though
+they shewed her to be hurt and offended, evinced a dignified
+forbearance, superiour to the useless reproach, and vain retaliation, of
+unequal contention.
+
+She rose, nevertheless, from the seat which she had only momentarily,
+and from surprise occupied, and would have quitted the room, but that
+she saw she should again be publicly called back; and hers was not a
+situation for braving open enmity. She thankfully, however, accepted a
+chair which was brought to her by Sir Marmaduke Crawley, and placed next
+to that which had been vacated by the old Baronet; who then returned to
+his own.
+
+She now hoped to find some support from his countenance; as his powerful
+situation in the house, joined to his age, would make his smallest
+attention prove to her a kind of protection. Her expectation, however,
+was disappointed: he did not address to her a word; or appear to have
+ever beheld her before; and his late act of politeness seemed exerted
+for a perfect stranger, from habitual good breeding.
+
+And is it you, thought the pensive Juliet, who, but a few minutes
+since, spoke to me with such flattery, such preference? with an even
+impassioned regard? And shall this so little assembly guide and awe you?
+There, where I wished upon me your compliments;--while here, where a
+smile would be encouragement, where notice would be charity, you affect
+to have forgotten, or appear never to have seen me! Ah! mentally
+continued the silent moralist, if we reflected upon the difficulty of
+gaining esteem; upon the chances against exciting affection; upon the
+union of time and circumstance necessary for obtaining sincere regard;
+we should require courage to withhold, not to follow, the movement of
+kindness, that, where distress sighs for succour, where helplessness
+solicits support, gives power to the smallest exertion, to a single
+word, to a passing smile,--to bestow a favour, and to do a service, that
+catch, in the brief space of a little moment, a gratitude that never
+dies!
+
+But, while thus to be situated, was pain and dejection to Juliet, to see
+her seated, however unnoticed, in the midst of this society, was almost
+equally irksome to Mrs Ireton; who, after some vain internal fretting,
+ordered the butler to carry about refreshments; consoled with the
+certainty, that he would as little dare present any to Juliet, as omit
+to present them to every one else.
+
+The smiles and best humour of Mrs Ireton now soon returned; for the
+dependent state of Juliet became more than ever conspicuous, when thus
+decidedly she was marked as the sole person, in a large assembly, that
+the servants were permitted, if not instructed to neglect.
+
+Juliet endeavoured to sit tranquil, and seem unconcerned; but her
+fingers were in continual motion; her eyes, meaning to look no where,
+looked every where; and Mrs Ireton had the gratification to perceive,
+that, however she struggled for indifference, she was fully sensible of
+the awkwardness of her situation.
+
+But this was no sooner remarked by Lady Barbara Frankland, than,
+starting with vivacity from her vainly watchful aunt, she flew to her
+former instructress, crying, 'Have you taken nothing yet, Miss Ellis? O
+pray, then, let me chuse your ice for you?'
+
+She ran to a side-board, and selecting the colour most pleasing to her
+eyes, hastened with it to the blushing, but relieved and grateful
+Juliet; to whom this benevolent attention seemed instantly to restore
+the self-command, that pointed indignities, and triumphant derision,
+were sinking into abashed depression.
+
+The sensation produced by this action in Mrs Ireton, was as ungenial as
+that which it caused to Juliet was consolatory. She could not for a
+moment endure to see the creature of her power, whom she looked upon as
+destined for the indulgence of her will, and the play of her authority,
+receive a mark of consideration which, if shewn even to herself, would
+have been accepted as a condescension. Abruptly, therefore, while they
+were standing together, and conversing, she called out, 'Is it possible,
+Miss Ellis, that you can see the child in such imminent danger, and stay
+there amusing yourself?'
+
+Lady Kendover hastily called off her young niece; and Juliet, sighing
+crossed over the room, to take charge of the little boy, who was sitting
+astraddle out of one of the windows.
+
+'But I had flattered myself,' cried Sir Marmaduke Crawley, addressing
+Mrs Ireton, 'that we should have a little music?'
+
+Mrs Ireton, to whom the talents of Juliet gave pleasure in proportion
+only to her own repugnance to bringing them into play, had relinquished
+the projected performance, when she perceived the general interest which
+was excited by the mere appearance of the intended performer. She
+declared herself, therefore, so extremely fearful lest some mischief
+should befall her little nephew, that she could not possibly trust him
+from the care of Miss Ellis.
+
+Half the company, now, urged by the thirst of fresh amusement, professed
+the most passionate fondness for children, and offered their services to
+watch the dear, sweet little boy, while Miss Ellis should play or sing;
+but the averseness] of Ellis remained uncombated by Mrs Ireton, and,
+therefore, unconquered.
+
+The party was preparing to break up, when Mr Giles Arbe entered the
+room, to apologize for the non-appearance of Miss Arbe, his cousin, who
+had bid him bring words, he said, that she was taken ill.
+
+Ireton, by a few crafty questions, soon drew from him, that Miss Arbe
+was only gone to a little private music-meeting at Miss Sycamore's:
+though, affrighted when he had made the confession, he entreated Mrs
+Ireton not to take it amiss; protesting that it was not done in any
+disrespect to her, but merely because his cousin was more amused at Miss
+Sycamore's.
+
+Mrs Ireton, extremely piqued, answered, that she should be very careful,
+in future, not to presume to make an invitation to Miss Arbe, but in a
+total dearth of other entertainment; in a famine; or public fast.
+
+But, the moment he sauntered into another room, to partake of some
+refreshments, 'That old savage,' she cried, 'is a perfect horrour! He
+has not a single atom of common sense; and if he were not Miss Arbe's
+cousin, one must tell one's butler to shew him the door. At least, such
+is my poor opinion. I don't pretend to be a judge; but such is my
+notion!'
+
+'O! I adore him!' cried Miss Crawley. 'He makes me laugh till I am ready
+to die! He has never a guess what he is about; and he never hears a word
+one says. And he stares so when one laughs at him! O! he's the
+delightfullest, stupidest, dear wretch that breathes!'
+
+'O! I can't look at him without laughing!' exclaimed Miss Di. 'He's the
+best thing in nature! He's delicious! enchanting! delightful! O! so dear
+a fool!'
+
+'He is quite unfit,' said Mrs Maple, 'for society; for he says every
+thing that comes uppermost, and has not the least idea of what is due to
+people.'
+
+'O! he is the sweetest-tempered, kindest-hearted creature in the world!'
+exclaimed Lady Barbara. 'My aunt's woman has heard, from Miss Arbe's
+maid, all his history. He has quite ruined himself by serving poor
+people in distress. He is so generous, he can never pronounce a
+refusal.'
+
+'But he dresses so meanly,' said Miss Brinville, 'that mamma and I have
+begged Miss Arbe not to bring him any more to see us. Besides,--he tells
+every thing in the world to every body.'
+
+'Poor Miss Arbe a'n't to blame, I assure you, Miss Brinville,' said
+Selina; 'for she dislikes him as much as you do; only when her papa
+invited him to live with them, he was very rich; and it was thought he
+would leave all his fortune to them. But, since then, Miss Arbe says, he
+is grown quite poor; for he has dawdled away almost all his money, in
+one way or another; letting folks out of prison, setting people up in
+business, and all that.'
+
+'O! he's the very king of quizzes!' cried Ireton. 'He drags me out of
+the spleen, when I feel as if there were no possibility I could yawn on
+another half hour.'
+
+Sir Jaspar now, looking with an air of authority towards Ireton, said,
+'It would have been your good star, not your evil genius, by which you
+would have been guided, Mr Ireton, had you been attracted to this old
+gentleman as to an example, rather than as a butt for your wit. He has
+very good parts, if he knew how to make use of them; though he has a
+simplicity of manners, that induces common observers to conclude him to
+be nearly an ideot. And, indeed, an absent man seems always in a state
+of childhood; for as he is never occupied with what is present, those
+who think of nothing else, naturally take it for granted that what
+passes is above his comprehension; when perhaps, it is only below his
+attention. But with Mr Arbe, though his temper is incomparably good and
+placid, absence is neither want of understanding, nor of powers of
+observation; for, when once he is awakened to what is passing, by any
+thing that touches his feelings of humanity, or his sense of justice,
+his seeming stupor turns to energy; his silence is superseded by
+eloquence; and his gentle diffidence is supplanted by a mental courage,
+which electrifies with surprize, from its contrast with his general
+docility; and which strikes, and even awes, from an apparent dignity of
+defying consequence;--though, in fact, it is but the effect of never
+weighing them. Such, however, as he is, Mr Ireton, with the
+singularities of his courage, or the oddities of his passiveness, he is
+a man who is useful to the world, from his love of doing good; and happy
+in himself, from the serenity of a temper unruffled by any species of
+malignity.'
+
+Ireton ventured not to manifest any resentment at this conclusion; but
+when, by his embarrassed air, Sir Jaspar saw that it was understood, he
+smiled, and more gaily added, 'If the fates, the sisters three, and such
+little branches of learning, had had the benevolence to have fixed my
+own birth under the influence of the same planet with that of Mr Giles
+Arbe, how many twitches, goadings, and worries should I have been
+spared, from impatience, ambition, envy, discontent, and ill will!'
+
+The subject was here dropt, by the re-entrance of Mr Arbe; who,
+observing Selina, said that he wanted prodigiously to enquire about her
+poor aunt, whom, lately, he had met with no where; though she used to be
+every where.
+
+'My aunt, Sir?--She's there!' said Selina, pointing to Mrs Maple.
+
+'No, no, I don't mean that aunt; I mean your young aunt, that used to be
+so all alive and clever. What's become of her?'
+
+'O, I dare say it's my sister you are thinking of?'
+
+'Ay, it's like enough; for she's young enough, to be sure; only you look
+such a mere child. Pray how is she now? I was very sorry to hear of her
+cutting her throat.'
+
+A titter, which was immediately exalted into a hearty laugh by the Miss
+Crawleys, was all the answer.
+
+'It was not right to do such a thing,' he continued; 'very wrong indeed.
+There's no need to be afraid of not dying soon enough, for we only come
+to be gone! I pitied her, however, with all my heart, for love is but a
+dangerous thing; it makes older persons than she is go astray, one way
+or other. And it was but unkind of Mr Harleigh not to marry her, whether
+he liked or not, to save her from such a naughty action. And pray what
+is become of that pretty creature that used to teach you all music? I
+have enquired for her at Miss Matson's, often; but I always forgot where
+they said she was gone. Indeed they made me a little angry about her,
+which, probably, was the reason that I could never recollect what they
+told me of her direction.'
+
+'Angry, Mr Giles?' repeated Mrs Ireton, with an air of restored
+complacency; 'What was it, then, they said of her? Not that I am very
+curious to hear it, as I presume you will believe! You won't imagine it,
+I presume, a matter of the first interest to me!'
+
+'O, what they said of her was very bad! very bad, indeed; and that's the
+reason I give no credit to it.'
+
+'Well, well, but what was it?' cried Ireton.
+
+'Why they told me that she was turned toad-eater.'
+
+Universal and irresistible smiles throughout the whole company, to the
+exception of Lady Barbara and Sir Jaspar, now heightened the
+embarrassment of Juliet into pain and distress: but the young Loddard
+every moment struggled to escape into the garden, through the window;
+and she did not dare quit her post.
+
+'So I asked them what they meant,' Mr Giles continued; 'for I never
+heard of any body's eating toads; though I am assured our neighbours, on
+t'other bank, are so fond of frogs. But they made it out, that it only
+meant a person who would swallow any thing, bad or good; and do whatever
+he was bid, right or wrong; for the sake of a little pay.'
+
+This definition by no means brought the assembly back to its gravity;
+but while Juliet, ashamed and indignant, kept her face turned constantly
+towards the garden, Ireton called out, 'Why you don't speak to your
+little friend, Loddard, Mr Giles. There he is, at the window.'
+
+Mr Giles now, notwithstanding her utmost efforts to avoid his eyes,
+perceived the blushing Juliet; though, doubting his sight, he stared and
+exclaimed, 'Good la! that lady's very like Miss Ellis! And, I protest,
+'tis she herself! And just as pretty as ever! And with the same innocent
+face that not a soul can either buy or make, but God Almighty himself!'
+
+He then enquired after her health and welfare, with a cordiality that
+somewhat lessened the pain caused by the general remark that was
+produced by his address: but the relief was at an end upon his adding,
+'I wanted to see you prodigiously, for I have never forgotten your
+paying your debts so prettily, against your will, that morning. It fixed
+you in my good opinion. I hope, however, it is a mistake, what they tell
+me, that you are turned what they call toad-eater? and have let yourself
+out, at so much a year, to say nothing that you think; and to do nothing
+that you like; and to beg pardon when you are not in fault; and to eat
+all the offals; and to be beat by the little gentleman; and worried by
+the little dog? I hope all that's mere misapprehension, my dear; for it
+would be but a very mean way of getting money.'
+
+The calmness of conscious superiority, with which Juliet heard the
+beginning of these interrogatories, was converted into extreme
+confusion, by their termination, from the appearance of justice which
+the incidents of the morning had given to the attack.
+
+'For now,' continued he, 'that you have paid all your debts, you ought
+to hold up your head; for, where nothing is owing, we are all of us
+equal, rich and poor; another man's riches no more making him my
+superiour, or benefactor, if I do not partake of them, than my poverty
+makes me his servant, or dependent, if I neither work for, nor am
+benefited by him. And I am your witness that you gave every one his due.
+So don't let any body put you out of your proper place.'
+
+The mortification of Juliet, at this public exhortation, upon a point so
+delicate, was not all that she had to endure: the little dog, who,
+though incessantly tormented by the little boy, always followed him;
+kept scratching her gown; to be helped up to the window, that he might
+play with, or snarl at him, more at his ease; and the boy, making a whip
+of his pocket-handkerchief, continually attracted, though merely to
+repulse him; while Juliet, seeking alternately to quiet both, had not a
+moment's rest.
+
+'Why now, what's all this my pretty lady?' cried Mr Giles, perceiving
+her situation. 'Why do you let those two plagueful things torment you
+so? Why don't you teach them to be better behaved.'
+
+'Miss Ellis would be vastly obliging, certainly,' with a supercilious
+brow, said Mrs Ireton, 'to correct my nephew! I don't in the least mean
+to contest her abilities for superintending his chastisement; not in the
+least, I assure you! But only, as I never heard of my brother's giving
+her such a _carte blanche_; and as I don't recollect having given it
+myself,--although I may have done it, again, perhaps, in my sleep!--I
+should be happy to learn by what authority she would be invested with
+such powers of discipline?'
+
+'By what authority? That of humanity, Ma'am! Not to spoil a poor
+ignorant little fellow-creature; nor a poor innocent little beast.'
+
+'It would be immensely amiable of her, Sir, no doubt,' said Mrs Ireton,
+reddening, 'to take charge of the morals of my household; immensely! I
+only hope you will be kind enough to instruct the young person, at the
+same time, how she may hold her situation? That's all! I only hope
+that!'
+
+'How? Why by doing her duty! If she can't hold it by that, 'tis her duty
+to quit it. Nobody is born to be trampled upon.'
+
+'I hope, too, soon,' said Mrs Ireton, scoffingly, 'nobody will be born
+to be poor!'
+
+'Good! true!' returned he, nodding his head. 'Nobody should be poor!
+That is very well said. However, if you think her so poor, I can give
+you the satisfaction to shew you your mistake. She mayn't, indeed, be
+very rich, poor lady, at bottom; but still--'
+
+'No, indeed, am I not!' hastily cried Juliet, frightened at the
+communication which she saw impending.
+
+'But still,' continued he, 'if she is poor, it is not for want of money;
+nor for want of credit, neither; for she has bank-notes in abundance in
+one of her work-bags; and not a penny of them is her own! which shews
+her to be a person of great honour.'
+
+Every one now looked awakened to a new curiosity; and Selina exclaimed,
+'O la! have you got a fortune, then, my dear Ellis? O! I dare say, then,
+my guess will prove true at last! for I dare say you are a princess in
+disguise?'
+
+'As far as disguise goes, Selina,' answered Mrs Maple, 'we have never, I
+think, disputed! but as to a princess!...'
+
+'A princess?' repeated Mrs Ireton. 'Upon my word, this is an honour I
+had not imagined! I own my stupidity! I can't but own my stupidity; but
+I really had never imagined myself so much honoured, as to suspect that
+I had a princess under my roof, who was so complaisant as to sing, and
+play, and read to me, at my pleasure; and to study how to amuse and
+divert me! I confess, I had never suspected it! I am quite ashamed of my
+total want of sagacity; but it had never occurred to me!'
+
+'And why not, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why may not a princess be pretty,
+and complaisant, and know how to sing and play, and read, as well as
+another lady? She is just as able to learn as you, or any common person.
+I never heard that a princess took her rank in the place of her
+faculties. I know no difference; except that, if she does the things
+with good nature, you ought to love and honour her the double, in
+consideration of the great temptation she has to be proud and idle, and
+to do nothing. We all envy the great, when we ought only to revere them
+if they are good, and to pity them if they are bad; for they have the
+same infirmities that we have; and nobody that dares put them in mind of
+them: so that they often go to the grave, before they find out that they
+are nothing but poor little men and women, like the rest of us. For my
+part, when I see them worthy, and amiable, I look up to them as
+prodigies! Whereas, a common person, such as you, or I, Ma'am,--'
+
+Mrs Ireton, unable to bear this phrase, endeavoured to turn the
+attention of the company into another channel, by abruptly calling upon
+Juliet to go to the piano-forte.
+
+Juliet entreated to be excused.
+
+'Excused? And why, Ma'am? What else have you got to do? What are your
+avocations? I shall really take it as a favour to be informed.'
+
+'Don't teize her, pretty lady; don't teize her,' cried Mr Giles. 'If she
+likes to sing, it's very agreeable; but if not, don't make a point of
+it, for it's not a thing at all essential.'
+
+'Likes it?' repeated Mrs Ireton, superciliously; 'We must do nothing,
+then, but what we like? Even when we are in other people's houses? Even
+when we exist only through the goodness of some of our superiours? Still
+we are to do only what we like? I am quite happy in the information!
+Extremely obliged for it, indeed! It will enable me, I hope, to rectify
+the gross errour of which I have been guilty; for I really did not know
+I had a young lady in my house, who was to make her will and taste the
+rule for mine! and, as I suppose, to have the goodness to direct my
+servants; as well as to take the trouble to manage me. I knew nothing of
+all this, I protest. I thought, on the contrary, I had engaged a young
+person, who would never think of taking such a liberty as to give her
+opinion; but who would do, as she ought, with respect and submission,
+whatever I should indicate.'--
+
+'Good la, Ma'am,' interrupted Mr Giles: 'Why that would be leading the
+life of a slave! And that, I suppose, is what they meant, all this time,
+by a toad-eater. However, don't look so ashamed, my pretty dear, for a
+toad-eater-maker is still worse! Fie, fie! What can rich people be
+thinking of, to lay out their money in buying their fellow-creatures'
+liberty of speech and thought! and then paying them for a bargain which
+they ought to despise them for selling?'
+
+This unexpected retort turning the smiles of the assembly irresistibly
+against the lady of the mansion, she hastily renewed her desire that
+Juliet would sing.
+
+'Sing, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why a merry-andrew could not do it,
+after being so affronted! Bless my heart! Tell a human being that she
+must only move to and fro, like a machine? Only say what she is bid,
+like a parrot? Employ her time, call forth her talents, exact her
+services, yet not let her make any use of her understanding? Neither say
+what she approves, nor object to what she dislikes? Poor, pretty young
+thing! You were never so much to be pitied, in the midst of your worst
+distresses, as when you were relived upon such terms! Fie upon it,
+fie!--How can great people be so little?'
+
+The mingled shame and resentment of Mrs Ireton, at a remonstrance so
+extraordinary and so unqualified, were with difficulty kept within the
+bounds of decorum; for though she laughed, and affected to be extremely
+diverted, her laugh was so sharp, and forced, that it wounded every ear;
+and, through the amusement that she pretended to receive, it was obvious
+that she suffered torture, in restraining herself from ordering her
+servants to turn the orator out of the room.
+
+With looks much softened, though in a manner scarcely less fervent, Mr
+Giles then, approaching Juliet, repeated, 'Don't be cast down I say, my
+pretty lady! You are none the worse for all this. The thing is but
+equal, at last; so we must not always look at the bad side of our fate.
+State every thing fairly; you have got your talents, your prettiness,
+and your winning ways,--but you want these ladies' wealth: they, have
+got their wealth, their grandeur, and their luxuries; but they want your
+powers of amusing. You can't well do without one another. So it's best
+be friends on both sides.'
+
+Mrs Ireton, now, dying to give some vent to her spleen, darted the full
+venom of her angry eyes upon Juliet, and called out, 'You don't see, I
+presume, Miss Ellis, what a condition Bijou has put that chair in? 'T
+would be too great a condescension for you, I suppose, just to give it a
+little pat of the hand, to shake off the crumbs? Though it is not your
+business, I confess! I confess that it is not your business! Perhaps,
+therefore, I am guilty of an indiscretion in giving you such a hint.
+Perhaps I had better let Lady Kendover, or Lady Arramede, or Mrs
+Brinville, or any other of the ladies, sit upon the dirt, and soil their
+clothes? You may think, perhaps, that it will be for the advantage of
+the mercer, or the linen-draper? You may be considering the good of
+trade? or perhaps you may think I may do such sort of menial offices for
+myself?'
+
+However generally power may cause timidity, arrogance, in every generous
+mind, awakens spirit; Juliet, therefore, raising her head, and,
+clearing her countenance, with a modest, but firm step, moved silently
+towards the door.
+
+Astonished and offended, 'Permit me, Madam,' cried Mrs Ireton; 'permit
+me, Miss Ellis,--if it is not taking too great a liberty with a person
+of your vast consequence,--permit me to enquire who told you to go?'
+
+Juliet turned back her head, and quietly answered, 'A person, Madam, who
+has not the honour to be known to you,--myself!' And then steadily left
+the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVII.
+
+
+An answer so little expected, from one whose dependent state had been so
+freely discussed, caused a general surprize, and an almost universal
+demand of who the young person might be, and what she could mean. The
+few words that had dropt from her had as many commentators as hearers.
+Some thought their inference important; others, their mystery
+suspicious; and others mocked their assumption of dignity. Tears started
+into the eyes of Lady Barbara; while those of Sir Jaspar were fixed,
+meditatively, upon the head of his crutch; but the complacent smile of
+admiration, exhibited by Mr Giles, attracted the notice of the whole
+assembly, by the peals of laughter which it excited in the Miss
+Crawleys.
+
+With rage difficultly disguised without, but wholly ungovernable within,
+Mrs Ireton would instantly have revenged what she considered as the most
+heinous affront that she had ever received, by expelling its author
+ignominiously from her house, but for the still sharpened curiosity with
+which her pretentions to penetration became piqued, from the general cry
+of 'How very extraordinary that Mrs Ireton has never been able to
+discover who she is!'
+
+When Juliet, therefore, conceiving her removal from this mansion to be
+as inevitable, as her release from its tyranny was desirable, made
+known, as soon as the company was dispersed, that she was ready to
+depart; she was surprised by a request, from Mrs Ireton, to stay a day
+or two longer; for the purpose of taking care of Mr Loddard the
+following morning; as Mrs Ireton, who had no one with whom she could
+trust such a charge, had engaged herself to join a party to see Arundel
+Castle.
+
+Little as Juliet felt disposed to renew her melancholy wanderings, her
+situation in this house appeared to her so humiliating, nay degrading,
+that neither this message, nor the fawning civilities with which, at
+their next meeting, Mrs Ireton sought to mitigate her late asperity,
+could prevail with her to consent to any delay beyond that which was
+necessary for obtaining the counsel of Gabriella; to whom she wrote a
+detailed account of what had passed; adding, 'How long must I thus waste
+my time and my existence, separated from all that can render them
+valuable, while fastened upon by constant discomfort and disgust? O
+friend of my heart, friend of my earliest years, earliest feelings,
+juvenile happiness,--and, alas! maturer sorrows! why must we thus be
+sundered in adversity? Oh how,--with three-fold toil, should I revive by
+the side of my beloved Gabriella!--Dear to me by every tie of tender
+recollection; dear to me by the truest compassion for her sufferings,
+and reverence for her resignation; and dear to me,--thrice dear! by the
+sacred ties of gratitude, which bind me for ever to her honoured mother,
+and to her venerated, saint-like uncle, my pious benefactor!'
+
+She then tenderly proposed their immediate re-union, at whatever cost of
+fatigue, or risk, it might be obtained; and besought Gabriella to seek
+some small room, and to enquire for some needle-work; determining to
+appropriate to a journey to town, the little sum which she might have to
+receive for the long and laborious fortnight, which she had consigned to
+the terrible enterprize of aiming at amusing, serving, or interesting,
+one whose sole taste of pleasure consisted in seeking, like Strife, in
+Spenser's Fairy Queen, occasion for dissension.
+
+With the apprehension, however, of losing, the desire of retaining her
+always revived; and now, as usual, proved some check to the recreations
+of spleen, in which Mrs Ireton ordinarily indulged herself. Yet, even in
+the midst of intended concession, the love of tormenting was so
+predominant, that, had the resolution of Juliet still wavered, whether
+to seek some new retreat, or still to support her present irksome
+situation, all indecision would have ceased from fresh disgust, at the
+sneers which insidiously found their way through every effort at
+civility. What had dropt from Mr Giles Arbe, relative to the bank-notes,
+had excited curiosity in all; tinted, in some, with suspicion, and, in
+Mrs Ireton, blended with malignity and wrath, that a creature whom she
+pleased herself to consider, and yet more to represent, as dependent
+upon her bounty for sustinence, should have any resources of her own.
+Nor was this displeasure wholly free from surmises the most disgraceful;
+though to those she forbore to give vent, conscious that to suggest them
+would stamp with impropriety all further intercourse with their object.
+And a moment that offered new food for inquisition, was the last to
+induce Mrs Ireton to relinquish her _protegée_. She confined her
+sarcasms, therefore, when she could not wholly repress them, to oblique
+remarks upon the happiness of those who were able to lay by private
+stores for secret purposes; lamenting that such was not her fate; yet
+congratulating herself that she might now sleep in peace, with respect
+to any creditors; since, should she be threatened with an execution, her
+house had a rich inmate, by whom she flattered herself that she should
+be assisted to give bail.
+
+Already, the next morning, her resolution with regard to her nephew was
+reversed; and, the child desiring the change of scene, she gave
+directions that Miss Ellis should prepare herself to take him in charge
+during the excursion.
+
+But Juliet was now initiated in the services and the endurance of an
+humble companion in public; she offered, therefore, to amuse and to
+watch him at home, but decidedly refused to attend him abroad; and her
+evident indifference whether to stay or begone herself, forced Mrs
+Ireton to deny the humoured boy his intended frolic.
+
+Little accustomed to any privation, and totally unused to
+disappointment, the young gentleman, when his aunt was preparing to
+depart, had recourse to his usual appeals against restraint or
+authority, clamourous cries and unappeasable blubbering. Juliet, to
+whose room he refused to mount, was called upon to endeavour to quiet
+him, and to entice him into the garden; that he might not hear the
+carriage of his aunt draw up to the door.
+
+But this commission the refractory spirit of the young heir made it
+impossible to execute, till he overheard a whisper to Juliet, that she
+would take care, should Mr Loddard chuse to go to the Temple, to place
+the silk-worms above his reach.
+
+Suddenly, then, he sprang from his consolers and attendants, to run
+forward to the forbidden fruit; and, with a celerity that made it
+difficult for Juliet, even with her utmost speed, and longer limbs, to
+arrive at the spot in time to prevent the mischief for which she saw him
+preparing. She had just, however, succeeded, in depositing the menaced
+insects upon a high bracket, when a footman came to whisper to her the
+commands of his lady, that she would detain Mr Loddard till the party
+should be set off.
+
+Before the man had shut himself out, Ireton, holding up his finger to
+him in token of secresy, slipt past him into the little building; and,
+having turned the key on the inside, and put it into his pocket, said,
+'I'll stand centinel for little Pickle!' and flung himself, loungingly,
+upon an arm chair.
+
+Confounded by this action, yet feeling it necessary to appear
+unintimidated, Juliet affected to occupy herself with the silk-worms; of
+which the young gentleman now, eager to romp with Ireton, thought no
+more.
+
+'At last, then, I have caught you, my skittish dear!' cried Ireton,
+while jumping about the little boy, to keep him in good humour. 'I have
+had the devil of a difficulty to contrive it. However, I shall make
+myself amends now, for they are all going to Arundel Castle, and you and
+I can pass the morning together.'
+
+The indignant look which this boldness excited, he pretended not to
+observe, and went on.
+
+'I can't possibly be easy without having a little private chat with you.
+I must consult you about my affairs. I want devilishly to make you my
+friend. You might be capitally useful to me. And you would find your
+account in it, I promise you. What sayst thee, my pretty one?'
+
+Juliet, not appearing to hear him, changed the leaves of the silk-worms.
+
+'Can you guess what it is brings me hither to old madam my mother's? It
+is not you, with all your beauty, you arch prude; though I have a great
+enjoyment in looking at you and your blushes, which are devilishly
+handsome, I own; yet, to say the truth, you are not--all together--I
+don't know how it is--but you are not--upon the whole--quite exactly to
+my taste. Don't take it ill, my love, for you are a devilish fine girl.
+I own that. But I want something more skittish, more wild, more
+eccentric. If I were to fix my fancy upon such symmetry as you, I should
+be put out of my way every moment. I should always be thinking I had
+some Minerva tutoring, or some Juno awing me. It would not do at all. I
+want something of another cast; something that will urge me when I am
+hippish, without keeping me in order when I am whimsical. Something
+frisky, flighty, fantastic,--yet panting, blushing, dying with love for
+me!--'
+
+Neither contempt nor indignation were of sufficient force to preserve
+the gravity of Juliet, at this unexpected ingenuousness of vanity.
+
+'You smile!' he cried; 'but if you knew what a deuced difficult thing it
+is, for a man who has got a little money, to please himself, you would
+find it a very serious affair. How the deuce can he be sure whether a
+woman, when once he has married her, would not, if her settlement be to
+her liking, dance at his funeral? The very thought of that would either
+carry me off in a fright within a month, or make me want to live for
+ever, merely to punish her. It's a hard thing having money! a deuced
+hard thing! One does not know who to trust. A poor man may find a wife
+in a moment, for if he sees any one that likes him, he knows it is for
+himself; but a rich man,--as Sir Jaspar says,--can never be sure whether
+the woman who marries him, would not, for the same pin-money, just as
+willingly follow him to the outside of the church, as to the inside!'
+
+At the name of Sir Jaspar, Juliet involuntarily gave some attention,
+though she would make no reply.
+
+'From the time,' continued Ireton, 'that I heard him pronounce those
+words, I have never been able to satisfy myself; nor to find out what
+would satisfy me. At least not till lately; and now that I know what I
+want, the difficulty of the business is to get it! And this is what I
+wish to consult with you about; for you must know, my dear, I can never
+be happy without being adored.'
+
+Juliet, now, was surprised into suddenly looking at him, to see whether
+he were serious.
+
+'Yes, adored! loved to distraction! I must be idolized for myself,
+myself alone; yet publicly worshiped, that all mankind may see,--and
+envy,--the passion I have been able to inspire!'
+
+Suspecting that he meant some satire upon Elinor, Juliet again fixed her
+eyes upon her silk-worms.
+
+'So you don't ask me what it is that makes me so devilish dutiful all of
+a sudden, in visiting my mamma? You think, perhaps, I have some debts to
+pay? No; I have no taste for gaming. It's the cursedest fatiguing thing
+in the world. If one don't mind what one's about, one is blown up in a
+moment; and to be always upon one's guard, is worse than ruin itself. So
+I am upon no coaxing expedition, I give you my word. What do you think
+it is, then, that brings me hither? Cannot you guess?--Hay?--Why it is
+to arrange something, somehow or other, for getting myself from under
+this terrible yoke, that seems upon the point of enslaving me. My neck
+feels galled by it already! I have naturally no taste for matrimony. And
+now that the business seems to be drawing to a point, and I am called
+upon to name my lawyer, and cavilled with to declare, to the uttermost
+sixpence, what I will do, and what I will give, to make my wife merry
+and comfortable upon my going out of the world,--I protest I shudder
+with horrour! I think there is nothing upon earth so mercenary, as a
+young nymph upon the point of becoming a bride!'
+
+'Except,--' Juliet here could not resist saying, 'except the man,--young
+or old,--who is her bridegroom!'
+
+'O, that's another thing! quite another thing! A man must needs take
+care of his house, and his table, and all that: but the horridest thing
+I know, is the condition tied to a man's obtaining the hand of a young
+woman; he can never solicit it, but by giving her a prospect of his
+death-bed! And she never consents to live with him, till she knows what
+she may gain by his dying! Tis the most shocking style of making love
+that can be imagined. I don't like it, I swear! What, now, would you
+advise me to do?'
+
+'I?'
+
+'Yes; you know the scrape I am in, don't you? Sir Jaspar's estate, in
+case he should have no children, is entailed upon me; and, in case I
+should have none neither, is entailed upon a cousin; the heaviest dog
+you ever saw in your life, whom he hates and despises; and whom I wish
+at old Nick with all my heart, because I know he, and all his family,
+will wish me at the devil myself, if I marry; and, if I have children,
+will wish them and my wife there. I hate them all so heartily, that,
+whenever I think of them, I am ready, in pure spite, to be tied to the
+first girl that comes in my way: but, when I think of myself, I am taken
+with a fit of fright, and in a plaguey hurry to cut the knot off short.
+And this is the way I have got the character of a male jilt. But I don't
+deserve it, I assure you; for of all the females with whom I have had
+these little engagements, there is not one whom I have seriously thought
+of marrying, after the first half hour. They none of them hit my fancy
+further than to kill a little time.'
+
+The countenance of Juliet, though she neither deigned to speak nor to
+turn to him, marked such strong disapprobation, that he thought proper
+to add, 'Don't be affronted for little Selina Joddrel: I really meant to
+marry her at the time; and I should really have gone on, and "buckled
+to," if the thing had been any way possible: but she turns out such a
+confounded little fool, that I can't think of her any longer.'
+
+'And was it necessary,--' Juliet could not refrain from saying, 'to
+engage her first, and examine whether she could make you happy
+afterwards?'
+
+'Why that seems a little awkward, I confess; but it's a way I have
+adopted. Though I took the decision, I own, rather in a hurry, with
+regard to little Selina; for it was merely to free myself from the
+reproaches of Sir Jaspar, who, because he is seventy-five, and does not
+know what to do with himself, is always regretting that he did not take
+a wife when he was a stripling; and always at work to get me into the
+yoke. But, the truth is, I promised, when I went abroad, to bring him
+home a niece from France, or Italy; unless I went further east; and then
+I would look him out a fair Circassian. Now as he has a great taste for
+any thing out of the common way, and retains a constant hankering after
+Beauty, he was delighted with the scheme. But I saw nothing that would
+do! Nothing I could take to! The pretty ones were all too buckish; and
+the steady ones, a set of the yellowest frights I ever beheld.'
+
+'Alas for the poor ladies!'
+
+'O, you are a mocker, are you?--So to lighten the disappointment to Sir
+Jaspar, I hit upon the expedient of taking up with little Selina, who
+was the first young thing that fell in my way. And I was too tired to be
+difficult. Besides, what made her the more convenient, was her extreme
+youth, which gave me a year to look about me, and see if I could do any
+better. But she's a poor creature; a sad poor creature indeed! quite too
+bad. So I must make an end of the business as fast as possible. Besides,
+another thing that puts me in a hurry is,--the very devil would have it
+so!--but I have fallen in love with her sister!--'
+
+Juliet, at a loss how to understand him, now raised her eyes; and, not
+without astonishment, perceived that he was speaking with a grave face.
+
+'O that noble stroke! That inimitable girl! Happy, happy, Harleigh! That
+fellow fascinates the girls the more the less notice he takes of them! I
+take but little notice of them, neither; but, some how or other, they
+never do that sort of thing for me! If I could meet with one who would
+take such a measure for my sake, and before such an assembly,--I really
+think I should worship her!'
+
+Then, lowering his voice, 'You may be amazingly useful to me, my angel,'
+he cried, 'in this new affair. I know you are very well with Harleigh,
+though I don't know exactly how; but if,--nay, hear me before you look
+so proud! if you'll help me, a little, how to go to work with the divine
+Elinor, I'll bind myself down to make over to you,--in case of
+success,--mark that!--as round a sum as you may be pleased to name!'
+
+The disdain of Juliet at this proposition was so powerful, that, though
+she heard it as the deepest of insults, indignation was but a secondary
+feeling; and a look of utter scorn, with a determined silence to
+whatever else he might say, was the only notice it received.
+
+He continued, nevertheless, to address her, demanding her advice how to
+manage Harleigh, and her assistance how to conquer Elinor, with an air
+of as much intimacy and confidence, as if he received the most cordial
+replies. He purposed, he said, unless she could counsel him to something
+better, making an immediate overture to Elinor; by which means, whether
+he should obtain, or not, the only girl in the world who knew how to
+love, and what love meant, he should, at least, in a very summary way,
+get rid of the little Selina.
+
+Juliet knew too well the slightness of the texture of the regard of
+Selina for Ireton, to be really hurt at this defection; yet she was not
+less offended at being selected for the confidant of so dishonourable a
+proceeding; nor less disgusted at the unfeeling insolence by which it
+was dictated.
+
+An attempt at opening the door at length silenced him, while the voice
+of Mrs Ireton's woman called out, 'Goodness! Miss Ellis, what do you
+lock yourself in for? My lady has sent me to you.'
+
+Juliet cast up her eyes, foreseeing the many disagreeable attacks and
+surmises to which she was made liable by this incident; yet immediately
+said aloud, 'Since you have thought proper, Mr Ireton, to lock the door,
+for your own pleasure, you will, at least, I imagine, think proper to
+open it for that of Mrs Ireton.'
+
+'Deuce take me if I do!' cried he, in a low voice: 'manage the matter as
+you will! I have naturally no taste for a prude; so I always leave her
+to work her way out of a scrape as well as she can. But I'll see you
+again when they are all off.' Then, throwing the key upon her lap, he
+softly and laughingly escaped out of the window.
+
+Provoked and vexed, yet helpless, and without any means of redress,
+Juliet opened the door.
+
+'Goodness! Miss Ellis,' cried the Abigail, peeping curiously around,
+'how droll for you to shut yourself in! My lady sent me to ask whether
+you have seen any thing of Mr Ireton in the garden, or about; for she
+has been ready to go ever so long, and he said he was setting off first
+on horseback; but his groom is come, and is waiting for orders, and none
+of us can tell where he is.'
+
+'Mr Ireton,' Juliet quietly answered, 'was here just now; and I doubt
+not but you will find him in the garden.'
+
+'Yes,' cried the boy, 'he slid out of the window.'
+
+'Goodness! was he in here, then, Master Loddard? Well! my lady'll be in
+a fine passion, if she should hear of it!'
+
+This was enough to give the tidings a messenger: the boy darted forward,
+and reached the house in a moment.
+
+The Abigail ran after him; Juliet, too, followed, dreading the impending
+storm yet still more averse to remaining within the reach and power of
+Ireton. And the knowledge, that he would now, for the rest of the
+morning, be sole master of the house, filled her with such horrour, of
+the wanton calumny to which his unprincipled egotism might expose her,
+that, rather than continue under the same roof with a character so
+unfeelingly audacious, she preferred risking all the mortifications to
+which she might be liable in the excursion to Arundel Castle.
+
+Advanced already into the hall, dragged thither by her turbulent little
+nephew, and the hope of detecting the hiding-place of Ireton, stood the
+patroness whom she now felt compelled to soothe into accepting her
+attendance. Not aware of this purposed concession, and nearly as much
+frightened as enraged, to find with whom her son had been shut up, Mrs
+Ireton, in a tone equally querulous and piqued, cried, 'I beg you a
+thousand pardons, Ma'am, for the indiscretion of which I have been
+guilty, in asking for the honour of your company to Arundel Castle this
+morning! I ought to make a million of apologies for supposing that a
+young lady,--for you are a lady, no doubt! every body is a lady,
+now!--of your extraordinary turn and talents the insupportable
+insipidity of a tête à tête with a female; or the dull care of a
+bantling; when a splendid, flashy, rich, young travelled gentleman,
+chusing, also, to remain behind, may be tired, and want some amusement!
+'Twas grossly stupid of me, I own, to expect such a sacrifice. You, who,
+besides these prodigious talents, that make us all appear like a set of
+vulgar, uneducated beings by your side; you, who revel also, in the
+luxury of wealth; who wanton in the stores of Plutus; who are accustomed
+to the magnificence of unaccounted hoards!--How must the whole detail of
+our existence appear penurious, pitiful to you!--I am surprised how you
+can forbear falling into fits at the very sight of us! But I presume you
+reserve the brilliancy of an action of that _eclat_, for objects better
+worth your while to dazzle by a stroke of that grand description? I must
+have lost my senses, certainly, to so ill appreciate my own
+insignificance! I hope you'll pity me! that's all! I hope you will have
+so much unction as to pity me!'
+
+If, at the opening of this harangue, the patience of Juliet nearly
+yielded to resentment, its length gave power to reflection,--which
+usually wants but time for checking impulse,--to point out the many and
+nameless mischiefs, to which quitting the house under similar suspicions
+might give rise. She quietly, therefore, answered, that though to
+herself it must precisely be the same thing, whether Mr Ireton were at
+home or abroad, if that circumstance gave any choice to Mrs Ireton, she
+would change her own plans, either to go or to stay, according to the
+directions which she might receive.
+
+A superiority to accusation or surmize thus cool and decided, no sooner
+relieved the apprehensions of Mrs Ireton by its evident innocence, than
+it excited her wrath by its deliberate indifference, if not contempt:
+and she would now disdainfully have rejected the attendance which, the
+moment before, she had anxiously desired, had not the little master of
+the house, who had seized the opportunity of this harangue to make his
+escape, caught a glimpse of the carriage at the door; and put an end to
+all contest, by stunning all ears, with an unremitting scream till he
+forced himself into it; when, overpowering every obstacle, he obliged
+his aunt and Juliet to follow; while he issued his own orders to the
+postilion to drive to Arundel Castle.
+
+Even the terrour of calumny, that most dangerous and baneful foe to
+unprotected woman! would scarcely have frightened Juliet into this
+expedition, had she been aware that, as soon as she was seated in the
+landau, with orders to take the whole charge of Mr Loddard, the little
+dog, also, would have been given to her management. 'Bijou will like to
+take the air,' cried Mrs Ireton, languidly; 'and he will serve to
+entertain Loddard by the way. He can go very well on Miss Ellis's lap.
+Pretty little creature! 'Twould be cruel to leave him at home alone!'
+
+This terrible humanity, which, in a hot day, in the middle of July, cast
+upon the knees of Juliet a fat, round, well furred, and over-fed little
+animal, accustomed to snarl, scratch, stretch, and roll himself about at
+his pleasure, produced fatigue the most pitiless, and inconvenience the
+most comfortless. The little tyrant of the party, whose will was law to
+the company, found no diversion so much to his taste, during the short
+journey, as exciting the churlish humour of his fellow-favourite, by
+pinching his ears, pulling his nose, filliping his claws, squeezing his
+throat, and twisting round his tail. And all these feats, far from
+incurring any reprimand, were laughed at and applauded. For whom did
+they incommode? No one but Miss Ellis;--and for what else was Miss Ellis
+there?
+
+Yet this fatigue and disgust might have been passed over, as local
+evils, had they ceased with the journey; and had she then been at
+liberty to look at what remains of the venerable old castle; to visit
+its ancient chapel; to examine the genealogical records of the long
+gallery; to climb up to the antique citadel, and to enjoy the spacious
+view thence presented of the sea: but she immediately received orders to
+give exercise to Bijou, and to watch that he ran into no danger: though
+Selina, who assiduously came forward to meet Mrs Ireton, without
+appearing even to perceive Juliet, officiously took young Loddard in
+charge, and conducted him, with his aunt, to a large expecting party,
+long arrived, and now viewing the citadel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVIII
+
+
+Relieved, nevertheless, through whatever means effected, by a
+separation, Juliet, with her speechless, though far from mute companion,
+went forth to seek some obscure walk. But her purpose was defeated by
+the junction of a little spaniel, to which Bijou attached himself, with
+a fondness so tenacious, that her utmost efforts either to disengage
+them, or to excite both to follow her, were fruitless; Bijou would not
+quit the spaniel; nor the spaniel his post near the mansion.
+
+Not daring to go on without her troublesome little charge, the approach
+of a carriage made her hasten to a garden-seat, upon which, though she
+could not be hidden, she might be less conspicuous.
+
+The carriage, familiar to her from having frequently seen it at Miss
+Matson's, was that of Sir Jaspar Herrington. Not satisfied, though she
+had no right to be angry, at the so measured politeness which he had
+shewn her the preceding day, when further notice would have softened her
+mortifying embarrassment, she was glad that he had not remarked her in
+passing.
+
+She heard him enquire for Mrs Ireton's party, which he had promised to
+join; but, affrighted at the sound of the citadel, he said that he would
+alight, and wait upon some warm seat in the grounds.
+
+In descending from his chaise, one of his crutches fell, and a
+bonbonniere, of which the contents were dispersed upon the ground, slipt
+from the hand of his valet. It was then, and not without chagrin, that
+Juliet began further to comprehend the defects of a character which she
+had thought an entire composition of philanthropy and courtesy. He
+reviled rather than scolded the servant to whom the accident had
+happened; and treated the circumstances as an event of the first
+importance. He cast an equal share of blame, and with added sharpness,
+upon the postilion, for not having advanced an inch nearer to the
+stone-steps; and uttered invectives even virulent against the groom,
+that he had not come forward to help. Angry, because vexed, with all
+around, he used as little moderation in his wrath, as reason in his
+reproaches.
+
+How superficially, thought Juliet, can we judge of dispositions, where
+nothing is seen but what is meant to be shewn! where nothing is
+pronounced but what is prepared for being heard! Had I fixed my opinion
+of this gentleman only upon what he intended that I should witness, I
+should have concluded that he had as much urbanity of humour as of
+manners. I could never have imagined, that the most trifling of
+accidents could, in a moment, destroy the whole harmony of his temper!
+
+In the midst of the choleric harangue of the Baronet, against which no
+one ventured to remonstrate, the little dogs came sporting before him;
+and, recollecting Bijou, he hastily turned his head towards the person
+upon the garden-seat, whom he had passed without any attention, and
+discerned Juliet.
+
+He hobbled towards her without delay, warmly expressing his delight at
+so auspicious a meeting: but the air and look, reserved and grave, with
+which, involuntarily, she heard him, brought to his consciousness, what
+the pleasure of her sight had driven from it, his enraged attack upon
+his servants; which she must unavoidably have witnessed, and of which
+her countenance shewed her opinion.
+
+He stood some moments silent, leaning upon his crutches, and palpably
+disconcerted. Then, shrugging his shoulders, with a half smile, but a
+piteous look, 'Many,' he cried, 'are the tricks which my quaint little
+imps have played me! many, the quirks and villainous wiles I owe
+them!--but never yet, with all the ingenuity of their malice, have they
+put me to shame and confusion such as this!'
+
+Rising to be gone, yet sorry for him, and softened, the disapprobation
+of Juliet was mingled with a concern, from her disposition to like him,
+that made its expression, in the eyes of her old admirer, seem something
+nearly divine. He looked at her with reverence and with regret, but made
+no attempt to prevent her departure. To separate, however, the dogs, or
+induce the spaniel to go further, she still found impossible; and, not
+daring to abandon Bijou, was fain quietly to seat herself again, upon a
+garden-chair, nearer to the house.
+
+Sir Jaspar, for some minutes, remained, pensively, upon the spot where
+she had left him; then, again shrugging his shoulders, as if bemoaning
+his ill luck, and again hobbling after her, 'There is nothing,' he
+cried, 'that makes a man look so small, as a sudden self-conviction that
+he merits ridicule or disgrace! what intemperance would be averted,
+could we believe ourselves always,--not only from above, but by one
+another, overhead! Don't take an aversion to me, however! nor suppose me
+worse than I am; nor worse than the herd of mankind. You have but seen
+an old bachelor in his true colours! Not with the gay tints, not with
+the spruce smiles, not with the gallant bows, the courteous homage, the
+flowery flourishes, with which he makes himself up for shew; but with
+the grim colouring of factious age, and suspicious egotism!'
+
+The countenance of Juliet shewing her now to be shocked that she had
+given rise to these apologies, that of Sir Jaspar brightened; and,
+dragging a chair to her side, 'I came hither,' he cried, 'in the fair
+hope to seize one of those happy moments, that the fates, now and then,
+accord to favoured mortals, for holding interesting and dulcet
+discourse, with the most fascinating enchantress that a long life,
+filled up with fastidious, perhaps fantastic researches after female
+excellence, has cast in my way. Would not one have thought twas some
+indulgent sylph that directed me? that inspired me with the idea, and
+then seconded the inspiration, by contriving that my arrival should take
+place at the critical instant, when that syren was to be found alone?
+Who could have suspected 'twas but the envious stratagem of some imp of
+darkness and spite, devised purely to expose a poor antiquated soul,
+with all his infirmities, physical and moral, to your contempt and
+antipathy?'
+
+Peering now under her hat, his penetrating eyes discerned so entire a
+change in his favour, that he completely recovered his pleasantry, his
+quaint archness, and his gallantry.
+
+'If betrayed,' he continued, 'by these perfidious elves, where may a
+poor forlorn solitary wight, such as I am, find a counsellor? He has no
+bosom friend, like the happy mortal, whose kindly star has guided him to
+seek, in lively, all-attractive youth, an equal partner for melancholy,
+all revolting age! He has no rising progeny, that, inheritors of his
+interests, naturally share his difficulties. He has nothing at hand but
+mercenary dependents. Nothing at heart but jealous suspicion of others,
+or secret repining for himself! Such, fair censurer! such is the natural
+state of that unnatural character, an old bachelor! How, then, when not
+upon his guard, or, in other words, when not urged by some outward
+object, some passing pleasure, or some fairy hope,--how,--tell me, in
+the candour of your gentle conscience! how can you expect from so
+decrepit and unwilling a hermit, the spontaneous benevolence of youth?'
+
+'But what is it I have said, Sir,' cried Juliet smiling, 'that makes you
+denounce me as a censurer?'
+
+'What is it you have said? ask, rather, what is it you have not said,
+with those eyes that speak with an eloquence that a thousand tongues
+might emulate in vain? They administered to me a lesson so severe,
+because just, that, had not a little pity, which just now beamed from
+them, revived me, the malignant goblins, who delight in drawing me into
+these scrapes, might have paid for their sport by losing their prey! But
+what invidious little devils ensnare me even now, into this
+superannuated folly, of prating about so worn out an old subject, when I
+meant only to name a being bright, blooming, and juvenile--'
+
+The recollection of his nearly complete neglect, the preceding day, in
+presence of Mrs Ireton, and her society, again began to cloud the
+countenance of Juliet, as she listened to compliments thus reserved for
+private delivery. Sir Jaspar soon penetrated into what passed in her
+mind, and, yet again shrugging his shoulders, and resuming the sorrowful
+air of a self-convicted culprit, 'Alas!' he cried, 'under what pitiful
+star did I first begin limping upon this nether sphere? And what foul
+fiend is it, that, taking upon him the name of worldly cunning, has
+fashioned my conduct, since here I have been hopping and hobbling? I
+burned, yesterday, with desire to make public my admiration of the fair
+flower, that I saw nearly trampled under foot; and I should have
+considered as the most propitious moment of my life, that in which I had
+raised its drooping head, by withering, with a blast, all the sickly,
+noxious surrounding weeds: but those little devils, that never leave me
+quiet, kept twitching and tweaking me every instant, with
+representations of prudence and procrastination; with the danger of
+exciting observation; and the better judgement of obtaining a little
+private discourse, previous to any public display.'
+
+Not able to divine to what this might be the intended prelude, Juliet
+was silent. Sir Jaspar, after some hesitation, continued.
+
+'In that motley assembly, you had two antique friends, equally cordial,
+and almost equally admiring and desirous to serve you; but by different
+means,--perhaps with different views! one of them, stimulated by the
+little fairy elves, that alternately enlighten and mislead him, not
+seeing yet his way, and embarrassed in his choice of measures, was lying
+in wait, cautiously to avail himself of the first favourable moment, for
+soliciting your fair leave to dub himself your knight-errant; the
+other, urged solely, perhaps, by good-nature and humanity, with an happy
+absence of mind, that precludes circumspection; coming forward in your
+defence, and for your honour, with unsuspecting, unfearing,
+untemporising zeal. Alas! in my conscience, which these tormenting
+little imps are for ever goading on, to inflict upon me some
+disagreeable compliment, I cannot, all simple as he is, but blush to
+view the intrinsic superiority of the unsophisticated man of nature,
+over the artificial man of the world! How much more truly a male
+character.'
+
+Looking at her then with examining earnestness, 'To which of these
+antediluvian wights,' he continued, 'you will commit the gauntlet, that
+must be flung in your defence, I know not; either of us,--alas!--might
+be your great grandfather! But, helpless old captives as we are in your
+chains, we each feel a most sincere, nay, inordinate desire, to break
+those fetters with which, at this moment, you seem yourself to be
+shackled. And for this I am not wholly without a scheme, though it is
+one that demands a little previous parleying.'
+
+Juliet positively declined his services; but gratefully acknowledged
+those from which she had already, though involuntarily, profited.
+
+'You cannot, surely,' he cried, 'have a predilection for your present
+species of existence? and, least of all, under the galling yoke of this
+spirit-breaking dame, into whose ungentle power I cannot see you fallen
+without losing sleep, appetite, and pleasure. How may I conjure you into
+better hands? How release you from such bondage? And yet, this pale,
+withered, stiff, meagre hag, so odious, so tyrannical, so irascible, but
+a few years,--in my calculation!--but a few years since,--had all the
+enchantment of blithe, blooming loveliness! You, who see her only in her
+decline, can never believe it; but she was eminently fair, gay, and
+charming!'
+
+Juliet looked at him, astonished.
+
+'Her story,' he continued, 'already envelopes the memoirs of a Beauty,
+in her four stages of existence. During childhood, indulged, in every
+wish; admired where she should have been chidden, caressed where she
+should have been corrected; coaxed into pettishness, and spoilt into
+tyranny. In youth, adored, followed, and applauded till, involuntarily,
+rather than vainly, she believed herself a goddess. In maturity,--ah!
+there's the test of sense and temper in the waning beauty!--in maturity,
+shocked and amazed to see herself supplanted by the rising bloomers; to
+find that she might be forgotten, or left out, if not assiduous herself
+to come forward; to be consulted only upon grave and dull matters, out
+of the reach of her knowledge and resources; alternately mortified by
+involuntary negligence, and affronted by reverential respect! Such has
+been her maturity; such, amongst faded beauties, is the maturity of
+thousands. In old age,--if a lady may be ever supposed to suffer the
+little loves and graces to leave her so woefully in the lurch, as to
+permit her to know such a state;--in old age, without stores to amuse,
+or powers to instruct, though with a full persuasion that she is endowed
+with wit, because she cuts, wounds, and slashes from unbridled, though
+pent-up resentment, at her loss of adorers; and from a certain
+perverseness, rather than quickness of parts, that gifts her with the
+sublime art of ingeniously tormenting; with no consciousness of her own
+infirmities, or patience for those of others; she is dreaded by the gay,
+despised by the wise, pitied by the good, and shunned by all.'
+
+Then, looking at Juliet with a strong expression of surprise, 'What Will
+o'the Wisp,' he cried, 'has misled you into this briery thicket of
+brambles, nettles, and thorns? where you cannot open your mouth but you
+must be scratched; nor your ears, but you must be wounded; nor stir a
+word but you must be pricked and worried? How is it that, with the most
+elegant ideas, the most just perceptions upon every subject that
+presents itself, you have a taste so whimsical?'
+
+'A taste? Can you, then, Sir, believe a fate like mine to have any
+connexion with choice?'
+
+'What would you have me believe, fair Ænigma? Tell me, and I will
+fashion my credulity to your commands. But I only hear of you with Mrs
+Maple; I only see you with Mrs Ireton! Mrs Maple, having weaker parts,
+may have less power, scientifically, to torment than Mrs Ireton; but
+nature has been as active in personifying ill will with the one, as art
+in embellishing spite with the other. They are equally egotists, equally
+wrapt up in themselves, and convinced that self alone is worth living
+for in this nether world. What a fate! To pass from Maple to Ireton, was
+to fall from Scylla to Charybdis!'
+
+The blush of Juliet manifested extreme confusion, to see herself
+represented, even though it might be in sport, as a professional
+parasite. Reading, with concern, in her countenance, the pain which he
+had caused her, he exclaimed, 'Sweet witch! loveliest syren!--let me
+hasten to develope a project, inspired, I must hope, by my better
+genius! Tell me but, frankly, who and what you are, and then--'
+
+Juliet shook her head.
+
+'Nay, nay, should your origin be the most obscure, I shall but think
+you more nearly allied to the gods! Jupiter, Apollo, and such like
+personages, delighted in a secret progeny. If, on the contrary, in
+sparkling correspondence with your eyes, it is brilliant, but has been
+clouded by fortune, how ravished shall I be to twirl round the wheels of
+that capricious deity, till they reach those dulcet regions, where
+beauty and merit are in harmony with wealth and ease! Tell me, then,
+what country first saw you bloom; what family originally reared you; by
+what name you made your first entrance into the world;--and I will turn
+your champion against all the spirits of the air, all the fiends of the
+earth, and all the monsters of the "vast abyss!" Leave, then, to such as
+need those goaders, the magnetism of mystery and wonder, and trust,
+openly and securely, to the charm of youth, the fascination of
+intelligence, the enchantment of grace, and the witchery of beauty!'
+
+Juliet was still silent.
+
+'I see you take me for a vain, curious old caitiff, peeping, peering and
+prying into business in which I have no concern. Charges such as these
+are ill cleared by professions; let me plead, therefore, by facts.
+Should there be a person,--young, rich, _à la mode_, and not ugly; whose
+expectations are splendid, who moves in the sphere of high life, who
+could terminate your difficulties with honour, by casting at your feet
+that vile dross, which, in fairy hands, such as yours, may be transmuted
+into benevolence, generosity, humanity,--if such a person there should
+be, who in return for these grosser and more substantial services,
+should need the gentler and more refined ones of soft society, mild
+hints, guidance unseen, admonition unpronounced;--would you, and could
+you, in such a case, condescend to reciprocate advantages, and their
+reverse? Would you,--and could you,--if snatched from unmerited
+embarrassments, to partake of luxuries which your acceptance would
+honour, bear with a little coxcomical nonsense, and with a larger
+portion, still, of unmeaning perverseness, and malicious nothingness? I
+need not, I think, say, that the happy mortal whom I wish to see thus
+charmed and thus formed, is my nephew Ireton.'
+
+Uncertain whether he meant to mock or to elevate her, Juliet simply
+answered, that she had long, though without knowing why, found Mr Ireton
+her enemy; but had never forseen that an ill will as unaccountable as it
+was unprovoked, would have extended so far, and so wide, as to spread
+all around her the influence of irony and derision.
+
+'Hold, hold! fair infidel,'--cried Sir Jaspar, 'unless you mean to give
+me a fit of the gout.'
+
+He then solemnly assured her, that he was so persuaded that her
+excellent understanding, and uncommon intelligence, united, in rare
+junction, with such youth and beauty, would make her a treasure to a
+rich and idle young man, whose character, fluctuating between good and
+bad, or rather between something and nothing, was yet unformed; that, if
+she would candidly acknowledge her real name, story, and situation, he
+should merely have to utter a mysterious injunction to Ireton, that he
+must see her no more, in order to bring him to her feet. 'He acts but a
+part,' continued the Baronet, 'in judging you ill. He piques himself
+upon being a man of the world, which, he persuades himself, he manifests
+to all observers, by a hardy, however vague spirit of detraction and
+censoriousness; deeming, like all those whose natures have not a
+kindlier bent, suspicion to be sagacity.'
+
+Juliet was entertained by this singular plan, yet frankly acknowledged,
+after repeating her thanks, that it offered her not temptation; and
+continued immoveable, to either address or persuasion, for any sort of
+personal communication.
+
+A pause of some minutes ensued, during which Sir Jaspar seemed
+deliberating how next to proceed. He then said, 'You are decided not to
+hear of my nephew? He is not, I confess, deserving you; but who is?
+Yet,--a situation such as this,--a companion such as Mrs Ireton,--any
+change must surely be preferable to a fixture of such a sort? What,
+then, must be done? Where youth, youth itself, even when joined to
+figure and to riches, is rejected, how may it be hoped that age,--age
+and infirmity!--even though joined with all that is gentlest in
+kindness, all that is most disinterested in devotion, may be rendered
+more acceptable?'
+
+Confused, and perplexed how to understand him, Juliet was rising, under
+pretence of following Bijou; but Sir Jaspar, fastening her gown to the
+grass by his two crutches, laughingly said, 'Which will you resist most
+stoutly? your own cruelty, or the kindness of my little fairy friends?
+who, at this moment, with a thousand active gambols, are pinning,
+gluing, plaistering, in sylphick mosaic-work, your robe between the
+ground and my sticks; so that you cannot tear it away without leaving
+me, at least, some little memorial that I have had the happiness of
+seeing you!'
+
+Forced either to struggle or to remain in her place, she sat still, and
+he continued.
+
+'Don't be alarmed, for I shall certainly not offend you. Listen, then,
+with indulgence, to what I am tempted to propose, and, whether I am
+impelled by my evil genius, or inspired by my guardian angel--'
+
+Juliet earnestly entreated him to spare her any proposition whatever;
+but vainly; and he was beginning, with a fervour almost devout, an
+address to all the sylphs, elves, and aeriel beings of his fanciful
+idolatry, when a sudden barking from Bijou making him look round, he
+perceived that Mrs Ireton, advancing on tiptoe, was creeping behind his
+garden-chair.
+
+Confounded by an apparition so unwished, he leant upon his crutches,
+gasping and oppressed for breath; while Juliet, to avoid the attack of
+which the malevolence of Mrs Ireton's look was the sure precursor, would
+have retreated, had not her gown been so entangled in the crutches of
+Sir Jaspar, that she could not rise without leaving him the fragment
+that he had coveted. In vain she appealed with her eyes for release; his
+consternation was such, that he saw only, what least he wished to see,
+the scowling brow of Mrs Ireton; who, to his active imagination,
+appeared to be Megara herself, just mounted from the lower regions.
+
+'Well! this is really charming! Quite edifying, I protest!' burst forth
+Mrs Ireton, when she found that she was discovered. 'This is a sort of
+intercourse I should never have divined! You'll pardon my want of
+discernment! I know I am quite behind hand in observation and remark;
+but I hope, in time, and with so much good instruction, I may become
+more sagacious. I am glad, however, to see that I don't disturb you Miss
+Ellis! Extremely glad to find that you treat your place so amiably
+without ceremony. I am quite enchanted to be upon terms so familiar and
+agreeable with you. I may sit down myself, I suppose, upon the grass,
+meanwhile! 'Twill be really very rural! very rural and pretty!'
+
+Juliet now could no longer conceal her confined situation, for, pinioned
+to her place, she was compelled to petition the Baronet to set her at
+liberty.
+
+The real astonishment of Mrs Ireton, upon discovering the cause and
+means of her detention, was far less amusing to herself, than that which
+she had affected, while concluding her presumptuous _protegée_ to be a
+voluntary intruder upon the time, and encroacher upon the politeness of
+the Baronet. Her eyes now opened, with alarm, to a confusion so unusual
+in her severe and authoritative brother-in-law; whom she was accustomed
+to view awing others, not himself awed. Suggestions of the most
+unpleasant nature occurred to her suspicious mind; and she stood as if
+thunderstruck in her turn, in silent suspension how to act, or what next
+to say; till Selina came running forward, to announce that all the
+company was gone to look at the Roman Catholic chapel; and to enquire
+whether Mrs Ireton did not mean to make it a visit.
+
+If Sir Jaspar, Mrs Ireton hesitatingly answered, would join the party,
+she would attend him with pleasure.
+
+Sir Jaspar heard not this invitation. In his haste to give Juliet her
+freedom, his feeble hands, disobedient to his will, and unable to second
+the alacrity of his wishes, struck his crutches through her gown; and
+they were now both, and in equal confusion, employed in disentangling
+it; and ashamed to look up, or to speak.
+
+Selina, perceiving their position, with the unmeaning glee of a childish
+love of communication, ran, tittering, away, to tell it to Miss
+Brinville; who, saying that there was nothing worth seeing in the Roman
+Catholic chapel, was sauntering after Mrs Ireton, in hopes of finding
+entertainment more congenial to her mind.
+
+The sight of this lady restored to Mrs Ireton the scoffing powers which
+amazement, mingled with alarm, had momentarily chilled; and, as Miss
+Brinville peeringly approached, to verify the whisper of Selina,
+exclaiming, 'Dear! what makes poor Sir Jaspar stoop so?' his loving
+sister-in-law answered, 'Sir Jaspar, Miss Brinville? What can Sir Jaspar
+do? I beg pardon for the question, but what can a gentleman do, when a
+young woman happens to take a fancy to place herself so near him, that
+he can't turn round without incommoding her? Not that I mean to blame
+Miss Ellis. I hope I know better. I hope I shall never be guilty of such
+injustice; for how can Miss Ellis help it? What could she do? Where
+could she turn herself in so confined a place as this? in so narrow a
+piece of ground? How could she possibly find any other spot for repose?'
+
+A contemptuous smile at Juliet from Miss Brinville, shewed that lady's
+approbation of this witty sally; and the junction of Mrs Maple, whose
+participation in this kind of enjoyment was known to be lively and
+sincere, exalted still more highly the spirit of poignant sarcasm in Mrs
+Ireton; who, with smiles of ineffable self-complacency, went on, 'There
+are people, indeed,--I am afraid,--I don't know, but I am afraid
+so,--there are people who may have the ill nature to think, that the
+charge of walking out a little delicate animal in the grounds, did not
+imply an absolute injunction to recline, with lounging elegance, upon an
+easy chair. There are people, I say, who may have so little
+intelligence as to be of that way of thinking. 'Tis being abominably
+stupid, I own, but there's no enlightening vulgar minds! There is no
+making them see the merit of quitting an animal for a gentleman;
+especially for a gentleman in such penury; who has no means to
+recompense any attentions with which he may be indulged.'
+
+Juliet, more offended, now, even than confused, would willingly have
+torn her gown to hasten her release; but she was still sore, from the
+taunts of Mrs Ireton, upon a recent similar mischief.
+
+They were presently joined by the Arramedes; and Mrs Ireton, secure of
+new admirers, felt her powers of pleasantry encrease every moment.
+
+'I hope I shall never fail to acknowledge,' she continued, 'how
+supremely I am indebted to those ladies who have had the goodness to
+recommend this young person to me. I can never repay such kindness,
+certainly; that would be vastly beyond my poor abilities; for she has
+the generosity to take an attachment to all that belongs to me! It was
+only this morning that she had the goodness to hold a private conference
+with my son. Nobody could tell where to find him. He seemed to have
+disappeared from the whole house. But no! he had only, as Mr Loddard
+afterwards informed me, stept into the Temple, with Miss Ellis.'
+
+Sir Jaspar now, surprised and shocked, lifted up his eyes; but their
+quick penetration instantly read innocence in the indignation expressed
+in those of Juliet.
+
+Mrs Ireton, however, saw only her own triumph, in the malicious simpers
+of Miss Brinville, the spiteful sneers of Mrs Maple, and the haughty
+scorn of Lady Arramede.
+
+Charmed, therefore, with her brilliant success, she went on.
+
+'How I may be able to reward kindness so extraordinary, I can't pretend
+to say. I am so stupid, I am quite at a loss what to devize that may be
+adequate to such services; for the attentions bestowed upon my son in
+the morning, I see equally displayed to his uncle at noon. Though there
+is some partiality, I think, too, shewn to Ireton. I won't affirm it;
+but I am rather afraid there is some partiality shewn to Ireton; for
+though the conference has been equally interesting, I make no doubt,
+with Sir Jaspar, it has not had quite so friendly an appearance. The
+open air is very delightful, to be sure; and a beautiful prospect helps
+to enliven one's ideas; but still, there is something in complete
+retirement that seems yet more romantic and amicable. Ireton was so
+impressed with this idea, as I am told; for I don't pretend to speak
+from my own personal knowledge upon subjects of so much importance; but
+I am told,--Mr Loddard informs me, that Ireton was so sensible to the
+advantage of having the honours of an exclusive conference, that he not
+only chose that retired spot, but had the precaution, also, to lock the
+door. I don't mean to assert this! it may be all a mistake, perhaps.
+Miss Ellis can tell best.'
+
+Neither the steadiness of innate dignity, nor the fearlessness of
+conscious innocence, could preserve Juliet from a sensation of horrour,
+at a charge which she could not deny, though its implications were false
+and even atrocious. She saw, too, that, at the words 'lock the door,'
+Sir Jaspar again raised his investigating eyes, in which there was
+visibly a look of disturbance. She would not, however, deign to make a
+vindication, lest she should seem to acknowledge it possible that she
+might be thought culpable; but, being now disengaged, she silently, and
+uncontrollably hurt, walked away.
+
+'And pray, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, 'if the question is not too
+impertinent, don't you see Mr Loddard coming? And who is to take care of
+Bijou? And where is his basket? And I don't see his cushion?'
+
+Juliet turned round to answer, 'I will send them Madam, immediately.'
+
+'Amazing condescension!' exclaimed Mrs Ireton, in a rage that she no
+longer aimed at disguising: 'I shall never be able to shew my sense of
+such affability! Never! I am vastly too obtuse, vastly too obtuse and
+impenetrable to find any adequate means of expressing my gratitude.
+However, since you really intend me the astonishing favour of sending
+one of my people upon your own errand, permit me to entreat,--if it is
+not too great a liberty to take with a person of your unspeakable
+rank,--permit me to entreat that you will make use of the same vehicle
+for conveying to me your account; for you are vastly too fine a lady for
+a person so ordinary as I am to keep under her roof. I have no such
+ambition, I assure you; not an intention of the kind. So pray let me
+know what retribution I am to make for your trouble. You have taken vast
+pains, I imagine, to serve me and please me. I imagine so! I must be
+prodigiously your debtor, I make no doubt!'
+
+'What an excess of impertinence!' cried Lady Arramede.
+
+'She'll never know her place,' said Mrs Maple: ''tis quite in vain to
+try to serve such a body.'
+
+'I never saw such airs in my life!' exclaimed Miss Brinville.
+
+Juliet could endure no more. The most urgent distress seemed light and
+immaterial, when balanced against submission to treatment so injurious.
+She walked, therefore, straight forward to the castle, for shelter,
+immediate shelter, from this insupportable attack; disengaging herself
+from the spoilt little boy, who strove, nay cried to drag her back;
+forcing away from her the snarling cur, who would have followed her; and
+decidedly mute to the fresh commands of Mrs Ireton, uttered in tones of
+peremptory, but vain authority.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIX
+
+
+Offended, indignant; escaped, yet without safety; free, yet without
+refuge; Juliet, hurried into the noble mansion, with no view but to find
+an immediate hiding-place, where, unseen, she might allow some vent to
+her wounded feelings, and, unmarked, remain till the haughty party
+should be gone, and she could seek some humble conveyance for her own
+return.
+
+Concluding her in haste for some commission of Mrs Ireton's, the
+servants let her pass nearly unobserved; and she soon came to a long
+gallery, hung with genealogical tables of the Arundel family, and with
+various religious reliques, and historical curiosities.
+
+Believing herself alone, and in a place of which the stillness suited
+her desire of solitude and concealment, she had already shut the door
+before she saw her mistake. What, then, was her astonishment, what her
+emotion, when she discerned, seated, and examining a part of the
+hangings, at the further end of the gallery, the gentle form of Lady
+Aurora Granville!
+
+Sudden transport, though mingled with a thousand apprehensions,
+instantly converted every dread that could depress into every hope that
+could revive her. A start evinced that she was seen. She endeavoured to
+courtesy, and would have advanced; but, the first moment over, fear,
+uncertainty, and conflicting doubts took place of its joy, and robbed
+her of force. Her dimmed eyes perceived not the smiling pleasure with
+which Lady Aurora had risen at her approach; her breast heaved quick;
+her heart swelled almost to suffocation; and, wholly disordered, she
+leaned against a window-frame cut in the immensely thick walls of the
+castle.
+
+Lady Aurora now ran fleetly forward, exclaiming, in a voice of which the
+tender melody spoke the softness of her soul, 'Miss Ellis! My dear Miss
+Ellis! have I, indeed, the happiness to meet with you again? O! if you
+could know how I have desired, have pined for it!--But,--are you ill?!
+You cannot be angry? Miss Ellis! sweet Miss Ellis! Can you ever have
+believed that it has been my fault that I have appeared so unkind, so
+hard, so cruel?'
+
+With a fulness of joy that, in conquering doubt, overpowered timidity,
+Juliet now, with rapturous tears, and resistless tenderness, flung
+herself upon the neck of Lady Aurora, whom she encircled with her arms,
+and strained fondly to her bosom.
+
+But the same vent that gave relief to internal oppression brought her to
+a sense of external impropriety: she felt that it was rather her part to
+receive than to bestow such marks of affection. She drew back; and her
+cheeks were suffused with the most vivid scarlet, when she observed the
+deep colour which dyed those of Lady Aurora at this action; though
+evidently with the blushes of surprise, not of pride.
+
+Ashamed, and hanging her head, Juliet would have attempted some apology;
+but Lady Aurora, warmly returning her embrace, cried, 'How happy, and
+how singular a chance that we should have fixed upon this day for
+visiting Arundelcastle! We have been making a tour to the Isle of Wight
+and to Portsmouth; and we did not intend to go to Brighthelmstone; so
+that I had no hope, none upon earth, of such a felicity as that of
+seeing my dear Miss Ellis. I need not, I think, say it was not I who
+formed our plan, when I own that we had no design to visit
+Brighthelmstone, though I knew, from Lady Barbara Frankland, that Miss
+Ellis was there?'
+
+'Alas! I fear,' answered Juliet, 'the design was to avoid
+Brighthelmstone! and to avoid it lest a blessing such as I now
+experience should fall to my lot! Ah, Lady Aurora! by the pleasure,--the
+transport, rather, with which your sudden sight has made me appear to
+forget myself, judge my anguish, my desolation, to be banished from your
+society, and banished as a criminal!'
+
+Lady Aurora shuddered and hid her face. 'O Miss Ellis!' she cried, 'what
+a word! never may I hear it,--so applied,--again, lest it should
+alienate me from those I ought to respect and esteem! and you so good,
+so excellent, would be sorry to see me estrange myself, even though it
+were for your own sake, from those to whom I owe gratitude and
+attachment. I must try to shew my admiration of Miss Ellis in a manner
+that Miss Ellis herself will not condemn. And will not that be by
+speaking to her without any disguise? And will she not have the goodness
+to encourage me to do it? For the world I would not take a liberty with
+her;--for the universe I would not hurt her!--but if it were possible
+she could condescend to give, ... however slightly, however imperfectly,
+some little explanation to ... to ... Mrs Howel....'
+
+Juliet here, with a strong expression of horrour, interrupted her: 'Mrs
+Howel?--O no! I cannot speak with Mrs Howel!--I had nearly said I can
+see Mrs Howel no more! But happier days would soon subdue resentment.
+And, indeed, what I feel even now, may more justly be called terrour.
+Appearances have so cruelly misrepresented me, that I have no right to
+be indignant, nor even surprised that they should give rise to false
+judgments. I have no right to expect,--in a second instance,--unknown,
+friendless, lonely as I am! a trusting angel! a Lady Aurora!'
+
+The tears of Lady Aurora now flowed as fast as her own. 'If I have been
+so fortunate,' she cried, 'as to inspire such sweet kindness in so noble
+a mind, even in the midst of its unhappiness, I shall always prize it as
+the greatest of honours, and try to use it so as to make me become
+better; that you may never wound me by retracting it, nor be wounded
+yourself by being ashamed of your partiality.'
+
+With difficulty Juliet now forbore casting herself at the feet of Lady
+Aurora, the hem of whose garment she would have kissed with extacy, had
+not her own pecuniary distresses, and the rank of her young friend, made
+her recoil from what might have the semblance of flattery. She attempted
+not to speak; conscious of the inadequacy of all that she could utter
+for expressing what she felt, she left to the silent eloquence of her
+streaming, yet transport-glittering eyes, the happy task of
+demonstrating her gratitude and delight.
+
+With calmer, though extreme pleasure, Lady Aurora perceived the
+impression which she had made. 'See,' she cried, again embracing her;
+'see whether I trust in your kindness, when I venture, once more, to
+renew my earnest request, my entreaty, my petition--'
+
+'O! Lady Aurora! Who can resist you? Not I! I am vanquished! I will tell
+you all! I will unbosom myself to you entirely!'
+
+'No, my Miss Ellis, no! not to me! I will not even hear you! Have I not
+said so? And what should make me change? All I have been told by Lady
+Barbara Frankland of your exertions, has but increased my admiration;
+all she has written of your sufferings, your disappointments, and the
+patient courage with which you have borne them, has but more endeared
+you to my heart. No explanation can make you fairer, clearer, more
+perfect in my eyes. I take, indeed, the deepest interest in your
+welfare; but it is an interest that makes me proud to wait, not curious
+to hear; proud, my Miss Ellis, to shew my confidence, my trust in your
+excellencies! If, therefore, you will have the goodness to speak, it
+must be to others, not to me! I should blush to be of the number of
+those who want documents, certificates, to love and honour you!'
+
+Again Juliet was speechless; again all words seemed poor, heartless,
+unworthy to describe the sensibility of her soul, at this touching proof
+of a tenderness so consonant to her wishes, yet so far surpassing her
+dearest expectations. She hung over her ingenuous young friend; she
+sighed, she even sobbed with unutterable delight; while tears of rapture
+rolled down her glowing cheeks, and while her eyes were lustrous with a
+radiance of felicity that no tears could dim.
+
+Charmed, and encouraged, Lady Aurora continued: 'To those, then, who
+have not had the happiness to see you so justly; who dwell only upon the
+singularity of your being so ... alone, and so ... young,--O how often
+have I told them that I was sure you as little knew as merited their
+evil constructions! How often have I wished to write to you! how certain
+have I felt that all your motives to concealment, even the most
+respectable, would yield to so urgent a necessity, as that of clearing
+away every injurious surmise! Speak, therefore, my Miss Ellis, though
+not to me! even from them, when you have trusted them, I will hear
+nothing till the time of your secresy is over; that I may give them an
+example of the discretion they must observe with others. Yet speak! have
+the goodness to speak, that every body,--my uncle Denmeath himself,--and
+even Mrs Howel,--may acknowledge and respect your excellencies and your
+virtues as I do! And then, my Miss Ellis, who shall prevent,--who will
+even desire to prevent my shewing to the whole world my sense of your
+worth, and my pride in your friendship?'
+
+The struggles that now heaved the breast of Juliet were nearly too
+potent for her strength. She gasped for breath; she held her hand to her
+heart; and when, at length, the kind caresses and gentle pleadings of
+Lady Aurora, brought back her speech, she painfully pronounced, 'Shall I
+repay goodness so exquisite, by filling with regret the sweet mind that
+intends me only honour and consolation? Must the charm of such
+unexpected kindness, even while it penetrates my heart with almost
+piercing delight, entail, from its resistless persuasion, a misery upon
+the rest of my days, that may render them a burthen from which I may
+hourly sigh,--nay pray, to be delivered?'
+
+Seized with horrour and astonishment, Lady Aurora exclaimed, 'Oh heaven,
+no! I must be a monster if I would not rather die, immediately die, than
+cause you any evil! Miss Ellis, my dear Miss Ellis! forget I have made
+such a request, and forgive my indiscretion! With all your misfortunes,
+Miss Ellis, all your so undeserved griefs, you are quite a stranger to
+sorrow, compared to that which I should experience, if, through me,
+through my means, you should be exposed to any fresh injury!'
+
+'Angelic goodness!' cried Juliet, deeply affected: 'I blush, I blush to
+hear you without casting myself entirely into your power, without making
+you immediate arbitress of my fate! Yet,--since you demand not my
+confidence for your own satisfaction,--can I know that to spread it
+beyond yourself,--your generous self!--might involve me in instantaneous
+earthly destruction, and, voluntarily, suffer your very benevolence to
+become its instrument? With regard to Lord Denmeath,--to your uncle,--I
+must say nothing; but with regard to Mrs Howel,--let me conjure your
+ladyship to consent to my utterly avoiding her, that I may escape the
+dreadful accusations and reproaches that my cruel situation forbids me
+to repel. I have no words to paint the terrible impression she has left
+upon my mind. All that I have borne from others is short of what I have
+suffered from that lady! The debasing suspicions of Mrs Maple, the
+taunting tyranny of Mrs Ireton, though they make me blush to owe,--or
+rather, to earn from them the subsistence without which I know not how
+to exist; have yet never smote so rudely and so acutely to my inmost
+heart, as the attack I endured from Mrs Howel! They rob me, indeed, of
+comfort, of rest, and of liberty--but they do not sever me from Lady
+Aurora!'
+
+'Alas, my Miss Ellis! and have I, too, joined in the general persecution
+against such afflicted innocence? I feel myself the most unpardonable of
+all not to have acquiesced, without one ungenerous question, or even
+conjecture; in full reliance upon the right and the necessity of your
+silence. I ought to have forseen that if it were not improper you should
+comply, your own noble way of thinking would have made all entreaty as
+useless as it has been impertinent. Yet when prejudice alone parts us,
+how could I help trying to overcome it? And even my brother, though he
+would forfeit, I believe, his life in your defence; and though he says
+he is sure you are all purity and virtue; and though he thinks that
+there is nothing upon earth that can be compared with you;--even he has
+been brought to agree to the cruel resolution, that I should defer
+knitting myself closer to my Miss Ellis, till she is able to have the
+goodness to let us know--'
+
+She stopt, alarmed, for the cheeks of Juliet were suddenly dyed with the
+deepest crimson; though the transient tint faded away as she pronounced,
+
+'Lord Melbury!--even Lord Melbury!--' and they became Pale as death,
+while, in a faint voice, and with stifled emotion, she added, 'He is
+right! He acts as a brother; and as a brother to a sister whom he can
+never sufficiently appreciate.--And yet, the more I esteem his
+circumspection, the more deeply I must be wounded that calumny,--that
+mystery,--that dire circumstance, should make me seem dangerous, where,
+otherwise--'
+
+Unable longer to constrain her feelings, she sunk upon a seat and wept.
+
+'O Miss Ellis? What have I done?' cried Lady Aurora. 'How have I been so
+barbarous, so inconsiderate, so unwise? If my poor brother had caused
+you this pain, how should I have blamed him? And how grievously would he
+have repented! How severely, then, ought I to be reproached! I who have
+done it myself, without his generous precipitancy of temper to palliate
+such want of reflection!--'
+
+The sudden entrance of Selina here interrupted the conversation. She
+came tripping forward, to acquaint Lady Aurora that the party had just
+discerned a magnificent vessel; and that every body said if her ladyship
+did not come directly, it would be sailed away.
+
+At sight of Juliet, she ran to embrace her, with the warmest expressions
+of friendship; unchecked by a coldness which she did not observe, though
+now, from the dissatisfaction excited by so unseasonable an intrusion,
+it was far more marked, than while it had been under the qualifying
+influence of contempt.
+
+But when she found that neither caresses, nor kind words, could make her
+share with Lady Aurora, even for a moment, the attention of Juliet, she
+became a little confused; and, drawing her apart, asked what was the
+matter? consciously, without waiting for any answer, running into a
+string of simple apologies, for not speaking to her in public; which she
+should always, she said, do with the greatest pleasure; for she thought
+her the most agreeable person in the whole-world; if it were not, that,
+nobody knowing her, it would look so odd.
+
+All answer, save a smile half disdainful, half pitying, was precluded by
+the appearance of the Arramedes, Mrs Ireton, and Miss Brinville; who
+announced to Lady Aurora that the ship was already out of sight.
+
+Upon perceiving Juliet, they were nearly as much embarrassed as herself;
+for though she instantly retreated, it was evident that she had been
+sitting by the side of Lady Aurora, in close and amicable conference.
+
+An awkward general silence ensued, when Juliet, hearing other steps, was
+moving off; but Lady Aurora, following, and holding out her hand,
+affectionately said, 'Are you going, Miss Ellis? Must you go? And will
+you not bid me adieu?'
+
+Touched to the soul at this public mark of kindness, Juliet was
+gratefully returning, when the voice of Lord Melbury spoke his near
+approach. Trembling and changing colour, her folded hands demanded
+excuse of Lady Aurora for a precipitate yet reluctant flight; but she
+had still found neither time nor means to escape, when Lord Melbury, who
+was playing with young Loddard, entered the gallery, saying, 'Aurora,
+your genealogical studies have lost you a most beautiful sea-view.'
+
+The boy, spying Juliet, whom he was more than ever eager to join when he
+saw that she strove to avoid notice; darted from his lordship, calling
+out, 'Ellis! Ellis! look! look! here's Ellis!'
+
+Lord Melbury, with an air of the most animated surprize and delight,
+darted forward also, exclaiming, 'Miss Ellis! How unexpected a pleasure!
+The moment I saw Mrs Ireton I had some hope I might see, also, Miss
+Ellis--but I had already given it up as delusory.'
+
+Again the fallen countenance of Juliet brightened into sparkling beauty.
+The idea that even Lord Melbury had been infected by the opinions which
+had been circulated to her disadvantage, had wounded, had stung her to
+the quick: but to find that, notwithstanding he had been prevailed upon
+to acquiesce that his sister, while so much mystery remained, should
+keep personally aloof, his own sentiments of esteem remained unshaken;
+and to find it by so open, and so prompt a testimony of respect and
+regard, displayed before the very witnesses who had sought to destroy,
+or invalidate, every impression that might be made in her favour, was a
+relief the most exquisitely welcome to her disturbed and fearful mind.
+
+Eager and rapid enquiries concerning her health, uttered with the ardour
+of juvenile vivacity, succeeded this first address. The party standing
+by, looked astonished, even abashed; while the face of Lady Aurora
+recovered its wonted expression of sweet serenity.
+
+Mrs Ireton, now, was seized with a desire the most violent, to repossess
+a _protegée_ whose history and situation seemed daily to grow more
+wonderful. With a courtesy, therefore, as foreign from her usual
+manners, as from her real feelings, she said, 'Miss Ellis, I am sure,
+will have the goodness to help me home with my two little companions? I
+am sure of that. She could not be so unkind as to leave the poor little
+things in the lurch?'
+
+Indignant as Juliet had felt at the treatment which she had received,
+resentment at this moment found no place in her mind; she was beginning,
+therefore, a civil, however decided excuse; when Mrs Ireton, suspicious
+of her purpose, flung herself languishingly upon a seat, and complained
+that she was seized with such an immoderate pain in her side, that, if
+somebody would not take care of the two _little souls_, she should
+arrive at Brighthelmstone a corpse.
+
+The Arramedes, Miss Brinville, and Selina, all declared that it was
+impossible to refuse so essential a service to a health so delicate.
+
+The fear, now, of a second public scene, with the dread lest Lord
+Melbury might be excited to speak or act in her favour, forced the
+judgment of Juliet to conquer her inclination, in leading her to defer
+the so often given dismission till her return to Brighthelmstone; she
+acceded, therefore, though with cruel unwillingness, to what was
+required.
+
+Mrs Ireton instantly recovered; and with the more alacrity, from
+observing that Lady Barbara Frankland joined the group, at this moment
+of victory.
+
+'Take the trouble, then, if you please, Ma'am,' she replied, in her
+usual tone of irony; 'if it will not be too great a condescension, take
+the trouble to carry Bijou to the coach. And bid Simon keep him safe
+while you come back,--if it is not asking quite too great a favour,--for
+Mr Loddard. And pray bring my wrapping cloak with you, Ma'am. You'll be
+so good, I hope, as to excuse all these liberties? I hope so, at least!
+I flatter myself you'll excuse them. And, if the cloak should be heavy,
+I dare say Simon will give you his arm. Simon is a man of gallantry, I
+make no doubt. Not that I pretend to know; but I take it for granted he
+is a man of gallantry.'
+
+Juliet looked down, repentant to have placed herself, even for another
+moment, in a power so merciless. Lord Melbury and Lady Aurora, each hurt
+and indignant, advanced, uttering kind speeches: while Lady Barbara,
+still younger and more unguarded, seizing the little dog, exclaimed 'No,
+I'll carry Bijou myself, Mrs Ireton. Poor Miss Ellis looks so tired!
+I'll take care of him all the way to Brighthelmstone myself. Dear,
+pretty little creature!' Then, skipping behind Lady Aurora, 'Nasty
+whelp!' she whispered, 'how I'll pinch him for being such a plague to
+that sweet Miss Ellis! Perhaps that will mend him!'
+
+The satisfaction of Lady Aurora at this trait glistened in her soft
+eyes; while Lord Melbury, enchanted, caught the hand of the spirited
+little lady, and pressed it to his lips; though, ashamed of his own
+vivacity, he let it go before she had time to withdraw it. She coloured
+deeply, but visibly with no unpleasant sensation; and, grasping the
+little dog, hid her blushes, by uttering a precipitate farewell upon the
+bosom of Lady Aurora; who smilingly, though tenderly, kissed her
+forehead.
+
+An idea that teemed with joy and happiness rose high in the breast of
+Juliet, as she looked from Lord Melbury to Lady Barbara. Ah! there,
+indeed, she thought, felicity might find a residence! there, in the rare
+union of equal worth, equal attractions, sympathising feelings, and
+similar condition!
+
+'And I, too,' cried Lord Melbury, 'must have the honour to make myself
+of some use; if Mrs Ireton, therefore, will trust Mr Loddard to my care,
+I will convey him safely to Brighthelmstone, and overtake my sister in
+the evening. And by this means we shall lighten the fatigue of Mrs
+Ireton, without increasing that of Miss Ellis.'
+
+He then took the little boy in his arms; playfully dancing him before
+the little dog in those of Lady Barbara.
+
+The heart of Juliet panted to give utterance to the warm
+acknowledgements with which it was fondly beating; but mingled fear and
+discretion forced her to silence.
+
+All the evil tendencies of malice, envy, and ill will, pent up in the
+breast of Mrs Ireton, now struggled irresistibly for vent; yet to insist
+that Juliet should take change of Mr Loddard, for whom Lord Melbury had
+offered his services; or even to force upon her the care of the little
+dog, since Lady Barbara had proposed carrying him herself, appeared no
+longer to exhibit dependency: Mrs Ireton, therefore, found it expedient
+to be again taken ill; and, after a little fretful moaning, 'I feel
+quite shaken,' she cried, 'quite in a tremour. My feet are absolutely
+numbed. Do get me my furred clogs, Miss Ellis; if I may venture to ask
+such a favour. I would not be troublesome, but you will probably find
+them in the carriage. Though perhaps I have left them in the hall. You
+will have the condescension to help the coachman and Simon to make a
+search. And then pray run back, if it won't fatigue you too much, and
+tie them on for me.'
+
+If Juliet now coloured, at least it was not singly; the cheeks of Lady
+Aurora, of Lady Barbara, and of Lord Melbury were equally crimsoned.
+
+'Let me, Mrs Ireton,' eagerly cried Lord Melbury 'have the honour to be
+Miss Ellis's deputy.'
+
+'No, my lord,' said Juliet, with spirit: 'grateful and proud as I should
+feel to be honoured with your lordship's assistance, it must not be in a
+business that does not belong to me. I will deliver the orders to Simon.
+And as Mrs Ireton is now relieved from her anxiety concerning Mr
+Loddard, I beg permission, once more, and finally, to take my leave.'
+
+Gravely then courtsying to Mrs Ireton, and bowing her head with an
+expression of the most touching sensibility to her three young
+supporters, she quitted the gallery.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5), by Fanny Burney
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5), by Fanny Burney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5)
+       or, Female Difficulties
+
+Author: Fanny Burney
+
+Release Date: September 15, 2011 [EBook #37439]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WANDERER (VOLUME 3 OF 5) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<h2>VOLUME III</h2>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p>
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p class="center">
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">CHAPTER XLV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">CHAPTER XLVI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">CHAPTER XLVII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII">CHAPTER XLVIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">CHAPTER XLIX</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_L">CHAPTER L</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LI">CHAPTER LI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LII">CHAPTER LII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">CHAPTER LIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">CHAPTER LIV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LV">CHAPTER LV</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">CHAPTER LVI</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LVII">CHAPTER LVII.</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LVIII">CHAPTER LVIII</a><br />
+<a href="#CHAPTER_LIX">CHAPTER LIX</a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+
+
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI</h2>
+
+
+<p>From the time of this arrangement, the ascendance which Mr Naird
+obtained over the mind of Elinor, by alternate assurances and alarms,
+relative to her chances of living to see Harleigh again, produced a
+quiet that gave time to the drafts, which were administered by the
+physician, to take effect, and she fell into a profound sleep. This, Mr
+Naird said, might last till late the next day; Ellis, therefore,
+promising to be ready upon any summons, returned to her lodging.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Matson, now, endeavoured to make some enquiries relative to the
+public suicide projected, if not accomplished, by Miss Joddrel, which
+was the universal subject of conversation at Brighthelmstone; but when
+she found it vain to hope for any details, she said, 'Such accidents,
+Ma'am, make one really afraid of one's life with persons one knows
+nothing of. Pray, Ma'am, if it is not impertinent, do you still hold to
+your intention of giving up your pretty apartment?'</p>
+
+<p>Ellis answered in the affirmative, desiring, with some surprise, to
+know, whether the question were in consequence of any apprehension of a
+similar event.</p>
+
+<p>'By no means, Ma'am, from you,' she replied; 'you, Miss Ellis, who have
+been so strongly recommended; and protected by so many of our capital
+gentry; but what I mean is this. If you really intend to take a small
+lodging, why should not you have my little room again up stairs?'</p>
+
+<p>'Is it not engaged to the lady I saw here this morning?'</p>
+
+<p>'Why that, Ma'am, is precisely the person I have upon my mind to speak
+about. Why should I let her stay, when she's known to nobody, and is
+very bad pay, if I can have so genteel a young lady as you, Ma'am, that
+ladies in their own coaches come visiting?'</p>
+
+<p>Ellis, recoiling from this preference, uttered words the most benevolent
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span>that she could suggest, of the unknown person who had excited her
+compassion: but Miss Matson gave them no attention. 'When one has
+nothing better to do with one's rooms, Ma'am,' she said, 'it's sometimes
+as well, perhaps, to let them to almost one does not know who, as to
+keep them uninhabited; because living in them airs them; but that's no
+reason for letting them to one's own disadvantage, if can do better. Now
+this person here, Ma'am, besides being poor, which, poor thing, may be
+she can't help; and being a foreigner, which, you know, Ma'am, is no
+great recommendation;&mdash;besides all this, Miss Ellis, she has some very
+suspicious ways with her, which I can't make out at all; she goes abroad
+in a morning, Ma'am, by five of the clock, without giving the least
+account of her haunts. And that, Ma'am, has but an odd look with it!'</p>
+
+<p>'Why so, Miss Matson? If she takes time from her own sleep to enjoy a
+little air and exercise, where can be the blame?'</p>
+
+<p>'Air and exercise, Ma'am? People that have their living to get, and that
+a'n't worth a farthing, have other things to think of than air and
+exercise! She does not, I hope, give herself quite such airs as those!'</p>
+
+<p>Ellis, disgusted, bid her good night; and, filled with pity for a person
+who seemed still more helpless and destitute than herself, resolved to
+see her the next day, and endeavour to offer her some consolation, if
+not assistance.</p>
+
+<p>Before, however, this pleasing project could be put into execution, she
+was again, nearly at day break, awakened by a summons from Selina to
+attend her sister, who, after quietly reposing many hours, had started,
+and demanded Harleigh and Ellis.</p>
+
+<p>Ellis obeyed the call with the utmost expedition, but met the messenger
+returning to her a second time, as she was mounting the street which led
+to the lodging of Mrs Maple, with intelligence that Elinor had almost
+immediately fallen into a new and sound sleep; and that Mr Naird had
+ordered that no one should enter the room, till she again awoke.</p>
+
+<p>Glad of this reprieve, Ellis was turning back, when she perceived, at
+some distance, Miss Matson's new lodger. The opportunity was inviting
+for her purposed offer of aid, and she determined to make some opening
+to an acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>This was not easy; for though the light feet of Ellis might soon have
+overtaken the quick, but staggering steps of the apparently distressed
+person whom she pursued, she observed her to be in a state of
+perturbation that intimidated approach, as much as it awakened concern.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span>Her handkerchief was held to her face; though whether to conceal it, or
+because she was weeping, could not readily be discovered: but her form
+and air penetrated Ellis with a feeling and an interest far beyond
+common curiosity; and she anxiously studied how she might better behold,
+and how address her.</p>
+
+<p>The foreigner went on her way, looking neither to the right nor to the
+left, till she had ascended to the church-yard upon the hill. There
+stopping, she extended her arms, seeming to hail the full view of the
+wide spreading ocean; or rather, Ellis imagined, the idea of her native
+land, which she knew, from that spot, to be its boundary. The beauty of
+the early morning from that height, the expansive view, impressive,
+though calm, of the sea, and the awful solitude of the place, would have
+sufficed to occupy the mind of Ellis, had it not been completely caught
+by the person whom she followed; and who now, in the persuasion of being
+wholly alone, gently murmured, 'Oh ma chère patrie!&mdash;malheureuse,
+coupable,&mdash;mais toujours chère patrie!&mdash;ne te reverrai-je jamais!'<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>
+Her voice thrilled to the very soul of Ellis, who, trembling, suspended,
+and almost breathless, stood watching her motions; fearing to startle
+her by an unexpected approach, and waiting to catch her eye.</p>
+
+<p>But the mourner was evidently without suspicion that any one was in
+sight. Grief is an absorber: it neither seeks nor makes observation;
+except where it is joined with vanity, that always desires remark; or
+with guilt, by which remark is always feared.</p>
+
+<p>Ellis, neither advancing nor receding, saw her next move solemnly
+forward, to bend over a small elevation of earth, encircled by short
+sticks, intersected with rushes. Some of these, which were displaced,
+she carefully arranged, while uttering, in a gentle murmur, which the
+profound stillness of all around alone enabled Ellis to catch, 'Repose
+toi bien, mon ange! mon enfant! le repos qui me fuit, le bonheur que
+j'ai perdu, la tranquilité precieuse de l'ame qui m'abandonne&mdash;que tout
+cela soit à toi, mon ange! mon enfant! Je ne te rappellerai plus ici! Je
+ne te rappellerais plus, même si je le pouvais. Loin de toi ma
+malheureuse destinée! je priai Dieu pour ta conservation quand je te
+possedois encore; quelques cruelles que fussent tes souffrances, et
+toute impuissante que J'etois pour les soulager, je priai Dieu, dans
+l'angoisse de mon ame, pour ta conservation! Tu n'est plus pour moi&mdash;et
+je cesse de te reclamer. Je te vois une ange! Je te vois exempt à<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span>
+jamais de douleur, de crainte, de pauvreté et de regrets; te
+reclamerai-je, donc, pour partager encore mes malheurs? Non! ne reviens
+plus à moi! Que je te retrouve là&mdash;où ta félicité sera la mienne! Mais
+toi, prie pour ta malheureuse mère! que tes innocentes prières
+s'unissent à ses humbles supplications, pour que ta mère, ta pauvre
+mère, puisse se rendre digne de te rejoindre!'<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p>
+
+<p>How long these soft addresses, which seemed to soothe the pious
+petitioner, might have lasted, had she not been disturbed, is uncertain:
+but she was startled by sounds of more tumultuous sorrow; by sobs,
+rather than sighs, that seemed bursting forth from more violent, at
+least, more sudden affliction. She looked round, astonished; and saw
+Ellis leaning over a monument, and bathed in tears.</p>
+
+<p>She arose, and, advancing towards her, said, in an accent of pity,
+'Helas, Madame, vous, aussi, pleurez vous votre enfant?'<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p>
+
+<p>'Ah, mon amie! ma bien! ameè amie!' cried Ellis, wiping her eyes, but
+vainly attempting to repress fresh tears; 't'aì-jè chercheè, t'aì-jè
+attendue, t'aì-jè si ardemment desireè, pour te retrouver ainsi?
