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diff --git a/40619-8.txt b/40619-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0829d9b..0000000 --- a/40619-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,40615 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Camilla, 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: Camilla - or, A Picture of Youth - -Author: Fanny Burney - -Release Date: August 29, 2012 [EBook #40619] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMILLA *** - - - - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - FANNY BURNEY - - _Camilla_ - - OR - - _A Picture of Youth_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CAMILLA, OR A PICTURE OF YOUTH - - DEDICATION 3 - - ADVERTISEMENT 5 - - - VOLUME I - - BOOK I - - I. A Family Scene 7 - - II. Comic Gambols 14 - - III. Consequences 26 - - IV. Studies of a grown Gentleman 33 - - V. Schooling of a young Gentleman 41 - - VI. Tuition of a young Lady 44 - - VII. Lost Labour 49 - - - BOOK II - - I. New Projects 53 - - II. New Characters 60 - - III. A Family Breakfast 78 - - IV. A Public Breakfast 82 - - V. A Raffle 96 - - VI. A Barn 109 - - VII. A Declaration 112 - - VIII. An answer 117 - - IX. An Explication 123 - - X. A Panic 125 - - XI. Two Lovers 133 - - XII. Two Doctors 139 - - XIII. Two Ways of looking at the same Thing 147 - - XIV. Two Retreats 152 - - XV. Two Sides of a Question 157 - - - VOLUME II - - BOOK III - - I. A few kind Offices 163 - - II. A Pro and a Con 173 - - III. An Author's Notion of Travelling 180 - - IV. An internal Detection 189 - - V. An Author's Opinion of Visiting 197 - - VI. An Author's Idea of Order 206 - - VII. A Maternal Eye 215 - - VIII. Modern Ideas of Duty 222 - - IX. A Few Embarrassments 230 - - X. Modern Ideas of Life 238 - - XI. Modern Notions of Penitence 244 - - XII. Airs and Graces 249 - - XIII. Attic Adventures 257 - - - BOOK IV - - I. A few Explanations 266 - - II. Specimens of Taste 274 - - III. A few Compliments 283 - - IV. The Danger of Disguise 291 - - V. Strictures on Deformity 299 - - VI. Strictures on Beauty 305 - - VII. The Pleadings of Pity 311 - - VIII. The disastrous Buskins 317 - - IX. Three Golden Maxims 324 - - - VOLUME III - - BOOK V - - I. A Pursuer 333 - - II. An Adviser 338 - - III. Various Confabulations 343 - - IV. A Dodging 351 - - V. A Sermon 355 - - VI. A Chat 362 - - VII. A Recall 369 - - VIII. A Youth of the Times 375 - - - BOOK VI - - I. A Walk by Moonlight 386 - - II. The Pantiles 391 - - III. Mount Ephraim 400 - - IV. Knowle 408 - - V. Mount Pleasant 419 - - VI. The accomplished Monkies 427 - - VII. The Rooms 438 - - VIII. Ways to the Heart 446 - - IX. Counsels for Conquest 453 - - X. Strictures upon the Ton 462 - - XI. Traits of Character 469 - - XII. Traits of Eccentricity 482 - - XIII. Traits of Instruction 490 - - XIV. A Demander 496 - - XV. An Accorder 503 - - XVI. An Helper 512 - - - VOLUME IV - - BOOK VII - - I. The right Style of Arguing 521 - - II. A Council 525 - - III. A Proposal of Marriage 531 - - IV. A Bull-Dog 535 - - V. An Oak Tree 541 - - VI. A Call of the House 547 - - VII. The Triumph of Pride 555 - - VIII. A Summons to Happiness 561 - - IX. Offs and Ons 570 - - X. Resolutions 576 - - XI. Ease and Freedom 583 - - XII. Dilemmas 590 - - XIII. Live and Learn 596 - - - BOOK VIII - - I. A Way to make Friends 604 - - II. A Rage of Obliging 612 - - III. A Pleasant Adventure 621 - - IV. An Author's Time-keeper 628 - - V. An agreeable Hearing 633 - - VI. Ideas upon Marriage 642 - - VII. How to treat a Defamer 646 - - VIII. The Power of Prepossession 655 - - IX. A Scuffle 661 - - X. A Youthful Effusion 669 - - XI. The Computations of Self-Love 679 - - XII. Juvenile Calculations 685 - - - VOLUME V - - BOOK IX - - I. A Water Party 695 - - II. Touches of Wit and Humour 710 - - III. An Adieu 720 - - IV. A modest Request 727 - - V. A Self-dissection 736 - - VI. A Reckoning 740 - - VII. Brides and no Brides 750 - - VIII. A Hint for Debtors 757 - - IX. A Lover's Eye 766 - - X. A Bride's Resolves 776 - - XI. The Workings of Sorrow 784 - - - BOOK X - - I. A Surprise 793 - - II. A Narrative 799 - - III. The Progress of Dissipation 808 - - IV. Hints upon National Prejudice 816 - - V. The Operation of Terror 827 - - VI. The Reverse of a Mask 840 - - VII. A new View of an Old Mansion 849 - - VIII. A last Resource 855 - - IX. A Spectacle 865 - - X. A Vision 874 - - XI. Means to still Agitation 878 - - XII. Means to obtain a Boon 885 - - XIII. Questions and Answers 892 - - XIV. The last Touches of the Picture 903 - - - - -CAMILLA: - -OR, - -A PICTURE OF YOUTH - -BY - -THE AUTHOR OF - -_EVELINA_ and _CECILIA_ - - - - -TO THE - -QUEEN - - -MADAM, - -That Goodness inspires a confidence, which, by divesting respect of -terror, excites attachment to Greatness, the presentation of this little -Work to Your Majesty must truly, however humbly, evince; and though a -public manifestation of duty and regard from an obscure Individual may -betray a proud ambition, it is, I trust, but a venial--I am sure it is a -natural one. - - * * * * * - -In those to whom Your Majesty is known but by exaltation of Rank, it may -raise, perhaps, some surprise, that scenes, characters, and incidents, -which have reference only to common life, should be brought into so -august a presence; but the inhabitant of a retired cottage, who there -receives the benign permission which at Your Majesty's feet casts this -humble offering, bears in mind recollections which must live there while -'memory holds its seat,' of a benevolence withheld from no condition, -and delighting in all ways to speed the progress of Morality, through -whatever channel it could flow, to whatever port it might steer. I blush -at the inference I seem here to leave open of annexing undue importance -to a production of apparently so light a kind--yet if my hope, my -view--however fallacious they may eventually prove, extended not beyond -whiling away an idle hour, should I dare seek such patronage? - -With the deepest gratitude, and most heart-felt respect, I am, - -MADAM, - -Your MAJESTY'S - -Most obedient, most obliged, - -And most dutiful servant, - -F. d'ARBLAY. - -BOOKHAM, - -June 28, 1796 - - - - -ADVERTISEMENT - - -The Author of this little Work cannot, in the anxious moment of -committing it to its fate, refuse herself the indulgence of expressing -some portion of the gratitude with which she is filled, by the highly -favourable reception given to her _TWO_ former attempts in this species -of composition; nor forbear pouring forth her thanks to the many Friends -whose kind zeal has forwarded the present undertaking:--from amongst -whom she knows not how to resist selecting and gratifying herself by -naming the Hon. Mrs. BOSCAWEN, Mrs. CREWE, and Mrs. LOCKE. - - - - -VOLUME I - -BOOK I - - -The historian of human life finds less of difficulty and of intricacy to -develop, in its accidents and adventures, than the investigator of the -human heart in its feelings and its changes. In vain may Fortune wave -her many-coloured banner, alternately regaling and dismaying, with hues -that seem glowing with all the creation's felicities, or with tints that -appear stained with ingredients of unmixt horrors; her most rapid -vicissitudes, her most unassimilating eccentricities, are mocked, -laughed at, and distanced by the wilder wonders of the Heart of man; -that amazing assemblage of all possible contrarieties, in which one -thing alone is steady--the perverseness of spirit which grafts desire on -what is denied. Its qualities are indefinable, its resources -unfathomable, its weaknesses indefensible. In our neighbours we cannot -judge, in ourselves we dare not trust it. We lose ere we learn to -appreciate, and ere we can comprehend it we must be born again. Its -capacity o'er-leaps all limit, while its futility includes every -absurdity. It lives its own surprise--it ceases to beat--and the void is -inscrutable! In one grand and general view, who can display such a -portrait? Fairly, however faintly, to delineate some of its features, is -the sole and discriminate province of the pen which would trace nature, -yet blot out personality. - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Family Scene_ - - -Repose is not more welcome to the worn and to the aged, to the sick and -to the unhappy, than danger, difficulty, and toil to the young and -adventurous. Danger they encounter but as the forerunner of success; -difficulty, as the spur of ingenuity; and toil, as the herald of honour. -The experience which teaches the lesson of truth, and the blessings of -tranquillity, comes not in the shape of warning nor of wisdom; from such -they turn aside, defying or disbelieving. 'Tis in the bitterness of -personal proof alone, in suffering and in feeling, in erring and in -repenting, that experience comes home with conviction, or impresses to -any use. - -In the bosom of her respectable family resided Camilla. Nature, with a -bounty the most profuse, had been lavish to her of attractions; Fortune, -with a moderation yet kinder, had placed her between luxury and -indigence. Her abode was in the parsonage-house of Etherington, -beautifully situated in the unequal county of Hampshire, and in the -vicinity of the varied landscapes of the New Forest. Her father, the -rector, was the younger son of the house of Tyrold. The living, though -not considerable, enabled its incumbent to attain every rational object -of his modest and circumscribed wishes; to bestow upon a deserving wife -whatever her own forbearance declined not; and to educate a lovely race -of one son and three daughters, with that expansive propriety, which -unites improvement for the future with present enjoyment. - -In goodness of heart, and in principles of piety, this exemplary couple -was bound to each other by the most perfect unison of character, though -in their tempers there was a contrast which had scarce the gradation of -a single shade to smooth off its abrupt dissimilitude. Mr. Tyrold, -gentle with wisdom, and benign in virtue, saw with compassion all -imperfections but his own, and there doubled the severity which to -others he spared. Yet the mildness that urged him to pity blinded him -not to approve; his equity was unerring, though his judgment was -indulgent. His partner had a firmness of mind which nothing could shake: -calamity found her resolute; even prosperity was powerless to lull her -duties asleep. The exalted character of her husband was the pride of her -existence, and the source of her happiness. He was not merely her -standard of excellence, but of endurance, since her sense of his worth -was the criterion for her opinion of all others. This instigated a -spirit of comparison, which is almost always uncandid, and which here -could rarely escape proving injurious. Such, at its very best, is the -unskilfulness of our fallible nature, that even the noble principle -which impels our love of right, misleads us but into new deviations, -when its ambition presumes to point at perfection. In this instance, -however, distinctness of disposition stifled not reciprocity of -affection--that magnetic concentration of all marriage felicity;--Mr. -Tyrold revered while he softened the rigid virtues of his wife, who -adored while she fortified the melting humanity of her husband. - -Thus, in an interchange of happiness the most deserved, and of parental -occupations the most promising, passed the first married years of this -blest and blessing pair. An event then came to pass extremely -interesting at the moment, and yet more important in its consequences. -This was the receipt of a letter from the elder brother of Mr. Tyrold, -containing information that he meant to remove into Hampshire. - -Sir Hugh Tyrold was a baronet, who resided upon the hereditary estate of -the family in Yorkshire. He was many years older than Mr. Tyrold, who -had never seen him since his marriage; religious duties, prudence, and -domestic affairs having from that period detained him at his benefice; -while a passion for field sports had, with equal constancy, kept his -brother stationary. - -The baronet began his letter with kind enquiries after the welfare of -Mr. Tyrold and his family, and then entered upon the state of his own -affairs, briefly narrating, that he had lost his health, and, not -knowing what to do with himself, had resolved to change his habitation, -and settle near his relations. The Cleves' estate, which he heard was -just by Etherington, being then upon sale, he desired his brother to -make the purchase for him out of hand; and then to prepare Mrs. Tyrold, -with whom he was yet unacquainted, though he took it for granted she was -a woman of great learning, to receive a mere poor country squire, who -knew no more of hic, hæc, hoc, than the baby unborn. He begged him to -provide a proper apartment for their niece Indiana Lynmere, whom he -should bring with him, and another for their nephew Clermont, who was to -follow at the next holidays; and not to forget Mrs. Margland, Indiana's -governess, she being rather the most particular in point of pleasing -amongst them. - -Mr. Tyrold, extremely gratified by this unexpected renewal of fraternal -intercourse, wrote the warmest thanks to his brother, and executed the -commission with the utmost alacrity. A noble mansion, with an extensive -pleasure-ground, scarce four miles distant from the parsonage-house of -Etherington, was bought, fitted up, and made ready for his reception in -the course of a few months. The baronet, impatient to take possession of -his new territory, arrived speedily after, with his niece Indiana, and -was welcomed at the gate of the park by Mr. Tyrold and his whole family. - -Sir Hugh Tyrold inherited from his ancestors an unincumbered estate of -£.5000 per annum; which he enjoyed with ease and affluence to himself, -and disseminated with a good will so generous, that he appeared to think -his personal prosperity, and that of all who surrounded him, bestowed -but to be shared in common, rather from general right, than through his -own dispensing bounty. His temper was unalterably sweet, and every -thought of his breast was laid open to the world with an almost -infantine artlessness. But his talents bore no proportion to the -goodness of his heart, an insuperable want of quickness, and of -application in his early days, having left him, at a later period, -wholly uncultivated, and singularly self-formed. - -A dearth of all sedentary resources became, when his youth passed away, -his own constant reproach. Health failed him in the meridian of his -life, from the consequences of a wound in his side, occasioned by a fall -from his horse; exercise, therefore, and active diversions, were of -necessity relinquished, and as these had hitherto occupied all his time, -except that portion which he delighted to devote to hospitality and -neighbourly offices, now equally beyond his strength, he found himself -at once deprived of all employment, and destitute of all comfort. Nor -did any plan occur to him to solace his misfortunes, till he -accidentally read in the newspapers that the Cleves' estate was upon -sale. - -Indiana, the niece who accompanied him, a beautiful little girl, was the -orphan daughter of a deceased sister, who, at the death of her parents, -had, with Clermont, an only brother, been left to the guardianship of -Sir Hugh; with the charge of a small estate for the son of scarce £.200 -a-year, and the sum of £.1000 for the fortune of the daughter. - -The meeting was a source of tender pleasure to Mr. Tyrold; and gave -birth in his young family to that eager joy which is so naturally -attached, by our happiest early prejudices, to the first sight of near -relations. Mrs. Tyrold received Sir Hugh with the complacency due to the -brother of her husband; who now rose higher than ever in her -estimation, from a fraternal comparison to the unavoidable disadvantage -of the baronet; though she was not insensible to the fair future -prospects of her children, which seemed the probable result of his -change of abode. - -Sir Hugh himself, notwithstanding his best affections were all opened by -the sight of so many claimants to their kindness, was the only dejected -person of the group. - -Though too good in his nature for envy, a severe self-upbraiding -followed his view of the happiness of his brother; he regretted he had -not married at the same age, that he might have owned as fine a family, -and repined against the unfortunate privileges of his birth-right, -which, by indulging him in his first youth with whatever he could covet, -drove from his attention that modest foresight, which prepares for later -years the consolation they are sure to require. - -By degrees, however, the satisfaction spread around him found some place -in his own breast, and he acknowledged himself sensibly revived by so -endearing a reception; though he candidly avowed, that if he had not -been at a loss what to do, he should never have had a thought of taking -so long a journey. 'But the not having made,' cried he, 'the proper -proficiency in my youth for the filling up my time, has put me quite -behind-hand.' - -He caressed all the children with great fondness, and was much struck -with the beauty of his three nieces, particularly with that of Camilla, -Mr. Tyrold's second daughter; 'yet she is not,' he cried, 'so pretty as -her little sister Eugenia, nor much better than t'other sister Lavinia; -and not one of the three is half so great a beauty as my little Indiana; -so I can't well make out what it is that's so catching in her; but -there's something in her little mouth that quite wins me; though she -looks as if she was half laughing at me too: which can't very well be, -neither; for I suppose, as yet, at least, she knows no more of books and -studying than her uncle. And that's little enough, God knows, for I -never took to them in proper season; which I have been sorry enough for, -upon coming to discretion.' - -Then addressing himself to the boy, he exhorted him to work hard while -yet in his youth, and related sundry anecdotes of the industry and merit -of his father when at the same age, though left quite to himself, as, to -his great misfortune, he had been also, 'which brought about,' he -continued, 'my being this present _ignoramus_ that you see me; which -would not have happened, if my good forefathers had been pleased to keep -a sharper look out upon my education.' - -Lionel, the little boy, casting a comic glance at Camilla, begged to -know what his uncle meant by a sharper look out? - -'Mean, my dear? why correction, to be sure; for all that, they tell me, -is to be done by the rod; so there, at least, I might have stood as good -a chance as my neighbours.' - -'And pray, uncle,' cried Lionel, pursing up his mouth to hide his -laughter, 'did you always like the thoughts of it so well?' - -'Why no, my dear, I can't pretend to that; at your age I had no more -taste for it than you have: but there's a proper season for every thing. -However, though I tell you this for a warning, perhaps you may do -without it; for, by what I hear, the rising generation's got to a much -greater pitch since my time.' - -He then added, he must advise him, as a friend, to be upon his guard, as -his Cousin, Clermont Lynmere, who was coming home from Eton school next -Christmas for the holidays, would turn out the very mirror of -scholarship; for he had given directions to have him study both night -and day, except what might be taken off for eating and sleeping: -'Because,' he continued, 'having proved the bad of knowing nothing in my -own case, I have the more right to intermeddle with others. And he will -thank me enough when once he has got over his classics. And I hope, my -dear little boy, you see it in the same light too; which, however, is -what I can't expect.' - -The house was now examined; the fair little Indiana took possession of -her apartment; Miss Margland was satisfied with the attention that had -been paid her; and Sir Hugh was rejoiced to find a room for Clermont -that had no window but a skylight, by which means his studies, he -observed, would receive no interruption from gaping and staring about -him. And, when the night advanced, Mr. Tyrold had the happiness of -leaving him with some prospect of recovering his spirits. - -The revival, however, lasted but during the novelty of the scene; -depression returned with the feelings of ill health; and the happier lot -of his brother, though born to almost nothing, filled him with incessent -repentance of his own mismanagement. - -In some measure to atone for this, he resolved to collect himself a -family in his own house; and the young Camilla, whose dawning archness -of expression had instinctively caught him, he now demanded of her -parents, to come and reside with him and Indiana at Cleves; 'for -certainly,' he said, 'for such a young little thing, she looks full of -amusement.' - -Mrs. Tyrold objected against reposing a trust so precious where its -value could so ill be appreciated. Camilla was, in secret, the fondest -hope of her mother, though the rigour of her justice scarce permitted -the partiality to beat even in her own breast. Nor did the happy little -person need the avowed distinction. The tide of youthful glee flowed -jocund from her heart, and the transparency of her fine blue veins -almost shewed the velocity of its current. Every look was a smile, every -step was a spring, every thought was a hope, every feeling was joy! and -the early felicity of her mind was without allay. O blissful state of -innocence, purity, and delight, why must it fleet so fast? why scarcely -but by retrospection is its happiness known? - -Mr. Tyrold, while his tenderest hopes encircled the same object, saw the -proposal in a fairer light, from the love he bore to his brother. It -seemed certain such a residence would secure her an ample fortune; the -governess to whom Indiana was entrusted would take care of his little -girl; though removed from the hourly instructions, she would still be -within reach of the general superintendance of her mother, into whose -power he cast the uncontrolled liberty to reclaim her, if there started -any occasion. His children had no provision ascertained, should his life -be too short to fulfil his own personal schemes of economy in their -favour: and while to an argument so incontrovertible Mrs. Tyrold was -silent, he begged her also to reflect, that, persuasive as were the -attractions of elegance and refinement, no just parental expectations -could be essentially disappointed, where the great moral lessons were -practically inculcated, by a uniform view of goodness of heart, and -firmness of principle. These his brother possessed in an eminent degree; -and if his character had nothing more from which their daughter could -derive benefit, it undoubtedly had not a point from which she could -receive injury. - -Mrs. Tyrold now yielded; she never resisted a remonstrance of her -husband; and as her sense of duty impelled her also never to murmur, she -retired to her own room, to conceal with how ill a grace she complied. - -Had this lady been united to a man whom she despised, she would yet -have obeyed him, and as scrupulously, though not as happily, as she -obeyed her honoured partner. She considered the vow taken at the altar -to her husband, as a voluntary vestal would have held one taken to her -Maker; and no dissent in opinion exculpated, in her mind, the least -deviation from his will. - -But here, where an admiration almost adoring was fixt of the character -to which she submitted, she was sure to applaud the motives which swayed -him, however little their consequences met her sentiments: and even -where the contrariety was wholly repugnant to her judgment, the genuine -warmth of her just affection made every compliance, and every -forbearance, not merely exempt from pain, but if to him any -satisfaction, a sacrifice soothing to her heart. - -Mr. Tyrold, whose whole soul was deeply affected by her excellencies, -gratefully felt his power, and religiously studied not to abuse it: he -respected what he owed to her conscience, he tenderly returned what he -was indebted to her affection. To render her virtues conducive to her -happiness, to soften her duties by the highest sense of their merit, -were the first and most sacred objects of his solicitude in life. - -When the lively and lovely little girl, mingling the tears of separation -with all the childish rapture which novelty, to a much later period -inspires, was preparing to change her home, 'Remember,' cried Mr. -Tyrold, to her anxious mother, 'that on you, my Georgiana, devolves the -sole charge, the unlimited judgment, to again bring her under this roof, -the first moment she appears to you in any danger from having quitted -it.' - -The prompt and thankful acceptance of Mrs. Tyrold did justice to the -sincerity of this offer: and the cheerful acquiescence of lessened -reluctance, raised her higher in that esteem to which her constant mind -invariably looked up, as the summit of her chosen ambition. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_Comic Gambols_ - - -Delighted with this acquisition to his household, Sir Hugh again -revived. 'My dear brother and sister,' he cried, when next the family -visited Cleves, 'this proves the most fortunate step I have ever taken -since I was born. Camilla's a little jewel; she jumps and skips about -till she makes my eyes ache with looking after her, for fear of her -breaking her neck. I must keep a sharp watch, or she'll put poor -Indiana's nose quite out of joint, which God forbid. However, she's the -life of us all, for I'm sorry to say it, but I think, my dear brother, -poor Indiana promises to turn out rather dull.' - -The sprightly little girl, thus possessed of the heart, soon guided the -will of her uncle. He could refuse nothing to her endearing entreaty, -and felt every indulgence repaid by the enchantment of her gaiety. -Indiana, his first idol, lost her power to please him, though no -essential kindness was abated in his conduct. He still acknowledged that -her beauty was the most complete; but he found in Camilla a variety that -was captivation. Her form and her mind were of equal elasticity. Her -playful countenance rekindled his spirits, the cheerfulness of her -animated voice awakened him to its own joy. He doated upon detaining her -by his side, or delighted to gratify her if she wished to be absent. She -exhilarated him with pleasure, she supplied him with ideas, and from the -morning's first dawn to the evening's latest close, his eye followed her -lightspringing figure, or his ear vibrated with her sportive sounds; -catching, as it listened, in successive rotation, the spontaneous laugh, -the unconscious bound, the genuine glee of childhood's fearless -happiness, uncurbed by severity, untamed by misfortune. - -This ascendance was soon pointed out by the servants to Indiana, who -sometimes shewed her resentment in unexplained and pouting sullenness, -and at others, let all pass unnoticed, with unreflecting forgetfulness. -But her mind was soon empoisoned with a jealousy of more permanent -seriousness; in less than a month after the residence of Camilla at -Cleves, Sir Hugh took the resolution of making her his heiress. - -Even Mr. Tyrold, notwithstanding his fondness for Camilla, remonstrated -against a partiality so injurious to his nephew and niece, as well as to -the rest of his family. And Mrs. Tyrold, though her secret heart -subscribed, without wonder, to a predilection in favour of Camilla, was -maternally disturbed for her other children, and felt her justice -sensibly shocked at a blight so unmerited to the hopes cherished by -Indiana and Clermont Lynmere: for though the fruits of this change of -plan would be reaped by her little darling, they were robbed of all -their sweetness to a mind so correct, by their undeserved bitterness -towards the first expectants. - -Sir Hugh, however, was immoveable; he would provide handsomely, he said, -for Indiana and Clermont, by settling a thousand pounds a year between -them; and he would bequeath capital legacies amongst the rest of his -nephews and nieces: but as to the bulk of his fortune, it should all go -to Camilla; for how else could he make her amends for having amused him? -or how, when he was gone, should he prove to her he loved her the best? - -Sir Hugh could keep nothing secret; Camilla was soon informed of the -riches she was destined to inherit; and servants, who now with added -respect attended her, took frequent opportunities of impressing her with -the expectation, by the favours they begged from her in reversion. - -The happy young heiress heard them with little concern: interest and -ambition could find no room in a mind, which to dance, sing, and play -could enliven to rapture. Yet the continued repetition of requests soon -made the idea of patronage familiar to her, and though wholly uninfected -with one thought of power or consequence, she sometimes regaled her -fancy with the presents she should make amongst her friends; designing a -coach for her mamma, that she might oftener go abroad; an horse for her -brother Lionel, which she knew to be his most passionate wish; a new -bureau, with a lock and key, for her eldest sister Lavinia; innumerable -trinkets for her cousin Indiana; dolls and toys without end for her -little sister Eugenia; and a new library of new books, finely bound and -gilt, for her papa. But these munificent donations looked forward to no -other date than the anticipation of womanhood. If an hint were surmised -of her surviving her uncle, an impetuous shower of tears dampt all her -gay schemes, deluged every airy castle, and shewed the instinctive -gratitude which kindness can awaken, even in the unthinking period of -earliest youth, in those bosoms it has ever the power to animate. - -Her ensuing birth-day, upon which she would enter her tenth year, was to -announce to the adjoining country her uncle's splendid plan in her -favour. Her brother and sisters were invited to keep it with her at -Cleves; but Sir Hugh declined asking either her father or mother, that -his own time, without restraint, might be dedicated to the promotion of -her festivity; he even requested of Miss Margland, that she would not -appear that day, lest her presence should curb the children's spirits. - -The gay little party, consisting of Lavinia, who was two years older, -and Eugenia, who was two years younger than Camilla, with her beautiful -cousin, who was exactly of her own age, her brother Lionel, who counted -three years more, and Edgar Mandlebert, a ward of Mr. Tyrold's, all -assembled at Cleves upon this important occasion, at eight o'clock in -the morning, to breakfast. - -Edgar Mandlebert, an uncommonly spirited and manly boy, now thirteen -years of age, was heir to one of the finest estates in the county. He -was the only son of a bosom friend of Mr. Tyrold, to whose guardianship -he had been consigned almost from his infancy, and who superintended the -care of his education with as much zeal, though not as much oeconomy, -as that of his own son. He placed him under the tuition of Dr. -Marchmont, a man of consummate learning, and he sent for him to -Etherington twice in every year, where he assiduously kept up his -studies by his own personal instructions. 'I leave him rich, my dear -friend,' said his father, when on his death-bed he recommended him to -Mr. Tyrold, 'and you, I trust, will make him good, and see him happy; -and should hereafter a daughter of your own, from frequent intercourse, -become mistress of his affections, do not oppose such a union from a -disparity of fortune, which a daughter of yours, and of your -incomparable partner's, can hardly fail to counterbalance in merit.' Mr. -Tyrold, though too noble to avail himself of a declaration so generous, -by forming any plan to bring such a connection to bear, felt -conscientiously absolved from using any measures of frustration, and -determined, as the young people grew up, neither to promote nor impede -any rising regard. - -The estate of Beech Park was not all that young Mandlebert inherited; -the friendship of its late owner for Mr. Tyrold, seemed instinctively -transfused into his breast, and he paid back the parental tenderness -with which he was watched and cherished, by a fondness and veneration -truly filial. - -Whatever could indulge or delight the little set was brought forth upon -this joyous meeting; fruits, sweetmeats, and cakes; cards, trinkets, and -blind fidlers, were all at the unlimited command of the fairy mistress -of the ceremonies. But unbounded as were the transports of the jovial -little group, they could scarcely keep pace with the enjoyment of Sir -Hugh; he entered into all their plays, he forgot all his pains, he -laughed because they laughed, and suffered his darling little girl to -govern and direct him at her pleasure. She made him whiskers of cork, -powdered his brown bob, and covered a thread paper with black ribbon to -hang to it for a queue. She metamorphosed him into a female, accoutring -him with her fine new cap, while she enveloped her own small head in his -wig; and then, tying the maid's apron round his waist, put a rattle into -his hand, and Eugenia's doll upon his lap, which she told him was a baby -that he must nurse and amuse. - -The excess of merriment thus excited spread through the whole house. -Lionel called in the servants to see this comical sight, and the -servants indulged their numerous guests with a peep at it from the -windows. Sir Hugh, meanwhile, resolved to object to nothing, performed -every part assigned him, joined in their hearty laughs at the grotesque -figure they made of him, and cordially encouraged all their proceedings, -assuring them he had not been so much diverted himself since his fall -from his horse, and advising them, with great zeal, to be merry while -they could: 'For you will never, my dears,' said he, 'be younger, never -while you live; no more, for that matter, shall I, neither, for all I am -so much older, which, in that point, makes no difference.' - -He grew weary, however, first; and stretching himself his full length, -with a prodigious yawn, 'Heigh ho!' he cried, 'Camilla, my dear, do take -away poor Doll, for fear I should let it slip.' - -The little gigglers, almost in convulsions of laughter, entreated him to -nurse it some time longer; but he frankly answered, 'No, my dears, no; I -can play no more now, if I'd ever so fain, for I'm tired to death, which -is really a pity; so you must either go out with me my airing, for a -rest to your merry little sides, or stay and play by yourselves till I -come back, which I think will put you all into fevers; but, however, -nobody shall trouble your little souls with advice to-day; there are -days enough in the year for teazing, without this one.' - -Camilla instantly decided for the airing, and without a dissentient -voice: so entirely had the extreme good humour of Sir Hugh won the -hearts of the little party, that they felt as if the whole of their -entertainment depended upon his presence. The carriage, therefore, was -ordered for the baronet and his four nieces, and Lionel and Edgar -Mandlebert, at the request of Camilla, were gratified with horses. - -Camilla was desired to fix their route, and while she hesitated from the -variety in her choice, Lionel proposed to Edgar that they should take a -view of his house, park, and gardens, which were only three miles from -Cleves. Edgar referred the matter to Indiana, to whose already exquisite -beauty his juvenile admiration paid its most early obeisance. Indiana -approved; the little heroine of the day assented with pleasure and they -immediately set out upon the happy expedition. - -The two boys the whole way came with offerings of wild honeysuckle and -sweetbriar, the grateful nosegays of all-diffusing nature, to the coach -windows, each carefully presenting the most fragrant to Indiana; for -Lionel, even more than sympathising with Edgar, declared his sisters to -be mere frights in comparison with his fair cousin. Their partiality, -however, struggled vainly against that of Sir Hugh, who still, in every -the most trivial particular, gave the preference to Camilla. - -The baronet had ordered that his own garden chair should follow him to -young Mandlebert's park, that he might take Camilla by his side, and go -about the grounds without fatigue; the rest were to walk. Here Indiana -received again the homage of her two young beaus; they pointed out to -her the most beautiful prospects, they gathered her the fairest flowers, -they loaded her with the best and ripest fruits. - -This was no sooner observed by Sir Hugh, than hastily stopping his -chair, he called after them aloud, 'Holloa! come hither, my boys! here, -you Mr. young Mandlebert, what are you all about? Why don't you bring -that best bunch of grapes to Camilla?' - -'I have already promised it to Miss Lynmere, Sir.' - -'O ho, have you so? well, give it her then if you have. I have no right -to rob you of your choice. Indiana, my dear, how do you like this -place?' - -'Very much, indeed, uncle; I never saw any place I liked so much in my -life.' - -'I am sure else,' said Edgar, 'I should never care for it again myself.' - -'O, I could look at it for ever,' cried Indiana, 'and not be tired!' - -Sir Hugh gravely paused at these speeches, and regarded them in turn -with much steadiness, as if settling their future destinies; but ever -unable to keep a single thought to himself, he presently burst forth -aloud with his new mental arrangement, saying: 'Well, my dears, well; -this is not quite the thing I had taken a fancy to in my own private -brain, but it's all for the best, there's no doubt; though the estate -being just in my neighbourhood, would have made it more suitable for -Camilla; I mean provided we could have bought, among us, the odd three -miles between the Parks; which how many acres they make, I can't pretend -to say, without the proper calculation; but if it was all joined, it -would be the finest domain in the county, as far as I know to the -contrary: nevertheless, my dear young Mr. Mandlebert, you have a right -to choose for yourself; for as to beauty, 'tis mere fancy; not but what -Indiana has one or other the prettiest face I ever saw, though I think -Camilla's so much prettier; I mean in point of winningness. However, -there's no fear as to my consent, for nothing can be a greater pleasure -to me than having two such good girls, both being cousins, live so near -that they may overlook one another from park to park, all day long, by -the mode of a telescope.' - -Edgar, perfectly understanding him, blushed deeply, and, forgetting what -he had just declared, offered his grapes to Lavinia. Indiana, conceiving -herself already mistress of so fine a place, smiled with approving -complacency; and the rest were too much occupied with the objects around -them, to listen to so long a speech. - -They then all moved on; but, soon after, Lionel, flying up to his -uncle's chair, informed Camilla he had just heard from the gardener, -that only half a mile off, at Northwick, there was a fair, to which he -begged she would ask to go. She found no difficulty in obliging him; and -Sir Hugh was incapable of hesitating at whatever she could desire. The -carriage and the horses for the boys were again ordered, and to the -regret of only Edgar and Indiana, the beautiful plantations of Beech -Park were relinquished for the fair. - -They had hardly proceeded twenty yards, when the smiles that had -brightened the face of Lavinia, the eldest daughter of Mr. Tyrold, were -suddenly overcast, giving place to a look of dismay, which seemed the -effect of some abruptly painful recollection; and the moment Sir Hugh -perceived it, and enquired the cause, the tears rolled fast down her -cheeks, and she said she had been guilty of a great sin, and could never -forgive herself. - -They all eagerly endeavoured to console her, Camilla fondly taking her -hand, little Eugenia sympathetically crying over and kissing her, -Indiana begging to know what was the matter, and Sir Hugh, holding out -to her the finest peach from his stores for Camilla, and saying, 'Don't -cry so, my dear, don't cry: take a little bit of peach; I dare say you -are not so bad as you think for.' - -The weeping young penitent besought leave to get out of the coach with -Camilla, to whom alone she could explain herself. Camilla almost opened -the door herself, to hasten the discovery; and the moment they had run -up a bank by the road side, 'Tell me what it is, my dear Lavinia,' she -cried, 'and I am sure my uncle will do anything in the world to help -you.' - -'O Camilla,' she answered, 'I have disobeyed mamma! and I did not mean -it in the least--but I have forgot all her commands!--She charged me not -to let Eugenia stir out from Cleves, because of the small pox--and she -has been already at Beech Park--and now, how can I tell the poor little -thing she must not go to the fair?' - -'Don't vex yourself about that,' cried Camilla, kindly kissing the tears -off her cheeks, 'for I will stay behind, and play with Eugenia myself, -if my uncle will drive us back to Beech Park; and then all the rest may -go to the fair, and take us up again in the way home.' - -With this expedient she flew to the coach, charging the two boys, who -with great curiosity had ridden to the bank side, and listened to all -that had passed, to comfort Lavinia. - -'Lionel,' cried Edgar, 'do you know, while Camilla was speaking so -kindly to Lavinia, I thought she looked almost as pretty as your -cousin?' Lionel would by no means subscribe to this opinion, but Edgar -would not retract. - -Camilla, jumping into the carriage, threw her arms around the neck of -her uncle, and whispered to him all that had passed. 'Poor innocent -little dear!' cried he, 'is that all?' it's just nothing, considering -her young age.' - -Then, looking out of the window, 'Lavinia,' he said, 'you have done no -more harm than what's quite natural; and so I shall tell your mamma; who -is a woman of sense, and won't expect such a young head as yours to be -of the same age as hers and mine. But come into the coach, my dear; -we'll just drive as far as Northwick, for an airing, and then back -again.' - -The extreme delicacy of the constitution of Eugenia had hitherto -deterred Mrs. Tyrold from innoculating her; she had therefore -scrupulously kept her from all miscellaneous intercourse in the -neighbourhood: but as the weakness of her infancy was now promising to -change into health and strength, she meant to give to that terrible -disease its best chance, and the only security it allows from perpetual -alarm, immediately after the heats of the present autumn should be over. - -Lavinia, unused to disobedience, could not be happy in practising it: -she entreated, therefore, to return immediately to Cleves. Sir Hugh -complied; premising only that they must none of them expect him to be of -their play-party again till after dinner. - -The coachman then received fresh orders: but, the moment they were -communicated to the two boys, Lionel, protesting he would not lose the -fair, said he should soon overtake them, and, regardless of all -remonstrances, put spurs to his horse, and galloped off. - -Sir Hugh, looking after him with great alarm, exclaimed, 'Now he is -going to break all his bones! which is always the case with those young -boys, when first they get a horseback.' - -Camilla, terrified that she had begged this boon, requested that the -servant might directly ride after him. - -'Yes, my dear, if you wish it,' answered Sir Hugh; 'only we have but -this one man for us all, because of the rest staying to get the ball and -supper ready; so that if we should be overturned ourselves, here's never -a soul to pick us up.' - -Edgar offered to ride on alone, and persuade the truant to return. - -'Thank you, my dear, thank you,' answered Sir Hugh, 'you are as good a -boy as any I know, but, in point of horsemanship, one's as ignorant as -t'other, as far as I can tell; so we may only see both your sculls -fractured instead of one, in the midst of your galloping; which God -forbid for either.' - -'Then let us all go together,' cried Indiana, 'and bring him back.' - -'But do not let us get out of the coach, uncle,' said Lavinia; 'pray do -not let us get out!' - -Sir Hugh agreed; though he added, that as to the small pox, he could by -no means see it in the same light, for he had no notion of people's -taking diseases upon themselves. 'Besides,' continued he, 'she will be -sure to have it when her time comes, whether she is moped up or no; and -how did people do before these new modes of making themselves sick of -their own accord?' - -Pitying, however, the uneasiness of Lavinia, when they came near the -town, he called to the footman, and said, 'Hark'ee, Jacob, do you ride -on first, and keep a sharp look out that nobody has the small pox.' - -The fair being held in the suburbs, they soon arrived at some straggling -booths, and the coach, at the instance of Lavinia, was stopt. - -Indiana now earnestly solicited leave to alight and see the fair; and -Edgar offered to be her esquire. Sir Hugh consented, but desired that -Lavinia and Camilla might be also of the party. Lavinia tried vainly to -excuse herself; he assured her it would raise her spirits, and bid her -be under no apprehension, for he would stay and amuse the little Eugenia -himself, and take care that she came to no harm. - -They were no sooner gone, however, than the little girl cried to follow; -Sir Hugh, compassionately kissing her, owned she had as good a right as -any of them, and declared it was a hard thing to have her punished for -other people's particularities. This concession served only to make her -tears flow the faster; till, unable to bear the sight, he said he could -not answer to his conscience the vexing such a young thing, and, -promising she should have whatever she liked, if she would cry no more, -he ordered the coachman to drive to the first booth where there were any -toys to be sold. - -Here, having no footman to bring the trinkets to the coach, he alighted, -and, suffering the little girl, for whom he had not a fear himself, to -accompany him, he entered the booth, and told her to take whatever hit -her fancy, for she should have as many playthings as she could carry. - -Her grief now gave way to ecstasy, and her little hands could soon -scarcely sustain the loaded skirt of her white frock. Sir Hugh, -determining to make the rest of the children equally happy, was -selecting presents for them all, when the little group, ignorant whom -they should encounter, advanced towards the same booth: but he had -hardly time to exclaim, 'Oho! have you caught us?' when the innocent -voice of Eugenia, calling out, 'Little boy; what's the matter with your -face, little boy?' drew his attention another way, and he perceived a -child apparently just recovering from the small pox. - -Edgar, who at the same instant saw the same dreaded sight, darted -forward, seized Eugenia in his arms, and, in defiance of her playthings -and her struggles, carried her back to the coach; while Lavinia, in an -agony of terror, ran up to the little boy, and, crying out, 'O go away! -go away!' dragged him out of the booth, and, perfectly unconscious what -she did, covered his head with her frock, and held him fast with both -her hands. - -Sir Hugh, all aghast, hurried out of the booth, but could scarce support -himself from emotion; and, while he leaned upon his stick, ejaculating, -'Lord help us! what poor creatures we are, we poor mortals!' Edgar had -the presence of mind to make Indiana and Camilla go directly to the -carriage. He then prevailed with Sir Hugh to enter it also, and ran back -for Lavinia. But when he perceived the situation into which distress and -affright had driven her, and saw her sobbing over the child, whom she -still held confined, with an idea of hiding him from Eugenia, he was -instantly sensible of the danger of her joining her little sister. -Extremely perplexed for them all, and afraid, by going from the sick -child, he might himself carry the infection to the coach, he sent a man -to Sir Hugh to know what was to be done. - -Sir Hugh, totally overset by the unexpected accident, and -conscience-struck at his own wilful share in risking it, was utterly -helpless, and could only answer, that he wished young Mr. Edgar would -give him his advice. - -Edgar, thus called upon, now first felt the abilities which his short -life had not hitherto brought into use: he begged Sir Hugh would return -immediately to Cleves, and keep Eugenia there for a few days with -Camilla and her cousin; while he undertook to go himself in search of -Lionel, with whose assistance he would convey Lavinia back to -Etherington, without seeing her little sister; since she must now be as -full of contagion as the poor object who had just had the disease. - -Sir Hugh, much relieved, sent him word he had no doubt he would become -the first scholar of the age; and desired he would get a chaise for -himself and Lavinia, and let the footman take charge of his horse. - -He then ordered the coach to Cleves. - -Edgar fulfilled the injunctions of Sir Hugh with alacrity; but had a -very difficult task to find Lionel, and one far more painful to appease -Lavinia, whose apprehensions were so great as they advanced towards -Etherington, that, to sooth and comfort her, he ordered the postilion to -drive first to a farm-house near Cleves, whence he forwarded a boy to -Sir Hugh, with entreaties that he would write a few lines to Mrs. -Tyrold, in exculpation of her sorrowing daughter. - -Sir Hugh complied, but was so little in the habit of writing, that he -sent over a messenger to desire they would dine at the farm-house, in -order to give him time to compose his epistle. - -Early in the afternoon, he conveyed to them the following letter: - - _To Mrs._ Tyrold _at the Parsonage House, belonging to the Reverend - Rector, Mr._ Tyrold, _for the Time being, at_ Etherington _in_ - Hampshire. - - DEAR SISTER, - - I am no remarkable good writer, in comparison with my brother, - which you will excuse from my deficiencies, as it is my only - apology. I beg you will not be angry with little Lavinia, as she - did nothing in the whole business, except wanting to do right, only - not mentioning it in the beginning, which is very excusable in the - light of a fault; the wisest of us having been youths ourselves - once, and the most learned being subject to do wrong, but how much - so the ignorant? of which I may speak more properly. However, as - she would certainly have caught the small pox herself, except from - the lucky circumstance of having had it before, I think it best to - keep Eugenia a few days at Cleves, for the sake of her infection. - Not but what if she should have it, I trust your sense won't fret - about it, as it is only in the course of Nature; which, if she had - been innoculated, is more than any man could say; even a physician. - So the whole being my own fault, without the least meaning to - offend, if any thing comes of it, I hope, my dear sister, you won't - take it ill, especially of poor little Lavinia, for 'tis hard if - such young things may not be happy at their time of life, before - having done harm to a human soul. Poor dears! 'tis soon enough to - be unhappy after being wicked; which, God knows, we are all liable - to be in the proper season. I beg my love to my brother; and - remain, - - Dear sister, - - Your affectionate brother, - - HUGH TYROLD. - - _P.S._ It is but justice to my brother to mention that young Master - Mandlebert's behaviour has done the greatest honour to the - classics; which must be a great satisfaction to a person having the - care of his education. - -The rest of the day lost all its delights to the young heiress from this -unfortunate adventure. The deprivation of three of the party, with the -well-grounded fear of Mrs. Tyrold's just blame, were greater -mortifications to those that remained, than even the ball and supper -could remove. And Sir Hugh, to whom their lowered spirits were -sufficiently depressing, had an additional, though hardly to himself -acknowledged, weight upon his mind, relative to Eugenia and the small -pox. - -The contrition of the trembling Lavinia could not but obtain from Mrs. -Tyrold the pardon it deserved: but she could make no allowance for the -extreme want of consideration in Sir Hugh; and anxiously waited the time -when she might call back Eugenia from the management of a person whom -she considered as more childish than her children themselves. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_Consequences_ - - -Every precaution being taken with regard to Lavinia and her clothes, for -warding off infection to Eugenia, if as yet she had escaped it; Mrs. -Tyrold fixed a day for fetching her little daughter from Cleves. Sir -Hugh, at the earnest entreaty of Camilla, invited the young party to -come again early that morning, that some amends might be made them for -their recent disappointment of the ball and supper, by a holiday, and a -little sport, previous to the arrival of Mrs. Tyrold; to whom he -voluntarily pledged his word, that Eugenia should not again be taken -abroad, nor suffered to appear before any strangers. - -Various gambols were now again enacted by the once more happy group; but -all was conducted with as much security as gaiety, till Lionel proposed -the amusement of riding upon a plank in the park. - -A plank was immediately procured by the gardener, and placed upon the -trunk of an old oak, where it parted into two thick branches. - -The boys and the three eldest girls balanced one another in turn, with -great delight and dexterity; but Sir Hugh feared committing the little -Eugenia, for whom he was grown very anxious, amongst them, till the -repinings of the child demolished his prudence. The difficulty how to -indulge her with safety was, nevertheless, considerable: and, after -various experiments, he resolved to trust her to nobody but himself; -and, placing her upon his lap, occupied one end of the plank, and -desired that as many of the rest as were necessary to make the weight -equal, would seat themselves upon the other. - -This diversion was short, but its consequences were long. Edgar -Mandlebert, who superintended the balance, poised it with great -exactness; yet no sooner was Sir Hugh elevated, than, becoming -exceedingly giddy, he involuntarily loosened his hold of Eugenia, who -fell from his arms to the ground. - -In the agitation of his fright, he stooped forward to save her, but lost -his equilibrium; and, instead of rescuing, followed her. - -The greatest confusion ensued; Edgar, with admirable adroitness, -preserved the elder girls from suffering by the accident; and Lionel -took care of himself by leaping instantly from the plank: Sir Hugh, -extremely bruised, could not get up without pain; but all concern and -attention soon centred in the little Eugenia, whose incessant cries -raised apprehensions of some more than common mischief. - -She was carried to the house in the arms of Edgar, and delivered to the -governess. She screamed the whole time she was undressing; and Edgar, -convinced she had received some injury, galloped off, unbid, for a -surgeon: but what was the horror of Sir Hugh, upon hearing him -pronounce, that her left shoulder was put out, and that one of her knees -was dislocated! - -In an agony of remorse, he shut himself up in his room, without power -to issue a command, or listen to a question: nor could he be prevailed -upon to open his door, till the arrival of Mrs. Tyrold. - -Hastily then rushing out, he hurried to meet her; and, snatching both -her hands, and pressing them between his own, he burst into a passionate -flood of tears, and sobbed out: 'Hate me, my dear sister, for you can't -help it! for I am sorry to tell it you, but I believe I have been the -death of poor Eugenia, that never hurt a fly in her life!' - -Pale, and struck with dread, yet always possessing her presence of mind, -Mrs. Tyrold disengaged herself, and demanded where she might find her? -Sir Hugh could make no rational answer; but Edgar, who had run down -stairs, purposing to communicate the tidings more gently, briefly stated -the misfortune, and conducted her to the poor little sufferer. - -Mrs. Tyrold, though nearly overpowered by a sight so affecting, still -preserved her faculties for better uses than lamentation. She held the -child in her arms while the necessary operations were performing by the -surgeon; she put her to bed, and watched by her side the whole night; -during which, in defiance of all precautions, a high fever came on, and -she grew worse every moment. - -The next morning, while still in this alarming state, the unfortunate -little innocent exhibited undoubted symptoms of the small pox. - -Mr. Tyrold now also established himself at Cleves, to share the parental -task of nursing the afflicted child, whose room he never left, except to -give consolation to his unhappy brother, who lived wholly in his own -apartment, refusing the sight even of Camilla, and calling himself a -monster too wicked to look at any thing that was good; though the -affectionate little girl, pining at the exclusion, continually presented -herself at his door. - -The disease bore every prognostic of fatal consequences, and the fond -parents soon lost all hope, though they redoubled every attention. - -Sir Hugh then gave himself up wholly to despair: he darkened his room, -refused all food but bread and water, permitted no one to approach him, -and reviled himself invariably with the contrition of a wilful murderer. - -In this state of self-punishment he persevered, till the distemper -unexpectedly took a sudden and happy turn, and the surgeon made known, -that his patient might possibly recover. - -The joy of Sir Hugh was now as frantic as his grief had been the moment -before: he hastened to his drawing-room, commanded that the whole house -should be illuminated; promised a year's wages to all his servants; bid -his house-keeper distribute beef and broth throughout the village; and -sent directions that the bells of the three nearest parish churches -should be rung for a day and a night. But when Mr. Tyrold, to avert the -horror of any wholly unprepared disappointment, represented the still -precarious state of Eugenia, and the many changes yet to be feared; he -desperately reversed all his orders, returned sadly to his dark room, -and protested he would never more rejoice, till Mrs. Tyrold herself -should come to him with good news. - -This anxiously waited æra at length arrived; Eugenia, though seamed and -even scarred by the horrible disorder, was declared out of danger; and -Mrs. Tyrold, burying her anguish at the alteration, in her joy for the -safety of her child, with an heart overflowing from pious gratitude, -became the messenger of peace; and, holding out her hand to Sir Hugh, -assured him the little Eugenia would soon be well. - -Sir Hugh, in an ecstasy which no power could check, forgot every pain -and infirmity to hurry up to the apartment of the little girl, that he -might kneel, he said, at her feet, and there give thanks for her -recovery: but the moment he entered the room, and saw the dreadful havoc -grim disease had made on her face; not a trace of her beauty left, no -resemblance by which he could have known her; he shrunk back, wrung his -hands, called himself the most sinful of all created beings, and in the -deepest despondence, sunk into a chair and wept aloud. - -Eugenia soon began to cry also, though unconscious for what cause; and -Mrs. Tyrold remonstrated to Sir Hugh upon the uselessness of such -transports, calmly beseeching him to retire and compose himself. - -'Yes, sister,' he answered, 'yes, I'll go away, for I am sure, I do not -want to look at her again; but to think of its being all my doing!--O -brother! O sister! why don't you both kill me in return? And what amends -can I make her? what amends, except a poor little trifle of money?--And -as to that, she shall have it, God knows, every penny I am worth, the -moment I am gone; ay, that she shall, to a single shilling, if I die -tomorrow!' - -Starting up with revived courage from this idea, he ventured again to -turn his head towards Eugenia, exclaiming: 'O, if she does but get well! -does but ease my poor conscience by making me out not to be a murderer, -a guinea for every pit in that poor face will I settle on her out of -hand; yes, before I so much as breathe again, for fear of dying in the -mean time!' - -Mrs. Tyrold scarce noticed this declaration; but his brother endeavoured -to dissuade him from so sudden and partial a measure: he would not, -however, listen; he made what speed he could down stairs, called hastily -for his hat and stick, commanded all his servants to attend him, and -muttering frequent ejaculations to himself, that he would not trust to -changing his mind, he proceeded to the family chapel, and approaching -with eager steps to the altar, knelt down, and bidding every one hear -and witness what he said, made a solemn vow, 'That if he might be -cleared of the crime of murder, by the recovery of Eugenia, he would -atone what he could for the ill he had done her, by bequeathing to her -every thing he possessed in the world, in estate, cash, and property, -without the deduction of a sixpence.' - -He told all present to remember and witness this, in case of an apoplexy -before his new will could be written down. - -Returning then to the house, lightened, he said, from a load of -self-reproach, which had rendered the last fortnight insupportable to -him, he sent for the attorney of a neighbouring town, and went upstairs, -with a firmer mind, to wait his arrival in the sick room. - -'O my dear uncle,' cried his long banished Camilla, who hearing him upon -the stairs, skipt lightly after him, 'how glad I am to see you again! I -almost thought I should see you no more!' - -Here ended at once the just acquired tranquility of Sir Hugh; all his -satisfaction forsook him at the appearance of his little darling; he -considered her as an innocent creature whom he was preparing to injure; -he could not bear to look at her; his heart smote him in her favour; his -eyes filled with tears; he was unable to go on, and with slow and -trembling steps, he moved again towards his own room. - -'My dearest uncle!' cried Camilla, holding by his coat, and hanging upon -his arm, 'won't you speak to me?' - -'Yes, my dear, to be sure I will,' he answered, endeavouring to hide his -emotion, 'only not now; so don't follow me Camilla, for I'm going to be -remarkably busy!' - -'O uncle!' she cried, plaintively, 'and I have not seen you so long! -And I have wished so to see you! and I have been so unhappy about -Eugenia! and you have always locked your door; and I would not rap hard -at it, for fear you should be asleep: But why would you not see me, -uncle? and why will you send me away?' - -'My dear Camilla,' he replied, with increased agitation, 'I have used -you very ill; I have been your worst enemy, which is the very reason I -don't care to see you; so go away, I beg, for I am bad enough without -all this. But I give you my thanks for all your little playful gambols, -having nothing better now to offer you; which is but a poor return from -an uncle to a niece!' - -He then shut himself into his room, leaving Camilla drowned in tears at -the outside of the door. - -Wretched in reflecting upon the shock and disappointment which the new -disposition of his affairs must occasion her, he had not fortitude to -inform her of his intention. He desired to speak with Edgar Mandlebert, -who, with all the Tyrold family, resided, for the present, at Cleves, -and abruptly related to him the new destination he had just vowed of his -wealth; beseeching that he would break it in the softest manner to his -poor little favourite, assuring her she would be always the first in his -love, though a point of mere conscience had forced him to make choice of -another heiress. - -Edgar, whose zeal to serve and oblige had never been put to so severe a -test, hesitated how to obey this injunction; yet he would not refuse it, -as he found that all the servants of the house were enabled, if they -pleased, to anticipate more incautiously the ill news. He followed her, -therefore, into the garden, whither she had wandered to weep unobserved; -but he stopt short at sight of her distress, conceiving his errand to be -already known to her, and determined to consult with Indiana, to whom he -communicated his terrible embassy, entreating her to devise some -consolation for her poor cousin. - -Indiana felt too much chagrined at her own part in this transaction, to -give her attention to Camilla; she murmured without scruple at the -deprivation of what she had once expected for herself, and at another -time for her brother; and expressed much resentment at the behaviour of -her uncle, mingled with something very near repining, not merely at his -late preference of Camilla, but even at the recovery of the little -Eugenia. Edgar heard her with surprise, and wondered to find how much -less her beauty attracted him from the failure of her good nature. - -He now pursued the weeping Camilla, who, dispersing her tears at his -approach, pretended to be picking some lavender, and keeping her eyes -steadfastly upon the bush, asked him if he would have any? He took a -sprig, but spoke to her in a voice of such involuntary compassion, that -she soon lost her self-command, and the big drops again rolled fast down -her cheeks. Extremely concerned, he strove gently to sooth her; but the -expressions of regret at her uncle's avoidance, which then escaped her, -soon convinced him his own task was still to be performed. With anxious -fear of the consequences of a blow so unlooked for, he executed it with -all the speed, yet all the consideration in his power. Camilla, the -moment she understood him, passionately clasped her hands, and -exclaimed: 'O if that is all! If my uncle indeed loves me as well as -before all this; I am sure I can never, never be so wicked, as to envy -poor little Eugenia, who has suffered so much, and almost been dying, -because she will be richer than I shall be!' - -Edgar, delighted and relieved, thought she was grown a thousand times -more beautiful than Indiana; and eagerly taking her hand, ran with her -to the apartment of the poor disconsolate Sir Hugh; where his own eyes -soon overflowed from tenderness and admiration, at the uncommon scene he -witnessed, of the generous affection with which Camilla consoled the -fond distress of her uncle, though springing from her own disappointment -and loss. - -They stayed till the arrival of the attorney, who took the directions of -Sir Hugh, and drew up, for his immediate satisfaction, a short deed, -making over, according to his vow, all he should die possessed of, -without any let or qualification whatsoever, to his niece Eugenia. This -was properly signed and sealed, and Sir Hugh hastened up stairs with a -copy of it to Mr. Tyrold. - -All remonstrance was ineffectual; his conscience, he protested, could no -other way be appeased; his noble little Camilla had forgiven him her ill -usage, and he could now bear to look at the change for the worse in -Eugenia, without finding his heart-strings ready to burst at the sight. -'You,' he cried, 'brother, who do not know what it is I have suffered -through my conscience, can't tell what it is to get a little ease; for -if she had died, you might all have had the comfort to say 'twas I -murdered her, which would have given you the satisfaction of having had -no hand in it. But then, what would have become of poor me, having it -all upon my own head? However, now thank Heaven, I have no need to care -about the matter; for as to the mere loss of beauty, pretty as it is to -look at, I hope it is no such great injury, as she'll have a splendid -fortune, which is certainly a better thing, in point of lasting. For as -to beauty, Lord help us! what is it? except just to the eye.' - -He then walked up to the child, intending to kiss her, but stopt and -sighed involuntarily as he looked at her, saying: 'After all, she's not -like the same thing! no more than I am myself. I shall never think I -know her again, never as long as I live! I can't so much as believe her -to be the same, though I am sure of its being true. However, it shall -make no change in my love for her, poor little dear, for it's all my own -doing; though innocently enough, as to any meaning, God knows!' - -It was still some time before the little girl recovered, and then a new -misfortune became daily more palpable, from some latent and incurable -mischief, owing to her fall, which made her grow up with one leg shorter -than the other, and her whole figure diminutive and deformed: These -additional evils reconciled her parents to the partial will of her -uncle, which they now, indeed, thought less wanting in equity, since no -other reparation could be offered to the innocent sufferer for ills so -insurmountable. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_Studies of a grown Gentleman_ - - -When the tumult of this affair subsided, Mr. Tyrold and his family -prepared to re-establish themselves at Etherington; and Mrs. Tyrold, the -great inducement for the separation being over, was earnest to take home -again the disinherited Camilla. Sir Hugh, whose pleasure in her sight -was how embittered by regret and remorse, had not courage to make the -smallest opposition; yet he spent the day of her departure in groans and -penitence. He thought it right, however, to detain Eugenia, who, as his -decided heiress, was left to be brought up at Cleves. - -The loss of the amusing society of his favourite; the disappointment he -had inflicted upon her, and the sweetness with which she had borne it, -preyed incessantly upon his spirits; and he knew not how to employ -himself, which way to direct his thoughts, nor in what manner to beguile -one moment of his time, after the children were gone to rest. - -The view of the constant resources which his brother found in -literature, augmented his melancholy at his own imperfections; and the -steady industry with which Mr. Tyrold, in early youth, had attained -them, and which, while devoted to field sports, he had often observed -with wonder and pity, he now looked back to with self-reproach, and -recognised in its effect with a reverence almost awful. - -His imagination, neither regulated by wisdom, nor disciplined by -experience, having once taken this turn, he soon fancied that every -earthly misfortune originated in a carelessness of learning, and that -all he wished, and all he wanted, upbraided him with his ignorance. If -disease and pain afflicted him, he lamented the juvenile inattention -that had robbed him of acquirements which might have taught him not to -regard them; if the word scholar was named in his presence, he heaved -the deepest sigh; if an article in a newspaper, with which he was -unacquainted, was discussed, he reviled his early heedlessness of study; -and the mention of a common pamphlet, which was unknown to him, gave him -a sensation of disgrace: even inevitable calamities he attributed to the -negligence of his education, and construed every error, and every evil -of his life, to his youthful disrespect of Greek and Latin. - -Such was the state of his mind, when his ordinary maladies had the -serious aggravation of a violent fit of the gout. - -In the midst of the acute anguish, and useless repentance, which now -alternately ravaged his happiness, it suddenly occurred to him, that, -perhaps, with proper instruction, he might even yet obtain a sufficient -portion of this enviable knowledge, to enable him to pass his evenings -with some similarity to his brother. - -Revived by this suggestion, he sent for Mr. Tyrold, to communicate to -him his idea, and to beg he would put him into a way to recover his lost -time, by recommending to him a tutor, with whom he might set about a -course of studies:--'Not that I want,' cried he, 'to make any particular -great figure as a scholar; but if I could only learn just enough to -amuse me at odd hours, and make me forget the gout, it's as much as I -desire.' - -The total impossibility that such a project should answer its given -purpose, deterred not Mr. Tyrold from listening to his request. The mild -philosophy of his character saw whatever was lenient to human sufferings -as eligible, and looked no further for any obstacles to the wishes of -another, than to investigate if their gratification would be compatible -with innocence. He wrote, therefore, to a college associate of his -younger years, whom he knew to be severely embarrassed in his affairs, -and made proposals for settling him in the house of his brother. These -were not merely gratefully accepted by his old friend, but drew forth a -confession that he was daily menaced with a public arrest for debts, -which he had incurred without luxury or extravagance, from mere -ignorance of the value of money, and of oeconomy. - -In the award of cool reason, to attend to what is impracticable, appears -a folly which no inducement can excuse. Mrs. Tyrold treated this scheme -with calm, but complete contempt. She allowed no palliation for a -measure of which the abortive end was glaring; to hearken to it -displeased her, as a false indulgence of childish vanity; and her -understanding felt shocked that Mr. Tyrold would deign to humour his -brother in an enterprise which must inevitably terminate in a fruitless -consumption of time. - -Sir Hugh soon, but without anger, saw her disapprobation of his plan; -her opinions, from a high superiority to all deceit, were as unreserved -as those of the baronet, from a nature incapable of caution. He told her -he was sorry to perceive that she thought he should make no proficiency, -but entreated her to take notice there was at least no great presumption -in his attempt, as he meant to begin with the very beginning, and to go -no farther at the first than any young little school-boy; for he should -give himself fair play, by trying his hand with the rudiments, which -would no sooner be run over, than the rest would become plain sailing: -'And if once,' he added, 'I should conquer the mastery of the classics, -I shall make but very short work of all the rest.' - -Mr. Tyrold saw, as forcibly as his wife, the utter impossibility that -Sir Hugh could now repair the omissions of his youth; but he was willing -to console his want of knowledge, and sooth his mortifications; and -while he grieved for his bodily infirmities, and pitied his mental -repinings, he considered his idea as not illaudable, though injudicious, -and in favour of its blamelessness, forgave its absurdity. - -He was gratified, also, in offering an honourable provision to a man of -learning in distress, whose time and attention could not fail to deserve -it, if dedicated to his brother, in whatever way they might be bestowed. - -He took care to be at Cleves on the day Dr. Orkborne, this gentleman, -was expected, and he presented him to Sir Hugh with every mark of -regard, as a companion in whose conversation, he flattered himself, pain -might be lightened, and seclusion from mixt company cheerfully -supported. - -Dr. Orkborne expressed his gratitude for the kindness of Mr. Tyrold, and -promised to make it his first study to merit the high consideration with -which he had been called from his retirement. - -A scholastic education was all that had been given to Dr. Orkborne by -his friends; and though in that their hopes were answered, no prosperity -followed. His labours had been seconded by industry, but not enforced by -talents; and they soon found how wide the difference between acquiring -stores, and bringing them into use. Application, operating upon a -retentive memory, had enabled him to lay by the most ample hoards of -erudition; but these, though they rendered him respectable amongst the -learned, proved nearly nugatory in his progress through the world, from -a total want of skill and penetration to know how or where they might -turn to any account. Nevertheless, his character was unexceptionable, -his manners were quiet, and his fortune was ruined. These were the -motives which induced rather the benevolence than the selection of Mr. -Tyrold to name him to his brother, in the hope that, while an asylum at -Cleves would exonerate him from all pecuniary hardships, his very -deficiency in brilliancy of parts, and knowledge of mankind, which -though differently modified, was equal to that of Sir Hugh himself, -would obviate regret of more cultivated society, and facilitate their -reciprocal satisfaction. - -The introduction over, Mr. Tyrold sought by general topics to forward -their acquaintance, before any allusion should be made to the professed -plan of Sir Hugh; but Sir Hugh was too well pleased with its ingenuity -to be ashamed of its avowal; he began, therefore, immediately to descant -upon the indolence of his early years, and to impeach the want of -timely severity in his instructors: 'For there is an old saying,' he -cried, 'but remarkably true, That learning is better than house or land; -which I am an instance of myself, for I have house and land plenty, yet -don't know what to do with them properly, nor with myself neither, for -want of a little notion of things to guide me by.' His brother, he -added, had been too partial in thinking him already fitted for such a -master as Dr. Orkborne; though he promised, notwithstanding his time of -life, to become the most docile of pupils, and he hoped before long to -do no discredit to the Doctor as his tutor. - -Mr. Tyrold, whose own benign countenance could scarce refrain from a -smile at this unqualified opening, endeavoured to divert to some other -subject the grave astonishment of Dr. Orkborne, who, previously aware of -the age and ill health of the baronet, naturally concluded himself -called upon to solace the privacy of his life by reading or discourse, -but suggested not the most distant surmise he could be summoned as a -preceptor. - -Sir Hugh, however, far from palliating any design, disguised not even a -feeling; he plunged deeper and deeper in the acknowledgment of his -ignorance, and soon set wholly apart the delicate circumspection of his -brother, by demanding of Dr. Orkborne what book he thought he had best -buy for a beginning? - -Receiving from the wondering Doctor no answer, he good humouredly added, -'Come, don't be ashamed to name the easiest, for this reason; you must -know my plan is one of my own, which it is right to tell you. As fast as -I get on, I intend, for the sake of remembering my lesson, to send for -one of my nephews, and teach it all over again to him myself; which will -be doing service to us all at once.' - -Mr. Tyrold now, though for a few moments he looked down, thought it best -to leave the matter to its own course, and Dr. Orkborne to his own -observations; fully persuaded, that the smiles Sir Hugh might excite -would be transient, and that no serious or lasting ridicule could be -attached to his character, in the mind of a worthy man, to whom time and -opportunity would be allowed for an acquaintance with its habitual -beneficence. He excused himself, therefore, from staying any longer, -somewhat to the distress of Dr. Orkborne, but hardly with the notice of -the baronet, whose eagerness in his new pursuit completely engrossed -him. - -His late adventure, and his new heiress, now tormented him no more; -Indiana was forgotten, Camilla but little thought of, and his whole mind -became exclusively occupied by this fruitful expedient for retrieving -his lost time. - -Dr. Orkborne, whose life had been spent in any study rather than that of -human nature, was so little able to enter into the character of Sir -Hugh, that nothing less than the respect he knew to be due to Mr. -Tyrold, could have saved him, upon his first reception, from a suspicion -that he had been summoned in mere mockery. The situation, however, was -peculiarly desirable to him, and the experiment, in the beginning, -corresponded with the hopes of Mr. Tyrold. Placed suddenly in ease and -affluence, Dr. Orkborne, with the most profound desire to please, sought -to sustain so convenient a post, by obliging the patron, whom he soon -saw it would be vain to attempt improving; while Sir Hugh, in return, -professed himself the most fortunate of men, that he had now met with a -scholar who had the good nature not to despise him. - -Relief from care thus combining with opportunity, Dr. Orkborne was -scarce settled, ere he determined upon the execution of a long, -critical, and difficult work in philology, which he had often had in -contemplation, but never found leisure to undertake. By this means he -had a constant resource for himself; and the baronet, observing that -time never hung heavy upon his hands, conceived a yet higher admiration -of learning, and felt his spirits proportionably re-animated by the fair -prospect of participating in such advantages. - -From this dream, however, he was soon awakened; a parcel, by the -direction of Dr. Orkborne, arrived from his bookseller, with materials -for going to work. - -Sir Hugh then sent off a message to the parsonage-house, informing his -brother and his family, that they must not be surprised if they did not -see or hear of him for some time, as he had got his hands quite full, -and should be particularly engaged for a week or two to come. - -Dr. Orkborne, still but imperfectly conceiving the extent, either of the -plan, or of the simplicity of his new pupil, proposed, as soon as the -packet was opened, that they should read together; but Sir Hugh replied, -that he would do the whole in order, and by no means skip the -rudiments. - -The disappointment which followed, may be easily imagined; with neither -quickness to learn, nor memory to retain, he aimed at being initiated in -the elements of a dead language, for which youth only can find time and -application, and even youth but by compulsion. His head soon became -confused, his ideas were all perplexed, his attention was vainly -strained, and his faculties were totally disordered. - -Astonished at his own disturbance, which he attributed solely to not -getting yet into the right mode, he laughed off his chagrin, but was -steady in his perseverance; and continued wholly shut up from his family -and friends, with a zeal worthy better success. - -Lesson after lesson, however, only aggravated his difficulties, till his -intellects grew so embarrassed he scarce knew if he slept or waked. His -nights became infected by the perturbation of the day; his health -visibly suffered from the restlessness of both, and all his flattering -hopes of new and unknown happiness were ere long exchanged for despair. - -He now sent for his brother, and desired to speak with him alone; when, -catching him fast by the hand, and looking piteously in his face, 'Do -you know, my dear brother,' he cried, 'I find myself turning out as -sheer a blockhead as ever, for all I have got so many more years over my -head than when I began all this hard jingle jangle before?' - -Mr. Tyrold, with greater concern than surprise, endeavoured to re-assure -and console him, by pointing out a road more attainable for reaping -benefit from the presence of Dr. Orkborne, than the impracticable path -into which he had erroneously entered. - -'Ah! no, my dear brother,' he answered; 'if I don't succeed this way, I -am sure I shall succeed no other; for as to pains, I could not have -taken more if I had been afraid to be flogged once a-day: and that -gentleman has done all he can, too, as far as I know to the contrary. -But I really think whatever's the meaning of it, there's some people -can't learn.' - -Then, shaking his head, he added, in a low voice: 'To say the truth, I -might as well have given it up from the very first, for any great -comfort I found in it, if it had not been for fear of hurting that -gentleman; however, don't let the poor gentleman know that; for I've no -right to turn him off upon nothing, merely for the fault of my having no -head, which how can he help?' - -Mr. Tyrold agreed in the justice of this reflection, and undertook to -deliberate upon some conciliatory expedient. - -Sir Hugh heartily thanked him; 'But only in the mean time that you are -thinking,' cried he, 'how shall I bring it about to stop him from coming -to me with all those books for my study? For, do you know, my dear -brother, because I asked him to buy me one for my beginning, he sent for -a full score? And when he comes to me about my lesson, he brings them -all upon me together: which is one thing, for ought I know, that helps -to confuse me; for I am wondering all the while when I shall get through -with them. However, say nothing of all this before the poor gentleman, -for fear he should take it as a hint; which might put him out of heart: -for which reason I'd rather take another lesson, Lord help me!--than vex -him.' - -Mr. Tyrold promised his best consideration, and to see him again the -next morning. But he had hardly left Cleves ten minutes, when a man and -horse came galloping after him, with a petition that he would return -without delay. - -The baronet received him with a countenance renovated with -self-complacency. 'I won't trouble you,' he cried, 'to think any more; -for now I have got a plan of my own, which I will tell you. Not to throw -this good gentleman entirely away, I intend having a sort of a kind of -school set up here in my sick room, and so to let all my nephews come, -and say their tasks to him in my hearing; and then, who knows but I may -pick up a little amongst them myself, without all this hard study?' - -Mr. Tyrold stated the obvious objections to so wild a scheme; but he -besought him not to oppose it, as there was no other way for him to get -rid of his tutoring, without sending off Dr. Orkborne. He desired, -therefore, that Lionel might come instantly to Cleves; saying, 'I shall -write myself to Eton, by the means of the Doctor, to tell the Master I -shall take Clermont entirely home after the next holidays, for the sake -of having him study under my own eye.' - -He then entreated him to prepare Dr. Orkborne for his new avocation. - -Mr. Tyrold, who saw that in this plan the inventor alone could be -disappointed, made no further remonstrance, and communicated the design -to Dr. Orkborne; who, growing now deeply engaged in his own undertaking, -was perfectly indifferent to whom or to what his occasional attendance -might be given. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_Schooling of a young Gentleman_ - - -Mrs. Tyrold expressed much astonishment that her husband could afford -any countenance to this new plan. 'Your expectations from it,' she -cried, 'can be no higher than my own; you have certainly some influence -with your brother; why, then, will you suffer him thus egregiously to -expose himself?' - -'I cannot protect his pride,' answered Mr. Tyrold, 'at the expence of -his comfort. His faculties want some object, his thoughts some -employment. Inaction bodily and intellectual pervading the same -character, cannot but fix disgust upon every stage and every state of -life. Vice alone is worse than such double inertion. Where mental vigour -can be kept alive without offence to religion and virtue, innocence as -well as happiness is promoted; and the starter of difficulties with -regard to the means which point to such an end, inadvertently risks -both. To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be -encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude -apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that -quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarrelling with all -mankind.' - -'But may you not, by refusing to send him your son, induce him to seek -recreation in some more rational way?' - -'Recreation, my dear Georgiana, must be spontaneous. Bidden pleasures -fly the perversity of our tastes. Let us take care, then, scrupulously, -of our duties, but suffer our amusements to take care of themselves. A -project, a pastime, such as this, is, at least, as harmless as it is -hopeless, since the utmost sport of wit, or acrimony of malice, can only -fasten a laugh upon it: and how few are the diversions of the rich and -indolent that can so lightly be acquitted!' - -Lionel, the new young student, speedily, though but little to her -satisfaction, abetted the judgment of his mother. He was no sooner -summoned to Cleves, than, enchanted to find himself a fellow-pupil with -his uncle, he conceived the highest ideas of his own premature genius: -and when this vanity, from the avowed ignorance of the artless baronet, -subsided, it was only replaced by a sovereign contempt of his new -associate. He made the most pompous display of his own little -acquirements; he took every opportunity to ask questions of Sir Hugh -which he knew he could not answer; and he would sometimes, with an arch -mock solemnity, carry his exercise to him, and beg his assistance. - -Sir Hugh bore this juvenile impertinence with unshaken good humour. But -the spirits of Lionel were too mutinous for such lenity: he grew bolder -in his attacks, and more fearless of consequences; and in a very short -time, his uncle seemed to him little more than the butt at which he -might level the shafts of his rising triumph; till tired, at length, -though not angry, the baronet applied to Dr. Orkborne, and begged he -would teach him, out of hand, some small little smattering of Latin -sentences, by which he might make the young pedant think better of him. - -Dr. Orkborne complied, and wrote him a few brief exercises; but these, -after toiling day and night to learn, he pronounced so ill, and so -constantly mis-applied, that, far from impressing his fellow-labourer -with more respect, the moment he uttered a single word of his new -lesson, the boy almost rolled upon the floor with convulsive merriment. - -Sir Hugh, with whom these phrases neither lost nor gained by mistaking -one word for another, appealed to Dr. Orkborne to remedy what he -conceived to be an unaccountable failure. Dr. Orkborne, absorbed in his -new personal pursuit, to which he daily grew more devoted, was earnest -to be as little as possible interrupted, and therefore only advised him -to study his last lesson, before he pressed for any thing new. - -Study, however, was unavailing, and he heard this injunction with -despair; but finding it constantly repeated upon every application for -help, he was seized again with a horror of the whole attempt, and begged -to consult with Mr. Tyrold. - -'This gentleman you have recommended to me for my tutor,' he cried, 'is -certainly a great scholar; I don't mean to doubt that the least in the -world, being no judge: and he is complaisant enough too, considering all -that; but yet I have rather a suspicion he is afraid I shall make no -hand of it; which is a thing so disheartening to a person in the line of -improvement, that, to tell you the honest truth, I am thinking of giving -the whole up at a blow; for, Lord help me! what shall I be the better -for knowing Latin and Greek? It's not worth a man's while to think of -it, after being a boy. And so, if you please, I'd rather you'd take -Lionel home again.' - -Mr. Tyrold agreed; but asked what he meant to do further concerning the -Doctor? - -'Why that, brother, is the very thing my poor ignorant head wants your -advice for: because, as to that plan about our learning all together, I -see it won't do; for either the boys will grow up to be no better -scholars than their uncle, which is to say, none at all; or else they'll -hold everybody cheap, when they meet with a person knowing nothing; so -I'll have no more hand in it. And I shall really be glad enough to get -such a thing off my mind; for it's been weight enough upon it from the -beginning.' - -He then desired the opinion of Mr. Tyrold what step he should take to -prevent the arrival of Clermont Lynmere, whom, he said, he dreaded to -see, being determined to have no more little boys about him for some -time to come. - -Mr. Tyrold recommended re-settling him at Eton: but Sir Hugh declared he -could not possibly do that, because the poor little fellow had written -him word he was glad to leave school. 'And I don't doubt,' he added, -'but he'll make the best figure of us all; because I had him put in the -right mode from the first; though, I must needs own, I had as lieve see -him a mere dunce all his life, supposing I should live so long, which -God forbid in regard to his dying, as have him turn out a mere coxcomb -of a pedant, laughing and grinning at everybody that can't spell a Greek -noun.' - -Mr. Tyrold promised to take the matter into consideration; but early the -next morning, the baronet again summoned him, and joyfully made known, -that a scheme had come into his own head, which answered all purposes. -In the first place, he said, he had really taken so prodigious a dislike -to learning, that he was determined to send Clermont over the seas, to -finish his Greek and Latin; not because he was fond of foreign parts, -but for fear, if he should let him come to Cleves, the great distaste he -had now conceived against those sort of languages, might disgust the -poor boy from his book. And he had most luckily recollected, in the -middle of the night, that he had a dear friend, one Mr. Westwyn, who was -going the very next month to carry his own son to Leipsic; which was -just what had put the thought into his head; because, by that means, -Clermont might be removed from one studying place to t'other, without -loss of time. - -'But for all that,' he continued, 'as this good gentleman here has been -doing no harm, I won't have him become a sufferer for my changing my -mind: and so, not to affront him by giving him nothing to do, which -would be like saying, "You may go your ways," I intend he should try -Indiana.' - -Observing Mr. Tyrold now look with the extremest surprise, he added; 'To -be sure, being a girl, it is rather out of the way; but as there is -never another boy, what can I do? Besides I shan't so much mind her -getting a little learning, because she's not likely to make much hand of -it. And this one thing, I can tell you, which I have learnt of my own -accord; I'll never press a person to set about studying at my time of -life as long as I live, knowing what a plague it is.' - -Lionel returned to Etherington with his father, and the rest of the -scheme was put into execution without delay. Mr. Westwyn conveyed -Clermont from Eton to Leipsic, where he settled him with the preceptor -and masters appointed for his own son; and Dr. Orkborne was desired to -become the tutor of Indiana. - -At first, quitting his learned residence, the Doctor might indignantly -have blushed at the proposition of an employment so much beneath his -abilities: but he now heard it without the smallest emotion; sedately -revolving in his mind, that his literary work would not be affected by -the ignorance or absurdity of his several pupils. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_Tuition of a young Lady_ - - -The fair Indiana participated not in the philosophy of her preceptor. -The first mention of taking lessons produced an aversion unconquerable -to their teacher; and the first question he asked her at the appointed -hour for study, was answered by a burst of tears. - -To Dr. Orkborne this sorrow would have proved no impediment to their -proceeding, as he hardly noticed it; but Sir Hugh, extremely affected, -kindly kissed her, and said he would beg her off for this time. The next -day, however, gave rise but to a similar scene; and the next which -followed would precisely have resembled it, had not the promise of some -new finery of attire dispersed the pearly drops that were preparing to -fall. - -The uncommon beauty of Indiana had made her infancy adored, and her -childhood indulged by almost all who had seen her. The brilliant picture -she presented to the eye by her smiles and her spirits, rendered the -devastation caused by crying, pouting, or fretfulness so striking, and -so painful to behold, that not alone her uncle, but every servant in the -house, and every stranger who visited it, granted to her lamentations -whatever they demanded, to relieve their own impatience at the loss of -so pleasing an image. Accustomed, therefore, never to weep without -advantage, she was in the constant habit of giving unbridled vent to her -tears upon the smallest contradiction, well knowing that not to spoil -her pretty eyes by crying, was the current maxim of the whole house. - -Unused, by this means, to any trouble or application, the purposed -tuition of Dr. Orkborne appeared a burden to her intolerable; yet -weeping, her standing resource, was with him utterly vain; her tears -were unimportant to one who had taken no notice of her smiles; and -intent upon his own learned ruminations, he never even looked at her. - -Bribery, day after day, could procure but a few instants' attention, -given so unwillingly, and so speedily withdrawn, that trinkets, dress, -and excursions were soon exhausted, without the smallest advancement. -The general indulgence of the baronet made partial favours of small -efficacy; and Indiana was sooner tired of receiving, than he of -presenting his offerings. - -She applied, therefore, at length, to the governess, whose -expostulations, she knew by experience, were precisely what Sir Hugh -most sedulously aimed to avoid. - -Miss Margland was a woman of family and fashion, but reduced, through -the gaming and extravagance of her father, to such indigence, that, -after sundry failures in higher attempts, she was compelled to acquiesce -in the good offices of her friends, which placed her as a governess in -the house of Sir Hugh. - -To Indiana, however, she was but nominally a tutress; neglected in her -own education, there was nothing she could teach, though, born and bred -in the circle of fashion, she imagined she had nothing to learn. And, -while a mind proudly shallow kept her unacquainted with her own -deficiencies, her former rank in society imposed an equal ignorance of -them upon Sir Hugh. But, notwithstanding he implicitly gave her credit -for possessing whatever she assumed, he found her of a temper so -unpleasant, and so irritable to offence, that he made it a rule never to -differ from her. The irksomeness of this restraint induced him to keep -as much as possible out of her way; though respect and pity for her -birth and her misfortunes, led him to resolve never to part with her -till Indiana was married. - -The spirit of Miss Margland was as haughty as her intellects were weak; -and her disposition was so querulous, that, in her constant suspicion of -humiliation, she seemed always looking for an affront, and ready primed -for a contest. - -She seized with pleasure the opportunity offered her by Indiana, of -remonstrating against this new system of education; readily allowing, -that any accomplishment beyond what she had herself acquired, would be -completely a work of supererogation. She represented dictatorily her -objections to the baronet. Miss Lynmere, she said, though both beautiful -and well brought up, could never cope with so great a disadvantage as -the knowledge of Latin: 'Consider, Sir,' she cried, 'what an obstacle it -will prove to her making her way in the great world, when she comes to -be of a proper age for thinking of an establishment. What gentleman will -you ever find that will bear with a learned wife? except some mere -downright fogrum, no young lady of fashion could endure.' - -She then spoke of the danger of injuring her beauty by study; and ran -over all the qualifications really necessary for a young lady to attain, -which consisted simply of an enumeration of all she had herself -attempted; a little music, a little drawing, and a little dancing; which -should all, she added, be but slightly pursued, to distinguish a lady of -fashion from an artist. - -Sir Hugh, a good deal disturbed, because unable to answer her, thought -it would be best to interest Dr. Orkborne in his plan, and to beg him to -reconcile her to its execution. He sent, therefore, a message to the -Doctor, to beg to speak with him immediately. - -Dr. Orkborne promised to wait upon him without delay: but he was at that -moment hunting for a passage in a Greek author, and presently forgot -both the promise and the request. - -Sir Hugh, concluding nothing but sickness could detain him, went to his -apartment; where, finding him perfectly well, he stared at him a moment; -and then, sitting down, begged him to make no apology, for he could -tell his business there as well as any where else. - -He gave a long and copious relation of the objections of Miss Margland, -earnestly begging Dr. Orkborne would save him from such another -harangue, it being bad for his health, by undertaking to give her the -proper notion of things himself. - -The Doctor, who had just found the passage for which he had been -seeking, heard not one word that he said. - -Sir Hugh, receiving no answer, imagined him to be weighing the substance -of his narration; and, therefore, bidding him not worry his brain too -much, offered him half an hour to fix upon what should be done; and -returned quietly to his own room. - -Here he sat, counting the minutes, with his watch in his hand, till the -time stipulated arrived: but finding Dr. Orkborne let it pass without -any notice, he again took the trouble of going back to his apartment. - -He then eagerly asked what plan he had formed? - -Dr. Orkborne, much incommoded by this second interruption, coldly begged -to know his pleasure. - -Sir Hugh, with great patience, though much surprise, repeated the whole, -word for word, over again: but the history was far too long for Dr. -Orkborne, whose attention, after the first sentence or two, was -completely restored to his Greek quotation, which he was in the act of -transcribing when Sir Hugh re-entered the room. - -The baronet, at length, more categorically said, 'Don't be so shy of -speaking out, Doctor; though I am afraid, by your silence, you've rather -a notion poor Indiana will never get on; which, perhaps, makes you think -it not worth while contradicting Mrs. Margland? Come, speak out!--Is -that the case with the poor girl?' - -'Yes, sir,' answered Dr. Orkborne, with great composure; though -perfectly unconscious of the proposition to which he assented. - -'Lack a-day! if I was not always afraid she had rather a turn to being a -dunce! So it's your opinion it won't do, then?' - -'Yes, sir,' again replied the Doctor; his eye the whole time fastened -upon the passage which occupied his thoughts. - -'Why then we are all at a stand again! This is worse than I thought for! -So the poor dear girl has really no head?--Hay, Doctor?--Do speak, -pray?--Don't mind vexing me. Say so at once, if you can't help thinking -it.' - -Another extorted, 'Yes, sir,' completely overset Sir Hugh; who, imputing -the absent and perplexed air with which it was pronounced to an -unwillingness to give pain, shook him by the hand, and, quitting the -room, ordered his carriage, and set off for Etherington. - -'Oh, brother,' he cried; 'Indiana's the best girl in the world, as well -as the prettiest; but, do you know, Dr. Orkborne says she has got no -brains! So there's an end of that scheme! However, I have now thought of -another that will settle all differences.' - -Mr. Tyrold hoped it was an entire discontinuance of all pupilage and -tutorship; and that Dr. Orkborne might henceforth be considered as a -mere family friend. - -'No, no, my dear brother, no! 'tis a better thing than that, as you -shall hear. You must know I have often been concerned to think how glum -poor Clermont will look when he hears of my will in favour of Eugenia; -which was my chief reason in my own private mind, for not caring to see -him before he went abroad; but I have made myself quite easy about him -now, by resolving to set little Eugenia upon learning the classics.' - -'Eugenia! and of what benefit will that prove to Clermont?' - -'Why, as soon as she grows a little old, that is to say, a young woman, -I intend, with your good will and my sister's, to marry her to -Clermont.' - -Mr. Tyrold smiled, but declared his entire concurrence, if the young -people, when they grew up, wished for the alliance. - -'As to that,' said he, 'I mean to make sure work, by having them -educated exactly to fit one another. I shall order Clermont to think of -nothing but his studies till the proper time; and as to Eugenia, I shall -make her a wife after his own heart, by the help of this gentleman; for -I intend to bid him teach her just like a man, which, as she's so young, -may be done from the beginning, the same as if she was a boy.' - -He then enumerated the advantages of this project, which would save -Clermont from all disappointment, by still making over to him his whole -fortune, with a wife ready formed into a complete scholar for him into -the bargain. It would also hinder Eugenia from being a prey to some sop -for her money, who, being no relation, could not have so good a right to -it; and it would prevent any affront to Dr. Orkborne, by keeping him a -constant tight task in hand. - -Mr. Tyrold forbore to chagrin him with any strong expostulation, and he -returned, therefore, to Cleves in full glee. He repaired immediately to -the apartment of the Doctor, who, only by what was now said, was -apprized of what had passed before. Somewhat, therefore, alarmed, to -understand that the studies of Indiana were to be relinquished, he -exerted all the alacrity in his power for accepting his new little -pupil: not from any idea of preference; for he concluded that incapacity -of Indiana to be rather that of her sex than of an individual; but from -conceiving that his commodious abode at Cleves depended upon his -retaining one scholar in the family. Eugenia therefore was called, and -the lessons were begun. - -The little girl, who was naturally of a thoughtful turn, and whose state -of health deprived her of most childish amusements, was well contented -with the arrangement, and soon made a progress so satisfactory to Dr. -Orkborne, that Sir Hugh, letting his mind now rest from all other -schemes, became fully and happily occupied by the prosecution of his -last suggestion. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_Lost Labour_ - - -From this period, the families of Etherington and Cleves lived in the -enjoyment of uninterrupted harmony and repose, till Eugenia, the most -juvenile of the set, had attained her fifteenth year. - -Sir Hugh then wrote to Leipsic, desiring his nephew Lynmere to return -home without delay. 