+pleurant sur un tombeau? Et toi!&mdash;ne me rappelle tu pas? M'a tu
+oubliee?&mdash;Gabrielle! ma chère Gabrielle!'<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p>
+
+<p>'Juste ciel!' exclaimed the other, 'que vois-je? Ma Julie! ma chère, ma
+tendre amie? Est il bien vrai?&mdash;O! peut il être vrai, qu'il y ait encore
+du bonheur ici bas pour moi?'<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p>
+
+<p>Locked in each other's arms, pressed to each other's bosoms, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> now
+remained many minutes in speechless agony of emotion, from nearly
+overpowering surprise, from gusts of ungovernable, irrepressible sorrow,
+and heart-piercing recollections; though blended with the tenderest
+sympathy of joy.</p>
+
+<p>This touching silent eloquence, these unutterable conflicts between
+transport and pain, were succeeded by a reciprocation of enquiry, so
+earnest, so eager, so ardent, that neither of them seemed to have any
+sensation left of self, from excess of solicitude for the other, till
+Ellis, looking towards the little grave, said, 'Ah! que ce ne soit plus
+question de moi?'<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p>
+
+<p>'Ah, oui, mon amie,' answered Gabriella, 'ton histoire, tes malheurs, ne
+peuvent jamais être aussi terribles, aussi dechirants que les miens! tu
+n'as pas encore eprouvé le bonheur d'être mère&mdash;comment aurois-tu, donc,
+eprouvé, le plus accablant des malheurs? Oh! ce sont des souffrances qui
+n'ont point de nom; des douleurs qui rendent nulles toutes autres, que
+la perte d'un Etre pûr comme un ange, et tout à soi!'<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p>
+
+<p>The fond embraces, and fast flowing tears of Ellis, evinced the keen
+sensibility with which she participated in the sorrows of this afflicted
+mother, whom she strove to draw away from the fatal spot; reiterating
+the most urgent enquiries upon every other subject, to attract her, if
+possible, to yet remaining, to living interests. But these efforts were
+utterly useless. 'Restons, restons où nous sommes!' she cried: 'c'est
+ici que je te parlerai; c'est ici que je t'écôuterai; ici, où je passe
+les seuls momens que j'arrache à la misere, et au travail. Ne crois pas
+que de pleurer est ce qu'il y a le plus à craindre! Oh! qu'il ne
+t'arrive jamais de savoir que de pleurer, même sur le tombeau de tout ce
+qui vous est le plus cher, est un soulagement, un dèlice, auprès du dur
+besoin de travailler, la mort dans le c&oelig;ur, pour vivre, pour exister,
+lorsque la vie a perdu toutes ses charmes!'<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p>
+<p>Seated then upon the monument which was nearest to the little grave,
+Gabriella related the principal events of her life, since the period of
+their separation. These, though frequently extraordinary, sometimes
+perilous, and always touchingly disastrous, she recounted with a
+rapidity almost inconceivable; distinctly, nevertheless, marking the
+several incidents, and the courage with which she had supported them:
+but when, these finished, she entered upon the history of the illness
+that had preceded the death of her little son, her voice tremblingly
+slackened its velocity, and unconsciously lowered its tones; and, far
+from continuing with the same quickness or precision, every circumstance
+was dwelt upon as momentous; every recollection brought forth long and
+endearing details; every misfortune seemed light, put in the scale with
+his loss; every regret seemed concentrated in his tomb!</p>
+
+<p>Six o'clock, and seven, had tolled unheeded, during this afflicting, yet
+soothing recital; but the eighth hour striking, when the tumult of
+sorrow was subsiding into the sadness of grief, the sound caught the ear
+of Gabriella, who, hastily rising, exclaimed, 'Ah, voilà que je suis
+encore susceptible de plaisir, puisque ta société m'a fait oublier les
+tristes et penibles devoirs, qui m'appellent à des tâches qui&mdash;à
+peine&mdash;m'empêchent de mourir de faim!'<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>
+
+<p>At these words, all the fortitude hitherto sustained by Juliet,&mdash;for the
+borrowed name of Ellis will now be dropt,&mdash;utterly forsook her. Torrents
+of tears gushed from her eyes, and lamentations, the bitterest, broke
+from her lips. She could bear, she cried, all but this; all but
+beholding the friend of her heart, the daughter of her benefactress,
+torn from the heights of happiness and splendour; of merited happiness,
+of hereditary splendour; to be plunged into such depths of distress, and
+overpowered with anguish.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! que je te reconnois bien à ce trait!' cried Gabriella, while a
+tender smile tried to force its way through her tears: 'cette ame si
+noble! si inebralable pour elle-même, si douce, si compatissante pour
+tout autre! que de souvenirs chers et touchans ne se presentent, à cet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>
+instant, à mon c&oelig;ur! Ma chère Julie! il est bien vrai, donc, que je
+te vois, que je te retrouve encore! et, en toi, tout ce qú'il y a de
+plus aimable, de plus pûr, et de plus digne! Comment ai-je pû te revoir,
+sans retrouver la felicité? Je me sens presque coupable de pouvoir
+t'embrasser,&mdash;et de pleurer encore!'<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p>
+
+<p>Forcing herself, then, from the fatal but cherished spot, she must
+hasten, she said, to her daily labour, lest night should surprise her,
+without a roof to shelter her head. But Juliet now detained her; clung
+and wept round her neck, and could not even endeavour to resign herself
+to the keen woes, and deplorable situation of her friend. She had come
+over, she said, buoyed up with the exquisite hope of joining the darling
+companion of her earliest youth; of sharing her fate, and of mitigating
+her hardships: but this softening expectation was changed into
+despondence, in discovering her, thus, a prey to unmixt calamity; not
+alone bowed down by the general evils of revolutionary events; punished
+for plans in which she had borne no part, and for crimes of which she
+had not even any knowledge;&mdash;not only driven, without offence, or even
+accusation, from prosperity and honours, to exile, to want, to misery,
+and to labour; but suffering, at the same time, the heaviest of personal
+afflictions, in the immediate loss of a darling child; the victim, in
+all probability, to a melancholy change of life, and to sudden privation
+of customary care and indulgence!</p>
+
+<p>The task of consolation seemed now to devolve upon Gabriella: the
+feelings of Juliet, long checked by prudence, by fortitude, by imperious
+necessity; and kept in dignified but hard command; having once found a
+vent, bounded back to nature and to truth, with a vivacity of keen
+emotion that made them nearly uncontrollable. Nature and truth,&mdash;which
+invariably retain an elastic power, that no struggles can wholly subdue;
+and that always, however curbed, however oppressed,&mdash;lie in wait for
+opportunity to spring back to their rights. Her tears, permitted,
+therefore, at length, to flow, nearly deluged the sad bosom of her
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>'Helas, ma Julie! s&#339;ur de mon ame!' cried Gabriella, 'ne t'abandonne pas
+à la douleur pour moi! mais parles moi, ma tendre amie,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> paries moi de
+ma mère! Où l'a tu quitte? Et comment? Et à quelle epoque?&mdash;La plus
+digne, la plus cherie des mères! Helas! eloignée de nous deux, comment
+saura-t-elle se resigner á tant de malheurs?'<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p>
+
+<p>Juliet uttered the tenderest assurances, that she had left the
+Marchioness well; and had left her by her own injunctions, to join her
+darling daughter; to whom, by a conveyance that had been deemed secure,
+she had previously written the plan of the intended journey; with a
+desire that a few lines of direction, relative to their meeting, under
+cover to L.S., to be left till called for, might be sent to the
+post-offices both of Dover and Brighthelmstone; as it was not possible
+to fix at which spot Juliet might land. The initials L.S. had been fixed
+upon by accident.</p>
+
+<p>Filial anxiety, now, took place of maternal sufferings, and Gabriella
+could only talk of her mother; demanding how she looked, and how she
+supported the long separation, the ruinous sacrifices, and the perpetual
+alarms, to which she must have been condemned since they had parted;
+expressing her own surprise, that she had borne to dwell upon any other
+subject than this, which now was the first interest of her heart; yet
+ceasing to wonder, when she contemplated the fatal spot where her
+meeting with Juliet had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>Each, now, deeply lamented the time and consolation that had been lost,
+from their mutual ignorance of each other's abode. Juliet related her
+fruitless search upon arriving in London; and Gabriella explained, that,
+during three lingering, yet ever regretted months, she had watched over
+her dying boy, without writing a single line; to spare her absent
+friends the knowledge of her suspensive wretchedness. Since the
+irreparable certainty which had followed, she had sent two letters to
+her beloved mother, with her address at Brighthelmstone; but both must
+have miscarried, as she had received no answer. That Juliet had not
+traced her in London was little wonderful, as, to elude the curiosity
+excited by a great name, she had passed, in setting out for
+Brighthelmstone, by a common one. And to that change, joined to one so
+similar on the part of Juliet, it must have been owing that they had
+never heard of each other, though residents of the same place. Juliet,
+nevertheless, was astonished, in defiance of all alteration of attire
+and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> appearance, that she had not instantly recognized the air and form
+of her elegant and high bred Gabriella. But, equally unacquainted with
+her indigence, which was the effect of sundry cruel accidents, and with
+the loss of her child; no expectation was awakened of finding her either
+in so distressed or so solitary a condition. Now, however, Juliet
+continued, that fortunately, though, alas! not happily, they had met,
+they would part no more. Juliet was fully at liberty to go whithersoever
+her friend would lead, the hope of obtaining tidings of that beloved
+friend, having alone kept her stationary thus long at Brighthelmstone;
+where she could now leave the address of Gabriella, at the post-office,
+for their mutual letters: and, as insuperable obstacles impeded her
+writing herself, at present, to the Marchioness, Gabriella might make
+known, in a covert manner, that they were together, and were both safe.</p>
+
+<p>And why, Gabriella demanded, could not Juliet write herself?</p>
+
+<p>'Alas!' Juliet replied, 'I must not even be named!'</p>
+
+<p>'Eh, pour quoi?&mdash;n'a-t-tu pas vu tes parens?&mdash;Peut on te voir sans
+t'aimer? te connoître sans te cherir? Non, ma Julie, non! tu n'a qu'à te
+montrer.'<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p>
+
+<p>Juliet, changing colour, dejectedly, and not without confusion, besought
+her friend, though for reasons that could neither be assigned nor
+surmounted, to dispense, at present, with all personal narration. Yet,
+upon perceiving the anxious surprise occasioned by a request so little
+expected, she dissolved into tears, and offered every communication, in
+preference to causing even transitory pain to her best friend.</p>
+
+<p>'O loin de moi cette exigence!' cried Gabriella, with energy, 'Ne
+sais-je pas bien que ton bon esprit, juste émule de ton excellent
+c&oelig;ur, te fera parler lorsqu'il le faudra? Ne me confierai-je pas à
+toi, dont la seule étude est le bonheur des autres?'<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p>
+
+<p>Juliet, not more penetrated by this kindness, than affected by a facile
+resignation, that shewed the taming effect of misfortune upon the
+natural vivacity of her friend, could answer only by caresses and
+tears.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Eh mon oncle?' continued Gabriella; 'mon tout-aimable et si pieux
+oncle? où est il?'<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p>
+
+<p>'Monseigneur l'Eveque?' cried Juliet, again changing colour; 'Oh oui!
+tout-aimable! sans tâche et sans reproche!&mdash;Il sera bientôt, je crois,
+ici;&mdash;ou j'aurois de ses nouvelles; et alors&mdash;ma destinée me sera
+connue!'<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p>
+
+<p>A deep sigh tried to swallow these last words. Gabriella looked at her,
+for a moment, with re-awakened earnestness, as if repentant of her own
+acquiescence; but the sight of encreasing disturbance in the countenance
+of Juliet, checked her rising impatience; and she quietly said, 'Ah!
+s'il arrive ici!&mdash;si je le revois,&mdash;j'éprouverai encore, au milieu de
+tant de désolation, un mouvement de joie!&mdash;tel que toi, seule, jusqu'à
+ce moment, a su m'en inspirer!'<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p>
+
+<p>Juliet, with fond delight, promised to be governed wholly, in her future
+plans, occupations, and residence, by her beloved friend.</p>
+
+<p>'C'est à Brighthelmstone, donc,' cried Gabriella, returning to the
+little grave; 'c'est ici que nous demeurions! ici, où il me semble que
+je n'ai pas encore tout à fait perdu mon fils!'</p>
+
+<p>Then, tenderly embracing Juliet, 'Ah, mon amie!' she cried, with a smile
+that blended pleasure with agony; 'ah, mon amie! c'est à mon enfant que
+je te dois! c'est en pleurant sur ses restes que je t'ai retrouvée! Ah,
+oui!' passionately bending over the grave; 'c'est à toi, mon ange! mon
+enfant! que je dois mon amie! Ton tombeau, même, me porte bonheur! tes
+cendres veulent me bénir! tes restes, ton ombre veulent du bien à ta
+pauvre mère!'<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p>
+
+<p>With difficulty, now, Juliet drew her away from the fond, fatal spot;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span>
+and slowly, and silently, while clinging to each other with heartfelt
+affection, they returned together to their lodgings.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Elinor, kept in order by a continual expectation of seeing Harleigh,
+ceased to require the presence of Juliet; who, but for the sorrows of
+her friend, would have experienced a felicity to which she had long been
+a stranger, the felicity of being loved because known; esteemed and
+valued because tried and proved. The consideration that is the boon of
+even the most generous benevolence, however it may soothe the heart,
+cannot elevate the spirits: but here, good opinion was reciprocated,
+trust was interchanged, confidence was mutual.</p>
+
+<p>The affliction of Gabriella, though of a more permanent nature, because
+from an irreparable cause, was yet highly susceptible of consolation
+from friendship; and when once the acute emotions, arising from the tale
+of woe which she had had to relate, at the meeting, were abated, the
+charm which the presence of Juliet dispensed, and the renewal of early
+ideas, pristine feelings, and first affections, soon reflected back
+their influence upon her own mind; which gradually strengthened, and
+insensibly revived.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet immediately resigned her large apartment, and fixed herself in
+the small room of Gabriella. There they settled that they would live
+together, work together, share their little profits, and endure their
+failures, in common. There they hoped to recover their peace of mind, if
+not to re-animate their native spirits; and to be restored to the
+harmony of social sympathy, if not to that of happiness.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, it was with difficulty that they learnt to enjoy each other's
+society, upon such terms as their altered condition now exacted; where
+the eye must never be spared from laborious business, to search, or to
+reciprocate a sentiment, in those precious moments of endearing
+converse, which, unconsciously, swell into hours, ere they are missed as
+minutes. Their intercourse was confined to oral language alone.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> The
+lively intelligence, the rapid conception, the arch remark, the cordial
+smile; which give grace to kindness, playfulness to counsel, gentleness
+to raillery, and softness even to reproach; these, the expressive
+sources of delight, and of comprehension, in social commerce, they were
+fain wholly to relinquish; from the hurry of unremitting diligence, and
+undivided attention to manual toil.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, to inhale the same air, and to feel the consoling
+certitude, that they were no longer cast wholly upon pity, or charity,
+for good opinion, were blessings that filled their thoughts with
+gratitude to Providence, and brought back calm and comfort to their
+minds.</p>
+
+<p>Still, at every sun-rise, Gabriella visited the ashes of her little son;
+where she poured forth, in maternal enthusiasm, thanks and benedictions
+upon his departed spirit, that her earliest friend, the chosen sharer of
+her happier days, was restored to her in the hour of her desolation; and
+restored to her There,&mdash;on that fatal, yet adored spot, which contained
+the ever loved, though lifeless remains of her darling boy.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, in this peaceful interval, learnt, from the voluble Selina, all
+that had been gathered from Mrs Golding relative to the seclusion of
+Elinor.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor had travelled post to Portsmouth, whence she had sailed to the
+Isle of Wight. There, meeting with a foreign servant out of place, she
+engaged him in her service, and bid him purchase some clothes of an
+indigent emigrant. She then dressed herself grotesquely yet, as far as
+she could, decently, in man's attire; and, making her maid follow her
+example, returned to the neighbourhood of Brighthelmstone, and took
+lodgings, in the character of a foreigner, who was deaf and dumb, at
+Shoreham; where, uninterruptedly, and unsuspectedly, she resided. Here,
+by means of her new domestic, she obtained constant intelligence of the
+proceedings of Juliet; and she was no sooner informed of the musical
+benefit, in which an air, with an harp-accompaniment, was to be
+performed by Miss Ellis, than she sent her new attendant to the
+assembly-room, to purchase a ticket. Golding, who went thither with the
+lackey, met Harleigh in the street, as he was quitting the lodgings of
+Juliet.</p>
+
+<p>The disguise of the maid saved her from being recognised; but her
+tidings set her mistress on fire. The moment seemed now arrived for the
+long-destined catastrophe; and the few days preceding the benefit, were
+spent in its preparation. Careless of what was thought, Elinor, had
+since, casually, though not confidentially, related, that her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> intention
+had been to mount suddenly into the orchestra, during the performance of
+Juliet; and thence to call upon Harleigh, whom she could not doubt would
+be amongst the audience; and, at the instant of his joining them,
+proclaim to the whole world her immortal passion, and expire between
+them. But the fainting fit of Juliet, and its uncontrollable effect upon
+Harleigh, had been so insupportable to her feelings, as to precipitate
+her design. She acknowledged that she had studied how to die without
+torture, by inflicting a wound by which she might bleed gently to death,
+while indulging herself, to the last moment, in pouring forth to the
+idol of her heart, the fond effusions of her ardent, but exalted
+passion.</p>
+
+<p>The tranquillity of Elinor, built upon false expectations, could not be
+long unshaken: impatience and suspicion soon took its place, and Mr
+Naird was compelled to acknowledge, that Mr Harleigh had set out upon a
+distant tour, without leaving his address, even at his own house; where
+he had merely given orders that his letters should be forwarded to a
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>The rage, grief, and shame of the wretched Elinor, now nearly destroyed,
+in a moment, all the cares and the skill of Mr Naird, and of her
+physician. She impetuously summoned Juliet, to be convinced that she was
+not a party in the elopement; and was only rescued from sinking into
+utter despair, by adroit exhortations from Mr Naird, to yield patiently
+to his ordinances, lest she should yet die without a last view of
+Harleigh. This plea led her, once more, though with equal disgust to
+herself and to the whole world, to submit to every medical direction,
+that might give her sufficient strength to devise means for her ultimate
+project; and to put them into practice.</p>
+
+<p>Mr Naird archly confessed, in private, to Juliet, that the real danger
+or safety of Miss Joddrel, so completely hung upon giving the reins, or
+the curb, to her passions, that she might, without much difficulty, from
+her resolution to die no other death than that of heroic love, in the
+presence of its idol, be spurred on, while awaiting, or pursuing, its
+object, to the verge of a very comfortable old age.</p>
+
+<p>He acknowledged himself, also, secretly entrusted with the abode of Mr
+Harleigh.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor, when somewhat calmed, demanded of Juliet when, and how, her
+meetings with Harleigh had been renewed.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet recounted what had passed; sparing such details as might be
+hurtful, and solemnly protesting that all intercourse was now at an
+end.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>With a view to draw Elinor from this agitating subject, she then
+related, at full length, her meeting, in the church-yard, with the friend
+whom she had so long vainly sought.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time afterwards, feeling herself considerably advanced
+towards a recovery, Elinor, impetuously, again sent for Juliet, to say,
+'What is your plan? Tell it me sincerely! What is it you mean to do?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet answered, that her choice was small, and that her means were
+almost null: but when she lamented the severe <span class="smcap">DIFFICULTIES</span> of a <span class="smcap">FEMALE</span>,
+who, without fortune or protection, had her way to make in the world,
+Elinor, with strong derision, called out, 'Debility and folly! Put aside
+your prejudices, and forget that you are a dawdling woman, to remember
+that you are an active human being, and your <span class="smcap">FEMALE DIFFICULTIES</span> will
+vanish into the vapour of which they are formed. Misery has taught me to
+conquer mine! and I am now as ready to defy the world, as the world can
+be ready to hold me up to ridicule. To make people wise, you must make
+them indifferent; to give them courage, you must make them desperate.
+'Tis then, only, that we throw aside affectation and hypocrisy, and act
+from impulse.'</p>
+
+<p>Laughing, now, though with bitterness, rather than gaiety, 'What does
+the world say,' she cried, 'to find that I still live, after the pompous
+funeral orations, declaimed by myself, upon my death? Does it suspect
+that I found second thoughts best, and that I delayed my execution,
+thinking, like the man in the song,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">That for sure I could die whenever I would,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But that I could live but as long as I could?<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>'Well, ye that laugh, laugh on! for I, when not sick of myself, laugh
+too! But, to escape mockery, we must all be guided one by another; all
+do, and all say, the very same thing. Yet why? Are we alike in our
+thoughts? Are we alike in our faces? No. Happily, however, that
+soporiferous monotony is beginning to get obsolete. The sublimity of
+Revolution has given a greater shake to the minds of men, than to the
+kingdoms of the earth.'</p>
+
+<p>After pausing, then, a few minutes, 'Ellis,' she cried, 'if you are
+really embarrassed, why should you not go upon the stage? You know how
+transcendently you act.'</p>
+
+<p>'That which might seem passable in a private representation,' Juliet
+answered, 'might, at a public theatre&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Pho, pho, you know perfectly well your powers. But you blight them, I
+suppose, yourself, with anathemas, from excommunicating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> scruples? You
+are amongst the cold, the heartless, the ungifted, who, to discredit
+talents, and render them dangerous, leave their exercise to vice, by
+making virtue fear to exert, or even patronize them?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, Madam, indeed,' cried Juliet: 'I admire, most feelingly, the noble
+art of declamation:&mdash;how, then, can I condemn the profession which gives
+to it life and soul? which personifies the most exalted virtues, which
+brings before us the noblest characters, and makes us witnesses to the
+sublimest actions? The stage, well regulated, would be the school of
+juvenile emulation; would soothe sorrow in the unhappy, and afford
+merited relaxation to the laborious. Reformed, indeed, I wish it, and
+purified; but not destroyed.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why, then, do you disdain to wear the buskins?'</p>
+
+<p>'Disdain is by no means the word. Talents are a constant source to me of
+delight; and those who,&mdash;rare, but in existence,&mdash;unite, to their public
+exercise, private virtue and merit, I honour and esteem even more than I
+admire; and every mark I could shew, to such, of consideration,&mdash;were I
+so situated as to bestow, not require protection!&mdash;I should regard as
+reflecting credit not on them, but on myself.'</p>
+
+<p>'Pen and ink!' cried Elinor, impatiently: 'I'll write for you to the
+manager this moment!&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Hold, Madam!' cried Juliet smiling: 'Much as I am enchanted with the
+art, I am not going to profess it! On the contrary, I think it so
+replete with dangers and improprieties, however happily they may
+sometimes be combatted by fortitude and integrity, that, when a young
+female, not forced by peculiar circumstances, or impelled by resistless
+genius, exhibits herself a willing candidate for public applause;&mdash;she
+must have, I own, other notions, or other nerves, than mine!'</p>
+
+<p>'Ellis, Ellis! you only fear to alarm, or offend the men&mdash;who would keep
+us from every office, but making puddings and pies for their own
+precious palates!&mdash;Oh woman! poor, subdued woman! thou art as dependant,
+mentally, upon the arbitrary customs of man, as man is, corporally, upon
+the established laws of his country!'</p>
+
+<p>She now grew disturbed, and went on warmly, though nearly to herself.</p>
+
+<p>'By the oppressions of their own statutes and institutions, they render
+us insignificant; and then speak of us as if we were so born! But what
+have we tried, in which we have been foiled? They dare not trust us with
+their own education, and their own opportunities for distinction:&mdash;I
+except the article of fighting; against that, there may, perhaps, be
+some obstacles: but to be condemned, as weaker vessels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> in intellect,
+because, inferiour in bodily strength and stature, we cannot cope with
+them as boxers and wrestlers! They appreciate not the understandings of
+one another by such manual and muscular criterions. They assert not that
+one man has more brains than another, because he is taller; that he is
+endowed with more illustrious virtues, because he is stouter. They judge
+him not to be less ably formed for haranguing in the senate; for
+administering justice in the courts of law; for teaching science at the
+universities, because he could ill resist a bully, or conquer a footpad!
+No!&mdash;Woman is left out in the scales of human merit, only because they
+dare not weigh her!'</p>
+
+<p>Then, turning suddenly to Ellis, 'And you, Ellis, you!' she cried,
+'endowed with every power to set prejudice at defiance, and to shew and
+teach the world, that woman and man are fellow-creatures, you, too, are
+coward enough to bow down, unresisting, to this thraldom?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet hazarded not any reply.</p>
+
+<p>'Yet what futile inconsistency dispenses this prejudice! This Woman,
+whom they estimate thus below, they elevate above themselves. They
+require from her, in defiance of their examples!&mdash;in defiance of their
+lures!&mdash;angelical perfection. She must be mistress of her passions; she
+must never listen to her inclinations; she must not take a step of which
+the purport is not visible; she must not pursue a measure of which she
+cannot publish the motive; she must always be guided by reason, though
+they deny her understanding!&mdash;Frankness, the noblest of our qualities,
+is her disgrace;&mdash;sympathy, the most exquisite of our feelings, is her
+bane!&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>She stopt here, conscious, colouring, indignant, and dropt the subject,
+to say, 'Tell me, I again demand, what is it you mean to do? Return to
+your concert-singing and harping?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, Madam,' cried Juliet, reproachfully, 'can you believe me not yet
+satisfied with attempting any sort of public exhibition?</p>
+
+<p>'Nay, nay,' cried Elinor, resuming her careless gaiety, 'what passed
+that evening will only have served to render you more popular. You may
+make your own terms, now, with the managers, for the subscription will
+fill, merely to get a stare at you. If I were poor myself, I would
+engage to acquire a large fortune, in less than a week, by advertising,
+at two-pence a head, a sight of the lady that stabbed herself.'</p>
+
+<p>'What, however,' she continued, 'is your purpose? Will you go and live
+with Mrs Ireton? She is just come hither to give her favourite lap-dog a
+six weeks' bathing. What say you to the place of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> toad-eater? It may
+be a very lucrative thing; and I can procure it for you with the utmost
+ease. It is commonly vacant every ten days. Besides, she has been dying
+to have you in her toils, ever since she had known that you spurned the
+proposition, when it was started by Mrs Howel.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet protested, that any species of fatigue would be preferable to
+subservience of such a sort.</p>
+
+<p>'Perhaps you are afraid of seeing too much of Ireton? Be under no
+apprehension. He makes it a point not to visit her. He cannot endure
+her. Besides, 'tis so rustic, he says, to have a mother!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet answered, that her sole plan, now, was to be guided by her
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>'And who is this friend? Is she of the family of the Incognitas, also?
+What do you call her?&mdash;L.S.?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet only replied by stating their project of needle-work.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor scoffed the notion; affirming that they would not obtain a morsel
+of bread to a glass of water, above once in three days. She felt,
+nevertheless, sufficient respect to the design of the noble fugitive, to
+send her a sealed note of what she called her approbation.</p>
+
+<p>This note Juliet took in charge. It contained a draft for fifty pounds.</p>
+
+<p>Ah, generous Elinor! thought Juliet, tears of gratitude glistening in
+her eyes: what a mixture of contrasting qualities sully, and ennoble
+your character in turn! Ah, why, to intellects so strong, a heart so
+liberal, a temper so gay, is there not joined a better portion of
+judgment, a larger one of diffidence, a sense of feminine propriety, and
+a mind rectified by religion,&mdash;not abandoned, uncontrolled, to
+imagination?</p>
+
+<p>Gabriella, though truly touched by a generosity so unexpected, declined
+accepting its fruits; not being yet, she said, so helpless, however
+poor, as to prefer pecuniary obligation to industry. She would leave,
+therefore, the donation, for those who had lost the resources of
+independence which she yet possessed&mdash;youth and strength.</p>
+
+<p>The tender admiration of Juliet forbade all remonstrance, and excluded
+any surprise. She well knew, and had long seen, that the distress which
+is the offspring of public calamity, not of private misfortune, however
+it may ruin prosperity, never humbles the mind.</p>
+
+<p>Gabriella, in a letter of elegant acknowledgements, to obviate any
+accusation of undue pride, solicited the assistance of Elinor, in
+procuring orders for embroidery, amongst the ladies of her acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor, zealous to serve, and fearless to demand, instantly attacked,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>
+by note or by message, every rich female at Brighthelmstone; urging the
+generous, and shaming the niggardly, till there was scarcely a woman of
+fortune in the place, who had not given, or promised, a commission for
+some fine muslin-work.</p>
+
+<p>The two friends, through this commanding protection, began their new
+plan of life under the most favourable auspices; and had soon more
+employment than time, though they limited themselves to five hours for
+sleep; though their meals were rather swallowed than eaten; and though
+they allowed not a moment for any kind of recreation, of rest, or of
+exercise; save the sacred visit, which they unfailingly made together,
+at break of day, to the little grave in the church-yard upon the hill.</p>
+
+<p>Yet here first, since her arrival on the British shores, the immediate
+rapturous moment of landing, and the fortnight passed with Lady Aurora
+Granville excepted, here first sweet contentment, soft hopes, and gentle
+happiness visited the bosom of Juliet. No privation was hard, no toil
+was severe, no application was tedious, while the friend of her heart
+was by her side; whose sorrows she could mitigate, whose affections she
+could share, and whose tears she could sometimes chase.</p>
+
+<p>But the relief was not more exquisite than it was transitory; a week
+only had passed in delicious repose, when Gabriella received
+intelligence that her husband was taken ill.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever was her reluctance to quitting the spot, where her memory was
+every moment fed with cherished recollections, she could not hesitate to
+depart; but, when Juliet, in consonance with her inclination and her
+promise, prepared to accompany her, that hydra-headed intruder upon
+human schemes and desires, Difficulty, arose, in as many shapes as she
+could form projects, to impede her wishes. Money they had none: even for
+the return to town of Gabriella, her husband was fain to have recourse
+for aid to certain admirable persons, whose benevolence had enabled her,
+upon the illness of her son, to quit it for Brighthelmstone: and, in a
+situation of indigence so obvious, could they propose carrying away with
+them the work with which they were entrusted? Juliet, indeed, had still
+Harleigh's bank notes in her possession; but she turned inflexibly from
+the temptation of adopting a mode of conduct, which she had always
+condemned as weak and degrading; that of investing circumstance with
+decision, in conscientious dilemmas.</p>
+
+<p>These terrible obstacles broke into all their plans, their wishes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>
+their happiness; involved them in new distress, deluged them in tears,
+and, after every effort with which ingenious friendship could combat
+them, ended in compelling a separation. Gabriella embraced, with pungent
+affliction, the sorrowing Juliet; shed her last bitter tears over the
+grave of her lost darling, and, by the assistance of the angelic
+beings<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> already hinted at, whose delicacy, whose feeling, whose
+respect for misfortune, made their beneficence as balsamic to
+sensibility, as it was salutary to want, returned alone to the capital.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet thus, perforce, remaining, and once again left to herself, was
+nearly overwhelmed with grief at a stroke so abrupt and unexpected; so
+ruinous to her lately acquired contentment, and dearly prized social
+enjoyment. Yet she suffered not regret and disappointment to consume her
+time, however cruelly they preyed upon her spirits, and demolished her
+comfort. Solitarily she continued the employment which she had socially
+begun; but without relaxing in diligence and application, without
+permitting herself the smallest intermission that could be avoided:
+urged not alone to maintain herself, and to replace what she had touched
+of the deposit of Harleigh, but excited, yet more forcibly, by the fond
+hope of rejoining her friend; to which she eagerly looked forward, as
+the result and reward of her activity and labour.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Left thus to herself, and devoted to incessant work, Juliet next, had
+the vexation to learn, how inadequate for entering into any species of
+business was a mere knowledge of its theory.</p>
+
+<p>She had concluded that, in consecrating her time and her labours to so
+simple an employment as needle-work, she secured herself a certain,
+though an hardly earned maintenance: but, as her orders became more
+extensive, she found that neither talents for what she undertook, nor
+even patronage to bring them into notice, was sufficient; a capital also
+was requisite, for the purchase of frames, patterns, silver and gold
+threads, spangles, and various other articles; to procure which, she was
+forced, in the very commencement of her new career, again to run in
+debt.</p>
+
+<p>Alas! she cried, where business is not necessary to subsistence, how
+little do we know, believe, or even conceive, its various difficulties!
+Imagination may paint enjoyments; but labours and hardships can be
+judged only from experience!</p>
+
+<p>She was equally, also, unprepared for continual and vexatious delays of
+payment. Her work was frequently, when best executed; or set apart for
+some distant occasion, and forgotten; or received and worn, with no
+retribution but by promise. Even the few who possessed more
+consideration, seemed to estimate her time and her toil as nothing,
+because she was brought forward by recommendation; and to pay debts of
+common justice, with the parade of generosity.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, vanity and false reasoning set apart, the ladies for whom she
+worked were neither hard of heart nor illiberal; but they had never
+known distress! and were too light and unreflecting to weigh the
+circumstances by which it might be produced, or prevented.</p>
+
+<p>To save time, and obviate innumerable mortifications, Juliet, at first,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>
+employed a commissioner to carry home her work, and to deliver her
+bills; but he returned always with empty messages, that if Miss Ellis
+would call herself, she should be paid. Yet when, with whatever
+reluctance, she complied, she was ordinarily condemned to wait in
+passages, or anti-chambers, for whole hours, and even whole mornings;
+which were commonly ended by an excuse, through a footman, or lady's
+maid, that Lady or Miss such a one was too much engaged, or too much
+indisposed, to see her till the next day. The next day, when, with
+renewed expectation, she again presented herself, the same scene was
+re-acted; though the passing to and fro of various comers and goers,
+proved that it was only to herself her fair creditor was invisible.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, if she mentioned that she had some pattern, or some piece
+of work, finished for any other lady to exhibit, she was immediately
+admitted; though still, with regard to payment, she was desired to call
+again in the evening, or the next morning, with a new bill; her old one
+happening, unluckily, to be always lost or mislaid; and not seldom,
+while stopping in an anti-room, to arrange her packages, she heard
+exclamations of 'How amazingly tiresome is that Miss Ellis! pestering
+one so, always, for her money!'</p>
+
+<p>Is it possible, thought Juliet, that common humanity, nay, common sense,
+will not tell these careless triflers, that their complaint is a lampoon
+upon themselves? Will no reflexion, no feeling point out to them, that
+the time which they thus unmercifully waste in humiliating attendance,
+however to themselves it may be a play-thing, if not a drug, is, to
+those who subsist but by their use of it, shelter, clothing, and
+nourishment?</p>
+
+<p>If sometimes, in the hope of exciting more attention from this
+dissipated set, she ventured to drop a mournful hint, that she was a
+novice to this hard kind of life; the warm compassion that seemed
+rapidly kindled, raised expectations of immediate assistance; but the
+emotion, though good, took a direction that made it useless; it merely
+played about in exclamations of pity; then blazed into curiosity, vented
+itself in questions,&mdash;and evaporated.</p>
+
+<p>She soon, therefore, ceased all attempt to obtain regard through
+personal representations; feeling yet more mortified to be left in
+passages, or recommended to domestics, after avowing that her lowly
+state was the effect of misfortune; than while she permitted it to be
+presumed, that she had nothing to brook but what she had been born and
+bred to bear.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Some, indeed, while leaving their own just debts unpaid and unnoticed,
+would have collected, from their friends, a few straggling half-crowns;
+but when Juliet, declining such aid, modestly solicited her right, they
+captiously disputed a bill which had been charged by the strictest
+necessity; or offered half what they would have dared propose to any
+ordinary and hired day-jobber. And whatever admiration they bestowed
+upon the taste and execution of work prepared for others, all that she
+finished for themselves, was received with that wary precursor of
+under-valuing its price, contempt; and looked over with fault-finding
+eyes, and unmeaning criticism.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, if the following day, or even the following hour, some sudden
+invitation to a brilliant assembly, made any of these ladies require her
+services, they would give their orders with caressing solicitations for
+speed; rush familiarly into her room, three or four times in a day, to
+see how she went on; supplicate her to touch nothing for any other human
+being; load her with professions of regard; confound her with hurrying
+entreaties; shake her by the hand; tap her on the shoulder; call her the
+best of souls; assure her of their eternal gratitude; and torment her
+out of any time for sleep or food:&mdash;yet, the occasion past, and the work
+seen and worn, it was thought of no more! Her pains and exertions, their
+promises and fondness, sunk into the same oblivion; and the commonest
+and most inadequate pay was murmured at, if not contested.</p>
+
+<p>Now and then, however, she was surprised by sudden starts of kindness,
+and hasty enquiries, eagerly made, though scarcely demanding any answer,
+into her situation and affairs; followed by drawing her, with an air of
+confidence, into a dressing-room or closet:&mdash;but there, when prepared
+for some mark of favour or esteem, she was only asked, in a mysterious
+whisper, whether she could procure any cheap foreign lace, or French
+gloves? or whether she could get over from France, any particularly
+delicate paste for the hands.</p>
+
+<p>To ladies and to behaviour of this cast, there were, however,
+exceptions; especially amongst the residents of the place and its
+neighbourhood, who were not there, like the visitors, for dissipation or
+irregular extravagance, that, alternately, causes money to be loosely
+squandered, and meanly held back. But this better sort was rare, and
+sufficed not to supply employment to Juliet for her maintenance, though
+the most parsimonious. Nor were there any amongst them that had the
+leisure, or the discernment, to discover, that her mind both required
+and merited succour as much as her circumstances.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Yet there was the seat of what she had most to endure, and found hardest
+to sustain. Her short, but precious junction with her Gabriella, gave
+poignancy to every latent regret, and added disgust to her solitary
+toil. Thoughts uncommunicated, ideas unexchanged, fears unrevealed, and
+sorrows unparticipated, infused a heaviness into her existence, that not
+all her activity in business could conquer; while slackness of pay, by
+rendering the result of her labours distant and precarious, robbed her
+industry of cheerfulness, and her exertions of hope. With an ardent love
+of elegant social intercourse, she was doomed to pass her lonely days in
+a room that no sound of kindness ever cheered; with enthusiastic
+admiration of the beauties of Nature, she was denied all prospect, but
+of the coarse red tilings of opposite attics: with an innate taste for
+the fine arts, she was forced to exist as completely out of their view
+or knowledge, as if she had been an inhabitant of some uncivilized
+country: and fellow-feeling, that most powerful master of philanthropy!
+now taught her to pity the lamentations of seclusion from the world,
+that she had hitherto often contemned as weak and frivolous; since now,
+though with time always occupied, and a mind fully stored, she had the
+bitter self-experience of the weight of solitude without books, and of
+the gloom of retirement without a friend.</p>
+
+<p>During this period, the only notice that she attracted, was that of a
+gouty old gentleman, whom she frequently met upon the stairs, when
+forced to mount or descend them in pursuit of her fair heedless
+creditors. She soon found, by the manner in which he entered, or
+quitted, at pleasure, the apartment that she had recently given up, that
+he was her successor. He was evidently struck by her beauty, and, upon
+their first meeting, looked earnestly after her till she was out of
+sight; and then, descended into the shop, to enquire who she was of Miss
+Matson. Miss Matson, always perplexed what to think of her, gave so
+indefinite, yet so extraordinary an account, that he eagerly awaited an
+opportunity of seeing her again. Added examination was less calculated
+to diminish curiosity, than to change it into pleasure and interest; and
+soon, during whole hours together, he perseveringly watched, upon the
+landing-places, for the moments of her going out, or coming back to the
+house; that, while smiling and bowing to her as she passed, he might
+obtain yet another, and another view of so singular and so lovely an
+Incognita.</p>
+
+<p>As he annexed no fixed idea himself to this assiduity, he impressed none
+upon Juliet; who, though she could not but observe it, had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> mind too
+much occupied within, for that mental listlessness that applies for
+thoughts, conjectures, or adventures from without.</p>
+
+<p>Soon, however, becoming anxious to behold her nearer, and, soon after,
+to behold her longer, he contrived to place himself so as somewhat to
+obstruct, though not positively to impede, her passage. The modest
+courtesy, which she gave to his age, when, upon her approach, he made
+way for her, he pleased himself by attributing to his palpable
+admiration; and his bow, which had always been polite, became
+obsequious; and his smile, which had always spoken pleasure, displayed
+enchantment.</p>
+
+<p>Still, however, there was nothing to alarm, and little to engage the
+attention of Juliet; for though ostentatiously gallant, he was
+scrupulously decorous. His manners and deportment were old-fashioned,
+but graceful and gentleman-like; and his eyes, though they had lost
+their brilliancy, were still quick, scrutinizing, and, where not
+softened by female attractions, severe.</p>
+
+<p>One day, upon her return from a fruitless expedition, as fearfully,
+while ascending the stairs, she opened a paper that had just been
+delivered to her in the shop, her deeply absorbed and perplexed air, and
+the sigh with which she looked at its contents, induced him, with
+heightened interest, to attempt following her, that he might make some
+enquiry into her situation. He had discerned, as she passed, that what
+she held was a bill; he could not doubt her poverty from her change of
+apartment; and he wished to offer her some assistance: but finding that
+he had no chance of overtaking her, before she reached her chamber, he
+gently called, 'Young lady!' and begged that she would stop.</p>
+
+<p>With that alacrity of youthful purity, which is ever disposed to
+consider age and virtue as one, she not only complied, but, seeing the
+difficulty with which he mounted the stairs, respected his infirmities,
+and descended herself to meet him, and hear his business.</p>
+
+<p>To a younger man, or to one less experienced, or less sagacious, this
+action might have appeared the effect of forwardness, of ignorance, or
+of levity; but to a man of the world, hackneyed in its ways, and
+penetrating into the motives by which it is ordinarily influenced, it
+seemed the result of innocence without suspicion; yet of an innocence to
+which her air and manner gave a dignity that destroyed, in its birth,
+all interpretation to her disadvantage. His purse, therefore, which
+already he held in his hand, he felt must be offered with more delicacy
+than he had at first supposed to be necessary; and, though he was by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> no
+means a man apt to be embarrassed, he hesitated, for a moment, how to
+address a forlorn young stranger.</p>
+
+<p>That moment, however, sufficed to determine him upon making an apology,
+with the most marked respect, for the liberty which he had taken in
+claiming her attention. The look with which she listened rewarded his
+judgment: it expressed the gratitude of feelings to which politeness was
+a pleasure; but not a novelty.</p>
+
+<p>'I think&mdash;I understand, Ma'am,' he then said, 'you are the lady who
+inhabited the apartment to which, most unworthily, I have succeeded?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet bowed.</p>
+
+<p>'I am truly concerned, Ma'am, at a mistake so preposterous in our
+destinies, so diametrically in opposition to our merits, as that which
+immures so much beauty and grace, which every one must wish to behold,
+in the attics; while so worn-out, and good-for-nothing an old fellow as
+I am, from whom every body must wish to turn their eyes, is perched,
+full in front, and precisely on the very spot so every way your
+superiour due. Whatever wicked Elf has done this deed, I confess myself
+heartily ashamed of my share in its operation; and humbly ready, should
+any better genius come amongst us, with a view to putting things into
+their proper places, to agree, either that you should be lodged, in the
+face of day, in the drawing-room, and I be jammed, out of sight, in the
+garret; or&mdash;that you should become gouty and decrepit, and I grow
+suddenly young and beautiful.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet could not but smile, yet waited some explanation without
+speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Charmed with the smile, which his own rigid features immediately caught,
+'I have so frequently,' he continued, 'pondered and ruminated upon the
+good which those little aerial beings I speak of might do; and the
+wrongs which they might redress; were they permitted to visit us, now
+and then, as we read of their doing in days of yore; that, sometimes, I
+dream while wide awake, and fancy I see them; and feel myself at the
+mercy of their antic corrections; or receive courteous presents, or
+wholesome advice. Just this moment, as you were passing, methought one
+of them appeared to me!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, surprised, involuntarily looked round.</p>
+
+<p>'And it said to me, "Whence happens it, my worthy antique, that you grow
+as covetous as you are rich? Bear, for your pains, the punishment due to
+a miser, of receiving money that you must not hoard; and of presenting,
+with your own avaricious hand, this purse to the fair young creature
+whose dwelling you have usurped; yet who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> resides nearest to those she
+most resembles, the gods and goddesses."'</p>
+
+<p>With these words, and a low bow, he would have put his purse into her
+hand; but upon her starting back, it dropt at her feet.</p>
+
+<p>Surprized, yet touched, as well as amused, by a turn so unexpected to
+his pleasantry, Juliet, gracefully restoring, though firmly declining
+his offer, uttered her thanks for the kindness of his intentions, with a
+sweetness so unsuspicious of evil, that they separated with as strong an
+impression of wonder upon his part, as, upon hers, of gratitude.</p>
+
+<p>Anxious to relieve the perplexity thus excited, and to settle his
+opinion, he continued to watch, but could not again address her; for
+aware, now, of his purpose, she fled down, or darted up stairs, with a
+swiftness that defied pursuit; yet with a passing courtesy, that marked
+respectful remembrance.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, in a life of solitary hardship, with no intermission but for
+mortifying disappointment, passed nearly three weeks, when Juliet found,
+with affright and astonishment, that all orders for work seemed at an
+end. It was no longer the season for Brighthelmstone, whose visitors
+were only accidental stragglers, that, here to-day, and gone to-morrow,
+had neither care nor leisure but for rambling and amusement. The
+residents, though by no means inconsiderable, were soon served; for
+Elinor was removed to Lewes, and her influence was lost with her
+presence. Some new measure, therefore, for procuring employment, became
+necessary; and Juliet, once more, was reduced to make application to
+Miss Matson.</p>
+
+<p>In passing, therefore, one morning, through the shop, with some work
+prepared for carrying home, she stopt to open upon the subject; but the
+appearance of Miss Bydel at the door, induced her, with an hasty
+apology, to make an abrupt retreat; that she might avoid an encounter
+which, with that lady, was always irksome, if not painful, from her
+unconstrained curiosity; joined to the grossness of her conceptions and
+remarks.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV</h2>
+
+
+<p>Juliet, in re-mounting the stairs, was stopt, by her new acquaintance,
+before the door of his apartment.</p>
+
+<p>'If you knew,' he said, 'how despitefully I have been treated, and how
+miserably black and blue I have been pinched, by the little Imp whose
+offer you have rejected, sleep would fly your eyes at night, from
+remorse for your hardness of heart. Its Impship insists upon it, that
+the fault must all be mine. What! it cries, would you persuade me, that
+a young creature whose face beams with celestial sweetness, whose voice
+is the voice of melody, whose eyes have the softness of the Dove's&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, though she smiled, would have escaped; but he told her he must
+be heard.</p>
+
+<p>'Would you persuade me, quoth my sprite, that such an angelic personage,
+would rather let my poor despised coin canker and rust in your miserly
+coffers, than disperse it about in the world, in kind, generous, or
+useful activity? No, my antique, continues my little elf, you have
+presented it in some clumsy, hunchy, awkward mode, that has made her
+deem you an unworthy bearer of fairy gifts; and she flies the downy
+wings of my gentle succour, from the fear of falling into your rough and
+uncooth claws.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, who now, through the ill-closed fingers of his gouty hand,
+discerned his prepared purse, seriously begged to decline this
+discussion.</p>
+
+<p>'What malice you must bear me!' he cried. 'You are surely in the pay of
+my evil genius! and I shall be whipt with nettles, or scratched with
+thorns, all night, in revenge of my failure! And that parcel,
+too,&mdash;which strains the fine fibres of your fair hands,&mdash;cast it but
+down,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> and millions of my little elves will struggle to convey it safely
+to your chamber.'</p>
+
+<p>'I doubt not their dexterity,' answered Juliet, 'nor the benevolence of
+their fabricator; but I assure you, Sir, I want no help.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you will not accept their aerial services, deign, at least, not to
+refuse mine!'</p>
+
+<p>He endeavoured, now, to take the gown-packet into his own hands;
+laughingly saying, upon her grave resistance, 'Beware, fair nymph, of
+the dormant sensations which you may awaken, if you should make me
+suppose you afraid of me! Many a long day is past, alas! and gone, since
+I could flatter myself with the idea of exciting fear in a young
+breast!'</p>
+
+<p>Ceasing, however, the attempt, after some courteous apologies, he
+respectfully let her pass.</p>
+
+<p>But, upon entering her room, she heard something chink as she deposited
+her parcel upon a table; and, upon examination, found that he had
+managed to slip into it, during the contest, a little green purse.</p>
+
+<p>Vexed at this contrivance, and resolved not to lose an instant in
+returning what no distress could induce her to retain, she immediately
+descended; but the staircase was vacant, and the door was closed.
+Fearful any delay might authorize a presumption of acceptance, she
+assumed courage to tap at the door.</p>
+
+<p>A scampering, at the same moment, up the stairs, made her instantly
+regret this measure; and by no means the less, for finding herself
+recognized, and abruptly accosted by young Gooch, the farmer's son, at
+the very moment that her gouty admirer had hobbled to answer to her
+summons.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, see if I a'n't a good marksman!' he cried; 'for else, Ma'am, I
+might have passed you; for they told me, below, you were up there, at
+the very top of the house. But I'd warrant to pick you out from a
+hundred, Ma'am; as neat as my father would one of his stray sheep. But
+what I come for, Ma'am, is to ask the favour of your company, if it's
+agreeable to you, to a little junket at our farm.'</p>
+
+<p>Then, rubbing his hands with great glee, unregarding the surprised look
+of Juliet, at such an invitation, or the amused watchfulness of the
+observant old beau, he went glibly on.</p>
+
+<p>'Father's to give it, Ma'am. You never saw old dad, I believe, Ma'am?
+The old gentleman's a very good old chap; only he don't like our clubs:
+for he says they make me speak quite in the new manner; so that the
+farmers, he says, don't know what I'd be at. He's rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> in years,
+Ma'am, poor man. He don't know much how things go. However, he's a very
+well meaning old gentleman.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet gravely enquired, to what unknown accident she might attribute an
+invitation so unexpected?</p>
+
+<p>'Why, Ma'am,' answered Gooch, delighted at the idea of having given her
+an agreeable surprize, 'Why it's the 'Squire, Ma'am, that put it into my
+head. You know who I mean? our rich cousin, 'Squire Tedman. He's a great
+friend of yours, I can assure you, Ma'am. He wants you to take a little
+pleasure sadly. And he's sadly afraid, too, he says, that you'll miss
+him, now he's gone to town; for he used often, he says, to bring you one
+odd thing or another. He's got a fine fortune of his own, my cousin the
+'Squire. And he's a widower.&mdash;And he's taken a vast liking to you, I can
+tell you, Ma'am;&mdash;so who knows....'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet would have been perfectly unmoved by this ignorant forwardness,
+but for the presence of a stranger, to whose good opinion, after her
+experience of his benevolence, she could not be indifferent. With an
+air, therefore, that marked her little satisfaction at this familiar
+jocoseness, she declined the invitation; and begged the young man to
+acquaint Mr Tedman, that, though obliged to his intentions, she should
+feel a yet higher obligation in his forbearance to forward to her, in
+future, any similar proposals.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, Ma'am,' cried young Gooch, astonished, 'this i'n't a thing you can
+get at every day! We shall have all the main farmers of the
+neighbourhood! for it's given on account of a bargain that we've made,
+of a nice little slip of land, just by our square hay-field. And I've
+leave to choose six of the company myself. But they won't be farmers,
+Ma'am, I can tell you! They'll be young fellows that know better how the
+world goes. And we shall have your good friend 'Squire Stubbs; for it's
+he that made our bargain.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, now, turning from him to the silent, remarking stranger, said,
+'I am extremely ashamed, Sir, to obtrude thus upon your time, but the
+person for whom you so generously destined this donation commissions me
+to return it, with many thanks, and an assurance that it is not at all
+wanted.'</p>
+
+<p>She held out her hand with the purse, but, drawing back from receiving
+it, 'Madam,' he cried, 'I would upon no account offend any one who has
+the honour of being known to you; but you will not, therefore, I hope,
+insist that I should quarrel with myself, by taking what does not belong
+to me?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While Juliet, now, looked wistfully around, to discover some place where
+she might drop the purse, unseen by the young man, whose
+misinterpretations might be injurious, the youth volubly continued his
+own discourse.</p>
+
+<p>'We shall give a pretty good entertainment in the way of supper, I
+assure you, Ma'am; for we shall have a goose at top, and a turkey at
+bottom, and as fine a fat pig as ever you saw in your life in the
+middle; with as much ale, and mead, and punch, as you can desire to
+drink. And, as all my sisters are at home, and a brace or so of nice
+young lasses of their acquaintance, besides ever so many farmers, and us
+seven stout young fellows of my club, into the bargain, we intend to
+kick up a dance. It may keep you out a little late, to be sure, Ma'am,
+but you shall have our chay-cart to bring you home. You know our
+chay-cart of old, Ma'am?'</p>
+
+<p>'I, Sir?'</p>
+
+<p>'Why, lauk! have you forgot that, Ma'am? Why it's our chay-cart that
+brought you to Brighton, from Madam Maple's at Lewes, as good as half a
+year ago. Don't you remember little Jack, that drove you? and that went
+for you again the next day, to fetch you back?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now found, that this was the carriage procured for her by
+Harleigh, upon her first arrival at Lewes; and, though chagrined at the
+air of former, or disguised intimacy, which such an incident might seem
+to convey to her new friend, she immediately acknowledged recollecting
+the circumstance.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I'm only sorry, Ma'am, I did not drive you myself; but I had not
+the pleasure of your acquaintance then, Ma'am; for 'twas before of our
+acting together.'</p>
+
+<p>The surprise of the listening old gentleman now altered its expression,
+from earnest curiosity to suppressed pleasantry; and he leant against
+his door, to take a pinch of snuff, with an air that denoted him to be
+rather waiting for some expected amusement, than watching, as
+heretofore, for some interesting explanation.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, in discerning the passing change in his ideas, became more than
+ever eager to return the purse; yet more than ever fearful of
+misconstruction from young Gooch; whom she now, with encreased
+dissatisfaction, begged to lose no time in acquainting Mr Tedman, that
+business only ever took her from home.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, that's but moping for you, neither, Ma'am,' he answered, in a tone
+of pity. 'You'd have double the spirits if you'd go a little abroad;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>
+for staying within doors gives one but a hippish turn. It will go nigh
+to make you grow quite melancholick, Ma'am.'</p>
+
+<p>Hopeless to get rid either of him or of the purse, Juliet, now, was
+moving up stairs, when the voice of Miss Bydel called out from the
+passage, 'Why, Mr Gooch, have you forgot I told you to send Mrs Ellis to
+me?'</p>
+
+<p>'That I had clean!' he answered. 'I ask your pardon, I'm sure,
+Ma'am.&mdash;Why, Ma'am, Miss Bydel told me to tell you, when I said I was
+coming up to ask you to our junket, that she wanted to say a word or two
+to you, down in the shop, upon business.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet would have descended; but Miss Bydel, desiring her to wait,
+mounted herself, saying, 'I have a mind to see your little new room:'
+stopping, however, when she came to the landing-place, which was square
+and large, 'Well-a-day!' she exclaimed: 'Sir Jaspar Herrington!&mdash;who'd
+have thought of seeing you, standing so quietly at your door? Why I did
+not know you could stand at all! Why how is your gout, my good Sir? And
+how do you like your new lodgings? I heard of your being here from Miss
+Matson. But pray, Mrs Ellis, what has kept you both, you and young Mr
+Gooch, in such close conference with Sir Jaspar? I can't think what
+you've been talking of so long. Pray how did you come to be so intimate
+together? I should like to know that.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar courteously invited Miss Bydel to enter his apartment; but
+that lady, not aware that nothing is less delicate than professions of
+delicacy; which degrade a just perception, and strict practice of
+propriety, into a display of conscious caution, or a suspicion of evil
+interpretation; almost angrily answered, that she could not for the
+world do such a thing, for it would set every body a talking: 'for, as
+I'm not married, Sir Jaspar, you know, and as you're a single gentleman,
+too, it might make Miss Matson and her young ladies think I don't know
+what. For, when once people's tongues are set a-going, it's soon too
+late to stop them. Besides, every body's always so prodigious curious to
+dive into other people's affairs, that one can't well be too prudent.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar, with an arched brow, of which she was far from comprehending
+the meaning, said that he acquiesced in her better judgment; but, as she
+had announced that she came to speak with this young lady upon business,
+he enquired, whether there would be any incongruity in putting a couple
+of chairs upon the landing-place.</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' she cried, 'that's a bright thought, I declare, Sir Jaspar! for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span>
+it will save me the trouble of groping up stairs;' and then, seizing the
+opportunity to peep into his room, she broke forth into warm
+exclamations of pleasure, at the many nice and new things with which it
+had been furnished, since it had been vacated by Mrs Ellis.</p>
+
+<p>A look, highly commiserating, shewed him shocked by these observations;
+and the air, patiently calm, with which they were heard by Juliet,
+augmented his interest, as well as wonder, in her story and situation.</p>
+
+<p>He ordered his valet to fetch an arm-chair for Miss Bydel; while,
+evidently meant for Juliet, he began to drag another forward himself.</p>
+
+<p>'Bless me, Sir Jaspar!' cried Miss Bydel, looking, a little affronted,
+towards Juliet, 'have you no common chairs?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' he answered, still labouring on, 'for common purposes!'</p>
+
+<p>This civility was not lost upon Juliet, who declining, though thankful
+for his attention, darted forward, to take, for herself, a seat of less
+dignity; hastily, as she passed, dropping the purse upon a table.</p>
+
+<p>A glance at Sir Jaspar sufficed to assure her, that this action had not
+escaped his notice; and though his look spoke disappointment, it shewed
+him sensible of the propriety of avoiding any contest.</p>
+
+<p>Relieved from this burthen, she now cheerfully waited to hear the orders
+of Miss Bydel: young Gooch waited to hear them also; seated,
+cross-legged, upon the balustrade; though Sir Jaspar sent his valet
+away, and, retired, scrupulously, himself, to the further end of his
+apartment.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel, as little struck with the ill breeding of the young farmer,
+as with the good manners of the baronet, forgot her business, from
+recollecting that Mr Scope was waiting for her in the shop. 'For
+happening,' said she, 'to pass by, and see me, through the glass-door,
+he just stept in, on purpose to have a little chat.'</p>
+
+<p>'O ho, what, is 'Squire Scope here?' cried young Gooch; and, rapidly
+sliding down the banisters, seized upon the unwilling and precise Mr
+Scope, whom he dragged up to the landing-place.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, this is droll enough!' cried Miss Bydel, palpably enchanted,
+though trying to look displeased; 'only I hope you have not told Mr
+Scope 'twas I that sent you for him, Mr Gooch? for, I assure you, Mr
+Scope, I would not do such a thing for the world. I should think it
+quite improper. Besides, what will Miss Matson and the young milliners
+say? Who knows but you may have set them a prating, Mr Gooch? It's no
+joke, I can assure you, doing things of this sort.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'I'm sure, Ma'am,' said Gooch, 'I thought you wanted to see the 'Squire;
+for I did not do it in the least to make game.'</p>
+
+<p>'There can be no doubt, Madam,' said Mr Scope, somewhat offended, 'that
+all descriptions of sport are not, at all times, advisable. For, in
+small societies, as in great states, if I may be permitted to compare
+little things with great ones, danger often lurks unseen, and mischief
+breaks out from trifles. In like manner, for example, if one of those
+young milliners, misinterpreting my innocence, in obeying the supposed
+commands of the good Miss Bydel, should take the liberty to laugh at my
+expence, what, you might ask, could it signify that a young girl should
+laugh? Young persons, especially of the female gender, being naturally
+given to laughter, at very small provocatives; not to say sometimes
+without any whatsoever. Whereupon, persons of an ordinary judgment, may
+conclude such an action, by which I mean laughing, to be of no
+consequence.&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'But I think it very rude!' cried Miss Bydel, extremely nettled.</p>
+
+<p>'Please to hear me, Madam!' said Mr Scope. 'Persons, I say, of deeper
+knowledge in the maxims and manners of the moral world, would look
+forward with watchfulness, on such an occasion, to its future effects;
+for one laugh breeds another, and another breeds another; for nothing is
+so catching as laughing; I mean among the vulgar; in which class I would
+be understood to include the main mass of a great nation. What, I ask,
+ensues?&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, rather impatiently, 'I
+assure you if I knew any body that took such a liberty as to laugh at
+me, I should let them know my thoughts of such airs without much
+ceremony!'</p>
+
+<p>'My very good lady,' said Mr Scope, formally bowing, 'if I may request
+such a favour, I beg you to be silent. The laugh, I observe, caught
+thus, from one to another, soon spreads abroad; and then, the more aged,
+or better informed, may be led to enquire into its origin: and the
+result of such investigation must needs be, that the worthy Miss Bydel,
+having sent her commands to her humble servant, Mr Scope, to follow her
+up stairs&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'But if they said that,' cried Miss Bydel, looking very red, 'it would
+be as great a fib as ever was told, for I did not send my commands, nor
+think of such a thing. It was Mr Gooch's own doing, only for his own
+nonsense. And I am curious to know, Mr Gooch, whether any body ever put
+such thoughts into your head? Pray did you ever hear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> any body talk, Mr
+Gooch? For, if you have, I should be glad to know what they said.'</p>
+
+<p>Mr Scope, waving his hand to demand attention, again begged leave to
+remark, that he had not finished what he purposed to advance.</p>
+
+<p>'My argument, Madam,' he resumed, 'is a short, but, I hope, a clear one,
+for 'tis deduced from general principles and analogy; though, upon a
+merely cursory view, it may appear somewhat abstruse. But what I mean,
+in two words, is, that the laugh raised by Mr Gooch, and those young
+milliners; taking it for granted that they laughed; which, indeed, I
+rather think I heard them do; may, in itself, perhaps, as only
+announcing incapacity, not be condemnable; but when it turns out that it
+promulgates false reports, and makes two worthy persons, if I may take
+the liberty to name myself with the excellent Miss Bydel, appear to be
+fit subjects for ridicule; then, indeed, the laugh is no longer
+innocent; and ought, in strict justice, to be punished, as seriously as
+any other mode of propagating false rumours.'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel, after protesting that Mr Scope talked so prodigiously
+sensible, that she was never tired of hearing him, for all his speeches
+were so long; abruptly told Juliet, that she had called to let her know,
+that she should be glad to be paid, out of hand, the money which she had
+advanced for the harp.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar, who, during the harangue of Mr Scope, which was uttered in
+too loud and important a manner, to leave any doubt of its being
+intended for general hearing; had drawn his chair to join the party,
+listened to this demand with peculiar attention; and was struck with the
+evident distress which it caused to Juliet; who fearfully besought a
+little longer law, to collect the debts of others, that she might be
+able to discharge her own.</p>
+
+<p>Young Gooch, coming behind her, said, in a half whisper, 'If you'll tell
+me how much it is you owe, Ma'am, I'll help you out in a trice; for I
+can have what credit I will in my father's name; and he'll never know
+but what 'twas for some frolic of my own; for I don't make much of a
+confidant of the old gentleman.'</p>
+
+<p>The most icy refusal was insufficient to get rid of this offer, or
+offerer; who assured her that, if the worst came to the worst, and his
+father, by ill luck, should find them out, he would not make a fuss for
+above a day or two; 'because,' he continued, 'he has only me, as one may
+say, for the rest are nothing but girls; so he can't well help himself.
+He gave me my swing too long from the first, to bind me down at this
+time of day. Besides, he likes to have me a little in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> fashion, I
+know, though he won't own it; for he is a very good sort of an old
+gentleman, at bottom.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar sought to discover, whether the colour which heightened the
+cheeks of Juliet at this proposal, which now ceased to be delivered in a
+whisper, was owing to confusion at its publicity, or to disdain at the
+idea of conspiring either at deceiving or braving the young man's
+father; while Miss Bydel, whose plump curiosity saved her from all
+species of speculative trouble, bluntly said, 'Why should you hesitate
+at such an offer, my dear? I'm sure I don't see how you can do better
+than accept it. Mr Gooch is a very worthy young man, and so are all his
+family. I'm sure I only wish he'd take to you more solidly, and make a
+match of it. That would put an end to your troubles at once; and I
+should get my money out of hand.'</p>
+
+<p>This was an opportunity not to be passed over by the argumentative but
+unerring Mr Scope, for trite observations, self-evident truths, and
+hackneyed calculations, upon the mingled dangers and advantages of
+matrimony, 'which, when weighed,' said he, 'in equal scales, and
+abstractedly considered, are of so puzzling a nature, that the wise and
+wary, fearing to risk them, remain single; but which, when looked upon
+in a more cursory way, or only lightly balanced, preponderate so much in
+favour of the state, that the great mass of the nation, having but small
+means of reflection, or forethought, ordinarily prefer matrimony. If,
+therefore, young Mr Gooch should think proper to espouse this young
+person, there would be nothing in it very surprising; nevertheless, in
+summing up the expences of wedlock, and a growing family, it might seem,
+that to begin the married state with debts already contracted, on the
+female side, would appear but a shallow mark of prudence on the male,
+where the cares of that state reasonably devolve; he being naturally
+supposed to have the most sense.'</p>
+
+<p>'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, 'if Mr Gooch should take a
+liking to this young person, she has money enough to pay her debts, I
+can assure you: I should not have asked her for it else; but the thing
+is, she don't like to part with it.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet solemnly protested, that the severest necessity could alone have
+brought her into the pecuniary difficulties under which she laboured;
+the money to which Miss Bydel alluded being merely a deposit which she
+held in her hands, and for which she was accountable.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, that's droll enough,' said Miss Bydel, 'that a young person,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> not
+worth a penny in the world, should have the care of other people's
+money! I should like to know what sort of persons they must be, that can
+think of making such a person their steward!'</p>
+
+<p>Young Gooch said that it would not be his father, for one, who would do
+it; and Mr Scope was preparing an elaborate dissertation upon the nature
+of confidence, with regard to money-matters, in a great state; when Miss
+Bydel, charmed to have pronounced a sentence which seemed to accord with
+every one's opinion, ostentatiously added, 'I should like, I say, Mrs
+Ellis, to know what sort of person it could be, that would trust a
+person with one's cash, without enquiring into their circumstances? for
+though, upon hearing that a person has got nothing, one may give 'em
+something, one must be no better than a fool to make them one's banker.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, who could not enter into any explanation, stammered, coloured,
+and from the horrour of seeing that she was suspected, wore an air of
+seeming apprehensive of detection.</p>
+
+<p>A short pause ensued, during which every one fixed his eyes upon her
+face, save Sir Jaspar; who seemed studying a portrait upon his
+snuff-box.</p>
+
+<p>Her immediate wish, in this disturbance, was to clear herself from so
+terrible an aspersion, by paying Miss Bydel, as she had paid her other
+creditors, from the store of Harleigh; but her wishes, tamed now by
+misfortune and disappointment, were too submissively under the controul
+of fear and discretion, to suffer her to act from their first dictates:
+and a moment's reflection pointed out, that, joined to the impropriety
+of such a measure with respect to Harleigh himself, it would be liable,
+more than any other, to give her the air of an impostor, who possessed
+money that she could either employ, or disclaim all title to, at her
+pleasure. Calling, therefore, for composure from conscious integrity,
+she made known her project of applying once more to Miss Matson, for
+work; and earnestly supplicated for the influence of Miss Bydel, that
+this second application might not, also, be vain.</p>
+
+<p>The eyes of the attentive Sir Jaspar, as he raised them from his
+snuff-box, now spoke respect mingled with pity.</p>
+
+<p>'As to recommending you to Miss Matson, Mrs Ellis,' answered Miss Bydel,
+'it's out of all reason to demand such a thing, when I can't tell who
+you are myself; and only know that you have got money in your hands
+nobody knows how, nor what for.'</p>
+
+<p>An implication such as this, nearly overpowered the fortitude of Juliet;
+and, relinquishing all further effort, she rose, and, silently,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> almost
+gloomily, began ascending the stairs. Sir Jaspar caught the expression
+of her despair by a glance; and, in a tone of remonstrance, said to Miss
+Bydel, 'In your debt, good Miss Bydel? Have you forgotten, then, that
+the young lady has paid you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Paid me? good Me! Sir Jaspar,' cried Miss Bydel, staring; 'how can you
+say such a thing? Do you think I'd cheat the young woman?'</p>
+
+<p>'I think it so little,' answered he, calmly, 'that I venture to remind
+you, thus publicly, of the circumstance; in full persuasion that I shall
+merit your gratitude, by aiding your memory.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good Me! Sir Jaspar, why I never heard such a thing in my life! Paid
+me? When? Why it can't be without my knowing it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly not; I beg you, therefore, to recollect yourself.'</p>
+
+<p>The stare of Miss Bydel was now caught by Mr Scope; and her 'Good Me!'
+was echoed by young Gooch; while the surprised Juliet, turning back,
+said, 'Pardon me, Sir! I have never been so happy as to be able to
+discharge the debt. It remains in full force.'</p>
+
+<p>'Over you, too, then,' cried Sir Jaspar, with quickness, 'have I the
+advantage in memory? Have you forgotten that you delivered, to Miss
+Bydel, the full sum, not twenty minutes since?'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel now, reddening with anger, cried, 'Sir Jaspar, I have long
+enough heard of your ill nature; but I never suspected your crossness
+would take such a turn against a person as this, to make people believe
+I demand what is not my own!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet again solemnly acknowledged the debt; and Mr Scope opened an
+harangue upon the merits of exactitude between debtor and creditor, and
+the usefulness of settling no accounts, without, what were the only
+legal witnesses to obviate financial controversy, receipts in full; when
+Sir Jaspar, disregarding, alike, his rhetoric or Miss Bydel's choler,
+quietly patting his snuff-box, said, that it was possible that Miss
+Bydel had, inadvertently, put the sum into her work-bag, and forgotten
+that it had been refunded.</p>
+
+<p>Exulting that means, now, were open for vindication and redress, Miss
+Bydel eagerly untied the strings of her work-bag; though Juliet
+entreated that she would spare herself the useless trouble. But Sir
+Jaspar protested, with great gravity, that his own honour was now as
+deeply engaged to prove an affirmative, as that of Miss Bydel to prove a
+negative: holding, however, her hand, he said that he could not be
+satisfied, unless the complete contents of the work-bag were openly and
+fairly emptied upon a table, in sight of the whole party.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel, though extremely affronted, consented to this proposal;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>
+which would clear her, she said, of so false a slander. A table was then
+brought upon the landing-place; as she still stiffly refused risking her
+reputation, by entering the apartment of a single gentleman; though he
+might not, as she observed, be one of the youngest.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar demanded the precise amount of the sum owed. A guinea and a
+half.</p>
+
+<p>He then fetched a curious little japan basket from his chamber, into
+which he desired that Miss Bydel would put her work-bag; though he would
+not suffer her to empty it, till, with various formalities, he had
+himself placed it in the middle of the table; around which he made every
+one draw a chair.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel now triumphantly turned her work-bag inside out; but what was
+her consternation, what the shock of Mr Scope, and how loud the shout of
+young Gooch, to see, from a small open green purse, fall a guinea and a
+half!</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel, utterly confounded, remained speechless; but Juliet, through
+whose sadness Sir Jaspar saw a smile force its way, that rendered her
+beauty dazzling, recollecting the purse, blushed, and would have
+relieved Miss Bydel, by confessing that she knew to whom it belonged;
+had she not been withheld by the fear of the strange appearance which so
+sudden a seeming intimacy with the Baronet might wear.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar, again patting her snuff-box, composedly said, 'I was
+persuaded Miss Bydel would find that her debt had been discharged.'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel remained stupified; while Mr Scope, with a look concerned,
+and even abashed, condolingly began an harangue upon the frail tenure of
+the faculty of human memory.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bydel, at length, recovering her speech, exclaimed, 'Well, here's
+the money, that's certain! but which way it has got into my work-bag,
+without my ever seeing or touching it, I can't pretend to say: but if
+Mrs Ellis has done it to play me a trick&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet disavowed all share in the transaction.</p>
+
+<p>'Then it's some joke of Sir Jaspar's! for I know he dearly loves to
+mortify; so I suppose he has given me false coin, or something that
+won't go, just to make me look like a fool.'</p>
+
+<p>'The money, I have the honour to assure you, is not mine,' was all that,
+very tranquilly, Sir Jaspar replied: while Mr Scope, after a careful
+examination of each piece, declared each to be good gold, and full
+weight.</p>
+
+<p>Sundry 'Good me's!' and other expressions of surprise, though all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> of a
+pleasurable sort, now broke forth from Miss Bydel, finishing with,
+'However, if nobody will own the money, as the debt is fairly my due, I
+don't see why I may not take it; though as to the purse, I won't touch
+it, because as that's a thing I have not lent to any body, I've no right
+to it.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet here warmly interfered. The purse, she said, and the money
+belonged to the same proprietor; and, as neither of them were hers, both
+ought to be regarded as equally inadmissible for the payment of a debt
+which she alone had contracted. This disinterested sincerity made even
+Mr Scope turn to her with an air of profound, though surprised respect;
+while Sir Jaspar fixed his eyes upon her face with encreased and the
+most lively wonder; young Gooch stared, not perfectly understanding her;
+but Miss Bydel, rolling up the purse, which she put back into the
+basket, said, 'Well, if the money is not yours, Mrs Ellis, my dear, it
+can be nobody's but Sir Jaspar's; and if he has a mind to pay your debt
+for you, I don't see why I should hinder him, when 'twould be so much to
+my disadvantage. He's rich enough, I assure you; for what has an old
+bachelor to do with his money? So I'll take my due, be it which way it
+will.' And, unmoved by all that Juliet could urge, she put the guinea
+and the half-guinea carefully into her pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet declared, that a debt which she had not herself discharged, she
+should always consider as unpaid, though her creditor might be changed.</p>
+
+<p>Confused then, ashamed, perplexed,&mdash;yet unavoidably pleased, she mounted
+to her chamber.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV</h2>
+
+
+<p>With whatever shame, whatever chagrin, Juliet saw herself again involved
+in a pecuniary obligation, with a stranger, and a gentleman, a support
+so efficacious, at a moment of such alarm, was sensibly and gratefully
+felt. Yet she was not less anxious to cancel a favour which still was
+unfitting to be received. She watched, therefore, for the departure of
+Miss Bydel, and the restoration of stillness to the staircase, to
+descend, once more, in prosecution to her scheme with Miss Matson.</p>
+
+<p>The anxious fear of rejection, and dread of rudeness, with which she
+then renewed her solicitation, soon happily subsided, from a readiness
+to listen, and a civility of manner, as welcome as they were unexpected,
+in her hostess; by whom she was engaged, without difficulty, to enter
+upon her new business the following morning.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, and with cruel regret, concluded her fruitless effort to attain a
+self-dependence which, however subject to toil, might be free, at least,
+from controul. Every species of business, however narrow its cast,
+however limited its wants, however mean its materials; required, she now
+found, some capital to answer to its immediate calls, and some steady
+credit for encountering the unforeseen accidents, and unavoidable risks,
+to which all human undertakings, whether great or insignificant, are
+liable.</p>
+
+<p>With this conviction upon her mind, she strove to bear the
+disappointment without murmuring; hoping to gain in security all that
+she lost in liberty. Little reason, indeed, had she for regretting what
+she gave up: she had been worn by solitary toil, and heavy rumination;
+by labour without interest, and loneliness without leisure.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, the beginning of her new career promised little
+amelioration from the change. She was summoned early to the shop to
+take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> her work; but, when she begged leave to return with it to her
+chamber, she was stared at as if she had made a demand the most
+preposterous, and told that, if she meant to enter into business, she
+must be at hand to receive directions, and to learn how it should be
+done.</p>
+
+<p>To enter into business was far from the intention of Juliet; but the
+fear of dismission, should she proclaim how transitory were her views,
+silenced her into acquiescence; and she seated herself behind a distant
+counter.</p>
+
+<p>And here, perforce, she was initiated into a new scene of life, that of
+the humours of a milliner's shop. She found herself in a whirl of hurry,
+bustle, loquacity, and interruptions. Customers pressed upon customers;
+goods were taken down merely to be put up again; cheapened but to be
+rejected; admired but to be looked at, and left; and only bought when,
+to all appearance, they were undervalued and despised.</p>
+
+<p>It was here that she saw, in its unmasked futility, the selfishness of
+personal vanity. The good of a nation, the interest of society, the
+welfare of a family, could with difficulty have appeared of higher
+importance than the choice of a ribbon, or the set of a cap; and
+scarcely any calamity under heaven could excite looks of deeper horrour
+or despair, than any mistake committed in the arrangement of a feather
+or a flower. Every feature underwent a change, from chagrin and
+fretfulness, if any ornament, made by order, proved, upon trial, to be
+unbecoming; while the whole complexion glowed with the exquisite joy of
+triumph, if something new, devised for a superiour in the world of
+fashion, could be privately seized as a model by an inferiour.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies whose practice it was to frequent the shop, thought the time
+and trouble of its mistress, and her assistants, amply paid by the
+honour of their presence; and though they tried on hats and caps, till
+they put them out of shape; examined and tossed about the choicest
+goods, till they were so injured that they could be sold only at half
+price; ordered sundry articles, which, when finished, they returned,
+because they had changed their minds; or discovered that they did not
+want them; still their consciences were at ease, their honour was
+self-acquitted, and their generosity was self-applauded, if, after two
+or three hours of lounging, rummaging, fault-finding and chaffering,
+they purchased a yard or two of ribbon, or a few skanes of netting silk.</p>
+
+<p>The most callous disregard to all representations of the dearness of
+materials, or of the just price of labour, was accompanied by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> most
+facile acquiescence even in demands that were exorbitant, if they were
+adroitly preceded by, 'Lady &mdash;&mdash;, or the Duchess of &mdash;&mdash;, gave that sum
+for just such another cap, hat, &amp;c., this very morning.'</p>
+
+<p>Here, too, as in many other situations into which accident had led, or
+distress had driven Juliet, she saw, with commiseration and shame for
+her fellow-creatures, the total absence of feeling and of equity, in the
+dissipated and idle, for the indigent and laborious. The goods which
+demanded most work, most ingenuity, and most hands, were last paid,
+because heaviest of expence; though, for that very reason, the many
+employed, and the charge of materials, made their payment the first
+required. Oh that the good Mr Giles Arbe, thought Juliet, could arraign,
+in his simple but impressive style, the ladies who exhibit themselves
+with unpaid plumes, at assemblies and operas; and enquire whether they
+can flatter themselves, that to adorn them alone is sufficient to
+recompense those who work for, without seeing them; who ornament without
+knowing them; and who must necessarily, if unrequited, starve in
+rendering them more brilliant!</p>
+
+<p>Upon further observation, nevertheless, her compassion for the milliner
+and the work-women somewhat diminished; for she found that their notions
+of probity were as lax as those of their customers were of justice; and
+saw that their own rudeness to those who had neither rank nor fortune,
+kept pace with the haughtiness which they were forced to support, from
+those by whom both were possessed. Every advantage was taken of
+inexperience and simplicity; every article was charged, not according to
+its value, but to the skill or ignorance of the purchaser; old goods
+were sold as if new; cheap goods as if dear; and ancient, or vulgar
+ornaments, were presented to the unpractised chafferer, as the very pink
+of the mode.</p>
+
+<p>The rich and grand, who were capricious, difficult, and long in their
+examinations, because their time was their own; or rather, because it
+hung upon their hands; and whose utmost exertion, and sole practice of
+exercise consisted in strolling from a sofa to a carriage, were
+instantly, and with fulsome adulation, attended; while the meaner, or
+economical, whose time had its essential appropriations, and was
+therefore precious, were obliged to wait patiently for being served,
+till no coach was at the door, and every fine lady had sauntered away.
+And even then, they were scarcely heard when they spoke; scarcely shewn
+what they demanded; and scarcely thanked for what they purchased.</p>
+
+<p>In viewing conflicts such as these, between selfish vanity and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> cringing
+cunning, it soon became difficult to decide, which was least congenial
+to the upright mind and pure morality of Juliet, the insolent, vain,
+unfeeling buyer, or the subtle, plausible, over-reaching seller.</p>
+
+<p>The companions of Juliet in this business, though devoted, of course, to
+its manual operations, left all its cares to its mistress. Their own
+wishes and hopes were caught by other objects. The town was filled with
+officers, whose military occupations were brief, whose acquaintances
+were few, and who could not, all day long, ride, or pursue the sports of
+the field. These gentlemen, for their idle moments, chose to deem all
+the unprotected young women whom they thought worth observance, their
+natural prey. And though, from race to race, and from time immemorial,
+the young female shop-keeper had been warned of the danger, the folly,
+and the fate of her predecessors; in listening to the itinerant admirer,
+who, here to-day and gone to-morrow, marches his adorations, from town
+to town with as much facility, and as little regret, as his regiment;
+still every new votary to the counter and the modes, was ready to go
+over the same ground that had been trodden before; with the fond
+persuasion of proving an exception to those who had ended in misery and
+disgrace, by finishing, herself, with marriage and promotion. Their
+minds, therefore, were engaged in airy projects; and their leisure,
+where they could elude the vigilance of Miss Matson, was devoted to
+clandestine coquetry, tittering whispers, and secret frolics.</p>
+
+<p>'These,' said Juliet, in a letter to Gabriella, 'are now my destined
+associates! Ah, heaven! can these&mdash;can such as these,&mdash;setting aside
+pride, prejudice, propriety, or whatever word we use for the
+distinctions of society,&mdash;can these&mdash;can such as these, suffice as
+companions to her whose grateful heart has been honoured with the
+friendship of Gabriella? O hours of refined felicity past and gone, how
+severe is your contrast with those of heaviness and distaste now
+endured!'</p>
+
+<p>The inexperience of Juliet in business, impeded not her acquiring almost
+immediate excellence in the millinery art, for which she was equally
+fitted by native taste, and by her remembrance of what she had seen
+abroad. The first time, therefore, that she was employed to arrange some
+ornaments, she adjusted them with an elegance so striking, that Miss
+Matson, with much parade, exhibited them to her best lady-customers, as
+a specimen of the very last new fashion, just brought her over by one of
+her young ladies from Paris.</p>
+
+<p>In a town that subsists by the search of health for the sick, and of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span>
+amusement for the idle, the smallest new circumstance is of sufficient
+weight to be related and canvassed; for there is ever most to say where
+there is least to do. The phrase, therefore, that went forth from Miss
+Matson, that one of her young ladies was just come from France, was soon
+spread through the neighbourhood; with the addition that the same person
+had brought over specimens of all the French <i>costume</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Such a report could not fail to allure staring customers to the shop,
+where the attraction of the youth and beauty of the new work-woman,
+contrasted with her determined silence to all enquiry, gave birth to
+perpetually varying conjectures in her presence, which were followed by
+the most eccentric assertions where she was the subject of discourse in
+her absence. All that already had been spread abroad, of her acting, her
+teaching, her playing the harp, her needle-work, and, more than all, her
+having excited a suicide; was now in every mouth; and curiosity, baffled
+in successive attempts to penetrate into the truth, supplied, as usual,
+every chasm of fact by invention.</p>
+
+<p>This species of commerce, always at hand, and always fertile, proved so
+highly amusing to the lassitude of the idle, and to the frivolousness of
+the dissipated, that, in a very few days, the shop of Miss Matson became
+the general rendezvous of the saunterers, male and female, of
+Brighthelmstone. The starers were happy to present themselves where
+there was something to see; the strollers, where there was any where to
+go; the loungers, where there was any pretence to stay; and the curious
+where there was any thing to develop in which they had no concern.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, at first, ignorant of the usual traffic of the shop, imagined
+this affluence of customers to be habitual; but she was soon undeceived,
+by finding herself the object of inquisitive examination; and by
+overhearing unrestrained inquiries made to Miss Matson, of 'Pray, Ma'am,
+which is your famous French milliner?'</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of these various distastes and discomforts, some interest
+was raised in the mind of Juliet, for one of her young
+fellow-work-women. It was not, indeed, that warm interest which is the
+precursor of friendship; its object had no qualities that could rise to
+such a height; it was simply a sensation of pity, abetted by a wish of
+doing good.</p>
+
+<p>Flora Pierson, without either fine features or fine countenance, had
+strikingly the beauty of youth in a fair complexion, round, plump, rosy
+cheeks, bright, though unmeaning eyes, and an air of health, strength,
+and juvenile good humour, that was diffused copiously through her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> whole
+appearance. She was innocent and inoffensive, and, as far as she was
+able to think, well meaning, and ready to be at every body's command;
+though incapable to be at any body's service. Yet her simplicity was of
+that happy sort that never occasions self-distress, from being wholly
+unaccompanied by any consciousness of deficiency or inferiority.
+Accustomed to be laughed at almost whenever she spoke, she saw the smile
+that she raised without emotion; or participated in it without knowing
+why; and she heard the sneer that followed her simple merriment without
+displeasure; though sometimes she would a little wonder what it meant.</p>
+
+<p>This young creature, who had but barely passed her sixteenth year, had
+already attracted the dangerous attention of various officers, from
+whose several attacks and man&oelig;uvres she had hitherto been rescued by
+the vigilance of Miss Matson. Each of these anecdotes she eagerly took,
+or rather made opportunities to communicate to Juliet; waiting for no
+other encouragement than the absence of Miss Matson, and using no other
+prelude than 'Now I've got something else to tell you!'</p>
+
+<p>Except for some slight mixture of contempt, Juliet heard these tales
+with perfect indifference; till that ungenial feeling, or rather absence
+of feeling, was superceded by compassion, upon finding that she was the
+object, probably the dupe, of a new and unfinished adventure, with which
+Miss Matson was as yet unacquainted. 'Now, Miss Ellis!' she cried, 'I'll
+tell you the drollest part of all, shall I? Well, do you know I've got
+another admirer that's above all the rest? And yet he i'n't a captain,
+neither, nor an officer. But he's quite a gentleman of quality, for he's
+a knight baronight. And he's very pretty, I assure you. As pretty as
+you, only his nose is a little shorter, and his mouth is a little
+bigger. And he has not got quite so much colour; for he is very pale.
+But he's prettier than I am, I believe. Yet I'm not very homely, people
+say. I'm sure I don't know. One can't judge one's self. But I believe
+I'm very well. At least, I am not very brown; I know that, by my
+looking-glass. I've a pretty good skin of my own.'</p>
+
+<p>Neither the giggling derision of her fellow-work-women, nor the total
+abstinence from enquiry or comment with which Juliet heard these
+insignificant details, checked the pleasure of Flora in her own prattle;
+which, whenever she could find some one to address,&mdash;for she waited not
+till any one would listen,&mdash;went on, with sleepy good humour, and
+pretty, but unintelligent smiles, from the moment that she rose, to the
+moment that she went to rest. But when, in great confidence, and
+declaring that nobody was in the secret, except just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span> Miss Biddy, and
+Miss Jenny, and Miss Polly, and Miss Betsey, she made known who was this
+last and most striking admirer, the attention of Juliet was roused; it
+was Sir Lyell Sycamore.</p>
+
+<p>Copiously, and with looks of triumph, Flora related her history with the
+young Baronet. First of all, she said, he had declared, in ever so many
+little whispers, that he was in love with her; and next, he had made her
+ever so many beautiful presents, of ear-rings, necklaces, and trinkets;
+always sending them by a porter, who pretended that they were just
+arrived by the Diligence; with a letter to shew to Miss Matson,
+importing that an uncle of Flora's, who resided in Northumberlandshire,
+begged her to accept these remembrances. 'Though I'm sure I don't know
+how he found out that I've got an uncle there,' she continued, 'unless
+it was by my telling it him, when he asked me what relations I had.'</p>
+
+<p>Her gratitude and vanity thus at once excited, Sir Lyell told her that
+he had some important intelligence to communicate, which could not be
+revealed in a short whisper in the shop: he begged her, therefore, to
+meet him upon the Strand, a little way out of the town, one Sunday
+afternoon; while Miss Matson might suppose that she was taking her usual
+recreation with the rest of the young ladies. 'So I could not refuse
+him, you may think,' she said, 'after being so much obliged to him; and
+so we walked together by the sea-side, and he was as agreeable as ever;
+and so was I, too, I believe, if I may judge without flattery. At least,
+he said I was, over and over; and he's a pretty good judge, I believe, a
+man of his quality. But I sha'n't tell you what he said to me; for he
+said I was as fresh as a violet, and as fair as jessamy, and as sweet as
+a pink, and as rosy as a rose; but one must not over and above believe
+the gentlemen, mamma says, for what they say is but half a compliment.
+However, what do you think, Miss Ellis? Only guess! For all his being so
+polite, do you know, he was upon the point of behaving rude? Only I told
+him I'd squall out, if he did. But he spoke so pretty when he saw I was
+vexed, that I could not be very angry with him about it; could I?
+Besides, men will be rude, naturally, mamma says.'</p>
+
+<p>'But does not your mamma tell you, also, Miss Pierson, that you must not
+walk out alone with gentlemen?'</p>
+
+<p>'O dear, yes! She's told me that ever so often. And I told it to Sir
+Lyell; and I said to him we had better not go. But he said that would
+kill him, poor gentleman! And he looked as sorrowful as ever you saw;
+just as if he was going to cry. I'm sure I'm glad he did not, poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span>
+gentleman! for if he had, it's ten to one but I should have cried too;
+unless, out of ill luck, I had happened to fall a laughing; for it's
+odds which I do, sometimes, when I'm put in a fidget. However, upon
+seeing his sister, along with some company of his acquaintance, not far
+off, he said I had better go back: but he promised me, if I would meet
+him again the next Sunday, he would have a post-chaise o'purpose for me,
+because of the pebbles being so hard for my feet; and he'd take me ever
+so pretty a ride, he said, upon the Downs. But he came the next morning
+to tell me he was forced, by ill luck, to go to London; but he'd soon be
+back: and he bid me, ever so often, not to say one word of what had
+passed to a living creature; for if his sister should get an inkling of
+his being in love with me, there would be fine work, he said! But he'd
+bring me ever so many pretty things, he said, from London.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet listened to this history with the deepest indignation against the
+barbarous libertine, who, with egotism so inhuman, sought to rob, first
+of innocence, and next, for it would be the inevitable consequence, of
+all her fair prospects in life, a young creature whose simplicity
+disabled her from seeing her danger; whose credulity induced her to
+agree to whatever was proposed; and whose weakness of intellect rendered
+it as much a dishonour as a cruelty to make her a dupe.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever could be suggested to awaken the simple maiden to a sense of
+her perilous situation, was instantly urged; but without any effect. Sir
+Lyell Sycamore, she answered, had owned that he was in love with her;
+and it was very hard if she must be ill natured to him in return;
+especially as, if she behaved agreeably, nobody could tell but he might
+mean to make her a lady. Where a vision so refulgent, which every speech
+of Sir Lyell's, couched in ambiguous terms, though adroitly evasive of
+promise, had been insidiously calculated to present, was sparkling full
+in sight, how unequal were the efforts of sober truth and reason, to
+substitute in its place cold, dull, disappointing reality! Juliet soon
+relinquished the attempt as hopeless. Where ignorance is united with
+vanity, advice, or reproof, combat it in vain. She addressed her
+remonstrances, therefore, to their fellow-work-women; every one of
+which, it was evident, was a confidant of the dangerous secret. How was
+it, she demanded, that, aware of the ductility of temper of this poor
+young creature, they had suffered her to form so alarming a connexion,
+unknown either to her friends or to Miss Matson?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Pettishly affronted, they answered, that they were not a set of fusty
+duennas: that if Miss Pierson were ever so young, that did not make them
+old; that she might as well take care of herself, therefore, as they of
+themselves. Besides, nobody could tell but Sir Lyell Sycamore meant to
+marry her; and indeed they none of them doubted that such was his
+design; because he was politeness itself to all of them round, though he
+was most particular, to be sure, to Miss Pierson. They could not think,
+therefore, of making such a gentleman their enemy, any more than of
+standing in the way of Miss Pierson's good fortune; for, to their
+certain knowledge, there were more grand matches spoilt by meddling and
+making, than by any thing else upon earth.</p>
+
+<p>Here again, what were the chances of truth and reason against the
+semblance, at least the pretence of generosity, which thus covered folly
+and imprudence? Each aspiring damsel, too, had some similar secret, or
+correspondent hope of her own; and found it convenient to reject, as
+treachery, an appeal against a sister work-woman, that might operate as
+an example for a similar one against herself.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, therefore, could but determine to watch the weak, if not willing
+victim, while yet under the same roof; and openly, before she quitted
+it, to reveal the threatening danger to Miss Matson.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a>CHAPTER XLVI</h2>
+
+
+<p>The first Sunday that Juliet passed in this new situation, nearly robbed
+her of the good will of the whole of the little community to which she
+belonged. It was the only day in the week in which the young work-women
+were allowed some hours for recreation; they considered it, therefore,
+as rightfully dedicated, after the church-service, to amusement with one
+another; and Juliet, in refusing to join in a custom which they held to
+be the basis of their freedom and happiness, appeared to them an
+unsocial and haughty innovator. Yet neither wearying remonstrances, nor
+persecuting persuasions, could prevail upon her to parade with them upon
+the Steyne; to stroll with them by the sea-side; to ramble upon the
+Downs; or to form a party for Shoreham, or Devil's Dyke.</p>
+
+<p>Evil is so relative, that the same chamber, the lonely sadness of which,
+since her privation of Gabriella, had become nearly insupportable to
+her, was now, from a new contrast, almost all that she immediately
+coveted. The bustle, the fatigue, the obtrusion of new faces, the spirit
+of petty intrigue, and the eternal clang of tongues, which she had to
+endure in the shop, made quiet, even in its most uninteresting dulness,
+desirable and consoling.</p>
+
+<p>To approach herself, as nearly as might be in her power, to the loved
+society which she had lost, she destined this only interval of peace and
+leisure, to her pen and Gabriella; and such was her employment, when the
+sound of slow steps, upon the stairs, followed by a gentle tap at her
+door, at once interrupted and surprised her. Miss Matson and her maids,
+as well as her work-women, were spending their Sabbath abroad; and a
+shop-man was left to take care of the house. The tap, however, was
+repeated, and, obeying its call, Juliet beheld Sir Jaspar Herrington,
+the gouty old Baronet.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The expression of her countenance immediately demanded explanation, if
+not apology, as she stepped forward upon the landing-place, to make
+clear that she should not receive him in her apartment.</p>
+
+<p>His keen eye read her meaning, though, affecting not to perceive it, he
+pleasantly said, 'How? immured in your chamber? and of a gala day?'</p>
+
+<p>The recollection of the essential, however forced obligation, which she
+owed to him, for her deliverance from the persecution of Miss Bydel,
+soon dissipated her first impression in his disfavour, and she quietly
+answered that she went very little abroad: but when she would have
+enquired into his business, 'You can refuse yourself, then,' he cried,
+pretending not to hear her, 'the honour&mdash;or pleasure, which shall we
+call it? of sharing in the gaieties of your fair fellow-votaries to the
+needle? I suspected you of this self-denial. I had a secret presentiment
+that you would be insensible to the fluttering joys of your sister
+spinsters. How did I divine you so well? What is it you have about you
+that sets one's imagination so to work?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet replied, that she would not presume to interfere with the
+business of his penetration, but that, as she was occupied, she must beg
+to know, at once, his commands.</p>
+
+<p>'Not so hasty! not so hasty!' he cried: 'You must shew me some little
+consideration, if only in excuse for the total want of it which you have
+caused in those little imps, that beset my slumbers by night, and my
+reveries by day. They have gotten so much the better of me now, that I
+am equally at a loss how to sleep or how to wake for them. 'Why don't
+you find out,' they cry, 'whether this syren likes her new situation?
+Why don't you discover whether any thing better can be done for her?'
+And then, all of one accord, they so pommel and bemaul me, that you
+would pity me, I give you my word, if you could see the condition into
+which they put my poor conscience; however little so fair a young
+creature may be disposed to feel pity, for such a hobbling, gouty old
+fellow as I am!'</p>
+
+<p>Softened by this benevolent solicitude, Juliet, thankfully, spoke of
+herself with all the cheerfulness that she could assume; and, encouraged
+by her lessened reserve, Sir Jaspar, to her unspeakable surprise, said,
+'There is one point, I own, which I have an extreme desire to know; how
+long may it be that you have left the stage, and from what latent
+cause?'</p>
+
+<p>No explanation, however, could be attempted: the attention of Juliet was
+called into another channel, by the sound of a titter, which led<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> her to
+perceive Flora Pierson; who, almost convulsed with delight at having
+surprised them, said that she had heard, from the shop-man, that Miss
+Ellis and Sir Jaspar were talking together upon the stairs, and she had
+stolen up the back way, and crept softly through one of the garrets, on
+purpose to come upon them unawares. 'So now,' added she, nodding, 'we'll
+go into my room, if you please, Miss Ellis; for I have got something
+else to tell you! Only you must not stay with me long.'</p>
+
+<p>'And not to tell me, too?' cried Sir Jaspar, chucking her under the
+chin: 'How's this, my daffodil? my pink? my lilly? how's this? surely
+you have not any secrets for me?'</p>
+
+<p>'O yes, I have, Sir Jaspar! because you're a gentleman, you know, Sir
+Jaspar. And one must not tell every thing to gentlemen, mamma says.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mamma says? but you are too much a woman to mind what mamma says, I
+hope, my rose, my daisy?' cried Sir Jaspar, chucking her again under the
+chin, while she smiled and courtsied in return.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet would have re-entered her chamber; but Flora, catching her gown,
+said, 'Why now, Miss Ellis, I bid you come to my room, if you please,
+Miss Ellis; 'cause then I can show you my presents; as well as tell you
+something.&mdash;Come, will you go? for it's something that's quite a secret,
+I assure you; for I have not told it to any body yet; not even to our
+young ladies; for it's but just happened. So you've got my first
+confidence this time: and you have a right to take that very kind of me,
+for it's what I've promised, upon my word and honour, and as true as
+true can be, not to tell to any body; not so much as to a living soul!'</p>
+
+<p>To be freed quietly from the Baronet, Juliet consented to attend her;
+and Flora, with many smiles and nods at Sir Jaspar, begged that he would
+not be affronted that she did not tell all her secrets to gentlemen;
+and, shutting him out, began her tale.</p>
+
+<p>'Now I'll tell you what it is I'm going to tell you, Miss Ellis. Do you
+know who I met, just now, upon the Steyne, while I was walking with our
+young ladies, not thinking of any thing? You can't guess, can you? Why
+Sir Lyell himself. I gave such a squeak! But he spoke to all our young
+ladies first. And I was half a mind to cry; only I happened to be in one
+of my laughing fits. And when once I am upon my gig, papa says, if the
+world were all to tumble down, it would not hinder me of my smiling.
+Though I am sure I often don't know what it's for. If any body asked me,
+I could not tell, one time in twenty. But Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> Lyell's very clever;
+cleverer than I am, by half, I believe. For he got to speak to me, at
+last, so as nobody could hear a word he said, but just me. Nor I could
+not, either, but only he spoke quite in my ear.'</p>
+
+<p>'And do you think it right, Miss Pierson, to let gentlemen whisper you?'</p>
+
+<p>'O, I could not bid him not, you know. I could not be rude to a
+Knight-Baronet! Besides, he said he was come down from London, on
+purpose for nothing else but to see me! A Knight-Baronet, Miss Ellis!
+That's very good natured, is it not? I dare say he means something by
+it. Don't you? However, I shall know more by and by, most likely; for he
+whispered me to make believe I'd got a head-ache, and to come home by
+myself, and wait for him in my own room: for he says he has brought me
+the prettiest present that ever I saw from London. So you see how
+generous he is; i'n't he? And he'll bring it me himself, to make me a
+little visit. So then, very likely, he'll speak out. Won't he? But he
+bid me tell it to nobody. So say nothing if you see him, for it will
+only be the way to make him angry. I must not put the shop-man in the
+secret, he says, for he shall only ask for old Sir Jaspar; and he shall
+go to him first, and make the shop-man think he is with him all the
+time. So I told our young ladies I'd got a head-ache, sure enough; but
+don't be uneasy, for it's only make believe; for I'm very well.'</p>
+
+<p>Filled with alarm for the simple, deluded maiden, Juliet now made an
+undisguised representation of her danger; earnestly charging her not to
+receive the dangerous visit.</p>
+
+<p>But Flora, self-willed, though good natured, would not hear a word.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">No ass so meek;&mdash;no mule so obstinate.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>She never contradicted, yet never listened; she never gave an opinion,
+yet never followed one. She was neither endowed with timidity to suspect
+her deficiencies, nor with sense to conceive how she might be better
+informed. She came to Juliet merely to talk; and when her prattle was
+over, or interrupted, she had no thought but to be gone.</p>
+
+<p>'O yes, I must see him, Miss Ellis,' she cried; 'for you can't think how
+ill he'll take it, if I don't. But now we have stayed talking together
+so long, I can't shew you my presents till he is gone, for fear he
+should come. But don't mind, for then I shall have the new ones to shew
+you, too. But if I don't do what he bids me, he'll be as angry as can
+be, for all he's my lover; (smiling.) He makes very free with me
+sometimes; only I don't mind it; because I'm pretty much used to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> it,
+from one or another. Sometimes he'll say I am the greatest simpleton
+that ever he knew in his life; for all he calls me his angel! He don't
+make much ceremony with me, when I don't understand his signs. But it
+don't much signify, for the more he's angry, the more he's kind, when
+it's over, (smiling.) And then he brings me prettier things than ever.