'Not that I intend,' he said to Mr. Tyrold, -'marrying them together at this young age, Eugenia being but a child, -except in point of Latin; though I assure you, my dear brother, she's -the most sensible of the whole, poor Indiana being nothing to her, for -all her prettiness; but the thing is, the sooner Clermont comes over, -the sooner they may begin forming the proper regard.' - -The knowledge of this projected alliance was by no means confined to Sir -Hugh and Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold; it was known throughout the family, though -never publicly announced, and understood from her childhood by Eugenia -herself, though Mrs. Tyrold had exerted her utmost authority to prevent -Sir Hugh from apprizing her of it in form. It was nevertheless, the joy -of his heart to prepare the young people for each other: and his scheme -received every encouragement he could desire, from the zeal and uncommon -progress in her studies made by Eugenia; which most happily corresponded -with all his injunctions to Leipsic, for the application and -acquirements of Clermont. - -Thus circumstanced, it was a blow to him the most unexpected, to receive -from the young bridegroom elect, in answer to his summons home, a -petition to make the tour of Europe, while yet on the continent. - -'What!' cried Sir Hugh, 'and is this all his care for us? after so many -years separation from his kin and kind, has he no natural longings to -see his native land? no yearnings to know his own relations from -strangers?' - -Eugenia, notwithstanding her extreme youth, secretly applauded and -admired a search of knowledge she would gladly have participated [in]; -though she was not incurious to see the youth she considered as her -destined partner for life, and to whom all her literary labours had been -directed: for the never-failing method of Sir Hugh to stimulate her if -she was idle, had been to assure her that, unless she worked harder, her -cousin Clermont would eclipse her. - -She had now acquired a decided taste for study, which, however unusual -for her age, most fortunately rescued from weariness or sadness the -sedentary life, which a weak state of health compelled her to lead. This -induced her to look with pleasure upon Clermont as the object of her -emulation, and to prosecute every plan for her improvement, with that -vigour which accompanies a pursuit of our own choice; the only labour -that asks no relaxation. - -Steady occupations, such as these, kept off all attention to her -personal misfortunes, which Sir Hugh had strictly ordered should never -be alluded to; first, he said, for fear they should vex her; and next, -lest they should make her hate him, for being their cause. Those -incidents, therefore, from never being named, glided imperceptibly from -her thoughts; and she grew up as unconscious as she was innocent, that, -though born with a beauty which surpassed that of her lovely sisters, -disease and accident had robbed her of that charm ere she knew she -possessed it. But neither disease nor accident had power over her mind; -there, in its purest proportions, moral beauty preserved its first -energy. The equanimity of her temper made her seem, though a female, -born to be a practical philosopher; her abilities and her sentiments -were each of the highest class, uniting the best adorned intellects with -the best principled virtues. - -The dissatisfaction of Sir Hugh with his nephew reached not to -prohibition: his consent was painful, but his remittances were generous, -and Clermont had three years allowed him for his travels through Europe. - -Yet this permission was no sooner granted than the baronet again became -dejected. Three years appeared to him to be endless: he could hardly -persuade himself to look forward to them with expectation of life; and -all the learned labours he had promoted seemed vain and unpromising, ill -requiting his toils, and still less answering his hopes. Even the -studious turn of Eugenia, hitherto his first delight, he now thought -served but to render her unsociable; and the time she devoted to study, -he began to regret as lost to himself; nor could he suggest any possible -consolation for his drooping spirits, till it occurred to him that -Camilla might again enliven him. - -This idea, and the order for his carriage, were the birth of the same -moment; and, upon entering the study of Mr. Tyrold, he abruptly -exclaimed, 'My dear brother, I must have Camilla back! Indiana says -nothing to amuse me; and Eugenia is so bookish, I might as well live -with an old woman; which God forbid I should object to, only I like -Camilla better.' - -This request was by no means welcome to Mr. Tyrold, and utterly -distasteful to his lady. Camilla was now just seventeen years of age, -and attractively lovely; but of a character that called for more -attention to its developement than to its formation; though of a -disposition so engaging, that affection kept pace with watchfulness, and -her fond parents knew as little for their own sakes as for her's how to -part with her. - -Her qualities had a power which, without consciousness how, or -consideration why, governed her whole family. The airy thoughtlessness -of her nature was a source of perpetual amusement; and, if sometimes her -vivacity raised a fear for her discretion, the innocence of her mind -reassured them after every alarm. The interest which she excited served -to render her the first object of the house; it was just short of -solicitude, yet kept it constantly alive. Her spirits were volatile, -but her heart was tender; her gaiety had a fascination; her persuasion -was irresistible. - -To give her now up to Sir Hugh, seemed to Mrs. Tyrold rather impossible -than disagreeable; but he was too urgent with his brother to be wholly -refused. She was granted him, therefore, as a guest, for the three -ensuing months, to aid him to dissipate his immediate disappointment, -from the procrastinated absence of Clermont. - -Sir Hugh received back his first favourite with all the fond glee of a -ductile imagination, which in every new good sees a refuge from every -past or present evil. But, as the extremest distaste of all literature -now succeeded those sanguine views which had lately made it his -exclusive object, the first words he spoke upon her arrival were, to -inform her she must learn no Latin; and the first step which followed -her welcome, was a solemn charge to Dr. Orkborne, that he must give her -no lessons. - -The gaiety, the spirit, the playful good humour of Camilla, had lost -nothing of their charm by added years, though her understanding had been -sedulously cultivated, and her principles modelled by the pure and -practical tenets of her exemplary parents. The delight of Sir Hugh in -regaining her, consisted not merely of the renovation of his first -prejudice in her favour; it was strengthened by the restoration it -afforded his own mind to its natural state, and the relief of being -disburthened of a task he was so ill calculated to undertake, as -superintending, in any sort, intellectual pursuits. - - - - -BOOK II - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_New Projects_ - - -The baronet would, at length, have enjoyed perfect contentment, had he -not been molested by the teasing spirit of Miss Margland, now daily at -work in proposing a journey to London, and in representing as an -indispensable duty, that the young ladies should see and be seen, in a -manner suitable to their situation in life. - -Miss Margland, equally void either of taste or of resources for the -country, had languished and fretted away twelve years in its bosom, with -no other opening to any satisfaction beyond a maintenance, except what -she secretly nourished in her hopes, that, when her beautiful pupil was -grown up, she should accompany her to the metropolis. Her former -connections and acquaintance in high life still continued to be the -stationary pride of her heart, the constant theme of her discourse, and -the perpetual allusion of some lamentation and regret. This excursion, -therefore, in prospect, had been her sole support during her retirement; -nor had she failed to instruct her fair disciple to aid her scheme, -though she had kept from her its private motive. - -Most successfully, indeed, had she instilled into the youthful breast of -Indiana, a wondering curiosity to see the place which she described as -the sole residence of elegance and fashion, and an eager impatience to -exhibit there a person which she was assured would meet with universal -homage. - -But neither the exhortations of the governess, nor the wishes of her -pupil, could in this point move Sir Hugh. He had a fixt aversion to -London, and to all public places, and had constantly some disaster to -relate of every visit he had accidentally made to them. The amusements -which had decided his partiality for the country were now, indeed, no -longer within his reach; but his sanguine temper, which occasionally -entertained him with hopes of a recovery, determined him always to keep -upon the right spot, he said, for sport, in the case of any sudden and -favourable change in his health. - -Upon the visit of Camilla, Miss Margland grew yet more urgent, expecting -through her powerful influence to gain her point. She strove, therefore, -to engage her intercession, but Camilla, careless, easy, and gay, had no -wish about the matter, and could not be brought into the cabal. - -This disappointment so much soured and provoked Miss Margland, that she -lost the usual discretion she had hitherto practised, of confining her -remonstrances to those times when she saw Sir Hugh alone. Such -opportunities, indeed, weary of the use she made of them, the baronet -contrived daily to lessen; but every meeting now, whether public or -private, was seized alike for the same purpose, and the necessity of -_bringing the young ladies out_, and the duty of _thinking of their -establishment_, were the sentences with which he was so regularly -assailed, that the moment he saw her he prepared to hear them, and -commonly with a heavy sigh anticipated their fatigue to his spirits. - -No arguments, however, relative to disposing of the young ladies, had -any weight with him; he had long planned to give Eugenia to Clermont -Lynmere, and he depended upon Edgar Mandlebert for Indiana, while with -regard to Camilla, to keep her unmarried, that he might detain her under -his own roof, was the favourite wish of his heart. Nevertheless, this -perpetual persecution became by degrees insupportable, and, unused to be -deaf to any claimant, he was upon the point of constrained compliance, -when his passion for forming schemes came again to his aid, upon hearing -that Edgar Mandlebert, after a twelvemonth's absence, was just returned -to Etherington. - -This youth had been making the tour of England, Wales, and Scotland, -with Dr. Marchmont, who had been induced by Mr. Tyrold to relinquish all -other avocations, and devote to him his whole time. - -Sir Hugh hastening, upon this news, to the parsonage-house, said: 'Don't -imagine, brother, I am going to make any complaint against Mrs. -Margland, for she is an excellent governess, and I have no fault to find -with her, except her making too many objections, which I take to be her -worst part; but as every body has something, it would be very unfair to -quarrel with her for such a mere nothing, especially as she can't help -it, after so many years going on the same way, without coming to a stop; -but the thing I have thought of now may set it all to rights, which I -hope you'll approve, and especially my sister.' - -He then explained, that as he had fixt upon marrying Eugenia to Clermont -Lynmere, she was put so completely under the care of Dr. Orkborne, in -order to make her fit for the young scholar, that Miss Margland was of -little or no use to her. He meant, therefore, to bring forward -immediately the marriage of Indiana with young Mandlebert, and then to -ask Miss Margland to go and live with them entirely, as he could very -well spare her: 'This,' he continued, 'Indiana can't object to, from the -point of having had her so long; and young Mr. Edgar's remarkably -complaisant, for such a young youth, which I saw a great while ago. By -this means, Mrs. Margland will get her main end of going to London, -which she may show off to the young bride, without my budging from home, -Lord help me! being a thing I don't much like, to be taken about to -dances and shews, now that I am not a boy; so then Camilla will be left -to stay with me, for my own companion; which I assure you I desire no -better, though she knows no more, as the Doctor tells me, of the -classics, than my old spaniel; which, to give every one his due, is much -the same with myself.' - -Mr. Tyrold, with a very unpleasant astonishment, enquired further into -his meaning concerning Mandlebert; but his surprise ended in a smile, -when he heard the juvenile circumstances upon which alone Sir Hugh built -his expectations. To argue with him, however, was always fruitless; he -had found out, he said, the intentions of Edgar from the first, and he -came now to invite him to pass a month at Cleves, for the sake of -cutting the courtship short, by letting him see Indiana every day, so -that no time might be lost in coming to the conclusion. - -The first wish of the secret heart of Mr. Tyrold was, that one of his -own daughters should be the choice of his ward; he did not, therefore, -totally unmoved, hear this project for Indiana, though its basis was so -little alarming. - -Edgar, who was now just of age, was receiving the last cares of his -guardian, and taking into his own hands his fortune and affairs. He was -at Etherington, at present, only for that purpose, Beech Park being -already fitted up for his residence. - -Sir Hugh, desiring to speak with him, most cordially made his -invitation: 'Besides myself,' he cried, 'whom I only mention first, as -being master of the house, which I hope is my excuse for it, you will -meet three very good young girls, not to mention Dr. Orkborne and Miss -Margland, who are rather not of the youngest at present, whatever they -may have been in former times; and they will all, myself included, make -you as welcome as themselves.' - -Edgar accepted the proposal with pleasure, and agreed to wait upon him -the next day, Mr. Tyrold consenting that they should transact their -mutual business at Etherington, by morning rides. - -At dinner Sir Hugh told the family at Cleves the new guest they were so -soon to expect, assuring them he was become a very fine young gentleman, -and bidding Indiana, with a significant nod, hold up her head. - -Indiana wanted no charge upon this subject; she fully understood the -views of her uncle, and it was now some years since she had heard the -name of Beech Park without a smile or a blush. - -Upon the arrival of the young man, Sir Hugh summoned his household to -meet him in the hall, where he received him with an hearty welcome, and, -in the flutter of his spirits, introduced him to them all, as if this -had been his first appearance in the family; remarking, that a full week -of shyness might be saved, by making acquaintance with the whole set in -a clump. - -From eagerness irrepressible, he began with Indiana, apologising when he -had done, by saying it was only because she was oldest, having the -advantage of three weeks over Camilla: 'For which, however,' he added, -'I must beg pardon of Mrs. Margland and Dr. Orkborne, who, to be sure, -must be pretty much older.' - -He next presented him to Camilla; and then, taking him apart, begged, in -a whisper, that he would not seem to notice the ugliness of Eugenia, -which, he said, was never mentioned in her hearing, by his particular -order; 'though, to be sure,' he added, 'since that small-pox, she's -grown plain enough, in point of beauty, considering how pretty she was -before. However, she's a remarkable good girl, and with regard to Virgil -and those others will pose you in a second, for aught I know to the -contrary, being but an indifferent judge in things of that sort, from -leaving off my own studies rather short, on account of the gout; besides -some other reasons.' - -Edgar assured him these introductions were by no means necessary, a -single twelvemonth's absence being very insufficient to obliterate from -his memory his best and earliest friends. - -Edgar Mandlebert was a young man who, if possessed neither of fortune -nor its expectations, must from his person and his manners have been as -attractive to the young, as from his morals and his conduct to those of -riper years. His disposition was serious and meditative; but liberal, -open, and candid. He was observant of the errors of others, and watched -till he nearly eradicated his own. But though with difficulty he -bestowed admiration, he diffused, both in words and deeds, such general -amity and good will, that if the strictness of his character inspired -general respect, its virtues could no less fail engaging the kinder mede -of affection. When to merit of a species so rare were added a fine -estate and a large independent fortune, it is not easy to decide whether -in prosperity or desert he was most distinguished. - -The first week which he spent at Cleves, was passed with a gaiety as -unremitting as it was innocent. All parties felt his arrival as an -acquisition: Indiana thought the hour of public exhibition, long -promised by Miss Margland, at length fast approaching; Camilla, who -escaped all expectation for herself, from being informed of what was -entertained by her cousin, enjoyed the tranquil pleasure of undesigning -friendship, unchequered either by hope or fear; Eugenia met with a -respect for her acquirements that redoubled her ambition to increase -them; Sir Hugh looked forward with joy to the happy disposal of Indiana, -and a blameless riddance of Miss Margland; who, on her part, with an -almost boundless satisfaction, saw her near return to a town life, from -the high favour in which she stood with the supposed bride elect; even -Dr. Orkborne, though he disdained with so young a scholar to enter into -much philological disquisition, was gratified by a presence which -afforded a little relief to the stores of his burdened memory, from -authorizing some occasional utterance of the learned recollections, -which for many years had encumbered it without vent. Edgar, meanwhile, -obliging and obliged, received pleasure from them all; for though not -blind to any of their imperfections, they had not a merit which he -failed to discern. - -The second week opened with a plan which promised a scene more lively, -though it broke into the calm retirement of this peaceful party. Lionel, -who was now at Etherington, to spend his university vacation, rode over -to Cleves, to inform Edgar, that there would be a ball the next evening -at Northwick, at which the officers of the ---- regiment, which was -quartered in the neighbourhood, and all the beaux and belles of the -county, were expected to assemble. - -Miss Margland, who was present, struck with a desire that Indiana might -make her first public appearance in the county, at a ball where Edgar -might be her partner, went instantly to Sir Hugh to impart the idea. Sir -Hugh, though averse to all public places, consented to the plan, from -the hope of accelerating the affair; but declared, that if there was any -amusement, his little Camilla should not be left out. Eugenia, won by -the novelty of a first expedition of this sort, made her own request to -be included; Lionel undertook to procure tickets, and Miss Margland had -the welcome labour of arranging their dress, for which Sir Hugh, to -atone for the shortness of the time, gave her powers unlimited. - -Indiana was almost distracted with joy at this event. Miss Margland -assured her, that now was the moment for fixing her conquest of -Mandlebert, by adroitly displaying to him the admiration she could not -but excite, in the numerous strangers before whom she would appear; she -gave her various instructions how to set off her person to most -advantage, and she delighted Sir Hugh with assurances of what this -evening would effect: 'There is nothing, Sir,' said she, 'so conducive -towards a right understanding between persons of fashion, as a ball. A -gentleman may spend months and months in this drowsy way in the country, -and always think one day will do as well as another for his declaration; -but when he sees a young lady admired and noticed by others, he falls -naturally into making her the same compliments, and the affair goes into -a regular train, without his almost thinking of it.' - -Sir Hugh listened to this doctrine with every desire to give it credit; -and though the occupations of the toilette left him alone the whole of -the assembly day, he was as happy in the prospect of their diversion, as -they were themselves in its preparation. - -When the young ladies were ready, they repaired to the apartment of the -baronet, to shew themselves, and to take leave. Edgar and Lionel were -waiting to meet them upon the stairs. Indiana had never yet looked so -lovely; Camilla, with all her attractions, was eclipsed; and Eugenia -could only have served as a foil, even to those who had no pretensions -to beauty. - -Edgar, nevertheless, asked Camilla to dance with him; she willingly, -though not without wonder, consented. Lionel desired the hand of his -fair cousin; but Indiana, self-destined to Edgar, whose address to -Camilla, she had not heard, made him no answer, and ran on to present -herself to her uncle; who, struck with admiration as he beheld her, -cried, 'Indiana, my dear, you really look prettier than I could even -have guessed; and yet I always knew there was no fault to be found with -the outside; nor indeed with the inside neither, Mr. Mandlebert, so I -don't mean anything by that; only, by use, one is apt to put the outside -first.' - -Lionel was now hurrying them away, when Sir Hugh calling to Edgar, said: -'Pray, young Mr. Mandlebert, take as much care of her as possible; which -I am sure you will do of your own accord.' - -Edgar, with some surprise, answered, he should be happy to take whatever -care was in his power of all the ladies; 'but,' added he, 'for my own -particular charge to-night, I have engaged Miss Camilla.' - -'And how came you to do that? Don't you know I let them all go on -purpose for the sake of your dancing with Indiana, which I mean as a -particular favour?' - -'Sir,' replied Edgar, a little embarrassed, 'you are very good; but as -Lionel cannot dance with his sisters, he has engaged Miss Lynmere -himself.' - -'Pho, pho, what do you mind Lionel for? not but what he's a very good -lad; only I had rather have you and Indiana dance together, which I dare -say so had she.' - -Edgar, somewhat distressed, looked at Camilla: 'O, as to me,' cried she, -gaily, 'pray let me take my chance; if I should not dance at all, the -whole will be so new to me, that I am sure of entertainment.' - -'You are the best good girl, without the smallest exception,' said Sir -Hugh, 'that ever I have known in the world; and so you always were; by -which I mean nothing as to Indiana, who is just such another, except in -some points; and so here's her hand, young Mr. Mandlebert, and if you -think you shall meet a prettier partner at the ball, I beg when you get -her there, you will tell her so fairly, and give her up.' - -Edgar, who had hardly yet looked at her, was now himself struck with the -unusual resplendence of her beauty, and telling Camilla he saw she was -glad to be at liberty, protested he could not but rejoice to be spared a -decision for himself, where the choice would have been so difficult. - -'Well then, now go,' cried the delighted baronet; 'Lionel will find -himself a partner, I have no doubt, because he is nothing particular in -point of shyness; and as to Camilla, she'll want nothing but to hear the -fiddlers to be as merry as a grig, which what it is I never knew: so I -have no concern,' added he, in a low voice, to Edgar, 'except for little -Eugenia, and poor Mrs. Margland; for Eugenia being so plain, which is no -fault of her's, on account of the small-pox, many a person may overlook -her from that objection; and as to Mrs. Margland, being with all these -young chickens, I am afraid people will think her rather one of the -oldest for a dancing match; which I say in no disrespect, for oldness -gives one no choice.' - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_New Characters_ - - -The dancing was not yet begun, but the company was met, and the -sprightly violins were employed to quicken their motions, when the -Cleves party entered the ball room. They were distinguished immediately -by a large party of officers, who assured Lionel, with whom they were -acquainted, that they had impatiently been expected. - -'I shall recompense you for waiting,' answered he, in a whisper, 'by -introducing you to the rich heiress of Cleves, who now makes her first -appearance from the nursery; though no! upon farther thoughts, I will -only tell you she is one of our set, and leave it to your own ingenuity -to find her out.' - -While this was passing, Indiana, fluttering with all the secret triumph -of conscious beauty, attended by Edgar, and guarded by Miss Margland, -walked up the room, through a crowd of admiring spectators; in whom a -new figure, without half her loveliness, would have excited the same -curiosity, that her extreme inexperience attributed solely to her -peculiar charms. Camilla and Eugenia followed rather as if in her train, -than of her party; but Lionel kept entirely with the officers, insisting -upon their guessing which was the heiress; to whom, while he purposely -misled their conjectures, he urged them to make their court, by -enumerating the present possessions of Sir Hugh, and her future -expectations. - -Camilla, however, passed not long unnoticed, though the splendor of -Indiana's appearance cast her at first on the back ground; a -circumstance which, by impressing her with a sensation of inferiority, -divested her mind of all personal considerations, and gave to her air -and countenance a graceful simplicity, a disengaged openness, and a -guileless freedom from affectation, that rendered her, to the observant -eye, as captivating upon examination, as Indiana, from the first glance, -was brilliant and alluring. And thus, as they patrolled the room, -Indiana excited an unmixt admiration, Camilla awakened an endless -variety of remark; while each being seen for the first time, and every -one else of the company for at least the second, all attention was their -own, whether for criticism or for praise. To Indiana this answered, in -fulfilling her expectations; by Camilla, it was unheeded, for, not -awaiting, she did not perceive it; yet both felt equal satisfaction. The -eyes of Camilla sparkled with delight as she surveyed all around her the -gay novelty of the scene; the heart of Indiana beat with a pleasure -wholly new, as she discovered that all surrounding her regarded her as -the principal object. - -Eugenia, meanwhile, had not even the negative felicity to pass -unobserved; impertinent witticisms upon her face, person, and walk, -though not uttered so audibly as to be distinctly heard, ran round the -room in a confused murmur, and produced a disposition for sneering in -the satirical, and for tittering in the giddy, that made her as valuable -an acquisition to the company at large, who collect for any amusement, -indifferent to its nature, as her fair cousin proved to the admirers of -beauty, and her sister to the developers of expression. She was -shielded, however, herself, from all undeserved mortifications, by not -suspecting any were meant for her, and by a mind delightedly -pre-occupied with that sudden expansion of ideas, with which new scenery -and new objects charm a youthful imagination. - -When they had taken two or three turns up and down the room, the -saunterers were called upon to give place to the dancers. Edgar then led -out Indiana, and the master of the ceremonies brought Major Cerwood to -Camilla. - -Eugenia, wholly left out, became the exclusive charge of Miss Margland; -she felt no resentment of neglect, for she had formed no species of -expectation. She looked on with perfect contentment, and the motley and -quick changing group afforded her ample entertainment. - -Miss Margland was not so passive; she seized the opportunity of -inveighing very angrily against the mismanagement of Sir Hugh: 'If you -had all,' she cried, 'been taken to town, and properly brought out, -according to my advice, such a disgrace as this could never have -happened; everybody would have known who you were, and then, there is no -doubt, you might have had partners enough; however, I heartily hope you -won't be asked to dance all the evening, that he may be convinced who -was in the right; besides, the more you are tired, the more you may see, -against another time, Miss Eugenia, that it is better to listen a little -to people's opinions, when they speak only for your own advantage, than -to go on with just the same indifference, as if you had no proper person -to consult with.' - -Eugenia was too well amused to heed this remonstrance; and long -accustomed to hear the voice of Miss Margland without profit or -pleasure, her ear received its sound, but her attention included not its -purpose. - -Indiana and Camilla, in this public essay, acquitted themselves with all -the merits, and all the faults common to a first exhibition. The -spectators upon such occasions, though never equally observant, are -never afterwards so lenient. Whatever fails is attributed to modesty, -more winning than the utmost success of excellence. Timidity solicits -that mercy which pride is most gratified to grant; the blushes of -juvenile shame atone for the deficiencies which cause them; and -awkwardness itself, in the unfounded terrors of youth, is perhaps more -interesting than grace. - -Indiana could with difficulty keep to the figure of the dance, from the -exulting, yet unpractised certainty of attracting all eyes; and Camilla -perpetually turned wrong, from the mere flutter of fear, which made her -expect she should never turn right. Major Cerwood, her partner, with a -view to encourage her, was profuse in his compliments; but, as new to -what she heard as what she performed, she was only the more confused by -the double claim to her attention. - -Edgar, meanwhile, was most assiduous to aid his fair partner. Miss -Margland, though scarcely even superficial in general knowledge, was -conversant in the practical detail of the hackneyed mode of forming -matrimonial engagements; she judged, therefore, rightly, that her pupil -would be seen to most advantage, in the distinction of that adulation by -which new beholders would stamp new value on her charms. From the time -of his first boyish gallantry, on the ill-fated birth-day of Camilla, -Indiana had never so much struck young Mandlebert, as while he attended -her up the assembly-room. Miss Margland observed this with triumph, and -prophesied the speediest conclusion to her long and weary sojourn at -Cleves, in the much wished-for journey to London, with a bride ready -made, and an establishment ready formed. - -When the two first dances were over, the gentlemen were desired to -change partners. Major Cerwood asked the hand of Indiana, and Edgar -repaired to Camilla: 'Do you bear malice?' he cried, with a smile, 'or -may I now make the claim that Sir Hugh relinquished for me?' - -'O yes,' answered she, with alacrity, when informed of the plan of -change; 'and I wish there was any body else, that would dance with me -afterwards, instead of that Major.' - -'I dare believe,' said he, laughing 'there are many bodies else, who -would oblige you, if your declaration were heard. But what has the Major -done to you? Has he admired you without knowing how to keep is own -counsel?' - -'No, no; only he has treated me like a country simpleton, and made me as -many fine speeches, as if he had been talking to Indiana.' - -'You think, then, Indiana would have swallowed flattery with less -difficulty?' - -'No, indeed! but I think the same things said to her would no longer -have been so extravagant.' - -Edgar, to whom the sun-beams of the mind gave a glow which not all the -sparkling rays of the brightest eyes could emit, respected her modesty -too highly to combat it, and, dropping the subject, enquired what was -become of Eugenia. - -'O poor Eugenia!' cried she, 'I see nothing of her, and I am very much -afraid she has had no better partner all this time than Miss Margland.' - -Edgar, turning round, presently discerned her; she was still looking on, -with an air of the most perfect composure, examining the various -parties, totally without suspicion of the examination she was herself -sustaining; while Miss Margland was vainly pouring in her ears -observations, or exhortations, evidently of a complaining nature. - -'There is something truly respectable,' said Edgar, 'in the innate -philosophy with which she bears such neglect.' - -'Yet I wish it were put less to the proof;' said Camilla. 'I would give -the world somebody would take her out!' - -'You don't think she would dance?' - -'O yes she would! her lameness is no impediment; for she never thinks of -it. We all learnt together at Cleves. Dancing gives her a little more -exertion, and therefore a little more fatigue than other people, but -that is all.' - -'After these two dances then--' - -'Will you be her partner?' interrupted Camilla, 'O go to her at once! -immediately! and you will give me twenty times more pleasure than I can -have in dancing myself.' - -She then flew to a form, and eagerly seated herself where she perceived -the first vacancy, to stop any debate, and enforce his consent. - -The dance, which had been delayed by a dispute about the tune, was now -beginning. Edgar, looking after her with affected reproach, but real -admiration, asked the hand of Eugenia; who gave it with readiness and -pleasure; for, though contented as a spectatress, she experienced an -agreeable surprise in becoming a party engaged. - -Camilla, happy in her own good humour, now looked at her neighbours; one -of which was an elderly lady, who, wholly employed in examining and -admiring the performance of her own daughters, saw nothing else in the -room. The other was a gentleman, much distinguished by his figure and -appearance, and dressed so completely in the extreme of fashion, as more -than to border upon foppery. The ease and negligence of his air denoted -a self-settled superiority to all about him; yet, from time to time, -there was an archness in the glance of his eye, that promised, under a -deep and wilful veil of conceit and affectation, a secret disposition to -deride the very follies he was practising. He was now lounging against -the wainscoat; with one hand on his side, and the other upon his -eye-lids, occupying the space, without using the seat, to the left of -Camilla. - -Miss Margland, perceiving what she regarded as a fair vacancy, made up -to the spot, and saying, 'Sir, by your leave,' was preparing to take -possession of the place, when the gentleman, as if without seeing her, -dropt suddenly into it himself, and, pouring a profusion of _eau suave_ -upon his handkerchief, exclaimed: 'What a vastly bad room this is for -dancing!' - -Camilla, concluding herself addressed, turned round to him; but, seeing -he was sniffing up the _eau suave_, without looking at her, imagined he -meant to speak to Miss Margland. - -Miss Margland was of the same opinion, and, with some pique at his -seizing thus her intended seat, rather sharply answered: 'Yes, sir, and -it's a vast bad room for _not_ dancing; for if every body would dance -that ought, there would be accommodation sufficient for other people.' - -'Incomparably well observed!' cried he, collecting some bonbons from a -bonboniere, and swallowing one after another with great rapidity: 'But -won't you sit down? You must be enormously tired. Let me supplicate you -to sit down.' - -Miss Margland, supposing he meant to make amends for his inattention, by -delivering up the place, civilly thanked him, and said she should not be -sorry, for she had stood a good while. - -'Have you, indeed?' cried he, sprinkling some jessamine drops upon his -hands; 'how horribly abominable? Why don't some of those Mercuries, -those Ganymedes, those waiters, I believe you call them, get you a -chair?' - -Miss Margland, excessively affronted, turned her back to him; and -Camilla made an offer of her own seat; but, as she had been dancing, and -would probably dance again, Miss Margland would not let her rise. - -'Shall I call to one of those Barbarians, those Goths, those Vandals?' -cried the same gentleman, who now was spirting lavender water all about -him, with grimaces that proclaimed forcibly his opinion of the want of -perfume in the room: 'Do pray let me harangue them a little for you upon -their inordinate want of sensibility.' - -Miss Margland deigned not any answer; but of that he took no notice, and -presently called out, though without raising his voice, 'Here, Mr. -Waiter! Purveyor, Surveyor, or whatsoever other title "_please thine -ear_," art thou deaf? why dost not bring this lady a chair? Those people -are most amazing hard of hearing! Shall I call again? Waiter, I say!' -still speaking rather lower than louder; 'Don't I stun you by this -shocking vociferation?' - -'Sir, you're vastly--obliging!' cried Miss Margland, unable longer to -hold silence, yet with a look and manner that would much better have -accorded with vastly--_impertinent_. - -She then pursued a waiter herself, and procured a chair. - -Casting his eyes next upon Camilla, he examined her with much attention. -Abashed, she turned away her head; but not choosing to lose his object, -he called it back again, by familiarly saying, 'How is Sir Hugh?' - -A good deal surprised, she exclaimed, 'Do you know my uncle, sir?' - -'Not in the least, ma'am,' he coolly answered. - -Camilla, much wondering, was then forced into conversation with Miss -Margland: but, without paying any regard to her surprise, he presently -said, 'It's most extremely worth your while to take a glance at that -inimitably good figure. Is it not exquisite? Can you suppose any thing -beyond it?' - -Camilla, looking at the person to whom he pointed, and who was -sufficiently ludicrous, from an air of vulgar solemnity, and a dress -stiffly new, though completely old-fashioned, felt disposed to join in -his laugh, had she not been disconcerted by the mingled liberty and -oddity of his attack. - -'Sir,' said Miss Margland, winking at her to be silent, though eager to -answer in her stead, 'the mixt company one always meets at these public -balls, makes them very unfit for ladies of fashion, for there's no -knowing who one may either dance with or speak to.' - -'Vastly true, ma'am,' cried he, superciliously dropping his eyes, not to -look at her. - -Miss Margland, perceiving this, bridled resentfully, and again talked on -with Camilla; till another exclamation interrupted them. 'O pray,' cried -he, 'I do entreat you look at that group! Is it not past compare? If -ever you held a pencil in your life, I beg and beseech you to take a -memorandum of that tall may-pole. Have you ever seen any thing so -excessively delectable?' - -Camilla could not forbear smiling; but Miss Margland, taking all reply -upon herself, said: 'Caricatures, sir, are by no means pleasing for -young ladies to be taking, at their first coming out: one does not know -who may be next, if once they get into that habit!' - -'Immeasurably well spoken, ma'am,' returned he; and, rising with a look -of disgust, he sauntered to another part of the room. - -Miss Margland, extremely provoked, said she was sure he was some Irish -fortune-hunter, dressed out in all he was worth; and charged Camilla to -take no manner of notice of him. - -When the two second dances were over, Edgar, conducting Eugenia to Miss -Margland, said to Camilla: 'Now, at least, if there is not a spell -against it, will you dance with me?' - -'And if there is one, too,' cried she, gaily; 'for I am perfectly -disposed to help breaking it.' - -She rose, and they were again going to take their places, when Miss -Margland, reproachfully calling after Edgar, demanded what he had done -with Miss Lynmere? - -At the same moment, led by Major Cerwood, who was paying her in full all -the arrears of that gallantry Miss Margland had taught her to regret -hitherto missing, Indiana joined them; the Major, in making his bow, -lamenting the rules of the assembly, that compelled him to relinquish -her hand. - -'Mr. Mandlebert,' said Miss Margland, 'you see Miss Lynmere is again -disengaged.' - -'Yes, ma'am,' answered Edgar, drawing Camilla away; 'and every gentleman -in the room will be happy to see it too.' - -'Stop, Miss Camilla!' cried Miss Margland; 'I thought, Mr. Mandlebert, -Sir Hugh had put Miss Lynmere under your protection?' - -'O it does not signify!' said Indiana, colouring high with a new raised -sense of importance; 'I don't at all doubt but one or other of the -officers will take care of me.' - -Edgar, though somewhat disconcerted, would still have proceeded; but -Camilla, alarmed by the frowns of Miss Margland, begged him to lead out -her cousin, and, promising to be in readiness for the next two dances, -glided back to her seat. He upbraided her in vain; Miss Margland looked -pleased, and Indiana was so much piqued, that he found it necessary to -direct all his attention to appeasing her, as he led her to join the -dance. - -A gentleman now, eminently distinguished by personal beauty, approached -the ladies that remained, and, in the most respectful manner, began -conversing with Miss Margland; who received his attentions so -gratefully, that, when he told her he only waited to see the master of -the ceremonies at leisure, in order to have the honour of begging the -hand of one of her young ladies, his civilities so conquered all her -pride of etiquette, that she assured him there was no sort of occasion -for such a formality, with a person of his appearance and manners; and -was bidding Camilla rise, who was innocently preparing to obey, when, to -the surprise of them all, he addressed himself to Eugenia. - -'There!' cried Miss Margland, exultingly, when they were gone; 'that -gentleman is completely a gentleman. I saw it from the beginning. How -different to that impertinent fop that spoke to us just now! He has the -politeness to take out Miss Eugenia, because he sees plainly nobody else -will think of it, except just Mr. Mandlebert, or some such old -acquaintance.' - -Major Cerwood was now advancing towards Camilla, with that species of -smiling and bowing manner, which is the usual precursor of an invitation -to a fair partner; when the gentleman whom Miss Margland had just called -an impertinent fop, with a sudden swing, not to be eluded, cast himself -between the Major and Camilla, as if he had not observed his approach; -and spoke to her in a voice so low, that, though she concluded he asked -her to dance, she could not distinctly hear a word he said. - -A good deal confused, she looked at him for an explanation; while the -Major, from her air of attention, supposing himself too late, retreated. - -Her new beau then, carelessly seating himself by her side, indolently -said: 'What a heat! I have not the most distant idea how you can bear -it!' - -Camilla found it impossible to keep her countenance at such a result of -a whisper, though she complied with the injunctions of Miss Margland, in -avoiding mutual discourse with a stranger of so showy an appearance. - -'Yet they are dancing on,' he continued, 'just as if the Greenland snows -were inviting their exercise! I should really like to find out what -those people are made of. Can you possibly imagine their composition?' - -Heedless of receiving no answer, he soon after added: 'I am vastly glad -you don't like dancing.' - -'Me?' cried Camilla, surprised out of her caution. - -'Yes; you hold it in antipathy, don't you?' - -'No, indeed! far from it.' - -'Don't you really?' cried he, starting back; 'that's amazingly -extraordinary! surprising in the extreme! Will you have the goodness to -tell me what you like in it?' - -'Sir,' interfered Miss Margland, 'there's nothing but what's very -natural in a young lady's taking pleasure in an elegant accomplishment; -provided she is secure from any improper partner, or company.' - -'Irrefragably just, ma'am!' answered he; affecting to take a pinch of -snuff, and turning his head another way. - -Here Lionel, hastily running up to Camilla, whispered, 'I have made a -fine confusion among the red-coats about the heiress of Cleves! I have -put them all upon different scents.' - -He was then going back, when a faint laugh from the neighbour of Camilla -detained him; 'Look, I adjure you,' cried he, addressing her, 'if -there's not that delightful creature again, with his bran-new clothes? -and they sit upon him so tight, he can't turn round his vastly droll -figure, except like a puppet with one jerk for the whole body. He is -really an immense treat: I should like of all things in nature, to know -who he can be.' - -A waiter then passing with a glass of water for a lady, he stopt him in -his way, exclaiming: 'Pray, my extremely good friend, can you tell me -who that agreeable person is, that stands there, with the air of a -poker?' - -'Yes, sir,' answered the man; 'I know him very well. His name is -Dubster. He's quite a gentleman to my knowledge, and has very good -fortunes.' - -'Camilla,' cried Lionel, 'will you have him for a partner?' And, -immediately hastening up to him, he said two or three words in a low -voice, and skipped back to the dance. - -Mr. Dubster then walked up to her, and, with an air conspicuously -aukward, solemnly said, 'So you want to dance, ma'am?' - -Convinced he had been sent to her by Lionel, but by no means chusing to -display herself with a figure distinguished only as a mark for ridicule; -she looked down to conceal her ever-ready smiles, and said she had been -dancing some time. - -'But if you like to dance again, ma'am,' said he, 'I am very ready to -oblige you.' - -She now saw that this offer had been requested as a favour; and, while -half provoked, half diverted, grew embarrassed how to get rid of him, -without involving a necessity to refuse afterwards Edgar, and every -other; for Miss Margland had informed her of the general rules upon -these occasions. She looked, therefore, at that lady for counsel; while -her neighbour, sticking his hands in his sides, surveyed him from head -to foot, with an expression of such undisguised amusement, that Mr. -Dubster, who could not help observing it, cast towards him, from time to -time, a look of the most angry surprise. - -Miss Margland approving, as well understanding the appeal, now -authoritatively interfered, saying: 'Sir, I suppose you know the -etiquette in public places?' - -'The what, ma'am?' cried he, staring. - -'You know, I suppose, sir, that no young lady of any consideration -dances with a gentleman that is a stranger to her, without he's brought -to her by the master of the ceremonies?' - -'O as to that, ma'am, I have no objection. I'll go see for him, if -you've a mind. It makes no difference to me.' - -And away he went. - -'So you really intend dancing with him?' cried Camilla's neighbour. -''Twill be a vastly good sight. I have not the most remote conception -how he will bear the pulling and jostling about. Bend he cannot; but I -am immensely afraid he will break. I would give fifty guineas for his -portrait. He is indubitably put together without joints.' - -Mr. Dubster now returned, and, with a look of some disturbance, said to -Miss Margland: 'Ma'am, I don't know which is the master of the -ceremonies. I can't find him out; for I don't know as ever I see him.' - -'O pray,' cried Camilla eagerly, 'do not take the trouble of looking for -him; 'twill answer no purpose.' - -'Why I think so too, ma'am,' said he, misunderstanding her; 'for as I -don't know the gentleman myself, he could go no great way towards making -us better acquainted with one another: so we may just as well take our -skip at once.' - -Camilla now looked extremely foolish; and Miss Margland was again -preparing an obstacle, when Mr. Dubster started one himself. 'The worst -is,' cried he, 'I have lost one of my gloves, and I am sure I had two -when I came. I suppose I may have dropt it in the other room. If you -shan't mind it, I'll dance without it; for I don't mind those things -myself of a straw.' - -'O! sir,' cried Miss Margland, 'that's such a thing as never was heard -of. I can't possibly consent to let Miss Camilla dance in such a manner -as that.' - -'Why then, if you like it better, ma'am, I'll go back and look for it.' - -Again Camilla would have declined giving him any trouble; but he seemed -persuaded it was only from shyness, and would not listen. 'Though the -worst is,' he said, 'you're losing so much time. However, I'll give a -good hunt; unless, indeed, that gentleman, who is doing nothing himself, -except looking on at us all, would be kind enough to lend me his.' - -'I rather fancy, sir,' cried the gentleman, immediately recovering from -a laughing fit, and surveying the requester with supercilious contempt; -'I rather suspect they would not perfectly fit you.' - -'Why then,' cried he, 'I think I'll go and ask Tom Hicks to lend me a -pair; for it's a pity to let the young lady lose her dance for such a -small trifle as that.' - -Camilla began remonstrating; but he tranquilly walked away. - -'You are superlatively in the good graces of fortune to-night,' cried -her new friend, 'superlatively to a degree: you may not meet with such -an invaluably uncommon object in twenty lustres.' - -'Certainly,' said Miss Margland, 'there's a great want of regulation at -balls, to prevent low people from asking who they will to dance with -them. It's bad enough one can't keep people one knows nothing of from -speaking to one.' - -'Admirably hit off! admirable in the extreme!' he answered; suddenly -twisting himself round, and beginning a whispering conversation with a -gentleman on his other side. - -Mr. Dubster soon came again, saying, somewhat dolorously, 'I have looked -high and low for my glove, but I am no nearer. I dare say somebody has -picked it up, out of a joke, and put it in their pocket. And as to Tom -Hicks, where he can be hid, I can't tell, unless he has hanged himself; -for I can't find him no more than my glove. However, I've got a boy to -go and get me a pair; if all the shops a'n't shut up.' - -Camilla, fearing to be involved in a necessity of dancing with him, -expressed herself very sorry for this step; but, again misconceiving her -motive, he begged her not to mind it; saying, 'A pair of gloves here or -there is no great matter. All I am concerned for is, putting you off so -long from having a little pleasure, for I dare say the boy won't come -till the next two batches; so if that gentleman that looks so -particular at me, has a mind to jig it with you a bit himself, in the -interim, I won't be his hindrance.' - -Receiving no answer, he bent his head lower down, and said, in a louder -voice, 'Pray, sir, did you hear me?' - -'Sir, you are ineffably good!' was the reply; without a look, or any -further notice. - -Much affronted, he said no more, but stood pouting and stiff before -Camilla, till the second dance was over, and another general separation -of partners took place. 'I thought how it would be, ma'am,' he then -cried; 'for I know it's no such easy matter to find shops open at this -time of night; for if people's 'prentices can't take a little pleasure -by now, they can't never.' - -Tea being at this time ordered, the whole party collected to remove to -the next room. Lionel, seeing Mr. Dubster standing by Camilla, with a -rapturous laugh, cried, 'Well, sister, have you been dancing?' - -Camilla, though laughing too, reproachfully shook her head at him; while -Mr. Dubster gravely said, 'It's no fault of mine, sir, that the lady's -sitting still; for I come and offered myself to her the moment you told -me she wanted a partner; but I happened of the misfortune of losing one -of my gloves, and not being able to find Tom Hicks, I've been waiting -all this while for a boy as has promised to get me a pair; though, I -suppose he's fell down in the dark and broke his skull, by his not -coming. And, indeed, if that elderly lady had not been so particular, I -might as well have done without; for, if I had one on, nobody would have -been the wiser but that t'other might have been in my pocket.' - -This speech, spoken without any ceremony in the hearing of Miss -Margland, to the visible and undisguised delight of Lionel, so much -enraged her, that, hastily calling him aside, she peremptorily demanded -how he came to bring such a vulgar partner to his sister? - -'Because you took no care to get her a better,' he answered, heedlessly. - -Camilla also began to remonstrate; but, without hearing her, he -courteously addressed himself to Mr. Dubster, and told him he was sure -Miss Margland and his sister would expect the pleasure of his company to -join their party at tea. - -Miss Margland frowned in vain; Mr. Dubster bowed, as at a compliment but -his due; observing he should then be close at hand for his partner; and -they were proceeding to the tea-room, when the finer new acquaintance of -Camilla called after Mr. Dubster: 'Pray, my good sir, who may this -Signor Thomaso be, that has the honour to stand so high in your good -graces?' - -'Mine, sir?' cried Mr. Dubster; 'I know no Signor Thomaso, nor Signor -nothing else neither: so I don't know what you mean.' - -'Did not I hear you dilating, my very good sir, upon a certain Mr. Tom -somebody?' - -'What, I suppose then, sir, if the truth be known, you would say Tom -Hicks?' - -'Very probably, sir: though I am not of the first accuracy as the -gentleman's nomenclator.' - -'What? don't you know him, sir? why he's the head waiter!' - -Then, following the rest of the party, he was placed, by the assistance -of Lionel, next to Camilla, in utter defiance of all the angry glances -of Miss Margland, who herself invited the handsome partner of Eugenia to -join their group, and reaped some consolation in his willing civilities; -till the attention of the whole assembly was called, or rather commanded -by a new object. - -A lady, not young, but still handsome, with an air of fashion easy -almost to insolence, with a complete but becoming undress, with a -work-bag hanging on her arm, whence she was carelessly knotting, entered -the ball-room alone, and, walking straight through it to the large -folding glass doors of the tea-room, there stopt, and took a general -survey of the company, with a look that announced a decided superiority -to all she saw, and a perfect indifference to what opinion she incurred -in return. - -She was immediately joined by all the officers, and several other -gentlemen, whose eagerness to shew themselves of her acquaintance marked -her for a woman of some consequence; though she took little other notice -of them, than that of giving to each some frivolous commission; telling -one to hold her work-bag; bidding another fetch her a chair; a third, -ask for a glass of water; and a fourth, take care of her cloak. She then -planted herself just without the folding-doors, declaring there could be -no breathing in the smaller apartment, and sent about the gentlemen for -various refreshments; all which she rejected when they arrived, with -extreme contempt, and a thousand fantastic grimaces. - -The tea-table at which Miss Margland presided being nearest to these -folding-doors, she and her party heard, from time to time, most of what -was said, especially by the newly arrived lady; who, though she now and -then spoke for several minutes in a laughing whisper, to some one she -called to her side, uttered most of her remarks, and all her commands -quite aloud, with that sort of deliberate ease which belongs to the most -determined negligence of who heard, or who escaped hearing her, who were -pleased, or who were offended. - -Camilla and Eugenia were soon wholly engrossed by this new personage; -and Lionel, seeing her surrounded by the most fashionable men of the -assembly, forgot Mr. Dubster and his gloves, in an eagerness to be -introduced to her. - -Colonel Andover, to whom he applied, willingly gratified him: 'Give me -leave, Mrs. Arlbery,' cried he, to the lady, who was then conversing -with General Kinsale, 'to present to you Mr. Tyrold.' - -'For Heaven's sake don't speak to me just now,' cried she; 'the General -is telling me the most interesting thing in the world. Go on, dear -General!' - -Lionel, who, if guided by his own natural judgment, would have conceived -this to be the height of ill-breeding or of ignorance, no sooner saw -Colonel Andover bow in smiling submission to her orders, than he -concluded himself all in the dark with respect to the last licences of -fashion: and, while contentedly he waited her leisure for his reception, -he ran over in his own mind the triumph with which he should carry to -Oxford the newest flourish of the _bon ton_. - -In a few minutes, after gaily laughing with the General, she turned -suddenly to Colonel Andover, and, striking him on the arm with her fan, -exclaimed: 'Well, now, Colonel, what is it you would say?' - -'Mr. Tyrold,' he answered, 'is very ambitious of the honour of being -introduced to you.' - -'With all my heart. Which is he?' And then, nodding to Lionel's bow, -'You live, I think,' she added, 'in this neighbourhood? By the way, -Colonel, how came you never to bring Mr. Tyrold to me before? Mr. -Tyrold, I flatter myself you intend to take this very ill.' - -Lionel was beginning to express his sense of the loss he had suffered by -the delay, when, again, patting the Colonel, 'Only look, I beg you,' she -cried, 'at that insupportable Sir Sedley Clarendel! how he sits at his -ease there! amusing his ridiculous fancy with every creature he sees. -Yet what an elegant posture the animal has found out! I make no doubt he -would as soon forfeit his estate as give up that attitude. I must make -him come to me immediately for that very reason;--do go to him, good -Andover, and say I want him directly.' - -The Colonel obeyed; but not so the gentleman he addressed, who was the -new acquaintance of Camilla. He only bowed to the message, and, kissing -his hand across the room to the lady, desired the Colonel to tell her he -was ineffably tired; but would incontestably have the honour to throw -himself at her feet the next morning. - -'O, intolerable!' cried she, 'he grows more conceited every hour. Yet -what an agreeable wretch it is! There's nothing like him. I cannot -possibly do without him. Andover, tell him if he does not come this -moment he kills me.' - -'And is that a message,' said General Kinsale, 'to cure him of being -conceited?' - -'O, Heaven forbid, my good General, I should cure him! That would -utterly spoil him. His conceit is precisely what enchants me. Rob him of -that, and you lose all hold of him.' - -'Is it then necessary to keep him a fop, in order to retain him in your -chains?' - -'O, he is not in my chains, I promise you. A fop, my dear General, wears -no chains but his own. However, I like to have him, because he is so -hard to be got; and I am fond of conversing with him, because he is so -ridiculous. Fetch him, therefore, Colonel, without delay.' - -This second embassy prevailed; he shrugged his shoulders, but arose to -follow the Colonel. - -'See, madam, your victory!' said the General. 'What would not a military -man give for such talents of command?' - -'Ay, but look with what magnificent tardiness he obeys orders! There is -something quite irresistible in his impertinence; 'tis so conscious and -so piquant. I think, General, 'tis a little like my own.' - -Sir Sedley now advancing, seized the back of a chair, which he twirled -round for a resting place to his elbow, and exclaimed, 'You know -yourself invincible!' with an air that shewed him languidly prepared for -her reproaches: but, to his own surprise, and that of all around him, -she only, with a smile and a nod, cried, 'How do do?' and immediately -turning wholly away from him, addressed herself to Colonel Andover, -desiring him to give her the history of who was in the tea-room. - -At this time a young Ensign, who had been engaged at a late dinner in -the neighbourhood, stroamed into the ballroom, with the most visible -marks of his unfitness for appearing in it; and, in total ignorance of -his own condition, went up to Colonel Andover, and, clapping him upon -the back, called out, with a loud oath, 'Colonel, I hope you have taken -care to secure to me the prettiest little young angel in the room? You -know with what sincerity I despise an old hag.' - -The Colonel, with some concern, advised him to retire; but, insensible -to his counsel, he uttered oath upon oath, and added, 'I'm not to be -played upon, Colonel. Beauty in a pretty girl is as necessary an -ingredient, as honour in a brave soldier; and I could find in my heart -to sink down to the bottom of the Channel every fellow without one, and -every dear creature without the other.' - -Then, in defiance of all remonstrance, he staggered into the tea-room; -and, after a short survey, stopt opposite to Indiana, and, swearing -aloud she was the handsomest angel he had ever beheld, begged her hand -without further ceremony; assuring her he had broken up the best party -that had yet been made for him in the county, merely for the joy of -dancing with her. - -Indiana, to whom not the smallest doubt of the truth of this assertion -occurred; and who, not suspecting he was intoxicated, thought his manner -the most spirited and gallant she had ever seen, was readily accepting -his offer; when Edgar, who saw her danger, started up, and exclaimed: -'This lady, sir, is engaged to dance the next two dances with me.' - -'The lady did not tell me so, sir!' cried the Ensign, firing. - -'Miss Lynmere,' replied Edgar, coolly, 'will pardon me, that on this -occasion, my memory has an interest to be better than her's. I believe -it is time for us to take our places.' - -He then whispered a brief excuse to Camilla, and hurried Indiana to the -ballroom. - -The Ensign, who knew not that she had danced with him the last time, was -obliged to submit; while Indiana, not conjecturing the motive that now -impelled Edgar, was in a yet brighter blaze of beauty, from an -exhilarating notion that there was a contest for the honour of her -hand. - -Camilla, once more disappointed of Edgar, had now no resource against -Mr. Dubster, but the non-arrival of the gloves; for he had talked so -publicly of waiting for them to dance with her, that every one regarded -her as engaged. - -No new proposition being made for Eugenia, Miss Margland permitted her -again to be led out by the handsome stranger. - -When she was gone, Mr. Dubster, who kept constantly close to Camilla, -said: 'They tell me, ma'am, that ugly little body's a great fortune.' - -Camilla very innocently asked who he meant. - -'Why that little lame thing, that was here drinking tea with you. Tom -Hicks says she'll have a power of money.' - -Camilla, whose sister was deservedly dear to her, looked much -displeased; but Mr. Dubster, not perceiving it, continued: 'He -recommended it to me to dance with her myself, from the first, upon that -account. But I says to him, says I, I had no notion that a person, who -had such a hobble in their gait, would think of such a thing as going to -dancing. But there I was out, for as to the women, asking your pardon, -ma'am, there's nothing will put 'em off from their pleasure. But, -however, for my part, I had no thought of dancing at all, if it had not -been for that young gentleman's asking me; for I'm not over fond of such -jiggets, as they've no great use in 'em; only I happened to be this way, -upon a little matter of business, so I thought I might as well come and -see the hop, as Tom Hicks could contrive to get me a ticket.' - -This was the sort of discourse with which Camilla was regaled till the -two dances were over; and then, begging her to sit still till he came -back, he quitted her, to see what he could do about his gloves. - -Edgar, when he returned with Indiana, addressed himself privately to -Miss Margland, whom he advised to take the young ladies immediately -home; as it would not be possible for him, a second time, to break -through the rules of the assembly, and Indiana must, therefore, -inevitably accept the young Ensign, who already was following and -claiming her, and whose condition was obviously improper for the society -of ladies. - -Miss Margland, extremely pleased with him, for thus protecting her -pupil, instantly agreed; and, collecting her three young charges, -hastened them down stairs; though the young Ensign, inflamed with angry -disappointment, uttered the most bitter lamentations at their sudden -departure; and though Mr. Dubster, pursuing them to the coach door, -called out to Camilla, in a tone of pique and vexation, 'Why, what are -you going for now, ma'am, when I have just got a new pair of gloves, -that I have bought o' purpose?' - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_A Family Breakfast_ - - -In their way home, Edgar apologised to Camilla for again foregoing the -promised pleasure of dancing with her, by explaining the situation of -the Ensign. - -Camilla, internally persuaded that any reason would suffice for such an -arrangement, where Indiana was its object, scarce listened to an excuse -which she considered as unnecessary. - -Indiana was eager to view in the glass how her dress and ornaments had -borne the shaking of the dance, and curiously impatient to look anew at -a face and a figure of which no self-vanity, nor even the adulation of -Miss Margland, had taught her a consciousness, such as she had acquired -from the adventures of this night. She hastened, therefore, to her -apartment as soon as she arrived at Cleves, and there indulged in an -examination which forbade all surprise, and commanded equal justice for -the admirers and the admired. - -Miss Margland, anxious to make her own report to Sir Hugh, accompanied -Camilla and Eugenia to his room, where he was still sitting up for them. - -She expatiated upon the behaviour of young Mandlebert, in terms that -filled the baronet with satisfaction. She exulted in the success of her -own measures; and, sinking the circumstance of the intended impartiality -of Edgar, enlarged upon his dancing, out of his turn, with Indiana, as -at an event which manifested his serious designs beyond all possibility -of mistake. - -Sir Hugh, in the fulness of his content, promised that when the wedding -day arrived, they should all have as fine new gowns as the bride -herself. - -The next morning, not considering that every one else would require -unusual repose, he got up before his customary hour, from an involuntary -hope of accelerating his favourite project; but he had long the -breakfast parlour to himself, and became so fatigued and discomfited by -fasting and waiting, that when Indiana, who appeared last, but for whom -he insisted upon staying, entered the room, he said: 'My dear, I could -really find a pleasure in giving you a little scold, if it were not for -setting a bad example, which God forbid! And, indeed, it's not so much -your fault as the ball's, to which I can never be a sincere friend, -unless it be just to answer some particular purpose.' - -Miss Margland defended her pupil, and called upon Mandlebert for -assistance, which he readily gave. Sir Hugh then was not merely appeased -but gratified, and declared, the next moment, with a marked smile at -Indiana, that his breakfast [he] had not relished so well for a -twelvemonth, owing to the advantage of not beginning till he had got an -appetite. - -Soon after, Lionel, galloping across the park, hastily dismounted, and -scampered into the parlour. - -The zealot for every species of sport, the candidate for every order of -whim, was the light-hearted mirthful Lionel. A stranger to reflection, -and incapable of care, laughter seemed not merely the bent of his -humour, but the necessity of his existence: he pursued it at all -seasons, he indulged it upon all occasions. With excellent natural -parts, he trifled away all improvement; without any ill temper, he -spared no one's feelings. Yet, though not radically vicious, nor -deliberately malevolent, the egotism which urged him to make his own -amusement his first pursuit, sacrificed his best friends and first -duties, if they stood in its way. - -'Come, my little girls, come!' cried he, as he entered the room; 'get -your hats and cloaks as fast as possible; there is a public breakfast at -Northwick, and you are all expected without delay.' - -This sudden invitation occasioned a general commotion. Indiana gave an -involuntary jump; Camilla and Eugenia looked delighted; and Miss -Margland seemed ready to second the proposition; but Sir Hugh, with some -surprise, exclaimed: 'A public breakfast, my dear boy! why where's the -need of that, when we have got so good a private one?' - -'O, let us go! let us go, uncle!' cried Indiana. 'Miss Margland, do pray -speak to my uncle to let us go!' - -'Indeed, sir,' said Miss Margland, 'it is time now, in all conscience, -for the young ladies to see a little more of the world, and that it -should be known who they are. I am sure they have been immured long -enough, and I only wish you had been at the ball last night, sir, -yourself!' - -'Me, Mrs. Margland! Lord help me! what should I do at such a thing as -that, with all this gout in my hip?' - -'You would have seen, sir, the fine effects of keeping the young ladies -out of society in this manner. Miss Camilla, if I had not prevented it, -would have danced with I don't know who; and as to Miss Eugenia, she was -as near as possible to not dancing at all, owing to nobody's knowing who -she was.' - -Sir Hugh had no time to reply to this attack, from the urgency of -Indiana, and the impetuosity of Lionel, who, applying to Camilla, said: -'Come, child, ask my uncle yourself, and then we shall go at once.' - -Camilla readily made it her own request. - -'My dear,' answered Sir Hugh, 'I can't be so unnatural to deny you a -little pleasure, knowing you to be such a merry little whirligig; not -but what you'd enjoy yourself just as much at home, if they'd let you -alone. However, as Indiana's head is so much turned upon it, for which I -beg you won't think the worse of her, Mr. Mandlebert, it being no more -than the common fault of a young person no older than her; why, you must -all go, I think, provided you are not satisfied already, which, by the -breakfast you have made, I should think likely enough to be the case.' - -They then eagerly arose, and the females hastened to make some change in -their dress. Sir Hugh, calling Eugenia back, said: 'As to you, my little -classic, I make but small doubt you will be half ready to break your -heart at missing your lesson, knowing hic, hæc, hoc, to be dearer to -you, and for good reasons enough, too, in the end, than all the hopping -and skipping in the world; so if you had rather stay away, don't mind -all those dunces; for so I must needs call them, in comparison to you -and Dr. Orkborne, though without the least meaning to undervalue them.' - -Eugenia frankly acknowledged she had been much amused the preceding -evening, and wished to be again of the party. - -'Why then, if that's the case,' said the baronet, the best way will be -for Dr. Orkborne to be your squire; by which means you may have a little -study as you go along, to the end that the less time may be thrown away -in doing nothing.' - -Eugenia, who perceived no objection to this idea, assented, and went -quietly up stairs, to prepare for setting out. Sir Hugh, by no means -connecting the laughter of Lionel, nor the smile of Edgar, with his -proposal, gravely repeated it to Dr. Orkborne, adding: 'And if you want -a nice pair of gloves, Doctor, not that I make the offer in any -detriment to your own, but I had six new pair come home just before my -gout, which, I can assure you, have never seen the light since, and are -as much at your service as if I had bespoke them on purpose.' - -The mirth of Lionel grew now so outrageous, that Dr. Orkborne, much -offended, walked out of the room without making any answer. - -'There is something,' cried Sir Hugh, after a pause, 'in these men of -learning, prodigious nice to deal with; however, not understanding them, -in point of their maxims, it's likely enough I may have done something -wrong; for he could not have seemed much more affronted, if I had told -him I had six new pair of gloves lying by me, which he should be never -the better for.' - -When they were all ready, Sir Hugh calling to Edgar, said: 'Now as I -don't much chuse to have my girls go to these sort of places often, -which is a prudence that I dare say you approve as much as myself, I -would wish to have the most made of them at once; and, therefore, as -I've no doubt but they'll strike up a dance, after having eat what they -think proper, why I would advise you, Mr. Mandlebert, to let Indiana -trip it away till she's heartily tired, for else she'll never give it -up, with a good grace, of her own accord.' - -'Certainly, sir,' answered Edgar, 'I shall not hurry the ladies.' - -'O, as to any of the rest,' interrupted Sir Hugh, 'they'll be as soon -satisfied as yourself, except,' lowering his voice, 'Mrs. Margland, who, -between friends, seems to me as glad of one of those freaks, as when she -was but sixteen; which how long it is since she was no more I can't -pretend to say, being a point she never mentions.' - -Then addressing them in general: 'I wish you a good breakfast,' he -cried, 'with all my heart, which I think you pretty well deserve, -considering you go so far for it, with one close at your elbow, but just -swallowed. And so, my dear Indiana, I hope you won't tire Mr. Mandlebert -more than can't be avoided.' - -'How came you to engage Indiana again, Mandlebert?' cried Lionel, in -their way to the carriage. - -'Because,' said Miss Margland, finding he hesitated, 'there is no other -partner so proper for Miss Lynmere.' - -'And pray what's the matter with me? why am not I as proper as -Mandlebert?' - -'Because you are her relation, to be sure!' - -'Well,' cried he, vaulting his horse, 'if I meet but the charming widow, -I shall care for none of you.' - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_A Public Breakfast_ - - -The unfitting, however customary, occasion of this speedy repetition of -public amusement in the town of Northwick, was, that the county assizes -were now held there; and the arrival of the Judges of the land, to hear -causes which kept life or death suspended, was the signal for -entertainment to the surrounding neighbourhood: a hardening of human -feelings against human crimes and human miseries, at which reflection -revolts, however habit may persevere. - -The young men, who rode on first, joined the ladies as they entered the -town, and told them to drive straight to the ballroom, where the company -had assembled, in consequence of a shower of rain which had forced them -from the public garden intended for the breakfast. - -Here, as they stopt, a poor woman, nearly in rags, with one child by her -side, and another in her arms, approached the carriage, and presenting a -petition, besought the ladies to read or hear her case. Eugenia, with -the ready impulse of generous affluence, instantly felt for her purse; -but Miss Margland, angrily holding her hand, said, with authority: 'Miss -Eugenia, never encourage beggars; you don't know the mischief you may do -by it.' Eugenia reluctantly desisted, but made a sign to her footman to -give something for her. Edgar then alighting, advanced to hand them from -the coach, while Lionel ran forward to settle their tickets of -admittance. - -The woman now grew more urgent in her supplications, and Miss Margland -in her remonstrances against attending to them. - -Indiana, who was placed under the care of Edgar, enchanted to again -display herself where sure of again being admired, neither heard nor saw -the petitioner; but dimpling and smiling, quickened her motions towards -the assembly room: while Camilla, who was last, stopping short, said: -'What is the matter, poor woman?' and took her paper to examine. - -Miss Margland, snatching it from her, threw it on the ground, -peremptorily saying: 'Miss Camilla, if once you begin such a thing as -that, there will be no end to it; so come along with the rest of your -company, like other people.' - -She then haughtily proceeded; but Camilla, brought up by her admirable -parents never to pass distress without inquiry, nor to refuse giving at -all, because she could give but little, remained with the poor object, -and repeated her question. The woman, shedding a torrent of tears, said -she was wife to one of the prisoners who was to be tried the next day, -and who expected to lose his life, or be transported, for only one bad -action of stealing a leg of mutton; which, though she knew it to be a -sin, was not without excuse, being a first offence, and committed in -poverty and sickness. And this, she was told, the Judges would take into -consideration; but her husband was now so ill, that he could not feed on -the gaol allowance, and not having wherewithal to buy any other, would -either die before his trial, or be too weak to make known his sad story -in his own behalf, for want of some wine or some broth to support him in -the meanwhile. - -Camilla, hastily giving her a shilling, took one of her petitions, and -promising to do all in her power to serve her, left the poor creature -almost choaked with sobbing joy. She was flying to join her party, when -she perceived Edgar at her side. 'I came to see,' cried he, with -glistening eyes, 'if you were running away from us; but you were doing -far better in not thinking of us at all.' - -Camilla, accustomed from her earliest childhood to attend to the -indigent and unhappy, felt neither retreating shame, nor parading pride -in the office; she gave him the petition of the poor woman, and begged -he would consider if there was any thing that could be done for her -husband. - -'I have received a paper from herself,' he answered, 'before you -alighted; and I hope I should not have neglected it: but I will now take -yours, that my memory may run no risk.' - -They then went on to the assembly room. - -The company, which was numerous, was already seated at breakfast. -Indiana and Camilla, now first surveyed by daylight, again attracted all -eyes; but, in the simplicity of undress, the superiority of Indiana was -no longer wholly unrivalled, though the general voice was still strongly -in her favour. - -Indiana was a beauty of so regular a cast, that her face had no feature, -no look to which criticism could point as susceptible of improvement, or -on which admiration could dwell with more delight than on the rest. No -statuary could have modelled her form with more exquisite symmetry; no -painter have harmonised her complexion with greater brilliancy of -colouring. But here ended the liberality of nature, which, in not -sullying this fair workmanship by inclosing in it what was bad, -contentedly left it vacant of whatever was noble and desirable. - -The beauty of Camilla, though neither perfect nor regular, had an -influence so peculiar on the beholder, it was hard to catch its fault; -and the cynic connoisseur, who might persevere in seeking it, would -involuntarily surrender the strict rules of his art to the predominance -of its loveliness. Even judgment itself, the coolest and last betrayed -of our faculties, she took by surprise, though it was not till she was -absent the seizure was detected. Her disposition was ardent in -sincerity, her mind untainted with evil. The reigning and radical defect -of her character--an imagination that submitted to no control--proved -not any antidote against her attractions; it caught, by its force and -fire, the quick-kindling admiration of the lively; it possessed, by -magnetic pervasion, the witchery to create sympathy in the most serious. - -In their march up the room, Camilla was spoken to by a person from the -tea-table, who was distinct from every other, by being particularly ill -dressed; and who, though she did not know him, asked her how she did, -with a familiar look of intimacy. She slightly curtsied, and endeavoured -to draw her party more nimbly on; when another person, equally -conspicuous, though from being accoutred in the opposite extreme of full -dress, quitting his seat, formally made up to her, and drawing on a -stiff pair of new gloves as he spoke, said: 'So you are come at last, -ma'am! I began to think you would not come at all, begging that -gentleman's pardon, who told me to the contrary last night, when I -thought, thinks I, here I've bought these new gloves, for no reason but -to oblige the young lady, and now I might as well not have bought 'em at -all.' - -Camilla, ready to laugh, yet much provoked at this renewed claim from -her old persecutor, Mr. Dubster, looked vainly for redress at the -mischievous Lionel, who archly answered: 'O, ay, true, sister; I told -the gentleman, last night, you would be sure to make him amends this -morning for putting him to so much expence.' - -'I'm sure, Sir,' said Mr. Dubster, 'I did not speak for that, expence -being no great matter to me at this time; only nobody likes to fool away -their money for nothing.' - -Edgar having now, at the end of one of the tables, secured places for -the ladies, Lionel again, in defiance of the frowns of Miss Margland, -invited Mr. Dubster to join them: even the appealing looks of Camilla -served but to increase her brother's ludicrous diversion, in coupling -her with so ridiculous a companion; who, without seeming at all aware of -the liberty he was taking, engrossed her wholly. - -'So I see, ma'am,' he cried, pointing to Eugenia, 'you've brought that -limping little body with you again? Tom Hicks had like to have took me -in finely about her! He thought she was the great fortune of these here -parts; and if it had not been for the young gentleman, I might have -known no better neither, for there's half the room in the same scrape at -this minute.' - -Observing Camilla regard him with an unpleasant surprise, he more -solemnly added: 'I ask pardon, ma'am, for mentioning the thing, which I -only do in excuse for what I said last night, not knowing then you was -the fortune yourself.' - -An eager sign of silence from Lionel, forbade her explaining this -mistake; Mr. Dubster, therefore, proceeded: - -'When Tom Hicks told me about it, I said at the time, says I, she looks -more like to some sort of a humble young person, just brought out of a -little good-nature to see the company, and the like of that; for she's -not a bit like a lady of fortunes, with that nudging look; and I said to -Tom Hicks, by way of joke, says I, if I was to think of her, which I -don't think I shall, at least she would not be much in my way, for she -could not follow a body much about, because of that hitch in her gait, -for I'm a pretty good walker.' - -Here the ill dressed man, who had already spoken to Camilla, quitting -his seat, strolled up to her, and fastening his eyes upon her face, -though without bowing, made some speech about the weather, with the -lounging freedom of manner of a confirmed old acquaintance. His whole -appearance had an air of even wilful slovenliness: His hair was -uncombed; he was in boots, which were covered with mud; his coat seemed -to have been designedly [immersed] in powder, and his universal -negligence was not only shabby but uncleanly. Astonished and offended by -his forwardness, Camilla turned entirely away from him. - -Not disconcerted by this distance, he procured a chair, upon which he -cast himself, perfectly at his ease, immediately behind her. - -Just as the general breakfast was over, and the waiters were summoned to -clear away the tables, and prepare the room for dancing, the lady who -had so strikingly made her appearance the preceding evening, again -entered. She was alone, as before, and walked up the room with the same -decided air of indifference to all opinion; sometimes knotting with as -much diligence and earnestness as if her subsistence depended upon the -rapidity of her work; and at other times stopping short, she applied to -her eye a near-sighted glass, which hung to her finger, and intently -examined some particular person or group; then, with a look of absence, -as if she had not seen a creature, she hummed an opera song to herself, -and proceeded. Her rouge was remarkably well put on, and her claim to -being still a fine woman, though past her prime, was as obvious as it -was conscious: Her dress was more fantastic and studied than the night -before, in the same proportion as that of every other person present was -more simple and quiet; and the commanding air of her countenance, and -the easiness of her carriage, spoke a confirmed internal assurance, that -her charms and her power were absolute, wherever she thought their -exertion worth her trouble. - -When she came to the head of the room, she turned about, and, with her -glass, surveyed the whole company; then smilingly advancing to the -sloven, whom Camilla was shunning, she called out: 'O! are you there? -what rural deity could break your rest so early?' - -'None!' answered he, rubbing his eyes; 'I am invulnerably asleep at this -very moment! In the very centre of the morphetic dominions. But how -barbarously late you are! I should never have come to this vastly -horrid place before my ride, if I had imagined you could be so -excruciating.' - -Struck with a jargon of which she could not suspect two persons to be -capable, Camilla turned round to her slighted neighbour, and with the -greatest surprise recognised, upon examination, the most brilliant beau -of the preceding evening, in the worst dressed man of the present -morning. - -The lady now, again holding her glass to her eye, which she directed -without scruple towards Camilla and her party, said: 'Who have you got -there?' - -Camilla looked hastily away, and her whole set, abashed by so unseasoned -an inquiry, cast down their eyes. - -'Hey!' cried he, calmly viewing them, as if for the first time himself: -'Why, I'll tell you!' Then making her bend to hear his whisper, which, -nevertheless, was by no means intended for her own ear alone, he added: -'Two little things as pretty as angels, and two others as ugly as--I say -no more!' - -'O, I take in the full force of your metaphor!' cried she, laughing; -'and acknowledge the truth of its contrast.' - -Camilla alone, as they meant, had heard them; and ashamed for herself, -and provoked to find Eugenia coupled with Miss Margland, she endeavoured -to converse with some of her own society; but their attention was -entirely engaged by the whispers; nor could she, for more than a minute, -deny her own curiosity the pleasure of observing them. - -They now spoke together for some time in low voices, laughing -immoderately at the occasional sallies of each other; Sir Sedley -Clarendel sitting at his ease, Mrs. Arlbery standing, and knotting by -his side. - -The officers, and almost all the beaux, began to crowd to this spot; but -neither the gentleman nor the lady interrupted their discourse to return -or receive any salutations. Lionel, who with much eagerness had quitted -an inside seat at a long table, to pay his court to Mrs. Arlbery, could -catch neither her eye nor her ear for his bow or his compliment. - -Sir Sedley, at last, looking up in her face and smiling, said: 'A'n't -you shockingly tired?' - -'To death!' answered she, coolly. - -'Why then, I am afraid, I must positively do the thing that's old -fashioned.' - -And rising, and making her a very elegant bow, he presented her his -seat, adding: 'There, ma'am! I have the honour to give you my chair--at -the risk of my reputation.' - -'I should have thought,' cried Lionel, now getting forward, 'that -omitting to give it would rather have risked your reputation.' - -'It is possible you could be born before all that was over?' said Mrs. -Arlbery, dropping carelessly upon the chair as she perceived Lionel, -whom she honoured with a nod: 'How do do, Mr. Tyrold? are you just come -in?' But turning again to Sir Sedley, without waiting for his answer, 'I -swear, you barbarian,' she cried, 'you have really almost killed me with -fatigue.' - -'Have I indeed?' said he, smiling. - -Mr. Dubster now, leaning over the table, solemnly said: 'I am sure I -should have offered the lady my own place, if I had not been so tired -myself; but Tom Hicks over-persuaded me to dance a bit before you came -in, ma'am,' addressing Camilla, 'for you have lost a deal of dancing by -coming so late; for they all fell to as soon as ever they come; and, as -I'm not over and above used to it, it soon makes one a little stiffish, -as one may say; and indeed, the lady's much better off in getting a -chair, for one sits mighty little at one's ease on these here benches, -with nothing to lean one's back against.' - -'And who's that?' cried Mrs. Arlbery to Sir Sedley, looking Mr. Dubster -full in the face. - -Sir Sedley made some answer in a whisper, which proved highly -entertaining to them both. Mr. Dubster, with an air much offended, said -to Camilla: 'People's laughing and whispering, which one don't know what -it's about, is not one of the politest things, I know, for polite people -to do; and, in my mind, they ought to be above it.' - -This resentment excited Lionel to join in the laugh; and Mr. Dubster, -with great gravity of manner, rose, and said to Camilla: 'When you are -ready to dance, ma'am, I am willing to be your partner, and I shan't -engage myself to nobody else; but I shall go to t'other end of the room -till you choose to stand up; for I don't much care to stay here, only to -be laughed at, when I don't know what it's for.' - -They now all left the table; and Lionel eagerly begged permission to -introduce his sisters and cousin to Mrs. Arlbery, who readily consented -to the proposal. - -Indiana advanced with pleasure into a circle of beaux, whose eyes were -most assiduous to welcome her. Camilla, though a little alarmed in being -presented to a lady of so singular a deportment, had yet a curiosity to -see more of her, that willingly seconded her brother's motion. And -Eugenia, to whose early reflecting mind every new character and new -scene opened a fresh fund for thought, if not for knowledge, was charmed -to take a nearer view of what promised such food for observation. But -Miss Margland began an angry remonstrance against the proceedings of -Lionel, in thus taking out of her hands the direction of her charges. -What she urged, however, was vain: Lionel was only diverted by her -wrath, and the three young ladies, as they had not requested the -introduction, did not feel themselves responsible for its taking effect. - -Lionel led them on: Mrs. Arlbery half rose to return their curtsies; and -gave them a reception so full of vivacity and good humour, that they -soon forgot the ill will with which Miss Margland had suffered them to -quit her; and even lost all recollection that it belonged to them to -return to her. The satisfaction of Indiana, indeed, flowed simply from -the glances of admiration which every where met her eye; but Eugenia -attended to every word, and every motion of Mrs. Arlbery, with that sort -of earnestness which marks an intelligent child at a first play; and -Camilla, still more struck by the novelty of this new acquaintance, -scarce permitted herself to breathe, lest she should lose anything she -said. - -Mrs. Arlbery perceived their youthful wonder, and felt a propensity to -increase it, which strengthened all her powers, and called forth all her -faculties. Wit she possessed at will; and, with exertions which rendered -it uncommonly brilliant, she displayed it, now to them, now to the -gentlemen, with a gaiety so fantastic, a raillery so arch, a spirit of -satire so seasoned with a delight in coquetry, and a certain negligence -of air so enlivened by a whimsical pleasantry, that she could not have -failed to strike with admiration even the most hackneyed seekers of -character; much less the inexperienced young creatures now presented to -her; who, with open eyes and ears, regarded her as a phenomenon, upon -finding that the splendor of her talents equalled the singularity of her -manners. - -When the room was prepared for dancing, Major Cerwood brought to Indiana -Mr. Macdersey, the young Ensign who had so improperly addressed her at -the ball; and, after a formal apology, in his name, for what had passed, -begged the honour of her hand for him this morning. Indiana, flattered -and fluttered together by this ceremony, almost forgot Edgar, who stood -quietly but watchfully aloof, and was actually giving her consent when, -meeting his eye, she recollected she was already engaged. Mr. Macdersey -hoped for more success another time, and Edgar advanced to lead his fair -partner to her place. - -Major Cerwood offered himself to Camilla; but Mr. Dubster coming -forward, pulled him by the elbow, and making a stiff low bow, said: -'Sir, I ask your pardon for taking the liberty of giving you such a jog, -but the young lady's been engaged to me ever so long.' The Major looked -surprised; but, observing that Camilla coloured, he bowed respectfully -and retreated. - -Camilla, ashamed of her beau, determined not to dance at all: though she -saw, with much vexation, upon the general dispersion, Miss Margland -approach to claim her. Educated in all the harmony of contentment and -benevolence, she had a horror of a temper so irascible, that made it a -penance to remain a moment in its vicinity. Mr. Dubster, however, left -her not alone to it: when she positively refused his hand, he said it -was equal agreeable to him to have only a little dish of chat with her; -and composedly stationed himself before her. Eugenia had already been -taken out by the handsome stranger, with whom she had danced the evening -before; and Lionel, bewitched with Mrs. Arlbery, enlisted himself -entirely in her train; and with Sir Sedley Clarendel, and almost every -man of any consequence in the room, declined all dancing for the -pleasure of attending her. - -Mr. Dubster, unacquainted with the natural high spirits of Camilla, -inferred nothing to his own disadvantage from her silence, but talked -incessantly himself with perfect complacency. 'Do you know, ma'am,' -cried he, 'just as that elderly lady, that, I suppose, is your mamma, -took you all away in that hurry last night, up comes the boy with my new -pair of gloves! but, though I run down directly to tell you of it, there -was no making the old lady stop; which I was fool to try at; for as to -women, I know their obstinacy of old. But what I grudged the most was, -as soon as I come up again, as ill luck would have it, Tom Hicks finds -me my own t'other glove! So there I had two pair, when I might as well -have had never a one!' - -Observing that Eugenia was dancing, 'Lack a-day!' he exclaimed, 'I'll -lay a wager that poor gentleman has been took in, just as I was -yesterday! He thinks that young lady that's had the small-pox so bad, is -you, ma'am! 'Twould be a fine joke if such a mistake as that should get -the little lame duck, as I call her, a husband! He'd be in a fine hobble -when he found he'd got nothing but her ugly face for his bargain. -Though, provided she'd had the rhino, it would not much have signified: -for, as to being pretty or not, it's not great matter in a wife. A man -soon tires of seeing nothing but the same face, if it's one of the -best.' - -Camilla here, in the midst of her chagrin, could not forbear asking him -if he was married? 'Yes, ma'am,' answered he calmly, 'I've had two wives -to my share already; so I know what I'm speaking of; though I've buried -them both. Why it was all along of my wives, what with the money I had -with one, and what with the money I had with the other, that I got out -of business so soon.' - -'You were very much obliged to them, then?' - -'Why, yes, ma'am, as to that, I can't say to the contrary, now that -they're gone: but I can't say I had much comfort with 'em while they -lived. They was always a thinking they had a right to what they had a -mind, because of what they brought me; so that I had enough to do to -scrape a little matter together, in case of outliving them. One of 'em -has not been dead above a twelvemonth, or there about; these are the -first clothes I've bought since I left off my blacks.' - -When Indiana past them, he expressed his admiration of her beauty. 'That -young lady, ma'am,' he said, 'cuts you all up, sure enough. She's as -fine a piece of red and white as ever I see. I could think of such a -young lady as that myself, if I did not remember that I thought no more -of my wife that was pretty, than of my wife that was ugly, after the -first month or so. Beauty goes for a mere nothing in matrimony, when -once one's used to it. Besides, I've no great thoughts at present of -entering into the state again of one while, at any rate, being but just -got to be a little comfortable.' - -The second dance was now called, when Mrs. Arlbery, coming suddenly -behind Camilla, said, in a low voice, 'Do you know who you are talking -with?' - -'No, ma'am!' - -'A young tinker, my dear! that's all!' And, with a provoking nod, she -retreated. - -Camilla, half ready to laugh, half to cry, restrained herself with -difficulty from running after her; and Mr. Dubster, observing that she -abruptly turned away, and would listen no more, again claimed her for -his partner; and, upon her absolute refusal, surprised and affronted, -walked off in silence. She was then finally condemned to the morose -society of Miss Margland: and invectives against Sir Hugh for -mismanagement, and Lionel, with whom now that lady was at open war, for -impertinence, filled up the rest of her time, till the company was -informed that refreshments were served in the card-room. - -Thither, immediately, every body flocked, with as much speed and -avidity, as if they had learnt to appreciate the blessing of plenty, by -the experience of want. Such is the vacancy of dissipated pleasure, -that, never satisfied with what it possesses, an opening always remains -for something yet to be tried, and, on that something still to come, all -enjoyment seems to depend. - -The day beginning now to clear, the sashes of a large bow-window were -thrown up. Sir Sedley Clarendel sauntered thither, and instantly -everybody followed, as if there were no breathing anywhere else; -declaring, while they pressed upon one another almost to suffocation, -that nothing was so reviving as the fresh air: and, in a minute, not a -creature was to be seen in any other part of the room. - -Here, in full view, stood sundry hapless relations of the poorer part of -the prisoners to be tried the next morning, who, with supplicating hands -and eyes, implored the compassion of the company, whom their very -calamities assembled for amusement. - -Nobody took any notice of them; nobody appeared even to see them: but, -one by one, all glided gently away, and the bow-window was presently the -only empty space in the apartment. - -Camilla, contented with having already presented her mite, and Eugenia, -with having given her's in commission, retired unaffectedly with the -rest; while Miss Margland, shrugging up her shoulders, and declaring -there was no end of beggars, pompously added, 'However, we gave before -we came in.' - -Presently, a paper was handed about, to collect half guineas for a -raffle. A beautiful locket, set round with pearls, ornamented at the top -with a little knot of small brilliants, and very elegantly shaped, with -a space left for a braid of hair, or a cypher, was produced; and, as if -by magnetic power, attracted into almost every hand the capricious -coin, which distress, but the moment before had repelled. - -Miss Margland lamented she had only guineas or silver, but suffered -Edgar to be her paymaster; privately resolving, that, if she won the -locket, she would remember the debt: Eugenia, amused in seeing the -humour of all that was going forward, readily put in; Indiana, satisfied -her uncle would repay the expences of the day, with a heart panting from -hope of the prize, did the same; but Camilla hung back, totally unused -to hazard upon what was unnecessary the little allowance she had been -taught to spend sparingly upon herself, that something might be always -in her power to bestow upon others. The character of this raffle was not -of that interesting nature which calls forth from the affluent and easy -respect as well as aid: the prize belonged to no one whom adversity -compelled to change what once was an innocent luxury, into the means of -subsistence; it was the mere common mode of getting rid of a mere common -bauble, which no one had thought worth the full price affixed to it by -its toyman. She knew not, however, till now, how hard to resist was the -contagion of example, and felt a struggle in her self-denial, that made -her, when she put the locket down, withdraw from the crowd, and resolve -not to look at it again. - -Edgar, who had observed her, read her secret conflict with an emotion -which impelled him to follow her, that he might express his admiration; -but he was stopt by Mrs. Arlbery, who just then hastily attacked her -with, 'What have you done with your friend the tinker, my dear?' - -Camilla, laughing, though extremely ashamed, said, she knew nothing at -all about him. - -'You talked with him, then, by way of experiment, to see how you might -like him?' - -'No, indeed! I merely answered him when I could not help it; but still I -thought, at a ball, gentlemen only would present themselves.' - -'And how many couple,' said Mrs. Arlbery, smiling, 'do you calculate -would, in that case, stand up?' - -She then ordered one of the beaux who attended her, to bring her a -chair, and told another to fetch her the locket. Edgar was again -advancing to Camilla, when Lionel, whose desire to obtain the good -graces of Mrs. Arlbery, had suggested to him an anticipation of her -commands, pushed forward with the locket. - -'Well, really, it is not ugly,' cried she, taking it in her hand: 'Have -you put in yet, Miss Tyrold?' - -'No, ma'am.' - -'O, I am vastly glad of that; for now we will try our fortune together.' - -Camilla, though secretly blushing at what she felt was an extravagance, -could not withstand this invitation: she gave her half guinea. - -Edgar, disappointed, retreated in silence. - -The money being collected, and the names of the rafflers taken down, -information was given, that the prize was to be thrown for in three days -time, at one o'clock at noon, in the shop of a bookseller at Northwick. - -Some of the company now departed; others prepared for a last dance. Miss -Margland desired Lionel to see for their carriage; but Lionel had no -greater joy than to disregard her. Indiana asked earnestly to stay -longer; Miss Margland said, she could only give way to her request, upon -condition her partner should be Mr. Mandlebert. It was in vain she urged -that she was already engaged to Colonel Andover; Miss Margland was -inexorable, and Edgar, laughing, said, he should certainly have the -whole corps upon his back; but the honour was sufficient to -counterbalance the risk, and he would, therefore, beg the Colonel's -patience. - -'Mr. Mandlebert,' said Miss Margland, 'I know enough of quarrels at -balls about partners, and ladies changing their minds, to know how to -act pretty well in those cases: I shall desire, therefore, to speak to -the Colonel myself, and not trust two gentlemen together upon such a -nice matter.' - -She then beckoned to the Colonel, who stood at a little distance, and, -taking him apart, told him, she flattered herself he would not be -offended, if Miss Lynmere should dance again with Mr. Mandlebert, though -rather out of rule, as there were particular reasons for it. - -The Colonel, with a smile, said he perceived Mr. Mandlebert was the -happy man, and acquiesced. - -A general murmur now ran buzzing round the room, that Mr. Mandlebert and -Miss Lynmere were publicly contracted to each other; and, amongst many -who heard with displeasure that the young beauty was betrothed before -she was exhibited to view, Mr. Macdersey appeared to suffer the most -serious mortification. - -As soon as this dance was over, Edgar conducted his ladies to an -apartment below stairs, and went in search of the carriage. - -He did not return for some time. Miss Margland, as usual, grumbled; but -Camilla, perceiving Mrs. Arlbery, rejoiced in the delay; and stationed -herself by her side, all alive in attending to the pleasantry with which -she was amusing herself and those around her. - -When Edgar, who seemed out of breath from running, came back, he made -but short answers to the murmurs of Miss Margland; and, hastening to -Camilla, said: 'I have been with your petitioner:--she has all that can -comfort her for the present; and I have learnt the name of her husband's -counsel. You will be so good as to excuse me at dinner to Sir Hugh. I -shall remain here till I can judge what may be done.' - -The attention of Camilla was now effectually withdrawn from Mrs. -Arlbery, and the purest delight of which human feelings are susceptible, -took sudden and sole possession of her youthful mind, in the idea of -being instrumental to the preservation of a fellow-creature. - -Edgar saw, in the change, yet brightness of her countenance, what passed -within;--and his disappointment concerning the raffle was immediately -forgotten. - -A short consultation followed, in which both spoke with so much energy, -as not only to overpower the remonstrances of Miss Margland for their -departure, but to catch the notice of Mrs. Arlbery, who, coming forward, -and leaning her hand on the shoulder of Camilla, said: 'Tell me what it -is that has thus animated you? Have you heard any good tidings of your -new friend?' - -Camilla instantly and eagerly related the subject that occupied them, -without observing that the whole company around were smiling, at her -earnestness in a cause of such common distress. - -'You are new, my dear,' said Mrs. Arlbery, patting her cheek, 'very new; -but I take the whim sometimes of being charitable myself, for a little -variety. It always looks pretty; and begging is no bad way of shewing -off one's powers. So give me your documents, and I'll give you my -eloquence.' - -Camilla presented her the petition, and she invited Mandlebert to dine -with her. Miss Margland then led the way, and the female party returned -to Cleves. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_A Raffle_ - - -It was late when Edgar returned to Cleves. Camilla flew to meet him. He -told her everything relative to her petitioner was in the most -prosperous train; he had seen the prisoner, heard the particulars of his -story, which all tended to his exculpation; and Mrs. Arlbery had -contrived to make acquaintance with his counsel, whom she found -perfectly well disposed to exert himself in the cause, and whom she had -invited to a splendid supper. The trial was to take place the next -morning. - -Camilla, already powerfully struck with Mrs. Arlbery, was enchanted to -find her thus active in benevolence. - -Edgar was to dine with that lady the next day, and to learn the event of -their joint exertions. - -This proved all that could be wished. The prosecution had been mild: the -judge and jury had been touched with compassion; and the venial offender -had been released with a gentle reprimand. - -Mandlebert returned to communicate these tidings to Camilla, with a -pleasure exactly in unison with her own. Mrs. Arlbery, he avowed, had -been as zealous as himself; and had manifested a charity of disposition -which the flightiness of her manners had not let him to expect. - - * * * * * - -The next object of attention was the raffle, which was to take place the -following morning. - -Sir Hugh was averse to letting his nieces go abroad again so soon: but -Miss Margland, extremely anxious about her own chance for the prize, -solemnly asserted its necessity; inveighed against the mismanagement of -everything at Cleves, stifled all her complaints of Lionel, and -pronounced a positive decision, that, to carry Indiana to public places, -was the sole method of promoting the match. - -Sir Hugh then, willing to believe, and yet more willing to get rid of -disputing with her, no longer withheld his consent. - -They were advanced within half a mile of Northwick, when a sick man, -painfully supported by a woman with a child in her arms, caught their -eyes. The ready hand of Eugenia was immediately in her pocket; Camilla, -looking more intently upon the group, perceived another child, and -presently recognised the wife of the prisoner. She called to the -coachman to stop, and Edgar, at the same moment, rode up to the -carriage. - -Miss Margland angrily ordered the man to drive on, saying, she was quite -sick of being thus for ever infested with beggars; who really came so -often, they were no better than pick-pockets. - -'O, don't refuse to let me speak to them!' cried Camilla; 'it will be -such a pleasure to see their joy!' - -'O yes! they look in much joy indeed! they seem as if they had not eat a -morsel these three weeks! Drive on, I say, coachman! I like no such -melancholy sights, for my part. They always make me ill. I wonder how -any body can bear them.' - -'But we may help them; we may assist them!' said Camilla, with -increasing earnestness. - -'And pray, when they have got all our money, who is to help us?' - -Eugenia, delighted to give, but unhabituated to any other exertion, -flung half a crown to them; and Indiana, begging to look out, said, -'Dear! I never saw a prisoner before!' - -Encouraged by an expressive look from Camilla, Edgar dismounted to hand -her from the carriage, affecting not to hear the remonstrances of Miss -Margland, though she scrupled not to deliver them very audibly. Eugenia -languished to join them, but could not venture to disobey a direct -command; and Indiana, observing the road to be very dusty, submitted, to -save a pair of beautiful new shoes. - -Camilla had all the gratification she promised herself, in witnessing -the happiness of the poor petitioner. He was crawling to Cleves, with -his family, to offer thanks. They were penniless, sick, and wretched; -yet the preservation of the poor man seemed to make misery light to them -all. Edgar desired to know what were their designs for the future. The -man answered that he should not dare go back to his own country, because -there his disgrace was known, and he should procure no work; nor, -indeed, was he now able to do any. 'So we must make up our minds to beg -from door to door, and in the streets, and on the high road,' he -continued; 'till I get back a little strength; and can earn a living -more creditably.' - -'But as long as we have kept you alive, and saved you from being -transported,' said his wife, 'for which all thanks be due to this good -gentleman, we shall mind no hardships, and never go astray again, in -wicked unthinkingness of this great mercy.' - -Edgar inquired what had been their former occupations; they answered, -they had both been day-workers in the field, till a fit of sickness had -hindered the poor man from getting his livelihood: penury and hunger -then pressing hard upon them all, he had been tempted to commit the -offence for which he was taken, and brought to death's door. 'But as -now,' he added, 'I have been saved, I shall make it a warning for the -time to come, and never give myself up to so bad a course again.' - -Edgar asked the woman what money she had left. - -'Ah, sir, none! for we had things to pay, and people to satisfy, and so -everything you and the good ladies gave us, is all gone; for, while -anything was left us, they would not be easy. But this is no great -mischief now, as my husband is not taken away from us, and is come to a -right sense.' - -'I believe,' said Edgar, 'you are very good sort of people, however -distress had misguided you.' - -He then put something into the man's hand, and Eugenia, who from the -carriage window heard what passed, flung him another half crown; Camilla -added a shilling, and turning suddenly away, walked a few paces from -them all. - -Edgar, gently following, inquired if anything was the matter; her eyes -were full of tears: 'I was thinking,' she cried, 'what my dear father -would have said, had he seen me giving half a guinea for a toy, and a -shilling to such poor starving people as these!' - -'Why, what would he have said?' cried Edgar, charmed with her penitence, -though joining in the apprehended censure. - -'He would more than ever have pitied those who want money, in seeing it -so squandered by one who should better have remembered his lessons! O, -if I could but recover that half guinea!' - -'Will you give me leave to get it back for you?' - -'Leave? you would lay me under the greatest obligation! How far half a -guinea would go here, in poverty such as this!' - -He assured her he could regain it without difficulty; and then, telling -the poor people to postpone their walk to Cleves till the evening, when -Camilla meant to prepare her uncle, also, to assist them, he handed her -to the coach, with feelings yet more pleased than her own, and galloped -forward to execute his commission. - -He was ready at the door of the library to receive them. As they -alighted, Camilla eagerly cried: 'Well! have you succeeded?' - -'Can you trust yourself to this spot, and to a review of the -allurement,' answered he, smiling, and holding half a guinea between his -fingers, 'yet be content to see your chance for the prize withdrawn?' - -'O give it me! give it me!' cried she, almost seizing it from him, 'my -dear father will be so glad to hear I have not spent it so foolishly.' - -The rafflers were not yet assembled; no one was in the shop but a well -dressed elegant young man, who was reading at a table, and who neither -raised his eyes at their entrance, nor suffered their discourse to -interrupt his attention; yet though abstracted from outward objects, his -studiousness was not of a solemn cast; he seemed wrapt in what he was -reading with a pleasure amounting to ecstasy. He started, acted, smiled, -and looked pensive in turn, while his features were thrown into a -thousand different expressions, and his person was almost writhed with -perpetually varying gestures. From time to time his rapture broke forth -into loud exclamations of 'Exquisite! exquisite!' while he beat the -leaves of the book violently with his hands, in token of applause, or -lifting them up to his lips, almost devoured with kisses the passages -that charmed him. Sometimes he read a few words aloud, calling out -'Heavenly!' and vehemently stamping his approbation with his feet; then -suddenly shutting up the book, folded his arms, and casting his eyes -towards the ceiling, uttered: 'O too much! too much! there is no -standing it!' yet again, the next minute, opened it and resumed the -lecture. - -The youthful group was much diverted with this unintended exhibition. To -Eugenia alone it did not appear ridiculous; she simply envied his -transports, and only wished to discover by what book they were excited. -Edgar and Camilla amused themselves with conjecturing various authors; -Indiana and Miss Margland required no such aid to pass their time, -while, with at least equal delight, they contemplated the hoped-for -prize. - -Lionel now bounced in: 'Why what,' cried he, 'are you all doing in this -musty old shop, when Mrs. Arlbery and all the world are enjoying the air -on the public walks?' - -Camilla was instantly for joining that lady; but Eugenia felt an -unconquerable curiosity to learn the running title of the book. She -stole softly round to look over the shoulder of the reader, and her -respect for his raptures increased, when she saw they were raised by -Thomson's Seasons. - -Neither this approach, nor the loud call of Lionel, had interrupted the -attention of the young student, who perceived and regarded nothing but -what he was about; and though occasionally he ceased reading to indulge -in passionate ejaculations, he seemed to hold everything else beneath -his consideration. - -Lionel, drawn to observe him from the circuit made by Eugenia, -exclaimed: 'What, Melmond! why, how long have you been in Hampshire?' - -The youth, surprised from his absence of mind by the sound of his own -name, looked up and said: 'Who's that?' - -'Why, when the deuce did you come into this part of the world?' cried -Lionel, approaching him to shake hands. - -'O! for pity's sake,' answered he, with energy, 'don't interrupt me!' - -'Why not? have not you enough of that dry work at Oxford? Come, come, -have done with this boyish stuff, and behave like a man.' - -'You distract me,' answered Melmond, motioning him away; 'I am in a -scene that entrances me to Elysium! I have never read it since I could -appreciate it.' - -'What! old Thomson?' said Lionel, peeping over him; 'why, I never read -him at all. Come, man! (giving him a slap on the shoulder) come along -with me, and I'll shew you something more worth looking at.' - -'You will drive me mad, if you break in upon this episode! 