+So I a'n't much a loser. I've no great need to cry about it. And he says
+I'm quite a little goddess, often and often, if I'd believe him. Only
+one must not believe the men over much, when they are gentlemen, I
+believe.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, kindly taking her hand, would have drawn her into her own
+chamber; but they were no sooner in the passage, than Flora jumped back,
+and, shaking with laughter at her ingenuity, shut and locked herself
+into her room.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now renounced, perforce, all thought of serving her except
+through the medium of Miss Matson; and she was returning, much vexed, to
+her own small apartment, when she saw Sir Jaspar, who, leaning against
+the banisters, seemed to have been waiting for her, step curiously
+forward, as she opened her door, to take a view of her chamber. With
+quick impulse, to check this liberty, she hastily pushed to the door;
+not recollecting, till too late, that the key, by which alone it was
+opened, was on the inside.</p>
+
+<p>Chagrined, she repaired to Flora, telling the accident, and begging
+admittance.</p>
+
+<p>Flora, laughing with all her heart, positively refused to open the door;
+saying that she would rather be without company.</p>
+
+<p>The shop-man now came up stairs, to see what was going forward, and to
+enquire whether Miss Pierson, who had told him that she was ill, found
+herself worse. Flora, hastily checking her mirth, answered that her head
+ached, and she would lie down; and then spoke no more.</p>
+
+<p>The shop-man made an attempt to enter into conversation with Juliet; but
+she gravely requested that he would be so good as to order a smith to
+open the lock of her door.</p>
+
+<p>He ought not, he said, to leave the house in the absence of Miss Matson;
+but he would run the risk for the pleasure of obliging her, if she would
+only step down into the shop, to answer to the bell or the knocker.</p>
+
+<p>To this, in preference to being shut out of her room, she would
+immediately have consented, but that she feared the arrival of Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span>
+Lyell Sycamore. She asked the shop-man, therefore, if there were any
+objection to her waiting in the little parlour.</p>
+
+<p>None in the world, he answered; for he had Miss Matson's leave to use it
+when she was out of a Sunday; and he should be very glad if Miss Ellis
+would oblige him with her company.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet declined this proposal with an air that repressed any further
+attempt at intimacy; and the shop-man returned to his post.</p>
+
+<p>'I must not, I suppose,' the Baronet, then advancing, said, 'presume to
+offer you shelter under my roof from the inclemencies of the staircase?
+And yet I think I may venture, without being indecorous, to mention,
+that I am going out for my usual airing; and that you may take
+possession of your old apartment, upon your own misanthropical terms. At
+all events, I shall leave you the door open, place some books upon the
+table, take out my servants, and order that no one shall molest you.'</p>
+
+<p>Extremely pleased by a kindness so much to her taste, Juliet would
+gratefully have accepted this offer, but for the visit that she knew to
+be designed for the same apartment; which the absence of its master was
+not likely to prevent, as the pretence of writing a note, or his name,
+would suffice with Sir Lyell for mounting the stairs. Who then could
+protect Flora? Could Juliet herself come forward, when no one else
+remained in the house, conscious, as she could not but be, of the
+dishonourable views of which she, also, had been the object? The
+departure of Sir Jaspar appeared, therefore, to be big with mischief;
+and, when he was making a leave-taking bow, she almost involuntarily
+said, 'You are forced, then, Sir, to go out this morning?'</p>
+
+<p>Surprized and pleased, he answered, 'What! have my little fairy elves
+given you a lesson of humanity? Nay, if so, though they should pommel
+and maul me for a month to come, I shall yet be their obedient humble
+servant.'</p>
+
+<p>He then gave orders aloud that his carriage should be put up; saying,
+that he had letters to write, and that his servants might go and amuse
+themselves for an hour or two where they pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, now, was crimsoned with shame and embarrassment. How account for
+thus palpably wishing him to remain in the house? or how suffer him, by
+silence, to suppose it was from a desire of his society? Her blushes
+astonished, yet, by heightening her beauty, charmed still more than they
+perplexed him. To settle what to think of her might be difficult and
+teazing; but to admire her was easy and pleasant. He approached her,
+therefore, with the most flattering looks and smiles;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> but, to avoid any
+mistake in his manner of addressing her, he kept his speech back, with
+his judgment, till he could learn her purpose.</p>
+
+<p>This prudential circumspection redoubled her confusion, and she
+hesitatingly stammered her concern that she had prevented his airing.</p>
+
+<p>More amazed still, but still more enchanted, to see her thus at a loss
+what to say, though evidently pleased that he had relinquished his
+little excursion, he was making a motion to take her hand, which she had
+scarcely perceived, when a violent ringing at the door-bell, checked
+him; and concentrated all her solicitude in the impending danger of
+Flora; and, in her eagerness to rescue the simple girl from ruin, she
+hastily said: 'Can you, Sir Jaspar, forgive a liberty in the cause of
+humanity? May I appeal to your generosity? You will receive a visitor in
+a few minutes, whom I have earnest reasons for wishing you to detain in
+your apartment to the last moment that is possible. May I make so
+extraordinary a request?'</p>
+
+<p>'Request?' repeated Sir Jaspar, charmed by what he considered as an
+opening to intimacy; 'can you utter any thing but commands? The most
+benignant sprite of all Fairyland, has inspired you with this gracious
+disposition to dub me your knight.'</p>
+
+<p>Yet his eyes, still bright with intelligence, and now full of fanciful
+wonder, suddenly emitted an expression less rapturous, when he
+distinguished the voice of Sir Lyell Sycamore, in parley with the
+shop-man. Disappointment and chagrin soon took place of sportive
+playfulness in his countenance; and, muttering between his teeth, 'O ho!
+Sir Lyell Sycamore!'&mdash;he fixed his keen eyes sharply upon Juliet; with a
+look in which she could not but read the ill construction to which her
+seeming knowledge of that young man's motions, and her apparent interest
+in them, made her liable; and how much his light opinion of Sir Lyell's
+character, affected his partial, though still fluctuating one of her
+own.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lyell, however, was upon the stairs, and she did not dare enter into
+any justification; Sir Jaspar, too, was silent; but the young baronet
+mounted, singing, in a loud voice,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">O my love, lov'st thou me?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Then quickly come and see one who dies for thee!<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>'Yes here I come, Sir Lyell!'&mdash;in a low, husky, laughing voice, cried
+Flora, peeping through her chamber-door; which was immediately at the
+head of the stairs, upon the second floor; and to which Sir Lyell looked
+up, softly whispering, 'Be still, my little angel! and, in ten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span>
+minutes&mdash;' He stopt abruptly, for Sir Jaspar now caught his astonished
+sight, upon the landing-place of the attic story, with Juliet retreating
+behind him.</p>
+
+<p>'O ho! you are there, are you?' he cried, in a tone of ludicrous
+accusation.</p>
+
+<p>'And you, you are there, are you?' answered Sir Jaspar, in a voice more
+seriously taunting.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, hurt and confounded, would have escaped through the garret to
+the back stairs, but that her hat and cloak, without which she could not
+leave the house, were shut into her room. She tried, therefore, to look
+unmoved; well aware that the best chance to escape impertinence, is by
+not appearing to suspect that any is intended.</p>
+
+<p>Three strides now brought Sir Lyell before her. His amazement, vented by
+rattling exclamations, again perplexed Sir Jaspar; for how could Juliet
+have been apprized of his intended visit, but by himself?</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lyell, mingling the most florid compliments upon her radiant beauty,
+and bright bloom, with his pleasure at her sight, said that, from the
+reports which had reached him, that she had given up her singing, and
+her teaching, and that Sir Jaspar had taken the room which she had
+inhabited, he had concluded that she had quitted Brighthelmstone. He was
+going rapidly on in the same strain, the observant Sir Jaspar intently
+watching her looks, while curiously listening to his every word; when
+Juliet, without seeming to have attended to a syllable, related, with
+grave brevity, that she had unfortunately shut in the key of her room,
+and must therefore seek Miss Matson, to demand another; and then, with
+steady steps, that studiously kept in order innumerable timid fears, she
+descended to the shop; leaving the two Baronets mutually struck by her
+superiour air and manner; and each, though equally desirous to follow
+her, involuntarily standing still, to wait the motions of the other; and
+thence to judge of his pretensions to her favour.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet found the shop empty, but the street-door open, and the shop-man
+sauntering before it, to look at the passers by. Glad to be, for a
+while, at least, spared the distaste of his company, she shut herself
+into the little parlour, carefully drawing the curtain of the
+glass-door.</p>
+
+<p>The two Baronets, as she expected, soon descended; the younger one eager
+to take leave of the elder, and privately re-mount the stairs; and Sir
+Jaspar, fixed to obey the injunctions, however unaccountable, of Juliet,
+in detaining and keeping sight of him to the last moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Decamped, I swear, the little vixen!' exclaimed Sir Lyell, striding in
+first; 'but why the d&mdash;l do you come down, Sir Jaspar?'</p>
+
+<p>'For exercise, not ceremony,' he answered; though, little wanting
+further exertion, and heartily tired, he dropt down upon the first
+chair.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lyell vainly offered his arm, and pressed to aid him back to his
+apartment; he would not move.</p>
+
+<p>After some time thus wasted, Sir Lyell, mortified and provoked, cast
+himself upon the counter, and whistled, to disguise his ill humour.</p>
+
+<p>A pause now ensued, which Sir Jaspar broke, by hesitatingly, yet with
+earnestness, saying, 'Sir Lyell Sycamore, I am not, you will do me the
+justice to believe, a sour old fellow, to delight in mischief; a surly
+old dog, to mar the pleasures of which I cannot partake; if, therefore,
+to answer what I mean to ask will thwart any of your projects, leave me
+and my curiosity in the lurch; if not, you will sensibly gratify me, by
+a little frank communication. I don't meddle with your affair with
+Flora; 'tis a blooming little wild rose-bud, but of too common a species
+to be worth analysing. This other young creature, however, whose wings
+your bird-lime seems also to have entangled&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'How so?' interrupted Sir Lyell, jumping eagerly from the counter, 'what
+the d&mdash;l do you mean by that?'</p>
+
+<p>'Not to be indiscreet, I promise you,' answered Sir Jaspar; 'but as I
+see the interest she takes in you,&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'The d&mdash;l you do?' exclaimed Sir Lyell, in an accent of surprize, yet of
+transport.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar now, ironically smiling, said, 'You don't know it, then, Sir
+Lyell? You are modest?&mdash;diffident? unconscious?&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'My dear boy!' cried Sir Lyell, riotously, and approaching familiarly to
+embrace him, 'what a devilish kind office I shall owe you, if you can
+put any good notions into my head of that delicious girl!'</p>
+
+<p>New doubts now destroying his recent suspicions, Sir Jaspar held back,
+positively refusing to clear up what had dropt from him, and laughingly
+saying, 'Far be it from me to put any such notions into your head! I
+believe it amply stored! All my desire is to get some out of it. If,
+therefore, you can tell me, or, rather, will tell me, who or what this
+young creature is, you will do a kind office to my imagination, for
+which I shall be really thankful. Who is she, then? And what is she?'</p>
+
+<p>'D&mdash;l take me if I either know or care!' cried Sir Lyell, 'further than
+that she is a beauty of the first water; and that I should have adored<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span>
+her, exclusively, three months ago, if I had not believed her a thing of
+alabaster. But if you think her&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Not I! not I!&mdash;I know nothing of her!' interrupted Sir Jaspar: 'she is
+a rose planted in the snow, for aught I can tell! The more I see, the
+less I understand; the more I surmize, the further I seem from the mark.
+Honestly, then, whence does she come? How did you first see her? What
+does she do at Brighthelmstone?'</p>
+
+<p>'May I go to old Nick if I am better informed than yourself! except that
+she sings and plays like twenty angels, and that all the women are
+jealous of her, and won't suffer a word to be said to her. However, I
+made up to her, at first, and should certainly have found her out, but
+for Melbury, who annoyed me with a long history of her virtue, and
+character, and Lady Aurora's friendship, and the d&mdash;l knows what; that
+made me so cursed sheepish, I was afraid of embarking in any measures of
+spirit. My sister, also, took lessons of her; and other game came into
+chase; and I should never have thought of her again, but that, when I
+went to town, a week or two ago, I learnt, from that Queen of the Crabs,
+Mrs Howel, that Melbury, in fact, knows no more of her than we do. He
+had nobody's world but her own for all her fine sentiments; so that he
+and his platonics would have kept me at bay no longer, if I had not
+believed her decamped from Brighthelmstone, upon hearing that you had
+got her lodging. How came you to turn her into the garret, my dear boy?
+Is that <i>à la mode</i> of your <i>vieille cour</i>?'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar protested that, when he took the apartment, he knew not of
+her existence; and then enquired, whether Sir Lyell could tell in what
+name she had been upon the stage; and why she had quitted it.</p>
+
+<p>'The stage? O the d&mdash;l!' he exclaimed, 'has she been upon the stage?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; I heard the fact mentioned to her, the other day, by a
+fellow-performer! some low player, who challenged her as a sister of the
+buskins.'</p>
+
+<p>'What a glorious Statira she must make!' cried Sir Lyell. 'I am ready to
+be her Alexander when she will. That hint you have dropt, my dear old
+boy, sha'n't be thrown away upon me. But how the d&mdash;l did you find the
+dear charmer out?'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar again sought to draw back his information; but Sir Lyell
+swore that he would not so lightly be put aside from a view of success,
+now once it was fairly opened; and was vowing that he should begin a
+siege in form, and persevere to a surrender; when the conversation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> was
+interrupted, by the entrance of the shop-man, accompanied by a
+mantua-maker, who called upon some business.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, who, from the beginning, had heard this discourse with the
+utmost uneasiness, and whom its conclusion had filled with indignant
+disgust; had no resource to avoid the yet greater evil of being joined
+by the interlocutors, but that of sitting motionless and unsuspected,
+till they should depart; or till Miss Matson should return. But her care
+and precaution proved vain: the shop-man invited Mrs Hart, the
+mantua-maker, into the little parlour; and, upon opening the door,
+Juliet met their astonished view.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar, not without evident anxiety, endeavoured to recollect what
+had dropt from him, that might hurt her; or how he might palliate what
+might have given her offence. But Sir Lyell, not at all disconcerted,
+and privately persuaded that half his difficulties were vanquished, by
+the accident that acquainted her with his design; was advancing,
+eagerly, with a volley of rapid compliments, upon his good fortune in
+again meeting with her; when Juliet, not deigning to seem conscious even
+of his presence, passed him without notice; and, addressing Mrs Hart,
+entreated that she would go up stairs to the room of Miss Pierson, to
+examine whether it were necessary to send for any advice; as she had
+returned home alone, and complained of being ill. Mrs Hart complied; and
+Juliet followed her to Flora's chamber-door.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVII" id="CHAPTER_XLVII"></a>CHAPTER XLVII</h2>
+
+
+<p>The gentle tap that Mrs Hart, fearing to disturb her, gave at the door
+of Flora, deceived the expecting girl into a belief that Sir Lyell was
+at length arrived; and crying, in a low voice, as she opened it, 'O Sir!
+how long you have been coming!' she stared at sight of Mrs Hart, with an
+amazement equal to her disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>Presently, however, with a dejected look and tone, 'Well, now!' she
+cried, 'is it only you, Mrs Hart?&mdash;I thought it had been somebody quite
+different!'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Hart, entering, enquired, with surprize, why Miss Ellis had said
+that Miss Pierson was ill, when, on the contrary, she had never seen her
+look better.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, now, Miss Ellis,' cried Flora, whispering Juliet, 'did not I tell
+you, as plain as could be, 'twas nothing but make believe?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, without offering any apology, answered, that she had invited Mrs
+Hart to make her a visit.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, now, what can you be thinking of?' cried Flora, angrily: 'Why, you
+know, as well as can be, that I want to see nobody! Why, have you forgot
+all I told you, already, about you know who? Why I never knew the like!
+Why he'll be fit to kill himself! I'll never tell you any thing again,
+if you beg me on your knees! so there's the end to your knowing any more
+of my secrets! and you've nobody but yourself to thank, if it vexes you
+never so!'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Hart interrupted this murmuring, by enquiring who was the Sir that
+Miss Pierson expected; adding that, if it were the shop-man, it would be
+more proper Miss Pierson should go down stairs, than that she should let
+him come up to her room.</p>
+
+<p>'The shop-man?' repeated Flora, simpering, and winking at Juliet; 'no,
+indeed, Mrs Hart; you have not made a very good guess there!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> Has she,
+Miss Ellis? I don't think a man of quality, and a baronet, is very like
+a shop-man! Do you, Miss Ellis?'</p>
+
+<p>This blundering simplicity of vanity was not lost upon Mrs Hart. 'O ho!'
+she cried, 'you expect a baronet, do you, then, Miss Pierson? Why there
+were no less than two Baronets in the shop as I came through, just now;
+and there's one of them this minute crossing the way, and turning the
+corner.'</p>
+
+<p>'O Me! is he gone, then?' cried Flora, looking out of the window. 'O Me!
+what shall I do? O Miss Ellis! this is all your fault! And now, perhaps,
+he'll be so angry he'll never speak to me again! And if he don't, ten to
+one but it may break my heart! for that often happens when one's crossed
+in love. And if it does, I sha'n't thank you for it, I assure you! And
+it's just as likely as not!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, though she sought to appease both her grief and her wrath, could
+not but rejoice that their unguarded redundance informed Mrs Hart of the
+whole history: and Mrs Hart, who, though a plain, appeared to be a very
+worthy woman, immediately endeavoured to save the poor young creature,
+from the snares into which she was rather wilfully jumping, than
+deludedly falling, by giving her a pressing invitation to her own house
+for the rest of the day. But to this, neither entreaty nor reproof could
+obtain consent. Flora, like many who seem gentle, was only simple; and
+had neither docility nor comprehension for being turned aside from the
+prosecution of her wishes. To be thwarted in any desire, she considered
+as cruelty, and resented as ill treatment. She refused, therefore, to
+leave the house, while hoping for the return of Sir Lyell; and continued
+her childish wailing and fretting, till accident led her eyes to a
+favourite little box; when, her tears suddenly stopping, and her face
+brightening, she started up, seized, opened it, and, displaying a very
+pretty pair of ear-rings, exclaimed, 'Oh, I have never shewn you my
+presents, Miss Ellis! And now Mrs Hart may have a peep at them, too. So
+she's in pretty good luck, I think!'</p>
+
+<p>And then, with exulting pleasure, she produced all the costly trinkets
+that she had received from Sir Lyell; with some few, less valuable,
+which had been presented to her by Sir Jaspar; and all the baubles,
+however insignificant or babyish, that had been bestowed upon her by her
+friends and relatives, from her earliest youth. And these, with the
+important and separate history of each, occupied, unawares, her time,
+till the return of Miss Matson.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs Hart then descended, and, urged by Juliet, briefly and plainly
+communicated the situation and the danger of the young apprentice.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Matson, affrighted for the credit of her shop, determined to send
+for the mother of Flora, who resided at Lewes, the next day.</p>
+
+<p>Relieved now from her troublesome and untoward charge, Juliet had her
+door opened, and re-took possession of her room.</p>
+
+<p>And there, a new view of her own helpless and distressed condition,
+filled and dejected her with new alarm. The licentiously declared
+purpose of Sir Lyell had been shocking to her ears; and the
+consciousness that he knew that she was informed of his intention added
+to its horrour, from her inability to shew her resentment, in the only
+way that suited her character or her disposition, that of positively
+seeing him no more. But how avoid him while she had no other means of
+subsistence than working in an open shop?</p>
+
+<p>The following morning but too clearly justified her apprehensive
+prognostics, of the improprieties to which her defenceless state made
+her liable. At an early hour, Sir Lyell, gay, courteous, gallant,
+entered the shop, under pretence of enquiring for Sir Jaspar; whom he
+knew to be invisible, from his infirmities, to all but his own nurses
+and servants, till noon. Miss Matson was taciturn and watchful, though
+still, from the fear of making an enemy, respectful; while Flora,
+simpering and blushing, was ready to jump into his arms, in her
+eagerness to apologize for not having waited alone for him, according to
+his directions: but he did not look at Miss Matson, though he addressed
+her; nor address Flora, though, by a side glance, he saw her
+expectations; his attention, from the moment that he had asked, without
+listening to any answer, whether he could see Sir Jaspar, was all, and
+even publicly devoted to Juliet; whom he approached with an air of
+homage, and accosted with the most flattering compliments upon her good
+looks and her beauty.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet turned aside from him, with an indignant disgust, in which she
+hoped he would read her resentment of his scheme, and her abhorrence of
+his principles. But those who are deep in vice are commonly incredulous
+of virtue. Sir Lyell took her apparent displeasure, either for a
+timidity which flattery would banish, or an hypocrisy which boldness
+would conquer. He continued, therefore, his florid adulation to her
+charms; regarding the heightened colour of offended purity, but as an
+augmented attraction.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet perceived her failure to repress his assurance, with a
+disturbance that was soon encreased, by the visible jealousy manifested
+in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span> the pouting lips and frowning brow of Flora; who, the moment that
+Sir Lyell, saying that he would call upon Sir Jaspar again, thought it
+prudent to retire, began a convulsive sobbing; averring that she saw why
+she had been betrayed; for that it was only to inveigle away her
+sweetheart.</p>
+
+<p>Pity for the ignorant accuser, might have subdued the disdain due to the
+accusation, and have induced Juliet to comfort her by a self-defence;
+but for a look, strongly expressing a suspicion to the same effect, from
+Miss Matson; which was succeeded by a general tossing up of the chins of
+the young work-women, and a murmur of, 'I wonder how she would like to
+be served so herself!'</p>
+
+<p>This was too offensive to be supported, and she retired to her chamber.</p>
+
+<p>If, already, the mingled frivolity and publicity of the business into
+which she had entered, had proved fatiguing to her spirits, and ungenial
+to her disposition; surmises, such as she now saw raised, of a petty and
+base rivality, urged by a pursuit the most licentious, rendered all
+attempt at its continuance intolerable. Without, therefore, a moment's
+hesitation, she determined to relinquish her present enterprise.</p>
+
+<p>The only, as well as immediate notion that occurred to her, in this new
+difficulty, was to apply to Mrs Hart, who seemed kind as well as civil,
+for employment.</p>
+
+<p>When she was summoned, therefore, by Miss Matson, with surprize and
+authority, back to the shop, she returned equipped for going abroad;
+and, after thanking her for the essay which she had permitted to be made
+in the millinery-business, declared that she found herself utterly unfit
+for so active and so public a line of life.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving then Miss Matson, Flora, and the young journey-women to their
+astonishment, she bent her course to the house of Mrs Hart; where her
+application was happily successful. Mrs Hart had work of importance just
+ordered for a great wedding in the neighbourhood, and was glad to engage
+so expert a hand for the occasion; agreeing to allow, in return, bed,
+board, and a small stipend per day.</p>
+
+<p>With infinite relief, Juliet went back to make her little preparations,
+and take leave of Miss Matson; by whom she was now followed to her room,
+with many earnest instances that she would relinquish her design. Miss
+Matson, in unison with the very common character to which she belonged,
+had appreciated Juliet not by her worth, her talents, or her labours,
+but by her avowed distress, and acknowledged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> poverty. Notwithstanding,
+therefore, her abilities and her industry, she had been uniformly
+considered as a dead weight to the business, and to the house. But now,
+when it appeared that the pennyless young woman had some other resource,
+the eyes of Miss Matson were suddenly opened to merits to which she had
+hitherto been blind. She felt all the advantages which the shop would
+lose by the departure of such an assistant; and recollected the many
+useful hints, in fashion and in elegance, which had been derived from
+her taste and fancy: her exemplary diligence in work; her gentle
+quietness of behaviour; and the numberless customers, which the various
+reports that were spread of her history, had drawn to the shop. All,
+now, however, was unavailing; the remembrance of what was over occurred
+too late to change the plan of Juliet; though a kinder appreciation of
+her character and services, while she was employed, might have engaged
+her to try some other method of getting rid of the libertine Baronet.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Matson then admonished her not to lose, at least, the benefit of
+her premium.</p>
+
+<p>'What premium?' cried Juliet.</p>
+
+<p>'Why that Sir Jaspar paid down for you.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, astonished, now learnt, that her admission as an inmate of the
+shop, which she had imagined due to the gossipping verbal influence of
+Miss Bydel, was the result of the far more substantial money-mediation
+of Sir Jaspar.</p>
+
+<p>She felt warmly grateful for his benevolence; yet wounded, in reflecting
+upon his doubts whether she deserved it; and confounded to owe another,
+and so heavy an obligation, to an utter stranger.</p>
+
+<p>She was finishing her little package, when the loud sobbings of Flora,
+while mounting the stairs for a similar, though by no means as voluntary
+a purpose, induced her to go forth, with a view to offer some
+consolation; but Flora, not less resentful than disconsolate, said that
+her mother was arrived to take her from all her fine prospects; and
+loaded Juliet with the unqualified accusation, of having betrayed her
+secrets, and ruined her fortune.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet had too strong a mind to suffer weak and unjust censure to breed
+any repentance that she had acted right. She could take one view only of
+the affair; and that brought only self-approvance of what she had done:
+if Sir Lyell meant honourably, Flora was easily followed; if not, she
+was happily rescued from earthly perdition.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, she had too much sweetness of disposition, and too much
+benevolence of character, to be indifferent to reproach; though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> her
+vain efforts, either to clear her own conduct, or to appease the angry
+sorrows of Flora, all ended by the indignantly blubbering damsel's
+turning from her in sulky silence.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet then took a quick leave of Miss Matson, and of the young
+journey-women; and repaired to her new habitation.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVIII" id="CHAPTER_XLVIII"></a>CHAPTER XLVIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Experience, the mother of caution, now taught Juliet explicitly to make
+known to her new chief, that she had no view to learn the art of
+mantua-making as a future trade, or employment; but simply desired to
+work at it in such details, as a general knowledge of the use of the
+needle might make serviceable and expeditious: no premium, therefore,
+could be expected by the mistress; and the work-woman would be at
+liberty to continue, or to renounce her engagement, from day to day.</p>
+
+<p>This agreement offered to her ideas something which seemed like an
+approach to the self-dependence, that she had so earnestly coveted: she
+entered, therefore, upon her new occupation with cheerfulness and
+alacrity, and with a diligence to which the hope, by being useful, to
+become necessary, gave no relaxation.</p>
+
+<p>The business, by this scrupulous devotion to its interests, was
+forwarded with such industry and success, that she soon became the open
+and decided favourite of the mistress whom she served; and who repaid
+her exertions by the warmest praise, and proposed her as a pattern to
+the rest of the sewing sisterhood.</p>
+
+<p>This approbation could not but cheer the toil of one whose mind, like
+that of Juliet, sought happiness, at this moment, only from upright and
+blameless conduct. She was mentally, also, relieved, by the local change
+of situation. She was now employed in a private apartment; and, though
+surrounded by still more fellow-work-women than at Miss Matson's, she
+was no longer constrained to remain in an open shop, in opposition alike
+to her inclinations and her wishes of concealment; no longer startled by
+the continual entrance and exit of strangers; nor exposed to curious
+enquirers, or hardy starers; and no longer fatigued by the perpetual
+revision of goods. She worked in perfect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> quietness, undisturbed and
+uninterrupted; her mistress was civil, and gave her encouragement; her
+fellow-semptresses were unobservant, and left her to her own reflexions.</p>
+
+<p>It is not, however, in courts alone that favour is perilous; in all
+circles, and all classes, from the most eminent to the most obscure, the
+'Favourite has no friend<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>!' The praises and the comparisons, by which
+Mrs Hart hoped to stimulate her little community to emulation, excited
+only jealousy, envy, and ill will; and a week had not elapsed, in this
+new and short tranquillity, before Juliet found that her superiour
+diligence was regarded, by her needle-sisterhood, as a mean artifice 'to
+set herself off to advantage at their cost.' Sneers and hints to this
+effect followed every panegyric of Mrs Hart; and robbed approbation of
+its pleasure, though they could not of its value.</p>
+
+<p>Chagrined by a consequence so unpleasant, to an industry that demanded
+fortitude, not discouragement; Juliet now felt the excess of her
+activity relax; and soon experienced a desire, if not a necessity, to
+steal some moments from application, for retirement and for herself.</p>
+
+<p>Here, again, she found the mischief to which ignorance of life had laid
+her open. The unremitting diligence with which she had begun her new
+office, had advanced her work with a rapidity, that made the smallest
+relaxation cause a sensible difference in its progress: and Mrs Hart,
+from first looking disappointed, asked next, whether nothing more were
+done? and then observed, how much quicker business had gone on the first
+week. In vain Juliet still executed more than all around her; the
+comparison was never made there, where it might have been to her
+advantage; all reference was to her own setting out; and she was soon
+taught to forgive the displeasure which, so inadvertently, she had
+excited, when she saw the claims to which she had made herself liable,
+by an incautious eagerness of zeal to reward, as well as earn, the
+maintenance which she owed to Mrs Hart.</p>
+
+<p>Alas, she thought, with what upright intentions may we be injudicious! I
+have thrown away the power of obliging, by too precipitate an eagerness
+to oblige! I retain merely that of avoiding to displease, by my most
+indefatigable application! All I can perform seems but a duty, and of
+course; all I leave undone, seems idleness and neglect. Yet what is the
+labour that never requires respite? What the mind, that never demands a
+few poor unshackled instants to itself?</p>
+
+<p>From this time, the little pleasure which she had been able to create<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span>
+for herself, from the virtue of her exertions, was at an end: to toil
+beyond her fellow-labourers, was but to provoke ill will; to allow
+herself any repose, was but to excite disapprobation. Hopeless,
+therefore, either way, she gave, with diligence, her allotted time to
+her occupation, but no more: all that remained, she solaced, by devoting
+to her pen and Gabriella, with whom her correspondence,&mdash;her sole
+consolation,&mdash;was unremitting.</p>
+
+<p>This unaffected conduct had its customary effect; it destroyed at once
+the too hardly earned favour of Mrs Hart, and the illiberal, yet too
+natural enmity of her apprentices; and, in the course of a very few
+days, Juliet was neither more esteemed, nor more censured, than any of
+her sisters of the sewing tribe.</p>
+
+<p>With the energy, however, of her original wishes and efforts, died all
+that could reconcile her to this sort of life. The hope of pleasing,
+which alone could soften its hardships, thus forcibly set aside, left
+nothing in its place, but calmness without contentment; dulness without
+serenity.</p>
+
+<p>Experience is not more exclusively the guide of our judgment, than
+comparison is the mistress of our feelings. Juliet now also found that,
+local publicity excepted, there was nothing to prefer in her new to her
+former situation; and something to like less. The employment itself was
+by no means equally agreeable for its disciples. The taste and fancy,
+requisite for the elegance and variety of the light work which she had
+quitted; however ineffectual to afford pleasure when called forth by
+necessity, rendered it, at least, less irksome, than the wearying
+sameness of perpetual basting, running, and hemming. Her
+fellow-labourers, though less pert and less obtrusive than those which
+she had left, had the same spirit for secret cabal, and the same passion
+for frolic and disguise; and also, like those, were all prattle and
+confidential sociability, in the absence of the mistress; all sullenness
+and taciturnity, in her presence. What little difference, therefore, she
+found in her position, was, that there she had been disgusted by
+under-bred flippancy; here, she was deadened by uninteresting monotony;
+and that there, perpetual motion, and incessant change of orders, and of
+objects, affected her nerves; while here, the unvarying repetition of
+stitch after stitch, nearly closed in sleep her faculties, as well as
+her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The little stipend which, by agreement, she was paid every evening,
+though it occasioned her the most satisfactory, by no means gave her the
+most pleasant feeling, of the day. However respectable reason and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span>
+justice render pecuniary emolument, where honourably earned; there is a
+something indefinable, which stands between spirit and delicacy, that
+makes the first reception of money in detail, by those not brought up to
+gain it, embarrassing and painful.</p>
+
+<p>During this tedious and unvaried period, if some minutes were snatched
+from fatiguing uniformity, it was only by alarm and displeasure, through
+the intrusion of Sir Lyell Sycamore; who, though always denied admission
+to herself, made frequent, bold, and frivolous pretences for bursting
+into the workroom. At one time, he came to enquire about a gown for his
+sister, of which Mrs Hart had never heard; at another, to look at a
+trimming for which she had had no commission; and at a third, to hurry
+the finishing of a dress, which had already been sent home. The motive
+to these various mock messages, was too palpable to escape even the most
+ordinary observation; yet though the perfect conduct, and icy coldness
+of Juliet, rescued her from all evil imputation amongst her companions,
+she saw, with pique and even horrour, that they were insufficient to
+repress the daring and determined hopes and expectations of the
+licentious Baronet; with whom the unexplained hint of Sir Jaspar had
+left a firm persuasion, that the fair object of his views more than
+returned his admiration; and waited merely for a decent attack, or
+proper offers, to acknowledge her secret inclinations.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, however shocked, could only commit to time her cause, her
+consistency, her vindication.</p>
+
+<p>Three weeks had, in this manner, elapsed, when the particular business
+for which Mrs Hart had wanted an odd hand was finished; and Juliet, who
+had believed that her useful services would keep her employed at her own
+pleasure, abruptly found that her occupation was at an end.</p>
+
+<p>Here again, the wisdom of experience was acquired only by distress. The
+pleasure with which she had considered herself free, because engaged but
+by the day, was changed into the alarm of finding herself, from that
+very circumstance, without employment or home; and she now acknowledged
+the providence of those ties, which, from only feeling their
+inconvenience, she had thought oppressive and unnecessary. The
+established combinations of society are not to be judged by the personal
+opinions, and varying feelings, of individuals; but by general proofs of
+reciprocated advantages. If the needy helper require regular protection,
+the recompensing employer must claim regular service; and Juliet now
+saw, that though in being contracted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> but by the day, she escaped all
+continued constraint, and was set freshly at liberty every evening; she
+was, a stranger to security, subject to dismission, at the mercy of
+accident, and at the will of caprice.</p>
+
+<p>Thus perplexed and thus helpless, she applied to Mrs Hart, for counsel
+how to obtain immediate support. Gratified by the application, Mrs Hart
+again recommended her as a pattern to the young sisterhood; and then
+gave her advice, that she should bind herself, either to some milliner
+or some mantua-maker, as a journey-woman for three years.</p>
+
+<p>Painfully, again, Juliet attained further knowledge of the world, in
+learning the danger of asking counsel; except of the candid and wise,
+who know how to modify it by circumstances, and who will listen to
+opposing representations.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Hart, from the moment that Juliet declined to be guided wholly by
+her judgment, lost all interest in her young work-woman's distresses.
+'If people won't follow advice,' she said, ''tis a sign they are not
+much to be pitied.' Vainly Juliet affirmed, that reasons which she could
+not explain, put it out of her power to take any measure so decisive;
+that, far from fixing her own destiny for three years, she had no means
+to ascertain, or scarcely even to conjecture, what it might be in three
+days; or perhaps in three hours; although in the interval of suspense,
+she was not less an object for present humanity, from the incertitude of
+what either her wants or her abundance might be in future; vainly she
+reasoned, vainly she pleaded. Mrs Hart always made the same reply: 'If
+people won't follow advice, 'tis a sign they are not much to be pitied.'</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of this maxim, Juliet next heard, that the small room and
+bed which she occupied, were wanted for another person.</p>
+
+<p>Alas! she thought, how long must we mingle with the world, ere we learn
+how to live in it! Must we demand no help from the understandings of
+others, unless we submit to renounce all use of our own?</p>
+
+<p>These reflections soon led her to hit upon the only true medium, for
+useful and safe general intercourse with the mass of mankind: that of
+avowing embarrassments, without demanding counsel; and of discussing
+difficulties, and gathering opinions, as matters of conversation; but
+always to keep in mind, that to ask advice, without a predetermination
+to follow it, is to call for censure, and to risk resentment.</p>
+
+<p>Thus died away in Juliet the short joy of freedom from the controul of
+positive engagements.</p>
+
+<p>Such freedom, she found, was but a source of perpetual difficulty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span> and
+instability. She had the world to begin again; a new pursuit to fix
+upon; new recommendations to solicit; and a new dwelling to seek.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIX" id="CHAPTER_XLIX"></a>CHAPTER XLIX</h2>
+
+
+<p>Juliet was making enquiries of the young work-women, for a
+recommendation to some small lodging, when she was surprised by the
+receipt of a letter from Mrs Pierson, soliciting her company immediately
+at Lewes; where poor Flora, she said, was taken dangerously ill of a
+high fever, and was raving, continually, for Miss Ellis. A return
+post-chaise to the postilion of which Mrs Pierson had given directions
+to call at Mrs Hart's, at three o'clock in the afternoon, would bring
+her, for nearly nothing; if she would have so much charity as to come
+and comfort the poor girl; and Mrs Pierson would find a safe conveyance
+back at night, if Miss Ellis could not oblige them by sleeping at the
+house: but she hoped that Mrs Hart would not refuse to spare her from
+her work, for a few hours, as it might produce a favourable turn in the
+disorder.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet read this letter with real concern. Had she rescued the poor,
+weak, and wilful Flora from immediate moral, only to devote her to
+immediate physical, destruction? And what now could be devised for her
+relief? Her intellects were too feeble for reason, her temper was too
+petulant for entreaty. Nevertheless, the benevolent are easily urged to
+exertion; and Juliet would not refuse the summons of the distressed
+mother, while she could flatter herself that any possible means might be
+suggested for serving the self-willed, and half-witted, but innocent
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p>She set out, therefore, upon this plan, far from sanguine of success,
+but persuaded that the effort was a duty.</p>
+
+<p>By her own calculations from memory, she was arrived within about a mile
+of Lewes, when the horses suddenly turned down a narrow lane.</p>
+
+<p>She demanded of the postilion why he did not proceed straight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> forward.
+He answered, that he knew a short cut to the house of Mrs Pierson.
+Uneasy, nevertheless, at quitting thus alone the high road, she begged
+him to go the common way, promising to reward him for the additional
+time which it might require. But he drove on without replying; though,
+growing now alarmed, she called, supplicated, and menaced in turn.</p>
+
+<p>She looked from window to window to seek some object to whom she might
+apply for aid; none appeared, save a man on horseback, whom she had
+already noticed from time to time, near the side of the chaise; and to
+whom she was beginning to appeal, when she surprised him making signs to
+hurry on the postilion.</p>
+
+<p>She now believed the postilion himself to be leagued with some
+highwayman; and was filled with affright and dismay.</p>
+
+<p>The horses galloped on with encreased swiftness, the horseman always
+keeping closely behind the chaise; till they were stopt by a small cart,
+from which Juliet had the joy to see two men alight, forced, by the
+narrowness of the road, to take off their horse, and drag back their
+vehicle.</p>
+
+<p>She eagerly solicited their assistance, and made an effort to open the
+chaise door. This, however, was prevented by the pursuing horseman, who,
+dismounting, opened it himself; and, to her inexpressible terrour,
+sprung into the carriage.</p>
+
+<p>What, then, was her mingled consternation and astonishment, when,
+instead of demanding her purse, he gaily exclaimed, 'Why are you
+frightened, you beautiful little creature?' And she saw Sir Lyell
+Sycamore.</p>
+
+<p>A change, but not a diminution of alarm, now took place; yet, assuming a
+firmness that sought to conceal her fears, 'Quit the chaise, Sir Lyell,'
+she cried, 'instantly, or you will compel me to claim protection from
+those two men!'</p>
+
+<p>'Protection? you pretty little vixen!' cried he, yet more familiarly,
+'who should protect you like your own adorer?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, leaning out, as far as was in her power, from the chaise-window,
+called with energy for help.</p>
+
+<p>'What do you mean?' cried he, striving to draw her back. 'What are you
+afraid of? You don't imagine me such a blundering cavalier, as to intend
+to carry you off by force?'</p>
+
+<p>The postilion was assisting the two men to fix their horse, for dragging
+back their cart; but her cries reached their ears, and one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span> them,
+advancing to the chaise, exclaimed, 'Good now! if it is not Miss Ellis!'
+And, to her infinite relief and comfort, she beheld young Gooch.</p>
+
+<p>She entreated him to open the door; but, lolling his arms over it,
+without attending to her, he said, 'Well! to see but how things turn
+out! Here have I been twice this very morning, at your new lodgings, to
+let you know it's now or never, for our junket's to night; and the old
+gentlewoman that keeps the house, who's none of the good-naturedest, as
+I take it, would never let me get a sight of you, say what I would; and
+here, all of the sudden, when I was thinking of you no more than if you
+had never been born, I come pop upon you, as one may say, within
+cock-crow of our very door; all alone, with only the young Baronight!'</p>
+
+<p>Nearly as much shocked, now, as, the moment before, she had been
+relieved, Juliet eagerly declared, that she was not with any body; she
+was simply going to Lewes upon business.</p>
+
+<p>'Why then,' cried he, 'the Baronight must be out his head, begging his
+pardon, to let you come this way; and the postilion as stupid as a post;
+for it's quite the contrary. It will lead you to you don't know where.
+We only turned down it ourselves, just to borrow a few glasses, of
+farmer Barnes, because we've more mouths than we have got of our own:
+for I've invited all our club; which poor dad don't much like. He says I
+am but a bungler at saving money, any more than at getting it; but I am
+as rare a hand as any you know, far or near, says the old gentleman, for
+spending it. The old gentleman likes to say his say. However, I must not
+leave my horse to his gambols.'</p>
+
+<p>Then nodding, still without listening to Juliet, he returned to his
+<i>chay-cart</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now unhasped the chaise-door herself, and was springing from the
+carriage; when Sir Lyell, forcibly holding her, exclaimed, 'What would
+you do, you lovely termagant? Would you make me pass for a devil of a
+ravisher? No, no, no! you handsome little firebrand! name your terms,
+and command me! I know you love me,&mdash;and I adore you. Why then this idle
+cruelty to us both? to nature itself; and to beauty?'</p>
+
+<p>More and more indignant, Juliet uttered a cry for help, that immediately
+brought back young Gooch, who was followed by an elderly companion.</p>
+
+<p>Provoked and resentful, yet amazed and ashamed, the Baronet jumped out
+of the chaise, saying, with affected contempt, yet stronger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span> pique,
+'Yes! help, gentlemen, help! come quick! quick! Miss Ellis is taken
+suddenly ill!'</p>
+
+<p>The insolent boldness of this appeal, was felt only by Juliet; whose
+scorn, however potent, was less prevalent than her satisfaction, upon
+beholding her old friend Mr Tedman. She descended to meet him, with an
+energetic 'Thank Heaven!' and an excess of gladness, not more tormenting
+to the Baronet, than unexpected by himself. 'Well, this is very kind of
+you, indeed, my dear,' cried he, heartily shaking hands with her; 'to be
+so glad to see me; especially after the ungenteel way I was served in by
+your lodging-gentlewoman, making no more ceremony than refusing to let
+me up, under cover that you saw no gentlemen; though I told her what a
+good friend I had been to you; and how you learnt my darter the musics;
+and how I used to bring you things; and lend you money; and that; and
+how I was willing enough to do the like again, put in case you was in
+need: but I might just as well have talked to the post; which huffed me
+a little, I own.'</p>
+
+<p>'O, those old gentlewomen,' interrupted Gooch, 'are always like that.
+One can never make any thing of 'em. I don't over like them myself, to
+tell you the truth.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet assured them that, having no time but for business, her
+injunctions of non-admission had been uniform and universal; and ought
+not, therefore, to offend any one. She then requested Mr Tedman to order
+that the postilion would return to the high road; which he had quitted
+against her positive direction; and to have the goodness to insist upon
+his driving her by the side of his own vehicle, till they reached Lewes.</p>
+
+<p>Tedman, looking equally important and elated, again heartily shook hands
+with her, and said, 'My dear, I'll do it with pleasure; or, I'll engage
+Tim to send off your chay, and I'll take you in his'n; put in case it
+will be more to your liking; for I am as little agreeable as you are, to
+letting them rascals of drivers get the better of me.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet acceded to this proposal, in which she saw immediate safety, with
+the most lively readiness; entreating Mr Tedman to complete his
+kindness, in extricating her from so suspicious a person, by paying him
+the half-crown, which she had promised him, for carrying her to Lewes.</p>
+
+<p>'Half-a-crown?' repeated Mr Tedman, angrily refusing to take it. 'It's
+too much by half, for coming such a mere step; put in case he did not
+put to o'purpose. You're just like the quality; and they're none<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span> of
+your sharpest; to throw away your money, and know neither the why nor
+the wherefore.'</p>
+
+<p>The Baronet, with a loud oath, said that the postilion was a scoundrel,
+for having offended the young lady; and menaced to inform against him,
+if he received a sixpence.</p>
+
+<p>The postilion made no resistance; the horses were taken off, and the
+chaise was drawn back to the high road. The little carriage belonging to
+young Gooch followed, into which Juliet, refusing all aid but from Mr
+Tedman, eagerly sprang; and her old friend placed himself at her side;
+while Gooch took the reins.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lyell looked on, visibly provoked; and when they were driving away,
+called out, in a tone between derision and indignation, 'Bravo, Mr
+Tedman! You are still, I see, the happy man!'</p>
+
+<p>Young Gooch, laughing without scruple, smacked his horse; while Mr
+Tedman angrily muttered, 'The quality always allows themselves to say
+any thing! They think nothing of that! All's one to them whether one
+likes it or not.'</p>
+
+<p>The design of Juliet was, when safely arrived at the farm, which was
+within a very short walk of the town of Lewes, to beg a safe guide to
+accompany her to the house of Mrs Pierson; where she resolved to pass
+the night; and whence she determined to write to Elinor, and solicit an
+interview; in which she meant to lay open her new difficulties, in the
+hope of re-awakening some interest that might operate in her favour.</p>
+
+<p>To save herself from the vulgar forwardness of ignorant importunity, she
+forbore to mention her plan, till she alighted from the little vehicle,
+at the gate of the farm-yard.</p>
+
+<p>'Goodness! Ma'am,' then cried young Gooch, 'you won't think of such a
+thing as going away, I hope, before you've well come? Why our sport's
+all ready! why, if you'll step a little this way, you may see the three
+sacks, that three of our men are to run a race in! There'll be fine
+scrambling and tumbling, one o' top o' t'other. You'll laugh till you
+split your sides. And if you'll only come here, to the right, I'll shew
+you the stye where our pig is, that's to be caught by the tail. But it
+will be well soaped, I can tell you; so it will be no such easy thing.'</p>
+
+<p>Slightly thanking him, Juliet applied for aid, in procuring her a
+conductor, to Mr Tedman; who, though at first he pressed her to stay, as
+she might get a little amusement so pure cheap, since it would cost
+nothing but looking on; no sooner heard her pronounce that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span> was
+called away by business, than he ceased all opposition; and promised to
+take care of her to Lewes himself, when he'd just spoken a word or two
+to his cousin Gooch: 'For I can't go with you, my dear, only I and you,
+you know, without that,' he said, 'just upon coming; for fear it should
+put them upon joking; which I don't like; for all the quality's so fond
+of it. Besides which, I must give in my presents; for this little
+hamper's full of little odd things for the junket; and if I leave 'em
+out here, to the mercy of nobody knows who, somebody or other'll be a
+pilfering, as sure as a gun; put in case they smoke what I've got in my
+hamper. And they're pretty quick at mischief.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet supplicated him to be speedy. Pleased to have his services
+accepted, he put his hamper under his arm, and walked on to the house;
+mindless of the impatient remonstrances of young Gooch, who exclaimed,
+'Why now, who'd have thought this of the 'Squire? it's doing just
+contrary; for he's the very person I thought would make you stay! for
+he's come, as one may say, half o' purpose for your sake; for he never
+plump accepted of our invitation till I told him, in my letter, of my
+having invited of you. And then he said he would come.'</p>
+
+<p>Then, lowering his voice into a whisper, he added, 'Between ourselves,
+Ma'am, the poor 'Squire, my good cousin, don't get much for his money at
+home, I believe. His daughter's got quite the top end; and she's none of
+your obligingests; she won't do one mortal thing he desires. She's been
+brought up at them fine boarding-schools, with misses that hold up their
+heads so high, that nothing's good enough for 'em. So she's always
+ashamed of her papa, because, she says, he's so mean; as he tells us.
+The poor 'Squire, my cousin, don't much like it; but he can't help
+himself. She's as exact like a fine lady as ever you see; and she won't
+speak a word to any of her poor relations, because they are so low, she
+says.' He then added, 'If you won't go while I'm gone, I'll give you as
+agreeable a surprize as ever you had in your life!'</p>
+
+<p>He ran on to the house.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes, Juliet felt something tickle the nape of her neck,
+and, imagining it to be an insect, she would have brushed it away with
+her hand, but received, between her fingers, a pink; and, looking round,
+saw Flora Pierson, nearly breathless from her efforts to smother a
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p>'Is it possible?' cried Juliet, in great amazement. 'Miss Pierson! I
+thought you were ill in bed?'</p>
+
+<p>No further efforts were necessary to repress the laugh; resentment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span>
+rather than gravity, took its place, and, with pouting lips, and a
+frowning brow, she answered, 'Ill? Yes! I have had enough to make me
+ill, that's sure! It's more a wonder, by half, that I a'n't dead; for I
+cried so that my eyes grew quite little; and I looked quite a fright;
+and I grew so hoarse that nobody could tell a word I said; though I
+talked enough, I'm sure; for nothing can hinder me of my talking, if it
+was never so, papa says.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now, upon closer enquiry, learnt that Flora had neither had a
+fever, nor desired a meeting; and that Mrs Pierson had neither written
+the letter, nor given any orders about a return post-chaise.</p>
+
+<p>The passing suspicions which already had occurred to Juliet in disfavour
+of Sir Lyell Sycamore, returned, now, with redoubled force. That he had
+made signs to the driver to quit the high road, however dismaying, she
+had attributed to sudden impulse, upon meeting her alone in a
+post-chaise; and had not doubted that, upon seeing the sincerity of her
+resentment, he would have retired with shame and repentance: but a plan
+thus concerted to get her into his power, changed apprehension into
+certainty, and indignation into abhorrence.</p>
+
+<p>The happy accident to which she owed her escape, even from the
+knowledge, till it was past, of her danger, she now blessed with
+rapture; and the junket, so disdained and rejected, she now felt that
+she could never recollect without grateful delight.</p>
+
+<p>But how return to Brighthelmstone? What vehicle find? How trust herself
+to any even when procured?</p>
+
+<p>She enquired of Flora whether it were possible that Mrs Pierson could
+grant her one night's lodging?</p>
+
+<p>The smiles, the dimples, and the good humour of the simple girl, all
+revived, and played about her pretty face, at this request. 'O yes!' she
+cried. 'Miss Ellis, I shall be so glad to have you come! for mamma and I
+are so dull together that I'm quite moped. I don't like it by half as
+well as I did the shop. So many smart gentlemen and ladies coming in and
+out every moment! dressed so nice, and speaking so polite! I'm obliged
+to wear all my worst things, now, to save my others, mamma says, for
+fear of the expence. And it makes me not look as well by half, as I did
+at Miss Matson's. I looked well enough there, I believe; as people told
+me; at least the gentlemen. But I go such a dowd, here, that it's enough
+to frighten you. I'm sure when I go to the glass, and that's a hundred
+times a-day, for aught I know, if it were counted, to see what sort of a
+figure I make, I could break it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span> with pleasure, for seeing me such a
+disguise; for I look quite ugly, unless I happen to be in my smilings.'</p>
+
+<p>This prattle was interrupted by a signal from Mr Tedman, that made
+Juliet hope that he was now ready to depart; but, upon approaching him,
+he only said, 'Come hither, my dear, and sit down a bit, upon this
+bench, for we can't go yet. I have not given all my presents. And I
+don't care to leave 'em!' winking significantly: 'not that I mean to
+doubt any body; only it's as well have a sharp eye. We are all honestest
+with good looking after.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now was surrounded by young farmers, who offered her cakes or
+ale, and asked her hand for the ensuing dance; while young Gooch
+collected around him an admiring audience, to listen to his account, how
+he and the young gentlewoman, who was so pretty, had acted together in a
+play.</p>
+
+<p>Mr Tedman then bid her divine how his cousin Gooch was employed, and why
+the presents were not yet delivered? and upon her declared inability to
+conjecture, 'Would you believe it, my dear?' he cried, 'For all Tim
+drove us such a good round trot, the quality got the start of us! And
+now he's in the kitchen, with cousin Gooch, taking a cup of ale!'</p>
+
+<p>The disturbance of Juliet at this intelligence, he thought simply
+surprize, and continued, 'Nay, it was not easy to guess, sure enough. He
+must have rid over every thing, hedge, ditch, and the like. But your
+quality's not over mindful of other people's property. He's come to buy
+some hay. He come o'purpose, he says. And he's a mortal good customer,
+for he says nothing but, "Mighty well! That's very reasonable, indeed! I
+thought it had been twice the price!" Old coz chuckles, I warrant him!
+Your quality's but a poor hand at a bargain. I would not employ 'em,
+between you and I. They never know what they are about.'</p>
+
+<p>They were now joined by Mr Gooch, a hale, hearty, cherry-cheeked dapper
+farmer, fair in all his dealings, and upright in all his principles,
+except when they had immediate reference to his professional profits.
+'Well!' he cried, ''Squire!' rubbing his hands in great glee. 'I've had
+a good chapman enough here! I've often seen un at our races, but I
+little thought of having to chaffer with un. Howsever, one may have
+worse luck with one's money. A don't much understand business. But who's
+that pretty lass with ye, 'Squire? Some play-mate, I warrant, of cousin
+Molly? And why did no' cousin Molly come, too? A'd a have been heartily
+welcome. And perhaps a'd a picked up a sweetheart.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Stop, father, stop!' cried young Gooch: 'I've something to say to you.
+You know how you've always stood to it, that you would not believe a
+word about all those battles, and guillotines, and the like, of Mounseer
+Robert Speer, in foreign parts; though I told you, over and over, that I
+had it from our club? Well! here's a person now here, in your own
+grounds, that's seen it all with her own eyes! So if you don't believe
+it, never believe it as long as you live.'</p>
+
+<p>'Like enough not, Tim,' answered the father: 'I do no' much give my mind
+to believing all them outlandish fibs, told by travellers. I can hear
+staring stories eno' by my own fire-side. And I a'n't over friendly to
+believing 'em there. But, bless my heart! for a man for to come for to
+go for to pretend telling me, because it be a great ways off, and I
+can't find un out, that there be a place where there comes a man, who
+says, every morning of his life, to as many of his fellow-creatures as a
+can set eyes on, whether they be man, woman, or baby; here, mount me two
+or three dozen of you into that cart, and go and have your heads chopt
+off! And that they'll make no more ado, than go, only because they're
+bid! Why if one will believe such staring stuff as that be, one may as
+well believe that the moon be made of cream-cheese, and the like.
+There's no sense in such a set of lies; for life's life every where,
+even in France; though it be but a poor starving place, at best, without
+pasture, or cattle; or corn, either, fit for a man for to eat.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ay, father, ay; but Bob Spear, as we call him at our club&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Y're young, y're young, Tim,' interrupted Mr Gooch; 'and your
+youngsters do believe every thing. When you've sowed your wild oats,
+you'll know better. But we mustn't all be calves at the same time. If
+there were none for to give milk, there'd be none for to suck. So it be
+all for the best. And that makes me for to take it the less to heart,
+when I do see you be such a gudgeon, Tim, with no more sense than to
+swallow neat down every thing that do come in your way. But you'll never
+thrive, Tim, till you be like to what I be; people do tell such a peck
+of staring lies, that I do no' believe, nor I wo'no' believe one mortal
+word by hear-say.'</p>
+
+<p>'For my part,' said Mr Tedman, 'I never enquire into all that, whether
+it be true, or whether it be false; because it's nothing to me either
+way; and one wastes a deal of time in idle curiosity, about things that
+don't concern one; put in case one can't turn them to one's profit.'</p>
+
+<p>'That's true, coz,' said Mr Gooch; 'for as to profit, there be none<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span> to
+come from foreign parts: for they be all main poor thereabout; for, they
+do tell me, that there be not a man among un, as sets his eyes, above
+once in his life, or thereabout, upon a golden guinea! And as to roast
+beef and plum-pudding, I do hear that they do no' know the taste of such
+a thing. So that they be but a poor stinted race at best, for they can
+never come to their natural growth.'</p>
+
+<p>'What, then, you do believe what folks tell you sometimes, father?'
+cried the son, grinning.</p>
+
+<p>'To be sure I do, Tim; when they do tell me somewhat that be worth a
+man's hearing.'</p>
+
+<p>They were now joined by Mr Stubbs, who, seeing Juliet, was happy in the
+opportunity of renewing her favourite enquiries, relative to the
+agricultural state of the continent.</p>
+
+<p>Mr Gooch, extremely surprized, exclaimed, 'Odds heart! Why sure such a
+young lass as that be, ha'n't been across seas already? Why a couldn't
+make out their gibberish, I warrant me! for't be such queer stuff that
+they do talk, all o'un, that there's no getting at what they'd be at;
+unless one larns to speak after the same guise, like to our
+boarding-school misses. I've seen one or two o'un myself, that passed
+here about; but their manner o' talk was so out of the way, I could no'
+make out a word they did say. T'might all be Dutch for me. And I found
+'em vast ignorant. They knew no more than my horse when land ought to be
+manured, from when it ought for to lie fallow. I did ask un a many
+questions; but a could no' answer me, for to be understood.'</p>
+
+<p>'But, for all that, Master Gooch,' said Mr Stubbs, 'my late Lord has
+told me that France is sincerely a fine country, if they knew how to
+make the most of it; but the waste lands are quite out of reason; for
+they are such a boggling set of farmers, that they grow nothing but what
+comes, as one may say, of itself.'</p>
+
+<p>'France a fine country, Maister Stubbs? Well, that be a word I did no'
+count to hear from a man of your sense. Why't be as poor a place as ye
+might wish to set eyes on, all over-run with weeds, and frogs, and the
+like. Why ye be as frenchified as Tim, making out them mounseers to be a
+parcel of Jack the Giant-killers, lopping off heads for mere play, as a
+body may say. However, here be one that's come to our hop, that be a
+finer spark than there be in all France, I warrant me: for a makes a bow
+as like to a mounseer, as if a was twin-brother to un; and a was so
+ready to pay down his money handsomely, I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span> no' but say a'd be
+welcome to our junket; for a says a does like such a thing more than all
+them new fangled balls and concerts.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, and you believe that upon hear-say do you, father?' cried Tim,
+sneeringly.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, to be sure, I do, Tim. When a man do say a thing that ha' got some
+sense in it, why should no' I believe un, Tim?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, who from what had preceded, had concluded the Baronet to be
+gone, earnestly now pressed Mr Tedman to fulfil his kind engagement; but
+in vain: Mr Gooch brought his best silver tankard, to insist upon his
+cousin's drinking success to the new purchase, that occasioned the
+junket; and Tim was outrageous at the proposal of retiring, just as the
+feats were going to commence. 'Before five minutes are over,' said he,
+'the pig will begin!'</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' answered Mr Tedman, 'it is but a silly thing, to be sure, things
+of that sort; and I never give my mind to them; but still, as it's a
+thing I never saw, put in case you've no objections, we'll just stay for
+the pig, my dear.'</p>
+
+<p>Flora, having now gathered that <i>the quality</i> meant Sir Lyell Sycamore,
+began dancing and singing, in a childish extacy of delight, that shewed
+her already, in idea, Lady Sycamore, when, turning to Juliet with sudden
+and angry recollection, her smiles, gaiety, and capering gave way to a
+bitter fit of crying, and she exclaimed, 'But if he is here, it will be
+nothing to me, I dare say, if Miss Ellis is here the while; for he won't
+look at me, almost, when she is by: will he? For some people play one so
+false, that one might as well be as ugly as the cat, almost, when they
+are in the way.'</p>
+
+<p>'Don't be fretted, Miss Flora,' cried young Gooch, soothingly; 'for I
+shall ask Miss Ellis to dance myself; for as I shall begin the hop,
+because of its being our own, I think I've a good right to chuse my
+partner; so don't be fretted, so, Miss Flora, for you'll have the
+Baronight left to you whether he will or no! But come; don't let's lose
+time; if you'll follow me, you won't want sport, I can tell you; for the
+beginning's to be a syllabub under the cow.'</p>
+
+<p>Flora was not too proud to accept this consolation; but Juliet
+positively declared that she should not dance; and earnestly entreated
+that some one might be found to conduct her to Mrs Pierson's.</p>
+
+<p>Flora, recovering her spirits, with the hopes of getting rid of her
+rival, whispered, 'If you're in real right earnest, Miss Ellis, and
+don't say you want to go, only to make a fool of me, which I shall take
+pretty unkind, I assure you; why I can shew you the way so as you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span> can't
+miss it, if you'd never so. And I'm sure I shall be glad enough to have
+you go, if I must needs speak without a compliment. Only don't tell
+mamma who's here, for she don't like persons of quality, she says,
+because of their bad designs; but I'm sure if she was to hear 'em talk
+as I do, she'd think quite another opinion: wouldn't she?'</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for the intentions of Juliet, which were instantly to make
+known to Mrs Pierson the new danger of her daughter, Flora waited not
+for any answer to this injunction; but set out, prattling incessantly as
+they went on, to put the willing Juliet on her way to Lewes.</p>
+
+<p>The cry, however, from young Gooch, of 'Come! Where are the young
+ladies? The pig's ready!' caught the ears of Flora, with charm not to be
+resisted; and, hastily pointing out a style, to pass into the meadow,
+and another, to pass thence to the high road, she capered briskly back;
+fearing to miss some of the sport, if not a seat next to the Baronet.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_L" id="CHAPTER_L"></a>CHAPTER L</h2>
+
+
+<p>Juliet, as earnest to avoid, as Flora felt eager to pursue, the opening
+feats, hurried from the destined spot, after charging the simple damsel
+not to make known her departure. Unavailing, however, was the caution;
+and immaterial alike the prudence or the indiscretion of Flora: Juliet
+had no sooner crossed the first style, than she perceived Sir Lyell
+Sycamore sauntering in the meadow.</p>
+
+<p>She would promptly have returned to the farm, but a shout of noisy
+merriment reached her ears from the company that she was quitting, and
+pointed out the danger of passing the evening in the midst of such
+turbulent and vulgar revelry. She hastened, therefore, on; but neither
+the lightness of her step, nor the swiftness of her speed, could save
+her from the quick approach of the Baronet. 'My angel!' he cried,
+'whither are you going? and why this prodigious haste? What is it my
+angel fears? Can she suppose me rascal enough, or fool enough, to make
+use of any violence? No, my angel, no! I only ask to be regaled, from
+your own sweet lips, with the delicious tale of divine partiality, that
+the quaint old knight began revealing. I sigh, I pant to hear
+confirmed&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Hold, Sir Lyell!' interrupted Juliet. 'If Sir Jaspar is the author of
+this astonishing mistake, I trust he will have the honour to rectify it.
+When I named you to him, it was but with a view to rescue a credulous
+young creature from your pursuit, whom I feared it might injure; not to
+expose to it one whom it never can endanger; however deeply it may
+offend.'</p>
+
+<p>Struck and disappointed at the courage and coolness of this explanation,
+Sir Lyell looked mortified and amazed; but, upon seeing her reach the
+style, he sprang over it, and, recovering his usual effrontery, offered
+her his hand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Juliet knew not whether her risk were greater to proceed or to return;
+but while she hesitated, a phaeton, which was driving by, stopt, and an
+elderly lady, addressing the Baronet, in a tone of fawning courtesy,
+enquired after his health, and added, 'So you are come to this famous
+junket, Sir Lyell?'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Lyell forced a laugh, and bowed low; though he muttered, loud enough
+for Juliet to hear, 'What cursed spies!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now perceived Mrs and Miss Brinville; and neither innocence, nor
+contempt of calumny, could suppress a rising blush, at being surprised,
+by persons already unfavourably disposed towards her, in a situation
+apparently so suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>The countenance of the mother exhibited strong chagrin at sight of
+Juliet; while the daughter, in a tone of pique, said, 'No doubt but you
+are well amused, Sir Lyell?'</p>
+
+<p>They drove on; not, however, very fast, and with so little self-command,
+as frequently to allow themselves to look back. This indelicacy, however
+ill adapted to raise them in the esteem of the Baronet, at least rescued
+Juliet from his persecution. Disconcerted himself, he felt the necessity
+of decency; and, quitting her, with affected carelessness, he hummed an
+air, while grumbling curses, and, swinging his switch to and fro, walked
+off; not more careful that the ladies in the phaeton should see him
+depart, than assiduous to avoid with them any sort of junction.</p>
+
+<p>The relief caused to Juliet by his retreat, was cruelly clouded by her
+terrour of the false suggestions to which this meeting made her liable.
+Neither mother nor daughter would believe it accidental; nor credit it
+to have been contrived without equal guilt in both parties. Is there no
+end, then, she cried, to the evils of defenceless female youth? And,
+even where actual danger is escaped, must slander lie in wait, to
+misconstrue the most simple actions, by surmising the most culpable
+designs?</p>
+
+<p>Neither to follow the footsteps of Sir Lyell, nor to remain where he
+might return, she was going back to the farm; when she was met by Flora,
+who, with a species of hysterical laughter, nearly of kin to crying,
+called out, 'So Ma'am! so Miss Ellis! I've caught you at last! I've
+surprised you at last! a-courting with my sweetheart!'</p>
+
+<p>Pitying her credulous ignorance, Juliet would have cleared up this
+mistake; but the petulant Flora would not listen. 'I'll speak to the
+gentleman myself!' she cried, running forward to the style; 'for I have
+found out your design; so it's of no use to deny it! I saw you together<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span>
+all the way I came; so you may as well not try to make a ninny of me,
+Miss Ellis, for it i'n't so easy!'</p>
+
+<p>Catching a glimpse of the Baronet as he descended the road, she jumped
+over the style to run after him; but seeing him look round, and, though
+he perceived her, quietly walk on, she stopt, crying bitterly: 'Very
+well, Miss Ellis! very well! you've got your ends! I see that! and, I
+don't thank you for it, I assure you, for I liked him very well; and it
+i'n't so easy to find a man of quality every day; so it i'n't doing as
+you'd be done by; for nobody likes much to be forsaken, no more than I,
+I believe, for it i'n't so agreeable. And I had rather you had not
+served me so by half! In particular for a man of quality!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, though vainly, was endeavouring to appease and console her, when
+a young lady, bending eagerly from the window of a post chaise which was
+passing by, ejaculated, 'Ellis!' and Juliet, with extreme satisfaction,
+perceived Elinor.</p>
+
+<p>The chaise stopt, and Juliet advanced to it with alacrity; but before
+she could speak, the impatient Elinor, still looking pale, meagre, and
+wretched, burst forth, with rapid and trembling energy, into a string of
+disordered, incoherent, scarcely intelligible interrogatories. 'Ellis!
+what brings you to this spot?&mdash;Whither is it you go?&mdash;What project are
+you forming?&mdash;What purpose are you fulfilling?&mdash;Whom are you
+flying&mdash;Whom are you following?&mdash;What is it you design?&mdash;What is it you
+wish?&mdash;Why are you here alone?&mdash;Where&mdash;Where&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Leaning, then, still further out of the window, she fixed her nearly
+haggard, yet piercing eyes upon those of Juliet, and, in a hollow voice,
+dictatorially added: 'Where&mdash;tell me, I charge you! where&mdash;is Harleigh?'</p>
+
+<p>Consternation at sight of her altered countenance, and affright at the
+impetuosity of her questions, produced a hesitation in the answer of
+Juliet, that, to the agitated Elinor, seemed the effect of surprised
+guilt. Her pallid cheeks then burnt with the mixed feelings of triumph
+and indignation; yet her voice sought to disguise her wounded feelings,
+and in subdued, though broken accents, ''Tis well!' she cried, 'You no
+longer, at least, seek to deceive me, and I thank you!' Deaf to
+explanation or representation, she then hurried her weak frame from the
+chaise, aided by her foreign lackey; and, directing Juliet to follow,
+crossed the road to a rising ground upon the Downs; seated herself; sent
+off her assistant, and made Juliet take a place by her side; while Flora
+returned, crying and alone, to the farm.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Now, then,' she said, 'that you try no more to delude, to cajole, to
+blind me, tell me now, and in two words,&mdash;where is Harleigh?'</p>
+
+<p>'Believe me, Madam,&mdash;' Juliet was tremblingly beginning, when Elinor,
+casting off the little she had assumed of self-command, passionately,
+cried, 'Must I again be played upon by freezing caution and duplicity?
+Must I die without end the lingering death of cold inaction and
+uncertainty? breathe for ever without living? Where, I demand, is
+Harleigh? Where have you concealed him? Why will Harleigh, the noble
+Harleigh, degrade himself by any concealment? Why stoop to the subtilty
+of circumspection, to spare himself the appearance of destroying one
+whose head, heart, and vitals, all feel the reality of the destruction
+he inflicts? And yet not he! No, no! 'tis my own ruthless star! He loves
+me not! he is not responsible for my misery, though he is master of my
+fate! Where is he? where is he? You,&mdash;who are the tyrant of his! tell
+me, and at once!'</p>
+
+<p>'I solemnly protest to you, Madam, with the singleness of the most
+scrupulous truth,' cried Juliet, recovering her presence of mind, 'I am
+entirely ignorant of his abode, his occupations, and his intentions.' Ah
+why, she secretly added, am I not equally unacquainted with his feelings
+and his wishes!</p>
+
+<p>Unable to discredit the candour with which this was pronounced, and
+filled with wonder, yet involuntarily consoled, the features of Elinor
+lost their rigidity, and her eyes their fierceness; and, in milder
+accents, she replied, 'Strange! how strange! Where, then, can he
+be?&mdash;with whom?&mdash;how employed?&mdash;Does he fly the whole world as well as
+Elinor? Has no one his society?&mdash;no one his confidence?&mdash;his society,
+which, by contrast, makes all existence without it disgusting!&mdash;his
+confidence, which, to obtain, I would yet live, though doomed daily to
+the rack! O Harleigh! love like mine, who has felt?&mdash;love like mine, who
+but you, O matchless Harleigh! ever inspired!'</p>
+
+<p>Tears now gushed into her eyes. Ashamed, and angry with herself, she
+hastily brushed them off with the back of her hand, and, with forced
+vivacity, continued, 'He thinks, perchance, to sicken me into the pining
+end of a love-sick consumption? to avert the kindly bowl or dagger, that
+cut short human misery, for the languors, the sufferings, and despair of
+a loathsome natural death? And for what?&mdash;to restore, to preserve me?
+No! I have no share in the arrangement; no interest, no advantage from
+the plan. Appearances alone are considered; all else is regarded as
+immaterial; or sacrificed. And he, Harleigh, the noblest,&mdash;the only
+noble of men!&mdash;can level himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> with the narrowest and most illiberal
+of his race, to pay coward obeisance to appearances!'</p>
+
+<p>Again she then repeated her personal interrogatories to Juliet; and
+demanded whether she should set off immediately for Gretna Green, with
+Lord Melbury; or whether she must wait till he should be of age.</p>
+
+<p>'Neither!' Juliet solemnly answered; and frankly recounted her recent
+difficulties; and entreated the advice of Elinor for adopting another
+plan of life.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor, interrupting her, said, 'Nay, 'twas your own choice, you know,
+to live in a garret, and hem pocket-handkerchiefs.'</p>
+
+<p>'Choice, Madam! Alas! deprived of all but personal resource, I fixed
+upon a mode of life that promised me, at least, my mental freedom. I was
+not then aware how imaginary is the independence, that hangs for support
+upon the uncertain fruits of daily exertions! Independent, indeed, such
+situations may be deemed from the oppressions of power, or the tyrannies
+of caprice and ill humour; but the difficulty of obtaining employment,
+the irregularity of pay, the dread of want,&mdash;ah! what is freedom but a
+name, for those who have not an hour at command from the subjection of
+fearful penury and distress?'</p>
+
+<p>'If all this is so,' said Elinor, 'which, unless you wait for Lord
+Melbury's majority, is more than incomprehensible; what say you, now, to
+an asylum safe, at least, from torments of this sort;&mdash;will you
+commission me, at length, to apply to Mrs Ireton?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, instinctively, recoiled at the very name of that lady; yet a
+little reflection upon the dangers to which she was now exposed, through
+unprotected poverty; through the lawless pursuit of Sir Lyell Sycamore;
+and the vindictive calumnies of the Brinvilles, made the wish of solid
+safety repress the disgusts of offended sensibility; and, after a
+painful pause, she recommended herself to the support of Elinor:
+resolving to accept, for the moment, any proposition, that might secure
+her an honourable refuge from want and misconception.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor, looking at her suspiciously, said, 'And Harleigh?&mdash;Will he let
+you submit to such slavery?'</p>
+
+<p>Mr Harleigh, Juliet protested, could have no influence upon her
+determination.</p>
+
+<p>'But you yourself, who a month or two ago, could so ill bear her
+tauntings, how is it you are thus suddenly endued with so much
+humility?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Alas, Madam, all choice, all taste, all obstacles sink before
+necessity! When I came over, I had expectations of immediate succour. I
+knew not that the friend I sought was herself ruined, as well as
+unhappy! I had hopes, too, of speedy intelligence that might have
+liberated me from all my difficulties....'</p>
+
+<p>She stopt; Elinor exclaimed, 'From whence?&mdash;From abroad?&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet was silent; and Elinor, after a few passing sallies against
+secrets and mystery, sarcastically bid her consider, before she adopted
+this new scheme, that Harleigh never visited at Mrs Ireton's; having
+taken, in equal portions, a dose of aversion for the mother, and of
+contempt for the son.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet calmly replied, that such a circumstance could be but an
+additional motive to seek the situation; and, hopeless, for the moment,
+of doing better, seriously begged that proper measures might be taken to
+accelerate the plan.</p>
+
+<p>Elinor, now, from mingled wonder, satisfaction, and scorn, recovered all
+her wonted vivacity. 'You are really, and bona fide, contented, then,'
+she cried, 'to be shut up as completely from Harleigh, through his
+horrour of that woman's irascible temper, as if you were separated by
+bolts, bars, dungeons, towers, and bastilles? I applaud your taste, and
+wish you the full enjoyment of its fruits! Yet what materials you can be
+made of, to see the first of men at your feet, and voluntarily to fly
+him, to be trampled under by those of the most odious of women, I cannot
+divine! 'Tis an exuberance of apathy that surpasses my comprehension.
+And can He, the spirited Harleigh, love, adore, such a composition of
+ice, of snow, of marble?'</p>
+
+<p>She could not, however, disguise the elation with which she looked
+forward, to depositing Juliet where information might constantly be
+procured of her visitors and her actions. They went together to the
+carriage; and Elinor conveyed her submissive and contemned, yet
+agonizingly envied rival, to Brighthelmstone.</p>
+
+<p>In her usually unguarded manner, Elinor, by the way, communicated the
+various, but successless efforts by which she had endeavoured to gain
+intelligence whither Harleigh had rambled. 'If I pursued him,' she
+cried, 'with the vanity of hope; or with the meanness of flattery, he
+would do well to shun me; but the pure-minded Harleigh is capable of
+believing, that the moment is over for Elinor to desire to be his! And,
+to sustain at once and shew my principles, I never seek his sight, but
+in presence of her who has blasted even my wishes! Else, thus
+clamourously to invoke, thus pertinaciously to follow him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span> might,
+indeed, merit avoidance. But Elinor, now, would be as superiour to
+accepting, ... as she is to forgetting him!'</p>
+
+<p>'Yet his obdurate seclusion,' she continued, 'is the only mark I
+receive, that I escape his disdain. It shews me that he fears the event
+of a meeting. He does not, therefore, utterly deride the pusillanimity
+of my abortive attempt. O could I justify his good opinion!&mdash;All others,
+I doubt not, insult me by the most ludicrous suspicions; they are
+welcome. They judge me by their little-minded selves. But thou, O
+Harleigh! could I see thee once more!&mdash;in thy sight, thy loved sight,
+could I sink, at last, my sorrows and my disgrace to rest! to oblivion,
+to sleep eternal!'&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Vainly Juliet essayed to plead the cause of religion, and the duties of
+life; unanswered, unmarked, unheard, she talked but to the air. All that
+was uttered in return, began and ended alike with Harleigh, death, and
+annihilation.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LI" id="CHAPTER_LI"></a>CHAPTER LI</h2>
+
+
+<p>Juliet could not but be gratified by a circumstance so important to her
+reputation, with the Brinvilles, and with those among the inhabitants of
+Brighthelmstone to whom she was known, as that of being brought home by
+Miss Joddrel, after an adventure that must unavoidably raise curiosity,
+and that threatened to excite slander. For with however just a pride
+wronged innocence may disdain injurious aspersions, female fame, like
+the wife of Cæsar, ought never to be suspected.</p>
+
+<p>The celerity of the motions of Elinor, nearly equalled the quickness of
+her ideas. Her lackey arrived the next morning, to help to convey
+Juliet, and her baggage, immediately to the dwelling of Mrs Ireton; with
+a note from his mistress, indicating that Mrs Ireton was already
+prepared to take her for a companion. 'An humble companion,' Elinor
+wrote, 'I need not add; I had nearly said a pitiful one; for who would
+voluntarily live with such an antidote to all the comforts of life, that
+has spirit, sense, or soul? O envied Ellis! how potent must be the
+passion, the infatuation, that can make Harleigh view such meanness as
+grace, and adore it as dignity!&mdash;O icy Ellis!&mdash;but the human heart would
+want strength to support such pre-eminent honour, were it bestowed upon
+a mind gifted for its appreciation!'</p>
+
+<p>Then again, wishing her joy of her taste, she assured her that it was
+reciprocated; for Mrs Ireton was all impatience to display, to a new
+dependent, her fortune, her power, and her magnificence.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, with her answer of thanks for this service, wrote a few lines
+for Mrs Pierson, which she begged the messenger to deliver. They were to
+warn the imprudent, or deceived mother of the dangerous state of mind in
+which her daughter still continued; and to give her notice that Sir
+Lyell Sycamore, who could not be guarded against too carefully, was
+still in the neighbourhood.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>With a mind revolting from a measure which, while prudence, if not
+necessity, dictated, choice and feeling opposed, she now quitted her
+mantua-maker's abode, to set out for her new destination; seeking to
+cheer herself that, at least, by this step, she should be secured from
+the licentious pursuit of Sir Lyell Sycamore; the envenomed shafts of
+calumny of the enraged Brinvilles; the perpetual terrour of debts; and
+the cruel apprehension of want.</p>
+
+<p>She had not far to go; but the mortifications, for which she prepared
+herself, began by the very sight of the dwelling into which she was to
+enter. Mrs Ireton had taken the house of Mrs Howel:&mdash;that house in which
+Juliet had first, after her arrival in England, received consolation in
+her distresses; been melted by kindness; or animated by approbation.
+There, too, indeed, she had experienced the pain which she had felt the
+most severely; for there all the soothing consideration, so precious to
+her sorrows, had abruptly been broken off, to give place to an assault
+the most shocking upon her intentions, her probity, her character.</p>
+
+<p>Here, too, she had suffered the cruel affront, and heartfelt grief, of
+seeing the ingenuous, amiable Lord Melbury forget what was due to the
+rights of hospitality; to his own character; and to the respect due to
+his sister: and here she had witnessed his sincere and candid
+repentance; here had been softened, touched, and penetrated by the
+impressive anguish of his humiliation.</p>
+
+<p>These remembrances, and the various affecting and interesting ideas by
+which they were accompanied, gave a dejection to her thoughts, and a
+sadness to her air, that would have awakened an interest in her favour,
+in any one whose heart had been open to the feelings of others: but the
+person under whose protection she was now to place herself, was a
+stranger to every species of sensation that was not personal. And where
+the calls of self upon sensibility are unremitting, what must be the
+stock that will gift us, also, with supply sufficient for our
+fellow-creatures?</p>
+
+<p>She found Mrs Ireton reclining upon a sofa; at the side of which, upon a
+green velvet cushion, lay a tiny old lap dog, whom a little boy,
+evidently too wanton to find pleasure but in mischief, was secretly
+tormenting, by displaying before him the breast bone of a chicken, which
+he had snatched from the platter of the animal; and which, the moment
+that he made it touch the mouth of the cur, he hid, with all its fat and
+its grease, in his own waistcoat pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Near to these two almost equally indulged and spoilt animals, stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span> a
+nursery maid, with a duster and an hearth-broom in her hands, who was
+evidently incensed beyond her pittance of patience, from clearing away,
+repeatedly, their joint litter and dirt.</p>
+
+<p>Scared, and keeping humbly aloof, near a window frame, stood, also, a
+little girl, of ten or twelve years of age, who, as Juliet afterwards
+heard from the angry nursery maid, was an orphan, that had been put to a
+charity school by Mrs Ireton, as her particular <i>protegée</i>; and who was
+now, for the eighth time, by the direction of her governess, come to
+solicit the arrears due from the very beginning of her school
+instruction.</p>
+
+<p>Yet another trembler, though not one equally, at this moment, to be
+pitied, held the handle of the lock of the door; not having received
+intelligible orders to advance, or to depart. This was a young negro,
+who was the favourite, because the most submissive servant of Mrs
+Ireton; and whose trembling was simply from the fear that his lady might
+remark a grin which he could not repress, as he looked at the child and
+the dog.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton herself, though her restless eye roved incessantly from
+object to object, in search of various food for her spleen, was
+ostensibly occupied in examining, and decrying, the goods of a Mercer;
+but when Juliet, finding herself unnoticed, was retreating, she called
+out, 'O, you are there, are you? I did not see you, I protest. But come
+this way, if you please. I can't possibly speak so far off.'</p>
+
+<p>The authoritative tone in which this was uttered, joined to what Juliet
+observed of the general tyranny exercised around her, intimidated and
+shocked her; and she stood still, and nearly confounded.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, holding her hand above her eyes, as if to aid her sight, and
+stretching forward her head, said, 'Who is that?&mdash;pray who's there?&mdash;I
+imagined it had been a person I had sent for; but I must certainly be
+mistaken, as she does not come to me. Pray has any body here a spying
+glass? I really can't see so far off. I beg pardon for having such bad
+eyes! I hope you'll forgive it. Let me know, however, who it is, I beg.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet tried to speak, but felt so confused and disturbed what to
+answer, that she could not clearly articulate a word.</p>
+
+<p>'You won't tell me, then?' continued Mrs Ireton, lowering her voice
+nearly to a whisper, 'or is it that I am not heard? Has any body got a
+speaking trumpet? or do you think my lungs so capacious and powerful,
+that they may take its place?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, now, though most unwillingly, moved forward; and Mrs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span> Ireton,
+surveying her, said, 'Yes, yes, I see who you are! I recollect you now,
+Mrs ... Mrs ... I forget your name, though, I protest. I can't recollect
+your name, I own. I'm quite ashamed, but I really cannot call it to
+mind. I must beg a little help. What is it? What is your name, Mrs ...
+Mrs ... Hay?&mdash;Mrs ... What?'</p>
+
+<p>Colouring and stammering, Juliet answered, that she had hoped Miss
+Joddrel would have saved her this explanation, by mentioning that she
+was called Miss Ellis.</p>
+
+<p>'Called?' repeated Mrs Ireton; 'what do you mean by called?&mdash;who calls
+you?&mdash;What are you called for?&mdash;Why do you wait to be called?&mdash;And where
+are you called from?'</p>
+
+<p>The entire silence of Juliet to these interrogatories, gave a moment to
+the mercer to ask for orders.</p>
+
+<p>'You are in haste, Sir, are you?' said Mrs Ireton; 'I have your pardon
+to beg, too, have I? I am really very unfortunate this morning. However,
+pray take your things away, Sir, if it's so immensely troublesome to you
+to exhibit them. Only be so good as to acquaint your chief, whoever he
+may be, that you had not time to wait for me to make any purchase.'</p>
+
+<p>The man offered the humblest apologies, which were all disdained; and
+self-defending excuses, which were all retorted; he was peremptorily
+ordered to be gone; with an assurance that he should answer for his
+disrespect to his master; who, she flattered herself, would give him a
+lesson of better behaviour, by the loss of his employment.</p>
+
+<p>Harassed with apprehension of what she had to expect in this new
+residence, Juliet would silently have followed him.</p>
+
+<p>'Stay, Ma'am, stay!' cried Mrs Ireton; 'give me leave to ask one
+question:&mdash;whither are you going, Mrs ... what's your name?'</p>
+
+<p>'I ... I feared, Madam, that I had come too soon.'</p>
+
+<p>'O, that's it, is it? I have not paid you sufficient attention,
+perhaps?&mdash;Nay it's very likely. I did not run up to receive you, I
+confess. I did not open my arms to embrace you, I own! It was very wrong
+of me, certainly. But I am apt to forget myself. I want a flapper
+prodigiously. I know nothing of life,&mdash;nothing of manners. Perhaps you
+will be so good as to become my monitress? 'Twill be vastly kind of you.
+And who knows but, in time, you may form me? How happy it will be if you
+can make something of me!'</p>
+
+<p>The maid, now, tired of wiping up splash after splash, and rubbing out
+spot after spot; finding her work always renewed by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> mischievous
+little boy, was sullenly walking to the other end of the room.</p>
+
+<p>'O, you're departing too, are you?' said Mrs Ireton; 'and pray who
+dismissed you? whose commands have you for going? Inform me, I beg, who
+it is that is so kind as to take the trouble off my hands, of ordering
+my servants? I ought at least to make them my humble acknowledgements.
+There's nothing so frightful as ingratitude.'</p>
+
+<p>The maid, not comprehending this irony, grumblingly answered, that she
+had wiped up the grease and the slops till her arms ached; for the
+little boy made more dirt and nastiness than the cur himself.</p>
+
+<p>'The boy?&mdash;The cur?&mdash;What's all this?' cried Mrs Ireton; 'who, and what,
+is the woman talking of? The boy? Has the boy no name?&mdash;The cur? Have
+you no more respect for your lady's lap dog?&mdash;Grease
+too?&mdash;Nastiness!&mdash;you turn me sick! I am ready to faint! What horrible
+images you present to me! Has nobody any salts? any lavendar-water? How
+unfortunate it is to have such nerves, such sensations, when one lives
+with such mere speaking machines!'</p>
+
+<p>She then cast around her eyes, with a look of silent, but pathetic
+appeal to the sensibility of all who were within sight, against this
+unheard of indignity; but her speech was soon restored, from mingled
+wrath and surprise, upon perceiving her favourite young negro nearly
+suffocating with stifled laughter, though thrusting both his knuckles
+into his capacious mouth, to prevent its loud explosion.</p>
+
+<p>'So this amuses you, does it, Sir? You think it very comical? You are so
+kind as to be entertained, are you? How happy I am to give you so much
+pleasure! How proud I ought to be to afford you such diversion! I shall
+make it my business to shew my sense of my good fortune; and, to give
+you a proof, Sir, of my desire to contribute to your gaiety, to-morrow
+morning I will have you shipped back to the West Indies. And there, that
+your joy may be complete, I shall issue orders that you may be striped
+till you jump, and that you may jump,&mdash;you little black imp!&mdash;between
+every stripe!'</p>
+
+<p>The foolish mirth of poor Mungo was now converted into the fearfulest
+dismay. He dropt upon his knees to implore forgiveness; but he was
+peremptorily ordered to depart, with an assurance that he should keep up
+his fine spirits upon bread and water for a fortnight.</p>
+
+<p>If disgust, now, was painted upon every feature of the face of Juliet,
+at this mixture of forced derision with but too natural inhumanity, the
+feeling which excited that expression was by no means softened, by
+seeing Mrs Ireton turn next to the timid young orphan, imperiously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span>
+saying, 'And you, Ma'am, what may you stand there for, with your hands
+before you? Have you nothing better to do with them? Can't you find out
+some way to make them more useful? or do you hold it more fitting to
+consider them as only ornamental? They are very pretty, to be sure. I
+say nothing to the contrary of that. But I should suppose you don't
+quite intend to reserve them for mere objects of admiration? You don't
+absolutely mean, I presume, to devote them to the painter's eye? or to
+destine them to the sculptor's chisel? I should think not, at least. I
+should imagine not. I beg you to set me right if I am wrong.'</p>
+
+<p>The poor little girl, staring, and looking every way around to find some
+meaning for what she did not comprehend, could only utter a faint
+'Ma'am!' in a tone of so much fear and distress, that Juliet, unable,
+silently, to witness oppression so wanton, came forward to say, 'The
+poor child, Ma'am, only wishes to understand your commands, that she may
+obey them.'</p>
+
+<p>'O! they are not clear, I suppose? They are too abstruse, I imagine?'
+contemptuously replied Mrs Ireton. 'And you, who are kind enough to
+offer yourself for my companion; who think yourself sufficiently
+accomplished to amuse,&mdash;perhaps instruct me,&mdash;you, also, have not the
+wit to find out, what a little chit of an ordinary girl can do better
+with her hands, than to stand still, pulling her own fingers?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, now, believing that she had discovered what was meant, kindly
+took the little girl by the arm, and pointed to the just overturned
+water-bason of the dog.</p>
+
+<p>'But I don't know where to get a cloth, Ma'am?' said the child.</p>
+
+<p>'A cloth?&mdash;In my wardrobe, to be sure!' cried Mrs Ireton; 'amongst my
+gowns, and caps, and hats. Where else should there be dirty cloths, and
+dusters, and dish-clouts? Do you know of any other place where they are
+likely to be found? Why don't you answer?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ma'am?'</p>
+
+<p>'You never heard, perhaps, of such a place as a kitchen? You don't know
+where it is? nor what it means? You have only heard talk of
+drawing-rooms, dressing-rooms, boudoirs? or, perhaps, sometimes, of a
+corridor, or a vestibule, or an anti-chamber? But nothing beyond!&mdash;A
+kitchen!&mdash;O, fie, fie!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now hurried the little girl away, to demand a cloth of the house
+maid; but the moment that she returned with it, Mrs Ireton called out,
+'And what would you do, now, Ma'am? Make yourself all dirt and filth,
+that you may go back to your school, to shew the delicate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span> state of my
+house? To make your mistress, and all her brats, believe that I live in
+a pig-stie? Or to spread abroad that I have not servants enough to do my
+work, and that I seize upon you to supply their place? But I beg your
+pardon; perhaps that may be your way to shew your gratitude? To manifest
+your sense of my saving you from the work-house? to reward me for
+snatching you from beggary, and want, and starving?'</p>
+
+<p>The poor little girl burst into tears, but courtsied, and quitted the
+room; while Mrs Ireton called after her, to desire that she would
+acquaint her governess, that she should certainly be paid the following
+week.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now stood in scarcely less dismay than she had been witnessing
+all around her; panic-struck to find herself in the power of a person
+whose character was so wantonly tyrannic and irascible.</p>
+
+<p>The fortunate entrance of some company enabled her, for the present, to
+retreat; and to demand, of one of the servants, the way to her chamber.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LII" id="CHAPTER_LII"></a>CHAPTER LII</h2>
+
+
+<p>From the heightened disgust which she now conceived against her new
+patroness, Juliet severely repented the step that she had taken. And if
+her entrance into the family contributed so little to her contentment,
+her subsequent introduction into her office was still less calculated to
+exhilarate her spirits. Her baggage was scarcely deposited in a handsome
+chamber, of which the hangings, and decorations, as of every part of the
+mansion, were sumptuous for the spectator; but in which there was a
+dearth of almost every thing that constitutes comfort to the immediate
+dweller; ere she was summoned back, by a hasty order to the
+drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, who was reading a news-paper, did not, for some time, raise
+her head; though a glance of her eye procured her the satisfaction of
+seeing that her call had been obeyed. Juliet, at first, stood modestly
+waiting for commands; but, receiving none, sat down, though at an humble
+distance; determined to abide by the consequences, be they what they
+might, of considering herself as, at least, above a common domestic.</p>
+
+<p>This action shortened the term of neglect; Mrs Ireton, letting the
+news-paper fall, exclaimed, in a tone of affected alarm, 'Are you ill,
+Ma'am? Are you disordered? I hope you are not subject to fits?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet coldly answered No.</p>
+
+<p>'I am very glad to hear it, indeed! Very happy, upon my word! I was
+afraid you were going to faint away! But I find that you are only
+delicate; only fatigued by descending the stairs. I ought, indeed, to
+have sent somebody to help you; somebody you could have leant upon as
+you came along. I was very stupid not to think of that. I hope you'll
+pardon me?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet looked down, but kept her place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, a little nettled, was silent a few minutes, and then said,
+'Pray,&mdash;if I may ask,&mdash;if it will not be too great a liberty to
+ask,&mdash;what have been your pursuits since I had the honour of
+accompanying you to London? How have you passed your time? I hope you
+have found something to amuse you?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet sighed a negative.</p>
+
+<p>'You have been studying the fine arts, I am told.
+Painting?&mdash;Drawing?&mdash;Sculpture?&mdash;or what is it?&mdash;Something of that sort,
+I am informed. Pray what is it, Mrs Thing-a-mi?&mdash;I am always forgetting
+your name. Yet you have certainly a name; but I don't know how it is, I
+can never remember it. I believe I must beg you to write it down.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet again only sighed.</p>
+
+<p>'Perhaps I am making a mistake as to your occupations? Very likely I may
+be quite in the wrong? Indeed I think I recollect, now, what it is you
+have been doing. Acting?&mdash;That's it. Is it not? Pray what stage did you
+come out upon first? Did you begin wearing your itinerant buskins in
+England, or abroad?'</p>
+
+<p>'Where I began, Madam, I have ended; at Mrs Maple's.'</p>
+
+<p>'And pray, have you kept that same face ever since I saw you in
+Grosvenor Square? or have you put it on again only now, to come back to
+me? I rather suppose you have made it last the whole time. It would be
+very expensive, I apprehend, to change it frequently: it can by no means
+be so costly to keep it only in repair. How do you put on your colours?
+I have heard of somebody who had learnt the art of enamelling their own
+skin: is that your method?'</p>
+
+<p>Waiting vainly for an answer, she went on.</p>
+
+<p>'Pray, if I may presume so far, how old are you?&mdash;But I beg pardon for
+so indiscreet a question. I did not reflect upon what I was saying. Very
+possibly your age may be indefinable. You may be a person of another
+century. A wandering Jewess. I never heard that the old Jew had a wife,
+or a mother, who partook of his longevity; but very likely I may now
+have the pleasure of seeing one of his family under my own roof? That
+red and white, that you lay on so happily, may just as well hide the
+wrinkles of two or three grand climacterics, as of only a poor single
+sixty or seventy years of age. However, these are secrets that I don't
+presume to enquire into. Every trade has its mystery.'</p>
+
+<p>These splenetic witticisms producing no reply, Mrs Ireton, more
+categorically, demanded, 'Pray, Ma'am, pray Mrs What's-your-name, will
+you give me leave to ask what brings you to my house?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Miss Joddrel, Madam, informed me that you desired my attendance.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; but with what view?'</p>
+
+<p>Disconcerted by this interrogatory, Juliet stammered, but could devise
+no answer.</p>
+
+<p>'To what end, what purpose, what intent, I say, may I owe the honour of
+your presence?'</p>
+
+<p>The office pointed out by Elinor, of an humble companion, now died the
+cheeks of Juliet with shame; but resentment of the palpable desire to
+hear its mortifying acknowledgement, tied her tongue; and though each of
+the following interrogatories was succeeded by a pause that demanded a
+reply, she could not bring herself to utter a word.</p>
+
+<p>'You are hardly come, I should imagine, without some motive: I may be
+mistaken, to be sure; but I should hardly imagine you would take the
+trouble to present yourself merely to afford me the pleasure of seeing
+you?&mdash;Not but that I ought to be extremely flattered by such a
+compliment. 'Twould be vastly amiable, certainly. A lady of your
+indescribable consequence! 'Twould be difficult to me to shew an
+adequate sense of so high an honour. I am distressed at the very thought
+of it.&mdash;But perhaps you may have some other design?&mdash;You may have the
+generosity to intend me some improvement?&mdash;You may come to favour me
+with some lessons of declamation?&mdash;Who knows but you may propose to make
+an actress of me?&mdash;Or perhaps to instruct me how to become an adept in
+your own favourite art of face-daubing?'</p>
+
+<p>At least, thought Juliet, I need not give you any lessons in the <i>art of
+ingeniously tormenting</i>! There you are perfect!</p>
+
+<p>'What! no answer yet?&mdash;Am I always so unfortunate as to hit upon
+improper subjects?&mdash;To ask questions that merit no reply?&mdash;I am quite
+confounded at my want of judgment! Excuse it, I entreat, and aid me out
+of this unprofitable labyrinth of conjecture, by telling me, at once, to
+what happy inspiration I am indebted for the pleasure of receiving you
+in my house?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet pleaded again the directions of Miss Joddrel.</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Joddrel told you to come, then, only to come?&mdash;Only to shew
+yourself?&mdash;Well, you are worth looking at, I acknowledge, to those who
+have seen you formerly. The transformation must always be curious: I
+only hope you intend to renew it, from time to time, to keep admiration
+alive? That pretty face you exhibit at present, may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> lose its charms, if
+it should become familiar. When shall you put on the other again, that I
+had the pleasure to see you in first?'</p>
+
+<p>Fatigued and spiritless, Juliet would have retired; but Mrs Ireton
+called after her, 'O! you are going, are you? Pray may I take the
+liberty to ask whither?'</p>
+
+<p>Again Juliet was silent.</p>
+
+<p>'You mean perhaps to repose yourself?&mdash;or, may be, to pursue your
+studies?&mdash;or, perhaps, you may have some visits upon your hands?&mdash;And
+you may only have done me the favour to enter my house to find time to
+follow your humour?&mdash;You may think it sufficient honour for me, that I
+may be at the expence of your board, and find you in lodging, and
+furniture, and fire, and candles, and servants?&mdash;you may hold this ample
+recompense for such an insignificant person as I am? I ought to be much
+obliged to Miss Joddrel, upon my word, for bringing me into such
+distinction! I had understood her, indeed, that you would come to me as
+my humble companion.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, cruelly shocked, turned away her head.</p>
+
+<p>'And I was stupid enough to suppose, that that meant a person who could
+be of some use, and some agreeability; a person who could read to me
+when I was tired, and who, when I had nobody else, could talk to me; and
+find out a thousand little things for me all day long; coming and going;
+prating, or holding her tongue; doing every thing she was bid; and
+keeping always at hand.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, colouring at this true, however insulting description of what
+she had undertaken, secretly revolved in her mind, how to renounce, at
+once, an office which seemed to invite mortification, and license
+sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p>'But I perceive I was mistaken! I perceive I knew nothing of the matter!
+It only means a fine lady! a lady that's so delicate it fatigues her to
+walk down stairs; a lady who is so independent, that she retires to her
+room at pleasure; a lady who disdains to speak but when she is disposed,
+for her own satisfaction, to talk; a lady&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'A lady who, indeed, Madam,' said the tired Juliet, 'weighed too little
+what she attempted, when she hoped to find means of obtaining your
+favour; but who now sees her errour, and entreats at once your pardon
+and dismission.'</p>
+
+<p>She then courtsied respectfully, but, though called back even with
+vehemence, steadily left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Not, however, with triumph did she return to her own. The justice of the
+sensibility which urged her retreat, could not obviate its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span> imprudence,
+or avert its consequences. She was wholly without friends, without
+money, without protection, without succour; and the horrour of a
+licentious pursuit, and the mischiefs menaced by calumniating ill
+wishers, still made a lonely residence as unsafe as when her first
+terrour drove her to acquiesce in the proposition of Elinor. Yet, though
+she could not exult, she could not repent: how desire, how even support
+a situation so sordid? a situation not only distressing, but oppressive;
+not merely cruel, but degrading.</p>
+
+<p>She was preparing, therefore, for immediate departure, when she was
+stopt by a footman, who informed her that Mrs Ireton demanded to see her
+without delay.</p>
+
+<p>The expectation of reproach made her hesitate whether to obey this
+order; but a desire not to have the air of meriting it, by the defiance
+of a refusal, led her again to the dressing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Here, however, to her great surprise, instead of the haughty or taunting
+upbraidings for which she was prepared, she was received with a gracious
+inclination of the head; while the footman was told to give her a chair.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, then, fixing her eyes upon a pamphlet which she held in her
+hand; that she might avoid taking any notice of the stiff and decided
+air with which Juliet stood still, though amazed, said, 'My bookseller
+has just sent me something to look at, which may serve for a beginning
+of our readings.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now saw, that, however imperiously she had been treated, Mrs
+Ireton had no intention to part with her. She saw, too, that that lady
+was amongst the many, though terrible characters, who think superior
+rank or fortune authorises perverseness, and legitimates arrogance; who
+hold the display of ill humour to be the display and mark of power; and
+who set no other boundary to their pleasure in the art of tormenting,
+than that which, if passed, might endanger their losing its object. She
+wished, more than ever, to avoid all connexion with a nature so wilfully
+tyrannic; but Mrs Ireton, who read in her dignified demeanour, that a
+spirit was awakened which threatened the escape of her prey, determined
+to shun any discussion. Suddenly, therefore, rising, and violently
+ringing the bell, she exclaimed, 'I dare say those fools have not placed
+half the things you want in your chamber; but I shall make Whitly see
+immediately that all is arranged as it ought to be.'</p>
+
+<p>She then gave some parading directions, that Miss Ellis should want for
+nothing; and, affecting not to perceive the palpable design<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span> of Juliet
+to decline these tardy attentions, graciously nodded her head, and
+passed into another room.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, not absolutely softened, yet somewhat appeased, again hesitated.
+A road seemed open, by some exertion of spirit, for obtaining better
+treatment; and however ungenial to her feelings was a character whose
+humours submitted to no restraint, save to ensure their own lengthened
+indulgence, still, in appearing more contemptible, it became less
+tremendous.</p>
+
+<p>She began, also, to see her office as less debasing. Why, she cried,
+should I exaggerate my torments, by blindly giving into received
+opinions, without examining whether here, as in all things else, there
+may not be exceptions to general rules? A sycophant must always be
+despicable; a parasite must eternally deserve scorn; but may there not
+be a possibility of uniting the affluent with the necessitous upon more
+equitable terms? May not some medium be hit upon, between oppression on
+one side, and servility on the other? If we are not worthless because
+indigent, why conclude ourselves abject because dependent? Happiness,
+indeed, dwells not with undue subordination; but the exertion of talents
+in our own service can never in itself be vile. It can only become so
+where it is mingled and contaminated with flattery, with unfitting
+obsequiousness, and unworthy submissions. They who simply repay being
+sustained and protected, by a desire to please, a readiness to serve, a
+wish to instruct; without falsehood in their counsels, without adulation
+in their civilities, without meanness in their manners and conduct; have
+at least as just a claim to respect and consideration, for their
+services and their labours, as those who, merely through pecuniary
+retribution, reap their fruits.</p>
+
+<p>This idea better reconciled her with her condition; and she blessed her
+happy acquaintance with Mr Giles Arbe, which had strengthened her
+naturally philosophical turn of mind, by leading her to this simple, yet
+useful style of reasoning.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the day was propitious to her new views. The storms with
+which it had begun subsided, and a calm ensued, in which Mrs Ireton set
+apart her querulous irascibility, and forbore her contemptuous
+interrogatories.</p>
+
+<p>The servants were ordered not to neglect Miss Ellis; and Miss Ellis
+received permission to carry to her own apartment, any books from off
+the piano forte or tables, that might contribute to her amusement.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet was not of a character to take advantage of a moment of
+concession, even in an enemy. The high and grave deportment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span> therefore,
+which had thus happily raised alarm, had no sooner answered its purpose,
+than she suffered it to give place to an air of gentleness, more
+congenial to her native feelings: and, the next morning, subduing her
+resentment, and submitting, with the best grace in her power, to the
+business of her office, she cheerfully proposed reading; complied with
+the first request that was made her to play upon the piano-forte and the
+harp; and even, to sing; though, not so promptly; for her voice and
+sensibility were less ductile than her manners. But she determined to
+leave nothing untried, that could prove, that it was not more easy to
+stimulate her pride by indignity, than to animate her desire to oblige
+by mild usage.</p>
+
+<p>This resolution on her part, which the fear of losing her, on that of
+Mrs Ireton, gave time to operate, brought into play so many brilliant
+accomplishments, and opened to her patroness such sources of amusement,
+that, while Juliet began to hope she had found a situation which she
+might sustain till her suspences should be over, Mrs Ireton conceived
+that she had met with a treasure, which might rescue her unoccupied
+hours from weariness and spleen.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIII" id="CHAPTER_LIII"></a>CHAPTER LIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>This delusion, unfortunately, was not of long duration on either side.
+Mrs Ireton no sooner observed that Juliet appeared to be settled, than
+all zest for detaining her ceased; no sooner became accustomed to
+hearing at will the harp, or the piano-forte, than she found something
+to say, or to do, that interrupted the performance every four or five
+bars; and had no sooner secured a reader whose voice she could command
+at pleasure, than she either quarrelled with every book that was begun;
+or yawned, or fondled and talked aloud to her little lap dog, during the
+whole time that any work was read.</p>
+
+<p>This quick abatement in the power of pleasing, was supported by Juliet
+with indifference rather than philosophy. Where interest alone is
+concerned, disappointment is rarely heavy with the young and generous.
+Age, or misfortune, must teach the value of pecuniary considerations, to
+give them force. Yet, though no tender affections, no cherished hopes,
+no favourite feelings were in the power of Mrs Ireton, every moment of
+time, and consequently all means of comfort, were at her disposal.
+Juliet languished, therefore, though she would not repine; and though
+she was not afflicted at heart, she sickened with disgust.</p>
+
+<p>The urgency of finding security from immediate insult and want, induced
+her, nevertheless, to persevere in her fortitude for supporting, and her
+efforts for ameliorating her situation. But, the novelty over, all
+labour was vain, all success was at an end; and, in a very short time,
+she would have contributed no more to the expulsion of spleen, than any
+other inmate of the house; had not her superiour acquirements opened a
+more extensive field for the exercise of tyranny and caprice. And in
+that exercise alone, Juliet soon saw, consisted every sensation of
+pleasure of which Mrs Ireton was susceptible.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Of the many new tasks of Juliet, that which she found the most severe,
+was inventing amusement for another while sad and dispirited herself. It
+was her duty to be always at hand, early or late; it was her business to
+furnish entertainment, whether sick or well. Success, therefore, was
+unacknowledged, though failure was resented. There was no relaxation to
+her toil, no rest for her person, no recruit for her spirits. From her
+sleep alone she could purloin the few minutes that she dedicated to her
+pen and her Gabriella.</p>
+
+<p>If a new novel excited interest, or a political pamphlet awakened
+curiosity, she was called upon to read whole hours, nay, whole days,
+without intermission; even a near extinction of voice did not authorize
+so great a liberty as that of requesting a few minutes for rest. Mrs
+Ireton, who regarded all the world as robust, compared with herself,
+deemed it an impertinent rivalry of a delicacy which she held to be
+unexampled, ever to pronounce the word fatigue, ever to heave a sigh of
+lassitude, or ever even to allude to that part of the human frame which
+is called nerves, unless with some pointed reference to herself.</p>
+
+<p>With the same despotic hardness, she ordered Juliet to the harp, or
+piano-forte, and made her play though she were suffering from the
+acutest head-ache; and sing when hoarse and short-breathed from the most
+violent cold. Yet those commands, however arbitrary and unfeeling, were
+more supportable than those with which, after every other source of
+tyrannic authority had been drained, the day was ordinarily concluded.
+Mrs Ireton, at the hour of retiring, when weary alike of books and of
+music, listless, fretful, captious; too sleepy for any exertion, yet too
+wakeful or uneasy for repose; constantly brought forward the same
+enquiries which had so often been urged and repelled, in the week that
+they had spent together upon their arrival from France; repeated the
+same sneers, revived the same suspicions, and recurred to the same rude
+interrogatories or offensive insinuations.</p>
+
+<p>At meals, the humble companion was always helped last; even when there
+were gentlemen, even when there were children at the table; and always
+to what was worst; to what was rejected, as ill-cooked, or left, as
+spoilt and bad. No question was ever asked of what she chose or what she
+disliked. Sometimes she was even utterly forgotten; and, as no one
+ventured to remind Mrs Ireton of any omission, her helpless <i>protegée</i>,
+upon such occasions, rose half famished from the inhospitable board.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the entrance of any visitors, not satisfied to let the humble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span>
+companion glide gently away, the haughty patroness called out, in a tone
+of command, 'You may go to your room now: I shall send for you when I am
+at leisure.' Or, 'You may stand at the window if you will. You won't be
+in the way, I believe; and I shall want you presently.'</p>
+
+<p>Or, if she feared that any one of the party had failed to remark this
+augmentation of her household and of her power, she would retard the
+willing departure by some frivolous and vexatious commission; as, 'Stop,
+Miss Ellis; do pray tie this string a little tighter.' Or, 'Draw up my
+gloves a little higher: but be so good as not to pinch me; unless you
+have a particular fancy for it!'</p>
+
+<p>If, drily, though respectfully, Juliet ever proposed to wait in her own
+room, the answer was, 'In your own room? O,&mdash;ay&mdash;well,&mdash;that may be
+better! I beg your pardon for having proposed that you should wait in
+one of mine! I beg your pardon, a thousand times! I really did not think
+of what I was saying! I hope you'll forgive my inattention!'</p>
+
+<p>When then, silently, and with difficulty forbearing from shrugging her
+shoulders, Juliet walked away, she was again stopt by, 'One moment, Miss
+Ellis! if it won't be requesting too great a favour. Pray, when I want
+you, where may I hear of your servants? For to be sure you don't mean
+that mine should scamper up and down all day long for you? You cannot
+mean that. You must have a lackey of your own, no doubt: some page, or
+spruce foot-boy at your command, to run upon your errands: only pray let
+some of my people know where he may be met with.'</p>
+
+<p>But if, when the purpose was answered of drawing the attention of her
+guests upon her new dependent, that attention were followed by any looks
+of approbation, or marks of civility, she hastily exclaimed, 'O, pray
+don't disturb yourself, Sir!' or 'Ma'am! 'tis only a young woman I have
+engaged to read to me;&mdash;a young person whom I have taken into my house
+out of compassion.' And then, affably nodding, she would affect to be
+suddenly struck with something which she had already repeatedly seen,
+and cry, 'Well, I declare, that gown is not ugly, Miss Ellis! How did
+you come by it?' or, 'That ribbon's pretty enough: who gave it you?'</p>
+
+<p>Ah, thought Juliet, 'tis conduct such as this that makes inequality of
+fortune baleful! Where superiour wealth falls into liberal hands,&mdash;where
+its possessor is an Aurora Granville, it proves a good still more to the
+surrounders than to the owners; 'it blesses those that give, and those
+that take.'&mdash;But Oh! where it is misused for the purposes of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span> bowing
+down the indigent, of oppressing the helpless, of triumphing over the
+dependent,&mdash;then, how baneful then is inequality of fortune!</p>
+
+<p>With those thoughts, and deeply hurt, she was twenty times upon the
+point of retiring, during the first week of her distasteful office; but
+the sameness of the offences soon robbed the mortifications of their
+poignancy; and apathy; in a short time, taking place of sensibility, she
+learnt to bear them if not with indifference, at least with its
+precursor contempt.</p>
+
+<p>Amongst the most irksome of the toils to which this subjection made her
+liable, was the care,&mdash;not of the education, nor mind, nor manners, but
+of the amusements,&mdash;of the little nephew of Mrs Ireton; whom that lady
+rather exulted than blushed to see universally regarded as a spoilt
+child.</p>
+
+<p>The temper of this young creature was grown so capricious, from
+incessant indulgence, that no compliance, no luxury, no diversion could
+afford him more than momentary pleasure; while his passions were become
+so ungovernable, that, upon every contrariety or disappointment, he
+vented his rage, to the utmost extent of his force, upon whomsoever, or
+whatsoever, animate or inanimate, he could reach.</p>
+
+<p>All the mischief thus committed, the injuries thus sustained, the noise
+and disturbance thus raised, were to be borne throughout the house
+without a murmur. Whatever destruction he caused, Mrs Ireton was always
+sure was through the fault of some one else; what he mutilated, or
+broke, she had equal certainty must have been merely by accident; and
+those he hurt or ill used, must have provoked his anger. If any one
+ventured to complain, 'twas the sufferer, not the inflictor who was
+treated as culpable.</p>
+
+<p>It was the misfortune of Juliet to excite, by her novelty, the attention
+of this young tyrant; and by her powers of entertainment, exerted
+inadvertently, from a love of obliging, to become his favourite. The
+hope of softening his temper and manners, by amusing his mind, had
+blinded her, at first, to the trouble, the torment rather, of such
+pre-eminence, which soon proved one of the most serious evils of her
+situation. Mrs Ireton, having raised in his young bosom, expectations
+never to be realised, by passing the impossible decree, that nothing
+must be denied to her eldest brother's eldest son; had authorised
+demands from him, and licensed wishes, destructive both to his
+understanding and his happiness. When the difficulties which this decree
+occasioned, devolved upon a domestic, she left him to get rid of them as
+he could; only reserving to herself the right to blame the way that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span> was
+taken, be it what it might: but when the embarrassment fell to her own
+lot; when the spoilt urchin claimed what was every way unattainable; she
+had been in the habit of sending him abroad, for the immediate relief of
+her nerves. The favour into which he took Juliet now offered a new and
+more convenient resource. Instead of 'Order the carriage, and let the
+child go out:' Miss Ellis was called upon to play with him; to tell him
+stories; to shew him pictures; to build houses for him with cards; or to
+suffer herself to be dragged unmeaningly, yet wilfully and forcibly,
+from walk to walk in the garden, or from room to room in the house; till
+tired, and quarrelling even with her compliance, he recruited his
+wearied caprices with sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Nor even here ended the encroachments upon her time, her attention, her
+liberty; not only the spoilt child, but the favourite dog was put under
+her superintendence; and she was instructed to take charge of the
+airings and exercise of Bijou; and to carry him where the road was rough
+or miry, that he might not soil those paws, which had the exclusive
+privilege of touching the lady of the mansion; and even of pulling,
+patting and scratching her robes and attire for his recreation.</p>
+
+<p>To many, in the place of Juliet, the spoilt child and the spoilt cur
+would have been objects of detestation: but against the mere instruments
+of malice she harboured no resentment. The dog, though snarling and
+snapping at every one but his mistress, Juliet saw as vicious only from
+evil habits, which were imbibed, nay taught, rather than natural: the
+child, though wantonly revelling in mischief of every kind, she
+considered but as a little savage, who, while enjoying the splendour and
+luxury of civilized life, was as unformed, as rough, as untaught, and
+therefore as little responsible for his conduct, as if just caught, and
+brought, wild and untamed, from the woods. The animal, therefore, she
+exculpated; the child she pitied; it was the mistress of the mansion
+alone, who, wilful in all she did, and conscious of all she inflicted,
+provoked bitterer feelings. And to these, the severest poignancy was
+accidentally added to Juliet, by the cruel local circumstance of
+receiving continual indignity in the very house, nay the very room,
+where, in sweetest intercourse, she had been accustomed to be treated
+upon terms of generous equality by Lady Aurora Granville.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIV" id="CHAPTER_LIV"></a>CHAPTER LIV</h2>
+
+
+<p>Juliet had passed but a short space, by the measure of time, in this new
+residence, though by that of suffering and disgust it had seemed as long
+as it was irksome, when, one morning, she was informed, by the
+nursery-maid, that a grand breakfast was to be given, about two o'clock,
+to all the first gentry in and near Brighthelmstone.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, herself, making no mention of any such purpose, issued her
+usual orders for the attendance of Juliet, with her implements of
+amusement; and went, at an early hour, to a light building, called the
+Temple of the Sun, which overlooked the sea, from the end of the garden.</p>
+
+<p>This Temple, like every place which Mrs Ireton capriciously, and even
+for the shortest interval, inhabited, was now filled with materials for
+recreation, which, ingeniously employed, might have whiled away a
+winter; but which, from her fluctuating whims, were insufficient even
+for the fleet passage of a few hours. Books, that covered three
+window-seats; songs and sonatas that covered those books; various pieces
+of needle-work; a billiard-table; a chess-board; a backgammon-board; a
+cup and ball, &amp;c. &amp;c.; all, in turn, were tried; all, in turn, rejected;
+and invectives the most impatient were uttered against each, as it
+ceased to afford her pleasure; as if each, with living malignity, had
+studied to cause her disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>About noon, she took the arm of Juliet, to descend the steps of the
+Temple. Upon opening the door, Ireton appeared sauntering in the garden.
+Juliet vexed at his sight, which Elinor had assured her that she would
+never encounter, severely felt the mortification of being seen in her
+present situation, by one who had so repeatedly offended her by
+injurious suspicions, and familiar impertinence.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, hastily relinquishing the arm of Juliet, from expecting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span>
+that of her son, at whose sight she was evidently surprised; now
+resolved, with her most brilliant flourishes, to exhibit the new object
+of her power.</p>
+
+<p>'Why don't you take care of the child, Miss Ellis?' she cried aloud. 'Do
+you design to let him break his neck down the stone steps? I beg your
+pardon, though, for asking the question. It may be very <i>mal à propos</i>.
+It may be necessary, perhaps, to some of your plans, to see a tragedy in
+real life? You may have some work in agitation, that may require that
+sort of study. I am sorry to have stood so unopportunely in your way:
+quite ashamed, upon my word, to have prevented your taking a few hints
+from the child's dislocating a limb, or two; or just fracturing his
+skull. 'Twould have been a pretty melancholy sight, enough, for an
+elegiac muse. I really beg your pardon, for being so uncooth, as to
+think of such a trumpery circumstance as saving the child's life.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, during this harangue, assiduously followed the young gentleman;
+who, with a shout of riotous rebellion, ran down the steps, and jumping
+into a parterre, selected, by his eye, the most beautiful of the flowers
+for treading under his feet; and, at every representation of Juliet,
+flung at her as many pinks, carnations, and geraniums, as his merciless
+little fingers could grasp.</p>
+
+<p>Ireton, approaching, looked smilingly on, negligently nodding, and
+calling out, 'Well done, Loddard! Bravo, my little Pickle!'</p>
+
+<p>Loddard, determined to merit this honourable testimony of his prowess,
+continued his sport, with augmented boldness. His wantonness, however,
+though rude, was childish; Juliet, therefore, though tormented, gave it
+no serious resentment; but she was not equally indifferent to the more
+maturely malicious insolence of Ireton, who, while he openly enjoyed the
+scene, negligently said to Loddard, 'What, my boy, hast got a new
+nurse?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, having stood some time leaning upon the balustrade of the
+steps which she was descending, in vain expectations of the arm of her
+son, who had only slightly bowed to her, with an 'How do do, Ma'am?' to
+which he waited not for an answer; now indignantly called out, 'So I am
+to be left to myself, am I? In this feeble and alarming state to which I
+am reduced, incapable to withstand a gust of wind, or to baffle the fall
+of a leaf, I may take care of myself, may I? I am too stout to require
+any attention? too robust, too obstreperous to need any help? If I fall
+down, I may get up again, I suppose? If I faint, I may come to myself
+again, I imagine? You will have the goodness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span> to permit that, I presume?
+I may be mistaken, to be sure, but I should presume so. Don't you hear
+me, Mistress Ellis? But you are deaf, may be?&mdash;I am alarmed to the last
+degree!&mdash;You are suddenly seized, perhaps with the loss of one of your
+senses?'</p>
+
+<p>This attack, begun for her son, though, upon his romping with the little
+boy, in total disregard to its reproach, ending for Juliet, made Ireton
+now, throwing back his head, to stare, with a sneering half-laugh, at
+Juliet, exclaim, 'Fie, Mrs Betty! How can you leave Mrs Ireton, unaided,
+in such peril? Fie, Mrs Polly, fie! Mrs.... What is your new nurse's
+name, my boy?'</p>
+
+<p>The boy, who never held his tongue but when he was desired to speak,
+would make no answer, but by running violently after Juliet, as she
+sought to escape from him; flinging flowers, leaves, grass, or whatever
+he could find, at her, with boisterous shouts of laughter, and with all
+his little might.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, brought nearly to good humour by the sight of the perplexity
+and displeasure of Juliet, only uttered, 'Pretty dear! how playful he
+is!' But when, made still more daring by this applause, the little
+urchin ventured to touch the hem of her own garments, she became
+suddenly sensible of his disobedience and wanton mischief, and commanded
+him from her presence.</p>
+
+<p>As careless of her wrath as he was ungrateful for her favour, the young
+gentleman thought of nothing so little as of obedience. He jumped and,
+skipped around her, in bold defiance of all authority; laughing loudly
+in her face; making a thousand rude grimaces; yet screaming, as if
+attacked by a murderer, when she attempted to catch him; though, the
+moment that he forced himself out of her reach, hallooing his joyous
+triumph in her ears, with vociferous exultation.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet was ordered to take him in hand, and carry him off; an order
+which, to quit the scene, she prepared with pleasure to obey: but the
+young gentleman, though he pursued her with fatiguing fondness when she
+sought to avoid him, now ran wildly away.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, enraged, menaced personal chastisement; but upon his darting
+at Juliet, and tearing her gown, she turned abruptly aside, in the
+apprehension of being called upon for reparation; and, gently saying,
+'What a frisky little rogue it is!' affected to observe him no longer.</p>
+
+<p>The torn robe proved a potent attraction to the little dog, who, yelping
+with unmeaning fury, flew at and began gnawing it, with as much
+vehemence, as if its destruction were essential to his well being.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>A party of company was now announced, that begged to join Mrs Ireton in
+the garden; and, tripping foremost from the advancing throng, came,
+Selina.</p>
+
+<p>Ireton, flapping his hat over his eyes, leisurely sauntered away. Mrs
+Ireton returned to the Temple, to receive her guests with more state;
+and Juliet hoping, though doubtfully, some relief and countenance, bent
+forward to greet her young friend.</p>
+
+<p>Selina, with a look of vivacity and pleasure, eagerly approached; but
+while her hands were held out, in affectionate amity, and her eyes
+invited Juliet to meet her, she stopt, as if from some sudden
+recollection; and, after taking a hasty glance around her, picked a
+flower from a border of the parterre, and ran back with it to present to
+Lady Arramede.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, scarcely disappointed, retreated; and the party advanced in a
+body. She would fain have hidden herself, but had no power; the boy,
+with romping violence, forcibly detaining her, by loud shrieks, which
+rent the air, when she struggled to disengage herself from his hold.
+And, as every visitor, however stunned or annoyed, uttered, in
+approaching him, the admiring epithets of 'Dear little creature!' 'Sweet
+little love!' 'Pretty little dear!' &amp;c. the boy, in common with children
+of a larger growth, concluding praise to be approbation, flung himself
+upon Juliet, with all his force; protesting that he would give her a
+green gown: while all the company,&mdash;upon Mrs Ireton's appearing at an
+open window of the Temple,&mdash;unanimously joined in extolling his
+strength, his agility, and his spirited character.</p>
+
+<p>The wearied and provoked Juliet now seriously and strenuously sought to
+disengage herself from the stubborn young athletic; but he clung round
+her waist, and was jumping up at her shoulders, to catch at the ribbon
+of her hat, when Lady Kendover and her niece, who were the last of the
+company that arrived, entered the garden.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Barbara Frankland no sooner perceived Juliet, and her distress,
+than, swift as the wind, breaking from her aunt, she flew forward to
+give her succour; seizing the sturdy little assailant by his arms, when
+unprepared to defend himself, and twisting him, adroitly, from his prey;
+exclaiming, 'You spoilt little wicked creature, beg pardon of that
+lovely Miss Ellis directly! this moment!'</p>
+
+<p>'Ellis! Dear, if it is not Ellis!' cried Selina, now joining them. 'How
+glad I am to see you, my dear Ellis! What an age it is since we met!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, whose confidence was somewhat more than staggered in the regard
+of Selina, coldly courtsied to her; while, with the warmest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span> gratitude,
+she began expressing her acknowledgements for the prompt and generous
+kindness of Lady Barbara; when the boy, recovering from his surprise,
+and furious at any controul, darted at her ladyship with vindictive
+violence; attempting, and intending, to practise upon her the same feats
+which had nearly subdued Juliet: but the situation was changed: the
+exclamations were reversed; and 'O, you naughty little thing!' 'How can
+you be so rude?' 'Fie, child, fie!' were echoed from mouth to mouth;
+which every step bent forward to protect 'poor Lady Barbara' from the
+troublesome little creature.</p>
+
+<p>The boy was then seriously made over to his maid, to be new dressed;
+with a promise of peaches and sugar plums if he would be so very good a
+child, as to submit to the repugnant operations of his toilette, without
+crying or fighting.</p>
+
+<p>The butler now appeared, to announce that the breakfast was ready; and
+Juliet saw confirmed, that the party had been invited and expected;
+though Mrs Ireton meant to impress her with the magnificent idea, that
+this was her common way of life.</p>
+
+<p>The company all re-entered the house, and all without taking the
+smallest notice of Juliet; Lady Barbara excepted, who affectionately
+shook hands with her, and warmly regretted that she did not join the
+party.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, to whom the apparent mystery of her situation offered as much
+apology for others, as it brought distress to herself, went back, far
+more hurt than offended to the Temple.</p>
+
+<p>Hence, presently, from under one of the windows, she heard a weak, but
+fretful and angry voice, morosely giving impatient reprimands to some
+servant, while imperiously refusing to listen to even the most
+respectful answer.</p>
+
+<p>Looking from the window, she saw, and not without concern, from the
+contrast to the good humour which she had herself experienced, that this
+choleric reproacher was Sir Jaspar Herrington.</p>
+
+<p>The nursery-maid, who came, soon afterwards, in search of some baubles,
+which her young master had left in the Temple; complained that her
+mistress's rich brother-in-law, Sir Jaspar, who never entered the house
+but upon grand invitations, had been at his usual game of scolding, and
+finding fault with all the servants, till they all wished him at
+Jericho; sparing nobody but Nanny, whom the men called the Beauty. He
+was so particular, when he was in his tantarums, the maid added, that he
+was almost as cross as the old lady herself; except, indeed, to his
+favourites, and those he could never do enough for.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span> But he commanded
+about him at such a rate, that Mrs Ireton, she was sure, would never let
+him into the house, if it were not in the hope of wheedling him into
+leaving the great fortune, that had fallen to him with the name of
+Herrington, to the young 'Squire; though the young 'Squire was well
+enough off without it; being certain of the Ireton estate, because it
+was entailed upon him, if his uncle, Sir Jaspar, should die without
+children.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet did not hear this history of the ill temper of her generous old
+beau, without chagrin; but the prating nursery-maid ceased not recording
+what she called his tantarums, till the well known sound of his crutches
+announced his approach, when she hastily made her exit.</p>
+
+<p>With the awkward feeling of uncertain opinion, softened off,
+nevertheless, by the remembrance of strong personal obligation, Juliet
+presented herself at the door, to shew her intention of descending.</p>
+
+<p>Occupied by the pain of labouring up the steps, he did not raise his
+head, or perceive her, till he had reached the threshold of the little
+building. His still brilliant eyes became then brighter, and the air of
+harsh asperity which, while mounting, his countenance still retained,
+from recent anger, was suddenly converted into a look of the most lively
+pleasure, and perfect good humour. After touching his hat, and waving
+his hand, with an old fashioned, but well bred air of gallantry, he
+laughingly confessed, that he had ascended with the view of recruiting
+his strength and spirits, by a private visit to the god Morpheus; to
+enable him to get through the weighty enterprize, of encountering a
+throng of frivolous females, without affronting them by his yawns. 'How
+little,' he continued, 'did I imagine myself coming to Sleep's most
+resistless conqueror, Delight! If I rouse not now, I must have more
+soporiferous qualities than the Sleepers! or even than the Sleeping
+Beauty in the Wood, who took a nap of forty years.'</p>
+
+<p>Then entreating her to be seated, he dropt upon the easy chair, which
+had been prepared for Mrs Ireton; and crossed his crutches, as if by
+accident, in a manner that prevented her from retreating. She was the
+less, however, impatient of this delay, as she saw that the windows
+looking from the house into the garden, were filled with company, which
+she desired nothing so little as to pass in review.</p>
+
+<p>Taking, therefore, a place as far from him as was in her power, she made
+herself an occupation, in arranging some mulberry leaves for silk-worms.</p>
+
+<p>The Baronet, whose face expressed encreasing satisfaction at his
+situation, courteously sought to draw her into discourse. 'My little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span>
+friends,' cried he, smiling, 'who are always at work, have continually
+been tormenting me of late, with pinches and twitches, upon my utter
+neglect of my sister-in-law, Mrs Ireton. I could not for my life imagine
+why they took so prodigious an interest in my visiting her; but they
+nipt, and squeezed, and worried me, without intermission; accusing me of
+misbehaviour; saying she was my sister-in-law; and ill, and
+hypochondriac; and that it was by no means pretty behaved in me, not to
+shew her more respect. It was in vain I represented, that she was rich,
+and did not want me; or that she was disagreeable, and that I did not
+want her; 'twas all one; they insisted I should go: and this morning,
+when I would have excused myself from coming to her fine breakfast, they
+beset me in so many ways, that I was forced to comply. And now I see
+why! Poor, earthly, mundane mortal that I was! I took them for envious
+sprites, jealous of my repose! But I see, now, they were only recreative
+little sylphs, amusing themselves with whipping and spurring me on to my
+own good!'</p>
+
+<p>And is this, thought Juliet, the man who bears a character of impatience
+and ill humour? this man, whose imagination is so playful, and whose
+desire to please can only be equalled by his desire to serve?</p>
+
+<p>'And where,' he continued, 'have you all this time been eclipsed? From
+sundry circumstances, that perversely obtruded themselves upon my
+knowledge, in defiance of the ill reception I gave them, I was led, at
+first, to conclude, that you had been spirited away by Sir Lyell
+Sycamore.'</p>
+
+<p>He fixed his eyes upon her curiously; but the colour that rose in her
+cheeks betrayed no secret consciousness; it shewed open resentment.</p>
+
+<p>'O! I soon saw,' he resumed, as if he had been answered, though she had
+not deigned to disclaim an idea that she deemed fitted simply for
+contempt; 'by the mortified silence of my young gallant, that the fates
+had not been propitious to his wishes. In characters of his description,
+success never courts the shade. It basks in the sun-shine, and seeks the
+broadest day. How is it that you have thus piqued the vain spark? He
+came to me in such a flame, to upbraid me for what he called the cursed
+ridiculous dance that I had led him, that I fairly thought he meant to
+call me out! I began, directly, to look about me for the stoutest of my
+crutches, to parry, for a last minute or two, his broad sword; and to
+deliberate which might be the thickest of my leather cushions, to hold
+up in my defence, for reverberating the ball, in case he should prefer
+pistols. But he deigned, most fortunately, to content himself with only
+abusing me: hinting, that such superannuated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span> old geese, as those who
+had passed their grand climacteric, ought not to meddle with affairs of
+which they must have lost even the memory. I let him bounce off without
+any answer; very thankful to the "Sisters three" to feel myself in a
+whole skin.'</p>
+
+<p>Looking at her, then, with an expression of humorous reproach, 'You will
+permit me, I hope, at least,' he added, 'to flatter myself, that, when
+your indulgence to the garrulity of age has induced you to bear with my
+loquacity till I am a little hoarser, your consideration for sore
+throats and heated lungs, will prevail upon you to utter a little word
+or two in your turn?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, laughing, answered that she had been too well amused, to be
+aware how little she had seemed to merit his exertions.</p>
+
+<p>'Tell me, then,' cried he, with looks that spoke him enchanted by this
+reply; 'through what extraordinary mechanism, in the wheel of fortune,
+you have been rolled to this spot? The benevolent sprites, who have
+urged me hither, have not given me a jot of information how you became
+known to Mrs Ireton? By what strange spell have you been drawn in, to
+seem an inmate of her mansion? and what philters and potions have you
+swallowed, to make you endure her never-ending vagaries?'</p>
+
+<p>Half smiling, half sighing, Juliet looked down; not willing to accept,
+though hardly able to resist, the offered licence for complaint.</p>
+
+<p>'Make no stranger,' the old Baronet laughingly added, 'of me, I beg! She
+is my sister-in-law, to be sure; but the law, with all its subtleties,
+had not yet entailed our affections, with our estates, to our relations;
+nor articled our tastes, with our jointures, to our dowagers. Use,
+therefore, no manner of ceremony! How do you bear with her freaks and
+fancies? or rather,&mdash;for that is the essential point, why do you bear
+with them?'</p>
+
+<p>'Can that,' said Juliet, 'be a question?'</p>
+
+<p>'Not a wise one, I confess!' he returned; 'for what but Necessity could
+link together two creatures who seem formed to give a view of human
+nature diametrically opposite the one from the other? These indeed must
+be imps,&mdash;and imps of darkness,&mdash;who, busy, busy still&mdash;delight</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">To join the gentle to the rude!<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>that can have coupled so unharmonizing a pair. Hymen, with all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</a></span>
+little active sinister devils in his train, that yoke together, pell
+mell, for life, hobbling age with bounding youth; choleric violence with
+trembling timidity; haggard care with thoughtless merriment;&mdash;Hymen
+himself, that marrying little lawyer, who takes upon him to unite what
+is most discordant, and to tie together all that is most heterogeneous;
+even he, though provided with what is, so justly, called a licence, for
+binding together what nature itself seems to sunder; he, even he, I
+assert, never buckled in the same noose, two beings so completely and
+equally dissimilar, both without and within. Since such, however, has
+been the ordinance of these fantastic workers of wonders, will you let
+me ask, in what capacity it has pleased their impships to conjure you
+hither?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet hesitated, and looked ashamed to answer.</p>
+
+<p>'You are not, I hope,' cried he, fixing upon her his keen eyes, 'one of
+those ill-starred damsels, whose task, in the words of Madame de
+Maintenon, is to 'amuse the unamuseable?' You are not, I hope, ...' he
+stopt, as if seeking a phrase, and then, rather faintly, added, 'her
+companion?'</p>
+
+<p>'Her humble servant, Sir!' with a forced smile, said Juliet; 'and yet,
+humbled as I feel myself in that capacity, not humble enough for its
+calls!'</p>
+
+<p>The smiles of the old Baronet vanished in a moment, and an expression of
+extreme severity took their place. 'She uses you ill, then?' he
+indignantly cried, and, grasping the knobs of his two crutches, he
+struck their points against the floor, with a heaviness that made the
+little building shake, ejaculating, in a hoarse inward voice, 'Curse
+her!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet stared at him, affrighted by his violence.</p>
+
+<p>'Can it be possible,' he cried, 'that so execrable a fate should be
+reserved for so exquisite a piece of workmanship? Sweet witch! were I
+but ten years younger, I would snatch you from her infernal claws!&mdash;or
+rather, could I cut off twenty;&mdash;yet even then the disparity would be
+too great!&mdash;thirty years younger,&mdash;or perhaps forty,&mdash;my hand and
+fortune should teach that Fury her distance!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, surprised, and doubting whether what dropt from him were escaped
+sincerity, or purposed irony, looked with so serious a perplexity, that,
+struck and ashamed, he checked himself; and recovering his usually
+polite equanimity, smiled at his own warmth, saying, 'Don't be alarmed,
+I beg! Don't imagine that I shall forget myself; nor want to hurry away,
+lest my animation should be dangerous! The heat that, at
+five-and-twenty, might have fired me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</a></span> into a fever, now raises but a
+kindly glow, that stops, or keeps off stagnation. The little sprites,
+who hover around me, though they often mischievously spur my poor
+fruitless wishes, always take care, by seasonable twitches, in some
+vulnerable gouty part, to twirl me from the regions of hope and romance,
+to very sober real life!'</p>
+
+<p>Fearful of appearing distrustful, Juliet looked satisfied, and again he
+went on.</p>
+
+<p>'Since, then, 'tis clear that there can be no danger in so simple an
+intercourse, why should I not give myself the gratification of telling
+you, that every sight of you does me good? renovates my spirits;
+purifies my humours; sweetens my blood; and braces my nerves? Never talk
+to me with mockery of fairyism, witchcraft, and sylphs; the real
+influence of lovely youth, is a thousand times more wonderful, more
+potent, and more incredible! When I have seen you only an instant, I
+feel in charity with all mankind for the rest of the day; and, at night,
+my kind little friends present you to me again; renew every pleasing
+idea; revive the most delightful images; and paint you to me&mdash;just such
+as I see you at this moment!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, embarrassed, talked of returning to the house.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you blush?' cried he, with quickness, and evidently increasing
+admiration; 'is it possible that you are not enough habituated to
+praise, to hear it without modest confusion? I have seen "full many a
+lady"&mdash;but you&mdash;O you!&mdash;so perfect and so peerless are created, of every
+creature best!'<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p>
+
+<p>'My whole life has been spent in worshipping beauty, till within these
+very few years, when I have gotten something like a surfeit, and meant
+to give it over. For I have watched and followed Beauties, till I have
+grown sick of them. I have admired fine features, only to be disgusted
+with vapid vanity. A face with a little meaning, though as ugly as sin
+and satan, I have lately thought worth forty of them! But you&mdash;fair
+sorceress! you have conjured me round again to my old work! I have found
+the spell irresistible. You have such intelligence of countenance; such
+spirit with such sweetness, smiles so delicious, though rare! looks so
+speaking; grace so silent;&mdash;that I forget you are a beauty; and fasten
+my eyes upon you, only to understand what you say when you don't utter a
+word! That's all! Don't be uneasy, therefore, at my staring. Though, to
+be candid, we know ourselves so little,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</a></span> that, 'tis possible, had you
+not first caught my eyes as a beauty, I might never have looked at you
+long enough to find out your wit!'</p>
+
+<p>A footman now came to acquaint Sir Jaspar, that the rice-soup, which he
+had ordered, was ready; and that the ladies were waiting for the honour
+of his company to breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>'I heartily wish they would wait for my company, till I desire to have
+theirs!' Sir Jaspar muttered: but, sensible of the impropriety of a
+refusal, arose, and, taking off his hat, with a studied formality, which
+he hoped would impress the footman with respect for its object, followed
+his messenger: whispering, nevertheless, as he quitted the building,
+'Leave you for a breakfast!&mdash;I would almost as willingly be immersed in
+the witches' cauldron, and boiled into morsels, to become a breakfast
+myself, for the amusement of the audience at a theatre!'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LV" id="CHAPTER_LV"></a>CHAPTER LV</h2>
+
+
+<p>Juliet, who perceived that the windows were still crowded with company,
+contentedly kept her place; and, taking up the second volume of the
+Guardian, found, in the lively instruction, the chaste morality, and the
+exquisite humour of Addison, an enjoyment which no repetition can cloy.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time, to her great discomposure, she was broken in upon by
+Ireton; who, drawing before the door, which he shut, an easy chair, cast
+himself indolently upon it, and, stretching out his arms, said, 'Ah ha!
+the fair Ellis! How art thee, my dear?'</p>
+
+<p>Far more offended than surprised by this freedom, Juliet, perceiving
+that she could not escape, affected to go on with her reading, as if he
+had not entered the building.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't be angry, my dear,' he continued, 'that I did not speak to you
+before all those people. There's no noticing a pretty girl, in public,
+without raising such a devil of a clamour, that it's enough to put a man
+out of countenance. Besides, Mrs Ireton is such a very particular quiz,
+that she would be sure to contrive I should never have a peep at you
+again, if once she suspected the pleasure I take in seeing you. However,
+I am going to turn a dutiful son, and spend some days here. And, by that
+means, we can squeeze an opportunity, now and then, of getting a little
+chat together.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet could no longer refrain from raising her head, with amazement, at
+this familiar assurance: but he went on, totally disregarding the rebuke
+of her indignant eye.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you like your place here, my dear? Mrs Ireton's rather qualmish,
+I am afraid. I never can bear to stay with her myself; except when I
+have some point to carry. I can't devise what the devil could urge you
+to come into such a business. And where's Harleigh? What's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</a></span> he about?
+Gone to old Nick I hope with all my heart! But you,&mdash;why are you
+separated? What's the reason you are not with him?'</p>
+
+<p>Yet more provoked, though determined not to look up again, Juliet fixed
+her eyes upon the book.</p>
+
+<p>Ireton continued: 'What a sly dog he is, that Harleigh! But what the
+deuce could provoke him to make me cut such a silly figure before Lord
+Melbury, with my apologies, and all that? He took me in, poz! I thought
+he'd nothing to do with you. And if you had not had that fainting fit,
+at the concert; which I suppose you forgot to give him notice of, that
+put him so off his guard, I should have believed all he vowed and swore,
+of having no connection with you, and all that, to this very moment.'</p>
+
+<p>This was too much. Juliet gravely arose, put down her book, and said,
+with severity, 'Mr Ireton, you will be so good as to let me pass!'</p>
+
+<p>'No, not I! No, not I, my dear!' he answered, still lolling at his ease.
+'We must have a little chat together first. 'Tis an age since I have
+been able to speak with you. I have been confounded discreet, I promise
+you. I have not told your secret to a soul.'</p>
+
+<p>'What secret, Sir?' cried Juliet, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>'Why who you are, and all that.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you knew, Sir,' recovering her calmness, she replied, 'I should not
+have to defend myself from the insults of a son, while under the
+protection of his mother!'</p>
+
+<p>'Ha! ha! ha!' cried he. 'What a droll piece of dainty delicacy thee art!
+I'd give a cool hundred, this moment, only to know what the deuce puts
+it into thy little head, to play this farce such a confounded length of
+time, before one comes to the catastrophe.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, with a disdainful gesture, again took her book.</p>
+
+<p>'Why won't you trust me, my dear? You sha'n't repent it, I promise you.
+Tell me frankly, now, who are you?&mdash;Hay?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet only turned over a new leaf of her book.</p>
+
+<p>'How can you be so silly, child?&mdash;Why won't you let me serve you? You
+don't know what use I may be of to you. Come, make me your friend! only
+trust me, and I'll go to the very devil for you with pleasure.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet read on.</p>
+
+<p>'Come, my love, don't be cross! Speak out! Put aside these dainty airs.
+Surely you a'n't such a little fool, as to think to take me in, as you
+have done Melbury and Harleigh?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet felt her cheeks now heated with increased indignation.</p>
+
+<p>'As to Melbury,&mdash;'tis a mere schoolboy, ready to swallow any thing;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</a></span> and
+as to Harleigh, he's such a queer, out of the way genius, that he's like
+nobody: but as to me, my dear, I'm a man of the world. Not so easily
+played upon, I promise you! I have known you from the very beginning!
+Found you out at first sight! Only I did not think it worth while
+telling you so, while you appeared so confounded ugly. But now that I
+see you are such a pretty creature, I feel quite an interest for you. So
+tell me who are you? Will you?'</p>
+
+<p>Somewhat piqued, at length, by her resolute silence, 'Nay,' he added,
+with affected scorn, 'don't imagine I have any view! Don't disturb
+yourself with any freaks and qualms of that sort. You are a fine girl,
+to be sure. Devilish handsome, I own; but still
+too&mdash;too&mdash;grave,&mdash;grim,&mdash;What the deuce is the word I mean? for my
+taste. I like something more buckish. So pray make yourself easy. I
+shan't interfere with your two sparks. I am perfectly aware I should
+have but a bad chance. I know I am neither as good a pigeon to pluck as
+Melbury, nor as marvellous a wight to overcome as Harleigh. But I can't
+for my life make out why you don't take to one or t'other of them, and
+put yourself at your ease. I'm deadly curious to know what keeps you
+from coming to a finish. Melbury would be managed the easiest; but I
+strongly suspect you like Harleigh best. What do you turn your back for?
+That I mayn't see you blush? Come, come, don't play the baby with a man
+of the world like me.'</p>
+
+<p>To the infinite relief of the disgusted Juliet, she now heard the
+approach of some footstep. Ireton, who heard it also, nimbly arose,
+and, softly moving his chair from the door, cast half his body out of
+the window, and, lolling upon his elbows, began humming an air; as if
+totally occupied in regarding the sea.</p>
+
+<p>A footman, who entered, told Juliet that his lady desired that she would
+come to the parlour, to play and sing to the company, while they
+breakfasted.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, colouring at this unqualified order, hesitated what to answer;
+while Ireton, turning round, and pretending not to have heard what was
+said, maliciously, made the man repeat, 'My lady, Sir, bid me tell Miss
+Ellis, that she must come to play and sing to the company.'</p>
+
+<p>'Play and sing?' repeated Ireton. 'O the devil! Must we be bored with
+playing and singing too? But I did not know breakfast was ready, and I
+am half starved.'</p>
+
+<p>He then sauntered from the building; but the moment that the footman was
+out of sight, turned back, to say, 'How devilish provoking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</a></span> to be
+interrupted in this manner! How can we contrive to meet again, my dear?'</p>
+
+<p>The answer of Juliet was shutting and bolting the door.</p>
+
+<p>His impertinence, however, occupied her mind only while she was under
+its influence; the insignificance of his character, notwithstanding the
+malice of his temper, made it sink into nothing, to give way to the new
+rising difficulty, how she might bear to obey, or how risk to refuse,
+the rude and peremptory summons which she had just received. Ought I,
+she cried, to submit to treatment so mortifying? Are there no boundaries
+to the exactions of prudence upon feeling? or, rather, is there not a
+mental necessity, a call of character, a cry of propriety, that should
+supersede, occasionally, all prudential considerations, however
+urgent?&mdash;Oh! if those who receive, from the unequal conditions of life,
+the fruits of the toils of others, could,&mdash;only for a few
+days,&mdash;experience, personally, how cruelly those toils are embittered by
+arrogance, or how sweetly they may be softened by kindness,&mdash;the race of
+the Mrs Iretons would become rare,&mdash;and Lady Aurora Granville might,
+perhaps, be paralleled!</p>
+
+<p>Yet, with civility, with good manners, had Mrs Ireton made this request;
+not issued it as a command by a footman; Juliet felt that, in her
+present dependent condition, however ill she might be disposed for
+music, or for public exhibition, she ought to yield: and even now, the
+horror of having another asylum to seek; the disgrace of seeming driven,
+thus continually, from house to house; though they could not lessen her
+repugnance to indelicacy and haughtiness, cooled all ardour of desire
+for trying yet another change; till she should have raised a sufficient
+sum for joining Gabriella; and softening, nay delighting, the future
+toils to which she might be destined, by the society of that cherished
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes, she was visited by Selina, who, rapturously embracing
+her, declared that she could not stay away from her any longer; and
+volubly began her usual babble of news and tales; to all which Juliet
+gave scarcely the coldest attention; till she had the satisfaction of
+hearing that the health of Elinor was re-established.</p>
+
+<p>Selina then owned that she had been sent by Mrs Ireton, to desire that
+Miss Ellis would make more haste.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet worded a civil excuse; which Selina, with hands uplifted, from
+amazement, carried back to the breakfast-room.</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards, peals of laughter announced the vicinity of the Miss
+Crawleys; who merrily called aloud upon Ireton, to come and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</a></span> help them
+to haul The Ellis, will ye, nill ye? to the piano-forte, to play and
+sing.</p>
+
+<p>Happy in this intimation of their purpose, Juliet bolted the door; and
+would not be prevailed upon to open it, either by their vociferous
+prayers, or their squalls of disappointment.</p>
+
+<p>But, in another minute, a slight rustling sound drawing her eyes to a
+window, she saw Ireton preparing to make a forced entry.</p>
+
+<p>She darted, now, to the door, and, finding the passage clear, as the
+Miss Crawleys had gone softly round, to witness the exploit of Ireton,
+seized the favourable moment for eluding observation; and was nearly
+arrived at the house, before the besiegers of the cage perceived that
+the bird was flown.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVI" id="CHAPTER_LVI"></a>CHAPTER LVI</h2>
+
+
+<p>The two sisters no sooner discovered the escape of their prey, than,
+screaming with violent laughter, they began a romping race in its
+pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>Near the entrance into the hall, Juliet was met by Selina, with commands
+from Mrs Ireton, that she would either present herself, immediately, to
+the company; or seek another abode.</p>
+
+<p>In minds of strong sensibility, arrogance rouses resentment more quickly
+even than injury: a message so gross, an affront so public, required,
+therefore, no deliberation on the part of Juliet; and she was answering
+that she would make her preparations to depart; when the Miss Crawleys,
+rushing suddenly upon her, exclaimed, with clamourous joy, 'She's
+caught! She's caught! The Ellis is caught!' and, each of them seizing a
+hand, they dragged her, with merry violence, into the breakfast-room.</p>
+
+<p>Her hoydening conductors failed not to excite the attention of the whole
+assembly; though it fell not, after the first glance, upon themselves.
+Juliet, to whom exercise and confusion gave added beauty; and whom no
+disorder of attire could rob of an air of decency, which, inherent in
+her nature, was always striking in her demeanor; was no sooner seen,
+than, whether with censure or applause, she monopolized all remark.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton haughtily bid her approach.</p>
+
+<p>Averse, yet unwilling to risk the consequences of a public breach, she
+slowly advanced.</p>
+
+<p>'I am afraid, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, with a smile of derision; 'I am
+afraid, Ma'am, you have hurried yourself? It is not much above an hour,
+I believe, since I did myself the honour of sending for you. I have no
+conception how you have been able to arrive so soon! Pray<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</a></span> how far do
+you think it may be from hence to the Temple? ten or twelve yards, I
+verily believe! You must really be ready to expire!'</p>
+
+<p>Having constrained herself to hear thus much, Juliet conceived that the
+duty even of her humble station could require no more; she made,
+therefore, a slight reverence, with intention to withdraw. But Mrs
+Ireton, offended, cried, 'Whither may you be going, Ma'am?&mdash;And pray,
+Ma'am,&mdash;if I may take the liberty to ask such a question,&mdash;who told you
+to go?&mdash;Was it I?&mdash;Did any body hear me?&mdash;Did you, Lady Arramede?&mdash;or
+you, Miss Brinville?&mdash;or only Miss Ellis herself? For, to be sure I must
+have done it: I take that for granted: she would not, certainly, think
+of going without leave, after I have sent for her. So I make no doubt
+but I did it. Though I can't think how it happened, I own. 'Twas
+perfectly without knowing it, I confess. In some fit of absence&mdash;perhaps
+in my sleep;&mdash;for I have slept, too, perhaps, without knowing it!'</p>
+
+<p>Sarcasms so witty, uttered by a lady at an assembly in her own house,
+could not fail of being received with applause; and Mrs Ireton, looking
+around her triumphantly, regarded the disconcerted Juliet as a
+completely vanquished vassal. In a tone, therefore, that marked the most
+perfect self-satisfaction, 'Pray, Ma'am,' she continued, 'for what might
+you suppose I did myself the favour to want you? was it only to take a
+view of your new <i>costume</i>? 'Tis very careless and picturesque, to be
+sure, to rove abroad in that agreeable dishabille, just like the "maiden
+all forlorn;" or rather to speak with mere exactitude, like the "man all
+tattered and torn," for 'tis more properly his <i>costume</i> you adopt, than
+the neat, tidy maiden's.'</p>
+
+<p>The warm-hearted young Lady Barbara, all pity and feeling for Juliet,
+here broke from her quiet and cautious aunt, and, with irrepressible
+eagerness, exclaimed, 'Mrs Ireton, 'twas Mr Loddard, your own little
+naughty nephew, who deranged in that manner the dress of that elegant
+Miss Ellis.'</p>
+
+<p>The Miss Crawleys, now, running to the little boy, called out, 'The
+Loddard! the Loddard! 'tis the Loddard has set up the new <i>costume</i>!'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, though affecting to laugh, had now done with the subject;
+and, while she was taking a pinch of snuff, to gain time to suggest some
+other, Sir Jaspar Herrington, advancing to Juliet, said, 'Has this young
+lady no place?' and, gallantly taking her hand, he led her to his own
+chair, and walked to another part of the room.</p>
+
+<p>A civility such as this from Sir Jaspar, made all the elders of the
+company stare, and all the younger titter; but the person the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</a></span>
+surprized was Mrs Ireton, who hastily called out, 'Miss Ellis would not
+do such a thing! Take Sir Jaspar's own seat! That has his own particular
+cushions! She could not do such a thing! I should think not, at least! I
+may judge ill, but I should think not. A seat prepared for Sir Jaspar by
+my own order! Miss Ellis can dispense with having an easy chair, and
+three cushions, I should presume! I may be wrong, to be sure, but I
+should presume so!'</p>
+
+<p>'Madam,' answered Sir Jaspar, 'in days of old, I never could bear to
+sit, when I saw a lady standing; and though those days are past, alas!
+and gone,&mdash;still I cannot, even to escape a twitch of the gout, see a
+fair female neglected, without feeling a twitch of another kind, that
+gives me yet greater pain.'</p>
+
+<p>'Your politeness, Sir Jaspar,' replied Mrs Ireton, 'we all know; and, if
+it were for one of my guests,&mdash;but Miss Ellis can hardly desire, I
+should suppose, to see you drop down with fatigue, while she is reposing
+upon your arm-chair. Not that I pretend to know her way of thinking! I
+don't mean that. I don't mean to have it imagined I have the honour of
+her confidence; but I should rather suppose she could not insist upon
+turning you out of your seat, only to give you a paroxysm of the gout.'</p>
+
+<p>However internally moved, Juliet endured this harangue in total silence;
+convinced that where all authority is on the side of the aggressor,
+resistance only provokes added triumph. Her looks, therefore, though
+they shewed her to be hurt and offended, evinced a dignified
+forbearance, superiour to the useless reproach, and vain retaliation, of
+unequal contention.</p>
+
+<p>She rose, nevertheless, from the seat which she had only momentarily,
+and from surprise occupied, and would have quitted the room, but that
+she saw she should again be publicly called back; and hers was not a
+situation for braving open enmity. She thankfully, however, accepted a
+chair which was brought to her by Sir Marmaduke Crawley, and placed next
+to that which had been vacated by the old Baronet; who then returned to
+his own.</p>
+
+<p>She now hoped to find some support from his countenance; as his powerful
+situation in the house, joined to his age, would make his smallest
+attention prove to her a kind of protection. Her expectation, however,
+was disappointed: he did not address to her a word; or appear to have
+ever beheld her before; and his late act of politeness seemed exerted
+for a perfect stranger, from habitual good breeding.</p>
+
+<p>And is it you, thought the pensive Juliet, who, but a few minutes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</a></span>
+since, spoke to me with such flattery, such preference? with an even
+impassioned regard? And shall this so little assembly guide and awe you?
+There, where I wished upon me your compliments;&mdash;while here, where a
+smile would be encouragement, where notice would be charity, you affect
+to have forgotten, or appear never to have seen me! Ah! mentally
+continued the silent moralist, if we reflected upon the difficulty of
+gaining esteem; upon the chances against exciting affection; upon the
+union of time and circumstance necessary for obtaining sincere regard;
+we should require courage to withhold, not to follow, the movement of
+kindness, that, where distress sighs for succour, where helplessness
+solicits support, gives power to the smallest exertion, to a single
+word, to a passing smile,&mdash;to bestow a favour, and to do a service, that
+catch, in the brief space of a little moment, a gratitude that never
+dies!</p>
+
+<p>But, while thus to be situated, was pain and dejection to Juliet, to see
+her seated, however unnoticed, in the midst of this society, was almost
+equally irksome to Mrs Ireton; who, after some vain internal fretting,
+ordered the butler to carry about refreshments; consoled with the
+certainty, that he would as little dare present any to Juliet, as omit
+to present them to every one else.</p>
+
+<p>The smiles and best humour of Mrs Ireton now soon returned; for the
+dependent state of Juliet became more than ever conspicuous, when thus
+decidedly she was marked as the sole person, in a large assembly, that
+the servants were permitted, if not instructed to neglect.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet endeavoured to sit tranquil, and seem unconcerned; but her
+fingers were in continual motion; her eyes, meaning to look no where,
+looked every where; and Mrs Ireton had the gratification to perceive,
+that, however she struggled for indifference, she was fully sensible of
+the awkwardness of her situation.</p>
+
+<p>But this was no sooner remarked by Lady Barbara Frankland, than,
+starting with vivacity from her vainly watchful aunt, she flew to her
+former instructress, crying, 'Have you taken nothing yet, Miss Ellis? O
+pray, then, let me chuse your ice for you?'</p>
+
+<p>She ran to a side-board, and selecting the colour most pleasing to her
+eyes, hastened with it to the blushing, but relieved and grateful
+Juliet; to whom this benevolent attention seemed instantly to restore
+the self-command, that pointed indignities, and triumphant derision,
+were sinking into abashed depression.</p>
+
+<p>The sensation produced by this action in Mrs Ireton, was as ungenial as
+that which it caused to Juliet was consolatory. She could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</a></span> for a
+moment endure to see the creature of her power, whom she looked upon as
+destined for the indulgence of her will, and the play of her authority,
+receive a mark of consideration which, if shewn even to herself, would
+have been accepted as a condescension. Abruptly, therefore, while they
+were standing together, and conversing, she called out, 'Is it possible,
+Miss Ellis, that you can see the child in such imminent danger, and stay
+there amusing yourself?'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Kendover hastily called off her young niece; and Juliet, sighing
+crossed over the room, to take charge of the little boy, who was sitting
+astraddle out of one of the windows.</p>
+
+<p>'But I had flattered myself,' cried Sir Marmaduke Crawley, addressing
+Mrs Ireton, 'that we should have a little music?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, to whom the talents of Juliet gave pleasure in proportion
+only to her own repugnance to bringing them into play, had relinquished
+the projected performance, when she perceived the general interest which
+was excited by the mere appearance of the intended performer. She
+declared herself, therefore, so extremely fearful lest some mischief
+should befall her little nephew, that she could not possibly trust him
+from the care of Miss Ellis.</p>
+
+<p>Half the company, now, urged by the thirst of fresh amusement, professed
+the most passionate fondness for children, and offered their services to
+watch the dear, sweet little boy, while Miss Ellis should play or sing;
+but the averseness] of Ellis remained uncombated by Mrs Ireton, and,
+therefore, unconquered.</p>
+
+<p>The party was preparing to break up, when Mr Giles Arbe entered the
+room, to apologize for the non-appearance of Miss Arbe, his cousin, who
+had bid him bring words, he said, that she was taken ill.</p>
+
+<p>Ireton, by a few crafty questions, soon drew from him, that Miss Arbe
+was only gone to a little private music-meeting at Miss Sycamore's:
+though, affrighted when he had made the confession, he entreated Mrs
+Ireton not to take it amiss; protesting that it was not done in any
+disrespect to her, but merely because his cousin was more amused at Miss
+Sycamore's.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, extremely piqued, answered, that she should be very careful,
+in future, not to presume to make an invitation to Miss Arbe, but in a
+total dearth of other entertainment; in a famine; or public fast.</p>
+
+<p>But, the moment he sauntered into another room, to partake of some
+refreshments, 'That old savage,' she cried, 'is a perfect horrour! He
+has not a single atom of common sense; and if he were not Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</a></span> Arbe's
+cousin, one must tell one's butler to shew him the door. At least, such
+is my poor opinion. I don't pretend to be a judge; but such is my
+notion!'</p>
+
+<p>'O! I adore him!' cried Miss Crawley. 'He makes me laugh till I am ready
+to die! He has never a guess what he is about; and he never hears a word
+one says. And he stares so when one laughs at him! O! he's the
+delightfullest, stupidest, dear wretch that breathes!'</p>
+
+<p>'O! I can't look at him without laughing!' exclaimed Miss Di. 'He's the
+best thing in nature! He's delicious! enchanting! delightful! O! so dear
+a fool!'</p>
+
+<p>'He is quite unfit,' said Mrs Maple, 'for society; for he says every
+thing that comes uppermost, and has not the least idea of what is due to
+people.'</p>
+
+<p>'O! he is the sweetest-tempered, kindest-hearted creature in the world!'
+exclaimed Lady Barbara. 'My aunt's woman has heard, from Miss Arbe's
+maid, all his history. He has quite ruined himself by serving poor
+people in distress. He is so generous, he can never pronounce a
+refusal.'</p>
+
+<p>'But he dresses so meanly,' said Miss Brinville, 'that mamma and I have
+begged Miss Arbe not to bring him any more to see us. Besides,&mdash;he tells
+every thing in the world to every body.'</p>
+
+<p>'Poor Miss Arbe a'n't to blame, I assure you, Miss Brinville,' said
+Selina; 'for she dislikes him as much as you do; only when her papa
+invited him to live with them, he was very rich; and it was thought he
+would leave all his fortune to them. But, since then, Miss Arbe says, he
+is grown quite poor; for he has dawdled away almost all his money, in
+one way or another; letting folks out of prison, setting people up in
+business, and all that.'</p>
+
+<p>'O! he's the very king of quizzes!' cried Ireton. 'He drags me out of
+the spleen, when I feel as if there were no possibility I could yawn on
+another half hour.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar now, looking with an air of authority towards Ireton, said,
+'It would have been your good star, not your evil genius, by which you
+would have been guided, Mr Ireton, had you been attracted to this old
+gentleman as to an example, rather than as a butt for your wit. He has
+very good parts, if he knew how to make use of them; though he has a
+simplicity of manners, that induces common observers to conclude him to
+be nearly an ideot. And, indeed, an absent man seems always in a state
+of childhood; for as he is never occupied with what is present, those
+who think of nothing else, naturally take it for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</a></span> granted that what
+passes is above his comprehension; when perhaps, it is only below his
+attention. But with Mr Arbe, though his temper is incomparably good and
+placid, absence is neither want of understanding, nor of powers of
+observation; for, when once he is awakened to what is passing, by any
+thing that touches his feelings of humanity, or his sense of justice,
+his seeming stupor turns to energy; his silence is superseded by
+eloquence; and his gentle diffidence is supplanted by a mental courage,
+which electrifies with surprize, from its contrast with his general
+docility; and which strikes, and even awes, from an apparent dignity of
+defying consequence;&mdash;though, in fact, it is but the effect of never
+weighing them. Such, however, as he is, Mr Ireton, with the
+singularities of his courage, or the oddities of his passiveness, he is
+a man who is useful to the world, from his love of doing good; and happy
+in himself, from the serenity of a temper unruffled by any species of
+malignity.'</p>
+
+<p>Ireton ventured not to manifest any resentment at this conclusion; but
+when, by his embarrassed air, Sir Jaspar saw that it was understood, he
+smiled, and more gaily added, 'If the fates, the sisters three, and such
+little branches of learning, had had the benevolence to have fixed my
+own birth under the influence of the same planet with that of Mr Giles
+Arbe, how many twitches, goadings, and worries should I have been
+spared, from impatience, ambition, envy, discontent, and ill will!'</p>
+
+<p>The subject was here dropt, by the re-entrance of Mr Arbe; who,
+observing Selina, said that he wanted prodigiously to enquire about her
+poor aunt, whom, lately, he had met with no where; though she used to be
+every where.</p>
+
+<p>'My aunt, Sir?&mdash;She's there!' said Selina, pointing to Mrs Maple.</p>
+
+<p>'No, no, I don't mean that aunt; I mean your young aunt, that used to be
+so all alive and clever. What's become of her?'</p>
+
+<p>'O, I dare say it's my sister you are thinking of?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ay, it's like enough; for she's young enough, to be sure; only you look
+such a mere child. Pray how is she now? I was very sorry to hear of her
+cutting her throat.'</p>
+
+<p>A titter, which was immediately exalted into a hearty laugh by the Miss
+Crawleys, was all the answer.</p>
+
+<p>'It was not right to do such a thing,' he continued; 'very wrong indeed.
+There's no need to be afraid of not dying soon enough, for we only come
+to be gone! I pitied her, however, with all my heart, for love is but a
+dangerous thing; it makes older persons than she is go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</a></span> astray, one way
+or other. And it was but unkind of Mr Harleigh not to marry her, whether
+he liked or not, to save her from such a naughty action. And pray what
+is become of that pretty creature that used to teach you all music? I
+have enquired for her at Miss Matson's, often; but I always forgot where
+they said she was gone. Indeed they made me a little angry about her,
+which, probably, was the reason that I could never recollect what they
+told me of her direction.'</p>
+
+<p>'Angry, Mr Giles?' repeated Mrs Ireton, with an air of restored
+complacency; 'What was it, then, they said of her? Not that I am very
+curious to hear it, as I presume you will believe! You won't imagine it,
+I presume, a matter of the first interest to me!'</p>
+
+<p>'O, what they said of her was very bad! very bad, indeed; and that's the
+reason I give no credit to it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, well, but what was it?' cried Ireton.</p>
+
+<p>'Why they told me that she was turned toad-eater.'</p>
+
+<p>Universal and irresistible smiles throughout the whole company, to the
+exception of Lady Barbara and Sir Jaspar, now heightened the
+embarrassment of Juliet into pain and distress: but the young Loddard
+every moment struggled to escape into the garden, through the window;
+and she did not dare quit her post.</p>
+
+<p>'So I asked them what they meant,' Mr Giles continued; 'for I never
+heard of any body's eating toads; though I am assured our neighbours, on
+t'other bank, are so fond of frogs. But they made it out, that it only
+meant a person who would swallow any thing, bad or good; and do whatever
+he was bid, right or wrong; for the sake of a little pay.'</p>
+
+<p>This definition by no means brought the assembly back to its gravity;
+but while Juliet, ashamed and indignant, kept her face turned constantly
+towards the garden, Ireton called out, 'Why you don't speak to your
+little friend, Loddard, Mr Giles. There he is, at the window.'</p>
+
+<p>Mr Giles now, notwithstanding her utmost efforts to avoid his eyes,
+perceived the blushing Juliet; though, doubting his sight, he stared and
+exclaimed, 'Good la! that lady's very like Miss Ellis! And, I protest,
+'tis she herself! And just as pretty as ever! And with the same innocent
+face that not a soul can either buy or make, but God Almighty himself!'</p>
+
+<p>He then enquired after her health and welfare, with a cordiality that
+somewhat lessened the pain caused by the general remark that was
+produced by his address: but the relief was at an end upon his adding,
+'I wanted to see you prodigiously, for I have never forgotten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</a></span> your
+paying your debts so prettily, against your will, that morning. It fixed
+you in my good opinion. I hope, however, it is a mistake, what they tell
+me, that you are turned what they call toad-eater? and have let yourself
+out, at so much a year, to say nothing that you think; and to do nothing
+that you like; and to beg pardon when you are not in fault; and to eat
+all the offals; and to be beat by the little gentleman; and worried by
+the little dog? I hope all that's mere misapprehension, my dear; for it
+would be but a very mean way of getting money.'</p>
+
+<p>The calmness of conscious superiority, with which Juliet heard the
+beginning of these interrogatories, was converted into extreme
+confusion, by their termination, from the appearance of justice which
+the incidents of the morning had given to the attack.</p>
+
+<p>'For now,' continued he, 'that you have paid all your debts, you ought
+to hold up your head; for, where nothing is owing, we are all of us
+equal, rich and poor; another man's riches no more making him my
+superiour, or benefactor, if I do not partake of them, than my poverty
+makes me his servant, or dependent, if I neither work for, nor am
+benefited by him. And I am your witness that you gave every one his due.
+So don't let any body put you out of your proper place.'</p>
+
+<p>The mortification of Juliet, at this public exhortation, upon a point so
+delicate, was not all that she had to endure: the little dog, who,
+though incessantly tormented by the little boy, always followed him;
+kept scratching her gown; to be helped up to the window, that he might
+play with, or snarl at him, more at his ease; and the boy, making a whip
+of his pocket-handkerchief, continually attracted, though merely to
+repulse him; while Juliet, seeking alternately to quiet both, had not a
+moment's rest.</p>
+
+<p>'Why now, what's all this my pretty lady?' cried Mr Giles, perceiving
+her situation. 'Why do you let those two plagueful things torment you
+so? Why don't you teach them to be better behaved.'</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Ellis would be vastly obliging, certainly,' with a supercilious
+brow, said Mrs Ireton, 'to correct my nephew! I don't in the least mean
+to contest her abilities for superintending his chastisement; not in the
+least, I assure you! But only, as I never heard of my brother's giving
+her such a <i>carte blanche</i>; and as I don't recollect having given it
+myself,&mdash;although I may have done it, again, perhaps, in my sleep!&mdash;I
+should be happy to learn by what authority she would be invested with
+such powers of discipline?'</p>
+
+<p>'By what authority? That of humanity, Ma'am! Not to spoil a poor
+ignorant little fellow-creature; nor a poor innocent little beast.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'It would be immensely amiable of her, Sir, no doubt,' said Mrs Ireton,
+reddening, 'to take charge of the morals of my household; immensely! I
+only hope you will be kind enough to instruct the young person, at the
+same time, how she may hold her situation? That's all! I only hope
+that!'</p>
+
+<p>'How? Why by doing her duty! If she can't hold it by that, 'tis her duty
+to quit it. Nobody is born to be trampled upon.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hope, too, soon,' said Mrs Ireton, scoffingly, 'nobody will be born
+to be poor!'</p>
+
+<p>'Good! true!' returned he, nodding his head. 'Nobody should be poor!
+That is very well said. However, if you think her so poor, I can give
+you the satisfaction to shew you your mistake. She mayn't, indeed, be
+very rich, poor lady, at bottom; but still&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'No, indeed, am I not!' hastily cried Juliet, frightened at the
+communication which she saw impending.</p>
+
+<p>'But still,' continued he, 'if she is poor, it is not for want of money;
+nor for want of credit, neither; for she has bank-notes in abundance in
+one of her work-bags; and not a penny of them is her own! which shews
+her to be a person of great honour.'</p>
+
+<p>Every one now looked awakened to a new curiosity; and Selina exclaimed,
+'O la! have you got a fortune, then, my dear Ellis? O! I dare say, then,
+my guess will prove true at last! for I dare say you are a princess in
+disguise?'</p>
+
+<p>'As far as disguise goes, Selina,' answered Mrs Maple, 'we have never, I
+think, disputed! but as to a princess!...'</p>
+
+<p>'A princess?' repeated Mrs Ireton. 'Upon my word, this is an honour I
+had not imagined! I own my stupidity! I can't but own my stupidity; but
+I really had never imagined myself so much honoured, as to suspect that
+I had a princess under my roof, who was so complaisant as to sing, and
+play, and read to me, at my pleasure; and to study how to amuse and
+divert me! I confess, I had never suspected it! I am quite ashamed of my
+total want of sagacity; but it had never occurred to me!'</p>
+
+<p>'And why not, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why may not a princess be pretty,
+and complaisant, and know how to sing and play, and read, as well as
+another lady? She is just as able to learn as you, or any common person.
+I never heard that a princess took her rank in the place of her
+faculties. I know no difference; except that, if she does the things
+with good nature, you ought to love and honour her the double, in
+consideration of the great temptation she has to be proud<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</a></span> and idle, and
+to do nothing. We all envy the great, when we ought only to revere them
+if they are good, and to pity them if they are bad; for they have the
+same infirmities that we have; and nobody that dares put them in mind of
+them: so that they often go to the grave, before they find out that they
+are nothing but poor little men and women, like the rest of us. For my
+part, when I see them worthy, and amiable, I look up to them as
+prodigies! Whereas, a common person, such as you, or I, Ma'am,&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, unable to bear this phrase, endeavoured to turn the
+attention of the company into another channel, by abruptly calling upon
+Juliet to go to the piano-forte.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet entreated to be excused.</p>
+
+<p>'Excused? And why, Ma'am? What else have you got to do? What are your
+avocations? I shall really take it as a favour to be informed.'</p>
+
+<p>'Don't teize her, pretty lady; don't teize her,' cried Mr Giles. 'If she
+likes to sing, it's very agreeable; but if not, don't make a point of
+it, for it's not a thing at all essential.'</p>
+
+<p>'Likes it?' repeated Mrs Ireton, superciliously; 'We must do nothing,
+then, but what we like? Even when we are in other people's houses? Even
+when we exist only through the goodness of some of our superiours? Still
+we are to do only what we like? I am quite happy in the information!
+Extremely obliged for it, indeed! It will enable me, I hope, to rectify
+the gross errour of which I have been guilty; for I really did not know
+I had a young lady in my house, who was to make her will and taste the
+rule for mine! and, as I suppose, to have the goodness to direct my
+servants; as well as to take the trouble to manage me. I knew nothing of
+all this, I protest. I thought, on the contrary, I had engaged a young
+person, who would never think of taking such a liberty as to give her
+opinion; but who would do, as she ought, with respect and submission,
+whatever I should indicate.'&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Good la, Ma'am,' interrupted Mr Giles: 'Why that would be leading the
+life of a slave! And that, I suppose, is what they meant, all this time,
+by a toad-eater. However, don't look so ashamed, my pretty dear, for a
+toad-eater-maker is still worse! Fie, fie! What can rich people be
+thinking of, to lay out their money in buying their fellow-creatures'
+liberty of speech and thought! and then paying them for a bargain which
+they ought to despise them for selling?'</p>
+
+<p>This unexpected retort turning the smiles of the assembly irresistibly
+against the lady of the mansion, she hastily renewed her desire that
+Juliet would sing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Sing, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why a merry-andrew could not do it,
+after being so affronted! Bless my heart! Tell a human being that she
+must only move to and fro, like a machine? Only say what she is bid,
+like a parrot? Employ her time, call forth her talents, exact her
+services, yet not let her make any use of her understanding? Neither say
+what she approves, nor object to what she dislikes? Poor, pretty young
+thing! You were never so much to be pitied, in the midst of your worst
+distresses, as when you were relived upon such terms! Fie upon it,
+fie!&mdash;How can great people be so little?'</p>
+
+<p>The mingled shame and resentment of Mrs Ireton, at a remonstrance so
+extraordinary and so unqualified, were with difficulty kept within the
+bounds of decorum; for though she laughed, and affected to be extremely
+diverted, her laugh was so sharp, and forced, that it wounded every ear;
+and, through the amusement that she pretended to receive, it was obvious
+that she suffered torture, in restraining herself from ordering her
+servants to turn the orator out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>With looks much softened, though in a manner scarcely less fervent, Mr
+Giles then, approaching Juliet, repeated, 'Don't be cast down I say, my
+pretty lady! You are none the worse for all this. The thing is but
+equal, at last; so we must not always look at the bad side of our fate.
+State every thing fairly; you have got your talents, your prettiness,
+and your winning ways,&mdash;but you want these ladies' wealth: they, have
+got their wealth, their grandeur, and their luxuries; but they want your
+powers of amusing. You can't well do without one another. So it's best
+be friends on both sides.'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, now, dying to give some vent to her spleen, darted the full
+venom of her angry eyes upon Juliet, and called out, 'You don't see, I
+presume, Miss Ellis, what a condition Bijou has put that chair in? 'T
+would be too great a condescension for you, I suppose, just to give it a
+little pat of the hand, to shake off the crumbs? Though it is not your
+business, I confess! I confess that it is not your business! Perhaps,
+therefore, I am guilty of an indiscretion in giving you such a hint.
+Perhaps I had better let Lady Kendover, or Lady Arramede, or Mrs
+Brinville, or any other of the ladies, sit upon the dirt, and soil their
+clothes? You may think, perhaps, that it will be for the advantage of
+the mercer, or the linen-draper? You may be considering the good of
+trade? or perhaps you may think I may do such sort of menial offices for
+myself?'</p>
+
+<p>However generally power may cause timidity, arrogance, in every generous
+mind, awakens spirit; Juliet, therefore, raising her head, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</a></span>
+clearing her countenance, with a modest, but firm step, moved silently
+towards the door.</p>
+
+<p>Astonished and offended, 'Permit me, Madam,' cried Mrs Ireton; 'permit
+me, Miss Ellis,&mdash;if it is not taking too great a liberty with a person
+of your vast consequence,&mdash;permit me to enquire who told you to go?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet turned back her head, and quietly answered, 'A person, Madam, who
+has not the honour to be known to you,&mdash;myself!' And then steadily left
+the room.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVII" id="CHAPTER_LVII"></a>CHAPTER LVII.</h2>
+
+
+<p>An answer so little expected, from one whose dependent state had been so
+freely discussed, caused a general surprize, and an almost universal
+demand of who the young person might be, and what she could mean. The
+few words that had dropt from her had as many commentators as hearers.
+Some thought their inference important; others, their mystery
+suspicious; and others mocked their assumption of dignity. Tears started
+into the eyes of Lady Barbara; while those of Sir Jaspar were fixed,
+meditatively, upon the head of his crutch; but the complacent smile of
+admiration, exhibited by Mr Giles, attracted the notice of the whole
+assembly, by the peals of laughter which it excited in the Miss
+Crawleys.</p>
+
+<p>With rage difficultly disguised without, but wholly ungovernable within,
+Mrs Ireton would instantly have revenged what she considered as the most
+heinous affront that she had ever received, by expelling its author
+ignominiously from her house, but for the still sharpened curiosity with
+which her pretentions to penetration became piqued, from the general cry
+of 'How very extraordinary that Mrs Ireton has never been able to
+discover who she is!'</p>
+
+<p>When Juliet, therefore, conceiving her removal from this mansion to be
+as inevitable, as her release from its tyranny was desirable, made
+known, as soon as the company was dispersed, that she was ready to
+depart; she was surprised by a request, from Mrs Ireton, to stay a day
+or two longer; for the purpose of taking care of Mr Loddard the
+following morning; as Mrs Ireton, who had no one with whom she could
+trust such a charge, had engaged herself to join a party to see Arundel
+Castle.</p>
+
+<p>Little as Juliet felt disposed to renew her melancholy wanderings, her
+situation in this house appeared to her so humiliating, nay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</a></span> degrading,
+that neither this message, nor the fawning civilities with which, at
+their next meeting, Mrs Ireton sought to mitigate her late asperity,
+could prevail with her to consent to any delay beyond that which was
+necessary for obtaining the counsel of Gabriella; to whom she wrote a
+detailed account of what had passed; adding, 'How long must I thus waste
+my time and my existence, separated from all that can render them
+valuable, while fastened upon by constant discomfort and disgust? O
+friend of my heart, friend of my earliest years, earliest feelings,
+juvenile happiness,&mdash;and, alas! maturer sorrows! why must we thus be
+sundered in adversity? Oh how,&mdash;with three-fold toil, should I revive by
+the side of my beloved Gabriella!&mdash;Dear to me by every tie of tender
+recollection; dear to me by the truest compassion for her sufferings,
+and reverence for her resignation; and dear to me,&mdash;thrice dear! by the
+sacred ties of gratitude, which bind me for ever to her honoured mother,
+and to her venerated, saint-like uncle, my pious benefactor!'</p>
+
+<p>She then tenderly proposed their immediate re-union, at whatever cost of
+fatigue, or risk, it might be obtained; and besought Gabriella to seek
+some small room, and to enquire for some needle-work; determining to
+appropriate to a journey to town, the little sum which she might have to
+receive for the long and laborious fortnight, which she had consigned to
+the terrible enterprize of aiming at amusing, serving, or interesting,
+one whose sole taste of pleasure consisted in seeking, like Strife, in
+Spenser's Fairy Queen, occasion for dissension.</p>
+
+<p>With the apprehension, however, of losing, the desire of retaining her
+always revived; and now, as usual, proved some check to the recreations
+of spleen, in which Mrs Ireton ordinarily indulged herself. Yet, even in
+the midst of intended concession, the love of tormenting was so
+predominant, that, had the resolution of Juliet still wavered, whether
+to seek some new retreat, or still to support her present irksome
+situation, all indecision would have ceased from fresh disgust, at the
+sneers which insidiously found their way through every effort at
+civility. What had dropt from Mr Giles Arbe, relative to the bank-notes,
+had excited curiosity in all; tinted, in some, with suspicion, and, in
+Mrs Ireton, blended with malignity and wrath, that a creature whom she
+pleased herself to consider, and yet more to represent, as dependent
+upon her bounty for sustinence, should have any resources of her own.
+Nor was this displeasure wholly free from surmises the most disgraceful;
+though to those she forbore to give vent, conscious that to suggest them
+would stamp with impropriety all further<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</a></span> intercourse with their object.
+And a moment that offered new food for inquisition, was the last to
+induce Mrs Ireton to relinquish her <i>protegée</i>. She confined her
+sarcasms, therefore, when she could not wholly repress them, to oblique
+remarks upon the happiness of those who were able to lay by private
+stores for secret purposes; lamenting that such was not her fate; yet
+congratulating herself that she might now sleep in peace, with respect
+to any creditors; since, should she be threatened with an execution, her
+house had a rich inmate, by whom she flattered herself that she should
+be assisted to give bail.</p>
+
+<p>Already, the next morning, her resolution with regard to her nephew was
+reversed; and, the child desiring the change of scene, she gave
+directions that Miss Ellis should prepare herself to take him in charge
+during the excursion.</p>
+
+<p>But Juliet was now initiated in the services and the endurance of an
+humble companion in public; she offered, therefore, to amuse and to
+watch him at home, but decidedly refused to attend him abroad; and her
+evident indifference whether to stay or begone herself, forced Mrs
+Ireton to deny the humoured boy his intended frolic.</p>
+
+<p>Little accustomed to any privation, and totally unused to
+disappointment, the young gentleman, when his aunt was preparing to
+depart, had recourse to his usual appeals against restraint or
+authority, clamourous cries and unappeasable blubbering. Juliet, to
+whose room he refused to mount, was called upon to endeavour to quiet
+him, and to entice him into the garden; that he might not hear the
+carriage of his aunt draw up to the door.</p>
+
+<p>But this commission the refractory spirit of the young heir made it
+impossible to execute, till he overheard a whisper to Juliet, that she
+would take care, should Mr Loddard chuse to go to the Temple, to place
+the silk-worms above his reach.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, then, he sprang from his consolers and attendants, to run
+forward to the forbidden fruit; and, with a celerity that made it
+difficult for Juliet, even with her utmost speed, and longer limbs, to
+arrive at the spot in time to prevent the mischief for which she saw him
+preparing. She had just, however, succeeded, in depositing the menaced
+insects upon a high bracket, when a footman came to whisper to her the
+commands of his lady, that she would detain Mr Loddard till the party
+should be set off.</p>
+
+<p>Before the man had shut himself out, Ireton, holding up his finger to
+him in token of secresy, slipt past him into the little building; and,
+having turned the key on the inside, and put it into his pocket, said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</a></span>
+'I'll stand centinel for little Pickle!' and flung himself, loungingly,
+upon an arm chair.</p>
+
+<p>Confounded by this action, yet feeling it necessary to appear
+unintimidated, Juliet affected to occupy herself with the silk-worms; of
+which the young gentleman now, eager to romp with Ireton, thought no
+more.</p>
+
+<p>'At last, then, I have caught you, my skittish dear!' cried Ireton,
+while jumping about the little boy, to keep him in good humour. 'I have
+had the devil of a difficulty to contrive it. However, I shall make
+myself amends now, for they are all going to Arundel Castle, and you and
+I can pass the morning together.'</p>
+
+<p>The indignant look which this boldness excited, he pretended not to
+observe, and went on.</p>
+
+<p>'I can't possibly be easy without having a little private chat with you.
+I must consult you about my affairs. I want devilishly to make you my
+friend. You might be capitally useful to me. And you would find your
+account in it, I promise you. What sayst thee, my pretty one?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, not appearing to hear him, changed the leaves of the silk-worms.</p>
+
+<p>'Can you guess what it is brings me hither to old madam my mother's? It
+is not you, with all your beauty, you arch prude; though I have a great
+enjoyment in looking at you and your blushes, which are devilishly
+handsome, I own; yet, to say the truth, you are not&mdash;all together&mdash;I
+don't know how it is&mdash;but you are not&mdash;upon the whole&mdash;quite exactly to
+my taste. Don't take it ill, my love, for you are a devilish fine girl.
+I own that. But I want something more skittish, more wild, more
+eccentric. If I were to fix my fancy upon such symmetry as you, I should
+be put out of my way every moment. I should always be thinking I had
+some Minerva tutoring, or some Juno awing me. It would not do at all. I
+want something of another cast; something that will urge me when I am
+hippish, without keeping me in order when I am whimsical. Something
+frisky, flighty, fantastic,&mdash;yet panting, blushing, dying with love for
+me!&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Neither contempt nor indignation were of sufficient force to preserve
+the gravity of Juliet, at this unexpected ingenuousness of vanity.</p>
+
+<p>'You smile!' he cried; 'but if you knew what a deuced difficult thing it
+is, for a man who has got a little money, to please himself, you would
+find it a very serious affair. How the deuce can he be sure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</a></span> whether a
+woman, when once he has married her, would not, if her settlement be to
+her liking, dance at his funeral? The very thought of that would either
+carry me off in a fright within a month, or make me want to live for
+ever, merely to punish her. It's a hard thing having money! a deuced
+hard thing! One does not know who to trust. A poor man may find a wife
+in a moment, for if he sees any one that likes him, he knows it is for
+himself; but a rich man,&mdash;as Sir Jaspar says,&mdash;can never be sure whether
+the woman who marries him, would not, for the same pin-money, just as
+willingly follow him to the outside of the church, as to the inside!'</p>
+
+<p>At the name of Sir Jaspar, Juliet involuntarily gave some attention,
+though she would make no reply.</p>
+
+<p>'From the time,' continued Ireton, 'that I heard him pronounce those
+words, I have never been able to satisfy myself; nor to find out what
+would satisfy me. At least not till lately; and now that I know what I
+want, the difficulty of the business is to get it! And this is what I
+wish to consult with you about; for you must know, my dear, I can never
+be happy without being adored.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, now, was surprised into suddenly looking at him, to see whether
+he were serious.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, adored! loved to distraction! I must be idolized for myself,
+myself alone; yet publicly worshiped, that all mankind may see,&mdash;and
+envy,&mdash;the passion I have been able to inspire!'</p>
+
+<p>Suspecting that he meant some satire upon Elinor, Juliet again fixed her
+eyes upon her silk-worms.</p>
+
+<p>'So you don't ask me what it is that makes me so devilish dutiful all of
+a sudden, in visiting my mamma? You think, perhaps, I have some debts to
+pay? No; I have no taste for gaming. It's the cursedest fatiguing thing
+in the world. If one don't mind what one's about, one is blown up in a
+moment; and to be always upon one's guard, is worse than ruin itself. So
+I am upon no coaxing expedition, I give you my word. What do you think
+it is, then, that brings me hither? Cannot you guess?&mdash;Hay?&mdash;Why it is
+to arrange something, somehow or other, for getting myself from under
+this terrible yoke, that seems upon the point of enslaving me. My neck
+feels galled by it already! I have naturally no taste for matrimony. And
+now that the business seems to be drawing to a point, and I am called
+upon to name my lawyer, and cavilled with to declare, to the uttermost
+sixpence, what I will do, and what I will give, to make my wife merry
+and comfortable upon my going out of the world,&mdash;I protest I shudder
+with horrour!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</a></span> I think there is nothing upon earth so mercenary, as a
+young nymph upon the point of becoming a bride!'</p>
+
+<p>'Except,&mdash;' Juliet here could not resist saying, 'except the man,&mdash;young
+or old,&mdash;who is her bridegroom!'</p>
+
+<p>'O, that's another thing! quite another thing! A man must needs take
+care of his house, and his table, and all that: but the horridest thing
+I know, is the condition tied to a man's obtaining the hand of a young
+woman; he can never solicit it, but by giving her a prospect of his
+death-bed! And she never consents to live with him, till she knows what
+she may gain by his dying! Tis the most shocking style of making love
+that can be imagined. I don't like it, I swear! What, now, would you
+advise me to do?'</p>
+
+<p>'I?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; you know the scrape I am in, don't you? Sir Jaspar's estate, in
+case he should have no children, is entailed upon me; and, in case I
+should have none neither, is entailed upon a cousin; the heaviest dog
+you ever saw in your life, whom he hates and despises; and whom I wish
+at old Nick with all my heart, because I know he, and all his family,
+will wish me at the devil myself, if I marry; and, if I have children,
+will wish them and my wife there. I hate them all so heartily, that,
+whenever I think of them, I am ready, in pure spite, to be tied to the
+first girl that comes in my way: but, when I think of myself, I am taken
+with a fit of fright, and in a plaguey hurry to cut the knot off short.
+And this is the way I have got the character of a male jilt. But I don't
+deserve it, I assure you; for of all the females with whom I have had
+these little engagements, there is not one whom I have seriously thought
+of marrying, after the first half hour. They none of them hit my fancy
+further than to kill a little time.'</p>
+
+<p>The countenance of Juliet, though she neither deigned to speak nor to
+turn to him, marked such strong disapprobation, that he thought proper
+to add, 'Don't be affronted for little Selina Joddrel: I really meant to
+marry her at the time; and I should really have gone on, and "buckled
+to," if the thing had been any way possible: but she turns out such a
+confounded little fool, that I can't think of her any longer.'</p>
+
+<p>'And was it necessary,&mdash;' Juliet could not refrain from saying, 'to
+engage her first, and examine whether she could make you happy
+afterwards?'</p>
+
+<p>'Why that seems a little awkward, I confess; but it's a way I have
+adopted. Though I took the decision, I own, rather in a hurry, with
+regard to little Selina; for it was merely to free myself from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</a></span>
+reproaches of Sir Jaspar, who, because he is seventy-five, and does not
+know what to do with himself, is always regretting that he did not take
+a wife when he was a stripling; and always at work to get me into the
+yoke. But, the truth is, I promised, when I went abroad, to bring him
+home a niece from France, or Italy; unless I went further east; and then
+I would look him out a fair Circassian. Now as he has a great taste for
+any thing out of the common way, and retains a constant hankering after
+Beauty, he was delighted with the scheme. But I saw nothing that would
+do! Nothing I could take to! The pretty ones were all too buckish; and
+the steady ones, a set of the yellowest frights I ever beheld.'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas for the poor ladies!'</p>
+
+<p>'O, you are a mocker, are you?&mdash;So to lighten the disappointment to Sir
+Jaspar, I hit upon the expedient of taking up with little Selina, who
+was the first young thing that fell in my way. And I was too tired to be
+difficult. Besides, what made her the more convenient, was her extreme
+youth, which gave me a year to look about me, and see if I could do any
+better. But she's a poor creature; a sad poor creature indeed! quite too
+bad. So I must make an end of the business as fast as possible. Besides,
+another thing that puts me in a hurry is,&mdash;the very devil would have it
+so!&mdash;but I have fallen in love with her sister!&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, at a loss how to understand him, now raised her eyes; and, not
+without astonishment, perceived that he was speaking with a grave face.</p>
+
+<p>'O that noble stroke! That inimitable girl! Happy, happy, Harleigh! That
+fellow fascinates the girls the more the less notice he takes of them! I
+take but little notice of them, neither; but, some how or other, they
+never do that sort of thing for me! If I could meet with one who would
+take such a measure for my sake, and before such an assembly,&mdash;I really
+think I should worship her!'</p>
+
+<p>Then, lowering his voice, 'You may be amazingly useful to me, my angel,'
+he cried, 'in this new affair. I know you are very well with Harleigh,
+though I don't know exactly how; but if,&mdash;nay, hear me before you look
+so proud! if you'll help me, a little, how to go to work with the divine
+Elinor, I'll bind myself down to make over to you,&mdash;in case of
+success,&mdash;mark that!&mdash;as round a sum as you may be pleased to name!'</p>
+
+<p>The disdain of Juliet at this proposition was so powerful, that, though
+she heard it as the deepest of insults, indignation was but a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</a></span> secondary
+feeling; and a look of utter scorn, with a determined silence to
+whatever else he might say, was the only notice it received.</p>
+
+<p>He continued, nevertheless, to address her, demanding her advice how to
+manage Harleigh, and her assistance how to conquer Elinor, with an air
+of as much intimacy and confidence, as if he received the most cordial
+replies. He purposed, he said, unless she could counsel him to something
+better, making an immediate overture to Elinor; by which means, whether
+he should obtain, or not, the only girl in the world who knew how to
+love, and what love meant, he should, at least, in a very summary way,
+get rid of the little Selina.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet knew too well the slightness of the texture of the regard of
+Selina for Ireton, to be really hurt at this defection; yet she was not
+less offended at being selected for the confidant of so dishonourable a
+proceeding; nor less disgusted at the unfeeling insolence by which it
+was dictated.</p>
+
+<p>An attempt at opening the door at length silenced him, while the voice
+of Mrs Ireton's woman called out, 'Goodness! Miss Ellis, what do you
+lock yourself in for? My lady has sent me to you.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet cast up her eyes, foreseeing the many disagreeable attacks and
+surmises to which she was made liable by this incident; yet immediately
+said aloud, 'Since you have thought proper, Mr Ireton, to lock the door,
+for your own pleasure, you will, at least, I imagine, think proper to
+open it for that of Mrs Ireton.'</p>
+
+<p>'Deuce take me if I do!' cried he, in a low voice: 'manage the matter as
+you will! I have naturally no taste for a prude; so I always leave her
+to work her way out of a scrape as well as she can. But I'll see you
+again when they are all off.' Then, throwing the key upon her lap, he
+softly and laughingly escaped out of the window.</p>
+
+<p>Provoked and vexed, yet helpless, and without any means of redress,
+Juliet opened the door.</p>
+
+<p>'Goodness! Miss Ellis,' cried the Abigail, peeping curiously around,
+'how droll for you to shut yourself in! My lady sent me to ask whether
+you have seen any thing of Mr Ireton in the garden, or about; for she
+has been ready to go ever so long, and he said he was setting off first
+on horseback; but his groom is come, and is waiting for orders, and none
+of us can tell where he is.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mr Ireton,' Juliet quietly answered, 'was here just now; and I doubt
+not but you will find him in the garden.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' cried the boy, 'he slid out of the window.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>'Goodness! was he in here, then, Master Loddard? Well! my lady'll be in
+a fine passion, if she should hear of it!'</p>
+
+<p>This was enough to give the tidings a messenger: the boy darted forward,
+and reached the house in a moment.</p>
+
+<p>The Abigail ran after him; Juliet, too, followed, dreading the impending
+storm yet still more averse to remaining within the reach and power of
+Ireton. And the knowledge, that he would now, for the rest of the
+morning, be sole master of the house, filled her with such horrour, of
+the wanton calumny to which his unprincipled egotism might expose her,
+that, rather than continue under the same roof with a character so
+unfeelingly audacious, she preferred risking all the mortifications to
+which she might be liable in the excursion to Arundel Castle.</p>
+
+<p>Advanced already into the hall, dragged thither by her turbulent little
+nephew, and the hope of detecting the hiding-place of Ireton, stood the
+patroness whom she now felt compelled to soothe into accepting her
+attendance. Not aware of this purposed concession, and nearly as much
+frightened as enraged, to find with whom her son had been shut up, Mrs
+Ireton, in a tone equally querulous and piqued, cried, 'I beg you a
+thousand pardons, Ma'am, for the indiscretion of which I have been
+guilty, in asking for the honour of your company to Arundel Castle this
+morning! I ought to make a million of apologies for supposing that a
+young lady,&mdash;for you are a lady, no doubt! every body is a lady,
+now!&mdash;of your extraordinary turn and talents the insupportable
+insipidity of a tête à tête with a female; or the dull care of a
+bantling; when a splendid, flashy, rich, young travelled gentleman,
+chusing, also, to remain behind, may be tired, and want some amusement!
+'Twas grossly stupid of me, I own, to expect such a sacrifice. You, who,
+besides these prodigious talents, that make us all appear like a set of
+vulgar, uneducated beings by your side; you, who revel also, in the
+luxury of wealth; who wanton in the stores of Plutus; who are accustomed
+to the magnificence of unaccounted hoards!&mdash;How must the whole detail of
+our existence appear penurious, pitiful to you!&mdash;I am surprised how you
+can forbear falling into fits at the very sight of us! But I presume you
+reserve the brilliancy of an action of that <i>eclat</i>, for objects better
+worth your while to dazzle by a stroke of that grand description? I must
+have lost my senses, certainly, to so ill appreciate my own
+insignificance! I hope you'll pity me! that's all! I hope you will have
+so much unction as to pity me!'</p>
+
+<p>If, at the opening of this harangue, the patience of Juliet nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</a></span>
+yielded to resentment, its length gave power to reflection,&mdash;which
+usually wants but time for checking impulse,&mdash;to point out the many and
+nameless mischiefs, to which quitting the house under similar suspicions
+might give rise. She quietly, therefore, answered, that though to
+herself it must precisely be the same thing, whether Mr Ireton were at
+home or abroad, if that circumstance gave any choice to Mrs Ireton, she
+would change her own plans, either to go or to stay, according to the
+directions which she might receive.</p>
+
+<p>A superiority to accusation or surmize thus cool and decided, no sooner
+relieved the apprehensions of Mrs Ireton by its evident innocence, than
+it excited her wrath by its deliberate indifference, if not contempt:
+and she would now disdainfully have rejected the attendance which, the
+moment before, she had anxiously desired, had not the little master of
+the house, who had seized the opportunity of this harangue to make his
+escape, caught a glimpse of the carriage at the door; and put an end to
+all contest, by stunning all ears, with an unremitting scream till he
+forced himself into it; when, overpowering every obstacle, he obliged
+his aunt and Juliet to follow; while he issued his own orders to the
+postilion to drive to Arundel Castle.</p>
+
+<p>Even the terrour of calumny, that most dangerous and baneful foe to
+unprotected woman! would scarcely have frightened Juliet into this
+expedition, had she been aware that, as soon as she was seated in the
+landau, with orders to take the whole charge of Mr Loddard, the little
+dog, also, would have been given to her management. 'Bijou will like to
+take the air,' cried Mrs Ireton, languidly; 'and he will serve to
+entertain Loddard by the way. He can go very well on Miss Ellis's lap.
+Pretty little creature! 'Twould be cruel to leave him at home alone!'</p>
+
+<p>This terrible humanity, which, in a hot day, in the middle of July, cast
+upon the knees of Juliet a fat, round, well furred, and over-fed little
+animal, accustomed to snarl, scratch, stretch, and roll himself about at
+his pleasure, produced fatigue the most pitiless, and inconvenience the
+most comfortless. The little tyrant of the party, whose will was law to
+the company, found no diversion so much to his taste, during the short
+journey, as exciting the churlish humour of his fellow-favourite, by
+pinching his ears, pulling his nose, filliping his claws, squeezing his
+throat, and twisting round his tail. And all these feats, far from
+incurring any reprimand, were laughed at and applauded. For whom did
+they incommode? No one but Miss Ellis;&mdash;and for what else was Miss Ellis
+there?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">[Pg 512]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Yet this fatigue and disgust might have been passed over, as local
+evils, had they ceased with the journey; and had she then been at
+liberty to look at what remains of the venerable old castle; to visit
+its ancient chapel; to examine the genealogical records of the long
+gallery; to climb up to the antique citadel, and to enjoy the spacious
+view thence presented of the sea: but she immediately received orders to
+give exercise to Bijou, and to watch that he ran into no danger: though
+Selina, who assiduously came forward to meet Mrs Ireton, without
+appearing even to perceive Juliet, officiously took young Loddard in
+charge, and conducted him, with his aunt, to a large expecting party,
+long arrived, and now viewing the citadel.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">[Pg 513]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVIII" id="CHAPTER_LVIII"></a>CHAPTER LVIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Relieved, nevertheless, through whatever means effected, by a
+separation, Juliet, with her speechless, though far from mute companion,
+went forth to seek some obscure walk. But her purpose was defeated by
+the junction of a little spaniel, to which Bijou attached himself, with
+a fondness so tenacious, that her utmost efforts either to disengage
+them, or to excite both to follow her, were fruitless; Bijou would not
+quit the spaniel; nor the spaniel his post near the mansion.</p>
+
+<p>Not daring to go on without her troublesome little charge, the approach
+of a carriage made her hasten to a garden-seat, upon which, though she
+could not be hidden, she might be less conspicuous.</p>
+
+<p>The carriage, familiar to her from having frequently seen it at Miss
+Matson's, was that of Sir Jaspar Herrington. Not satisfied, though she
+had no right to be angry, at the so measured politeness which he had
+shewn her the preceding day, when further notice would have softened her
+mortifying embarrassment, she was glad that he had not remarked her in
+passing.</p>
+
+<p>She heard him enquire for Mrs Ireton's party, which he had promised to
+join; but, affrighted at the sound of the citadel, he said that he would
+alight, and wait upon some warm seat in the grounds.</p>
+
+<p>In descending from his chaise, one of his crutches fell, and a
+bonbonniere, of which the contents were dispersed upon the ground, slipt
+from the hand of his valet. It was then, and not without chagrin, that
+Juliet began further to comprehend the defects of a character which she
+had thought an entire composition of philanthropy and courtesy. He
+reviled rather than scolded the servant to whom the accident had
+happened; and treated the circumstances as an event of the first
+importance. He cast an equal share of blame, and with added sharpness,
+upon the postilion, for not having advanced an inch nearer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">[Pg 514]</a></span> to the
+stone-steps; and uttered invectives even virulent against the groom,
+that he had not come forward to help. Angry, because vexed, with all
+around, he used as little moderation in his wrath, as reason in his
+reproaches.</p>
+
+<p>How superficially, thought Juliet, can we judge of dispositions, where
+nothing is seen but what is meant to be shewn! where nothing is
+pronounced but what is prepared for being heard! Had I fixed my opinion
+of this gentleman only upon what he intended that I should witness, I
+should have concluded that he had as much urbanity of humour as of
+manners. I could never have imagined, that the most trifling of
+accidents could, in a moment, destroy the whole harmony of his temper!</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of the choleric harangue of the Baronet, against which no
+one ventured to remonstrate, the little dogs came sporting before him;
+and, recollecting Bijou, he hastily turned his head towards the person
+upon the garden-seat, whom he had passed without any attention, and
+discerned Juliet.</p>
+
+<p>He hobbled towards her without delay, warmly expressing his delight at
+so auspicious a meeting: but the air and look, reserved and grave, with
+which, involuntarily, she heard him, brought to his consciousness, what
+the pleasure of her sight had driven from it, his enraged attack upon
+his servants; which she must unavoidably have witnessed, and of which
+her countenance shewed her opinion.</p>
+
+<p>He stood some moments silent, leaning upon his crutches, and palpably
+disconcerted. Then, shrugging his shoulders, with a half smile, but a
+piteous look, 'Many,' he cried, 'are the tricks which my quaint little
+imps have played me! many, the quirks and villainous wiles I owe
+them!&mdash;but never yet, with all the ingenuity of their malice, have they
+put me to shame and confusion such as this!'</p>
+
+<p>Rising to be gone, yet sorry for him, and softened, the disapprobation
+of Juliet was mingled with a concern, from her disposition to like him,
+that made its expression, in the eyes of her old admirer, seem something
+nearly divine. He looked at her with reverence and with regret, but made
+no attempt to prevent her departure. To separate, however, the dogs, or
+induce the spaniel to go further, she still found impossible; and, not
+daring to abandon Bijou, was fain quietly to seat herself again, upon a
+garden-chair, nearer to the house.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar, for some minutes, remained, pensively, upon the spot where
+she had left him; then, again shrugging his shoulders, as if bemoaning
+his ill luck, and again hobbling after her, 'There is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">[Pg 515]</a></span> nothing,' he
+cried, 'that makes a man look so small, as a sudden self-conviction that
+he merits ridicule or disgrace! what intemperance would be averted,
+could we believe ourselves always,&mdash;not only from above, but by one
+another, overhead! Don't take an aversion to me, however! nor suppose me
+worse than I am; nor worse than the herd of mankind. You have but seen
+an old bachelor in his true colours! Not with the gay tints, not with
+the spruce smiles, not with the gallant bows, the courteous homage, the
+flowery flourishes, with which he makes himself up for shew; but with
+the grim colouring of factious age, and suspicious egotism!'</p>
+
+<p>The countenance of Juliet shewing her now to be shocked that she had
+given rise to these apologies, that of Sir Jaspar brightened; and,
+dragging a chair to her side, 'I came hither,' he cried, 'in the fair
+hope to seize one of those happy moments, that the fates, now and then,
+accord to favoured mortals, for holding interesting and dulcet
+discourse, with the most fascinating enchantress that a long life,
+filled up with fastidious, perhaps fantastic researches after female
+excellence, has cast in my way. Would not one have thought twas some
+indulgent sylph that directed me? that inspired me with the idea, and
+then seconded the inspiration, by contriving that my arrival should take
+place at the critical instant, when that syren was to be found alone?