'tis a -picture of all that is divine upon earth! hear it, only hear it!' - -He then began the truly elegant and feeling description that concludes -Thomson's Spring; and though Lionel, with a loud shout, cried: 'Do you -think I come hither for such fogrum stuff as that?' and ran out of the -shop; the 'wrapt enthusiast' continued reading aloud, too much delighted -with the pathos of his own voice in expressing the sentiments of the -poet, to deny himself a regale so soothing to his ears. - -Eugenia, enchanted, stood on tiptoe to hear him, her uplifted finger -petitioning silence all around, and her heart fondly repeating, O just -such a youth be Clermont! just such his passion for reading! just such -his fervour for poetry! just such his exaltation of delight in literary -yet domestic felicity! - -Mandlebert, also, caught by the rehearsal of his favourite picture of a -scheme of human happiness, which no time, no repetition can make vapid -to a feeling heart, stood pleased and attentive to hear him; even -Indiana, though she listened not to the matter, was struck by the manner -in which it was delivered, which so resembled dramatic recitation, that -she thought herself at a play, and full of wonder, advanced straight -before him, to look full in his face, and watch the motions of his right -arm, with which he acted incessantly, while the left held his book. Miss -Margland concluded he was a strolling player, and did not suffer him to -draw her eyes from the locket. But when, at the words - - ----content, - Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books, - Ease and alternate labour, useful life, - Progressive virtue, and approving Heaven, - -Mandlebert turned softly round to read their impression on the -countenance of Camilla--she was gone! - -Attracted by her wish to see more of Mrs. Arlbery, she had run out of -the shop after Lionel, before she either knew what was reading, or was -missed by those the reader had engaged. Edgar, though disappointed, -wondered he should have stayed himself to listen to what had long been -familiar to him, and was quietly gliding away when he saw her returning. -He then went back to his post, wondering, with still less satisfaction, -how she could absent herself from hearing what so well was worth her -studying. - -The young man, when he came to the concluding line: - - _To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign!_ - -rose, let fall the book, clasped his hands with a theatrical air, and -was casting his eyes upwards in a fervent and willing trance, when he -perceived Indiana standing immediately before him. - -Surprised and ashamed, his sublimity suddenly forsook him; his arms -dropt, and his hands were slipt into his waistcoat pockets. - -But, the very next moment, the sensation of shame and of self was -superseded by the fair object that had thus aroused him. Her beauty, her -youth, her attitude of examination, struck him at first with an -amazement that presently gave place to an admiration as violent as it -was sudden. He started back, bowed profoundly, without any pretence for -bowing at all, and then rivetting his eyes, in which his whole soul -seemed centred, on her lovely face, stood viewing her with a look of -homage, motionless, yet enraptured. - -Indiana, still conceiving this to be some sort of acting, unabashed kept -her post, expecting every moment he would begin spouting something more. -But the enthusiasm of the young Oxonian had changed its object; the -charms of poetry yielded to the superior charms of beauty, and while he -gazed on the fair Indiana, his fervent mind fancied her some being of -celestial order, wonderfully accorded to his view: How, or for what -purpose, he as little knew as cared. The play of imagination, in the -romance of early youth, is rarely interrupted with scruples of -probability. - -This scene of dumb transport and unfixed expectation, was broken up -neither by the admirer nor the admired, but by the entrance of Mrs. -Arlbery, Sir Sedley Clarendel, Lionel, the officers, and many of the -rest of the company that had been present at the public breakfast: Nor -would even this intrusion have disengaged the young Oxonian from his -devout and ecstatic adoration, had it been equally indifferent to -Indiana; but the appearance of a party of gay officers was not, to her, -a matter of little moment. Eager for the notice in which she delighted, -she looked round in full confidence of receiving it. The rapture of the -Oxonian, as she had seen it kindled while he was reading, she attributed -to something she did not understand, and took in it, therefore, no part; -but the adulation of the officers was by no means ambiguous, and its -acceptance was as obvious as its presentation. - -Willingly, therefore, as well as immediately encompassed, she received a -thousand compliments, and in the gratification of hearing them, -completely forgot her late short surprise; but the Oxonian, more -forcibly struck, ardently followed her with his eyes, started back -theatrically at every change of attitude which displayed her fine -figure, and at her smiles smiled again, from the uncontrollable sympathy -of a fascinated imagination. - -Miss Margland felt not small pride in seeing her pupil thus -distinguished, since it marked the shrewdness of her capacity in -foretelling the effect of bringing her forth. Anxious to share in a -consequence to which she had industriously contributed, she paradingly -forced her way through the group, and calling the attention of Indiana -to herself, said: 'I am glad you came away, my dear; for I am sure that -man is only a poor strolling player.' - -'Dear! let me look at him again!' cried Indiana; 'for I never saw a -player before; only at a play.' - -She then turned back to examine him. - -Enchanted to again meet her eyes, the youth bowed with intense respect, -and advanced a few paces, as if with intention to speak to her, though -immediately and with still more precipitance he retreated, from being -ready with nothing to say. - -Lionel, going up to him, and pulling him by the arm, cried: 'Why, man! -what's come to you? These are worse heroics than I have seen you in -yet.' - -The bright eyes of Indiana being still fixed upon him, he disdained all -notice of Lionel, beyond a silent repulse. - -Indiana, having now satisfied her curiosity, restored her attention to -the beaux that surrounded her. The Oxonian, half sighing, unfolded his -clasped hands, one of which he reposed upon the shoulder of Lionel. - -'Come, prithee, be a little less in alt,' cried Lionel, 'and answer a -man when he speaks to you. Where did you leave Smythson?' - -'Who is that divinity; can you tell me?' said the Oxonian in a low and -respectful tone of inquiry. - -'What divinity?' - -'What divinity? insensible Tyrold! tasteless! adamantine! Look, look -yonder, and ask me again if you can!' - -'O what; my cousin Indiana?' - -'Your cousin? have you any affinity with such a creature as that? O -Tyrold! I glory in your acquaintance! she is all I ever read of! all I -ever conceived! she is beauty in its very essence! she is elegance, -delicacy, and sensibility personified!' - -'All very true,' said Lionel; 'but how should you know anything of her -besides her beauty?' - -'How? by looking at her! Can you view that countenance and ask me how? -Are not those eyes all soul? Does not that mouth promise every thing -that is intelligent? Can those lips ever move but to diffuse sweetness -and smiles? I must not look at her again! another glance may set me -raving!' - -'May?' cried Lionel, laughing; 'why what have you been doing all this -time? However, be a little less in the sublime, and I'll introduce you -to her.' - -'Is it possible? shall I owe to you so celestial a happiness? O Tyrold! -you bind me to you for life!' - -Lionel, heartily hallowing, then brought him forward to Indiana: 'Miss -Lynmere,' he cried, 'a fellow student of mine, though somewhat more -given to study than your poor cousin, most humbly begs the honour of -kissing your toe.' - -The uncommon lowness of the bow which the Oxonian, ignorant of what -Lionel would say, was making, led Miss Margland to imagine he was really -going to perform that popish ceremony; and hastily pulling Lionel by the -sleeve, she angrily said: 'Mr. Lionel, I desire to know by whose -authority you present such actor-men to a young lady under my care.' - -Lionel, almost in convulsions, repeated this aloud; and the young -student, who had just, in a voice of the deepest interest and respect, -begun, 'The high honour, madam;' hearing an universal laugh from the -company, stopt short, utterly disconcerted, and after a few vainly -stammering attempts, bowed again, and was silent. - -Edgar, who in this distress, read an ingenuousness of nature that -counterpoised its romantic enthusiasm, felt for the young man, and -taking Lionel by the arm, said: 'Will you not introduce me also to your -friend?' - -'Mr. Melmond of Brazen Nose! Mr. Mandlebert of Beech Park!' cried -Lionel, flourishing, and bowing from one to the other. - -Edgar shook hands with the youth, and hoped they should be better -acquainted. - -Camilla, gliding round, whispered him: 'How like my dear father was -that! to give relief to embarrassment, instead of joining in the laugh -which excites it!' - -Edgar, touched by a comparison to the person he most honoured, -gratefully looked his acknowledgment; and all displeasure at her flight, -even from Thomson's scene of conjugal felicity, was erased from his -mind. - -The company grew impatient for the raffle, though some of the -subscribers were not arrived. It was voted, at the proposition of Mrs. -Arlbery, that the master of the shop should represent, as their turns -came round, those who were absent. - -While this was settling, Edgar, in some confusion, drew Camilla to the -door, saying: 'To avoid any perplexity about your throwing, suppose you -step into the haberdasher's shop that is over the way?' - -Camilla, who already had felt very awkward with respect to her withdrawn -subscription, gladly agreed to the proposal, and begging him to explain -the matter to Miss Margland, tript across the street, while the rafflers -were crowding to the point of action. - -Here she sat, making some small purchases, till the business was over: -The whole party then came forth into the street, and all in a body -poured into the haberdasher's shop, smiling, bowing, and of one accord -wishing her joy. - -Concluding this to be in derision of her desertion, she rallied as well -as she was able; but Mrs. Arlbery, who entered the last, and held the -locket in her hand, said: 'Miss Tyrold, I heartily wish you equally -brilliant success, in the next, and far more dangerous lottery, in -which, I presume, you will try your fate.' And presented her the prize. - -Camilla, colouring, laughing, and unwillingly taking it, said: 'I -suppose, ma'am--I hope--it is yours?' And she looked about for Edgar to -assist her; but, he was gone to hasten the carriage. - -Every body crowded round her to take a last sight of the beautiful -locket. Eager to get rid of it, she put it into the hands of Indiana, -who regarded it with a partiality which her numerous admirers had -courted, individually, in vain; though the young Oxonian, by his -dramatic emotions, had engaged more of her attention than she had yet -bestowed elsewhere. Eugenia too, caught by his eccentricity, was -powerfully impelled to watch and admire him; and not the less, in the -unenvying innocency of her heart, for his evident predilection in favour -of her cousin. This youth was not, however, suffered to engross her; the -stranger by whom she had already been distinguished at the ball and -public breakfast, was one in the group, and resumed a claim upon her -notice, too flattering in its manner to be repulsed, and too new to her -extreme inexperience to be obtrusive. - -Meanwhile, Camilla gathered from Major Cerwood, that the prize had -really fallen to her lot. Edgar had excused her not staying to throw for -herself, but the general proxy, the bookseller, had been successful in -her name. - -In great perplexity how to account for this incident, she apprehended -Edgar had made some mistake, and determined, through his means, to -restore the locket to the subscription. - -The carriage of Mrs. Arlbery was first ready; but, pushing away the -throng of beaux offering assistance, she went up to Camilla, and said: -'Fair object of the spleen of all around, will you bring a little of -your influence with good fortune to my domain, and come and dine with -me?' - -Delighted at the proposal, Camilla looked at Miss Margland; but Miss -Margland, not being included in the invitation, frowned a refusal. - -Edgar now entered and announced the coach of Sir Hugh. - -'Make use of it as you can,' said Mrs. Arlbery; 'there is room for one -more to go back than it brought; so pray do the honours prettily. -Clarendel! take care of Miss Tyrold to my coach.' - -Sir Sedley smiled, and played with his watch chain, but did not move. - -'O you laziest of all lazy wretches!' cried Mrs. Arlbery. - -'I shall reverse the epithet, and be the alertest of the alert,' said -Major Cerwood; 'if the commission may be devolved to myself.' - -'Positively not for the world! there is nothing so pleasant as working -the indolent; except, indeed, making the restless keep quiet; so, come -forth, Clarendel! be civil, and strike us all with astonishment!' - -'My adored Mrs. Arlbery!' cried he, (hoisting himself upon the shop -counter, and swinging a switch to and fro, with a languid motion) your -maxims are all of the first superlative, except this; but nobody's civil -now, you know; 'tis a fogramity quite out.' - -'So you absolutely won't stir, then?' - -'O pray! pray!' answered he, putting on his hat and folding his arms, 'a -little mercy! 'tis so vastly insufferably hot! Calcutta must be in the -frigid zone to this shop! a very ice-house!' - -Camilla, who never imagined rudeness could make a feature of -affectation, internally attributed this refusal to his pique that she -had disregarded him at the public breakfast, and would have made him -some apology, but knew not in what manner to word it. - -The Major again came forward, but Miss Margland, advancing also, said: -'Miss Camilla! you won't think of dining out unknown to Sir Hugh?' - -'I am sure,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'you will have the goodness to speak -for me to Sir Hugh.' Then, turning to Lionel, 'Mr. Tyrold,' she added, -'you must go with us, that you may conduct your sister safe home. Don't -be affronted; I shall invite you for your own sake another time. Come, -you abominable Clarendel! awake! and give a little spring to our -motions.' - -'You are most incommodiously cruel!' answered he; 'but I am bound to be -your slave.' Then calling to one of the apprentices in the shop: 'My -vastly good boy,' he cried, 'do you want to see me irrecoverably subdued -by this immensely inhuman heat?' - -The boy stared; and said, 'Sir.' - -'If not, do get me a glass of water.' - -'O worse and worse!' said Mrs. Arlbery; 'your whims are insupportable. I -give you up! Major! advance.' - -The Major, with alacrity, offered his hand; Camilla hesitated; she -wished passionately to go, yet felt she had no authority for such a -measure. The name, though not the person of Mrs. Arlbery, was known both -at Cleves and at Etherington, as belonging to the owner of a capital -house in the neighbourhood; and though the invitation was without form, -Camilla was too young to be withheld by ceremony. Her uncle, she was -sure, could refuse her nothing; and she thought, as she was only a -visitor at Cleves, Miss Margland had no right to control her; the -pleasure, therefore, of the scheme, soon conquered every smaller -difficulty, and, looking away from her party, she suffered herself to be -led to the coach. - -Miss Margland as she passed, said aloud: 'Remember! I give no consent to -this!' - -But Eugenia, on the other side, whispered: 'Don't be uneasy; I will -explain to my uncle how it all happened.' - -Mrs. Arlbery was following, when Indiana exclaimed: 'Cousin Camilla, -what am I to do with your locket?' - -Camilla had wholly forgotten it; she called to Edgar, who slowly, and -with a seriousness very unusual, obeyed her summons. - -'There has been some great mistake,' said she, 'about the locket. I -suppose they neglected to scratch out my name from the subscription; for -Major Cerwood says it really came to me. Will you be so good as to -return it to the bookseller?' - -The gravity of Edgar immediately vanished: 'Are you so ready,' he said, -'even when it is in your possession, to part with so pretty a trinket?' - -'You know it cannot be mine, for here is my half guinea.' - -Mrs. Arlbery then got into the coach; but Camilla, still farther -recollecting herself, again called to Edgar, and holding out the half -guinea, said: 'How shall I get this to the poor people?' - -'They were to come,' he answered, 'to Cleves this afternoon.' - -'Will you, then, give it them for me?' - -'No commission to Mr. Mandlebert!' interrupted Mrs. Arlbery; 'for he -must positively dine with us.' - -Mandlebert bowed a pleased assent, and Camilla applied to Eugenia; but -Miss Margland, in deep wrath, refused to let her move a step. - -Mrs. Arlbery then ordered the coach to drive home. Camilla, begging a -moment's delay, desired Edgar to approach nearer, and said, in a low -voice: 'I cannot bear to let those poor expectants toil so far for -nothing. I will sooner go back to Cleves myself. I shall not sleep all -night if I disappoint them. Pray, invent some excuse for me.' - -'If you have set your heart upon this visit,' answered Mandlebert, with -vivacity, though in a whisper, 'I will ride over myself to Cleves, and -arrange all to your wishes; but if not, certainly there can need no -invention, to decline an invitation of which Sir Hugh has no knowledge.' - -Camilla, who at the beginning of this speech felt the highest glee, sunk -involuntarily at its conclusion, and turning with a blank countenance to -Mrs. Arlbery, stammeringly said: 'Can you, will you--be so very good, as -not to take it ill if I don't go with you?' - -Mrs. Arlbery, surprised, very coldly answered: 'Certainly not! I would -be no restraint upon you. I hate restraint myself.' She then ordered the -footman to open the door; and Camilla, too much abashed to offer any -apology, was handed out by Edgar. - -'Amiable Camilla!' said he, in conducting her back to Miss Margland, -'this is a self-conquest that I alone, perhaps, expected from you!' - -Cheared by such approbation, she forgot her disappointment, and -regardless of Miss Margland and her ill humour, jumped into her uncle's -coach, and was the gayest of the party that returned to Cleves. - -Edgar took the locket from Indiana, and promised to rectify the mistake; -and then, lest Mrs. Arlbery should be offended with them all, rode to -her house without any fresh invitation, accompanied by Lionel; whose -anger against Camilla, for suffering Miss Margland to gain a victory, -was his theme the whole ride. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_A Barn_ - - -The first care of Camilla was to interest Sir Hugh in the misfortunes of -the prisoner and his family; her next, to relate the invitation of Mrs. -Arlbery, and to beg permission that she might wait upon the lady the -next morning, with apologies for her abrupt retreat, and with -acknowledgments for the services done to the poor woman; which first the -Oxonian, and then the raffle, had driven from her mind. Sir Hugh readily -consented, blaming her for supposing it possible he could ever hesitate -in what could give her any pleasure. - -Before the tea-party broke up, Edgar returned. He told Camilla he had -stolen away the instant the dinner was over, to avoid any mistake about -the poor people, whom he had just overtaken by the park-gate, and -conducted to the great barn, where he had directed them to wait for -orders. - -'I'll run to them immediately,' cried she, 'for my half guinea is in an -agony to be gone!' - -'The barn! my dear young Mr. Mandlebert!' exclaimed Sir Hugh; 'and why -did you not bring them to the servants' hall? My little girl has been -telling me all their history; and, God forbid, I should turn -hard-hearted, because of their wanting a leg of mutton, in preference to -being starved; though they might have no great right to it, according to -the forms of law; which, however, is not much impediment to the calls of -nature, when a man sees a butcher's stall well covered, and has got -nothing within him, except his own poor craving appetite; which is a -thing I always take into consideration; though, God forbid, I should -protect a thief, no man's property being another's, whether he's poor or -rich.' - -He then gave Camilla three guineas to deliver to them from himself, to -set them a little a-going in an honest way, that they might not, he -said, repent leaving off bad actions. Her joy was so excessive, that she -passionately embraced his knees: and Edgar, while he looked on, could -nearly have bent to her his own, with admiration of her generous nature. -Eugenia desired to accompany her; and Indiana, rising also, said: 'Dear! -I wonder how they will look in the barn! I should like to see them too.' - -Miss Margland made no opposition, and they set out. - -Camilla, leading the way, with a fleetness that mocked all equality, ran -into the barn, and saw the whole party, according to their several -powers, enjoying themselves. The poor man, stretched upon straw, was -resting his aching limbs; his wife, by his side, was giving nourishment -to her baby; and the other child, a little boy of three years old, was -jumping and turning head over heels, with the true glee of unspoilt -nature, superior to poverty and distress. - -To the gay heart of Camilla whatever was sportive was attractive; she -flew to the little fellow, whose skin was clean and bright, in the midst -of his rags and wretchedness, and, making herself his play-mate, bid the -woman finish feeding her child, told the man to repose himself -undisturbed, and began dancing with the little boy, not less delighted -than himself at the festive exercise. - -Miss Margland cast up her hands and eyes as she entered, and poured -forth a warm remonstrance against so demeaning a condescension: but -Camilla, in whose composition pride had no share, though spirit was a -principal ingredient, danced on unheeding, to the equal amaze and -enchantment of the poor man and woman, at the honour done to their -little son. - -Edgar came in last; he had given his arm to Eugenia, who was always in -the rear if unassisted. Miss Margland appealed to him upon the -impropriety of the behaviour of Camilla, adding, 'If I had had the -bringing up a young lady who could so degrade herself, I protest I -should blush to shew my face: but you cannot, I am sure, fail remarking -the difference of Miss Lynmere's conduct.' - -Edgar attended with an air of complacency, which he thought due to the -situation of Miss Margland in the family, yet kept his eyes fixt upon -Camilla, with an expression that, to the least discernment, would have -evinced his utmost approbation of her innocent gaiety: but Miss -Margland was amongst that numerous tribe, who, content as well as -occupied with making observations upon others, have neither the power, -nor thought, of developing those that are returned upon themselves. - -Camilla at length, wholly out of breath, gave over; but perceiving that -the baby was no longer at its mother's breast, flew to the poor woman, -and, taking the child in her arms, said: 'Come, I can nurse and rest at -the same time; I assure you the baby will be safe with me, for I nurse -all the children in our neighbourhood.' She then fondled the poor little -half-starved child to her bosom, quieting, and kissing, and cooing over -it. - -Miss Margland was still more incensed; but Edgar could attend to her no -longer. Charmed with the youthful nurse, and seeing in her unaffected -attitudes, a thousand graces he had never before remarked, and reading -in her fondness for children the genuine sweetness of her character, he -could not bear to have the pleasing reflections revolving in his mind -interrupted by the spleen of Miss Margland, and, slipping away, posted -himself behind the baby's father, where he could look on undisturbed, -certain it was a vicinity to which Miss Margland would not follow him. - -Had this scene lasted till Camilla was tired, its period would not have -been very short; but Miss Margland, finding her exhortations vain, -suddenly called out: 'Miss Lynmere! Miss Eugenia! come away directly! -It's ten to one but these people have all got the gaol distemper!' - -Edgar, quick as lightning at this sound, flew to Camilla, and snatched -the child from her arms. Indiana, with a scream, ran out of the barn; -Miss Margland hurried after; and Eugenia, following, earnestly entreated -Camilla not to stay another moment. - -'And what is there to be alarmed at?' cried she; 'I always nurse poor -children when I see them at home; and my father never prohibits me.' - -'There may be some reason, however,' said Edgar, while still he tenderly -held the baby himself, 'for the present apprehension: I beg you, -therefore, to hasten away.' - -'At least,' said she, 'before I depart, let me execute my commission.' -And then, with the kindest good wishes for their better fortune, she put -her uncle's three guineas into the hands of the poor man, and her own -rescued half guinea into those of his wife; and, desiring Edgar not to -remain himself where he would not suffer her to stay, ran to give her -arm to Eugenia; leaving it a doubtful point, whether the good humour -accompanying her alms, made the most pleased impression upon their -receivers, or upon their observer. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_A Declaration_ - - -At night, while they were enjoying the bright beams of the moon, from an -apartment in the front of the house, they observed a strange footman, in -a superb livery, ride towards the servants hall; and presently a letter -was delivered to Miss Margland. - -She opened it with an air of exulting consequence; one which was -inclosed, she put into her pocket, and read the other three or four -times over, with looks of importance and complacency. She then pompously -demanded a private audience with Sir Hugh, and the young party left the -room. - -'Well, sir!' she cried, proudly, 'you may now see if I judged right as -to taking the young ladies a little into the world. Please to look at -this letter, sir:' - - _To Miss_ Margland, _at Sir_ Hugh Tyrold'_s_, _Bart._ Cleves, - Hampshire. - - MADAM, - - With the most profound respect I presume to address you, though - only upon the strength of that marked politeness which shines forth - in your deportment. I have the highest ambition to offer a few - lines to the perusal of Miss Eugenia Tyrold, previous to presenting - myself to Sir Hugh. My reasons will be contained in the letter - which I take the liberty to put into your hands. It is only under - your protection, madam, I can aim at approaching that young lady, - as all that I have either seen or heard convinces me of her - extraordinary happiness in being under your direction. Your - influence, madam, I should therefore esteem as an honour, and I - leave it wholly to your own choice, whether to read what I have - addressed to that young lady before or after she has deigned to - cast an eye upon it herself. I remain, with the most profound - respect, - - Madam, - your most obedient, - and obliged servant, - ALPHONSO BELLAMY. - - I shall take the liberty to send my servant for an answer tomorrow - evening. - -'This, sir,' continued Miss Margland, when Sir Hugh had read the letter; -'this is the exact conduct of a gentleman; all open, all respectful. No -attempt at any clandestine intercourse. All is addressed where it ought -to be, to the person most proper to superintend such an affair. This is -that very same gentleman whose politeness I mentioned to you, and who -danced with Miss Eugenia at Northwick, when nobody else took any notice -of her. This is--' - -'Why then this is one of the most untoward things,' cried Sir Hugh, who, -vainly waiting for a pause, began to speak without one, 'that has ever -come to bear; for where's the use of Eugenia's making poor young fellows -fall in love with her for nothing? which I hold to be a pity, provided -it's sincere, which I take for granted.' - -'As to that, sir, I can't say I see the reason why Miss Eugenia should -not be allowed to look about her, and have some choice; especially as -the young gentleman abroad has no fortune; at least none answerable to -her expectations.' - -'But that's the very reason for my marrying them together. For as he has -not had the small-pox himself, that is, not in the natural way; which, -Lord help me! I thought the best, owing to my want of knowledge; why -he'll the more readily excuse her face not being one of the prettiest, -for her kindness in putting up with his having so little money; being a -thing some people think a good deal of.' - -'But, sir, won't it be very hard upon poor Miss Eugenia, if a better -offer should come, that she must not listen to it, only because of a -person she has never seen, though he has no estate?' - -'Mrs. Margland,' said Sir Hugh, (with some heat,) 'this is the very -thing that I would sooner have given a crown than have had happen! Who -knows but Eugenia may take a fancy to this young jackanapes? who, for -aught I know, may be as good a man as another, for which I beg his -pardon; but, as he is nothing to me, and my nephew's my nephew, why am I -to have the best scheme I ever made knocked on the head, for a person I -had as lieve were twitched into the Red Sea? which, however, is a thing -I should not say, being what I would not do.' - -Miss Margland took from her pocket the letter designed for Eugenia, and -was going to break the seal; but Sir Hugh, preventing her, said: 'No, -Miss Margland; Eugenia shall read her own letters. I have not had her -taught all this time, by one of the first scholars of the age, as far as -I can tell, to put that affront upon her.' - -He then rang the bell, and sent for Eugenia. - -Miss Margland stated the utter impropriety of suffering any young lady -to read a letter of that sort, till proposals had been laid before her -parents and guardians. But Sir Hugh spoke no more till Eugenia appeared. - -'My dear,' he then said, 'here is a letter just come to put your -education to the trial; which, I make no doubt, will stand the test -properly: therefore, in regard to the answer, you shall write it all -yourself, being qualified in a manner to which I have no right to -pretend; though I shall go to-morrow to my brother, which will give me a -better insight; his head being one of the best.' - -Eugenia, greatly surprised, opened the letter, and read it with visible -emotion. - -'Well, my dear, and what do you say to it?' - -Without answering, she read it again. - -Sir Hugh repeated the question. - -'Indeed, sir,' said she, (in a tone of sadness,) 'it is something that -afflicts me very much!' - -'Lord help us!' cried Sir Hugh, 'this comes of going to a ball! which, -begging Miss Margland's pardon, is the last time it shall be done.' - -Miss Margland was beginning a vehement defence of herself; but Sir Hugh -interrupted it, by desiring to see the letter. - -Eugenia, with increased confusion, folded it up, and said: 'Indeed, -sir--Indeed, uncle--it is a very improper letter for me to shew.' - -'Well, that,' cried Miss Margland, 'is a thing I could never have -imagined! that a gentleman, who is so much the gentleman, should write -an improper letter!' - -'No, no,' interrupted she, 'not improper--perhaps--for him to -write,--but for me to exhibit.' - -'O, if that's all, my dear,' said Sir Hugh, 'if it's only because of a -few compliments, I beg you not to mind them, because of their having no -meaning; which is a thing common enough in the way of making love, by -what I hear; though such a young thing as you can know nothing of the -matter, your learning not going in that line; nor Dr. Orkborne's -neither, if one may judge; which, God forbid I should find fault with, -being no business of mine.' - -He then again asked to see the letter; and Eugenia, ashamed to refuse, -gave it, and went out of the room. - - _To Miss_ Eugenia Tyrold, Cleves. - - MADAM, - - The delicacy of your highly cultivated mind awes even the violent - passion which you inspire. And to this I entreat you to attribute - the trembling fear which deters me from the honour of waiting upon - Sir Hugh, while uncertain, if my addressing him might not raise - your displeasure. I forbear, therefore, to lay before him my - pretensions for soliciting your favour, from the deepest - apprehension you might think I presumed too far, upon an - acquaintance, to my unhappiness, so short; yet, as I feel it to - have excited in me the most lasting attachment, from my fixed - admiration of your virtues and talents, I cannot endure to run the - risk of incurring your aversion. Allow me then, once more, under - the sanction of that excellent lady in whose care I have had the - honour of seeing you, to entreat one moment's audience, that I may - be graced with your own commands about waiting upon Sir Hugh, - without which, I should hold myself ungenerous and unworthy to - approach him; since I should blush to throw myself at your feet - from an authority which you do not permit. I beseech you, madam, to - remember, that I shall be miserable till I know my doom; but still, - that the heart, not the hand, can alone bestow happiness on a - disinterested mind. - - I have the honour to be, - Madam, - your most devoted and obedient humble servant, - ALPHONSO BELLAMY. - -Sir Hugh, when he had finished the letter, heaved a sigh, and leant his -head upon his hand, considering whether or not to let it be seen by Miss -Margland; who, however, not feeling secure what his determination might -be, had so contrived to sit at the table as to read it at the same time -with himself. Nor had she weighed the interest of her curiosity amiss; -Sir Hugh, dreading a debate with her, soon put the letter into his -pocket-book, and again sent for Eugenia. - -Eugenia excused herself from returning, pleaded a head-ache, and went to -bed. - -Sir Hugh was in the deepest alarm; though the evening was far advanced, -he could scarce refrain from going to Etherington directly; he ordered -his carriage to be at the door at eight o'clock the next morning; and -sent a second order, a moment after, that it should not be later than -half past seven. - -He then summoned Camilla, and, giving her the letter, bid her run with -it to her sister, for fear it was that she was fretting for. And soon -after, he went to bed, that he might be ready in the morning. - -Eugenia, meanwhile, felt the placid composure of her mind now for the -first time shaken. The assiduities of this young man had already pleased -and interested her; but, though gratified by them in his presence, they -occurred to her no more in his absence. With the Oxonian she had been -far more struck; his energy, his sentiments, his passion for literature, -would instantly have riveted him in her fairest favour, had she not so -completely regarded herself as the wife of Clermont Lynmere, that she -denied her imagination any power over her reason. - -This letter, however, filled her with sensations wholly new. She now -first reflected seriously upon the nature of her situation with regard -to Clermont, for whom she seemed bespoken by her uncle, without the -smallest knowledge how they might approve or suit each other. Perhaps he -might dislike her; she must then have the mortification of being -refused: perhaps he might excite her own antipathy; she must then either -disappoint her uncle, or become a miserable sacrifice. - -Here, on the contrary, she conceived herself an elected object. The -difference of being accepted, or being chosen, worked forcibly upon her -mind; and, all that was delicate, feminine, or dignified in her notions, -rose in favour of him who sought, when opposed to him who could only -consent to receive her. Generous, too, he appeared to her, in forbearing -to apply to Sir Hugh, without her permission; disinterested, in -declaring he did not wish for her hand without her heart; and noble, in -not seeking her in a clandestine manner, but referring every thing to -Miss Margland. - -The idea also of exciting an ardent passion, lost none of its force from -its novelty to her expectations. It was not that she had hitherto -supposed it impossible; she had done less; she had not thought of it -all. Nor came it now with any triumph to her modest and unassuming mind; -all it brought with it was gratitude towards Bellamy, and a something -soothing towards herself, which, though inexplicable to her reason, was -irresistible to her feelings. - -When Camilla entered with the letter, she bashfully asked her, if she -wished to read it? Camilla eagerly cried: 'O, yes.' But, having finished -it, said: 'It is not such a letter as Edgar Mandlebert would have -written.' - -'I am sure, then,' said Eugenia, colouring, 'I am sorry to have received -it.' - -'Do you not observe every day,' said Camilla, 'the distance, the -delicacy of his behaviour to Indiana, though Miss Margland says their -marriage is fixed; how free from all distinction that might confuse her? -This declaration, on the contrary, is so abrupt--and from so new an -acquaintance--' - -'Certainly, then, I won't answer it,' said Eugenia, much discomposed; -'it had not struck me thus at first reading; but I see now all its -impropriety.' - -She then bid good night to Camilla; who, concluding her the appropriated -wife of Clermont, had uttered her opinion without scruple. - -Eugenia now again read the letter; but not again with pleasure. She -thought it forward and presumptuous; and the only gratification that -remained upon her mind, was an half conscious scarce admitted, and, even -to herself, unacknowledged charm, in a belief, that she possessed the -power to inspire an animated regard. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_An Answer_ - - -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold and Lavinia were at breakfast when Sir Hugh entered -their parlour, the next morning. 'Brother,' he cried, 'I have something -of great importance to tell you, which it is very fit my sister should -hear too; for which reason, I make no doubt but my dear Lavinia's good -sense will leave the room, without waiting for a hint.' - -Lavinia instantly retired. - -'O, my dear brother,' continued the baronet; 'do you know here's a young -chap, who appears to be a rather good sort of man, which is so much the -worse, who has been falling in love with Eugenia?' - -He then delivered the two letters to Mr. Tyrold. - -'Now the only thing that hurts me in this business is, that this young -man, who Miss Margland calls a person of fashion, writes as well as -Clermont would do himself; though that is what I shall never own to -Eugenia, which I hope is no sin being all for her own sake; that is to -say, for Clermont's.' - -Mr. Tyrold, after attentively reading the letters, gave them to his -wife, and made many inquiries concerning their writer, and his -acquaintance with Eugenia and Miss Margland. - -'Why it was all brought about,' said Sir Hugh, 'by their going to a ball -and a public breakfast; which is a thing my little Camilla is not at all -to blame for, because if nobody had put it in her head, she would not -have known there was a thing of the kind. And, indeed, it was but -natural in poor Lionel neither, to set her agog, the chief fault lying -in the assizes; to which my particular objection is against the lawyers, -who come into a town to hang and transport the poor, by way of keeping -the peace, and then encourage the rich to make all the noise and riot -they can, by their own junkettings; for which, however, being generally, -I believe, pretty good scholars, I make no doubt but they have their own -reasons.' - -'I flatter myself,' said Mrs. Tyrold, scarce deigning to finish the -letters, 'Eugenia, young as she is, will need no counsel how to estimate -a writer such as this. What must the man be, who, presuming upon his -personal influence, ventures to claim her concurrence in an application -to her friends, though he has seen her but twice, and knows her to be -destitute of the smallest knowledge of his principles, his character, or -his situation in life?' - -'Good lack!' cried the baronet, 'what a prodigious poor head I must -have! here I could hardly sleep all night, for thinking what a fine -letter this jackanapes, which I shall make no more apology for calling -him, had been writing, fearing it would cut up poor Clermont in her -opinion, for all his grand tour.' - -Perfectly restored to ease, he now bad them good morning; but Mr. Tyrold -entreated him to stay till they had settled how to get rid of the -business. - -'My dear brother,' he answered, 'I want no more help now, since I have -got your opinion, that is, my sister's, which I take it for granted is -the same. I make no doubt but Eugenia will pretty near have writ her -foul copy by the time I get home, which Dr. Orkborne may overlook for -her, to the end that this Mr. Upstart may have no more fault to find -against it.' - -They both desired to dine at Cleves, that they might speak themselves -with Eugenia. - -'And how,' said Mr. Tyrold, with a strong secret emotion, 'how goes on -Edgar with Indiana?' - -'Vastly well, vastly well indeed! not that I pretend to speak for -myself, being rather too dull in these matters, owing to never entering -upon them in the right season, as I intend to tell other young men doing -the same.' - -He then, in warm terms, narrated the accounts given him by Miss Margland -of the security of the conquest of Indiana. - -Mr. Tyrold fixed his hour for expecting the carriage, and the baronet -desired that Lavinia should be of the party; 'because,' he said, 'I see -she has the proper discretion, when she is wanted to go out of the way; -which must be the same with Camilla and Indiana, too, to-day, as well as -with young Mr. Edgar; for I don't think it prudent to trust such new -beginners with every thing that goes on, till they get a little older.' - -The anxiety of Mr. Tyrold, concerning Bellamy, was now mingled with a -cruel regret in relation to Mandlebert. Even his own upright conduct -could scarce console him for the loss of his favourite hope, and he -almost repented that he had not been more active in endeavouring to -preserve it. - -All that passed in his mind was read and participated in by his partner, -whose displeasure was greater, though her mortification could but be -equal. 'That Edgar,' said she, 'should have kept his heart wholly -untouched, would less have moved my wonder; he has a peculiar, though -unconscious delicacy in his nature, which results not from insolence nor -presumption, but from his own invariable and familiar exercise of every -virtue and of every duty: the smallest deviation is offensive, and even -the least inaccuracy is painful to him. Was it possible, then, to be -prepared for such an election as this? He has disgraced my expectations; -he has played the common part of a mere common young man, whose eye is -his sole governor.' - -'My Georgiana,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'I am deeply disappointed. Our two -eldest girls are but slightly provided for; and Eugenia is far more -dangerously circumstanced, in standing so conspicuously apart, as a -prize to some adventurer. One of these three precious cares I had fondly -concluded certain of protection and happiness; for which ever I might -have bestowed upon Edgar Mandlebert, I should have considered as the -most fortunate of her sex. Let us, however, rejoice for Indiana; no one -can more need a protector; and, next to my own three girls, there is no -one for whom I am so much interested. I grieve, however, for Edgar -himself, whose excellent judgment will, in time, assert its rights, -though passion, at this period, has set it aside.' - -'I am too angry with him for pity,' said Mrs. Tyrold; 'nor is his -understanding of a class that has any claim to such lenity: I had often -thought our gentle Lavinia almost born to be his wife, and no one could -more truly have deserved him. But the soft perfection of her character -relieves me from any apprehension for her conduct, and almost all my -solicitude devolves upon Camilla. For our poor Eugenia I had never -indulged a hope of his choice; though that valuable, unfortunate girl, -with every unearned defect about her, intrinsically merits him, with all -his advantages, his accomplishments, and his virtues: but to appreciate -her, uninfluenced by pecuniary views, to which he is every way superior, -was too much to expect from so young a man. My wishes, therefore, had -guided him to our Camilla, that sweet, open, generous, inconsiderate -girl, whose feelings are all virtues, but whose impulses have no -restraints: I have not a fear for her, when she can act with -deliberation; but fear is almost all I have left, when I consider her as -led by the start of the moment. With him, however, she would have been -the safest, and with him--next alone to her mother, the happiest of her -sex.' - -The kindest acknowledgments repaid this sympathy of sentiment, and they -agreed that their felicity would have been almost too complete for this -lower world, if such an event had come to pass. 'Nevertheless its -failure,' added Mrs. Tyrold, 'is almost incredible, and wholly -unpardonable. That Indiana should vanquish where Lavinia and Camilla -have failed! I feel indignant at such a triumph of mere external -unintelligent beauty.' - -Eugenia received her parents with the most bashful confusion; yet they -found, upon conversing with her, it was merely from youthful shame, and -not from any dangerous prepossession. The observations of Camilla had -broken that spell with which a first declaration of regard is apt to -entangle unreflecting inexperience; and by teaching her to less value -the votary, had made the conquest less an object of satisfaction. She -was gratified by the permission of her uncle to write her own answer, -which was now produced. - - _To_ Alphonso Bellamy, _Esq._ - - SIR, - - I am highly sensible to the honour of your partiality, which I - regret it is not possible for me to deserve. Be not, therefore, - offended, and still less suffer yourself to be afflicted, when I - confess I have only my poor thanks to offer, and poor esteem to - return, for your unmerited goodness. Dwell not, sir, upon this - disappointment, but receive my best wishes for your restored - happiness; for never can I forget a distinction to which I have so - little claim. Believe me, - - Sir, - Your very much obliged, - and most grateful humble servant, - EUGENIA TYROLD. - -Mr. Tyrold, who delighted to see how completely, in her studies with Dr. -Orkborne, she had escaped any pedantry or affectation, and even -preserved all the native humility of her artless character, returned her -the letter with an affectionate embrace, and told her he could desire no -alteration but that of omitting the word _grateful_ at the conclusion. - -Mrs. Tyrold was far less satisfied. She wished it to be completely -re-written; protesting, that a man who, in all probability, was a mere -fortune-hunter, would infer from so gentle a dismission encouragement -rather than repulse. - -Sir Hugh said there was one thing only he desired to have added, which -was a hint of a pre-engagement with a relation of her own. - -Eugenia, at this, coloured and retreated; and Mrs. Tyrold reminded the -baronet, with some displeasure, of his promise to guard the secret of -his project. Sir Hugh, a little disturbed, said it never broke out from -him but by accident, which he would take care should never get the upper -hand again. He would not, however, consent to have the letter altered, -which he said would be an affront to the learning of Eugenia, unless it -were done by Dr. Orkborne himself, who, being her master, had a right to -correct her first penmanship. - -Dr. Orkborne, being called upon, slightly glanced his eye over the -letter, but made no emendation, saying: 'I believe it will do very -sufficiently; but I have only concerned myself with the progress of Miss -Eugenia in the Greek and Latin languages; any body can teach her -English.' - -The fond parents finished their visit in full satisfaction with their -irreproachable Eugenia, and with the joy of seeing their darling Camilla -as happy and as disengaged as when she had left them; but Mandlebert had -spent the day abroad, and escaped, therefore, the observations with -which they had meant to have investigated his sentiments. Indiana, with -whom they conversed more than usual, and with the most scrutinizing -attention, offered nothing either in manner or matter to rescue his -decision from their censure: Mrs. Tyrold, therefore, rejoiced at his -absence, lest a coolness she knew not how to repress, should have led -him to surmise her disappointment. Her husband besought her to be -guarded: 'We had no right,' he said, 'to the disposal of his heart; and -Indiana, however he may find her inadequate to his future expectations, -will not disgrace his present choice. She is beautiful, she is young, -and she is innocent; this in early life is sufficient for felicity; and -Edgar is yet too new in the world to be aware how much of life remains -when youth is gone, and too unpractised to foresee, that beauty loses -its power even before it loses its charms, and that the season of -declining nature sighs deeply for the support which sympathy and -intelligence can alone bestow.' - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_An Explication_ - - -The visit which Camilla had designed this morning to Mrs. Arlbery, she -had been induced to relinquish through a speech made to her by Lionel. -'You have done for yourself, now!' said he, exultingly; 'so you may be -governed by that scare-crow, Miss Margland, at your leisure. Do you know -you were not once mentioned again at the Grove, neither by Mrs. Arlbery -nor any body else? and they all agreed Indiana was the finest girl in -the world.' - -Camilla, though of the same opinion with respect to Indiana, concluded -Mrs. Arlbery was offended by her retreat, and lost all courage for -offering any apology. - -Edgar did not return to Cleves till some time after the departure of Mr. -and Mrs. Tyrold, when he met Miss Margland and the young ladies -strolling in the park. - -Camilla, running to meet him, asked if he had restored the locket to the -right owner. - -'No,' answered he, smiling, 'not yet.' - -'What can be done then? my half guinea is gone; and, to confess the -truth, I have not another I can well spare!' - -He made no immediate reply; but, after speaking to the rest of the -party, walked on towards the house. - -Camilla, in some perplexity, following him, exclaimed: 'Pray tell me -what I must do? indeed I am quite uneasy.' - -'You would really have me give the locket to its rightful proprietor?' - -'To be sure I would!' - -'My commission, then, is soon executed.' And taking a little shagreen -case from his waistcoat pocket, he put it into her hand. - -'What can you mean? is there still any mistake?' - -'None but what you may immediately rectify, by simply retaining your own -prize.' - -Camilla, opening the case, saw the locket, and perceived under the -crystal a light knot of braided hair. But while she looked at it, he -hurried into the house. - -She ran after him, and insisted upon an explanation, declaring it to be -utterly impossible that the locket and the half guinea should belong to -the same person. - -'You must not then,' he said, 'be angry, if you find I have managed, at -last, but aukwardly. When I came to the library, the master of the -raffle told me it was against all rule to refund a subscription.' He -stopt. - -'The half guinea you put into my hand, then,' cried she, colouring, 'was -your own?' - -'My dear Miss Camilla, there is no other occasion upon which I would -have hazarded such a liberty; but as the money was for a charity, and as -I had undertaken what I could not perform, I rather ventured to replace -it, than suffer the poor objects for whom it was destined, to miss your -kind intention.' - -'You have certainly done right,' said she (feeling for her purse); 'but -you must not, for that reason, make me a second time do wrong.' - -'You will not so much hurt me?' replied he, gravely; 'you will not -reprove me as if I were a stranger, a mere common acquaintance? Where -could the money have been so well bestowed? It is not you, but those -poor people who are in my debt. So many were the chances against your -gaining the prize, that it was an event I had not even taken into -consideration: I had merely induced you to leave the shop, that you -might not have the surprise of finding your name was not withdrawn; the -rest was accident; and surely you will not punish me that I have paid to -the poor the penalty of my own ill weighed officiousness?' - -Camilla put up her purse, but, with some spirit, said: 'There is another -way to settle the matter which cannot hurt you; if I do not pay you my -half guinea, you must at least keep the fruits of your own.' And she -returned him the locket. - -'And what,' cried he, laughing 'must I do with it? would you have me -wear it myself?' - -'Give it,' answered she, innocently, 'to Indiana.' - -'No;' replied he, (reddening and putting it down upon a table,) but -_you_ may, if you believe her value will be greater than your own for -the hair of your two sisters.' - -Camilla, surprised, again looked at it, and recognized the hair of -Lavinia and Eugenia. - -'And how in the world did you get this hair?' - -'I told them both the accident that had happened, and begged them to -contribute their assistance to obtain your pardon.' - -'Is it possible,' cried she, with vivacity, 'you could add to all your -trouble so kind a thought?' and, without a moment's further hesitation, -she accepted the prize, returning him the most animated thanks, and -flying to Eugenia to inquire further into the matter, and then to her -uncle, to shew him her new acquisition. - -Sir Hugh, like herself, immediately said: 'But why did he not give it to -Indiana?' - -'I suppose,' said Eugenia, 'because Camilla had herself drawn the prize, -and he had only added our hair to it.' - -This perfectly satisfied the baronet; but Indiana could by no means -understand why it had not been managed better; and Miss Margland, with -much ill will, nourished a private opinion that the prize might perhaps -have been her own, had not Mandlebert interfered. However, as there -seemed some collusion which she could not develope, her conscience -wholly acquitted her of any necessity to refund her borrowed half -guinea. - -Camilla, meanwhile, decorated herself with the locket, and had nothing -in her possession which gave her equal delight. - -Miss Margland now became, internally, less sanguine, with regard to the -preference of Edgar for Indiana; but she concealed from Sir Hugh a doubt -so unpleasant, through an unconquerable repugnance to acknowledge it -possible she could have formed a wrong judgment. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_A Panic_ - - -Upon the ensuing Sunday, Edgar proposed that a party should be made to -visit a new little cottage, which he had just fitted up. This was agreed -to; and as it was not above a mile from the parish church, Sir Hugh -ordered that his low garden phaeton should be in readiness, after the -service, to convey himself and Eugenia thither. The rest, as the weather -was fine, desired to walk. - -They went to the church, as usual, in a coach and a chaise, which were -dismissed as soon as they alighted: but before that period, Eugenia, -with a sigh, had observed, that Melmond, the young Oxonian, was -strolling the same way, and had seen, with a blush, that Bellamy was by -his side. - -The two gentlemen recognised them as they were crossing the church-yard. -The Oxonian bowed profoundly, but stood aloof: Bellamy bowed also, but -immediately approached; and as Sir Hugh, at that moment, accidentally -let fall his stick, darted forward to recover and present it him. - -The baronet, from surprise at his quick motion, dropt his handkerchief -in receiving his cane; this also Bellamy, attentively shaking, restored -to him: and Sir Hugh, who could accept no civility unrequited, said: -'Sir, if you are a stranger, as I imagine, not knowing your face, you -are welcome to a place in my pew, provided you don't get a seat in a -better; which I'm pretty much afraid you can't, mine being the best.' - -The invitation was promptly accepted. - -Miss Margland, always happy to be of consequence, was hastening to Sir -Hugh, to put him upon his guard; when a respectful offer from Bellamy to -assist her down the steps, induced her to remit her design to a future -opportunity. Any attentions from a young man were now so new to her as -to seem a call upon her gratitude; nor had her charms ever been so -attractive as to render them common. - -Edgar and Indiana, knowing nothing of his late declaration, thought -nothing of his present admission; to Dr. Orkborne he was an utter -stranger; but Camilla had recourse to her fan to conceal a smile; and -Eugenia was in the utmost confusion. She felt at a loss how to meet his -eyes, and seated herself as much as possible out of his way. - -A few minutes after, looking up towards the gallery, she perceived, in -one of the furthest rows, young Melmond; his eyes fixt upon their pew, -but withdrawn the instant he was observed, and his air the most -melancholy and dejected. - -Again a half sigh escaped the tender Eugenia. How delicate, how elegant, -thought she, is this retired behaviour! what refinement results from a -true literary taste! O such be Clermont! if he resemble not this -Oxonian--I must be wretched for life! - -These ideas, which unavoidably, though unwillingly, interrupted her -devotion, were again broken in upon, when the service was nearly over, -by the appearance of Lionel. He had ridden five miles to join them, -merely not to be thought in leading-strings, by staying at Etherington -to hear his father; though the name and the excellence of the preaching -of Mr. Tyrold, attracted to his church all strangers who had power to -reach it:--so vehement in early youth is the eagerness to appear -independant, and so general is the belief that all merit must be sought -from a distance. - -The deeper understanding of Mandlebert rendered him superior to this -common puerility: and, though the preacher at Cleves church was his own -tutor, Dr. Marchmont, from whom he was scarce yet emancipated, he -listened to him with reverence, and would have travelled any distance, -and taken cheerfully any trouble, that would in the best and strongest -manner have marked the respect with which he attended to his doctrine. - -Dr. Marchmont was a man of the highest intellectual accomplishments, -uniting deep learning with general knowledge, and the graceful exterior -of a man of the world, with the erudition and science of a fellow of a -college. He obtained the esteem of the scholar wherever he was known, -and caught the approbation of the most uncultivated wherever he was -seen. - -When the service was over, Edgar proposed that Dr. Marchmont should join -the party to the cottage. Sir Hugh was most willing, and they sauntered -about the church, while the Doctor retired to the vestry to take off his -gown. - -During this interval, Eugenia, who had a passion for reading epitaphs -and inscriptions, became so intently engaged in decyphering some old -verses on an antique tablet, that she perceived not when Dr. Marchmont -was ready, nor when the party was leaving the church: and before any of -the rest missed her, Bellamy suddenly took the opportunity of her being -out of sight of all others, to drop on one knee, and passionately seize -her hand, exclaiming: 'O madam!--' When hearing an approaching step, he -hastily arose; but parted not with her hand till he had pressed it to -his lips. - -The astonished Eugenia, though at first all emotion, was completely -recovered by this action. His kneeling and his 'O madam!' had every -chance to affect her; but his kissing her hand she thought a liberty the -most unpardonable. She resented it as an injury to Clermont, that would -risk his life should he ever know it, and a blot to her own delicacy, as -irreparable as it was irremediable. - -Bellamy, who, from her letter, had augured nothing of hardness of heart, -tenderly solicited her forgiveness; but she made him no answer; silent -and offended she walked away, and, losing her timidity in her -displeasure, went up to her uncle, and whispered: 'Sir, the gentleman -you invited into your pew, is Mr. Bellamy!' - -The consternation of Sir Hugh was extreme: he had concluded him a -stranger to the whole party because a stranger to himself; and the -discovery of his mistake made him next conclude, that he had risked a -breach of the marriage he so much desired by his own indiscretion. He -took Eugenia immediately under his arm, as if fearful she might else be -conveyed away for Scotland before his eyes, and hurrying to the church -porch, called aloud for his phaeton. - -The phaeton was not arrived. - -Still more dismayed, he walked on with Eugenia to the railing round the -church-yard, motioning with his left hand that no one should follow. - -Edgar, Lionel, and Bellamy marched to the road, listening for the sound -of horses, but they heard none; and the carriages of the neighbouring -gentry, from which they might have hoped any assistance, had been driven -away while they had waited for Dr. Marchmont. - -Meanwhile, the eyes of Eugenia again caught the young Oxonian, who was -wandering around the church-yard: neither was he unobserved by Indiana, -who, though she participated not in the turn of reasoning, or taste for -the romantic, which awakened in Eugenia so forcible a sympathy, was yet -highly gratified by his apparent devotion to her charms: and had not -Miss Margland narrowly watched and tutored her, would easily have been -attracted from the cold civilities of Edgar, to the magnetism of -animated admiration. - -In these circumstances, a few minutes appeared many hours to Sir Hugh, -and he presently exclaimed: 'There's no possibility of waiting here the -whole day long, not knowing what may be the end!' Then, calling to Dr. -Orkborne, he said to him in a low voice, 'My good friend, here's -happened a sad thing; that young man I asked into my pew, for which I -take proper shame to myself, is the same person that wanted to make -Eugenia give up Clermont Lynmere, her own natural relation, and mine -into the bargain, for the sake of a stranger to us all; which I hold to -be rather uncommendable, considering we know nothing about him; though -there's no denying his being handsome enough to look at; which, however, -is no certainty of his making a good husband; so I'll tell you a mode -I've thought of, which I think to be a pretty good one, for parting them -out of hand.' - -Dr. Orkborne, who had just taken out his tablets, in order to enter some -hints relative to his great work, begged him to say no more till he had -finished his sentence. The baronet looked much distressed, but -consented: and when he had done, went on: - -'Why, if you will hold Eugenia, I'll go up to the rest, and send them on -to the cottage; and when they are gone, I shall get rid of this young -chap, by telling him Eugenia and I want to be alone.' - -Dr. Orkborne assented; and Sir Hugh, advancing to the group, made his -proposition, adding: 'Eugenia and I will overtake you as soon as the -garden-chair comes, which, I dare say, won't be long, Robert being so -behind-hand already.' Then, turning to Bellamy, 'I am sorry, sir,' he -said, 'I can't possibly ask you to stay with us, because of something my -little niece and I have got to talk about, which we had rather nobody -should hear, being an affair of our own: but I thank you for your -civility, sir, in picking up my stick and my pocket handkerchief, and I -wish you a very good morning and a pleasant walk, which I hope you won't -take ill.' - -Bellamy bowed, and, saying he by no means intended to intrude himself -into the company, slowly drew back. - -Edgar then pointed out a path through the fields that would considerably -abridge the walk, if the ladies could manage to cross over a dirty lane -on the other side of the church-yard. - -The baronet, who was in high spirits at the success of his scheme, -declared that if there was a short cut, they should not part company, -for he could walk it himself. Edgar assured him it could not be more -than half a mile, and offered him the use of his arm. - -'No, no, my good young friend,' answered he, smiling significantly; -'take care of Indiana! I have got a good stick, which I hold to be worth -any arm in Christendom, except for not being alive; so take care of -Indiana, I say.' - -Edgar bowed, but with a silence and gravity not unmixt with surprise; -and Sir Hugh, a little struck, hastily added, 'Nay, nay, I mean no -harm!' - -'No, sir,' said Edgar, recovering, 'you can mean nothing but good, when -you give me so fair a charge.' And he placed himself at the side of -Indiana. - -'Well then, now,' cried Sir Hugh, 'I'll marshal you all; and, first, for -my little Camilla, who shall come to my proper share; for she's -certainly the best companion of the whole; which I hope nobody will take -for a slight, all of us not being the same, without any fault of our -own. Dr. Orkborne shall keep to Eugenia, because, if there should be a -want of conversation, they can go over some of their lessons. Lionel -shall take the care of Mrs. Margland, it being always right for the -young to help people a little stricken; and as for the odd one, Dr. -Marchmont, why he may join little Camilla and me; for as she's none of -the steadiest, and I am none of the strongest, it is but fair the one -over should be between us.' - -Everybody professed obedience but Lionel; who, with a loud laugh, called -to Edgar to change partners. - -'We are all under orders,' answered he, quietly, 'and I must not be the -first to mutiny.' - -Indiana smiled with triumph; but Miss Margland, firing with anger, -declared she wanted no help, and would accept none. - -Sir Hugh was now beginning an expostulation with his nephew; but Lionel -preferred compliance to hearing it; yet, to obviate the ridicule which -he was persuaded would follow such an acquiescence, he strided up to -Miss Margland with hasty steps, and dropping on one knee, in the dust, -seized and kissed her hand; but precipitately rising, and shaking -himself, called out: 'My dear ma'am, have you never a little -cloaths-brush in your pocket? I can't kneel again else!' - -Miss Margland wrathfully turned from him; and the party proceeded to a -small gate, at the back of the church, that opened to the lane mentioned -by Edgar, over which, when the rest of the company had passed, into a -beautiful meadow, Lionel offered his hand for conducting Miss Margland, -who rejected it disdainfully. - -'Then, you will be sure to fall,' said he. - -'Not unless you do something to make me.' - -'You will be sure to fall,' he repeated coolly. - -Much alarmed, she protested she would not get over before him. - -He absolutely refused to go first. - -The whole party stopt; and Bellamy, who had hitherto stood still and -back, now ventured to approach, and in the most courteous manner, to -offer his services to Miss Margland. She looked victoriously around her; -but as he had spoken in a low voice, only said: 'Sir?' to make him -repeat his proposal more audibly. He complied, and the impertinencies -of Lionel rendered his civility irresistible: 'I am glad,' she cried, -'there is still one gentleman left in the world!' And accepted his -assistance, though her persecutor whispered that her spark was a dead -man! and strutted significantly away. - -Half frightened, half suspecting she was laughed at, she repeated softly -to Sir Hugh the menace of his nephew, begging that, to prevent mischief, -she might still retain Bellamy. - -'Lord be good unto me!' cried he, 'what amazing fools the boys of now -a-days are grown! with all their learning, and teaching, and classics at -their tongue's end for nothing! However, not to set them together by the -ears, till they grow a little wiser, which, I take it, won't be of one -while, why you must e'en let this strange gentleman walk with you till -t'other boy's further off. However, this one thing pray mind! (lowering -his voice,) keep him all to yourself! if he does but so much as look at -Eugenia, give him to understand it's a thing I sha'n't take very kind of -him.' - -Beckoning then to Dr. Orkborne, he uneasily said: 'As I am now obliged -to have that young fellow along with us, for the sake of preventing an -affray, about nobody knows what, which is the common reason of quarrels -among those raw young fry, I beg you to keep a particular sharp look -out, that he does not take the opportunity to run off with Eugenia.' - -The spirit of the baronet had over-rated his strength; and he was forced -to sit upon the lower step of a broad stile at the other end of the -meadow: while Miss Margland, who leant her tall thin figure against a -five-barred gate, willingly obviated his solicitude about Eugenia, by -keeping Bellamy in close and unabating conference with herself. - -A circumstance in the scenery before him now struck Dr. Orkborne with -some resemblance to a verse in one of Virgil's Eclogues, which he -thought might be happily applied to illustrate a passage in his own -work; taking out, therefore, his tablets, he begged Eugenia not to move, -and wrote his quotation; which, leading him on to some reflections upon -the subject, soon drove his charge from his thoughts, and consigned him -solely to his pencil. - -Eugenia willingly kept her place at his side: offended by Bellamy, she -would give him no chance of speaking with her, and the protection under -which her uncle had placed her she deemed sacred. - -Here they remained but a short time, when their ears received the shock -of a prodigious roar from a bull in the field adjoining. Miss Margland -screamed, and hid her face with her hands. Indiana, taught by her -lessons to nourish every fear as becoming, shriekt still louder, and ran -swiftly away, deaf to all that Edgar, who attended her, could urge. -Eugenia, to whom Bellamy instantly hastened, seeing the beast furiously -make towards the gate, almost unconsciously accepted his assistance, to -accelerate her flight from its vicinity; while Dr. Orkborne, intent upon -his annotations, calmly wrote on, sensible there was some disturbance, -but determining to evade inquiring whence it arose, till he had secured -what he meant to transmit to posterity from the treachery of his memory. - -Camilla, the least frightened, because the most enured to such sounds, -from the habits and the instruction of her rural life and education, -adhered firmly to Sir Hugh, who began blessing himself with some alarm; -but whom Dr. Marchmont re-assured, by saying the gate was secured, and -too high for the bull to leap, even supposing it a vicious animal. - -The first panic was still in its meridian, when Lionel, rushing past the -beast, which he had secretly been tormenting, skipt over the gate, with -every appearance of terror, and called out: 'Save yourselves all! Miss -Margland in particular; for here's a mad bull!' - -A second astounding bellow put a stop to any question, and wholly -checked the immediate impulse of Miss Margland to ask why she was thus -selected; she snatched her hands from her face, not doubting she should -see her esquire soothingly standing by her side; but, though internally -surprised and shocked to find herself deserted, she gathered strength to -run from the gate with the nimbleness of youth, and, flying to the -stile, regardless of Sir Hugh, and forgetting all her charges, scrambled -over it, and ran on from the noise, without looking to the right or the -left. - -Sir Hugh, whom Lionel's information, and Miss Margland's pushing past -him, had extremely terrified, was now also getting over the stile, with -the assistance of Dr. Marchmont, ejaculating: 'Lord help us! what a poor -race we are! No safety for us! if we only come out once in a dozen -years, we must meet with a mad bull!' - -He had, however, insisted that Camilla should jump over first, saying, -'There's no need of all of us being tost, my dear girl, because, of my -slowness, which is no fault of mine, but of Robert's not being in the -way; which must needs make the poor fellow unhappy enough, when he hears -of it: which, no doubt, I shall let him do, according to his deserts.' - -The other side of the stile brought them to the high road. Lionel, who -had only wished to torment Miss Margland, felt his heart smite him, when -he saw the fright of his uncle, and flew to acquaint him that he had -made a mistake, for the bull was only angry, not mad. - -The unsuspicious baronet thanked him for his good news, and sat upon a -bank till the party could be collected. - -This, however, was not soon to be done; the dispersion from the meadow -having been made in every possible direction. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_Two Lovers_ - - -Indiana, intent but upon running on, had nearly reached the church-yard, -without hearkening to one word of the expostulating Mandlebert; when, -leaning over a tombstone, on which she had herself leant while waiting -for the carriage, she perceived the young Oxonian. An instinctive spirit -of coquetry made her now increase her pace; he heard the rustling of -female approach, and looked up: her beauty, heightened by her flight, -which animated her complexion, while it displayed her fine form, seemed -more than ever celestial to the enamoured student; who darted forward -from an impulse of irresistible surprise. 'O Heaven!' she cried, panting -and stopping as he met her; 'I shall die! I shall die!--I am pursued by -a mad bull!' - -Edgar would have explained, that all was safe; but Melmond neither heard -nor saw him.--'O, give me, then,' he cried, emphatically; 'give me the -ecstasy to protect--to save you!' - -His out-spread arms shewed his intention to bear her away; but Edgar, -placing himself between them, said: 'Pardon me, sir! this lady is under -my care!' - -'O don't fight about me! don't quarrel!' cried Indiana, with an -apprehension half simple, half affected. - -'No, Madam!' answered Melmond, respectfully retreating; 'I know too--too -well! my little claim in such a dispute!--Permit me, however, to assist -you, Mr. Mandlebert, in your search of refuge; and deign, madam, to -endure me in your sight, till this alarm passes away.' - -Indiana, by no means insensible to this language, looked with some -elation at Edgar, to see how he bore it. - -Edgar was not surprised; he had already observed the potent impression -made by the beauty of Indiana upon the Oxonian; and was struck, in -defiance of its romance and suddenness, with its air of sincerity; he -only, therefore, gently answered, that there was not the least cause of -fear. - -'O, how can you say so?' said Indiana; 'how can you take so little -interest in me?' - -'At least, at least,' cried Melmond, trembling with eagerness, -'condescend to accept a double guard!--Refuse not, Mr. Mandlebert, to -suffer any attendance!' - -Mandlebert, a little embarrassed, answered: 'I have no authority to -decide for Miss Lynmere: but, certainly, I see no occasion for my -assistance.' - -Melmond fervently clasped his hands, and exclaimed: 'Do not, do not, -madam, command me to leave you till all danger is over!' - -The little heart of Indiana beat high with triumph; she thought -Mandlebert jealous: Miss Margland had often told her there was no surer -way to quicken him: and, even independently of this idea, the spirit, -the ardour, the admiration of the Oxonian, had a power upon her mind -that needed no auxiliary for delighting it. - -She curtsied her consent; but declared she would never go back the same -way. They proceeded, therefore, by a little round to the high road, -which led to the field in which the party had been dispersed. - -Indiana was full of starts, little shrieks, and palpitations; every one -of which rendered her, in the eyes of the Oxonian, more and more -captivating; and, while Edgar walked gravely on, reflecting, with some -uneasiness, upon being thus drawn in to suffer the attendance of a youth -so nearly a stranger, upon a young lady actually under his protection; -Melmond was continually ejaculating in return to her perpetual -apprehensions, 'What lovely timidity!--What bewitching softness!--What -feminine, what beautiful delicacy!--How sweet in terror!--How -soul-piercing in alarm!' - -These exclamations were nearly enchanting to Indiana, whose only fear -was, lest they should not be heard by Edgar; and, whenever they ceased, -whenever a pause and respectful silence took their place, new starts, -fresh palpitations, and designed false steps, again called them forth; -while the smile with which she repaid their enthusiastic speaker, was -fuel to his flame, but poison to his peace. - -They had not proceeded far, when they were met by Miss Margland, who, in -equal trepidation from anger and from fear, was still making the best of -her way from the bellowing of the bull. Edgar inquired for Sir Hugh, and -the rest of the party; but she could speak only of Lionel; his insolence -and his ill usage; protesting nothing but her regard for Indiana, could -induce her to live a moment longer under his uncle's roof. - -'But where,' again cried Edgar, 'where is Sir Hugh? and where are the -ladies?' - -'Tossed by the bull,' answered she, pettishly, 'for aught I know; I did -not choose to stay and be tossed myself; and a person like Mr. Lionel -can soon make such a beast point at one, if he takes it into his -humour.' - -Edgar then begged they might hasten to their company; but Miss Margland -positively refused to go back: and Indiana, always ready to second any -alarm, declared, she should quite sink with fright, if they went within -a hundred yards of that horrid field. Edgar still pleaded that the -baronet would expect them; but Melmond, in softer tones, spoke of fears, -sensibility, and dangers; and Edgar soon found he was talking to the -winds. - -All now that remained to prevent further separations was, that Edgar -should run on to the party, and acquaint them that Miss Margland and -Indiana would wait for them upon the high road. - -Melmond, meanwhile, felt in paradise; even the presence of Miss Margland -could not restrain his rapture, upon a casualty that gave him such a -charge, though it forced him to forbear making the direct and open -declaration of his passion, with which his heart was burning, and his -tongue quivering. He attended them both with the most fervent respect, -evidently very gratifying to the object of his adoration, though not -noticed by Miss Margland, who was wholly absorbed by her own -provocations. - -Edgar soon reached the bank by the road's side, upon which the baronet, -Dr. Marchmont, Lionel, and Camilla were seated. 'Lord help us!' -exclaimed Sir Hugh, aghast at his approach, 'if here is not young Mr. -Edgar without Indiana! This is a thing I could never have expected from -you, young Mr. Edgar! that you should leave her, I don't know where, and -come without her!' - -Edgar assured him she was safe, and under the care of Miss Margland, but -that neither of them could be prevailed with to come farther: he had, -therefore, advanced to inquire after the rest of the party, and to -arrange where they should all assemble. - -'You have done very right, then, my dear Mr. Edgar, as you always do, as -far as I can make out, when I come to the bottom. And now I am quite -easy about Indiana. But as to Eugenia, what Dr. Orkborne has done with -her is more than I can devise; unless, indeed, they are got to studying -some of their Greek verbs, and so forgot us all, which is likely enough; -only I had rather they had taken another time, not much caring to stay -here longer than I can help.' - -Edgar said, he would make a circuit in search of them; but, first, -addressing Camilla, 'You alone,' he cried, with an approving smile, -'have remained thus quiet, while all else have been scampering apart, -making _confusion worse confounded_.' - -'I have lived too completely in the country to be afraid of cattle,' she -answered; 'and Dr. Marchmont assured me there was no danger.' - -'You can listen, then, even when you are alarmed,' said he, -expressively, 'to the voice of reason!' - -Camilla raised her eyes, and looked at him, but dropt them again without -making any answer: Can _you_, she thought, have been pleading it in -vain? How I wonder at Indiana? - -He then set out to seek Eugenia, recommending the same office to Lionel -by another route; but Lionel no sooner gathered where Miss Margland -might be met with, than his repentance was forgotten, and he quitted -everything to encounter her. - -Edgar spent near half an hour in his search, without the smallest -success; he was then seriously uneasy, and returning to the party, when -a countryman, to whom he was known, told him he had seen Miss Eugenia -Tyrold, with a very handsome fine town gentleman, going into a farm -house. - -Edgar flew to the spot, and through a window, as he advanced, perceived -Eugenia seated, and Bellamy kneeling before her. - -Amazed and concerned, he abruptly made his way into the apartment. -Bellamy rose in the utmost confusion, and Eugenia, starting and -colouring, caught Edgar by the arm, but could not speak. - -He told her that her uncle and the whole company were waiting for her in -great anxiety. - -'And where, where,' cried she, 'are they? I have been in agonies about -them all! and I could not prevail--I could not--this gentleman said the -risk was so great--he would not suffer me--but he has sent for a chaise, -though I told him I had a thousand times rather hazard my life amongst -them, and with them, than save it alone!' - -'They are all perfectly safe, nor has there ever been any danger.' - -'I was told--I was assured--' said Bellamy, 'that a mad bull was running -wild about the country; and I thought it, therefore, advisable to send -for a chaise from the nearest inn, that I might return this young lady -to her friends.' - -Edgar made no answer, but offered his arm to conduct Eugenia to her -uncle. She accepted it, and Bellamy attended on her other side. - -Edgar was silent the whole way. The attitude in which he had surprised -Bellamy, by assuring him of the nature of his pretensions, had awakened -doubts the most alarming of the destination in view for the chaise which -he had ordered; and he believed that Eugenia was either to have been -beguiled, or betrayed, into a journey the most remote from the home to -which she belonged. - -Eugenia increased his suspicions by the mere confusion which deterred -her from removing them. Bellamy had assured her she was in the most -eminent personal danger, and had hurried her from field to field, with -an idea that the dreaded animal was in full pursuit. When carried, -however, into the farm house, she lost all apprehension for herself in -fears for her friends, and insisted upon sharing their fate. Bellamy, -who immediately ordered a chaise, then cast himself at her feet, to -entreat she would not throw away her life by so rash a measure. - -Exhausted, from her lameness, she was forced to sit still, and such was -their situation at the entrance of Edgar. She wished extremely to -explain what had been the object of the solicitation of Bellamy, and to -clear him, as well as herself, from any further surmises; but she was -ashamed to begin the subject. Edgar had seen a man at her feet, and she -thought, herself, it was a cruel injury to Clermont, though she knew not -how to refuse it forgiveness, since it was merely to supplicate she -would save her own life. - -Bellamy, therefore, was the only one who spoke; and his unanswered -observations contributed but little to enliven the walk. - -When they came within sight of the party, the baronet was again seized -with the extremest dismay. 'Why now, what's this?' cried he; 'here's -nothing but blunders. Pray, Sir, who gave you authority to take my niece -from her own tutor? for so I may call him, though more properly -speaking, he came amongst us to be mine; which, however, is no affair -but of our own.' - -'Sir,' answered Bellamy, advancing and bowing; 'I hope I have had the -happiness of rather doing service than mischief; I saw the young lady -upon the point of destruction, and I hastened her to a place of -security, from whence I had ordered a post-chaise, to convey her safe to -your house.' - -'Yes, my dear uncle,' said Eugenia, recovering from her embarrassment; -'I have occasioned this gentleman infinite trouble; and though Mr. -Mandlebert assures us there was no real danger, he thought there was, -and therefore I must always hold myself to be greatly obliged to him.' - -'Well, if that's the case, I must be obliged to him too; which, to tell -you the truth, is not a thing I am remarkably fond of having happened. -But where's Dr. Orkborne? I hope he's come to no harm, by his not -shewing himself?' - -'At the moment of terror,' said Eugenia, 'I accepted the first offer of -assistance, concluding we were all hurrying away at the same time; but I -saw Dr. Orkborne no more afterwards.' - -'I can't say that was over and above kind of him, nor careful neither,' -cried Sir Hugh, 'considering some particular reasons; however, where is -he now?' - -Nobody could say; no one had seen or observed him. - -'Why then, ten to one, poor gentleman!' exclaimed the baronet, 'but he's -the very person himself who's tossed, while we are all of us running -away for nothing!' - -A suspicion now occurred to Dr. Marchmont, which led him to return over -the stile into the field where the confusion had begun; and there, on -the exact spot where he had first taken out his tablets, calmly stood -Dr. Orkborne; looking now upon his writing, now up to the sky, but -seeing nothing any where, from intense absorption of thought upon the -illustration he was framing. - -Awakened from his reverie by the Doctor, his first recollection was of -Eugenia; he had not doubted her remaining quietly by his side, and the -moment he looked round and missed her, he felt considerable compunction. -The good Doctor, however, assured him all were safe, and conducted him -to the group. - -'So here you are,' said the baronet, 'and no more tossed than myself, -for which I am sincerely thankful, though I can't say I think you have -taken much care of my niece, nobody knowing what might have become of -her, if it had not been for that strange gentleman, that I never saw -before.' - -He then formally placed Eugenia under the care of Dr. Marchmont. - -Dr. Orkborne, piqued by this transfer, sullenly followed, and now gave -to her, pertinaciously, his undivided attention. Drawn by a total -revulsion of ideas from the chain of thinking that had led him to -composition, he relinquished his annotations in resentment of this -dismission, when he might have pursued them uninterruptedly without -neglect of other avocations. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_Two Doctors_ - - -A council was now held upon what course must next be taken. Both Sir -Hugh and Eugenia were too much fatigued to walk any further; yet it was -concluded that the garden chair, by some mistake, was gone straight to -the cottage. Edgar, therefore, proposed running thither to bring it -round for them, while Dr. Orkborne should go forward for Miss Margland -and Indiana, and conduct them by the high road to the same place; where -the whole party might at length re-assemble. Sir Hugh approved the plan, -and he set off instantly. - -But not so Dr. Orkborne; he thought himself disgraced by being sent from -one post to another; and though Eugenia was nothing to him, in -competition with his tablets and his work, his own instructions had so -raised her in his mind, that he thought her the only female worthy a -moment of his time. Indiana he looked upon with ineffable contempt; the -incapacity she had shewn during the short time she was under his -pupillage, had convinced him of the futility of her whole sex, from -which he held Eugenia to be a partial exception; and Miss Margland, who -never spoke to him but in a voice of haughty superiority, and whom he -never answered, but with an air of solemn superciliousness, was his -rooted aversion. He could not brook being employed in the service of -either; he stood, therefore, motionless, till Sir Hugh repeated the -proposition. - -Not caring to disoblige him, he then, without speaking, slowly and -unwillingly moved forwards. - -'I see,' said the baronet, softened rather than offended, 'he does not -much like to leave his little scholar, which is but natural; though I -took it rather unkind his letting the poor thing run against the very -horns of the bull, as one may say, if it had not been for a mere -accidental passenger. However, one must always make allowance for a man -that takes much to his studies, those things generally turning the head -pretty much into a narrow compass.' - -He then called after him, and said if the walk would tire him, he would -wait till they came of themselves, which no doubt they would soon do, as -Lionel was gone for them. - -Dr. Orkborne gladly stopt; but Dr. Marchmont, seeing little likelihood -of a general meeting without some trouble, offered to take the -commission upon himself, with a politeness that seemed to shew it to be -a wish of his own. - -Sir Hugh accepted his kindness with thanks; and Dr. Orkborne, though -secretly disconcerted by such superior alacrity in so learned a man, was -well content to reinstate himself by the side of his pupil. - -Sir Hugh, who saw the eyes of Bellamy constantly turned towards Eugenia, -thought his presence highly dangerous, and with much tribulation, said: -'As I find, sir, we may all have to stay here, I don't know how long, I -hope you won't be affronted, after my best thanks for your keeping my -niece from the bull, if I don't make any particular point of begging -the favour of you to stay much longer with us.' - -Bellamy, extremely chagrined, cast an appealing look at Eugenia, and -expressing his regret that his services were inadmissible, made his -retreat with undisguised reluctance. - -Eugenia, persuaded she owed him a serious obligation for his care, as -well as for his partiality, felt the sincerest concern at his apparent -distress, and contributed far more than she intended to its removal, by -the gentle countenance with which she received his sorrowful glance. - -Bellamy, hastily overtaking Dr. Marchmont, darted on before him in -search of Miss Margland and Indiana, who, far from advancing, were -pacing their way back to the church-yard. Lionel had joined them, and -the incensed Miss Margland had encouraged the glad attendance of the -Oxonian, as a protection to herself. - -The sight of Bellamy by no means tended to disperse the storm: She -resented his deserting her while she was in danger, and desired to see -no more of him. But when he had respectfully suffered her wrath to vent -itself, he made apologies, with an obsequiousness so rare to her, and a -deference so strikingly contrasted with the daring ridicule of Lionel, -that she did not long oppose the potent charm of adulation--a charm -which, however it may be sweetened by novelty, seldom loses its effect -by any familiarity. - -During these contests, Indiana was left wholly to young Melmond, and the -temptation was too strong for his impassioned feelings to withstand: 'O -fairest,' he cried, 'fairest and most beautiful of all created beings! -Can I resist--no! this one, one effusion--the first and the last! The -sensibility of your mind will plead for me--I read it in those heavenly -eyes--they emit mercy in their beauty! they are as radiant with goodness -as with loveliness! alas! I trespass--I blush and dare not hope your -forgiveness.' - -He stopt, terrified at his own presumption; but the looks of Indiana -were never more beautiful, and never less formidable. A milder doom, -therefore, seemed suddenly to burst upon his view. Elated and -enraptured, he vehemently exclaimed: 'Oh, were my lot not irrevocably -miserable! were the smallest ray of light to beam upon my -despondence!'-- - -Indiana still spoke not a word, but she withdrew not her smiles; and the -enraptured student, lifted into the highest bliss by the permission -even of a doubt, walked on, transported, by her side, too happy in -suspence to wish an explanation. - -In this manner they proceeded, till they were joined by Dr. Marchmont. -The task he had attempted was beyond his power of performance; Miss -Margland was inexorable; she declared nothing should induce her to go a -step towards the field inhabited by the bull, and every assurance of -safety the Doctor could urge was ineffectual. - -He next assailed Indiana; but her first terror, soothed by the -compassion and admiration of Melmond, was now revived, and she -protested, almost with tears, that to go within a hundred yards of that -dreadful meadow would make her undoubtedly faint away. The tender -commiseration of Melmond confirmed her apprehensions, and she soon -looked upon Dr. Marchmont as a barbarian for making the proposal. - -The Doctor then commended them to the care of Lionel, and returned with -this repulse to Sir Hugh. - -The baronet, incapable of being angry with any one he conceived to be -frightened, said they should be pressed no more, for he would give up -going to the cottage, and put his best foot forward to walk on to them -himself; adding he was so overjoyed to have got rid of that young spark, -that he had no fear but that he, and poor Eugenia, too, should both do -as well as they could. - -They proceeded very slowly, the baronet leaning upon Dr. Marchmont, and -Eugenia upon Dr. Orkborne, who watchful, with no small alarm, of the -behaviour of the only man he had yet seen with any internal respect, -since he left the university, sacrificed completely his notes and his -tablets to emulate his attentions. - -When they approached the church-yard, in which Miss Margland and her -party had halted, Sir Hugh perceived Bellamy. He stopt short, calling -out, with extreme chagrin, 'Lord help us! what a thing it is to rejoice! -which one never knows the right season to do, on the score of meeting -with disappointments!' - -Then, after a little meditation, 'There is but one thing,' he cried, 'to -be done, which is to guard from the first against any more mischief, -having already had enough of it for one morning, not to say more than I -could have wished by half: So do you, good Dr. Marchmont, take Eugenia -under your own care, and I'll make shift with Dr. Orkborne for myself; -for, in the case he should take again to writing or thinking, it will be -nothing to me to keep still till he has done; provided it should happen -at a place where I can sit down.' - -Dr. Orkborne had never felt so deeply hurt; the same commission -transferred to Edgar, or to Lionel, would have failed to affect him; he -considered them as of an age fitted for such frivolous employment, which -he thought as much below his dignity, as the young men themselves were -beneath his competition; but the comfort of contempt, a species of -consolation ever ready to offer itself to the impulsive pride of man, -was here an alleviation he could not call to his aid; the character of -Dr. Marchmont stood as high in erudition as his own; and, though his -acquaintance with him was merely personal, the fame of his learning, the -only attribute to which fame, in his conception, belonged, had reached -him from authority too unquestionable for doubt. The urbanity, -therefore, of his manners, his general diffusion of discourse, and his -universal complaisance, filled him with astonishment, and raised an -emotion of envy which no other person would have been deemed worthy of -exciting. - -But though his long and fixed residence at Cleves had now removed the -timid circumspection with which he first sought to ensure his -establishment, he yet would not venture any positive refusal to the -baronet; he resigned, therefore, his young charge to his new and -formidable opponent, and even exerted himself to mark some alacrity in -assisting Sir Hugh. But his whole real attention was upon Dr. Marchmont, -whom his eye followed in every motion, to discover, if possible, by what -art unknown he had acquired such a command over his thoughts and -understanding, as to bear patiently, nay pleasantly, with the idle and -unequal companions of general society. - -Dr. Marchmont, who was rector of Cleves, had been introduced to Sir Hugh -upon the baronet's settling in the large mansion-house of that village; -but he had not visited at the house, nor had his company been solicited. -Sir Hugh, who could never separate understanding from learning, nor want -of education from folly, concluded that such a man as Dr. Marchmont must -necessarily despise him; and though the extreme sweetness of his temper -made him draw the conclusion without resentment, it so effectually -prevented all wish of any intercourse, that they had never conversed -together till this morning; and his surprise, now, at such civilities -and good humour in so great a scholar, differed only from that of Dr. -Orkborne, in being accompanied with admiration instead of envy. - -Eugenia thus disposed of, they were proceeding, when Sir Hugh next -observed the young Oxonian: He was speaking with Indiana, to whom his -passionate devotion was glaring from his looks, air, and whole manner. - -'Lord held me!' exclaimed he; 'if there is not another of those new -chaps, that nobody knows anything about, talking to Indiana! and, for -aught I can tell to the contrary, making love to her! I think I never -took such a bad walk as this before, since the hour I was born, in point -of unluckiness. Robert will have enough to answer for, which he must -expect to hear; and indeed I am not much obliged to Mrs. Margland -herself, and so I must needs tell her, though it is not what I much like -to do.' - -He then made a sign to Miss Margland to approach him: 'Mrs. Margland,' -he cried, 'I should not have taken the liberty to beckon you in this -manner, but that I think it right to ask you what those two young -gentlemen, that I never saw before, do in the church-yard; which is a -thing I think rather odd.' - -'As to that gentleman, sir,' she answered, bridling, 'who was standing -by me, he is the only person I have found to protect me from Mr. Lionel, -whose behaviour, sir, I must freely tell you--' - -'Why certainly, Mrs. Margland, I can't deny but he's rather a little -over and above giddy; but I am sure your understanding won't mind it, in -consideration of his being young enough to be your son, in the case of -your having been married time enough.' - -He then desired Indiana would come to him. - -The rapture of the Oxonian was converted into torture by this summons; -and the suspence which the moment before he had gilded with the gay -colours of hope, he felt would be no longer supportable when deprived of -the sight of his divinity. Scarce could he refrain from casting himself -publicly at her feet, and pouring forth the wishes of his heart. But -when again the call was repeated, and he saw her look another way, as if -desirous not to attend to it, the impulse of quick rising joy dispersed -his small remains of forbearance, and precipitately clasping his hands, -'O go not!' he passionately exclaimed; 'leave me not in this abyss of -suffering! Fairest and most beautiful! tell me at least, if my death is -inevitable! if no time--no constancy--no adoration--may ever dare hope -to penetrate that gentlest of bosoms!' - -Indiana herself was now, for the first time, sensible of a little -emotion; the animation of this address delighted her; it was new, and -its effect was highly pleasing. How cold, she thought, is Edgar! She -made not any answer, but permitted her eyes to meet his with the most -languishing softness. - -Melmond trembled through his whole frame; despair flew him, and -expectation wore her brightest plumage: 'O pronounce but one word,' he -cried, 'one single word!--are, are you--O say not yes!--irrevocably -engaged?--lost to all hope--all possibility for ever?' - -Indiana again licensed her fine eyes with their most melting powers, and -all self-control was finally over with her impassioned lover; who, -mingling prayers for her favour, with adoration of her beauty, heeded -not who heard him, and forgot every presence but her own. - -Miss Margland, who, engrossed by personal resentment and debates, had -not remarked the rising courage and energy of Melmond, had just turned -to Indiana, upon the second call of Sir Hugh, and became now utterly -confounded by the sight of her willing attention: 'Miss Lynmere,' cried -she, angrily, 'what are you thinking of? Suppose Mr. Mandlebert should -come, what might be the consequence?' - -'Mandlebert?' repeated Melmond, while the blood forsook his cheeks; 'is -it then even so?--is all over?--all decided? is my destiny black and -ireful for ever?' - -Indiana still more and more struck with him, looked down, internally -uttering: Ah! were this charming youth but master of Beech Park! - -At this instant, the rapid approach of a carriage caught their ears; and -eager to avoid making a decisive reply, she ran to the church-yard gate -to look at it, exclaiming: 'Dear! what an elegant chariot.' When it came -up to the party, it stopt, and, opening the door himself, Edgar jumped -hastily out of it. - -The Oxonian stood aghast: but Indiana, springing forward, and losing in -curiosity every other sensation, cried: 'Dear! Mr. Mandlebert, whose -beautiful new carriage is that?' - -'Yours,' answered he, gallantly, 'if you will honour it with any -commands.' - -She then observed his crest and cypher were on the panels; and another -entire new set of ideas took instant possession of her mind. She -received literally an answer which he had made in gay courtesy, and held -out her hand to be helped into the chariot. - -Edgar, though surprised and even startled at this unexpected -appropriation of his civility, could not recede; but the moment he had -seated her, hastily turned round, to inquire who else was most fatigued. - -The Oxonian now felt lost! suddenly, abruptly, but irretrievably lost! -The cypher he saw--the question 'whose carriage is that?' he heard--the -answer '_yours_' made him gasp for breath, and the instantaneous -acceptance stung him to the soul. Wholly in desperation, he rushed to -the opposite window of the chariot, and calling out, 'enough, -cruel!--cruel!--enough--I will see you no more!' hurried out of sight. - -Indiana, who, for the first time, thought herself mistress of a new and -elegant equipage, was so busily employed in examining the trappings and -the lining, that she bore his departure without a sigh; though but an -instant before it might have cost her something near one. - -Eugenia had been touched more deeply. She was ignorant of what had -passed, but she had seen the agitation of Melmond, and the moment he -disappeared, she ejaculated secretly: 'Ah! had he conceived the -prepossession of Bellamy! where had been my steadiness? where, O -Clermont! thy security!--' - -The scrupulous delicacy of her mind was shocked at this suggestion, and -she rejoiced she had not been put to such a trial. - -Edgar now explained, that when he arrived at the cottage, he found, as -he had foreseen, the garden chair waiting there, by mistake, and Robert -in much distress, having just discovered that an accident had happened -to one of the wheels. He had run on, therefore, himself, to Beech Park, -for his own new chariot, which was lately arrived from town, making -Robert follow with Sir Hugh's horses, as his own were out at grass. - -It was dinner-time, and Sir Hugh, equally vexed and fatigued, resolved -to return straight home. He accepted, therefore, a place in the chariot, -bid Eugenia follow him, and Robert make haste; solemnly adding to the -latter: 'I had fully intended making you the proper lecture upon your -not coming in time; but as it has turned out not to be your fault, on -account of an accident, I shall say no more; except to give you a hint -not to do such a thing again, because we have all been upon the point -of being tossed by a mad bull; which would certainly have happened, but -for the lucky chance of its turning out a false alarm.' - -The remainder of the party proceeded without further adventure. Edgar -attended Camilla; Miss Margland adhered to Bellamy: Lionel, who durst -not venture at any new frolic, but with whom time lingered when none was -passing, retreated; Dr. Marchmont, who was near his home, soon also made -his bow; and Dr. Orkborne, who was glad to be alone, ruminated with -wonder upon what appeared to him a phenomenon, a man of learning who -could deign to please and seem pleased where books were not the subject -of discourse, and where scholastic attainments were not required to -elucidate a single sentence. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -_Two Ways of looking at the same Thing_ - - -When the party arrived at Cleves, Camilla, who had observed that Edgar -seemed much disappointed by the breaking up of the cottage expedition, -proposed that it should take place in the evening; and her uncle, though -too much fatigued to venture out again himself, consented, or rather -insisted, that the excursion should be made without him. - -Before they set out, Edgar desired to speak with Sir Hugh in private. - -Sir Hugh concluded it was to make his proposals of marriage for Indiana; -and had not patience to step into his own apartment, but told them all -to retire, with a nod at Indiana, which prepared not only herself but -Miss Margland, Camilla, and Eugenia to join in his expectation. - -Indiana, though a good deal fluttered, flew to a window, to see if the -new chariot was in sight; and then, turning to Miss Margland, asked, -'Pray, should I refuse him at first?' - -Miss Margland spared not for proper instructions; and immediately began -a negociation with the fair questioner, for continuing to live with her. - -Eugenia was occupied in reflecting with pity upon the idleness of -Indiana, which so ill had fitted her for becoming the companion of -Mandlebert. - -Camilla, unusually thoughtful, walked alone into the garden, and sought -a path least in sight. - -Sir Hugh, meanwhile, was most unpleasantly undeceived. Edgar, without -naming Indiana, informed him of the situation in which he had surprised -Bellamy, and of his suspicions with regard to the destination of the -chaise, but for his own timely arrival at the farm-house; adding, that -his gratitude to Mr. Tyrold, his respect for himself, and his affection -for all the family, made him think it is duty to reveal these -circumstances without delay. - -The baronet shuddered with horror; and declared he would instantly send -an express to bring Clermont home, that Eugenia might be married out of -hand; and, in the mean time, that he would have every window in the -house barred, and keep her locked up in her room. - -Edgar dissuaded him from so violent a measure; but advised him to speak -with his niece upon the danger she had probably escaped, and of which -she seemed wholly unconscious; to prevail with her not to go out again -this evening, and to send for Mr. Tyrold, and acquaint him with the -affair. - -Sir Hugh thanked him for his counsel, and implicitly acted by his -opinion. - -He then ordered the coach for Miss Margland, Indiana, and Camilla. - -Dr. Orkborne, finding neither Sir Hugh nor Eugenia of the party, -declined joining it. Lionel was returned to Etherington; and Edgar rode -on before, to invite Dr. Marchmont, with the consent of the Baronet, to -take the fourth place in the carriage. - -Arrived at the rectory, he went straight, by prescriptive privilege, -into the study of Dr. Marchmont, whom he found immersed in books and -papers, which, immediately, at the request of Edgar, he put aside; not -without regret to quit them, though wholly without reluctance to oblige. - -Edgar had ridden so hard, that they had some time to wait for the coach. -But he did not appear anxious for its arrival; though he wore a look -that was far from implying him to be free from anxiety. - -He was silent,--he hemmed,--he was silent again,--and again he -hemmed,--and then, gently laying his hand upon the shoulder of the -Doctor, while his eyes, full of meaning, were fixed upon his face; -'Doctor,' he cried, 'you would hardly have known these young -ladies?--they are all grown from children into women since you saw them -last.' - -'Yes,' answered the Doctor, 'and very charming women. Indiana has a -beauty so exquisite, it is scarce possible to look away from it a -moment: Eugenia joins so much innocence with information, that the mind -must itself be deformed that could dwell upon her personal defects, -after conversing with her: Camilla'-- - -He paused, and Edgar hastily turned another way, not to look at him, nor -be looked at, while he proceeded: - -'Camilla,' he presently continued, 'seems the most inartificially sweet, -the most unobtrusively gay, and the most attractively lovely of almost -any young creature I ever beheld.' - -With a heart all expanded, and a face full of sensibility, Edgar now -turned to him, and seizing, involuntarily, his hand, which he eagerly -shook, 'You think her, then,'--he cried,--but suddenly stopt, dropt his -hand, coughed two or three times; and, taking out his pocket -handkerchief, seemed tormented with a violent cold. - -Dr. Marchmont affectionately embraced him. 'My dear young young friend,' -he cried, 'I see the situation of your mind--and think every possible -happiness promises to be yours; yet, if you have taken no positive step, -suffer me to speak with you before you proceed.' - -'Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even formed any -resolution.' - -Here the carriage stopt for the Doctor, who repeated, 'Yes! I think -every possible happiness promises to be yours!' before he went on to the -ladies. Edgar, in a trepidation too great to be seen by them, kept -behind till they drove off, though he then galloped so fast, that he -arrived at the cottage before them: the words, 'I think every possible -happiness promises to be yours,' vibrating the whole time in his ears. - -When the coach arrived, Edgar handed out Miss Margland and Indiana; -leaving Camilla to the Doctor; willing to let him see more of her, and -by no means displeased to avoid his eyes at that moment himself. - -Indiana was in the most sprightly spirits she had ever experienced; she -concluded herself on the verge of becoming mistress of a fine place and -a large fortune; she had received adulation all the morning that had -raised her beauty higher than ever in her own estimation; and she -secretly revolved, with delight, various articles of ornament and of -luxury, which she had long wished to possess, and which now, for her -wedding clothes, she should have riches sufficient to purchase. - -Miss Margland, too, was all smoothness, complacency, and courtesy. - -Camilla, alone, was grave; Camilla, who, by nature, was gay. - -'Dear! is this the cottage we have been coming to all this time?' cried -Indiana, upon entering; 'Lord! I thought it would have been something -quite pretty.' - -'And what sort of prettiness,' said Edgar, 'did you expect from a -cottage?' - -'Dear, I don't know--but I thought we were come on purpose to see -something extraordinary?' - -Camilla, who followed, made an exclamation far different; an exclamation -of pleasure, surprise, and vivacity, that restored for an instant, all -her native gaiety: for no sooner had she crossed the threshold, than she -recognised, in a woman who was curtsying low to receive her, and whom -Indiana had passed without observing, the wife of the poor prisoner for -whom she had interceded with Mandlebert. - -'How I rejoice to see you!' cried she, 'and to see you here! and how -much better you look! and how comfortable you seem! I hope you are now -all well?' - -'Ah, madam,' answered the woman; 'we owe everything to that good young -gentleman! he has put us in this nice new cottage, and employs us in his -service. Blessings on his head! I am sure he will be paid for it!' - -Edgar, somewhat agitated, occupied himself with jumping the little boy; -Camilla looked round with rapture; Indiana seemed wonder-struck, without -knowing why; Dr. Marchmont narrowly watched them all; and Miss Margland, -expecting a new collection would be next proposed for setting them up, -nimbly re-crossed the threshold, to examine the prospect without. - -The husband, now in decent garb, and much recovered, though still weak -and emaciated, advanced to Camilla, to make his humble acknowledgments, -that she had recommended them to their kind benefactor. - -'No!' cried Camilla; 'you owe me nothing! your own distress recommended -you;--your own distress--and Mr. Mandlebert's generosity.' - -Then, going up to Edgar, 'It is your happy fate,' she said, in an accent -of admiration, 'to act all that my father so often plans and wishes, but -which his income will not allow him to execute.' - -'You see,' answered he, gratefully, 'how little suffices for content! I -have scarce done anything--yet how relieved, how satisfied are these -poor people! This hut was fortunately vacant'-- - -'O, madam!' interrupted the poor woman, 'if you knew but how that good -gentleman has done it all! how kindly he has used us, and made everybody -else use us! and let nobody taunt us with our bad faults!