+Who could have suspected 'twas but the envious stratagem of some imp of
+darkness and spite, devised purely to expose a poor antiquated soul,
+with all his infirmities, physical and moral, to your contempt and
+antipathy?'</p>
+
+<p>Peering now under her hat, his penetrating eyes discerned so entire a
+change in his favour, that he completely recovered his pleasantry, his
+quaint archness, and his gallantry.</p>
+
+<p>'If betrayed,' he continued, 'by these perfidious elves, where may a
+poor forlorn solitary wight, such as I am, find a counsellor? He has no
+bosom friend, like the happy mortal, whose kindly star has guided him to
+seek, in lively, all-attractive youth, an equal partner for melancholy,
+all revolting age! He has no rising progeny, that, inheritors of his
+interests, naturally share his difficulties. He has nothing at hand but
+mercenary dependents. Nothing at heart but jealous suspicion of others,
+or secret repining for himself! Such, fair censurer! such is the natural
+state of that unnatural character, an old bachelor! How, then, when not
+upon his guard, or, in other words, when not urged by some outward
+object, some passing pleasure, or some fairy hope,&mdash;how,&mdash;tell me, in
+the candour of your gentle conscience! how can you expect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">[Pg 516]</a></span> from so
+decrepit and unwilling a hermit, the spontaneous benevolence of youth?'</p>
+
+<p>'But what is it I have said, Sir,' cried Juliet smiling, 'that makes you
+denounce me as a censurer?'</p>
+
+<p>'What is it you have said? ask, rather, what is it you have not said,
+with those eyes that speak with an eloquence that a thousand tongues
+might emulate in vain? They administered to me a lesson so severe,
+because just, that, had not a little pity, which just now beamed from
+them, revived me, the malignant goblins, who delight in drawing me into
+these scrapes, might have paid for their sport by losing their prey! But
+what invidious little devils ensnare me even now, into this
+superannuated folly, of prating about so worn out an old subject, when I
+meant only to name a being bright, blooming, and juvenile&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>The recollection of his nearly complete neglect, the preceding day, in
+presence of Mrs Ireton, and her society, again began to cloud the
+countenance of Juliet, as she listened to compliments thus reserved for
+private delivery. Sir Jaspar soon penetrated into what passed in her
+mind, and, yet again shrugging his shoulders, and resuming the sorrowful
+air of a self-convicted culprit, 'Alas!' he cried, 'under what pitiful
+star did I first begin limping upon this nether sphere? And what foul
+fiend is it, that, taking upon him the name of worldly cunning, has
+fashioned my conduct, since here I have been hopping and hobbling? I
+burned, yesterday, with desire to make public my admiration of the fair
+flower, that I saw nearly trampled under foot; and I should have
+considered as the most propitious moment of my life, that in which I had
+raised its drooping head, by withering, with a blast, all the sickly,
+noxious surrounding weeds: but those little devils, that never leave me
+quiet, kept twitching and tweaking me every instant, with
+representations of prudence and procrastination; with the danger of
+exciting observation; and the better judgement of obtaining a little
+private discourse, previous to any public display.'</p>
+
+<p>Not able to divine to what this might be the intended prelude, Juliet
+was silent. Sir Jaspar, after some hesitation, continued.</p>
+
+<p>'In that motley assembly, you had two antique friends, equally cordial,
+and almost equally admiring and desirous to serve you; but by different
+means,&mdash;perhaps with different views! one of them, stimulated by the
+little fairy elves, that alternately enlighten and mislead him, not
+seeing yet his way, and embarrassed in his choice of measures, was lying
+in wait, cautiously to avail himself of the first favourable moment, for
+soliciting your fair leave to dub himself your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_517" id="Page_517">[Pg 517]</a></span> knight-errant; the
+other, urged solely, perhaps, by good-nature and humanity, with an happy
+absence of mind, that precludes circumspection; coming forward in your
+defence, and for your honour, with unsuspecting, unfearing,
+untemporising zeal. Alas! in my conscience, which these tormenting
+little imps are for ever goading on, to inflict upon me some
+disagreeable compliment, I cannot, all simple as he is, but blush to
+view the intrinsic superiority of the unsophisticated man of nature,
+over the artificial man of the world! How much more truly a male
+character.'</p>
+
+<p>Looking at her then with examining earnestness, 'To which of these
+antediluvian wights,' he continued, 'you will commit the gauntlet, that
+must be flung in your defence, I know not; either of us,&mdash;alas!&mdash;might
+be your great grandfather! But, helpless old captives as we are in your
+chains, we each feel a most sincere, nay, inordinate desire, to break
+those fetters with which, at this moment, you seem yourself to be
+shackled. And for this I am not wholly without a scheme, though it is
+one that demands a little previous parleying.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet positively declined his services; but gratefully acknowledged
+those from which she had already, though involuntarily, profited.</p>
+
+<p>'You cannot, surely,' he cried, 'have a predilection for your present
+species of existence? and, least of all, under the galling yoke of this
+spirit-breaking dame, into whose ungentle power I cannot see you fallen
+without losing sleep, appetite, and pleasure. How may I conjure you into
+better hands? How release you from such bondage? And yet, this pale,
+withered, stiff, meagre hag, so odious, so tyrannical, so irascible, but
+a few years,&mdash;in my calculation!&mdash;but a few years since,&mdash;had all the
+enchantment of blithe, blooming loveliness! You, who see her only in her
+decline, can never believe it; but she was eminently fair, gay, and
+charming!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet looked at him, astonished.</p>
+
+<p>'Her story,' he continued, 'already envelopes the memoirs of a Beauty,
+in her four stages of existence. During childhood, indulged, in every
+wish; admired where she should have been chidden, caressed where she
+should have been corrected; coaxed into pettishness, and spoilt into
+tyranny. In youth, adored, followed, and applauded till, involuntarily,
+rather than vainly, she believed herself a goddess. In maturity,&mdash;ah!
+there's the test of sense and temper in the waning beauty!&mdash;in maturity,
+shocked and amazed to see herself supplanted by the rising bloomers; to
+find that she might be forgotten, or left out, if not assiduous herself
+to come forward; to be consulted only upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_518" id="Page_518">[Pg 518]</a></span> grave and dull matters, out
+of the reach of her knowledge and resources; alternately mortified by
+involuntary negligence, and affronted by reverential respect! Such has
+been her maturity; such, amongst faded beauties, is the maturity of
+thousands. In old age,&mdash;if a lady may be ever supposed to suffer the
+little loves and graces to leave her so woefully in the lurch, as to
+permit her to know such a state;&mdash;in old age, without stores to amuse,
+or powers to instruct, though with a full persuasion that she is endowed
+with wit, because she cuts, wounds, and slashes from unbridled, though
+pent-up resentment, at her loss of adorers; and from a certain
+perverseness, rather than quickness of parts, that gifts her with the
+sublime art of ingeniously tormenting; with no consciousness of her own
+infirmities, or patience for those of others; she is dreaded by the gay,
+despised by the wise, pitied by the good, and shunned by all.'</p>
+
+<p>Then, looking at Juliet with a strong expression of surprise, 'What Will
+o'the Wisp,' he cried, 'has misled you into this briery thicket of
+brambles, nettles, and thorns? where you cannot open your mouth but you
+must be scratched; nor your ears, but you must be wounded; nor stir a
+word but you must be pricked and worried? How is it that, with the most
+elegant ideas, the most just perceptions upon every subject that
+presents itself, you have a taste so whimsical?'</p>
+
+<p>'A taste? Can you, then, Sir, believe a fate like mine to have any
+connexion with choice?'</p>
+
+<p>'What would you have me believe, fair Ænigma? Tell me, and I will
+fashion my credulity to your commands. But I only hear of you with Mrs
+Maple; I only see you with Mrs Ireton! Mrs Maple, having weaker parts,
+may have less power, scientifically, to torment than Mrs Ireton; but
+nature has been as active in personifying ill will with the one, as art
+in embellishing spite with the other. They are equally egotists, equally
+wrapt up in themselves, and convinced that self alone is worth living
+for in this nether world. What a fate! To pass from Maple to Ireton, was
+to fall from Scylla to Charybdis!'</p>
+
+<p>The blush of Juliet manifested extreme confusion, to see herself
+represented, even though it might be in sport, as a professional
+parasite. Reading, with concern, in her countenance, the pain which he
+had caused her, he exclaimed, 'Sweet witch! loveliest syren!&mdash;let me
+hasten to develope a project, inspired, I must hope, by my better
+genius! Tell me but, frankly, who and what you are, and then&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>'Nay, nay, should your origin be the most obscure, I shall but think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">[Pg 519]</a></span>
+you more nearly allied to the gods! Jupiter, Apollo, and such like
+personages, delighted in a secret progeny. If, on the contrary, in
+sparkling correspondence with your eyes, it is brilliant, but has been
+clouded by fortune, how ravished shall I be to twirl round the wheels of
+that capricious deity, till they reach those dulcet regions, where
+beauty and merit are in harmony with wealth and ease! Tell me, then,
+what country first saw you bloom; what family originally reared you; by
+what name you made your first entrance into the world;&mdash;and I will turn
+your champion against all the spirits of the air, all the fiends of the
+earth, and all the monsters of the "vast abyss!" Leave, then, to such as
+need those goaders, the magnetism of mystery and wonder, and trust,
+openly and securely, to the charm of youth, the fascination of
+intelligence, the enchantment of grace, and the witchery of beauty!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet was still silent.</p>
+
+<p>'I see you take me for a vain, curious old caitiff, peeping, peering and
+prying into business in which I have no concern. Charges such as these
+are ill cleared by professions; let me plead, therefore, by facts.
+Should there be a person,&mdash;young, rich, <i>à la mode</i>, and not ugly; whose
+expectations are splendid, who moves in the sphere of high life, who
+could terminate your difficulties with honour, by casting at your feet
+that vile dross, which, in fairy hands, such as yours, may be transmuted
+into benevolence, generosity, humanity,&mdash;if such a person there should
+be, who in return for these grosser and more substantial services,
+should need the gentler and more refined ones of soft society, mild
+hints, guidance unseen, admonition unpronounced;&mdash;would you, and could
+you, in such a case, condescend to reciprocate advantages, and their
+reverse? Would you,&mdash;and could you,&mdash;if snatched from unmerited
+embarrassments, to partake of luxuries which your acceptance would
+honour, bear with a little coxcomical nonsense, and with a larger
+portion, still, of unmeaning perverseness, and malicious nothingness? I
+need not, I think, say, that the happy mortal whom I wish to see thus
+charmed and thus formed, is my nephew Ireton.'</p>
+
+<p>Uncertain whether he meant to mock or to elevate her, Juliet simply
+answered, that she had long, though without knowing why, found Mr Ireton
+her enemy; but had never forseen that an ill will as unaccountable as it
+was unprovoked, would have extended so far, and so wide, as to spread
+all around her the influence of irony and derision.</p>
+
+<p>'Hold, hold! fair infidel,'&mdash;cried Sir Jaspar, 'unless you mean to give
+me a fit of the gout.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">[Pg 520]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He then solemnly assured her, that he was so persuaded that her
+excellent understanding, and uncommon intelligence, united, in rare
+junction, with such youth and beauty, would make her a treasure to a
+rich and idle young man, whose character, fluctuating between good and
+bad, or rather between something and nothing, was yet unformed; that, if
+she would candidly acknowledge her real name, story, and situation, he
+should merely have to utter a mysterious injunction to Ireton, that he
+must see her no more, in order to bring him to her feet. 'He acts but a
+part,' continued the Baronet, 'in judging you ill. He piques himself
+upon being a man of the world, which, he persuades himself, he manifests
+to all observers, by a hardy, however vague spirit of detraction and
+censoriousness; deeming, like all those whose natures have not a
+kindlier bent, suspicion to be sagacity.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet was entertained by this singular plan, yet frankly acknowledged,
+after repeating her thanks, that it offered her not temptation; and
+continued immoveable, to either address or persuasion, for any sort of
+personal communication.</p>
+
+<p>A pause of some minutes ensued, during which Sir Jaspar seemed
+deliberating how next to proceed. He then said, 'You are decided not to
+hear of my nephew? He is not, I confess, deserving you; but who is?
+Yet,&mdash;a situation such as this,&mdash;a companion such as Mrs Ireton,&mdash;any
+change must surely be preferable to a fixture of such a sort? What,
+then, must be done? Where youth, youth itself, even when joined to
+figure and to riches, is rejected, how may it be hoped that age,&mdash;age
+and infirmity!&mdash;even though joined with all that is gentlest in
+kindness, all that is most disinterested in devotion, may be rendered
+more acceptable?'</p>
+
+<p>Confused, and perplexed how to understand him, Juliet was rising, under
+pretence of following Bijou; but Sir Jaspar, fastening her gown to the
+grass by his two crutches, laughingly said, 'Which will you resist most
+stoutly? your own cruelty, or the kindness of my little fairy friends?
+who, at this moment, with a thousand active gambols, are pinning,
+gluing, plaistering, in sylphick mosaic-work, your robe between the
+ground and my sticks; so that you cannot tear it away without leaving
+me, at least, some little memorial that I have had the happiness of
+seeing you!'</p>
+
+<p>Forced either to struggle or to remain in her place, she sat still, and
+he continued.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't be alarmed, for I shall certainly not offend you. Listen, then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">[Pg 521]</a></span>
+with indulgence, to what I am tempted to propose, and, whether I am
+impelled by my evil genius, or inspired by my guardian angel&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet earnestly entreated him to spare her any proposition whatever;
+but vainly; and he was beginning, with a fervour almost devout, an
+address to all the sylphs, elves, and aeriel beings of his fanciful
+idolatry, when a sudden barking from Bijou making him look round, he
+perceived that Mrs Ireton, advancing on tiptoe, was creeping behind his
+garden-chair.</p>
+
+<p>Confounded by an apparition so unwished, he leant upon his crutches,
+gasping and oppressed for breath; while Juliet, to avoid the attack of
+which the malevolence of Mrs Ireton's look was the sure precursor, would
+have retreated, had not her gown been so entangled in the crutches of
+Sir Jaspar, that she could not rise without leaving him the fragment
+that he had coveted. In vain she appealed with her eyes for release; his
+consternation was such, that he saw only, what least he wished to see,
+the scowling brow of Mrs Ireton; who, to his active imagination,
+appeared to be Megara herself, just mounted from the lower regions.</p>
+
+<p>'Well! this is really charming! Quite edifying, I protest!' burst forth
+Mrs Ireton, when she found that she was discovered. 'This is a sort of
+intercourse I should never have divined! You'll pardon my want of
+discernment! I know I am quite behind hand in observation and remark;
+but I hope, in time, and with so much good instruction, I may become
+more sagacious. I am glad, however, to see that I don't disturb you Miss
+Ellis! Extremely glad to find that you treat your place so amiably
+without ceremony. I am quite enchanted to be upon terms so familiar and
+agreeable with you. I may sit down myself, I suppose, upon the grass,
+meanwhile! 'Twill be really very rural! very rural and pretty!'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet now could no longer conceal her confined situation, for, pinioned
+to her place, she was compelled to petition the Baronet to set her at
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>The real astonishment of Mrs Ireton, upon discovering the cause and
+means of her detention, was far less amusing to herself, than that which
+she had affected, while concluding her presumptuous <i>protegée</i> to be a
+voluntary intruder upon the time, and encroacher upon the politeness of
+the Baronet. Her eyes now opened, with alarm, to a confusion so unusual
+in her severe and authoritative brother-in-law; whom she was accustomed
+to view awing others, not himself awed. Suggestions of the most
+unpleasant nature occurred to her suspicious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">[Pg 522]</a></span> mind; and she stood as if
+thunderstruck in her turn, in silent suspension how to act, or what next
+to say; till Selina came running forward, to announce that all the
+company was gone to look at the Roman Catholic chapel; and to enquire
+whether Mrs Ireton did not mean to make it a visit.</p>
+
+<p>If Sir Jaspar, Mrs Ireton hesitatingly answered, would join the party,
+she would attend him with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar heard not this invitation. In his haste to give Juliet her
+freedom, his feeble hands, disobedient to his will, and unable to second
+the alacrity of his wishes, struck his crutches through her gown; and
+they were now both, and in equal confusion, employed in disentangling
+it; and ashamed to look up, or to speak.</p>
+
+<p>Selina, perceiving their position, with the unmeaning glee of a childish
+love of communication, ran, tittering, away, to tell it to Miss
+Brinville; who, saying that there was nothing worth seeing in the Roman
+Catholic chapel, was sauntering after Mrs Ireton, in hopes of finding
+entertainment more congenial to her mind.</p>
+
+<p>The sight of this lady restored to Mrs Ireton the scoffing powers which
+amazement, mingled with alarm, had momentarily chilled; and, as Miss
+Brinville peeringly approached, to verify the whisper of Selina,
+exclaiming, 'Dear! what makes poor Sir Jaspar stoop so?' his loving
+sister-in-law answered, 'Sir Jaspar, Miss Brinville? What can Sir Jaspar
+do? I beg pardon for the question, but what can a gentleman do, when a
+young woman happens to take a fancy to place herself so near him, that
+he can't turn round without incommoding her? Not that I mean to blame
+Miss Ellis. I hope I know better. I hope I shall never be guilty of such
+injustice; for how can Miss Ellis help it? What could she do? Where
+could she turn herself in so confined a place as this? in so narrow a
+piece of ground? How could she possibly find any other spot for repose?'</p>
+
+<p>A contemptuous smile at Juliet from Miss Brinville, shewed that lady's
+approbation of this witty sally; and the junction of Mrs Maple, whose
+participation in this kind of enjoyment was known to be lively and
+sincere, exalted still more highly the spirit of poignant sarcasm in Mrs
+Ireton; who, with smiles of ineffable self-complacency, went on, 'There
+are people, indeed,&mdash;I am afraid,&mdash;I don't know, but I am afraid
+so,&mdash;there are people who may have the ill nature to think, that the
+charge of walking out a little delicate animal in the grounds, did not
+imply an absolute injunction to recline, with lounging elegance, upon an
+easy chair. There are people, I say, who may have so little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">[Pg 523]</a></span>
+intelligence as to be of that way of thinking. 'Tis being abominably
+stupid, I own, but there's no enlightening vulgar minds! There is no
+making them see the merit of quitting an animal for a gentleman;
+especially for a gentleman in such penury; who has no means to
+recompense any attentions with which he may be indulged.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet, more offended, now, even than confused, would willingly have
+torn her gown to hasten her release; but she was still sore, from the
+taunts of Mrs Ireton, upon a recent similar mischief.</p>
+
+<p>They were presently joined by the Arramedes; and Mrs Ireton, secure of
+new admirers, felt her powers of pleasantry encrease every moment.</p>
+
+<p>'I hope I shall never fail to acknowledge,' she continued, 'how
+supremely I am indebted to those ladies who have had the goodness to
+recommend this young person to me. I can never repay such kindness,
+certainly; that would be vastly beyond my poor abilities; for she has
+the generosity to take an attachment to all that belongs to me! It was
+only this morning that she had the goodness to hold a private conference
+with my son. Nobody could tell where to find him. He seemed to have
+disappeared from the whole house. But no! he had only, as Mr Loddard
+afterwards informed me, stept into the Temple, with Miss Ellis.'</p>
+
+<p>Sir Jaspar now, surprised and shocked, lifted up his eyes; but their
+quick penetration instantly read innocence in the indignation expressed
+in those of Juliet.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, however, saw only her own triumph, in the malicious simpers
+of Miss Brinville, the spiteful sneers of Mrs Maple, and the haughty
+scorn of Lady Arramede.</p>
+
+<p>Charmed, therefore, with her brilliant success, she went on.</p>
+
+<p>'How I may be able to reward kindness so extraordinary, I can't pretend
+to say. I am so stupid, I am quite at a loss what to devize that may be
+adequate to such services; for the attentions bestowed upon my son in
+the morning, I see equally displayed to his uncle at noon. Though there
+is some partiality, I think, too, shewn to Ireton. I won't affirm it;
+but I am rather afraid there is some partiality shewn to Ireton; for
+though the conference has been equally interesting, I make no doubt,
+with Sir Jaspar, it has not had quite so friendly an appearance. The
+open air is very delightful, to be sure; and a beautiful prospect helps
+to enliven one's ideas; but still, there is something in complete
+retirement that seems yet more romantic and amicable. Ireton was so
+impressed with this idea, as I am told; for I don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">[Pg 524]</a></span> pretend to speak
+from my own personal knowledge upon subjects of so much importance; but
+I am told,&mdash;Mr Loddard informs me, that Ireton was so sensible to the
+advantage of having the honours of an exclusive conference, that he not
+only chose that retired spot, but had the precaution, also, to lock the
+door. I don't mean to assert this! it may be all a mistake, perhaps.
+Miss Ellis can tell best.'</p>
+
+<p>Neither the steadiness of innate dignity, nor the fearlessness of
+conscious innocence, could preserve Juliet from a sensation of horrour,
+at a charge which she could not deny, though its implications were false
+and even atrocious. She saw, too, that, at the words 'lock the door,'
+Sir Jaspar again raised his investigating eyes, in which there was
+visibly a look of disturbance. She would not, however, deign to make a
+vindication, lest she should seem to acknowledge it possible that she
+might be thought culpable; but, being now disengaged, she silently, and
+uncontrollably hurt, walked away.</p>
+
+<p>'And pray, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, 'if the question is not too
+impertinent, don't you see Mr Loddard coming? And who is to take care of
+Bijou? And where is his basket? And I don't see his cushion?'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet turned round to answer, 'I will send them Madam, immediately.'</p>
+
+<p>'Amazing condescension!' exclaimed Mrs Ireton, in a rage that she no
+longer aimed at disguising: 'I shall never be able to shew my sense of
+such affability! Never! I am vastly too obtuse, vastly too obtuse and
+impenetrable to find any adequate means of expressing my gratitude.
+However, since you really intend me the astonishing favour of sending
+one of my people upon your own errand, permit me to entreat,&mdash;if it is
+not too great a liberty to take with a person of your unspeakable
+rank,&mdash;permit me to entreat that you will make use of the same vehicle
+for conveying to me your account; for you are vastly too fine a lady for
+a person so ordinary as I am to keep under her roof. I have no such
+ambition, I assure you; not an intention of the kind. So pray let me
+know what retribution I am to make for your trouble. You have taken vast
+pains, I imagine, to serve me and please me. I imagine so! I must be
+prodigiously your debtor, I make no doubt!'</p>
+
+<p>'What an excess of impertinence!' cried Lady Arramede.</p>
+
+<p>'She'll never know her place,' said Mrs Maple: ''tis quite in vain to
+try to serve such a body.'</p>
+
+<p>'I never saw such airs in my life!' exclaimed Miss Brinville.</p>
+
+<p>Juliet could endure no more. The most urgent distress seemed light and
+immaterial, when balanced against submission to treatment so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">[Pg 525]</a></span> injurious.
+She walked, therefore, straight forward to the castle, for shelter,
+immediate shelter, from this insupportable attack; disengaging herself
+from the spoilt little boy, who strove, nay cried to drag her back;
+forcing away from her the snarling cur, who would have followed her; and
+decidedly mute to the fresh commands of Mrs Ireton, uttered in tones of
+peremptory, but vain authority.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">[Pg 526]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIX" id="CHAPTER_LIX"></a>CHAPTER LIX</h2>
+
+
+<p>Offended, indignant; escaped, yet without safety; free, yet without
+refuge; Juliet, hurried into the noble mansion, with no view but to find
+an immediate hiding-place, where, unseen, she might allow some vent to
+her wounded feelings, and, unmarked, remain till the haughty party
+should be gone, and she could seek some humble conveyance for her own
+return.</p>
+
+<p>Concluding her in haste for some commission of Mrs Ireton's, the
+servants let her pass nearly unobserved; and she soon came to a long
+gallery, hung with genealogical tables of the Arundel family, and with
+various religious reliques, and historical curiosities.</p>
+
+<p>Believing herself alone, and in a place of which the stillness suited
+her desire of solitude and concealment, she had already shut the door
+before she saw her mistake. What, then, was her astonishment, what her
+emotion, when she discerned, seated, and examining a part of the
+hangings, at the further end of the gallery, the gentle form of Lady
+Aurora Granville!</p>
+
+<p>Sudden transport, though mingled with a thousand apprehensions,
+instantly converted every dread that could depress into every hope that
+could revive her. A start evinced that she was seen. She endeavoured to
+courtesy, and would have advanced; but, the first moment over, fear,
+uncertainty, and conflicting doubts took place of its joy, and robbed
+her of force. Her dimmed eyes perceived not the smiling pleasure with
+which Lady Aurora had risen at her approach; her breast heaved quick;
+her heart swelled almost to suffocation; and, wholly disordered, she
+leaned against a window-frame cut in the immensely thick walls of the
+castle.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Aurora now ran fleetly forward, exclaiming, in a voice of which the
+tender melody spoke the softness of her soul, 'Miss Ellis!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">[Pg 527]</a></span> My dear Miss
+Ellis! have I, indeed, the happiness to meet with you again? O! if you
+could know how I have desired, have pined for it!&mdash;But,&mdash;are you ill?!
+You cannot be angry? Miss Ellis! sweet Miss Ellis! Can you ever have
+believed that it has been my fault that I have appeared so unkind, so
+hard, so cruel?'</p>
+
+<p>With a fulness of joy that, in conquering doubt, overpowered timidity,
+Juliet now, with rapturous tears, and resistless tenderness, flung
+herself upon the neck of Lady Aurora, whom she encircled with her arms,
+and strained fondly to her bosom.</p>
+
+<p>But the same vent that gave relief to internal oppression brought her to
+a sense of external impropriety: she felt that it was rather her part to
+receive than to bestow such marks of affection. She drew back; and her
+cheeks were suffused with the most vivid scarlet, when she observed the
+deep colour which dyed those of Lady Aurora at this action; though
+evidently with the blushes of surprise, not of pride.</p>
+
+<p>Ashamed, and hanging her head, Juliet would have attempted some apology;
+but Lady Aurora, warmly returning her embrace, cried, 'How happy, and
+how singular a chance that we should have fixed upon this day for
+visiting Arundelcastle! We have been making a tour to the Isle of Wight
+and to Portsmouth; and we did not intend to go to Brighthelmstone; so
+that I had no hope, none upon earth, of such a felicity as that of
+seeing my dear Miss Ellis. I need not, I think, say it was not I who
+formed our plan, when I own that we had no design to visit
+Brighthelmstone, though I knew, from Lady Barbara Frankland, that Miss
+Ellis was there?'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas! I fear,' answered Juliet, 'the design was to avoid
+Brighthelmstone! and to avoid it lest a blessing such as I now
+experience should fall to my lot! Ah, Lady Aurora! by the pleasure,&mdash;the
+transport, rather, with which your sudden sight has made me appear to
+forget myself, judge my anguish, my desolation, to be banished from your
+society, and banished as a criminal!'</p>
+
+<p>Lady Aurora shuddered and hid her face. 'O Miss Ellis!' she cried, 'what
+a word! never may I hear it,&mdash;so applied,&mdash;again, lest it should
+alienate me from those I ought to respect and esteem! and you so good,
+so excellent, would be sorry to see me estrange myself, even though it
+were for your own sake, from those to whom I owe gratitude and
+attachment. I must try to shew my admiration of Miss Ellis in a manner
+that Miss Ellis herself will not condemn. And will not that be by
+speaking to her without any disguise? And will she not have the goodness
+to encourage me to do it? For the world I would not take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">[Pg 528]</a></span> a liberty with
+her;&mdash;for the universe I would not hurt her!&mdash;but if it were possible
+she could condescend to give, ... however slightly, however imperfectly,
+some little explanation to ... to ... Mrs Howel....'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet here, with a strong expression of horrour, interrupted her: 'Mrs
+Howel?&mdash;O no! I cannot speak with Mrs Howel!&mdash;I had nearly said I can
+see Mrs Howel no more! But happier days would soon subdue resentment.
+And, indeed, what I feel even now, may more justly be called terrour.
+Appearances have so cruelly misrepresented me, that I have no right to
+be indignant, nor even surprised that they should give rise to false
+judgments. I have no right to expect,&mdash;in a second instance,&mdash;unknown,
+friendless, lonely as I am! a trusting angel! a Lady Aurora!'</p>
+
+<p>The tears of Lady Aurora now flowed as fast as her own. 'If I have been
+so fortunate,' she cried, 'as to inspire such sweet kindness in so noble
+a mind, even in the midst of its unhappiness, I shall always prize it as
+the greatest of honours, and try to use it so as to make me become
+better; that you may never wound me by retracting it, nor be wounded
+yourself by being ashamed of your partiality.'</p>
+
+<p>With difficulty Juliet now forbore casting herself at the feet of Lady
+Aurora, the hem of whose garment she would have kissed with extacy, had
+not her own pecuniary distresses, and the rank of her young friend, made
+her recoil from what might have the semblance of flattery. She attempted
+not to speak; conscious of the inadequacy of all that she could utter
+for expressing what she felt, she left to the silent eloquence of her
+streaming, yet transport-glittering eyes, the happy task of
+demonstrating her gratitude and delight.</p>
+
+<p>With calmer, though extreme pleasure, Lady Aurora perceived the
+impression which she had made. 'See,' she cried, again embracing her;
+'see whether I trust in your kindness, when I venture, once more, to
+renew my earnest request, my entreaty, my petition&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'O! Lady Aurora! Who can resist you? Not I! I am vanquished! I will tell
+you all! I will unbosom myself to you entirely!'</p>
+
+<p>'No, my Miss Ellis, no! not to me! I will not even hear you! Have I not
+said so? And what should make me change? All I have been told by Lady
+Barbara Frankland of your exertions, has but increased my admiration;
+all she has written of your sufferings, your disappointments, and the
+patient courage with which you have borne them, has but more endeared
+you to my heart. No explanation can make you fairer, clearer, more
+perfect in my eyes. I take, indeed, the deepest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">[Pg 529]</a></span> interest in your
+welfare; but it is an interest that makes me proud to wait, not curious
+to hear; proud, my Miss Ellis, to shew my confidence, my trust in your
+excellencies! If, therefore, you will have the goodness to speak, it
+must be to others, not to me! I should blush to be of the number of
+those who want documents, certificates, to love and honour you!'</p>
+
+<p>Again Juliet was speechless; again all words seemed poor, heartless,
+unworthy to describe the sensibility of her soul, at this touching proof
+of a tenderness so consonant to her wishes, yet so far surpassing her
+dearest expectations. She hung over her ingenuous young friend; she
+sighed, she even sobbed with unutterable delight; while tears of rapture
+rolled down her glowing cheeks, and while her eyes were lustrous with a
+radiance of felicity that no tears could dim.</p>
+
+<p>Charmed, and encouraged, Lady Aurora continued: 'To those, then, who
+have not had the happiness to see you so justly; who dwell only upon the
+singularity of your being so ... alone, and so ... young,&mdash;O how often
+have I told them that I was sure you as little knew as merited their
+evil constructions! How often have I wished to write to you! how certain
+have I felt that all your motives to concealment, even the most
+respectable, would yield to so urgent a necessity, as that of clearing
+away every injurious surmise! Speak, therefore, my Miss Ellis, though
+not to me! even from them, when you have trusted them, I will hear
+nothing till the time of your secresy is over; that I may give them an
+example of the discretion they must observe with others. Yet speak! have
+the goodness to speak, that every body,&mdash;my uncle Denmeath himself,&mdash;and
+even Mrs Howel,&mdash;may acknowledge and respect your excellencies and your
+virtues as I do! And then, my Miss Ellis, who shall prevent,&mdash;who will
+even desire to prevent my shewing to the whole world my sense of your
+worth, and my pride in your friendship?'</p>
+
+<p>The struggles that now heaved the breast of Juliet were nearly too
+potent for her strength. She gasped for breath; she held her hand to her
+heart; and when, at length, the kind caresses and gentle pleadings of
+Lady Aurora, brought back her speech, she painfully pronounced, 'Shall I
+repay goodness so exquisite, by filling with regret the sweet mind that
+intends me only honour and consolation? Must the charm of such
+unexpected kindness, even while it penetrates my heart with almost
+piercing delight, entail, from its resistless persuasion, a misery upon
+the rest of my days, that may render them a burthen from which I may
+hourly sigh,&mdash;nay pray, to be delivered?'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">[Pg 530]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Seized with horrour and astonishment, Lady Aurora exclaimed, 'Oh heaven,
+no! I must be a monster if I would not rather die, immediately die, than
+cause you any evil! Miss Ellis, my dear Miss Ellis! forget I have made
+such a request, and forgive my indiscretion! With all your misfortunes,
+Miss Ellis, all your so undeserved griefs, you are quite a stranger to
+sorrow, compared to that which I should experience, if, through me,
+through my means, you should be exposed to any fresh injury!'</p>
+
+<p>'Angelic goodness!' cried Juliet, deeply affected: 'I blush, I blush to
+hear you without casting myself entirely into your power, without making
+you immediate arbitress of my fate! Yet,&mdash;since you demand not my
+confidence for your own satisfaction,&mdash;can I know that to spread it
+beyond yourself,&mdash;your generous self!&mdash;might involve me in instantaneous
+earthly destruction, and, voluntarily, suffer your very benevolence to
+become its instrument? With regard to Lord Denmeath,&mdash;to your uncle,&mdash;I
+must say nothing; but with regard to Mrs Howel,&mdash;let me conjure your
+ladyship to consent to my utterly avoiding her, that I may escape the
+dreadful accusations and reproaches that my cruel situation forbids me
+to repel. I have no words to paint the terrible impression she has left
+upon my mind. All that I have borne from others is short of what I have
+suffered from that lady! The debasing suspicions of Mrs Maple, the
+taunting tyranny of Mrs Ireton, though they make me blush to owe,&mdash;or
+rather, to earn from them the subsistence without which I know not how
+to exist; have yet never smote so rudely and so acutely to my inmost
+heart, as the attack I endured from Mrs Howel! They rob me, indeed, of
+comfort, of rest, and of liberty&mdash;but they do not sever me from Lady
+Aurora!'</p>
+
+<p>'Alas, my Miss Ellis! and have I, too, joined in the general persecution
+against such afflicted innocence? I feel myself the most unpardonable of
+all not to have acquiesced, without one ungenerous question, or even
+conjecture; in full reliance upon the right and the necessity of your
+silence. I ought to have forseen that if it were not improper you should
+comply, your own noble way of thinking would have made all entreaty as
+useless as it has been impertinent. Yet when prejudice alone parts us,
+how could I help trying to overcome it? And even my brother, though he
+would forfeit, I believe, his life in your defence; and though he says
+he is sure you are all purity and virtue; and though he thinks that
+there is nothing upon earth that can be compared with you;&mdash;even he has
+been brought to agree to the cruel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">[Pg 531]</a></span> resolution, that I should defer
+knitting myself closer to my Miss Ellis, till she is able to have the
+goodness to let us know&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>She stopt, alarmed, for the cheeks of Juliet were suddenly dyed with the
+deepest crimson; though the transient tint faded away as she pronounced,</p>
+
+<p>'Lord Melbury!&mdash;even Lord Melbury!&mdash;' and they became Pale as death,
+while, in a faint voice, and with stifled emotion, she added, 'He is
+right! He acts as a brother; and as a brother to a sister whom he can
+never sufficiently appreciate.&mdash;And yet, the more I esteem his
+circumspection, the more deeply I must be wounded that calumny,&mdash;that
+mystery,&mdash;that dire circumstance, should make me seem dangerous, where,
+otherwise&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Unable longer to constrain her feelings, she sunk upon a seat and wept.</p>
+
+<p>'O Miss Ellis? What have I done?' cried Lady Aurora. 'How have I been so
+barbarous, so inconsiderate, so unwise? If my poor brother had caused
+you this pain, how should I have blamed him? And how grievously would he
+have repented! How severely, then, ought I to be reproached! I who have
+done it myself, without his generous precipitancy of temper to palliate
+such want of reflection!&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>The sudden entrance of Selina here interrupted the conversation. She
+came tripping forward, to acquaint Lady Aurora that the party had just
+discerned a magnificent vessel; and that every body said if her ladyship
+did not come directly, it would be sailed away.</p>
+
+<p>At sight of Juliet, she ran to embrace her, with the warmest expressions
+of friendship; unchecked by a coldness which she did not observe, though
+now, from the dissatisfaction excited by so unseasonable an intrusion,
+it was far more marked, than while it had been under the qualifying
+influence of contempt.</p>
+
+<p>But when she found that neither caresses, nor kind words, could make her
+share with Lady Aurora, even for a moment, the attention of Juliet, she
+became a little confused; and, drawing her apart, asked what was the
+matter? consciously, without waiting for any answer, running into a
+string of simple apologies, for not speaking to her in public; which she
+should always, she said, do with the greatest pleasure; for she thought
+her the most agreeable person in the whole-world; if it were not, that,
+nobody knowing her, it would look so odd.</p>
+
+<p>All answer, save a smile half disdainful, half pitying, was precluded by
+the appearance of the Arramedes, Mrs Ireton, and Miss Brinville; who
+announced to Lady Aurora that the ship was already out of sight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">[Pg 532]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Upon perceiving Juliet, they were nearly as much embarrassed as herself;
+for though she instantly retreated, it was evident that she had been
+sitting by the side of Lady Aurora, in close and amicable conference.</p>
+
+<p>An awkward general silence ensued, when Juliet, hearing other steps, was
+moving off; but Lady Aurora, following, and holding out her hand,
+affectionately said, 'Are you going, Miss Ellis? Must you go? And will
+you not bid me adieu?'</p>
+
+<p>Touched to the soul at this public mark of kindness, Juliet was
+gratefully returning, when the voice of Lord Melbury spoke his near
+approach. Trembling and changing colour, her folded hands demanded
+excuse of Lady Aurora for a precipitate yet reluctant flight; but she
+had still found neither time nor means to escape, when Lord Melbury, who
+was playing with young Loddard, entered the gallery, saying, 'Aurora,
+your genealogical studies have lost you a most beautiful sea-view.'</p>
+
+<p>The boy, spying Juliet, whom he was more than ever eager to join when he
+saw that she strove to avoid notice; darted from his lordship, calling
+out, 'Ellis! Ellis! look! look! here's Ellis!'</p>
+
+<p>Lord Melbury, with an air of the most animated surprize and delight,
+darted forward also, exclaiming, 'Miss Ellis! How unexpected a pleasure!
+The moment I saw Mrs Ireton I had some hope I might see, also, Miss
+Ellis&mdash;but I had already given it up as delusory.'</p>
+
+<p>Again the fallen countenance of Juliet brightened into sparkling beauty.
+The idea that even Lord Melbury had been infected by the opinions which
+had been circulated to her disadvantage, had wounded, had stung her to
+the quick: but to find that, notwithstanding he had been prevailed upon
+to acquiesce that his sister, while so much mystery remained, should
+keep personally aloof, his own sentiments of esteem remained unshaken;
+and to find it by so open, and so prompt a testimony of respect and
+regard, displayed before the very witnesses who had sought to destroy,
+or invalidate, every impression that might be made in her favour, was a
+relief the most exquisitely welcome to her disturbed and fearful mind.</p>
+
+<p>Eager and rapid enquiries concerning her health, uttered with the ardour
+of juvenile vivacity, succeeded this first address. The party standing
+by, looked astonished, even abashed; while the face of Lady Aurora
+recovered its wonted expression of sweet serenity.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton, now, was seized with a desire the most violent, to repossess
+a <i>protegée</i> whose history and situation seemed daily to grow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">[Pg 533]</a></span> more
+wonderful. With a courtesy, therefore, as foreign from her usual
+manners, as from her real feelings, she said, 'Miss Ellis, I am sure,
+will have the goodness to help me home with my two little companions? I
+am sure of that. She could not be so unkind as to leave the poor little
+things in the lurch?'</p>
+
+<p>Indignant as Juliet had felt at the treatment which she had received,
+resentment at this moment found no place in her mind; she was beginning,
+therefore, a civil, however decided excuse; when Mrs Ireton, suspicious
+of her purpose, flung herself languishingly upon a seat, and complained
+that she was seized with such an immoderate pain in her side, that, if
+somebody would not take care of the two <i>little souls</i>, she should
+arrive at Brighthelmstone a corpse.</p>
+
+<p>The Arramedes, Miss Brinville, and Selina, all declared that it was
+impossible to refuse so essential a service to a health so delicate.</p>
+
+<p>The fear, now, of a second public scene, with the dread lest Lord
+Melbury might be excited to speak or act in her favour, forced the
+judgment of Juliet to conquer her inclination, in leading her to defer
+the so often given dismission till her return to Brighthelmstone; she
+acceded, therefore, though with cruel unwillingness, to what was
+required.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Ireton instantly recovered; and with the more alacrity, from
+observing that Lady Barbara Frankland joined the group, at this moment
+of victory.</p>
+
+<p>'Take the trouble, then, if you please, Ma'am,' she replied, in her
+usual tone of irony; 'if it will not be too great a condescension, take
+the trouble to carry Bijou to the coach. And bid Simon keep him safe
+while you come back,&mdash;if it is not asking quite too great a favour,&mdash;for
+Mr Loddard. And pray bring my wrapping cloak with you, Ma'am. You'll be
+so good, I hope, as to excuse all these liberties? I hope so, at least!
+I flatter myself you'll excuse them. And, if the cloak should be heavy,
+I dare say Simon will give you his arm. Simon is a man of gallantry, I
+make no doubt. Not that I pretend to know; but I take it for granted he
+is a man of gallantry.'</p>
+
+<p>Juliet looked down, repentant to have placed herself, even for another
+moment, in a power so merciless. Lord Melbury and Lady Aurora, each hurt
+and indignant, advanced, uttering kind speeches: while Lady Barbara,
+still younger and more unguarded, seizing the little dog, exclaimed 'No,
+I'll carry Bijou myself, Mrs Ireton. Poor Miss Ellis looks so tired!
+I'll take care of him all the way to Brighthelmstone myself. Dear,
+pretty little creature!' Then, skipping behind Lady<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">[Pg 534]</a></span> Aurora, 'Nasty
+whelp!' she whispered, 'how I'll pinch him for being such a plague to
+that sweet Miss Ellis! Perhaps that will mend him!'</p>
+
+<p>The satisfaction of Lady Aurora at this trait glistened in her soft
+eyes; while Lord Melbury, enchanted, caught the hand of the spirited
+little lady, and pressed it to his lips; though, ashamed of his own
+vivacity, he let it go before she had time to withdraw it. She coloured
+deeply, but visibly with no unpleasant sensation; and, grasping the
+little dog, hid her blushes, by uttering a precipitate farewell upon the
+bosom of Lady Aurora; who smilingly, though tenderly, kissed her
+forehead.</p>
+
+<p>An idea that teemed with joy and happiness rose high in the breast of
+Juliet, as she looked from Lord Melbury to Lady Barbara. Ah! there,
+indeed, she thought, felicity might find a residence! there, in the rare
+union of equal worth, equal attractions, sympathising feelings, and
+similar condition!</p>
+
+<p>'And I, too,' cried Lord Melbury, 'must have the honour to make myself
+of some use; if Mrs Ireton, therefore, will trust Mr Loddard to my care,
+I will convey him safely to Brighthelmstone, and overtake my sister in
+the evening. And by this means we shall lighten the fatigue of Mrs
+Ireton, without increasing that of Miss Ellis.'</p>
+
+<p>He then took the little boy in his arms; playfully dancing him before
+the little dog in those of Lady Barbara.</p>
+
+<p>The heart of Juliet panted to give utterance to the warm
+acknowledgements with which it was fondly beating; but mingled fear and
+discretion forced her to silence.</p>
+
+<p>All the evil tendencies of malice, envy, and ill will, pent up in the
+breast of Mrs Ireton, now struggled irresistibly for vent; yet to insist
+that Juliet should take change of Mr Loddard, for whom Lord Melbury had
+offered his services; or even to force upon her the care of the little
+dog, since Lady Barbara had proposed carrying him herself, appeared no
+longer to exhibit dependency: Mrs Ireton, therefore, found it expedient
+to be again taken ill; and, after a little fretful moaning, 'I feel
+quite shaken,' she cried, 'quite in a tremour. My feet are absolutely
+numbed. Do get me my furred clogs, Miss Ellis; if I may venture to ask
+such a favour. I would not be troublesome, but you will probably find
+them in the carriage. Though perhaps I have left them in the hall. You
+will have the condescension to help the coachman and Simon to make a
+search. And then pray run back, if it won't fatigue you too much, and
+tie them on for me.'</p>
+
+<p>If Juliet now coloured, at least it was not singly; the cheeks of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">[Pg 535]</a></span> Lady
+Aurora, of Lady Barbara, and of Lord Melbury were equally crimsoned.</p>
+
+<p>'Let me, Mrs Ireton,' eagerly cried Lord Melbury 'have the honour to be
+Miss Ellis's deputy.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, my lord,' said Juliet, with spirit: 'grateful and proud as I should
+feel to be honoured with your lordship's assistance, it must not be in a
+business that does not belong to me. I will deliver the orders to Simon.
+And as Mrs Ireton is now relieved from her anxiety concerning Mr
+Loddard, I beg permission, once more, and finally, to take my leave.'</p>
+
+<p>Gravely then courtsying to Mrs Ireton, and bowing her head with an
+expression of the most touching sensibility to her three young
+supporters, she quitted the gallery.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> 'Oh my loved country!&mdash;unhappy, guilty&mdash;but for ever loved
+country!&mdash;shall I never see thee more!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> 'Sleep on, sleep on, my angel child! May the repose that
+flies me, the happiness that I have lost, the precious tranquillity of
+soul that has forsaken me&mdash;be thine! for ever thine! my child! my angel!
+I cease to call thee back. Even were it in my power, I would not call
+thee back. I prayed for thy preservation, while yet I had the bliss of
+possessing thee; cruel as were thy sufferings, and impotent as I found
+myself to relieve them, I prayed,&mdash;in the anguish of my soul,&mdash;I prayed
+for thy preservation! Thou art lost to me now!&mdash;yet I call thee back no
+more! I behold thee an angel! I see thee rescued for ever from sorrow,
+from alarm, from poverty, and from bitter recollections;&mdash;and shall I
+call thee back, to partake again my sufferings?&mdash;No! return to me no
+more! There, only, let me find thee, where thy felicity will be
+mine!&mdash;but thou! O pray for thy unhappy mother! Let thy innocent prayers
+be united to her humble supplications, that thy mother, thy hapless
+mother, may become worthy to join thee!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> 'Alas, Madam! are you, also, deploring the loss of a
+child?'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> 'Ah, my friend! my much loved friend! have I sought thee,
+have I awaited thee, have I so fervently desired thy restoration&mdash;to
+find thee thus? Weeping over a grave? And thou&mdash;dost thou not recollect
+me? Hast thou forgotten me?&mdash;Gabriella! my loved Gabriella!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> 'Gracious heaven! what do I behold? My Juliet! my tender
+friend? Can it be real?&mdash;O! can it, indeed, be true, that still any
+happiness is left on earth for me!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> 'Ah!&mdash;upon me can you, yet, bestow a thought?'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> 'True, my dear friend, true! thy history, thy misfortunes,
+can never be terrible, never be lacerating like mine! Thou hast not yet
+known the bliss of being a mother;&mdash;how, then, canst thou have
+experienced the most overwhelming of calamities! a suffering that admits
+of no description! a woe that makes all others seem null&mdash;the loss of a
+being pure, spotless as a cherub&mdash;and wholly our own!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> 'Here, here let us stay! 'tis here I can best speak to
+thee! 'tis here, I can best listen;&mdash;here, where I pass every moment
+that I can snatch from penury and labour! Think not that to weep is what
+is most to be dreaded; oh never mayst thou learn, that to weep&mdash;though
+upon the tomb of all that has been most dear to thee upon earth, is a
+solace, is a feeling of softness, nay of pleasure, compared with the
+hard necessity of toiling, when death has seized upon the very heart,
+merely to breathe, to exist, after life has lost all its charms!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> 'See, if I am not still susceptible of pleasure! Thy
+society has made me forget the sad and painful duties that call me
+hence, to tasks that snatch me,&mdash;with difficulty,&mdash;from perishing by
+famine!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> 'Ah, how I know thee by that trait! thy soul so noble! so
+firm in itself; so soft, so commiserating for every other! what tender,
+what touching recollections present themselves at this instant to my
+heart! Dearest Juliet! is it, then, indeed no dream, that I have
+found&mdash;that I behold thee again? and, in thee, all that is most
+exemplary, most amiable, and most worthy upon earth! How is it I can
+recover thee, and not recover happiness? I almost feel as if I were
+criminal, that I can embrace thee,&mdash;yet weep on!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> 'Alas, my Juliet! sister of my soul! abandon not myself to
+sorrow for me! but speak to me, my tender friend, speak to me of my
+mother! where didst thou leave her? And how? And at what time? The most
+precious of mothers! Alas! separated from us both,&mdash;how will she be able
+to support such accumulation of misfortunes!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> 'And why? Hast thou not seen thy relations?&mdash;Canst thou be
+seen, and not loved?&mdash;known, and not cherished? No, my Juliet, no! thou
+hast only to appear!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> 'Oh far from me by any such insistence! Know I not well
+that thy admirable judgment, just counterpart of thy excellent heart,
+will guide thee to speak when it is right? Shall I not entirely confide
+in thee?&mdash;In thee, whose sole study has been always the good and
+happiness of others?'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> 'And my uncle! My so amiable, so pious uncle? Where is
+he?'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> 'My lord the Bishop?&mdash;Oh yes! yes!&mdash;amiable
+indeed!&mdash;pure!&mdash;without blemish!&mdash;He will soon, I believe, be here; or I
+shall have some intelligence from him; and then&mdash;my fate will be known
+to me!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> 'Ah, should he come hither!&mdash;should I be blest again by
+his sight, I should feel, once more, even in the midst of my desolation,
+a sensation of joy&mdash;such as thou, only, as yet, hast been able to
+re-awaken!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> ''Tis at Brighthelmstone, then,&mdash;'tis here that we must
+dwell! Here, where I seem not yet, entirely, to have lost my darling
+boy! Oh my friend! my dearest, best loved friend! 'tis to him&mdash;to my
+child, that I am indebted for seeing thee again! 'tis in visiting his
+remains that I have met my Juliet!&mdash;Oh thou! my child! my angel! 'tis to
+thee, to thee, I am indebted for my friend! Even thy grave offers me
+comfort! even thy ashes desire to bless me! Thy remains, thy shadow,
+would do good, would bring peace to thy unhappy mother!'</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Residing in, and,&mdash;in 1795!&mdash;at the foot of Norbury Park.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Gray.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Thomson.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Shakespeare.</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5), by Fanny Burney
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5), by Fanny Burney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5)
+       or, Female Difficulties
+
+Author: Fanny Burney
+
+Release Date: September 15, 2011 [EBook #37439]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WANDERER (VOLUME 3 OF 5) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME III
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+
+From the time of this arrangement, the ascendance which Mr Naird
+obtained over the mind of Elinor, by alternate assurances and alarms,
+relative to her chances of living to see Harleigh again, produced a
+quiet that gave time to the drafts, which were administered by the
+physician, to take effect, and she fell into a profound sleep. This, Mr
+Naird said, might last till late the next day; Ellis, therefore,
+promising to be ready upon any summons, returned to her lodging.
+
+Miss Matson, now, endeavoured to make some enquiries relative to the
+public suicide projected, if not accomplished, by Miss Joddrel, which
+was the universal subject of conversation at Brighthelmstone; but when
+she found it vain to hope for any details, she said, 'Such accidents,
+Ma'am, make one really afraid of one's life with persons one knows
+nothing of. Pray, Ma'am, if it is not impertinent, do you still hold to
+your intention of giving up your pretty apartment?'
+
+Ellis answered in the affirmative, desiring, with some surprise, to
+know, whether the question were in consequence of any apprehension of a
+similar event.
+
+'By no means, Ma'am, from you,' she replied; 'you, Miss Ellis, who have
+been so strongly recommended; and protected by so many of our capital
+gentry; but what I mean is this. If you really intend to take a small
+lodging, why should not you have my little room again up stairs?'
+
+'Is it not engaged to the lady I saw here this morning?'
+
+'Why that, Ma'am, is precisely the person I have upon my mind to speak
+about. Why should I let her stay, when she's known to nobody, and is
+very bad pay, if I can have so genteel a young lady as you, Ma'am, that
+ladies in their own coaches come visiting?'
+
+Ellis, recoiling from this preference, uttered words the most benevolent
+that she could suggest, of the unknown person who had excited her
+compassion: but Miss Matson gave them no attention. 'When one has
+nothing better to do with one's rooms, Ma'am,' she said, 'it's sometimes
+as well, perhaps, to let them to almost one does not know who, as to
+keep them uninhabited; because living in them airs them; but that's no
+reason for letting them to one's own disadvantage, if can do better. Now
+this person here, Ma'am, besides being poor, which, poor thing, may be
+she can't help; and being a foreigner, which, you know, Ma'am, is no
+great recommendation;--besides all this, Miss Ellis, she has some very
+suspicious ways with her, which I can't make out at all; she goes abroad
+in a morning, Ma'am, by five of the clock, without giving the least
+account of her haunts. And that, Ma'am, has but an odd look with it!'
+
+'Why so, Miss Matson? If she takes time from her own sleep to enjoy a
+little air and exercise, where can be the blame?'
+
+'Air and exercise, Ma'am? People that have their living to get, and that
+a'n't worth a farthing, have other things to think of than air and
+exercise! She does not, I hope, give herself quite such airs as those!'
+
+Ellis, disgusted, bid her good night; and, filled with pity for a person
+who seemed still more helpless and destitute than herself, resolved to
+see her the next day, and endeavour to offer her some consolation, if
+not assistance.
+
+Before, however, this pleasing project could be put into execution, she
+was again, nearly at day break, awakened by a summons from Selina to
+attend her sister, who, after quietly reposing many hours, had started,
+and demanded Harleigh and Ellis.
+
+Ellis obeyed the call with the utmost expedition, but met the messenger
+returning to her a second time, as she was mounting the street which led
+to the lodging of Mrs Maple, with intelligence that Elinor had almost
+immediately fallen into a new and sound sleep; and that Mr Naird had
+ordered that no one should enter the room, till she again awoke.
+
+Glad of this reprieve, Ellis was turning back, when she perceived, at
+some distance, Miss Matson's new lodger. The opportunity was inviting
+for her purposed offer of aid, and she determined to make some opening
+to an acquaintance.
+
+This was not easy; for though the light feet of Ellis might soon have
+overtaken the quick, but staggering steps of the apparently distressed
+person whom she pursued, she observed her to be in a state of
+perturbation that intimidated approach, as much as it awakened concern.
+Her handkerchief was held to her face; though whether to conceal it, or
+because she was weeping, could not readily be discovered: but her form
+and air penetrated Ellis with a feeling and an interest far beyond
+common curiosity; and she anxiously studied how she might better behold,
+and how address her.
+
+The foreigner went on her way, looking neither to the right nor to the
+left, till she had ascended to the church-yard upon the hill. There
+stopping, she extended her arms, seeming to hail the full view of the
+wide spreading ocean; or rather, Ellis imagined, the idea of her native
+land, which she knew, from that spot, to be its boundary. The beauty of
+the early morning from that height, the expansive view, impressive,
+though calm, of the sea, and the awful solitude of the place, would have
+sufficed to occupy the mind of Ellis, had it not been completely caught
+by the person whom she followed; and who now, in the persuasion of being
+wholly alone, gently murmured, 'Oh ma chere patrie!--malheureuse,
+coupable,--mais toujours chere patrie!--ne te reverrai-je jamais!'[1]
+Her voice thrilled to the very soul of Ellis, who, trembling, suspended,
+and almost breathless, stood watching her motions; fearing to startle
+her by an unexpected approach, and waiting to catch her eye.
+
+[Footnote 1: 'Oh my loved country!--unhappy, guilty--but for ever loved
+country!--shall I never see thee more!']
+
+But the mourner was evidently without suspicion that any one was in
+sight. Grief is an absorber: it neither seeks nor makes observation;
+except where it is joined with vanity, that always desires remark; or
+with guilt, by which remark is always feared.
+
+Ellis, neither advancing nor receding, saw her next move solemnly
+forward, to bend over a small elevation of earth, encircled by short
+sticks, intersected with rushes. Some of these, which were displaced,
+she carefully arranged, while uttering, in a gentle murmur, which the
+profound stillness of all around alone enabled Ellis to catch, 'Repose
+toi bien, mon ange! mon enfant! le repos qui me fuit, le bonheur que
+j'ai perdu, la tranquilite precieuse de l'ame qui m'abandonne--que tout
+cela soit a toi, mon ange! mon enfant! Je ne te rappellerai plus ici! Je
+ne te rappellerais plus, meme si je le pouvais. Loin de toi ma
+malheureuse destinee! je priai Dieu pour ta conservation quand je te
+possedois encore; quelques cruelles que fussent tes souffrances, et
+toute impuissante que J'etois pour les soulager, je priai Dieu, dans
+l'angoisse de mon ame, pour ta conservation! Tu n'est plus pour moi--et
+je cesse de te reclamer. Je te vois une ange! Je te vois exempt a
+jamais de douleur, de crainte, de pauvrete et de regrets; te
+reclamerai-je, donc, pour partager encore mes malheurs? Non! ne reviens
+plus a moi! Que je te retrouve la--ou ta felicite sera la mienne! Mais
+toi, prie pour ta malheureuse mere! que tes innocentes prieres
+s'unissent a ses humbles supplications, pour que ta mere, ta pauvre
+mere, puisse se rendre digne de te rejoindre!'[2]
+
+[Footnote 2: 'Sleep on, sleep on, my angel child! May the repose that
+flies me, the happiness that I have lost, the precious tranquillity of
+soul that has forsaken me--be thine! for ever thine! my child! my angel!
+I cease to call thee back. Even were it in my power, I would not call
+thee back. I prayed for thy preservation, while yet I had the bliss of
+possessing thee; cruel as were thy sufferings, and impotent as I found
+myself to relieve them, I prayed,--in the anguish of my soul,--I prayed
+for thy preservation! Thou art lost to me now!--yet I call thee back no
+more! I behold thee an angel! I see thee rescued for ever from sorrow,
+from alarm, from poverty, and from bitter recollections;--and shall I
+call thee back, to partake again my sufferings?--No! return to me no
+more! There, only, let me find thee, where thy felicity will be
+mine!--but thou! O pray for thy unhappy mother! Let thy innocent prayers
+be united to her humble supplications, that thy mother, thy hapless
+mother, may become worthy to join thee!']
+
+How long these soft addresses, which seemed to soothe the pious
+petitioner, might have lasted, had she not been disturbed, is uncertain:
+but she was startled by sounds of more tumultuous sorrow; by sobs,
+rather than sighs, that seemed bursting forth from more violent, at
+least, more sudden affliction. She looked round, astonished; and saw
+Ellis leaning over a monument, and bathed in tears.
+
+She arose, and, advancing towards her, said, in an accent of pity,
+'Helas, Madame, vous, aussi, pleurez vous votre enfant?'[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: 'Alas, Madam! are you, also, deploring the loss of a
+child?']
+
+'Ah, mon amie! ma bien! amee amie!' cried Ellis, wiping her eyes, but
+vainly attempting to repress fresh tears; 't'ai-je cherchee, t'ai-je
+attendue, t'ai-je si ardemment desiree, pour te retrouver ainsi?
+pleurant sur un tombeau? Et toi!--ne me rappelle tu pas? M'a tu
+oubliee?--Gabrielle! ma chere Gabrielle!'[4]
+
+[Footnote 4: 'Ah, my friend! my much loved friend! have I sought thee,
+have I awaited thee, have I so fervently desired thy restoration--to
+find thee thus? Weeping over a grave? And thou--dost thou not recollect
+me? Hast thou forgotten me?--Gabriella! my loved Gabriella!']
+
+'Juste ciel!' exclaimed the other, 'que vois-je? Ma Julie! ma chere, ma
+tendre amie? Est il bien vrai?--O! peut il etre vrai, qu'il y ait encore
+du bonheur ici bas pour moi?'[5]
+
+[Footnote 5: 'Gracious heaven! what do I behold? My Juliet! my tender
+friend? Can it be real?--O! can it, indeed, be true, that still any
+happiness is left on earth for me!']
+
+Locked in each other's arms, pressed to each other's bosoms, they now
+remained many minutes in speechless agony of emotion, from nearly
+overpowering surprise, from gusts of ungovernable, irrepressible sorrow,
+and heart-piercing recollections; though blended with the tenderest
+sympathy of joy.
+
+This touching silent eloquence, these unutterable conflicts between
+transport and pain, were succeeded by a reciprocation of enquiry, so
+earnest, so eager, so ardent, that neither of them seemed to have any
+sensation left of self, from excess of solicitude for the other, till
+Ellis, looking towards the little grave, said, 'Ah! que ce ne soit plus
+question de moi?'[6]
+
+[Footnote 6: 'Ah!--upon me can you, yet, bestow a thought?']
+
+'Ah, oui, mon amie,' answered Gabriella, 'ton histoire, tes malheurs, ne
+peuvent jamais etre aussi terribles, aussi dechirants que les miens! tu
+n'as pas encore eprouve le bonheur d'etre mere--comment aurois-tu, donc,
+eprouve, le plus accablant des malheurs? Oh! ce sont des souffrances qui
+n'ont point de nom; des douleurs qui rendent nulles toutes autres, que
+la perte d'un Etre pur comme un ange, et tout a soi!'[7]
+
+[Footnote 7: 'True, my dear friend, true! thy history, thy misfortunes,
+can never be terrible, never be lacerating like mine! Thou hast not yet
+known the bliss of being a mother;--how, then, canst thou have
+experienced the most overwhelming of calamities! a suffering that admits
+of no description! a woe that makes all others seem null--the loss of a
+being pure, spotless as a cherub--and wholly our own!']
+
+The fond embraces, and fast flowing tears of Ellis, evinced the keen
+sensibility with which she participated in the sorrows of this afflicted
+mother, whom she strove to draw away from the fatal spot; reiterating
+the most urgent enquiries upon every other subject, to attract her, if
+possible, to yet remaining, to living interests. But these efforts were
+utterly useless. 'Restons, restons ou nous sommes!' she cried: 'c'est
+ici que je te parlerai; c'est ici que je t'ecouterai; ici, ou je passe
+les seuls momens que j'arrache a la misere, et au travail. Ne crois pas
+que de pleurer est ce qu'il y a le plus a craindre! Oh! qu'il ne
+t'arrive jamais de savoir que de pleurer, meme sur le tombeau de tout ce
+qui vous est le plus cher, est un soulagement, un delice, aupres du dur
+besoin de travailler, la mort dans le coeur, pour vivre, pour exister,
+lorsque la vie a perdu toutes ses charmes!'[8]
+
+[Footnote 8: 'Here, here let us stay! 'tis here I can best speak to
+thee! 'tis here, I can best listen;--here, where I pass every moment
+that I can snatch from penury and labour! Think not that to weep is what
+is most to be dreaded; oh never mayst thou learn, that to weep--though
+upon the tomb of all that has been most dear to thee upon earth, is a
+solace, is a feeling of softness, nay of pleasure, compared with the
+hard necessity of toiling, when death has seized upon the very heart,
+merely to breathe, to exist, after life has lost all its charms!']
+
+Seated then upon the monument which was nearest to the little grave,
+Gabriella related the principal events of her life, since the period of
+their separation. These, though frequently extraordinary, sometimes
+perilous, and always touchingly disastrous, she recounted with a
+rapidity almost inconceivable; distinctly, nevertheless, marking the
+several incidents, and the courage with which she had supported them:
+but when, these finished, she entered upon the history of the illness
+that had preceded the death of her little son, her voice tremblingly
+slackened its velocity, and unconsciously lowered its tones; and, far
+from continuing with the same quickness or precision, every circumstance
+was dwelt upon as momentous; every recollection brought forth long and
+endearing details; every misfortune seemed light, put in the scale with
+his loss; every regret seemed concentrated in his tomb!
+
+Six o'clock, and seven, had tolled unheeded, during this afflicting, yet
+soothing recital; but the eighth hour striking, when the tumult of
+sorrow was subsiding into the sadness of grief, the sound caught the ear
+of Gabriella, who, hastily rising, exclaimed, 'Ah, voila que je suis
+encore susceptible de plaisir, puisque ta societe m'a fait oublier les
+tristes et penibles devoirs, qui m'appellent a des taches qui--a
+peine--m'empechent de mourir de faim!'[9]
+
+[Footnote 9: 'See, if I am not still susceptible of pleasure! Thy
+society has made me forget the sad and painful duties that call me
+hence, to tasks that snatch me,--with difficulty,--from perishing by
+famine!']
+
+At these words, all the fortitude hitherto sustained by Juliet,--for the
+borrowed name of Ellis will now be dropt,--utterly forsook her. Torrents
+of tears gushed from her eyes, and lamentations, the bitterest, broke
+from her lips. She could bear, she cried, all but this; all but
+beholding the friend of her heart, the daughter of her benefactress,
+torn from the heights of happiness and splendour; of merited happiness,
+of hereditary splendour; to be plunged into such depths of distress, and
+overpowered with anguish.
+
+'Ah! que je te reconnois bien a ce trait!' cried Gabriella, while a
+tender smile tried to force its way through her tears: 'cette ame si
+noble! si inebralable pour elle-meme, si douce, si compatissante pour
+tout autre! que de souvenirs chers et touchans ne se presentent, a cet
+instant, a mon coeur! Ma chere Julie! il est bien vrai, donc, que je
+te vois, que je te retrouve encore! et, en toi, tout ce qu'il y a de
+plus aimable, de plus pur, et de plus digne! Comment ai-je pu te revoir,
+sans retrouver la felicite? Je me sens presque coupable de pouvoir
+t'embrasser,--et de pleurer encore!'[10]
+
+[Footnote 10: 'Ah, how I know thee by that trait! thy soul so noble! so
+firm in itself; so soft, so commiserating for every other! what tender,
+what touching recollections present themselves at this instant to my
+heart! Dearest Juliet! is it, then, indeed no dream, that I have
+found--that I behold thee again? and, in thee, all that is most
+exemplary, most amiable, and most worthy upon earth! How is it I can
+recover thee, and not recover happiness? I almost feel as if I were
+criminal, that I can embrace thee,--yet weep on!']
+
+Forcing herself, then, from the fatal but cherished spot, she must
+hasten, she said, to her daily labour, lest night should surprise her,
+without a roof to shelter her head. But Juliet now detained her; clung
+and wept round her neck, and could not even endeavour to resign herself
+to the keen woes, and deplorable situation of her friend. She had come
+over, she said, buoyed up with the exquisite hope of joining the darling
+companion of her earliest youth; of sharing her fate, and of mitigating
+her hardships: but this softening expectation was changed into
+despondence, in discovering her, thus, a prey to unmixt calamity; not
+alone bowed down by the general evils of revolutionary events; punished
+for plans in which she had borne no part, and for crimes of which she
+had not even any knowledge;--not only driven, without offence, or even
+accusation, from prosperity and honours, to exile, to want, to misery,
+and to labour; but suffering, at the same time, the heaviest of personal
+afflictions, in the immediate loss of a darling child; the victim, in
+all probability, to a melancholy change of life, and to sudden privation
+of customary care and indulgence!
+
+The task of consolation seemed now to devolve upon Gabriella: the
+feelings of Juliet, long checked by prudence, by fortitude, by imperious
+necessity; and kept in dignified but hard command; having once found a
+vent, bounded back to nature and to truth, with a vivacity of keen
+emotion that made them nearly uncontrollable. Nature and truth,--which
+invariably retain an elastic power, that no struggles can wholly subdue;
+and that always, however curbed, however oppressed,--lie in wait for
+opportunity to spring back to their rights. Her tears, permitted,
+therefore, at length, to flow, nearly deluged the sad bosom of her
+friend.
+
+'Helas, ma Julie! soeur de mon ame!' cried Gabriella, 'ne t'abandonne pas
+a la douleur pour moi! mais parles moi, ma tendre amie, paries moi de
+ma mere! Ou l'a tu quitte? Et comment? Et a quelle epoque?--La plus
+digne, la plus cherie des meres! Helas! eloignee de nous deux, comment
+saura-t-elle se resigner a tant de malheurs?'[11]
+
+[Footnote 11: 'Alas, my Juliet! sister of my soul! abandon not myself to
+sorrow for me! but speak to me, my tender friend, speak to me of my
+mother! where didst thou leave her? And how? And at what time? The most
+precious of mothers! Alas! separated from us both,--how will she be able
+to support such accumulation of misfortunes!']
+
+Juliet uttered the tenderest assurances, that she had left the
+Marchioness well; and had left her by her own injunctions, to join her
+darling daughter; to whom, by a conveyance that had been deemed secure,
+she had previously written the plan of the intended journey; with a
+desire that a few lines of direction, relative to their meeting, under
+cover to L.S., to be left till called for, might be sent to the
+post-offices both of Dover and Brighthelmstone; as it was not possible
+to fix at which spot Juliet might land. The initials L.S. had been fixed
+upon by accident.
+
+Filial anxiety, now, took place of maternal sufferings, and Gabriella
+could only talk of her mother; demanding how she looked, and how she
+supported the long separation, the ruinous sacrifices, and the perpetual
+alarms, to which she must have been condemned since they had parted;
+expressing her own surprise, that she had borne to dwell upon any other
+subject than this, which now was the first interest of her heart; yet
+ceasing to wonder, when she contemplated the fatal spot where her
+meeting with Juliet had taken place.
+
+Each, now, deeply lamented the time and consolation that had been lost,
+from their mutual ignorance of each other's abode. Juliet related her
+fruitless search upon arriving in London; and Gabriella explained, that,
+during three lingering, yet ever regretted months, she had watched over
+her dying boy, without writing a single line; to spare her absent
+friends the knowledge of her suspensive wretchedness. Since the
+irreparable certainty which had followed, she had sent two letters to
+her beloved mother, with her address at Brighthelmstone; but both must
+have miscarried, as she had received no answer. That Juliet had not
+traced her in London was little wonderful, as, to elude the curiosity
+excited by a great name, she had passed, in setting out for
+Brighthelmstone, by a common one. And to that change, joined to one so
+similar on the part of Juliet, it must have been owing that they had
+never heard of each other, though residents of the same place. Juliet,
+nevertheless, was astonished, in defiance of all alteration of attire
+and appearance, that she had not instantly recognized the air and form
+of her elegant and high bred Gabriella. But, equally unacquainted with
+her indigence, which was the effect of sundry cruel accidents, and with
+the loss of her child; no expectation was awakened of finding her either
+in so distressed or so solitary a condition. Now, however, Juliet
+continued, that fortunately, though, alas! not happily, they had met,
+they would part no more. Juliet was fully at liberty to go whithersoever
+her friend would lead, the hope of obtaining tidings of that beloved
+friend, having alone kept her stationary thus long at Brighthelmstone;
+where she could now leave the address of Gabriella, at the post-office,
+for their mutual letters: and, as insuperable obstacles impeded her
+writing herself, at present, to the Marchioness, Gabriella might make
+known, in a covert manner, that they were together, and were both safe.
+
+And why, Gabriella demanded, could not Juliet write herself?
+
+'Alas!' Juliet replied, 'I must not even be named!'
+
+'Eh, pour quoi?--n'a-t-tu pas vu tes parens?--Peut on te voir sans
+t'aimer? te connoitre sans te cherir? Non, ma Julie, non! tu n'a qu'a te
+montrer.'[12]
+
+[Footnote 12: 'And why? Hast thou not seen thy relations?--Canst thou be
+seen, and not loved?--known, and not cherished? No, my Juliet, no! thou
+hast only to appear!']
+
+Juliet, changing colour, dejectedly, and not without confusion, besought
+her friend, though for reasons that could neither be assigned nor
+surmounted, to dispense, at present, with all personal narration. Yet,
+upon perceiving the anxious surprise occasioned by a request so little
+expected, she dissolved into tears, and offered every communication, in
+preference to causing even transitory pain to her best friend.
+
+'O loin de moi cette exigence!' cried Gabriella, with energy, 'Ne
+sais-je pas bien que ton bon esprit, juste emule de ton excellent
+coeur, te fera parler lorsqu'il le faudra? Ne me confierai-je pas a
+toi, dont la seule etude est le bonheur des autres?'[13]
+
+[Footnote 13: 'Oh far from me by any such insistence! Know I not well
+that thy admirable judgment, just counterpart of thy excellent heart,
+will guide thee to speak when it is right? Shall I not entirely confide
+in thee?--In thee, whose sole study has been always the good and
+happiness of others?']
+
+Juliet, not more penetrated by this kindness, than affected by a facile
+resignation, that shewed the taming effect of misfortune upon the
+natural vivacity of her friend, could answer only by caresses and
+tears.
+
+'Eh mon oncle?' continued Gabriella; 'mon tout-aimable et si pieux
+oncle? ou est il?'[14]
+
+[Footnote 14: 'And my uncle! My so amiable, so pious uncle? Where is
+he?']
+
+'Monseigneur l'Eveque?' cried Juliet, again changing colour; 'Oh oui!
+tout-aimable! sans tache et sans reproche!--Il sera bientot, je crois,
+ici;--ou j'aurois de ses nouvelles; et alors--ma destinee me sera
+connue!'[15]
+
+[Footnote 15: 'My lord the Bishop?--Oh yes! yes!--amiable
+indeed!--pure!--without blemish!--He will soon, I believe, be here; or I
+shall have some intelligence from him; and then--my fate will be known
+to me!']
+
+A deep sigh tried to swallow these last words. Gabriella looked at her,
+for a moment, with re-awakened earnestness, as if repentant of her own
+acquiescence; but the sight of encreasing disturbance in the countenance
+of Juliet, checked her rising impatience; and she quietly said, 'Ah!
+s'il arrive ici!--si je le revois,--j'eprouverai encore, au milieu de
+tant de desolation, un mouvement de joie!--tel que toi, seule, jusqu'a
+ce moment, a su m'en inspirer!'[16]
+
+[Footnote 16: 'Ah, should he come hither!--should I be blest again by
+his sight, I should feel, once more, even in the midst of my desolation,
+a sensation of joy--such as thou, only, as yet, hast been able to
+re-awaken!']
+
+Juliet, with fond delight, promised to be governed wholly, in her future
+plans, occupations, and residence, by her beloved friend.
+
+'C'est a Brighthelmstone, donc,' cried Gabriella, returning to the
+little grave; 'c'est ici que nous demeurions! ici, ou il me semble que
+je n'ai pas encore tout a fait perdu mon fils!'
+
+Then, tenderly embracing Juliet, 'Ah, mon amie!' she cried, with a smile
+that blended pleasure with agony; 'ah, mon amie! c'est a mon enfant que
+je te dois! c'est en pleurant sur ses restes que je t'ai retrouvee! Ah,
+oui!' passionately bending over the grave; 'c'est a toi, mon ange! mon
+enfant! que je dois mon amie! Ton tombeau, meme, me porte bonheur! tes
+cendres veulent me benir! tes restes, ton ombre veulent du bien a ta
+pauvre mere!'[17]
+
+[Footnote 17: ''Tis at Brighthelmstone, then,--'tis here that we must
+dwell! Here, where I seem not yet, entirely, to have lost my darling
+boy! Oh my friend! my dearest, best loved friend! 'tis to him--to my
+child, that I am indebted for seeing thee again! 'tis in visiting his
+remains that I have met my Juliet!--Oh thou! my child! my angel! 'tis to
+thee, to thee, I am indebted for my friend! Even thy grave offers me
+comfort! even thy ashes desire to bless me! Thy remains, thy shadow,
+would do good, would bring peace to thy unhappy mother!']
+
+With difficulty, now, Juliet drew her away from the fond, fatal spot;
+and slowly, and silently, while clinging to each other with heartfelt
+affection, they returned together to their lodgings.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+
+
+Elinor, kept in order by a continual expectation of seeing Harleigh,
+ceased to require the presence of Juliet; who, but for the sorrows of
+her friend, would have experienced a felicity to which she had long been
+a stranger, the felicity of being loved because known; esteemed and
+valued because tried and proved. The consideration that is the boon of
+even the most generous benevolence, however it may soothe the heart,
+cannot elevate the spirits: but here, good opinion was reciprocated,
+trust was interchanged, confidence was mutual.
+
+The affliction of Gabriella, though of a more permanent nature, because
+from an irreparable cause, was yet highly susceptible of consolation
+from friendship; and when once the acute emotions, arising from the tale
+of woe which she had had to relate, at the meeting, were abated, the
+charm which the presence of Juliet dispensed, and the renewal of early
+ideas, pristine feelings, and first affections, soon reflected back
+their influence upon her own mind; which gradually strengthened, and
+insensibly revived.
+
+Juliet immediately resigned her large apartment, and fixed herself in
+the small room of Gabriella. There they settled that they would live
+together, work together, share their little profits, and endure their
+failures, in common. There they hoped to recover their peace of mind, if
+not to re-animate their native spirits; and to be restored to the
+harmony of social sympathy, if not to that of happiness.
+
+Yet, it was with difficulty that they learnt to enjoy each other's
+society, upon such terms as their altered condition now exacted; where
+the eye must never be spared from laborious business, to search, or to
+reciprocate a sentiment, in those precious moments of endearing
+converse, which, unconsciously, swell into hours, ere they are missed as
+minutes. Their intercourse was confined to oral language alone. The
+lively intelligence, the rapid conception, the arch remark, the cordial
+smile; which give grace to kindness, playfulness to counsel, gentleness
+to raillery, and softness even to reproach; these, the expressive
+sources of delight, and of comprehension, in social commerce, they were
+fain wholly to relinquish; from the hurry of unremitting diligence, and
+undivided attention to manual toil.
+
+Nevertheless, to inhale the same air, and to feel the consoling
+certitude, that they were no longer cast wholly upon pity, or charity,
+for good opinion, were blessings that filled their thoughts with
+gratitude to Providence, and brought back calm and comfort to their
+minds.
+
+Still, at every sun-rise, Gabriella visited the ashes of her little son;
+where she poured forth, in maternal enthusiasm, thanks and benedictions
+upon his departed spirit, that her earliest friend, the chosen sharer of
+her happier days, was restored to her in the hour of her desolation; and
+restored to her There,--on that fatal, yet adored spot, which contained
+the ever loved, though lifeless remains of her darling boy.
+
+Juliet, in this peaceful interval, learnt, from the voluble Selina, all
+that had been gathered from Mrs Golding relative to the seclusion of
+Elinor.
+
+Elinor had travelled post to Portsmouth, whence she had sailed to the
+Isle of Wight. There, meeting with a foreign servant out of place, she
+engaged him in her service, and bid him purchase some clothes of an
+indigent emigrant. She then dressed herself grotesquely yet, as far as
+she could, decently, in man's attire; and, making her maid follow her
+example, returned to the neighbourhood of Brighthelmstone, and took
+lodgings, in the character of a foreigner, who was deaf and dumb, at
+Shoreham; where, uninterruptedly, and unsuspectedly, she resided. Here,
+by means of her new domestic, she obtained constant intelligence of the
+proceedings of Juliet; and she was no sooner informed of the musical
+benefit, in which an air, with an harp-accompaniment, was to be
+performed by Miss Ellis, than she sent her new attendant to the
+assembly-room, to purchase a ticket. Golding, who went thither with the
+lackey, met Harleigh in the street, as he was quitting the lodgings of
+Juliet.
+
+The disguise of the maid saved her from being recognised; but her
+tidings set her mistress on fire. The moment seemed now arrived for the
+long-destined catastrophe; and the few days preceding the benefit, were
+spent in its preparation. Careless of what was thought, Elinor, had
+since, casually, though not confidentially, related, that her intention
+had been to mount suddenly into the orchestra, during the performance of
+Juliet; and thence to call upon Harleigh, whom she could not doubt would
+be amongst the audience; and, at the instant of his joining them,
+proclaim to the whole world her immortal passion, and expire between
+them. But the fainting fit of Juliet, and its uncontrollable effect upon
+Harleigh, had been so insupportable to her feelings, as to precipitate
+her design. She acknowledged that she had studied how to die without
+torture, by inflicting a wound by which she might bleed gently to death,
+while indulging herself, to the last moment, in pouring forth to the
+idol of her heart, the fond effusions of her ardent, but exalted
+passion.
+
+The tranquillity of Elinor, built upon false expectations, could not be
+long unshaken: impatience and suspicion soon took its place, and Mr
+Naird was compelled to acknowledge, that Mr Harleigh had set out upon a
+distant tour, without leaving his address, even at his own house; where
+he had merely given orders that his letters should be forwarded to a
+friend.
+
+The rage, grief, and shame of the wretched Elinor, now nearly destroyed,
+in a moment, all the cares and the skill of Mr Naird, and of her
+physician. She impetuously summoned Juliet, to be convinced that she was
+not a party in the elopement; and was only rescued from sinking into
+utter despair, by adroit exhortations from Mr Naird, to yield patiently
+to his ordinances, lest she should yet die without a last view of
+Harleigh. This plea led her, once more, though with equal disgust to
+herself and to the whole world, to submit to every medical direction,
+that might give her sufficient strength to devise means for her ultimate
+project; and to put them into practice.
+
+Mr Naird archly confessed, in private, to Juliet, that the real danger
+or safety of Miss Joddrel, so completely hung upon giving the reins, or
+the curb, to her passions, that she might, without much difficulty, from
+her resolution to die no other death than that of heroic love, in the
+presence of its idol, be spurred on, while awaiting, or pursuing, its
+object, to the verge of a very comfortable old age.
+
+He acknowledged himself, also, secretly entrusted with the abode of Mr
+Harleigh.
+
+Elinor, when somewhat calmed, demanded of Juliet when, and how, her
+meetings with Harleigh had been renewed.
+
+Juliet recounted what had passed; sparing such details as might be
+hurtful, and solemnly protesting that all intercourse was now at an
+end.
+
+With a view to draw Elinor from this agitating subject, she then
+related, at full length, her meeting, in the church-yard, with the friend
+whom she had so long vainly sought.
+
+In a short time afterwards, feeling herself considerably advanced
+towards a recovery, Elinor, impetuously, again sent for Juliet, to say,
+'What is your plan? Tell it me sincerely! What is it you mean to do?'
+
+Juliet answered, that her choice was small, and that her means were
+almost null: but when she lamented the severe DIFFICULTIES of a FEMALE,
+who, without fortune or protection, had her way to make in the world,
+Elinor, with strong derision, called out, 'Debility and folly! Put aside
+your prejudices, and forget that you are a dawdling woman, to remember
+that you are an active human being, and your FEMALE DIFFICULTIES will
+vanish into the vapour of which they are formed. Misery has taught me to
+conquer mine! and I am now as ready to defy the world, as the world can
+be ready to hold me up to ridicule. To make people wise, you must make
+them indifferent; to give them courage, you must make them desperate.
+'Tis then, only, that we throw aside affectation and hypocrisy, and act
+from impulse.'
+
+Laughing, now, though with bitterness, rather than gaiety, 'What does
+the world say,' she cried, 'to find that I still live, after the pompous
+funeral orations, declaimed by myself, upon my death? Does it suspect
+that I found second thoughts best, and that I delayed my execution,
+thinking, like the man in the song,
+
+    That for sure I could die whenever I would,
+    But that I could live but as long as I could?
+
+'Well, ye that laugh, laugh on! for I, when not sick of myself, laugh
+too! But, to escape mockery, we must all be guided one by another; all
+do, and all say, the very same thing. Yet why? Are we alike in our
+thoughts? Are we alike in our faces? No. Happily, however, that
+soporiferous monotony is beginning to get obsolete. The sublimity of
+Revolution has given a greater shake to the minds of men, than to the
+kingdoms of the earth.'
+
+After pausing, then, a few minutes, 'Ellis,' she cried, 'if you are
+really embarrassed, why should you not go upon the stage? You know how
+transcendently you act.'
+
+'That which might seem passable in a private representation,' Juliet
+answered, 'might, at a public theatre--'
+
+'Pho, pho, you know perfectly well your powers. But you blight them, I
+suppose, yourself, with anathemas, from excommunicating scruples? You
+are amongst the cold, the heartless, the ungifted, who, to discredit
+talents, and render them dangerous, leave their exercise to vice, by
+making virtue fear to exert, or even patronize them?'
+
+'No, Madam, indeed,' cried Juliet: 'I admire, most feelingly, the noble
+art of declamation:--how, then, can I condemn the profession which gives
+to it life and soul? which personifies the most exalted virtues, which
+brings before us the noblest characters, and makes us witnesses to the
+sublimest actions? The stage, well regulated, would be the school of
+juvenile emulation; would soothe sorrow in the unhappy, and afford
+merited relaxation to the laborious. Reformed, indeed, I wish it, and
+purified; but not destroyed.'
+
+'Why, then, do you disdain to wear the buskins?'
+
+'Disdain is by no means the word. Talents are a constant source to me of
+delight; and those who,--rare, but in existence,--unite, to their public
+exercise, private virtue and merit, I honour and esteem even more than I
+admire; and every mark I could shew, to such, of consideration,--were I
+so situated as to bestow, not require protection!--I should regard as
+reflecting credit not on them, but on myself.'
+
+'Pen and ink!' cried Elinor, impatiently: 'I'll write for you to the
+manager this moment!--'
+
+'Hold, Madam!' cried Juliet smiling: 'Much as I am enchanted with the
+art, I am not going to profess it! On the contrary, I think it so
+replete with dangers and improprieties, however happily they may
+sometimes be combatted by fortitude and integrity, that, when a young
+female, not forced by peculiar circumstances, or impelled by resistless
+genius, exhibits herself a willing candidate for public applause;--she
+must have, I own, other notions, or other nerves, than mine!'
+
+'Ellis, Ellis! you only fear to alarm, or offend the men--who would keep
+us from every office, but making puddings and pies for their own
+precious palates!--Oh woman! poor, subdued woman! thou art as dependant,
+mentally, upon the arbitrary customs of man, as man is, corporally, upon
+the established laws of his country!'
+
+She now grew disturbed, and went on warmly, though nearly to herself.
+
+'By the oppressions of their own statutes and institutions, they render
+us insignificant; and then speak of us as if we were so born! But what
+have we tried, in which we have been foiled? They dare not trust us with
+their own education, and their own opportunities for distinction:--I
+except the article of fighting; against that, there may, perhaps, be
+some obstacles: but to be condemned, as weaker vessels in intellect,
+because, inferiour in bodily strength and stature, we cannot cope with
+them as boxers and wrestlers! They appreciate not the understandings of
+one another by such manual and muscular criterions. They assert not that
+one man has more brains than another, because he is taller; that he is
+endowed with more illustrious virtues, because he is stouter. They judge
+him not to be less ably formed for haranguing in the senate; for
+administering justice in the courts of law; for teaching science at the
+universities, because he could ill resist a bully, or conquer a footpad!
+No!--Woman is left out in the scales of human merit, only because they
+dare not weigh her!'
+
+Then, turning suddenly to Ellis, 'And you, Ellis, you!' she cried,
+'endowed with every power to set prejudice at defiance, and to shew and
+teach the world, that woman and man are fellow-creatures, you, too, are
+coward enough to bow down, unresisting, to this thraldom?'
+
+Juliet hazarded not any reply.
+
+'Yet what futile inconsistency dispenses this prejudice! This Woman,
+whom they estimate thus below, they elevate above themselves. They
+require from her, in defiance of their examples!--in defiance of their
+lures!--angelical perfection. She must be mistress of her passions; she
+must never listen to her inclinations; she must not take a step of which
+the purport is not visible; she must not pursue a measure of which she
+cannot publish the motive; she must always be guided by reason, though
+they deny her understanding!--Frankness, the noblest of our qualities,
+is her disgrace;--sympathy, the most exquisite of our feelings, is her
+bane!--'
+
+She stopt here, conscious, colouring, indignant, and dropt the subject,
+to say, 'Tell me, I again demand, what is it you mean to do? Return to
+your concert-singing and harping?'
+
+'Ah, Madam,' cried Juliet, reproachfully, 'can you believe me not yet
+satisfied with attempting any sort of public exhibition?
+
+'Nay, nay,' cried Elinor, resuming her careless gaiety, 'what passed
+that evening will only have served to render you more popular. You may
+make your own terms, now, with the managers, for the subscription will
+fill, merely to get a stare at you. If I were poor myself, I would
+engage to acquire a large fortune, in less than a week, by advertising,
+at two-pence a head, a sight of the lady that stabbed herself.'
+
+'What, however,' she continued, 'is your purpose? Will you go and live
+with Mrs Ireton? She is just come hither to give her favourite lap-dog a
+six weeks' bathing. What say you to the place of her toad-eater? It may
+be a very lucrative thing; and I can procure it for you with the utmost
+ease. It is commonly vacant every ten days. Besides, she has been dying
+to have you in her toils, ever since she had known that you spurned the
+proposition, when it was started by Mrs Howel.'
+
+Juliet protested, that any species of fatigue would be preferable to
+subservience of such a sort.
+
+'Perhaps you are afraid of seeing too much of Ireton? Be under no
+apprehension. He makes it a point not to visit her. He cannot endure
+her. Besides, 'tis so rustic, he says, to have a mother!'
+
+Juliet answered, that her sole plan, now, was to be guided by her
+friend.
+
+'And who is this friend? Is she of the family of the Incognitas, also?
+What do you call her?--L.S.?'
+
+Juliet only replied by stating their project of needle-work.
+
+Elinor scoffed the notion; affirming that they would not obtain a morsel
+of bread to a glass of water, above once in three days. She felt,
+nevertheless, sufficient respect to the design of the noble fugitive, to
+send her a sealed note of what she called her approbation.
+
+This note Juliet took in charge. It contained a draft for fifty pounds.
+
+Ah, generous Elinor! thought Juliet, tears of gratitude glistening in
+her eyes: what a mixture of contrasting qualities sully, and ennoble
+your character in turn! Ah, why, to intellects so strong, a heart so
+liberal, a temper so gay, is there not joined a better portion of
+judgment, a larger one of diffidence, a sense of feminine propriety, and
+a mind rectified by religion,--not abandoned, uncontrolled, to
+imagination?
+
+Gabriella, though truly touched by a generosity so unexpected, declined
+accepting its fruits; not being yet, she said, so helpless, however
+poor, as to prefer pecuniary obligation to industry. She would leave,
+therefore, the donation, for those who had lost the resources of
+independence which she yet possessed--youth and strength.
+
+The tender admiration of Juliet forbade all remonstrance, and excluded
+any surprise. She well knew, and had long seen, that the distress which
+is the offspring of public calamity, not of private misfortune, however
+it may ruin prosperity, never humbles the mind.
+
+Gabriella, in a letter of elegant acknowledgements, to obviate any
+accusation of undue pride, solicited the assistance of Elinor, in
+procuring orders for embroidery, amongst the ladies of her acquaintance.
+
+Elinor, zealous to serve, and fearless to demand, instantly attacked,
+by note or by message, every rich female at Brighthelmstone; urging the
+generous, and shaming the niggardly, till there was scarcely a woman of
+fortune in the place, who had not given, or promised, a commission for
+some fine muslin-work.
+
+The two friends, through this commanding protection, began their new
+plan of life under the most favourable auspices; and had soon more
+employment than time, though they limited themselves to five hours for
+sleep; though their meals were rather swallowed than eaten; and though
+they allowed not a moment for any kind of recreation, of rest, or of
+exercise; save the sacred visit, which they unfailingly made together,
+at break of day, to the little grave in the church-yard upon the hill.
+
+Yet here first, since her arrival on the British shores, the immediate
+rapturous moment of landing, and the fortnight passed with Lady Aurora
+Granville excepted, here first sweet contentment, soft hopes, and gentle
+happiness visited the bosom of Juliet. No privation was hard, no toil
+was severe, no application was tedious, while the friend of her heart
+was by her side; whose sorrows she could mitigate, whose affections she
+could share, and whose tears she could sometimes chase.
+
+But the relief was not more exquisite than it was transitory; a week
+only had passed in delicious repose, when Gabriella received
+intelligence that her husband was taken ill.
+
+Whatever was her reluctance to quitting the spot, where her memory was
+every moment fed with cherished recollections, she could not hesitate to
+depart; but, when Juliet, in consonance with her inclination and her
+promise, prepared to accompany her, that hydra-headed intruder upon
+human schemes and desires, Difficulty, arose, in as many shapes as she
+could form projects, to impede her wishes. Money they had none: even for
+the return to town of Gabriella, her husband was fain to have recourse
+for aid to certain admirable persons, whose benevolence had enabled her,
+upon the illness of her son, to quit it for Brighthelmstone: and, in a
+situation of indigence so obvious, could they propose carrying away with
+them the work with which they were entrusted? Juliet, indeed, had still
+Harleigh's bank notes in her possession; but she turned inflexibly from
+the temptation of adopting a mode of conduct, which she had always
+condemned as weak and degrading; that of investing circumstance with
+decision, in conscientious dilemmas.
+
+These terrible obstacles broke into all their plans, their wishes,
+their happiness; involved them in new distress, deluged them in tears,
+and, after every effort with which ingenious friendship could combat
+them, ended in compelling a separation. Gabriella embraced, with pungent
+affliction, the sorrowing Juliet; shed her last bitter tears over the
+grave of her lost darling, and, by the assistance of the angelic
+beings[18] already hinted at, whose delicacy, whose feeling, whose
+respect for misfortune, made their beneficence as balsamic to
+sensibility, as it was salutary to want, returned alone to the capital.
+
+[Footnote 18: Residing in, and,--in 1795!--at the foot of Norbury Park.]
+
+Juliet thus, perforce, remaining, and once again left to herself, was
+nearly overwhelmed with grief at a stroke so abrupt and unexpected; so
+ruinous to her lately acquired contentment, and dearly prized social
+enjoyment. Yet she suffered not regret and disappointment to consume her
+time, however cruelly they preyed upon her spirits, and demolished her
+comfort. Solitarily she continued the employment which she had socially
+begun; but without relaxing in diligence and application, without
+permitting herself the smallest intermission that could be avoided:
+urged not alone to maintain herself, and to replace what she had touched
+of the deposit of Harleigh, but excited, yet more forcibly, by the fond
+hope of rejoining her friend; to which she eagerly looked forward, as
+the result and reward of her activity and labour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+
+
+Left thus to herself, and devoted to incessant work, Juliet next, had
+the vexation to learn, how inadequate for entering into any species of
+business was a mere knowledge of its theory.
+
+She had concluded that, in consecrating her time and her labours to so
+simple an employment as needle-work, she secured herself a certain,
+though an hardly earned maintenance: but, as her orders became more
+extensive, she found that neither talents for what she undertook, nor
+even patronage to bring them into notice, was sufficient; a capital also
+was requisite, for the purchase of frames, patterns, silver and gold
+threads, spangles, and various other articles; to procure which, she was
+forced, in the very commencement of her new career, again to run in
+debt.
+
+Alas! she cried, where business is not necessary to subsistence, how
+little do we know, believe, or even conceive, its various difficulties!
+Imagination may paint enjoyments; but labours and hardships can be
+judged only from experience!
+
+She was equally, also, unprepared for continual and vexatious delays of
+payment. Her work was frequently, when best executed; or set apart for
+some distant occasion, and forgotten; or received and worn, with no
+retribution but by promise. Even the few who possessed more
+consideration, seemed to estimate her time and her toil as nothing,
+because she was brought forward by recommendation; and to pay debts of
+common justice, with the parade of generosity.
+
+Yet, vanity and false reasoning set apart, the ladies for whom she
+worked were neither hard of heart nor illiberal; but they had never
+known distress! and were too light and unreflecting to weigh the
+circumstances by which it might be produced, or prevented.
+
+To save time, and obviate innumerable mortifications, Juliet, at first,
+employed a commissioner to carry home her work, and to deliver her
+bills; but he returned always with empty messages, that if Miss Ellis
+would call herself, she should be paid. Yet when, with whatever
+reluctance, she complied, she was ordinarily condemned to wait in
+passages, or anti-chambers, for whole hours, and even whole mornings;
+which were commonly ended by an excuse, through a footman, or lady's
+maid, that Lady or Miss such a one was too much engaged, or too much
+indisposed, to see her till the next day. The next day, when, with
+renewed expectation, she again presented herself, the same scene was
+re-acted; though the passing to and fro of various comers and goers,
+proved that it was only to herself her fair creditor was invisible.
+
+Nevertheless, if she mentioned that she had some pattern, or some piece
+of work, finished for any other lady to exhibit, she was immediately
+admitted; though still, with regard to payment, she was desired to call
+again in the evening, or the next morning, with a new bill; her old one
+happening, unluckily, to be always lost or mislaid; and not seldom,
+while stopping in an anti-room, to arrange her packages, she heard
+exclamations of 'How amazingly tiresome is that Miss Ellis! pestering
+one so, always, for her money!'
+
+Is it possible, thought Juliet, that common humanity, nay, common sense,
+will not tell these careless triflers, that their complaint is a lampoon
+upon themselves? Will no reflexion, no feeling point out to them, that
+the time which they thus unmercifully waste in humiliating attendance,
+however to themselves it may be a play-thing, if not a drug, is, to
+those who subsist but by their use of it, shelter, clothing, and
+nourishment?
+
+If sometimes, in the hope of exciting more attention from this
+dissipated set, she ventured to drop a mournful hint, that she was a
+novice to this hard kind of life; the warm compassion that seemed
+rapidly kindled, raised expectations of immediate assistance; but the
+emotion, though good, took a direction that made it useless; it merely
+played about in exclamations of pity; then blazed into curiosity, vented
+itself in questions,--and evaporated.
+
+She soon, therefore, ceased all attempt to obtain regard through
+personal representations; feeling yet more mortified to be left in
+passages, or recommended to domestics, after avowing that her lowly
+state was the effect of misfortune; than while she permitted it to be
+presumed, that she had nothing to brook but what she had been born and
+bred to bear.
+
+Some, indeed, while leaving their own just debts unpaid and unnoticed,
+would have collected, from their friends, a few straggling half-crowns;
+but when Juliet, declining such aid, modestly solicited her right, they
+captiously disputed a bill which had been charged by the strictest
+necessity; or offered half what they would have dared propose to any
+ordinary and hired day-jobber. And whatever admiration they bestowed
+upon the taste and execution of work prepared for others, all that she
+finished for themselves, was received with that wary precursor of
+under-valuing its price, contempt; and looked over with fault-finding
+eyes, and unmeaning criticism.
+
+Yet, if the following day, or even the following hour, some sudden
+invitation to a brilliant assembly, made any of these ladies require her
+services, they would give their orders with caressing solicitations for
+speed; rush familiarly into her room, three or four times in a day, to
+see how she went on; supplicate her to touch nothing for any other human
+being; load her with professions of regard; confound her with hurrying
+entreaties; shake her by the hand; tap her on the shoulder; call her the
+best of souls; assure her of their eternal gratitude; and torment her
+out of any time for sleep or food:--yet, the occasion past, and the work
+seen and worn, it was thought of no more! Her pains and exertions, their
+promises and fondness, sunk into the same oblivion; and the commonest
+and most inadequate pay was murmured at, if not contested.
+
+Now and then, however, she was surprised by sudden starts of kindness,
+and hasty enquiries, eagerly made, though scarcely demanding any answer,
+into her situation and affairs; followed by drawing her, with an air of
+confidence, into a dressing-room or closet:--but there, when prepared
+for some mark of favour or esteem, she was only asked, in a mysterious
+whisper, whether she could procure any cheap foreign lace, or French
+gloves? or whether she could get over from France, any particularly
+delicate paste for the hands.
+
+To ladies and to behaviour of this cast, there were, however,
+exceptions; especially amongst the residents of the place and its
+neighbourhood, who were not there, like the visitors, for dissipation or
+irregular extravagance, that, alternately, causes money to be loosely
+squandered, and meanly held back. But this better sort was rare, and
+sufficed not to supply employment to Juliet for her maintenance, though
+the most parsimonious. Nor were there any amongst them that had the
+leisure, or the discernment, to discover, that her mind both required
+and merited succour as much as her circumstances.
+
+Yet there was the seat of what she had most to endure, and found hardest
+to sustain. Her short, but precious junction with her Gabriella, gave
+poignancy to every latent regret, and added disgust to her solitary
+toil. Thoughts uncommunicated, ideas unexchanged, fears unrevealed, and
+sorrows unparticipated, infused a heaviness into her existence, that not
+all her activity in business could conquer; while slackness of pay, by
+rendering the result of her labours distant and precarious, robbed her
+industry of cheerfulness, and her exertions of hope. With an ardent love
+of elegant social intercourse, she was doomed to pass her lonely days in
+a room that no sound of kindness ever cheered; with enthusiastic
+admiration of the beauties of Nature, she was denied all prospect, but
+of the coarse red tilings of opposite attics: with an innate taste for
+the fine arts, she was forced to exist as completely out of their view
+or knowledge, as if she had been an inhabitant of some uncivilized
+country: and fellow-feeling, that most powerful master of philanthropy!
+now taught her to pity the lamentations of seclusion from the world,
+that she had hitherto often contemned as weak and frivolous; since now,
+though with time always occupied, and a mind fully stored, she had the
+bitter self-experience of the weight of solitude without books, and of
+the gloom of retirement without a friend.
+
+During this period, the only notice that she attracted, was that of a
+gouty old gentleman, whom she frequently met upon the stairs, when
+forced to mount or descend them in pursuit of her fair heedless
+creditors. She soon found, by the manner in which he entered, or
+quitted, at pleasure, the apartment that she had recently given up, that
+he was her successor. He was evidently struck by her beauty, and, upon
+their first meeting, looked earnestly after her till she was out of
+sight; and then, descended into the shop, to enquire who she was of Miss
+Matson. Miss Matson, always perplexed what to think of her, gave so
+indefinite, yet so extraordinary an account, that he eagerly awaited an
+opportunity of seeing her again. Added examination was less calculated
+to diminish curiosity, than to change it into pleasure and interest; and
+soon, during whole hours together, he perseveringly watched, upon the
+landing-places, for the moments of her going out, or coming back to the
+house; that, while smiling and bowing to her as she passed, he might
+obtain yet another, and another view of so singular and so lovely an
+Incognita.
+
+As he annexed no fixed idea himself to this assiduity, he impressed none
+upon Juliet; who, though she could not but observe it, had a mind too
+much occupied within, for that mental listlessness that applies for
+thoughts, conjectures, or adventures from without.
+
+Soon, however, becoming anxious to behold her nearer, and, soon after,
+to behold her longer, he contrived to place himself so as somewhat to
+obstruct, though not positively to impede, her passage. The modest
+courtesy, which she gave to his age, when, upon her approach, he made
+way for her, he pleased himself by attributing to his palpable
+admiration; and his bow, which had always been polite, became
+obsequious; and his smile, which had always spoken pleasure, displayed
+enchantment.
+
+Still, however, there was nothing to alarm, and little to engage the
+attention of Juliet; for though ostentatiously gallant, he was
+scrupulously decorous. His manners and deportment were old-fashioned,
+but graceful and gentleman-like; and his eyes, though they had lost
+their brilliancy, were still quick, scrutinizing, and, where not
+softened by female attractions, severe.
+
+One day, upon her return from a fruitless expedition, as fearfully,
+while ascending the stairs, she opened a paper that had just been
+delivered to her in the shop, her deeply absorbed and perplexed air, and
+the sigh with which she looked at its contents, induced him, with
+heightened interest, to attempt following her, that he might make some
+enquiry into her situation. He had discerned, as she passed, that what
+she held was a bill; he could not doubt her poverty from her change of
+apartment; and he wished to offer her some assistance: but finding that
+he had no chance of overtaking her, before she reached her chamber, he
+gently called, 'Young lady!' and begged that she would stop.
+
+With that alacrity of youthful purity, which is ever disposed to
+consider age and virtue as one, she not only complied, but, seeing the
+difficulty with which he mounted the stairs, respected his infirmities,
+and descended herself to meet him, and hear his business.
+
+To a younger man, or to one less experienced, or less sagacious, this
+action might have appeared the effect of forwardness, of ignorance, or
+of levity; but to a man of the world, hackneyed in its ways, and
+penetrating into the motives by which it is ordinarily influenced, it
+seemed the result of innocence without suspicion; yet of an innocence to
+which her air and manner gave a dignity that destroyed, in its birth,
+all interpretation to her disadvantage. His purse, therefore, which
+already he held in his hand, he felt must be offered with more delicacy
+than he had at first supposed to be necessary; and, though he was by no
+means a man apt to be embarrassed, he hesitated, for a moment, how to
+address a forlorn young stranger.
+
+That moment, however, sufficed to determine him upon making an apology,
+with the most marked respect, for the liberty which he had taken in
+claiming her attention. The look with which she listened rewarded his
+judgment: it expressed the gratitude of feelings to which politeness was
+a pleasure; but not a novelty.
+
+'I think--I understand, Ma'am,' he then said, 'you are the lady who
+inhabited the apartment to which, most unworthily, I have succeeded?'
+
+Juliet bowed.
+
+'I am truly concerned, Ma'am, at a mistake so preposterous in our
+destinies, so diametrically in opposition to our merits, as that which
+immures so much beauty and grace, which every one must wish to behold,
+in the attics; while so worn-out, and good-for-nothing an old fellow as
+I am, from whom every body must wish to turn their eyes, is perched,
+full in front, and precisely on the very spot so every way your
+superiour due. Whatever wicked Elf has done this deed, I confess myself
+heartily ashamed of my share in its operation; and humbly ready, should
+any better genius come amongst us, with a view to putting things into
+their proper places, to agree, either that you should be lodged, in the
+face of day, in the drawing-room, and I be jammed, out of sight, in the
+garret; or--that you should become gouty and decrepit, and I grow
+suddenly young and beautiful.'
+
+Juliet could not but smile, yet waited some explanation without
+speaking.
+
+Charmed with the smile, which his own rigid features immediately caught,
+'I have so frequently,' he continued, 'pondered and ruminated upon the
+good which those little aerial beings I speak of might do; and the
+wrongs which they might redress; were they permitted to visit us, now
+and then, as we read of their doing in days of yore; that, sometimes, I
+dream while wide awake, and fancy I see them; and feel myself at the
+mercy of their antic corrections; or receive courteous presents, or
+wholesome advice. Just this moment, as you were passing, methought one
+of them appeared to me!'
+
+Juliet, surprised, involuntarily looked round.
+
+'And it said to me, "Whence happens it, my worthy antique, that you grow
+as covetous as you are rich? Bear, for your pains, the punishment due to
+a miser, of receiving money that you must not hoard; and of presenting,
+with your own avaricious hand, this purse to the fair young creature
+whose dwelling you have usurped; yet who resides nearest to those she
+most resembles, the gods and goddesses."'
+
+With these words, and a low bow, he would have put his purse into her
+hand; but upon her starting back, it dropt at her feet.
+
+Surprized, yet touched, as well as amused, by a turn so unexpected to
+his pleasantry, Juliet, gracefully restoring, though firmly declining
+his offer, uttered her thanks for the kindness of his intentions, with a
+sweetness so unsuspicious of evil, that they separated with as strong an
+impression of wonder upon his part, as, upon hers, of gratitude.
+
+Anxious to relieve the perplexity thus excited, and to settle his
+opinion, he continued to watch, but could not again address her; for
+aware, now, of his purpose, she fled down, or darted up stairs, with a
+swiftness that defied pursuit; yet with a passing courtesy, that marked
+respectful remembrance.
+
+Thus, in a life of solitary hardship, with no intermission but for
+mortifying disappointment, passed nearly three weeks, when Juliet found,
+with affright and astonishment, that all orders for work seemed at an
+end. It was no longer the season for Brighthelmstone, whose visitors
+were only accidental stragglers, that, here to-day, and gone to-morrow,
+had neither care nor leisure but for rambling and amusement. The
+residents, though by no means inconsiderable, were soon served; for
+Elinor was removed to Lewes, and her influence was lost with her
+presence. Some new measure, therefore, for procuring employment, became
+necessary; and Juliet, once more, was reduced to make application to
+Miss Matson.
+
+In passing, therefore, one morning, through the shop, with some work
+prepared for carrying home, she stopt to open upon the subject; but the
+appearance of Miss Bydel at the door, induced her, with an hasty
+apology, to make an abrupt retreat; that she might avoid an encounter
+which, with that lady, was always irksome, if not painful, from her
+unconstrained curiosity; joined to the grossness of her conceptions and
+remarks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV
+
+
+Juliet, in re-mounting the stairs, was stopt, by her new acquaintance,
+before the door of his apartment.
+
+'If you knew,' he said, 'how despitefully I have been treated, and how
+miserably black and blue I have been pinched, by the little Imp whose
+offer you have rejected, sleep would fly your eyes at night, from
+remorse for your hardness of heart. Its Impship insists upon it, that
+the fault must all be mine. What! it cries, would you persuade me, that
+a young creature whose face beams with celestial sweetness, whose voice
+is the voice of melody, whose eyes have the softness of the Dove's--'
+
+Juliet, though she smiled, would have escaped; but he told her he must
+be heard.
+
+'Would you persuade me, quoth my sprite, that such an angelic personage,
+would rather let my poor despised coin canker and rust in your miserly
+coffers, than disperse it about in the world, in kind, generous, or
+useful activity? No, my antique, continues my little elf, you have
+presented it in some clumsy, hunchy, awkward mode, that has made her
+deem you an unworthy bearer of fairy gifts; and she flies the downy
+wings of my gentle succour, from the fear of falling into your rough and
+uncooth claws.'
+
+Juliet, who now, through the ill-closed fingers of his gouty hand,
+discerned his prepared purse, seriously begged to decline this
+discussion.
+
+'What malice you must bear me!' he cried. 'You are surely in the pay of
+my evil genius! and I shall be whipt with nettles, or scratched with
+thorns, all night, in revenge of my failure! And that parcel,
+too,--which strains the fine fibres of your fair hands,--cast it but
+down, and millions of my little elves will struggle to convey it safely
+to your chamber.'
+
+'I doubt not their dexterity,' answered Juliet, 'nor the benevolence of
+their fabricator; but I assure you, Sir, I want no help.'
+
+'If you will not accept their aerial services, deign, at least, not to
+refuse mine!'
+
+He endeavoured, now, to take the gown-packet into his own hands;
+laughingly saying, upon her grave resistance, 'Beware, fair nymph, of
+the dormant sensations which you may awaken, if you should make me
+suppose you afraid of me! Many a long day is past, alas! and gone, since
+I could flatter myself with the idea of exciting fear in a young
+breast!'
+
+Ceasing, however, the attempt, after some courteous apologies, he
+respectfully let her pass.
+
+But, upon entering her room, she heard something chink as she deposited
+her parcel upon a table; and, upon examination, found that he had
+managed to slip into it, during the contest, a little green purse.
+
+Vexed at this contrivance, and resolved not to lose an instant in
+returning what no distress could induce her to retain, she immediately
+descended; but the staircase was vacant, and the door was closed.
+Fearful any delay might authorize a presumption of acceptance, she
+assumed courage to tap at the door.
+
+A scampering, at the same moment, up the stairs, made her instantly
+regret this measure; and by no means the less, for finding herself
+recognized, and abruptly accosted by young Gooch, the farmer's son, at
+the very moment that her gouty admirer had hobbled to answer to her
+summons.
+
+'Well, see if I a'n't a good marksman!' he cried; 'for else, Ma'am, I
+might have passed you; for they told me, below, you were up there, at
+the very top of the house. But I'd warrant to pick you out from a
+hundred, Ma'am; as neat as my father would one of his stray sheep. But
+what I come for, Ma'am, is to ask the favour of your company, if it's
+agreeable to you, to a little junket at our farm.'
+
+Then, rubbing his hands with great glee, unregarding the surprised look
+of Juliet, at such an invitation, or the amused watchfulness of the
+observant old beau, he went glibly on.
+
+'Father's to give it, Ma'am. You never saw old dad, I believe, Ma'am?
+The old gentleman's a very good old chap; only he don't like our clubs:
+for he says they make me speak quite in the new manner; so that the
+farmers, he says, don't know what I'd be at. He's rather in years,
+Ma'am, poor man. He don't know much how things go. However, he's a very
+well meaning old gentleman.'
+
+Juliet gravely enquired, to what unknown accident she might attribute an
+invitation so unexpected?
+
+'Why, Ma'am,' answered Gooch, delighted at the idea of having given her
+an agreeable surprize, 'Why it's the 'Squire, Ma'am, that put it into my
+head. You know who I mean? our rich cousin, 'Squire Tedman. He's a great
+friend of yours, I can assure you, Ma'am. He wants you to take a little
+pleasure sadly. And he's sadly afraid, too, he says, that you'll miss
+him, now he's gone to town; for he used often, he says, to bring you one
+odd thing or another. He's got a fine fortune of his own, my cousin the
+'Squire. And he's a widower.--And he's taken a vast liking to you, I can
+tell you, Ma'am;--so who knows....'
+
+Juliet would have been perfectly unmoved by this ignorant forwardness,
+but for the presence of a stranger, to whose good opinion, after her
+experience of his benevolence, she could not be indifferent. With an
+air, therefore, that marked her little satisfaction at this familiar
+jocoseness, she declined the invitation; and begged the young man to
+acquaint Mr Tedman, that, though obliged to his intentions, she should
+feel a yet higher obligation in his forbearance to forward to her, in
+future, any similar proposals.
+
+'Why, Ma'am,' cried young Gooch, astonished, 'this i'n't a thing you can
+get at every day! We shall have all the main farmers of the
+neighbourhood! for it's given on account of a bargain that we've made,
+of a nice little slip of land, just by our square hay-field. And I've
+leave to choose six of the company myself. But they won't be farmers,
+Ma'am, I can tell you! They'll be young fellows that know better how the
+world goes. And we shall have your good friend 'Squire Stubbs; for it's
+he that made our bargain.'
+
+Juliet, now, turning from him to the silent, remarking stranger, said,
+'I am extremely ashamed, Sir, to obtrude thus upon your time, but the
+person for whom you so generously destined this donation commissions me
+to return it, with many thanks, and an assurance that it is not at all
+wanted.'
+
+She held out her hand with the purse, but, drawing back from receiving
+it, 'Madam,' he cried, 'I would upon no account offend any one who has
+the honour of being known to you; but you will not, therefore, I hope,
+insist that I should quarrel with myself, by taking what does not belong
+to me?'
+
+While Juliet, now, looked wistfully around, to discover some place where
+she might drop the purse, unseen by the young man, whose
+misinterpretations might be injurious, the youth volubly continued his
+own discourse.
+
+'We shall give a pretty good entertainment in the way of supper, I
+assure you, Ma'am; for we shall have a goose at top, and a turkey at
+bottom, and as fine a fat pig as ever you saw in your life in the
+middle; with as much ale, and mead, and punch, as you can desire to
+drink. And, as all my sisters are at home, and a brace or so of nice
+young lasses of their acquaintance, besides ever so many farmers, and us
+seven stout young fellows of my club, into the bargain, we intend to
+kick up a dance. It may keep you out a little late, to be sure, Ma'am,
+but you shall have our chay-cart to bring you home. You know our
+chay-cart of old, Ma'am?'
+
+'I, Sir?'
+
+'Why, lauk! have you forgot that, Ma'am? Why it's our chay-cart that
+brought you to Brighton, from Madam Maple's at Lewes, as good as half a
+year ago. Don't you remember little Jack, that drove you? and that went
+for you again the next day, to fetch you back?'
+
+Juliet now found, that this was the carriage procured for her by
+Harleigh, upon her first arrival at Lewes; and, though chagrined at the
+air of former, or disguised intimacy, which such an incident might seem
+to convey to her new friend, she immediately acknowledged recollecting
+the circumstance.
+
+'Well, I'm only sorry, Ma'am, I did not drive you myself; but I had not
+the pleasure of your acquaintance then, Ma'am; for 'twas before of our
+acting together.'
+
+The surprise of the listening old gentleman now altered its expression,
+from earnest curiosity to suppressed pleasantry; and he leant against
+his door, to take a pinch of snuff, with an air that denoted him to be
+rather waiting for some expected amusement, than watching, as
+heretofore, for some interesting explanation.
+
+Juliet, in discerning the passing change in his ideas, became more than
+ever eager to return the purse; yet more than ever fearful of
+misconstruction from young Gooch; whom she now, with encreased
+dissatisfaction, begged to lose no time in acquainting Mr Tedman, that
+business only ever took her from home.
+
+'Why, that's but moping for you, neither, Ma'am,' he answered, in a tone
+of pity. 'You'd have double the spirits if you'd go a little abroad;
+for staying within doors gives one but a hippish turn. It will go nigh
+to make you grow quite melancholick, Ma'am.'
+
+Hopeless to get rid either of him or of the purse, Juliet, now, was
+moving up stairs, when the voice of Miss Bydel called out from the
+passage, 'Why, Mr Gooch, have you forgot I told you to send Mrs Ellis to
+me?'
+
+'That I had clean!' he answered. 'I ask your pardon, I'm sure,
+Ma'am.--Why, Ma'am, Miss Bydel told me to tell you, when I said I was
+coming up to ask you to our junket, that she wanted to say a word or two
+to you, down in the shop, upon business.'
+
+Juliet would have descended; but Miss Bydel, desiring her to wait,
+mounted herself, saying, 'I have a mind to see your little new room:'
+stopping, however, when she came to the landing-place, which was square
+and large, 'Well-a-day!' she exclaimed: 'Sir Jaspar Herrington!--who'd
+have thought of seeing you, standing so quietly at your door? Why I did
+not know you could stand at all! Why how is your gout, my good Sir? And
+how do you like your new lodgings? I heard of your being here from Miss
+Matson. But pray, Mrs Ellis, what has kept you both, you and young Mr
+Gooch, in such close conference with Sir Jaspar? I can't think what
+you've been talking of so long. Pray how did you come to be so intimate
+together? I should like to know that.'
+
+Sir Jaspar courteously invited Miss Bydel to enter his apartment; but
+that lady, not aware that nothing is less delicate than professions of
+delicacy; which degrade a just perception, and strict practice of
+propriety, into a display of conscious caution, or a suspicion of evil
+interpretation; almost angrily answered, that she could not for the
+world do such a thing, for it would set every body a talking: 'for, as
+I'm not married, Sir Jaspar, you know, and as you're a single gentleman,
+too, it might make Miss Matson and her young ladies think I don't know
+what. For, when once people's tongues are set a-going, it's soon too
+late to stop them. Besides, every body's always so prodigious curious to
+dive into other people's affairs, that one can't well be too prudent.'
+
+Sir Jaspar, with an arched brow, of which she was far from comprehending
+the meaning, said that he acquiesced in her better judgment; but, as she
+had announced that she came to speak with this young lady upon business,
+he enquired, whether there would be any incongruity in putting a couple
+of chairs upon the landing-place.
+
+'Well,' she cried, 'that's a bright thought, I declare, Sir Jaspar! for
+it will save me the trouble of groping up stairs;' and then, seizing the
+opportunity to peep into his room, she broke forth into warm
+exclamations of pleasure, at the many nice and new things with which it
+had been furnished, since it had been vacated by Mrs Ellis.
+
+A look, highly commiserating, shewed him shocked by these observations;
+and the air, patiently calm, with which they were heard by Juliet,
+augmented his interest, as well as wonder, in her story and situation.
+
+He ordered his valet to fetch an arm-chair for Miss Bydel; while,
+evidently meant for Juliet, he began to drag another forward himself.
+
+'Bless me, Sir Jaspar!' cried Miss Bydel, looking, a little affronted,
+towards Juliet, 'have you no common chairs?'
+
+'Yes,' he answered, still labouring on, 'for common purposes!'
+
+This civility was not lost upon Juliet, who declining, though thankful
+for his attention, darted forward, to take, for herself, a seat of less
+dignity; hastily, as she passed, dropping the purse upon a table.
+
+A glance at Sir Jaspar sufficed to assure her, that this action had not
+escaped his notice; and though his look spoke disappointment, it shewed
+him sensible of the propriety of avoiding any contest.
+
+Relieved from this burthen, she now cheerfully waited to hear the orders
+of Miss Bydel: young Gooch waited to hear them also; seated,
+cross-legged, upon the balustrade; though Sir Jaspar sent his valet
+away, and, retired, scrupulously, himself, to the further end of his
+apartment.
+
+Miss Bydel, as little struck with the ill breeding of the young farmer,
+as with the good manners of the baronet, forgot her business, from
+recollecting that Mr Scope was waiting for her in the shop. 'For
+happening,' said she, 'to pass by, and see me, through the glass-door,
+he just stept in, on purpose to have a little chat.'
+
+'O ho, what, is 'Squire Scope here?' cried young Gooch; and, rapidly
+sliding down the banisters, seized upon the unwilling and precise Mr
+Scope, whom he dragged up to the landing-place.
+
+'Well, this is droll enough!' cried Miss Bydel, palpably enchanted,
+though trying to look displeased; 'only I hope you have not told Mr
+Scope 'twas I that sent you for him, Mr Gooch? for, I assure you, Mr
+Scope, I would not do such a thing for the world. I should think it
+quite improper. Besides, what will Miss Matson and the young milliners
+say? Who knows but you may have set them a prating, Mr Gooch? It's no
+joke, I can assure you, doing things of this sort.'
+
+'I'm sure, Ma'am,' said Gooch, 'I thought you wanted to see the 'Squire;
+for I did not do it in the least to make game.'
+
+'There can be no doubt, Madam,' said Mr Scope, somewhat offended, 'that
+all descriptions of sport are not, at all times, advisable. For, in
+small societies, as in great states, if I may be permitted to compare
+little things with great ones, danger often lurks unseen, and mischief
+breaks out from trifles. In like manner, for example, if one of those
+young milliners, misinterpreting my innocence, in obeying the supposed
+commands of the good Miss Bydel, should take the liberty to laugh at my
+expence, what, you might ask, could it signify that a young girl should
+laugh? Young persons, especially of the female gender, being naturally
+given to laughter, at very small provocatives; not to say sometimes
+without any whatsoever. Whereupon, persons of an ordinary judgment, may
+conclude such an action, by which I mean laughing, to be of no
+consequence.--'
+
+'But I think it very rude!' cried Miss Bydel, extremely nettled.
+
+'Please to hear me, Madam!' said Mr Scope. 'Persons, I say, of deeper
+knowledge in the maxims and manners of the moral world, would look
+forward with watchfulness, on such an occasion, to its future effects;
+for one laugh breeds another, and another breeds another; for nothing is
+so catching as laughing; I mean among the vulgar; in which class I would
+be understood to include the main mass of a great nation. What, I ask,
+ensues?--'
+
+'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, rather impatiently, 'I
+assure you if I knew any body that took such a liberty as to laugh at
+me, I should let them know my thoughts of such airs without much
+ceremony!'
+
+'My very good lady,' said Mr Scope, formally bowing, 'if I may request
+such a favour, I beg you to be silent. The laugh, I observe, caught
+thus, from one to another, soon spreads abroad; and then, the more aged,
+or better informed, may be led to enquire into its origin: and the
+result of such investigation must needs be, that the worthy Miss Bydel,
+having sent her commands to her humble servant, Mr Scope, to follow her
+up stairs--'
+
+'But if they said that,' cried Miss Bydel, looking very red, 'it would
+be as great a fib as ever was told, for I did not send my commands, nor
+think of such a thing. It was Mr Gooch's own doing, only for his own
+nonsense. And I am curious to know, Mr Gooch, whether any body ever put
+such thoughts into your head? Pray did you ever hear any body talk, Mr
+Gooch? For, if you have, I should be glad to know what they said.'
+
+Mr Scope, waving his hand to demand attention, again begged leave to
+remark, that he had not finished what he purposed to advance.
+
+'My argument, Madam,' he resumed, 'is a short, but, I hope, a clear one,
+for 'tis deduced from general principles and analogy; though, upon a
+merely cursory view, it may appear somewhat abstruse. But what I mean,
+in two words, is, that the laugh raised by Mr Gooch, and those young
+milliners; taking it for granted that they laughed; which, indeed, I
+rather think I heard them do; may, in itself, perhaps, as only
+announcing incapacity, not be condemnable; but when it turns out that it
+promulgates false reports, and makes two worthy persons, if I may take
+the liberty to name myself with the excellent Miss Bydel, appear to be
+fit subjects for ridicule; then, indeed, the laugh is no longer
+innocent; and ought, in strict justice, to be punished, as seriously as
+any other mode of propagating false rumours.'
+
+Miss Bydel, after protesting that Mr Scope talked so prodigiously
+sensible, that she was never tired of hearing him, for all his speeches
+were so long; abruptly told Juliet, that she had called to let her know,
+that she should be glad to be paid, out of hand, the money which she had
+advanced for the harp.
+
+Sir Jaspar, who, during the harangue of Mr Scope, which was uttered in
+too loud and important a manner, to leave any doubt of its being
+intended for general hearing; had drawn his chair to join the party,
+listened to this demand with peculiar attention; and was struck with the
+evident distress which it caused to Juliet; who fearfully besought a
+little longer law, to collect the debts of others, that she might be
+able to discharge her own.
+
+Young Gooch, coming behind her, said, in a half whisper, 'If you'll tell
+me how much it is you owe, Ma'am, I'll help you out in a trice; for I
+can have what credit I will in my father's name; and he'll never know
+but what 'twas for some frolic of my own; for I don't make much of a
+confidant of the old gentleman.'
+
+The most icy refusal was insufficient to get rid of this offer, or
+offerer; who assured her that, if the worst came to the worst, and his
+father, by ill luck, should find them out, he would not make a fuss for
+above a day or two; 'because,' he continued, 'he has only me, as one may
+say, for the rest are nothing but girls; so he can't well help himself.
+He gave me my swing too long from the first, to bind me down at this
+time of day. Besides, he likes to have me a little in the fashion, I
+know, though he won't own it; for he is a very good sort of an old
+gentleman, at bottom.'
+
+Sir Jaspar sought to discover, whether the colour which heightened the
+cheeks of Juliet at this proposal, which now ceased to be delivered in a
+whisper, was owing to confusion at its publicity, or to disdain at the
+idea of conspiring either at deceiving or braving the young man's
+father; while Miss Bydel, whose plump curiosity saved her from all
+species of speculative trouble, bluntly said, 'Why should you hesitate
+at such an offer, my dear? I'm sure I don't see how you can do better
+than accept it. Mr Gooch is a very worthy young man, and so are all his
+family. I'm sure I only wish he'd take to you more solidly, and make a
+match of it. That would put an end to your troubles at once; and I
+should get my money out of hand.'
+
+This was an opportunity not to be passed over by the argumentative but
+unerring Mr Scope, for trite observations, self-evident truths, and
+hackneyed calculations, upon the mingled dangers and advantages of
+matrimony, 'which, when weighed,' said he, 'in equal scales, and
+abstractedly considered, are of so puzzling a nature, that the wise and
+wary, fearing to risk them, remain single; but which, when looked upon
+in a more cursory way, or only lightly balanced, preponderate so much in
+favour of the state, that the great mass of the nation, having but small
+means of reflection, or forethought, ordinarily prefer matrimony. If,
+therefore, young Mr Gooch should think proper to espouse this young
+person, there would be nothing in it very surprising; nevertheless, in
+summing up the expences of wedlock, and a growing family, it might seem,
+that to begin the married state with debts already contracted, on the
+female side, would appear but a shallow mark of prudence on the male,
+where the cares of that state reasonably devolve; he being naturally
+supposed to have the most sense.'
+
+'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, 'if Mr Gooch should take a
+liking to this young person, she has money enough to pay her debts, I
+can assure you: I should not have asked her for it else; but the thing
+is, she don't like to part with it.'
+
+Juliet solemnly protested, that the severest necessity could alone have
+brought her into the pecuniary difficulties under which she laboured;
+the money to which Miss Bydel alluded being merely a deposit which she
+held in her hands, and for which she was accountable.
+
+'Well, that's droll enough,' said Miss Bydel, 'that a young person, not
+worth a penny in the world, should have the care of other people's
+money! I should like to know what sort of persons they must be, that can
+think of making such a person their steward!'
+
+Young Gooch said that it would not be his father, for one, who would do
+it; and Mr Scope was preparing an elaborate dissertation upon the nature
+of confidence, with regard to money-matters, in a great state; when Miss
+Bydel, charmed to have pronounced a sentence which seemed to accord with
+every one's opinion, ostentatiously added, 'I should like, I say, Mrs
+Ellis, to know what sort of person it could be, that would trust a
+person with one's cash, without enquiring into their circumstances? for
+though, upon hearing that a person has got nothing, one may give 'em
+something, one must be no better than a fool to make them one's banker.'
+
+Juliet, who could not enter into any explanation, stammered, coloured,
+and from the horrour of seeing that she was suspected, wore an air of
+seeming apprehensive of detection.
+
+A short pause ensued, during which every one fixed his eyes upon her
+face, save Sir Jaspar; who seemed studying a portrait upon his
+snuff-box.
+
+Her immediate wish, in this disturbance, was to clear herself from so
+terrible an aspersion, by paying Miss Bydel, as she had paid her other
+creditors, from the store of Harleigh; but her wishes, tamed now by
+misfortune and disappointment, were too submissively under the controul
+of fear and discretion, to suffer her to act from their first dictates:
+and a moment's reflection pointed out, that, joined to the impropriety
+of such a measure with respect to Harleigh himself, it would be liable,
+more than any other, to give her the air of an impostor, who possessed
+money that she could either employ, or disclaim all title to, at her
+pleasure. Calling, therefore, for composure from conscious integrity,
+she made known her project of applying once more to Miss Matson, for
+work; and earnestly supplicated for the influence of Miss Bydel, that
+this second application might not, also, be vain.
+
+The eyes of the attentive Sir Jaspar, as he raised them from his
+snuff-box, now spoke respect mingled with pity.
+
+'As to recommending you to Miss Matson, Mrs Ellis,' answered Miss Bydel,
+'it's out of all reason to demand such a thing, when I can't tell who
+you are myself; and only know that you have got money in your hands
+nobody knows how, nor what for.'
+
+An implication such as this, nearly overpowered the fortitude of Juliet;
+and, relinquishing all further effort, she rose, and, silently, almost
+gloomily, began ascending the stairs. Sir Jaspar caught the expression
+of her despair by a glance; and, in a tone of remonstrance, said to Miss
+Bydel, 'In your debt, good Miss Bydel? Have you forgotten, then, that
+the young lady has paid you?'
+
+'Paid me? good Me! Sir Jaspar,' cried Miss Bydel, staring; 'how can you
+say such a thing? Do you think I'd cheat the young woman?'
+
+'I think it so little,' answered he, calmly, 'that I venture to remind
+you, thus publicly, of the circumstance; in full persuasion that I shall
+merit your gratitude, by aiding your memory.'
+
+'Good Me! Sir Jaspar, why I never heard such a thing in my life! Paid
+me? When? Why it can't be without my knowing it?'
+
+'Certainly not; I beg you, therefore, to recollect yourself.'
+
+The stare of Miss Bydel was now caught by Mr Scope; and her 'Good Me!'
+was echoed by young Gooch; while the surprised Juliet, turning back,
+said, 'Pardon me, Sir! I have never been so happy as to be able to
+discharge the debt. It remains in full force.'
+
+'Over you, too, then,' cried Sir Jaspar, with quickness, 'have I the
+advantage in memory? Have you forgotten that you delivered, to Miss
+Bydel, the full sum, not twenty minutes since?'
+
+Miss Bydel now, reddening with anger, cried, 'Sir Jaspar, I have long
+enough heard of your ill nature; but I never suspected your crossness
+would take such a turn against a person as this, to make people believe
+I demand what is not my own!'
+
+Juliet again solemnly acknowledged the debt; and Mr Scope opened an
+harangue upon the merits of exactitude between debtor and creditor, and
+the usefulness of settling no accounts, without, what were the only
+legal witnesses to obviate financial controversy, receipts in full; when
+Sir Jaspar, disregarding, alike, his rhetoric or Miss Bydel's choler,
+quietly patting his snuff-box, said, that it was possible that Miss
+Bydel had, inadvertently, put the sum into her work-bag, and forgotten
+that it had been refunded.
+
+Exulting that means, now, were open for vindication and redress, Miss
+Bydel eagerly untied the strings of her work-bag; though Juliet
+entreated that she would spare herself the useless trouble. But Sir
+Jaspar protested, with great gravity, that his own honour was now as
+deeply engaged to prove an affirmative, as that of Miss Bydel to prove a
+negative: holding, however, her hand, he said that he could not be
+satisfied, unless the complete contents of the work-bag were openly and
+fairly emptied upon a table, in sight of the whole party.
+
+Miss Bydel, though extremely affronted, consented to this proposal;
+which would clear her, she said, of so false a slander. A table was then
+brought upon the landing-place; as she still stiffly refused risking her
+reputation, by entering the apartment of a single gentleman; though he
+might not, as she observed, be one of the youngest.
+
+Sir Jaspar demanded the precise amount of the sum owed. A guinea and a
+half.
+
+He then fetched a curious little japan basket from his chamber, into
+which he desired that Miss Bydel would put her work-bag; though he would
+not suffer her to empty it, till, with various formalities, he had
+himself placed it in the middle of the table; around which he made every
+one draw a chair.
+
+Miss Bydel now triumphantly turned her work-bag inside out; but what was
+her consternation, what the shock of Mr Scope, and how loud the shout of
+young Gooch, to see, from a small open green purse, fall a guinea and a
+half!
+
+Miss Bydel, utterly confounded, remained speechless; but Juliet, through
+whose sadness Sir Jaspar saw a smile force its way, that rendered her
+beauty dazzling, recollecting the purse, blushed, and would have
+relieved Miss Bydel, by confessing that she knew to whom it belonged;
+had she not been withheld by the fear of the strange appearance which so
+sudden a seeming intimacy with the Baronet might wear.
+
+Sir Jaspar, again patting her snuff-box, composedly said, 'I was
+persuaded Miss Bydel would find that her debt had been discharged.'
+
+Miss Bydel remained stupified; while Mr Scope, with a look concerned,
+and even abashed, condolingly began an harangue upon the frail tenure of
+the faculty of human memory.
+
+Miss Bydel, at length, recovering her speech, exclaimed, 'Well, here's
+the money, that's certain! but which way it has got into my work-bag,
+without my ever seeing or touching it, I can't pretend to say: but if
+Mrs Ellis has done it to play me a trick--'
+
+Juliet disavowed all share in the transaction.
+
+'Then it's some joke of Sir Jaspar's! for I know he dearly loves to
+mortify; so I suppose he has given me false coin, or something that
+won't go, just to make me look like a fool.'
+
+'The money, I have the honour to assure you, is not mine,' was all that,
+very tranquilly, Sir Jaspar replied: while Mr Scope, after a careful
+examination of each piece, declared each to be good gold, and full
+weight.
+
+Sundry 'Good me's!' and other expressions of surprise, though all of a
+pleasurable sort, now broke forth from Miss Bydel, finishing with,
+'However, if nobody will own the money, as the debt is fairly my due, I
+don't see why I may not take it; though as to the purse, I won't touch
+it, because as that's a thing I have not lent to any body, I've no right
+to it.'
+
+Juliet here warmly interfered. The purse, she said, and the money
+belonged to the same proprietor; and, as neither of them were hers, both
+ought to be regarded as equally inadmissible for the payment of a debt
+which she alone had contracted. This disinterested sincerity made even
+Mr Scope turn to her with an air of profound, though surprised respect;
+while Sir Jaspar fixed his eyes upon her face with encreased and the
+most lively wonder; young Gooch stared, not perfectly understanding her;
+but Miss Bydel, rolling up the purse, which she put back into the
+basket, said, 'Well, if the money is not yours, Mrs Ellis, my dear, it
+can be nobody's but Sir Jaspar's; and if he has a mind to pay your debt
+for you, I don't see why I should hinder him, when 'twould be so much to
+my disadvantage. He's rich enough, I assure you; for what has an old
+bachelor to do with his money? So I'll take my due, be it which way it
+will.' And, unmoved by all that Juliet could urge, she put the guinea
+and the half-guinea carefully into her pocket.
+
+Juliet declared, that a debt which she had not herself discharged, she
+should always consider as unpaid, though her creditor might be changed.
+
+Confused then, ashamed, perplexed,--yet unavoidably pleased, she mounted
+to her chamber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV
+
+
+With whatever shame, whatever chagrin, Juliet saw herself again involved
+in a pecuniary obligation, with a stranger, and a gentleman, a support
+so efficacious, at a moment of such alarm, was sensibly and gratefully
+felt. Yet she was not less anxious to cancel a favour which still was
+unfitting to be received. She watched, therefore, for the departure of
+Miss Bydel, and the restoration of stillness to the staircase, to
+descend, once more, in prosecution to her scheme with Miss Matson.
+
+The anxious fear of rejection, and dread of rudeness, with which she
+then renewed her solicitation, soon happily subsided, from a readiness
+to listen, and a civility of manner, as welcome as they were unexpected,
+in her hostess; by whom she was engaged, without difficulty, to enter
+upon her new business the following morning.
+
+Thus, and with cruel regret, concluded her fruitless effort to attain a
+self-dependence which, however subject to toil, might be free, at least,
+from controul. Every species of business, however narrow its cast,
+however limited its wants, however mean its materials; required, she now
+found, some capital to answer to its immediate calls, and some steady
+credit for encountering the unforeseen accidents, and unavoidable risks,
+to which all human undertakings, whether great or insignificant, are
+liable.
+
+With this conviction upon her mind, she strove to bear the
+disappointment without murmuring; hoping to gain in security all that
+she lost in liberty. Little reason, indeed, had she for regretting what
+she gave up: she had been worn by solitary toil, and heavy rumination;
+by labour without interest, and loneliness without leisure.
+
+Nevertheless, the beginning of her new career promised little
+amelioration from the change. She was summoned early to the shop to
+take her work; but, when she begged leave to return with it to her
+chamber, she was stared at as if she had made a demand the most
+preposterous, and told that, if she meant to enter into business, she
+must be at hand to receive directions, and to learn how it should be
+done.
+
+To enter into business was far from the intention of Juliet; but the
+fear of dismission, should she proclaim how transitory were her views,
+silenced her into acquiescence; and she seated herself behind a distant
+counter.
+
+And here, perforce, she was initiated into a new scene of life, that of
+the humours of a milliner's shop. She found herself in a whirl of hurry,
+bustle, loquacity, and interruptions. Customers pressed upon customers;
+goods were taken down merely to be put up again; cheapened but to be
+rejected; admired but to be looked at, and left; and only bought when,
+to all appearance, they were undervalued and despised.
+
+It was here that she saw, in its unmasked futility, the selfishness of
+personal vanity. The good of a nation, the interest of society, the
+welfare of a family, could with difficulty have appeared of higher
+importance than the choice of a ribbon, or the set of a cap; and
+scarcely any calamity under heaven could excite looks of deeper horrour
+or despair, than any mistake committed in the arrangement of a feather
+or a flower. Every feature underwent a change, from chagrin and
+fretfulness, if any ornament, made by order, proved, upon trial, to be
+unbecoming; while the whole complexion glowed with the exquisite joy of
+triumph, if something new, devised for a superiour in the world of
+fashion, could be privately seized as a model by an inferiour.
+
+The ladies whose practice it was to frequent the shop, thought the time
+and trouble of its mistress, and her assistants, amply paid by the
+honour of their presence; and though they tried on hats and caps, till
+they put them out of shape; examined and tossed about the choicest
+goods, till they were so injured that they could be sold only at half
+price; ordered sundry articles, which, when finished, they returned,
+because they had changed their minds; or discovered that they did not
+want them; still their consciences were at ease, their honour was
+self-acquitted, and their generosity was self-applauded, if, after two
+or three hours of lounging, rummaging, fault-finding and chaffering,
+they purchased a yard or two of ribbon, or a few skanes of netting silk.
+
+The most callous disregard to all representations of the dearness of
+materials, or of the just price of labour, was accompanied by the most
+facile acquiescence even in demands that were exorbitant, if they were
+adroitly preceded by, 'Lady ----, or the Duchess of ----, gave that sum
+for just such another cap, hat, &c., this very morning.'
+
+Here, too, as in many other situations into which accident had led, or
+distress had driven Juliet, she saw, with commiseration and shame for
+her fellow-creatures, the total absence of feeling and of equity, in the
+dissipated and idle, for the indigent and laborious. The goods which
+demanded most work, most ingenuity, and most hands, were last paid,
+because heaviest of expence; though, for that very reason, the many
+employed, and the charge of materials, made their payment the first
+required. Oh that the good Mr Giles Arbe, thought Juliet, could arraign,
+in his simple but impressive style, the ladies who exhibit themselves
+with unpaid plumes, at assemblies and operas; and enquire whether they
+can flatter themselves, that to adorn them alone is sufficient to
+recompense those who work for, without seeing them; who ornament without
+knowing them; and who must necessarily, if unrequited, starve in
+rendering them more brilliant!
+
+Upon further observation, nevertheless, her compassion for the milliner
+and the work-women somewhat diminished; for she found that their notions
+of probity were as lax as those of their customers were of justice; and
+saw that their own rudeness to those who had neither rank nor fortune,
+kept pace with the haughtiness which they were forced to support, from
+those by whom both were possessed. Every advantage was taken of
+inexperience and simplicity; every article was charged, not according to
+its value, but to the skill or ignorance of the purchaser; old goods
+were sold as if new; cheap goods as if dear; and ancient, or vulgar
+ornaments, were presented to the unpractised chafferer, as the very pink
+of the mode.
+
+The rich and grand, who were capricious, difficult, and long in their
+examinations, because their time was their own; or rather, because it
+hung upon their hands; and whose utmost exertion, and sole practice of
+exercise consisted in strolling from a sofa to a carriage, were
+instantly, and with fulsome adulation, attended; while the meaner, or
+economical, whose time had its essential appropriations, and was
+therefore precious, were obliged to wait patiently for being served,
+till no coach was at the door, and every fine lady had sauntered away.
+And even then, they were scarcely heard when they spoke; scarcely shewn
+what they demanded; and scarcely thanked for what they purchased.
+
+In viewing conflicts such as these, between selfish vanity and cringing
+cunning, it soon became difficult to decide, which was least congenial
+to the upright mind and pure morality of Juliet, the insolent, vain,
+unfeeling buyer, or the subtle, plausible, over-reaching seller.
+
+The companions of Juliet in this business, though devoted, of course, to
+its manual operations, left all its cares to its mistress. Their own
+wishes and hopes were caught by other objects. The town was filled with
+officers, whose military occupations were brief, whose acquaintances
+were few, and who could not, all day long, ride, or pursue the sports of
+the field. These gentlemen, for their idle moments, chose to deem all
+the unprotected young women whom they thought worth observance, their
+natural prey. And though, from race to race, and from time immemorial,
+the young female shop-keeper had been warned of the danger, the folly,
+and the fate of her predecessors; in listening to the itinerant admirer,
+who, here to-day and gone to-morrow, marches his adorations, from town
+to town with as much facility, and as little regret, as his regiment;
+still every new votary to the counter and the modes, was ready to go
+over the same ground that had been trodden before; with the fond
+persuasion of proving an exception to those who had ended in misery and
+disgrace, by finishing, herself, with marriage and promotion. Their
+minds, therefore, were engaged in airy projects; and their leisure,
+where they could elude the vigilance of Miss Matson, was devoted to
+clandestine coquetry, tittering whispers, and secret frolics.
+
+'These,' said Juliet, in a letter to Gabriella, 'are now my destined
+associates! Ah, heaven! can these--can such as these,--setting aside
+pride, prejudice, propriety, or whatever word we use for the
+distinctions of society,--can these--can such as these, suffice as
+companions to her whose grateful heart has been honoured with the
+friendship of Gabriella? O hours of refined felicity past and gone, how
+severe is your contrast with those of heaviness and distaste now
+endured!'
+
+The inexperience of Juliet in business, impeded not her acquiring almost
+immediate excellence in the millinery art, for which she was equally
+fitted by native taste, and by her remembrance of what she had seen
+abroad. The first time, therefore, that she was employed to arrange some
+ornaments, she adjusted them with an elegance so striking, that Miss
+Matson, with much parade, exhibited them to her best lady-customers, as
+a specimen of the very last new fashion, just brought her over by one of
+her young ladies from Paris.
+
+In a town that subsists by the search of health for the sick, and of
+amusement for the idle, the smallest new circumstance is of sufficient
+weight to be related and canvassed; for there is ever most to say where
+there is least to do. The phrase, therefore, that went forth from Miss
+Matson, that one of her young ladies was just come from France, was soon
+spread through the neighbourhood; with the addition that the same person
+had brought over specimens of all the French _costume_.
+
+Such a report could not fail to allure staring customers to the shop,
+where the attraction of the youth and beauty of the new work-woman,
+contrasted with her determined silence to all enquiry, gave birth to
+perpetually varying conjectures in her presence, which were followed by
+the most eccentric assertions where she was the subject of discourse in
+her absence. All that already had been spread abroad, of her acting, her
+teaching, her playing the harp, her needle-work, and, more than all, her
+having excited a suicide; was now in every mouth; and curiosity, baffled
+in successive attempts to penetrate into the truth, supplied, as usual,
+every chasm of fact by invention.
+
+This species of commerce, always at hand, and always fertile, proved so
+highly amusing to the lassitude of the idle, and to the frivolousness of
+the dissipated, that, in a very few days, the shop of Miss Matson became
+the general rendezvous of the saunterers, male and female, of
+Brighthelmstone. The starers were happy to present themselves where
+there was something to see; the strollers, where there was any where to
+go; the loungers, where there was any pretence to stay; and the curious
+where there was any thing to develop in which they had no concern.
+
+Juliet, at first, ignorant of the usual traffic of the shop, imagined
+this affluence of customers to be habitual; but she was soon undeceived,
+by finding herself the object of inquisitive examination; and by
+overhearing unrestrained inquiries made to Miss Matson, of 'Pray, Ma'am,
+which is your famous French milliner?'
+
+In the midst of these various distastes and discomforts, some interest
+was raised in the mind of Juliet, for one of her young
+fellow-work-women. It was not, indeed, that warm interest which is the
+precursor of friendship; its object had no qualities that could rise to
+such a height; it was simply a sensation of pity, abetted by a wish of
+doing good.
+
+Flora Pierson, without either fine features or fine countenance, had
+strikingly the beauty of youth in a fair complexion, round, plump, rosy
+cheeks, bright, though unmeaning eyes, and an air of health, strength,
+and juvenile good humour, that was diffused copiously through her whole
+appearance. She was innocent and inoffensive, and, as far as she was
+able to think, well meaning, and ready to be at every body's command;
+though incapable to be at any body's service. Yet her simplicity was of
+that happy sort that never occasions self-distress, from being wholly
+unaccompanied by any consciousness of deficiency or inferiority.
+Accustomed to be laughed at almost whenever she spoke, she saw the smile
+that she raised without emotion; or participated in it without knowing
+why; and she heard the sneer that followed her simple merriment without
+displeasure; though sometimes she would a little wonder what it meant.
+
+This young creature, who had but barely passed her sixteenth year, had
+already attracted the dangerous attention of various officers, from
+whose several attacks and manoeuvres she had hitherto been rescued by
+the vigilance of Miss Matson. Each of these anecdotes she eagerly took,
+or rather made opportunities to communicate to Juliet; waiting for no
+other encouragement than the absence of Miss Matson, and using no other
+prelude than 'Now I've got something else to tell you!'
+
+Except for some slight mixture of contempt, Juliet heard these tales
+with perfect indifference; till that ungenial feeling, or rather absence
+of feeling, was superceded by compassion, upon finding that she was the
+object, probably the dupe, of a new and unfinished adventure, with which
+Miss Matson was as yet unacquainted. 'Now, Miss Ellis!' she cried, 'I'll
+tell you the drollest part of all, shall I? Well, do you know I've got
+another admirer that's above all the rest? And yet he i'n't a captain,
+neither, nor an officer. But he's quite a gentleman of quality, for he's
+a knight baronight. And he's very pretty, I assure you. As pretty as
+you, only his nose is a little shorter, and his mouth is a little
+bigger. And he has not got quite so much colour; for he is very pale.
+But he's prettier than I am, I believe. Yet I'm not very homely, people
+say. I'm sure I don't know. One can't judge one's self. But I believe
+I'm very well. At least, I am not very brown; I know that, by my
+looking-glass. I've a pretty good skin of my own.'
+
+Neither the giggling derision of her fellow-work-women, nor the total
+abstinence from enquiry or comment with which Juliet heard these
+insignificant details, checked the pleasure of Flora in her own prattle;
+which, whenever she could find some one to address,--for she waited not
+till any one would listen,--went on, with sleepy good humour, and
+pretty, but unintelligent smiles, from the moment that she rose, to the
+moment that she went to rest. But when, in great confidence, and
+declaring that nobody was in the secret, except just Miss Biddy, and
+Miss Jenny, and Miss Polly, and Miss Betsey, she made known who was this
+last and most striking admirer, the attention of Juliet was roused; it
+was Sir Lyell Sycamore.
+
+Copiously, and with looks of triumph, Flora related her history with the
+young Baronet. First of all, she said, he had declared, in ever so many
+little whispers, that he was in love with her; and next, he had made her
+ever so many beautiful presents, of ear-rings, necklaces, and trinkets;
+always sending them by a porter, who pretended that they were just
+arrived by the Diligence; with a letter to shew to Miss Matson,
+importing that an uncle of Flora's, who resided in Northumberlandshire,
+begged her to accept these remembrances. 'Though I'm sure I don't know
+how he found out that I've got an uncle there,' she continued, 'unless
+it was by my telling it him, when he asked me what relations I had.'
+
+Her gratitude and vanity thus at once excited, Sir Lyell told her that
+he had some important intelligence to communicate, which could not be
+revealed in a short whisper in the shop: he begged her, therefore, to
+meet him upon the Strand, a little way out of the town, one Sunday
+afternoon; while Miss Matson might suppose that she was taking her usual
+recreation with the rest of the young ladies. 'So I could not refuse
+him, you may think,' she said, 'after being so much obliged to him; and
+so we walked together by the sea-side, and he was as agreeable as ever;
+and so was I, too, I believe, if I may judge without flattery. At least,
+he said I was, over and over; and he's a pretty good judge, I believe, a
+man of his quality. But I sha'n't tell you what he said to me; for he
+said I was as fresh as a violet, and as fair as jessamy, and as sweet as
+a pink, and as rosy as a rose; but one must not over and above believe
+the gentlemen, mamma says, for what they say is but half a compliment.
+However, what do you think, Miss Ellis? Only guess! For all his being so
+polite, do you know, he was upon the point of behaving rude? Only I told
+him I'd squall out, if he did. But he spoke so pretty when he saw I was
+vexed, that I could not be very angry with him about it; could I?
+Besides, men will be rude, naturally, mamma says.'
+
+'But does not your mamma tell you, also, Miss Pierson, that you must not
+walk out alone with gentlemen?'
+
+'O dear, yes! She's told me that ever so often. And I told it to Sir
+Lyell; and I said to him we had better not go. But he said that would
+kill him, poor gentleman! And he looked as sorrowful as ever you saw;
+just as if he was going to cry. I'm sure I'm glad he did not, poor
+gentleman! for if he had, it's ten to one but I should have cried too;
+unless, out of ill luck, I had happened to fall a laughing; for it's
+odds which I do, sometimes, when I'm put in a fidget. However, upon
+seeing his sister, along with some company of his acquaintance, not far
+off, he said I had better go back: but he promised me, if I would meet
+him again the next Sunday, he would have a post-chaise o'purpose for me,
+because of the pebbles being so hard for my feet; and he'd take me ever
+so pretty a ride, he said, upon the Downs. But he came the next morning
+to tell me he was forced, by ill luck, to go to London; but he'd soon be
+back: and he bid me, ever so often, not to say one word of what had
+passed to a living creature; for if his sister should get an inkling of
+his being in love with me, there would be fine work, he said! But he'd
+bring me ever so many pretty things, he said, from London.'
+
+Juliet listened to this history with the deepest indignation against the
+barbarous libertine, who, with egotism so inhuman, sought to rob, first
+of innocence, and next, for it would be the inevitable consequence, of
+all her fair prospects in life, a young creature whose simplicity
+disabled her from seeing her danger; whose credulity induced her to
+agree to whatever was proposed; and whose weakness of intellect rendered
+it as much a dishonour as a cruelty to make her a dupe.
+
+Whatever could be suggested to awaken the simple maiden to a sense of
+her perilous situation, was instantly urged; but without any effect. Sir
+Lyell Sycamore, she answered, had owned that he was in love with her;
+and it was very hard if she must be ill natured to him in return;
+especially as, if she behaved agreeably, nobody could tell but he might
+mean to make her a lady. Where a vision so refulgent, which every speech
+of Sir Lyell's, couched in ambiguous terms, though adroitly evasive of
+promise, had been insidiously calculated to present, was sparkling full
+in sight, how unequal were the efforts of sober truth and reason, to
+substitute in its place cold, dull, disappointing reality! Juliet soon
+relinquished the attempt as hopeless. Where ignorance is united with
+vanity, advice, or reproof, combat it in vain. She addressed her
+remonstrances, therefore, to their fellow-work-women; every one of
+which, it was evident, was a confidant of the dangerous secret. How was
+it, she demanded, that, aware of the ductility of temper of this poor
+young creature, they had suffered her to form so alarming a connexion,
+unknown either to her friends or to Miss Matson?
+
+Pettishly affronted, they answered, that they were not a set of fusty
+duennas: that if Miss Pierson were ever so young, that did not make them
+old; that she might as well take care of herself, therefore, as they of
+themselves. Besides, nobody could tell but Sir Lyell Sycamore meant to
+marry her; and indeed they none of them doubted that such was his
+design; because he was politeness itself to all of them round, though he
+was most particular, to be sure, to Miss Pierson. They could not think,
+therefore, of making such a gentleman their enemy, any more than of
+standing in the way of Miss Pierson's good fortune; for, to their
+certain knowledge, there were more grand matches spoilt by meddling and
+making, than by any thing else upon earth.
+
+Here again, what were the chances of truth and reason against the
+semblance, at least the pretence of generosity, which thus covered folly
+and imprudence? Each aspiring damsel, too, had some similar secret, or
+correspondent hope of her own; and found it convenient to reject, as
+treachery, an appeal against a sister work-woman, that might operate as
+an example for a similar one against herself.
+
+Juliet, therefore, could but determine to watch the weak, if not willing
+victim, while yet under the same roof; and openly, before she quitted
+it, to reveal the threatening danger to Miss Matson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI
+
+
+The first Sunday that Juliet passed in this new situation, nearly robbed
+her of the good will of the whole of the little community to which she
+belonged. It was the only day in the week in which the young work-women
+were allowed some hours for recreation; they considered it, therefore,
+as rightfully dedicated, after the church-service, to amusement with one
+another; and Juliet, in refusing to join in a custom which they held to
+be the basis of their freedom and happiness, appeared to them an
+unsocial and haughty innovator. Yet neither wearying remonstrances, nor
+persecuting persuasions, could prevail upon her to parade with them upon
+the Steyne; to stroll with them by the sea-side; to ramble upon the
+Downs; or to form a party for Shoreham, or Devil's Dyke.
+
+Evil is so relative, that the same chamber, the lonely sadness of which,
+since her privation of Gabriella, had become nearly insupportable to
+her, was now, from a new contrast, almost all that she immediately
+coveted. The bustle, the fatigue, the obtrusion of new faces, the spirit
+of petty intrigue, and the eternal clang of tongues, which she had to
+endure in the shop, made quiet, even in its most uninteresting dulness,
+desirable and consoling.
+
+To approach herself, as nearly as might be in her power, to the loved
+society which she had lost, she destined this only interval of peace and
+leisure, to her pen and Gabriella; and such was her employment, when the
+sound of slow steps, upon the stairs, followed by a gentle tap at her
+door, at once interrupted and surprised her. Miss Matson and her maids,
+as well as her work-women, were spending their Sabbath abroad; and a
+shop-man was left to take care of the house. The tap, however, was
+repeated, and, obeying its call, Juliet beheld Sir Jaspar Herrington,
+the gouty old Baronet.
+
+The expression of her countenance immediately demanded explanation, if
+not apology, as she stepped forward upon the landing-place, to make
+clear that she should not receive him in her apartment.
+
+His keen eye read her meaning, though, affecting not to perceive it, he
+pleasantly said, 'How? immured in your chamber? and of a gala day?'
+
+The recollection of the essential, however forced obligation, which she
+owed to him, for her deliverance from the persecution of Miss Bydel,
+soon dissipated her first impression in his disfavour, and she quietly
+answered that she went very little abroad: but when she would have
+enquired into his business, 'You can refuse yourself, then,' he cried,
+pretending not to hear her, 'the honour--or pleasure, which shall we
+call it? of sharing in the gaieties of your fair fellow-votaries to the
+needle? I suspected you of this self-denial. I had a secret presentiment
+that you would be insensible to the fluttering joys of your sister
+spinsters. How did I divine you so well? What is it you have about you
+that sets one's imagination so to work?'
+
+Juliet replied, that she would not presume to interfere with the
+business of his penetration, but that, as she was occupied, she must beg
+to know, at once, his commands.
+
+'Not so hasty! not so hasty!' he cried: 'You must shew me some little
+consideration, if only in excuse for the total want of it which you have
+caused in those little imps, that beset my slumbers by night, and my
+reveries by day. They have gotten so much the better of me now, that I
+am equally at a loss how to sleep or how to wake for them. 'Why don't
+you find out,' they cry, 'whether this syren likes her new situation?
+Why don't you discover whether any thing better can be done for her?'
+And then, all of one accord, they so pommel and bemaul me, that you
+would pity me, I give you my word, if you could see the condition into
+which they put my poor conscience; however little so fair a young
+creature may be disposed to feel pity, for such a hobbling, gouty old
+fellow as I am!'
+
+Softened by this benevolent solicitude, Juliet, thankfully, spoke of
+herself with all the cheerfulness that she could assume; and, encouraged
+by her lessened reserve, Sir Jaspar, to her unspeakable surprise, said,
+'There is one point, I own, which I have an extreme desire to know; how
+long may it be that you have left the stage, and from what latent
+cause?'
+
+No explanation, however, could be attempted: the attention of Juliet was
+called into another channel, by the sound of a titter, which led her to
+perceive Flora Pierson; who, almost convulsed with delight at having
+surprised them, said that she had heard, from the shop-man, that Miss
+Ellis and Sir Jaspar were talking together upon the stairs, and she had
+stolen up the back way, and crept softly through one of the garrets, on
+purpose to come upon them unawares. 'So now,' added she, nodding, 'we'll
+go into my room, if you please, Miss Ellis; for I have got something
+else to tell you! Only you must not stay with me long.'
+
+'And not to tell me, too?' cried Sir Jaspar, chucking her under the
+chin: 'How's this, my daffodil? my pink? my lilly? how's this? surely
+you have not any secrets for me?'
+
+'O yes, I have, Sir Jaspar! because you're a gentleman, you know, Sir
+Jaspar. And one must not tell every thing to gentlemen, mamma says.'
+
+'Mamma says? but you are too much a woman to mind what mamma says, I
+hope, my rose, my daisy?' cried Sir Jaspar, chucking her again under the
+chin, while she smiled and courtsied in return.
+
+Juliet would have re-entered her chamber; but Flora, catching her gown,
+said, 'Why now, Miss Ellis, I bid you come to my room, if you please,
+Miss Ellis; 'cause then I can show you my presents; as well as tell you
+something.--Come, will you go? for it's something that's quite a secret,
+I assure you; for I have not told it to any body yet; not even to our
+young ladies; for it's but just happened. So you've got my first
+confidence this time: and you have a right to take that very kind of me,
+for it's what I've promised, upon my word and honour, and as true as
+true can be, not to tell to any body; not so much as to a living soul!'
+
+To be freed quietly from the Baronet, Juliet consented to attend her;
+and Flora, with many smiles and nods at Sir Jaspar, begged that he would
+not be affronted that she did not tell all her secrets to gentlemen;
+and, shutting him out, began her tale.
+
+'Now I'll tell you what it is I'm going to tell you, Miss Ellis. Do you
+know who I met, just now, upon the Steyne, while I was walking with our
+young ladies, not thinking of any thing? You can't guess, can you? Why
+Sir Lyell himself. I gave such a squeak! But he spoke to all our young
+ladies first. And I was half a mind to cry; only I happened to be in one
+of my laughing fits. And when once I am upon my gig, papa says, if the
+world were all to tumble down, it would not hinder me of my smiling.
+Though I am sure I often don't know what it's for. If any body asked me,
+I could not tell, one time in twenty. But Sir Lyell's very clever;
+cleverer than I am, by half, I believe. For he got to speak to me, at
+last, so as nobody could hear a word he said, but just me. Nor I could
+not, either, but only he spoke quite in my ear.'
+
+'And do you think it right, Miss Pierson, to let gentlemen whisper you?'
+
+'O, I could not bid him not, you know. I could not be rude to a
+Knight-Baronet! Besides, he said he was come down from London, on
+purpose for nothing else but to see me! A Knight-Baronet, Miss Ellis!
+That's very good natured, is it not? I dare say he means something by
+it. Don't you? However, I shall know more by and by, most likely; for he
+whispered me to make believe I'd got a head-ache, and to come home by
+myself, and wait for him in my own room: for he says he has brought me
+the prettiest present that ever I saw from London. So you see how
+generous he is; i'n't he? And he'll bring it me himself, to make me a
+little visit. So then, very likely, he'll speak out. Won't he? But he
+bid me tell it to nobody. So say nothing if you see him, for it will
+only be the way to make him angry. I must not put the shop-man in the
+secret, he says, for he shall only ask for old Sir Jaspar; and he shall
+go to him first, and make the shop-man think he is with him all the
+time. So I told our young ladies I'd got a head-ache, sure enough; but
+don't be uneasy, for it's only make believe; for I'm very well.'
+
+Filled with alarm for the simple, deluded maiden, Juliet now made an
+undisguised representation of her danger; earnestly charging her not to
+receive the dangerous visit.
+
+But Flora, self-willed, though good natured, would not hear a word.
+
+    No ass so meek;--no mule so obstinate.
+
+She never contradicted, yet never listened; she never gave an opinion,
+yet never followed one. She was neither endowed with timidity to suspect
+her deficiencies, nor with sense to conceive how she might be better
+informed. She came to Juliet merely to talk; and when her prattle was
+over, or interrupted, she had no thought but to be gone.
+
+'O yes, I must see him, Miss Ellis,' she cried; 'for you can't think how
+ill he'll take it, if I don't. But now we have stayed talking together
+so long, I can't shew you my presents till he is gone, for fear he
+should come. But don't mind, for then I shall have the new ones to shew
+you, too. But if I don't do what he bids me, he'll be as angry as can
+be, for all he's my lover; (smiling.) He makes very free with me
+sometimes; only I don't mind it; because I'm pretty much used to it,
+from one or another. Sometimes he'll say I am the greatest simpleton
+that ever he knew in his life; for all he calls me his angel! He don't
+make much ceremony with me, when I don't understand his signs. But it
+don't much signify, for the more he's angry, the more he's kind, when
+it's over, (smiling.) And then he brings me prettier things than ever.
+So I a'n't much a loser. I've no great need to cry about it. And he says
+I'm quite a little goddess, often and often, if I'd believe him. Only
+one must not believe the men over much, when they are gentlemen, I
+believe.'
+
+Juliet, kindly taking her hand, would have drawn her into her own
+chamber; but they were no sooner in the passage, than Flora jumped back,
+and, shaking with laughter at her ingenuity, shut and locked herself
+into her room.
+
+Juliet now renounced, perforce, all thought of serving her except
+through the medium of Miss Matson; and she was returning, much vexed, to
+her own small apartment, when she saw Sir Jaspar, who, leaning against
+the banisters, seemed to have been waiting for her, step curiously
+forward, as she opened her door, to take a view of her chamber. With
+quick impulse, to check this liberty, she hastily pushed to the door;
+not recollecting, till too late, that the key, by which alone it was
+opened, was on the inside.
+
+Chagrined, she repaired to Flora, telling the accident, and begging
+admittance.
+
+Flora, laughing with all her heart, positively refused to open the door;
+saying that she would rather be without company.
+
+The shop-man now came up stairs, to see what was going forward, and to
+enquire whether Miss Pierson, who had told him that she was ill, found
+herself worse. Flora, hastily checking her mirth, answered that her head
+ached, and she would lie down; and then spoke no more.
+
+The shop-man made an attempt to enter into conversation with Juliet; but
+she gravely requested that he would be so good as to order a smith to
+open the lock of her door.
+
+He ought not, he said, to leave the house in the absence of Miss Matson;
+but he would run the risk for the pleasure of obliging her, if she would
+only step down into the shop, to answer to the bell or the knocker.
+
+To this, in preference to being shut out of her room, she would
+immediately have consented, but that she feared the arrival of Sir
+Lyell Sycamore. She asked the shop-man, therefore, if there were any
+objection to her waiting in the little parlour.
+
+None in the world, he answered; for he had Miss Matson's leave to use it
+when she was out of a Sunday; and he should be very glad if Miss Ellis
+would oblige him with her company.
+
+Juliet declined this proposal with an air that repressed any further
+attempt at intimacy; and the shop-man returned to his post.
+
+'I must not, I suppose,' the Baronet, then advancing, said, 'presume to
+offer you shelter under my roof from the inclemencies of the staircase?
+And yet I think I may venture, without being indecorous, to mention,
+that I am going out for my usual airing; and that you may take
+possession of your old apartment, upon your own misanthropical terms. At
+all events, I shall leave you the door open, place some books upon the
+table, take out my servants, and order that no one shall molest you.'
+
+Extremely pleased by a kindness so much to her taste, Juliet would
+gratefully have accepted this offer, but for the visit that she knew to
+be designed for the same apartment; which the absence of its master was
+not likely to prevent, as the pretence of writing a note, or his name,
+would suffice with Sir Lyell for mounting the stairs. Who then could
+protect Flora? Could Juliet herself come forward, when no one else
+remained in the house, conscious, as she could not but be, of the
+dishonourable views of which she, also, had been the object? The
+departure of Sir Jaspar appeared, therefore, to be big with mischief;
+and, when he was making a leave-taking bow, she almost involuntarily
+said, 'You are forced, then, Sir, to go out this morning?'
+
+Surprized and pleased, he answered, 'What! have my little fairy elves
+given you a lesson of humanity? Nay, if so, though they should pommel
+and maul me for a month to come, I shall yet be their obedient humble
+servant.'
+
+He then gave orders aloud that his carriage should be put up; saying,
+that he had letters to write, and that his servants might go and amuse
+themselves for an hour or two where they pleased.
+
+Juliet, now, was crimsoned with shame and embarrassment. How account for
+thus palpably wishing him to remain in the house? or how suffer him, by
+silence, to suppose it was from a desire of his society? Her blushes
+astonished, yet, by heightening her beauty, charmed still more than they
+perplexed him. To settle what to think of her might be difficult and
+teazing; but to admire her was easy and pleasant. He approached her,
+therefore, with the most flattering looks and smiles; but, to avoid any
+mistake in his manner of addressing her, he kept his speech back, with
+his judgment, till he could learn her purpose.
+
+This prudential circumspection redoubled her confusion, and she
+hesitatingly stammered her concern that she had prevented his airing.
+
+More amazed still, but still more enchanted, to see her thus at a loss
+what to say, though evidently pleased that he had relinquished his
+little excursion, he was making a motion to take her hand, which she had
+scarcely perceived, when a violent ringing at the door-bell, checked
+him; and concentrated all her solicitude in the impending danger of
+Flora; and, in her eagerness to rescue the simple girl from ruin, she
+hastily said: 'Can you, Sir Jaspar, forgive a liberty in the cause of
+humanity? May I appeal to your generosity? You will receive a visitor in
+a few minutes, whom I have earnest reasons for wishing you to detain in
+your apartment to the last moment that is possible. May I make so
+extraordinary a request?'
+
+'Request?' repeated Sir Jaspar, charmed by what he considered as an
+opening to intimacy; 'can you utter any thing but commands? The most
+benignant sprite of all Fairyland, has inspired you with this gracious
+disposition to dub me your knight.'
+
+Yet his eyes, still bright with intelligence, and now full of fanciful
+wonder, suddenly emitted an expression less rapturous, when he
+distinguished the voice of Sir Lyell Sycamore, in parley with the
+shop-man. Disappointment and chagrin soon took place of sportive
+playfulness in his countenance; and, muttering between his teeth, 'O ho!
+Sir Lyell Sycamore!'--he fixed his keen eyes sharply upon Juliet; with a
+look in which she could not but read the ill construction to which her
+seeming knowledge of that young man's motions, and her apparent interest
+in them, made her liable; and how much his light opinion of Sir Lyell's
+character, affected his partial, though still fluctuating one of her
+own.
+
+Sir Lyell, however, was upon the stairs, and she did not dare enter into
+any justification; Sir Jaspar, too, was silent; but the young baronet
+mounted, singing, in a loud voice,
+
+    O my love, lov'st thou me?
+    Then quickly come and see one who dies for thee!
+
+'Yes here I come, Sir Lyell!'--in a low, husky, laughing voice, cried
+Flora, peeping through her chamber-door; which was immediately at the
+head of the stairs, upon the second floor; and to which Sir Lyell looked
+up, softly whispering, 'Be still, my little angel! and, in ten
+minutes--' He stopt abruptly, for Sir Jaspar now caught his astonished
+sight, upon the landing-place of the attic story, with Juliet retreating
+behind him.
+
+'O ho! you are there, are you?' he cried, in a tone of ludicrous
+accusation.
+
+'And you, you are there, are you?' answered Sir Jaspar, in a voice more
+seriously taunting.
+
+Juliet, hurt and confounded, would have escaped through the garret to
+the back stairs, but that her hat and cloak, without which she could not
+leave the house, were shut into her room. She tried, therefore, to look
+unmoved; well aware that the best chance to escape impertinence, is by
+not appearing to suspect that any is intended.
+
+Three strides now brought Sir Lyell before her. His amazement, vented by
+rattling exclamations, again perplexed Sir Jaspar; for how could Juliet
+have been apprized of his intended visit, but by himself?
+
+Sir Lyell, mingling the most florid compliments upon her radiant beauty,
+and bright bloom, with his pleasure at her sight, said that, from the
+reports which had reached him, that she had given up her singing, and
+her teaching, and that Sir Jaspar had taken the room which she had
+inhabited, he had concluded that she had quitted Brighthelmstone. He was
+going rapidly on in the same strain, the observant Sir Jaspar intently
+watching her looks, while curiously listening to his every word; when
+Juliet, without seeming to have attended to a syllable, related, with
+grave brevity, that she had unfortunately shut in the key of her room,
+and must therefore seek Miss Matson, to demand another; and then, with
+steady steps, that studiously kept in order innumerable timid fears, she
+descended to the shop; leaving the two Baronets mutually struck by her
+superiour air and manner; and each, though equally desirous to follow
+her, involuntarily standing still, to wait the motions of the other; and
+thence to judge of his pretensions to her favour.
+
+Juliet found the shop empty, but the street-door open, and the shop-man
+sauntering before it, to look at the passers by. Glad to be, for a
+while, at least, spared the distaste of his company, she shut herself
+into the little parlour, carefully drawing the curtain of the
+glass-door.
+
+The two Baronets, as she expected, soon descended; the younger one eager
+to take leave of the elder, and privately re-mount the stairs; and Sir
+Jaspar, fixed to obey the injunctions, however unaccountable, of Juliet,
+in detaining and keeping sight of him to the last moment.
+
+'Decamped, I swear, the little vixen!' exclaimed Sir Lyell, striding in
+first; 'but why the d--l do you come down, Sir Jaspar?'
+
+'For exercise, not ceremony,' he answered; though, little wanting
+further exertion, and heartily tired, he dropt down upon the first
+chair.
+
+Sir Lyell vainly offered his arm, and pressed to aid him back to his
+apartment; he would not move.
+
+After some time thus wasted, Sir Lyell, mortified and provoked, cast
+himself upon the counter, and whistled, to disguise his ill humour.
+
+A pause now ensued, which Sir Jaspar broke, by hesitatingly, yet with
+earnestness, saying, 'Sir Lyell Sycamore, I am not, you will do me the
+justice to believe, a sour old fellow, to delight in mischief; a surly
+old dog, to mar the pleasures of which I cannot partake; if, therefore,
+to answer what I mean to ask will thwart any of your projects, leave me
+and my curiosity in the lurch; if not, you will sensibly gratify me, by
+a little frank communication. I don't meddle with your affair with
+Flora; 'tis a blooming little wild rose-bud, but of too common a species
+to be worth analysing. This other young creature, however, whose wings
+your bird-lime seems also to have entangled--'
+
+'How so?' interrupted Sir Lyell, jumping eagerly from the counter, 'what
+the d--l do you mean by that?'
+
+'Not to be indiscreet, I promise you,' answered Sir Jaspar; 'but as I
+see the interest she takes in you,--'
+
+'The d--l you do?' exclaimed Sir Lyell, in an accent of surprize, yet of
+transport.
+
+Sir Jaspar now, ironically smiling, said, 'You don't know it, then, Sir
+Lyell? You are modest?--diffident? unconscious?--'
+
+'My dear boy!' cried Sir Lyell, riotously, and approaching familiarly to
+embrace him, 'what a devilish kind office I shall owe you, if you can
+put any good notions into my head of that delicious girl!'
+
+New doubts now destroying his recent suspicions, Sir Jaspar held back,
+positively refusing to clear up what had dropt from him, and laughingly
+saying, 'Far be it from me to put any such notions into your head! I
+believe it amply stored! All my desire is to get some out of it. If,
+therefore, you can tell me, or, rather, will tell me, who or what this
+young creature is, you will do a kind office to my imagination, for
+which I shall be really thankful. Who is she, then? And what is she?'
+
+'D--l take me if I either know or care!' cried Sir Lyell, 'further than
+that she is a beauty of the first water; and that I should have adored
+her, exclusively, three months ago, if I had not believed her a thing of
+alabaster. But if you think her--'
+
+'Not I! not I!--I know nothing of her!' interrupted Sir Jaspar: 'she is
+a rose planted in the snow, for aught I can tell! The more I see, the
+less I understand; the more I surmize, the further I seem from the mark.
+Honestly, then, whence does she come? How did you first see her? What
+does she do at Brighthelmstone?'
+
+'May I go to old Nick if I am better informed than yourself! except that
+she sings and plays like twenty angels, and that all the women are
+jealous of her, and won't suffer a word to be said to her. However, I
+made up to her, at first, and should certainly have found her out, but
+for Melbury, who annoyed me with a long history of her virtue, and
+character, and Lady Aurora's friendship, and the d--l knows what; that
+made me so cursed sheepish, I was afraid of embarking in any measures of
+spirit. My sister, also, took lessons of her; and other game came into
+chase; and I should never have thought of her again, but that, when I
+went to town, a week or two ago, I learnt, from that Queen of the Crabs,
+Mrs Howel, that Melbury, in fact, knows no more of her than we do. He
+had nobody's world but her own for all her fine sentiments; so that he
+and his platonics would have kept me at bay no longer, if I had not
+believed her decamped from Brighthelmstone, upon hearing that you had
+got her lodging. How came you to turn her into the garret, my dear boy?
+Is that _a la mode_ of your _vieille cour_?'
+
+Sir Jaspar protested that, when he took the apartment, he knew not of
+her existence; and then enquired, whether Sir Lyell could tell in what
+name she had been upon the stage; and why she had quitted it.
+
+'The stage? O the d--l!' he exclaimed, 'has she been upon the stage?'
+
+'Yes; I heard the fact mentioned to her, the other day, by a
+fellow-performer! some low player, who challenged her as a sister of the
+buskins.'
+
+'What a glorious Statira she must make!' cried Sir Lyell. 'I am ready to
+be her Alexander when she will. That hint you have dropt, my dear old
+boy, sha'n't be thrown away upon me. But how the d--l did you find the
+dear charmer out?'
+
+Sir Jaspar again sought to draw back his information; but Sir Lyell
+swore that he would not so lightly be put aside from a view of success,
+now once it was fairly opened; and was vowing that he should begin a
+siege in form, and persevere to a surrender; when the conversation was
+interrupted, by the entrance of the shop-man, accompanied by a
+mantua-maker, who called upon some business.
+
+Juliet, who, from the beginning, had heard this discourse with the
+utmost uneasiness, and whom its conclusion had filled with indignant
+disgust; had no resource to avoid the yet greater evil of being joined
+by the interlocutors, but that of sitting motionless and unsuspected,
+till they should depart; or till Miss Matson should return. But her care
+and precaution proved vain: the shop-man invited Mrs Hart, the
+mantua-maker, into the little parlour; and, upon opening the door,
+Juliet met their astonished view.
+
+Sir Jaspar, not without evident anxiety, endeavoured to recollect what
+had dropt from him, that might hurt her; or how he might palliate what
+might have given her offence. But Sir Lyell, not at all disconcerted,
+and privately persuaded that half his difficulties were vanquished, by
+the accident that acquainted her with his design; was advancing,
+eagerly, with a volley of rapid compliments, upon his good fortune in
+again meeting with her; when Juliet, not deigning to seem conscious even
+of his presence, passed him without notice; and, addressing Mrs Hart,
+entreated that she would go up stairs to the room of Miss Pierson, to
+examine whether it were necessary to send for any advice; as she had
+returned home alone, and complained of being ill. Mrs Hart complied; and
+Juliet followed her to Flora's chamber-door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII
+
+
+The gentle tap that Mrs Hart, fearing to disturb her, gave at the door
+of Flora, deceived the expecting girl into a belief that Sir Lyell was
+at length arrived; and crying, in a low voice, as she opened it, 'O Sir!
+how long you have been coming!' she stared at sight of Mrs Hart, with an
+amazement equal to her disappointment.
+
+Presently, however, with a dejected look and tone, 'Well, now!' she
+cried, 'is it only you, Mrs Hart?--I thought it had been somebody quite
+different!'
+
+Mrs Hart, entering, enquired, with surprize, why Miss Ellis had said
+that Miss Pierson was ill, when, on the contrary, she had never seen her
+look better.
+
+'Well, now, Miss Ellis,' cried Flora, whispering Juliet, 'did not I tell
+you, as plain as could be, 'twas nothing but make believe?'
+
+Juliet, without offering any apology, answered, that she had invited Mrs
+Hart to make her a visit.
+
+'Why, now, what can you be thinking of?' cried Flora, angrily: 'Why, you
+know, as well as can be, that I want to see nobody! Why, have you forgot
+all I told you, already, about you know who? Why I never knew the like!
+Why he'll be fit to kill himself! I'll never tell you any thing again,
+if you beg me on your knees! so there's the end to your knowing any more
+of my secrets! and you've nobody but yourself to thank, if it vexes you
+never so!'
+
+Mrs Hart interrupted this murmuring, by enquiring who was the Sir that
+Miss Pierson expected; adding that, if it were the shop-man, it would be
+more proper Miss Pierson should go down stairs, than that she should let
+him come up to her room.
+
+'The shop-man?' repeated Flora, simpering, and winking at Juliet; 'no,
+indeed, Mrs Hart; you have not made a very good guess there! Has she,
+Miss Ellis? I don't think a man of quality, and a baronet, is very like
+a shop-man! Do you, Miss Ellis?'
+
+This blundering simplicity of vanity was not lost upon Mrs Hart. 'O ho!'
+she cried, 'you expect a baronet, do you, then, Miss Pierson? Why there
+were no less than two Baronets in the shop as I came through, just now;
+and there's one of them this minute crossing the way, and turning the
+corner.'
+
+'O Me! is he gone, then?' cried Flora, looking out of the window. 'O Me!
+what shall I do? O Miss Ellis! this is all your fault! And now, perhaps,
+he'll be so angry he'll never speak to me again! And if he don't, ten to
+one but it may break my heart! for that often happens when one's crossed
+in love. And if it does, I sha'n't thank you for it, I assure you! And
+it's just as likely as not!'
+
+Juliet, though she sought to appease both her grief and her wrath, could
+not but rejoice that their unguarded redundance informed Mrs Hart of the
+whole history: and Mrs Hart, who, though a plain, appeared to be a very
+worthy woman, immediately endeavoured to save the poor young creature,
+from the snares into which she was rather wilfully jumping, than
+deludedly falling, by giving her a pressing invitation to her own house
+for the rest of the day. But to this, neither entreaty nor reproof could
+obtain consent. Flora, like many who seem gentle, was only simple; and
+had neither docility nor comprehension for being turned aside from the
+prosecution of her wishes. To be thwarted in any desire, she considered
+as cruelty, and resented as ill treatment. She refused, therefore, to
+leave the house, while hoping for the return of Sir Lyell; and continued
+her childish wailing and fretting, till accident led her eyes to a
+favourite little box; when, her tears suddenly stopping, and her face
+brightening, she started up, seized, opened it, and, displaying a very
+pretty pair of ear-rings, exclaimed, 'Oh, I have never shewn you my
+presents, Miss Ellis! And now Mrs Hart may have a peep at them, too. So
+she's in pretty good luck, I think!'
+
+And then, with exulting pleasure, she produced all the costly trinkets
+that she had received from Sir Lyell; with some few, less valuable,
+which had been presented to her by Sir Jaspar; and all the baubles,
+however insignificant or babyish, that had been bestowed upon her by her
+friends and relatives, from her earliest youth. And these, with the
+important and separate history of each, occupied, unawares, her time,
+till the return of Miss Matson.
+
+Mrs Hart then descended, and, urged by Juliet, briefly and plainly
+communicated the situation and the danger of the young apprentice.
+
+Miss Matson, affrighted for the credit of her shop, determined to send
+for the mother of Flora, who resided at Lewes, the next day.
+
+Relieved now from her troublesome and untoward charge, Juliet had her
+door opened, and re-took possession of her room.
+
+And there, a new view of her own helpless and distressed condition,
+filled and dejected her with new alarm. The licentiously declared
+purpose of Sir Lyell had been shocking to her ears; and the
+consciousness that he knew that she was informed of his intention added
+to its horrour, from her inability to shew her resentment, in the only
+way that suited her character or her disposition, that of positively
+seeing him no more. But how avoid him while she had no other means of
+subsistence than working in an open shop?
+
+The following morning but too clearly justified her apprehensive
+prognostics, of the improprieties to which her defenceless state made
+her liable. At an early hour, Sir Lyell, gay, courteous, gallant,
+entered the shop, under pretence of enquiring for Sir Jaspar; whom he
+knew to be invisible, from his infirmities, to all but his own nurses
+and servants, till noon. Miss Matson was taciturn and watchful, though
+still, from the fear of making an enemy, respectful; while Flora,
+simpering and blushing, was ready to jump into his arms, in her
+eagerness to apologize for not having waited alone for him, according to
+his directions: but he did not look at Miss Matson, though he addressed
+her; nor address Flora, though, by a side glance, he saw her
+expectations; his attention, from the moment that he had asked, without
+listening to any answer, whether he could see Sir Jaspar, was all, and
+even publicly devoted to Juliet; whom he approached with an air of
+homage, and accosted with the most flattering compliments upon her good
+looks and her beauty.
+
+Juliet turned aside from him, with an indignant disgust, in which she
+hoped he would read her resentment of his scheme, and her abhorrence of
+his principles. But those who are deep in vice are commonly incredulous
+of virtue. Sir Lyell took her apparent displeasure, either for a
+timidity which flattery would banish, or an hypocrisy which boldness
+would conquer. He continued, therefore, his florid adulation to her
+charms; regarding the heightened colour of offended purity, but as an
+augmented attraction.
+
+Juliet perceived her failure to repress his assurance, with a
+disturbance that was soon encreased, by the visible jealousy manifested
+in the pouting lips and frowning brow of Flora; who, the moment that
+Sir Lyell, saying that he would call upon Sir Jaspar again, thought it
+prudent to retire, began a convulsive sobbing; averring that she saw why
+she had been betrayed; for that it was only to inveigle away her
+sweetheart.
+
+Pity for the ignorant accuser, might have subdued the disdain due to the
+accusation, and have induced Juliet to comfort her by a self-defence;
+but for a look, strongly expressing a suspicion to the same effect, from
+Miss Matson; which was succeeded by a general tossing up of the chins of
+the young work-women, and a murmur of, 'I wonder how she would like to
+be served so herself!'
+
+This was too offensive to be supported, and she retired to her chamber.
+
+If, already, the mingled frivolity and publicity of the business into
+which she had entered, had proved fatiguing to her spirits, and ungenial
+to her disposition; surmises, such as she now saw raised, of a petty and
+base rivality, urged by a pursuit the most licentious, rendered all
+attempt at its continuance intolerable. Without, therefore, a moment's
+hesitation, she determined to relinquish her present enterprise.
+
+The only, as well as immediate notion that occurred to her, in this new
+difficulty, was to apply to Mrs Hart, who seemed kind as well as civil,
+for employment.
+
+When she was summoned, therefore, by Miss Matson, with surprize and
+authority, back to the shop, she returned equipped for going abroad;
+and, after thanking her for the essay which she had permitted to be made
+in the millinery-business, declared that she found herself utterly unfit
+for so active and so public a line of life.
+
+Leaving then Miss Matson, Flora, and the young journey-women to their
+astonishment, she bent her course to the house of Mrs Hart; where her
+application was happily successful. Mrs Hart had work of importance just
+ordered for a great wedding in the neighbourhood, and was glad to engage
+so expert a hand for the occasion; agreeing to allow, in return, bed,
+board, and a small stipend per day.
+
+With infinite relief, Juliet went back to make her little preparations,
+and take leave of Miss Matson; by whom she was now followed to her room,
+with many earnest instances that she would relinquish her design. Miss
+Matson, in unison with the very common character to which she belonged,
+had appreciated Juliet not by her worth, her talents, or her labours,
+but by her avowed distress, and acknowledged poverty. Notwithstanding,
+therefore, her abilities and her industry, she had been uniformly
+considered as a dead weight to the business, and to the house. But now,
+when it appeared that the pennyless young woman had some other resource,
+the eyes of Miss Matson were suddenly opened to merits to which she had
+hitherto been blind. She felt all the advantages which the shop would
+lose by the departure of such an assistant; and recollected the many
+useful hints, in fashion and in elegance, which had been derived from
+her taste and fancy: her exemplary diligence in work; her gentle
+quietness of behaviour; and the numberless customers, which the various
+reports that were spread of her history, had drawn to the shop. All,
+now, however, was unavailing; the remembrance of what was over occurred
+too late to change the plan of Juliet; though a kinder appreciation of
+her character and services, while she was employed, might have engaged
+her to try some other method of getting rid of the libertine Baronet.
+
+Miss Matson then admonished her not to lose, at least, the benefit of
+her premium.
+
+'What premium?' cried Juliet.
+
+'Why that Sir Jaspar paid down for you.'
+
+Juliet, astonished, now learnt, that her admission as an inmate of the
+shop, which she had imagined due to the gossipping verbal influence of
+Miss Bydel, was the result of the far more substantial money-mediation
+of Sir Jaspar.
+
+She felt warmly grateful for his benevolence; yet wounded, in reflecting
+upon his doubts whether she deserved it; and confounded to owe another,
+and so heavy an obligation, to an utter stranger.
+
+She was finishing her little package, when the loud sobbings of Flora,
+while mounting the stairs for a similar, though by no means as voluntary
+a purpose, induced her to go forth, with a view to offer some
+consolation; but Flora, not less resentful than disconsolate, said that
+her mother was arrived to take her from all her fine prospects; and
+loaded Juliet with the unqualified accusation, of having betrayed her
+secrets, and ruined her fortune.
+
+Juliet had too strong a mind to suffer weak and unjust censure to breed
+any repentance that she had acted right. She could take one view only of
+the affair; and that brought only self-approvance of what she had done:
+if Sir Lyell meant honourably, Flora was easily followed; if not, she
+was happily rescued from earthly perdition.
+
+Nevertheless, she had too much sweetness of disposition, and too much
+benevolence of character, to be indifferent to reproach; though her
+vain efforts, either to clear her own conduct, or to appease the angry
+sorrows of Flora, all ended by the indignantly blubbering damsel's
+turning from her in sulky silence.
+
+Juliet then took a quick leave of Miss Matson, and of the young
+journey-women; and repaired to her new habitation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII
+
+
+Experience, the mother of caution, now taught Juliet explicitly to make
+known to her new chief, that she had no view to learn the art of
+mantua-making as a future trade, or employment; but simply desired to
+work at it in such details, as a general knowledge of the use of the
+needle might make serviceable and expeditious: no premium, therefore,
+could be expected by the mistress; and the work-woman would be at
+liberty to continue, or to renounce her engagement, from day to day.
+
+This agreement offered to her ideas something which seemed like an
+approach to the self-dependence, that she had so earnestly coveted: she
+entered, therefore, upon her new occupation with cheerfulness and
+alacrity, and with a diligence to which the hope, by being useful, to
+become necessary, gave no relaxation.
+
+The business, by this scrupulous devotion to its interests, was
+forwarded with such industry and success, that she soon became the open
+and decided favourite of the mistress whom she served; and who repaid
+her exertions by the warmest praise, and proposed her as a pattern to
+the rest of the sewing sisterhood.
+
+This approbation could not but cheer the toil of one whose mind, like
+that of Juliet, sought happiness, at this moment, only from upright and
+blameless conduct. She was mentally, also, relieved, by the local change
+of situation. She was now employed in a private apartment; and, though
+surrounded by still more fellow-work-women than at Miss Matson's, she
+was no longer constrained to remain in an open shop, in opposition alike
+to her inclinations and her wishes of concealment; no longer startled by
+the continual entrance and exit of strangers; nor exposed to curious
+enquirers, or hardy starers; and no longer fatigued by the perpetual
+revision of goods. She worked in perfect quietness, undisturbed and
+uninterrupted; her mistress was civil, and gave her encouragement; her
+fellow-semptresses were unobservant, and left her to her own reflexions.
+
+It is not, however, in courts alone that favour is perilous; in all
+circles, and all classes, from the most eminent to the most obscure, the
+'Favourite has no friend[19]!' The praises and the comparisons, by which
+Mrs Hart hoped to stimulate her little community to emulation, excited
+only jealousy, envy, and ill will; and a week had not elapsed, in this
+new and short tranquillity, before Juliet found that her superiour
+diligence was regarded, by her needle-sisterhood, as a mean artifice 'to
+set herself off to advantage at their cost.' Sneers and hints to this
+effect followed every panegyric of Mrs Hart; and robbed approbation of
+its pleasure, though they could not of its value.
+
+[Footnote 19: Gray.]
+
+Chagrined by a consequence so unpleasant, to an industry that demanded
+fortitude, not discouragement; Juliet now felt the excess of her
+activity relax; and soon experienced a desire, if not a necessity, to
+steal some moments from application, for retirement and for herself.
+
+Here, again, she found the mischief to which ignorance of life had laid
+her open. The unremitting diligence with which she had begun her new
+office, had advanced her work with a rapidity, that made the smallest
+relaxation cause a sensible difference in its progress: and Mrs Hart,
+from first looking disappointed, asked next, whether nothing more were
+done? and then observed, how much quicker business had gone on the first
+week. In vain Juliet still executed more than all around her; the
+comparison was never made there, where it might have been to her
+advantage; all reference was to her own setting out; and she was soon
+taught to forgive the displeasure which, so inadvertently, she had
+excited, when she saw the claims to which she had made herself liable,
+by an incautious eagerness of zeal to reward, as well as earn, the
+maintenance which she owed to Mrs Hart.
+
+Alas, she thought, with what upright intentions may we be injudicious! I
+have thrown away the power of obliging, by too precipitate an eagerness
+to oblige! I retain merely that of avoiding to displease, by my most
+indefatigable application! All I can perform seems but a duty, and of
+course; all I leave undone, seems idleness and neglect. Yet what is the
+labour that never requires respite? What the mind, that never demands a
+few poor unshackled instants to itself?
+
+From this time, the little pleasure which she had been able to create
+for herself, from the virtue of her exertions, was at an end: to toil
+beyond her fellow-labourers, was but to provoke ill will; to allow
+herself any repose, was but to excite disapprobation. Hopeless,
+therefore, either way, she gave, with diligence, her allotted time to
+her occupation, but no more: all that remained, she solaced, by devoting
+to her pen and Gabriella, with whom her correspondence,--her sole
+consolation,--was unremitting.
+
+This unaffected conduct had its customary effect; it destroyed at once
+the too hardly earned favour of Mrs Hart, and the illiberal, yet too
+natural enmity of her apprentices; and, in the course of a very few
+days, Juliet was neither more esteemed, nor more censured, than any of
+her sisters of the sewing tribe.
+
+With the energy, however, of her original wishes and efforts, died all
+that could reconcile her to this sort of life. The hope of pleasing,
+which alone could soften its hardships, thus forcibly set aside, left
+nothing in its place, but calmness without contentment; dulness without
+serenity.
+
+Experience is not more exclusively the guide of our judgment, than
+comparison is the mistress of our feelings. Juliet now also found that,
+local publicity excepted, there was nothing to prefer in her new to her
+former situation; and something to like less. The employment itself was
+by no means equally agreeable for its disciples. The taste and fancy,
+requisite for the elegance and variety of the light work which she had
+quitted; however ineffectual to afford pleasure when called forth by
+necessity, rendered it, at least, less irksome, than the wearying
+sameness of perpetual basting, running, and hemming. Her
+fellow-labourers, though less pert and less obtrusive than those which
+she had left, had the same spirit for secret cabal, and the same passion
+for frolic and disguise; and also, like those, were all prattle and
+confidential sociability, in the absence of the mistress; all sullenness
+and taciturnity, in her presence. What little difference, therefore, she
+found in her position, was, that there she had been disgusted by
+under-bred flippancy; here, she was deadened by uninteresting monotony;
+and that there, perpetual motion, and incessant change of orders, and of
+objects, affected her nerves; while here, the unvarying repetition of
+stitch after stitch, nearly closed in sleep her faculties, as well as
+her eyes.
+
+The little stipend which, by agreement, she was paid every evening,
+though it occasioned her the most satisfactory, by no means gave her the
+most pleasant feeling, of the day. However respectable reason and
+justice render pecuniary emolument, where honourably earned; there is a
+something indefinable, which stands between spirit and delicacy, that
+makes the first reception of money in detail, by those not brought up to
+gain it, embarrassing and painful.
+
+During this tedious and unvaried period, if some minutes were snatched
+from fatiguing uniformity, it was only by alarm and displeasure, through
+the intrusion of Sir Lyell Sycamore; who, though always denied admission
+to herself, made frequent, bold, and frivolous pretences for bursting
+into the workroom. At one time, he came to enquire about a gown for his
+sister, of which Mrs Hart had never heard; at another, to look at a
+trimming for which she had had no commission; and at a third, to hurry
+the finishing of a dress, which had already been sent home. The motive
+to these various mock messages, was too palpable to escape even the most
+ordinary observation; yet though the perfect conduct, and icy coldness
+of Juliet, rescued her from all evil imputation amongst her companions,
+she saw, with pique and even horrour, that they were insufficient to
+repress the daring and determined hopes and expectations of the
+licentious Baronet; with whom the unexplained hint of Sir Jaspar had
+left a firm persuasion, that the fair object of his views more than
+returned his admiration; and waited merely for a decent attack, or
+proper offers, to acknowledge her secret inclinations.
+
+Juliet, however shocked, could only commit to time her cause, her
+consistency, her vindication.
+
+Three weeks had, in this manner, elapsed, when the particular business
+for which Mrs Hart had wanted an odd hand was finished; and Juliet, who
+had believed that her useful services would keep her employed at her own
+pleasure, abruptly found that her occupation was at an end.
+
+Here again, the wisdom of experience was acquired only by distress. The
+pleasure with which she had considered herself free, because engaged but
+by the day, was changed into the alarm of finding herself, from that
+very circumstance, without employment or home; and she now acknowledged
+the providence of those ties, which, from only feeling their
+inconvenience, she had thought oppressive and unnecessary. The
+established combinations of society are not to be judged by the personal
+opinions, and varying feelings, of individuals; but by general proofs of
+reciprocated advantages. If the needy helper require regular protection,
+the recompensing employer must claim regular service; and Juliet now
+saw, that though in being contracted but by the day, she escaped all
+continued constraint, and was set freshly at liberty every evening; she
+was, a stranger to security, subject to dismission, at the mercy of
+accident, and at the will of caprice.
+
+Thus perplexed and thus helpless, she applied to Mrs Hart, for counsel
+how to obtain immediate support. Gratified by the application, Mrs Hart
+again recommended her as a pattern to the young sisterhood; and then
+gave her advice, that she should bind herself, either to some milliner
+or some mantua-maker, as a journey-woman for three years.
+
+Painfully, again, Juliet attained further knowledge of the world, in
+learning the danger of asking counsel; except of the candid and wise,
+who know how to modify it by circumstances, and who will listen to
+opposing representations.
+
+Mrs Hart, from the moment that Juliet declined to be guided wholly by
+her judgment, lost all interest in her young work-woman's distresses.
+'If people won't follow advice,' she said, ''tis a sign they are not
+much to be pitied.' Vainly Juliet affirmed, that reasons which she could
+not explain, put it out of her power to take any measure so decisive;
+that, far from fixing her own destiny for three years, she had no means
+to ascertain, or scarcely even to conjecture, what it might be in three
+days; or perhaps in three hours; although in the interval of suspense,
+she was not less an object for present humanity, from the incertitude of
+what either her wants or her abundance might be in future; vainly she
+reasoned, vainly she pleaded. Mrs Hart always made the same reply: 'If
+people won't follow advice, 'tis a sign they are not much to be pitied.'
+
+In consequence of this maxim, Juliet next heard, that the small room and
+bed which she occupied, were wanted for another person.
+
+Alas! she thought, how long must we mingle with the world, ere we learn
+how to live in it! Must we demand no help from the understandings of
+others, unless we submit to renounce all use of our own?
+
+These reflections soon led her to hit upon the only true medium, for
+useful and safe general intercourse with the mass of mankind: that of
+avowing embarrassments, without demanding counsel; and of discussing
+difficulties, and gathering opinions, as matters of conversation; but
+always to keep in mind, that to ask advice, without a predetermination
+to follow it, is to call for censure, and to risk resentment.
+
+Thus died away in Juliet the short joy of freedom from the controul of
+positive engagements.
+
+Such freedom, she found, was but a source of perpetual difficulty and
+instability. She had the world to begin again; a new pursuit to fix
+upon; new recommendations to solicit; and a new dwelling to seek.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX
+
+
+Juliet was making enquiries of the young work-women, for a
+recommendation to some small lodging, when she was surprised by the
+receipt of a letter from Mrs Pierson, soliciting her company immediately
+at Lewes; where poor Flora, she said, was taken dangerously ill of a
+high fever, and was raving, continually, for Miss Ellis. A return
+post-chaise to the postilion of which Mrs Pierson had given directions
+to call at Mrs Hart's, at three o'clock in the afternoon, would bring
+her, for nearly nothing; if she would have so much charity as to come
+and comfort the poor girl; and Mrs Pierson would find a safe conveyance
+back at night, if Miss Ellis could not oblige them by sleeping at the
+house: but she hoped that Mrs Hart would not refuse to spare her from
+her work, for a few hours, as it might produce a favourable turn in the
+disorder.
+
+Juliet read this letter with real concern. Had she rescued the poor,
+weak, and wilful Flora from immediate moral, only to devote her to
+immediate physical, destruction? And what now could be devised for her
+relief? Her intellects were too feeble for reason, her temper was too
+petulant for entreaty. Nevertheless, the benevolent are easily urged to
+exertion; and Juliet would not refuse the summons of the distressed
+mother, while she could flatter herself that any possible means might be
+suggested for serving the self-willed, and half-witted, but innocent
+daughter.
+
+She set out, therefore, upon this plan, far from sanguine of success,
+but persuaded that the effort was a duty.
+
+By her own calculations from memory, she was arrived within about a mile
+of Lewes, when the horses suddenly turned down a narrow lane.
+
+She demanded of the postilion why he did not proceed straight forward.
+He answered, that he knew a short cut to the house of Mrs Pierson.
+Uneasy, nevertheless, at quitting thus alone the high road, she begged
+him to go the common way, promising to reward him for the additional
+time which it might require. But he drove on without replying; though,
+growing now alarmed, she called, supplicated, and menaced in turn.
+
+She looked from window to window to seek some object to whom she might
+apply for aid; none appeared, save a man on horseback, whom she had
+already noticed from time to time, near the side of the chaise; and to
+whom she was beginning to appeal, when she surprised him making signs to
+hurry on the postilion.
+
+She now believed the postilion himself to be leagued with some
+highwayman; and was filled with affright and dismay.
+
+The horses galloped on with encreased swiftness, the horseman always
+keeping closely behind the chaise; till they were stopt by a small cart,
+from which Juliet had the joy to see two men alight, forced, by the
+narrowness of the road, to take off their horse, and drag back their
+vehicle.
+
+She eagerly solicited their assistance, and made an effort to open the
+chaise door. This, however, was prevented by the pursuing horseman, who,
+dismounting, opened it himself; and, to her inexpressible terrour,
+sprung into the carriage.
+
+What, then, was her mingled consternation and astonishment, when,
+instead of demanding her purse, he gaily exclaimed, 'Why are you
+frightened, you beautiful little creature?' And she saw Sir Lyell
+Sycamore.
+
+A change, but not a diminution of alarm, now took place; yet, assuming a
+firmness that sought to conceal her fears, 'Quit the chaise, Sir Lyell,'
+she cried, 'instantly, or you will compel me to claim protection from
+those two men!'