--and what good -he has done to my poor sick husband! and how he has clothed my poor -little half naked children! and, what is more than all, saved us from -the shame of an ill life.'-- - -Camilla felt the tears start into her eyes;--she hastily snatched the -little babe into her arms; and, while her kisses hid her face, Happy, -and thrice happy Indiana! with a soft sigh, was the silent ejaculation -of her heart. - -She seated herself on a stool, and, without speaking or hearing any -thing more, devoted herself to the baby. - -Indiana, meanwhile, whose confidence in her own situation gave her -courage to utter whatever first occurred to her, having made a general -survey of the place and people, with an air of disappointment, now -amused herself with an inspection more minute, taking up and casting -down everything that was portable, without any regard either to -deranging its neatness, or endangering its safety:--exclaiming, as she -made her round of investigation, 'Dear! Crockery ware! how ugly!--Lord, -what little mean chairs!--Is that your best gown, good woman?--Dear, -what an ugly pattern!--Well, I would not wear such a thing to save my -life!--Have you got nothing better than this for a floor-cloth?--Only -look at those curtains! Did you ever see such frights?--Lord! do you eat -off these platters? I am sure I could sooner die! I should not mind -starving half as much!' - -Miss Margland, hoping the collection was now either made or -relinquished, ventured to re-enter, and inquire if they never meant to -return home? Camilla unwillingly gave up the baby; but would not depart -without looking over the cottage, where everything she saw excited a -sensation of pleasure. 'How neat is this! How tidy that!' were her -continual exclamations; 'How bright you have rubbed your saucepans! How -clean every thing is all round! How soon you will all get well in this -healthy and comfortable little dwelling!' - -Edgar, in a low voice, then told Dr. Marchmont the history of his new -cottagers, saying: 'You will not, I hope, disapprove what I have done? -Their natures seemed so much disposed to good, I could not bear to let -their wants turn them again to evil.' - -'You have certainly done right,' answered the Doctor; 'to give money -without inquiry, or further aid, to those who have adopted bad -practices, is, to them, but temptation, and to society an injury; but to -give them both the counsel and the means to pursue a right course, is, -to them, perhaps, salvation, and to the community, the greatest -service.' - -Indiana and Miss Margland, quite wearied, both got into the carriage; -Edgar, having deposited them, returned to Camilla, who kissed both the -children, poured forth good wishes upon the father and mother; and, -then, gave him her hand. Enchanted, he took it, exclaiming; 'Ah! who is -like you! so lively--yet so feeling!' - -Struck and penetrated, she made no answer: Alas! she thought, I fear he -is not quite satisfied with Indiana! - -Dr. Marchmont was set down at his own house; where, he begged to have a -conference with Edgar the next morning. - -The whole way home, the benevolence of Edgar occupied the mind of -Camilla; and, not in the present instance, the less, that its object had -been originally of her own pointing out. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -_Two Retreats_ - - -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold had obeyed the summons of Sir Hugh, whom they found -in extreme tribulation; persuaded by his fears not only of the design of -Bellamy, but of its inevitable success. His brother, however, who knew -his alarms to be generally as unfounded as his hopes; and Mrs. Tyrold, -who almost undisguisedly despised both; no sooner heard his account, -than, declining to discuss it, they sent for Eugenia. She related the -transaction with a confusion so innocent, that it was easy to discern -shame alone had hitherto caused her silence; and with a simplicity so -unaffected, that not a doubt could rest upon their minds, but that her -heart was as disengaged as her intentions had been irreproachable. Yet -they were not the less struck with the danger she had incurred; and, -while her father blessed Mandlebert for her preservation, her mother was -so sensible to his care for the family welfare and honour, that the -anger she had conceived against him subsided, though the regret to which -it had owed its birth increased. - -Mr. Tyrold gave his daughter some slight cautions and general advice; -but thought it wisest, since he found her tranquil and unsuspicious, not -to raise apprehensions that might disturb her composure, nor awaken -ideas of which the termination must be doubtful. - -Her mother deemed the matter to be undeserving the least serious alarm. -The man had appeared to her from the beginning to be a despicable -adventurer; and her lofty contempt of all low arts made her conclude her -well-principled Eugenia as superior to their snares as to their -practice. - -This conference completely quieted the fears of Sir Hugh; who -relinquished his design of sending for Clermont, and imagined Edgar to -have been too severe in his judgment of Bellamy, who had only knelt in -pure compassion, to prevail with Eugenia to take care of her life. - -The rector and his lady were already gone before the cottage group came -home. Edgar was anxious to inquire of Sir Hugh what had passed. The -three females, concluding he had still something to say relative to his -proposals, by tacit agreement, retired to their own rooms. - -They were not, however, as concurrent in their eagerness to re-assemble. -Miss Margland and Indiana watched the moment when they might appease -their burning curiosity by descending: but Eugenia wished to prolong her -absence, that she might recover from the embarrassment she had just -suffered; and Camilla determined not to appear again till the next -morning. - -For the first time in her life after the shortest separation, she -forbore to seek Eugenia, [who] she supposed would have gathered all the -particular of the approaching nuptials. She felt no desire to hear them. -It was a period to which, hitherto, she had looked forward as to a -thing of course; but this day it had struck her that Edgar and Indiana -could not be happy together.--She had even surmised, from his last -speech, that he lamented, in secret, the connexion he had formed. - -The gentlest pity took possession of her breast; an increasing -admiration succeeded to her pity. She could not bear to witness so -unequal a scene, as the full satisfaction of Sir Hugh contrasted with -the seriousness, perhaps repentance, of Edgar. She pleaded an head-ache, -and went to bed. - -The morning did not find her less averse to hear the confirmation of the -suspected news. On the contrary, her repugnance to have it ascertained -became stronger. She did not ask herself why; she did not consider the -uselessness of flying for one hour what she must encounter the next. The -present moment was all she could weigh; and, to procrastinate any evil, -seemed, to her ardent and active imagination, to conquer it. Again, -therefore, she planned a visit to Mrs. Arlbery; though she had given it -up so long, from the discouragement of Lionel, that she felt more of -shame than of pleasure in the idea of making so tardy an apology; but -she could think of no other place to which the whole party would not -accompany her; and to avoid them and their communications, for however -short a space of time, was now her sole aim. - -Before breakfast, she repaired to the apartment of her uncle; her -request was granted, as soon as heard; and she ordered the chaise. - -Indiana and Miss Margland, meanwhile, had learnt from the baronet, that -the proposals were not yet made. Miss Margland softened the -disappointment of Indiana, by suggesting that her admirer was probably -waiting the arrival of some elegant trinket, that he destined to present -her upon his declaration: but she was by no means free from doubt and -suspicion herself. She languished to quit Cleves, and Sir Hugh had -almost thought her accountable for the slowness of Mandlebert's -proceedings. To keep up her own consequence, she had again repeated her -assurances, that all was in a prosperous train; though she had -frequently, with strong private uneasiness, observed the eyes of Edgar -fixed upon Camilla, with an attention far more pointed than she had ever -remarked in them when their direction was towards her fair pupil. - -Camilla hurried over her breakfast in expectation of the chaise, and in -dread continual, lest her cousin should call her aside, to acquaint her -that all was arranged. Edgar perceived, with surprise, that she was -going out alone; and, no sooner gathered whither, than, drawing her to -one of the windows, he earnestly said: 'Is it by appointment you wait -upon Mrs. Arlbery?' - -'No.' - -'Does she at all expect you this morning?' - -'No.' - -'Would it, then, be asking too much, if I should entreat you to postpone -your visit for a short time?' - -The whole design of Camilla was to absent herself immediately; yet she -hated to say no. She looked disturbed, and was silent. - -'Have you made any further acquaintance with her since the morning of -the raffle?' - -'No, none; but I wish excessively to know more of her.' - -'She is certainly, very--agreeable,' said he, with some hesitation; -'but, whether she is all Mrs. Tyrold would approve'-- - -'I hope you know no harm of her?--If you do, pray keep it to -yourself!--for it would quite afflict me to hear anything to her -disadvantage.' - -'I should be grieved, indeed, to be the messenger of affliction to you; -but I hope there may be no occasion; I only beg a day or two's patience; -and, in the meanwhile, I can give you this assurance; she is undoubtedly -a woman of character. I saw she had charmed you, and I made some -immediate inquiries. Her reputation is without taint.' - -'A thousand, thousand thanks,' cried Camilla, gaily, 'for taking so much -trouble; and ten thousand more for finding it needless!' - -Edgar could not forbear laughing, but answered, he was not yet so -certain it was needless; since exemption from actual blemish could only -be a negative recommendation: he should very soon, he added, see a lady -upon whose judgment he could rely, and who would frankly satisfy him -with respect to some other particulars, which, he owned, he considered -as essential to be known, before any intimacy should be formed. - -Wishing to comply with his request, yet impatient to leave the house, -Camilla stood suspended till the chaise was announced. - -'I think,' cried she, with a look and tone of irresolution, 'my going -this once can draw on no ill consequence?' - -Edgar only dropt his eyes. - -'You are not of that opinion?' - -'I have a very particular engagement this morning,' he replied; 'but I -will readily give it up, and ride off instantly to make my application -to this lady, if it is possible you can defer only till tomorrow your -visit. Will you suffer me to ask such a delay? It will greatly oblige -me.' - -'Why, then,--I will defer it till to-morrow,--or till to-morrow week!' -cried she, wholly vanquished; 'I insist, therefore, that you do not -postpone your business.' - -She then desired the servant, who was taking away the breakfast -equipage, to order the chaise to be put up. - -Edgar, subdued in his turn, caught her hand: but, instantly, -recollecting himself, hastily let it go; and, throwing up the window -sash, abruptly exclaimed: 'I never saw such fine weather:--I hope it -will not rain!' - -He then rapidly wished them all good morning, and mounted his horse. - -Miss Margland, who, sideling towards the window, on pretence of -examining a print, had heard and seen all that had passed, was almost -overpowered with rage, by the conviction she received that her -apprehensions were not groundless. She feared losing all weight both -with the baronet and with Indiana, if she made this acknowledgment, and -retreated, confounded, to her own room, to consider what path to pursue -at so dangerous a crisis; wearing a scowl upon her face, that was always -an indication she would not be followed. - -Camilla also went to her chamber, in a perturbation at once pleasing and -painful. She was sorry to have missed her excursion, but she was happy -to have obliged Edgar; she was delighted he could take such interest in -her conduct and affairs, yet dreaded, more than ever, a private -conversation with Indiana;--Indiana, who, every moment, appeared to her -less and less calculated to bestow felicity upon Edgar Mandlebert. - -She seated herself at a window, and soon, through the trees, perceived -him galloping away. 'Too--too amiable Edgar!' she cried, earnestly -looking after him, with her hands clasped, and tears starting into her -eyes. - -Frightened at her own tenderness, she rose, shut the window, and walked -to another end of the apartment. - -She took up a book; but she could not read: 'Too--too amiable Edgar!' -again escaped her. She went to her piano-forte; she could not play: -'Too--too amiable Edgar!' broke forth in defiance of all struggle. - -Alarmed and ashamed, even to herself, she resolved to dissipate her -ideas by a long walk; and not to come out of the park, till the first -dinner-bell summoned her to dress. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -_Two Sides of a Question_ - - -The intention of Edgar had been to ride to Mrs. Needham, the lady of -whom he meant to ask the information to which he had alluded; but a -charm too potent for resistance demanded his immediate liberation from -the promise to Dr. Marchmont, which bound him to proceed no further till -they had again conversed together. - -He galloped, therefore, to the parsonage-house of Cleves, and entering -the study of the Doctor, and taking him by the hand, with the most -animated gesture; 'My dear and honoured friend,' he cried, 'I come to -you now without hesitation, and free from every painful embarrassment of -lurking irresolution! I come to you decided, and upon grounds which -cannot offend you, though the decision anticipates your counsel. I come -to you, in fine, my dear Doctor, my good and kind friend, to confess -that yesterday you saw right, with regard to the situation of my mind, -and that, to-day, I have only your felicitations to beg, upon my -confirmed, my irrevocable choice!' - -Dr. Marchmont embraced him: 'May you then,' he cried, 'be as happy, my -dear young friend, as you deserve! I can wish you nothing higher.' - -'Last night,' continued Edgar, 'I felt all doubt die away: captivating -as I have ever thought her, so soft, so gentle, so touchingly sweet, as -last night, I had never yet beheld her; you witnessed it, my dear -Doctor? you saw her with the baby in her arms? how beautiful, how -endearing a sight!' - -The Doctor looked assentingly, but did not speak. - -'Yet even last night was short of the feelings she excited this morning. -My dear friend! she was upon the point of making an excursion from -which she had promised herself peculiar pleasure, and to see a lady for -whom she had conceived the warmest admiration--I begged her to -postpone--perhaps relinquish entirely the visit--she had obtained leave -from Sir Hugh--the carriage was at the door--would you, could you -believe such sweetness with such vivacity? she complied with my request, -and complied with a grace that has rivetted her--I own it--that has -rivetted her to my soul!' - -Doctor Marchmont smiled, but rather pensively than rejoicingly; and -Edgar, receiving no answer, walked for some time about the room, -silently enjoying his own thoughts. - -Returning then to the Doctor, 'My dear friend,' he cried, 'I understood -you wished to speak with me?' - -'Yes--but I thought you disengaged.' - -'So, except mentally, I am still.' - -'Does she not yet know her conquest?' - -'She does not even guess it.' - -Dr. Marchmont now rising, with much energy said: 'Hear me then, my dear -and most valued young friend; forbear to declare yourself, make no -overtures to her relations, raise no expectations even in her own -breast, and let not rumour surmise your passion to the world, till her -heart is better known to you.' - -Edgar, starting and amazed, with great emotion exclaimed: 'What do you -mean, my good Doctor? do you suspect any prior engagement? any fatal -prepossession?'-- - -'I suspect nothing. I do not know her. I mean not, therefore, the -propensities alone, but the worth, also, of her heart; deception is -easy, and I must not see you thrown away.' - -'Let me, then, be her guarantee!' cried Edgar, with firmness; 'for I -know her well! I have known her from her childhood, and cannot be -deceived. I fear nothing--except my own powers of engaging her regard. I -can trace to a certainty, even from my boyish remarks, her fair, open, -artless, and disinterested character.' - -He then gave a recital of the nobleness of her sentiments and conduct -when only nine years old; contrasting the relation with the sullen and -ungenerous behaviour of Indiana at the same age. - -Dr. Marchmont listened to the account with attention and pleasure, but -not with an air of that full conviction which Edgar expected. 'All -this,' he said, 'is highly prophetic of good, and confirms me in the -opinion I expressed last night, that every possible happiness promises -to be yours.' - -'Yet, still,' said Edgar, a little chagrined, 'there seems some drawback -to your entire approbation?' - -'To your choice I have none.' - -'You perplex me, Doctor! I know not to what you object, what you would -intimate, nor what propose?' - -'All I have to suggest may be comprised in two points: First, That you -will refuse confirmation even to your own intentions, till you have -positively ascertained her actual possession of those virtues with which -she appears to be endowed: and secondly, That if you find her gifted -with them all, you will not solicit her acceptance till you are -satisfied of her affection.' - -'My dear Doctor,' cried Edgar, half laughing, 'from what an alarm of -wild conjecture has your explanation relieved me! Hear me, however, in -return, and I think I can satisfy you, that, even upon your own -conditions, not an obstacle stands in the way of my speaking to Mr. -Tyrold this very evening. - -'With regard to your first article, her virtues, I have told you the -dawning superiority of her most juvenile ideas of right; and though I -have latterly lost sight of her, by travelling during our vacations, I -know her to have always been under the superintendence of one of the -first of women; and for these last three weeks, which I have spent under -the same roof with her, I have observed her to be all that is amiable, -sweet, natural, and generous. What then on this point remains? Nothing. -I am irrefragably convinced of her worth. - -'With respect to your second condition, I own you a little embarrass me; -yet how may I inquire into the state of her affections, without -acknowledging her mistress of mine?' - -'Hold! hold!' interrupted the Doctor, 'you proceed too rapidly. The -first article is all unsettled, while you are flying to the last. - -'It is true, and I again repeat it, every promise is in your favour; but -do not mistake promise for performance. This young lady appears to be -all excellence; for an acquaintance, for a friend, I doubt not you have -already seen enough to establish her in your good opinion; but since it -is only within a few hours you have taken the resolution which is to -empower her to colour the rest of your life, you must study her, from -this moment, with new eyes, new ears, and new thoughts. Whatever she -does, you must ask yourself this question: "Should I like such -behaviour in my wife?" Whatever she says, you must make yourself the -same demand. Nothing must escape you; you must view as if you had never -seen her before; the interrogatory, _Were she mine?_ must be present at -every look, every word, every motion; you must forget her wholly as -Camilla Tyrold, you must think of her only as Camilla Mandlebert; even -justice is insufficient during this period of probation, and instead of -inquiring, "Is this right in her?" you must simply ask, "Would it be -pleasing to me?"' - -'You are apprehensive, then, of some dissimilitude of character -prejudicial to our future happiness?' - -'Not of character; you have been very peculiarly situated for obviating -all risk upon that first and most important particular. I have no doubt -of her general worthiness; but though esteem hangs wholly upon -character, happiness always links itself with disposition.' - -'You gratify me, Doctor, by naming disposition, for I can give you the -most unequivocal assurance of her sweetness, her innocence, her -benevolence, joined to a spirit of never-dying vivacity--an animation of -never-ceasing good humour!' - -'I know you, my dear Mandlebert, to be, by nature, penetrating and -minute in your observations; which, in your general commerce with the -world, will protect both your understanding and your affections from the -usual snares of youth: But here--to be even scrupulous is not enough; to -avoid all danger of repentance, you must become positively distrustful.' - -'Never, Doctor, never! I would sooner renounce every prospect of -felicity, than act a part so ungenerous, where I am conscious of such -desert! Upon this article, therefore, we have done; I am already and -fully convinced of her excellence. But, with respect to your second -difficulty, that I will not seek her acceptance, till satisfied of her -regard--there--indeed, you start an idea that comes home to my soul in -its very inmost recesses! O Doctor!--could I hope--however -distantly--durst I hope--the independent, unsolicited, involuntary -possession of that most ingenuous, most inartificial of human hearts!--' - -'And why not? why, while so liberally you do justice to another, should -you not learn to appreciate yourself?' - -A look of elation, delight, and happiness conveyed to Dr. Marchmont his -pupil's grateful sense of this question. - -'I do not fear making you vain,' he continued; 'I know your -understanding to be too solid, and your temperament too philosophic, to -endanger your running into the common futility of priding yourself upon -the gifts of nature, any more than upon those of fortune; 'tis in their -uses only you can claim any applause. I will not, therefore, scruple to -assert, you can hardly any where propose yourself with much danger of -being rejected. You are amiable and accomplished; abounding in wealth, -high in character; in person and appearance unexceptionable; you can -have no doubt of the joyful approbation of her friends, nor can you -entertain a reasonable fear of her concurrence; yet, with all this, -pardon me, when I plainly, explicitly add, it is very possible you may -be utterly indifferent to her.' - -'If so, at least,' said Edgar, in a tone and with a countenance whence -all elation was flown, 'she will leave me master of myself; she is too -noble to suffer any sordid motives to unite us.' - -'Do not depend upon that; the influence of friends, the prevalence of -example, the early notion which every female imbibes, that a good -establishment must be her first object in life--these are motives of -marriage commonly sufficient for the whole sex.' - -'Her choice, indeed,' said Edgar, thoughtfully, 'would not, perhaps, be -wholly uninfluenced;--I pretend not to doubt that the voice of her -friends would be all in my favour.' - -'Yes,' interrupted Dr. Marchmont, 'and, be she noble as she may, Beech -Park will be also in your favour! your mansion, your equipage, your -domestics, even your table, will be in your favour--' - -'Doctor,' interrupted Edgar, in his turn, 'I know you think ill of -women.--' - -'Do not let that idea weaken what I urge; I have not had reason to think -well of them; yet I believe there are individuals who merit every -regard: your Camilla may be one of them. Take, however, this warning -from my experience; whatever is her appearance of worth, try and prove -its foundation, ere you conclude it invulnerable; and whatever are your -pretensions to her hand, do not necessarily connect them with your -chances for her heart.' - -Mandlebert, filled now with a distrust of himself and of his powers, -which he was incapable of harbouring of Camilla and her magnanimity, -felt struck to the soul with the apprehension of failing to gain her -affection, and wounded in every point both of honour and delicacy, from -the bare suggestion of owing his wife to his situation in the world. He -found no longer any difficulty in promising not to act with -precipitance; his confidence was gone; his elevation of sentiment was -depressed; a general mist clouded his prospects, and a suspensive -discomfort inquieted his mind. He shook Dr. Marchmont by the hand, and -assuring him he would weigh well all he had said, and take no measure -till he had again consulted with him, remounted his horse, and slowly -walked it back to Cleves. - - -END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. - - - - -VOLUME II - -BOOK III - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A few kind Offices_ - - -With deep concern Edgar revolved in his mind the suggestions of Dr. -Marchmont; and meditation, far from diminishing, added importance to the -arguments of his friend. To obtain the hand of an object he so highly -admired, though but lately his sole wish, appeared now an uncertain -blessing, a suspicious good, since the possession of her heart was no -longer to be considered as its inseparable appendage. His very security -of the approbation of Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold became a source of solicitude; -and, secret from them, from her, and from all, he determined to guard -his views, till he could find some opportunity of investigating her own -unbiased sentiments. - -Such were his ruminations, when, on re-entering the Park, he perceived -her wandering alone amidst the trees. Her figure looked so interesting, -her air so serious, her solitude so attractive, that every maxim of -tardy prudence, every caution of timid foresight, would instantly have -given way to the quick feelings of generous impulse, had he not been -restrained by his promise to Dr. Marchmont. He dismounted, and giving -his horse to his groom, re-traced her footsteps. - -Camilla, almost without her own knowledge, had strolled towards the -gate, whence she concluded Edgar to have ridden from the Park, and, -almost without consciousness, had continued sauntering in its vicinity; -yet she no sooner descried him, than, struck with a species of -self-accusation for this appearance of awaiting him, she crossed over to -the nearest path towards the house, and, for the first time, was aware -of the approach of Edgar without hastening to meet him. - -He slackened his pace, to quiet his spirits, and restore his manner to -its customary serenity, before he permitted himself to overtake her. -'Can you,' he then cried, 'forgive me, when you hear I have been -fulfilling my own appointment, and have postponed my promised -investigation?' - -'Rather say,' she gently answered, 'could I have forgiven you, if you -had shewn me you thought my impatience too ungovernable for any delay?' - -To find her thus willing to oblige him, was a new delight, and he -expressed his acknowledgments in terms the most flattering. - -An unusual seriousness made her hear him almost without reply; yet peace -and harmony revisited her mind, and, in listening to his valued praise, -she forgot her late alarm at her own sensations, and without extending a -thought beyond the present instant, again felt tranquil and happy: while -to Edgar she appeared so completely all that was adorable, that he could -only remember to repent his engagement with Dr. Marchmont. - -Her secret opinion that he was dissatisfied with his lot, gave a -softness to her accents that enchanted him; while the high esteem for -his character, which mingled with her pity, joined to a lowered sense of -her own, from a new-born terror lest that pity were too tender, spread a -charm wholly new over her native fire and vivacity. - -In a few minutes, they were overtaken by Mandlebert's gardener, who was -bringing from Beech Park a basket of flowers for his master. They were -selected from curious hot-house plants, and Camilla stopt to admire -their beauty and fragrance. - -Edgar presented her the basket; whence she simply took a sprig of myrtle -and geranium, conceiving the present to be designed for Indiana. 'If you -are fond of geraniums,' said he, 'there is an almost endless variety in -my greenhouse, and I will bring you tomorrow some specimens.' - -She thanked him, and while he gave orders to the gardener, Miss Margland -and Indiana advanced from the house. - -Miss Margland had seen them from her window, where, in vain -deliberation, she had been considering what step to take. But, upon -beholding them together, she thought deliberation and patience were -hopeless, and determined, by a decisive stroke, to break in its bud the -connection she supposed forming, or throw upon Camilla all censure, if -she failed, as the sole means she could devise to exculpate her own -sagacity from impeachment. She called upon Indiana, therefore, to -accompany her into the Park, exclaiming, in an angry tone, 'Miss -Lynmere, I will shew you the true cause why Mr. Mandlebert does not -declare himself--your cousin, Miss Camilla, is wheedling him away from -you.' - -Indiana, whose belief in almost whatever was said, was undisturbed by -any species of reflection, felt filled with resentment, and a sense of -injury, and readily following, said--'I was sure there was something -more in it than I saw, because Mr. Melmond behaved so differently. But I -don't take it very kind of my cousin, I can tell her!' - -They then hurried into the Park; but, as they came without any plan, -they were no sooner within a few yards of the meeting, than they stopt -short, at a loss what to say or do. - -Edgar, vexed at their interruption, continued talking to the gardener, -to avoid joining them; but seeing Camilla, who less than ever wished for -their communications, walk instantly another way, he thought it would be -improper to pursue her, and only bowing to Miss Margland and Indiana, -went into the house. - -'This is worse than ever,' cried Miss Margland, 'to stalk off without -speaking, or even offering you any of his flowers, which, I dare say, -are only to be put into the parlour flower-pots, for the whole house.' - -'I'm sure I'm very glad of it,' said Indiana, for I hate flowers; but -I'm sure Mr. Melmond would not have done so; nor Colonel Andover; nor -Mr. Macdersey more than all.' - -'No, nor any body else, my dear, that had common sense, and their eyes -open; nor Mr. Mandlebert neither, if it were not for Miss Camilla. -However, we'll let her know we see what she is about; and let Sir Hugh -know too: for as to the colonels, and the ensigns, and that young Oxford -student, they won't at all do; officers are commonly worth nothing; and -scholars, you may take my word for it, my dear, are the dullest men in -the world. Besides, one would not give such a fine fortune as Mr. -Mandlebert's without making a little struggle for it. You don't know how -many pretty things you may do with it. So let us shew her we don't want -for spirit, and speak to her at once.' - -These words, reviving in the mind of Indiana her wedding clothes, the -train of servants, and the new equipage, gave fresh pique to her -provocation: but finding some difficulty to overtake the fleet Camilla, -whose pace kept measure with her wish to avoid them, she called after -her, to desire she would not walk so fast. - -Camilla reluctantly loitered, but without stopping or turning to meet -them, that she might still regale herself with the perfume of the -geranium presented her by Edgar. - -'You're in great haste, ma'am,' said Miss Margland, 'which I own I did -not observe to be the case just now!' - -Camilla, in much surprize, asked, what she meant. - -'My meaning is pretty plain, I believe, to any body that chose to -understand it. However, though Miss Lynmere scorns to be her own -champion, I cannot, as a friend, be quite so passive, nor help hinting -to you, how little you would like such a proceeding to yourself, from -any other person.' - -'What proceeding?' cried Camilla, blushing, from a dawning comprehension -of the subject, though resenting the manner of the complaint. - -'Nay, only ask yourself, ma'am, only ask yourself, Miss Camilla, how you -should like to be so supplanted, if such an establishment were forming -for yourself, and every thing were fixt, and every body else refused, -and nobody to hinder its all taking place, but a near relation of your -own, who ought to be the first to help it forward. I should like to -know, I say, Miss Camilla, how you would feel, if it were your own -case?' - -Astonished and indignant at so sudden and violent an assault, Camilla -stood suspended, whether to deign any vindication, or to walk silently -away: yet its implications involuntarily filled her with a thousand -other, and less offending emotions than those of anger, and a general -confusion crimsoned her cheeks. - -'You cannot but be sensible, ma'am,' resumed Miss Margland, 'for sense -is not what you want, that you have seduced Mr. Mandlebert from your -cousin; you cannot but see he takes hardly the smallest notice of her, -from the pains you are at to make him admire nobody but yourself.' - -The spirit of Camilla now rose high to her aid, at a charge thus -impertinent and unjust. 'Miss Margland,' she cried, 'you shock and amaze -me! I am at a loss for any motive to so cruel an accusation: but you, I -hope at least, my dear Indiana, are convinced how much it injures me.' -She would then have taken the hand of Indiana, but disdainfully drawing -it back, 'I shan't break my heart about it, I assure you,' she cried, -'you are vastly welcome to him for me; I hope I am not quite so odious, -but I may find other people in the world besides Mr. Mandlebert!' - -'O, as to that,' said Miss Margland, 'I am sure you have only to look in -order to chuse; but since this affair has been settled by your uncle, I -can't say I think it very grateful in any person to try to overset his -particular wishes. Poor old gentleman! I'm sure I pity him! It will go -hard enough with him, when he comes to hear it! Such a requital!--and -from his own niece!' - -This was an attack the most offensive that Camilla could receive; -nothing could so nearly touch her as an idea of ingratitude to her -uncle, and resting upon that, the whole tide of those feelings which -were, in fact, divided and subdivided into many crossing channels, she -broke forth, with great eagerness, into exclaiming, 'Miss Margland, this -is quite barbarous! You know, and you, Indiana, cannot but know, I would -not give my uncle the smallest pain, to be mistress of a thousand -universes!' - -'Why, then,' said Miss Margland, 'should you break up a scheme which he -has so much set his heart upon? Why are you always winning over Mr. -Mandlebert to yourself, by all that flattery? Why are you always -consulting him? always obliging him? always of his opinion? always ready -to take his advice?' - -'Miss Margland,' replied Camilla, with the extremest agitation, 'this is -so unexpected--so undeserved an interpretation,--my consultation, or my -acquiescence have been merely from respect; no other thought, no other -motive--Good God! what is it you imagine?--what guilt would you impute -to me?' - -'O dear,' cried Indiana, 'pray don't suppose it signifies. If you like -to make compliments in that manner to gentlemen, pray do it. I hope I -shall always hold myself above it. I think it's their place to make -compliments to me.' - -A resentful answer was rising to the tongue of Camilla, when she -perceived her two little sprigs, which in her recent disorder she had -dropt, were demolishing under the feet of Indiana, who, with apparent -unmeaningness, but internal suspicion of their giver, had trampled upon -them both. Hastily stooping she picked them up, and, with evident -vexation, was blowing from them the dust and dirt, when Indiana -scoffingly said, 'I wonder where you got that geranium?' - -'I don't wonder at all,' said Miss Margland, 'for Sir Hugh has none of -that species; so one may easily guess.' - -Camilla felt herself blush, and letting the flowers fall, turned to -Indiana, and said, 'Cousin, if on my account, it is possible you can -suffer the smallest uneasiness, tell me but what I shall do--you shall -dictate to me--you shall command me.' - -Indiana disclaimed all interest in her behaviour; but Miss Margland -cried, 'What you can do, ma'am, is this, and nothing can be easier, nor -fairer: leave off paying all that court to Mr. Mandlebert, of asking his -advice, and follow your own way, whether he likes it or not, and go to -see Mrs. Arlbery, and Mrs. every body else, when you have a mind, -without waiting for his permission, or troubling yourself about what he -thinks of it.' - -Camilla now trembled in every joint, and with difficulty restrained from -tears, while, timidly, she said--'And do you, my dear Indiana, demand of -me this conduct? and will it, at least, satisfy you?' - -'Me? O dear no! I demand nothing, I assure you. The whole matter is -quite indifferent to me, and you may ask his leave for every thing in -the world, if you chuse it. There are people enough ready to take my -part, I hope, if you set him against me ever so much.' - -'Indeed, indeed, Indiana,' said Camilla, overpowered with conflicting -sensations, 'this is using me very unkindly!' And, without waiting to -hear another word, she hurried into the house, and flew to hide herself -in her own room. - -This was the first bitter moment she had ever known. Peace, gay though -uniform, had been the constant inmate of her breast, enjoyed without -thought, possessed without struggle; not the subdued gift of -accommodating philosophy, but the inborn and genial produce of youthful -felicity's best aliment, the energy of its own animal spirits. - -She had, indeed, for some time past, thought Edgar, of too refined and -too susceptible a character for the unthinking and undistinguishing -Indiana; and for the last day or two, her regret at his fate had -strengthened itself into an averseness of his supposed destination, that -made the idea of it painful, and the subject repugnant to her; but she -had never, till this very morning, distrusted the innoxiousness either -of her pity or her regard; and, startled at the first surmise of danger, -she had wished to fly even from herself, rather than venture to -investigate feelings so unwelcome; yet still and invariably, she had -concluded Edgar the future husband of Indiana. - -To hear there were any doubts of the intended marriage, filled her with -emotions indefinable; to hear herself named as the cause of those -doubts, was alarming both to her integrity and her delicacy. She felt -the extremest anger at the unprovoked and unwarrantable harshness of -Miss Margland, and a resentment nearly equal at the determined -petulance, and unjustifiable aspersions of Indiana. - -Satisfied of the innocence of her intentions, she knew, not what -alteration she could make in her behaviour; and, after various plans, -concluded, that to make none would best manifest her freedom from -self-reproach. At the summons therefore to dinner, she was the first to -appear, eager to shew herself unmoved by the injustice of her accusers, -and desirous to convince them she was fearless of examination. - -Yet, too much discomposed to talk in her usual manner, she seized upon a -book till the party was seated. Answering then to the call of her uncle, -with as easy an air as she could assume, she took her accustomed place -by his side, and began, for mere employment, filling a plate from the -dish that was nearest to her; which she gave to the footman, without any -direction whither to carry, or enquiry if any body chose to eat it. - -It was taken round the table, and, though refused by all, she heaped up -another plate, with the same diligence and speed as if it had been -accepted. - -Edgar, who had been accidentally detained, only now entered, apologizing -for being so late. - -Engrossed by the pride of self-defence, and the indignancy of unmerited -unkindness, the disturbed mind of Camilla had not yet formed one -separate reflexion, nor even admitted a distinct idea of Edgar himself, -disengaged from the accusation in which he stood involved. But he had -now amply his turn. The moment he appeared, the deepest blushes covered -her face; and an emotion so powerful beat in her breast, that the -immediate impulse of her impetuous feelings, was to declare herself ill, -and run out of the room. - -With this view she rose; but ashamed of her plan, seated herself the -next moment, though she had first overturned her plate and a sauce-boat -in the vehemence of her haste. - -This accident rather recovered than disconcerted her, by affording an -unaffected occupation, in begging pardon of Sir Hugh, who was the chief -sufferer, changing the napkins, and restoring the table to order. - -'What upon earth can be the matter with Miss Camilla, I can't guess!' -exclaimed Miss Margland, though with an expression of spite that fully -contradicted her difficulty of conjecture. - -'I hope,' said Edgar surprized, 'Miss Camilla is not ill?' - -'I can't say I think my cousin looks very bad!' said Indiana. - -Camilla, who was rubbing a part of her gown upon which nothing had -fallen, affected to be too busy to hear them: which Sir Hugh, concluding -her silent from shame, entreated her not to think of his cloaths, which -were worth no great matter, not being his best by two or three suits. -Her thoughts had not waited this injunction; yet it was in vain she -strove to behave as if nothing had happened. Her spirit instigated, but -it would not support her; her voice grew husky, she stammered, forgot, -as she went on, what she designed to say when she began speaking, and -frequently was forced to stop short, with a faint laugh at herself, and -with a colour every moment encreasing. And the very instant the cloth -was removed, she rose, unable to constrain herself any longer, and ran -up stairs to her own room. - -There all her efforts evaporated in tears. 'Cruel, cruel, Miss -Margland,' she cried, 'unjust, unkind Indiana! how have I merited this -treatment! What can Edgar think of my disturbance? What can I devise to -keep from his knowledge the barbarous accusation which has caused it?' - -In a few minutes she heard the step of Eugenia. - -Ashamed, she hastily wiped her eyes; and before the door could be -opened, was at the further end of the room, looking into one of her -drawers. - -'What is it that has vexed my dearest Camilla?' cried her kind sister, -'something I am sure has grieved her.' - -'I cannot guess what I have done with--I can no where find--' stammered -Camilla, engaged in some apparent search, but too much confused to name -anything of which she might probably be in want. - -Eugenia desired to assist her, but a servant came to the door, to tell -them that the company was going to the summer-house, whither Sir Hugh -begged they would follow. - -Camilla besought Eugenia to join them, and make her excuses: but, -fearing Miss Margland would attribute her absconding to guilt, or -cowardice, she bathed her eyes in cold water, and overtook her sister at -the stairs of the little building. - -In ascending them, she heard Miss Margland say, 'I dare believe -nothing's the matter but some whim; for to be sure as to whims, Miss -Camilla has the most of any creature I ever saw, and Miss Lynmere the -least; for you may imagine, Mr. Mandlebert, I have pretty good -opportunity to see all these young people in their real colours.' - -Overset by this malignancy, she was again flying to the refuge of her -own room, and the relief of tears, when the conviction of such positive -ill-will in Miss Margland, for which she could assign no reason, but her -unjust and exclusive partiality to Indiana, checked her precipitancy. -She feared she would construe to still another whim her non-appearance, -and resuming a little fresh strength from fresh resentment, turned back; -but the various keen sensations she experienced as she entered the -summer-house, rendered this little action the most severe stretch of -fortitude, her short and happy life had yet called upon her to make. - -Sir Hugh addressed her some kind enquiries, which she hastily answered, -while she pretended to be busy in preparing to wind some sewing silk -upon cards. - -She could have chosen no employment less adapted to display the cool -indifference she wished to manifest to Miss Margland and Indiana. She -pulled the silk the wrong way, twisted, twirled, and entangled it -continually; and while she talked volubly of what she was about, as if -it were the sole subject of her thoughts, her shaking hands shewed her -whole frame disordered, and her high colour betrayed her strong internal -emotion. - -Edgar looked at her with surprize and concern. What had dropt from Miss -Margland of her whims, he had heard with disdain; for, without -suspecting her of malice to Camilla, he concluded her warped by her -prejudice in favour of Indiana. Dr. Marchmont, however, had bid him -judge by proof, not appearance; and he resolved therefore to investigate -the cause of this disquiet, before he acted upon his belief in its -blamelessness. - -Having completely spoilt one skein, she threw it aside, and saying 'the -weather's so fine, I cannot bear to stay within,'--left her silk, her -winders, and her work-bag, on the first chair, and skipt down the -stairs. - -Sir Hugh declined walking, but would let nobody remain with him. Edgar, -as if studying the clouds, glided down first. Camilla, perceiving him, -bent her head, and began gathering some flowers. He stood by her a -moment in silence, and then said: 'To-morrow morning, without fail, I -will wait upon Mrs. Needham.' - -'Pray take your own time. I am not in any haste.' - -'You are very good, and I am more obliged to you than I can express, for -suffering my officious interference with such patience.' - -A rustling of silk made Camilla now look up, and she perceived Miss -Margland leaning half out of the window of the summer-house, from -earnestness to catch what she said. - -Angry thus to be watched, and persuaded that both innocence and dignity -called upon her to make no change in her open consideration for Edgar, -she answered, in a voice that strove to be more audible, but that -irresistibly trembled, 'I beg you will impartially consult your own -judgment, and decide as you think right.' - -Edgar, now, became as little composed as herself: the power with which -she invested him, possessed a charm to dissolve every hesitating doubt; -and when, upon her raising her head, he perceived the redness of her -eyes, and found that the perturbation which had perplexed him was -mingled with some affliction, the most tender anxiety filled his mind, -and though somewhat checked by the vicinity of Miss Margland, his voice -expressed the warmest solicitude, as he said, 'I know not how to thank -you for this sweetness; but I fear something disturbs you?--I fear you -are not well, or are not happy?' - -Camilla again bent over the flowers; but it was not to scent their -fragrance; she sought only a hiding place for her eyes, which were -gushing with tears; and though she wished to fly a thousand miles off, -she had not courage to take a single step, nor force to trust her voice -with the shortest reply. - -'You will not speak? yet you do not deny that you have some -uneasiness?--Could I give it but the smallest relief, how fortunate I -should think myself!--And is it quite impossible?--Do you forbid me to -ask what it is?--forbid me the indulgence even to suggest----' - -'Ask nothing! suggest nothing! and think of it no more!' interrupted -Camilla, 'if you would not make me quite----' - -She stopt suddenly, not to utter the word unhappy, of which she felt the -improper strength at the moment it was quivering on her lips, and -leaving her sentence unfinished, abruptly walked away. - -Edgar could not presume to follow, yet felt her conquest irresistible. -Her self-denial with regard to Mrs. Arlbery won his highest approbation; -her compliance with his wishes convinced him of her esteem; and her -distress, so new and so unaccountable, centered every wish of his heart -in a desire to solace, and to revive her. - -To obtain this privilege hastened at once and determined his measures; -he excused himself, therefore, from walking, and went instantly to his -chamber, to reclaim, by a hasty letter to Dr. Marchmont, his -procrastinating promise. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_A Pro and a Con_ - - -With a pen flowing quick from feelings of the most generous warmth, -Edgar wrote the following letter: - - _To Dr._ Marchmont. - - Accuse me not of precipitance, my dear Doctor, nor believe me - capable of forgetting the wisdom of your suggestions, nor of - lightly weighing those evils with which your zeal has encompassed - me, though I write at this instant to confess a total contrariety - of sentiment, to call back every promise of delay, and to make an - unqualified avowal, that the period of caution is past! Camilla is - not happy--something, I know not what, has disturbed the gay - serenity of her bosom: she has forbid me to enquire the cause;--one - way only remains to give me a claim to her confidence.--O Doctor! - wonder not if cold, tardy, suspicious--I had nearly said unfeeling, - caution, shrinks at such a moment, from the rising influence of - warmer sympathy, which bids me sooth her in distress, shield her - from danger, strengthen all her virtues, and participate in their - emanations! - - You will not do me the injustice to think me either impelled or - blinded by external enchantments; you know me to have withstood - their yet fuller blaze in her cousin: O no! were she despoiled of - all personal attraction by the same ravaging distemper that has - been so fierce with her poor sister; were a similar cruel accident - to rob her form of all symmetry, she would yet be more fascinating - to my soul, by one single look, one single word, one sweet beaming - smile, diffusing all the gaiety it displays, than all of beauty, - all of elegance, all of rank, all of wealth, the whole kingdom, in - some wonderful aggregate, could oppose to her. - - Her face, her form, however penetrating in loveliness, aid, but do - not constitute, her charms; no, 'tis the quick intelligence of soul - that mounts to her eyes, 'tis the spirit checked by sweetness, the - sweetness animated by spirit, the nature so nobly above all - artifice, all study--O Doctor! restore to me immediately every - vestige, every trait of any promise, any acquiescence, any idea the - most distant, that can be construed into a compliance with one - moment's requisition of delay! - - EDGAR MANDLEBERT. - - _Cleves Park, Friday Evening._ - - * * * * * - -Camilla, meanwhile, shut up in her room, wept almost without cessation, -from a sense of general unhappiness, though fixed to no point, and from -a disturbance of mind, a confusion of ideas and of feelings, that -rendered her incapable of reflection. She was again followed by Eugenia, -and could no longer refuse, to her tender anxiety, a short detail of the -attack which occasioned her disorder; happy, at least, in reciting it, -that by unfolding the cause, there no longer remained any necessity to -repress the effects of her affliction. - -To her great surprise, however, Eugenia only said: 'And is this all, my -dear Camilla?' - -'All!' exclaimed Camilla. - -'Yes, is it all?--I was afraid some great misfortune had happened.' - -'And what could happen more painful, more shocking, more cruel?' - -'A thousand things! for this is nothing but a mere mistake; and you -should not make yourself unhappy about it, because you are not to -blame.' - -'Is it then nothing to be accused of designs and intentions so -criminal?' - -'If the accusation were just, it might indeed make you wretched: but it -is Miss Margland only who has any reason to be afflicted; for it is she -alone who has been in the wrong.' - -Struck with this plain but uncontrovertible truth, Camilla wiped her -eyes, and strove to recover some composure; but finding her tears still -force their way, 'It is not,' she cried, with some hesitation, 'it is -not the aspersions of Miss Margland alone that give me so much -vexation--the unkindness of Indiana--' - -'Indeed she is highly reprehensible; and so I will tell her;--but still, -if she has any fears, however ill-founded, of losing Edgar, you cannot -but pardon--you must even pity her.' - -Struck again, and still more forcibly, by this second truth, Camilla, -ashamed of her grief, made a stronger and more serious effort to repress -it; and receiving soon afterwards a summons from her uncle, her spirit -rose once more to the relief of her dejection, upon seeing him seated -between Miss Margland and Indiana, and discerning that they had been -making some successful complaint, by the air of triumph with which they -waited her approach. - -'My dear Camilla,' he cried, with a look of much disturbance, 'here's a -sad ado, I find; though I don't mean to blame you, nor young Mr. -Mandlebert neither, taste being a fault one can't avoid; not but what a -person's changing their mind is what I can't commend in any one, which I -shall certainly let him know, not doubting to bring him round by means -of his own sense: only, my dear, in the meanwhile, I must beg you not to -stand in your cousin's way.' - -'Indeed, my dear uncle, I do not merit this imputation; I am not capable -of such treachery!' indignantly answered Camilla. - -'Treachery! Lord help us! treachery!' cried Sir Hugh, fondly embracing -her, 'don't I know you are as innocent as the baby unborn? and more -innocent too, from the advantage of having more sense to guide you by! -treachery, my dear Camilla! why, I think there's nobody so good in the -wide world!--by which I mean no reflections, never thinking it right to -make any.' - -Indiana, sullenly pouting, spoke not a word; but Miss Margland, with a -tone of plausibility that was some covert to its malice, said 'Why then -all may be well, and the young ladies as good friends as ever, and Mr. -Mandlebert return to the conduct of a gentleman, only just by Miss -Camilla's doing as she would be done by; for nothing that all of us can -say will have any effect, if she does not discourage him from dangling -about after her in the manner he does now, speaking to nobody else, and -always asking her opinion about every trifle, which is certainly doing -no great justice to Miss Lynmere.' - -Indiana, with a toss of the head, protested his notice was the last -thing she desired. - -'My dear Indiana,' said Sir Hugh, 'don't mind all that outward shew. Mr. -Mandlebert is a very good boy, and as to your cousin Camilla, I am sure -I need not put you in mind how much she is the same; but I really think, -whatever's the reason, the young youths of now-a-days grow backwarder -and backwarder. Though I can't say but what in my time it was just the -same; witness myself; which is what I have been sorry for often enough, -though I have left off repenting it now, because it's of no use; age -being a thing there's no getting ahead of.' - -'Well, then, all that remains is this,' said Miss Margland, 'let Miss -Camilla keep out of Mr. Mandlebert's way; and let her order the -carriage, and go to Mrs. Arlbery's to-morrow, and take no notice of his -likings and dislikings; and I'll be bound for it he will soon think no -more of her, and then, of course, he will give the proper attention to -Miss Lynmere.' - -'O, if that's all,' cried Sir Hugh, 'my dear Camilla, I am sure, will do -it, and as much again too, to make her cousin easy. And so now, I hope, -all is settled, and my two good girls will kiss one another, and be -friends; which I am sure I am myself, with all my heart.' - -Camilla hung her head, in speechless perturbation, at a task which -appeared to her equally hard and unjust; but while fear and shame kept -her silent, Sir Hugh drew her to Indiana, and a cold, yet unavoidable -salute, gave a species of tacit consent to a plan which she did not dare -oppose, from the very strength of the desire that urged her opposition. - -They then separated; Sir Hugh delighted, Miss Margland triumphant, -Indiana half satisfied, half affronted, and Camilla with a mind so -crowded, a heart so full, she scarcely breathed. Sensations the most -contrary, of pain, pleasure, hope, and terror, at once assailed her. -Edgar, of whom so long she had only thought as of the destined husband -of Indiana, she now heard named with suspicions of another regard, to -which she did not dare give full extension; yet of which the most -distant surmise made her consider herself, for a moment, as the happiest -of human beings, though she held herself the next as the most culpable -for even wishing it. - -She found Eugenia still in her room, who, perceiving her increased -emotion, tenderly enquired, if there were any new cause. - -'Alas! yes, my dearest Eugenia! they have been exacting from me the most -cruel of sacrifices! They order me to fly from Edgar Mandlebert--to -resist his advice--to take the very measures I have promised to -forbear--to disoblige, to slight, to behave to him even offensively! my -uncle himself, lenient, kind, indulgent as he is, my uncle himself has -been prevailed with to inflict upon me this terrible injunction.' - -'My uncle,' answered Eugenia, 'is incapable of giving pain to any body, -and least of all to you, whom he loves with such fondness; he has not -therefore comprehended the affair; he only considers, in general, that -to please or to displease Edgar Mandlebert can be a matter of no moment -to you, when compared with its importance to Indiana.' - -'It is a thousand and a thousand, a million and a million times more -important to me, than it can ever be to her!' exclaimed the ardent -Camilla, 'for she values not his kindness, she knows not his worth, she -is insensible to his virtues!' - -'You judge too hastily, my dear Camilla; she has not indeed your warmth -of heart; but if she did not wish the union to take place, why would she -shew all this disquiet in the apprehension of its breach?' - -Camilla, surprised into recollection, endeavoured to become calmer. - -'You, indeed,' continued the temperate Eugenia, 'if so situated, would -not so have behaved; you would not have been so unjust; and you could -not have been so weak; but still, if you had received, however -causelessly, any alarm for the affection of the man you meant to marry, -and that man were as amiable as Edgar, you would have been equally -disturbed.' - -Camilla, convinced, yet shocked, felt the flutter of her heart give a -thousand hues to her face, and walking to the window, leaned far out to -gasp for breath. - -'Weigh the request more coolly, and you cannot refuse a short -compliance. I am sure you would not make Indiana unhappy.' - -'O, no! not for the world!' cried she, struggling to seem more -reasonable than she felt. - -'Yet how can she be otherwise, if she imagines you have more of the -notice and esteem of Edgar than herself?' - -Camilla now had not a word to say; the subject dropt; she took up a -book, and by earnest internal remonstrances, commanded herself to appear -at tea-time with tolerable serenity. - -The evening was passed in spiritless conversation, or in listening to -the piano-forte, upon which Indiana, with the utmost difficulty, played -some very easy lessons. - -At night, the following answer arrived from Dr. Marchmont: - - _To_ Edgar Mandlebert, _Esq._ - - _Parsonage House, Cleves, - Friday Night._ - MY DEAR FRIEND, - - I must be thankful, in a moment of such enthusiasm, that you can - pay the attention of even recollecting those evils with which my - zeal only has, you think, encompassed you. I cannot insist upon the - practice of caution which you deem unfounded; but as you wait my - answer, I will once more open upon my sentiments, and communicate - my wishes. It is now only I can speak them; the instant you have - informed the young lady of your own, silences them for ever. Your - honour and her happiness become then entangled in each other, and I - know not which I would least willingly assail. What in all men is - base, would to you, I believe, be impossible--to trifle with such - favour as may be the growth of your own undisguised partiality. - - Your present vehemence to ascertain the permanent possession of one - you conceive formed for your felicity, obscures, to your now - absorbed faculties, the thousand nameless, but tenacious, - delicacies annexed by your species of character to your powers of - enjoyment. In two words, then, let me tell you, what, in a short - time, you will daily tell yourself: you cannot be happy if not - exclusively loved; for you cannot excite, you cannot bestow - happiness. - - By exclusively, I do not mean to the exclusion of other connections - and regard; far from it; those who covet in a bride the oblivion of - all former friendships, all early affections, weaken the finest - ties of humanity, and dissolve the first compact of unregistered - but genuine integrity. The husband, who would rather rationally - than with romance be loved himself, should seek to cherish, not - obliterate the kind feelings of nature in its first expansions. - These, where properly bestowed, are the guarantees to that constant - and respectable tenderness, which a narrow and selfish jealousy - rarely fails to convert into distaste and disgust. - - The partiality which I mean you to ascertain, injures not these - prior claims; I mean but a partiality exclusive of your situation - in life, and of all declaration of your passion: a partiality, in - fine, that is appropriate to yourself, not to the rank in the world - with which you may tempt her ambition, nor to the blandishments of - flattery, which only soften the heart by intoxicating the - understanding. - - Observe, therefore, if your general character, and usual conduct, - strike her mind; if her esteem is yours without the attraction of - assiduity and adulation; if your natural disposition and manners - make your society grateful to her, and your approbation desirable. - - It is thus alone you can secure your own contentment; for it is - thus alone your reflecting mind can snatch from the time to come - the dangerous surmises of a dubious retrospection. - - Remember, you can always advance; you can never, in honour, go - back; and believe me when I tell you, that the mere simple avowal - of preference, which only ultimately binds the man, is frequently - what first captivates the woman. If her mind is not previously - occupied, it operates with such seductive sway, it so soothes, so - flatters, so bewitches her self-complacency, that while she - listens, she imperceptibly fancies she participates in sentiments, - which, but the minute before, occurred not even to her imagination; - and while her hand is the recompence of her own eulogy, she is not - herself aware if she has bestowed it where her esteem and regard, - unbiassed by the eloquence of acknowledged admiration, would have - wished it sought, or if it has simply been the boon of her own - gratified vanity. - - I now no longer urge your acquiescence, my dear friend; I merely - entreat you twice to peruse what I have written, and then leave you - to act by the result of such perusal. - - I remain - Your truly faithful and obliged - GABRIEL MARCHMONT. - -Edgar ran through this letter with an impatience wholly foreign to his -general character. 'Why,' cried he, 'will he thus obtrude upon me these -fastidious doubts and causeless difficulties? I begged but the -restitution of my promise, and he gives it me in words that nearly -annihilate my power of using it.' - -Disappointed and displeased, he hastily put it into his pocket-book, -resolving to seek Camilla, and commit the consequences of an interview -to the impulses it might awaken. - -He was half way down stairs, when the sentence finishing with, 'you -cannot excite, you cannot bestow happiness,' confusedly recurred to him: -'If in that,' thought he, 'I fail, I am a stranger to it myself, and a -stranger for ever;' and, returning to his room, he re-opened the letter -to look for the passage. - -The sentence lost nothing by being read a second time; he paused upon it -dejectedly, and presently re-read the whole epistle. - -'He is not quite wrong!' cried he, pensively; 'there is nothing very -unreasonable in what he urges: true, indeed, it is, that I can never be -happy myself, if her happiness is not entwined around my own.' - -The first blight thus borne to that ardent glee with which the -imagination rewards its own elevated speculations, he yet a third time -read the letter. - -'He is right!' he then cried; 'I will investigate her sentiments, and -know what are my chances for her regard; what I owe to real approbation; -and what merely to intimacy of situation. I will postpone all -explanation till my visit here expires, and devote the probationary -interval, to an examination which shall obviate all danger of either -deceiving my own reason, or of beguiling her inconsiderate acceptance.' - -This settled, he rejoiced in a mastery over his eagerness, which he -considered as complete, since it would defer for no less than a week the -declaration of his passion. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_An Author's Notion of Travelling_ - - -The next morning Camilla, sad and unwilling to appear, was the last who -entered the breakfast-parlour. Edgar instantly discerned the continued -unhappiness, which an assumed smile concealed from the unsuspicious Sir -Hugh, and the week of delay before him seemed an outrage to all his -wishes. - -While she was drinking her first cup of tea, a servant came in, and told -her the carriage was ready. - -She coloured, but nobody spoke, and the servant retired. Edgar was going -to ask the design for the morning, when Miss Margland said--'Miss -Camilla, as the horses have got to go and return, you had better not -keep them waiting.' - -Colouring still more deeply, she was going to disclaim having ordered -them, though well aware for what purpose they were come, when Sir Hugh -said--'I think, my dear, you had best take Eugenia with you, which may -serve you as a companion to talk to, in case you want to say anything by -the way, which I take for granted; young people not much liking to hold -their tongues for a long while together, which is very natural, having -so little to think of.' - -'Miss Eugenia, then,' cried Miss Margland, before Camilla could reply, -'run for your cloak as soon as you have finished your breakfast.' - -Eugenia, hoping to aid her sister in performing a task, which she -considered as a peace-offering to Indiana, said, she had already done. - -Camilla now lost all courage for resistance; but feeling her chagrin -almost intolerable, quitted the room with her tea undrunk, and without -making known if she should return or not. - -Eugenia followed, and Edgar, much amazed, said, he had forgotten to -order his horse for his morning's ride, and hastily made off: determined -to be ready to hand the sisters to the carriage, and learn whither it -was to drive. - -Camilla, who, in flying to her room, thought of nothing less than -preparing for an excursion which she now detested, was again surprised -in tears by Eugenia. - -'What, my dearest Camilla,' she cried, 'can thus continually affect you? -you cannot be so unhappy without some cause!--why will you not trust -your Eugenia?' - -'I cannot talk,' she answered, ashamed to repeat reasons which she knew -Eugenia held to be inadequate to her concern--'If there is no resource -against this persecution--if I must render myself hateful to give them -satisfaction, let us, at least, be gone immediately, and let me be -spared seeing the person I so ungratefully offend.' - -She then hurried down stairs; but finding Edgar in waiting, still more -quickly hurried back, and in an agony, for which she attempted not to -account, cast herself into a chair, and told Eugenia, that if Miss -Margland did not contrive to call Edgar away, the universe could not -prevail with her to pass him in such defiance. - -'My dear Camilla,' said Eugenia, surprized, yet compassionately, 'if -this visit is become so painful to you, relinquish it at once.' - -'Ah, no! for that cruel Miss Margland will then accuse me of staying -away only to follow the counsel of Edgar.' - -She stopt; for the countenance of Eugenia said--'_And is that not your -motive?_' A sudden consciousness took place of her distress; she hid her -face, in the hope of concealing her emotion, and with as calm a voice as -she could attain, said, the moment they could pass unobserved she would -set off. - -Eugenia went downstairs. - -'Alas! alas!' she then cried, 'into what misery has this barbarous Miss -Margland thrown me! Eugenia herself seems now to suspect something -wrong; and so, I suppose, will my uncle; and I can only convince them of -my innocence by acting towards Edgar as a monster.--Ah! I would sooner a -thousand times let them all think me guilty!' - -Eugenia had met Miss Margland in the hall, who, impatient for their -departure, passed her, and ascended the stairs. - -At the sound of her footsteps, the horror of her reproaches and -insinuations conquered every other feeling, and Camilla, starting up, -rushed forward, and saying 'Good morning!' ran off. - -Edgar was still at the door, and came forward to offer her his hand. -'Pray take care of Eugenia,' she cried, abruptly passing him, and -darting, unaided, into the chaise. Edgar, astonished, obeyed, and gave -his more welcome assistance to Eugenia; but when both were seated, -said--'Where shall I tell the postillion to drive?' - -Camilla, who was pulling one of the green blinds up, and again letting -it down, twenty times in a minute, affected not to hear him; but Eugenia -answered, 'to the Grove, to Mrs. Arlbery's.' - -The postillion had already received his orders from Miss Margland, and -drove off; leaving Edgar mute with surprise, disappointment and -mortification. - -Miss Margland was just behind him, and conceived this the fortunate -instant for eradicating from his mind every favourable pre-possession -for Camilla; assuming, therefore, an air of concern, she said--'So, you -have found Miss Camilla out, in spite of all her precautions! she would -fain not have had you know her frolic.' - -'Not know it! has there, then, been any plan? did Miss Camilla -intend----' - -'O, she intends nothing in the world for two minutes together! only she -did not like you should find out her fickleness. You know, I told you, -before, she was all whim; and so you will find. You may always take my -opinion, be assured. Miss Lynmere is the only one among them that is -always the same, always good, always amiable.' - -'And is not Miss----' he was going to say Camilla, but checking himself, -finished with--'Miss Eugenia, at least, always equal, always -consistent?' - -'Why, she is better than Miss Camilla; but not one among them has any -steadiness, or real sweetness, but Miss Lynmere. As to Miss Camilla, if -she has not her own way, there's no enduring her, she frets, and is so -cross. When you put her off, in that friendly manner, from gadding after -a new acquaintance so improper for her, you set her into such an ill -humour, that she has done nothing but cry, as you may have seen by her -eyes, and worry herself and all of us round, except you, ever since; but -she was afraid of you, for fear you should take her to task, which she -hates of all things.' - -Half incredulous, yet half shocked, Edgar turned from this harangue in -silent disgust. He knew the splenetic nature of Miss Margland, and -trusted she might be wrong; but he knew, too, her opportunities for -observation, and dreaded lest she might be right. Camilla had been -certainly low spirited, weeping, and restless; was it possible it could -be for so slight, so unmeaning a cause? His wish was to follow her on -horseback; but this, unauthorized, might betray too much anxiety: he -tried not to think of what had been said by Dr. Marchmont, while this -cloud hung over her disposition and sincerity; for whatever might be -the malignity of Miss Margland, the breach of a promise, of which the -voluntary sweetness had so lately proved his final captivation, could -not be doubted, and called aloud for explanation. - -He mounted, however, his horse, to make his promised enquiries of Mrs. -Needham; for though the time was already past for impeding the -acquaintance from taking place, its progress might yet be stopt, should -it be found incompatible with propriety. - -The young ladies had scarce left the Park, when Sir Hugh, recollecting a -promise he had made to Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold, of never suffering Eugenia -to go abroad unattended by some gentleman, while Bellamy remained in the -country, sent hastily to beg that Edgar would follow the carriage. - -Edgar was out of sight, and there was no chance of overtaking him. - -'Lack-a-day!' said Sir Hugh, 'those young folks can never walk a horse -but full gallop!' He then resolved to ask Dr. Orkborne to go after his -pupil, and ride by the side of the chaise. He ordered a horse to be -saddled; and, to lose no time by messages, the tardiness of which he had -already experienced with this gentleman, he went himself to his -apartment, and after several vain rappings at his door, entered the room -unbid, saying--'Good Dr. Orkborne, unless you are dead, which God -forbid! I think it's something uncomfortable that you can't speak to a -person waiting at your door; not that I pretend to doubt but you may -have your proper reasons, being what I can't judge.' - -He then begged he would get booted and spurred instantly, and follow his -two nieces to Mrs. Arlbery's, in order to take care of Eugenia; adding, -'though I'm afraid, Doctor, by your look, you don't much listen to me, -which I am sorry for; my not being able to speak like Horace and Virgil -being no fault of mine, but of my poor capacity, which no man can be -said to be answerable for.' - -He then again entreated him to set off. - -'Only a moment, sir! I only beg you'll accord me one moment!' cried the -Doctor, with a fretful sigh; while, screening his eyes with his left -hand, he endeavoured hastily to make a memorandum of his ideas, before -he forced them to any other subject. - -'Really, Dr. Orkborne,' said Sir Hugh, somewhat displeased, 'I must -needs remark, for a friend, I think this rather slow: however, I can't -say I am much disappointed, now, that I did not turn out a scholar -myself, for I see, plain enough, you learned men think nothing of any -consequence but Homer and such; which, however, I don't mean to take -ill, knowing it was like enough to have been my own case.' - -He then left the room, intending to send a man and horse after the -chaise, to desire his two nieces to return immediately. - -Dr. Orkborne, who, though copiously stored with the works of the -ancients, had a sluggish understanding, and no imagination, was entirely -overset by this intrusion. The chain of his observations was utterly -broken; he strove vainly to rescue from oblivion the slow ripening -fruits of his tardy conceptions, and, proportioning his estimation of -their value by their labour, he not only considered his own loss as -irreparable, but the whole world to be injured by so unfortunate an -interruption. - -The recollection, however, which refused to assist his fame, was -importunate in reminding him that the present offender was his patron; -and his total want of skill in character kept from him the just -confidence he would otherwise have placed in the unalterable goodness of -heart of Sir Hugh, whom, though he despised for his ignorance, he feared -for his power. - -Uneasy, therefore, at his exit, which he concluded to be made in wrath, -he uttered a dolorous groan over his papers, and compelled himself to -follow, with an apology, the innocent enemy of his glory. - -Sir Hugh, who never harboured displeasure for two minutes in his life, -was more inclined to offer an excuse himself for what he had dropt -against learning, than to resist the slightest concession from the -Doctor, whom he only begged to make haste, the horse being already at -the door. But Dr. Orkborne, as soon as he comprehended what was desired, -revived from the weight of sacrificing so much time; he had never been -on horseback since he was fifteen years of age, and declared, to the -wondering baronet, he could not risk his neck by undertaking such a -journey. - -In high satisfaction, he would then have returned to his room, persuaded -that, when his mind was disembarrassed, a parallel between two ancient -authors which, with much painful stretch of thought, he had suggested, -and which, with the most elaborate difficulty, he was arranging and -drawing up, would recur again to his memory: but Sir Hugh, always eager -in expedients, said, he should follow in the coach, which might be ready -time enough for him to arrive at Mrs. Arlbery's before the visit was -over, and to bring Eugenia safe back; 'which,' cried he, 'is the main -point, for the sake of seeing that she goes no where else.' - -Dr. Orkborne, looking extremely blank at this unexpected proposition, -stood still. - -'Won't you go, then, my good friend?' - -The Doctor, after a long pause, and in a most dejected tone, sighed out, -'Yes, sir, certainly, with the greatest--alacrity.' - -Sir Hugh, who took everything literally that seemed right or -good-natured, thanked him, and ordered the horses to be put to the coach -with all possible expedition. - -It was soon at the door, and Dr. Orkborne, who had spent in his room the -intervening period, in moaning the loss of the time that was to succeed, -and in an opinion that two hours of this morning would have been of more -value to him than two years when it was gone, reluctantly obeyed the -call that obliged him to descend: but he had no sooner entered the -carriage, and found he was to have it to himself, than leaping suddenly -from it, as the groom, who was to attend him, was preparing to shut the -door, he hastened back to his chamber to collect a packet of books and -papers, through the means of which he hoped to recall those flowers of -rhetoric, upon which he was willing to risk his future reputation. - -The astonished groom, concluding something had frightened him, jumped -into the coach to find the cause of his flight; but Sir Hugh, who was -advancing to give his final directions, called out, with some -displeasure 'Hollo, there, you Jacob! if Dr. Orkborne thinks to get you -to go for my nieces in place of himself, it's what I don't approve; -which, however, you need not take amiss, one man being no more born with -a livery upon his back than another; which God forbid I should think -otherwise. Nevertheless, my little girls must have a proper respect -shewn them; which, it's surprising Dr. Orkborne should not know as well -as me.' - -And, much disconcerted, he walked to the parlour, to ruminate upon some -other measure. - -'I am sure, your honour,' said Jacob, following him, 'I got in with no -ill intention; but what it was as come across the Doctor I don't know; -but just as I was a going to shut the door, without saying never a word, -out he pops, and runs upstairs again; so I only got in to see if -something had hurt him; but I can't find nothing of no sort.' - -Then, putting to the door, and looking sagaciously, 'Please your -honour,' he continued, 'I dare say it's only some maggot got into his -brain from over reading and writing; for all the maids think he'll soon -be cracked.' - -'That's very wrong of them, Jacob; and I desire you'll tell them they -must not think any such thing.' - -'Why, your honour don't know half, or you'd be afraid too,' said Jacob, -lowering his voice; 'he's like nothing you ever see. He won't let a -chair nor a table be dusted in his room, though they are covered over -with cobwebs, because he says, it takes him such a time to put his -things to rights again; though all the while what he calls being to -rights is just the contrary; for it's a mere higgledy piggledy, one -thing heaped o'top of t'other, as if he did it for fun.' - -The baronet gravely answered, that if there were not the proper shelves -for his books he would order more. - -'Why, your honour, that's not the quarter, as I tell you! why, when -they're cleaning out his room, if they happen but to sweep away a bit of -paper as big as my hand, he'll make believe they've done him as much -mischief as if they'd stole a thousand pound. It would make your honour -stare to hear him. Mary says, she's sure he has never been quite right -ever since he come to the house.' - -'But I desire you'll tell Mary I don't approve of that opinion. Dr. -Orkborne is one of the first scholars in the world, as I am credibly -informed; and I beg you'll all respect him accordingly.' - -'Why, your honour, if it i'n't owing to something of that sort, why does -he behave so unaccountable? I myself heard him making such a noise at -the maids one day, that I spoke to Mary afterwards, and asked her what -was the matter?--"Laws, nobody knows," says she, "but here's the Doctor -been all in a huff again; I was just a dusting his desk (says she) and -so I happened to wipe down a little bundle of papers, all nothing but -mere scraps, and he took on as if they'd been so many guineas (says she) -and he kept me there for an hour looking for them, and scolding, and -telling such a heap of fibs, that if he was not out of his head, would -be a shame for a gentleman to say" (says she).' - -'Fie, fie, Jacob! and tell Mary fie, too. He is a very learned -gentleman, and no more a story-teller than I am myself; which God -forbid.' - -'Why, your honour, how could this here be true? he told the maids how -they had undone him, and the like, only because of their throwing down -them few bits of papers; though they are ready to make oath they picked -them up, almost every one; and that they were all of a crump, and of no -manner of use.' - -'Well, well, say no more about it, good Jacob, but go and give my -compliments to Dr. Orkborne, and ask him, what's the reason of his -changing his mind; I mean, provided it's no secret.' - -Jacob returned in two minutes, with uplifted hands and eyes; 'your -honour,' cried he, 'now you'll believe me another time! he is worse than -ever, and I'll be bound he'll break out before another quarter.' - -'Why, what's the matter?' - -'Why, as sure as I'm here, he's getting together ever so many books, and -stuffing his pockets, and cramming them under his arms, just as if he -was a porter! and when I gave him your honour's message, I suppose it -put him out, for he said, "Don't hurry me so, I'm a coming;" making -believe as if he was only a preparing for going out, in the stead of -making that fool of himself.' - -Sir Hugh, now really alarmed, bid him not mention the matter to anyone; -and was going upstairs himself, when he saw Dr. Orkborne, heavily laden -with books in each hand, and bulging from both coat pockets, slowly and -carefully coming down. - -'Bless me,' cried he, rather fearfully, 'my dear sir, what are you going -to do with all that library?' - -Dr. Orkborne, wishing him good morning, without attending to his -question, proceeding to the carriage, calling to Jacob, who stood aloof, -to make haste and open the door. - -Jacob obeyed, but with a significant look at his master, that said, 'you -see how it is, sir!' - -Sir Hugh following him, gently put his hand upon his shoulder, and -mildly said, 'My dear friend, to be sure you know best, but I don't see -the use of loading yourself in that manner for nothing.' - -'It is a great loss of time, sir, to travel without books,' answered the -Doctor, quietly arranging them in the coach. - -'Travel, my good friend? Why, you don't call it travelling to go four or -five miles? why, if you had known me before my fall--However, I don't -mean to make any comparisons, you gentlemen scholars being no particular -good horsemen. However, if you were to go one hundred miles instead of -four or five, you could not get through more than one of those books, -read as hard as you please; unless you skip half, which I suppose you -solid heads leave to the lower ignoramusses.' - -'It is not for reading, sir, that I take all these books, but merely to -look into. There are many of them I shall never read in my life, but I -shall want them all.' - -Sir Hugh now stared with increased perplexity; but Dr. Orkborne, as -eager to go, since his books were to accompany him, as before to stay, -told Jacob to bid the coachman make haste. Jacob looked at his master, -who ordered him to mount his mare, and the carriage drove off. - -The baronet, in some uneasiness, seated himself in the hall, to ruminate -upon what he had just heard. The quietness and usual manner of speaking -and looking of Dr. Orkborne, which he had remarked, removed any -immediate apprehensions from the assertions of Jacob and Mary; but still -he did not like the suggestion; and the carrying off so many books, when -he acknowledged he did not mean to read one of them, disturbed him. - -In every shadow of perplexity, his first wish was to consult with his -brother; and if he had not parted with both his carriages, he would -instantly have set off for Etherington. He sent, however, an express for -Mr. Tyrold, begging to see him at Cleves with all speed. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_An internal Detection_ - - -When the chaise drove from Cleves Park, all attempt at any disguise was -over with Camilla, who alive only to the horror of appearing ungrateful -to Edgar, wept without controul; and, leaning back in the carriage, -entreated Eugenia to dispense with all conversation. - -Eugenia, filled with pity, wondered, but complied, and they travelled -near four miles in silence; when, perceiving, over the paling round a -paddock, Mrs. Arlbery and a party of company, Camilla dried her eyes, -and prepared for her visit, of which the impetuosity of her feelings -had retarded all previous consideration. - -Eugenia, with true concern, saw the unfitness of her sister to appear, -and proposed walking the rest of the way, in the hope that a little air -and exercise might compose her spirits. - -She agreed; they alighted, and bidding the footman keep with the -carriage, which they ordered should drive slowly behind, they proceeded -gently, arm in arm, along a clean raised bank by the side of the road, -with a pace suiting at once the infirmity of Eugenia, and the wish of -delay in Camilla. - -The sound of voices reached them from within the paddock, though a thick -shrubbery prevented their seeing the interlocutors. - -'Can you make out the arms?' said one. - -'No,' answered another, 'but I can see the postillion's livery, and I am -certain it is Sir Hugh Tyrold's.' - -'Then it is not coming hither,' said a third voice, which they -recollected for Mrs. Arlbery's; 'we don't visit: though I should not -dislike to see the old baronet. They tell me [he] is a humorist; and I -have a taste for all oddities: but then he has a house full of females, -and females I never admit in a morning, except when I have secured some -men to take the entertaining them off my hands.' - -'Whither is Bellamy running?' cried another voice, 'he's off without a -word.' - -'Gone in hopes of a rencounter, I doubt not,' answered Mrs. Arlbery; 'he -made palpable aim at one of the divinities of Cleves at the ball.' - -Eugenia now grew uneasy. 'Let us be quick,' she whispered 'and enter the -house!' - -'Divinities! Lord! are they divinities?' said a girlish female voice; -'pray how old are they?' - -'I fancy about seventeen.' - -'Seventeen! gracious! I thought they'd been quite young; I wonder they -a'n't married!' - -'I presume, then, you intend to be more expeditious?' said another, -whose voice spoke him to be General Kinsale. - -'Gracious! I hope so, for I hate an old bride. I'll never marry at all, -if I stay till I am eighteen.' - -'A story goes about,' said the General, 'that Sir Hugh Tyrold has -selected one of his nieces for his sole heiress; but no two people agree -which it is; they have asserted it of each.' - -'I was mightily taken with one of the girls,' said Mrs. Arlbery; 'there -was something so pleasant in her looks and manner, that I even felt -inclined to forgive her being younger and prettier than myself; but she -turned out also to be more whimsical--and that there was no enduring.' - -Camilla, extremely ashamed, was now upon the point of begging Eugenia to -return, when a new speech seized all her attention. - -'Do you know, General, when that beautiful automaton, Miss Lynmere, is -to marry young Mandlebert?' - -'Immediately, I understand; I am told he has fitted up his house very -elegantly for her reception.' - -A deep sigh escaped Camilla at such publicity in the report and belief -of the engagement of Edgar with her cousin, and brought with it a -consciousness too strong for any further self-disguise, that her -distress flowed not all from an unjust accusation: the sound alone of -the union struck as a dagger at her heart, and told her, -incontrovertibly, who was its master. - -Her sensations were now most painful: she grew pale, she became sick, -and was obliged, in her turn, to lean upon Eugenia, who, affrighted to -see her thus strangely disordered, besought her to go back to the -chaise. - -She consented, and begged to pass a few minutes there alone. Eugenia -therefore stayed without, walking slowly upon the bank. - -Camilla, getting into the carriage, pulled up the blinds, and, no longer -self-deceived, lamented in a new burst of sorrow, her unhappy fate, and -unpropitious attachment. - -This consciousness, however, became soon a call upon her integrity, and -her regret was succeeded by a summons upon propriety. She gave herself -up as lost to all personal felicity, but hoped she had discovered the -tendency of her affliction, in time to avoid the dangers, and the errors -to which it might lead. She determined to struggle without cessation for -the conquest of a partiality she deemed it treachery to indulge; and to -appease any pain she now blushed to have caused to Indiana, by strictly -following the hard prescription of Miss Margland, and the obvious -opinion of Eugenia, in shunning the society, and no longer coveting the -approbation of Edgar. 'Such, my dear father,' she cried, 'would be your -lesson, if I dared consult you! such, my most honoured mother, would be -your conduct, if thus cruelly situated!' - -This thought thrilled through every vein with pleasure, in a sense of -filial desert, and her sole desire was to return immediately to those -incomparable parents, under whose roof she had experienced nothing but -happiness, and in whose bosoms she hoped to bury every tumultuous -disturbance. - -These ideas and resolutions, dejecting, yet solacing, occupied her to -the forgetfulness of her intended visit, and even of Eugenia, till the -words: 'Pray let me come to you, my dear Camilla!' made her let down the -blinds. - -She then perceived Mr. Bellamy earnestly addressing her sister. - -He had advanced suddenly towards her, by a short cut from the paddock, -of which she was not aware, when she was about twenty yards from the -chaise. - -She made an effort to avoid him; but he planted himself in the way of -her retreat, though with an air of supplication, with which she strove -in vain to be angry. - -He warmly represented the cruelty of thus flying him, entreated but the -privilege of addressing her as a common acquaintance; and promised, upon -that condition, to submit unmurmuring to her rejection. - -Eugenia, though in secret she thought this request but equitable, made -him no answer. - -'O madam,' he cried, 'what have I not suffered since your barbarous -letter! why will you be so amiable, yet so inexorable?' - -She attempted to quicken her pace; but again, in the same manner, -stopping her, he exclaimed: 'Do not kill me by this disdain! I ask not -now for favour or encouragement--I know my hard doom--I ask only to -converse with you--though, alas! it was by conversing with you I lost my -heart.' - -Eugenia felt softened; and her countenance, which had forfeited nothing -of expression, though every thing of beauty, soon shewed Bellamy his -advantage. He pursued it eagerly; depicted his passion, deprecated her -severity, extolled her virtues and accomplishments, and bewailed his -unhappy, hopeless flame. - -Eugenia, knowing that all she said, and believing that all she heard -issued from the fountain of truth, became extremely distressed. 'Let me -pass, I conjure you, Sir,' she cried, 'and do not take it ill--but I -cannot hear you any longer.' - -The vivacity of bright hope flashed into the sparkling eyes of Bellamy, -at so gentle a remonstrance; and entreaties for lenity, declarations of -passion, professions of submission, and practice of resistance, assailed -the young Eugenia with a rapidity that confounded her: she heard him -with scarce any opposition, from a fear of irritating his feelings, -joined to a juvenile embarrassment how to treat with more severity so -sincere and so humble a suppliant. - -From this situation, to the extreme provocation of Bellamy, she was -relieved by the appearance of Major Cerwood, who having observed, from -the paddock, the slow motion of the carriage, had come forth to find out -the cause. - -Eugenia seized the moment of interruption to press forward, and make the -call to her sister already mentioned; Bellamy accompanying and pleading, -but no longer venturing to stop her: he handed her, therefore, to the -chaise, where Major Cerwood also paid his compliments to the two ladies; -and hearing they were going to the seat of Mrs. Arlbery, whither Camilla -now forced herself, though more unwillingly than ever, he ran on, with -Bellamy, to be ready to hand them from the carriage. - -They were shewn into a parlour, while a servant went into the garden to -call his mistress. - -This interval was not neglected by either of the gentlemen, for Bellamy -was scarce more eager to engage the attention of Eugenia, than the Major -to force that of Camilla. By Lionel he had been informed she was heiress -of Cleves; he deemed, therefore, the opportunity by no means to be -thrown away, of making, what he believed required opportunity alone, a -conquest of her young heart. Accustomed to think compliments always -welcome to the fair, he construed her sadness into softness, and imputed -her silence to the confusing impression made upon an inexperienced rural -beauty, by the first assiduities of a man of figure and gallantry. - -In about a quarter of an hour the servant of Mrs. Arlbery slowly -returned, and, with some hesitation, said his lady was not at home. The -gentlemen looked provoked, and Camilla and Eugenia, much disconcerted at -so evident a denial, left their names, and returned to their carriage. - -The journey back to Cleves was mute and dejected: Camilla was shocked at -the conscious state of her own mind, and Eugenia was equally pensive. -She began to think with anxiety of a contract with a person wholly -unknown, and to consider the passion and constancy of Bellamy as the -emanations of a truly elevated mind, and meriting her most serious -gratitude. - -At the hall door they were eagerly met by Sir Hugh, who, with infinite -surprise, enquired where they had left Dr. Orkborne. - -'Dr. Orkborne?' they repeated, 'we have not even seen him.' - -'Not seen him? did not he come to fetch you?' - -'No, Sir.' - -'Why, he went to Mrs. Arlbery's on purpose! And what he stays for at -that lady's, now you are both come away, is a thing I can't pretend to -judge of; unless he has stopt to read one of those books he took with -him; which is what I dare say is the case.' - -'He cannot be at Mrs. Arlbery's, Sir,' said Eugenia, 'for we have but -this moment left her house.' - -'He must be there, my dear girls, for he's no where else. I saw him set -out myself, which, however, I shan't mention the particulars of, having -sent for my brother, whom I expect every minute.' - -They then concluded he had gone by another road, as there were two ways -to the Grove. - -Edgar did not return to Cleves till the family were assembling to -dinner. His visit to Mrs. Needham had occasioned him a new disturbance. -She had rallied him upon the general rumour of his approaching marriage; -and his confusion, from believing his partiality for Camilla detected, -was construed into a confirmation of the report concerning Indiana. His -disavowal was rather serious than strong, and involuntarily mixt with -such warm eulogiums of the object he imagined to be meant, that Mrs. -Needham, who had only named _a certain fair one at Cleves_, laughed at -his denial, and thought the engagement undoubted. - -With respect to his enquiries relative to Mrs. Arlbery, Mrs. Needham -said, that she was a woman far more agreeable to the men, than to her -own sex; that she was full of caprice, coquetry, and singularity; yet, -though she abused the gift, she possessed an excellent and uncommon -understanding. She was guilty of no vices, but utterly careless of -appearances, and though her character was wholly unimpeached, she had -offended or frightened almost all the county around, by a wilful -strangeness of behaviour, resulting from an undaunted determination to -follow in every thing the bent of her own humour. - -Edgar justly deemed this a dangerous acquaintance for Camilla, whose -natural thoughtlessness and vivacity made him dread the least -imprudence in the connexions she might form; yet, as the reputation of -Mrs. Arlbery was unsullied, he felt how difficult would be the task of -demonstrating the perils he feared. - -Sir Hugh, during the dinner, was exceedingly disturbed. 'What Dr. -Orkborne can be doing with himself,' said he, 'is more than any man can -tell, for he certainly would not stay at the lady's, when he found you -were both come away; so that I begin to think it's ten to one but he's -gone nobody knows where! for why else should he take all those books? -which is a thing I have been thinking of ever since; especially as he -owned himself he should never read one half of them. If he has taken -something amiss, I am very ready to ask his pardon; though what it can -be I don't pretend to guess.' - -Miss Margland said, he was so often doing something or other that was -ill-bred, that she was not at all surprised he should stay out at dinner -time. He had never yet fetched her a chair, nor opened the door for her, -since he came to the house; so that she did not know what was too bad to -expect. - -As they were rising from the table, a note arrived from Mr. Tyrold, with -an excuse, that important business would prevent his coming to Cleves -till the next day. Camilla then begged permission to go in the chaise -that was to fetch him, flattering herself something might occur to -detain her, when at Etherington. Sir Hugh readily assented, and -composing himself for his afternoon nap, desired to be awaked if Dr. -Orkborne came back. - -All now left the room except Camilla, who, taking up a book, stood still -at a window, till she was aroused by the voice of Edgar, who, from the -Park, asked her what she was reading. - -She turned over the leaves, ashamed at the question, to look for the -title; she had held the book mechanically, and knew not what it was. - -He then produced the promised nosegay, which had been brought by his -gardener during her excursion. She softly lifted up the sash, pointing -to her sleeping uncle; he gave it her with a silent little bow, and -walked away; much disappointed to miss an opportunity from which he had -hoped for some explanation. - -She held it in her hand some time, scarcely sensible she had taken it, -till, presently, she saw its buds bedewed with her falling tears. - -She shook them off, and pressed the nosegay to her bosom. 'This, at -least,' she cried, 'I may accept, for it was offered me before that -barbarous attack. Ah! they know not the innocence of my regard, or they -would not so wrong it! The universe could not tempt me to injure my -cousin, though it is true, I have valued the kindness of Edgar--and I -must always value it!--These flowers are more precious to me, coming -from his hands, and reared in his grounds, than all the gems of the East -could be from any other possessor. But where is the guilt of such a -preference? And who that knows him could help feeling it?' - -Sir Hugh now awakening from a short slumber, exclaimed--'I have just -found out the reason why this poor gentleman has made off; I mean, -provided he is really gone away, which, however, I hope not: but I -think, by his bringing down all those books, he meant to give me a broad -hint, that he had got no proper book-case to keep them in; which the -maids as good as think too.' - -Then, calling upon Camilla, he asked if she was not of that opinion. - -'Y--e--s, Sir,' she hesitatingly answered. - -'Well, then, my dear, if we all think the same, I'll give orders -immediately for getting the better of that fault.' - -Miss Margland, curious to know how Camilla was detained, now re-entered -the room. Struck with the fond and melancholy air with which she was -bending over her nosegay, she abruptly demanded--'Pray, where might you -get those flowers?' - -Covered with shame, she could make no answer. - -'O, Miss Camilla! Miss Camilla!--ought not those flowers to belong to -Miss Lynmere?' - -'Mr. Mandlebert had promised me them yesterday morning,' answered she, -in a voice scarce audible. - -'And is this fair, Ma'am?--can you reckon it honourable?--I'll be judged -by Sir Hugh himself. Do you think it right, Sir, that Miss Camilla -should accept nosegays every day from Mr. Mandlebert, when her cousin -has had never a one at all?' - -'Why, it's not her fault, you know, Miss Margland, if young Mr. -Mandlebert chuses to give them to her. However, if that vexes Indiana, -I'm sure my niece will make them over to her with the greatest pleasure; -for I never knew the thing she would not part with, much more a mere -little smell at the nose, which, whether one has it or not, can't much -matter after it's over.' - -Miss Margland now exultingly held out her hand: the decision was -obliged to be prompt; Camilla delivered up the flowers, and ran into her -own room. - -The sacrifice, cried she, is now complete! Edgar will conclude I hate -him, and believe Indiana loves him!--no matter!--it is fitting he should -think both. I will be steady this last evening, and to-morrow I will -quit this fatal roof! - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_An Author's Opinion of Visiting_ - - -When summoned to tea, Camilla, upon entering the parlour, found Sir Hugh -in mournful discourse with Edgar upon the non-appearance of Dr. -Orkborne. Edgar felt a momentary disappointment that she did not honour -his flowers with wearing them; but consoled himself with supposing she -had preserved them in water. In a few minutes, however, Indiana appeared -with them in her bosom. - -Almost petrified, he turned towards Camilla, who, affecting an air of -unconcern, amused herself with patting a favourite old terrier of her -uncle's. - -As soon as he could disengage himself from the Baronet, he leant also -over the dog, and, in a low voice, said--'You have discarded, then, my -poor flowers?' - -'Have I not done right?' answered she, in the same tone; 'are they not -where you must be far happier to see them?' - -'Is it possible,' exclaimed he, 'Miss Camilla Tyrold can suppose----'. -He stopt, for surprised off his guard, he was speaking loud, and he saw -Miss Margland approaching. - -'Don't you think, Mr. Mandlebert,' said she, 'that Miss Lynmere becomes -a bouquet very much? she took a fancy to those flowers, and I think they -are quite the thing for her.' - -'She does them,' he coldly answered, 'too much honour.' - -Ah, Heaven! he loves her not! thought Camilla, and, while trembling -between hope and terror at the suggestion, determined to redouble her -circumspection, not to confirm the suspicion that his indifference was -produced by her efforts to attach him to herself. - -She had soon what she conceived to be an occasion for its exertion. When -he handed her some cakes, he said--'You would think it, I conclude, -impertinent to hear anything more concerning Mrs. Arlbery, now you have -positively opened an acquaintance with her?' - -She felt the justice of this implied reproach of her broken promise; but -she saw herself constantly watched by Miss Margland, and repressing the -apology she was sighing to offer, only answered--'You have nothing, you -own, to say against her reputation--and as to any thing else----' - -'True,' interrupted he, 'my information on that point is all still in -her favour: but can it be Miss Camilla Tyrold, who holds that to be the -sole question upon which intimacy ought to depend? Does she account as -nothing manners, disposition, way of life?' - -'No, not absolutely as nothing,' said she, rising; 'but taste settles -all those things, and mine is entirely in her favour.' - -Edgar gravely begged her pardon, for so officiously resuming an irksome -subject; and returning to Sir Hugh, endeavoured to listen to his -lamentations and conjectures about Dr. Orkborne. - -He felt, however, deeply hurt. In naming Mrs. Arlbery, he had flattered -himself he had opened an opportunity for which she must herself be -waiting, to explain the motives of her late visit; but her light answer -put an end to that hope, and her quitting her seat shewed her impatient -of further counsel. - -Not a word that fell from Sir Hugh reached his ear: but he bowed from -time to time, and the good Baronet had no doubt of his attention. His -eyes were perpetually following Camilla, though they met not a glance -from her in return. She played with the terrier, talked with Eugenia, -looked out of the window, turned over some books, and did everything -with an air of negligence, that while it covered absence and anxiety, -displayed a studied avoidance of his notice. - -The less he could account for this, the more it offended him. And dwells -caprice, thought he, while his eye followed her, even there! in that -fair composition!--where may I look for singleness of mind, for -nobleness of simplicity, if caprice, mere girlish, unmeaning caprice, -dwell there! - -The moment she had finished her tea, she left the room, to shorten her -cruel task. Struck with the broken sentence of 'is it possible Miss -Camilla Tyrold can suppose----' the soft hope that his heart was -untouched by Indiana, seized her delighted imagination; but the -recollection of Miss Margland's assertions, that it was the real right -of her cousin, soon robbed the hope of all happiness, and she could only -repeat--To-morrow I will go!--I ought not to think of him!--I had rather -be away--to-morrow I will go! - -She had hardly quitted the parlour, when the distant sound of a carriage -roused Sir Hugh from his fears; and, followed by Edgar and the ladies, -he made what haste he could into the courtyard, where, to his infinite -satisfaction, he saw his coach driving in. - -He ordered it should stop immediately, and called out--'Pray, Dr. -Orkborne, are you there?' - -Dr. Orkborne looked out of the window, and bowed respectfully. - -'Good lack, I could never have thought I should be so glad to see you! -which you must excuse, in point of being no relation. You are heartily -welcome, I assure you; I was afraid I should never see you again; for, -to tell you the honest truth, which I would not say a word of before, I -had got a notion you were going out of your mind.' - -The Doctor took not the smallest heed of his speech, and the carriage -drove up to the door. Sir Hugh then seating himself under the portico, -said--'Pray, Dr. Orkborne, before you go to your studies, may I just ask -you how you came to stay out all day? and why you never fetched Eugenia? -for I take it for granted it's no secret, on the account Jacob was with -you; besides the coachman and horses.' - -Dr. Orkborne, though not at all discomposed by these questions, nor by -his reception, answered, that he must first collect his books. - -'The poor girls,' continued the Baronet, 'came home quite blank; not -that they knew a word of my asking you to go for them, till I told them; -which was lucky enough, for the sake of not frightening them. However, -where you can have been, particularly with regard to your dinner, which, -I suppose, you have gone without, is what I can't guess; unless you'd be -kind enough to tell me.' - -The Doctor, too busy to hear him, was packing up his books. - -'Come, never mind your books,' said Sir Hugh; 'Jacob can carry them for -you, or Bob, or any body. Here, Bob, (calling to the postillion, who, -with all the rest of the servants, had been drawn by curiosity into the -courtyard) whisk me up those books, and take them into the Doctor's -room; I mean, provided you can find a place for them, which I am sorry -to say there is none; owing to my not knowing better in point of taking -the proper care; which I shall be sure to do for the future.' - -The boy obeyed, and mounting one step of the coach, took what were -within his reach; which, when the Doctor observed, he snatched away with -great displeasure, saying, very solemnly, he had rather at any time be -knocked down, than see any body touch one of his books or papers. - -Jacob, coming forward, whispered his master not to interfere; assuring -him, he was but just got out of one of his tantrums. - -Sir Hugh, a little startled, rose to return to the parlour, begging Dr. -Orkborne to take his own time, and not hurry himself. - -He then beckoned Jacob to follow him. - -'There is certainly something in all this,' said he to Edgar, 'beyond -what my poor wit can comprehend: but I'll hear what Jacob has to say -before I form a complete judgment; though, to be sure, his lugging out -all those books to go but four or five miles, has but an odd look; which -is what I don't like to say.' - -Jacob now was called upon to give a narrative of the day's adventures. -'Why, your Honour,' said he, 'as soon as we come to the Grove, I goes up -to the coach door, to ask the Doctor if he would get out, or only send -in to let the young ladies know he was come for them; but he was got so -deep into some of his larning, that, I dare say, I bawled it three good -times in his ears, before he so much as lifted up his head; and then it -was only to say, I put him out! and to it he went again, just as if I'd -said never a word; till, at last, I was so plaguy mad, I gives the coach -such a jog, to bring him to himself like, that it jerked the pencil and -paper out of his hand. So then he went straight into one of his takings, -pretending I had made him forget all his thoughts, and such like out of -the way talk, after his old way. So when I found he was going off in -that manner, I thought it only time lost to say no more to him, and so I -turned me about not to mind him; when I sees a whole heap of company at -a parlour window, laughing so hearty, that I was sure they had heard us. -And a fine comely lady, as clever as ever you see, that I found after -was the lady of the house, bid me come to the window, and asked what I -wanted. So I told her we was come for two of the Miss Tyrolds. Why, says -she, they've been gone a quarter of an hour, by the opposite road. So -then I was coming away, but she made me a sign to come into the parlour, -for all it was brimful of fine company, dressed all like I don't know -what. It was as pretty a sight as you'd wish to see. And then, your -honour, they all begun upon me at once! there was such a clatter, I -thought I'd been turned into a booth at a fair; and merry enough they -all was sure!--'specially the lady, who never opened her lips, but what -they all laughed: but as to all what they asked me, I could as soon -conjure a ghost as call a quarter of it to mind.' - -'Try, however,' said Edgar, curious for further information of whatever -related to Mrs. Arlbery. - -'Why as to that, 'squire,' answered Jacob, with an arch look, 'I am not -so sure and certain you'd like to hear it all.' - -'No? and why not?' - -'O! pray tell, Jacob,' cried Miss Margland; 'did they say anything of -Mr. Mandlebert?' - -'Yes, and of more than Mr. Mandlebert,' said Jacob, grinning. - -'Do tell, do tell,' cried Indiana, eagerly. - -'I'm afeard, Miss!' - -Every body assured him no offence should be taken. - -'Well, then, if you must needs know, there was not one of you, but what -they had a pluck at.--Pray, says one of them, what does the old -gentleman do with all those books and papers in the coach?--That's what -nobody knows, says I, unless his head's cracked, which is Mary's -opinion.--Then they all laughed more and more, and the lady of the house -said:--Pray can he really read?--Whoo! says I, why he does nothing else; -he's at it from morning till night, and Mary says she's sure before long -he'll give up his meat and drink for it.--I've always heard he was a -quiz, says another, or a quoz, or some such word; but I did not know he -was such a book-worm.--The old quoz is generous, however, I hear, says -another, pray do you find him so?--As to that, I can't say, says I, for -I never see the colour of his money.--No! then, what are you such a fool -as to serve him for?--So, then, your honour, I found, owing to the coach -and the arms, and the like, they thought all the time it was your honour -was in the coach. I hope your honour don't take it amiss of me?' - -'Not at all Jacob; only I don't know why they call me an old quiz and -quoz for; never having offended them; which I take rather unkind; -especially not knowing what it means.' - -'Why, your honour, they're such comical sort of folks; they don't mind -what they say of nobody. Not but what the lady of the house is a rare -gentlewoman. Your honour could not help liking her. I warrant she's made -many a man's heart ache, and then jumped for joy when she'd done. And as -to her eyes, I think in my born days I never see nothing like 'em: they -shines like two candles on a dark night afar off on the common----.' - -'Why Jacob,' said Sir Hugh, 'I see you have lost your heart. However, go -on.' - -'Why, as soon as I found out what they meant--That my master? says I, -no, God be thanked! What should I have to live upon if a was? Not so -much as a cobweb! for there would not be wherewithal for a spider to -make it.' - -Here Sir Hugh, with much displeasure, interrupted him; 'As to the poor -gentleman's being poor,' said he, 'it's no fault of his own, for he'd be -rich if he could, I make no doubt; never having heard he was a gambler. -Besides which, I always respect a man the more for being poor, knowing -how little a rich man may have in him; which I can judge by my own -case.' - -Jacob proceeded. - -'Well, if it is not Sir Hugh, says one of them, who is it?--Why, it's -only our Latin master, says I; upon which they all set up as jolly a -laugh again as ever I heard in my days. Jobbins, they're pure -merry!--And who learns Latin! says one, I hope they don't let him work -at poor old Sir Hugh? No, says I, they tried their hands with him at -first, but he thanked 'em for nothing. He soon grew tired on't.--So then -they said, who learns now, says they, do you?--Me! says I, no, God be -praised, I don't know _A_ from _B_, which is the way my head's so clear, -never having muddled it with what I don't understand.--And so then they -all said I was a brave fellow; and they ordered me a glass of wine.' - -What a set! thought Edgar, is this, idle, dissipated, curious--for -Camilla to associate with!--the lively, the unthinking, the -inexperienced Camilla! - -'So then they asked me, says they, does Miss Lynmere learn, says -they?--Not, as I know of, says I, she's no great turn for her book, as -ever I heard of; which I hope Miss you won't take ill, for they all -said, no, to be sure, she's too handsome for that.' - -Indiana looked uncertain whether to be flattered or offended. - -'But you have not told us what they said of Mr. Mandlebert yet?' cried -Miss Margland. - -'No, I must come to you first, Miss,' answered he, 'for that's what they -come upon next. But mayhap I must not tell?' - -'O yes, you may;' said she, growing a little apprehensive of some -affront, but determined not to seem hurt by it; 'I am very indifferent -to any thing they can say of me, assure yourself!' - -'Why, I suppose, says they, this Latin master studies chiefly with the -governess?--They'd study fisty-cuffs I believe, if they did, says I, for -she hates him like poison; and there's no great love lost between them.' - -'And what right had you to say that, Mr. Jacob? I did not ask what you -said. Not that I care, I promise you!' - -'Why, some how, they got it all out; they were so merry and so full of -their fun, I could not be behind hand. But I hope no offence?' - -'O dear no! I'm sure it's not worth while.' - -'They said worse than I did,' resumed Jacob, 'by a deal; they said, says -they, she looks duced crabbed--she looks just as if she was always -eating a sour apple, says the lady; she looks--' - -'Well, well, I don't want to hear any more of their opinions. I may look -as I please I hope. I hate such gossiping.' - -'So then they said, pray does Miss Camilla learn? says they;--Lord love -her, no! says I.' - -'And what said they to that?' cried Edgar. - -'Why, they said, they hoped not, and they were glad to hear it, for they -liked her the best of all. And what does the ugly one do? says they.--' - -'Come, we have heard enough now,' interrupted Edgar, greatly shocked for -poor Eugenia, who fortunately, however, had retired with Camilla. - -Sir Hugh too, angrily broke in upon him, saying: 'I won't have my niece -called ugly, Jacob! you know it's against my commands such a thing's -being mentioned.' - -'Why, I told 'em so, sir,' said Jacob; 'ugly one, says I, she you call -the ugly one, is one of the best ladies in the land. She's ready to lend -a hand to every mortal soul; she's just like my master for that. And as -to learning, I make no quæry she can talk you over the Latin grammar as -fast as e'er a gentleman here. So then they laughed harder than ever, -and said they should be afeard to speak to her, and a deal more I can't -call to mind.--So then they come to Mr. Mandlebert. Pray, says they, -what's he doing among you all this time?--Why, nothing particular, says -I, he's only squiring about our young ladies.--But when is this wedding -to be? says another. So then I said--' - -'What did you say?' cried Edgar hastily. - -'Why--nothing,' answered Jacob, drawing back. - -'Tell us, however, what they said,' cried Miss Margland. - -'Why, they said, says they, everything has been ready some time at Beech -Park;--and they'll make as handsome a couple as ever was seen.' - -'What stuff is this!' cried Edgar, 'do prithee have done.'-- - -'No, no,' said Miss Margland; 'go on, Jacob!' - -Indiana, conscious and glowing at the words handsome couple, could not -restrain a simper; but Edgar, thinking only of Camilla, did not -understand it. - -'He'll have trouble enough, says one of the gentlemen,' continued Jacob, -'to take care of so pretty a wife.--She'll be worth a little trouble, -says another, for I think she is the most beautifullest girl I ever -see--Take my word of it, says the lady of the house, young Mandlebert is -a man who won't be made a fool of; he'll have his own way, for all her -beauty.' - -'What a character to give of me to young ladies!' cried Edgar, doubtful, -in his turn, whether to be hurt or gratified. - -'O she did not stop at that, sir,' resumed Jacob, 'for she said, I make -no question, says she, but in half a year he'll lock her up.' - -Indiana, surprized, gave an involuntary little shriek: but Edgar, not -imputing it to any appropriate alarm, was filled with resentment against -Mrs. Arlbery. What incomprehensible injustice! he said to himself: O -Camilla! is it possible any event, any circumstance upon earth, could -induce me to practise such an outrage? to degenerate into such a savage? - -'Is this all?' asked Miss Margland. - -'No, ma'am; but I don't know if Miss will like to hear the rest.' - -'O yes,' said Indiana, 'if it's about me, I don't mind.' - -'Why, they all said, Miss, you'd make the most finest bride that ever -was seen, and they did not wonder at Mr. Mandlebert's chusing you; but -for all that--.' - -He stopt, and Edgar, who, following the bent of his own thoughts, had -till now concluded Camilla to be meant, was utterly confounded by -discovering his mistake. The presence of Indiana redoubled the -awkwardness of the situation, and her blushes, and the increased lustre -of her eyes, did not make the report seem either unwelcome, or perfectly -new to her. - -Miss Margland raised her head triumphantly. This was precisely such a -circumstance as she flattered herself would prove decisive. - -The Baronet, equally pleased, returned her nod of congratulation, and -nodding himself towards Edgar, said; 'you're blown, you see! but what -matters secrets about nothing? which, Lord help me, I never knew how to -keep.' - -Edgar was now still more disconcerted, and, from mere distress what to -say or do, bid Jacob go on. - -'Why then, they said a deal more, how pretty she was, he continued, but -they did not know how it would turn out, for the young lady was so much -admired, that her husband had need look sharp after her; and if--' - -'What complete impertinence!' cried Edgar, walking about the room; 'I -really can listen no longer.' - -'If he had done wisely, says the lady of the house, he would have left -the professed beauty, and taken that pretty Camilla.' - -Edgar surprized, stopt short; this seemed to him less impertinent. - -'Camilla is a charming creature, says she; though she may want a little -watching too; but so does every thing that is worth having.' - -That woman does not want discernment, thought Edgar, nor she does not -want taste.--I can never totally dislike her, if she does such justice -to Camilla. - -He now again invited Jacob to proceed; but Indiana, with a pouting lip, -walked out of the room, and Miss Margland said, there was not need to be -hearing him all night. - -Jacob, therefore, when no more either interrupted or encouraged, soon -finished his narrative. Mrs. Arlbery, amused by watching Dr. Orkborne, -had insisted, for an experiment, that Jacob should not return to the -coach till he was missed and called for; and so intense was the -application of the Doctor to what he was composing, that this did not -happen till the whole family had dined; Jacob and the coachman, at the -invitation of Mrs. Arlbery, having partaken of the servants' fare, -equally pleased with the regale and the joke. Dr. Orkborne then, -suddenly recollecting himself, demanded why the young ladies were so -late, and was much discomposed and astonished when he heard they were -gone. Mrs. Arlbery invited him into the house, and offered him -refreshments, while she ordered water and a feed of corn for the horses; -but he only fretted a little, and then went on again with his studies. - -Sir Hugh now sent some cold dinner into the Doctor's room, and declared -he should always approve his niece's acquaintance with Mrs. Arlbery, as -she was so kind to his servants and his animals. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_An Author's Idea of Order_ - - -Not a bosom of the Cleves party enjoyed much tranquillity this evening. -Miss Margland, though to the Baronet she would not recede from her first -assertions, strove vainly to palliate to herself the ill grace and -evident dissatisfaction with which Edgar had met the report. To save her -own credit, however, was always her primary consideration; she resolved, -therefore, to cast upon unfair play in Camilla, or upon the instability -of Edgar, all the blame really due to her own undiscerning -self-sufficiency. - -Indiana thought so little for herself, that she adopted, of course, -every opinion of Miss Margland; yet the immoveable coldness of Edgar, -contrasted frequently in her remembrance by the fervour of Melmond and -of Macdersey, became more and more distasteful to her; and Mrs. -Arlbery's idea, that she should be locked up in half a year, made her -look upon him alternately as something to shun or to over-reach. She -even wished to refuse him:--but Beech Park, the equipage, the servants, -the bridal habiliment.--No! she could enjoy those, if not him. And -neither her own feelings, nor the lessons of Miss Margland, had taught -her to look upon marriage in any nobler point of view. - -But the person most deeply dissatisfied this evening was Edgar. He now -saw that, deceived by his own consciousness, he had misunderstood Mrs. -Needham, who, as well as Mrs. Arlbery, he was convinced concluded him -engaged to Indiana. He had observed with concern the approving credulity -of Sir Hugh, and though glad to find his real plan, and all his wishes -unsuspected, the false report excited his fears, lest Indiana should -give it any credit, and secretly hurt his delicacy for the honour of his -taste. - -All the influence of pecuniary motives to which he deemed Camilla -superior, occurred to him in the very words of Dr. Marchmont for -Indiana; whose capacity he saw was as shallow as her person was -beautiful. Yet the admiration with which she had already made her first -appearance in the world, might naturally induce her belief of his -reported devotion. If, therefore, his situation appeared to her to be -eligible, she had probably settled to accept him. - -The most timid female delicacy was not more scrupulous, than the manly -honour of Edgar to avoid this species of misapprehension; and though -perfectly confident his behaviour had been as irreproachable as it was -undesigning, the least idea of any self-delusion on the part of Indiana, -seemed a call upon his integrity for the most unequivocal manifestation -of his intentions. Yet any declaration by words, with whatever care -selected, might be construed into an implication that he concluded the -decision in his own hands. And though he could scarcely doubt the fact, -he justly held nothing so offensive as the palpable presumption. One -only line of conduct appeared to him, therefore, unexceptionable; which -was wholly to avoid her, till the rumour sunk into its own nothingness. - -This demanded from him a sacrifice the most painful, that of retiring -from Cleves in utter ignorance of the sentiments of Camilla; yet it -seemed the more necessary, since he now, with much uneasiness, -recollected many circumstances which his absorbed mind had hitherto -suffered to pass unnoticed, that led him to fear Sir Hugh himself, and -the whole party, entertained the same notion. - -He was shocked to consider Camilla involved in such a deception, though -delighted by the idea he might perhaps owe to an explanation, some marks -of that preference for which Dr. Marchmont had taught him to wait, and -which he now hoped might lie dormant from the persuasion of his -engagement. To clear this mistake was, therefore, every way essential, -as otherwise the very purity of her character must be in his disfavour. - -Still, however, the visit to the Grove hung upon his mind, and he -resolved to investigate its cause the following morning, before he made -his retreat. - -Early the next day, Camilla sent to hasten the chaise which was to fetch -Mr. Tyrold, and begged leave of her uncle to breakfast at Etherington. -His assent was always ready; and believing every evil would yield to -absence, she eagerly, and even with happiness set off. - -When the rest of the party assembled without her, Edgar, surprised, -enquired if she were well? Miss Margland answered yes; but for the sake -of what she loved best in the world, a frolic, she was gone in the -chaise to Etherington. Edgar could not prevail with himself to depart -till he had spoken with her, and privately deferred his purposed -leave-taking till noon. - -During this report, Sir Hugh was anxiously engaged in some business he -seemed to wish to conceal. He spoke little, but nodded frequently to -himself, with an air of approving his own ideas; he summoned Jacob to -him repeatedly, with whom he held various whispering conferences; and -desired Miss Margland, who made the tea, not to pour it out too fast, as -he was in no hurry to have breakfast over. - -When nothing he could urge succeeded, in making any of the company eat -or drink any thing more, he pulled Edgar by the sleeve; and, in an eager -but low voice, said, 'My dear Mr. Edgar, I have a great favour to beg of -you, which is only that you will do something to divert Dr. Orkborne.' - -'I should be very happy, Sir,' cried Edgar, smiling, 'but I much doubt -my capability.' - -'Why, my dear Mr. Edgar, it's only to keep him from finding out my new -surprise till it's got ready. And if you will but just spout out to him -a bit or two of Virgil and Horace, or some of those Greek and Latin -language-masters, he'll be in no hurry to budge, I promise you.' - -A request from Sir Hugh, who with the most prompt alacrity met the -wishes of everyone, was by Edgar held to be indisputable. He advanced, -therefore, to Dr. Orkborne, who was feeling for his tablets, which he -commonly examined in his way up the stairs, and started a doubt, of -which he begged an exposition, upon a passage of Virgil. - -Dr. Orkborne willingly stopt, and displayed, with no small satisfaction, -an erudition, that did him nearly as much honour in the ears of the -ignorant and admiring Sir Hugh, as in those of the cultivated and -well-judging Edgar. 'Ah!' said the Baronet, sighing, though addressing -himself to no one, 'if I had but addicted myself to these studies in due -season, I might have understood all this too! though now I can't for my -life make out much sense of what they're talking of; nor a little -neither, indeed, as to that; thanks to my own idleness; to which, -however, I am not much obliged.' - -Unfortunately, the discussion soon led to some points of comparison, -that demanded a review of various authors, and the doctor proposed -adjourning to his own apartment. The Baronet winked at Edgar, who would -have changed the discourse, or himself have sought the books, or have -been satisfied without them; but Dr. Orkborne was as eager here, as in -other matters he was slow and phlegmatic; and, regardless of all -opposition, was making off, when Sir Hugh, catching him by the arm, -exclaimed, 'My good friend, I beg it as a particular favour, you won't -stir a step!' - -'Not stir a step, Sir?' repeated the doctor, amazed. - -'That is, not to your own room.' - -'Not go to my own room, Sir?' - -The Baronet gently begged him not to take it amiss, and presently, upon -the appearance of Jacob, who entered with a significant smile, said, he -would keep him no longer. - -Dr. Orkborne, to whom nothing was so irksome as a moment's detention -from his books and papers, instantly departed, inviting Edgar to -accompany him; but without troubling himself to inquire for what end he -had been held back. - -When they were gone, Sir Hugh, rubbing his hands, said, 'Well, I think -this good gentleman won't go about the country again, with all his books -fastened about him, to shew he has nowhere to put them: for as to his -telling me he only took them to look at, I am not quite such an -ignoramus, with all my ignorance, as to believe such a thing as that, -especially of a regular bred scholar.' - -A loud and angry sound of voices from above here interrupted the pleased -harangue of the Baronet; Miss Margland opened the door to listen, and, -with no small delight, heard words, scarce intelligible for rage, -breaking from Dr. Orkborne, whose anger, while Edgar was endeavouring -to moderate, Jacob and Mary were vociferously resenting. - -Sir Hugh, all astonished, feared there was some mistake. He had sent, -the preceding day, as far as Winchester, for two bookcases, which he had -ordered should arrive early, and be put up during the breakfast; and he -had directed Mary to place upon the shelves, with great care, all the -loose books and papers she found dispersed about the room, as neatly as -possible: after which Jacob was to give notice when all was arranged. - -The words now 'If I must have my manuscripts rummaged at pleasure, by -every dunce in the house, I would rather lie in the street!' distinctly -caught their ears. Sir Hugh was thunderstruck with amazement and -disappointment, but said nothing. Miss Margland looked all spite and -pleasure, and Eugenia all concern. - -Louder yet, and with accents of encreasing asperity, the Doctor next -exclaimed 'A twelvemonth's hard labour will not repair this mischief! I -should have been much more obliged to you if you had blown out my -brains!' - -The Baronet, aghast, cried, 'Lord help us! I think I had best go and get -the shelves pulled down again, what I have done not being meant to -offend, being what will cost me ten pounds and upwards.' - -He then, though somewhat irresolute, whether or not to proceed, moved -towards the foot of the stairs; but there a new storm of rage startled -him. 'I wish you had been all of you annihilated ere ever you had -entered my room! I had rather have lost my ears than that manuscript! I -wish with all my heart you had been at the bottom of the sea, every one -of you, before you had touched it!' - -'If you won't believe me, it can't be helped,' said Mary; 'but if I was -to tell it you over and over, I've done nothing to no mortal thing. I -only just swept the room after the carpenter was gone, for it was all in -such a pickle it was a shame to be seen.' - -'You have ruined me!' cried he, 'you have swept it behind the fire, I -make not a moment's doubt; and I had rather you had given me a bowl of -poison! you can make me no reparation; it was a clue to a whole -section.' - -'Well, I won't make no more words about it,' said Mary, angrily; 'but -I'm sure I never so much as touched it with a pair of tongs, for I never -see it; nor I don't so much as know it if I do.' - -'Why, it's a piece of paper written all over; look! just such another as -this: I left it on the table, by this corner--' - -'O! that?' cried Mary; 'yes, I remember that.' - -'Well, where is it? What have you done with it?' - -'Why, I happened of a little accident about that;--for as I was a -sweeping under the table, the broom knocked the ink down; but, by good -luck, it only fell upon that little morsel of paper.' - -'Little morsel of paper? it's more precious than a whole library! But -what did you do with it? what is become of it? whatever condition it is -in, if you have but saved it--where is it, I say?' - -'Why--it was all over ink, and good for nothing, so I did not think of -your missing it--so I throwed it behind the fire.' - -'I wish you had been thrown there yourself with all my heart! But if -ever you bring a broom into my room again--' - -'Why, I did nothing but what my master ordered--' - -'Or if ever you touch a paper, or a book of mine, again--' - -'My master said himself--' - -'Your master's a blockhead! and you are another--go away, I say!' - -Mary now hurried out of the room, enraged for her master, and frightened -for herself; and Edgar, not aware Sir Hugh was within hearing, soon -succeeded in calming the doctor, by mildly listening to his -lamentations. - -Sir Hugh, extremely shocked, sat upon the stairs to recover himself. -Miss Margland, who never felt so virtuous, and never so elated, as when -witnessing the imperfections or improprieties of others, descanted -largely against ingratitude; treating an unmeaning sally of passion as a -serious mark of turpitude: but Eugenia, ashamed for Dr. Orkborne, to -whom, as her preceptor, she felt a constant disposition to be partial, -determined to endeavour to induce him to make some apology. She glided, -therefore, past her uncle, and tapped at the doctor's door. - -Mary, seeing her master so invitingly in her way, could by no means -resist her desire of appeal and complaint; and, descending the stairs, -begged his honour to hear her. - -'Mary,' said he, rising, and returning to the parlour, 'you need not -tell me a word, for I have heard it all myself; by which it may be truly -said, listeners never hear good of themselves; so I've got the proper -punishment; for which reason, I hope you won't look upon it as an -example.' - -'I am sure, Sir,' said Mary, 'if your honour can excuse his speaking so -disrespectful, it's what nobody else can; and if it was not for thinking -as his head's got a crack in it, there is not a servant among us as -would not affront him for it.' - -The Baronet interrupted her with a serious lecture upon the civility he -expected for all his guests; and she promised to restrain her wrath; -'But only, sir,' she continued, 'if your honour had seen the bit of -paper as he made such a noise at me for, your honour would not have -believed it. Not a soul could have read it. My Tom would ha' been well -licked if he'd wrote no better at school. And as to his being a -twelvemonth a scrawling such another, I'll no more believe it than I'll -fly. It's as great a fib as ever was told.' - -Sir Hugh begged her to be quiet, and to think no more of the matter. - -'No, your honour, I hope I'm not a person as bears malice; only I could -not but speak of it, because he behaves more comical every day. I -thought he'd ha' beat me over and over. And as to the stories he tells -about them little bits of paper, mortal patience can't bear it no -longer.' - -The remonstrance of Eugenia took immediate effect. Dr. Orkborne, shocked -and alarmed at the expression which had escaped him, protested himself -willing to make the humblest reparation, and truly declared, he had been -so greatly disturbed by the loss he had just sustained, that he not -merely did not mean, but did not know what he had said. - -Edgar was the bearer of his apology, which Sir Hugh accepted with his -usual good humour. 'His calling me a blockhead,' cried he, 'is a thing I -have no right to resent, because I take it for granted, he would not -have said it, if he had not thought it; and a man's thoughts are his -castle, and ought to be free.' - -Edgar repeated the protestation, that he had been hurried on by passion, -and spoke without meaning. - -'Why, then, my dear Mr. Edgar, I must fairly own I don't see the great -superiorness of learning, if it can't keep a man's temper out of a -passion. However, say nothing of the sort to poor Clermont, upon his -coming over, who I expect won't speak one word in ten I shall -understand; which, however, as it's all been done for the best, I would -not have the poor boy discouraged in.' - -He then sent a kind message by Edgar to Dr. Orkborne, desiring him not -to mind such a trifle. - -This conciliating office was congenial to the disposition of Edgar, and -softened his impatience for the return of Camilla, but when, soon after, -a note arrived from Mr. Tyrold, requesting Sir Hugh to dispense with -seeing him till the next day, and apologising for keeping his daughter, -he felt equally disappointed and provoked, though he determined not to -delay any longer his departure. He gave orders, therefore, for his -horses immediately, and with all the less regret, for knowing Camilla no -longer in the circle he was to quit. - -The ladies were in the parlour with Sir Hugh, who was sorrowfully -brooding over his brother's note, when he entered it to take leave. -Addressing himself somewhat rapidly to the Baronet, he told him he was -under an unpleasant necessity, to relinquish some days of the month's -sojourn intended for him. He made acknowledgments full of regard for his -kindness and hospitality; and then, only bowing to the ladies, left the -room, before the astonished Sir Hugh comprehended he was going. - -'Well,' cried Miss Margland, 'this is curious indeed! He has flown off -from everything, without even an apology!' - -'I hope he is not really gone?' said Eugenia, walking to the window. - -'I'm sure I don't care what he does,' cried Indiana, 'he's welcome to go -or to stay. I'm grown quite sick of him, for my part.' - -'Gone?' said Sir Hugh, recovering breath; 'it's impossible! Why, he -never has said one word to me of the day, nor the settlements, nor all -those things!' - -He then rang the bell, and sent to desire Mr. Mandlebert might be called -immediately. - -Edgar, who was mounting his horse, obeyed with some chagrin. As soon as -he re-entered the room, Sir Hugh cried; 'My dear Mr. young Edgar, it's -something amazing to me you should think of going away without coming to -an explanation?' - -'An explanation, sir?' - -'Yes, don't you know what I mean?' - -'Not in the least, sir,' cried Edgar, staggered by a doubt whether he -suspected what he felt for Camilla, or referred to what was reported of -Indiana. - -'Why, then, my pretty dear,' said Sir Hugh to Indiana, 'you won't -object, I hope, to taking a little walk in the garden, provided it is -not disagreeable to you; for you had better not hear what we are going -to talk about before your face.' - -Indiana, pouting her beautiful under lip, and scornfully passing Edgar, -complied. Eugenia accompanied her; but Miss Margland kept her ground. - -Sir Hugh, always unwilling to make any attack, and at a loss how to -begin, simply said; 'Why, I thought Mr. Mandlebert, you would stay with -us till next year?' - -Edgar only bowed. - -'Why, then, suppose you do?' - -'Most probably, sir, I shall by that time be upon the Continent. If some -particular circumstance does not occur, I purpose shortly making the -tour of Europe.' - -Sir Hugh now lost all guard and all restraint, and with undisguised -displeasure exclaimed; 'So here's just the second part of Clermont! at -the moment I sent for him home, thinking he would come to put the finish -to all my cares about Eugenia, he sends me word he must travel!--And -though the poor girl took it very well, from knowing nothing of the -matter, I can't say I take it very kind of you, Mr. young Edgar, to come -and do just the same by Indiana!' - -The surprize of Edgar was unspeakable: that Sir Hugh should wish the -relation of Jacob, with respect to Indiana, confirmed, he could not -wonder; but that his wishes should have amounted to expectations, and -that he should deem his niece ill used by their failure, gave him the -most poignant astonishment. - -Miss Margland, taking advantage of his silent consternation, began now -to pour forth very volubly, the most pointed reflections upon the injury -done to young ladies by reports of this nature, which were always sure -to keep off all other offers. There was no end, she said, to the -admirers who had deserted Indiana in despair; and she questioned if she -would ever have any more, from the general belief of her being actually -pre-engaged. - -Edgar, whose sense of honour was tenaciously delicate, heard her with a -mixture of concern for Indiana, and indignation against herself, that -kept her long uninterrupted; for though burning to assert the integrity -of his conduct, the fear of uttering a word that might be offensive to -Indiana, embarrassed and checked him. - -Sir Hugh, who in seeing him overpowered, concluded he was relenting, now -kindly took his hand, and said: 'My dear Mr. Mandlebert, if you are -sorry for what you were intending, of going away, and leaving us all in -the lurch, why, you shall never hear a word more about it, for I will -make friends for you with Indiana, and beg of Miss Margland that she'll -do us the favour to say no more.' - -Edgar, affectionately pressing the hand of the Baronet, uttered the -warmest expressions of personal regard, and protested he should always -think it an honour to have been held worthy of pretending to any -alliance in his family; but he knew not how the present mistake had been -made, or report had arisen: he could boast of no partiality from Miss -Lynmere, nor had he ever addressed her with any particular views: yet, -as it was the opinion of Miss Margland, that the rumour, however false, -might prevent the approach of some deserving object, he now finally -determined to become, for awhile, a stranger at Cleves, however painful -such self-denial must prove. - -He then precipitately left the room, and, in five minutes, had galloped -out of the Park. - -The rest of the morning was spent by Sir Hugh in the utmost -discomposure; and by Miss Margland in alternate abuse of Camilla and of -Edgar; while Indiana passed from a piqued and short disappointment, to -the consolatory idea that Melmond might now re-appear. - -Edgar rode strait to Beech Park, where he busied himself the whole day -in viewing alterations and improvements; but where nothing answered his -expectations, since Camilla had disappointed them. That sun-beam, which -had gilded the place to his eyes, was now over-clouded, and the first -possession of his own domain, was his first day of discontent. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_A Maternal Eye_ - - -The vivacity with which Camilla quitted Cleves, was sunk before she -reached Etherington. She had quitted also Edgar, quitted him offended, -and in doubt if it might ever be right she should vindicate herself in -his opinion. Yet all seemed strange and unintelligible that regarded the -asserted nuptials: his indifference was palpable; she believed him to -have been unaccountably drawn in, and her heart softly whispered, it was -herself he preferred. - -From this soothing but dangerous idea, she struggled to turn her -thoughts. She anticipated the remorse of holding the affections of the -husband of her cousin, and determined to use every possible method to -forget him--unless, which she strove vainly not to hope, the reported -alliance should never take place. - -These reflections so completely engrossed her the whole way, that she -arrived at the Parsonage House, without the smallest mental preparation -how to account for her return, or how to plead for remaining at -Etherington. Foresight, the offspring of Judgment, or the disciple of -Experience, made no part of the character of Camilla, whose impetuous -disposition was open to every danger of indiscretion, though her genuine -love of virtue glowed warm with juvenile ardour. - -She entered, therefore, the breakfast parlour in a state of sudden -perplexity what to say; Mr. Tyrold was alone and writing. He looked -surprized, but embraced her with his accustomed affection, and enquired -to what he owed her present sight. - -She made no answer; but embraced him again, and enquired after her -mother. - -'She is well,' he replied: 'but, tell me, is your uncle impatient of my -delay? It has been wholly unavoidable. I have been deeply engaged; and -deeply chagrined. Your poor mother would be still more disturbed, if the -nobleness of her mind did not support her.' - -Camilla, extremely grieved, earnestly enquired what had happened. - -He then informed her that Mrs. Tyrold, the very next morning, must -abruptly quit them all and set out for Lisbon to her sick brother, Mr. -Relvil. - -'Is he so much worse?' - -'No: I even hope he is better. An act of folly has brought this to bear. -Do not now desire particulars. I will finish my letter, and then return -with you for a few minutes to Cleves. The carriage must wait.' - -'Suffer me first to ask, does Lavinia go with my mother?' - -'No, she can only take old Ambrose. Lavinia must supply her place at -home.' - -'Ah! my dearest father, and may not I, too, stay with you and assist -her?' - -'If my brother will spare you, my dear child, there is nothing can so -much contribute to wile away to me your mother's absence.' - -Enchanted thus, without any explanation, to have gained her point, she -completely revived; though when Mrs. Tyrold, whom she almost worshipped, -entered the room, in all the hurry of preparing for her long journey, -she shed a torrent of tears in her arms. - -'This good girl,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'is herself desirous to quit the -present gaieties of Cleves, to try to enliven my solitude till we all -may meet again.' - -The conscious and artless Camilla could not bear this undeserved praise. -She quitted her mother, and returning to Mr. Tyrold, 'O my father!' she -cried, 'if you will take me again under your beloved roof, it is for my -sake--not your's--I beg to return!' - -'She is right,' said Mrs. Tyrold; 'there is no merit in having an heart; -she could have none, if to be with you were not her first -gratification.' - -'Yes, indeed, my dear mother, it would always be so, even if no other -inducement--.' She stopt short, confused. - -Mr. Tyrold, who continued writing, did not heed this little blunder; but -his wife, whose quickness of apprehension and depth of observation, were -always alive, even in the midst of business, cares, and other -attentions, turned hastily to her daughter, and asked to what 'other -inducement' she alluded. - -Camilla, distressed, hung her head, and would have forborne making any -answer. - -Mrs. Tyrold, then, putting down various packets which she was sorting -and selecting, came suddenly up to her, and taking both her hands, -looked earnestly in her face, saying: 'My Camilla! something has -disquieted you?--your countenance is not itself. Tell me, my dear girl, -what brought you hither this morning? and what is it you mean by some -other inducement?' - -'Do not ask me now, my dearest mother,' answered she, in a faltering -voice; 'when you come back again, no doubt all will be over; and -then--' - -'And is that the time, Camilla, to speak to your best friends? would it -not be more judicious to be explicit with them, while what affects you -is still depending?' - -Camilla, hiding her face on her mother's bosom, burst afresh into tears. - -'Alas!' cried Mrs. Tyrold, 'what new evil is hovering? If it must invade -me again through one of my children, tell me, at least, Camilla, it is -not wilfully that you, too, afflict me? and afflict the best of -fathers?' - -Mr. Tyrold, dropping his pen, looked at them both with the most -apprehensive anxiety. - -'No, my dearest mother,' said Camilla, endeavouring to meet her eyes; -'not wilfully,--but something has happened--I can hardly myself tell how -or what--but indeed Cleves, now--' she hesitated. - -'How is my brother?' demanded Mr. Tyrold. - -'O! all that is good and kind! and I grieve to quit him--but, indeed, -Cleves, now--' Again she hesitated. - -'Ah, my dear child!' said Mrs. Tyrold, 'I always feared that -residence!--you are too young, too inconsiderate, too innocent, indeed, -to be left so utterly to yourself.--Forgive me, my dear Mr. Tyrold; I do -not mean to reflect upon your brother, but he is not _you_!--and with -you alone, this dear inexperienced girl can be secure from all harm. -Tell me, however, what it is--?' - -Camilla, in the extremest confusion changed colour, but tried vainly to -speak. Mr. Tyrold, suspended from all employment, waited fearfully some -explanation. - -'We have no time,' said Mrs. Tyrold, 'for delay;--you know I am going -abroad,--and cannot ascertain my return; though all my heart left behind -me, with my children and their father, will urge every acceleration in -my power.' - -Camilla wept again, fondly folding her arms round her mother; 'I had -hoped,' she cried, 'that I should have come home to peace, comfort, -tranquillity! to both of you, my dearest father and mother, and to all -my unbroken happiness under your roof!--How little did I dream of so -cruel a separation!' - -'Console yourself, my Camilla, that you have not been its cause; may -Heaven ever spare me evil in your shape at least!--you say it is nothing -wilful? I can bear everything else.' - -'We will not,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'press her; she will tell us all in her -own way, and at her own time. Forced confidence is neither fair nor -flattering. I will excuse her return to my brother, and she will the -sooner be able to give her account for finding herself not hurried.' - -'Calm yourself, then,' said Mrs. Tyrold, 'as your indulgent father -permits, and I will proceed with my preparations.' - -Camilla now, somewhat recovering, declared she had almost nothing to -say; but her mother continued packing up, and her father went on with -his letter. - -She had now time to consider that her own fears and emotion were -involving her in unnecessary confessions; she resolved, therefore, to -repress the fulness of her heart, and to acknowledge only the accusation -of Miss Margland. And in a few minutes, without waiting for further -enquiry, she gathered courage to open upon the subject; and with as much -ease and quietness as she could command, related, in general terms, the -charge brought against her, and her consequent desire to quit Cleves, -'till,----till----' Here she stopt for breath. Mr. Tyrold instantly -finished the sentence, 'till the marriage has taken place?' - -She coloured, and faintly uttered, 'Yes.' - -'You are right, my child,' said he, 'and you have acted with a prudence -which does you honour. Neither the ablest reasoning, nor the most -upright conduct, can so completely obliterate a surmise of this nature, -from a suspicious mind, as absence. You shall remain, therefore, with -me, till your cousin is settled in her new habitation. Do you know if -the day is fixed?' - -'No, sir,' she answered, while the roses fled her cheeks at a question -which implied so firm a belief of the union. - -'Do not suffer this affair to occasion you any further uneasiness,' he -continued; 'it is the inherent and unalienable compact of Innocence with -Truth, to hold themselves immovably superior to the calumny of false -imputations. But I will go myself to Cleves, and set this whole matter -right.' - -'And will you, too, sir, have the goodness--' She was going to say, _to -make my peace with Edgar_; but the fear of misinterpretation checked -her, and she turned away. - -He gently enquired what she meant; she avoided any explanation, and he -resumed his writing. - -Ah me! thought she, will the time ever come, when with openness, with -propriety, I may clear myself of caprice to Edgar? - -Less patient, because more alarmed than her husband, Mrs. Tyrold -followed her to the window. She saw a tear in her eye, and again she -took both her hands: 'Have you, my Camilla,' she cried, 'have you told -us all? Can unjust impertinence so greatly have disturbed you? Is there -no sting belonging to this wound that you are covering from our sight, -though it may precisely be the spot that calls most for some healing -balm?' - -Again the cheeks of Camilla received their fugitive roses. 'My dearest -mother,' she cried, 'is not this enough?--to be accused--suspected--and -to fear--' - -She stammered, and would have withdrawn her hands; but Mrs. Tyrold, -still holding them, said, 'To fear what? speak out, my best child! open -to us your whole heart!--Where else will you find repositories so -tender?' - -Tears again flowed down the burning cheeks of Camilla, and dropping her -eyes, 'Ah, my mother!' she cried, 'you will think me so frivolous--you -will blush so for your daughter--if I own--if I dare confess--' - -Again she stopped, terrified at the conjectures to which this opening -might give birth; but when further and fondly pressed by her mother, she -added, 'It is not alone these unjust surmises,--nor even Indiana's -unkind concurrence in them--but also--I have been afraid--I must have -made a strange--a capricious--an ungrateful appearance in the eyes of -Edgar Mandlebert.' - -Here her voice dropt; but presently recovering, she rapidly continued, -'I know it is very immaterial--and I am sensible how foolish it may -sound--but I shall also think of it no more now,--and therefore, as I -have told the whole--' - -She looked up, conscience struck at these last words, to see if they -proved satisfactory; she caught, in the countenance of her mother, an -expression of deep commiseration, which was followed by a thousand -maternal caresses of unusual softness, though unaccompanied by any -words. - -Penetrated, yet distressed, she gratefully received them, but rejoiced -when, at length, Mr. Tyrold, rising, said, 'Go, my love, upstairs to -your sister; your mother, else, will never proceed with her business.' - -She gladly ran off, and soon, by a concise narration, satisfied Lavinia, -and then calmed her own troubled mind. - -Mr. Tyrold now, though evidently much affected himself, strove to -compose his wife. 'Alas!' cried she, 'do you not see what thus has -touched me? Do you not perceive that our lovely girl, more just to his -worth than its possessor, has given her whole heart to Edgar -Mandlebert?' - -'I perceived it through your emotion, but I had not discovered it -myself. I grieve, now, that the probability of such an event had not -struck me in time to have kept them apart for its prevention.' - -'I grieve for nothing,' cried she, warmly, 'but the infatuated blindness -of that self-lost young man. What a wife would Camilla have made him in -every stage of their united career! And how unfortunately has she -sympathised in my sentiments, that he alone seemed worthy to replace the -first and best protector she must relinquish when she quits this house! -What will he find in Indiana but a beautiful doll, uninterested in his -feelings, unmoved by his excellencies, and incapable of comprehending -him if he speaks either of business or literature!' - -'Yet many wives of this description,' replied Mr. Tyrold, 'are more -pleasing in the eyes of their husbands than women who are either better -informed in intellect, or more alive in sensation; and it is not an -uncommon idea amongst men, that where, both in temper and affairs, there -is least participation, there is most repose. But this is not the case -with Edgar.' - -'No! he has a nobler resemblance than this portrait would allow him; a -resemblance which made me hope from him a far higher style of choice. He -prepares himself, however, his own ample punishment; for he has too much -understanding not to sicken of mere personal allurements, and too much -generosity to be flattered, or satisfied, by mere passive intellectual -inferiority. Neither a mistress nor a slave can make him happy; a -companion is what he requires; and for that, in a very few months, how -vainly his secret soul may sigh, and _think of our Camilla_!' - -They then settled, that it would be now essential to the peace of their -child to keep her as much as possible from his sight; and determined not -to send her back to Cleves to apologize for the new plan, but to take -upon themselves that whole charge. 'Her nature,' said Mrs. Tyrold, 'is -so gay, so prompt for happiness, that I have little fear but in absence -she will soon cease to dwell upon him. Fear, indeed, I have, but it is -of a deeper evil than this early impression; I fear for her future lot! -With whom can we trust her?--She will not endure negligence; and those -she cannot respect she will soon despise. What a prospect for her, -then, with our present race of young men! their frivolous fickleness -nauseates whatever they can reach; they have a weak shame of asserting, -or even listening to what is right, and a shallow pride in professing -what is wrong. How must this ingenuous girl forget all she has yet seen, -heard, or felt, ere she can encounter wickedness, or even weakness, and -disguise her abhorrence or contempt?' - -'My dear Georgiana, let us never look forward to evil.' - -'Will it not be doubly hard to bear, if it come upon us without -preparation?' - -'I think not. Terror shakes, and apprehension depresses: hope nerves as -well as gladdens us. Remember always, I do not by hope mean presumption; -I mean simply a cheerful trust in heaven.' - -'I must always yield,' cried Mrs. Tyrold, 'to your superior wisdom, and -reflecting piety; and if I cannot conquer my fears, at least I will -neither court nor indulge them.' - -The thanks of a grateful husband repaid this compliance. They sent for -Camilla, to acquaint her they would make her excuses at Cleves: she gave -a ready though melancholy consent, and the virtue of her motives drew -tears from her idolizing mother, as she clasped her to her heart. - -They then set out together, that Mr. Tyrold might arrange this business -with Sir Hugh, of whom and of Eugenia Mrs. Tyrold was to take leave. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_Modern Ideas of Duty_ - - -Camilla now felt more permanently revived, because better satisfied with -the rectitude of her conduct. She could no longer be accused of -interfering between Edgar and Indiana; that affair would take its -natural course, and, be it what it might, while absent from both -parties, she concluded she should at least escape all censure. - -Peaceably, therefore, she returned to take possession of her usual -apartment, affectionately accompanied by her eldest sister. - -The form and the mind of Lavinia were in the most perfect harmony. Her -polished complexion was fair, clear, and transparent; her features were -of the extremest delicacy, her eyes of the softest blue, and her smile -displayed internal serenity. The unruffled sweetness of her disposition -bore the same character of modest excellence. Joy, hope, and prosperity, -sickness, sorrow, and disappointment, assailed alike in vain the uniform -gentleness of her temper: yet though thus exempt from all natural -turbulence, either of pleasure or of pain, the meekness of her -composition degenerated not into insensibility; it was open to all the -feminine feelings of pity, of sympathy, and of tenderness. - -Thus copiously gifted with 'all her sex's softness,' her society would -have contributed to restore Camilla to repose, had they continued -together without interruption; but, in a few minutes, the room door was -opened, and Lionel, rushing into the apartment, called out, 'How do, do, -my girls? how do, do?' and shook them each by the hand, with a swing -that nearly brought them to the ground. - -Camilla always rejoiced at his sight; but Lavinia gravely said, 'I -thought, brother, you had been at Dr. Marchmont's?' - -'All in good time, my dear! I shall certainly visit the old gentleman -before long.' - -'Did you not sleep there, then, last night?' - -'No, child.' - -'Good God, Lionel!--if my mother--' - -'My dear little Lavinia,' cried he, chucking her under the chin, 'I have -a vast notion of making visits at my own time, instead of my mamma's.' - -'O Lionel! and can you, just now----' - -'Come, come,' interrupted he, 'don't let us waste our precious minutes -in old moralizing. If I had not luckily been hard by, I should not have -known the coast was clear. Pray where are they gone, tantivying?' - -'To Cleves.' - -'To Cleves! what a happy escape! I was upon the point of going thither -myself. Camilla, what is the matter with thee?' - -'Nothing--I am only thinking--pray when do you go to Oxford?' - -'Pho, pho,--what do you talk of Oxford for? you are grown quite stupid, -girl. I believe you have lived too long with Miss Margland. Pray how -does that dear creature do? I am afraid she will grow melancholy from -not seeing me so long. Is she as pretty as she used to be? I have some -notion of sending her a suitor.' - -'O brother,' said Lavinia, 'is it possible you can have such spirits?' - -'O hang it, if one is not merry when one can, what is the world good -for? besides, I do assure you, I fretted so consumed hard at first, that -for the life of me I can fret no longer.' - -'But why are you not at Dr. Marchmont's?' - -'Because, my dear, you have no conception the pleasure those old doctors -take in lecturing a youngster who is in any disgrace.' - -'Disgrace!' repeated Camilla. - -'At all events,' said Lavinia, 'I beseech you to be a little careful; I -would not have my poor mother find you here for the world.' - -'O, as to that, I defy her to desire the meeting less than I do. But -come, let's talk of something else. How go on the classics? Is my old -friend, Dr. Orkborne, as chatty and amusing as ever?' - -'My dear Lionel,' said Camilla, 'I am filled with apprehension and -perplexity. Why should my mother wish not to see you? And why--and how -is it possible you can wish not to see her?' - -'What, don't you know it all?' - -'I know only that something must be wrong; but how, what, or which way, -I have not heard.' - -'Has not Lavinia told you, then? - -'No,' answered Lavinia; 'I could be in no haste to give her pain.' - -'You are a good girl enough. But how came you hither, Camilla? and what -is the reason you have not seen my mother yourself?' - -'Not seen her! I have been with her this half hour.' - -'What! and in all that time did not she tell you?' - -'She did not name you.' - -'Is it possible!--Well, she's a noble creature! I wonder how she could -ever have such a son as me. And I am still less like my father than her. -I suppose I was changed in the cradle. Will you countenance me, young -ladies, if some villainous attorney or exciseman should by and by come -to own me?' - -'Dear Lionel,' cried Camilla, 'do explain to me what has happened. You -make me think it important and trifling twenty times in a minute.' - -'O, a horrid business!--Lavinia must tell it you. I'll go away till she -has done. Don't despise me, Camilla; I am confounded sorry, I promise -you.' - -He then hurried out of the room, evidently feeling more emotion than he -cared to display. - -Yet Lavinia had but just begun her relation, when he abruptly returned. -'Come, I had better tell it you myself,' cried he, 'for she'll make such -a dismal ditty of it, that it won't be over this half year; the sooner -we have done with it the better; it will only put you out of spirits.' - -Then, sitting down, and taking her hand, he began, 'You must know I was -in rather a bad scrape at Oxford last year--' - -'Last year! and you never told us of it before!' - -'O, 'twas about something you would not understand, so I shall not -mention particulars now. It is enough for you to know that two or three -of us wanted a little cash!--well, so--in short, I sent a -letter--somewhat of a threatening sort--to poor old uncle Relvil!'-- - -'O Lionel!' - -'O, I did not sign it,--it was only begging a little money, which he can -afford to spare very well; and just telling him, if he did not come to a -place I mentioned, he would have his brains blown out.'-- - -'How horrible!' - -'Pho, pho,--he had only to send the money, you know, and then his brains -might keep their place; besides, you can't suppose there was gunpowder -in the words. So I got this copied, and took the proper measures for -concealment, and,--would you believe it! the poor old gull was fool -enough actually to send the money where he was bid?' - -'Fie, Lionel!' cried Lavinia; 'do you call him a fool because you -terrified him?' - -'Yes, to be sure, my dear; and you both think him so too, only you don't -hold it pretty to say so. Do you suppose, if he had had half the wit of -his sister, he would have done it? I believe, in my conscience, there -was some odd mistake in their births, and that my mother took away the -brains of the man, and left the woman's for the noddle of my poor -uncle.' - -'Fie, fie, brother!' said Lavinia again; 'you know how sickly he has -always been from his birth, and how soon therefore he might be alarmed.' - -'Why, yes, Lavinia--I believe it was a very bad thing--and I would give -half my little finger I had not done it. But it's over, you know; so -what signifies making the worst of it?' - -'And did he not discover you?' - -'No; I gave him particular orders, in my letter, not to attempt anything -of that sort, assuring him there were spies about him to watch his -proceedings. The good old ass took it all for gospel. So there the -matter dropt. However, as ill luck would have it, about three months ago -we wanted another sum--' - -'And could you again--' - -'Why, my dear, it was only taking a little of my own fortune beforehand, -for I am his heir; so we all agreed it was merely robbing myself; for we -had several consultations about it, and one of us is to be a lawyer.' - -'But you give me some pleasure here,' said Camilla; 'for I had never -heard that my uncle had made you his heir.' - -'No more have I neither, my dear; but I take it for granted. Besides, -our little lawyer put it into my head. Well, we wrote again, and told -the poor old gentleman--for which I assure you I am heartily -repentant--that if he did not send me double the sum, in the same -manner, without delay, his house was to be burnt to the ground the first -night that he and all his family were asleep in bed.--Now don't make -faces and shruggings, for, I promise you, I think already I deserve to -be hanged for giving him the fright; though I would not really have hurt -him, all the time, for half his fortune. And who could have guessed he -would have bit so easily? The money, however, came, and we thought it -all secure, and agreed to get the same sum annually.' - -'Annually!' repeated Camilla, with uplifted hands. - -'Yes, my dear. You have no conception how convenient it would have been -for our extra expenses. But, unluckily, uncle grew worse, and went -abroad, and then consulted with some crab of a friend, and that friend -with some demagogue of a magistrate, and so all is blown!--However, we -had managed it so cleverly, it cost them near three months to find it -out, owing, I must confess, to poor uncle's cowardice in not making his -enquiries before the money was carried off, and he himself over the seas -and far away. The other particulars Lavinia must give you; for I have -talked of it now till I have made myself quite sick. Do tell me -something diverting to drive it a little out of my head. Have you seen -any thing of my enchanting widow lately?' - -'No, she does not desire to be seen by me. She would not admit me.' - -'She is frankness itself, and does not pretend to care a fig for any of -her own sex.--O, but, Camilla, I have wanted to ask you this great -while, if you think there is any truth in this rumour, that Mandlebert -intends to propose to Indiana?' - -'To propose! I thought it had all long since been settled.' - -'Ay, so the world says; but I don't believe a word of it. Do you think, -if that were the case, he would not have owned it to me? There's nothing -fixed yet, depend upon it.' - -Camilla, struck, amazed, and delighted, involuntarily embraced her -brother; though, recollecting herself almost at the same moment, she -endeavoured to turn off the resistless impulse into taking leave, and -hurrying him away. - -Lionel, who to want of solidity and penetration principally owed the -errors of his conduct, was easily put upon a wrong scent, and assured -her he would take care to be off in time. 'But what,' cried he, 'has -carried them to Cleves? Are they gone to tell tales? Because I have lost -one uncle by my own fault, must I lose another by their's?' - -'No,' answered Lavinia, 'they have determined not to name you. They have -settled that my uncle Hugh shall never be told of the affair, nor -anybody else, if they can help it, except your sisters, and Dr. -Marchmont.' - -'Well, they are good souls,' cried he, attempting to laugh, though his -eyes were glistening; 'I wish I deserved them better; I wish, too, it -was not so dull to be good. I can be merry and harmless here at the same -time,--and so I can at Cleves;--but at Oxford--or in London,--your merry -blades there--I can't deny it, my dear sisters--your merry blades there -are but sad fellows. Yet there is such fun, such spirit, such sport -amongst them, I cannot for my life keep out of their way. Besides, you -have no conception, young ladies, what a bye word you become among them -if they catch you flinching.' - -'I would not for the world say anything to pain you, my dear brother,' -cried Lavinia; 'but yet I must hope that, in future, your first study -will be to resist such dangerous examples, and to drop such unworthy -friends?' - -'If it is not to tell tales, then, for what else are they gone to -Cleves, just at this time?' - -'For my mother to take leave of Eugenia and my uncle before her -journey.' - -'Journey! Why whither is she going?' - -'Abroad.' - -'The deuce she is!--And what for?' - -'To try to make your peace with her brother; or at least to nurse him -herself till he is tolerably recovered.' - -Lionel slapped his hat over his eyes, and saying, 'This is too much!--if -I were a man I should shoot myself!'--rushed out of the room. - -The two sisters rapidly followed him, and caught his arm before he could -quit the house. They earnestly besought him to return, to compose -himself, and to promise he would commit no rash action. - -'My dear sisters,' cried he, 'I am worked just now only as I ought to -be; but I will give you any promise you please. However, though I have -never listened to my father as I ought to have listened, he has -implanted in my mind a horror of suicide, that will make me live my -natural life, be it as good for nothing as it may.' - -He then suffered his sisters to lead him back to their room, where he -cast himself upon a chair, in painful rumination upon his own -unworthiness, and his parents' excellence; but the tender soothings of -Lavinia and Camilla, who trembled lest his remorse should urge him to -some act of violence, soon drew him from reflections of which he hated -the intrusion; and he attended, with complacency, to their youthful -security of perfect reconciliations, and re-established happiness. - -With reciprocal exultation, the eyes of the sisters congratulated each -other on having saved him from despair: and seeing him now calm, and, -they hoped, safe, they mutually, though tacitly, agreed to obtrude no -further upon meditations that might be useful to him, and remained -silently by his side. - -For some minutes all were profoundly still; Lionel then suddenly started -up; the sisters, affrighted, hastily arose at the same instant; when -stretching himself and yawning, he called out, 'Pr'ythee, Camilla, what -is become of that smug Mr. Dubster?' - -Speechless with amazement, they looked earnestly in his face, and feared -he was raving. - -They were soon, however undeceived; the tide of penitence and sorrow -was turned in his buoyant spirits, and he was only restored to his -natural volatile self. - -'You used him most shabbily,' he continued, 'and he was a very pretty -fellow. The next time I have nothing better to do, I'll send him to you, -that you may make it up.' - -This quick return of gaiety caused a sigh to Lavinia, and much surprise -to Camilla; but neither of them could prevail with him to depart, till -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold were every moment expected; they then, though with -infinite difficulty, procured his promise that he would go straight to -Dr. Marchmont, according to an arrangement made for that purpose by Mrs. -Tyrold herself. - -Lavinia, when he was gone, related some circumstances of this affair -which he had omitted. Mr. Relvil, the elder brother of Mrs. Tyrold, was -a country gentleman of some fortune, but of weak parts, and an invalid -from his infancy. He had suffered these incendiary letters to prey upon -his repose, without venturing to produce them to any one, from a terror -of the menaces hurled against him by the writer, till at length he -became so completely hypochondriac, that his rest was utterly broken, -and, to preserve his very existence, he resolved upon visiting another -climate. - -The day that he set out for Lisbon, his destined harbour, he delivered -his anonymous letters to a friend, to whom he left in charge to -discover, if possible, their author. - -This discovery, by the usual means of enquiries and rewards, was soon -made; but the moment Mr. Relvil learnt that the culprit was his nephew, -he wrote over to Mrs. Tyrold a statement of the transaction, declaring -he should disinherit Lionel from every shilling of his estate. His -health was so much impaired, he said, by the disturbance this had given -to his mind, that he should be obliged to spend the ensuing year in -Portugal; and he even felt uncertain if he might ever return to his own -country. - -Mrs. Tyrold, astonished and indignant, severely questioned her son, who -covered, with shame, surprise, and repentance, confessed his guilt. -Shocked and grieved in the extreme, she ordered him from her sight, and -wrote to Dr. Marchmont to receive him. She then settled with Mr. Tyrold -the plan of her journey and voyage, hoping by so immediately following, -and herself nursing her incensed brother, to soften his wrath, and avert -its final ill consequences. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_A Few Embarrassments_ - - -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold returned to Etherington somewhat relieved in their -spirits, though perplexed in their opinions. They had heard from Sir -Hugh, that Edgar had decidedly disavowed any pretensions to Indiana, and -had voluntarily retreated from Cleves, that his disavowal might risk no -misconstruction, either in the family or the neighbourhood. - -This insensibility to beauty the most exquisite wanted no advocate with -Mrs. Tyrold. Once more she conceived some hope of what she wished, and -she determined upon seeing Edgar before her departure. The displeasure -she had nourished against him vanished, and justice to his general -worth, with an affection nearly maternal to his person, took again their -wonted place in her bosom, and made her deem herself unkind in having -purposed to quit the kingdom without bidding him farewell. - -Mr. Tyrold, whom professional duty and native inclination alike made a -man of peace, was ever happy to second all conciliatory measures, and -the first to propose them, where his voice had any chance of being -heard. He sent a note, therefore, to invite Edgar to call the next -morning; and Mrs. Tyrold deferred her hour of setting off till noon. - -Her own natural and immediate impulse, had been to carry Camilla with -her abroad; but when she considered that her sole errand was to nurse -and appease an offended sick man, whose chamber she meant not to quit -till she returned to her family, she gave up the pleasure she would -herself have found in the scheme, to her fears for the health and -spirits of her darling child, joined to the superior joy of leaving such -a solace with her husband. - -Sir Hugh had heard the petition for postponing the further visit of -Camilla almost with despondence; but Mr. Tyrold restored him completely -to confidence, with respect to his doubts concerning Dr. Orkborne, with -whom he held a long and satisfactory conversation; and his own -benevolent heart received a sensible pleasure, when, upon examining -Indiana with regard to Edgar, he found her, though piqued and pouting, -untouched either in affection or happiness. - -Early the next morning Edgar came. Mrs. Tyrold had taken measures for -employing Camilla upstairs, where she did not even hear that he entered -the house. - -He was received with kindness, and told of the sudden journey, though -not of its motives. He heard of it with unfeigned concern, and earnestly -solicited to be the companion of the voyage, if no better male protector -were appointed. - -Mr. Tyrold folded his arms around him at this grateful proposal, while -his wife, animated off her guard, warmly exclaimed--'My dear, excellent -Edgar! you are indeed the model, the true son of your guardian!' - -Sorry for what had escaped her, from her internal reference to Lionel, -she looked anxiously to see if he comprehended her; but the mantling -blood which mounted quick into his cheeks, while his eyes sought the -ground, soon told her there was another mode of affinity, which at that -moment had struck him. - -Willing to establish whether this idea were right, she now considered -how she might name Camilla; but her husband, who for no possible purpose -could witness distress without seeking to alleviate it, declined his -kind offer, and began a discourse upon the passage to Lisbon. - -This gave Edgar time to recover, and, in a few seconds, something of -moment seemed abruptly to occur to him, and scarcely saying adieu, he -hurried to remount his horse. - -Mrs. Tyrold was perplexed; but she could take not steps towards an -explanation, without infringing the delicacy she felt due to her -daughter: she suffered him, therefore, to depart. - -She then proceeded with her preparations, which entirely occupied her -till the chaise was at the gate; when, as the little party, their eyes -and their hearts all full, were taking a last farewell, the parlour door -was hastily opened, and Dr. Marchmont and Edgar entered the room. - -All were surprised, but none so much as Camilla, who, forgetting, in -sudden emotion, every thing but former kindness and intimacy, -delightedly exclaimed--'Edgar! O how happy, my dearest mother!--I was -afraid you would go without seeing him!' - -Edgar turned to her with a quickness that could only be exceeded by his -pleasure; her voice, her manner, her unlooked-for interest in his -appearance, penetrated to his very soul. 'Is it possible,' he cried, -'you could have the goodness to wish me this gratification? At a moment -such as this, could you----?' think of me, he would have added; but Dr. -Marchmont, coming forward, begged him to account for their intrusion. - -Almost overpowered by his own sudden emotion, he could scarce recollect -its motive himself; while Camilla, fearful and repentant that she had -broken her deliberate and well-principled resolutions, retreated to the -window. - -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold witnessed the involuntary movements which betrayed -their mutual regard with the tenderest satisfaction; and the complacency -of their attention, when Edgar advanced to them, soon removed his -embarrassment. - -He then briefly acquainted them, that finding Mrs. Tyrold would not -accept him for her chevalier, he had ridden hard to the parsonage of -Cleves, whence he hoped he had brought her one too unexceptionable for -rejection. - -Dr. Marchmont, with great warmth, then made a proffer of his services, -declaring he had long desired an opportunity to visit Portugal; and -protesting that, besides the pleasure of complying with any wish of Mr. -Mandlebert's, it would give him the most serious happiness to shew his -gratitude for the many kind offices he owed to Mr. Tyrold, and his high -personal respect for his lady; he should require but one day for his -preparations, and for securing the performance of the church duty at -Cleves during his absence. - -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold were equally struck by the goodness of Dr. -Marchmont, and the attentive kindness of Edgar. Mrs. Tyrold, -nevertheless, would immediately have declined the scheme; but her -husband interposed. Her travelling, he said, with such a guard, would be -as conducive to his peace at home, as to her safety abroad. 'And with -respect,' cried he, 'to obligation, I hold it as much a moral duty not -to refuse receiving good offices, as not to avoid administering them. -That species of independence, which proudly flies all ties of gratitude, -is inimical to the social compact of civilized life, which subsists but -by reciprocity of services.' - -Mrs. Tyrold now opposed the scheme no longer, and the chaise was ordered -for the next day. - -Dr. Marchmont hurried home to settle his affairs; but Edgar begged a -short conference with Mr. Tyrold. - -Every maternal hope was now awake in Mrs. Tyrold, who concluded this -request was to demand Camilla in marriage; and her husband himself, not -without trepidation, took Edgar into his study. - -But Edgar, though his heart was again wholly Camilla's, had received a -look from Dr. Marchmont that guarded him from any immediate declaration. -He simply opened upon the late misconception at Cleves; vindicated -himself from any versatility of conduct, and affirmed, that both his -attentions and his regard for Indiana had never been either more or less -than they still continued. All this was spoken with a plainness to which -the integrity of his character gave a weight superior to any -protestations. - -'My dear Edgar,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'I am convinced of your probity. The -tenor of your life is its guarantee, and any other defence is a -degradation. There is, indeed, no perfidy so unjustifiable, as that -which wins but to desert the affections of an innocent female. It is -still, if possible, more cowardly than it is cruel; for the greater her -worth, and the more exquisite her feelings, the stronger will be the -impulse of her delicacy to suffer uncomplaining; and the deluder of her -esteem commonly confides, for averting her reproach, to the very -sensibility through which he has ensnared her good opinion.' - -'No one,' said Edgar, 'can more sincerely concur in this sentiment than -myself; and, I trust, there is no situation, and no character, that -could prompt me to deviate in this point. Here, in particular, my -understanding must have been as defective as my morals, to have betrayed -me into such an enterprise.' - -'How do you mean?' - -'I beg pardon, my dear sir; but, though I have a sort of family regard -for Miss Lynmere, and though I think her beauty is transcendent, her -heart, I believe----' he hesitated. - -'Do you think her heart invulnerable?'-- - -'Why--no--not positively, perhaps,' answered he, embarrassed, 'not -positively invulnerable; but certainly I do not think it composed of -those finely subtle sensations which elude all vigilance, and become -imperceptibly the prey of every assailing sympathy; for itself, -therefore, I believe it not in much danger; and, for others--I see not -in it that magnetic attraction which charms away all caution, beguiles -all security, enwraps the imagination, and masters the reason!----' - -The chain of thinking which, from painting what he thought insensible in -Indiana, led him to describe what he felt to be resistless in Camilla, -made him finish the last sentence with an energy that surprised Mr. -Tyrold into a smile. - -'You seem deeply,' he said, 'to have studied the subject.' - -'But not under the guidance of Miss Lynmere,' he answered, rising, and -colouring, the moment he had spoken, in the fear he had betrayed -himself. - -'I rejoice, then, the more,' replied Mr. Tyrold, calmly, 'in her own -slackness of susceptibility.' - -'Yes,' cried Edgar, recovering, and quietly re-placing himself; 'it is -her own security, and it is the security of all who surround her; though -to those, indeed, there was also another, a still greater, in the -contrast which----' he stopt, confused at his own meaning; yet -presently, almost irresistibly, added--'Not that I think the utmost -vivacity of sentiment, nor all the charm of soul, though eternally -beaming in the eyes, playing in every feature, glowing in the -complection, and brightening every smile----' he stopt again, -overpowered with the consciousness of the picture he was portraying; but -Mr. Tyrold continuing silent, he was obliged, though he scarce knew what -he said, to go on. 'Nothing, in short, so selfishly are we formed,--that -nothing, not even the loveliest of the lovely, can be truly bewitching, -in which we do not hope or expect some participation.--I believe I have -not made myself very clear?--However, it is not material--I simply meant -to explain my retreat from Cleves. And, indeed, it is barbarous, at a -season such as this, to detain you a moment from your family.' - -He then hastily took leave. - -Mr. Tyrold was sensibly touched by this scene. He saw, through a -discourse so perplexed, and a manner so confused, that his daughter had -made a forcible impression upon the heart of Mandlebert, but could not -comprehend why he seemed struggling to conceal it. What had dropt from -him appeared to imply a distrust of exciting mutual regard; yet this, -after his own observations upon Camilla, was inconceivable. He -regretted, that at a period so critical, she must part with her mother, -with whom again he now determined to consult. - -Edgar, who hitherto had opened his whole heart upon every occasion to -Mr. Tyrold, felt hurt and distressed at this first withholding of -confidence. It was, however, unavoidable, in his present situation. - -He went back to the parlour to take leave once more of Mrs. Tyrold; -but, opening the door, found Camilla there alone. She was looking out of -the window, and had not heard his entrance. - -This was not a sight to still his perturbed spirits; on the contrary, -the moment seemed to him so favourable, that it irresistibly occurred to -him to seize it for removing every doubt. - -Camilla, who had not even missed her mother and sister from the room, -was contemplating the horse of Edgar, and internally arraigning herself -for the dangerous pleasure she had felt and manifested at the sight of -his master. - -He gently shut the door, and approaching her, said, 'Do I see again the -same frank and amiable friend, who in earliest days, who always, indeed, -till--' - -Camilla, turning round, startled to behold him so near, and that no one -else remained in the room, blushed excessively, and without hearing what -he said, shut the window; yet opened it the same minute, stammering out -something, but she herself knew not what, concerning the weather. - -The gentlest thoughts crossed the mind of Edgar at this evident -embarrassment, and the most generous alacrity prompted him to hasten his -purpose. He drew a chair near her, and, in penetrating accents, said: -'Will you suffer me, will you, can you permit me, to take the privilege -of our long friendship, and honestly to speak to you upon what has -passed within these last few days at Cleves?' - -She could not answer: surprise, doubt, fear of self-deception, and hope -of some happy explanation, all suddenly conspired to confound and to -silence her. - -'You cannot, I think, forget,' he soon resumed, 'that you had -condescended to put into my hands the management and decision of the new -acquaintance you are anxious to form? My memory, at least, will never be -unfaithful to a testimony so grateful to me, of your entire reliance -upon the deep, the unspeakable interest I have ever taken, and ever must -take, in my invaluable guardian, and in every branch of his respected -and beloved family.' - -Camilla now began to breathe. This last expression, though zealous in -friendliness, had nothing of appropriate partiality; and in losing her -hope she resumed her calmness. - -Edgar observed, though he understood not, the change; but as he wished -to satisfy his mind before he indulged his inclination, he endeavoured -not to be sorry to see her mistress of herself during the discussion. He -wished her but to answer him with openness: she still, however, only -listened, while she rose and looked about the room for some work. Edgar, -somewhat disconcerted, waited for her again sitting down; and after a -few minutes spent in a useless search, she drew a chair to a table at -some distance. - -Gravely then following, he stood opposite to her, and, after a little -pause, said, 'I perceive you think I go too far? you think that the -intimacy of childhood, and the attachment of adolescence, should expire -with the juvenile sports and intercourse which nourished them, rather -than ripen into solid friendship and permanent confidence?' - -'Do not say so,' cried she, with emotion; 'believe me, unless you knew -all that had passed, and all my motives, you should judge nothing of -these last few days, but think of me only, whether well or ill, as you -thought of me a week ago.' - -The most laboured and explicit defence could not more immediately have -satisfied his mind than this speech. Suspicion vanished, trust and -admiration took its place, and once more drawing a chair by her side, -'My dear Miss Camilla,' he cried, 'forgive my having thus harped upon -this subject; I here promise you I will name it no more.' - -'And I,' cried she, delighted, 'promise you'--she was going to add, that -she would give up Mrs. Arlbery, if he found reason to disapprove the -acquaintance; but the parlour door opened, and Miss Margland stalked -into the room. - -Sir Hugh was going to send a messenger to enquire how and when Mrs. -Tyrold had set out; but Miss Margland, from various motives of -curiosity, offered her services, and came herself. So totally, however, -had both Edgar and Camilla been engrossed by each other, that they had -not heard the carriage drive up to the garden gate, which, with the door -of the house, being always open, required neither knocker nor bell. - -A spectre could not more have startled or shocked Camilla. She jumped -up, with an exclamation nearly amounting to a scream, and involuntarily -seated herself at the other end of the room. - -Edgar, though not equally embarrassed, was still more provoked; but he -rose, and got her a chair, and enquired after the health of Sir Hugh. - -'He is very poorly, indeed,' answered she, with an austere air, 'and no -wonder!' - -'Is my uncle ill?' cried Camilla, alarmed. - -Miss Margland deigned no reply. - -The rest of the family, who had seen the carriage from the windows, now -entered the room, and during the mutual enquiries and account which -followed, Edgar, believing himself unobserved, glided round to Camilla, -and in a low voice, said, 'The promise--I think I guess its gratifying -import--I shall not, I hope, lose, through this cruel intrusion?' - -Camilla, who saw no eyes but those of Miss Margland, which were severely -fastened upon her, affected not to hear him, and planted herself in the -group out of his way. - -He anxiously waited for another opportunity to put in his claim; but he -waited in vain; Camilla, who from the entrance of Miss Margland had had -the depressing feel of self-accusation, sedulously avoided him; and -though he loitered till he was ashamed of remaining in the house at a -period so busy, Miss Margland, by indications not to be mistaken, shewed -herself bent upon out-staying him; he was obliged, therefore, to depart; -though, no sooner was he gone, than, having nothing more to scrutinize, -she went also. - -But little doubt now remained with the watchful parents of the mutual -attachment of Edgar and Camilla, to which the only apparent obstacle -seemed, a diffidence on the part of Edgar with respect to her internal -sympathy. Pleased with the modesty of such a fear in so accomplished a -young man, Mr. Tyrold protested that, if the superior fortune were on -the side of Camilla, he would himself clear it up, and point out the -mistake. His wife gloried in the virtuous delicacy of her daughter, that -so properly, till it was called for, concealed her tenderness from the -object who so deservingly inspired it; yet they agreed, that though she -could not, at present, meet Edgar too often, she should be kept wholly -ignorant of their wishes and expectations, lest they should still be -crushed by any unforeseen casualty: and that, meanwhile, she should be -allowed every safe and innocent recreation, that might lighten her mind -from its depression, and restore her spirits to their native vivacity. - -Early the next morning Dr. Marchmont came to Etherington, and brought -with him Lionel, by the express direction of his father, who never -objected to admit the faulty to his presence; his hopes of doing good -were more potent from kindness than from severity, from example than -from precept: yet he attempted not to conquer the averseness of Mrs. -Tyrold to an interview; he knew it proceeded not from an inexorable -nature, but from a repugnance insurmountable to the sight of a beloved -object in disgrace. - -Mrs. Tyrold quitted her husband with the most cruel regret, and her -darling Camilla with the tenderest inquietude; she affectionately -embraced the unexceptionable Lavinia, with whom she left a message for -her brother, which she strictly charged her to deliver, without -softening or omitting one word. - -And then, attended by Dr. Marchmont, she set forward on her journey -towards Falmouth: whence a packet, in a few days, she was informed, -would sail for Lisbon. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_Modern Ideas of Life_ - - -Grieved at this separation, Mr. Tyrold retired to his study; and his two -daughters went to the apartment of Lionel, to comfort him under the -weight of his misconduct. - -They found him sincerely affected and repentant; yet eager to hear that -his mother was actually gone. Ill as he felt himself to deserve such an -exertion for his future welfare, and poignant as were his shame and -sorrow to have parted her from his excellent father, he thought all evil -preferable to encountering her eye, or listening to her admonitions. - -Though unaffectedly beloved, Mrs. Tyrold was deeply feared by all her -children, Camilla alone excepted; by Lionel, from his horror of reproof; -by Lavinia, from the timidity of her humility; and by Eugenia, from her -high sense of parental superiority. Camilla alone escaped the contagion; -for while too innocent, too undesigning, wilfully to excite displeasure, -she was too gay and too light-hearted to admit apprehension without -cause. - -The gentle Lavinia knew not how to perform her painful task of -delivering the message with which she was commissioned. The sight of -Lionel in dejection was as sad as it was new to her, and she resolved, -in conjunction with Camilla, to spare him till the next day, when his -feelings might be less acute. They each sat down, therefore, to work, -silent and compassionate; while he, ejaculating blessings upon his -parents, and calling for just vengeance upon himself, stroamed up and -down the room, biting his knuckles, and now and then striking his -forehead. - -This lasted about ten minutes: and then, suddenly advancing to his -sisters, and snatching a hand of each: 'Come, girls,' he cried, 'now -let's talk of other things.' - -Too young to have developed the character of Lionel, they were again as -much astonished as they had been the preceding day: but his defects, -though not originally of the heart, were of a species that soon tend to -harden it. They had their rise in a total aversion to reflection, a wish -to distinguish himself from his retired, and, he thought, unfashionable -relations, and an unfortunate coalition with some unprincipled young -men, who, because flashy and gay, could lead him to whatever they -proposed. Yet, when mischief or misfortune ensued from his wanton -faults, he was always far more sorry than he thought it manly to own; -but as his actions were without judgment, his repentance was without -principle; and he was ready for some new enterprise the moment the -difficulties of an old one subsided. - -Camilla, who, from her affection to him, read his character through the -innocence of her own, met his returning gaiety with a pleasure that was -proportioned to her pain at his depression; but Lavinia saw it with -discomfort, as the signal for executing her charge, and, with extreme -reluctance, gave him to understand she had a command to fulfil to him -from his mother. - -The powers of conscience were again then instantly at work; he felt what -he had deserved, he dreaded to hear what he had provoked; and trembling -and drawing back, entreated her to wait one half hour before she entered -upon the business. - -She chearfully consented; and Camilla proposed extending the reprieve to -the next day: but not two minutes elapsed, before Lionel protested he -could not bear the suspense, and urged an immediate communication. - -'She can have said nothing,' cried he, 'worse than I expect, or than I -merit. Probe me then without delay. She is acting by me like an angel, -and if she were to command me to turn anchoret, I know I ought to obey -her.' - -With much hesitation, Lavinia then began. 'My mother says, my dear -Lionel, the fraud you have practised--' - -'The fraud! what a horrid word! why it was a mere trick! a joke! a -frolic! just to make an old hunks open his purse-strings for his natural -heir. I am astonished at my mother! I really don't care if I don't hear -another syllable.' - -'Well, then, my dear Lionel, I will wait till you are calmer: my mother, -I am sure did not mean to irritate, but to convince.' - -'My mother,' continued he, striding about the room, 'makes no -allowances. She has no faults herself, and for that reason she thinks -nobody else should have any. Besides, how should she know what it is to -be a young man? and to want a little cash, and not know how to get it?' - -'But I am sure,' said Lavinia, 'if you wanted it for any proper purpose, -my father would have denied himself everything, in order to supply you.' - -'Yes, yes; but suppose I want it for a purpose that is not proper, how -am I to get it then?' - -'Why, then, my dear Lionel, surely you must be sensible you ought to go -without it,' cried the sisters, in a breath. - -'Ay, that's as you girls say, that know nothing of the matter. If a -young man, when he goes into the world, was to make such a speech as -that, he would be pointed at. Besides, who must he live with? You don't -suppose he is to shut himself up, with a few musty books, sleeping over -the fire, under pretence of study, all day long, do you? like young -Melmond, who knows no more of the world than one of you do?' - -'Indeed,' said Camilla, 'he seemed to me an amiable and modest young -man, though very romantic.' - -'O, I dare say he did! I could have laid any wager of that. He's just a -girl's man, just the very thing, all sentiment, and poetry and heroics. -But we, my little dear, we lads of spirit, hold all that amazing cheap. -I assure you, I would as soon be seen trying on a lady's cap at a glass, -as poring over a crazy old author when I could help it. I warrant you -think, because one is at the university, one must all be book-worms?' - -'Why, what else do you go there for but to study?' - -'Every thing in the world, my dear.' - -'But are there not sometimes young men who are scholars without being -book-worms?' cried Camilla, half colouring; 'is not--is not Edgar -Mandlebert--' - -'O yes, yes; an odd thing of that sort happens now and then. Mandlebert -has spirit enough to carry it off pretty well, without being -ridiculous; though he is as deep, for his time, as e'er an old fellow of -a college. But then this is no rule for others. You must not expect an -Edgar Mandlebert at every turn.' - -Ah no! thought Camilla. - -'But, Edgar,' said Lavinia, 'has had an extraordinary education, as well -as possessing extraordinary talents and goodness: and you, too, my dear -Lionel, to fulfil what may be expected from you, should look back to -your father, who was brought up at the same university, and is now -considered as one of the first men it has produced. While he was -respected by the learned for his application, he was loved even by the -indolent for his candour and kindness of heart. And though his income, -as you know, was so small, he never ran in debt, and by an exact but -open oeconomy, escaped all imputation of meanness: while by forbearing -either to conceal, or repine at his limited fortune, he blunted even the -raillery of the dissipated, by frankly and good humouredly meeting it -half way. How often have I heard my dear mother tell you this!' - -'Yes; but all this, child, is nothing to the purpose; my father is no -more like other men than if he had been born in another planet, and my -attempting to resemble him, is as great a joke, as if you were to dress -up Miss Margland in Indiana's flowers and feathers, and then expect -people to call her a beauty.' - -'We do not say you resemble my father, now,' said Camilla, archly; 'but -is there any reason why you should not try to do it by and by?' - -'O yes! a little one! nature, nature, my dear, is in the way. I was born -a bit of a buck. I have no manner of natural taste for study, and -poring, and expounding, and black-letter work. I am a light, airy spark, -at your service, not quite so wise as I am merry;--but let that pass. My -father, you know, is firm as a rock. He minds neither wind nor weather, -nor fleerer nor sneerer: but this firmness, look ye, he has kept all to -himself; not a whit of it do I inherit; every wind that blows veers me -about, and makes me look some new way.' - -Soon after, gathering courage from curiosity, he desired to hear the -message at once. - -Lavinia, unwillingly complying, then repeated: 'The fraud which you have -practised, my mother says, whether from wanton folly to give pain, or -from rapacious discontent to gain money, she will leave without comment, -satisfied that if you have any heart at all, its effects must bring its -remorse, since it has dangerously encreased the infirmities of your -uncle, driven him to a foreign land, and forced your mother to forsake -her home and family in his pursuit, unless she were willing to see you -punished by the entire disinheritance with which you are threatened. -But----' - -'O, no more! no more! I am ready to shoot myself already! My dear, -excellent mother! what do I not owe you! I had never seen, never thought -of the business in this solemn way before. I meant nothing at first but -a silly joke, and all this mischief has followed unaccountably. I assure -you, I had no notion at the beginning he would have minded the letter; -and afterwards, Jack Whiston persuaded me, the money was as good as my -own, and that it was nothing but a little cribbing from myself. I will -never trust him again; I see the whole now in its true and atrocious -colours.--I will devote myself in future to make all the amends in my -power to my dear incomparable mother.' - -The sisters affectionately encouraged this idea, which produced near a -quarter of an hour's serious thinking and penitence. - -He then begged to hear the rest; and Lavinia continued. - -'But since you are re-admitted, said my mother, to Etherington, by the -clemency of your forbearing father, she charges you to remember, you can -only repay his goodness by an application the most intense to those -studies you have hitherto neglected, and of which your neglect has been -the cause of all your errors; by committing to idle amusements the time -that innocently, as well as profitably, ought to have been dedicated to -the attainment of knowledge. She charges you also to ask yourself, -since, during the vacation, your father himself is your tutor, upon what -pretext you can justify wasting his valuable time, however little you -may respect your own?--Finally--' - -'I never wasted his time! I never desired to have any instruction in the -vacations. 'Tis the most deuced thing in life to be studying so hard -incessantly. The waste of time is all his own affair;--his own -choice--not mine, I assure you! Go on, however.' - -'Finally, she adjures you to consider, that if you still persevere to -consume your time in wilful negligence, to bury all thought in idle -gaiety, and to act without either reflection or principle, the career of -faults which begins but in unthinking folly, will terminate in shame, in -guilt, and in ruin! And though such a declension of all good, must -involve your family in your affliction, your disgrace, she bids me say, -will ultimately fall but where it ought; since your own want of personal -sensibility to the horror of your conduct, will neither harden nor blind -any human being besides yourself. This is all.' - -'And enough too,' cried he, reddening: 'I am a very wretch!--I believe -that--though I am sure I can't tell how; for I never intend any harm, -never think, never dream of hurting any mortal! But as to study--I must -own to you, I hate it most deucedly. Anything else--if my mother had but -exacted any thing else--with what joy I would have shewn my -obedience!--If she had ordered me to be horse-ponded, I do protest to -you, I would not have demurred.' - -'How always you run into the ridiculous!' cried Camilla. - -'I was never so serious in my life; not that I should like to be -horse-ponded in the least, though I would submit to it for a punishment, -and out of duty: but then, when it was done, it would be over: now the -deuce of study is, there is no end of it! And it does so little for one! -one can go through life so well without it! There is not above here and -there an old codger that asks one a question that can bring it into any -play. And then, a turn upon one's heel, or looking at one's watch, or -wondering at one's short memory, or happening to forget just that one -single passage, carries off the whole in two minutes, as completely as -if one had been working one's whole life to get ready for the assault. -And pray, now, tell me, how can it be worth one's best days, one's -gayest hours, the very flower of one's life--all to be sacrificed to -plodding over musty grammars and lexicons, merely to cut a figure just -for about two minutes once or twice in a year?' - -The sisters, brought up with an early reverence for learning, as forming -a distinguished part of the accomplishments of their father, could not -subscribe to this argument. But they laughed; and that was ever -sufficient for Lionel, who, though sincerely, in private, he loved and -honoured his father, never bestowed upon him one voluntary moment that -frolic or folly invited elsewhere. - -Lavinia and Camilla, perfectly relieved now from all fears for their -brother, repaired to the study of their father, anxious to endeavour to -chear him, and to accelerate a meeting and reconciliation for Lionel; -but they found him desirous to be alone, though kindly, and unsolicited, -he promised to admit his son before dinner. - -Lionel heard this with a just awe; but gave it no time for deep -impression. It was still very early, and he could settle himself to -nothing during the hours yet to pass before the interview. He persuaded -his sisters, therefore, to walk out with him, to while away at once -expectation and retrospection. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_Modern Notions of Penitence_ - - -They set out with no other plan than to take a three hours' stroll. -Lionel led the way, and they journeyed through various pleasant lanes -and meadows, till, about three miles distance from Etherington, upon -ascending a beautiful little hill, they espied, fifty yards off, the -Grove, and a party of company sauntering round its grounds. - -He immediately proposed making a visit to Mrs. Arlbery; but Lavinia -declined presenting herself to a lady who was unknown to her mother; and -Camilla, impressed with the promise she had intended for Edgar, which -she was sure, though unpronounced, he had comprehended, dissented also -from the motion. - -He then said he would go alone; for his spirits were so low from -vexation and regret, that they wanted recruit; and he would return to -them by the time they would be sufficiently rested to walk home. - -To this they agreed; and amused themselves with watching to see him join -the group; in which, however, they were no sooner gratified, than, to -their great confusion, they perceived that he pointed them out, and that -all eyes were immediately directed towards the hill. - -Vexed and astonished at his quick passing penitence, they hastened down -the declivity, and ran on till a lane, with an high hedge on each side, -sheltered them from view. - -But Lionel, soon pursuing them, said he brought the indisputable orders -of his invincible widow to convoy them to the mansion. She never, she -had owned, admitted formal visitors, but whatever was abrupt and out of -the way, won her heart. - -To the prudent Lavinia, this invitation was by no means alluring. Mrs. -Tyrold, from keeping no carriage, visited but little, and the Grove was -not included in her small circle; Lavinia, therefore, though she knew -not how to be peremptory, was steady in refusal; and Camilla, who would -naturally with pleasure have yielded, had a stronger motive for -firmness, than any with which she was gifted by discretion, in her wish -to oblige Mandlebert. But Lionel would listen to neither of them; and -when he found his insistance insufficient, seized Lavinia by one arm, -and Camilla by the other, and dragged them up the hill, in defiance of -their entreaties, and in full view of the party. He then left the more -pleading, though less resisting, Lavinia alone; but pulled Camilla down -by the opposite side, with a velocity that, though meant but to bring -her to the verge of a small rivulet, forced her into the midst of it so -rapidly that he could not himself at last stop: and wetted her so -completely, that she could with difficulty, when she got across it, walk -on. - -The violent spirits of Lionel always carried him beyond his own -intentions; he was now really sorry for what he had done: and Lavinia, -who had quietly followed, was uneasy from the fear of some ill -consequence to her sister. - -Mrs. Arlbery, who had seen the transaction, came forth now herself, to -invite them all into her house, and offer a fire and dry clothing to -Camilla; not sparing, however, her well-merited raillery at the awkward -exploit of young Tyrold. - -Camilla, ashamed to be thus seen, would have hidden herself behind her -sister, and retreated; but even Lavinia now, fearing for her health, -joined in the request, and she was obliged to enter the house. - -Mrs. Arlbery took her upstairs, to her own apartment, and supplied her -immediately with a complete change of apparel; protesting that Lionel -should be punished for his frolic, by a solitary walk to Etherington, to -announce that she would keep his two sisters for the day. - -Opposition was vain; she was gay, good humoured, and pleasant, but she -would not be denied. She meant not, however, to inflict the serious -penalty which the face of Lionel proclaimed him to be suffering, when he -prepared to depart; and the sisters, who read in it his dread of meeting -Mr. Tyrold alone, in the present circumstances of his affairs, conferred -together, and agreed that Lavinia should accompany him, both to -intercede for returning favour from his father, and to explain the -accident of Camilla's staying at the Grove. Mrs. Arlbery, meanwhile, -promised to restore her young guest safe at night in her own carriage. - -Notwithstanding the pleasure with which Camilla, in any other situation, -would have renewed this acquaintance, was now changed into reluctance, -she was far from insensible to the flattering kindness with which Mrs. -Arlbery received and entertained her, nor to the frankness with which -she confessed, that her invisibility the other morning, had resulted -solely from pique that the visit had not been made sooner. - -Camilla would have attempted some apology for the delay, but she assured -her apologies were what she neither took nor gave; and then laughingly -added--'We will try one another to day, and if we find it won't do--we -will shake hands and part. That, you must know, is my mode; and is it -not vastly better than keeping up an acquaintance that proves dull, -merely because it has been begun?' - -She then ordered away all her visitors, without the smallest ceremony; -telling them, however, they might come back in the evening, only -desiring they would not be early. Camilla stared; but they all submitted -as to a thing of course. - -'You are not used to my way, I perceive,' cried she, smiling; 'yet, I -can nevertheless assure you, you can do nothing so much for your -happiness as to adopt it. You are made a slave in a moment by the world, -if you don't begin life by defying it. Take your own way, follow your -own humour, and you and the world will both go on just as well, as if -you ask its will and pleasure for everything you do, and want, and -think.' - -She then expressed herself delighted with Lionel, for bringing them -together by this short cut, which abolished a world of formalities, not -more customary than fatiguing. 'I pass, I know,' continued she, 'for a -mere creature of whim; but, believe me, there is no small touch of -philosophy in the composition of my vagaries. Extremes, you know, have a -mighty knack of meeting. Thus I, like the sage, though not with -sage-like motives, save time that must otherwise be wasted; brave rules -that would murder common sense; and when I have made people stare, turn -another way that I may laugh.' - -She then, in a graver strain, and in a manner that proved the laws of -politeness all her own, where she chose, for any particular purpose, or -inclination, to exert them, hoped this profession of her faith would -plead her excuse, that she had thus incongruously made her fair guest a -second time enter her house, before her first visit was acknowledged; -and enquired whether it were to be returned to Etherington or at Cleves. - -Camilla answered, she was now at home, on account of her mother's being -obliged to make a voyage to Lisbon. - -Mrs. Arlbery said, she would certainly, then, wait upon her at -Etherington; and very civilly regretted having no acquaintance with Mrs. -Tyrold; archly, however, adding: 'As we have no where met, I could not -seek her at her own house without running too great a risk; for then, -whether I had liked her or not, I must have received her, you know, into -mine. So, you see, I am not quite without prudence, whatever the dear -world says to the contrary.' - -She then spoke of the ball, public breakfast, and raffle; chatting both -upon persons and things with an easy gaiety, and sprightly negligence, -extremely amusing to Camilla, and which soon, in despite of the -unwillingness with which she had entered her house, brought back her -original propensity to make the acquaintance, and left no regret for -what Lionel had done, except what rested upon the repugnance of Edgar to -his intercourse. As he could not, however, reproach what was begun -without her concurrence, he would see, she hoped, like herself, that -common civility henceforward would exact its continuance. - -In proportion as her pleasure from this accidental commerce was -awakened, and her early partiality revived, her own spirits re-animated, -and, in the course of the many hours they now spent completely together, -she was set so entirely at her ease, by the good humour of Mrs. Arlbery, -that she lost all fear of her wit. She found it rather playful than -satirical; rather seeking to amuse than to disconcert; and though -sometimes, from the resistless pleasure of uttering a _bon mot_ she -thought more of its brilliancy than of the pain it might inflict, this -happened but rarely, and was more commonly succeeded by regret than by -triumph. - -Camilla soon observed she had, personally, nothing to apprehend, -peculiar partiality supplying the place of general delicacy, in -shielding her from every shaft that even pleasantry could render -poignant. The embarrassment, therefore, which, in ingenuous youth, -checks the attempt to please, by fear of failure, or shame of exertion, -gave way to natural spirits, which gaily rising from entertainment -received, restored her vivacity, and gradually, though unconsciously, -enabled her to do justice to her own abilities, by unaffectedly calling -forth the mingled sweetness and intelligence of her character; and Mrs. -Arlbery, charmed with all she observed, and flattered by all she -inspired, felt such satisfaction in her evident conquest, that before -the _tête-à-tête_ was closed, their admiration was become nearly -mutual. - -When the evening party was announced, they both heard with surprise that -the day was so far advanced. 'They can wait, however,' said Mrs. -Arlbery, 'for I know they have nothing to do.' - -She then invited Camilla to return to her the next day for a week. - -Camilla felt well disposed to comply, hoping soon to reason from Edgar -his prejudice against a connection that afforded her such singular -pleasure; but to leave her father at this period was far from every -wish. She excused herself, therefore, saying, she had still six weeks -due to her uncle at Cleves, before any other engagement could take -place. - -'Well, then, when you quit your home for Sir Hugh, will you beg off a -few days from him, and set them down to my account?' - -'If my uncle pleases--' - -'If he pleases?' repeated she, laughing; 'pray never give that _If_ into -his decision; you only put contradiction into people's heads, by asking -what pleases them. Say at once, My good uncle, Mrs. Arlbery has invited -me to indulge her with a few days at the Grove; so to-morrow I shall go -to her. Will you promise me this?' - -'Dear madam, no! my uncle would think me mad.' - -'And suppose he should! A little alarm now and then keeps life from -stagnation. They call me mad, I know, sometimes; wild, flighty, and what -not; yet you see how harmless I am, though I afford food for such -notable commentary.' - -'But can you really like such things should be said of you?' - -'I adore the frankness of that question! why, n--o,--I rather think I -don't. But I'm not sure. However, to prevent their minding me, I must -mind them. And it's vastly more irksome to give up one's own way, than -to hear a few impertinent remarks. And as to the world, depend upon it, -my dear Miss Tyrold, the more you see of it, the less you will care for -it.' - -She then said she would leave her to re-invest herself in her own -attire, and go downstairs, to see what the poor simple souls, who had -had no more wit than to come back thus at her call, had found to do with -themselves. - -Camilla, having only her common morning dress, and even that utterly -spoilt, begged that her appearance might be dispensed with; but Mrs. -Arlbery, exclaiming, 'Why, there are only men; you don't mind men, I -hope!' ashamed, she promised to get ready; yet she had not sufficient -courage to descend, till her gay hostess came back, and accompanied her -to the drawing room. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_Airs and Graces_ - - -Upon entering the room, Camilla saw again the Officers who had been -there in the morning, and who were now joined by Sir Sedley Clarendel. -She was met at the door by Major Cerwood, who seemed waiting for her -appearance, and who made her his compliments with an air that studiously -proclaimed his devotion. She seated herself by the side of Mrs. Arlbery, -to look on at a game of chess, played by Sir Sedley and General Kinsale. - -'Clarendel,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'you have not the least in the world the -air of knowing what you are about.' - -'Pardon me, ma'am,' said the General, 'he has been at least half an hour -contemplating this very move,--for which, as you see, I now check-mate -him. Pray, Sir Sedley, how came you, at last, to do no better?' - -'Thinking of other things, my dear General. 