+
+'Protection? you pretty little vixen!' cried he, yet more familiarly,
+'who should protect you like your own adorer?'
+
+Juliet, leaning out, as far as was in her power, from the chaise-window,
+called with energy for help.
+
+'What do you mean?' cried he, striving to draw her back. 'What are you
+afraid of? You don't imagine me such a blundering cavalier, as to intend
+to carry you off by force?'
+
+The postilion was assisting the two men to fix their horse, for dragging
+back their cart; but her cries reached their ears, and one of them,
+advancing to the chaise, exclaimed, 'Good now! if it is not Miss Ellis!'
+And, to her infinite relief and comfort, she beheld young Gooch.
+
+She entreated him to open the door; but, lolling his arms over it,
+without attending to her, he said, 'Well! to see but how things turn
+out! Here have I been twice this very morning, at your new lodgings, to
+let you know it's now or never, for our junket's to night; and the old
+gentlewoman that keeps the house, who's none of the good-naturedest, as
+I take it, would never let me get a sight of you, say what I would; and
+here, all of the sudden, when I was thinking of you no more than if you
+had never been born, I come pop upon you, as one may say, within
+cock-crow of our very door; all alone, with only the young Baronight!'
+
+Nearly as much shocked, now, as, the moment before, she had been
+relieved, Juliet eagerly declared, that she was not with any body; she
+was simply going to Lewes upon business.
+
+'Why then,' cried he, 'the Baronight must be out his head, begging his
+pardon, to let you come this way; and the postilion as stupid as a post;
+for it's quite the contrary. It will lead you to you don't know where.
+We only turned down it ourselves, just to borrow a few glasses, of
+farmer Barnes, because we've more mouths than we have got of our own:
+for I've invited all our club; which poor dad don't much like. He says I
+am but a bungler at saving money, any more than at getting it; but I am
+as rare a hand as any you know, far or near, says the old gentleman, for
+spending it. The old gentleman likes to say his say. However, I must not
+leave my horse to his gambols.'
+
+Then nodding, still without listening to Juliet, he returned to his
+_chay-cart_.
+
+Juliet now unhasped the chaise-door herself, and was springing from the
+carriage; when Sir Lyell, forcibly holding her, exclaimed, 'What would
+you do, you lovely termagant? Would you make me pass for a devil of a
+ravisher? No, no, no! you handsome little firebrand! name your terms,
+and command me! I know you love me,--and I adore you. Why then this idle
+cruelty to us both? to nature itself; and to beauty?'
+
+More and more indignant, Juliet uttered a cry for help, that immediately
+brought back young Gooch, who was followed by an elderly companion.
+
+Provoked and resentful, yet amazed and ashamed, the Baronet jumped out
+of the chaise, saying, with affected contempt, yet stronger pique,
+'Yes! help, gentlemen, help! come quick! quick! Miss Ellis is taken
+suddenly ill!'
+
+The insolent boldness of this appeal, was felt only by Juliet; whose
+scorn, however potent, was less prevalent than her satisfaction, upon
+beholding her old friend Mr Tedman. She descended to meet him, with an
+energetic 'Thank Heaven!' and an excess of gladness, not more tormenting
+to the Baronet, than unexpected by himself. 'Well, this is very kind of
+you, indeed, my dear,' cried he, heartily shaking hands with her; 'to be
+so glad to see me; especially after the ungenteel way I was served in by
+your lodging-gentlewoman, making no more ceremony than refusing to let
+me up, under cover that you saw no gentlemen; though I told her what a
+good friend I had been to you; and how you learnt my darter the musics;
+and how I used to bring you things; and lend you money; and that; and
+how I was willing enough to do the like again, put in case you was in
+need: but I might just as well have talked to the post; which huffed me
+a little, I own.'
+
+'O, those old gentlewomen,' interrupted Gooch, 'are always like that.
+One can never make any thing of 'em. I don't over like them myself, to
+tell you the truth.'
+
+Juliet assured them that, having no time but for business, her
+injunctions of non-admission had been uniform and universal; and ought
+not, therefore, to offend any one. She then requested Mr Tedman to order
+that the postilion would return to the high road; which he had quitted
+against her positive direction; and to have the goodness to insist upon
+his driving her by the side of his own vehicle, till they reached Lewes.
+
+Tedman, looking equally important and elated, again heartily shook hands
+with her, and said, 'My dear, I'll do it with pleasure; or, I'll engage
+Tim to send off your chay, and I'll take you in his'n; put in case it
+will be more to your liking; for I am as little agreeable as you are, to
+letting them rascals of drivers get the better of me.'
+
+Juliet acceded to this proposal, in which she saw immediate safety, with
+the most lively readiness; entreating Mr Tedman to complete his
+kindness, in extricating her from so suspicious a person, by paying him
+the half-crown, which she had promised him, for carrying her to Lewes.
+
+'Half-a-crown?' repeated Mr Tedman, angrily refusing to take it. 'It's
+too much by half, for coming such a mere step; put in case he did not
+put to o'purpose. You're just like the quality; and they're none of
+your sharpest; to throw away your money, and know neither the why nor
+the wherefore.'
+
+The Baronet, with a loud oath, said that the postilion was a scoundrel,
+for having offended the young lady; and menaced to inform against him,
+if he received a sixpence.
+
+The postilion made no resistance; the horses were taken off, and the
+chaise was drawn back to the high road. The little carriage belonging to
+young Gooch followed, into which Juliet, refusing all aid but from Mr
+Tedman, eagerly sprang; and her old friend placed himself at her side;
+while Gooch took the reins.
+
+Sir Lyell looked on, visibly provoked; and when they were driving away,
+called out, in a tone between derision and indignation, 'Bravo, Mr
+Tedman! You are still, I see, the happy man!'
+
+Young Gooch, laughing without scruple, smacked his horse; while Mr
+Tedman angrily muttered, 'The quality always allows themselves to say
+any thing! They think nothing of that! All's one to them whether one
+likes it or not.'
+
+The design of Juliet was, when safely arrived at the farm, which was
+within a very short walk of the town of Lewes, to beg a safe guide to
+accompany her to the house of Mrs Pierson; where she resolved to pass
+the night; and whence she determined to write to Elinor, and solicit an
+interview; in which she meant to lay open her new difficulties, in the
+hope of re-awakening some interest that might operate in her favour.
+
+To save herself from the vulgar forwardness of ignorant importunity, she
+forbore to mention her plan, till she alighted from the little vehicle,
+at the gate of the farm-yard.
+
+'Goodness! Ma'am,' then cried young Gooch, 'you won't think of such a
+thing as going away, I hope, before you've well come? Why our sport's
+all ready! why, if you'll step a little this way, you may see the three
+sacks, that three of our men are to run a race in! There'll be fine
+scrambling and tumbling, one o' top o' t'other. You'll laugh till you
+split your sides. And if you'll only come here, to the right, I'll shew
+you the stye where our pig is, that's to be caught by the tail. But it
+will be well soaped, I can tell you; so it will be no such easy thing.'
+
+Slightly thanking him, Juliet applied for aid, in procuring her a
+conductor, to Mr Tedman; who, though at first he pressed her to stay, as
+she might get a little amusement so pure cheap, since it would cost
+nothing but looking on; no sooner heard her pronounce that she was
+called away by business, than he ceased all opposition; and promised to
+take care of her to Lewes himself, when he'd just spoken a word or two
+to his cousin Gooch: 'For I can't go with you, my dear, only I and you,
+you know, without that,' he said, 'just upon coming; for fear it should
+put them upon joking; which I don't like; for all the quality's so fond
+of it. Besides which, I must give in my presents; for this little
+hamper's full of little odd things for the junket; and if I leave 'em
+out here, to the mercy of nobody knows who, somebody or other'll be a
+pilfering, as sure as a gun; put in case they smoke what I've got in my
+hamper. And they're pretty quick at mischief.'
+
+Juliet supplicated him to be speedy. Pleased to have his services
+accepted, he put his hamper under his arm, and walked on to the house;
+mindless of the impatient remonstrances of young Gooch, who exclaimed,
+'Why now, who'd have thought this of the 'Squire? it's doing just
+contrary; for he's the very person I thought would make you stay! for
+he's come, as one may say, half o' purpose for your sake; for he never
+plump accepted of our invitation till I told him, in my letter, of my
+having invited of you. And then he said he would come.'
+
+Then, lowering his voice into a whisper, he added, 'Between ourselves,
+Ma'am, the poor 'Squire, my good cousin, don't get much for his money at
+home, I believe. His daughter's got quite the top end; and she's none of
+your obligingests; she won't do one mortal thing he desires. She's been
+brought up at them fine boarding-schools, with misses that hold up their
+heads so high, that nothing's good enough for 'em. So she's always
+ashamed of her papa, because, she says, he's so mean; as he tells us.
+The poor 'Squire, my cousin, don't much like it; but he can't help
+himself. She's as exact like a fine lady as ever you see; and she won't
+speak a word to any of her poor relations, because they are so low, she
+says.' He then added, 'If you won't go while I'm gone, I'll give you as
+agreeable a surprize as ever you had in your life!'
+
+He ran on to the house.
+
+In a few minutes, Juliet felt something tickle the nape of her neck,
+and, imagining it to be an insect, she would have brushed it away with
+her hand, but received, between her fingers, a pink; and, looking round,
+saw Flora Pierson, nearly breathless from her efforts to smother a
+laugh.
+
+'Is it possible?' cried Juliet, in great amazement. 'Miss Pierson! I
+thought you were ill in bed?'
+
+No further efforts were necessary to repress the laugh; resentment,
+rather than gravity, took its place, and, with pouting lips, and a
+frowning brow, she answered, 'Ill? Yes! I have had enough to make me
+ill, that's sure! It's more a wonder, by half, that I a'n't dead; for I
+cried so that my eyes grew quite little; and I looked quite a fright;
+and I grew so hoarse that nobody could tell a word I said; though I
+talked enough, I'm sure; for nothing can hinder me of my talking, if it
+was never so, papa says.'
+
+Juliet now, upon closer enquiry, learnt that Flora had neither had a
+fever, nor desired a meeting; and that Mrs Pierson had neither written
+the letter, nor given any orders about a return post-chaise.
+
+The passing suspicions which already had occurred to Juliet in disfavour
+of Sir Lyell Sycamore, returned, now, with redoubled force. That he had
+made signs to the driver to quit the high road, however dismaying, she
+had attributed to sudden impulse, upon meeting her alone in a
+post-chaise; and had not doubted that, upon seeing the sincerity of her
+resentment, he would have retired with shame and repentance: but a plan
+thus concerted to get her into his power, changed apprehension into
+certainty, and indignation into abhorrence.
+
+The happy accident to which she owed her escape, even from the
+knowledge, till it was past, of her danger, she now blessed with
+rapture; and the junket, so disdained and rejected, she now felt that
+she could never recollect without grateful delight.
+
+But how return to Brighthelmstone? What vehicle find? How trust herself
+to any even when procured?
+
+She enquired of Flora whether it were possible that Mrs Pierson could
+grant her one night's lodging?
+
+The smiles, the dimples, and the good humour of the simple girl, all
+revived, and played about her pretty face, at this request. 'O yes!' she
+cried. 'Miss Ellis, I shall be so glad to have you come! for mamma and I
+are so dull together that I'm quite moped. I don't like it by half as
+well as I did the shop. So many smart gentlemen and ladies coming in and
+out every moment! dressed so nice, and speaking so polite! I'm obliged
+to wear all my worst things, now, to save my others, mamma says, for
+fear of the expence. And it makes me not look as well by half, as I did
+at Miss Matson's. I looked well enough there, I believe; as people told
+me; at least the gentlemen. But I go such a dowd, here, that it's enough
+to frighten you. I'm sure when I go to the glass, and that's a hundred
+times a-day, for aught I know, if it were counted, to see what sort of a
+figure I make, I could break it with pleasure, for seeing me such a
+disguise; for I look quite ugly, unless I happen to be in my smilings.'
+
+This prattle was interrupted by a signal from Mr Tedman, that made
+Juliet hope that he was now ready to depart; but, upon approaching him,
+he only said, 'Come hither, my dear, and sit down a bit, upon this
+bench, for we can't go yet. I have not given all my presents. And I
+don't care to leave 'em!' winking significantly: 'not that I mean to
+doubt any body; only it's as well have a sharp eye. We are all honestest
+with good looking after.'
+
+Juliet now was surrounded by young farmers, who offered her cakes or
+ale, and asked her hand for the ensuing dance; while young Gooch
+collected around him an admiring audience, to listen to his account, how
+he and the young gentlewoman, who was so pretty, had acted together in a
+play.
+
+Mr Tedman then bid her divine how his cousin Gooch was employed, and why
+the presents were not yet delivered? and upon her declared inability to
+conjecture, 'Would you believe it, my dear?' he cried, 'For all Tim
+drove us such a good round trot, the quality got the start of us! And
+now he's in the kitchen, with cousin Gooch, taking a cup of ale!'
+
+The disturbance of Juliet at this intelligence, he thought simply
+surprize, and continued, 'Nay, it was not easy to guess, sure enough. He
+must have rid over every thing, hedge, ditch, and the like. But your
+quality's not over mindful of other people's property. He's come to buy
+some hay. He come o'purpose, he says. And he's a mortal good customer,
+for he says nothing but, "Mighty well! That's very reasonable, indeed! I
+thought it had been twice the price!" Old coz chuckles, I warrant him!
+Your quality's but a poor hand at a bargain. I would not employ 'em,
+between you and I. They never know what they are about.'
+
+They were now joined by Mr Gooch, a hale, hearty, cherry-cheeked dapper
+farmer, fair in all his dealings, and upright in all his principles,
+except when they had immediate reference to his professional profits.
+'Well!' he cried, ''Squire!' rubbing his hands in great glee. 'I've had
+a good chapman enough here! I've often seen un at our races, but I
+little thought of having to chaffer with un. Howsever, one may have
+worse luck with one's money. A don't much understand business. But who's
+that pretty lass with ye, 'Squire? Some play-mate, I warrant, of cousin
+Molly? And why did no' cousin Molly come, too? A'd a have been heartily
+welcome. And perhaps a'd a picked up a sweetheart.'
+
+'Stop, father, stop!' cried young Gooch: 'I've something to say to you.
+You know how you've always stood to it, that you would not believe a
+word about all those battles, and guillotines, and the like, of Mounseer
+Robert Speer, in foreign parts; though I told you, over and over, that I
+had it from our club? Well! here's a person now here, in your own
+grounds, that's seen it all with her own eyes! So if you don't believe
+it, never believe it as long as you live.'
+
+'Like enough not, Tim,' answered the father: 'I do no' much give my mind
+to believing all them outlandish fibs, told by travellers. I can hear
+staring stories eno' by my own fire-side. And I a'n't over friendly to
+believing 'em there. But, bless my heart! for a man for to come for to
+go for to pretend telling me, because it be a great ways off, and I
+can't find un out, that there be a place where there comes a man, who
+says, every morning of his life, to as many of his fellow-creatures as a
+can set eyes on, whether they be man, woman, or baby; here, mount me two
+or three dozen of you into that cart, and go and have your heads chopt
+off! And that they'll make no more ado, than go, only because they're
+bid! Why if one will believe such staring stuff as that be, one may as
+well believe that the moon be made of cream-cheese, and the like.
+There's no sense in such a set of lies; for life's life every where,
+even in France; though it be but a poor starving place, at best, without
+pasture, or cattle; or corn, either, fit for a man for to eat.'
+
+'Ay, father, ay; but Bob Spear, as we call him at our club--'
+
+'Y're young, y're young, Tim,' interrupted Mr Gooch; 'and your
+youngsters do believe every thing. When you've sowed your wild oats,
+you'll know better. But we mustn't all be calves at the same time. If
+there were none for to give milk, there'd be none for to suck. So it be
+all for the best. And that makes me for to take it the less to heart,
+when I do see you be such a gudgeon, Tim, with no more sense than to
+swallow neat down every thing that do come in your way. But you'll never
+thrive, Tim, till you be like to what I be; people do tell such a peck
+of staring lies, that I do no' believe, nor I wo'no' believe one mortal
+word by hear-say.'
+
+'For my part,' said Mr Tedman, 'I never enquire into all that, whether
+it be true, or whether it be false; because it's nothing to me either
+way; and one wastes a deal of time in idle curiosity, about things that
+don't concern one; put in case one can't turn them to one's profit.'
+
+'That's true, coz,' said Mr Gooch; 'for as to profit, there be none to
+come from foreign parts: for they be all main poor thereabout; for, they
+do tell me, that there be not a man among un, as sets his eyes, above
+once in his life, or thereabout, upon a golden guinea! And as to roast
+beef and plum-pudding, I do hear that they do no' know the taste of such
+a thing. So that they be but a poor stinted race at best, for they can
+never come to their natural growth.'
+
+'What, then, you do believe what folks tell you sometimes, father?'
+cried the son, grinning.
+
+'To be sure I do, Tim; when they do tell me somewhat that be worth a
+man's hearing.'
+
+They were now joined by Mr Stubbs, who, seeing Juliet, was happy in the
+opportunity of renewing her favourite enquiries, relative to the
+agricultural state of the continent.
+
+Mr Gooch, extremely surprized, exclaimed, 'Odds heart! Why sure such a
+young lass as that be, ha'n't been across seas already? Why a couldn't
+make out their gibberish, I warrant me! for't be such queer stuff that
+they do talk, all o'un, that there's no getting at what they'd be at;
+unless one larns to speak after the same guise, like to our
+boarding-school misses. I've seen one or two o'un myself, that passed
+here about; but their manner o' talk was so out of the way, I could no'
+make out a word they did say. T'might all be Dutch for me. And I found
+'em vast ignorant. They knew no more than my horse when land ought to be
+manured, from when it ought for to lie fallow. I did ask un a many
+questions; but a could no' answer me, for to be understood.'
+
+'But, for all that, Master Gooch,' said Mr Stubbs, 'my late Lord has
+told me that France is sincerely a fine country, if they knew how to
+make the most of it; but the waste lands are quite out of reason; for
+they are such a boggling set of farmers, that they grow nothing but what
+comes, as one may say, of itself.'
+
+'France a fine country, Maister Stubbs? Well, that be a word I did no'
+count to hear from a man of your sense. Why't be as poor a place as ye
+might wish to set eyes on, all over-run with weeds, and frogs, and the
+like. Why ye be as frenchified as Tim, making out them mounseers to be a
+parcel of Jack the Giant-killers, lopping off heads for mere play, as a
+body may say. However, here be one that's come to our hop, that be a
+finer spark than there be in all France, I warrant me: for a makes a bow
+as like to a mounseer, as if a was twin-brother to un; and a was so
+ready to pay down his money handsomely, I could no' but say a'd be
+welcome to our junket; for a says a does like such a thing more than all
+them new fangled balls and concerts.'
+
+'Oh, and you believe that upon hear-say do you, father?' cried Tim,
+sneeringly.
+
+'Yes, to be sure, I do, Tim. When a man do say a thing that ha' got some
+sense in it, why should no' I believe un, Tim?'
+
+Juliet, who from what had preceded, had concluded the Baronet to be
+gone, earnestly now pressed Mr Tedman to fulfil his kind engagement; but
+in vain: Mr Gooch brought his best silver tankard, to insist upon his
+cousin's drinking success to the new purchase, that occasioned the
+junket; and Tim was outrageous at the proposal of retiring, just as the
+feats were going to commence. 'Before five minutes are over,' said he,
+'the pig will begin!'
+
+'Well,' answered Mr Tedman, 'it is but a silly thing, to be sure, things
+of that sort; and I never give my mind to them; but still, as it's a
+thing I never saw, put in case you've no objections, we'll just stay for
+the pig, my dear.'
+
+Flora, having now gathered that _the quality_ meant Sir Lyell Sycamore,
+began dancing and singing, in a childish extacy of delight, that shewed
+her already, in idea, Lady Sycamore, when, turning to Juliet with sudden
+and angry recollection, her smiles, gaiety, and capering gave way to a
+bitter fit of crying, and she exclaimed, 'But if he is here, it will be
+nothing to me, I dare say, if Miss Ellis is here the while; for he won't
+look at me, almost, when she is by: will he? For some people play one so
+false, that one might as well be as ugly as the cat, almost, when they
+are in the way.'
+
+'Don't be fretted, Miss Flora,' cried young Gooch, soothingly; 'for I
+shall ask Miss Ellis to dance myself; for as I shall begin the hop,
+because of its being our own, I think I've a good right to chuse my
+partner; so don't be fretted, so, Miss Flora, for you'll have the
+Baronight left to you whether he will or no! But come; don't let's lose
+time; if you'll follow me, you won't want sport, I can tell you; for the
+beginning's to be a syllabub under the cow.'
+
+Flora was not too proud to accept this consolation; but Juliet
+positively declared that she should not dance; and earnestly entreated
+that some one might be found to conduct her to Mrs Pierson's.
+
+Flora, recovering her spirits, with the hopes of getting rid of her
+rival, whispered, 'If you're in real right earnest, Miss Ellis, and
+don't say you want to go, only to make a fool of me, which I shall take
+pretty unkind, I assure you; why I can shew you the way so as you can't
+miss it, if you'd never so. And I'm sure I shall be glad enough to have
+you go, if I must needs speak without a compliment. Only don't tell
+mamma who's here, for she don't like persons of quality, she says,
+because of their bad designs; but I'm sure if she was to hear 'em talk
+as I do, she'd think quite another opinion: wouldn't she?'
+
+Fortunately for the intentions of Juliet, which were instantly to make
+known to Mrs Pierson the new danger of her daughter, Flora waited not
+for any answer to this injunction; but set out, prattling incessantly as
+they went on, to put the willing Juliet on her way to Lewes.
+
+The cry, however, from young Gooch, of 'Come! Where are the young
+ladies? The pig's ready!' caught the ears of Flora, with charm not to be
+resisted; and, hastily pointing out a style, to pass into the meadow,
+and another, to pass thence to the high road, she capered briskly back;
+fearing to miss some of the sport, if not a seat next to the Baronet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER L
+
+
+Juliet, as earnest to avoid, as Flora felt eager to pursue, the opening
+feats, hurried from the destined spot, after charging the simple damsel
+not to make known her departure. Unavailing, however, was the caution;
+and immaterial alike the prudence or the indiscretion of Flora: Juliet
+had no sooner crossed the first style, than she perceived Sir Lyell
+Sycamore sauntering in the meadow.
+
+She would promptly have returned to the farm, but a shout of noisy
+merriment reached her ears from the company that she was quitting, and
+pointed out the danger of passing the evening in the midst of such
+turbulent and vulgar revelry. She hastened, therefore, on; but neither
+the lightness of her step, nor the swiftness of her speed, could save
+her from the quick approach of the Baronet. 'My angel!' he cried,
+'whither are you going? and why this prodigious haste? What is it my
+angel fears? Can she suppose me rascal enough, or fool enough, to make
+use of any violence? No, my angel, no! I only ask to be regaled, from
+your own sweet lips, with the delicious tale of divine partiality, that
+the quaint old knight began revealing. I sigh, I pant to hear
+confirmed--'
+
+'Hold, Sir Lyell!' interrupted Juliet. 'If Sir Jaspar is the author of
+this astonishing mistake, I trust he will have the honour to rectify it.
+When I named you to him, it was but with a view to rescue a credulous
+young creature from your pursuit, whom I feared it might injure; not to
+expose to it one whom it never can endanger; however deeply it may
+offend.'
+
+Struck and disappointed at the courage and coolness of this explanation,
+Sir Lyell looked mortified and amazed; but, upon seeing her reach the
+style, he sprang over it, and, recovering his usual effrontery, offered
+her his hand.
+
+Juliet knew not whether her risk were greater to proceed or to return;
+but while she hesitated, a phaeton, which was driving by, stopt, and an
+elderly lady, addressing the Baronet, in a tone of fawning courtesy,
+enquired after his health, and added, 'So you are come to this famous
+junket, Sir Lyell?'
+
+Sir Lyell forced a laugh, and bowed low; though he muttered, loud enough
+for Juliet to hear, 'What cursed spies!'
+
+Juliet now perceived Mrs and Miss Brinville; and neither innocence, nor
+contempt of calumny, could suppress a rising blush, at being surprised,
+by persons already unfavourably disposed towards her, in a situation
+apparently so suspicious.
+
+The countenance of the mother exhibited strong chagrin at sight of
+Juliet; while the daughter, in a tone of pique, said, 'No doubt but you
+are well amused, Sir Lyell?'
+
+They drove on; not, however, very fast, and with so little self-command,
+as frequently to allow themselves to look back. This indelicacy, however
+ill adapted to raise them in the esteem of the Baronet, at least rescued
+Juliet from his persecution. Disconcerted himself, he felt the necessity
+of decency; and, quitting her, with affected carelessness, he hummed an
+air, while grumbling curses, and, swinging his switch to and fro, walked
+off; not more careful that the ladies in the phaeton should see him
+depart, than assiduous to avoid with them any sort of junction.
+
+The relief caused to Juliet by his retreat, was cruelly clouded by her
+terrour of the false suggestions to which this meeting made her liable.
+Neither mother nor daughter would believe it accidental; nor credit it
+to have been contrived without equal guilt in both parties. Is there no
+end, then, she cried, to the evils of defenceless female youth? And,
+even where actual danger is escaped, must slander lie in wait, to
+misconstrue the most simple actions, by surmising the most culpable
+designs?
+
+Neither to follow the footsteps of Sir Lyell, nor to remain where he
+might return, she was going back to the farm; when she was met by Flora,
+who, with a species of hysterical laughter, nearly of kin to crying,
+called out, 'So Ma'am! so Miss Ellis! I've caught you at last! I've
+surprised you at last! a-courting with my sweetheart!'
+
+Pitying her credulous ignorance, Juliet would have cleared up this
+mistake; but the petulant Flora would not listen. 'I'll speak to the
+gentleman myself!' she cried, running forward to the style; 'for I have
+found out your design; so it's of no use to deny it! I saw you together
+all the way I came; so you may as well not try to make a ninny of me,
+Miss Ellis, for it i'n't so easy!'
+
+Catching a glimpse of the Baronet as he descended the road, she jumped
+over the style to run after him; but seeing him look round, and, though
+he perceived her, quietly walk on, she stopt, crying bitterly: 'Very
+well, Miss Ellis! very well! you've got your ends! I see that! and, I
+don't thank you for it, I assure you, for I liked him very well; and it
+i'n't so easy to find a man of quality every day; so it i'n't doing as
+you'd be done by; for nobody likes much to be forsaken, no more than I,
+I believe, for it i'n't so agreeable. And I had rather you had not
+served me so by half! In particular for a man of quality!'
+
+Juliet, though vainly, was endeavouring to appease and console her, when
+a young lady, bending eagerly from the window of a post chaise which was
+passing by, ejaculated, 'Ellis!' and Juliet, with extreme satisfaction,
+perceived Elinor.
+
+The chaise stopt, and Juliet advanced to it with alacrity; but before
+she could speak, the impatient Elinor, still looking pale, meagre, and
+wretched, burst forth, with rapid and trembling energy, into a string of
+disordered, incoherent, scarcely intelligible interrogatories. 'Ellis!
+what brings you to this spot?--Whither is it you go?--What project are
+you forming?--What purpose are you fulfilling?--Whom are you
+flying--Whom are you following?--What is it you design?--What is it you
+wish?--Why are you here alone?--Where--Where--'
+
+Leaning, then, still further out of the window, she fixed her nearly
+haggard, yet piercing eyes upon those of Juliet, and, in a hollow voice,
+dictatorially added: 'Where--tell me, I charge you! where--is Harleigh?'
+
+Consternation at sight of her altered countenance, and affright at the
+impetuosity of her questions, produced a hesitation in the answer of
+Juliet, that, to the agitated Elinor, seemed the effect of surprised
+guilt. Her pallid cheeks then burnt with the mixed feelings of triumph
+and indignation; yet her voice sought to disguise her wounded feelings,
+and in subdued, though broken accents, ''Tis well!' she cried, 'You no
+longer, at least, seek to deceive me, and I thank you!' Deaf to
+explanation or representation, she then hurried her weak frame from the
+chaise, aided by her foreign lackey; and, directing Juliet to follow,
+crossed the road to a rising ground upon the Downs; seated herself; sent
+off her assistant, and made Juliet take a place by her side; while Flora
+returned, crying and alone, to the farm.
+
+'Now, then,' she said, 'that you try no more to delude, to cajole, to
+blind me, tell me now, and in two words,--where is Harleigh?'
+
+'Believe me, Madam,--' Juliet was tremblingly beginning, when Elinor,
+casting off the little she had assumed of self-command, passionately,
+cried, 'Must I again be played upon by freezing caution and duplicity?
+Must I die without end the lingering death of cold inaction and
+uncertainty? breathe for ever without living? Where, I demand, is
+Harleigh? Where have you concealed him? Why will Harleigh, the noble
+Harleigh, degrade himself by any concealment? Why stoop to the subtilty
+of circumspection, to spare himself the appearance of destroying one
+whose head, heart, and vitals, all feel the reality of the destruction
+he inflicts? And yet not he! No, no! 'tis my own ruthless star! He loves
+me not! he is not responsible for my misery, though he is master of my
+fate! Where is he? where is he? You,--who are the tyrant of his! tell
+me, and at once!'
+
+'I solemnly protest to you, Madam, with the singleness of the most
+scrupulous truth,' cried Juliet, recovering her presence of mind, 'I am
+entirely ignorant of his abode, his occupations, and his intentions.' Ah
+why, she secretly added, am I not equally unacquainted with his feelings
+and his wishes!
+
+Unable to discredit the candour with which this was pronounced, and
+filled with wonder, yet involuntarily consoled, the features of Elinor
+lost their rigidity, and her eyes their fierceness; and, in milder
+accents, she replied, 'Strange! how strange! Where, then, can he
+be?--with whom?--how employed?--Does he fly the whole world as well as
+Elinor? Has no one his society?--no one his confidence?--his society,
+which, by contrast, makes all existence without it disgusting!--his
+confidence, which, to obtain, I would yet live, though doomed daily to
+the rack! O Harleigh! love like mine, who has felt?--love like mine, who
+but you, O matchless Harleigh! ever inspired!'
+
+Tears now gushed into her eyes. Ashamed, and angry with herself, she
+hastily brushed them off with the back of her hand, and, with forced
+vivacity, continued, 'He thinks, perchance, to sicken me into the pining
+end of a love-sick consumption? to avert the kindly bowl or dagger, that
+cut short human misery, for the languors, the sufferings, and despair of
+a loathsome natural death? And for what?--to restore, to preserve me?
+No! I have no share in the arrangement; no interest, no advantage from
+the plan. Appearances alone are considered; all else is regarded as
+immaterial; or sacrificed. And he, Harleigh, the noblest,--the only
+noble of men!--can level himself with the narrowest and most illiberal
+of his race, to pay coward obeisance to appearances!'
+
+Again she then repeated her personal interrogatories to Juliet; and
+demanded whether she should set off immediately for Gretna Green, with
+Lord Melbury; or whether she must wait till he should be of age.
+
+'Neither!' Juliet solemnly answered; and frankly recounted her recent
+difficulties; and entreated the advice of Elinor for adopting another
+plan of life.
+
+Elinor, interrupting her, said, 'Nay, 'twas your own choice, you know,
+to live in a garret, and hem pocket-handkerchiefs.'
+
+'Choice, Madam! Alas! deprived of all but personal resource, I fixed
+upon a mode of life that promised me, at least, my mental freedom. I was
+not then aware how imaginary is the independence, that hangs for support
+upon the uncertain fruits of daily exertions! Independent, indeed, such
+situations may be deemed from the oppressions of power, or the tyrannies
+of caprice and ill humour; but the difficulty of obtaining employment,
+the irregularity of pay, the dread of want,--ah! what is freedom but a
+name, for those who have not an hour at command from the subjection of
+fearful penury and distress?'
+
+'If all this is so,' said Elinor, 'which, unless you wait for Lord
+Melbury's majority, is more than incomprehensible; what say you, now, to
+an asylum safe, at least, from torments of this sort;--will you
+commission me, at length, to apply to Mrs Ireton?'
+
+Juliet, instinctively, recoiled at the very name of that lady; yet a
+little reflection upon the dangers to which she was now exposed, through
+unprotected poverty; through the lawless pursuit of Sir Lyell Sycamore;
+and the vindictive calumnies of the Brinvilles, made the wish of solid
+safety repress the disgusts of offended sensibility; and, after a
+painful pause, she recommended herself to the support of Elinor:
+resolving to accept, for the moment, any proposition, that might secure
+her an honourable refuge from want and misconception.
+
+Elinor, looking at her suspiciously, said, 'And Harleigh?--Will he let
+you submit to such slavery?'
+
+Mr Harleigh, Juliet protested, could have no influence upon her
+determination.
+
+'But you yourself, who a month or two ago, could so ill bear her
+tauntings, how is it you are thus suddenly endued with so much
+humility?'
+
+'Alas, Madam, all choice, all taste, all obstacles sink before
+necessity! When I came over, I had expectations of immediate succour. I
+knew not that the friend I sought was herself ruined, as well as
+unhappy! I had hopes, too, of speedy intelligence that might have
+liberated me from all my difficulties....'
+
+She stopt; Elinor exclaimed, 'From whence?--From abroad?--'
+
+Juliet was silent; and Elinor, after a few passing sallies against
+secrets and mystery, sarcastically bid her consider, before she adopted
+this new scheme, that Harleigh never visited at Mrs Ireton's; having
+taken, in equal portions, a dose of aversion for the mother, and of
+contempt for the son.
+
+Juliet calmly replied, that such a circumstance could be but an
+additional motive to seek the situation; and, hopeless, for the moment,
+of doing better, seriously begged that proper measures might be taken to
+accelerate the plan.
+
+Elinor, now, from mingled wonder, satisfaction, and scorn, recovered all
+her wonted vivacity. 'You are really, and bona fide, contented, then,'
+she cried, 'to be shut up as completely from Harleigh, through his
+horrour of that woman's irascible temper, as if you were separated by
+bolts, bars, dungeons, towers, and bastilles? I applaud your taste, and
+wish you the full enjoyment of its fruits! Yet what materials you can be
+made of, to see the first of men at your feet, and voluntarily to fly
+him, to be trampled under by those of the most odious of women, I cannot
+divine! 'Tis an exuberance of apathy that surpasses my comprehension.
+And can He, the spirited Harleigh, love, adore, such a composition of
+ice, of snow, of marble?'
+
+She could not, however, disguise the elation with which she looked
+forward, to depositing Juliet where information might constantly be
+procured of her visitors and her actions. They went together to the
+carriage; and Elinor conveyed her submissive and contemned, yet
+agonizingly envied rival, to Brighthelmstone.
+
+In her usually unguarded manner, Elinor, by the way, communicated the
+various, but successless efforts by which she had endeavoured to gain
+intelligence whither Harleigh had rambled. 'If I pursued him,' she
+cried, 'with the vanity of hope; or with the meanness of flattery, he
+would do well to shun me; but the pure-minded Harleigh is capable of
+believing, that the moment is over for Elinor to desire to be his! And,
+to sustain at once and shew my principles, I never seek his sight, but
+in presence of her who has blasted even my wishes! Else, thus
+clamourously to invoke, thus pertinaciously to follow him, might,
+indeed, merit avoidance. But Elinor, now, would be as superiour to
+accepting, ... as she is to forgetting him!'
+
+'Yet his obdurate seclusion,' she continued, 'is the only mark I
+receive, that I escape his disdain. It shews me that he fears the event
+of a meeting. He does not, therefore, utterly deride the pusillanimity
+of my abortive attempt. O could I justify his good opinion!--All others,
+I doubt not, insult me by the most ludicrous suspicions; they are
+welcome. They judge me by their little-minded selves. But thou, O
+Harleigh! could I see thee once more!--in thy sight, thy loved sight,
+could I sink, at last, my sorrows and my disgrace to rest! to oblivion,
+to sleep eternal!'--
+
+Vainly Juliet essayed to plead the cause of religion, and the duties of
+life; unanswered, unmarked, unheard, she talked but to the air. All that
+was uttered in return, began and ended alike with Harleigh, death, and
+annihilation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LI
+
+
+Juliet could not but be gratified by a circumstance so important to her
+reputation, with the Brinvilles, and with those among the inhabitants of
+Brighthelmstone to whom she was known, as that of being brought home by
+Miss Joddrel, after an adventure that must unavoidably raise curiosity,
+and that threatened to excite slander. For with however just a pride
+wronged innocence may disdain injurious aspersions, female fame, like
+the wife of Caesar, ought never to be suspected.
+
+The celerity of the motions of Elinor, nearly equalled the quickness of
+her ideas. Her lackey arrived the next morning, to help to convey
+Juliet, and her baggage, immediately to the dwelling of Mrs Ireton; with
+a note from his mistress, indicating that Mrs Ireton was already
+prepared to take her for a companion. 'An humble companion,' Elinor
+wrote, 'I need not add; I had nearly said a pitiful one; for who would
+voluntarily live with such an antidote to all the comforts of life, that
+has spirit, sense, or soul? O envied Ellis! how potent must be the
+passion, the infatuation, that can make Harleigh view such meanness as
+grace, and adore it as dignity!--O icy Ellis!--but the human heart would
+want strength to support such pre-eminent honour, were it bestowed upon
+a mind gifted for its appreciation!'
+
+Then again, wishing her joy of her taste, she assured her that it was
+reciprocated; for Mrs Ireton was all impatience to display, to a new
+dependent, her fortune, her power, and her magnificence.
+
+Juliet, with her answer of thanks for this service, wrote a few lines
+for Mrs Pierson, which she begged the messenger to deliver. They were to
+warn the imprudent, or deceived mother of the dangerous state of mind in
+which her daughter still continued; and to give her notice that Sir
+Lyell Sycamore, who could not be guarded against too carefully, was
+still in the neighbourhood.
+
+With a mind revolting from a measure which, while prudence, if not
+necessity, dictated, choice and feeling opposed, she now quitted her
+mantua-maker's abode, to set out for her new destination; seeking to
+cheer herself that, at least, by this step, she should be secured from
+the licentious pursuit of Sir Lyell Sycamore; the envenomed shafts of
+calumny of the enraged Brinvilles; the perpetual terrour of debts; and
+the cruel apprehension of want.
+
+She had not far to go; but the mortifications, for which she prepared
+herself, began by the very sight of the dwelling into which she was to
+enter. Mrs Ireton had taken the house of Mrs Howel:--that house in which
+Juliet had first, after her arrival in England, received consolation in
+her distresses; been melted by kindness; or animated by approbation.
+There, too, indeed, she had experienced the pain which she had felt the
+most severely; for there all the soothing consideration, so precious to
+her sorrows, had abruptly been broken off, to give place to an assault
+the most shocking upon her intentions, her probity, her character.
+
+Here, too, she had suffered the cruel affront, and heartfelt grief, of
+seeing the ingenuous, amiable Lord Melbury forget what was due to the
+rights of hospitality; to his own character; and to the respect due to
+his sister: and here she had witnessed his sincere and candid
+repentance; here had been softened, touched, and penetrated by the
+impressive anguish of his humiliation.
+
+These remembrances, and the various affecting and interesting ideas by
+which they were accompanied, gave a dejection to her thoughts, and a
+sadness to her air, that would have awakened an interest in her favour,
+in any one whose heart had been open to the feelings of others: but the
+person under whose protection she was now to place herself, was a
+stranger to every species of sensation that was not personal. And where
+the calls of self upon sensibility are unremitting, what must be the
+stock that will gift us, also, with supply sufficient for our
+fellow-creatures?
+
+She found Mrs Ireton reclining upon a sofa; at the side of which, upon a
+green velvet cushion, lay a tiny old lap dog, whom a little boy,
+evidently too wanton to find pleasure but in mischief, was secretly
+tormenting, by displaying before him the breast bone of a chicken, which
+he had snatched from the platter of the animal; and which, the moment
+that he made it touch the mouth of the cur, he hid, with all its fat and
+its grease, in his own waistcoat pocket.
+
+Near to these two almost equally indulged and spoilt animals, stood a
+nursery maid, with a duster and an hearth-broom in her hands, who was
+evidently incensed beyond her pittance of patience, from clearing away,
+repeatedly, their joint litter and dirt.
+
+Scared, and keeping humbly aloof, near a window frame, stood, also, a
+little girl, of ten or twelve years of age, who, as Juliet afterwards
+heard from the angry nursery maid, was an orphan, that had been put to a
+charity school by Mrs Ireton, as her particular _protegee_; and who was
+now, for the eighth time, by the direction of her governess, come to
+solicit the arrears due from the very beginning of her school
+instruction.
+
+Yet another trembler, though not one equally, at this moment, to be
+pitied, held the handle of the lock of the door; not having received
+intelligible orders to advance, or to depart. This was a young negro,
+who was the favourite, because the most submissive servant of Mrs
+Ireton; and whose trembling was simply from the fear that his lady might
+remark a grin which he could not repress, as he looked at the child and
+the dog.
+
+Mrs Ireton herself, though her restless eye roved incessantly from
+object to object, in search of various food for her spleen, was
+ostensibly occupied in examining, and decrying, the goods of a Mercer;
+but when Juliet, finding herself unnoticed, was retreating, she called
+out, 'O, you are there, are you? I did not see you, I protest. But come
+this way, if you please. I can't possibly speak so far off.'
+
+The authoritative tone in which this was uttered, joined to what Juliet
+observed of the general tyranny exercised around her, intimidated and
+shocked her; and she stood still, and nearly confounded.
+
+Mrs Ireton, holding her hand above her eyes, as if to aid her sight, and
+stretching forward her head, said, 'Who is that?--pray who's there?--I
+imagined it had been a person I had sent for; but I must certainly be
+mistaken, as she does not come to me. Pray has any body here a spying
+glass? I really can't see so far off. I beg pardon for having such bad
+eyes! I hope you'll forgive it. Let me know, however, who it is, I beg.'
+
+Juliet tried to speak, but felt so confused and disturbed what to
+answer, that she could not clearly articulate a word.
+
+'You won't tell me, then?' continued Mrs Ireton, lowering her voice
+nearly to a whisper, 'or is it that I am not heard? Has any body got a
+speaking trumpet? or do you think my lungs so capacious and powerful,
+that they may take its place?'
+
+Juliet, now, though most unwillingly, moved forward; and Mrs Ireton,
+surveying her, said, 'Yes, yes, I see who you are! I recollect you now,
+Mrs ... Mrs ... I forget your name, though, I protest. I can't recollect
+your name, I own. I'm quite ashamed, but I really cannot call it to
+mind. I must beg a little help. What is it? What is your name, Mrs ...
+Mrs ... Hay?--Mrs ... What?'
+
+Colouring and stammering, Juliet answered, that she had hoped Miss
+Joddrel would have saved her this explanation, by mentioning that she
+was called Miss Ellis.
+
+'Called?' repeated Mrs Ireton; 'what do you mean by called?--who calls
+you?--What are you called for?--Why do you wait to be called?--And where
+are you called from?'
+
+The entire silence of Juliet to these interrogatories, gave a moment to
+the mercer to ask for orders.
+
+'You are in haste, Sir, are you?' said Mrs Ireton; 'I have your pardon
+to beg, too, have I? I am really very unfortunate this morning. However,
+pray take your things away, Sir, if it's so immensely troublesome to you
+to exhibit them. Only be so good as to acquaint your chief, whoever he
+may be, that you had not time to wait for me to make any purchase.'
+
+The man offered the humblest apologies, which were all disdained; and
+self-defending excuses, which were all retorted; he was peremptorily
+ordered to be gone; with an assurance that he should answer for his
+disrespect to his master; who, she flattered herself, would give him a
+lesson of better behaviour, by the loss of his employment.
+
+Harassed with apprehension of what she had to expect in this new
+residence, Juliet would silently have followed him.
+
+'Stay, Ma'am, stay!' cried Mrs Ireton; 'give me leave to ask one
+question:--whither are you going, Mrs ... what's your name?'
+
+'I ... I feared, Madam, that I had come too soon.'
+
+'O, that's it, is it? I have not paid you sufficient attention,
+perhaps?--Nay it's very likely. I did not run up to receive you, I
+confess. I did not open my arms to embrace you, I own! It was very wrong
+of me, certainly. But I am apt to forget myself. I want a flapper
+prodigiously. I know nothing of life,--nothing of manners. Perhaps you
+will be so good as to become my monitress? 'Twill be vastly kind of you.
+And who knows but, in time, you may form me? How happy it will be if you
+can make something of me!'
+
+The maid, now, tired of wiping up splash after splash, and rubbing out
+spot after spot; finding her work always renewed by the mischievous
+little boy, was sullenly walking to the other end of the room.
+
+'O, you're departing too, are you?' said Mrs Ireton; 'and pray who
+dismissed you? whose commands have you for going? Inform me, I beg, who
+it is that is so kind as to take the trouble off my hands, of ordering
+my servants? I ought at least to make them my humble acknowledgements.
+There's nothing so frightful as ingratitude.'
+
+The maid, not comprehending this irony, grumblingly answered, that she
+had wiped up the grease and the slops till her arms ached; for the
+little boy made more dirt and nastiness than the cur himself.
+
+'The boy?--The cur?--What's all this?' cried Mrs Ireton; 'who, and what,
+is the woman talking of? The boy? Has the boy no name?--The cur? Have
+you no more respect for your lady's lap dog?--Grease
+too?--Nastiness!--you turn me sick! I am ready to faint! What horrible
+images you present to me! Has nobody any salts? any lavendar-water? How
+unfortunate it is to have such nerves, such sensations, when one lives
+with such mere speaking machines!'
+
+She then cast around her eyes, with a look of silent, but pathetic
+appeal to the sensibility of all who were within sight, against this
+unheard of indignity; but her speech was soon restored, from mingled
+wrath and surprise, upon perceiving her favourite young negro nearly
+suffocating with stifled laughter, though thrusting both his knuckles
+into his capacious mouth, to prevent its loud explosion.
+
+'So this amuses you, does it, Sir? You think it very comical? You are so
+kind as to be entertained, are you? How happy I am to give you so much
+pleasure! How proud I ought to be to afford you such diversion! I shall
+make it my business to shew my sense of my good fortune; and, to give
+you a proof, Sir, of my desire to contribute to your gaiety, to-morrow
+morning I will have you shipped back to the West Indies. And there, that
+your joy may be complete, I shall issue orders that you may be striped
+till you jump, and that you may jump,--you little black imp!--between
+every stripe!'
+
+The foolish mirth of poor Mungo was now converted into the fearfulest
+dismay. He dropt upon his knees to implore forgiveness; but he was
+peremptorily ordered to depart, with an assurance that he should keep up
+his fine spirits upon bread and water for a fortnight.
+
+If disgust, now, was painted upon every feature of the face of Juliet,
+at this mixture of forced derision with but too natural inhumanity, the
+feeling which excited that expression was by no means softened, by
+seeing Mrs Ireton turn next to the timid young orphan, imperiously
+saying, 'And you, Ma'am, what may you stand there for, with your hands
+before you? Have you nothing better to do with them? Can't you find out
+some way to make them more useful? or do you hold it more fitting to
+consider them as only ornamental? They are very pretty, to be sure. I
+say nothing to the contrary of that. But I should suppose you don't
+quite intend to reserve them for mere objects of admiration? You don't
+absolutely mean, I presume, to devote them to the painter's eye? or to
+destine them to the sculptor's chisel? I should think not, at least. I
+should imagine not. I beg you to set me right if I am wrong.'
+
+The poor little girl, staring, and looking every way around to find some
+meaning for what she did not comprehend, could only utter a faint
+'Ma'am!' in a tone of so much fear and distress, that Juliet, unable,
+silently, to witness oppression so wanton, came forward to say, 'The
+poor child, Ma'am, only wishes to understand your commands, that she may
+obey them.'
+
+'O! they are not clear, I suppose? They are too abstruse, I imagine?'
+contemptuously replied Mrs Ireton. 'And you, who are kind enough to
+offer yourself for my companion; who think yourself sufficiently
+accomplished to amuse,--perhaps instruct me,--you, also, have not the
+wit to find out, what a little chit of an ordinary girl can do better
+with her hands, than to stand still, pulling her own fingers?'
+
+Juliet, now, believing that she had discovered what was meant, kindly
+took the little girl by the arm, and pointed to the just overturned
+water-bason of the dog.
+
+'But I don't know where to get a cloth, Ma'am?' said the child.
+
+'A cloth?--In my wardrobe, to be sure!' cried Mrs Ireton; 'amongst my
+gowns, and caps, and hats. Where else should there be dirty cloths, and
+dusters, and dish-clouts? Do you know of any other place where they are
+likely to be found? Why don't you answer?'
+
+'Ma'am?'
+
+'You never heard, perhaps, of such a place as a kitchen? You don't know
+where it is? nor what it means? You have only heard talk of
+drawing-rooms, dressing-rooms, boudoirs? or, perhaps, sometimes, of a
+corridor, or a vestibule, or an anti-chamber? But nothing beyond!--A
+kitchen!--O, fie, fie!'
+
+Juliet now hurried the little girl away, to demand a cloth of the house
+maid; but the moment that she returned with it, Mrs Ireton called out,
+'And what would you do, now, Ma'am? Make yourself all dirt and filth,
+that you may go back to your school, to shew the delicate state of my
+house? To make your mistress, and all her brats, believe that I live in
+a pig-stie? Or to spread abroad that I have not servants enough to do my
+work, and that I seize upon you to supply their place? But I beg your
+pardon; perhaps that may be your way to shew your gratitude? To manifest
+your sense of my saving you from the work-house? to reward me for
+snatching you from beggary, and want, and starving?'
+
+The poor little girl burst into tears, but courtsied, and quitted the
+room; while Mrs Ireton called after her, to desire that she would
+acquaint her governess, that she should certainly be paid the following
+week.
+
+Juliet now stood in scarcely less dismay than she had been witnessing
+all around her; panic-struck to find herself in the power of a person
+whose character was so wantonly tyrannic and irascible.
+
+The fortunate entrance of some company enabled her, for the present, to
+retreat; and to demand, of one of the servants, the way to her chamber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LII
+
+
+From the heightened disgust which she now conceived against her new
+patroness, Juliet severely repented the step that she had taken. And if
+her entrance into the family contributed so little to her contentment,
+her subsequent introduction into her office was still less calculated to
+exhilarate her spirits. Her baggage was scarcely deposited in a handsome
+chamber, of which the hangings, and decorations, as of every part of the
+mansion, were sumptuous for the spectator; but in which there was a
+dearth of almost every thing that constitutes comfort to the immediate
+dweller; ere she was summoned back, by a hasty order to the
+drawing-room.
+
+Mrs Ireton, who was reading a news-paper, did not, for some time, raise
+her head; though a glance of her eye procured her the satisfaction of
+seeing that her call had been obeyed. Juliet, at first, stood modestly
+waiting for commands; but, receiving none, sat down, though at an humble
+distance; determined to abide by the consequences, be they what they
+might, of considering herself as, at least, above a common domestic.
+
+This action shortened the term of neglect; Mrs Ireton, letting the
+news-paper fall, exclaimed, in a tone of affected alarm, 'Are you ill,
+Ma'am? Are you disordered? I hope you are not subject to fits?'
+
+Juliet coldly answered No.
+
+'I am very glad to hear it, indeed! Very happy, upon my word! I was
+afraid you were going to faint away! But I find that you are only
+delicate; only fatigued by descending the stairs. I ought, indeed, to
+have sent somebody to help you; somebody you could have leant upon as
+you came along. I was very stupid not to think of that. I hope you'll
+pardon me?'
+
+Juliet looked down, but kept her place.
+
+Mrs Ireton, a little nettled, was silent a few minutes, and then said,
+'Pray,--if I may ask,--if it will not be too great a liberty to
+ask,--what have been your pursuits since I had the honour of
+accompanying you to London? How have you passed your time? I hope you
+have found something to amuse you?'
+
+Juliet sighed a negative.
+
+'You have been studying the fine arts, I am told.
+Painting?--Drawing?--Sculpture?--or what is it?--Something of that sort,
+I am informed. Pray what is it, Mrs Thing-a-mi?--I am always forgetting
+your name. Yet you have certainly a name; but I don't know how it is, I
+can never remember it. I believe I must beg you to write it down.'
+
+Juliet again only sighed.
+
+'Perhaps I am making a mistake as to your occupations? Very likely I may
+be quite in the wrong? Indeed I think I recollect, now, what it is you
+have been doing. Acting?--That's it. Is it not? Pray what stage did you
+come out upon first? Did you begin wearing your itinerant buskins in
+England, or abroad?'
+
+'Where I began, Madam, I have ended; at Mrs Maple's.'
+
+'And pray, have you kept that same face ever since I saw you in
+Grosvenor Square? or have you put it on again only now, to come back to
+me? I rather suppose you have made it last the whole time. It would be
+very expensive, I apprehend, to change it frequently: it can by no means
+be so costly to keep it only in repair. How do you put on your colours?
+I have heard of somebody who had learnt the art of enamelling their own
+skin: is that your method?'
+
+Waiting vainly for an answer, she went on.
+
+'Pray, if I may presume so far, how old are you?--But I beg pardon for
+so indiscreet a question. I did not reflect upon what I was saying. Very
+possibly your age may be indefinable. You may be a person of another
+century. A wandering Jewess. I never heard that the old Jew had a wife,
+or a mother, who partook of his longevity; but very likely I may now
+have the pleasure of seeing one of his family under my own roof? That
+red and white, that you lay on so happily, may just as well hide the
+wrinkles of two or three grand climacterics, as of only a poor single
+sixty or seventy years of age. However, these are secrets that I don't
+presume to enquire into. Every trade has its mystery.'
+
+These splenetic witticisms producing no reply, Mrs Ireton, more
+categorically, demanded, 'Pray, Ma'am, pray Mrs What's-your-name, will
+you give me leave to ask what brings you to my house?'
+
+'Miss Joddrel, Madam, informed me that you desired my attendance.'
+
+'Yes; but with what view?'
+
+Disconcerted by this interrogatory, Juliet stammered, but could devise
+no answer.
+
+'To what end, what purpose, what intent, I say, may I owe the honour of
+your presence?'
+
+The office pointed out by Elinor, of an humble companion, now died the
+cheeks of Juliet with shame; but resentment of the palpable desire to
+hear its mortifying acknowledgement, tied her tongue; and though each of
+the following interrogatories was succeeded by a pause that demanded a
+reply, she could not bring herself to utter a word.
+
+'You are hardly come, I should imagine, without some motive: I may be
+mistaken, to be sure; but I should hardly imagine you would take the
+trouble to present yourself merely to afford me the pleasure of seeing
+you?--Not but that I ought to be extremely flattered by such a
+compliment. 'Twould be vastly amiable, certainly. A lady of your
+indescribable consequence! 'Twould be difficult to me to shew an
+adequate sense of so high an honour. I am distressed at the very thought
+of it.--But perhaps you may have some other design?--You may have the
+generosity to intend me some improvement?--You may come to favour me
+with some lessons of declamation?--Who knows but you may propose to make
+an actress of me?--Or perhaps to instruct me how to become an adept in
+your own favourite art of face-daubing?'
+
+At least, thought Juliet, I need not give you any lessons in the _art of
+ingeniously tormenting_! There you are perfect!
+
+'What! no answer yet?--Am I always so unfortunate as to hit upon
+improper subjects?--To ask questions that merit no reply?--I am quite
+confounded at my want of judgment! Excuse it, I entreat, and aid me out
+of this unprofitable labyrinth of conjecture, by telling me, at once, to
+what happy inspiration I am indebted for the pleasure of receiving you
+in my house?'
+
+Juliet pleaded again the directions of Miss Joddrel.
+
+'Miss Joddrel told you to come, then, only to come?--Only to shew
+yourself?--Well, you are worth looking at, I acknowledge, to those who
+have seen you formerly. The transformation must always be curious: I
+only hope you intend to renew it, from time to time, to keep admiration
+alive? That pretty face you exhibit at present, may lose its charms, if
+it should become familiar. When shall you put on the other again, that I
+had the pleasure to see you in first?'
+
+Fatigued and spiritless, Juliet would have retired; but Mrs Ireton
+called after her, 'O! you are going, are you? Pray may I take the
+liberty to ask whither?'
+
+Again Juliet was silent.
+
+'You mean perhaps to repose yourself?--or, may be, to pursue your
+studies?--or, perhaps, you may have some visits upon your hands?--And
+you may only have done me the favour to enter my house to find time to
+follow your humour?--You may think it sufficient honour for me, that I
+may be at the expence of your board, and find you in lodging, and
+furniture, and fire, and candles, and servants?--you may hold this ample
+recompense for such an insignificant person as I am? I ought to be much
+obliged to Miss Joddrel, upon my word, for bringing me into such
+distinction! I had understood her, indeed, that you would come to me as
+my humble companion.'
+
+Juliet, cruelly shocked, turned away her head.
+
+'And I was stupid enough to suppose, that that meant a person who could
+be of some use, and some agreeability; a person who could read to me
+when I was tired, and who, when I had nobody else, could talk to me; and
+find out a thousand little things for me all day long; coming and going;
+prating, or holding her tongue; doing every thing she was bid; and
+keeping always at hand.'
+
+Juliet, colouring at this true, however insulting description of what
+she had undertaken, secretly revolved in her mind, how to renounce, at
+once, an office which seemed to invite mortification, and license
+sarcasm.
+
+'But I perceive I was mistaken! I perceive I knew nothing of the matter!
+It only means a fine lady! a lady that's so delicate it fatigues her to
+walk down stairs; a lady who is so independent, that she retires to her
+room at pleasure; a lady who disdains to speak but when she is disposed,
+for her own satisfaction, to talk; a lady--'
+
+'A lady who, indeed, Madam,' said the tired Juliet, 'weighed too little
+what she attempted, when she hoped to find means of obtaining your
+favour; but who now sees her errour, and entreats at once your pardon
+and dismission.'
+
+She then courtsied respectfully, but, though called back even with
+vehemence, steadily left the room.
+
+Not, however, with triumph did she return to her own. The justice of the
+sensibility which urged her retreat, could not obviate its imprudence,
+or avert its consequences. She was wholly without friends, without
+money, without protection, without succour; and the horrour of a
+licentious pursuit, and the mischiefs menaced by calumniating ill
+wishers, still made a lonely residence as unsafe as when her first
+terrour drove her to acquiesce in the proposition of Elinor. Yet, though
+she could not exult, she could not repent: how desire, how even support
+a situation so sordid? a situation not only distressing, but oppressive;
+not merely cruel, but degrading.
+
+She was preparing, therefore, for immediate departure, when she was
+stopt by a footman, who informed her that Mrs Ireton demanded to see her
+without delay.
+
+The expectation of reproach made her hesitate whether to obey this
+order; but a desire not to have the air of meriting it, by the defiance
+of a refusal, led her again to the dressing-room.
+
+Here, however, to her great surprise, instead of the haughty or taunting
+upbraidings for which she was prepared, she was received with a gracious
+inclination of the head; while the footman was told to give her a chair.
+
+Mrs Ireton, then, fixing her eyes upon a pamphlet which she held in her
+hand; that she might avoid taking any notice of the stiff and decided
+air with which Juliet stood still, though amazed, said, 'My bookseller
+has just sent me something to look at, which may serve for a beginning
+of our readings.'
+
+Juliet now saw, that, however imperiously she had been treated, Mrs
+Ireton had no intention to part with her. She saw, too, that that lady
+was amongst the many, though terrible characters, who think superior
+rank or fortune authorises perverseness, and legitimates arrogance; who
+hold the display of ill humour to be the display and mark of power; and
+who set no other boundary to their pleasure in the art of tormenting,
+than that which, if passed, might endanger their losing its object. She
+wished, more than ever, to avoid all connexion with a nature so wilfully
+tyrannic; but Mrs Ireton, who read in her dignified demeanour, that a
+spirit was awakened which threatened the escape of her prey, determined
+to shun any discussion. Suddenly, therefore, rising, and violently
+ringing the bell, she exclaimed, 'I dare say those fools have not placed
+half the things you want in your chamber; but I shall make Whitly see
+immediately that all is arranged as it ought to be.'
+
+She then gave some parading directions, that Miss Ellis should want for
+nothing; and, affecting not to perceive the palpable design of Juliet
+to decline these tardy attentions, graciously nodded her head, and
+passed into another room.
+
+Juliet, not absolutely softened, yet somewhat appeased, again hesitated.
+A road seemed open, by some exertion of spirit, for obtaining better
+treatment; and however ungenial to her feelings was a character whose
+humours submitted to no restraint, save to ensure their own lengthened
+indulgence, still, in appearing more contemptible, it became less
+tremendous.
+
+She began, also, to see her office as less debasing. Why, she cried,
+should I exaggerate my torments, by blindly giving into received
+opinions, without examining whether here, as in all things else, there
+may not be exceptions to general rules? A sycophant must always be
+despicable; a parasite must eternally deserve scorn; but may there not
+be a possibility of uniting the affluent with the necessitous upon more
+equitable terms? May not some medium be hit upon, between oppression on
+one side, and servility on the other? If we are not worthless because
+indigent, why conclude ourselves abject because dependent? Happiness,
+indeed, dwells not with undue subordination; but the exertion of talents
+in our own service can never in itself be vile. It can only become so
+where it is mingled and contaminated with flattery, with unfitting
+obsequiousness, and unworthy submissions. They who simply repay being
+sustained and protected, by a desire to please, a readiness to serve, a
+wish to instruct; without falsehood in their counsels, without adulation
+in their civilities, without meanness in their manners and conduct; have
+at least as just a claim to respect and consideration, for their
+services and their labours, as those who, merely through pecuniary
+retribution, reap their fruits.
+
+This idea better reconciled her with her condition; and she blessed her
+happy acquaintance with Mr Giles Arbe, which had strengthened her
+naturally philosophical turn of mind, by leading her to this simple, yet
+useful style of reasoning.
+
+The rest of the day was propitious to her new views. The storms with
+which it had begun subsided, and a calm ensued, in which Mrs Ireton set
+apart her querulous irascibility, and forbore her contemptuous
+interrogatories.
+
+The servants were ordered not to neglect Miss Ellis; and Miss Ellis
+received permission to carry to her own apartment, any books from off
+the piano forte or tables, that might contribute to her amusement.
+
+Juliet was not of a character to take advantage of a moment of
+concession, even in an enemy. The high and grave deportment, therefore,
+which had thus happily raised alarm, had no sooner answered its purpose,
+than she suffered it to give place to an air of gentleness, more
+congenial to her native feelings: and, the next morning, subduing her
+resentment, and submitting, with the best grace in her power, to the
+business of her office, she cheerfully proposed reading; complied with
+the first request that was made her to play upon the piano-forte and the
+harp; and even, to sing; though, not so promptly; for her voice and
+sensibility were less ductile than her manners. But she determined to
+leave nothing untried, that could prove, that it was not more easy to
+stimulate her pride by indignity, than to animate her desire to oblige
+by mild usage.
+
+This resolution on her part, which the fear of losing her, on that of
+Mrs Ireton, gave time to operate, brought into play so many brilliant
+accomplishments, and opened to her patroness such sources of amusement,
+that, while Juliet began to hope she had found a situation which she
+might sustain till her suspences should be over, Mrs Ireton conceived
+that she had met with a treasure, which might rescue her unoccupied
+hours from weariness and spleen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIII
+
+
+This delusion, unfortunately, was not of long duration on either side.
+Mrs Ireton no sooner observed that Juliet appeared to be settled, than
+all zest for detaining her ceased; no sooner became accustomed to
+hearing at will the harp, or the piano-forte, than she found something
+to say, or to do, that interrupted the performance every four or five
+bars; and had no sooner secured a reader whose voice she could command
+at pleasure, than she either quarrelled with every book that was begun;
+or yawned, or fondled and talked aloud to her little lap dog, during the
+whole time that any work was read.
+
+This quick abatement in the power of pleasing, was supported by Juliet
+with indifference rather than philosophy. Where interest alone is
+concerned, disappointment is rarely heavy with the young and generous.
+Age, or misfortune, must teach the value of pecuniary considerations, to
+give them force. Yet, though no tender affections, no cherished hopes,
+no favourite feelings were in the power of Mrs Ireton, every moment of
+time, and consequently all means of comfort, were at her disposal.
+Juliet languished, therefore, though she would not repine; and though
+she was not afflicted at heart, she sickened with disgust.
+
+The urgency of finding security from immediate insult and want, induced
+her, nevertheless, to persevere in her fortitude for supporting, and her
+efforts for ameliorating her situation. But, the novelty over, all
+labour was vain, all success was at an end; and, in a very short time,
+she would have contributed no more to the expulsion of spleen, than any
+other inmate of the house; had not her superiour acquirements opened a
+more extensive field for the exercise of tyranny and caprice. And in
+that exercise alone, Juliet soon saw, consisted every sensation of
+pleasure of which Mrs Ireton was susceptible.
+
+Of the many new tasks of Juliet, that which she found the most severe,
+was inventing amusement for another while sad and dispirited herself. It
+was her duty to be always at hand, early or late; it was her business to
+furnish entertainment, whether sick or well. Success, therefore, was
+unacknowledged, though failure was resented. There was no relaxation to
+her toil, no rest for her person, no recruit for her spirits. From her
+sleep alone she could purloin the few minutes that she dedicated to her
+pen and her Gabriella.
+
+If a new novel excited interest, or a political pamphlet awakened
+curiosity, she was called upon to read whole hours, nay, whole days,
+without intermission; even a near extinction of voice did not authorize
+so great a liberty as that of requesting a few minutes for rest. Mrs
+Ireton, who regarded all the world as robust, compared with herself,
+deemed it an impertinent rivalry of a delicacy which she held to be
+unexampled, ever to pronounce the word fatigue, ever to heave a sigh of
+lassitude, or ever even to allude to that part of the human frame which
+is called nerves, unless with some pointed reference to herself.
+
+With the same despotic hardness, she ordered Juliet to the harp, or
+piano-forte, and made her play though she were suffering from the
+acutest head-ache; and sing when hoarse and short-breathed from the most
+violent cold. Yet those commands, however arbitrary and unfeeling, were
+more supportable than those with which, after every other source of
+tyrannic authority had been drained, the day was ordinarily concluded.
+Mrs Ireton, at the hour of retiring, when weary alike of books and of
+music, listless, fretful, captious; too sleepy for any exertion, yet too
+wakeful or uneasy for repose; constantly brought forward the same
+enquiries which had so often been urged and repelled, in the week that
+they had spent together upon their arrival from France; repeated the
+same sneers, revived the same suspicions, and recurred to the same rude
+interrogatories or offensive insinuations.
+
+At meals, the humble companion was always helped last; even when there
+were gentlemen, even when there were children at the table; and always
+to what was worst; to what was rejected, as ill-cooked, or left, as
+spoilt and bad. No question was ever asked of what she chose or what she
+disliked. Sometimes she was even utterly forgotten; and, as no one
+ventured to remind Mrs Ireton of any omission, her helpless _protegee_,
+upon such occasions, rose half famished from the inhospitable board.
+
+Upon the entrance of any visitors, not satisfied to let the humble
+companion glide gently away, the haughty patroness called out, in a tone
+of command, 'You may go to your room now: I shall send for you when I am
+at leisure.' Or, 'You may stand at the window if you will. You won't be
+in the way, I believe; and I shall want you presently.'
+
+Or, if she feared that any one of the party had failed to remark this
+augmentation of her household and of her power, she would retard the
+willing departure by some frivolous and vexatious commission; as, 'Stop,
+Miss Ellis; do pray tie this string a little tighter.' Or, 'Draw up my
+gloves a little higher: but be so good as not to pinch me; unless you
+have a particular fancy for it!'
+
+If, drily, though respectfully, Juliet ever proposed to wait in her own
+room, the answer was, 'In your own room? O,--ay--well,--that may be
+better! I beg your pardon for having proposed that you should wait in
+one of mine! I beg your pardon, a thousand times! I really did not think
+of what I was saying! I hope you'll forgive my inattention!'
+
+When then, silently, and with difficulty forbearing from shrugging her
+shoulders, Juliet walked away, she was again stopt by, 'One moment, Miss
+Ellis! if it won't be requesting too great a favour. Pray, when I want
+you, where may I hear of your servants? For to be sure you don't mean
+that mine should scamper up and down all day long for you? You cannot
+mean that. You must have a lackey of your own, no doubt: some page, or
+spruce foot-boy at your command, to run upon your errands: only pray let
+some of my people know where he may be met with.'
+
+But if, when the purpose was answered of drawing the attention of her
+guests upon her new dependent, that attention were followed by any looks
+of approbation, or marks of civility, she hastily exclaimed, 'O, pray
+don't disturb yourself, Sir!' or 'Ma'am! 'tis only a young woman I have
+engaged to read to me;--a young person whom I have taken into my house
+out of compassion.' And then, affably nodding, she would affect to be
+suddenly struck with something which she had already repeatedly seen,
+and cry, 'Well, I declare, that gown is not ugly, Miss Ellis! How did
+you come by it?' or, 'That ribbon's pretty enough: who gave it you?'
+
+Ah, thought Juliet, 'tis conduct such as this that makes inequality of
+fortune baleful! Where superiour wealth falls into liberal hands,--where
+its possessor is an Aurora Granville, it proves a good still more to the
+surrounders than to the owners; 'it blesses those that give, and those
+that take.'--But Oh! where it is misused for the purposes of bowing
+down the indigent, of oppressing the helpless, of triumphing over the
+dependent,--then, how baneful then is inequality of fortune!
+
+With those thoughts, and deeply hurt, she was twenty times upon the
+point of retiring, during the first week of her distasteful office; but
+the sameness of the offences soon robbed the mortifications of their
+poignancy; and apathy; in a short time, taking place of sensibility, she
+learnt to bear them if not with indifference, at least with its
+precursor contempt.
+
+Amongst the most irksome of the toils to which this subjection made her
+liable, was the care,--not of the education, nor mind, nor manners, but
+of the amusements,--of the little nephew of Mrs Ireton; whom that lady
+rather exulted than blushed to see universally regarded as a spoilt
+child.
+
+The temper of this young creature was grown so capricious, from
+incessant indulgence, that no compliance, no luxury, no diversion could
+afford him more than momentary pleasure; while his passions were become
+so ungovernable, that, upon every contrariety or disappointment, he
+vented his rage, to the utmost extent of his force, upon whomsoever, or
+whatsoever, animate or inanimate, he could reach.
+
+All the mischief thus committed, the injuries thus sustained, the noise
+and disturbance thus raised, were to be borne throughout the house
+without a murmur. Whatever destruction he caused, Mrs Ireton was always
+sure was through the fault of some one else; what he mutilated, or
+broke, she had equal certainty must have been merely by accident; and
+those he hurt or ill used, must have provoked his anger. If any one
+ventured to complain, 'twas the sufferer, not the inflictor who was
+treated as culpable.
+
+It was the misfortune of Juliet to excite, by her novelty, the attention
+of this young tyrant; and by her powers of entertainment, exerted
+inadvertently, from a love of obliging, to become his favourite. The
+hope of softening his temper and manners, by amusing his mind, had
+blinded her, at first, to the trouble, the torment rather, of such
+pre-eminence, which soon proved one of the most serious evils of her
+situation. Mrs Ireton, having raised in his young bosom, expectations
+never to be realised, by passing the impossible decree, that nothing
+must be denied to her eldest brother's eldest son; had authorised
+demands from him, and licensed wishes, destructive both to his
+understanding and his happiness. When the difficulties which this decree
+occasioned, devolved upon a domestic, she left him to get rid of them as
+he could; only reserving to herself the right to blame the way that was
+taken, be it what it might: but when the embarrassment fell to her own
+lot; when the spoilt urchin claimed what was every way unattainable; she
+had been in the habit of sending him abroad, for the immediate relief of
+her nerves. The favour into which he took Juliet now offered a new and
+more convenient resource. Instead of 'Order the carriage, and let the
+child go out:' Miss Ellis was called upon to play with him; to tell him
+stories; to shew him pictures; to build houses for him with cards; or to
+suffer herself to be dragged unmeaningly, yet wilfully and forcibly,
+from walk to walk in the garden, or from room to room in the house; till
+tired, and quarrelling even with her compliance, he recruited his
+wearied caprices with sleep.
+
+Nor even here ended the encroachments upon her time, her attention, her
+liberty; not only the spoilt child, but the favourite dog was put under
+her superintendence; and she was instructed to take charge of the
+airings and exercise of Bijou; and to carry him where the road was rough
+or miry, that he might not soil those paws, which had the exclusive
+privilege of touching the lady of the mansion; and even of pulling,
+patting and scratching her robes and attire for his recreation.
+
+To many, in the place of Juliet, the spoilt child and the spoilt cur
+would have been objects of detestation: but against the mere instruments
+of malice she harboured no resentment. The dog, though snarling and
+snapping at every one but his mistress, Juliet saw as vicious only from
+evil habits, which were imbibed, nay taught, rather than natural: the
+child, though wantonly revelling in mischief of every kind, she
+considered but as a little savage, who, while enjoying the splendour and
+luxury of civilized life, was as unformed, as rough, as untaught, and
+therefore as little responsible for his conduct, as if just caught, and
+brought, wild and untamed, from the woods. The animal, therefore, she
+exculpated; the child she pitied; it was the mistress of the mansion
+alone, who, wilful in all she did, and conscious of all she inflicted,
+provoked bitterer feelings. And to these, the severest poignancy was
+accidentally added to Juliet, by the cruel local circumstance of
+receiving continual indignity in the very house, nay the very room,
+where, in sweetest intercourse, she had been accustomed to be treated
+upon terms of generous equality by Lady Aurora Granville.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIV
+
+
+Juliet had passed but a short space, by the measure of time, in this new
+residence, though by that of suffering and disgust it had seemed as long
+as it was irksome, when, one morning, she was informed, by the
+nursery-maid, that a grand breakfast was to be given, about two o'clock,
+to all the first gentry in and near Brighthelmstone.
+
+Mrs Ireton, herself, making no mention of any such purpose, issued her
+usual orders for the attendance of Juliet, with her implements of
+amusement; and went, at an early hour, to a light building, called the
+Temple of the Sun, which overlooked the sea, from the end of the garden.
+
+This Temple, like every place which Mrs Ireton capriciously, and even
+for the shortest interval, inhabited, was now filled with materials for
+recreation, which, ingeniously employed, might have whiled away a
+winter; but which, from her fluctuating whims, were insufficient even
+for the fleet passage of a few hours. Books, that covered three
+window-seats; songs and sonatas that covered those books; various pieces
+of needle-work; a billiard-table; a chess-board; a backgammon-board; a
+cup and ball, &c. &c.; all, in turn, were tried; all, in turn, rejected;
+and invectives the most impatient were uttered against each, as it
+ceased to afford her pleasure; as if each, with living malignity, had
+studied to cause her disappointment.
+
+About noon, she took the arm of Juliet, to descend the steps of the
+Temple. Upon opening the door, Ireton appeared sauntering in the garden.
+Juliet vexed at his sight, which Elinor had assured her that she would
+never encounter, severely felt the mortification of being seen in her
+present situation, by one who had so repeatedly offended her by
+injurious suspicions, and familiar impertinence.
+
+Mrs Ireton, hastily relinquishing the arm of Juliet, from expecting
+that of her son, at whose sight she was evidently surprised; now
+resolved, with her most brilliant flourishes, to exhibit the new object
+of her power.
+
+'Why don't you take care of the child, Miss Ellis?' she cried aloud. 'Do
+you design to let him break his neck down the stone steps? I beg your
+pardon, though, for asking the question. It may be very _mal a propos_.
+It may be necessary, perhaps, to some of your plans, to see a tragedy in
+real life? You may have some work in agitation, that may require that
+sort of study. I am sorry to have stood so unopportunely in your way:
+quite ashamed, upon my word, to have prevented your taking a few hints
+from the child's dislocating a limb, or two; or just fracturing his
+skull. 'Twould have been a pretty melancholy sight, enough, for an
+elegiac muse. I really beg your pardon, for being so uncooth, as to
+think of such a trumpery circumstance as saving the child's life.'
+
+Juliet, during this harangue, assiduously followed the young gentleman;
+who, with a shout of riotous rebellion, ran down the steps, and jumping
+into a parterre, selected, by his eye, the most beautiful of the flowers
+for treading under his feet; and, at every representation of Juliet,
+flung at her as many pinks, carnations, and geraniums, as his merciless
+little fingers could grasp.
+
+Ireton, approaching, looked smilingly on, negligently nodding, and
+calling out, 'Well done, Loddard! Bravo, my little Pickle!'
+
+Loddard, determined to merit this honourable testimony of his prowess,
+continued his sport, with augmented boldness. His wantonness, however,
+though rude, was childish; Juliet, therefore, though tormented, gave it
+no serious resentment; but she was not equally indifferent to the more
+maturely malicious insolence of Ireton, who, while he openly enjoyed the
+scene, negligently said to Loddard, 'What, my boy, hast got a new
+nurse?'
+
+Mrs Ireton, having stood some time leaning upon the balustrade of the
+steps which she was descending, in vain expectations of the arm of her
+son, who had only slightly bowed to her, with an 'How do do, Ma'am?' to
+which he waited not for an answer; now indignantly called out, 'So I am
+to be left to myself, am I? In this feeble and alarming state to which I
+am reduced, incapable to withstand a gust of wind, or to baffle the fall
+of a leaf, I may take care of myself, may I? I am too stout to require
+any attention? too robust, too obstreperous to need any help? If I fall
+down, I may get up again, I suppose? If I faint, I may come to myself
+again, I imagine? You will have the goodness to permit that, I presume?
+I may be mistaken, to be sure, but I should presume so. Don't you hear
+me, Mistress Ellis? But you are deaf, may be?--I am alarmed to the last
+degree!--You are suddenly seized, perhaps with the loss of one of your
+senses?'
+
+This attack, begun for her son, though, upon his romping with the little
+boy, in total disregard to its reproach, ending for Juliet, made Ireton
+now, throwing back his head, to stare, with a sneering half-laugh, at
+Juliet, exclaim, 'Fie, Mrs Betty! How can you leave Mrs Ireton, unaided,
+in such peril? Fie, Mrs Polly, fie! Mrs.... What is your new nurse's
+name, my boy?'
+
+The boy, who never held his tongue but when he was desired to speak,
+would make no answer, but by running violently after Juliet, as she
+sought to escape from him; flinging flowers, leaves, grass, or whatever
+he could find, at her, with boisterous shouts of laughter, and with all
+his little might.
+
+Mrs Ireton, brought nearly to good humour by the sight of the perplexity
+and displeasure of Juliet, only uttered, 'Pretty dear! how playful he
+is!' But when, made still more daring by this applause, the little
+urchin ventured to touch the hem of her own garments, she became
+suddenly sensible of his disobedience and wanton mischief, and commanded
+him from her presence.
+
+As careless of her wrath as he was ungrateful for her favour, the young
+gentleman thought of nothing so little as of obedience. He jumped and,
+skipped around her, in bold defiance of all authority; laughing loudly
+in her face; making a thousand rude grimaces; yet screaming, as if
+attacked by a murderer, when she attempted to catch him; though, the
+moment that he forced himself out of her reach, hallooing his joyous
+triumph in her ears, with vociferous exultation.
+
+Juliet was ordered to take him in hand, and carry him off; an order
+which, to quit the scene, she prepared with pleasure to obey: but the
+young gentleman, though he pursued her with fatiguing fondness when she
+sought to avoid him, now ran wildly away.
+
+Mrs Ireton, enraged, menaced personal chastisement; but upon his darting
+at Juliet, and tearing her gown, she turned abruptly aside, in the
+apprehension of being called upon for reparation; and, gently saying,
+'What a frisky little rogue it is!' affected to observe him no longer.
+
+The torn robe proved a potent attraction to the little dog, who, yelping
+with unmeaning fury, flew at and began gnawing it, with as much
+vehemence, as if its destruction were essential to his well being.
+
+A party of company was now announced, that begged to join Mrs Ireton in
+the garden; and, tripping foremost from the advancing throng, came,
+Selina.
+
+Ireton, flapping his hat over his eyes, leisurely sauntered away. Mrs
+Ireton returned to the Temple, to receive her guests with more state;
+and Juliet hoping, though doubtfully, some relief and countenance, bent
+forward to greet her young friend.
+
+Selina, with a look of vivacity and pleasure, eagerly approached; but
+while her hands were held out, in affectionate amity, and her eyes
+invited Juliet to meet her, she stopt, as if from some sudden
+recollection; and, after taking a hasty glance around her, picked a
+flower from a border of the parterre, and ran back with it to present to
+Lady Arramede.
+
+Juliet, scarcely disappointed, retreated; and the party advanced in a
+body. She would fain have hidden herself, but had no power; the boy,
+with romping violence, forcibly detaining her, by loud shrieks, which
+rent the air, when she struggled to disengage herself from his hold.
+And, as every visitor, however stunned or annoyed, uttered, in
+approaching him, the admiring epithets of 'Dear little creature!' 'Sweet
+little love!' 'Pretty little dear!' &c. the boy, in common with children
+of a larger growth, concluding praise to be approbation, flung himself
+upon Juliet, with all his force; protesting that he would give her a
+green gown: while all the company,--upon Mrs Ireton's appearing at an
+open window of the Temple,--unanimously joined in extolling his
+strength, his agility, and his spirited character.
+
+The wearied and provoked Juliet now seriously and strenuously sought to
+disengage herself from the stubborn young athletic; but he clung round
+her waist, and was jumping up at her shoulders, to catch at the ribbon
+of her hat, when Lady Kendover and her niece, who were the last of the
+company that arrived, entered the garden.
+
+Lady Barbara Frankland no sooner perceived Juliet, and her distress,
+than, swift as the wind, breaking from her aunt, she flew forward to
+give her succour; seizing the sturdy little assailant by his arms, when
+unprepared to defend himself, and twisting him, adroitly, from his prey;
+exclaiming, 'You spoilt little wicked creature, beg pardon of that
+lovely Miss Ellis directly! this moment!'
+
+'Ellis! Dear, if it is not Ellis!' cried Selina, now joining them. 'How
+glad I am to see you, my dear Ellis! What an age it is since we met!'
+
+Juliet, whose confidence was somewhat more than staggered in the regard
+of Selina, coldly courtsied to her; while, with the warmest gratitude,
+she began expressing her acknowledgements for the prompt and generous
+kindness of Lady Barbara; when the boy, recovering from his surprise,
+and furious at any controul, darted at her ladyship with vindictive
+violence; attempting, and intending, to practise upon her the same feats
+which had nearly subdued Juliet: but the situation was changed: the
+exclamations were reversed; and 'O, you naughty little thing!' 'How can
+you be so rude?' 'Fie, child, fie!' were echoed from mouth to mouth;
+which every step bent forward to protect 'poor Lady Barbara' from the
+troublesome little creature.
+
+The boy was then seriously made over to his maid, to be new dressed;
+with a promise of peaches and sugar plums if he would be so very good a
+child, as to submit to the repugnant operations of his toilette, without
+crying or fighting.
+
+The butler now appeared, to announce that the breakfast was ready; and
+Juliet saw confirmed, that the party had been invited and expected;
+though Mrs Ireton meant to impress her with the magnificent idea, that
+this was her common way of life.
+
+The company all re-entered the house, and all without taking the
+smallest notice of Juliet; Lady Barbara excepted, who affectionately
+shook hands with her, and warmly regretted that she did not join the
+party.
+
+Juliet, to whom the apparent mystery of her situation offered as much
+apology for others, as it brought distress to herself, went back, far
+more hurt than offended to the Temple.
+
+Hence, presently, from under one of the windows, she heard a weak, but
+fretful and angry voice, morosely giving impatient reprimands to some
+servant, while imperiously refusing to listen to even the most
+respectful answer.
+
+Looking from the window, she saw, and not without concern, from the
+contrast to the good humour which she had herself experienced, that this
+choleric reproacher was Sir Jaspar Herrington.
+
+The nursery-maid, who came, soon afterwards, in search of some baubles,
+which her young master had left in the Temple; complained that her
+mistress's rich brother-in-law, Sir Jaspar, who never entered the house
+but upon grand invitations, had been at his usual game of scolding, and
+finding fault with all the servants, till they all wished him at
+Jericho; sparing nobody but Nanny, whom the men called the Beauty. He
+was so particular, when he was in his tantarums, the maid added, that he
+was almost as cross as the old lady herself; except, indeed, to his
+favourites, and those he could never do enough for. But he commanded
+about him at such a rate, that Mrs Ireton, she was sure, would never let
+him into the house, if it were not in the hope of wheedling him into
+leaving the great fortune, that had fallen to him with the name of
+Herrington, to the young 'Squire; though the young 'Squire was well
+enough off without it; being certain of the Ireton estate, because it
+was entailed upon him, if his uncle, Sir Jaspar, should die without
+children.
+
+Juliet did not hear this history of the ill temper of her generous old
+beau, without chagrin; but the prating nursery-maid ceased not recording
+what she called his tantarums, till the well known sound of his crutches
+announced his approach, when she hastily made her exit.
+
+With the awkward feeling of uncertain opinion, softened off,
+nevertheless, by the remembrance of strong personal obligation, Juliet
+presented herself at the door, to shew her intention of descending.
+
+Occupied by the pain of labouring up the steps, he did not raise his
+head, or perceive her, till he had reached the threshold of the little
+building. His still brilliant eyes became then brighter, and the air of
+harsh asperity which, while mounting, his countenance still retained,
+from recent anger, was suddenly converted into a look of the most lively
+pleasure, and perfect good humour. After touching his hat, and waving
+his hand, with an old fashioned, but well bred air of gallantry, he
+laughingly confessed, that he had ascended with the view of recruiting
+his strength and spirits, by a private visit to the god Morpheus; to
+enable him to get through the weighty enterprize, of encountering a
+throng of frivolous females, without affronting them by his yawns. 'How
+little,' he continued, 'did I imagine myself coming to Sleep's most
+resistless conqueror, Delight! If I rouse not now, I must have more
+soporiferous qualities than the Sleepers! or even than the Sleeping
+Beauty in the Wood, who took a nap of forty years.'
+
+Then entreating her to be seated, he dropt upon the easy chair, which
+had been prepared for Mrs Ireton; and crossed his crutches, as if by
+accident, in a manner that prevented her from retreating. She was the
+less, however, impatient of this delay, as she saw that the windows
+looking from the house into the garden, were filled with company, which
+she desired nothing so little as to pass in review.
+
+Taking, therefore, a place as far from him as was in her power, she made
+herself an occupation, in arranging some mulberry leaves for silk-worms.
+
+The Baronet, whose face expressed encreasing satisfaction at his
+situation, courteously sought to draw her into discourse. 'My little
+friends,' cried he, smiling, 'who are always at work, have continually
+been tormenting me of late, with pinches and twitches, upon my utter
+neglect of my sister-in-law, Mrs Ireton. I could not for my life imagine
+why they took so prodigious an interest in my visiting her; but they
+nipt, and squeezed, and worried me, without intermission; accusing me of
+misbehaviour; saying she was my sister-in-law; and ill, and
+hypochondriac; and that it was by no means pretty behaved in me, not to
+shew her more respect. It was in vain I represented, that she was rich,
+and did not want me; or that she was disagreeable, and that I did not
+want her; 'twas all one; they insisted I should go: and this morning,
+when I would have excused myself from coming to her fine breakfast, they
+beset me in so many ways, that I was forced to comply. And now I see
+why! Poor, earthly, mundane mortal that I was! I took them for envious
+sprites, jealous of my repose! But I see, now, they were only recreative
+little sylphs, amusing themselves with whipping and spurring me on to my
+own good!'
+
+And is this, thought Juliet, the man who bears a character of impatience
+and ill humour? this man, whose imagination is so playful, and whose
+desire to please can only be equalled by his desire to serve?
+
+'And where,' he continued, 'have you all this time been eclipsed? From
+sundry circumstances, that perversely obtruded themselves upon my
+knowledge, in defiance of the ill reception I gave them, I was led, at
+first, to conclude, that you had been spirited away by Sir Lyell
+Sycamore.'
+
+He fixed his eyes upon her curiously; but the colour that rose in her
+cheeks betrayed no secret consciousness; it shewed open resentment.
+
+'O! I soon saw,' he resumed, as if he had been answered, though she had
+not deigned to disclaim an idea that she deemed fitted simply for
+contempt; 'by the mortified silence of my young gallant, that the fates
+had not been propitious to his wishes. In characters of his description,
+success never courts the shade. It basks in the sun-shine, and seeks the
+broadest day. How is it that you have thus piqued the vain spark? He
+came to me in such a flame, to upbraid me for what he called the cursed
+ridiculous dance that I had led him, that I fairly thought he meant to
+call me out! I began, directly, to look about me for the stoutest of my
+crutches, to parry, for a last minute or two, his broad sword; and to
+deliberate which might be the thickest of my leather cushions, to hold
+up in my defence, for reverberating the ball, in case he should prefer
+pistols. But he deigned, most fortunately, to content himself with only
+abusing me: hinting, that such superannuated old geese, as those who
+had passed their grand climacteric, ought not to meddle with affairs of
+which they must have lost even the memory. I let him bounce off without
+any answer; very thankful to the "Sisters three" to feel myself in a
+whole skin.'
+
+Looking at her, then, with an expression of humorous reproach, 'You will
+permit me, I hope, at least,' he added, 'to flatter myself, that, when
+your indulgence to the garrulity of age has induced you to bear with my
+loquacity till I am a little hoarser, your consideration for sore
+throats and heated lungs, will prevail upon you to utter a little word
+or two in your turn?'
+
+Juliet, laughing, answered that she had been too well amused, to be
+aware how little she had seemed to merit his exertions.
+
+'Tell me, then,' cried he, with looks that spoke him enchanted by this
+reply; 'through what extraordinary mechanism, in the wheel of fortune,
+you have been rolled to this spot? The benevolent sprites, who have
+urged me hither, have not given me a jot of information how you became
+known to Mrs Ireton? By what strange spell have you been drawn in, to
+seem an inmate of her mansion? and what philters and potions have you
+swallowed, to make you endure her never-ending vagaries?'
+
+Half smiling, half sighing, Juliet looked down; not willing to accept,
+though hardly able to resist, the offered licence for complaint.
+
+'Make no stranger,' the old Baronet laughingly added, 'of me, I beg! She
+is my sister-in-law, to be sure; but the law, with all its subtleties,
+had not yet entailed our affections, with our estates, to our relations;
+nor articled our tastes, with our jointures, to our dowagers. Use,
+therefore, no manner of ceremony! How do you bear with her freaks and
+fancies? or rather,--for that is the essential point, why do you bear
+with them?'
+
+'Can that,' said Juliet, 'be a question?'
+
+'Not a wise one, I confess!' he returned; 'for what but Necessity could
+link together two creatures who seem formed to give a view of human
+nature diametrically opposite the one from the other? These indeed must
+be imps,--and imps of darkness,--who, busy, busy still--delight
+
+    To join the gentle to the rude![20]
+
+that can have coupled so unharmonizing a pair. Hymen, with all the
+little active sinister devils in his train, that yoke together, pell
+mell, for life, hobbling age with bounding youth; choleric violence with
+trembling timidity; haggard care with thoughtless merriment;--Hymen
+himself, that marrying little lawyer, who takes upon him to unite what
+is most discordant, and to tie together all that is most heterogeneous;
+even he, though provided with what is, so justly, called a licence, for
+binding together what nature itself seems to sunder; he, even he, I
+assert, never buckled in the same noose, two beings so completely and
+equally dissimilar, both without and within. Since such, however, has
+been the ordinance of these fantastic workers of wonders, will you let
+me ask, in what capacity it has pleased their impships to conjure you
+hither?'
+
+[Footnote 20: Thomson.]
+
+Juliet hesitated, and looked ashamed to answer.
+
+'You are not, I hope,' cried he, fixing upon her his keen eyes, 'one of
+those ill-starred damsels, whose task, in the words of Madame de
+Maintenon, is to 'amuse the unamuseable?' You are not, I hope, ...' he
+stopt, as if seeking a phrase, and then, rather faintly, added, 'her
+companion?'
+
+'Her humble servant, Sir!' with a forced smile, said Juliet; 'and yet,
+humbled as I feel myself in that capacity, not humble enough for its
+calls!'
+
+The smiles of the old Baronet vanished in a moment, and an expression of
+extreme severity took their place. 'She uses you ill, then?' he
+indignantly cried, and, grasping the knobs of his two crutches, he
+struck their points against the floor, with a heaviness that made the
+little building shake, ejaculating, in a hoarse inward voice, 'Curse
+her!'
+
+Juliet stared at him, affrighted by his violence.
+
+'Can it be possible,' he cried, 'that so execrable a fate should be
+reserved for so exquisite a piece of workmanship? Sweet witch! were I
+but ten years younger, I would snatch you from her infernal claws!--or
+rather, could I cut off twenty;--yet even then the disparity would be
+too great!--thirty years younger,--or perhaps forty,--my hand and
+fortune should teach that Fury her distance!'
+
+Juliet, surprised, and doubting whether what dropt from him were escaped
+sincerity, or purposed irony, looked with so serious a perplexity, that,
+struck and ashamed, he checked himself; and recovering his usually
+polite equanimity, smiled at his own warmth, saying, 'Don't be alarmed,
+I beg! Don't imagine that I shall forget myself; nor want to hurry away,
+lest my animation should be dangerous! The heat that, at
+five-and-twenty, might have fired me into a fever, now raises but a
+kindly glow, that stops, or keeps off stagnation. The little sprites,
+who hover around me, though they often mischievously spur my poor
+fruitless wishes, always take care, by seasonable twitches, in some
+vulnerable gouty part, to twirl me from the regions of hope and romance,
+to very sober real life!'
+
+Fearful of appearing distrustful, Juliet looked satisfied, and again he
+went on.
+
+'Since, then, 'tis clear that there can be no danger in so simple an
+intercourse, why should I not give myself the gratification of telling
+you, that every sight of you does me good? renovates my spirits;
+purifies my humours; sweetens my blood; and braces my nerves? Never talk
+to me with mockery of fairyism, witchcraft, and sylphs; the real
+influence of lovely youth, is a thousand times more wonderful, more
+potent, and more incredible! When I have seen you only an instant, I
+feel in charity with all mankind for the rest of the day; and, at night,
+my kind little friends present you to me again; renew every pleasing
+idea; revive the most delightful images; and paint you to me--just such
+as I see you at this moment!'
+
+Juliet, embarrassed, talked of returning to the house.
+
+'Do you blush?' cried he, with quickness, and evidently increasing
+admiration; 'is it possible that you are not enough habituated to
+praise, to hear it without modest confusion? I have seen "full many a
+lady"--but you--O you!--so perfect and so peerless are created, of every
+creature best!'[21]
+
+[Footnote 21: Shakespeare.]
+
+'My whole life has been spent in worshipping beauty, till within these
+very few years, when I have gotten something like a surfeit, and meant
+to give it over. For I have watched and followed Beauties, till I have
+grown sick of them. I have admired fine features, only to be disgusted
+with vapid vanity. A face with a little meaning, though as ugly as sin
+and satan, I have lately thought worth forty of them! But you--fair
+sorceress! you have conjured me round again to my old work! I have found
+the spell irresistible. You have such intelligence of countenance; such
+spirit with such sweetness, smiles so delicious, though rare! looks so
+speaking; grace so silent;--that I forget you are a beauty; and fasten
+my eyes upon you, only to understand what you say when you don't utter a
+word! That's all! Don't be uneasy, therefore, at my staring. Though, to
+be candid, we know ourselves so little, that, 'tis possible, had you
+not first caught my eyes as a beauty, I might never have looked at you
+long enough to find out your wit!'
+
+A footman now came to acquaint Sir Jaspar, that the rice-soup, which he
+had ordered, was ready; and that the ladies were waiting for the honour
+of his company to breakfast.
+
+'I heartily wish they would wait for my company, till I desire to have
+theirs!' Sir Jaspar muttered: but, sensible of the impropriety of a
+refusal, arose, and, taking off his hat, with a studied formality, which
+he hoped would impress the footman with respect for its object, followed
+his messenger: whispering, nevertheless, as he quitted the building,
+'Leave you for a breakfast!--I would almost as willingly be immersed in
+the witches' cauldron, and boiled into morsels, to become a breakfast
+myself, for the amusement of the audience at a theatre!'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LV
+
+
+Juliet, who perceived that the windows were still crowded with company,
+contentedly kept her place; and, taking up the second volume of the
+Guardian, found, in the lively instruction, the chaste morality, and the
+exquisite humour of Addison, an enjoyment which no repetition can cloy.
+
+In a short time, to her great discomposure, she was broken in upon by
+Ireton; who, drawing before the door, which he shut, an easy chair, cast
+himself indolently upon it, and, stretching out his arms, said, 'Ah ha!
+the fair Ellis! How art thee, my dear?'
+
+Far more offended than surprised by this freedom, Juliet, perceiving
+that she could not escape, affected to go on with her reading, as if he
+had not entered the building.
+
+'Don't be angry, my dear,' he continued, 'that I did not speak to you
+before all those people. There's no noticing a pretty girl, in public,
+without raising such a devil of a clamour, that it's enough to put a man
+out of countenance. Besides, Mrs Ireton is such a very particular quiz,
+that she would be sure to contrive I should never have a peep at you
+again, if once she suspected the pleasure I take in seeing you. However,
+I am going to turn a dutiful son, and spend some days here. And, by that
+means, we can squeeze an opportunity, now and then, of getting a little
+chat together.'
+
+Juliet could no longer refrain from raising her head, with amazement, at
+this familiar assurance: but he went on, totally disregarding the rebuke
+of her indignant eye.
+
+'How do you like your place here, my dear? Mrs Ireton's rather qualmish,
+I am afraid. I never can bear to stay with her myself; except when I
+have some point to carry. I can't devise what the devil could urge you
+to come into such a business. And where's Harleigh? What's he about?
+Gone to old Nick I hope with all my heart! But you,--why are you
+separated? What's the reason you are not with him?'
+
+Yet more provoked, though determined not to look up again, Juliet fixed
+her eyes upon the book.
+
+Ireton continued: 'What a sly dog he is, that Harleigh! But what the
+deuce could provoke him to make me cut such a silly figure before Lord
+Melbury, with my apologies, and all that? He took me in, poz! I thought
+he'd nothing to do with you. And if you had not had that fainting fit,
+at the concert; which I suppose you forgot to give him notice of, that
+put him so off his guard, I should have believed all he vowed and swore,
+of having no connection with you, and all that, to this very moment.'
+
+This was too much. Juliet gravely arose, put down her book, and said,
+with severity, 'Mr Ireton, you will be so good as to let me pass!'
+
+'No, not I! No, not I, my dear!' he answered, still lolling at his ease.
+'We must have a little chat together first. 'Tis an age since I have
+been able to speak with you. I have been confounded discreet, I promise
+you. I have not told your secret to a soul.'
+
+'What secret, Sir?' cried Juliet, hastily.
+
+'Why who you are, and all that.'
+
+'If you knew, Sir,' recovering her calmness, she replied, 'I should not
+have to defend myself from the insults of a son, while under the
+protection of his mother!'
+
+'Ha! ha! ha!' cried he. 'What a droll piece of dainty delicacy thee art!
+I'd give a cool hundred, this moment, only to know what the deuce puts
+it into thy little head, to play this farce such a confounded length of
+time, before one comes to the catastrophe.'
+
+Juliet, with a disdainful gesture, again took her book.
+
+'Why won't you trust me, my dear? You sha'n't repent it, I promise you.
+Tell me frankly, now, who are you?--Hay?'
+
+Juliet only turned over a new leaf of her book.
+
+'How can you be so silly, child?--Why won't you let me serve you? You
+don't know what use I may be of to you. Come, make me your friend! only
+trust me, and I'll go to the very devil for you with pleasure.'
+
+Juliet read on.
+
+'Come, my love, don't be cross! Speak out! Put aside these dainty airs.
+Surely you a'n't such a little fool, as to think to take me in, as you
+have done Melbury and Harleigh?'
+
+Juliet felt her cheeks now heated with increased indignation.
+
+'As to Melbury,--'tis a mere schoolboy, ready to swallow any thing; and
+as to Harleigh, he's such a queer, out of the way genius, that he's like
+nobody: but as to me, my dear, I'm a man of the world. Not so easily
+played upon, I promise you! I have known you from the very beginning!
+Found you out at first sight! Only I did not think it worth while
+telling you so, while you appeared so confounded ugly. But now that I
+see you are such a pretty creature, I feel quite an interest for you. So
+tell me who are you? Will you?'
+
+Somewhat piqued, at length, by her resolute silence, 'Nay,' he added,
+with affected scorn, 'don't imagine I have any view! Don't disturb
+yourself with any freaks and qualms of that sort. You are a fine girl,
+to be sure. Devilish handsome, I own; but still
+too--too--grave,--grim,--What the deuce is the word I mean? for my
+taste. I like something more buckish. So pray make yourself easy. I
+shan't interfere with your two sparks. I am perfectly aware I should
+have but a bad chance. I know I am neither as good a pigeon to pluck as
+Melbury, nor as marvellous a wight to overcome as Harleigh. But I can't
+for my life make out why you don't take to one or t'other of them, and
+put yourself at your ease. I'm deadly curious to know what keeps you
+from coming to a finish. Melbury would be managed the easiest; but I
+strongly suspect you like Harleigh best. What do you turn your back for?