'Tis impossible in the -extreme to keep one's faculties pinioned down to the abstruse vagaries -of this brain-besieging game. My head would be deranged past redress, if -I did not allow it to visit the four quarters of the globe once, at -least, between every move.' - -'You do not play so slow, then, from deliberating upon your chances, but -from forgetting them?' - -'Defined, my dear General, to scrupulosity! Those exquisite little -moments we steal from any given occupation, for the pleasure of -speculating in secret upon something wholly foreign to it, are -resistless to deliciousness.' - -'I entreat, and command you then,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'to make your -speculations public. Nothing will more amuse me, than to have the least -intimation of the subjects of your reveries.' - -'My dear Mrs. Arlbery! your demand is the very quintessence of -impossibility! Tell the subject of a reverie! know you not it wafts one -at once out of the world, and the world's powers of expression? while -all it substitutes is as evanescent as it is delectable. To attempt the -least description would be a presumption of the first monstrousness.' - -'O never heed that! presumption will not precisely be a novelty to you; -answer me, therefore, my dear Clarendel, without all this conceit. You -know I hate procrastination; and procrastinators still worse.' - -'Softly, dearest madam, softly! There is nothing in nature so horribly -shocking to me as the least hurry. My poor nerves seek repose after any -turbulent words, or jarring sounds, with the same craving for rest that -my body experiences after the jolts, and concussions of a long winded -chase. By the way, does anybody want a good hunter? I have the first, -perhaps, in Europe; but I would sell it a surprising bargain, for I am -excruciatingly tired of it.' - -All the gentlemen grouped round him to hear further particulars, except -Mr. Macdersey, the young Ensign, who had so unguardedly exposed himself -at the Northwick ball, and who now, approaching Camilla, fervently -exclaimed; 'How happy I should have been, madam, if I had had the good -fortune to see you meet with that accident this morning, instead of -being looking another way! I might then have had the pleasure to assist -you. And O! how much more if it had been your divine cousin! I hope that -fair angel is in perfect health! O what a beautiful creature she is! her -outside is the completest diamond I ever saw! and if her inside is the -same, which I dare say it is, by her smiles and delicate dimples, she -must be a paragon upon earth!' - -'There is at least something very inartificial in your praise,' said -General Kinsale, 'when you make your panegyric of an absent lady to a -present one.' - -'O General, there is not a lady living can bear any comparison with her. -I have never had her out of my thoughts from the first darling moment -that ever I saw her, which has made me the most miserable of men ever -since. Her eyes so beautiful, her mouth so divine, her nose so -heavenly!--' - -'And how,' cried Sir Sedley, 'is the tip of her chin?' - -'No joking, sir!' said the Ensign, reddening; 'she is a piece of -perfection not to be laughed at; she has never had her fellow upon the -face of the earth; and she never will have it while the earth holds, -upon account of there being no such person above ground.' - -'And pray,' cried Sir Sedley, carelessly, 'how can you be sure of that?' - -'How! why by being certain,' answered the inflamed admirer; 'for though -I have been looking out for pretty women from morning to night, ever -since I was conscious of the right use of my eyes, I never yet saw her -parallel.' - -A servant was now bringing in the tea; but his lady ordered him to set -it down in the next room, whence the gentlemen should fetch it as it was -wanted. - -Major Cerwood took in charge all attendance upon Camilla; but he was -not, therefore, exempt from the assiduities required by Mrs. Arlbery, -for whom the homage of the General, the Colonel, and the Ensign, were -insufficient; and who, had a score more been present, would have found -occupation for them all. Sir Sedley alone was excepted from her -commands; for knowing they would be issued to him in vain, she contented -herself with only interchanging glances of triumph with him, at the -submission of every vassal but himself. - -'Heavens!' cried she, to Colonel Andover, who had hastened to present -her the first cup, 'you surely think I have nerves for a public orator! -If I should taste but one drop of this tea, I might envy the repose of -the next man who robs on the highway. Major Cerwood, will you try if you -can do any better for me?' - -The Major obeyed, but not with more success. 'What in the world have you -brought me?' cried she; 'Is it tea? It looks prodigiously as if just -imported out of the slop bason. For pity sake, Macdersey, arise, and -give me your help; you will at least never bring me such maudlin stuff -as this. Even your tea will have some character; it will be very good or -very bad; very hot or very cold; very strong or very weak; for you are -always in flames of fire, or flakes of snow.' - -'You do me justice, ma'am; there is nothing upon the face of the earth -so insipid as a medium. Give me love or hate! a friend that will go to -jail for me, or an enemy that will run me through the body! Riches to -chuck guineas about like halfpence, or poverty to beg in a ditch! -Liberty wild as the four winds, or an oar to work in a galley! Misery to -tear my heart into an hundred thousand millions of atoms, or joy to make -my soul dance into my brain! Every thing has some gratification, except -a medium. 'Tis a poor little soul that is satisfied between happiness -and despair.' - -He then flew to bring her a dish of tea. - -'My dear Macdersey,' cried she, in receiving it, 'this is according to -your system indeed; for 'tis a compound of strong, and rich, and sweet, -to cloy an alderman, making altogether so luscious a syrup, that our -spring would be exhausted before I could slake my thirst, if I should -taste it only a second time. Do, dear General, see if it is not possible -to get me some beverage that I can swallow.' - -The youngest man present was not more active than the General in this -service; but Mrs. Arlbery, casting herself despondingly back the moment -she had tasted what he brought her, exclaimed, 'Why this is worst of -all! If you can do no better for me, General, than this, tell me, at -least, for mercy's sake, when some other regiment will be quartered -here?' - -'What a cruelty,' said the Major, looking with a sigh towards Camilla, -'to remind your unhappy prey they are but birds of passage!' - -'O, all the better, Major. If you understand your own interest you will -be as eager to break up your quarters, as I can be to see your -successors march into them. I have now heard all your compliments, and -you have heard all my repartees; both sides, therefore, want new -auditors. A great many things I have said to you will do vastly well -again for a new corps; and, to do you justice, some few things you have -said yourselves may do again in a new county.' - -Then, addressing Camilla, she proposed, though without moving, that they -should converse with one another, and leave the men to take care of -themselves. 'And excessively they will be obliged to me,' she continued, -without lowering her voice, 'for giving this little holiday to their -poor brains; for, I assure you, they have not known what to say this -half hour. Indeed, since the first fortnight they were quartered here, -they have not, upon an average, said above one new thing in three days. -But one's obliged to take up with Officers in the country, because -there's almost nothing else. Can you recommend me any agreeable new -people?' - -'O no, ma'am! I have hardly any acquaintance, except immediately round -the rectory; but, fortunately, my own family is so large, that I have -never been distressed for society.' - -'O, ay, true! your own family, begin with that; do, pray, give me a -little history of your own family?' - -'I have no history, ma'am, to give, for my father's retired life----' - -'O, I have seen your father, and I have heard him preach, and I like him -very much. There's something in him there's no turning into ridicule.' - -Camilla, though surprised, was delighted by such a testimony to the -respectability of her father; and, with more courage, said--'And, I am -sure, if you knew my mother, you would allow her the same exemption.' - -'So I hear; therefore, we won't talk of them. It's a delightful thing to -think of perfection; but it's vastly more amusing to talk of errors and -absurdities. To begin with your eldest sister, then--but no; she seems -in just the same predicament as your father and mother: so we'll let her -rest, too.' - -'Indeed she is; she is as faultless----' - -'O, not a word more then; she won't do for me at all. But, pray, is -there not a single soul in all the round of your large family, that can -afford a body a little innocent diversion?' - -'Ah, madam,' said Camilla, shaking her head; 'I fear, on the contrary, -if they came under your examination, there is not one in whom you would -not discern some foible!' - -'I should not like them at all the worse for that; for, between -ourselves, my dear Miss Tyrold, I am half afraid they might find a -foible or two in return in me; so you must not be angry if I beg the -favour of you to indulge me with a few of their defects.' - -'Indulge you!' - -'Yes, for when so many of a family are perfect, if you can't find me one -or two that have a little speck of mortality, you must not wonder if I -take flight at your very name. In charity, therefore, if you would not -drop my acquaintance, tell me their vulnerable parts.' - -Camilla laughed at this ridiculous reasoning, but would not enter into -its consequences. - -'Well, then, if you will not assist me, don't take it ill that I assist -myself. In the first place, there's your brother; I don't ask you to -tell me any thing of him; I have seen him! and I confess to you he does -not put me into utter despair! he does not alarm me into flying all his -race.' - -Camilla tried vainly to look grave. - -'I have seen another, too, your cousin, I think; Miss Lynmere, that's -engaged to young Mandlebert.' - -Camilla now tried as vainly to look gay. - -'She's prodigiously pretty. Pray, is not she a great fool?' - -'Ma'am?' - -'I beg your pardon! but I don't suppose you are responsible for the -intellects of all your generation. However, she'll do vastly well; you -need not be uneasy for her. A face like that will take very good care of -itself. I am glad she is engaged, for your sake, though I am sorry for -Mandlebert; that is, if, as his class of countenance generally predicts, -he marries with any notion of expecting to be happy.' - -'But why, ma'am,' cried Camilla, checking a sigh, 'are you glad for my -sake?' - -'Because there are two reasons why she would be wonderfully in your way; -she is not only prettier than you, but sillier.' - -'And would both those reasons,' cried Camilla, again laughing, 'make -against me?' - -'O, intolerably, with the men! They are always enchanted with something -that is both pretty and silly; because they can so easily please and so -soon disconcert it; and when they have made the little blooming fools -blush and look down, they feel nobly superior, and pride themselves in -victory. Dear creatures! I delight in their taste; for it brings them a -plentiful harvest of repentance, when it is their connubial criterion; -the pretty flies off, and the silly remains, and a man then has a choice -companion for life left on his hands!' - -The young Ensign here could no longer be silent: 'I am sure and -certain,' cried he, warmly, 'Miss Lynmere is incapable to be a fool! and -when she marries, if her husband thinks her so, it's only a sign he's a -blockhead himself.' - -'He'll be exactly of your opinion for the first month or two,' answered -Mrs. Arlbery, 'or even if he is not, he'll like her just as well. A man -looks enchanted while his beautiful young bride talks nonsense; it comes -so prettily from her ruby lips, and she blushes and dimples with such -lovely attraction while she utters it; he casts his eyes around him -with conscious elation to see her admirers, and his enviers; but he has -amply his turn for looking like a fool himself, when youth and beauty -take flight, and when his ugly old wife exposes her ignorance or folly -at every word.' - -'The contrast of beginning and end,' said the General, 'is almost always -melancholy. But how rarely does any man,--nay, I had nearly said, or any -woman--think a moment of the time to come, or of any time but the -present day, in marrying?' - -'Except with respect to fortune!' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'and there, -methinks, you men, at least, are commonly sufficiently provident. I -don't think reflection is generally what you want in that point.' - -'As to reflection,' exclaimed Mr. Macdersey, ''tis the thing in the -world I look upon to be the meanest! a man capable of reflection, where -a beautiful young creature is in question, can have no soul nor vitals. -For my part, 'tis my only misfortune that I cannot get at that lovely -girl, to ask her for her private opinion of me at once, that I might -either get a licence tomorrow, or drive her out of my head before sleep -overtakes me another night.' - -'Your passions, my good Macdersey,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'considering -their violence, seem tolerably obedient. Can you really be so fond, or -so forgetful at such short warning?' - -'Yes, but it's with a pain that breaks my heart every time.' - -'You contrive, however, to get it pretty soon mended!' - -'That, madam, is a power that has come upon me by degrees; I have paid -dear enough for it!--nobody ever found it harder than I did at the -beginning; for the first two or three times I took my disappointments so -to heart, that I should have been bound for ever to any friend that -would have had the good nature to blow my brains out.' - -'But now you are so much in the habit of experiencing these little -failures, that they pass on as things of course?' - -'No, madam, you injure me, and in the tenderest point; for, as long as I -have the least hope, my passion's as violent as ever; but you would not -be so unreasonable as to have a man love on, when it can answer no end? -It's no better than making him unhappy for a joke. There's no sense in -such a thing.' - -'By the way, my dear Miss Tyrold, and _apropos_ to this Miss Lynmere,' -said Mrs. Arlbery, 'do tell me something about Mr. Mandlebert--what is -he?--what does he do always amongst you?' - -'He--he!--' cried Camilla, stammering, 'he was a ward of my father's--' - -'O, I don't mean all that; but what is his style?--his class?--is he -agreeable?' - -'I believe--he is generally thought so.' - -'If he is, do pray, then, draw him into my society, for I am terribly in -want of recruits. These poor gentlemen you see here are very good sort -of men; but they have a trick of sleeping with their eyes wide open, and -fancy all the time they are awake; and, indeed, I find it hard to -persuade them to the contrary, though I often ask them for their dreams. -By the way, can't you contrive, some or other amongst you, to make the -room a little cooler?' - -'Shall I open this window?' said the Major. - -'Nay, nay, don't ask me; I had rather bear six times the heat, than give -my own directions: nothing in the world fatigues me so much as telling -stupid people how to set about things. Colonel, don't you see I have no -fan?' - -'I'll fetch it directly--have you left it in the dining-parlour?' - -'Do you really think I would not send a footman at once, if I must -perplex myself with all that recollection? My dear Miss Tyrold, did you -ever see any poor people, that pretended at all to walk about, and -mingle with the rest of the world, like living creatures, so completely -lethargic?--'tis really quite melancholy! I am sure you have good nature -enough to pity them. It requires my utmost ingenuity to keep them in any -employment; and if I left them to themselves, they would stand before -the fire all the winter, and lounge upon sofas all the summer. And that -indolence of body so entirely unnerves the mind, that they find as -little to say as to do. Upon the whole, 'tis really a paltry race, the -men of the present times. However, as we have got no better, and as the -women are worse, I do all I can to make them less insufferable to me.' - -'And do you really think the women are worse?' cried Camilla. - -'Not in themselves, my dear; but worse to me, because I cannot possibly -take the same liberties with them. Macdersey, I wish I had my salts. - -'It shall be the happiness of my life to find them, be they hid where -they may; only tell me where I may have the pleasure to go and look for -them.' - -'Nay, that's your affair.' - -'Why, then, if they are to be found from the garret to the cellar, be -sure I am a dead man, if I do not bring them you!' - -This mode of displaying airs and graces was so perfectly new to Camilla, -that the commands issued, and the obedience paid, were equally amusing -to her. Brought up herself to be contented with whatever came in her -way, in preference either to giving trouble, or finding fault, the -ridiculous, yet playful wilfulness with which she saw Mrs. Arlbery send -every one upon her errands, yet object to what every one performed, -presented to her a scene of such whimsical gaiety, that her concern at -the accident which had made her innocently violate her intended -engagement with Edgar, was completely changed into pleasure, that thus, -without any possible self blame, an acquaintance she had so earnestly -desired was even by necessity established: and she returned home at -night with spirits all revived, and eloquent in praise of her new -favourite. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -_Attic Adventures_ - - -Mr. Tyrold, according to the system of recreation which he had settled -with his wife, saw with satisfaction the pleasure with which Camilla -began this new acquaintance, in the hope it would help to support her -spirits during the interval of suspense with regard to the purposes of -Mandlebert. Mrs. Arlbery was unknown to him, except by general fame; -which told him she was a woman of reputation as well as fashion, and -that though her manners were lively, her heart was friendly, and her -hand ever open to charity. - -Upon admitting Lionel again to his presence, he spoke forcibly, though -with brevity, upon the culpability of his conduct. What he had done, he -said, let him colour it to himself with what levity he might, was not -only a robbery, but a robbery of the most atrocious and unjustifiable -class; adding terror to violation of property, and playing upon the -susceptibility of the weakness and infirmities, which he ought to have -been the first to have sheltered and sheathed. Had the action contained -no purpose but a frolic, even then the situation of the object on whom -it fell, rendered it inhuman; but as its aim and end was to obtain -money, it was dishonourable to his character, and criminal by the laws -of his country. 'Yet shudder no more,' continued he, 'young man, at the -justice to which they make you amenable, than at having deserved, though -you escape it! From this day, however, I will name it no more. Feeble -must be all I could utter, compared with what the least reflection must -make you feel! Your uncle, in a broken state of health, is sent abroad; -your mother, though too justly incensed to see you, sacrifices her -happiness to serve you!' - -Lionel, for a few hours, was in despair after this harangue; but as they -passed away, he strove to drive it from his mind, persuading himself it -was useless to dwell upon what was irretrievable. - -Mrs. Arlbery, the following day, made her visit at Etherington, and -invited the two sisters to a breakfast she was to give the next morning. -Mr. Tyrold, who with surprize and concern at a coldness so dilatory, -found a second day wearing away without a visit from Mandlebert, gladly -consented to allow of an amusement, that might shake from Camilla the -pensiveness into which, at times, he saw her falling. - -Mrs. Arlbery had declared she hated ceremony in the summer; guarded, -therefore, by Lionel, the sisters walked to the Grove. From the little -hill they had again to pass, they observed a group of company upon the -leads of her house, which were flat, and balustraded round; and when -they presented themselves at the door, they were met by Major Cerwood, -who conducted them to the scene of business. - -It was the end of July, and the weather was sultry; but though the -height of the place upon which the present party was collected, gave -some freshness to the air, the heat reflected from the lead would have -been nearly intolerable, had it not been obviated by an awning, and by -matts, in the part where seats and refreshments were arranged. French -horns and clarinets were played during the repast. - -This little entertainment had for motive a young lady's quitting her -boarding school. Miss Dennel, a niece, by marriage, of Mrs. Arlbery, -who, at the age of fourteen, came to preside at the house and table of -her father, had begged to be felicitated by her aunt, upon the joyful -occasion, with a ball: but Mrs. Arlbery declared she never gave any -entertainments in which she did not expect to play the principal part -herself; and that balls and concerts were therefore excluded from her -list of home diversions. It was vastly well to see others shine -superior, she said, elsewhere, but she could not be so accommodating as -to perform Nobody under her own roof. She offered her, however, a -breakfast, with full choice of its cakes and refreshments; which, with -leave to fix upon the spot where it should be given, was all the -youthful pleader could obtain. - -The Etherington trio met with a reception the most polite, and Camilla -was distinguished by marks of peculiar favour. Few guests were added to -the party she had met there before, except the young lady who was its -present foundress; and whose voice she recollected to have heard, in the -enquiries which had reached her ear from within the paddock. - -Miss Dennel was a pretty, blooming, tall girl, but as childish in -intellect as in experience; though self-persuaded she was a woman in -both, since she was called from school to sit at the head of her -father's table. - -Camilla required nothing further for entertainment than to listen to her -new friend; Lavinia, though more amazed than amused, always modestly -hung back as a mere looker on; and the company in general made their -diversion from viewing, through various glasses, the seats of the -neighbouring gentlemen, and reviewing, with yet more scrutiny, their -characters and circumstances. But Lionel, ever restless, seized the -opportunity to patrol the attic regions of the house, where, meeting -with a capacious lumber room, he returned to assure the whole party it -would make an admirable theatre, and to ask who would come forth to -spout with him. - -Mr. Macdersey said, he did not know one word of any part, but he could -never refuse anything that might contribute to the company's pleasure. - -Away they sped together, and in a few minutes reversed the face of -everything. Old sofas, bedsteads, and trunks, large family chests, deal -boxes and hampers, carpets and curtains rolled up for the summer, tables -with two legs, and chairs without bottoms, were truckled from the middle -to one end of the room, and arranged to form a semi-circle, with seats -in front, for a pit. Carpets were then uncovered and untied, to be -spread for the stage, and curtains, with as little mercy, were unfurled, -and hung up to make a scene. - -They then applied to Miss Dennel, who had followed to peep at what they -were about, and asked if she thought the audience might be admitted. - -She declared she had never seen any place so neat and elegant in her -life. - -Such an opinion could not but be decisive; and they prepared to -re-ascend; when the sight of a small door, near the entrance of the -large apartment, excited the ever ready curiosity of Lionel, who, though -the key was on the outside, contrived to turn it wrong; but while -endeavouring to rectify by force what he had spoilt by aukwardness, a -sudden noise from within startled them all, and occasioned quick and -reiterated screams from Miss Dennel, who, with the utmost velocity burst -back upon the company on the leads, calling out; 'O Lord! how glad I am -I'm coming back alive! Mr. Macdersey and young Mr. Tyrold are very -likely killed! for they've just found I don't know how many robbers shut -up in a dark closet!' - -The gentlemen waited for no explanation to this unintelligible story, -but hastened to the spot; and Mrs. Arlbery ordered all the servants who -were in waiting to follow and assist. - -Miss Dennel then entreated to have the trap door through which they -ascended, from a small staircase, to the leads, double locked till the -gentlemen should declare upon their honours that the thieves were all -dead. - -Mrs. Arlbery would not listen to this, but waited with Lavinia and -Camilla the event. - -The gentlemen, meanwhile, reached the scene of action, at the moment -when Macdersey, striking first his foot, and then his whole person -against the door, had forced it open with such sudden violence, that he -fell over a pail of water into the adjoining room. - -The servants arriving at the same time, announced that this was merely a -closet for mops, brooms, and pails, belonging to the housemaid: and it -appeared, upon examination, that the noise from within, had simply been -produced by the falling down of a broom, occasioned by their shaking the -door in endeavouring to force the lock. - -The Ensign, wetted or splashed all over, was in a fury; and, turning to -Lionel, who laughed vociferously, whilst the rest of the gentlemen were -scarce less moderate, and the servants joined in the chorus, -peremptorily demanded to know if he had put the pail there on purpose; -'In which case, sir,' said he, 'you must never let me see you laugh -again to the longest hour you have to live!' - -'My good Macdersey,' said the General, 'go into another room, and have -your cloaths wiped and dried; it will be time enough then to settle who -shall laugh longest.' - -'General,' said he, 'I scorn to mind being either wet or dry; a soldier -ought to be above such delicate effeminacy: it is not, therefore, the -sousing I regard, provided I can once be clear it was not done for a -joke.' - -Lionel, when he could speak, declared, that far from placing the pail -there on purpose, he had not known there was such a closet in the house, -nor had ever been up those stairs till they all mounted them together. - -'I am perfectly satisfied, then, my good friend,' said the Ensign, -shaking him by the hand with an heartiness that gave him no small share -of the pail's contents; 'when a gentleman tells me a thing seriously, I -make it a point to believe him; especially if he has a good honest -countenance, that assures me he would not refuse me satisfaction, in the -case he had meant to make game of me.' - -'And do you always terminate your jests with the ceremony of a tilting -match?' cried Sir Sedley. - -'Yes, Sir! if I'm made a joke of by a man of any honour. For, to tell -you a piece of my mind, there's no one thing upon earth I hate like a -joke; unless it's against another person; and then it only gives me a -little joy inwardly; for I make it a point of complaisance not to laugh -out: except where I happen to wish for a little private conversation -with the person that gives me the diversion.' - -'Facetious in the extreme!' cried Sir Sedley, 'an infallibly excellent -mode to make a man die of laughter? Droll to the utmost!' - -'With regard to that, Sir, I have no objection to a little wit or -humour, provided a person has the politeness to laugh only at himself, -and his own particular friends and relations; but if once he takes the -liberty to turn me into ridicule, I look upon it as an affront, and -expect the proper reparation.' - -'O, to refuse that would be without bowels to a degree!' - -Lionel now ran up stairs, to beg the ladies would come and see the -theatre; but suddenly exclaimed, as he looked around, 'Ah ha!' and -hastily galloped down, and to the bottom of the house. Mrs. Arlbery -descended with her young party, and the Ensign, in mock heroics, -solemnly prostrated himself to Miss Dennel, pouring into her delighted -ears, from various shreds and scraps of different tragedies, the most -high flown and egregiously ill-adapted complements: while the Major, -less absurdly, though scarce less passionately, made Camilla his Juliet, -and whispered the tenderest lines of Romeo. - -Lionel presently running, out of breath, up stairs again, cried: 'Mrs. -Arlbery, I have drawn you in a new beau.' - -'Have you?' cried she, coolly; 'why then I permit you to draw him out -again. Had you told me he had forced himself in, you had made him -welcome. But I foster only willing slaves. So off, if you please, with -your boast and your beau.' - -'I can't, upon my word, ma'am, for he is at my heels.' - -Mandlebert, at the same moment, not hearing what passed, made his -appearance. - -The surprised and always unguarded Camilla, uttered an involuntary -exclamation, which instantly catching his ear, drew his eye towards the -exclaimer, and there fixed it; with an astonishment which suspended -wholly his half made bow, and beginning address to Mrs. Arlbery. - -Lionel had descried him upon the little hill before the house; where, as -he was passing on, his own attention had been caught by the sound of -horns and clarinets, just as, without any explanation, Lionel flew to -tell him he was wanted, and almost forced him off his horse, and up the -stairs. - -Mrs. Arlbery, in common with those who dispense with all forms for -themselves, exacted them punctiliously from all others. The visit -therefore of Mandlebert not being designed for her, afforded her at -first no gratification, and produced rather a contrary feeling, when she -observed the total absence of all pleasure in the surprise with which he -met Camilla at her house. She gave him a reception of cold civility, and -then chatted almost wholly with the General, or Sir Sedley. - -Edgar scarce saw whether he was received or not; his bow was mechanical, -his apology for his intrusion was unintelligible. Amazement at seeing -Camilla under this roof, disappointment at her breach of implied -promise, and mortification at the air of being at home, which he -thought he remarked in her situation, though at an acquaintance he had -taken so much pains to keep aloof from her, all conspired to displease -and perplex him; and though his eyes could with difficulty look any -other way, he neither spoke to nor approached her. - -Nor was even thus meeting her all he had to give him disturbance; the -palpable devoirs of Major Cerwood incensed as well astonished him; for, -under pretext of only following the humour of the day, in affecting to -act the hero in love, the Major assailed her, without reserve, with -declarations of his passion, which though his words passed off as -quotations, his looks and manner made appropriate. How, already, thought -Edgar, has he obtained such a privilege? such confidence? To have -uttered one such sentence, my tongue would have trembled, my lips would -have quivered! - -Camilla felt confounded by his presence, from the consciousness of the -ill opinion she must excite by this second apparent disregard of a given -engagement. She would fain have explained to him it's history; but she -could not free herself from the Major, whose theatrical effusions were -not now to be repressed, since, at first, she had unthinkingly attended -to them. - -Lionel joined with Macdersey in directing similar heroics to Miss -Dennel, who, simply enchanted, called out: 'I'm determined when I've a -house of my own, I'll have just such a room as this at the top of it, on -purpose to act a play every night.' - -'And when, my dear,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'do you expect to have a house -of your own?' - -'O, as soon as I am married, you know.' - -'Is your marrying, then, already decided?' - -'Dear no, not that I know of, aunt. I'm sure I never trouble myself -about it; only I suppose it will happen some day or other.' - -'And when it does, you are very sure your husband will approve your -acting plays every night?' - -'O, as to that, I shan't ask him. Whenever I'm married I'll be my own -mistress, that I'm resolved upon. But papa's so monstrous cross, he says -he won't let me act plays now.' - -'Papas and mamas,' cried Sir Sedley, 'are ever most egregiously in the -way. 'Tis prodigiously surprising they have never yet been banished -society. I know no mark more irrefragable of the supineness of mankind.' - -Then rising, and exclaiming: 'What savage heat! I wish the weather had -a little feeling!' he broke up the party by ordering his curricle, and -being the first to depart. - -'That creature,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'if one had the least care for him, -is exactly an animal to drive one mad! He labours harder to be affected -than any ploughman does for his dinner. And, completely as his conceit -obscures it, he has every endowment nature can bestow, except common -sense!' - -They now all descended to take leave, except the Ensign and Lionel, who -went, arm in arm, prowling about, to view all the garrets, followed on -tip-toe by Miss Dennel. Lavinia called vainly after her brother; but -Camilla, hoping every instant she might clear her conduct to Edgar, was -not sorry to be detained. - -They had not, however, been five minutes in the parlour, before a -violent and angry noise from above, induced them all to remount to the -top of the house; and there, upon entering a garret whence it issued, -they saw Miss Dennel, decorated with the Ensign's cocked hat and -feather, yet looking pale with fright; Lionel accoutred in the maid's -cloaths, and almost in a convulsion of laughter; and Macdersey, in a -rage utterly incomprehensible, with the coachman's large bob-wig hanging -loose upon his head. - -It was sometime before it was possible to gather, that having all -paraded into various garrets, in search of adventures, Lionel, after -attiring himself in the maid's gown, cap, and apron, had suddenly -deposited upon Miss Dennel's head the Ensign's cocked hat, replacing it -with the coachman's best wig upon the toupee of Macdersey; whose -resentment was so violent at this liberty, that it was still some -minutes before he could give it articulation. - -The effect of this full buckled bob-jerom which stuck hollow from the -young face and powdered locks of the Ensign, was irresistibly ludicrous; -yet he would have deemed it a greater indignity to take it quietly off, -than to be viewed in it by thousands; though when he saw the disposition -of the whole company to sympathise with Lionel, his wrath rose yet -higher, and stamping with passion, he fiercely said to him--'Take it -off, sir!--take it off my head!' - -Lionel, holding this too imperious a command to be obeyed, only shouted -louder. Macdersey then, incensed beyond endurance, lowered his voice -with stifled choler, and putting his arms a-kimbo, said--'If you take me -for a fool, sir, I shall demand satisfaction; for it's what I never put -up with!' - -Then, turning to the rest, he solemnly added--'I beg pardon of all the -worthy company for speaking this little whisper, which certainly I -should scorn to do before ladies, if it had not been a secret.' - -Mrs. Arlbery, alarmed at the serious consequences now threatening this -folly, said--'No, no; I allow of no secrets in my house, but what are -entrusted to myself. I insist, therefore, upon being umpire in this -cause.' - -'Madam,' said Macdersey, 'I hope never to become such a debased brute of -the creation, as to contradict the commands of a fair lady: except when -it's upon a point of honour. But I can't consent to pass for a fool; and -still more not for a poltroon--You'll excuse the little hint.' - -Then, while making a profound and ceremonious bow, his wig fell over his -head on the ground. - -'This is very unlucky,' cried he, with a look of vexation; 'for -certainly, and to be sure no human mortal should have made me take it -off myself, before I was righted.' - -Camilla, picking it up, to render the affair merely burlesque, pulled -off the maid's cap from her brother's head, and put on the wig in its -place, saying--'There, Lionel, you have played the part of _Lady Wrong -Head_ long enough; be so good now as to perform that of _Sir Francis_.' - -This ended the business, and the whole party, in curricles, on -horseback, or on foot, departed from the Grove. - - - - -BOOK IV - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Few Explanations_ - - -The last words of Dr. Marchmont, in taking leave of Edgar, were -injunctions to circumspection, and representations of the difficulty of -drawing back with honour, if once any incautious eagerness betrayed his -partiality. To this counsel he was impelled to submit, lest he should -risk for Camilla a report similar to that which for Indiana had given -him so much disturbance. There, indeed, he felt himself wholly -blameless. His admiration was but such as he always experienced at sight -of a beautiful picture, nor had it ever been demonstrated in any more -serious manner. He had distinguished her by no particular attention, -singled her out by no pointed address, taken no pains to engage her good -opinion, and manifested no flattering pleasure at her approach or -presence. - -His sense of right was too just to mislead him into giving himself -similar absolution with respect to Camilla. He had never, indeed, -indulged a voluntary vent to his preference; but the candour of his -character convinced him that what so forcibly he had felt, he must -occasionally have betrayed. Yet the idea excited regret without remorse; -for though it had been his wish, as well as intention, to conceal his -best hopes, till they were ratified by his judgment, he had the -conscious integrity of knowing that, should her heart become his prize, -his dearest view in life would be to solicit her hand. - -To preserve, therefore, the appearance of an undesigning friend of the -house, he had forced himself to refrain, for two days, from any visit to -the rectory, whither he was repairing, when thus, unlooked and unwished -for, he surprized Camilla at the Grove. - -Disappointed and disapproving feelings kept him, while there, aloof from -her; by continual suggestions, that her character was of no stability, -that Dr. Marchmont was right in his doubts, and Miss Margland herself -not wrong in accusing her of caprice; and when he perceived, upon her -preparing to walk home with her brother and sister, that Major Cerwood -stept forward to attend her, he indignantly resolved to arrange without -delay his continental excursion. But again, when, as she quitted the -room, he saw her head half turned round, with an eye of enquiry if he -followed, he determined frankly, and at once, in his capacity of a -friend, to request some explanation of this meeting. - -The assiduities of the Major made it difficult to speak to her; but the -aid of her desire for a conversation, which was equally anxious, and -less guarded than his own, anticipated his principal investigation, by -urging her, voluntarily to seize an opportunity of relating to him the -history of her first visit to Mrs. Arlbery; and of assuring him that the -second was indispensably its consequence. - -Softened by this apparent earnestness for his good opinion, all his -interest and all his tenderness for her returned; and though much -chagrined at the accident, or rather mischief, which had thus -established the acquaintance, he had too little to say, whatever he had -to feel, of positive weight against it, to propose its now being -relinquished. He thanked her impressively for so ready an explanation; -and then gently added; 'I know your predilection in favour of this lady, -and I will say nothing to disturb it; but as she is yet new to you, and -as all residence, all intercourse, from your own home or relations, is -new to you also--tell me, candidly, sincerely tell me, can you -condescend to suffer an old friend, though in the person of but a young -man, to offer you, from time to time, a hint, a little counsel, a few -brief words of occasional advice? and even, perhaps, now and then, to -torment you into a little serious reflection?' - -'If you,' cried she, gaily, 'will give me the reflection, I promise, to -the best of my power, to give you in return, the seriousness; but I can -by no means engage for both!' - -'O, never, but from your own prudence,' he answered, gratefully, 'may -your delightful vivacity know a curb! If now I seem myself to fear it, -it is not from moroseness, it is not from insensibility to its -charm----' - -He was stopt here by Macdersey, who, suddenly overtaking him, entreated -an immediate short conference upon a matter of moment. - -Though cruelly vexed by the interruption, he could not refuse to turn -back with him; and Camilla again was left wholly to the gallant Major; -but her heart felt so light that she had thus cleared herself to Edgar, -so gratified by his request to become himself her monitor, and so -enchanted to find her acquaintance with Mrs. Arlbery no longer disputed, -that she was too happy to admit any vexation; and the Major had never -thought her so charming, though of the Major she thought not one moment. - -Macdersey, with a long, ceremonious, and not very clear apology, -confessed he had called Mandlebert aside only to enquire into the -certain truth, if it were not a positive secret, of his intended -nuptials with the beautiful Miss Lynmere. Mandlebert, with surprize, but -without any hesitation, declared himself wholly without any pretensions -to that lady. Macdersey then embraced him, and they parted mutually -satisfied. - -It seemed now too late to Mandlebert to go to Etherington till the next -day, whither, as soon as he had breakfasted, he then rode. - -According to his general custom, he went immediately to the study, where -he met with a calm, but kind reception from Mr. Tyrold; and after half -an hour's conversation, upon Lisbon, Dr. Marchmont, and Mrs. Tyrold, he -left him to seek his young friends. - -In the parlour, he found Lavinia alone; but before he could enquire for -her sister, who was accidentally up stairs, Lionel, just dismounted from -his horse, appeared. - -'O, ho, Edgar!' cried he, 'you are here, are you? this would make fine -confusion, if that beauty of nature, Miss Margland, should happen to -call. They've just sent for you to Beech Park. I don't know what's to be -done to you; but if you have an inclination to save poor Camilla's eyes, -or cap, at least, from that meek, tender creature, you'll set off for -Cleves before they know you are in this house.' - -Edgar amazed, desired an explanation; but he protested the wrath of Miss -Margland had been so comical, and given him so much diversion, that he -had not been able to get at any particulars; he only knew there was a -great commotion, and that Edgar was declared in love with some of his -sisters or cousins, and Miss Margland was in a rage that it was not with -herself; and that, in short, because he only happened to drop a hint of -the latter notion, that delectable paragon had given him so violent a -blow with her fine eyes, that in order to vent an ungovernable fit of -laughter, without the risk of having the house pulled about his ears, he -had hastily mounted his horse, and galloped off. - -The contempt of Edgar for Miss Margland would have made him disdain -another question, if the name of Camilla had not been mingled in this -relation; no question, however, could procure further information. -Lionel, enchanted that he had tormented Miss Margland, understood -nothing more of the matter, and could only repeat his own merry sayings, -and their effect. - -Lavinia expressed, most innocently, her curiosity to know what this -meant; and was going for Camilla, to assist in some conjecture; but -Edgar, who by this strange story had lost his composure, felt unequal to -hearing it discussed in her presence, and, pleading sudden haste, rode -away. - -He did not, however, go to Cleves; he hardly knew if Lionel had not -amused him with a feigned story; but he no sooner arrived at Beech Park, -then he found a message from Sir Hugh, begging to see him with all -speed. - -The young Ensign was the cause of this present summons and disturbance. -Elated by the declaration of Mandlebert, that the rumour of his contract -was void of foundation, and buoyed up by Mrs. Arlbery, to whom he -returned with the communication, he resolved to make his advances in -form. He presented himself, therefore, at Cleves, where he asked an -audience of Sir Hugh, and at once, with his accustomed vehemence, -declared himself bound eternally, life and soul, to his fair niece, Miss -Lynmere; and desired that, in order to pay his addresses to her, he -might be permitted to see her at odd times, when he was off duty. - -Sir Hugh was scarce able to understand him, from his volubility, and the -extravagance of his phrases and gestures; but he imputed them to his -violent passion, and therefore answered him with great gentleness, -assuring him he did not mean to doubt his being a proper alliance for -his niece, though he had never heard of him before; but begging he would -not be affronted if he could not accept him, not knowing yet quite -clearly if she were not engaged to a young gentleman in the -neighbourhood. - -The Ensign now loudly proclaimed his own news: Mandlebert had protested -himself free, and the whole county already rang with the mistake. - -Sir Hugh, who always at a loss how to say no, thought this would have -been a good answer, now sent for Miss Margland, and desired her to speak -herself with the young gentleman. - -Miss Margland, much gratified, asked Macdersey if she could look at his -rent roll. - -He had nothing of the kind at hand, he said, not being yet come to his -estate, which was in Ireland, and was still the property of a first -cousin, who was not yet dead. - -Miss Margland, promising he should have an answer in a few days, then -dismissed him; but more irritated than ever against Mandlebert, from the -contrast of his power to make settlements, she burst forth into her old -declarations of his ill usage of Miss Lynmere; attributing it wholly to -the contrivances of Camilla, whom she had herself, she said, surprized -wheedling Edgar into her snares, when she called last at Etherington; -and who, she doubted not, they should soon hear was going to be married -to him. - -Sir Hugh always understood literally whatever was said; these assertions -therefore of ill humour, merely made to vent black bile, affected him -deeply for the honour and welfare of Camilla, and he hastily sent a -messenger for Edgar, determining to beg, if that were the case, he would -openly own the whole, and not leave all the blame to fall all upon his -poor niece. - -At this period, Lionel had called, and, by inflaming Miss Margland, had -aggravated the general disturbance. - -When Edgar arrived, Sir Hugh told him of the affair, assuring him he -should never have taken amiss his preferring Camilla, which he thought -but natural, if he had only done it from the first. - -Edgar, though easily through all this he saw the malignant yet shallow -offices of Miss Margland, found himself, with infinite vexation, -compelled to declare off equally from both the charges; conscious, that -till the very moment of his proposals, he must appear to have no -preference nor designs. He spoke, therefore, with the utmost respect of -the young ladies, but again said it was uncertain if he should not -travel before he formed any establishment. - -The business thus explicitly decided, nothing more could be done: but -Miss Margland was somewhat appeased, when she heard that her pupil was -not so disgracefully to be supplanted. - -Indiana herself, to whom Edgar had never seemed agreeable, soon forgot -she had ever thought of him; and elated by the acquisition of a new -lover, doubted not, but, in a short time, the publication of her liberty -would prove slavery to all mankind. - -Early the next morning, the carriage of Sir Hugh arrived at the rectory -for Camilla. She never refused an invitation from her uncle, but she -felt so little equal to passing a whole day in the presence of Miss -Margland, after the unaccountable, yet alarming relation she had -gathered from Lionel, that she entreated him to accompany her, and to -manage that she should return with him as soon as the horses were fed -and rested. - -Lionel, ever good humoured, and ready to oblige, willingly complied; but -demanded that she should go with him, in their way back, to see a new -house which he wanted to examine. - -Sir Hugh received her with his usual affection, Indiana with -indifference, and Miss Margland with a malicious smile: but Eugenia, -soon taking her aside, disclosed to her that Edgar, the day before, had -publicly and openly disclaimed any views upon Indiana, and had declared -himself without any passion whatever, and free from all inclination or -intention but to travel. - -The blush of pleasure, with which Camilla heard the first sentence of -this speech, became the tingle of shame at the second, and whitened into -surprise and sorrow at the last. - -Eugenia, though she saw some disturbance, understood not these changes. -Early absorbed in the study of literature and languages, under the -direction of a preceptor who had never mingled with the world, her -capacity had been occupied in constant work for her memory; but her -judgment and penetration had been wholly unexercised. Like her uncle, -she concluded every body, and every thing to be precisely what they -appeared; and though, in that given point of view, she had keener -intellects to discern, and more skill to appreciate persons and -characters, she was as unpractised as himself in those discriminative -powers, which dive into their own conceptions to discover the latent -springs, the multifarious and contradictory sources of human actions and -propensities. - -Upon their return to the company, Miss Margland chose to relate the -history herself. Mr. Mandlebert, she said, had not only thought proper -to acknowledge his utter insensibility to Miss Lynmere, but had declared -his indifference for every woman under the sun, and protested he held -them all cheap alike. 'So I would advise nobody,' she continued, 'to -flatter themselves with making a conquest of him, for they may take my -word for it, he won't be caught very easily.' - -Camilla disdained to understand this but in a general sense, and made no -answer. Indiana, pouting her lip, said she was sure she did not want to -catch him: she did not fear having offers enough without him, if she -should happen to chuse to marry. - -'Certainly,' said Miss Margland, 'there's no doubt of that; and this -young officer's coming the very moment he heard of your being at -liberty, is a proof that the only reason of your having had no more -proposals, is owing to Mr. Mandlebert. So I don't speak for you, but for -any body else, that may suppose they may please the difficult gentleman -better.' - -Camilla now breathed hard with resentment; but still was silent, and -Indiana, answering only for herself, said: 'O, yes! I can't say I'm much -frightened. I dare say if Mr. Melmond had known, ... but he thought like -everybody else ... however, I'm sure, I'm very glad of it, only I wish -he had spoke a little sooner, for I suppose Mr. Melmond thinks me as -much out of his reach as if I was married. Not that I care about it; -only it's provoking.' - -'No, my dear,' said Miss Margland, 'it would be quite below your dignity -to think about him, without knowing better who he is, or what are his -expectations and connexions. As to this young officer, I shall take -proper care to make enquiries, before he has his answer. He belongs to a -very good family; for he's related to Lord O'Lerney, and I have friends -in Ireland who can acquaint me with his situation and fortune. There's -time enough to look about you; only as Mr. Mandlebert has behaved so -unhandsomely, I hope none of the family will give him their countenance. -I am sure it will be to no purpose, if any body should think of doing it -by way of having any design upon him. It will be lost labour, I can tell -them.' - -'As to that, I am quite easy,' said Indiana, tossing her head, 'any body -is welcome to him for me;--my cousin, or any body else.' - -Camilla, now, absolutely called upon to speak, with all the spirit she -could assume, said, 'With regard to me, there is no occasion to remind -me how much I am out of the question; yet suffer me to say, respect for -myself would secure me from forming such plans as you surmise, if no -other sense of propriety could save me from such humiliation.' - -'Now, my dear, you speak properly,' said Miss Margland, taking her hand; -'and I hope you will have the spirit to shew him you care no more for -him than he cares for you.' - -'I hope so too,' answered Camilla, turning pale; 'but I don't suppose--I -can't imagine--that it is very likely he should have mentioned anything -good or bad--with regard to his care for me?' - -This was painfully uttered, but from a curiosity irrepressible. - -'As to that, my dear, don't deceive yourself; for the question was put -home to him very properly, that you might know what you had to expect, -and not keep off other engagements from a false notion.' - -'This indeed,' said Camilla, colouring with indignation, 'this has been -a most useless, a most causeless enquiry!' - -'I am very glad you treat the matter as it deserves, for I like to see -young ladies behave with dignity.' - -'And pray, then, what--was there any--did he make--was there any--any -answer--to this--to--.' - -'O, yes, he answered without any great ceremony, I can assure you! He -said, in so many words, that he thought no more of you than of our -cousin, and was going abroad to divert and amuse himself, better than by -entering into marriage, with either one or other of you; or with any -body else.' - -Camilla felt half killed by this answer; and presently quitting the -room, ran out into the garden, and to a walk far from the house, before -she had power to breathe, or recollection to be aware of the sensibility -she was betraying. - -She then as hastily went back, secretly resolving never more to think of -him, and to shew both to himself and to the world, by every means in her -power, her perfect indifference. - -She could not, however, endure to encounter Miss Margland again, but -called for Lionel, and begged him to hurry the coachman. - -Lionel complied--she took a hasty leave of her uncle, and only saying, -'Good by, good by!' to the rest, made her escape. - -Sir Hugh, ever unsuspicious, thought her merely afraid to detain her -brother; but Eugenia, calm, affectionate, and divested of cares for -herself, saw evidently that something was wrong, though she divined not -what, and entreated leave to go with her sister to Etherington, and -thence return, without keeping out the horses. - -Sir Hugh was well pleased, and the two sisters and Lionel set off -together. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_Specimens of Taste_ - - -The presence of Lionel stifled the enquiries of Eugenia; and pride, all -up in arms, absorbed every softer feeling in Camilla. - -When they had driven half a mile, 'Now, young ladies,' said he, 'I shall -treat you with a frolic.' He then stopt the carriage, and told the -coachman to drive to Cornfield; saying, 'Tis but two miles about, and -Coachy won't mind that; will you Coachy?' - -The coachman, looking forward to half a crown, said his horses would be -all the better for a little more exercise; and Jacob, familiarly fond of -Lionel from a boy, made no difficulty. - -Lionel desired his sisters to ask no questions, assuring them he had -great designs, and a most agreeable surprise in view for them. - -In pursuance of his directions, they drove on till they came before a -small house, just new fronted with deep red bricks, containing, on the -ground floor, two little bow windows, in a sharp triangular form, -enclosing a door ornamented with small panes of glass, cut in various -shapes; on the first story, a little balcony, decorated in the middle -and at each corner with leaden images of Cupids; and, in the attic -story, a very small venetian window, partly formed with minute panes of -glass, and partly with glazed tiles; representing, in blue and white, -various devices of dogs and cats, mice and birds, rats and ferrets, as -emblems of the conjugal state. - -'Well, young ladies, what say you to this?' cried he, 'does it hit your -fancy? If it does, 'tis your own!' - -Eugenia asked what he meant. - -'Mean? to make a present of it to which ever is the best girl, and can -first cry bo! to a goose. Come, don't look disdainfully. Eugenia, what -say you? won't it be better to be mistress of this little neat, tight, -snug box, and a pretty little tidy husband, that belongs to it, than to -pore all day long over a Latin theme with old Dr. Orkborne? I have often -thought my poor uncle was certainly out of his wits, when he set us -all, men, women, and children, to learn Latin, or else be whipt by the -old doctor. But we all soon got our necks out of the collar, except poor -Eugenia, and she's had to work for us all. However, here's an -opportunity--see but what a pretty place--not quite finished, to be -sure, but look at that lake? how cool, how rural, how refreshing!' - -'Lake?' repeated Eugenia, 'I see nothing but a very dirty little pond, -with a mass of rubbish in the middle. Indeed I see nothing else but -rubbish all round, and every where.' - -'That's the very beauty of the thing, my dear; it's all in the exact -state for being finished under your own eye, and according to your own -taste.' - -'To whom does it belong?' - -'It's uninhabited yet; but it's preparing for a very spruce young spark, -that I advise you both to set your caps at. Hold! I see somebody -peeping; I'll go and get some news for you.' - -He then jumped from the coach, and ran up five deep narrow steps, formed -of single large rough stones, which mounted so much above the threshold -of the house, that upon opening the door, there appeared a stool to -assist all comers to reach the floor of the passage. - -Eugenia, with some curiosity, looked out, and saw her brother, after -nearly forcing his entrance, speak to a very mean little man, dressed in -old dirty cloaths, who seemed willing to hide himself behind the door, -but whom he almost dragged forward, saying aloud, 'O, I can take no -excuse, I insist upon your shewing the house. I have brought two young -ladies on purpose to see it; and who knows but one of them may take a -fancy to it, and make you a happy man for life.' - -'As to that, sir,' said the man, still endeavouring to retreat, 'I can't -say as I've quite made my mind up yet as to the marriage ceremony. I've -known partly enough of the state already; but if ever I marry again, -which is a moot point, I sha'n't do it hand over head, like a boy, -without knowing what I'm about. However, it's time enough o'conscience -to think of that, when my house is done, and my workmen is off my -hands.' - -Camilla now, by the language and the voice, gathered that this was Mr. -Dubster. - -'Pho, pho,' answered Lionel, 'you must not be so hard-hearted when fair -ladies are in the case. Besides, one of them is that pretty girl you -flirted with at Northwick. She's a sister of mine, and I shall take it -very ill if you don't hand her out of the coach, and do the honours of -your place to her.' - -Camilla, much provoked, earnestly called to her brother, but utterly in -vain. - -'Lauk-a-day! why it is not half finished,' said Mr. Dubster; 'nor a -quarter neither: and as to that young lady, I can't say as it was much -in my mind to be over civil to her any more, begging pardon, after her -giving me the slip in that manner. I can't say as I think it was over -and above handsome, letting me get my gloves. Not that I mind it in the -least, as to that.' - -'Pho, pho, man, you must never bear malice against a fair lady. Besides, -she's come now on purpose to make her excuses.' - -'O, that's another thing; if the young lady's sorry, I sha'n't think of -holding out. Besides, I can't say but what I thought her agreeable -enough, if it had not been for her behaving so comical just at the last. -Not that I mean in the least to make any complaint, by way of getting of -the young lady scolded.' - -'You must make friends now, man, and think no more of it;' cried Lionel, -who would have drawn him to the carriage; but he protested he was quite -ashamed to be seen in such a dishabille, and should go first and dress -himself. Lionel, on the contrary, declaring nothing so manly, nor so -becoming, as a neglect of outward appearance, pulled him to the coach -door, notwithstanding all his efforts to disengage himself, and the most -bashful distortions with which he strove to sneak behind his conductor. - -'Ladies,' said he, 'Mr. Dubster desires to have the honour of walking -over his house and grounds with you.' - -Camilla declared she had no time to alight; but Lionel insisted, and -soon forced them both from the coach. - -Mr. Dubster, no longer stiff, starched, and proud, as when full dressed, -was sunk into the smallest insignificance; and when they were compelled -to enter his grounds, through a small Chinese gate, painted of a deep -blue, would entirely have kept out of sight; but for a whisper from -Lionel, that the ladies had owned they thought he looked to particular -advantage in that careless attire. - -Encouraged by this, he came boldly forward, and suddenly facing them, -made a low bow saying: 'Young ladies, your humble.' - -They courtsied slightly, and Camilla said she was very sorry to break in -upon him. - -'O, it don't much matter,' cried he, extremely pleased by this civility, -'I only hope, young ladies, you won't take umbrage at my receiving you -in this pickle; but you've popt upon me unawares, as one may say. And my -best coat is at this very minute at Tom Hicks's, nicely packed and -papered up, and tied all round, in a drawer of his, up stairs, in his -room. And I'd have gone for it with the greatest pleasure in life, to -shew my respect, if the young gentleman would have let me.' - -And then, recollecting Eugenia, 'Good lauk, ma'am,' said he, in a low -voice to Camilla, 'that's that same lame little lady as I saw at the -ball?' - -'That lady, sir,' answered she, provoked, 'is my sister.' - -'Mercy's me!' exclaimed he, lifting up his hands, 'I wish I'd known as -much at the time. I'm sure, ma'am, if I'd thought the young lady was any -ways related to you, I would not have said a word disrespectful upon no -account.' - -Lionel asked how long he had had this place. - -'Only a little while. I happened of it quite lucky. A friend of mine was -just being turned out of it, in default of payment, and so I got it a -bargain. I intend to fit it up a little in taste, and then, whether I -like it or no, I can always let it.' - -They were now, by Lionel, dragged into the house, which was yet -unfurnished, half papered, and half white washed. The workmen, Mr. -Dubster said, were just gone to dinner, and he rejoiced that they had -happened to come so conveniently, when he should be no loser by leaving -the men to themselves, in order to oblige the young ladies with his -company. - -He insisted upon shewing them not only every room, but every closet, -every cupboard, every nook, corner, and hiding place; praising their -utility, and enumerating all their possible appropriations, with the -most minute encomiums. - -'But I'm quite sorry,' cried he, 'young ladies, to think as I've nothing -to offer you. I eats my dinner always at the Globe, having nobody here -to cook. However I'd have had a morsel of cake or so, if the young -gentleman had been so kind as to give me an item beforehand of your -intending me the favour. But as to getting things into the house hap -hazard, really everything is so dear--it's quite out of reason.' - -The scampering of horses now carrying them to a window, they saw some -hounds in full cry, followed by horse-men in full gallop. Lionel -declared he would borrow Jacob's mare, and join them, while his sisters -walked about the grounds: but Camilla, taking him aside, made a serious -expostulation, protesting that her father, with all his indulgence, and -even her uncle himself, would be certainly displeased, if he left them -alone with this man; of whom they knew nothing but his very low trade. - -'Why what is his trade?' - -'A tinker's: Mrs. Arlbery told me so.' - -He laughed violently at this information, protesting he was rejoiced to -find so much money could be made by the tinkering business, which he was -determined to follow in his next distress for cash: yet added, he feared -this was only the malice of Mrs. Arlbery, for Dubster, he had been told, -had kept a shop for ready made wigs. - -He gave up, however, his project, forgetting the chace when he no longer -heard the hounds, and desired Mr. Dubster to proceed in shewing his -lions? - -'Lauk a day! sir, I've got no lions, nor tygers neither. It's a deal of -expence keeping them animals; and though I know they reckon me near, I -sha'n't do no such thing; for if a man does not take a little care of -his money when once he has got it, especially if it's honestly, I think -he's a fool for his pains; begging pardon for speaking my mind so -freely.' - -He then led them again to the front of the house, where he desired they -would look at his pond. 'This,' said he, 'is what I value the most of -all, except my summer house and my labyrinth. I shall stock it well; and -many a good dinner I hope to eat from it. It gets me an appetite, -sometimes, I think, only to look at it.' - -''Tis a beautiful piece of water,' said Lionel, 'and may be useful to -the outside as well as the inside, for, if you go in head foremost, you -may bathe as well as feed from it.' - -'No, I sha'n't do that, sir, I'm not over and above fond of water at -best. However, I shall have a swan.' - -'A swan? why sure you won't be contented with only one?' - -'O yes, I shall. It will only be made of wood, painted over in white. -There's no end of feeding them things if one has 'em alive. Besides it -will look just as pretty; and won't bite. And I know a friend of mine -that one of them creatures flew at, and gave him such a bang as almost -broke his leg, only for throwing a stone at it, out of mere play. They -are mortal spiteful, if you happen to hurt them when you're in their -reach.' - -He then begged them to go over to his island, which proved to be what -Eugenia had taken for a mass of rubbish. They would fain have been -excused crossing a plank which he called a bridge, but Lionel would not -be denied. - -'Now here,' said he, 'when my island's finished, I shall have something -these young ladies will like; and that's a lamb.' - -'Alive, or dead?' cried Lionel. - -'Alive,' he replied, 'for I shall have good pasture in a little bit of -ground just by, where I shall keep me a cow; and here will be grass -enough upon my island to keep it from starving on Sundays, and for now -and then, when I've somebody come to see me. And when it's fit for -killing, I can change it with the farmer down the lane, for another -young one, by a bargain I've agreed with him for already; for I don't -love to run no risks about a thing for mere pleasure.' - -'Your place will be quite a paradise,' said Lionel. - -'Why, indeed, sir, I think I've earned having a little recreeting, for I -worked hard enough for it, before I happened of meeting with my first -wife.' - -'O, ho! so you began with marrying a fortune?' - -'Yes, sir, and very pretty she was too, if she had not been so puny. But -she was always ailing. She cost me a mort of money to the potecary -before she went off. And she was a tedious while a dying, poor soul!' - -'Your first wife? surely you have not been twice married already?' - -'Yes, I have. My second wife brought me a very pretty fortune too. I -can't say but I've rather had the luck of it, as far as I've gone yet -awhile.' - -They now repassed the plank, and were conducted to an angle, in which a -bench was placed close to the chinese rails, which was somewhat shaded -by a willow, that grew in a little piece of stagnant water on the other -side. A syringa was planted in front, and a broom-tree on the right -united it with the willow; in the middle there was a deal table. - -'Now, young ladies,' said Mr. Dubster, 'if you have a taste to breathe a -little fresh country air, here's where I advise you to take your rest. -When I come to this place first, my arbour, as I call this, had no look -out, but just to the fields, so I cut away them lilacs, and now there's -a good pretty look out. And it's a thing not to be believed what a sight -of people and coaches, and gentlemen's whiskeys and stages, and flys, -and wagons, and all sorts of things as ever you can think of, goes by -all day long. I often think people's got but little to do at home.' - -Next, he desired to lead them to his grotto, which he said was but just -begun. It was, indeed, as yet, nothing but a little square hole, dug -into a chalky soil, down into which, no steps being yet made, he slid as -well as he could, to the no small whitening of his old brown coat, which -already was thread bare. - -He begged the ladies to follow, that he might shew them the devices he -had marked out with his own hand, and from his own head, for fitting up -the inside. Lionel would not suffer his sisters to refuse compliance, -though Mr. Dubster himself cautioned them to come carefully, 'in -particular,' he said, 'the little lady, as she has happened of an ugly -accident already, as I judge, in one of her hips, and 'twould be pity, -at her time of life, if she should happen of another at t'other side.' - -Eugenia, not aware this misfortune was so glaring, felt much hurt by -this speech; and Camilla, very angry with its speaker, sought to silence -him by a resentful look; but not observing it; 'Pray, ma'am,' he -continued, 'was it a fall? or was you born so?' - -Eugenia looked struck and surprized; and Camilla hastily whispered it -was a fall, and bid him say no more about it; but, not understanding -her, 'I take it, then,' he said, 'that was what stinted your growth so, -Miss? for, I take it, you're not much above the dwarf as they shew at -Exeter Change? Much of a muchness, I guess. Did you ever see him, -ma'am?' - -'No, sir.' - -'It would be a good sight enough to see you together. He'd think himself -a man in a minute. You must have had the small pox mortal bad, ma'am. I -suppose you'd the conflint sort?' - -Camilla here, without waiting for help, slid down into the intended -grotto, and asked a thousand questions to change the subject; while -Eugenia, much disconcerted, slowly followed, aided by Lionel. - -Mr. Dubster then displayed the ingenious intermixture of circles and -diamonds projected for the embellishment of his grotto; the first of -which were to be formed with cockle-shells, which he meant to colour -with blue paint; and the second he proposed shaping with bits of shining -black coal. The spaces between would each have an oyster-shell in the -middle, and here and there he designed to leave the chalk to itself, -which would always, he observed, make the grotto light and cheery. -Shells he said, unluckily, he did not happen to have; but as he had -thoughts of taking a little pleasure some summer at Brighthelmstone or -Margate, for he intended to see all those places, he should make a -collection then; being told he might have as curious shells, and pebbles -too, as a man could wish to look at, only for the trouble of picking -them up off the shore. - -They next went to what he called his labyrinth, which was a little walk -he was cutting, zig-zag, through some brushwood, so low that no person -above three foot height could be hid by it. Every step they took here, -cost a rent to some lace or some muslin of one of the sisters; which Mr. -Dubster observed with a delight he could not conceal; saying this was a -true country walk, and would do them both a great deal of good; and -adding: 'we that live in town, would give our ears for such a thing as -this.' And though they could never proceed a yard at a time, from the -continual necessity of disentangling their dress from thorns and briars, -he exultingly boasted that he should give them a good appetite for their -dinner; and asked if this rural ramble did not make them begin to feel -hungry. 'For my part,' continued he, 'if once I get settled a bit, I -shall take a turn in this zig-zag every day before dinner, which may -save me my five grains of rhubarb, that the doctor ordered me for my -stomach, since my having my illness, which come upon me almost as soon -as I was a gentleman; from change of life, I believe, for I never knew -no other reason; and none of the doctors could tell me nothing about it. -But a man that's had a deal to do, feels quite unked at first, when he's -only got to look and stare about him, and just walk from one room to -another, without no employment.' - -Lionel said he hoped, at least, he would not require his rhubarb to get -down his dinner to day. - -'I hope so too, 'squire,' answered he, licking his lips, 'for I've -ordered a pretty good one, I can tell you; beef steaks and onions; and I -don't know what's better. Tom Hicks is to dine with me at the Globe, as -soon as I've give my workmen their tasks, and seen after a young lad -that's to do me a job there, by my grotto. Tom Hicks is a very good -fellow; I like him best of any acquaintance I've made in these here -parts. Indeed, I've made no other, on account of the unconvenience of -dressing, while I'm so much about with my workmen. So I keep pretty -incog from the genteel; and Tom does well enough in the interim.' - -He then requested them to make haste to his summer-house, because his -workmen would be soon returned, and he could not then spare a moment -longer, without spoiling his own dinner. - -'My summer-house,' said he, 'is not above half complete yet; but it will -be very pretty when it's done. Only I've got no stairs yet to it; but -there's a very good ladder, if the ladies a'n't afraid.' - -The ladies both desired to be excused mounting; but Lionel protested he -would not have his friend affronted; and as neither of them were in the -habit of resisting him, nor of investigating with seriousness any thing -that he proposed, they were soon teized into acquiescence, and he -assisted them to ascend. - -Mr. Dubster followed. - -The summer-house was, as yet, no more than a shell; without windows, -scarcely roofed, and composed of lath and plaister, not half dry. It -looked on to the high road, and Mr. Dubster assured them, that, on -market days, the people passed so thick, there was no seeing them for -the dust. - -Here they had soon cause to repent their facility,--that dangerous, yet -venial, because natural fault of youth;--for hardly had they entered -this place, ere a distant glimpse of a fleet stag, and a party of -sportsmen, incited Lionel to scamper down; and calling out: 'I shall be -back presently,' he made off towards the house, dragging the ladder -after him. - -The sisters eagerly and almost angrily remonstrated; but to no purpose; -and while they were still entreating him to return and supposing him, -though out of sight, within hearing, they suddenly perceived him passing -the window by the high road, on horse-back, switch in hand, and looking -in the utmost glee. 'I have borrowed Jacob's mare,' he cried, 'for just -half an hour's sport, and sent Jacob and Coachy to get a little -refreshment at the next public house; but don't be impatient; I shan't -be long.' - -Off then, he galloped, laughing; in defiance of the serious entreaties -of his sisters, and without staying to hear even one sentence of the -formal exhortations of Mr. Dubster. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_A few Compliments_ - - -The two young ladies and Mr. Dubster, left thus together, and so -situated that separation without assistance was impossible, looked at -one another for some time in nearly equal dismay; and then Mr. Dubster, -with much displeasure, exclaimed--'Them young gentlemen are as full of -mischief, as an egg's full of meat! Who'd have thought of a person's -going to do such a thing as this?--it's mortal convenient, making me -leave my workmen at this rate; for I dare say they're come, or coming, -by this time. I wish I'd tied the ladder to this here rafter.' - -The sisters, though equally provoked, thought it necessary to make some -apology for the wild behaviour of their brother. - -'O, young ladies,' said he, formally waving his hand by way of a bow, 'I -don't in the least mean to blame you about it, for you're very welcome -to stay as long as it's agreeable; only I hope he'll come back by my -dinner time; for a cold beef-steak is one or other the worst morsel I -know.' - -He then kept an unremitting watch from one window to another, for some -passenger from whom he could claim aid; but, much as he had boasted of -the numbers perpetually in sight, he now dolorously confessed, that, -sometimes, not a soul came near the place for half a day together: 'And, -as to my workmen,' continued he, 'the deuce can't make 'em hear if once -they begin their knocking and hammering.' - -And then, with a smirk at the idea, he added--'I'll tell you what; I'd -best give a good squall at once, and then if they are come, I may catch -'em; in the proviso you won't mind it, young ladies.' - -This scheme was put immediately into practice; but though the sisters -were obliged to stop their ears from his vociferation, it answered no -purpose. - -'Well, I'll bet you what you will,' cried he, 'they are all deaf: -however, it's as well as it is, for if they was to come, and see me -hoisted up in this cage, like, they'd only make a joke of it; and then -they'd mind me no more than a pin never again. It's surprising how them -young gentlemen never think of nothing. If he'd served me so when I was -a 'prentice, he'd have paid pretty dear for his frolic; master would -have charged him half a day's work, as sure as a gun.' - -Soon after, while looking out of the window, 'I do think,' he exclaimed, -'I see somebody!--It shall go hard but what I'll make 'em come to us.' - -He then shouted with great violence; but the person crossed a stile into -a field, without seeing or hearing him. - -This provoked him very seriously; and turning to Camilla, rather -indignantly, he said--'Really, ma'am, I wish you'd tell your brother, I -should take it as a favour he'd never serve me o' this manner no more!' - -She hoped, she said, he would in future be more considerate. - -'It's a great hindrance to business, ma'am, such things; and it's a -sheer love of mischief, too, begging pardon, for it's of no manner of -use to him, no more than it is to us.' - -He then desired, that if any body should pass by again, they might all -squall out at once; saying, it was odds, then, but they might be heard. - -'Not that it's over agreeable, at the best,' added he; 'for if one was -to stop any poor person, and make 'em come round, and look for the -ladder, one could not be off giving them something: and as to any of the -gentlefolks, one might beg and pray as long as one would before they'd -stir a step for one: and as to any of one's acquaintance, if they was to -go by, it's ten to one but they'd only fall a laughing. People's -generally ill-natured when they sees one in jeopardy.' - -Eugenia, already thoughtful and discomposed, now grew uneasy, lest her -uncle should be surprised at her long absence; this a little appeased -Mr. Dubster, who, with less resentment, said--'So I see, then, we're all -in the same quandary! However, don't mind it, young ladies; you can have -no great matters to do with your time, I take it; so it does not so much -signify. But a man's quite different. He looks like a fool, as one may -say, poked up in such a place as this, to be stared at by all comers and -goers; only nobody happens to pass by.' - -His lamentations now were happily interrupted by the appearance of three -women and a boy, who, with baskets on their heads, were returning from -the next market town. With infinite satisfaction, he prepared to assail -them, saying, he should now have some chance to get a bit of dinner: and -assuring the ladies, that if they should like a little scrap for a -relish, he should be very willing to send 'em it by their footman; 'For -it's a long while,' said he, 'young ladies, to be fasting, that's the -truth of it.' - -The market women now approached, and were most clamourously hailed, -before their own loud discourse, and the singing and whistling of the -boy, permitted their hearing the appeal. - -'Pray, will you be so kind,' said Mr. Dubster, when he had made them -stop, 'as to step round by the house, and see if you can see the -workmen; and if you can, tell 'em a young gentleman, as come here while -they was at dinner, has taken away the ladder, and left us stuck up here -in the lurch.' - -The women all laughed, and said it was a good merry trick; but were -preparing to follow his directions, when Mr. Dubster called after the -boy, who loitered behind, with an encouraging nod: 'If you'll bring the -ladder with you upon your shoulders, my lad, I'll give you a -half-penny!' - -The boy was well contented; but the women, a little alarmed, turned back -and said--'And what will you give to us, master?' 'Give?' repeated he, a -little embarrassed; 'why, I'll give--why I'll thank you kindly; and it -won't be much out of your way, for the house is only round there.' - -'You'll thank us kindly, will you?' said one of the women; it's like you -may! But what will you do over and above?' - -'Do? why it's no great matter, just to stop at the house as you go by, -and tell 'em----' - -Here Eugenia whispered she would herself satisfy them, and begged he -would let them make their own terms. - -'No, Miss, no; I don't like to see nobody's money fooled away, no more -than my own. However, as you are so generous, I'll agree with 'em to -give 'em a pot of beer.' - -He then, with some parade, made this concession; but said, he must see -the ladder, before the money should be laid down. - -'A pot of beer for four!--a pot of beer for four!' they all exclaimed in -a breath; and down everyone put her basket, and set her arms a-kembo, -unanimously declaring, they would shame him for such stinginess. - -The most violent abuse now followed, the boy imitating them, and every -other sentence concluding with--'A pot of beer for four!--ha!' - -Camilla and Eugenia, both frightened, besought that they might have any -thing, and every thing, that could appease them; but Mr. Dubster was -inflexible not to submit to imposition, because of a few foul words; -'For, dear heart,' said he, 'what harm will they do us!--they an't of no -consequence.' - -Then, addressing them again, 'As to four,' he cried, 'that's one over -the bargain, for I did not reckon the boy for nothing.' - -'You didn't, didn't you?' cried the boy; 'i'cod, I hope I'm as good as -you, any day in the year!' - -'You'll thank us kindly, will you?' said one of the women; 'I'fackens, -and so you shall, when we're fools enough to sarve you!--A pot of beer -for four!' - -'We help you down!--we get you a ladder!' cried another; 'yes, forsooth, -it's like we may!--no, stay where you are like a toad in a hole as you -be!' - -Camilla and Eugenia now, tired of vain application to Mr. Dubster, who -heard all this abuse with the most sedate unconcern, advanced themselves -to the window; and Eugenia, ever foremost where money was to be given, -began--'Good women----' when, with a violent loud shout, they called -out--'What! are you all in Hob's pound? Well, they as will may let you -out for we; so I wish you a merry time of it!' - -Eugenia began again her--'Good women----' when the boy exclaimed--'What -were you put up there for, Miss? to frighten the crows?' - -Eugenia, not understanding him, was once more re-commencing; but the -first woman said--'I suppose you think we'll sarve you for looking -at?--no need to be paid?' - -'Yes, yes,' cried the second, 'Miss may go to market with her beauty; -she'll not want for nothing if she'll shew her pretty face!' - -'She need not be afeard of it, however,' said the third, 'for 'twill -never be no worse. Only take care, Miss, you don't catch the small pox!' - -'O fegs, that would be pity!' cried the boy, 'for fear Miss should be -marked.' - -Eugenia, astonished and confounded, made no farther attempt; but -Camilla, though at that moment she could have inflicted any punishment -upon such unprovoked assailants, affected to give but little weight to -what they said, and gently drew her away. - -'Hoity, toity!' cried one of the women, as she moved off, 'why, Miss, do -you walk upon your knees?' - -'Why my Poll would make two of her,' said another, 'though she's only -nine years old.' - -'She won't take much for cloaths,' cried another, 'that's one good -thing.' - -'I'd answer to make her a gown out of my apron,' said the third. - -'Your apron?' cried another, 'your pocket handkerchief you mean!--why -she'd be lost in your apron, and you might look half an hour before -you'd find her.' - -Eugenia, to whom such language was utterly new, was now in such visible -consternation, that Camilla, affrighted, earnestly charged Mr. Dubster -to find any means, either of menace or of reward, to make them depart. - -'Lauk, don't mind them, ma'am,' cried he, following Eugenia, 'they can't -do you no hurt; though they are rather rude, I must needs confess the -truth, to say such things to your face. But one must not expect people -to be over polite, so far from London. However, I see the sporting -gentry coming round, over that way, yonder; and I warrant they'll gallop -'em off. Hark'ee, Mistresses! them gentlemen that are coming here, shall -take you before the justice, for affronting Sir Hugh's Tyrold's -Heiresses to all his fortunes. - -The women, to whom the name and generous deeds of Sir Hugh Tyrold were -familiar, were now quieted and dismayed. They offered some aukward -apologies, of not guessing such young ladies could be posted up in such -a place; and hoped it would be no detriment to them at the ensuing -Christmas, when the good Baronet gave away beef and beer; but Mr. -Dubster pompously ordered them to make off, saying, he would not accept -the ladder from them now, for the gentry that were coming would get it -for nothing: 'So troop off,' cried he; 'and as for you,' to the boy, -'you shall have your jacket well trimmed, I promise you: I know who you -are, well enough; and I'll tell your master of you, as sure as you're -alive.' - -Away then, with complete, though not well-principled repentance, they -all marched. - -Mr. Dubster, turning round with exultation, cried--'I only said that to -frighten them, for I never see 'em before, as I know of. But I don't -mind 'em of a rush; and I hope you don't neither. Though I can't pretend -it's over agreeable being made fun of. If I see anybody snigger at me, I -always ask 'em what it's for; for I'd as lieve they'd let it alone.' - -Eugenia, who, as there was no seat, had sunk upon the floor for rest and -for refuge, remained silent, and seemed almost petrified; while Camilla, -affectionately leaning over her, began talking upon other subjects, in -hopes to dissipate a shock she was ashamed to console. - -She made no reply, no comment; but, sighed deeply. - -'Lauk!' cried Mr. Dubster, 'what's the matter with the young lady! I -hope she don't go for to take to heart what them old women says? she'll -be never the worse to look at, because of their impudence. Besides, -fretting does no good to nothing. If you'll only come and stand here, -where I do, Miss, you may have a peep at ever so many dogs, and all the -gentlemen, riding helter skelter round that hill. It's a pretty sight -enough for them as has nothing better to mind. I don't know but I might -make one among them myself, now and then, if it was not for the -expensiveness of hiring of a horse.' - -Here some of the party came galloping towards them; and Mr. Dubster made -so loud an outcry, that two or three of the sportsmen looked up, and one -of them, riding close to the summer-house, perceived the two young -ladies, and, instantly dismounting, fastened his horse to a tree, and -contrived to scramble up into the little unfinished building. - -Camilla then saw it was Major Cerwood. She explained to him the -mischievous frolick of her brother, and accepted his offered services to -find the ladder and the carriage. - -Eugenia meanwhile rose and courtsied in answer to his enquiries after -her health, and then, gravely fixing her eyes upon the ground, took no -further notice of him. - -The object of the Major was not Eugenia; her taciturnity therefore did -not affect him; but pleased to be shut up with Camilla, he soon found -out that though to mount had been easy, to descend would be difficult; -and, after various mock efforts, pronounced it would be necessary to -wait till some assistance arrived from below: adding, young Mr. Tyrold -would soon return, as he had seen him in the hunt. - -Camilla, whose concern now was all for her sister, heard this with -indifference; but Mr. Dubster lost all patience. 'So here,' said he, 'I -may stay, and let Tom Hicks eat up all my dinner! for I can't expect him -to fast, because of this young gentleman's comical tricks. I've half a -mind to give a jump down myself, and go look for the ladder; only I'm -not over light. Besides, if one should break one's leg, it's but a hard -thing upon a man to be a cripple in the middle of life. It's no such -great hindrance to a lady, so I don't say it out of disrespect; because -ladies can't do much at the best.' - -The Major, finding Dubster was his host, thought it necessary to take -some notice of him, and ask him if he never rode out. - -'Why no, not much of that, Sir,' he answered; 'for when a man's not over -used to riding, one's apt to get a bad tumble sometimes. I believe it's -as well let alone. I never see as there was much wit in breaking one's -neck before one's time. Besides, half them gentlemen are no better than -sharpers, begging pardon, for all they look as if they could knock one -down.' - -'How do you mean sharpers, Sir?' - -'Why they don't pay everyone his own, not one in ten of them. And -they're as proud as Lucifer. If I was to go among them to-morrow, I'll -lay a wager they'd take no notice of me: unless I was to ask them to -dinner. And a man may soon eat up his substance, if he's so over -complaisant.' - -'Surely, Major,' cried Camilla, 'my brother cannot be much longer before -he joins us?--remembers us rather.' - -'Who else could desert or forget you?' cried the Major. - -'It's a moot point whether he'll come or no, I see that,' said Mr. -Dubster, quite enraged; 'them young 'squires never know what to do for -their fun. I must needs say I think it's pity but what he'd been brought -up to some calling. 'Twould have steadied him a little, I warrant. He -don't seem to know much of the troubles of life.' - -A shower of rain now revived his hopes that the fear of being wet might -bring him back; not considering how little sportsmen regard wet jackets. - -'However,' continued he, 'it's really a piece of good luck that he was -not taken with a fancy to leave us upon my island; and then we might all -have been soused by this here rain: and he could just as well have -walked off with my bridge as with the ladder.' - -Here, to his inexpressible relief, Lionel, from the road, hailed them; -and Camilla, with emotion the most violent, perceived Edgar was by his -side. - -Mr. Dubster, however, angry as well as glad, very solemnly said, 'I -wonder, Sir, what you think my workmen has been doing all this time, -with nobody to look after them? Besides that I promised a pot o'beer to -a lad to wheel me away all that rubbish that I'd cut out of my grotto; -and it's a good half day's work, do it who will; and ten to one if -they've stirred a nail, all left to themselves so.' - -'Pho, pho, man, you've been too happy, I hope, to trouble your mind -about business. How do do my little girls? how you have been -entertained?' - -'This is a better joke to you than to us 'squire; but pray, Sir, begging -pardon, how come you to forget what I told you about the Globe? I know -very well that they say it's quite alley-mode to make fun, but I can't -pretend as I'm over fond of the custom.' - -He then desired that, at least, if he would not get the ladder himself, -he would tell that other gentleman, that was with him, what he had done -with it. - -Edgar, having met Lionel, and heard from him how and where he had left -his sisters, had impatiently ridden with him to their relief; but when -he saw that the Major made one in the little party, and that he was -standing by Camilla, he felt hurt and amazed, and proceeded no farther. - -Camilla believed herself careless of his opinion; what she had heard -from Miss Margland of his professed indifference, gave her now as much -resentment, as at first it had caused her grief. She thought such a -declaration an unprovoked indignity; she deigned not even to look at -him, resolved for ever to avoid him; yet to prove herself, at the same -time, unmortified and disengaged, talked cheerfully with the Major. - -Lionel now, producing the ladder, ran up it to help his sisters to -descend; and Edgar, dismounting, could not resist entering the grounds, -to offer them his hand as they came down. - -Eugenia was first assisted; for Camilla talked on with the Major, as if -not hearing she was called: and Mr. Dubster, his complaisance wholly -worn out, next followed, bowing low to everyone separately, and begging -pardon, but saying he could really afford to waste no more time, without -going to give a little look after his workmen, to see if they were alive -or dead. - -At this time the horse of the Major, by some accident, breaking loose, -his master was forced to run down, and Lionel scampered after to assist -him. - -Camilla remained alone; Edgar, slowly mounting the ladder, gravely -offered his services; but, hastily leaning out of the window, she -pretended to be too much occupied in watching the motions of the Major -and his horse, to hear or attend to any thing else. - -A sigh now tore the heart of Edgar, from doubt if this were preference -to the Major, or the first dawn of incipient coquetry; but he called not -upon her again; he stood quietly behind, till the horse was seized, and -the Major re-ascended the ladder. They then stood at each side of it, -with offers of assistance. - -This appeared to Camilla a fortunate moment for making a spirited -display of her indifference: she gave her hand to the Major, and, -slightly courtesying to Edgar as she passed, was conducted to the -carriage of her uncle. - -Lionel again was the only one who spoke in the short route to -Etherington, whence Eugenia, without alighting, returned to Cleves. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_The Danger of Disguise_ - - -Edgar remained behind, almost petrified: he stood in the little -building, looking after them, yet neither descending nor stirring, till -one of the workmen advanced to fetch the ladder. He then hastily quitted -the spot, mounted his horse, and galloped after the carriage; though -without any actual design to follow it, or any formed purpose whither to -go. - -The sight, however, of the Major, pursuing the same route, made him, -with deep disgust, turn about, and take the shortest road to Beech Park. - -He hardly breathed the whole way from indignation; yet his wrath was -without definition, and nearly beyond comprehensibility even to himself, -till suddenly recurring to the lovely smile with which Camilla had -accepted the assistance of Major Cerwood, he involuntarily clasped his -hands and called out: 'O happy Major!' - -Awakened by his ejaculation to the true state of his feelings, he -started as from a sword held at his breast. 'Jealousy!' he cried, 'am I -reduced to so humiliating a passion? Am I capable of love without trust? -Unhappy enough to cherish it with hope? No! I will not be such a slave -to the delusions of inclination. I will abandon neither my honour nor my -judgment to my wishes. It is not alone even her heart that can fully -satisfy me; its delicacy must be mine as well as its preference. -Jealousy is a passion for which my mind is not framed, and which I must -not find a torment, but an impossibility!' - -He now began to fear he had made a choice the most injudicious, and that -coquetry and caprice had only waited opportunity, to take place of -candour and frankness. - -Yet, recollecting the disclaiming speeches he had been compelled to make -at Cleves, he thought, if she had heard them, she might be actuated by -resentment. Even then, however, her manner of shewing it was alarming, -and fraught with mischief. He reflected with fresh repugnance upon the -gay and dissipated society with which she was newly mixing, and which, -from her extreme openness and facility, might so easily, yet so fatally, -sully the fair artlessness of her mind. - -He then felt tempted to hint to Mr. Tyrold, who, viewing all things, and -all people in the best light, rarely foresaw danger, and never suspected -deception, the expediency of her breaking off this intercourse, till she -could pursue it under the security of her mother's penetrating -protection. But it occurred to him next, it was possible the Major might -have pleased her. Ardent as were his own views, they had never been -declared, while those of the Major seemed proclaimed without reserve. He -felt his face tingle at the idea, though it nearly made his heart cease -to beat; and determined to satisfy his conjecture ere he took any -measure for himself. - -To speak to her openly, he thought the surest as well as fairest way, -and resolved, with whatever anguish, should he find the Major favoured, -to aid her choice in his fraternal character, and then travel till he -should forget her in every other. - -For this purpose, it was necessary to make immediate enquiry into the -situation of the Major, and then, if she would hear him, relate to her -the result; well assured to gather the state of her heart upon this -subject, by her manner of attending to the least word by which it should -be introduced. - -Camilla, meanwhile, was somewhat comforted by the exertion she had -shewn, and by her hopes it had struck Edgar with respect. - - * * * * * - -The next morning, Sir Hugh sent for her again, and begged she would pass -the whole day with her sister Eugenia, and use all her pretty ways to -amuse her; for she had returned home, the preceding morning, quite moped -with melancholy, and had continued pining ever since; refusing to leave -her room, even for meals, yet giving no reason for her behaviour. What -had come to her he could not tell; but to see her so, went to his heart; -for she had always, he said, till now, been chearful and even tempered, -though thinking over her learning made her not much of a young person. - -Camilla flew up stairs, and found her, with a look of despondence, -seated in a corner of her room, which she had darkened by nearly -shutting all the shutters. - -She knew but too well the rude shock she had received, and sought to -revive her with every expression of soothing kindness. But she shook her -head, and continued mute, melancholy, and wrapt in meditation. - -More than an hour was spent thus, the strict orders of Sir Hugh -forbidding them any intrusion: but when, at length, Camilla ventured to -say, 'Is it possible, my dearest Eugenia, the passing insolence of two -or three brutal wretches can affect you thus deeply?' She awakened from -her silent trance, and raising her head, while something bordering upon -resentment began to kindle in her breast, cried, 'Spare me this -question, Camilla, and I will spare you all reproach.' - -'What reproach, my dear sister,' cried Camilla, amazed, 'what reproach -have I merited?' - -'The reproach,' answered she, solemnly; 'that, from me, all my family -merit! the reproach of representing to me, that thousands resembled me! -of assuring me I had nothing peculiar to myself, though I was so unlike -all my family--of deluding me into utter ignorance of my unhappy -defects, and then casting me, all unconscious and unprepared, into the -wide world to hear them!' - -She would now have shut herself into her book-closet; but Camilla, -forcing her way, and almost kneeling to be heard, conjured her to drive -such cruel ideas from her mind, and to treat the barbarous insults that -she had suffered with the contempt they deserved. - -'Camilla,' said she, firmly; 'I am no longer to be deceived nor trifled -with. I will no more expose to the light a form and face so hideous:--I -will retire from all mankind, and end my destined course in a solitude -that no one shall discover.' - -Camilla, terrified, besought her to form no such plan, bewailed the -unfortunate adventure of the preceding day, inveighed against the -inhuman women, and pleaded the love of all her family with the most -energetic affection. - -'Those women,' said she, calmly, 'are not to blame; they have been -untutored, but not false; and they have only uttered such truths as I -ought to have learnt from my cradle. My own blindness has been -infatuated; but it sprung from inattention and ignorance.--It is now -removed!--Leave me, Camilla; give notice to my Uncle he must find me -some retreat. Tell all that has passed to my father. I will myself write -to my mother--and when my mind is more subdued, and when sincerely and -unaffectedly I can forgive you all from my heart, I may consent to see -you again.' - -She then positively insisted upon being left. - -Camilla, penetrated with her undeserved, yet irremediable distress, -still continued at her door, supplicating for re-admittance in the -softest terms; but without any success till the second dinner bell -summoned her down stairs. She then fervently called upon her sister to -speak once more, and tell her what she must do, and what say? - -Eugenia steadily answered: 'You have already my commission: I have no -change to make in it.' - -Unable to obtain anything further, she painfully descended: but the -voice of her Uncle no sooner reached her ears from the dining parlour, -than, shocked to convey to him so terrible a message, she again ran up -stairs, and casting herself against her sister's door, called out -'Eugenia, I dare not obey you! would you kill my poor Uncle? My Uncle, -who loves us all so tenderly? Would you afflict--would you make him -unhappy?' - -'No, not for the universe!' she answered, opening the door; and then, -more gently, yet not less steadfastly, looking at her, 'I know,' she -continued, 'you are all very good; I know all was meant for the best; I -know I must be a monster not to love you for the very error to which I -am a victim.--I forgive you therefore all! and I blush to have felt -angry.--But yet--at the age of fifteen--at the instant of entering into -the world--at the approach of forming a connection which--O Camilla! -what a time, what a period, to discover--to know--that I cannot even be -seen without being derided and offended!' - -Her voice here faltered, and, running to the window curtain, she -entwined herself in its folds, and called out: 'O hide me! hide me! from -every human eye, from every thing that lives and breathes! Pursue me, -persecute me no longer, but suffer me to abide by myself, till my -fortitude is better strengthened to meet my destiny!' - -The least impatience from Eugenia was too rare to be opposed; and -Camilla, who, in common with all her family, notwithstanding her extreme -youth, respected as much as she loved her, sought only to appease her by -promising compliance. She gave to her, therefore, an unresisted, though -unreturned embrace, and went to the dining-parlour. - -Sir Hugh was much disappointed to see her without her sister; but she -evaded any account of her commission till the meal was over, and then -begged to speak with him alone. - -Gently and gradually she disclosed the source of the sadness of Eugenia: -but Sir Hugh heard it with a dismay that almost overwhelmed him. All his -contrition for the evils of which, unhappily, he had been the cause, -returned with severest force, and far from opposing her scheme of -retreat, he empowered Camilla to offer her any residence she chose; and -to tell her he would keep out of her sight, as the cause of all her -misfortunes; or give her the immediate possession and disposal of his -whole estate, if that would make her better amends than to wait till his -death. - -This message was no sooner delivered to Eugenia, than losing at once -every angry impression, she hastened down stairs, and casting herself at -the knees of her Uncle, begged him to pardon her design, and promised -never to leave him while she lived. - -Sir Hugh, most affectionately embracing her, said--'You are too good, my -dear, a great deal too good, to one who has used you so ill, at the very -time when you were too young to help yourself. I have not a word to -offer in my own behalf; except to hope you will forgive me, for the sake -of its being all done out of pure ignorance.' - -'Alas, my dearest Uncle! all I owe to your intentions, is the deepest -gratitude; and it is your's from the bottom of my heart. Chance alone -was my enemy; and all I have to regret is, that no one was sincere -enough, kind enough, considerate enough, to instruct me of the extent of -my misfortunes, and prepare me for the attacks to which I am liable.' - -'My dear girl,' said he, while tears started into his eyes, 'what you -say nobody can reply to; and I find I have been doing you one wrong -after another, instead of the least good: for all this was by my own -order; which it is but fair to your brothers and sisters, and father and -mother, and the servants, to confess. God knows, I have faults enough of -my own upon my head, without taking another of pretending to have none!' - -Eugenia now sought to condole him in her turn, voluntarily promising to -mix with the family as usual, and only desiring to be excused from going -abroad, or seeing any strangers. - -'My dear,' said he, 'you shall judge just what you think fit, which is -the least thing I can do for you, after your being so kind as to forgive -me; which I hope to do nothing in future not to deserve more; meaning -always to ask my brother's advice; which might have saved me all my -worst actions, if I had done it sooner: for I've used poor Camilla no -better; except not giving her the small pox, and that bad fall. But -don't hate me, my dears, if you can help it, for it was none of it done -for want of love; only not knowing how to shew it in the proper manner; -which I hope you'll excuse for the score of my bad education.' - -'O, my Uncle!' cried Camilla, throwing her arms round his neck, while -Eugenia embraced his knees, 'what language is this for nieces who owe so -much to your goodness, and who, next to their parents, love you more -than anything upon earth!' - -'You are both the best little girls in the world, my dears, and I need -have nothing upon my conscience if you two pass it over; which is a -great relief to me; for there's nobody else I've used so bad as you two -young girls; which, God knows, goes to my heart whenever I think of -it.--Poor little innocents!--what had you ever done to provoke me?' - -The two sisters, with the most virtuous emulation, vied with each other -in demonstrative affection, till he was tolerably consoled. - -The rest of the day was ruffled but for one moment; upon Sir Hugh's -answering, to a proposition of Miss Margland for a party to the next -Middleton races,--that there was no refusing to let Eugenia take that -pleasure, after her behaving so nobly: her face was then again overcast -with the deepest gloom; and she begged not to hear of the races, nor of -any other place, public or private, for going abroad, as she meant -during the rest of her life, immoveably to remain at home. - -He looked much concerned, but assured her she should be mistress in -every thing. - -Camilla left them in the evening, with a promise to return the next day; -and with every anxiety of her own, lost in pity for her innocent and -unfortunate sister. - -She was soon, however, called back to herself, when, with what light yet -remained, she saw Edgar ride up to the coach door. - -With indefatigable pains he had devoted the day to the search of -information concerning the Major. Of Mrs. Arlbery he had learned, that -he was a man of fashion, but small fortune; and from the Ensign he had -gathered, that even that small fortune was gone, and that the estate in -which it was vested, had been mortgaged for three thousand pounds, to -pay certain debts of honour. - -Edgar had already been to the Parsonage House, but hearing Camilla was -at Cleves, had made a short visit, and determined to walk his horse upon -the road till he met the carriage of Sir Hugh; believing he could have -no better opportunity of seeing her alone. - -Yet when the coach, upon his riding up to the door, stopt, he found -himself in an embarrassment for which he was unprepared. He asked how -she did; desired news of the health of all the family one by one; and -then, struck by the coldness of her answers, suffered the carriage to -drive on. - -Confounded at so sudden a loss of all presence of mind, he continued, -for a minute or two, just where she left him; and then galloped after -the coach, and again presented himself at its window. - -In a voice and manner the most hurried, he apologised for this second -detention. 'But, I believe,' he said, 'some genius of officiousness has -to-day taken possession of me, for I began it upon a Quixote sort of -enterprise, and a spirit of knight-errantry seems willing to accompany -me through it to the end.' - -He stopt; but she did not speak. Her first sensation at his sight had -been wholly indignant: but when she found he had something to say which -he knew not how to pronounce, her curiosity was awakened, and she looked -earnest for an explanation. - -'I know,' he resumed, with considerable hesitation, 'that to give advice -and to give pain is commonly the same thing:--I do not, therefore, -mean--I have no intention--though so lately you allowed me a privilege -never to be forgotten'-- - -He could not get on; and his embarrassment, and this recollection, soon -robbed Camilla of every angry emotion. She looked down, but her -countenance was full of sensibility, and Edgar, recovering his voice, -proceeded-- - -'My Quixotism, I was going to say, of this morning, though for a person -of whom I know almost nothing, would urge me to every possible -effort--were I certain the result would give pleasure to the person for -whom alone--since with regard to himself,--I--it is merely----' - -Involved in expressions he knew not how to clear or to finish, he was -again without breath: and Camilla, raising her eyes, looked at him with -astonishment. - -Endeavouring then to laugh, 'One would think,' cried he, 'this same -Quixotism had taken possession of my intellects, and rendered them as -confused as if, instead of an agent, I were a principal.'-- - -Still wholly in the dark as to his aim, yet, satisfied by these last -words, it had no reference to himself, she now lost enough of the -acuteness of her curiosity to dare avow what yet remained; and begged -him, without further preface, to be more explicit. - -Stammering, he then said, that the evident admiration with which a -certain gentleman was seen to sigh in her train, had awakened for him an -interest, which had induced some inquiries into the state of his -prospects and expectations. 'These,' he continued, 'turn out to be, -though not high, nor by any means adequate to--to----however they are -such as some previous friendly exertions, with settled future -oeconomy, might render more propitious: and for those previous -exertions--Mr. Tyrold has a claim which it would be the pride and -happiness of my life to see him honour;--if--if--' - -The if almost dropt inarticulated: but he added--'I shall make some -further enquiries before I venture to say any more.' - -'For yourself, then, be they made, Sir!' cried she, suddenly seizing the -whole of the meaning--'not for me?--whoever this person may be to whom -you allude--to me he is utterly indifferent.' - -A flash of involuntary delight beamed in the eyes of Edgar at these -words: he had almost thanked her, he had almost dropt the reins of his -horse to clasp his hands: but filled only with her own emotions, without -watching his, or waiting for any answer, she coldly bid him good night, -and called to the coachman to drive fast home. - -Edgar, however, was left with a sunbeam of the most lively delight. 'He -is wholly indifferent to her,' he cried, 'she is angry at my -interference; she has but acted a part in the apparent preference--and -for _me_, perhaps, acted it!' - -Momentary, however, was the pleasure such a thought could afford -him;--'O, Camilla,' he cried, 'if, indeed, I might hope from you any -partiality, why act any part at all?--how plain, how easy, how direct -your road to my heart, if but straightly pursued!' - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_Strictures on Deformity_ - - -Camilla went on to Etherington in deep distress; every ray of hope was -chaced from her prospects, with a certainty more cruel, though less -offensive, to her feelings, than the crush given them by Miss Margland. -He cares not for me! she cried; he even destines me for another! He is -the willing agent of the Major; he would portion me, I suppose, for him, -to accelerate the impossibility of ever thinking of me! And I imagined -he loved me!--what a dream!--what a dream!--how has he deceived me!--or, -alas! how have I deceived myself! - -She rejoiced, however, that she had made so decided an answer with -regard to Major Cerwood, whom she could not doubt to be the person -meant, and who, presented in such a point of view, grew utterly odious -to her. - -The tale she had to relate to Mr. Tyrold, of the sufferings and sad -resolution of Eugenia, obviated all comment upon her own disturbance. He -was wounded to the heart by the recital. 'Alas!' he cried, 'your wise -and excellent mother always foresaw some mischief would ensue, from the -extreme caution used to keep this dear unfortunate child ignorant of her -peculiar situation. This dreadful shake might have been palliated, at -least, if not spared, by the lessons of fortitude that noble woman would -have inculcated in her young and ductile mind. But I could not resist -the painful entreaties of my poor brother, who, thinking himself the -author of her calamities, believed he was responsible for saving her -from feeling them; and, imagining all the world as soft-hearted as -himself, concluded, that what her own family would not tell her, she -could never hear elsewhere. But who should leave any events to the -caprices of chance, which the precautions of foresight can determine?' - -These reflections, and the thoughts of her sister, led at once and aided -Camilla to stifle her own unhappiness; and for three days following, she -devoted herself wholly to Eugenia. - -On the morning of the fourth, instead of sending the carriage, Sir Hugh -arrived himself to fetch Camilla, and to tell his brother, he must come -also, to give comfort to Eugenia; for, though he had thought the worst -was over, because she appeared quiet in his presence, he had just -surprised her in tears, by coming upon her unawares. He had done all he -could, he said, in vain; and nothing remained but for Mr. Tyrold to try -his hand himself: 'For it is but justice,' he added, 'to Dr. Orkborne, -to say she is wiser than all our poor heads put together; so that there -is no answering her for want of sense.' He then told him to be sure to -put one of his best sermons in his pocket to read to her. - -Mr. Tyrold was extremely touched for his poor Eugenia, yet said he had -half an hour's business to transact in the neighbourhood, before he -could go to Cleves. Sir Hugh waited his time, and all three then -proceeded together. - -Eugenia received her Father with a deliberate coldness that shocked him. -He saw how profound was the impression made upon her mind, not merely of -her personal evils, but of what she conceived to be the misconduct of -her friends. - -After a little general discourse, in which she bore no share, he -proposed walking in the park; meaning there to take her aside, with less -formality than he could otherwise desire to speak with her alone. - -The ladies and Sir Hugh immediately looked for their hats or gloves: but -Eugenia, saying she had a slight head-ache, walked away to her room. - -'This, my dear brother,' cried Sir Hugh, sorrowfully following her with -his eyes, 'is the very thing I wanted you for; she says she'll never -more stir out of these doors as long as she's alive; which is a sad -thing to say, considering her young years; and nobody knowing how -Clermont may approve it. However, it's well I've had him brought up from -the beginning to the classics, which I rejoice at every day more and -more, it being the only wise thing I ever did of my own head; for as to -talking Latin and Greek, which I suppose is what they will chiefly be -doing, there's no doubt but they may do it just as well in a room as in -the fields, or the streets.' - -Mr. Tyrold, after a little consideration, followed her. He tapped at her -door; she asked, in a tone of displeasure, who was there?--'Your Father, -my dear,' he answered; and then, hastily opening it, she proposed -returning with him down stairs. - -'No,' he said; 'I wish to converse with you alone. The opinion I have -long cherished of your heart and your understanding, I come now to put -to the proof.' - -Eugenia, certain of the subject to which he would lead, and feeling she -could not have more to hear than to say, gave him a chair, and -composedly seated herself next to him. - -'My dear Eugenia,' said he, taking her passive hand, 'this is the moment -that more grievously than ever I lament the absence of your invaluable -Mother. All I have to offer to your consideration she could much better -have laid before you; and her dictates would have met with the attention -they so completely deserve.' - -'Was my Mother, then, Sir,' said she, reproachfully, 'unapprized of the -worldly darkness in which I have been brought up? Is she unacquainted -that a little knowledge of books and languages is what alone I have been -taught?' - -'We are all but too apt,' answered Mr. Tyrold, mildly, though surprised, -'to deem nothing worth attaining but what we have missed, nothing worth -possessing but what we are denied. How many are there, amongst the -untaught and unaccomplished, who would think an escape such as yours, of -all intellectual darkness, a compensation for every other evil!' - -'They could think so only, Sir, while, like me, they lived immured -always in the same house, were seen always by the same people, and were -total strangers to the sensations they might excite in any others.' - -'My dear Eugenia, grieved as I am at the present subject of your -ruminations, I rejoice to see in you a power of reflection, and of -combination, so far above your years. And it is a soothing idea to me to -dwell upon the ultimate benevolence of Providence, even in circumstances -the most afflicting: for if chance has been unkind to you, Nature seems, -with fostering foresight, to have endowed you with precisely those -powers that may best set aside her malignity.' - -'I see, Sir,' cried she, a little moved, 'the kindness of your -intention; but pardon me if I anticipate to you its ill success. I have -thought too much upon my situation and my destiny to admit any -fallacious comfort. Can you, indeed, when once her eyes are opened, can -you expect to reconcile to existence a poor young creature who sees -herself an object of derision and disgust? Who, without committing any -crime, without offending any human being, finds she cannot appear but to -be pointed at, scoffed and insulted!' - -'O my child! with what a picture do you wound my heart, and tear your -own peace and happiness! Wretches who in such a light can view outward -deficiencies cannot merit a thought, are below even contempt, and ought -not to be disdained, but forgotten. Make a conquest, then, my Eugenia, -of yourself; be as superior in your feelings as in your understanding, -and remember what Addison admirably says in one of the Spectators: 'A -too acute sensibility of personal defects, is one of the greatest -weaknesses of self-love.' - -'I should be sorry, Sir, you should attribute to vanity what I now -suffer. No! it is simply the effect of never hearing, never knowing, -that so severe a call was to be made upon my fortitude, and therefore -never arming myself to sustain it.' - -Then, suddenly, and with great emotion clasping her hands: 'O if ever I -have a family of my own,' she cried, 'my first care shall be to tell my -daughters of all their infirmities! They shall be familiar, from their -childhood, to their every defect--Ah! they must be odious indeed if they -resemble their poor mother!' - -'My dearest Eugenia! let them but resemble you mentally, and there is no -person, whose approbation is worth deserving, that will not love and -respect them. Good and evil are much more equally divided in this world -than you are yet aware: none possess the first without alloy, nor the -second without palliation. Indiana, for example, now in the full bloom -of all that beauty can bestow, tell me, and ask yourself strictly, would -you change with Indiana?' - -'With Indiana?' she exclaimed; 'O! I would forfeit every other good to -change with Indiana! Indiana, who never appears but to be admired, who -never speaks but to be applauded.' - -'Yet a little, yet a moment, question, and understand yourself before -you settle you would change with her. Look forward, and look inward. -Look forward, that you may view the short life of admiration and -applause for such attractions from others, and their inutility to their -possessor in every moment of solitude or repose; and look inward, that -you may learn to value your own peculiar riches, for times of -retirement, and for days of infirmity and age!' - -'Indeed, Sir,--and pray believe me, I do not mean to repine I have not -the beauty of Indiana; I know and have always heard her loveliness is -beyond all comparison. I have no more, therefore, thought of envying it, -than of envying the brightness of the sun. I knew, too, I bore no -competition with my sisters; but I never dreamt of competition. I knew I -was not handsome, but I supposed many people besides not handsome, and -that I should pass with the rest; and I concluded the world to be full -of people who had been sufferers as well as myself, by disease or -accident. These have been occasionally my passing thoughts; but the -subject never seized my mind; I never reflected upon it at all, till -abuse, without provocation, all at once opened my eyes, and shewed me to -myself! Bear with me, then, my father, in this first dawn of terrible -conviction! Many have been unfortunate,--but none unfortunate like me! -Many have met with evils--but who with an accumulation like mine!' - -Mr. Tyrold, extremely affected, embraced her with the utmost tenderness: -'My dear, deserving, excellent child,' he cried, 'what would I not -endure, what sacrifice not make, to soothe this cruel disturbance, till -time and your own understanding can exert their powers?' Then, while -straining her to his breast with the fondest parental commiseration, the -tears, with which his eyes were overflowing, bedewed her cheeks. - -Eugenia felt them, and, sinking to the ground, pressed his knees. 'O my -father,' she cried, 'a tear from your revered eyes afflicts me more than -all else! Let me not draw forth another, lest I should become not only -unhappy, but guilty. Dry them up, my dearest father--let me kiss them -away.' - -'Tell me, then, my poor girl, you will struggle against this ineffectual -sorrow! Tell me you will assert that fortitude which only waits for your -exertion; and tell me you will forgive the misjudging compassion which -feared to impress you earlier with pain!' - -'I will do all, every thing you desire! my injustice is subdued! my -complaints shall be hushed! you have conquered me, my beloved father! -Your indulgence, your lenity shall take place of every hardship, and -leave me nothing but filial affection!' - -Seizing this grateful moment, he then required of her to relinquish her -melancholy scheme of seclusion from the world: 'The shyness and the -fears which gave birth to it,' said he, 'will but grow upon you if -listened to; and they are not worthy the courage I would instil into -your bosom--the courage, my Eugenia, of virtue--the courage to pass by, -as if unheard, the insolence of the hard-hearted, and ignorance of the -vulgar. Happiness is in your power, though beauty is not; and on that to -set too high a value would be pardonable only in a weak and frivolous -mind; since, whatever is the involuntary admiration with which it meets, -every estimable quality and accomplishment is attainable without it: and -though, which I cannot deny, its immediate influence is universal, yet -in every competition and in every decision of esteem, the superior, the -elegant, the better part of mankind give their suffrages to merit alone. -And you, in particular, will find yourself, through life, rather the -more than the less valued, by every mind capable of justice and -compassion, for misfortunes which no guilt has incurred.' - -Observing her now to be softened, though not absolutely consoled, he -rang the bell, and begged the servant, who answered it, to request his -brother would order the coach immediately, as he was obliged to return -home; 'And you, my love,' said he, 'shall accompany me; it will be the -least exertion you can make in first breaking through your averseness to -quit the house.' - -Eugenia would not resist; but her compliance was evidently repugnant to -her inclination; and in going to the glass to put on her hat, she turned -aside from it in shuddering, and hid her face with both her hands. - -'My dearest child,' cried Mr. Tyrold, wrapping her again in his arms, -'this strong susceptibility will soon wear away; but you cannot be too -speedy nor too firm in resisting it. The omission of what never was in -our power cannot cause remorse, and the bewailing what never can become -in our power cannot afford comfort. Imagine but what would have been the -fate of Indiana, had your situations been reversed, and had she, who can -never acquire your capacity, and therefore never attain your knowledge, -lost that beauty which is her all; but which to you, even if retained, -could have been but a secondary gift. How short will be the reign of -that all! how useless in sickness! how unavailing in solitude! how -inadequate to long life! how forgotten, or repiningly remembered in old -age! You will live to feel pity for all you now covet and admire; to -grow sensible to a lot more lastingly happy in your own acquirements and -powers; and to exclaim, with contrition and wonder, Time was when I -would have changed with the poor mind-dependent Indiana!' - -The carriage was now announced; Eugenia, with reluctant steps, -descended; Camilla was called to join them, and Sir Hugh saw them set -off with the utmost delight. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_Strictures on Beauty_ - - -To lengthen the airing, Mr. Tyrold ordered the carriage by a new road; -and to induce Eugenia to break yet another spell, in walking as well as -riding, he proposed their alighting, when they came to a lane, and -leaving the coach in waiting while they took a short stroll. - -He walked between his daughters a considerable way, passing, wherever it -was possible, close to cottages, labourers, and children. Eugenia -submitted with a sigh, but held down her head, affrighted at every fresh -object they encountered, till, upon approaching a small miserable hut, -at the door of which several children were playing, an unlucky boy -called out, 'O come! come! look!--here's the little hump-back -gentlewoman!' - -She then, clinging to her father, could not stir another step, and cast -upon him a look of appeal and reproach that almost overset him; but, -after speaking to her some words of kindness, he urged her to go on, and -alone, saying, 'Throw only a shilling to the senseless little crew, and -let Camilla follow and give nothing, and see which will become the most -popular.' - -They both obeyed, Eugenia fearfully and with quickness casting amongst -them some silver, and Camilla quietly walking on. - -'O, I have got a sixpence!' cried one; 'and I've got a shilling!' said -another; while the mother of the little tribe came from her wash-tub, -and called out, 'God bless your ladyship!' and the father quitted a -little garden at the side of his cottage, to bow down to the ground, and -cry, 'Heaven reward you, good madam! you'll have a blessing go with you, -go where you will!' - -The children then, dancing up to Camilla, begged her charity; but when, -seconding the palpable intention of her father, she said she had nothing -for them, they looked highly dissatisfied, while they redoubled their -blessings to Eugenia. - -'See, my child,' said Mr. Tyrold, now joining them, 'how cheaply -preference, and even flattery, may be purchased!' - -'Ah, Sir!' she answered, recovered from her terrour, yet deep in -reflection, 'this is only by bribery, and gross bribery, too! And what -pleasure, or what confidence can accrue from preference so earned!' - -'The means, my dear Eugenia, are not beneath the objects: if it is only -from those who unite native hardness with uncultured minds and manners, -that civility is to be obtained by such sordid materials, remember, -also, it is from such only it can ever fail you. In the lowest life, -equally with the highest, wherever nature has been kind, sympathy -springs spontaneously for whatever is unfortunate, and respect for -whatever seems innocent. Steel yourself, then, firmly to withstand -attacks from the cruel and unfeeling, and rest perfectly secure you will -have none other to apprehend.' - -The clear and excellent capacity of Eugenia, comprehended in this -lesson, and its illustration, all the satisfaction Mr. Tyrold hoped to -impart; and she was ruminating upon it with abated despondence, when, as -they came to a small house, surrounded with a high wall, Mr. Tyrold, -looking through an iron gate at a female figure who stood at one of the -windows, exclaimed--'What a beautiful creature! I have rarely, I think -seen a more perfect face.' - -Eugenia felt so much hurt by this untimely sight, that, after a single -glance, which confirmed the truth of what he said, she bent her eyes -another way; while Camilla herself was astonished that her kind father -should call their attention to beauty, at so sore and critical a -juncture. - -'The examination of a fine picture,' said he, fixing his eyes upon the -window, and standing still at the iron gate, 'is a constant as well as -exquisite pleasure; for we look at it with an internal security, that -such as it appears to us to-day, it will appear again tomorrow, and -tomorrow, and tomorrow; but in the pleasure given by the examination of -a fine face, there is always, to a contemplative mind, some little -mixture of pain; an idea of its fragility steals upon our admiration, -and blends with it something like solicitude; the consciousness how -short a time we can view it perfect, how quickly its brilliancy of bloom -will be blown, and how ultimately it will be nothing.--' - -'You would have me, Sir,' said Eugenia, now raising her eyes, 'learn to -see beauty with unconcern, by depreciating its value? I feel your kind -intention; but it does not come home to me; reasoning such as this may -be equally applicable to any thing else, and degrade whatever is -desirable into insignificance.' - -'No, my dear child, there is nothing, either in its possession or its -loss, that can be compared with beauty; nothing so evanescent, and -nothing that leaves behind it a contrast which impresses such regret. It -cannot be forgotten, since the same features still remain, though they -are robbed of their effect upon the beholder; the same complexion is -there, though faded into a tint bearing no resemblance with its original -state; and the same eyes present themselves to the view, though bereft -of all the lustre that had rendered them captivating.' - -'Ah, Sir! this is an argument but formed for the moment. Is not the loss -of youth the same to every body? and is not age equally unwelcome to the -ugly and to the handsome?' - -'For activity, for strength, and for purposes of use, certainly, my dear -girl, there can be no difference; but for motives to mental regret, -there can be no comparison. To those who are commonly moulded, the -gradual growth of decay brings with it its gradual endurance, because -little is missed from day to day; hope is not roughly chilled, nor -expectation rudely blasted; they see their friends, their connections, -their contemporaries, declining by the same laws, and they yield to the -immutable and general lot rather imperceptibly than resignedly; but it -is not so with the beauty; her loss is not only general, but peculiar; -and it is the peculiar, not the general evil, that constitutes all -hardship. Health, strength, agility, and animal spirits, she may -sorrowing feel diminish; but she hears everyone complain of similar -failures, and she misses them unmurmuring, though not unlamenting; but -of beauty, every declension is marked with something painful to -self-love. The change manifested by the mirror might patiently be borne; -but the change manifested in the eyes of every beholder, gives a shock -that does violence to every pristine feeling.' - -'This may certainly, sir, be cruel; trying at least; but then,--what a -youth has she first passed! Mortification comes upon her, at least, in -succession; she does not begin the world with it,--a stranger at all -periods to anything happier!' - -'Ah, my child! the happiness caused by personal attractions pays a dear -after-price! The soldier who enters the field of battle requires not -more courage, though of a different nature, than the faded beauty who -enters an assembly-room. To be wholly disregarded, after engaging every -eye; to be unassisted, after being habituated to seeing crowds anxiously -offer their services; to be unheard, after monopolising every ear--can -you, indeed, persuade yourself a change such as this demands but -ordinary firmness? Yet the altered female who calls for it, has the -least chance to obtain it; for even where nature has endowed her with -fortitude, the world and its flatteries have almost uniformly enervated -it, before the season of its exertion.' - -'All this may be true,' said Eugenia, with a sigh; 'and to me, however -sad in itself, it may prove consolatory; and yet--forgive my sincerity, -when I own--I would purchase a better appearance at any price, any -expence, any payment, the world could impose!' - -Mr. Tyrold was preparing an answer, when the door of the house, which he -had still continued facing, was opened, and the beautiful figure, which -had for some time retired from the window, rushed suddenly upon a lawn -before the gate against which they were leaning. - -Not seeing them, she sat down upon the grass, which she plucked up by -hands full, and strewed over her fine flowing hair. - -Camilla, fearing they should seem impertinent, would have retreated; but -Eugenia, much struck, sadly, yet with earnestness, compelled herself to -regard the object before her, who was young, fair, of a tall and -striking figure, with features delicately regular. - -A sigh, not to be checked, acknowledged how little either reasoning or -eloquence could subdue a wish to resemble such an appearance, when the -young person, flinging herself suddenly upon her face, threw her white -arms over her head, and sobbed aloud with violence. - -Astonished, and deeply concerned, Eugenia internally said, alas! what a -world is this! even beauty so exquisite, without waiting for age or -change, may be thus miserable! - -She feared to speak, lest she should be heard; but she looked up to her -father, with an eye that spoke concession, and with an interest for the -fair afflicted, which seemed to request his assistance. - -He motioned to her to be quiet; when the young person, abruptly half -rising, burst into a fit of loud, shrill, and discordant laughter. - -Eugenia now, utterly confounded, would have drawn her father away; but -he was intently engaged in his observations, and steadily kept his -place. - -In two minutes, the laugh ceased all at once, and the young creature, -hastily rising, began turning round with a velocity that no machine -could have exceeded. - -The sisters now fearfully interchanged looks that shewed they thought -her mad, and both endeavoured to draw Mr. Tyrold from the gate, but in -vain; he made them hold by his arms, and stood still. - -Without seeming giddy, she next began to jump; and he now could only -detain his daughters, by shewing them the gate, at which they stood, was -locked. - -In another minute, she perceived them, and, coming eagerly forward, -dropt several low courtesies, saying, at every fresh bend--'Good -day!--Good day!--Good day!' - -Equally trembling, they now both turned pale with fear; but Mr. Tyrold, -who was still immovable, answered her by a bow, and asked if she were -well. - -'Give me a shilling!' was her reply, while the slaver drivelled -unrestrained from her mouth, rendering utterly disgusting a chin that a -statuary might have wished to model. - -'Do you live at this house!' said Mr. Tyrold. - -'Yes, please--yes, please--yes, please,' she answered, twenty times -following, and almost black in the face before she would allow herself -to take another breath. - -A cat now appearing at the door, she seized it, and tried to twine it -round her neck with great fondling, wholly unresisting the scratches -which tore her fine skin. - -Next, capering forward with it towards the gate, 'Look! look!' she -cried, 'here's puss!--here's puss!--here's puss!' - -Then, letting it fall, she tore her handkerchief off her neck, put it -over her face, strained it as tight as she was able, and tied it under -her chin; and then struck her head with both her hands, making a noise -that resembled nothing human. - -'Take, take me away, my father!' cried Eugenia, 'I see, I feel your -awful lesson! but impress it no further, lest I die in receiving it!' - -Mr. Tyrold immediately moved off without speaking; Camilla, penetrated -for her sister, observed the same silence; and Eugenia, hanging upon her -father, and absorbed in profound rumination, only by the depth of her -sighs made her existence known; and thus, without the interchange of a -word, slowly and pensively they walked back to the carriage. - -Eugenia broke the silence as soon as they were seated: 'O, my father!' -she exclaimed, 'what a sight have you made me witness! how dread a -reproof have you given to my repining spirit! Did you know this unhappy -beauty was at that house? Did you lead me thither purposely to display -to me her shocking imbecility?' - -'Relying upon the excellence of your understanding, I ventured upon an -experiment more powerful, I well knew, than all that reason could urge; -an experiment not only striking at the moment, but which, by playing -upon the imagination, as well as convincing the judgment, must make an -impression that can never be effaced. I have been informed for some -time, that this poor girl was in our neighbourhood; she was born an -idiot, and therefore, having never known brighter days, is insensible to -her terrible state. Her friends are opulent, and that house is taken, -and a woman is paid, to keep her in existence and in obscurity. I had -heard of her uncommon beauty, and when the news reached me of my dear -Eugenia's distress, the idea of this meeting occurred to me; I rode to -the house, and engaged the woman to detain her unfortunate charge at the -window till we appeared, and then to let her loose into the garden. -Poor, ill fated young creature! it has been, indeed, a melancholy -sight.' - -'A sight,' cried Eugenia, 'to come home to me with shame!--O, my dear -Father! your prescription strikes to the root of my disease!--shall I -ever again dare murmur!--will any egotism ever again make me believe no -lot so hapless as my own! I will think of her when I am discontented; I -will call to my mind this spectacle of human degradation--and submit, at -least with calmness, to my lighter evils and milder fate.' - -'My excellent child! this is just what I expected from the candour of -your temper, and the rectitude of your sentiments. You have seen, here, -the value of intellects in viewing the horrour of their loss; and you -have witnessed, that beauty, without mind, is more dreadful than any -deformity. You have seized my application, and left me nothing to -enforce; my dear, my excellent child! you have left for your fond Father -nothing but tender approbation! With the utmost thankfulness to -Providence, I have marked from your earliest childhood, the native -justness of your understanding; which, with your studious inclination to -sedentary accomplishments, has proved a reviving source of consolation -to your mother and to me, for the cruel accidents we have incessantly -lamented. How will that admirable mother rejoice in the recital I have -to make to her! What pride will she take in a daughter so worthily her -own, so resembling her in nobleness of nature, and a superior way of -thinking! Her tears, my child, like mine, will thank you for your -exertions! she will strain you to her fond bosom, as your father strains -you at this moment!' - -'Yes, Sir,' cried Eugenia, 'your kind task is now completed with your -vanquished Eugenia! her thoughts, her occupations, her happiness, shall -henceforth all be centred in filial gratitude and contentment.' - -The affectionate Camilla, throwing her arms about them both, bathed each -with the tears of joy and admiration, which this soothing conclusion to -an adventure so severe excited. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_The Pleadings of Pity_ - - -To oblige Mr. Tyrold, who had made the arrangement with Sir Hugh, -Eugenia consented to dine and spend the day at Etherington, which she -quitted at night in a temper of mind perfectly composed. - -Camilla was deeply penetrated by the whole of this affair. The -sufferings, so utterly unearned by fault or by folly, of a sister so -dear to her, and the affecting fortitude which, so quickly upon her -wounds, and at so early a period of life, she already began to display, -made her blush at the dejection into which she was herself cast by every -evil, and resolve to become in future more worthy of the father and the -sister, who at this moment absorbed all her admiration. - -Too reasonable, in such a frame of mind, to plan forgetting Mandlebert, -she now only determined to think of him as she had thought before her -affections became entangled; to think of him, in short, as he seemed -himself to desire; to seek his friendly offices and advice, but to -reject every offered establishment, and to live single for life. - -Gratified by indulgent praise, and sustained by exerted virtue, the -revived Eugenia had nearly reached Cleves, on her return, when the -carriage was stopt by a gentleman on horseback, who, approaching the -coach window, said, in a low voice, as if unwilling to be heard by the -servants--'O, Madam! has Fate set aside her cruelty? and does Fortune -permit me to live once more?' - -She then recollected Mr. Bellamy. She had only her maid in the carriage, -who was sent for her by Sir Hugh, Miss Margland being otherwise engaged. - -All that had so lately passed upon her person and appearance being full -upon her mind, she involuntarily shrunk back, hiding her face with her -cloak. - -Bellamy, by no means conceiving this mark of emotion to be unfavourable, -steadied his horse, by leaning one hand on the coach-window, and said, -in a yet lower voice--'O, Madam! is it possible you can hate me so -barbarously?--will you not even deign to look at me, though I have so -long been banished from your presence?' - -Eugenia, during this speech, called to mind, that though new, in some -measure, to herself, she was not so to this gentleman, and ventured to -uncover her face; when the grief painted on the fine features of -Bellamy, so forcibly touched her, that she softly answered--'No, Sir, -indeed I do not hate you; I am incapable of such ingratitude; but I -conjure--I beseech you to forget me!' - -'Forget you?--O, Madam! you command an impossibility!--No, I am -constancy itself, and not all the world united shall tear you from my -heart!' - -Jacob, who caught a word or two, now rode up to the other window, and as -Eugenia began--'Conquer, Sir, I entreat you, this ill-fated -partiality!--' told her the horses had been hard-worked, and must go -home. - -As Jacob was the oracle of Sir Hugh about his horses, his will was -prescriptive law: Eugenia never disputed it, and only saying--'Think of -me, Sir, no more!' bid the coachman drive on. - -Bellamy, respectfully submitting, continued, with his hat in his hand, -as the maid informed her mistress, looking after the carriage till it -was out of sight. - -A tender sorrow now stole upon the just revived tranquillity of the -gentle and generous Eugenia. 'Ah!' thought she, 'I have rendered, little -as I seem worthy of such power, I have rendered this amiable man -miserable, though possibly, and probably, he is the only man in -existence whom I could render happy!--Ah! how may I dare expect from -Clermont a similar passion?' - -Molly Mill, a very young girl, and daughter of a poor tenant of Sir -Hugh, interrupted these reflections from time to time, with remarks upon -their object. 'Dearee me, Miss,' she cried, 'what a fine gentleman that -was!--he sighed like to split his heart when you said, don't think about -me no more. He's some loveyer, like, I'm sure.' - -Eugenia returned home so much moved by this incident, that Sir Hugh, -believing his brother himself had failed to revive her, was disturbed -all anew with acute contrition for her disasters, and feeling very -unwell, went to bed before supper time. - -Eugenia retired also; and after spending the evening in soft compassion -for Bellamy, and unfixed apprehensions and distaste for young Lynmere, -was preparing to go to bed, when Molly Mill, out of breath with haste, -brought her a letter. - -She eagerly opened it, whilst enquiring whence it came. - -'O, Miss, the fine gentleman--that same fine gentleman--brought it -himself: and he sent for me out, and I did not know who I was to go to, -for Mary only said a boy wanted me; but the boy said, I must come with -him to the stile; and when I come there, who should I see but the fine -gentleman himself! And he gave me this letter, and he asked me to give -it you--and see! look Miss! what I got for my trouble!' - -She then exhibited a half-guinea. - -'You have not done right, Molly, in accepting it. Money is bribery; and -you should have known that the letter was improperly addressed, if -bribery was requisite to make it delivered.' - -'Dearee me, Miss, what's half-a-guinea to such a gentleman as that? I -dare say he's got his pockets full of them!' - -'I shall not read it, certainly,' cried Eugenia, 'now I know this -circumstance. Give me the wax--I will seal it again.' - -She then hesitated whether she ought to return it, or shew it to her -uncle, or commit it to the flames. - -That to which she was most unwilling, appeared, to the strictness of her -principles, to be most proper: she therefore determined that the next -morning she would relate her evening's adventure, and deliver the unread -letter to Sir Hugh. - -Had this epistle not perplexed her, she had meant never to name its -writer. Persuaded her last words had finally dismissed him, she thought -it a high point of female delicacy never to publish an unsuccessful -conquest. - -This resolution taken, she went to bed, satisfied with herself, but -extremely grieved at the sufferings she was preparing for one who so -singularly loved her. - -The next morning, however, her uncle did not rise to breakfast, and was -so low spirited, that fearing to disturb him, she deemed it most prudent -to defer the communication. - -But when, after she had taken her lesson from Dr. Orkborne, she returned -to her room, she found Molly Mill impatiently waiting for her: 'O, -Miss,' she cried, 'here's another letter for you! and you must read it -directly, for the gentleman says if you don't it will be the death of -him.' - -'Why did you receive another letter?' said Eugenia, displeased. - -'Dearee me, Miss, how could I help it? if you'd seen the taking he was -in, you'd have took it yourself. He was all of a quake, and ready to go -down of his two knees. Dearee me, if it did not make my heart go pit-pat -to see him! He was like to go out of his mind, he said, and the tears, -poor gentleman, were all in his eyes.' - -Eugenia now turned away, strongly affected by this description. - -'Do, Miss,' continued Molly, 'write him a little scrap, if it's never so -scratched and bad. He'll take it kinder than nothing. Do, Miss, do. -Don't be ill-natured. And just read this little letter, do, Miss, -do;--it won't take you much time, you reads so nice and fast.' - -'Why,' cried Eugenia, 'did you go to him again? how could you so -incautiously entrust yourself to the conduct of a strange boy?' - -'A strange boy! dearee me, Miss, don't you know it was Tommy Hodd? I -knows him well enough; I knows all the boys, I warrant me, round about -here. Come, Miss, here's pen and ink; you'll run it off before one can -count five, when you've a mind to it. He'll be in a sad taking till he -sees me come back.' - -'Come back? is it possible you have been so imprudent as to have -promised to see him again?' - -'Dearee me, yes, Miss! he'd have made away with himself if I had not. -He'd been there ever since six in the morning, without nothing to eat or -drink, a riding up and down the road, till he could see me coming to the -stile. And he says he'll keep a riding there all day long, and all night -too, till I goes to him.' - -Eugenia conceived herself now in a situation of unexampled distress. She -forced Molly Mill to leave her, that she might deliberate what course to -pursue. - -Having read no novels, her imagination had never been awakened to scenes -of this kind; and what she had gathered upon such subjects in the poetry -and history she had studied with Dr. Orkborne, had only impressed her -fancy in proportion as love bore the character of heroism, and the lover -that of an hero. Though highly therefore romantic, her romance was not -the common adoption of a circulating library: it was simply that of -elevated sentiments, formed by animated credulity playing upon youthful -inexperience. - -'Alas!' cried she, 'what a conflict is mine! I must refuse a man who -adores me to distraction, in disregard of my unhappy defects, to cast -myself under the guidance of one who, perhaps, may estimate beauty so -highly as to despise me for its want!' - -This idea pleaded so powerfully for Bellamy, that something like a wish -to open his letters, obtained pardon to her little maid for having -brought them. She suppressed, however, the desire, though she held them -alternately to her eyes, conjecturing their contents, and bewailing for -their impassioned writer the cruel answer they must receive. - -Though checked by shame, she had some desire to consult Camilla; but she -could not see her in time, Mrs. Arlbery having insisted upon carrying -her in the evening to a play, which was to be performed, for one night -only, by a company of passing strollers at Northwick. - -'My decision,' she cried, 'must be my own, and must be immediate. Ah! -how leave a man such as this, to wander night and day neglected and -uncertain of his fate! With tears he sent me his letters!--what must not -have been his despair when such was his sensibility? tears in a -man!--tears, too, that could not be restrained even till his messenger -was out of sight!--how touching!--' - -Her own then fell, in tender commiseration, and it was with extreme -repugnance she compelled herself to take such measures as she thought -her duty required. She sealed the two letters in an empty cover, and -having directed them to Mr. Bellamy, summoned Molly Mill, and told her -to convey them to the gentleman, and positively acquaint him she must -receive no more, and that those which were returned had never been read. -She bid her, however, add, that she should always wish for his -happiness, and be grateful for his kind partiality; though she earnestly -conjured him to vanquish a regard which she did not deserve, and must -never return. - -Molly Mill would fain have remonstrated; but Eugenia, with that firmness -which, even in the first youth, accompanies a consciousness of -preferring duty to inclination, silenced, and sent her off. - -Relieved for herself, now the struggle was over, she secretly rejoiced -that it was not for Melmond she had so hard a part to act: and this -idea, while it rendered Bellamy less an object of regret, diminished -also something of her pity for his conflict, by reminding her of the -success which had attended her own similar exertions. - -But when Molly returned, her distress was renewed: she brought her these -words, written with a pencil upon the back of her own cover: - - 'I do not dare, cruellest of your sex, to write you another letter; - but if you would save me from the abyss of destruction, you will - let me hear my final doom from your own mouth. I ask nothing more! - Ah! walk but one moment in the park, near the pales; deny not your - miserable adorer this last single request, and he will fly this - fatal climate which has swallowed up his repose for ever! But, till - then, here he will stay, and never quit the spot whence he sends - you these lines, till you have deigned to pronounce verbally his - doom, though he should famish for want of food! - - ALPHONSO BELLAMY.' - -Eugenia read this with horrour and compassion. She imagined he perhaps -thought her confined, and would therefore believe no answer that did not -issue immediately from her own lips. She sent Molly to him again with -the same message; but Molly returned with a yet worse account of his -desperation, and a strong assurance, that if she would only utter to him -a single word, he would obey, depart, and live upon it the rest of his -life. - -This completely softened her. Rather than imperiously suffer such a -pattern of respectful constancy to perish, she consented to speak her -own negative. But fearing she might be moved to some sympathy by his -grief, she resolved to be accompanied by Camilla, and deferred, -therefore, the interview till the next day. - -Molly brought back his humble acknowledgments for this concession, and -an account that, at last, slowly and sadly, he had ridden away. - -Her feelings were now better satisfied than her understanding. She -feared what she had granted was a favour; yet her heart was too tender -to reproach a compliance made upon such conditions, and to prevent such -evils. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_The disastrous Buskins_ - - -Camilla, though her personal sorrows were blunted by the view of the -calamities and resignation of her sister, was so little disposed for -amusement, that she had accepted the invitation of Mrs. Arlbery, only -from wanting spirit to resist its urgency. Mr. Tyrold was well pleased -that such a recreation came in her way, but desired Lavinia might be of -the party: not only that she might partake of the same pleasure, but -from a greater security in her prudence, than in that of her naturally -thoughtless sister. - -The town of Etherington afforded no theatre; and the room fitted up for -the night's performance could contain but two boxes, one of which was -secured for Mrs. Arlbery and her friends. - -The attentive Major was ready to offer his hand to Camilla upon her -arrival. The rest of the officers were in the box. - -The play was Othello; and so miserably represented, that Lavinia would -willingly have retired after the first scene: but the native spirits of -Camilla revisited her in the view of the ludicrous personages of the -drama. And they were soon joined by Sir Sedley Clarendel, whose quaint -conceits and remarks assisted the risibility of the scene. She thought -him the least comprehensible person she had ever known; but as he was -totally indifferent to her, his oddity entertained without tormenting -her. - -The actors were of the lowest strolling kind, and so utterly without -merit, that they had never yet met with sufficient encouragement to -remain one week in the same place. They had only a single scene for the -whole performance, which depictured a camp, and which here served for a -street, a senate, a city, a castle, and a bed-chamber. - -The dresses were almost equally parsimonious, everyone being obliged to -take what would fit him, from a wardrobe that did not allow quite two -dresses a person for all the plays they had to enact. Othello, -therefore, was equipped as king Richard the third, save that instead of -a regal front he had a black wig, to imitate wool: while his face had -been begrimed with a smoked cork. - -Iago wore a suit of cloaths originally made for Lord Foppington: -Brabantio had borrowed the armour of Hamlet's Ghost: Cassio, the -Lieutenant General in the christian army, had only been able to equip -himself in Osmyn's Turkish vest; and Roderigo, accoutred in the garment -of Shylock, came forth a complete Jew. - -Desdemona, attired more suitably to her fate than to her expectations, -went through the whole of her part, except the last scene, in the sable -weeds of Isabella. And Amelia was fain to content herself with the habit -of the first witch in Macbeth. - -The gestures, both of the gentlemen and ladies, were as outrageous as if -meant rather to intimidate the audience, than to shew their own -animation; and the men approached each other so closely with arms -a-kimbo, or double fists, that Sir Sedley, with pretended alarm, said -they were giving challenges for a boxing match. - -The ladies also, in the energy of their desire not to be eclipsed, took -so much exercise in their action, that they tore out the sleeves of -their gowns; which, though pinned up every time they left the stage, -completely exposed their shoulders at the end of every act; and they -raised their arms so high while facing each other, that Sir Sedley -expressed frequent fears they meant to finish by pulling caps. - -So imperfect were they also in their parts, that the prompter was the -only person from whom any single speech passed without a blunder. - -Iago, who was the master of the troop, was the sole performer who spoke -not with a provincial dialect; the rest all betrayed their birth and -parentage the first line they uttered. - -Cassio proclaimed himself from Norfolk: - - The Deuk dew greet yew, General, - ----------- - Being not at yew're lodging to be feund-- - The senate sent above tree several quests, &c. - -Othello himself proved a true Londoner; and with his famed soldier-like -eloquence in the senate-scene, thus began his celebrated defence. - - Most potent, grawe, and rewerend Seignors, - My wery noble and approwed good masters, - That I have ta'en avay this old man's darter-- - I vill a round, unwarnish'd tale deliver - Of my whole course of love; vhat drugs, vhat charms, - Vhat conjuration, and vhat mighty magic - I von his darter with---- - Her father lov'd me, oft inwited me---- - ----My story being done, - She gave me for my pains a vorld of sighs, - She svore in faith 'tvas strange, 'tvas passing strange, - 'Tvas pitiful, 't'vas vondrous pitiful; - She vish'd she had not heard it; yet she vish'd - That Heawen had made her such a man.---- - This only is the vitchcraft I have us'd; - Here comes the lady, let her vitness it. - -This happily making the gentle Desdemona recognised, notwithstanding her -appearance was so little bridal, her Somersetshire father cried: - - I preay you hear 'ur zpeak. - If a confez that a waz half the woer - Deztruction on my head, if my bead bleame - Light o' the mon! - -His daughter, in the Worcestershire pronunciation, answered: - - Noble father, - Hi do perceive ere a divided duty; - To you hi howe my life hand heducation, - My life hand heducation both do teach me - Ow to respect you. You're the lord hof duty; - Hi'm itherto your daughter: but ere's my usband!---- - -The fond Othello then exclaimed: - - Your woices, lords! beseech you let her vill - Have a free vay!-- -- -- - -And Brabantio took leave with - - Look to'ur, Moor! if th' azt eyez to zee; - A haz deceiv'd 'ur veather, and may thee.-- - -They were detained so long between the first and second act, that Sir -Sedley said he feared poor Desdemona had lost the thread-paper from -which she was to mend her gown, and recommended to the two young ladies -to have the charity to go and assist her. 'Consider,' he said, 'the -trepidation of a fair bride but just entered into her shackles. Who -knows but Othello may be giving her a strapping, in private, for wearing -out her cloaths so fast! you young ladies think nothing of these little -conjugal freedoms.' - -Mrs. Arlbery, though for some time she had been as well diverted by the -play as Camilla, less new to such exhibitions, was soon tired of the -sameness of the blunders, and, at the end of the fourth act, proposed -retiring. But Camilla, who had long not felt so much entertained, looked -so disappointed, that her good humour overcame her fatigue, and she was -insisting upon staying; when a gentleman, who visited them from the -opposite box, proposed that the young ladies should be carried home by -his mother, a lady who lived at Etherington, and was acquainted at the -rectory, and who intended to stay out not only the play but the farce. -Lavinia consented; the son went with the proposition, and the business -was soon arranged. Mrs. Arlbery, who had three miles to go beyond the -parsonage-house, and who, though she delighted to oblige, was but -little in the habit of practising self-denial, then consigned the young -ladies to General Kinsale, to be conducted to the opposite box, and was -handed by Colonel Andover to her coach. - -The General guarded the eldest sister; the Major took care of Camilla: -but they were all stopt in their passage by the sudden seizure of a -pickpocket, and forced hastily back to the box they had quitted. - -This commotion, though it had disturbed all the audience, had not stopt -the performance; and Desdemona being just now discovered in bed, -Camilla, not to lose the interesting scene, persuaded her sister to wait -till the play was over, before they attempted again to cross to the -opposite box; into which, in a few minutes after, she saw Mandlebert -enter. - -They had both already seated themselves as much out of sight as -possible; and Camilla now began to regret she had not accompanied Mrs. -Arlbery. She had thought only of the play and its entertainment, till -the sight of Mandlebert told her that her situation was improper; and -the idea only occurred to her by considering that it would occur to him. - -Mandlebert had dined out with a party of men, and had stept in to see -what was going forwards, without any knowledge whom he should meet: he -instantly discerned Lavinia, and felt anxious to know why Camilla was -not with her, and why she sat so much out of sight: but Camilla so -completely hid herself, he could only see there was a female, whom he -concluded to be some Etherington lady; and he determined to make further -enquiry when the act should be over. - -The performance now became so truly ludicrous, that Camilla, -notwithstanding all her uneasiness, was excited to almost perpetual -laughter. - -Desdemona, either from the effect of a bad cold, or to give more of -nature to her repose, breathed so hard, as to raise a general laugh in -the audience; Sir Sedley, stopping his ears, exclaimed, 'O! if she -snores I shall plead for her no more, if she tear her gown to tatters! -Suffocation is much too lenient for her. She's an immense horrid -personage! nasal to alarm!' - -Othello then entered, with a tallow candle in his hand, staring and -dropping grease at every step; and, having just declared he would not - - Scar that vhiter skin of hers than snow, - -perceived a thief in the candle, which made it run down so fast over his -hand, and the sleeve of his coat, that, the moment not being yet arrived -for extinguishing it, he was forced to lay down his sword, and, for want -of better means, snuff it with his fingers. - -Sir Sedley now protested himself completely disordered: 'I must be -gone,' cried he, 'incontinently; this exceeds resistance: I shan't be -alive in another minute. Are you able to form a notion of anything more -annihilating? If I did not build upon the pleasure of seeing him stop up -those distressing nostrils of the gentle Desdemona, I could not breathe -here another instant.' - -But just after, while Othello leant over the bed to say-- - - Vhen I've pluck'd the rose - I cannot give it wital growth again, - It needs must vither---- - -his black locks caught fire. - -The candle now fell from his hand, and he attempted to pull off his wig; -but it had been tied close on, to appear more natural, and his fright -disabled him; he therefore flung himself upon the bed, and rolled the -coverlid over his head. - -Desdemona, excessively frightened, started up, and jumped out, shrieking -aloud--'O, Lord! I shall be burnt!' - -This noble Venetian Dame then exhibited, beneath an old white satin -bedgown, made to cover her arms and breast, the dress in which she had -equipped herself, between the acts, to be ready for trampling home; -namely, a dirty red and white linen gown, an old blue stuff quilted -coat, and black shoes and stockings. - -In this pitiable condition, she was running, screaming, off the stage, -when Othello, having quenched the fire, unconscious that half his curls -had fallen a sacrifice to the flames, hastily pursued her, and, in a -violent passion, called her a fool, and brought her back to the bed; in -which he assisted her to compose herself, and then went behind the -scenes to light his candle; which having done, he gravely returned, and, -very carefully putting it down, renewed his part with the line. - - Be thus vhen thou art dead, and I vill kill thee - And love thee after-- - -Amidst roars of laughter from the whole audience, who, when he kissed -her, almost with one voice called out--'Ay ay, that's right--kiss and -friends!' - -And when he said-- - - I must veep---- - -'So must I too, my good friend,' cried Sir Sedley, wiping his eyes, 'for -never yet did sorrow cost me more salt rheum! Poor Blacky! thou hast -been most indissolubly comic, I confess. Thou hast unstrung me to a -degree. A baby of half an hour might demolish me.' - -And again, when Othello exclaimed-- - - She vakes! - -'The deuce she does?' cried Sir Sedley, 'what! has she been asleep again -already? She's a very caricatura of Morpheus. Ay, do thy worst, honest -Mungo. I can't possibly beg her off. I would sooner snift thy farthing -candle once a day, than sustain that nasal cadence ever more.' - -'He's the finest fellow upon the face of the earth,' cried Mr. -Macdersey, who had listened to the whole play with the most serious -interest; 'the instant he suspects his wife, he cuts her off without -ceremony; though she's dearer to him than his eye sight, and beautiful -as an angel. How I envy him!' - -'Don't you think 'twould have been as well,' said General Kinsale, 'if -he'd first made some little enquiry?' - -'He can do that afterwards, General; and then nobody will dare surmise -it's out of weakness. For to be sure and certain, he ought to right her -fame; that's no more than his duty, after once he has satisfied his own. -But a man's honour is dearest to him of all things. A wife's a bauble to -it--not worth a thought.' - -The suffocating was now beginning but just as Desdemona begged to be -spared-- - - But alf han our-- - -the door-keeper forced his way into the pit, and called out--'Pray, is -one Miss Tyrold here in the play-house?' - -The sisters, in much amazement hung back, entreating the gentlemen to -screen them; and the man, receiving no answer, went away. - -While wondering what this could mean, the play was finished, when one of -the comedians, a brother of the Worcestershire Desdemona, came to the -pit door, calling out--'Hi'm desired to hask hif Miss Camilla Tyrold's -hany way ere hin the ouse, for hi'm hordered to call er hout, for her -Huncle's hill and dying.' - -A piercing shriek from Camilla now completed the interruption of all -attention to the performance, and betrayed her hiding place. -Concealment, indeed, was banished her thoughts, and she would herself -have opened the box door to rush out, had not the Major anticipated her, -seizing, at the same time, her hand to conduct her through the crowd. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_Three Golden Maxims_ - - -Lavinia, almost equally terrified, followed her sister; and Sir Sedley, -burying all foppery in compassion and good nature, was foremost to -accompany and assist. Camilla had no thought but to get instantly to -Cleves; she considered not how; she only forced herself rapidly on, -persuaded she could walk it in ten minutes, and ejaculating incessantly, -'My Uncle!--my dear Uncle!'-- - -They almost instantly encountered Edgar, who, upon the fatal call, had -darted round to meet them, and finding each provided with an attendant, -inquired whose carriage he should seek? - -Camilla, in a broken voice, answered she had no carriage, and should -walk. - -'Walk?' he repeated; 'you are near five miles from Cleves!' - -Scarce in her senses, she hurried on without reply. - -'What carriage did you come in, Miss Tyrold?' said Edgar to Lavinia. - -'We came with Mrs. Arlbery.' - -'Mrs. Arlbery?--she has been gone this half hour; I met her as I -entered.' - -Camilla had now rushed out of doors, still handed by the Major. - -'If you have no carriage in waiting,' said Edgar, 'make use, I beseech -you, of mine!' - -'O, gladly! O, thankfully!' cried Camilla, almost sobbing out her words. - -He flew then to call for his chaise, and the door-keeper, for whom Sir -Sedley had inquired, came to them, accompanied by Jacob. - -'O, Jacob!' she cried, breaking violently from the Major, 'tell -me!--tell me!--my Uncle!--my dearest Uncle!' - -Jacob, in a tone of deep and unfeigned sorrow, said, his Master had been -seized suddenly with the gout in his stomach, and that the doctor, who -had been instantly fetched, had owned there was little hope. - -She could hear no more; the shock overpowered her, and she sunk nearly -senseless into the arms of her sister. - -She was recovered, however, almost in a minute, and carried by Edgar -into his chaise, in which he placed her between himself and the weeping -Lavinia; hastily telling the two gentlemen, that his intimate connection -with the family authorized his assisting and attending them at such a -period. - -This was too well known to be disputed; and Sir Sedley and the Major, -with great concern, uttered their good wishes and retreated. - -Jacob had already been for Mr. Tyrold, who had set off instantaneously -on horseback. - -Camilla spoke not a word the first mile, which was spent in an hysteric -sobbing: but, recovering a little afterwards, and sinking on the -shoulder of her sister, 'O, Lavinia!' she cried, 'should we lose my -Uncle----' - -A shower of tears wetted the neck of Lavinia, who mingled with them her -own, though less violently, from having less connection with Sir Hugh, -and a sensibility less ungovernable. - -She called herself upon the postillion to drive faster, and pressed -Edgar continually to hurry him; but though he gave every charge she -could desire, so much swifter were her wishes than any possible speed, -that twenty times she entreated to get out, believing she could walk -quicker than the horses galloped. - -When they arrived at the park gate, she was with difficulty held back -from opening the chaise door; and when, at length, they stopt at the -house porch, she could not wait for the step, and before Edgar could -either precede or prevent her, threw herself into the arms of Jacob, -who, having just dismounted, was fortunately at hand to save her from -falling. - -She stopt not to ask any question; 'My Uncle!--my Uncle!' she cried, -impetuously, and, rushing past all she met, was in his room in a moment. - -Edgar, though he could not obstruct, followed her close, dreading lest -Sir Hugh might already be no more, and determined, in that case, to -force her from the fatal spot. - -Eugenia, who heard her footstep, received her at the door, but took her -immediately from the room, softly whispering, while her arms were thrown -round her waist--'He will live! he will live, my sister! his agonies are -over--he is fallen asleep, and he will live!' - -This was too sudden a joy for the desponding Camilla, whose breath -instantly stopt, and who must have fallen upon the floor, had she not -been caught by Edgar; who, though his own eyes copiously overflowed with -delight, at such unexpected good news of the universally beloved -Baronet, had strength and exertion sufficient to carry her downstairs -into the parlour, accompanied by Eugenia. - -There, hartshorn and water presently revived her, and then, regardless -of the presence of Edgar, she cast herself upon her knees, to utter a -fervent thanksgiving, in which Eugenia, with equal piety, though more -composure, joined. - -Edgar had never yet beheld her in a light so resplendent--What a heart, -thought he, is here! what feelings, what tenderness, what animation!--O, -what a heart!--were it possible to touch it! - -The two sisters went both gently up stairs, encouraging and -congratulating each other in soft whispers, and stationed themselves in -an ante-room: Mr. Tyrold, by medical counsel, giving directions that no -one but himself should enter the sick chamber. - -Edgar, though he only saw the domestics, could not persuade himself to -leave the house till near two o'clock in the morning: and by six, his -anxiety brought him thither again. He then heard, that the Baronet had -passed a night of more pain than danger, the gout having been expelled -his stomach, though it had been threatening almost every other part. - -Three days and nights passed in this manner; during which, Edgar saw so -much of the tender affections, and softer character of Camilla, that -nothing could have withheld him from manifesting his entire sympathy in -her feelings, but the unaccountable circumstance of her starting forth -from a back seat at the play, where she had sat concealed, attended by -the Major, and without any matron protectress. - -Miss Margland, meanwhile, scowled at him, and Indiana pouted in vain. -His earnest solicitude for Sir Hugh surmounted every such obstacle to -his present visits at Cleves; and he spent there almost the whole of his -time. - -On the fourth day of the attack, Sir Hugh had a sleep of five hours' -continuance, from which he awoke so much revived, that he raised himself -in his bed, and called out--'My dear Brother! you are still here?--you -are very good to me, indeed; poor sinner that I am! to forgive me for -all my bad behaviour to your Children.' - -'My dearest Brother! my Children, like myself, owe you nothing but -kindness and beneficence; and, like myself, feel for you nothing but -gratitude and tenderness.' - -'They are very good, very good indeed,' said Sir Hugh, with a deep sigh; -'but Eugenia!--poor little Eugenia has nearly been the death of me; -though not meaning it in the least, being all her life as innocent as a -lamb.' - -Mr. Tyrold assured him, that Eugenia was attached to him with the most -unalterable fondness. But Sir Hugh said, that the sight of her, -returning from Etherington, with nearly the same sadness as ever, had -wounded him to the heart, by shewing him she would never recover; which -had brought back upon him all his first contrition, about the smallpox, -and the fall from the plank, and had caused his conscience to give him -so many twitches, that it never let him rest a moment, till the gout -seized upon his stomach, and almost took him off at once. - -Mr. Tyrold attributed solely to his own strong imagination the idea of -the continuance of the dejection of Eugenia, as she had left Etherington -calm, and almost chearful. He instantly, therefore, fetched her, -intimating the species of consolation she could afford. - -'Kindest of Uncles!' cried she, 'is it possible you can ever, for a -moment, have doubted the grateful affection with which your goodness has -impressed me from my childhood? Do me more justice, I beseech you, my -dearest Uncle! recover from this terrible attack, and you shall soon see -your Eugenia restored to all the happiness you can wish her.' - -'Nobody has got such kind nieces as me!' cried Sir Hugh, again -dissolving into tenderness; 'for all nobody has deserved so ill of them. -My generous little Camilla, forgave me from the very first, before her -young soul had any guile in it, which, God knows, it never has had to -this hour, no more than your own. However, this I can tell you, which -may serve to keep you from repenting being good, and that is, that your -kindness to your poor Uncle may be the means of saving a christian's -life; which, for a young person at your age, is as much as can be -expected: for I think, I may yet get about again, if I could once be -assured I should see you as happy as you used to be; and you've been the -contentedest little thing, till those unlucky market-women, that ever -was seen: always speaking up for the servants, and the poor, from the -time you were eight years old. And never letting me be angry, but taking -every body's part, and thinking them all as good as yourself, and only -wanting to make them as happy.' - -'Ah, my dear Uncle! how kind a memory is yours! retaining only what can -give pleasure, and burying in oblivion whatever might cause pain!--' - -'Is my Uncle well enough to speak?' cried Camilla, softly opening the -door, 'and may I--for one single moment,--see him?----' - -'That's the voice of my dear Camilla!' said Sir Hugh; 'come in, my -little love, for I shan't shock your tender heart now, for I'm going to -get better.' - -Camilla, in an ecstasy, was instantly at his bedside, passionately -exclaiming, 'My dear, dear Uncle! will you indeed recover?--' - -Sir Hugh, throwing his feeble arms round her neck, and leaning his head -upon her shoulder, could only faintly articulate, 'If God pleases, I -shall, my little darling, my heart's delight and joy! But don't vex, -whether I do or not, for it is but in the course of nature for a man to -die, even in his youth; but how much more when he comes to be old? -Though I know you can't help missing me, in particular at the first, -because of all your goodness to me.' - -'Missing you? O my Uncle! we can never be happy again without you! never -never!--when your loved countenance no longer smiles upon us,--when your -kind voice no longer assembles us around you!----' - -'My dear child--my own little Camilla,' cried Sir Hugh, in a faint -voice, 'I am ready to die!' - -Mr. Tyrold here forced her away, and his brother grew so much worse, -that a dangerous relapse took place, and for three days more, the -physician, the nurse, and Mr. Tyrold, were alone allowed to enter his -room. - -During this time, the whole family suffered the truest grief, and -Camilla was inconsolable. - -When again he began to revive, he called Mr. Tyrold to him, and said -that this second shake persuaded him he had but a short time more for -this world; and begged therefore he would prepare him for his exit. - -Mr. Tyrold complied, and found, with more happiness than surprise, his -perfect and chearful resignation either to live or to die, rejoicing as -much as himself, in the innocent benevolence of his past days. - -Composed and strengthened by religious duties, he then desired to see -Eugenia and Indiana, that he might give them his last exhortations and -counsel, in case of a speedy end. - -Mr. Tyrold would fain have spared him this touching exertion, but he -declared he could not go off with a clear conscience, unless he told -them the advice which he had been thinking of for them, between whiles, -during all his illness. - -Mr. Tyrold then feared that opposition might but discompose him, and -summoned his youngest daughter and his niece, charging them both to -repress their affliction, lest it should accelerate what they most -dreaded. - -Camilla, always upon the watch, glided in with them, supplicating her -Father not to deny her admittance; though fearful of her impetuous -sorrows, he wished her to retreat; but Sir Hugh no sooner heard her -murmuring voice, than he declared he would have her refused nothing, -though he had meant to take a particular leave of her alone, for the -last thing of all. - -Gratefully thanking him, she advanced trembling to his bedside; solemnly -promising her Father that no expression of her grief should again risk -agitating a life and health so precious. - -Sir Hugh then desired to have Lavinia called also, because, though he -had thought of nothing to say to her, she might be hurt, after he was -gone, in being left out. - -He was then raised by pillows and sat upright, and they knelt round his -bed. Mr. Tyrold entreated him to be concise, and insisted upon the -extremest forbearance and fortitude in his little audience. He seated -himself at some distance, and Sir Hugh, after swallowing a cordial -medicine, began: - -'My dear Nieces, I have sent for you all upon a particular account, -which I beg you to listen to, because, God only knows whether I may ever -be able to give you so much advice again. I see you all look very -melancholy, which I take very kind of you. However don't cry, my little -dears, for we must all go off, so it matters but little the day or the -hour; dying being, besides, the greatest comfort of us all, taking us -off from our cares; as my Brother will explain to you better than me. - -'The chief of what I have got to say, in regard to what I have been -studying in my illness, is for you two, my dear Eugenia and Indiana; -because, having brought you both up, I can't get it out of my head what -you'll do, when I am no longer here to keep you out of the danger of bad -designers. - -'My hope had been to have seen you both married while I was alive and -amongst you, and I made as many plans as my poor head knew how, to bring -it about; but we've all been disappointed alike, for which reason we -must put up with it properly. - -'What I have now last of all, to say to you, my little dears, is three -maxims, which may serve for you all four alike, though I thought of -them, at first, only for you two. - -'In the first place, _Never be proud_: if you are, your superiors -will laugh at you, your equals won't love you, and your dependants -will hate you. And what is there for poor mortal man to be proud -of?--Riches!----why they are but a charge, and if we don't use them -well, we may envy the poor beggar that has so much less to answer -for.--Beauty!----why, we can neither get it when we haven't it; nor keep -it when we have it.--Power!----why we scarce ever use it one way, but -what we are sorry we did not use it another! - -'In the second place, _Never trust a Flatterer_. If a man makes you a -great many compliments, always suspect him of some bad design, and never -believe him your friend, till he tells you of some of your faults. Poor -little things! you little imagine how many you have, for all you're so -good! - -'In the third place, _Do no harm to others, for the sake of any good it -may do to yourselves_; because the good will last you but a little -while; and the repentance will stick by you as long as you live; and -what is worse, a great while longer, and beyond any count the best -Almanack-maker knows how to reckon. - -'And now, my dear Nieces, this is all; except the recommending to my -dear Eugenia to be kind to my poor servants, who have all used me so -well, knowing I have nothing to leave them.' - -Eugenia, suppressing her sobs, promised to retain them all, as long as -they should desire to remain with her, and to provide for them -afterwards. - -'I know, you'll forget nobody, my dear little girl,' cried the Baronet, -'which makes me die contented; not even Mrs. Margland, a little -particularity not being to be considered at one's last end: and much -less Dr. Orkborne, who has so much a better right from you. As to -Indiana, she'll have her own little fortune when she comes of age; and I -dare say her pretty face will marry her before long.--And as to -Clermont, he'll come off rather short, finding I leave him nothing; but -you'll make up for the deficiency, by giving him the whole, as well as a -good wife. As to Lionel, I leave him my blessing; and as to any other -legacy I never happened to promise him any; which is very good luck for -me, as well as my best excuse; and I may say the same to my dear -Lavinia, which is the reason I called her in, because she may not often -have an opportunity to hear a man speak upon his death-bed. However all -I wish for is, that I could leave you all equal shares, as well as give -Eugenia the whole.' - -'O my dear Uncle!' exclaimed Eugenia, 'make a new Will immediately! do -everything your tenderness can dictate!--or tell me what I shall do in -your name, and every word, every wish shall be sacredly obeyed!' - -'Dear, generous, noble girl! no! I won't take from you a shilling! keep -it all--nobody will spend it so well;--and I can't give you back your -beauty; so keep it, my dear, all, for my oath's sake, when I am gone; -and don't make me die under a prevaricating; which would be but a -grievous thing for a person to do; unless he was but a bad believer: -which, God help us! there are enough, without my helping to make more.' - -Mr. Tyrold now again remonstrated, motioning to the weeping group to be -gone. - -'Ah! my dear Brother!' said Sir Hugh, 'you are the only right person -that ought to have had it all, if it had not been for my poor weak -brain, that made me always be looking askew instead of strait forward. -And indeed I always meant you to have had it for your life, till the -smallpox put all things out of my head. However, I hope you won't object -to preach my funeral sermon, for all my bad faults, for nobody else will -speak of me so kindly; which may serve as a better lesson for those I -leave behind.' - -Tears flowed fast down the cheeks of Mr. Tyrold, as he uttered whatever -he could suggest most tenderly soothing to his Brother: and the young -mourners, not daring to resist, were all gliding away, except Camilla, -whose hand was fast grasped in that of her Uncle. - -'Ah, my Camilla,' cried he, as she would gently have withdrawn it, 'how -shall I part with my little dear darling? this is the worst twitch to me -of all, with all my contentedness! And the more because I know you love -your poor old Uncle, just as well as if he had left you all he was -worth, though you won't get one penny by his death!' - -'O my dear, dearest Uncle--' exclaimed Camilla, in a passionate flood of -tears; when Mr. Tyrold, assuring them both the consequences might be -fatal, tore her away from the bed and the room. - - -END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. - - - - -VOLUME III - - - - -BOOK V - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Pursuer_ - - -Notwithstanding the fears so justly excited from the mixt emotions and -exertions of Sir Hugh, Mr. Tyrold had the happiness to see him fall into -a tranquil sleep, from which he awoke without any return of pain; his -night was quiet; the next day was still better; and the day following he -was pronounced out of danger. - -The rapture which this declaration excited in the house, and diffused -throughout the neighbourhood, when communicated to the worthy baronet, -gave a gladness to his heart that recompensed all he had suffered. - -The delight of Camilla exceeded whatever she had yet experienced: her -life had lost half its value in her estimation, while she believed that -of her uncle to be in danger. - -No one single quality is perhaps so endearing, from man to man, as -good-nature. Talents excite more admiration; wisdom, more respect; and -virtue, more esteem: but with admiration envy is apt to mingle, and fear -with respect; while esteem, though always honourable, is often cold: but -good-nature gives pleasure without any allay; ease, confidence, and -happy carelessness, without the pain of obligation, without the exertion -of gratitude. - -If joy was in some more tumultuous, content was with none so penetrating -as with Eugenia. Apprised now that she had been the immediate cause of -the sufferings of her uncle, his loss would have given to her peace a -blow irrecoverable; and she determined to bend the whole of her thoughts -to his wishes, his comfort, his entire restoration. - -To this end all her virtue was called in aid; a fear, next to aversion, -having seized her of Clermont, from the apprehension she might never -inspire in him such love as she had inspired in Bellamy, nor see in him, -as in young Melmond, such merit as might raise similar sentiments for -himself. - -Molly Mill had not failed to paint to her the disappointment of Bellamy -in not seeing her; but she was too much engrossed by the dangerous state -of her uncle, to feel any compunction in her breach of promise; though -touched with the account of his continual sufferings, she became very -gentle in her reprimands to Molly for again meeting him; and, though -Molly again disobeyed, she again was pardoned. He came daily to the lane -behind the park pales, to hear news of the health of Sir Hugh, without -pressing either for an interview or a letter; and Eugenia grew more and -more moved by his respectful obsequiousness. She had yet said nothing to -Camilla upon the subject; not only because a dearer interest mutually -occupied them, but from a secret shame of naming a lover at a period so -ungenial. - -But now that Sir Hugh was in a fair way of recovery, her situation -became alarming to herself. Openly, and before the whole house, she had -solemnly been assigned to Clermont Lynmere; and, little as she wished -the connexion, she thought it, from circumstances, her duty not to -refuse it. Yet this gentleman had attended her so long, had endured so -many disappointments, and borne them so much to her satisfaction, that, -though she lamented her concession as an injury to Clermont, and grew -ashamed to name it even to Camilla, she believed it would be cruelty -unheard of to break it. She determined, therefore, to see him, to -pronounce a farewell, and then to bend all her thoughts to the partner -destined her by her friends. - -Molly Mill was alone to accompany her to give her negative, her good -wishes, and her solemn declaration that she could never again see or -hear of him more. He could deem it no indelicacy that she suffered Molly -to be present, since she was the negociator of his own choice. - -Molly carried him, therefore, this news, with a previous condition that -he was not to detain her mistress one minute. He promised all -submission; and the next morning, after breakfast, Eugenia, in extreme -dejection at the ungrateful task she had to perform, called for Molly, -and walked forth. - -Camilla, who was then accidentally in her own room, was, soon after, -summoned by three smart raps to her chamber door. - -There, to her great surprise, she saw Edgar, who, after a hasty apology, -begged to have a few minutes conference with her alone. - -She descended with him into the parlour, which was vacant. - -'You suspect, perhaps,' said he, in an hurried manner, though attempting -to smile, 'that I mean to fatigue you with some troublesome advice; I -must, therefore, by an abrupt question, explain myself. Does Mr. Bellamy -still continue his pretensions to your sister Eugenia?' - -Startled in a moment from all thoughts of self, that at first had been -rushing with violence to her heart, Camilla answered, 'No! why do you -ask?' - -'I will tell you: In my regular visits here of late, I have almost -constantly met him, either on foot or on horseback, in the vicinity of -the park. I suspected he watched to see Eugenia; but I knew she now -never left the house; and concluded he was ignorant of the late general -confinement. This moment, however, upon my entrance, I saw him again; -and, as he hastily turned away upon meeting my eye, I dismounted, gave -my horse to my man, and determined to satisfy myself which way he was -strolling. I then followed him to the little lane to the right of the -park, where I perceived an empty post-chaise-and-four in waiting: he -advanced, and spoke with the postillion--I came instantly into the house -by the little gate. This may be accidental; yet it has alarmed me; and I -ventured, therefore, thus suddenly to apply to you, in order to urge you -to give a caution to Eugenia, not to walk out, just at present, -unattended.' - -Camilla thanked him, and ran eagerly to speak to her sister; but she was -not in her room; nor was she with her uncle; nor yet with Dr. Orkborne. -She returned uneasily to the parlour, and said she would seek her in the -park. - -Edgar followed; but they looked around for her in vain: he then, deeming -the danger urgent, left her, to hasten to the spot where he had seen the -post-chaise. - -Camilla ran on alone; and, when she reached the park gate, perceived her -sister, Molly Mill, and Bellamy, in the lane. - -They heard her quick approach, and turned round. - -The countenance of Bellamy exhibited the darkest disappointment, and -that of Eugenia the most excessive confusion. 'Now then, Sir,' she -cried, 'delay our separation no longer.' - -'Ah, permit me,' said he, in a low voice, 'permit me to hope you will -hear my last sad sentence, my final misery, another day!--I will defer -my mournful departure for that melancholy joy, which is the last I shall -feel in my wretched existence!' - -He sighed so deeply, that Eugenia, who seemed already in much sorrow, -could not utter an abrupt refusal; and, as Camilla now advanced, she -turned from him, without attempting to say any thing further. - -Camilla, in the delight of finding her sister safe, after the horrible -apprehensions she had just experienced, could not speak to her for -tears. - -Abashed at once, and amazed, Eugenia faintly asked what so affected her? -She gave no explanation, but begged her to turn immediately back. - -Eugenia consented; and Bellamy, bowing to them both profoundly, with -quick steps walked away. - -Camilla asked a thousand questions; but Eugenia seemed unable to answer -them. - -In a few minutes they were joined by Edgar, who, walking hastily up to -them, took Camilla apart. - -He told her he firmly believed a villainous scheme to have been laid: he -had found the chaise still in waiting, and asked the postillion to whom -he belonged. The man said he was paid for what he did; and refused -giving any account of himself. Bellamy then appeared: he seemed -confounded at his sight; but neither of them spoke; and he left him and -his chaise, and his postillion, to console one another. He doubted not, -he said, but the design had been to carry Eugenia off, and he had -probably only pretended to take leave, that the chaise might advance, -and the postillion aid the elopement: though finding help at hand, he -had been forced to give up his scheme. - -Camilla even with rapture blest his fortunate presence; but was -confounded with perplexity at the conduct of Eugenia. Edgar, who feared -her heart was entangled by an object who sought only her wealth, -proposed dismissing Molly Mill, that he might tell her himself the -opinion he had conceived of Bellamy. - -Camilla overtook her sister, who had walked on without listening to or -regarding them; and, sending away Molly, told her Edgar wished -immediately to converse with her, upon something of the utmost -importance. - -'You know my high esteem of him,' she answered; 'but my mind is now -occupied upon a business of which he has no information, and I entreat -that you will neither of you interrupt me.' - -Camilla, utterly at a loss what to conjecture, joined Mandlebert alone, -and told him her ill success. He thought every thing was to be feared -from the present state of the affair, and proposed revealing at once all -he knew of it to Mr. Tyrold: but Camilla desired him to take no step -till she had again expostulated with her sister, who might else be -seriously hurt or offended. He complied, and said he would continue in -the house, park, or environs, incessantly upon the watch, till some -decisive measure were adopted. - -Joining Eugenia then again, she asked if she meant seriously to -encourage the addresses of Bellamy. - -'By no means,' she quietly answered. - -'My dear Eugenia, I cannot at all understand you; but it seems clear to -me that the arrival of Edgar has saved you from some dreadful violence.' - -'You hurt me, Camilla, by this prejudice. From whom should I dread -violence? from a man who--but too fatally for his peace--values me more -than his life?' - -'If I could be sure of his sincerity,' said Camilla, 'I should be the -last to think ill of him: but reflect a little, at least, upon the risk -that you have run; my dear Eugenia! there was a post-chaise in waiting, -not twenty yards from where I stopt you!' - -'Ah, you little know Bellamy! that chaise was only to convey him away; -to convey him, Camilla, to an eternal banishment!' - -'But why, then, had he prevailed with you to quit the park?' - -'You will call me vain if I tell you.' - -'No; I shall only think you kind and confidential.' - -'Do me then the justice,' said Eugenia, blushing, 'to believe me as much -surprised as yourself at his most unmerited passion: but he told me, -that if I only cast my eyes upon the vehicle which was to part him from -me for ever, it would not only make it less abhorrent to him, but -probably prevent the loss of his senses.' - -'My dear Eugenia,' said Camilla, half smiling, 'this is a violent -passion, indeed, for so short an acquaintance!' - -'I knew you would say that,' answered she, disconcerted; 'and it was -just what I observed to him myself: but he satisfied me that the reason -of his feelings being so impetuous was, that this was the first and only -time he had ever been in love.--So handsome as he is!--what a choice for -him to make!' - -Camilla, tenderly embracing her, declared, 'the choice was all that did -him honour in the affair.' - -'He never,' said she, a little comforted, 'makes me any compliments; I -should else disregard, if not disdain him: but indeed he seems, -notwithstanding his own extraordinary manly beauty, to be wholly -superior to external considerations.' - -Camilla now forbore expressing farther doubt, from the fear of painful -misapprehension; but earnestly entreated her to suffer Edgar to be -entrusted and consulted: she decidedly, however, refused her consent. 'I -require no advice,' cried she, 'for I am devoted to my uncle's will: to -speak then of this affair would be the most cruel indelicacy, in -publishing a conquest which, since it is rejected, I ought silently, -though gratefully, to bury in my own heart.' - -She then related the history of all that had passed to Camilla; but -solemnly declared she would never, to any other human being, but him who -should hereafter be entitled to her whole heart, betray the secret of -the unhappy Bellamy. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_An Adviser_ - - -The wish of Camilla was to lay this whole affair before her father; but -she checked it, from an apprehension she might seem displaying her duty -and confidence at the expence of those of her sister; whose motives for -concealment were intentionally the most pure, however, practically, they -might be erroneous; and whom she both pitied and revered for her -proposed submission to her uncle, in opposition to her palpable -reluctance. - -She saw not, however, any obstacle to consulting with Edgar, since he -was already apprised of the business, and since his services might be -essentially useful to her sister: while, with respect to herself, there -seemed, at this time, more of dignity in meeting than shunning his -friendly intercourse, since his regard for her seemed to have lost all -its peculiarity. He has precisely, cried she, the same sentiments for my -sisters as for me,--he is equally kind, disinterested, and indifferent -to us all! anxious alike for Eugenia with Mr. Bellamy, and for me with -the detestable Major! Be it so!--we can no where obtain a better friend; -and I should blush, indeed, if I could not treat as a brother one who -can treat me as a sister. - -Tranquil, though not gay, she returned to converse with him; but when -she had related what had passed, he confessed that his uneasiness upon -the subject was increased. The heart of Eugenia appeared to him -positively entangled; and he besought Camilla not to lose a moment in -acquainting Mr. Tyrold with her situation. - -She pleaded against giving this pain to her sister with energetic -affection: her arguments failed to convince, but her eloquence -powerfully touched him; and he contented himself with only entreating -that she would again try to aid him with an opportunity of conversing -with Eugenia. - -This she could not refuse; nor could he then resist the opportunity to -inquire why Mrs. Arlbery had left her and Lavinia at the play. She -thanked him for remembering his character of her monitor, and -acknowledged the fault to be her own, with a candour so unaffected, -that, captivated by the soft seriousness of her manner, he flattered -himself his fear of the Major was a chimæra, and hoped that, as soon as -Sir Hugh was able to again join his family, no impediment would remain -to his begging the united blessings of the two brothers to his views. - -When Camilla told her sister the request of Edgar, she immediately -suspected the attachment of Bellamy had been betrayed to him; and -Camilla, incapable of any duplicity, related precisely how the matter -had passed. Eugenia, always just, no sooner heard than she forgave it, -and accompanied her sister immediately down stairs. - -'I must rest all my hope of pardon,' cried Edgar, 'for the part I am -taking, to your conviction of its motive; a filial love and gratitude to -Mr. Tyrold, a fraternal affection and interest for all his family.' - -'My own sisterly feelings,' she answered, 'make me both comprehend and -thank your kind solicitude: but, believe me, it is now founded in error. -I am shocked to find you informed of this unhappy transaction; and I -charge and beseech that no interference may wound its ill-fated object, -by suffering him to surmise your knowledge of his humiliating -situation.' - -'I would not for the world give you pain,' answered Edgar: 'but permit -me to be faithful to the brotherly character in which I consider myself -to stand with you ... all.' - -A blush had overspread his face at the word Brotherly; while at that of -_all_, which recovered him, a still deeper stained the cheeks of -Camilla: but neither of them looked at the other; and Eugenia was too -self-absorbed to observe either. - -'Your utter inexperience in life,' he continued, 'makes me, though but -just giving up leading-strings myself, an adept in the comparison. -Suffer me then, as such, to represent to you my fears, that your -innocence and goodness may expose you to imposition. You must not judge -all characters by the ingenuousness of your own; nor conclude, however -rationally and worthily a mind such as yours might--may--and will -inspire a disinterested regard, that there is no danger of any other, -and that mercenary views are out of the question, because mercenary -principles are not declared.' - -'I will not say your inference is severe,' replied Eugenia, 'because you -know not the person of whom you speak: but permit me to make this -irrefragable vindication of his freedom from all sordid motives; he has -never once named the word fortune, neither to make any inquiries into -mine, nor any professions concerning his own. Had he any inducement to -duplicity, he might have asserted to me what he pleased, since I have no -means of detection.' - -'Your situation,' said Edgar, 'is pretty generally known; and for -his ... pardon me if I hint it may be possible that silence is no virtue. -However, since I am unacquainted, you say, with his character, will you -give me leave to make myself better informed?' - -'There needs no investigation; to me it is perfectly known.' - -'Forgive me if I ask how!' - -'By his letters and by his conversation.' - -A smile which stole upon the features of Edgar obliged him to turn his -head another way; but presently recovering, 'My dear Miss Eugenia,' he -cried, 'will it not be most consonant to your high principles, and -scrupulous delicacy, to lay the whole of what has passed before Mr. -Tyrold?' - -'Undoubtedly, if my part were not strait forward. Had I the least -hesitation, my father should be my immediate and decisive umpire. -But ... I am not at liberty even for deliberation!--I am not ... I -know ... at my own disposal!'-- - -She blushed and looked down, confused; but presently, with firmness, -added, 'It is not, indeed, fit that I should be; my uncle completely -merits to be in all things my director. To know his wishes, therefore, -is not only to know, but to be satisfied with my doom. Such being my -situation, you cannot misunderstand my defence of this unhappy young -man. It is but simple justice to rescue an amiable person from calumny.' - -'Let us allow all this,' said Edgar; 'still I see no reason why Mr. -Tyrold....' - -'Mr. Mandlebert,' interrupted she, 'you must do what you judge right. I -can desire no one to abstain from pursuing the dictates of their own -sense of honour. I leave you, therefore, unshackled: but there is no -consideration which, in my opinion, can justify a female in spreading, -even to her nearest connexions, an unrequited partiality. If, therefore, -I am forced to inflict this undue mortification, upon a person to whom I -hold myself so much obliged, an uneasiness will remain upon my mind, -destructive of my forgetfulness of an event which I would fain banish -from my memory.' - -She then refused to be any longer detained. - -'How I love the perfect innocence, and how I reverence the respectable -singularity of that charming character!' cried Edgar; 'yet how vain are -all arguments against such a combination of fearless credulity, and -enthusiastic reasoning? What can we determine?' - -'I am happy to retort upon you that question,' replied Camilla; 'for I -am every way afraid to act myself, lest I should hurt this dear sister, -or do wrong by my yet dearer father.' - -'What a responsibility you cast upon me! I will not, however, shrink -from it, for the path seems far plainer to me since I have had this -conversation. Eugenia is at present safe; I see, now, distinctly, her -heart is yet untouched. The readiness with which she met the subject, -the openness with which she avows her esteem, the unembarrassed, though -modest simplicity with which she speaks of his passion and his distress, -all shew that her pity results from generosity, not from love. Had it -been otherwise, with all her steadiness, all her philosophy, some -agitation and anxiety would have betrayed her secret soul. The internal -workings of hopes and fears, the sensitive alarms of repressed -consciousness....' A deep glow, which heated his face, forced him here -to break off; and, abruptly leaving his sentence unfinished, he hastily -began another. - -'We must not, nevertheless, regard this as security for the future, -though it is safety for the present; nor trust her unsuspicious -generosity of mind to the dangerous assault of artful distress. I speak -without reserve of this man; for though I know him not, as she -remonstrated, I cannot, from the whole circumstances of his clandestine -conduct, doubt his being an adventurer.... You say nothing? tell me, I -beg, your opinion.' - -Camilla had not heard one word of this last speech. Struck with his -discrimination between the actual and the possible state of Eugenia's -mind, and with the effect the definition had produced upon himself, her -attention was irresistibly seized by a new train of ideas, till finding -he waited for an answer, she mechanically repeated his last word -'opinion?' - -He saw her absence of mind, and suspected his own too palpable -disturbance had occasioned it: but in what degree, or from what -sensations, he could not conjecture. They were both some time silent; -and then, recollecting herself, she said it was earnestly her wish to -avoid disobliging her sister, by a communication, which, made by any one -but herself, must put her into a disgraceful point of view. - -Edgar, after a pause, said, they must yield, then, to her present -fervour, and hope her sounder judgment, when less played upon, would see -clearer. It appeared to him, indeed, that she was so free, at this -moment, from any dangerous impression, that it might, perhaps, be even -safer to submit quietly to her request, than to urge the generous -romance of her temper to new workings. He undertook, meantime, to keep a -constant watch upon the motions of Bellamy, to make sedulous inquiries -into his character and situation in life, and to find out for what -ostensible purpose he was in Hampshire: entreating leave to communicate -constantly to Camilla what he might gather, and to consult with her, -from time to time, upon what measures should be pursued: yet ultimately -confessing, that if Eugenia did not steadily persist in refusing any -further rejections, he should hold himself bound in conscience to -communicate the whole to Mr. Tyrold. - -Camilla was pleased, and even thankful for the extreme friendliness and -kind moderation of this arrangement; yet she left him mournfully, in a -confirmed belief his regard for the whole family was equal. - -Eugenia, much gratified, promised she would henceforth take no step with -which Edgar should not first be acquainted. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_Various Confabulations_ - - -Mr. Tyrold saw, at first, the renewed visits of Edgar at Cleves with -extreme satisfaction; but while all his hopes were alive from an -intercourse almost perpetual, he perceived, with surprise and -perplexity, that his daughter became more and more pensive after every -interview: and as Edgar, this evening, quitted the house, he observed -tears start into her eyes as she went up stairs to her own room. - -Alarmed and disappointed, he thought it now high time to investigate the -state of the affair, and to encourage or prevent future meetings, as it -appeared to him to be propitious or hopeless. - -Penetrated with the goodness, while lamenting the indifference of Edgar, -Camilla had just reached her room; when, as she turned round to shut her -door, Mr. Tyrold appeared before her. - -Hastily, with the back of her hand, brushing off the tears from her -eyes, she said, 'May I go to my uncle, Sir?... can my uncle admit me?' - -'He can always admit you,' he answered; 'but, just now, you must forget -him a moment, and consign yourself to your father.' - -He then entered, shut the door, and making her sit down by him, said, -'What is this sorrow that assails my Camilla? Why is the light heart of -my dear and happy child thus dejected?' - -Speech and truth were always one with Camilla; who, as she could not in -this instance declare what were her feelings, remained mute and -confounded. - -'Hesitate not, my dear girl,' cried he kindly, 'to unbosom your griefs -or your apprehensions, where they will be received with all the -tenderness due to such a confidence, and held sacred from every human -inspection; unless you permit me yourself to entrust your best and -wisest friend.' - -Camilla now trembled, but could not even attempt to speak. - -He saw her disorder, and presently added, 'I will forbear to probe your -feelings, when you have satisfied me in one doubt;--Is the sadness I -have of late remarked in you the effect of secret personal disturbance, -or of disappointed expectation?' - -Camilla could neither answer nor look up: she was convinced, by this -question, that the subject of her melancholy was understood, and felt -wholly overcome by the deeply distressing confusion, with which wounded -pride and unaffected virgin modesty impress a youthful female, in the -idea of being suspected of a misplaced, or an unrequited partiality. - -Her silence, a suffocating sigh, and her earnest endeavour to hide her -face, easily explained to Mr. Tyrold all that passed within; and -respecting rather than wishing to conquer a shame flowing from fearful -delicacy, 'I would spare you,' he said, 'all investigation whatever, -could I be certain you are not called into any action; but, in that -case, I know not that I can justify to myself so implicit a confidence, -in youth and inexperience so untried in difficulties, so unused to evil -or embarrassment as yours. Tell me then, my dear Camilla, do you sigh -under the weight of any disingenuous conduct? or do you suffer from some -suspence which you have no means of terminating?' - -'My dearest father, no!' cried she, sinking upon his breast. 'I have no -suspence!' - -She gasped for breath. - -'And how has it been removed, my child?' said Mr. Tyrold, in a mournful -tone; 'has any deception, any ungenerous art....' - -'O no, no!... he is incapable ... he is superior ... he....' She stopt -abruptly; shocked at the avowal these few words at once inferred of her -partiality, of its hopelessness, and of its object. - -She walked, confused, to a corner of the room, and, leaning against the -wainscot, enveloped her face in her handkerchief, with the most painful -sensations of shame. - -Mr. Tyrold remained in deep meditation. Her regard for Edgar he had -already considered as undoubted, and her undisguised acknowledgment -excited his tenderest sympathy: but to find she thought it without -return, and without hope, penetrated him with grief. Not only his own -fond view of the attractions of his daughter, but all he had observed, -even from his childhood, in Edgar, had induced him to believe she was -irresistibly formed to captivate him; and what had lately passed had -seemed a confirmation of all he had expected. Camilla, nevertheless, -exculpated him from all blame; and, while touched by her artlessness, -and honouring her truth, he felt, at least, some consolation to find -that Edgar, whom he loved as a son, was untainted by deceit, unaccused -of any evil. He concluded that some unfortunate secret entanglement, or -some mystery not yet to be developed, directed compulsatorily his -conduct, and checked the dictates of his taste and inclination. - -Gently, at length, approaching her, 'My dearest child,' he said, 'I will -ask you nothing further; all that is absolutely essential for me to -know, I have gathered. You will never, I am certain, forget the noble -mother whom you are bound to revere in imitating, nor the affectionate -father whom your ingenuousness renders the most indulgent of your -friends. Dry up your tears then, my Camilla, and command your best -strength to conceal for ever their source, and, most especially ... from -its cause.' - -He then embraced, and left her. - -'Yes, my dearest father,' cried she, as she shut the door, 'most perfect -and most lenient of human beings! yes, I will obey your dictates; I will -hide till I can conquer this weak emotion, and no one shall ever know, -and Edgar least of all, that a daughter of yours has a feeling she ought -to disguise!' - -Elevated by the kindness of a father so adored, to deserve his good -opinion now included every wish. The least severity would have chilled -her confidence, the least reproof would have discouraged all effort to -self-conquest; but, while his softness had soothed, his approbation had -invigorated her; and her feelings received additional energy from the -conscious generosity with which she had represented Edgar as blameless. -Blameless, however, in her own breast, she could not deem him: his -looks, his voice, his manner, ... words that occasionally dropt from -him, and meanings yet more expressive which his eyes or his attentions -had taken in charge, all, from time to time, had told a flattering tale, -which, though timidity and anxious earnestness had obscured from her -perfect comprehension, her hopes and her sympathy had prevented from -wholly escaping her. Yet what, internally, she could not defend she -forgave; and, acquitting him of all intentional deceit, concluded that -what he had felt for her, he had thought too slight and immaterial to -deserve repressing on his own part, or notice on her's. To continue with -him her present sisterly conduct was all she had to study, not doubting -but that what as yet was effort, would in time become natural. - -Strengthened thus in fortitude, she descended cheerfully to supper, -where Mr. Tyrold, though he saw with pain that her spirits were -constrained, felt the fondest satisfaction in the virtue of her -exertion. - -Her night passed in the consolation of self-applause. My dear father, -thought she, will see I strive to merit his lenity, and that soothing -consideration with the honourable friendship of Edgar, will be -sufficient for the happiness of my future life, in the single and -tranquil state in which it will be spent. - -Thus comforted, she again met the eye of Mr. Tyrold the next day at -breakfast; in the midst of which repast Edgar entered the parlour. The -tea she was drinking was then rather gulped than sipped; yet she -maintained an air of unconcern, and returned his salutation with -apparent composure. - -Edgar, while addressing to Mr. Tyrold his inquiries concerning Sir Hugh, -saw, from the window, his servant, whom he had out-galloped, thrown with -violence from his horse. He rushed out of the parlour; and the first -person to rise, with involuntary intent to follow him, was Camilla. But, -as she reached the hall-door, she saw that the man was safe, and -perceived that her father was the only person who had left the room -besides herself. Ashamed, she returned, and found the female party -collected at the windows. - -Hoping to retrieve the error of her eagerness, she seated herself at the -table, and affected to finish her breakfast. - -Eugenia told her they had discovered the cause of the accident, which -had been owing to a sharp stone that had penetrated into the horse's -hoof, and which Edgar was now endeavouring to extract. - -A general scream, just then, from the window party, and a cry from -Eugenia of 'O Edgar!' carried her again to the hall-door with the -swiftness of lightning, calling out, 'Where?... What?... Good -Heaven!...' - -Molly Mill, accidentally there before her, said, as she approached, that -the horse had kicked Mr. Mandlebert upon the shoulder. - -Every thing but tenderness and terror was now forgotten by Camilla; she -darted forward with unrestrained velocity, and would have given, in a -moment, the most transporting amazement to Edgar, and to herself the -deepest shame, but that Mr. Tyrold, who alone had his face that way, -stopt, and led her back to the house, saying, 'There is no mischief; a -bee stung the poor animal at the instant the stone was extracted, and -the surprise and pain made it kick; but, fortunately, without any bad -effect. I wish to know how your uncle is; I should be glad you would go -and sit with him till I can come.' - -With these words he left her; and, though abashed and overset, she found -no sensation so powerful as joy for the safety of Edgar. - -Still, however, too little at ease for conversing with her uncle, she -went straight to her own chamber, and flew involuntarily to a window, -whence the first object that met her eyes was her father, who was -anxiously looking up. She retreated, utterly confounded, and threw -herself upon a chair at the other end of the room. - -Shame now was her only sensation. The indiscretion of her first -surprise, she knew, he must forgive, though she blushed at its -recollection; but a solicitude so pertinacious, an indulgence so -repeated of feelings he had enjoined her to combat ... how could she -hope for his pardon? or how obtain her own, to have forfeited an -approbation so precious? - -She could not go to her uncle; she would have remained where she was -till summoned to dinner, if the house-maid, after finishing all her -other work, had not a third time returned to inquire if she might clean -her room. - -She then determined to repair to the library, where she was certain only -to encounter Eugenia, who would not torment, or Dr. Orkborne, who would -not perceive her: but at the bottom of the stairs she was stopt by Miss -Margland, who, with a malicious smile, asked if she was going to hold -the bason? - -'What bason?' cried she, surprised. - -'The bason for the surgeon.' - -'What surgeon?' repeated she, alarmed. - -'Mr. Burton, who is come to bleed Mr. Mandlebert.' - -She asked nothing more. She felt extremely faint, but made her way into -the park, to avoid further conference. - -Here, in the most painful suspence, dying for information, yet shirking -whoever could give it her, she remained, till she saw the departure of -the surgeon. She then went round by a back way to the apartment of -Eugenia, who informed her that the contusion, though not dangerous, was -violent, and that Mr. Tyrold had insisted upon immediate bleeding. The -surgeon had assured them this precaution would prevent any ill -consequence; but Sir Hugh, hearing from the servants what had happened, -had desired that Edgar would not return home till the next day. - -The joy of Camilla, that nothing was more serious, banished all that was -disagreeable from her thoughts, till she was called back to reflections -less consoling, by meeting Mr. Tyrold, as she was returning to her own -room; who, with a gravity unusual, desired to speak with her, and -preceded her into the chamber. - -Trembling, and filled with shame, she followed, shut the door, and -remained at it without daring to look up. - -'My dear Camilla,' cried he with earnestness, 'let me not hope in vain -for that exertion you have promised me, and to which I know you to be -fully equal. Risk not, my dear girl, to others, those outward marks of -sensibility which, to common or unfeeling observers, seem but the effect -of an unbecoming remissness in the self-command which should dignify -every female who would do herself honour. I had hoped, in this house at -least, you would not have been misunderstood; but I have this moment -been undeceived: Miss Margland has just expressed a species of -compassion for what she presumes to be the present state of your mind, -that has given me the severest pain.' - -He stopt, for Camilla looked thunderstruck. - -Approaching her, then, with a look of concern, and a voice of -tenderness, he kindly took her hand, and added: 'I do not tell you this -in displeasure, but to put you upon your guard. You will hear from -Eugenia that we shall not dine alone; and from what I have dropt you -will gather how little you can hope to escape scrutiny. Exert yourself -to obviate all humiliating surmises, and you will amply be repaid by the -balm of self-approbation.' - -He then kissed her, and quitted the room. - -She now remained in utter despair: the least idea of disgrace totally -broke her spirit, and she sat upon the same spot on which Mr. Tyrold had -left her, till the ringing of the second dinner bell. - -She then gloomily resolved to plead an head-ache, and not to appear. - -When a footman tapt at her door, to acquaint her every body was seated -at the table, she sent down this excuse: forming to herself the further -determination, that the same should suffice for the evening, and for the -next morning, that she might avoid the sight of Edgar, in presence -either of her father or Miss Margland. - -Eugenia, with kind alarm, came to know what was the matter, and informed -her, that Sir Hugh had been so much concerned at the accident of Edgar, -that he had insisted upon seeing him, and, after heartily shaking hands, -had promised to think no more of past mistakes and disappointments, as -they had now been cleared up to the county, and desired him to take up -his abode at Cleves for a week. - -Camilla heard this with mixt pleasure and pain. She rejoiced that Edgar -should be upon his former terms with her beloved uncle; but how preserve -the caution demanded from her for so long a period, in the constant -sight of her now watchful father, and the malicious Miss Margland? - -She had added to her own difficulties by this present absconding, and, -with severe self-blame, resolved to descend to tea. But, while settling -how to act, after her sister had left her, she was struck with hearing -the name of Mandlebert pronounced by Mary, the house-maid, who was -talking with Molly Mill upon the landing place. Why it had been spoken -she knew not; but Molly answered: 'Dearee me, never mind; I'll help you -to do his room, if Nanny don't come in time. My little mistress would -rather do it herself, than he should want for anything.' - -'Why, it's natural enough,' said Mary, 'for young ladies to like young -gentlemen; and there's none other comes a nigh 'em, which I often thinks -dull enough for our young misses. And, to be certain, Mr. Mandlebert -would be as pretty a match for one of 'em as a body could desire.' - -'And his man,' said Molly, 'is as pretty a gentleman sort of person, to -my mind, as his master. I'm sure I'm as glad as my young lady when they -comes to the house.' - -'O, as to Miss Eugeny,' said Mary, 'I believe, in my conscience, she -likes our crack-headed old Doctor as well as e'er a young gentleman in -Christendom; for there she'll sit with him, hour by hour, poring over -such a heap of stuff as never was seed, reading, first one, then -t'other, God knows what; for I believe never nobody heard the like of it -before; and all the time never give the old Doctor a cross word.