+That I mayn't see you blush? Come, come, don't play the baby with a man
+of the world like me.'
+
+To the infinite relief of the disgusted Juliet, she now heard the
+approach of some footstep. Ireton, who heard it also, nimbly arose,
+and, softly moving his chair from the door, cast half his body out of
+the window, and, lolling upon his elbows, began humming an air; as if
+totally occupied in regarding the sea.
+
+A footman, who entered, told Juliet that his lady desired that she would
+come to the parlour, to play and sing to the company, while they
+breakfasted.
+
+Juliet, colouring at this unqualified order, hesitated what to answer;
+while Ireton, turning round, and pretending not to have heard what was
+said, maliciously, made the man repeat, 'My lady, Sir, bid me tell Miss
+Ellis, that she must come to play and sing to the company.'
+
+'Play and sing?' repeated Ireton. 'O the devil! Must we be bored with
+playing and singing too? But I did not know breakfast was ready, and I
+am half starved.'
+
+He then sauntered from the building; but the moment that the footman was
+out of sight, turned back, to say, 'How devilish provoking to be
+interrupted in this manner! How can we contrive to meet again, my dear?'
+
+The answer of Juliet was shutting and bolting the door.
+
+His impertinence, however, occupied her mind only while she was under
+its influence; the insignificance of his character, notwithstanding the
+malice of his temper, made it sink into nothing, to give way to the new
+rising difficulty, how she might bear to obey, or how risk to refuse,
+the rude and peremptory summons which she had just received. Ought I,
+she cried, to submit to treatment so mortifying? Are there no boundaries
+to the exactions of prudence upon feeling? or, rather, is there not a
+mental necessity, a call of character, a cry of propriety, that should
+supersede, occasionally, all prudential considerations, however
+urgent?--Oh! if those who receive, from the unequal conditions of life,
+the fruits of the toils of others, could,--only for a few
+days,--experience, personally, how cruelly those toils are embittered by
+arrogance, or how sweetly they may be softened by kindness,--the race of
+the Mrs Iretons would become rare,--and Lady Aurora Granville might,
+perhaps, be paralleled!
+
+Yet, with civility, with good manners, had Mrs Ireton made this request;
+not issued it as a command by a footman; Juliet felt that, in her
+present dependent condition, however ill she might be disposed for
+music, or for public exhibition, she ought to yield: and even now, the
+horror of having another asylum to seek; the disgrace of seeming driven,
+thus continually, from house to house; though they could not lessen her
+repugnance to indelicacy and haughtiness, cooled all ardour of desire
+for trying yet another change; till she should have raised a sufficient
+sum for joining Gabriella; and softening, nay delighting, the future
+toils to which she might be destined, by the society of that cherished
+friend.
+
+In a few minutes, she was visited by Selina, who, rapturously embracing
+her, declared that she could not stay away from her any longer; and
+volubly began her usual babble of news and tales; to all which Juliet
+gave scarcely the coldest attention; till she had the satisfaction of
+hearing that the health of Elinor was re-established.
+
+Selina then owned that she had been sent by Mrs Ireton, to desire that
+Miss Ellis would make more haste.
+
+Juliet worded a civil excuse; which Selina, with hands uplifted, from
+amazement, carried back to the breakfast-room.
+
+Soon afterwards, peals of laughter announced the vicinity of the Miss
+Crawleys; who merrily called aloud upon Ireton, to come and help them
+to haul The Ellis, will ye, nill ye? to the piano-forte, to play and
+sing.
+
+Happy in this intimation of their purpose, Juliet bolted the door; and
+would not be prevailed upon to open it, either by their vociferous
+prayers, or their squalls of disappointment.
+
+But, in another minute, a slight rustling sound drawing her eyes to a
+window, she saw Ireton preparing to make a forced entry.
+
+She darted, now, to the door, and, finding the passage clear, as the
+Miss Crawleys had gone softly round, to witness the exploit of Ireton,
+seized the favourable moment for eluding observation; and was nearly
+arrived at the house, before the besiegers of the cage perceived that
+the bird was flown.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVI
+
+
+The two sisters no sooner discovered the escape of their prey, than,
+screaming with violent laughter, they began a romping race in its
+pursuit.
+
+Near the entrance into the hall, Juliet was met by Selina, with commands
+from Mrs Ireton, that she would either present herself, immediately, to
+the company; or seek another abode.
+
+In minds of strong sensibility, arrogance rouses resentment more quickly
+even than injury: a message so gross, an affront so public, required,
+therefore, no deliberation on the part of Juliet; and she was answering
+that she would make her preparations to depart; when the Miss Crawleys,
+rushing suddenly upon her, exclaimed, with clamourous joy, 'She's
+caught! She's caught! The Ellis is caught!' and, each of them seizing a
+hand, they dragged her, with merry violence, into the breakfast-room.
+
+Her hoydening conductors failed not to excite the attention of the whole
+assembly; though it fell not, after the first glance, upon themselves.
+Juliet, to whom exercise and confusion gave added beauty; and whom no
+disorder of attire could rob of an air of decency, which, inherent in
+her nature, was always striking in her demeanor; was no sooner seen,
+than, whether with censure or applause, she monopolized all remark.
+
+Mrs Ireton haughtily bid her approach.
+
+Averse, yet unwilling to risk the consequences of a public breach, she
+slowly advanced.
+
+'I am afraid, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, with a smile of derision; 'I am
+afraid, Ma'am, you have hurried yourself? It is not much above an hour,
+I believe, since I did myself the honour of sending for you. I have no
+conception how you have been able to arrive so soon! Pray how far do
+you think it may be from hence to the Temple? ten or twelve yards, I
+verily believe! You must really be ready to expire!'
+
+Having constrained herself to hear thus much, Juliet conceived that the
+duty even of her humble station could require no more; she made,
+therefore, a slight reverence, with intention to withdraw. But Mrs
+Ireton, offended, cried, 'Whither may you be going, Ma'am?--And pray,
+Ma'am,--if I may take the liberty to ask such a question,--who told you
+to go?--Was it I?--Did any body hear me?--Did you, Lady Arramede?--or
+you, Miss Brinville?--or only Miss Ellis herself? For, to be sure I must
+have done it: I take that for granted: she would not, certainly, think
+of going without leave, after I have sent for her. So I make no doubt
+but I did it. Though I can't think how it happened, I own. 'Twas
+perfectly without knowing it, I confess. In some fit of absence--perhaps
+in my sleep;--for I have slept, too, perhaps, without knowing it!'
+
+Sarcasms so witty, uttered by a lady at an assembly in her own house,
+could not fail of being received with applause; and Mrs Ireton, looking
+around her triumphantly, regarded the disconcerted Juliet as a
+completely vanquished vassal. In a tone, therefore, that marked the most
+perfect self-satisfaction, 'Pray, Ma'am,' she continued, 'for what might
+you suppose I did myself the favour to want you? was it only to take a
+view of your new _costume_? 'Tis very careless and picturesque, to be
+sure, to rove abroad in that agreeable dishabille, just like the "maiden
+all forlorn;" or rather to speak with mere exactitude, like the "man all
+tattered and torn," for 'tis more properly his _costume_ you adopt, than
+the neat, tidy maiden's.'
+
+The warm-hearted young Lady Barbara, all pity and feeling for Juliet,
+here broke from her quiet and cautious aunt, and, with irrepressible
+eagerness, exclaimed, 'Mrs Ireton, 'twas Mr Loddard, your own little
+naughty nephew, who deranged in that manner the dress of that elegant
+Miss Ellis.'
+
+The Miss Crawleys, now, running to the little boy, called out, 'The
+Loddard! the Loddard! 'tis the Loddard has set up the new _costume_!'
+
+Mrs Ireton, though affecting to laugh, had now done with the subject;
+and, while she was taking a pinch of snuff, to gain time to suggest some
+other, Sir Jaspar Herrington, advancing to Juliet, said, 'Has this young
+lady no place?' and, gallantly taking her hand, he led her to his own
+chair, and walked to another part of the room.
+
+A civility such as this from Sir Jaspar, made all the elders of the
+company stare, and all the younger titter; but the person the most
+surprized was Mrs Ireton, who hastily called out, 'Miss Ellis would not
+do such a thing! Take Sir Jaspar's own seat! That has his own particular
+cushions! She could not do such a thing! I should think not, at least! I
+may judge ill, but I should think not. A seat prepared for Sir Jaspar by
+my own order! Miss Ellis can dispense with having an easy chair, and
+three cushions, I should presume! I may be wrong, to be sure, but I
+should presume so!'
+
+'Madam,' answered Sir Jaspar, 'in days of old, I never could bear to
+sit, when I saw a lady standing; and though those days are past, alas!
+and gone,--still I cannot, even to escape a twitch of the gout, see a
+fair female neglected, without feeling a twitch of another kind, that
+gives me yet greater pain.'
+
+'Your politeness, Sir Jaspar,' replied Mrs Ireton, 'we all know; and, if
+it were for one of my guests,--but Miss Ellis can hardly desire, I
+should suppose, to see you drop down with fatigue, while she is reposing
+upon your arm-chair. Not that I pretend to know her way of thinking! I
+don't mean that. I don't mean to have it imagined I have the honour of
+her confidence; but I should rather suppose she could not insist upon
+turning you out of your seat, only to give you a paroxysm of the gout.'
+
+However internally moved, Juliet endured this harangue in total silence;
+convinced that where all authority is on the side of the aggressor,
+resistance only provokes added triumph. Her looks, therefore, though
+they shewed her to be hurt and offended, evinced a dignified
+forbearance, superiour to the useless reproach, and vain retaliation, of
+unequal contention.
+
+She rose, nevertheless, from the seat which she had only momentarily,
+and from surprise occupied, and would have quitted the room, but that
+she saw she should again be publicly called back; and hers was not a
+situation for braving open enmity. She thankfully, however, accepted a
+chair which was brought to her by Sir Marmaduke Crawley, and placed next
+to that which had been vacated by the old Baronet; who then returned to
+his own.
+
+She now hoped to find some support from his countenance; as his powerful
+situation in the house, joined to his age, would make his smallest
+attention prove to her a kind of protection. Her expectation, however,
+was disappointed: he did not address to her a word; or appear to have
+ever beheld her before; and his late act of politeness seemed exerted
+for a perfect stranger, from habitual good breeding.
+
+And is it you, thought the pensive Juliet, who, but a few minutes
+since, spoke to me with such flattery, such preference? with an even
+impassioned regard? And shall this so little assembly guide and awe you?
+There, where I wished upon me your compliments;--while here, where a
+smile would be encouragement, where notice would be charity, you affect
+to have forgotten, or appear never to have seen me! Ah! mentally
+continued the silent moralist, if we reflected upon the difficulty of
+gaining esteem; upon the chances against exciting affection; upon the
+union of time and circumstance necessary for obtaining sincere regard;
+we should require courage to withhold, not to follow, the movement of
+kindness, that, where distress sighs for succour, where helplessness
+solicits support, gives power to the smallest exertion, to a single
+word, to a passing smile,--to bestow a favour, and to do a service, that
+catch, in the brief space of a little moment, a gratitude that never
+dies!
+
+But, while thus to be situated, was pain and dejection to Juliet, to see
+her seated, however unnoticed, in the midst of this society, was almost
+equally irksome to Mrs Ireton; who, after some vain internal fretting,
+ordered the butler to carry about refreshments; consoled with the
+certainty, that he would as little dare present any to Juliet, as omit
+to present them to every one else.
+
+The smiles and best humour of Mrs Ireton now soon returned; for the
+dependent state of Juliet became more than ever conspicuous, when thus
+decidedly she was marked as the sole person, in a large assembly, that
+the servants were permitted, if not instructed to neglect.
+
+Juliet endeavoured to sit tranquil, and seem unconcerned; but her
+fingers were in continual motion; her eyes, meaning to look no where,
+looked every where; and Mrs Ireton had the gratification to perceive,
+that, however she struggled for indifference, she was fully sensible of
+the awkwardness of her situation.
+
+But this was no sooner remarked by Lady Barbara Frankland, than,
+starting with vivacity from her vainly watchful aunt, she flew to her
+former instructress, crying, 'Have you taken nothing yet, Miss Ellis? O
+pray, then, let me chuse your ice for you?'
+
+She ran to a side-board, and selecting the colour most pleasing to her
+eyes, hastened with it to the blushing, but relieved and grateful
+Juliet; to whom this benevolent attention seemed instantly to restore
+the self-command, that pointed indignities, and triumphant derision,
+were sinking into abashed depression.
+
+The sensation produced by this action in Mrs Ireton, was as ungenial as
+that which it caused to Juliet was consolatory. She could not for a
+moment endure to see the creature of her power, whom she looked upon as
+destined for the indulgence of her will, and the play of her authority,
+receive a mark of consideration which, if shewn even to herself, would
+have been accepted as a condescension. Abruptly, therefore, while they
+were standing together, and conversing, she called out, 'Is it possible,
+Miss Ellis, that you can see the child in such imminent danger, and stay
+there amusing yourself?'
+
+Lady Kendover hastily called off her young niece; and Juliet, sighing
+crossed over the room, to take charge of the little boy, who was sitting
+astraddle out of one of the windows.
+
+'But I had flattered myself,' cried Sir Marmaduke Crawley, addressing
+Mrs Ireton, 'that we should have a little music?'
+
+Mrs Ireton, to whom the talents of Juliet gave pleasure in proportion
+only to her own repugnance to bringing them into play, had relinquished
+the projected performance, when she perceived the general interest which
+was excited by the mere appearance of the intended performer. She
+declared herself, therefore, so extremely fearful lest some mischief
+should befall her little nephew, that she could not possibly trust him
+from the care of Miss Ellis.
+
+Half the company, now, urged by the thirst of fresh amusement, professed
+the most passionate fondness for children, and offered their services to
+watch the dear, sweet little boy, while Miss Ellis should play or sing;
+but the averseness] of Ellis remained uncombated by Mrs Ireton, and,
+therefore, unconquered.
+
+The party was preparing to break up, when Mr Giles Arbe entered the
+room, to apologize for the non-appearance of Miss Arbe, his cousin, who
+had bid him bring words, he said, that she was taken ill.
+
+Ireton, by a few crafty questions, soon drew from him, that Miss Arbe
+was only gone to a little private music-meeting at Miss Sycamore's:
+though, affrighted when he had made the confession, he entreated Mrs
+Ireton not to take it amiss; protesting that it was not done in any
+disrespect to her, but merely because his cousin was more amused at Miss
+Sycamore's.
+
+Mrs Ireton, extremely piqued, answered, that she should be very careful,
+in future, not to presume to make an invitation to Miss Arbe, but in a
+total dearth of other entertainment; in a famine; or public fast.
+
+But, the moment he sauntered into another room, to partake of some
+refreshments, 'That old savage,' she cried, 'is a perfect horrour! He
+has not a single atom of common sense; and if he were not Miss Arbe's
+cousin, one must tell one's butler to shew him the door. At least, such
+is my poor opinion. I don't pretend to be a judge; but such is my
+notion!'
+
+'O! I adore him!' cried Miss Crawley. 'He makes me laugh till I am ready
+to die! He has never a guess what he is about; and he never hears a word
+one says. And he stares so when one laughs at him! O! he's the
+delightfullest, stupidest, dear wretch that breathes!'
+
+'O! I can't look at him without laughing!' exclaimed Miss Di. 'He's the
+best thing in nature! He's delicious! enchanting! delightful! O! so dear
+a fool!'
+
+'He is quite unfit,' said Mrs Maple, 'for society; for he says every
+thing that comes uppermost, and has not the least idea of what is due to
+people.'
+
+'O! he is the sweetest-tempered, kindest-hearted creature in the world!'
+exclaimed Lady Barbara. 'My aunt's woman has heard, from Miss Arbe's
+maid, all his history. He has quite ruined himself by serving poor
+people in distress. He is so generous, he can never pronounce a
+refusal.'
+
+'But he dresses so meanly,' said Miss Brinville, 'that mamma and I have
+begged Miss Arbe not to bring him any more to see us. Besides,--he tells
+every thing in the world to every body.'
+
+'Poor Miss Arbe a'n't to blame, I assure you, Miss Brinville,' said
+Selina; 'for she dislikes him as much as you do; only when her papa
+invited him to live with them, he was very rich; and it was thought he
+would leave all his fortune to them. But, since then, Miss Arbe says, he
+is grown quite poor; for he has dawdled away almost all his money, in
+one way or another; letting folks out of prison, setting people up in
+business, and all that.'
+
+'O! he's the very king of quizzes!' cried Ireton. 'He drags me out of
+the spleen, when I feel as if there were no possibility I could yawn on
+another half hour.'
+
+Sir Jaspar now, looking with an air of authority towards Ireton, said,
+'It would have been your good star, not your evil genius, by which you
+would have been guided, Mr Ireton, had you been attracted to this old
+gentleman as to an example, rather than as a butt for your wit. He has
+very good parts, if he knew how to make use of them; though he has a
+simplicity of manners, that induces common observers to conclude him to
+be nearly an ideot. And, indeed, an absent man seems always in a state
+of childhood; for as he is never occupied with what is present, those
+who think of nothing else, naturally take it for granted that what
+passes is above his comprehension; when perhaps, it is only below his
+attention. But with Mr Arbe, though his temper is incomparably good and
+placid, absence is neither want of understanding, nor of powers of
+observation; for, when once he is awakened to what is passing, by any
+thing that touches his feelings of humanity, or his sense of justice,
+his seeming stupor turns to energy; his silence is superseded by
+eloquence; and his gentle diffidence is supplanted by a mental courage,
+which electrifies with surprize, from its contrast with his general
+docility; and which strikes, and even awes, from an apparent dignity of
+defying consequence;--though, in fact, it is but the effect of never
+weighing them. Such, however, as he is, Mr Ireton, with the
+singularities of his courage, or the oddities of his passiveness, he is
+a man who is useful to the world, from his love of doing good; and happy
+in himself, from the serenity of a temper unruffled by any species of
+malignity.'
+
+Ireton ventured not to manifest any resentment at this conclusion; but
+when, by his embarrassed air, Sir Jaspar saw that it was understood, he
+smiled, and more gaily added, 'If the fates, the sisters three, and such
+little branches of learning, had had the benevolence to have fixed my
+own birth under the influence of the same planet with that of Mr Giles
+Arbe, how many twitches, goadings, and worries should I have been
+spared, from impatience, ambition, envy, discontent, and ill will!'
+
+The subject was here dropt, by the re-entrance of Mr Arbe; who,
+observing Selina, said that he wanted prodigiously to enquire about her
+poor aunt, whom, lately, he had met with no where; though she used to be
+every where.
+
+'My aunt, Sir?--She's there!' said Selina, pointing to Mrs Maple.
+
+'No, no, I don't mean that aunt; I mean your young aunt, that used to be
+so all alive and clever. What's become of her?'
+
+'O, I dare say it's my sister you are thinking of?'
+
+'Ay, it's like enough; for she's young enough, to be sure; only you look
+such a mere child. Pray how is she now? I was very sorry to hear of her
+cutting her throat.'
+
+A titter, which was immediately exalted into a hearty laugh by the Miss
+Crawleys, was all the answer.
+
+'It was not right to do such a thing,' he continued; 'very wrong indeed.
+There's no need to be afraid of not dying soon enough, for we only come
+to be gone! I pitied her, however, with all my heart, for love is but a
+dangerous thing; it makes older persons than she is go astray, one way
+or other. And it was but unkind of Mr Harleigh not to marry her, whether
+he liked or not, to save her from such a naughty action. And pray what
+is become of that pretty creature that used to teach you all music? I
+have enquired for her at Miss Matson's, often; but I always forgot where
+they said she was gone. Indeed they made me a little angry about her,
+which, probably, was the reason that I could never recollect what they
+told me of her direction.'
+
+'Angry, Mr Giles?' repeated Mrs Ireton, with an air of restored
+complacency; 'What was it, then, they said of her? Not that I am very
+curious to hear it, as I presume you will believe! You won't imagine it,
+I presume, a matter of the first interest to me!'
+
+'O, what they said of her was very bad! very bad, indeed; and that's the
+reason I give no credit to it.'
+
+'Well, well, but what was it?' cried Ireton.
+
+'Why they told me that she was turned toad-eater.'
+
+Universal and irresistible smiles throughout the whole company, to the
+exception of Lady Barbara and Sir Jaspar, now heightened the
+embarrassment of Juliet into pain and distress: but the young Loddard
+every moment struggled to escape into the garden, through the window;
+and she did not dare quit her post.
+
+'So I asked them what they meant,' Mr Giles continued; 'for I never
+heard of any body's eating toads; though I am assured our neighbours, on
+t'other bank, are so fond of frogs. But they made it out, that it only
+meant a person who would swallow any thing, bad or good; and do whatever
+he was bid, right or wrong; for the sake of a little pay.'
+
+This definition by no means brought the assembly back to its gravity;
+but while Juliet, ashamed and indignant, kept her face turned constantly
+towards the garden, Ireton called out, 'Why you don't speak to your
+little friend, Loddard, Mr Giles. There he is, at the window.'
+
+Mr Giles now, notwithstanding her utmost efforts to avoid his eyes,
+perceived the blushing Juliet; though, doubting his sight, he stared and
+exclaimed, 'Good la! that lady's very like Miss Ellis! And, I protest,
+'tis she herself! And just as pretty as ever! And with the same innocent
+face that not a soul can either buy or make, but God Almighty himself!'
+
+He then enquired after her health and welfare, with a cordiality that
+somewhat lessened the pain caused by the general remark that was
+produced by his address: but the relief was at an end upon his adding,
+'I wanted to see you prodigiously, for I have never forgotten your
+paying your debts so prettily, against your will, that morning. It fixed
+you in my good opinion. I hope, however, it is a mistake, what they tell
+me, that you are turned what they call toad-eater? and have let yourself
+out, at so much a year, to say nothing that you think; and to do nothing
+that you like; and to beg pardon when you are not in fault; and to eat
+all the offals; and to be beat by the little gentleman; and worried by
+the little dog? I hope all that's mere misapprehension, my dear; for it
+would be but a very mean way of getting money.'
+
+The calmness of conscious superiority, with which Juliet heard the
+beginning of these interrogatories, was converted into extreme
+confusion, by their termination, from the appearance of justice which
+the incidents of the morning had given to the attack.
+
+'For now,' continued he, 'that you have paid all your debts, you ought
+to hold up your head; for, where nothing is owing, we are all of us
+equal, rich and poor; another man's riches no more making him my
+superiour, or benefactor, if I do not partake of them, than my poverty
+makes me his servant, or dependent, if I neither work for, nor am
+benefited by him. And I am your witness that you gave every one his due.
+So don't let any body put you out of your proper place.'
+
+The mortification of Juliet, at this public exhortation, upon a point so
+delicate, was not all that she had to endure: the little dog, who,
+though incessantly tormented by the little boy, always followed him;
+kept scratching her gown; to be helped up to the window, that he might
+play with, or snarl at him, more at his ease; and the boy, making a whip
+of his pocket-handkerchief, continually attracted, though merely to
+repulse him; while Juliet, seeking alternately to quiet both, had not a
+moment's rest.
+
+'Why now, what's all this my pretty lady?' cried Mr Giles, perceiving
+her situation. 'Why do you let those two plagueful things torment you
+so? Why don't you teach them to be better behaved.'
+
+'Miss Ellis would be vastly obliging, certainly,' with a supercilious
+brow, said Mrs Ireton, 'to correct my nephew! I don't in the least mean
+to contest her abilities for superintending his chastisement; not in the
+least, I assure you! But only, as I never heard of my brother's giving
+her such a _carte blanche_; and as I don't recollect having given it
+myself,--although I may have done it, again, perhaps, in my sleep!--I
+should be happy to learn by what authority she would be invested with
+such powers of discipline?'
+
+'By what authority? That of humanity, Ma'am! Not to spoil a poor
+ignorant little fellow-creature; nor a poor innocent little beast.'
+
+'It would be immensely amiable of her, Sir, no doubt,' said Mrs Ireton,
+reddening, 'to take charge of the morals of my household; immensely! I
+only hope you will be kind enough to instruct the young person, at the
+same time, how she may hold her situation? That's all! I only hope
+that!'
+
+'How? Why by doing her duty! If she can't hold it by that, 'tis her duty
+to quit it. Nobody is born to be trampled upon.'
+
+'I hope, too, soon,' said Mrs Ireton, scoffingly, 'nobody will be born
+to be poor!'
+
+'Good! true!' returned he, nodding his head. 'Nobody should be poor!
+That is very well said. However, if you think her so poor, I can give
+you the satisfaction to shew you your mistake. She mayn't, indeed, be
+very rich, poor lady, at bottom; but still--'
+
+'No, indeed, am I not!' hastily cried Juliet, frightened at the
+communication which she saw impending.
+
+'But still,' continued he, 'if she is poor, it is not for want of money;
+nor for want of credit, neither; for she has bank-notes in abundance in
+one of her work-bags; and not a penny of them is her own! which shews
+her to be a person of great honour.'
+
+Every one now looked awakened to a new curiosity; and Selina exclaimed,
+'O la! have you got a fortune, then, my dear Ellis? O! I dare say, then,
+my guess will prove true at last! for I dare say you are a princess in
+disguise?'
+
+'As far as disguise goes, Selina,' answered Mrs Maple, 'we have never, I
+think, disputed! but as to a princess!...'
+
+'A princess?' repeated Mrs Ireton. 'Upon my word, this is an honour I
+had not imagined! I own my stupidity! I can't but own my stupidity; but
+I really had never imagined myself so much honoured, as to suspect that
+I had a princess under my roof, who was so complaisant as to sing, and
+play, and read to me, at my pleasure; and to study how to amuse and
+divert me! I confess, I had never suspected it! I am quite ashamed of my
+total want of sagacity; but it had never occurred to me!'
+
+'And why not, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why may not a princess be pretty,
+and complaisant, and know how to sing and play, and read, as well as
+another lady? She is just as able to learn as you, or any common person.
+I never heard that a princess took her rank in the place of her
+faculties. I know no difference; except that, if she does the things
+with good nature, you ought to love and honour her the double, in
+consideration of the great temptation she has to be proud and idle, and
+to do nothing. We all envy the great, when we ought only to revere them
+if they are good, and to pity them if they are bad; for they have the
+same infirmities that we have; and nobody that dares put them in mind of
+them: so that they often go to the grave, before they find out that they
+are nothing but poor little men and women, like the rest of us. For my
+part, when I see them worthy, and amiable, I look up to them as
+prodigies! Whereas, a common person, such as you, or I, Ma'am,--'
+
+Mrs Ireton, unable to bear this phrase, endeavoured to turn the
+attention of the company into another channel, by abruptly calling upon
+Juliet to go to the piano-forte.
+
+Juliet entreated to be excused.
+
+'Excused? And why, Ma'am? What else have you got to do? What are your
+avocations? I shall really take it as a favour to be informed.'
+
+'Don't teize her, pretty lady; don't teize her,' cried Mr Giles. 'If she
+likes to sing, it's very agreeable; but if not, don't make a point of
+it, for it's not a thing at all essential.'
+
+'Likes it?' repeated Mrs Ireton, superciliously; 'We must do nothing,
+then, but what we like? Even when we are in other people's houses? Even
+when we exist only through the goodness of some of our superiours? Still
+we are to do only what we like? I am quite happy in the information!
+Extremely obliged for it, indeed! It will enable me, I hope, to rectify
+the gross errour of which I have been guilty; for I really did not know
+I had a young lady in my house, who was to make her will and taste the
+rule for mine! and, as I suppose, to have the goodness to direct my
+servants; as well as to take the trouble to manage me. I knew nothing of
+all this, I protest. I thought, on the contrary, I had engaged a young
+person, who would never think of taking such a liberty as to give her
+opinion; but who would do, as she ought, with respect and submission,
+whatever I should indicate.'--
+
+'Good la, Ma'am,' interrupted Mr Giles: 'Why that would be leading the
+life of a slave! And that, I suppose, is what they meant, all this time,
+by a toad-eater. However, don't look so ashamed, my pretty dear, for a
+toad-eater-maker is still worse! Fie, fie! What can rich people be
+thinking of, to lay out their money in buying their fellow-creatures'
+liberty of speech and thought! and then paying them for a bargain which
+they ought to despise them for selling?'
+
+This unexpected retort turning the smiles of the assembly irresistibly
+against the lady of the mansion, she hastily renewed her desire that
+Juliet would sing.
+
+'Sing, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why a merry-andrew could not do it,
+after being so affronted! Bless my heart! Tell a human being that she
+must only move to and fro, like a machine? Only say what she is bid,
+like a parrot? Employ her time, call forth her talents, exact her
+services, yet not let her make any use of her understanding? Neither say
+what she approves, nor object to what she dislikes? Poor, pretty young
+thing! You were never so much to be pitied, in the midst of your worst
+distresses, as when you were relived upon such terms! Fie upon it,
+fie!--How can great people be so little?'
+
+The mingled shame and resentment of Mrs Ireton, at a remonstrance so
+extraordinary and so unqualified, were with difficulty kept within the
+bounds of decorum; for though she laughed, and affected to be extremely
+diverted, her laugh was so sharp, and forced, that it wounded every ear;
+and, through the amusement that she pretended to receive, it was obvious
+that she suffered torture, in restraining herself from ordering her
+servants to turn the orator out of the room.
+
+With looks much softened, though in a manner scarcely less fervent, Mr
+Giles then, approaching Juliet, repeated, 'Don't be cast down I say, my
+pretty lady! You are none the worse for all this. The thing is but
+equal, at last; so we must not always look at the bad side of our fate.
+State every thing fairly; you have got your talents, your prettiness,
+and your winning ways,--but you want these ladies' wealth: they, have
+got their wealth, their grandeur, and their luxuries; but they want your
+powers of amusing. You can't well do without one another. So it's best
+be friends on both sides.'
+
+Mrs Ireton, now, dying to give some vent to her spleen, darted the full
+venom of her angry eyes upon Juliet, and called out, 'You don't see, I
+presume, Miss Ellis, what a condition Bijou has put that chair in? 'T
+would be too great a condescension for you, I suppose, just to give it a
+little pat of the hand, to shake off the crumbs? Though it is not your
+business, I confess! I confess that it is not your business! Perhaps,
+therefore, I am guilty of an indiscretion in giving you such a hint.
+Perhaps I had better let Lady Kendover, or Lady Arramede, or Mrs
+Brinville, or any other of the ladies, sit upon the dirt, and soil their
+clothes? You may think, perhaps, that it will be for the advantage of
+the mercer, or the linen-draper? You may be considering the good of
+trade? or perhaps you may think I may do such sort of menial offices for
+myself?'
+
+However generally power may cause timidity, arrogance, in every generous
+mind, awakens spirit; Juliet, therefore, raising her head, and,
+clearing her countenance, with a modest, but firm step, moved silently
+towards the door.
+
+Astonished and offended, 'Permit me, Madam,' cried Mrs Ireton; 'permit
+me, Miss Ellis,--if it is not taking too great a liberty with a person
+of your vast consequence,--permit me to enquire who told you to go?'
+
+Juliet turned back her head, and quietly answered, 'A person, Madam, who
+has not the honour to be known to you,--myself!' And then steadily left
+the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVII.
+
+
+An answer so little expected, from one whose dependent state had been so
+freely discussed, caused a general surprize, and an almost universal
+demand of who the young person might be, and what she could mean. The
+few words that had dropt from her had as many commentators as hearers.
+Some thought their inference important; others, their mystery
+suspicious; and others mocked their assumption of dignity. Tears started
+into the eyes of Lady Barbara; while those of Sir Jaspar were fixed,
+meditatively, upon the head of his crutch; but the complacent smile of
+admiration, exhibited by Mr Giles, attracted the notice of the whole
+assembly, by the peals of laughter which it excited in the Miss
+Crawleys.
+
+With rage difficultly disguised without, but wholly ungovernable within,
+Mrs Ireton would instantly have revenged what she considered as the most
+heinous affront that she had ever received, by expelling its author
+ignominiously from her house, but for the still sharpened curiosity with
+which her pretentions to penetration became piqued, from the general cry
+of 'How very extraordinary that Mrs Ireton has never been able to
+discover who she is!'
+
+When Juliet, therefore, conceiving her removal from this mansion to be
+as inevitable, as her release from its tyranny was desirable, made
+known, as soon as the company was dispersed, that she was ready to
+depart; she was surprised by a request, from Mrs Ireton, to stay a day
+or two longer; for the purpose of taking care of Mr Loddard the
+following morning; as Mrs Ireton, who had no one with whom she could
+trust such a charge, had engaged herself to join a party to see Arundel
+Castle.
+
+Little as Juliet felt disposed to renew her melancholy wanderings, her
+situation in this house appeared to her so humiliating, nay degrading,
+that neither this message, nor the fawning civilities with which, at
+their next meeting, Mrs Ireton sought to mitigate her late asperity,
+could prevail with her to consent to any delay beyond that which was
+necessary for obtaining the counsel of Gabriella; to whom she wrote a
+detailed account of what had passed; adding, 'How long must I thus waste
+my time and my existence, separated from all that can render them
+valuable, while fastened upon by constant discomfort and disgust? O
+friend of my heart, friend of my earliest years, earliest feelings,
+juvenile happiness,--and, alas! maturer sorrows! why must we thus be
+sundered in adversity? Oh how,--with three-fold toil, should I revive by
+the side of my beloved Gabriella!--Dear to me by every tie of tender
+recollection; dear to me by the truest compassion for her sufferings,
+and reverence for her resignation; and dear to me,--thrice dear! by the
+sacred ties of gratitude, which bind me for ever to her honoured mother,
+and to her venerated, saint-like uncle, my pious benefactor!'
+
+She then tenderly proposed their immediate re-union, at whatever cost of
+fatigue, or risk, it might be obtained; and besought Gabriella to seek
+some small room, and to enquire for some needle-work; determining to
+appropriate to a journey to town, the little sum which she might have to
+receive for the long and laborious fortnight, which she had consigned to
+the terrible enterprize of aiming at amusing, serving, or interesting,
+one whose sole taste of pleasure consisted in seeking, like Strife, in
+Spenser's Fairy Queen, occasion for dissension.
+
+With the apprehension, however, of losing, the desire of retaining her
+always revived; and now, as usual, proved some check to the recreations
+of spleen, in which Mrs Ireton ordinarily indulged herself. Yet, even in
+the midst of intended concession, the love of tormenting was so
+predominant, that, had the resolution of Juliet still wavered, whether
+to seek some new retreat, or still to support her present irksome
+situation, all indecision would have ceased from fresh disgust, at the
+sneers which insidiously found their way through every effort at
+civility. What had dropt from Mr Giles Arbe, relative to the bank-notes,
+had excited curiosity in all; tinted, in some, with suspicion, and, in
+Mrs Ireton, blended with malignity and wrath, that a creature whom she
+pleased herself to consider, and yet more to represent, as dependent
+upon her bounty for sustinence, should have any resources of her own.
+Nor was this displeasure wholly free from surmises the most disgraceful;
+though to those she forbore to give vent, conscious that to suggest them
+would stamp with impropriety all further intercourse with their object.
+And a moment that offered new food for inquisition, was the last to
+induce Mrs Ireton to relinquish her _protegee_. She confined her
+sarcasms, therefore, when she could not wholly repress them, to oblique
+remarks upon the happiness of those who were able to lay by private
+stores for secret purposes; lamenting that such was not her fate; yet
+congratulating herself that she might now sleep in peace, with respect
+to any creditors; since, should she be threatened with an execution, her
+house had a rich inmate, by whom she flattered herself that she should
+be assisted to give bail.
+
+Already, the next morning, her resolution with regard to her nephew was
+reversed; and, the child desiring the change of scene, she gave
+directions that Miss Ellis should prepare herself to take him in charge
+during the excursion.
+
+But Juliet was now initiated in the services and the endurance of an
+humble companion in public; she offered, therefore, to amuse and to
+watch him at home, but decidedly refused to attend him abroad; and her
+evident indifference whether to stay or begone herself, forced Mrs
+Ireton to deny the humoured boy his intended frolic.
+
+Little accustomed to any privation, and totally unused to
+disappointment, the young gentleman, when his aunt was preparing to
+depart, had recourse to his usual appeals against restraint or
+authority, clamourous cries and unappeasable blubbering. Juliet, to
+whose room he refused to mount, was called upon to endeavour to quiet
+him, and to entice him into the garden; that he might not hear the
+carriage of his aunt draw up to the door.
+
+But this commission the refractory spirit of the young heir made it
+impossible to execute, till he overheard a whisper to Juliet, that she
+would take care, should Mr Loddard chuse to go to the Temple, to place
+the silk-worms above his reach.
+
+Suddenly, then, he sprang from his consolers and attendants, to run
+forward to the forbidden fruit; and, with a celerity that made it
+difficult for Juliet, even with her utmost speed, and longer limbs, to
+arrive at the spot in time to prevent the mischief for which she saw him
+preparing. She had just, however, succeeded, in depositing the menaced
+insects upon a high bracket, when a footman came to whisper to her the
+commands of his lady, that she would detain Mr Loddard till the party
+should be set off.
+
+Before the man had shut himself out, Ireton, holding up his finger to
+him in token of secresy, slipt past him into the little building; and,
+having turned the key on the inside, and put it into his pocket, said,
+'I'll stand centinel for little Pickle!' and flung himself, loungingly,
+upon an arm chair.
+
+Confounded by this action, yet feeling it necessary to appear
+unintimidated, Juliet affected to occupy herself with the silk-worms; of
+which the young gentleman now, eager to romp with Ireton, thought no
+more.
+
+'At last, then, I have caught you, my skittish dear!' cried Ireton,
+while jumping about the little boy, to keep him in good humour. 'I have
+had the devil of a difficulty to contrive it. However, I shall make
+myself amends now, for they are all going to Arundel Castle, and you and
+I can pass the morning together.'
+
+The indignant look which this boldness excited, he pretended not to
+observe, and went on.
+
+'I can't possibly be easy without having a little private chat with you.
+I must consult you about my affairs. I want devilishly to make you my
+friend. You might be capitally useful to me. And you would find your
+account in it, I promise you. What sayst thee, my pretty one?'
+
+Juliet, not appearing to hear him, changed the leaves of the silk-worms.
+
+'Can you guess what it is brings me hither to old madam my mother's? It
+is not you, with all your beauty, you arch prude; though I have a great
+enjoyment in looking at you and your blushes, which are devilishly
+handsome, I own; yet, to say the truth, you are not--all together--I
+don't know how it is--but you are not--upon the whole--quite exactly to
+my taste. Don't take it ill, my love, for you are a devilish fine girl.
+I own that. But I want something more skittish, more wild, more
+eccentric. If I were to fix my fancy upon such symmetry as you, I should
+be put out of my way every moment. I should always be thinking I had
+some Minerva tutoring, or some Juno awing me. It would not do at all. I
+want something of another cast; something that will urge me when I am
+hippish, without keeping me in order when I am whimsical. Something
+frisky, flighty, fantastic,--yet panting, blushing, dying with love for
+me!--'
+
+Neither contempt nor indignation were of sufficient force to preserve
+the gravity of Juliet, at this unexpected ingenuousness of vanity.
+
+'You smile!' he cried; 'but if you knew what a deuced difficult thing it
+is, for a man who has got a little money, to please himself, you would
+find it a very serious affair. How the deuce can he be sure whether a
+woman, when once he has married her, would not, if her settlement be to
+her liking, dance at his funeral? The very thought of that would either
+carry me off in a fright within a month, or make me want to live for
+ever, merely to punish her. It's a hard thing having money! a deuced
+hard thing! One does not know who to trust. A poor man may find a wife
+in a moment, for if he sees any one that likes him, he knows it is for
+himself; but a rich man,--as Sir Jaspar says,--can never be sure whether
+the woman who marries him, would not, for the same pin-money, just as
+willingly follow him to the outside of the church, as to the inside!'
+
+At the name of Sir Jaspar, Juliet involuntarily gave some attention,
+though she would make no reply.
+
+'From the time,' continued Ireton, 'that I heard him pronounce those
+words, I have never been able to satisfy myself; nor to find out what
+would satisfy me. At least not till lately; and now that I know what I
+want, the difficulty of the business is to get it! And this is what I
+wish to consult with you about; for you must know, my dear, I can never
+be happy without being adored.'
+
+Juliet, now, was surprised into suddenly looking at him, to see whether
+he were serious.
+
+'Yes, adored! loved to distraction! I must be idolized for myself,
+myself alone; yet publicly worshiped, that all mankind may see,--and
+envy,--the passion I have been able to inspire!'
+
+Suspecting that he meant some satire upon Elinor, Juliet again fixed her
+eyes upon her silk-worms.
+
+'So you don't ask me what it is that makes me so devilish dutiful all of
+a sudden, in visiting my mamma? You think, perhaps, I have some debts to
+pay? No; I have no taste for gaming. It's the cursedest fatiguing thing
+in the world. If one don't mind what one's about, one is blown up in a
+moment; and to be always upon one's guard, is worse than ruin itself. So
+I am upon no coaxing expedition, I give you my word. What do you think
+it is, then, that brings me hither? Cannot you guess?--Hay?--Why it is
+to arrange something, somehow or other, for getting myself from under
+this terrible yoke, that seems upon the point of enslaving me. My neck
+feels galled by it already! I have naturally no taste for matrimony. And
+now that the business seems to be drawing to a point, and I am called
+upon to name my lawyer, and cavilled with to declare, to the uttermost
+sixpence, what I will do, and what I will give, to make my wife merry
+and comfortable upon my going out of the world,--I protest I shudder
+with horrour! I think there is nothing upon earth so mercenary, as a
+young nymph upon the point of becoming a bride!'
+
+'Except,--' Juliet here could not resist saying, 'except the man,--young
+or old,--who is her bridegroom!'
+
+'O, that's another thing! quite another thing! A man must needs take
+care of his house, and his table, and all that: but the horridest thing
+I know, is the condition tied to a man's obtaining the hand of a young
+woman; he can never solicit it, but by giving her a prospect of his
+death-bed! And she never consents to live with him, till she knows what
+she may gain by his dying! Tis the most shocking style of making love
+that can be imagined. I don't like it, I swear! What, now, would you
+advise me to do?'
+
+'I?'
+
+'Yes; you know the scrape I am in, don't you? Sir Jaspar's estate, in
+case he should have no children, is entailed upon me; and, in case I
+should have none neither, is entailed upon a cousin; the heaviest dog
+you ever saw in your life, whom he hates and despises; and whom I wish
+at old Nick with all my heart, because I know he, and all his family,
+will wish me at the devil myself, if I marry; and, if I have children,
+will wish them and my wife there. I hate them all so heartily, that,
+whenever I think of them, I am ready, in pure spite, to be tied to the
+first girl that comes in my way: but, when I think of myself, I am taken
+with a fit of fright, and in a plaguey hurry to cut the knot off short.
+And this is the way I have got the character of a male jilt. But I don't
+deserve it, I assure you; for of all the females with whom I have had
+these little engagements, there is not one whom I have seriously thought
+of marrying, after the first half hour. They none of them hit my fancy
+further than to kill a little time.'
+
+The countenance of Juliet, though she neither deigned to speak nor to
+turn to him, marked such strong disapprobation, that he thought proper
+to add, 'Don't be affronted for little Selina Joddrel: I really meant to
+marry her at the time; and I should really have gone on, and "buckled
+to," if the thing had been any way possible: but she turns out such a
+confounded little fool, that I can't think of her any longer.'
+
+'And was it necessary,--' Juliet could not refrain from saying, 'to
+engage her first, and examine whether she could make you happy
+afterwards?'
+
+'Why that seems a little awkward, I confess; but it's a way I have
+adopted. Though I took the decision, I own, rather in a hurry, with
+regard to little Selina; for it was merely to free myself from the
+reproaches of Sir Jaspar, who, because he is seventy-five, and does not
+know what to do with himself, is always regretting that he did not take
+a wife when he was a stripling; and always at work to get me into the
+yoke. But, the truth is, I promised, when I went abroad, to bring him
+home a niece from France, or Italy; unless I went further east; and then
+I would look him out a fair Circassian. Now as he has a great taste for
+any thing out of the common way, and retains a constant hankering after
+Beauty, he was delighted with the scheme. But I saw nothing that would
+do! Nothing I could take to! The pretty ones were all too buckish; and
+the steady ones, a set of the yellowest frights I ever beheld.'
+
+'Alas for the poor ladies!'
+
+'O, you are a mocker, are you?--So to lighten the disappointment to Sir
+Jaspar, I hit upon the expedient of taking up with little Selina, who
+was the first young thing that fell in my way. And I was too tired to be
+difficult. Besides, what made her the more convenient, was her extreme
+youth, which gave me a year to look about me, and see if I could do any
+better. But she's a poor creature; a sad poor creature indeed! quite too
+bad. So I must make an end of the business as fast as possible. Besides,
+another thing that puts me in a hurry is,--the very devil would have it
+so!--but I have fallen in love with her sister!--'
+
+Juliet, at a loss how to understand him, now raised her eyes; and, not
+without astonishment, perceived that he was speaking with a grave face.
+
+'O that noble stroke! That inimitable girl! Happy, happy, Harleigh! That
+fellow fascinates the girls the more the less notice he takes of them! I
+take but little notice of them, neither; but, some how or other, they
+never do that sort of thing for me! If I could meet with one who would
+take such a measure for my sake, and before such an assembly,--I really
+think I should worship her!'
+
+Then, lowering his voice, 'You may be amazingly useful to me, my angel,'
+he cried, 'in this new affair. I know you are very well with Harleigh,
+though I don't know exactly how; but if,--nay, hear me before you look
+so proud! if you'll help me, a little, how to go to work with the divine
+Elinor, I'll bind myself down to make over to you,--in case of
+success,--mark that!--as round a sum as you may be pleased to name!'
+
+The disdain of Juliet at this proposition was so powerful, that, though
+she heard it as the deepest of insults, indignation was but a secondary
+feeling; and a look of utter scorn, with a determined silence to
+whatever else he might say, was the only notice it received.
+
+He continued, nevertheless, to address her, demanding her advice how to
+manage Harleigh, and her assistance how to conquer Elinor, with an air
+of as much intimacy and confidence, as if he received the most cordial
+replies. He purposed, he said, unless she could counsel him to something
+better, making an immediate overture to Elinor; by which means, whether
+he should obtain, or not, the only girl in the world who knew how to
+love, and what love meant, he should, at least, in a very summary way,
+get rid of the little Selina.
+
+Juliet knew too well the slightness of the texture of the regard of
+Selina for Ireton, to be really hurt at this defection; yet she was not
+less offended at being selected for the confidant of so dishonourable a
+proceeding; nor less disgusted at the unfeeling insolence by which it
+was dictated.
+
+An attempt at opening the door at length silenced him, while the voice
+of Mrs Ireton's woman called out, 'Goodness! Miss Ellis, what do you
+lock yourself in for? My lady has sent me to you.'
+
+Juliet cast up her eyes, foreseeing the many disagreeable attacks and
+surmises to which she was made liable by this incident; yet immediately
+said aloud, 'Since you have thought proper, Mr Ireton, to lock the door,
+for your own pleasure, you will, at least, I imagine, think proper to
+open it for that of Mrs Ireton.'
+
+'Deuce take me if I do!' cried he, in a low voice: 'manage the matter as
+you will! I have naturally no taste for a prude; so I always leave her
+to work her way out of a scrape as well as she can. But I'll see you
+again when they are all off.' Then, throwing the key upon her lap, he
+softly and laughingly escaped out of the window.
+
+Provoked and vexed, yet helpless, and without any means of redress,
+Juliet opened the door.
+
+'Goodness! Miss Ellis,' cried the Abigail, peeping curiously around,
+'how droll for you to shut yourself in! My lady sent me to ask whether
+you have seen any thing of Mr Ireton in the garden, or about; for she
+has been ready to go ever so long, and he said he was setting off first
+on horseback; but his groom is come, and is waiting for orders, and none
+of us can tell where he is.'
+
+'Mr Ireton,' Juliet quietly answered, 'was here just now; and I doubt
+not but you will find him in the garden.'
+
+'Yes,' cried the boy, 'he slid out of the window.'
+
+'Goodness! was he in here, then, Master Loddard? Well! my lady'll be in
+a fine passion, if she should hear of it!'
+
+This was enough to give the tidings a messenger: the boy darted forward,
+and reached the house in a moment.
+
+The Abigail ran after him; Juliet, too, followed, dreading the impending
+storm yet still more averse to remaining within the reach and power of
+Ireton. And the knowledge, that he would now, for the rest of the
+morning, be sole master of the house, filled her with such horrour, of
+the wanton calumny to which his unprincipled egotism might expose her,
+that, rather than continue under the same roof with a character so
+unfeelingly audacious, she preferred risking all the mortifications to
+which she might be liable in the excursion to Arundel Castle.
+
+Advanced already into the hall, dragged thither by her turbulent little
+nephew, and the hope of detecting the hiding-place of Ireton, stood the
+patroness whom she now felt compelled to soothe into accepting her
+attendance. Not aware of this purposed concession, and nearly as much
+frightened as enraged, to find with whom her son had been shut up, Mrs
+Ireton, in a tone equally querulous and piqued, cried, 'I beg you a
+thousand pardons, Ma'am, for the indiscretion of which I have been
+guilty, in asking for the honour of your company to Arundel Castle this
+morning! I ought to make a million of apologies for supposing that a
+young lady,--for you are a lady, no doubt! every body is a lady,
+now!--of your extraordinary turn and talents the insupportable
+insipidity of a tete a tete with a female; or the dull care of a
+bantling; when a splendid, flashy, rich, young travelled gentleman,
+chusing, also, to remain behind, may be tired, and want some amusement!
+'Twas grossly stupid of me, I own, to expect such a sacrifice. You, who,
+besides these prodigious talents, that make us all appear like a set of
+vulgar, uneducated beings by your side; you, who revel also, in the
+luxury of wealth; who wanton in the stores of Plutus; who are accustomed
+to the magnificence of unaccounted hoards!--How must the whole detail of
+our existence appear penurious, pitiful to you!--I am surprised how you
+can forbear falling into fits at the very sight of us! But I presume you
+reserve the brilliancy of an action of that _eclat_, for objects better
+worth your while to dazzle by a stroke of that grand description? I must
+have lost my senses, certainly, to so ill appreciate my own
+insignificance! I hope you'll pity me! that's all! I hope you will have
+so much unction as to pity me!'
+
+If, at the opening of this harangue, the patience of Juliet nearly
+yielded to resentment, its length gave power to reflection,--which
+usually wants but time for checking impulse,--to point out the many and
+nameless mischiefs, to which quitting the house under similar suspicions
+might give rise. She quietly, therefore, answered, that though to
+herself it must precisely be the same thing, whether Mr Ireton were at
+home or abroad, if that circumstance gave any choice to Mrs Ireton, she
+would change her own plans, either to go or to stay, according to the
+directions which she might receive.
+
+A superiority to accusation or surmize thus cool and decided, no sooner
+relieved the apprehensions of Mrs Ireton by its evident innocence, than
+it excited her wrath by its deliberate indifference, if not contempt:
+and she would now disdainfully have rejected the attendance which, the
+moment before, she had anxiously desired, had not the little master of
+the house, who had seized the opportunity of this harangue to make his
+escape, caught a glimpse of the carriage at the door; and put an end to
+all contest, by stunning all ears, with an unremitting scream till he
+forced himself into it; when, overpowering every obstacle, he obliged
+his aunt and Juliet to follow; while he issued his own orders to the
+postilion to drive to Arundel Castle.
+
+Even the terrour of calumny, that most dangerous and baneful foe to
+unprotected woman! would scarcely have frightened Juliet into this
+expedition, had she been aware that, as soon as she was seated in the
+landau, with orders to take the whole charge of Mr Loddard, the little
+dog, also, would have been given to her management. 'Bijou will like to
+take the air,' cried Mrs Ireton, languidly; 'and he will serve to
+entertain Loddard by the way. He can go very well on Miss Ellis's lap.
+Pretty little creature! 'Twould be cruel to leave him at home alone!'
+
+This terrible humanity, which, in a hot day, in the middle of July, cast
+upon the knees of Juliet a fat, round, well furred, and over-fed little
+animal, accustomed to snarl, scratch, stretch, and roll himself about at
+his pleasure, produced fatigue the most pitiless, and inconvenience the
+most comfortless. The little tyrant of the party, whose will was law to
+the company, found no diversion so much to his taste, during the short
+journey, as exciting the churlish humour of his fellow-favourite, by
+pinching his ears, pulling his nose, filliping his claws, squeezing his
+throat, and twisting round his tail. And all these feats, far from
+incurring any reprimand, were laughed at and applauded. For whom did
+they incommode? No one but Miss Ellis;--and for what else was Miss Ellis
+there?
+
+Yet this fatigue and disgust might have been passed over, as local
+evils, had they ceased with the journey; and had she then been at
+liberty to look at what remains of the venerable old castle; to visit
+its ancient chapel; to examine the genealogical records of the long
+gallery; to climb up to the antique citadel, and to enjoy the spacious
+view thence presented of the sea: but she immediately received orders to
+give exercise to Bijou, and to watch that he ran into no danger: though
+Selina, who assiduously came forward to meet Mrs Ireton, without
+appearing even to perceive Juliet, officiously took young Loddard in
+charge, and conducted him, with his aunt, to a large expecting party,
+long arrived, and now viewing the citadel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LVIII
+
+
+Relieved, nevertheless, through whatever means effected, by a
+separation, Juliet, with her speechless, though far from mute companion,
+went forth to seek some obscure walk. But her purpose was defeated by
+the junction of a little spaniel, to which Bijou attached himself, with
+a fondness so tenacious, that her utmost efforts either to disengage
+them, or to excite both to follow her, were fruitless; Bijou would not
+quit the spaniel; nor the spaniel his post near the mansion.
+
+Not daring to go on without her troublesome little charge, the approach
+of a carriage made her hasten to a garden-seat, upon which, though she
+could not be hidden, she might be less conspicuous.
+
+The carriage, familiar to her from having frequently seen it at Miss
+Matson's, was that of Sir Jaspar Herrington. Not satisfied, though she
+had no right to be angry, at the so measured politeness which he had
+shewn her the preceding day, when further notice would have softened her
+mortifying embarrassment, she was glad that he had not remarked her in
+passing.
+
+She heard him enquire for Mrs Ireton's party, which he had promised to
+join; but, affrighted at the sound of the citadel, he said that he would
+alight, and wait upon some warm seat in the grounds.
+
+In descending from his chaise, one of his crutches fell, and a
+bonbonniere, of which the contents were dispersed upon the ground, slipt
+from the hand of his valet. It was then, and not without chagrin, that
+Juliet began further to comprehend the defects of a character which she
+had thought an entire composition of philanthropy and courtesy. He
+reviled rather than scolded the servant to whom the accident had
+happened; and treated the circumstances as an event of the first
+importance. He cast an equal share of blame, and with added sharpness,
+upon the postilion, for not having advanced an inch nearer to the
+stone-steps; and uttered invectives even virulent against the groom,
+that he had not come forward to help. Angry, because vexed, with all
+around, he used as little moderation in his wrath, as reason in his
+reproaches.
+
+How superficially, thought Juliet, can we judge of dispositions, where
+nothing is seen but what is meant to be shewn! where nothing is
+pronounced but what is prepared for being heard! Had I fixed my opinion
+of this gentleman only upon what he intended that I should witness, I
+should have concluded that he had as much urbanity of humour as of
+manners. I could never have imagined, that the most trifling of
+accidents could, in a moment, destroy the whole harmony of his temper!
+
+In the midst of the choleric harangue of the Baronet, against which no
+one ventured to remonstrate, the little dogs came sporting before him;
+and, recollecting Bijou, he hastily turned his head towards the person
+upon the garden-seat, whom he had passed without any attention, and
+discerned Juliet.
+
+He hobbled towards her without delay, warmly expressing his delight at
+so auspicious a meeting: but the air and look, reserved and grave, with
+which, involuntarily, she heard him, brought to his consciousness, what
+the pleasure of her sight had driven from it, his enraged attack upon
+his servants; which she must unavoidably have witnessed, and of which
+her countenance shewed her opinion.
+
+He stood some moments silent, leaning upon his crutches, and palpably
+disconcerted. Then, shrugging his shoulders, with a half smile, but a
+piteous look, 'Many,' he cried, 'are the tricks which my quaint little
+imps have played me! many, the quirks and villainous wiles I owe
+them!--but never yet, with all the ingenuity of their malice, have they
+put me to shame and confusion such as this!'
+
+Rising to be gone, yet sorry for him, and softened, the disapprobation
+of Juliet was mingled with a concern, from her disposition to like him,
+that made its expression, in the eyes of her old admirer, seem something
+nearly divine. He looked at her with reverence and with regret, but made
+no attempt to prevent her departure. To separate, however, the dogs, or
+induce the spaniel to go further, she still found impossible; and, not
+daring to abandon Bijou, was fain quietly to seat herself again, upon a
+garden-chair, nearer to the house.
+
+Sir Jaspar, for some minutes, remained, pensively, upon the spot where
+she had left him; then, again shrugging his shoulders, as if bemoaning
+his ill luck, and again hobbling after her, 'There is nothing,' he
+cried, 'that makes a man look so small, as a sudden self-conviction that
+he merits ridicule or disgrace! what intemperance would be averted,
+could we believe ourselves always,--not only from above, but by one
+another, overhead! Don't take an aversion to me, however! nor suppose me
+worse than I am; nor worse than the herd of mankind. You have but seen
+an old bachelor in his true colours! Not with the gay tints, not with
+the spruce smiles, not with the gallant bows, the courteous homage, the
+flowery flourishes, with which he makes himself up for shew; but with
+the grim colouring of factious age, and suspicious egotism!'
+
+The countenance of Juliet shewing her now to be shocked that she had
+given rise to these apologies, that of Sir Jaspar brightened; and,
+dragging a chair to her side, 'I came hither,' he cried, 'in the fair
+hope to seize one of those happy moments, that the fates, now and then,
+accord to favoured mortals, for holding interesting and dulcet
+discourse, with the most fascinating enchantress that a long life,
+filled up with fastidious, perhaps fantastic researches after female
+excellence, has cast in my way. Would not one have thought twas some
+indulgent sylph that directed me? that inspired me with the idea, and
+then seconded the inspiration, by contriving that my arrival should take
+place at the critical instant, when that syren was to be found alone?
+Who could have suspected 'twas but the envious stratagem of some imp of
+darkness and spite, devised purely to expose a poor antiquated soul,
+with all his infirmities, physical and moral, to your contempt and
+antipathy?'
+
+Peering now under her hat, his penetrating eyes discerned so entire a
+change in his favour, that he completely recovered his pleasantry, his
+quaint archness, and his gallantry.
+
+'If betrayed,' he continued, 'by these perfidious elves, where may a
+poor forlorn solitary wight, such as I am, find a counsellor? He has no
+bosom friend, like the happy mortal, whose kindly star has guided him to
+seek, in lively, all-attractive youth, an equal partner for melancholy,
+all revolting age! He has no rising progeny, that, inheritors of his
+interests, naturally share his difficulties. He has nothing at hand but
+mercenary dependents. Nothing at heart but jealous suspicion of others,
+or secret repining for himself! Such, fair censurer! such is the natural
+state of that unnatural character, an old bachelor! How, then, when not
+upon his guard, or, in other words, when not urged by some outward
+object, some passing pleasure, or some fairy hope,--how,--tell me, in
+the candour of your gentle conscience! how can you expect from so
+decrepit and unwilling a hermit, the spontaneous benevolence of youth?'
+
+'But what is it I have said, Sir,' cried Juliet smiling, 'that makes you
+denounce me as a censurer?'
+
+'What is it you have said? ask, rather, what is it you have not said,
+with those eyes that speak with an eloquence that a thousand tongues
+might emulate in vain? They administered to me a lesson so severe,
+because just, that, had not a little pity, which just now beamed from
+them, revived me, the malignant goblins, who delight in drawing me into
+these scrapes, might have paid for their sport by losing their prey! But
+what invidious little devils ensnare me even now, into this
+superannuated folly, of prating about so worn out an old subject, when I
+meant only to name a being bright, blooming, and juvenile--'
+
+The recollection of his nearly complete neglect, the preceding day, in
+presence of Mrs Ireton, and her society, again began to cloud the
+countenance of Juliet, as she listened to compliments thus reserved for
+private delivery. Sir Jaspar soon penetrated into what passed in her
+mind, and, yet again shrugging his shoulders, and resuming the sorrowful
+air of a self-convicted culprit, 'Alas!' he cried, 'under what pitiful
+star did I first begin limping upon this nether sphere? And what foul
+fiend is it, that, taking upon him the name of worldly cunning, has
+fashioned my conduct, since here I have been hopping and hobbling? I
+burned, yesterday, with desire to make public my admiration of the fair
+flower, that I saw nearly trampled under foot; and I should have
+considered as the most propitious moment of my life, that in which I had
+raised its drooping head, by withering, with a blast, all the sickly,
+noxious surrounding weeds: but those little devils, that never leave me
+quiet, kept twitching and tweaking me every instant, with
+representations of prudence and procrastination; with the danger of
+exciting observation; and the better judgement of obtaining a little
+private discourse, previous to any public display.'
+
+Not able to divine to what this might be the intended prelude, Juliet
+was silent. Sir Jaspar, after some hesitation, continued.
+
+'In that motley assembly, you had two antique friends, equally cordial,
+and almost equally admiring and desirous to serve you; but by different
+means,--perhaps with different views! one of them, stimulated by the
+little fairy elves, that alternately enlighten and mislead him, not
+seeing yet his way, and embarrassed in his choice of measures, was lying
+in wait, cautiously to avail himself of the first favourable moment, for
+soliciting your fair leave to dub himself your knight-errant; the
+other, urged solely, perhaps, by good-nature and humanity, with an happy
+absence of mind, that precludes circumspection; coming forward in your
+defence, and for your honour, with unsuspecting, unfearing,
+untemporising zeal. Alas! in my conscience, which these tormenting
+little imps are for ever goading on, to inflict upon me some
+disagreeable compliment, I cannot, all simple as he is, but blush to
+view the intrinsic superiority of the unsophisticated man of nature,
+over the artificial man of the world! How much more truly a male
+character.'
+
+Looking at her then with examining earnestness, 'To which of these
+antediluvian wights,' he continued, 'you will commit the gauntlet, that
+must be flung in your defence, I know not; either of us,--alas!--might
+be your great grandfather! But, helpless old captives as we are in your
+chains, we each feel a most sincere, nay, inordinate desire, to break
+those fetters with which, at this moment, you seem yourself to be
+shackled. And for this I am not wholly without a scheme, though it is
+one that demands a little previous parleying.'
+
+Juliet positively declined his services; but gratefully acknowledged
+those from which she had already, though involuntarily, profited.
+
+'You cannot, surely,' he cried, 'have a predilection for your present
+species of existence? and, least of all, under the galling yoke of this
+spirit-breaking dame, into whose ungentle power I cannot see you fallen
+without losing sleep, appetite, and pleasure. How may I conjure you into
+better hands? How release you from such bondage? And yet, this pale,
+withered, stiff, meagre hag, so odious, so tyrannical, so irascible, but
+a few years,--in my calculation!--but a few years since,--had all the
+enchantment of blithe, blooming loveliness! You, who see her only in her
+decline, can never believe it; but she was eminently fair, gay, and
+charming!'
+
+Juliet looked at him, astonished.
+
+'Her story,' he continued, 'already envelopes the memoirs of a Beauty,
+in her four stages of existence. During childhood, indulged, in every
+wish; admired where she should have been chidden, caressed where she
+should have been corrected; coaxed into pettishness, and spoilt into
+tyranny. In youth, adored, followed, and applauded till, involuntarily,
+rather than vainly, she believed herself a goddess. In maturity,--ah!
+there's the test of sense and temper in the waning beauty!--in maturity,
+shocked and amazed to see herself supplanted by the rising bloomers; to
+find that she might be forgotten, or left out, if not assiduous herself
+to come forward; to be consulted only upon grave and dull matters, out
+of the reach of her knowledge and resources; alternately mortified by
+involuntary negligence, and affronted by reverential respect! Such has
+been her maturity; such, amongst faded beauties, is the maturity of
+thousands. In old age,--if a lady may be ever supposed to suffer the
+little loves and graces to leave her so woefully in the lurch, as to
+permit her to know such a state;--in old age, without stores to amuse,
+or powers to instruct, though with a full persuasion that she is endowed
+with wit, because she cuts, wounds, and slashes from unbridled, though
+pent-up resentment, at her loss of adorers; and from a certain
+perverseness, rather than quickness of parts, that gifts her with the
+sublime art of ingeniously tormenting; with no consciousness of her own
+infirmities, or patience for those of others; she is dreaded by the gay,
+despised by the wise, pitied by the good, and shunned by all.'
+
+Then, looking at Juliet with a strong expression of surprise, 'What Will
+o'the Wisp,' he cried, 'has misled you into this briery thicket of
+brambles, nettles, and thorns? where you cannot open your mouth but you
+must be scratched; nor your ears, but you must be wounded; nor stir a
+word but you must be pricked and worried? How is it that, with the most
+elegant ideas, the most just perceptions upon every subject that
+presents itself, you have a taste so whimsical?'
+
+'A taste? Can you, then, Sir, believe a fate like mine to have any
+connexion with choice?'
+
+'What would you have me believe, fair AEnigma? Tell me, and I will
+fashion my credulity to your commands. But I only hear of you with Mrs
+Maple; I only see you with Mrs Ireton! Mrs Maple, having weaker parts,
+may have less power, scientifically, to torment than Mrs Ireton; but
+nature has been as active in personifying ill will with the one, as art
+in embellishing spite with the other. They are equally egotists, equally
+wrapt up in themselves, and convinced that self alone is worth living
+for in this nether world. What a fate! To pass from Maple to Ireton, was
+to fall from Scylla to Charybdis!'
+
+The blush of Juliet manifested extreme confusion, to see herself
+represented, even though it might be in sport, as a professional
+parasite. Reading, with concern, in her countenance, the pain which he
+had caused her, he exclaimed, 'Sweet witch! loveliest syren!--let me
+hasten to develope a project, inspired, I must hope, by my better
+genius! Tell me but, frankly, who and what you are, and then--'
+
+Juliet shook her head.
+
+'Nay, nay, should your origin be the most obscure, I shall but think
+you more nearly allied to the gods! Jupiter, Apollo, and such like
+personages, delighted in a secret progeny. If, on the contrary, in
+sparkling correspondence with your eyes, it is brilliant, but has been
+clouded by fortune, how ravished shall I be to twirl round the wheels of
+that capricious deity, till they reach those dulcet regions, where
+beauty and merit are in harmony with wealth and ease! Tell me, then,
+what country first saw you bloom; what family originally reared you; by
+what name you made your first entrance into the world;--and I will turn
+your champion against all the spirits of the air, all the fiends of the
+earth, and all the monsters of the "vast abyss!" Leave, then, to such as
+need those goaders, the magnetism of mystery and wonder, and trust,
+openly and securely, to the charm of youth, the fascination of
+intelligence, the enchantment of grace, and the witchery of beauty!'
+
+Juliet was still silent.
+
+'I see you take me for a vain, curious old caitiff, peeping, peering and
+prying into business in which I have no concern. Charges such as these
+are ill cleared by professions; let me plead, therefore, by facts.
+Should there be a person,--young, rich, _a la mode_, and not ugly; whose
+expectations are splendid, who moves in the sphere of high life, who
+could terminate your difficulties with honour, by casting at your feet
+that vile dross, which, in fairy hands, such as yours, may be transmuted
+into benevolence, generosity, humanity,--if such a person there should
+be, who in return for these grosser and more substantial services,
+should need the gentler and more refined ones of soft society, mild
+hints, guidance unseen, admonition unpronounced;--would you, and could
+you, in such a case, condescend to reciprocate advantages, and their
+reverse? Would you,--and could you,--if snatched from unmerited
+embarrassments, to partake of luxuries which your acceptance would
+honour, bear with a little coxcomical nonsense, and with a larger
+portion, still, of unmeaning perverseness, and malicious nothingness? I
+need not, I think, say, that the happy mortal whom I wish to see thus
+charmed and thus formed, is my nephew Ireton.'
+
+Uncertain whether he meant to mock or to elevate her, Juliet simply
+answered, that she had long, though without knowing why, found Mr Ireton
+her enemy; but had never forseen that an ill will as unaccountable as it
+was unprovoked, would have extended so far, and so wide, as to spread
+all around her the influence of irony and derision.
+
+'Hold, hold! fair infidel,'--cried Sir Jaspar, 'unless you mean to give
+me a fit of the gout.'
+
+He then solemnly assured her, that he was so persuaded that her
+excellent understanding, and uncommon intelligence, united, in rare
+junction, with such youth and beauty, would make her a treasure to a
+rich and idle young man, whose character, fluctuating between good and
+bad, or rather between something and nothing, was yet unformed; that, if
+she would candidly acknowledge her real name, story, and situation, he
+should merely have to utter a mysterious injunction to Ireton, that he
+must see her no more, in order to bring him to her feet. 'He acts but a
+part,' continued the Baronet, 'in judging you ill. He piques himself
+upon being a man of the world, which, he persuades himself, he manifests
+to all observers, by a hardy, however vague spirit of detraction and
+censoriousness; deeming, like all those whose natures have not a
+kindlier bent, suspicion to be sagacity.'
+
+Juliet was entertained by this singular plan, yet frankly acknowledged,
+after repeating her thanks, that it offered her not temptation; and
+continued immoveable, to either address or persuasion, for any sort of
+personal communication.
+
+A pause of some minutes ensued, during which Sir Jaspar seemed
+deliberating how next to proceed. He then said, 'You are decided not to
+hear of my nephew? He is not, I confess, deserving you; but who is?
+Yet,--a situation such as this,--a companion such as Mrs Ireton,--any
+change must surely be preferable to a fixture of such a sort? What,
+then, must be done? Where youth, youth itself, even when joined to
+figure and to riches, is rejected, how may it be hoped that age,--age
+and infirmity!--even though joined with all that is gentlest in
+kindness, all that is most disinterested in devotion, may be rendered
+more acceptable?'
+
+Confused, and perplexed how to understand him, Juliet was rising, under
+pretence of following Bijou; but Sir Jaspar, fastening her gown to the
+grass by his two crutches, laughingly said, 'Which will you resist most
+stoutly? your own cruelty, or the kindness of my little fairy friends?
+who, at this moment, with a thousand active gambols, are pinning,
+gluing, plaistering, in sylphick mosaic-work, your robe between the
+ground and my sticks; so that you cannot tear it away without leaving
+me, at least, some little memorial that I have had the happiness of
+seeing you!'
+
+Forced either to struggle or to remain in her place, she sat still, and
+he continued.
+
+'Don't be alarmed, for I shall certainly not offend you. Listen, then,
+with indulgence, to what I am tempted to propose, and, whether I am
+impelled by my evil genius, or inspired by my guardian angel--'
+
+Juliet earnestly entreated him to spare her any proposition whatever;
+but vainly; and he was beginning, with a fervour almost devout, an
+address to all the sylphs, elves, and aeriel beings of his fanciful
+idolatry, when a sudden barking from Bijou making him look round, he
+perceived that Mrs Ireton, advancing on tiptoe, was creeping behind his
+garden-chair.
+
+Confounded by an apparition so unwished, he leant upon his crutches,
+gasping and oppressed for breath; while Juliet, to avoid the attack of
+which the malevolence of Mrs Ireton's look was the sure precursor, would
+have retreated, had not her gown been so entangled in the crutches of
+Sir Jaspar, that she could not rise without leaving him the fragment
+that he had coveted. In vain she appealed with her eyes for release; his
+consternation was such, that he saw only, what least he wished to see,
+the scowling brow of Mrs Ireton; who, to his active imagination,
+appeared to be Megara herself, just mounted from the lower regions.
+
+'Well! this is really charming! Quite edifying, I protest!' burst forth
+Mrs Ireton, when she found that she was discovered. 'This is a sort of
+intercourse I should never have divined! You'll pardon my want of
+discernment! I know I am quite behind hand in observation and remark;
+but I hope, in time, and with so much good instruction, I may become
+more sagacious. I am glad, however, to see that I don't disturb you Miss
+Ellis! Extremely glad to find that you treat your place so amiably
+without ceremony. I am quite enchanted to be upon terms so familiar and
+agreeable with you. I may sit down myself, I suppose, upon the grass,
+meanwhile! 'Twill be really very rural! very rural and pretty!'
+
+Juliet now could no longer conceal her confined situation, for, pinioned
+to her place, she was compelled to petition the Baronet to set her at
+liberty.
+
+The real astonishment of Mrs Ireton, upon discovering the cause and
+means of her detention, was far less amusing to herself, than that which
+she had affected, while concluding her presumptuous _protegee_ to be a
+voluntary intruder upon the time, and encroacher upon the politeness of
+the Baronet. Her eyes now opened, with alarm, to a confusion so unusual
+in her severe and authoritative brother-in-law; whom she was accustomed
+to view awing others, not himself awed. Suggestions of the most
+unpleasant nature occurred to her suspicious mind; and she stood as if
+thunderstruck in her turn, in silent suspension how to act, or what next
+to say; till Selina came running forward, to announce that all the
+company was gone to look at the Roman Catholic chapel; and to enquire
+whether Mrs Ireton did not mean to make it a visit.
+
+If Sir Jaspar, Mrs Ireton hesitatingly answered, would join the party,
+she would attend him with pleasure.
+
+Sir Jaspar heard not this invitation. In his haste to give Juliet her
+freedom, his feeble hands, disobedient to his will, and unable to second
+the alacrity of his wishes, struck his crutches through her gown; and
+they were now both, and in equal confusion, employed in disentangling
+it; and ashamed to look up, or to speak.
+
+Selina, perceiving their position, with the unmeaning glee of a childish
+love of communication, ran, tittering, away, to tell it to Miss
+Brinville; who, saying that there was nothing worth seeing in the Roman
+Catholic chapel, was sauntering after Mrs Ireton, in hopes of finding
+entertainment more congenial to her mind.
+
+The sight of this lady restored to Mrs Ireton the scoffing powers which
+amazement, mingled with alarm, had momentarily chilled; and, as Miss
+Brinville peeringly approached, to verify the whisper of Selina,
+exclaiming, 'Dear! what makes poor Sir Jaspar stoop so?' his loving
+sister-in-law answered, 'Sir Jaspar, Miss Brinville? What can Sir Jaspar
+do? I beg pardon for the question, but what can a gentleman do, when a
+young woman happens to take a fancy to place herself so near him, that
+he can't turn round without incommoding her? Not that I mean to blame
+Miss Ellis. I hope I know better. I hope I shall never be guilty of such
+injustice; for how can Miss Ellis help it? What could she do? Where
+could she turn herself in so confined a place as this? in so narrow a
+piece of ground? How could she possibly find any other spot for repose?'
+
+A contemptuous smile at Juliet from Miss Brinville, shewed that lady's
+approbation of this witty sally; and the junction of Mrs Maple, whose
+participation in this kind of enjoyment was known to be lively and
+sincere, exalted still more highly the spirit of poignant sarcasm in Mrs
+Ireton; who, with smiles of ineffable self-complacency, went on, 'There
+are people, indeed,--I am afraid,--I don't know, but I am afraid
+so,--there are people who may have the ill nature to think, that the
+charge of walking out a little delicate animal in the grounds, did not
+imply an absolute injunction to recline, with lounging elegance, upon an
+easy chair. There are people, I say, who may have so little
+intelligence as to be of that way of thinking. 'Tis being abominably
+stupid, I own, but there's no enlightening vulgar minds! There is no
+making them see the merit of quitting an animal for a gentleman;
+especially for a gentleman in such penury; who has no means to
+recompense any attentions with which he may be indulged.'
+
+Juliet, more offended, now, even than confused, would willingly have
+torn her gown to hasten her release; but she was still sore, from the
+taunts of Mrs Ireton, upon a recent similar mischief.
+
+They were presently joined by the Arramedes; and Mrs Ireton, secure of
+new admirers, felt her powers of pleasantry encrease every moment.
+
+'I hope I shall never fail to acknowledge,' she continued, 'how
+supremely I am indebted to those ladies who have had the goodness to
+recommend this young person to me. I can never repay such kindness,
+certainly; that would be vastly beyond my poor abilities; for she has
+the generosity to take an attachment to all that belongs to me! It was
+only this morning that she had the goodness to hold a private conference
+with my son. Nobody could tell where to find him. He seemed to have
+disappeared from the whole house. But no! he had only, as Mr Loddard
+afterwards informed me, stept into the Temple, with Miss Ellis.'
+
+Sir Jaspar now, surprised and shocked, lifted up his eyes; but their
+quick penetration instantly read innocence in the indignation expressed
+in those of Juliet.
+
+Mrs Ireton, however, saw only her own triumph, in the malicious simpers
+of Miss Brinville, the spiteful sneers of Mrs Maple, and the haughty
+scorn of Lady Arramede.
+
+Charmed, therefore, with her brilliant success, she went on.
+
+'How I may be able to reward kindness so extraordinary, I can't pretend
+to say. I am so stupid, I am quite at a loss what to devize that may be
+adequate to such services; for the attentions bestowed upon my son in
+the morning, I see equally displayed to his uncle at noon. Though there
+is some partiality, I think, too, shewn to Ireton. I won't affirm it;
+but I am rather afraid there is some partiality shewn to Ireton; for
+though the conference has been equally interesting, I make no doubt,
+with Sir Jaspar, it has not had quite so friendly an appearance. The
+open air is very delightful, to be sure; and a beautiful prospect helps
+to enliven one's ideas; but still, there is something in complete
+retirement that seems yet more romantic and amicable. Ireton was so
+impressed with this idea, as I am told; for I don't pretend to speak
+from my own personal knowledge upon subjects of so much importance; but
+I am told,--Mr Loddard informs me, that Ireton was so sensible to the
+advantage of having the honours of an exclusive conference, that he not
+only chose that retired spot, but had the precaution, also, to lock the
+door. I don't mean to assert this! it may be all a mistake, perhaps.
+Miss Ellis can tell best.'
+
+Neither the steadiness of innate dignity, nor the fearlessness of
+conscious innocence, could preserve Juliet from a sensation of horrour,
+at a charge which she could not deny, though its implications were false
+and even atrocious. She saw, too, that, at the words 'lock the door,'
+Sir Jaspar again raised his investigating eyes, in which there was
+visibly a look of disturbance. She would not, however, deign to make a
+vindication, lest she should seem to acknowledge it possible that she
+might be thought culpable; but, being now disengaged, she silently, and
+uncontrollably hurt, walked away.
+
+'And pray, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, 'if the question is not too
+impertinent, don't you see Mr Loddard coming? And who is to take care of
+Bijou? And where is his basket? And I don't see his cushion?'
+
+Juliet turned round to answer, 'I will send them Madam, immediately.'
+
+'Amazing condescension!' exclaimed Mrs Ireton, in a rage that she no
+longer aimed at disguising: 'I shall never be able to shew my sense of
+such affability! Never! I am vastly too obtuse, vastly too obtuse and
+impenetrable to find any adequate means of expressing my gratitude.
+However, since you really intend me the astonishing favour of sending
+one of my people upon your own errand, permit me to entreat,--if it is
+not too great a liberty to take with a person of your unspeakable
+rank,--permit me to entreat that you will make use of the same vehicle
+for conveying to me your account; for you are vastly too fine a lady for
+a person so ordinary as I am to keep under her roof. I have no such
+ambition, I assure you; not an intention of the kind. So pray let me
+know what retribution I am to make for your trouble. You have taken vast
+pains, I imagine, to serve me and please me. I imagine so! I must be
+prodigiously your debtor, I make no doubt!'
+
+'What an excess of impertinence!' cried Lady Arramede.
+
+'She'll never know her place,' said Mrs Maple: ''tis quite in vain to
+try to serve such a body.'
+
+'I never saw such airs in my life!' exclaimed Miss Brinville.
+
+Juliet could endure no more. The most urgent distress seemed light and
+immaterial, when balanced against submission to treatment so injurious.
+She walked, therefore, straight forward to the castle, for shelter,
+immediate shelter, from this insupportable attack; disengaging herself
+from the spoilt little boy, who strove, nay cried to drag her back;
+forcing away from her the snarling cur, who would have followed her; and
+decidedly mute to the fresh commands of Mrs Ireton, uttered in tones of
+peremptory, but vain authority.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIX
+
+
+Offended, indignant; escaped, yet without safety; free, yet without
+refuge; Juliet, hurried into the noble mansion, with no view but to find
+an immediate hiding-place, where, unseen, she might allow some vent to
+her wounded feelings, and, unmarked, remain till the haughty party
+should be gone, and she could seek some humble conveyance for her own
+return.
+
+Concluding her in haste for some commission of Mrs Ireton's, the
+servants let her pass nearly unobserved; and she soon came to a long
+gallery, hung with genealogical tables of the Arundel family, and with
+various religious reliques, and historical curiosities.
+
+Believing herself alone, and in a place of which the stillness suited
+her desire of solitude and concealment, she had already shut the door
+before she saw her mistake. What, then, was her astonishment, what her
+emotion, when she discerned, seated, and examining a part of the
+hangings, at the further end of the gallery, the gentle form of Lady
+Aurora Granville!
+
+Sudden transport, though mingled with a thousand apprehensions,
+instantly converted every dread that could depress into every hope that
+could revive her. A start evinced that she was seen. She endeavoured to
+courtesy, and would have advanced; but, the first moment over, fear,
+uncertainty, and conflicting doubts took place of its joy, and robbed
+her of force. Her dimmed eyes perceived not the smiling pleasure with
+which Lady Aurora had risen at her approach; her breast heaved quick;
+her heart swelled almost to suffocation; and, wholly disordered, she
+leaned against a window-frame cut in the immensely thick walls of the
+castle.
+
+Lady Aurora now ran fleetly forward, exclaiming, in a voice of which the
+tender melody spoke the softness of her soul, 'Miss Ellis! My dear Miss
+Ellis! have I, indeed, the happiness to meet with you again? O! if you
+could know how I have desired, have pined for it!--But,--are you ill?!
+You cannot be angry? Miss Ellis! sweet Miss Ellis! Can you ever have
+believed that it has been my fault that I have appeared so unkind, so
+hard, so cruel?'
+
+With a fulness of joy that, in conquering doubt, overpowered timidity,
+Juliet now, with rapturous tears, and resistless tenderness, flung
+herself upon the neck of Lady Aurora, whom she encircled with her arms,
+and strained fondly to her bosom.
+
+But the same vent that gave relief to internal oppression brought her to
+a sense of external impropriety: she felt that it was rather her part to
+receive than to bestow such marks of affection. She drew back; and her
+cheeks were suffused with the most vivid scarlet, when she observed the
+deep colour which dyed those of Lady Aurora at this action; though
+evidently with the blushes of surprise, not of pride.
+
+Ashamed, and hanging her head, Juliet would have attempted some apology;
+but Lady Aurora, warmly returning her embrace, cried, 'How happy, and
+how singular a chance that we should have fixed upon this day for
+visiting Arundelcastle! We have been making a tour to the Isle of Wight
+and to Portsmouth; and we did not intend to go to Brighthelmstone; so
+that I had no hope, none upon earth, of such a felicity as that of
+seeing my dear Miss Ellis. I need not, I think, say it was not I who
+formed our plan, when I own that we had no design to visit
+Brighthelmstone, though I knew, from Lady Barbara Frankland, that Miss
+Ellis was there?'
+
+'Alas! I fear,' answered Juliet, 'the design was to avoid
+Brighthelmstone! and to avoid it lest a blessing such as I now
+experience should fall to my lot! Ah, Lady Aurora! by the pleasure,--the
+transport, rather, with which your sudden sight has made me appear to
+forget myself, judge my anguish, my desolation, to be banished from your
+society, and banished as a criminal!'
+
+Lady Aurora shuddered and hid her face. 'O Miss Ellis!' she cried, 'what
+a word! never may I hear it,--so applied,--again, lest it should
+alienate me from those I ought to respect and esteem! and you so good,
+so excellent, would be sorry to see me estrange myself, even though it
+were for your own sake, from those to whom I owe gratitude and
+attachment. I must try to shew my admiration of Miss Ellis in a manner
+that Miss Ellis herself will not condemn. And will not that be by
+speaking to her without any disguise? And will she not have the goodness
+to encourage me to do it? For the world I would not take a liberty with
+her;--for the universe I would not hurt her!--but if it were possible
+she could condescend to give, ... however slightly, however imperfectly,
+some little explanation to ... to ... Mrs Howel....'
+
+Juliet here, with a strong expression of horrour, interrupted her: 'Mrs
+Howel?--O no! I cannot speak with Mrs Howel!--I had nearly said I can
+see Mrs Howel no more! But happier days would soon subdue resentment.
+And, indeed, what I feel even now, may more justly be called terrour.
+Appearances have so cruelly misrepresented me, that I have no right to
+be indignant, nor even surprised that they should give rise to false
+judgments. I have no right to expect,--in a second instance,--unknown,
+friendless, lonely as I am! a trusting angel! a Lady Aurora!'
+
+The tears of Lady Aurora now flowed as fast as her own. 'If I have been
+so fortunate,' she cried, 'as to inspire such sweet kindness in so noble
+a mind, even in the midst of its unhappiness, I shall always prize it as
+the greatest of honours, and try to use it so as to make me become
+better; that you may never wound me by retracting it, nor be wounded
+yourself by being ashamed of your partiality.'
+
+With difficulty Juliet now forbore casting herself at the feet of Lady
+Aurora, the hem of whose garment she would have kissed with extacy, had
+not her own pecuniary distresses, and the rank of her young friend, made
+her recoil from what might have the semblance of flattery. She attempted
+not to speak; conscious of the inadequacy of all that she could utter
+for expressing what she felt, she left to the silent eloquence of her
+streaming, yet transport-glittering eyes, the happy task of
+demonstrating her gratitude and delight.
+
+With calmer, though extreme pleasure, Lady Aurora perceived the
+impression which she had made. 'See,' she cried, again embracing her;
+'see whether I trust in your kindness, when I venture, once more, to
+renew my earnest request, my entreaty, my petition--'
+
+'O! Lady Aurora! Who can resist you? Not I! I am vanquished! I will tell
+you all! I will unbosom myself to you entirely!'
+
+'No, my Miss Ellis, no! not to me! I will not even hear you! Have I not
+said so? And what should make me change? All I have been told by Lady
+Barbara Frankland of your exertions, has but increased my admiration;
+all she has written of your sufferings, your disappointments, and the
+patient courage with which you have borne them, has but more endeared
+you to my heart. No explanation can make you fairer, clearer, more
+perfect in my eyes. I take, indeed, the deepest interest in your
+welfare; but it is an interest that makes me proud to wait, not curious
+to hear; proud, my Miss Ellis, to shew my confidence, my trust in your
+excellencies! If, therefore, you will have the goodness to speak, it
+must be to others, not to me! I should blush to be of the number of
+those who want documents, certificates, to love and honour you!'
+
+Again Juliet was speechless; again all words seemed poor, heartless,
+unworthy to describe the sensibility of her soul, at this touching proof
+of a tenderness so consonant to her wishes, yet so far surpassing her
+dearest expectations. She hung over her ingenuous young friend; she
+sighed, she even sobbed with unutterable delight; while tears of rapture
+rolled down her glowing cheeks, and while her eyes were lustrous with a
+radiance of felicity that no tears could dim.
+
+Charmed, and encouraged, Lady Aurora continued: 'To those, then, who
+have not had the happiness to see you so justly; who dwell only upon the
+singularity of your being so ... alone, and so ... young,--O how often
+have I told them that I was sure you as little knew as merited their
+evil constructions! How often have I wished to write to you! how certain
+have I felt that all your motives to concealment, even the most
+respectable, would yield to so urgent a necessity, as that of clearing
+away every injurious surmise! Speak, therefore, my Miss Ellis, though
+not to me! even from them, when you have trusted them, I will hear
+nothing till the time of your secresy is over; that I may give them an
+example of the discretion they must observe with others. Yet speak! have
+the goodness to speak, that every body,--my uncle Denmeath himself,--and
+even Mrs Howel,--may acknowledge and respect your excellencies and your
+virtues as I do! And then, my Miss Ellis, who shall prevent,--who will
+even desire to prevent my shewing to the whole world my sense of your
+worth, and my pride in your friendship?'
+
+The struggles that now heaved the breast of Juliet were nearly too
+potent for her strength. She gasped for breath; she held her hand to her
+heart; and when, at length, the kind caresses and gentle pleadings of
+Lady Aurora, brought back her speech, she painfully pronounced, 'Shall I
+repay goodness so exquisite, by filling with regret the sweet mind that
+intends me only honour and consolation? Must the charm of such
+unexpected kindness, even while it penetrates my heart with almost
+piercing delight, entail, from its resistless persuasion, a misery upon
+the rest of my days, that may render them a burthen from which I may
+hourly sigh,--nay pray, to be delivered?'
+
+Seized with horrour and astonishment, Lady Aurora exclaimed, 'Oh heaven,
+no! I must be a monster if I would not rather die, immediately die, than
+cause you any evil! Miss Ellis, my dear Miss Ellis! forget I have made
+such a request, and forgive my indiscretion! With all your misfortunes,
+Miss Ellis, all your so undeserved griefs, you are quite a stranger to
+sorrow, compared to that which I should experience, if, through me,
+through my means, you should be exposed to any fresh injury!'
+
+'Angelic goodness!' cried Juliet, deeply affected: 'I blush, I blush to
+hear you without casting myself entirely into your power, without making
+you immediate arbitress of my fate! Yet,--since you demand not my
+confidence for your own satisfaction,--can I know that to spread it
+beyond yourself,--your generous self!--might involve me in instantaneous
+earthly destruction, and, voluntarily, suffer your very benevolence to
+become its instrument? With regard to Lord Denmeath,--to your uncle,--I
+must say nothing; but with regard to Mrs Howel,--let me conjure your
+ladyship to consent to my utterly avoiding her, that I may escape the
+dreadful accusations and reproaches that my cruel situation forbids me
+to repel. I have no words to paint the terrible impression she has left
+upon my mind. All that I have borne from others is short of what I have
+suffered from that lady! The debasing suspicions of Mrs Maple, the
+taunting tyranny of Mrs Ireton, though they make me blush to owe,--or
+rather, to earn from them the subsistence without which I know not how
+to exist; have yet never smote so rudely and so acutely to my inmost
+heart, as the attack I endured from Mrs Howel! They rob me, indeed, of
+comfort, of rest, and of liberty--but they do not sever me from Lady
+Aurora!'
+
+'Alas, my Miss Ellis! and have I, too, joined in the general persecution
+against such afflicted innocence? I feel myself the most unpardonable of
+all not to have acquiesced, without one ungenerous question, or even
+conjecture; in full reliance upon the right and the necessity of your
+silence. I ought to have forseen that if it were not improper you should
+comply, your own noble way of thinking would have made all entreaty as
+useless as it has been impertinent. Yet when prejudice alone parts us,
+how could I help trying to overcome it? And even my brother, though he
+would forfeit, I believe, his life in your defence; and though he says
+he is sure you are all purity and virtue; and though he thinks that
+there is nothing upon earth that can be compared with you;--even he has
+been brought to agree to the cruel resolution, that I should defer
+knitting myself closer to my Miss Ellis, till she is able to have the
+goodness to let us know--'
+
+She stopt, alarmed, for the cheeks of Juliet were suddenly dyed with the
+deepest crimson; though the transient tint faded away as she pronounced,
+
+'Lord Melbury!--even Lord Melbury!--' and they became Pale as death,
+while, in a faint voice, and with stifled emotion, she added, 'He is
+right! He acts as a brother; and as a brother to a sister whom he can
+never sufficiently appreciate.--And yet, the more I esteem his
+circumspection, the more deeply I must be wounded that calumny,--that
+mystery,--that dire circumstance, should make me seem dangerous, where,
+otherwise--'
+
+Unable longer to constrain her feelings, she sunk upon a seat and wept.
+
+'O Miss Ellis? What have I done?' cried Lady Aurora. 'How have I been so
+barbarous, so inconsiderate, so unwise? If my poor brother had caused
+you this pain, how should I have blamed him? And how grievously would he
+have repented! How severely, then, ought I to be reproached! I who have
+done it myself, without his generous precipitancy of temper to palliate
+such want of reflection!--'
+
+The sudden entrance of Selina here interrupted the conversation. She
+came tripping forward, to acquaint Lady Aurora that the party had just
+discerned a magnificent vessel; and that every body said if her ladyship
+did not come directly, it would be sailed away.
+
+At sight of Juliet, she ran to embrace her, with the warmest expressions
+of friendship; unchecked by a coldness which she did not observe, though
+now, from the dissatisfaction excited by so unseasonable an intrusion,
+it was far more marked, than while it had been under the qualifying
+influence of contempt.
+
+But when she found that neither caresses, nor kind words, could make her
+share with Lady Aurora, even for a moment, the attention of Juliet, she
+became a little confused; and, drawing her apart, asked what was the
+matter? consciously, without waiting for any answer, running into a
+string of simple apologies, for not speaking to her in public; which she
+should always, she said, do with the greatest pleasure; for she thought
+her the most agreeable person in the whole-world; if it were not, that,
+nobody knowing her, it would look so odd.
+
+All answer, save a smile half disdainful, half pitying, was precluded by
+the appearance of the Arramedes, Mrs Ireton, and Miss Brinville; who
+announced to Lady Aurora that the ship was already out of sight.
+
+Upon perceiving Juliet, they were nearly as much embarrassed as herself;
+for though she instantly retreated, it was evident that she had been
+sitting by the side of Lady Aurora, in close and amicable conference.
+
+An awkward general silence ensued, when Juliet, hearing other steps, was
+moving off; but Lady Aurora, following, and holding out her hand,
+affectionately said, 'Are you going, Miss Ellis? Must you go? And will
+you not bid me adieu?'
+
+Touched to the soul at this public mark of kindness, Juliet was
+gratefully returning, when the voice of Lord Melbury spoke his near
+approach. Trembling and changing colour, her folded hands demanded
+excuse of Lady Aurora for a precipitate yet reluctant flight; but she
+had still found neither time nor means to escape, when Lord Melbury, who
+was playing with young Loddard, entered the gallery, saying, 'Aurora,
+your genealogical studies have lost you a most beautiful sea-view.'
+
+The boy, spying Juliet, whom he was more than ever eager to join when he
+saw that she strove to avoid notice; darted from his lordship, calling
+out, 'Ellis! Ellis! look! look! here's Ellis!'
+
+Lord Melbury, with an air of the most animated surprize and delight,
+darted forward also, exclaiming, 'Miss Ellis! How unexpected a pleasure!
+The moment I saw Mrs Ireton I had some hope I might see, also, Miss
+Ellis--but I had already given it up as delusory.'
+
+Again the fallen countenance of Juliet brightened into sparkling beauty.
+The idea that even Lord Melbury had been infected by the opinions which
+had been circulated to her disadvantage, had wounded, had stung her to
+the quick: but to find that, notwithstanding he had been prevailed upon
+to acquiesce that his sister, while so much mystery remained, should
+keep personally aloof, his own sentiments of esteem remained unshaken;
+and to find it by so open, and so prompt a testimony of respect and
+regard, displayed before the very witnesses who had sought to destroy,
+or invalidate, every impression that might be made in her favour, was a
+relief the most exquisitely welcome to her disturbed and fearful mind.
+
+Eager and rapid enquiries concerning her health, uttered with the ardour
+of juvenile vivacity, succeeded this first address. The party standing
+by, looked astonished, even abashed; while the face of Lady Aurora
+recovered its wonted expression of sweet serenity.
+
+Mrs Ireton, now, was seized with a desire the most violent, to repossess
+a _protegee_ whose history and situation seemed daily to grow more
+wonderful. With a courtesy, therefore, as foreign from her usual
+manners, as from her real feelings, she said, 'Miss Ellis, I am sure,
+will have the goodness to help me home with my two little companions? I
+am sure of that. She could not be so unkind as to leave the poor little
+things in the lurch?'
+
+Indignant as Juliet had felt at the treatment which she had received,
+resentment at this moment found no place in her mind; she was beginning,
+therefore, a civil, however decided excuse; when Mrs Ireton, suspicious
+of her purpose, flung herself languishingly upon a seat, and complained
+that she was seized with such an immoderate pain in her side, that, if
+somebody would not take care of the two _little souls_, she should
+arrive at Brighthelmstone a corpse.
+
+The Arramedes, Miss Brinville, and Selina, all declared that it was
+impossible to refuse so essential a service to a health so delicate.
+
+The fear, now, of a second public scene, with the dread lest Lord
+Melbury might be excited to speak or act in her favour, forced the
+judgment of Juliet to conquer her inclination, in leading her to defer
+the so often given dismission till her return to Brighthelmstone; she
+acceded, therefore, though with cruel unwillingness, to what was
+required.
+
+Mrs Ireton instantly recovered; and with the more alacrity, from
+observing that Lady Barbara Frankland joined the group, at this moment
+of victory.
+
+'Take the trouble, then, if you please, Ma'am,' she replied, in her
+usual tone of irony; 'if it will not be too great a condescension, take
+the trouble to carry Bijou to the coach. And bid Simon keep him safe
+while you come back,--if it is not asking quite too great a favour,--for
+Mr Loddard. And pray bring my wrapping cloak with you, Ma'am. You'll be
+so good, I hope, as to excuse all these liberties? I hope so, at least!
+I flatter myself you'll excuse them. And, if the cloak should be heavy,
+I dare say Simon will give you his arm. Simon is a man of gallantry, I
+make no doubt. Not that I pretend to know; but I take it for granted he
+is a man of gallantry.'
+
+Juliet looked down, repentant to have placed herself, even for another
+moment, in a power so merciless. Lord Melbury and Lady Aurora, each hurt
+and indignant, advanced, uttering kind speeches: while Lady Barbara,
+still younger and more unguarded, seizing the little dog, exclaimed 'No,
+I'll carry Bijou myself, Mrs Ireton. Poor Miss Ellis looks so tired!
+I'll take care of him all the way to Brighthelmstone myself. Dear,
+pretty little creature!' Then, skipping behind Lady Aurora, 'Nasty
+whelp!' she whispered, 'how I'll pinch him for being such a plague to
+that sweet Miss Ellis! Perhaps that will mend him!'
+
+The satisfaction of Lady Aurora at this trait glistened in her soft
+eyes; while Lord Melbury, enchanted, caught the hand of the spirited
+little lady, and pressed it to his lips; though, ashamed of his own
+vivacity, he let it go before she had time to withdraw it. She coloured
+deeply, but visibly with no unpleasant sensation; and, grasping the
+little dog, hid her blushes, by uttering a precipitate farewell upon the
+bosom of Lady Aurora; who smilingly, though tenderly, kissed her
+forehead.
+
+An idea that teemed with joy and happiness rose high in the breast of
+Juliet, as she looked from Lord Melbury to Lady Barbara. Ah! there,
+indeed, she thought, felicity might find a residence! there, in the rare
+union of equal worth, equal attractions, sympathising feelings, and
+similar condition!
+
+'And I, too,' cried Lord Melbury, 'must have the honour to make myself
+of some use; if Mrs Ireton, therefore, will trust Mr Loddard to my care,
+I will convey him safely to Brighthelmstone, and overtake my sister in
+the evening. And by this means we shall lighten the fatigue of Mrs
+Ireton, without increasing that of Miss Ellis.'
+
+He then took the little boy in his arms; playfully dancing him before
+the little dog in those of Lady Barbara.
+
+The heart of Juliet panted to give utterance to the warm
+acknowledgements with which it was fondly beating; but mingled fear and
+discretion forced her to silence.
+
+All the evil tendencies of malice, envy, and ill will, pent up in the
+breast of Mrs Ireton, now struggled irresistibly for vent; yet to insist
+that Juliet should take change of Mr Loddard, for whom Lord Melbury had
+offered his services; or even to force upon her the care of the little
+dog, since Lady Barbara had proposed carrying him herself, appeared no
+longer to exhibit dependency: Mrs Ireton, therefore, found it expedient
+to be again taken ill; and, after a little fretful moaning, 'I feel
+quite shaken,' she cried, 'quite in a tremour. My feet are absolutely
+numbed. Do get me my furred clogs, Miss Ellis; if I may venture to ask
+such a favour. I would not be troublesome, but you will probably find
+them in the carriage. Though perhaps I have left them in the hall. You
+will have the condescension to help the coachman and Simon to make a
+search. And then pray run back, if it won't fatigue you too much, and
+tie them on for me.'
+
+If Juliet now coloured, at least it was not singly; the cheeks of Lady
+Aurora, of Lady Barbara, and of Lord Melbury were equally crimsoned.
+
+'Let me, Mrs Ireton,' eagerly cried Lord Melbury 'have the honour to be
+Miss Ellis's deputy.'
+
+'No, my lord,' said Juliet, with spirit: 'grateful and proud as I should
+feel to be honoured with your lordship's assistance, it must not be in a
+business that does not belong to me. I will deliver the orders to Simon.
+And as Mrs Ireton is now relieved from her anxiety concerning Mr
+Loddard, I beg permission, once more, and finally, to take my leave.'
+
+Gravely then courtsying to Mrs Ireton, and bowing her head with an
+expression of the most touching sensibility to her three young
+supporters, she quitted the gallery.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Wanderer (Volume 3 of 5), by Fanny Burney
+
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