--' - -'She never given nobody a cross word,' interrupted Molly; 'if I was Mr. -Mandlebert, I'd sooner have her than any of 'em, for all she's such a -nidging little thing.' - -'For certain,' said Mary, 'she's very good, and a deal of good she does, -to all as asks her; but Miss Camilla for my money. She's all alive and -merry, and makes poor master young again to look at her. I wish Mr. -Mandlebert would have her, for I have overheard Miss Margland telling -Miss Lynmere she was desperate fond of him, and did all she could to get -him.' - -Camilla felt flushed with the deepest resentment, and could scarcely -command herself to forbear charging Miss Margland with this persecuting -cruelty. - -Nanny, the under house-maid, now joining them, said she had been -detained to finish altering a curtain for Miss Margland. 'And the cross -old Frump,' she added, 'is in a worse spite than ever, and she kept -abusing that sweet Mr. Mandlebert to Miss Lynmere all the while, till -she went down to dinner, and she said she was sure it was all Miss -Camilla's doings his staying here again, for she could come over master -for any thing: and she said she supposed it was to have another catch at -the young 'Squire's heart, but she hoped he would not be such a fool.' - -'I'm sure I wish he would,' cried Molly Mill, 'if it was only to spite -her, she's such a nasty old viper. And Miss Camilla's always so -good-natured, and so affable, she'd make him a very agreeable wife, I -dare say.' - -'And she's mortal fond of him, that's true,' said Mary, 'for when they -was both here, I always see her a running to the window, to see who was -a coming into the park, when he was rode out; and when he was in the -house, she never so much as went to peep, if there come six horses, one -after t'other. And she was always a saying, "Mary, who's in the parlour? -Mary, who's below?" while he was here; but before he come, duce a bite -did she ask about nobody.' - -'I like when I meets her,' said Molly Mill, 'to tell her Mr. -Mandlebert's here, Miss; or Mr. Mandlebert's there, Miss;--Dearee me, -one may almost see one self in her eyes, it makes them shine so.' - -Camilla could endure no more; she arose, and walked about the room; and -the maids, who had concluded her at dinner, hearing her step, hurried -away, to finish their gossiping in the room of Mandlebert. - -Camilla now felt wholly sunk; the persecutions of Miss Margland seemed -nothing to this blow: they were cruel, she could therefore repine at -them; they were unprovoked, she could therefore repel them: but to find -her secret feelings, thus generally spread, and familiarity commented -upon, from her own unguarded conduct, exhausted, at once, patience, -fortitude, and hope, and left her no wish but to quit Cleves while Edgar -should remain there. - -Certain, however, that her father would not permit her to return to -Etherington alone, a visit to Mrs. Arlbery was the sole refuge she could -suggest; and she determined to solicit his permission to accept -immediately the invitation of that lady. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_A Dodging_ - - -Camilla waited in the apartment of Mr. Tyrold till he came up stairs, -and then begged his leave to spend a few days at the Grove; hinting, -when he hesitated, though with a confusion that was hardly short of -torture, at what had passed amongst the servants. - -He heard her with the tenderest pity, and the kindest praise of her -sincerity; and, deeply as he was shocked to find her thus generally -betrayed, he was too compassionate to point out, at so suffering a -moment, the indiscretions from which such observations must have -originated. Yet he saw consequences the most unpleasant in this rumour -of her attachment; and though he still privately hoped that the -behaviour of Mandlebert was the effect of some transient embarrassment, -he wished her removed from all intercourse with him that was not sought -by himself, while the incertitude of his intentions militated against -her struggles for indifference. The result, therefore, of a short -deliberation was to accede to her request. - -Camilla then wrote her proposition to Mrs. Arlbery, which Mr. Tyrold -sent immediately by a stable-boy of the baronet's. - -The answer was most obliging; Mrs. Arlbery said she would herself fetch -her the next morning, and keep her till one of them should be tired. - -The relief which this, at first, brought to Camilla, in the week's -exertions it would spare, was soon succeeded by the most acute -uneasiness for the critical situation of Eugenia, and the undoubted -disapprobation of Edgar. To quit her sister at a period when she might -serve her; ... to forsake Cleves at the moment Edgar was restored to it, -seemed selfish even to herself, and to him must appear unpardonable. -'Alas!' she cried, 'how for ever I repent my hasty actions! Why have I -not better struggled against my unfortunate feelings?' - -She now almost hated her whole scheme, regretted its success, wished -herself suffering every uneasiness Miss Margland could inflict, and all -the shame of being watched and pitied by every servant in the house, in -preference to deserting Eugenia, and making Mandlebert deem her -unworthy. But self-upbraiding was all that followed her contrition: Mrs. -Arlbery was to fetch her by appointment; and it was now too late to -trifle with the conceding goodness of her father. - -She did not dare excuse herself from appearing at breakfast the next -morning, lest Mr. Tyrold should think her utterly incorrigible to his -exhortations. - -Edgar earnestly inquired after her health as she entered the room; she -slightly answered she was better; and began eating, with an apparent -eagerness of appetite: while he, who had expected some kind words upon -his own accident, surprised and disappointed, could swallow nothing. - -Mr. Tyrold, seeing and pitying what passed in her mind, gave her a -commission, that enabled her, soon, to leave the room without -affectation; and, happy to escape, she determined to go down stairs no -more till Mrs. Arlbery arrived. She wished to have conversed first upon -the affairs of Eugenia with Edgar: but to name to him whither she was -herself going, when she could not possibly name why; to give to him a -surprise that must recoil upon herself in disapprobation, was more than -she could endure. She had invested him with full powers to counsel and -to censure her; he would naturally use them to dissuade her from a visit -so ill-timed; and what could she urge in opposition to his arguments -that would not seem trifling or wilful? - -The present moment was all that occupied, the present evil all that ever -alarmed the breast of Camilla: to avoid him, therefore, now, was the -whole of her desire, unmolested with one anxiety how she might better -meet him hereafter. - -She watched at her window till she saw the groom of Mrs. Arlbery gallop -into the Park. She hastened then to take leave of Sir Hugh, whom Mr. -Tyrold had prepared for her departure; but, at the door of his -apartment, she encountered Edgar. - -'You are going out?' cried he, perceiving an alteration in her dress. - -'I am ... just going to ... to speak to my uncle,' cried she, stammering -and entering the room at the same moment. - -Sir Hugh kindly wished her much amusement, and hoped she would make him -long amends when he was better. She took leave; but again, on the -landing-place, met Edgar, who, anxious and perlexed, watched to speak to -her before she descended the stairs. Eagerly advancing, 'Do you walk?' -he cried; 'may I ask? or ... am I indiscreet?' - -She answered she had something to say to Eugenia, but should be back in -an instant. She then flew to the chamber of her sister, and conjured her -to consult Edgar in whatever should occur during her absence. Eugenia -solemnly consented. - -Jacob presently tapped at the door, to announce that Mrs. Arlbery was -waiting below in her carriage. - -How to pass or escape Edgar became now her greatest difficulty; she -could suggest nothing to palliate to him the step she was taking, yet -could still less bear to leave him to wild conjecture and certain blame: -and she was standing irresolute and thoughtful, when Mr. Tyrold came to -summon her. - -After mildly representing the indecorum of detaining any one she was to -receive by appointment, he took her apart, and putting a packet into her -hand, 'I would not,' he said, 'agitate your spirits this morning, by -entering upon any topic that might disturb you: I have therefore put -upon paper what I most desire you to consider. You will find it a little -sermon upon the difficulties and the conduct of the female heart. Read -it alone, and with attention. And now, my dearest girl, go quietly into -the parlour, and let one brief and cheerful good-morrow serve for every -body alike.' - -He then returned to his brother. - -She made Eugenia accompany her down stairs, to avoid any solitary attack -from Edgar; he suffered them to pass; but followed to the parlour, where -she hastily bid adieu to Miss Margland and Indiana; but was stopt from -running off by the former, who said, 'I wish I had known you intended -going out, for I designed asking Sir Hugh for the chariot for myself -this morning, to make a very particular visit.' - -Camilla, in a hesitating voice, said she should not use her uncle's -chariot. - -'You walk then?' - -'No, ... ma'am ... but--there is--there is a carriage--I believe, now at -the door.' - -'O dear, whose?' cried Indiana; 'do, pray, tell me where you are going?' -while Edgar, still more curious than either, held out his hand to -conduct her, that he might obtain better information. - -'I am very glad your head-ache is so well,' said Miss Margland; 'but, -pray--is Mr. Mandlebert to be your chaperon?' - -They both blushed, though both affected not to hear her: but, before -they could quit the room, Indiana, who had run to a bow-window, -exclaimed, 'Dear! if there is not Mrs. Arlbery in a beautiful high -phaeton!' - -Edgar, astonished, was now as involuntarily drawing back, as Camilla, -involuntarily, was hurrying on: but Miss Margland, insisting upon an -answer, desired to know if she should return to dinner? - -She stammered out, No. Miss Margland pursued her to ask at what time the -chariot was to fetch her; and forced from her a confession that she -should be away for some days. - -She was now permitted to proceed. Edgar, impressed with the deepest -displeasure, leading her in silence across the hall: but, stopping an -instant at the door, 'This excursion,' he gravely said, 'will rescue you -from no little intended importunity: I had purposed tormenting you, from -time to time, for your opinion and directions with respect to Miss -Eugenia.' - -And then, bowing coldly to Mrs. Arlbery, who eagerly called out to -welcome her, he placed her in the phaeton, which instantly drove off. - -He looked after them for some time, almost incredulous of her departure: -but, as his amazement subsided into certainty, the most indignant -disappointment succeeded. That she could leave Cleves at the very moment -he was reinstated in its society, seemed conviction to him of her -indifference; and that she could leave it in the present state of the -affairs of Eugenia, made him conclude her so great a slave to the love -of pleasure, that every duty and all propriety were to be sacrificed to -its pursuit. 'I will think of her,' cried he, 'no more! She concealed -from me her plan, lest I should torment her with admonitions: the -glaring homage of the Major is better adapted to her taste,--She flies -from my sincerity to receive his adulation,--I have been deceived in her -disposition,--I will think of her no more!' - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_A Sermon_ - - -The kind reception of Mrs. Arlbery, and all the animation of her -discourse, were thrown away upon Camilla. An absent smile, and a few -faint acknowledgments of her goodness were all she could return: Eugenia -abandoned when she might have been served, Edgar contemning when he -might have been approving ... these were the images of her mind, which -resisted entrance to all other. - -Tired of fruitless attempts to amuse her, Mrs. Arlbery, upon their -arrival at the Grove, conducted her to an apartment prepared for her, -and made use of no persuasion that she would leave it before dinner. - -Camilla then, too unhappy to fear any injunction, and resigned to -whatever she might receive, read the discourse of Mr. Tyrold. - - _For Miss_ Camilla Tyrold. - - It is not my intention to enumerate, my dear Camilla, the many - blessings of your situation; your heart is just and affectionate, - and will not forget them: I mean but to place before you your - immediate duties, satisfied that the review will ensure their - performance. - - Unused to, because undeserving control, your days, to this period, - have been as gay as your spirits. It is now first that your - tranquillity is ruffled; it is now, therefore, that your fortitude - has its first debt to pay for its hitherto happy exemption. - - Those who weigh the calamities of life only by the positive, the - substantial, or the irremediable mischiefs which they produce, - regard the first sorrows of early youth as too trifling for - compassion. They do not enough consider that it is the suffering, - not its abstract cause, which demands human commiseration. The man - who loses his whole fortune, yet possesses firmness, philosophy, a - disdain of ambition, and an accommodation to circumstances, is less - an object of contemplative pity, than the person who, without one - real deprivation, one actual evil, is first, or is suddenly forced - to recognise the fallacy of a cherished and darling hope. - - That its foundation has always been shallow is no mitigation of - disappointment to him who had only viewed it in its - super-structure. Nor is its downfall less terrible to its - visionary elevator, because others had seen it from the beginning - as a folly or a chimæra; its dissolution should be estimated, not - by its romance in the unimpassioned examination of a rational - looker on, but by its believed promise of felicity to its credulous - projector. - - Is my Camilla in this predicament? had she wove her own destiny in - the speculation of her wishes? Alas! to blame her, I must first - forget, that delusion, while in force, has all the semblance of - reality, and takes the same hold upon the faculties as truth. Nor - is it till the spell is broken, till the perversion of reason and - error of judgment become wilful, that Scorn ought to point 'its - finger' or Censure its severity. - - But of this I have no fear. The love of right is implanted - indelibly in your nature, and your own peace is as dependant as - mine and as your mother's upon its constant culture. - - Your conduct hitherto has been committed to yourself. Satisfied - with establishing your principles upon the adamantine pillars of - religion and conscience, we have not feared leaving you the entire - possession of general liberty. Nor do I mean to withdraw it, though - the present state of your affairs, and what for some time past I - have painfully observed of your precipitance, oblige me to add - partial counsel to standing precept, and exhortation to advice. I - shall give them, however, with diffidence, fairly acknowledging and - blending my own perplexities with yours. - - The temporal destiny of woman is enwrapt in still more impenetrable - obscurity than that of man. She begins her career by being involved - in all the worldly accidents of a parent; she continues it by being - associated in all that may environ a husband: and the difficulties - arising from this doubly appendant state, are augmented by the next - to impossibility, that the first dependance should pave the way for - the ultimate. What parent yet has been gifted with the foresight to - say, 'I will educate my daughter for the station to which she shall - belong?' Let us even suppose that station to be fixed by himself, - rarely as the chances of life authorise such a presumption; his - daughter all duty, and the partner of his own selection solicitous - of the alliance: is he at all more secure he has provided even for - her external welfare? What, in this sublunary existence, is the - state from which she shall neither rise nor fall? Who shall say - that in a few years, a few months, perhaps less, the situation in - which the prosperity of his own views has placed her, may not - change for one more humble than he has fitted her for enduring, or - more exalted than he has accomplished her for sustaining? The - conscience, indeed, of the father is not responsible for events, - but the infelicity of the daughter is not less a subject of pity. - - Again, if none of these outward and obvious vicissitudes occur, the - proper education of a female, either for use or for happiness, is - still to seek, still a problem beyond human solution; since its - refinement, or its negligence, can only prove to her a good or an - evil, according to the humour of the husband into whose hands she - may fall. If fashioned to shine in the great world, he may deem the - metropolis all turbulence; if endowed with every resource for - retirement, he may think the country distasteful. And though her - talents, her acquirements, may in either of these cases be set - aside, with an only silent regret of wasted youth and application; - the turn of mind which they have induced, the appreciation which - they have taught of time, of pleasure, or of utility, will have - nurtured inclinations and opinions not so ductile to new sentiments - and employments, and either submission becomes a hardship, or - resistance generates dissention. - - If such are the parental embarrassments, against which neither - wisdom nor experience can guard, who should view the filial without - sympathy and tenderness? - - You have been brought up, my dear child, without any specific - expectation. Your mother and myself, mutually deliberating upon the - uncertainty of the female fate, determined to educate our girls - with as much simplicity as is compatible with instruction, as much - docility for various life as may accord with invariable principles, - and as much accommodation with the world at large, as may combine - with a just distinction of selected society. We hoped, thus, should - your lots be elevated, to secure you from either exulting - arrogance, or bashful insignificance; or should they, as is more - probable, be lowly, to instil into your understandings and - characters such a portion of intellectual vigour as should make you - enter into an humbler scene without debasement, helplessness, or - repining. - - It is now, Camilla, we must demand your exertions in return. Let - not these cares, to fit you for the world as you may find it, be - utterly annihilated from doing you good, by the uncombated sway of - an unavailing, however well-placed attachment. - - We will not here canvass the equity of that freedom by which women - as well as men should be allowed to dispose of their own - affections. There cannot, in nature, in theory, nor even in common - sense, be a doubt of their equal right: but disquisitions on this - point will remain rather curious than important, till the - speculatist can superinduce to the abstract truth of the position - some proof of its practicability. - - Meanwhile, it is enough for every modest and reasonable young woman - to consider, that where there are two parties, choice can belong - only to one of them: and then let her call upon all her feelings of - delicacy, all her notions of propriety, to decide: Since Man must - choose Woman, or Woman Man, which should come forward to make the - choice? Which should retire to be chosen? - - A prepossession directed towards a virtuous and deserving object - wears, in its first approach, the appearance of a mere tribute of - justice to merit. It seems, therefore, too natural, perhaps too - generous, to be considered either as a folly or a crime. It is only - its encouragement where it is not reciprocal, that can make it - incur the first epithet, or where it ought not to be reciprocal - that can brand it with the second. With respect to this last, I - know of nothing to apprehend:--with regard to the first--I grieve - to wound my dearest Camilla, yet where there has been no subject - for complaint, there can have been none for expectation. - - Struggle then against yourself as you would struggle against an - enemy. Refuse to listen to a wish, to dwell even upon a - possibility, that opens to your present idea of happiness. All that - in future may be realised probably hangs upon this conflict. I mean - not to propose to you in the course of a few days to reinstate - yourself in the perfect security of a disengaged mind. I know too - much of the human heart to be ignorant that the acceleration, or - delay, must depend upon circumstance: I can only require from you - what depends upon yourself, a steady and courageous warfare against - the two dangerous underminers of your peace and of your fame, - imprudence and impatience. You have champions with which to - encounter them that cannot fail of success, ... good sense and - delicacy. - - Good sense will shew you the power of self-conquest, and point out - its means. It will instruct you to curb those unguarded movements - which lay you open to the strictures of others. It will talk to you - of those boundaries which custom forbids your sex to pass, and the - hazard of any individual attempt to transgress them. It will tell - you, that where allowed only a negative choice, it is your own best - interest to combat against a positive wish. It will bid you, by - constant occupation, vary those thoughts that now take but one - direction, and multiply those interests which now recognise but one - object: and it will soon convince you, that it is not strength of - mind which you want, but reflection, to obtain a strict and - unremitting control over your passions. - - This last word will pain, but let it not shock you. You have no - passions, my innocent girl, at which you need blush, though enough - at which I must tremble!--For in what consists your constraint, - your forbearance? your wish is your guide, your impulse is your - action. Alas! never yet was mortal created so perfect, that every - wish was virtuous, or every impulse wise! - - Does a secret murmur here demand: if a discerning predilection is - no crime, why, internally at least, may it not be cherished? whom - can it injure or offend, that, in the hidden recesses of my own - breast, I nourish superior preference of superior worth? - - This is the question with which every young woman beguiles her - fancy; this is the common but seductive opiate, with which - inclination lulls reason. - - The answer may be safely comprised in a brief appeal to her own - breast. - - I do not desire her to be insensible to merit; I do not even demand - she should confine her social affections to her own sex, since the - most innocent esteem is equally compatible, though not equally - general with ours: I require of her simply, that, in her secret - hours, when pride has no dominion, and disguise would answer no - purpose, she will ask herself this question, 'Could I calmly hear - that this elect of my heart was united to another? Were I to be - informed that the indissoluble knot was tied, which annihilates all - my own future possibilities, would the news occasion me no - affliction?' This, and this alone, is the test by which she may - judge the danger, or the harmlessness of her attachment. - - I have now endeavoured to point out the obligations which you may - owe to good sense. Your obligations to delicacy will be but their - consequence. - - Delicacy is an attribute so peculiarly feminine, that were your - reflections less agitated by your feelings, you could delineate - more distinctly than myself its appropriate laws, its minute - exactions, its sensitive refinements. Here, therefore, I seek but - to bring back to your memory what livelier sensations have - inadvertently driven from it. - - You may imagine, in the innocency of your heart, that what you - would rather perish than utter can never, since untold, be - suspected: and, at present, I am equally sanguine in believing no - surmise to have been conceived where most it would shock you: yet - credit me when I assure you, that you can make no greater mistake, - than to suppose that you have any security beyond what sedulously - you must earn by the most indefatigable vigilance. There are so - many ways of communication independent of speech, that silence is - but one point in the ordinances of discretion. You have nothing, in - so modest a character, to apprehend from vanity or presumption; you - may easily, therefore, continue the guardian of your own dignity: - but you must keep in mind, that our perceptions want but little - quickening to discern what may flatter them; and it is mutual to - either sex to be to no gratification so alive, as to that of a - conscious ascendance over the other. - - Nevertheless, the female who, upon the softening blandishment of an - undisguised prepossession, builds her expectation of its - reciprocity, is, in common, most cruelly deceived. It is not that - she has failed to awaken tenderness; but it has been tenderness - without respect: nor yet that the person thus elated has been - insensible to flattery; but it has been a flattery to raise - himself, not its exciter in his esteem. The partiality which we - feel inspires diffidence: that which we create has a contrary - effect. A certainty of success in many destroys, in all weakens, - its charm: the bashful excepted, to whom it gives courage; and the - indolent, to whom it saves trouble. - - Carefully, then, beyond all other care, shut up every avenue by - which a secret which should die untold can further escape you. - Avoid every species of particularity; neither shun nor seek any - intercourse apparently; and in such meetings as general prudence - may render necessary, or as accident may make inevitable, endeavour - to behave with the same open esteem as in your days of - unconsciousness. The least unusual attention would not be more - suspicious to the world, than the least undue reserve to the - subject of our discussion. Coldness or distance could only be - imputed to resentment; and resentment, since you have received no - offence, how, should it be investigated, could you vindicate? or - how, should it be passed in silence, secure from being attributed - to pique and disappointment? - - There is also another motive, important to us all, which calls for - the most rigid circumspection. The person in question is not merely - amiable; he is also rich: mankind at large, therefore, would not - give merely to a sense of excellence any obvious predilection. This - hint will, I know, powerfully operate upon your disinterested - spirit. - - Never from personal experience may you gather, how far from - soothing, how wide from honourable, is the species of compassion - ordinarily diffused by the discovery of an unreturned female - regard. That it should be felt unsought may be considered as a mark - of discerning sensibility; but that it should be betrayed uncalled - for, is commonly, however ungenerously, imagined rather to indicate - ungoverned passions, than refined selection. This is often both - cruel and unjust; yet, let me ask--Is the world a proper confident - for such a secret? Can the woman who has permitted it to go abroad, - reasonably demand that consideration and respect from the - community, in which she has been wanting to herself? To me it would - be unnecessary to observe, that her indiscretion may have been the - effect of an inadvertence which owes its origin to artlessness, not - to forwardness: She is judged by those, who, hardened in the ways - of men, accustom themselves to trace in evil every motive to - action; or by those, who, preferring ridicule to humanity, seek - rather to amuse themselves wittily with her susceptibility, than to - feel for its innocence and simplicity. - - In a state of utter constraint, to appear natural is, however, an - effort too difficult to be long sustained; and neither precept, - example, nor disposition, have enured my poor child to the - performance of any studied part. Discriminate, nevertheless, - between hypocrisy and discretion. The first is a vice; the second a - conciliation to virtue. It is the bond that keeps society from - disunion; the veil that shades our weakness from exposure, giving - time for that interior correction, which the publication of our - infirmities would else, with respect to mankind, make of no avail. - - It were better no doubt, worthier, nobler, to meet the scrutiny of - our fellow-creatures by consent, as we encounter, per force, the - all-viewing eye of our Creator: but since for this we are not - sufficiently without blemish, we must allow to our unstable - virtues all the encouragement that can prop them. The event of - discovered faults is more frequently callousness than amendment; - and propriety of example is as much a duty to our fellow-creatures, - as purity of intention is a debt to ourselves. - - To delicacy, in fine, your present exertions will owe their future - recompence, be your ultimate lot in life what it may. Should you, - in the course of time, belong to another, you will be shielded from - the regret that a former attachment had been published; or should - you continue mistress of yourself, from a blush that the world is - acquainted it was not by your choice. - - I shall now conclude this little discourse by calling upon you to - annex to whatever I have offered you of precept, the constant - remembrance of your mother for example. - - In our joint names, therefore, I adjure you, my dearest Camilla, - not to embitter the present innocence of your suffering by - imprudence that may attach to it censure, nor by indulgence that - may make it fasten upon your vitals! Imprudence cannot but end in - the demolition of that dignified equanimity, and modest propriety, - which we wish to be uniformly remarked as the attributes of your - character: and indulgence, by fixing, may envenom a dart that as - yet may be gently withdrawn, from a wound which kindness may heal, - and time may close; but which, if neglected, may wear away, in - corroding disturbance, all your life's comfort to yourself, and all - its social purposes to your friends and to the world. - - AUGUSTUS TYROLD. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_A Chat_ - - -The calm sadness with which Camilla had opened her letter was soon -broken in upon by the interest of its contents, the view it displayed of -her duties, her shame at her recent failures, and her fears for their -future execution; and yet more than all, by the full decision in which -it seemed written, that the unhappy partiality she had exposed, had been -always, and would for ever remain unreturned. - -She started at the intimation how near she stood to detection even from -Edgar himself, and pride, reason, modesty, all arose to strengthen her -with resolution, to guard every future conflict from his observation. - -The article concerning fortune touched her to the quick. Nothing -appeared to her so degrading as the most distant idea that such a -circumstance could have any force with her. But the justice done to -Edgar she gloried in, as an apology for her feelings, and exculpatory of -her weakness. Her tears flowed fast at every expression of kindness to -herself, her burning blushes dried them up as they were falling, at -every hint of her feebleness, and the hopelessness of its cause; but -wholly subdued by the last paragraph, which with reverence she pressed -to her lips, she offered up the most solemn vows of a strict and entire -observance of every injunction which the letter contained. - -She was thus employed, unnoticing the passage of time, when Mrs. Arlbery -tapped at her door, and asked if she wished to dine in her own room. - -Surprised at the question, and ashamed to be thus seen, she was -beginning a thousand apologies for not being yet dressed: but Mrs. -Arlbery, interrupting her, said, 'I never listen to excuses. 'Tis the -only battery that overpowers me. If, by any mischance, and in an evil -hour, some country cousin, not knowing my ways, or some antediluvian -prig, not minding them, happen to fall upon me with formal speeches, -where I can make no escape, a fit of yawning takes me immediately, and I -am demolished for the rest of the day.' - -Camilla, attempting to smile, promised to play the country cousin no -more. Mrs. Arlbery then observed she had been weeping; and taking her -hand, with an examining look, 'My lovely young friend,' she cried, 'this -will never do!' - -'What, ma'am?... how?... what?...' - -'Nay, nay, don't be frightened. Come down to dinner, and we'll talk over -the hows? and the whats? afterwards. Never mind your dress; we go no -where this evening; and I make a point not to suffer any body to change -their attire in my house, merely because the afternoon is taking place -of the morning. It seems to me a miserable compliment to the mistress of -a mansion, to see her guests only equip themselves for the table. For my -part, I deem the garb that is good enough for me, good enough for my -geese and turkies ... apple and oyster-sauce included.' - -Camilla then followed her down stairs, where she found no company but -Sir Sedley Clarendel. - -'Come, my dear Miss Tyrold,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'you and I may now -consider ourselves as _tête-à-tête_; Sir Sedley won't be much in our -way. He hears and sees nothing but himself.' - -'Ecstatically flattering that!' cried Sir Sedley; 'dulcet to every -nerve!' - -'O, I know you listen just now, because you are yourself my theme. But -the moment I take another, you will forget we are either of us in the -room.' - -'Inhuman to the quick!' cried he; 'barbarous to a point!' - -'This is a creature so strange, Miss Tyrold,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'that I -must positively initiate you a little into his character;--or, rather, -into its own caricature; for as to character, he has had none -intelligible these three years.--See but how he smiles at the very -prospect of being portrayed, in defiance of all his efforts to look -unconcerned! yet he knows I shall shew him no mercy. But, like all other -egotists, the only thing to really disconcert him, would be to take no -notice of him. Make him but the first subject of discourse, and praise -or abuse are pretty much the same to him.' - -'O shocking! shocking! killing past resuscitation! Abominably horrid, I -protest!' - -'O I have not begun yet. This is an observation to suit thousands. But -do not fear; you shall have all your appropriations. Miss Tyrold, you -are to be auditor and judge: and I will save you the time and the -trouble which decyphering this animal, so truly a non-descript, might -cost you.' - -'What a tremendous exordium! distressing to a degree! I am agued with -trepidation! - -'O you wretch! you know you are enchanted. But no further interruption! -I send you to Coventry for the next ten minutes.' - -'This man, my dear Miss Tyrold, whom we are about to delineate, was -meant by nature, and prepared by art, for something greatly superior to -what he now appears: but, unhappily, he had neither solidity of -judgment, nor humility of disposition, for bearing meekly the early -advantages with which he set out in life; a fine person, fine parts, and -a fine estate, all dashed into consciousness at the presuming age of one -and twenty. By this aggregate of wealthy, of mental, and of personal -prosperity, he has become at once self spoilt, and world spoilt. Had -you known him, as I have done, before he was seized with this systematic -affectation, which, I am satisfied, causes him more study than the -united pedants of both universities could inflict upon him, you would -have seen the most delightful creature breathing! a creature combining, -in one animated composition, the very essences of spirit, of gaiety, and -of intelligence. But now, with every thing within his reach, nothing -seems worth his attainment. He has not sufficient energy to make use of -his own powers. He has no one to command him, and he is too indolent to -command himself. He has therefore turned fop from mere wantonness of -time and of talents; from having nothing to do, no one to care for, and -no one to please. Take from him half his wit, and by lessening his -presumption, you will cure him of all his folly. Rob him of his fortune, -and by forcing him into exertion, you will make him one of the first men -of his day. Deface and maim his features and figure, and by letting him -see that to appear and be admired is not the same thing, you will render -him irresistible.' - -'Have you done?' cried the baronet smiling. - -'I protest,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'I believe you are a little touched! And -I don't at all want to reform you. A perfect character only lulls me to -sleep.' - -'Obliging in the superlative! I must then take as a consolation, that I -have never given you a nap?' - -'Never, Clarendel, I assure you; and yet I don't hate you! Vice is -detestable; I banish all its appearances from my coteries; and I would -banish its reality, too, were I sure I should then have any thing but -empty chairs in my drawing-room--but foibles make all the charm of -society. They are the only support of convivial raillery, and domestic -wit. If formerly, therefore, you more excited my admiration, it is now, -believe me, you contribute most to my entertainment.' - -'Condoling to a phenomenon! I have really, then, the vastly prodigious -honour to be exalted in your fair graces to the level of a mountebank? a -quack doctor? his merry Andrew? or any other such respectable buffoon?' - -'Piqued! piqued! I declare! this exceeds my highest ambition. But I must -not weaken the impression by dwelling upon it.' - -She then asked Camilla if she had any message for Cleves, as one of her -servants was going close to the park gate. - -Camilla, glad to withdraw, said she would write a few words to her -father, and retired for that purpose. - - * * * * * - -'What in the world, my dear Clarendel,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'can I do -with this poor thing? She has lost all her sprightliness, and vapours me -but to look at her. She has all the symptoms upon her of being in the -full meridian of that common girlish disease, an hopeless passion.' - -'Poor little tender dove!' cried the baronet. ''Twould be odious to cure -her. Unfeeling to excess. What in nature can be half so mellifluously -interesting? I shall now look at her with most prodigious softness. -Ought one not to sigh as she approaches?' - -'The matter to be sure is silly enough,' answered Mrs. Arlbery; 'but, -this nonsense apart, she is a charming girl. Besides, I perceive I am a -violent favourite with her; and flattery, my dear Clarendel, will work -its way, even with me! I really owe her a good turn: Else I should no -longer endure her; for the tender passion has terribly flattened her. If -we can't restore her spirits, she will be a mere dead weight to me.' - -'O a very crush! a cannon ball would be a butterfly in the comparison! -But who is the irresistible? What form has the little blind traitor -assumed?' - -'O, assure yourself, that of the first young man who has come in her -sight. Every damsel, as she enters the world, has some picture ready -painted upon her imagination, of an object worthy to enslave her: and -before any experience forms her judgment, or any comparison her taste, -she is the dupe of the first youth who presents himself to her, in the -firm persuasion of her ductile fancy, that he is just the model it had -previously created.' - -She then added, she had little doubt but young Mandlebert was the hero, -from their private conferences after the raffle, and from her blushes -when forced to name him. - -'Nay, nay, this is not the first incongruity!' said the young baronet, -'not romantic to outrage. Beech Park has nothing very horrific in it. -Nothing invincibly beyond the standard of a young lady's philosophy.' - -'Depend upon it, that's the very idea its master has conceived of the -matter himself. You wealthy Cavaliers rarely want flappers to remind -you of your advantages. That Mandlebert, you must know, is my aversion. -He has just that air and reputation of faultlessness that gives me the -spleen. I hope, for her sake, he won't think of her; he will lead her a -terrible life. A man who piques himself upon his perfections, finds no -mode so convenient and ready for displaying them, as proving all about -him to be constantly in the wrong. However, a character of that stamp -rarely marries; especially if he is rich, and has no obstacles in his -way. What can I do, then, for this poor thing? The very nature of her -malady is to make her entertain false hopes. I am quite bent upon curing -them. The only difficulty, according to custom, is how. I wish you would -take her in hand yourself.' - -'I?... preposterous in the extreme! what particle of chance should I -have against Mandlebert?' - -'O you vain wretch! to be sure you don't know, that though he is rich, -you are richer? and, doubtless, you never took notice, that though he is -handsome, you are handsomer? As to manners, there is little to choose -between you, for he is as much too correct, as you are too fantastic. In -conversation, too, you are nearly upon a par, for he is as regularly too -right, as you are ridiculously too wrong,--but O the charm of dear -amusing wrong, over dull commanding right! you have but to address -yourself to her with a little flattering distinction, and Mandlebert -ever after will appear to her a pedant.' - -'What a wicked sort of sprite is a female wit!' cried Sir Sedley, -'breathing only in mischief! a very will-o'-the-wisp, personified and -petticoated, shining but to lead astray. Dangerous past all fathom! Have -the goodness, however, my fair Jack-o'-lanthorn, to intimate what you -mean I should do with this languishing dulcinea, should I deliver her -from thraldom? You don't advise me, I presume, to take unto myself a -wife? I protest I am shivered to the utmost point north at the bare -suggestion! frozen to an icicle!' - -'No, no; I know you far too confirmed an egotist for any thing but an -old bachelor. Nor is there the least necessity to yoke the poor child to -the conjugal plough so early. The only sacrifice I demand from you is a -little attention; the only good I aim at for her, is to open her eyes, -which have now a film before them, and to let her see that Mandlebert -has no other pre-eminence, than that of having been the first young man -with whom she became acquainted. Never imagine I want her to fall in -love with you. Heaven help the poor victim to such a complication of -caprice!' - -'Nay, now I am full south again! burning with shame and choler! How you -navigate my sensations from cold to heat at pleasure! Cooke was a mere -river water-man to you. My blood chills or boils at your command. Every -sentence is a new climate. You waft me from extreme to extreme, with a -rapidity absolutely dizzying. A balloon is a broad-wheeled wagon to -you.' - -'Come, come, jargon apart, will you make yourself of any use? The cure -of a romantic first flame is a better surety to subsequent discretion, -than all the exhortations of all the fathers, and mothers, and -guardians, and maiden aunts in the universe. Save her now, and you serve -her for life;--besides giving me a prodigious pleasure in robbing that -frigid Mandlebert of such a conquest.' - -'Unhappy young swain! I pity him to immensity. How has he fallen thus -under the rigour of your wrath? Do you banish him your favour, like -another Aristides, to relieve your ear from hearing him called the -Just?' - -'Was ever allusion so impertinent? or, what is worse, for aught I can -determine, so true? for, certainly, he has given me no offence; yet I -feel I should be enchanted to humble him. Don't be concerned for him, -however; you may assure yourself he hates me. There is a certain spring -in our propensities to one another, that involuntarily opens and shuts -in almost exact harmony, whether of approbation or antipathy. Except, -indeed, in the one article of love, which, distinguishing nothing, is -ready to grasp at any thing.' - -'But why have you not recourse to the gallant cockade?' - -'The Major? O, I have observed, already, she receives his devoirs -without emotion; which, for a girl who has seen nothing of the world, is -respectable enough, his red coat considered. Whether the man has any -meaning himself, or whether he knows there is such a thing, I cannot -tell: but as I do not wish to see her surrounded with brats, while a -mere brat herself, it is not worth inquiry. You are the thing, -Clarendel, the very thing! You are just agreeable enough to annul her -puerile fascination, yet not interesting enough to involve her in any -new danger.' - -'Flattering past imitability! divine Arlberiana!' - -'Girls, in general,' continued she, 'are insupportable nuisances to -women. If you do not set them to prate about their admirers, or their -admired, they die of weariness;--if you do, the weariness reverberates -upon yourself.' - -Camilla here returned. She had written a few lines to Eugenia, to -enforce her reliance upon Edgar, with an earnest request to be sent for -immediately, if any new difficulty occurred. And she had addressed a few -warmly grateful words to her father, engaging to follow his every -injunction with her best ability. - -Sir Sedley now rung for his carriage; and Camilla, for the rest of the -evening, exerted herself to receive more cheerfully the kind civilities -of her lively hostess. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_A Recall_ - - -After two days passed with tolerable, though not natural cheerfulness at -the Grove, Camilla was surprised by the arrival of the carriage of Sir -Hugh with a short note from Eugenia. - - _To Miss_ Camilla Tyrold. - - An incident has happened that overpowers me with sadness and - horror. I cannot write. I send the chariot. O! come and pass an - hour or two at Cleves with your distressed. - - EUGENIA! - -Camilla could scarcely stop to leave a message for Mrs. Arlbery, before -she flew to the carriage; nor even inquire for her uncle at Cleves, -before she ran to the apartment of Eugenia, and, with a thousand tender -caresses, desired to know what had thus cruelly afflicted her. - -'Alas!' she answered, 'my uncle has written to Clermont to come -over,--and informed him with what view!' - -She then related, that Indiana, the preceding day, had prevailed with -Sir Hugh to let her go to the Middleton races; and she found he would be -quite unhappy if she refused to be also of the party. That they had been -joined by Bellamy on the race ground, who only, however, spoke to Miss -Margland, as Edgar, watchful and uneasy, scarce let him even see anyone -else. But the horses having taken fright, while they were in a great -crowd, Bellamy had persuaded Miss Margland to alight, while the coach -passed a terrible concourse of carriages; and, in that interval, he had -contrived to whisper a claim upon her tacit promise of viewing the -chaise which was for ever to convey him away from her; and, though her -engagement to Edgar made her refuse, he had drawn her, she knows not -herself how, from her party, and, while she was angrily remonstrating, -and he seemed in the utmost despair at her displeasure, Edgar, who had -been at first eluded by being on horseback, dismounted, forced his way -to her, and almost carried her back to the coach, leaving Bellamy, who -she was sure had no sinister design, nearly dead with grief at being -unworthily suspected. Edgar, she however added, was fixed in believing -he meant to convey her away; and Jacob, asserting he saw him purposely -frighten the horses, had told his surmises to Sir Hugh; which he had -corroborated by an account that the same gentleman had stopt to converse -with her in her last return from Etherington. Sir Hugh, terrified, had -declared he would no longer live without Clermont upon the spot. She had -felt too much for his disturbance to oppose him at the moment, but had -not imagined his plan would immediately be put into execution, till, -early this morning, he had sent for her, and produced his letter of -recall, which had taken him, he said, the whole night to compose and -finish. Urged by surprise and dissatisfaction, she was beginning a -little remonstrance; but found it made him so extremely unhappy, that, -in the fear of a relapse, she desisted; and, with a shock she knew not -when she should overcome, saw the fatal letter delivered for the post. - -Camilla, with much commiseration, inquired if she had consulted with -Edgar. Yes, she answered; and he had extorted her permission to relate -the whole transaction to her father, though in a manner wide from -justice to the ill-fated Bellamy; whose design might be extraordinary, -but whose character, she was convinced, was honourable. - -Camilla, whose education, though private, had not like that of Eugenia, -been secluded and studious, was far less credulous than her sister, -though equally artless. She knew, too, with regard to this affair, the -opinion of Edgar, and to know and be guided by it was imperceptibly one. -She declared herself, therefore, openly against Bellamy, and made her -motives consist in a commentary upon his proceedings. - -Eugenia warmly defended him, declaring the judgment of Camilla, and that -of all her friends, to be formed in the dark; for that none of them -could have doubted a moment his goodness or his honour, had they seen -the distracted suffering that was marked in his countenance. - -'And what,' cried Camilla, 'says my father to all this?' - -'He says just what Edgar says:--he is all that is kind and good, but he -has never beheld Bellamy--how, then, should he know him?' - -A message came now from Sir Hugh to Camilla, that he would see her -before she went, but that he was resting at present from the fatigue of -writing a letter. He sent her, however, with his love, the foul copy, to -amuse her till she could come to him. - - _To_ Clermont Lynmere _Esq._ - - Dear Nephew, - - I have had a very dangerous illness, and the doctors themselves are - all surprised that I recovered; but a greater doctor than them was - pleased to save me, for which I thank God. But as this attack has - made me think more than ever I thought before, I am willing to turn - my thoughts to good account. - - Now, as I have not the gift of writing, at which, thank God, I have - left off repining, from the reason of its great troublesomeness in - acquiring, I can't pretend to any thing of a fine letter, but shall - proceed to business. - - My dear Clermont, I write now to desire you would come over out of - hand; which I hope you won't take unkind, foreign parts being no - great pleasure to see, in comparison of old England; besides which, - I have another apology to offer, which is, having a fine prize in - view for you; which is the more essential, owing to some unlucky - circumstances, in which I did not behave quite as well as I wish, - though very unwillingly; which I mention to you as a warning. - However, you have no need to be cast down, for this prize will set - all right, and make you as rich as a lord, at the same time that - you are as wise as a philosopher. And as learning, though I have - the proper respect for it, won't serve to make the pot boil, you - must needs be glad of more substantial fuel; for there's no living - upon air, however you students may affect to think eating mere - gluttony. - - Now, this prize is no other than your cousin Eugenia Tyrold, whom I - don't tell you is a beauty; but if you are the sensible lad I take - you for, you won't think the worse of her for wanting such frail - perfections. Besides, we should not be too nice amongst relations, - for if we are, what can we expect from the wide world? So I beg you - to come over with all convenient speed, for fear of her falling a - prey to some sharper, many such being to be found; especially at - horse-races, and so forth. I remain, - - Dear nephew, - Your affectionate uncle, - - HUGH TYROLD. - -Eugenia, from motives of delicacy and of shame, declined reading the -copy as she had declined reading the letter; but looked so extremely -unhappy, that Camilla offered to plead with her uncle, and use her -utmost influence that he would countermand the recall. - -'No,' answered she, 'no! 'tis a point of duty and gratitude, and I must -bear its consequences.' - -She was now called down to Mr. Tyrold. Camilla accompanied her. - -He told her he had gathered, from the kind zeal and inquiries of Edgar, -that Bellamy had certainly laid a premeditated plan for carrying her -off, if she went to the races; which, as the whole neighbourhood was -there, might reasonably be expected. - -Eugenia, with fervour, protested such wickedness was impossible. - -'I am unwilling, my dear child,' he answered, 'to adulterate the purity -of your thoughts and expectations, by inculcating suspicions; but, -though nature has blessed you with an uncommon understanding, remember, -in judgment you are still but fifteen, and in experience but a child. -One thing, however, tell me candidly, is it from love of justice, or is -it for your happiness you combat thus ardently for the integrity of this -young man?' - -'For my justice, Sir!' said she firmly. - -'And no latent reason mingles with and enforces it?' - -'None, believe me! save only what gratitude dictates.' - -'If your heart, then, is your own, my dear girl, do not be uneasy at the -letter to Clermont. Your uncle is the last man upon earth to put any -constraint upon your inclinations; and need I add to my dearest Eugenia, -I am the last father to thwart or distress them? Resume, therefore, -your courage and composure; be just to your friends, and happy in -yourself.' - -Reason was never thrown away upon Eugenia. Her mind was a soil which -received and naturalized all that was sown in it. She promised to look -forward with more cheerfulness, and to dwell no longer upon this -agitating transaction. - -Edgar now came in. He was going to Beech Park to meet Bellamy. He was -charged with a long message for him from Sir Hugh; and an order to -inform him that his niece was engaged; which, however, he declined -undertaking, without first consulting her. - -This was almost too severe a trial of the duty and fortitude of Eugenia. -She coloured, and was quitting the room in silence: but presently -turning back, 'My uncle,' she cried, 'is too ill now for argument, and -he is too dear to me for opposition:--Say, then, just what you think -will most conduce to his tranquillity and recovery.' - -Her father embraced her; Camilla shed tears; and Edgar, in earnest -admiration, kissed her hand. She received their applause with -sensibility, but looked down with a secret deduction from its force, as -she internally uttered, 'My task is not so difficult as they believe! -touched as I am with the constancy of Bellamy--It is not Melmond who -loves me! it is not Melmond I reject!--' - -Edgar was immediately setting off, but, stopping him--'One thing alone I -beg,' she said; 'do not communicate your intelligence abruptly. Soften -it by assurances of my kind wishes.--Yet, to prevent any deception, any -future hope--say to him--if you think it right--that I shall regard -myself, henceforward, as if already in that holy state so sacred to one -only object.' - -She blushed, and left them, followed by Camilla. - -'If born but yesterday,' cried Mr. Tyrold, while his eyes glistened, -'she could not be more perfectly free from guile.' - -'Yet that,' said Edgar, 'is but half her praise; she is perfectly free, -also, from self! she is made up of disinterested qualities and liberal -sensations. To the most genuine simplicity, she joins the most singular -philosophy; and to knowledge and cultivation, the most uncommon, adds -all the modesty as well as innocence of her extreme youth and -inexperience.' - -Mr. Tyrold subscribed with frankness to this just praise of his -highly-valued daughter; and they then conferred upon the steps to be -taken with Bellamy, whom neither of them scrupled to pronounce a mere -fortune-hunter. All the inquiries of Edgar were ineffectual to learn any -particulars of his situation. He said he was travelling for his -amusement; but he had no recommendation to anyone; though, by being -constantly well-dressed, and keeping a shewy footman, he had contrived -to make acquaintance almost universally in the neighbourhood. Mr. Tyrold -determined to accompany Edgar to Beech Park himself, and there, in the -most peremptory terms, to assure him of the serious measures that would -ensue, if he desisted not from his pursuit. - -He then went to take leave of Camilla, who had been making a visit to -her uncle, and was returning to the Grove. - -He had seen with concern the frigid air with which Edgar had bowed to -her upon his entrance, and with compassion the changed countenance with -which she had received his formal salutation. His hope of the alliance -now sunk; and so favourite a wish could not be relinquished without -severe disappointment; yet his own was immaterial to him when he looked -at Camilla, and saw in her expressive eyes the struggle of her soul to -disguise her wounded feelings. He now regretted that she had not -accompanied her mother abroad; and desired nothing so earnestly as any -means to remove her from all intercourse with Mandlebert. He seconded, -therefore, her speed to be gone, happy she would be placed where -exertion would be indispensable; and gently, yet clearly, intimated his -wish that she should remain at the Grove, till she could meet Edgar -without raising pain in her own bosom, or exciting suspicions in his. -Cruelly mortified, she silently acquiesced. He then said whatever was -most kind to give her courage; but, dejected by her conscious failure, -and afflicted by the change in Edgar, she returned to Mrs. Arlbery in a -state of mind the most melancholy. - -And here, nothing could be less exhilarating nor less seasonable than -the first news she heard. - -The regiment of General Kinsale was ordered into Kent, in the -neighbourhood of Tunbridge: It was the season for drinking the water of -that spring; and Mr. Dennel was going thither with his daughter. Sir -Sedley Clarendel conceived it would be serviceable also to his own -health; and had suddenly proposed to Mrs. Arlbery forming a party to -pass a few weeks there. With a vivacity always ready for any new -project, she instantly agreed to it, and the journey was settled to -take place in three days. When Camilla was informed of this intended -excursion, the disappointment with which it overpowered her was too -potent for disguise: and Mrs. Arlbery was so much struck with it, that, -during coffee, she took Sir Sedley apart, and said; 'I feel such concern -for the dismal alteration of that sweet girl, that I could prevail with -myself, all love-lorn as she is, to take her with me to Tunbridge, if -you will aid my hardy enterprise of driving that frozen composition of -premature wisdom from her mind. If you are not as invulnerable as -himself, you cannot refuse me this little sleight of gallantry.' - -Sir Sedley gave a laughing assent, declaring, at the same time, with the -strongest professed diffidence, his conscious inability. Mrs. Arlbery, -in high spirits, said she scarce knew which would most delight her, to -mortify Edgar, or restore Camilla to gaiety and independance. Yet she -would watch, she said, that matters went no further than just to shake -off a whining first love; for the last thing upon earth she intended was -to entangle her in a second. - -Camilla received the invitation with pleasure yet anxiety: for though -glad to be spared returning to Cleves in a state of disturbance so -suspicious, she was bitterly agitated in reflecting upon the dislike of -Edgar to Mrs. Arlbery, the pains he had taken to prevent her mingling -with this society, and the probably final period to his esteem and -good-will, that would prove the result of her accompanying such a party -to a place of amusement. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_A Youth of the Times_ - - -Mrs. Arlbery accompanied Camilla the next day to Cleves, to ask -permission of Mr. Tyrold for the excursion. She would trust the request -to none but herself, conscious of powers of persuasion unused to -repulse. - -Mr. Tyrold was distressed by the proposition: he was not satisfied in -trusting his unguarded Camilla to the dissipation of a public place, -except under the wing of her mother; though he felt eager to remove her -from Edgar, and rejoiced in any opportunity to allow her a change of -scene, that might revive her natural spirits, and unchain her heart from -its unhappy subjection. - -Perceiving him undetermined, Mrs. Arlbery called forth all her artillery -of eloquence and grace, to forward her conquest. The licence she allowed -herself in common of fantastic command, gave way to the more feminine -attraction of soft pleading: her satire, which, though never malignant, -was often alarming, was relinquished for a sportive gaiety that diffused -general animation; and Mr. Tyrold soon, though not caught like his -daughter, ceased to wonder that his daughter had been caught. - -In this indecision he took Camilla apart, and bade her tell him, without -fear or reserve, her own feelings, her own wishes, her own opinion upon -this scheme. She held such a call too serious and too kind for disguise: -she hid her face upon his shoulder and wept; he soothed and encouraged -her to confidence; and, in broken accents, she then acknowledged herself -unequal, as yet, to fulfilling his injunctions of appearing cheerful and -easy, though sensible of their wisdom. - -Mr. Tyrold, with a heavy heart, saw how much deeper was her wound, than -the airiness of her nature had prepared him to expect, and could no -longer hesitate in granting his consent. He saw it was her wish to go; -but he saw that the pleasures of a public place had no share in exciting -it. To avoid betraying her conscious mortification was her sole and -innocent motive; and though he would rather have sent her to a more -private spot, and have trusted her to a more retired character; he yet -thought it possible, that what opportunity presented unsought, might, -eventually, prove more beneficial than what his own choice would have -dictated; for public amusements, to the young and unhackneyed, give -entertainment without requiring exertion; and spirits lively as those of -Mrs. Arlbery create nearly as much gaiety as they display. - -Fixed, now, for the journey, he carried Camilla to her uncle to take -leave. The prospect of not seeing her again for six weeks was gloomy to -Sir Hugh; though he bore it better at this moment, when his fancy was -occupied by arranging preparations for the return of Clermont, than he -could have done at almost any other. He put into her hand a fifty pound -Bank note for her expences, and when, with mingled modesty and -dejection, she would have returned the whole, as unnecessary even to her -wishes, Mr. Tyrold, interfering, made her accept twenty pounds. Sir -Hugh pressed forward the original sum in vain; his brother, though -always averse to refuse his smallest desire, thought it here a duty to -be firm, that the excursion, which he granted as a relief to her -sadness, might not lead to pleasures ever after beyond her reach, nor to -their concomitant extravagance. She could not, he knew, reside at -Tunbridge with the oeconomy and simplicity to which she was accustomed -at Etherington; but he charged her to let no temptation make her forget -the moderate income of which alone she was certain; assuring her, that -where a young woman's expences exceeded her known expectations, those -who were foremost to praise her elegance, would most fear to form any -connection with her, and most despise or deride her in any calamity. - -Camilla found no difficulty in promising the most exact observance of -this instruction; her heart seemed in sackcloth and ashes, and she cared -not in what manner her person should be arrayed. - -Sir Hugh earnestly enjoined her not to fail to be at Cleves upon the -arrival of Clermont, intimating that the nuptials would immediately take -place. - -She then sought Eugenia, whom she found with Dr. Orkborne, in a state of -mind so perfectly calm and composed, as equally to surprise and rejoice -her. She saw with pleasure that all Bellamy had inspired was the most -artless compassion; for since his dismission had now positively been -given, and Clermont was actually summoned, she devoted her thoughts -solely to the approaching event, with the firm, though early wisdom -which distinguished her character. - -Indiana joined them; and, in a low voice, said to Camilla, 'Pray, -cousin, do you know where Mr. Macdersey is? because I am sadly afraid -he's dead.' - -Camilla, surprised, desired to know why she had such an apprehension? - -'Because he told me he'd shoot himself through the brains if I was -cruel--and I am sure I had no great choice given me: for, between -ourselves, Miss Margland gave all the answers for me, without once -stopping to ask me what I should chuse. So if he has really done it, the -fault is more her's than mine.' - -She then said, that, just after Camilla's departure the preceding day, -Mr. Macdersey arrived, and insisted upon seeing her, and speaking to Sir -Hugh, as he was ordered into Kent, and could not go so far in suspence. -Sir Hugh was not well enough to admit him; and Miss Margland, upon whom -the office devolved, took upon her to give him a positive refusal; and -though she went into the room while he was there, never once would let -her make an answer for herself. - -Miss Margland, she added, had frightened Sir Hugh into forbidding him -the house, by comparing him with Mr. Bellamy; but Mr. Macdersey had -frightened them all enough, in return, as he went away, by saying, that -as soon as ever Sir Hugh was well, he would call him out, because of his -sending him word down stairs not to come to Cleves any more, for he had -been disturbed enough already by another Irish fortune-hunter, that came -after another of his nieces; and he was the more sure Mr. Macdersey was -one of them, because of his being a real Irishman, while Mr. Bellamy was -only an Englishman. 'But don't you think now, cousin,' she continued, -'Miss Margland might as well have let me speak for myself?' - -Camilla inquired if she was sorry for the rejection. - -'N ... o,' she answered, with some hesitation; 'for Miss Margland says -he's got no rent-roll; besides, I don't think he's so agreeable as Mr. -Melmond; only Mr. Melmond's worth little or no fortune they say: for -Miss Margland inquired about it, after Mr. Mandlebert behaved so. Else I -can't say I thought Mr. Melmond disagreeable.' - -Mrs. Arlbery now sent to hasten Camilla, who, in returning to the -parlour, met Edgar. He had just gathered her intended excursion, and, -sick at heart, had left the room. Camilla felt the consciousness of a -guilty person at his sight; but he only slightly bowed; and coldly -saying, 'I hope you will have much pleasure at Tunbridge,' went on to -his own room. - -And there, replete with resentment for the whole of her late conduct, he -again blessed Dr. Marchmont for his preservation from her toils; and, -concluding the excursion was for the sake of the Major, whose regiment -he knew to be just ordered into Kent, he centered every former hope in -the one single wish that he might never see her more. - -Camilla, shocked by such obvious displeasure, quitted Cleves with still -increasing sadness; and Mrs. Arlbery would heartily have repented her -invitation, but for her dependance upon Sir Sedley Clarendel. - -At Etherington they stopt, that Camilla might prepare her package for -Tunbridge. Mrs. Arlbery would not alight. - -While Camilla, with a maid-servant, was examining her drawers, the -chamber door was opened by Lionel, for whom she had just inquired, and -who, telling her he wanted to speak to her in private, turned the maid -out of the room. - -Camilla begged him to be quick, as Mrs. Arlbery was waiting. - -'Why then, my dear little girl,' cried he, 'the chief substance of the -matter is neither more nor less than this: I want a little money.' - -'My dear brother,' said Camilla, pleasure again kindling in her eyes as -she opened her pocket-book, 'you could never have applied to me so -opportunely. I have just got twenty pounds, and I do not want twenty -shillings. Take it, I beseech you, any part, or all.' - -Lionel paused and seemed half choaked. 'Camilla,' he cried presently, -'you are an excellent girl. If you were as old and ugly as Miss -Margland, I really believe I should think you young and pretty. But this -sum is nothing. A drop of water to the ocean.' - -Camilla now, drawing back, disappointed and displeased, asked how it was -possible he should want more. - -'More, my dear child? why I want two or three cool hundred.' - -'Two or three hundred?' repeated she, amazed. - -'Nay, nay, don't be frightened. My uncle will give you two or three -thousand, you know that. And I really want the money. It's no joke, I -assure you. It's a case of real distress.' - -'Distress? impossible! what distress can you have to so prodigious an -amount?' - -'Prodigious! poor little innocent! dost think two or three hundred -prodigious?' - -'And what is become of the large sums extorted from my uncle Relvil?' - -'O that was for quite another thing. That was for debts. That's gone and -over. This is for a perfectly different purpose.' - -'And will nothing--O Lionel!--nothing touch you? My poor mother's -quitting England ... her separation from my father and her family ... my -uncle Relvil's severe attack ... will nothing move you to more -thoughtful, more praise-worthy conduct?' - -'Camilla, no preaching! I might as well cast myself upon the old ones at -once. I come to you in preference, on purpose to avoid sermonising. -However, for your satisfaction, and to spur you to serve me, I can -assure you I have avoided all new debts since the last little deposit of -the poor sick hypochondriac miser, who is pining away at the loss of a -few guineas, that he had neither spirit nor health to have spent for -himself.' - -'Is this your reasoning, your repentance, Lionel, upon such a -catastrophe?' - -'My dear girl, I am heartily concerned at the whole business, only, as -it's over, I don't like talking of it. This is the last scrape I shall -ever be in while I live. But if you won't help me, I am undone. You know -your influence with my uncle. Do, there's a dear girl, use it for your -brother! I have not a dependance in the world, now, but upon you!' - -'Certainly I will do whatever I can for you,' said she, sighing; 'but -indeed, my dear Lionel, your manner of going on makes my very heart -ache! However, let this twenty pounds be in part, and tell me your very -smallest calculation for what must be added?' - -'Two hundred. A farthing less will be of no use; and three will be of -thrice the service. But mind!... you must not say it's for me!' - -'How, then, can I ask for it?' - -'O, vamp up some dismal ditty.' - -'No, Lionel!' exclaimed she, turning away from him; 'you propose what -you know to be impracticable.' - -'Well, then, if you must needs say it's for me, tell him he must not for -his life own it to the old ones.' - -'In the same breath, must I beg and command?' - -'O, I always make that my bargain. I should else be put into the lecture -room, and not let loose again till I was made a milk-sop. They'd talk me -so into the vapours, I should not be able to act like a man for a month -to come.' - -'A man, Lionel?' - -'Yes, a man of the world, my dear; a knowing one.' - -Mrs. Arlbery now sent to hasten her, and he extorted a promise that she -would go to Cleves the next morning, and procure a draft for the money, -if possible, to be ready for his calling at the Grove in the afternoon. - -She felt this more deeply than she had time or courage to own to -Lionel, but her increased melancholy was all imputed to reflections -concerning Mandlebert by Mrs. Arlbery. - - * * * * * - -That lady lent her chaise the next morning, with her usual promptitude -of good humour, and Camilla went to Cleves, with a reluctance that never -before accompanied her desire to oblige. - -Her visit was received most kindly by all the family, as merely an -additional leave taking; in which light, though she was too sincere to -place it, she suffered it to pass. Having no chance of being alone with -her uncle by accident, she was forced to beg him, in a whisper, to -request a _tête-à-tête_ with her: and she then, covered with all the -confusion of a partner in his extravagance, made the petition of Lionel. - -Sir Hugh seemed much surprised, but protested he would rather part with -his coat and waistcoat than refuse anything to Camilla. He gave her -instantly a draft upon his banker for two hundred pounds; but added, he -should take it very kind of her, if she would beg Lionel to ask him for -no more this year, as he was really so hard run, he should not else be -able to make proper preparations for the wedding, till his next rents -became due. - -Camilla was now surprised in her turn; and Sir Hugh then confessed, -that, between presents and petitions, his nephew had had no less than -five hundred pounds from him the preceding year, unknown to his parents; -and that for this year, the sum she requested made the seventh hundred; -without the least account for what purpose it was given. - -Camilla now heartily repented being a partner in a business so -rapacious, so unjustifiable, and so mysterious; but, kindly interrupting -her apology, 'Don't be concerned, my dear,' he cried, 'for there's no -help for these things; though what the young boys do with all their -money now-a-days, is odd enough, being what I can't make out. However, -he'll soon be wiser, so we must not be too severe with him; though I -told him, the last time, I had rather he would not ask me so often; -which was being almost too sharp, I'm afraid, considering his youngness; -for one can't expect him to be an old man at once.' - -Camilla gave voluntarily her word no such application should find her -its ambassadress again: and though he would have dispensed with the -promise, she made it the more readily as a guard against her own -facility. - -'At least,' cried the baronet, 'say nothing to my poor brother, and more -especially to your mother; it being but vexatious to such good parents -to hear of such idleness, not knowing what to think of it; for it is a -great secret, he says, what he does with it all; for which reason one -can't expect him to tell it. My poor brother, to be sure, had rather he -should be studying _hic_, _hæc_, _hoc_; but, Lord help him! I believe he -knows no more of that than I do myself; and I never could make out much -meaning of it, any further than it's being Latin; though I suppose, at -the time, Dr. Orkborne might explain it to me, taking it for granted he -did what was right.' - -Camilla was most willing to agree to concealing from her parents what -she knew must so painfully afflict them, though she determined to assume -sufficient courage to expostulate most seriously with her brother, -against whom she felt sensations of the most painful anger. - -Again she now took leave; but upon re-entering the parlour, found Edgar -there alone. - -Involuntarily she was retiring; but the counsel of her father recurring -to her, she compelled herself to advance, and say, 'How good you have -been to Eugenia! how greatly are we all indebted for your kind vigilance -and exertion!' - -Edgar, who was reading, and knew not she was in the house, was -surprised, both by her sight and her address, out of all his -resolutions; and, with a softness of voice he meant evermore to deny -himself, answered, 'To me? can any of the Tyrold family talk of being -indebted to me?--my own obligations to all, to every individual of that -name, have been the pride, have been--hitherto--the happiness of my -life!--' - -The word 'hitherto,' which had escaped, affected him: he stopt, -recollected himself, and presently, more drily added, 'Those obligations -would be still much increased, if I might flatter myself that one of -that race, to whom I have ventured to play the officious part of a -brother, could forget those lectures, she can else, I fear, with -difficulty pardon.' - -'You have found me unworthy your counsel,' answered Camilla, gravely, -and looking down; 'you have therefore concluded I resent it: but we are -not always completely wrong, even when wide from being right. I have -not been culpable of quite so much folly as not to feel what I have owed -to your good offices; nor am I now guilty of the injustice to blame -their being withdrawn. You do surely what is wisest, though -not--perhaps--what is kindest.' - -To these last words she forced a smile; and, wishing him good morning, -hurried away. - -Amazed past expression, and touched to the soul, he remained, a few -instants, immoveable; then, resolving to follow her, and almost -resolving to throw himself at her feet, he opened the door she had shut -after her: he saw her still in the hall, but she was in the arms of her -father and sisters, who had all descended, upon hearing she had left Sir -Hugh, and of whom she was now taking leave. - -Upon his appearance, she said she could no longer keep the carriage; -but, as she hastened from the hall, he saw that her eyes were swimming -in tears. - -Her father saw it too, with less surprise, but more pain. He knew her -short and voluntary absence from her friends could not excite them: his -heart ached with paternal concern for her; and, motioning everybody else -to remain in the hall, he walked with her to the carriage himself, -saying, in a low voice, as he put her in, 'Be of better courage, my -dearest child. Endeavour to take pleasure where you are going--and to -forget what you are leaving: and, if you wish to feel or to give -contentment upon earth, remember always, you must seek to make -circumstance contribute to happiness, not happiness subservient to -circumstance.' - -Camilla, bathing his hand with her tears, promised this maxim should -never quit her mind till they met again. - -She then drove off. - -'Yes,' she cried, 'I must indeed study it; Edgar cares no more what -becomes of me! resentment next to antipathy has taken place of his -friendship and esteem!' - -She wrote down in her pocket-book the last words of her father; she -resolved to read them daily, and to make them the current lesson of her -future and disappointed life. - - * * * * * - -Lionel, too impatient to wait for the afternoon, was already at the -Grove, and handed her from the chaise. But, stopping her in the portico, -'Well,' he cried, 'where's my draft?' - -'Before I give it you,' said she, seriously, and walking from the -servants, 'I must entreat to speak a few words to you.' - -'You have really got it, then?' cried he, in a rapture; 'you are a -charming girl! the most charming girl I know in the world! I won't take -your poor twenty pounds: I would not touch it for the world. But come, -where's the draft? Is it for the two or the three?' - -'For the two; and surely, my dear Lionel--' - -'For the two? O, plague take it!--only for the two?--And when will you -get me the odd third?' - -'O brother! O Lionel! what a question! Will you make me repent, instead -of rejoice, in the pleasure I have to assist you?' - -'Why, when he was about it, why could he not as well come down like a -gentleman at once? I am sure I always behaved very handsomely to him.' - -'How do you mean?' - -'Why, I never frightened him; never put him beside his poor wits, like -t'other poor nuncle. I don't remember I ever did him an ill turn in my -life, except wanting Dr. Pothook, there, to flog him a little for not -learning his book. It would have been a rare sight if he had!--Don't you -think so?' - -'Rare, indeed, I hope!' - -'Why, now, what could he have done, if the Doctor had really performed -it? He could not in justice have found fault, when he put himself to -school to him. But he'd have felt a little queer. Don't you think he -would?' - -'You only want to make me laugh, to prevent my speaking to the purpose; -but I am not disposed to laugh; and therefore--' - -'O, if you are not disposed to laugh, you are no company for me. Give me -my draft, therefore.' - -'If you will not hear, I hope, at least, Lionel, you will think; and -that may be much more efficacious. Shall I put up the twenty? I really -do not want it. And it is all, all, all I can ever procure you! Remember -that!' - -'What?--all?--this all?--what, not even the other little mean hundred?' - -'No, my dear brother! I have promised my uncle no further application--' - -'Why what a stingy, fusty old codger, to draw such a promise from you!' - -'Hold, hold, Lionel! I cannot endure to hear you speak in such a manner -of such an uncle! the best, the most benevolent, the most indulgent--' - -'Lord, child, don't be so precise and old maidish. Don't you know it's a -relief to a man's mind to swear, and say a few cutting things when he's -in a passion? when all the time he would no more do harm to the people -he swears at, than you would, that mince out all your words as if you -were talking treason, and thought every man a spy that heard you. -Besides, how is a man the worse for a little friendly curse or two, -provided he does not hear it? It's a very innocent refreshment to a -man's mind, my dear; only you know nothing of the world.' - -Mrs. Arlbery now approaching, he hastily took the draft, and, after a -little hesitation, the twenty pounds, telling her, if she would not ask -for him, she must ask for herself, and that he felt no compunction, as -he was certain she might draw upon her uncle for every guinea he was -worth. - -He then heartily embraced her; said she was the best girl in the world, -when she did not mount the pulpit, and rode off. - -Camilla felt no concern at the loss of her twenty pounds: lowered and -unhappy, she was rather glad than sorry that her means for being abroad -were diminished, and that to keep her own room would soon be most -convenient. - -The next day was fixed for the journey. - - - - -BOOK VI - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Walk by Moonlight_ - - -Mrs. Arlbery and Camilla set off in the coach of Mr. Dennel, widower of -a deceased sister of the husband of Mrs. Arlbery, whom she was induced -to admit of the party that he might aid in bearing the expenses, as she -could not, from some family considerations, refuse taking her niece into -her coterie. Sir Sedley Clarendel drove his own phaeton; but instead of -joining them, according to the condition which occasioned the treaty, -cantered away his ponies from the very first stage, and left word, where -he changed horses, that he should proceed to the hotel upon the -Pantiles. - -Mrs. Arlbery was nearly provoked to return to the Grove. With Mr. Dennel -she did not think it worth while to converse; her niece she regarded as -almost an idiot; and Camilla was so spiritless, that, had not Sir Sedley -acceded to her plan, this was the last period in which she would have -chosen her for a companion. - -They travelled very quietly to within a few miles of Tunbridge, when an -accident happened to one of the wheels of the carriage, that the -coachman said would take some hours to repair. They were drawn on, with -difficulty, to a small inn upon the road, whence they were obliged to -send a man and horse to Tunbridge for chaises. - -As they were destined, now, to spend some time in this place, Mrs. -Arlbery retired to write letters, and Mr. Dennel to read newspapers; -and, invited by a bright moon, Camilla and Miss Dennel wandered from a -little garden to an adjoining meadow, which conducted them to a lane, -rendered so beautiful by the strong masses of shade with which the trees -intercepted the resplendent whiteness of the moon, that they walked on, -catching fresh openings with fresh pleasure, till the feet of Miss -Dennel grew as weary with the length of the way, unbroken by any -company, as the ears of Camilla with her incessant prattling, unaided by -any idea. Miss Dennel proposed to sit down, and, while relieving herself -by a fit of yawning and stretching, Camilla strolled a little further in -search of a safe and dry spot. - -Miss Dennel, following in a moment, on tiptoe, and trembling, whispered -that she was sure she heard a voice. Camilla, with a smile, asked if -only themselves were privileged to enjoy so sweet a night? 'Hush!' cried -she, 'hush! I hear it again!' They listened; and, in a minute, a soft -plaintive tone reached their ears, too distant to be articulate, but -undoubtedly female. - -'I dare say it's a robber!' exclaimed Miss Dennel shaking; 'If you don't -run back, I shall die!' - -Camilla assured her, from the gentleness of the sound, she must be -mistaken; and pressed her to advance a few steps further, in case it -should be anybody ill. - -'But you know,' said Miss Dennel, speaking low, 'people say that -sometimes there are noises in the air, without its being anybody? -Suppose it should be that?' - -Still, though almost imperceptibly, Camilla drew her on, till, again -listening, they distinctly heard the words, 'My lovely friend.' - -'La! how pretty!' said Miss Dennel; 'let's go a little nearer.' - -They advanced, and presently, again stopping heard, 'Could pity pour -balm into my woes, how sweetly would they be alleviated by your's, my -lovely friend?' - -Miss Dennel now looked enchanted, and eagerly led the way herself. - -In a few minutes, arriving at the end of the lane, which opened upon a -wild and romantic common, they caught a glimpse of a figure in white. - -Miss Dennel turned pale. 'Dear!' cried she, in the lowest whisper, 'what -is it?' - -'A lady,' answered Camilla, equally cautious not to be heard, though -totally without alarm. - -'Are you sure of that?' said Miss Dennel, shrinking back, and pulling -her companion to accompany her. - -'Do you think it's a ghost?' cried Camilla, unresisting the retreat, yet -walking backwards to keep the form in sight. - -'Fie! how can you talk so shocking? all in the dark so, except only for -the moon?' - -'Your's, my lovely friend!' was now again pronounced in the tenderest -accent. - -'She's talking to herself!' exclaimed Miss Dennel; 'Lord, how -frightful!' and she clung close to Camilla, who, mounting a little -hillock of stones, presently perceived that the lady was reading a -letter. - -Miss Dennel, tranquillised by hearing this, was again content to stop, -when their ears were suddenly struck by a piercing shriek. - -'O Lord! we shall be murdered!' cried she, screaming still louder -herself. - -They both ran back some paces down the lane, Camilla determining to send -somebody from the inn to inquire what all this meant: but presently, -through an opening in the common, they perceived the form in white -darting forwards, with an air wild and terrified. Camilla stopt, struck -with compassion and curiosity at once; Miss Dennel could not quit her, -but after the first glance, hid her face, faintly articulating, 'O, -don't let it see us! don't let it see us! I am sure it's nothing -natural! I dare say it's somebody walking!' - -The next instant, they perceived a man, looking earnestly around, as if -to discover who had echoed the scream; the place they occupied was in -the shade, and he did not observe them. He soon rushed hastily on, and -seized the white garment of the flying figure, which appeared, both by -its dress and form, to be an elegant female. She clasped her hands in -supplication, cast up her eyes towards heaven, and again shrieked aloud. - -Camilla, who possessed that fine internal power of the thinking and -feeling mind to adopt courage for terror, where any eminent service may -be the result of immediate exertion, was preparing to spring to her -relief; while Miss Dennel, in extreme agony holding her, murmured out, -'Let's run away! let's run away! she's going to be murdered!' when they -saw the man prostrate himself at the lady's feet, in the humblest -subjection. - -Camilla stopt her flight; and Miss Dennel, appeased, called out; 'La! -his kneeling! how pretty it looks! I dare say it's a lover. How I wish -one could hear what he says!' - -An exclamation, however, from the lady, uttered in a tone of mingled -affright and disgust, of 'leave me! leave me!' was again the signal to -Miss Dennel of retreat, but of Camilla to advance. - -The rustling of the leaves, caused by her attempt to make way through -the breach, caught the ears of the suppliant, who hastily arose; while -the lady folded her arms across her breast, and seemed ejaculating the -most fervent thanks for this relief. - -Camilla now forced a passage through the hedge, and the lady, as she saw -her approach, called out, in a voice the most touching, 'Surely 'tis -some pitying Angel, mercifully come to my rescue!' - -The pursuer drew back, and Camilla, in the gentlest words, besought the -lady to accompany her to the friends she had just left, who would be -happy to protect her. - -She gratefully accepted the proposal, and Camilla then ventured to look -round, to see if the object of this alarm had retreated: but, with an -astonishment that almost confounded her, she perceived him, a few yards -off, taking a pinch of snuff, and humming an opera air. - -The lady, then, snatching up her letter, which had fallen to the ground, -touched it with her lips, and carefully folding, put it into her bosom, -tenderly ejaculating, 'I have preserved thee!... O from what danger! -what violation!' - -Then pressing the hand of Camilla, 'You have saved me,' she cried, 'from -the calamity of losing what is more dear than I have words to express! -Take me but where I may be shielded from that wretch, and what shall I -not owe to you?' - -The moon now shining full upon her face, Camilla saw seated on it youth, -sensibility, and beauty. Her pleasure, involuntarily rather than -rationally, was redoubled that she had proved serviceable to her, as, in -equal proportion, was her abhorrence of the man who had caused the -disturbance. - -The three females were now proceeding, when the offender, with a -careless air, and yet more careless bow, advancing towards them, -negligently said, 'Shall I have the honour to see you safe home, -ladies?' - -Camilla felt indignant; Miss Dennel again screamed; and the stranger, -with a look of horror and disgust, said; 'Persecute me no more!' - -'O hang it! O curse it!' cried he, swinging his cane to and fro, 'don't -be serious. I only meant to frighten you about the letter.' - -The lady deigned no answer, but murmured to herself 'that letter is more -precious to me than life or light!' - -They now walked on; and, when they entered the lane, they had the -pleasure to observe they were not pursued. She then said to Camilla, -'You must be surprised to see any one out, and unprotected, at this late -hour; but I had employed myself, unthinkingly, in reading some letters -from a dear and absent friend, and forgot the quick passage of time.' - -A man in a livery now appearing at some distance, she hastily summoned -him, and demanded where was the carriage? - -In the road, he answered, where she had left it, at the end of the lane. - -She then took the hand of Camilla, and with a smile of the utmost -softness said, 'When the shock I have suffered is a little over, I must -surely cease to lament I have sustained it, since it has brought to me -such sweet succour. Where may I find you tomorrow, to repeat my thanks?' - -Camilla answered, 'she was going to Tunbridge immediately, but knew not -yet where she should lodge.' - -'Tunbridge!' she repeated; I am there myself; I shall easily find you -out tomorrow morning, for I shall know no rest till I have seen you -again.' - -She then asked her name, and, with the most touching acknowledgments, -took leave. - -Camilla recounted her adventure to Mrs. Arlbery, with an animated -description of the fair Incognita, and with the most heart-felt delight -of having, though but accidentally, proved of service to her. Mrs. -Arlbery laughed heartily at the recital, assuring her she doubted not -but she had made acquaintance with some dangerous fair one, who was -playing upon her inexperience, and utterly unfit to be known to her. -Camilla warmly vindicated her innocence, from the whole of her -appearance, as well as from the impossibility of her knowing that her -scream could be heard: yet was perplexed how to account for her not -naming herself, and for the mystery of the carriage and servant in -waiting so far off. These latter she concluded to belong to her father, -as she looked too young to have any sort of establishment of her own. - -'What I don't understand in the matter is, that there reading of letters -by the light of the moon;' said Mr. Dennel. 'Where's the necessity of -doing that, for a person that can afford to keep her own coach and -servants?' - -Mr. Dennel was a man as unfavoured by nature as he was uncultivated by -art. He had been accepted as a husband by the sister of Mr. Arlbery, -merely on account of a large fortune, which he had acquired in -business. The marriage, like most others made upon such terms, was as -little happy in its progression as honourable in its commencement; and -Miss Dennel, born and educated amidst domestic dissention, which robbed -her of all will of her own, by the constant denial of one parent to what -was accorded by the other, possessed too little reflexion to benefit by -observing the misery of an alliance not mentally assorted; and grew up -with no other desire but to enter the state herself, from an ardent -impatience to shake off the slavery she experienced in singleness. The -recent death of her mother had given her, indeed, somewhat more liberty; -but she had not sufficient sense to endure any restraint, and languished -for the complete power which she imagined a house and servants of her -own would afford. - -When they arrived at the hotel, in Tunbridge, Mrs. Arlbery heard, with -some indignation, that Sir Sedley Clarendel was gone to the rooms, -without demonstrating, by any sort of inquiry, the smallest solicitude -at her non-appearance. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_The Pantiles_ - - -A servant tapt early at the door of Camilla, the next morning, to -acquaint her that a lady, who called herself the person that had been so -much obliged to her the preceding day, begged the honour of being -admitted. - -Camilla was sorry, after the suspicions of Mrs. Arlbery, that she did -not send up her name; yet, already partially disposed, her prepossession -was not likely to be destroyed by the figure that now appeared. - -A beautiful young creature, with an air of the most attractive softness, -eyes of the most expressive loveliness, and a manner which by every look -and every motion announced a soul 'tremblingly alive,' glided gently -into the room, and advancing, with a graceful confidence of kindness, -took both her hands, and pressing them to her heart, said, 'What -happiness so soon to have found you! to be able to pour forth all the -gratitude I owe you, and the esteem with which I am already inspired!' - -Camilla was struck with admiration and pleasure; and gave way to the -most lively delight at the fortunate accident which occasioned her -walking out in a place entirely unknown to her; declaring she should -ever look back to that event as to one of the marked blessings of her -life. - -'If you,' answered the fair stranger, 'have the benevolence thus to -value our meeting, how should it be appreciated by one who is so -eternally indebted to it? I had not perceived the approach of that -person. He broke in upon me when least a creature so ungenial was -present to my thoughts. I was reading a letter from the most amiable of -friends, the most refined--perhaps--of human beings!' - -Camilla, impatient for some explanation, answered, 'I hope, at least, -that friend will be spared hearing of your alarm?' - -'I hope so! for his own griefs already overwhelm him. Never may it be my -sad lot to wound where I mean only to console.' - -At the words _his own_, Camilla felt herself blush. She had imagined it -was some female friend. She now found her mistake, and knew not what to -imagine next. - -'I had retired,' she continued, 'from the glare of company, and the -weight of uninteresting conversation, to read, at leisure and in -solitude, this dear letter--heart-breaking from its own woes, -heart-soothing to mine! In a place such as this, seclusion is difficult. -I drove some miles off, and ordered my carriage to wait in the high -road, while I strolled alone upon the common. I delight in a solitary -ramble by moonlight. I can then indulge in uninterrupted rumination, and -solace my melancholy by pronouncing aloud such sentences, and such -names, as in the world I cannot utter. How exquisitely sweet do they -sound to ears unaccustomed to such vibrations!' - -Camilla was all astonishment and perplexity. A male friend so beloved, -who seemed to be neither father, brother, nor husband; a carriage at her -command, though without naming one relation to whom either that or -herself might belong; and sentiments so tender she was almost ashamed to -listen to them; all conspired to excite a wonder that painfully prayed -for relief: and in the hope to obtain it, with some hesitation, she -said, 'I should have sought you myself this morning, for the pleasure of -inquiring after your safety, but that I was ignorant by what name to -make my search.' - -The fair unknown looked down for a moment, with an air that shewed a -perfect consciousness of the inquiry meant by this speech; but turning -aside the embarrassment it seemed to cause her, she presently raised her -head, and said, 'I had no difficulty to find you, for my servant, -happily, made his inquiry at once at this hotel.' - -Disappointed and surprised by this evasion, Camilla saw now an evident -mystery, but knew not how to press forward any investigation. She began, -therefore, to speak of other things, and her fair guest, who had every -mark of an education rather sedulously than naturally cultivated, joined -readily in a conversation less personal. - -They did not speak of Tunbridge, of public places, nor diversions; their -themes, all chosen by the stranger, were friendship, confidence, and -sensibility, which she illustrated and enlivened by quotations from -favourite poets, aptly introduced and feelingly recited; yet always -uttered with a sigh, and an air of tender melancholy. Camilla was now in -a state so depressed, that, notwithstanding her native vivacity, she -fell as imperceptibly into the plaintive style of her new acquaintance, -who seemed habitually pensive, as if sympathy rather than accident had -brought them together. - -Yet when chance led to some mention of the adventure of the preceding -evening, and the lady made again an animated eulogium of the friend -whose letter she was perusing; she hazarded, with an half smile, saying: -'I hope--for his own sake, this friend is some sage and aged personage?' - -'O no!' she answered; 'he is in the bloom of youth.' - -Camilla, again a little disconcerted, paused; and the lady went on. - -'It was in Wales I first met him; upon a spot so beautiful that painting -can never do it justice. I have made, however, a little sketch of it, -which, some day or other, I will shew you, if you will have the goodness -to let me see more of you.' - -Camilla could not refrain from an eager affirmative; and the -conversation was then interrupted by a message from Mrs. Arlbery, who -always breakfasted in her own room, to announce that she was going out -lodging-hunting. - -Camilla would rather have remained with her new acquaintance, better -adapted to her present turn of mind than Mrs. Arlbery; but this was -impossible, and the lovely stranger hastened away, saying she would -call herself the next morning to shew the way to her house, where she -hoped they might pass together many soothing and consolatory hours. - - * * * * * - -Camilla found Mrs. Arlbery by no means in her usual high spirits. The -opening of her Tunbridge campaign had so far from answered its trouble -and expence, that she heartily repented having quitted the Grove. The -Officers either were not arrived in the neighbourhood, or were wholly -engaged in military business; Camilla, instead of contributing to the -life of the excursion, seemed to hang heavily both upon that, and upon -herself; and Sir Sedley Clarendel, whose own proposition had brought it -to bear, had not yet made his appearance, though lodging in the same -hotel. - -Thus vexatiously disappointed, she was ill-disposed to listen with -pleasure to the history Camilla thought it indispensable to relate of -her recent visit: and in answer to all praise of this fair Incognita, -only replied by asking her name and connexions. Camilla felt extremely -foolish in confessing she had not yet learnt them. Mrs. Arlbery then -laughed unmercifully at her commendations, but concluded with saying: -'Follow, however, your own humour; I hate to torment or be tormented: -only take care not to be seen with her.' - -Camilla rejoiced she did not exact any further restriction, and hoped -all raillery would soon be set aside, by an honourable explanation. - - * * * * * - -They now repaired to the Pantiles, where the gay company and gay shops -afforded some amusement to Camilla, and to Miss Dennel a wonder and -delight, that kept her mouth open, and her head jerking from object to -object, so incessantly, that she saw nothing distinctly, from the -eagerness of her fear lest anything should escape her. - -Mrs. Arlbery, meeting with an old acquaintance in the bookseller's shop, -there sat down with him, while the two young ladies loitered at the -window of a toy-shop, struck with just admiration of the beauty and -ingenuity of the Tunbridge ware it presented to their view; till -Camilla, in a party of young men who were strolling down the Pantiles, -and who went into the bookseller's shop, distinguished the offender of -the fair unknown. - -To avoid following, or being recollected by a person so odious to her, -she entered the toy-shop with Miss Dennel, where she amused herself, -till Mrs. Arlbery came in search of her, in selecting such various -little articles for purchase as she imagined would amount to about half -a crown; but which were put up for her at a guinea. This a little -disconcerted her: though, as she was still unusually rich, from Mr. -Tyrold's having advanced her next quarterly allowance, she consoled -herself that they would serve for little keep-sakes for her sisters and -her cousin: yet she determined, when next she entered a shop for -convenience, to put nothing apart as a buyer, till she had inquired its -price. - -The assaulter, Lord Newford, a young nobleman of the _ton_, after taking -a staring survey of every thing and every body around, and seeing no one -of more consequence, followed Mrs. Arlbery, with whom formerly he had -been slightly acquainted, to the toy-shop. He asked her how she did, -without touching his hat; and how long she had been at Tunbridge, -without waiting for an answer; and said he was happy to have the -pleasure of seeing her, without once looking at her. - -To his first sentence, Mrs. Arlbery made a civil answer; but, repenting -it upon the two sentences that succeeded, she heard them without seeming -to listen, and fixing her eyes upon him, when he had done, coolly said, -'Pray have you seen any thing of my servant?' - -Lord Newford, somewhat surprised, replied, 'No.' - -'Do look for him, then,' cried she, negligently, 'there's a good man.' - -Lord Newford, a little piqued, and a little confused at feeling so, said -he should be proud to obey her; and turning short off to his companion, -cried, 'Come, Offy, why dost loiter? where shall we ride this morning?' -And, taking him by the arm, quitted the Pantiles. - -Mrs. Arlbery, laughing heartily, now felt her spirits a little revive; -'I doat,' she cried, 'upon meeting, now and then, with insolence, for I -have a little taste for it myself, which I make some conscience of not -indulging unprovoked.' - -They then proceeded to the milliner's, to equip themselves for going to -the rooms at night. Mrs. Arlbery and Miss Dennel, who were both rich, -gave large orders: Camilla, indifferent to every thing except to avoid -appearing in a manner that might disgrace her party, told the milliner -to choose for her what she thought fashionable that was most reasonable. -She was soon fitted up with what was too pretty to disapprove, and -desiring immediately to pay her bill, found it amounted to five guineas; -though she had imagined she should have change out of two. - -She had only six, and some silver; but was ashamed to dispute, or desire -any alteration; she paid the money; and only determined to apply to -another person than the seller, when next she wanted any thing -reasonable. - -Mrs. Arlbery now ordered the carriage, and they drove to Mount Pleasant, -where she hired a house for the season, to which they were to remove the -next day. - - * * * * * - -In the evening, they went to the Rooms, where the decidedly fashionable -mien and manner of Mrs. Arlbery, attracted more general notice and -admiration than the youthful captivation of Camilla, or the pretty face -and expensive attire of Miss Dennel. - -Dressed by the milliner of the day, Camilla could not fail to pass -uncensured, at least, with respect to her appearance; but her eyes -wanted their usual lustre, from the sadness of her heart, and she never -looked less herself, nor to less advantage. - -The master of the ceremonies brought to her Sir Theophilus Jarard; but -as she had seen him the companion of Lord Newford, to whom she had -conceived a strong aversion, she declined dancing. He looked surprised, -but rather offended than disappointed, and with a little laugh, half -contemptuous, as if ashamed of having offered himself, stalked away. - -Sir Sedley Clarendel was now sauntering into the room. Mrs. Arlbery, -willing to shew her young friend in a favourable point of view to him, -though more from pique at his distance, than from any thought at that -moment of Camilla, told her she must positively accept Sir Theophilus, -whose asking her must be regarded as a particular distinction, for he -was notoriously a man of the _ton_. And, heedless of her objections, -told Mr. Dennel to call him back. - -'How can I do that,' said Mr. Dennel, 'after seeing her refuse him with -my own eyes?' - -'O, nobody cares about a man's eyes,' said Mrs. Arlbery; 'go and tell -him Miss Tyrold has changed her mind, and chooses to dance.' - -'As to her changing her mind,' he answered, 'that's likely enough; but I -don't see how it's any reason I should go of a fool's errand.' - -'Pho, pho, go directly; or you sha'n't dine before eight o'clock for the -whole Tunbridge season.' - -'Nay,' said Mr. Dennel, who had an horror of late hours, 'if you will -promise we shall dine more in reason'-- - -'Yes, yes,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, hurrying him off, notwithstanding the -reiterated remonstrances of Camilla. - -'See, my dear,' she then added, laughing, 'how many weapons you must -have in use, if you would govern that strange animal called man! yet -never despair of victory; for, depend upon it, there is not one of the -race that, with a little address, you may not bring to your feet.' - -Camilla, who had no wish but for one single votary, and whose heart was -sunk from her failure in obtaining that one, listened with so little -interest or spirit, that Mrs. Arlbery, quite provoked, resolved not to -throw away another idea upon her for the rest of the evening. And -therefore, as her niece went completely and constantly for nothing with -her, she spoke no more, till, to her great relief, she was joined by -General Kinsale. - -Mr. Dennel returned with an air not more pleased with his embassy, than -her own appeared with her auditress. The gentleman, he said, had joined -two others, and they were all laughing so violently together, that he -could not find an opportunity to deliver his message, for they seemed as -if they would only make a joke of it. - -Mrs. Arlbery then saw that he had got between Lord Newford and Sir -Sedley, and that they were all three amusing themselves, without -ceremony or disguise, at the expense of every creature in the room; up -and down which they strolled, arm in arm, looking familiarly at every -body, but speaking to nobody; whispering one another in hoarse low -voices, and then laughing immoderately loud: while nothing was -distinctly heard, but from time to time, 'What in the world is become of -Mrs. Berlinton to-night?' or else, 'How stupid the Rooms are without -Lady Alithea.' - -Mrs. Arlbery, who, like the rest of the world, saw her own defects in -as glaring colours, and criticised them with as much animated ridicule -as those of her neighbours, when exhibited by others, no sooner found -she was neglected by this set, than she raved against the prevailing ill -manners of the leaders in the _ton_, with as much asperity of censure, -as if never for a moment betrayed herself, by fashion, by caprice, nor -by vanity, to similar foibles. 'Yet, after all,' cried she presently, -'to see fools behave like fools, I am well content. I have no anger, -therefore, against Lord Newford, nor Sir Theophilus Jarard; if they were -not noticed for being impertinent, how could they expect to be noticed -at all? When there is but one line that can bring them forward, I rather -respect them that they have found it out. But what shall we say to Sir -Sedley Clarendel? A man as much their superior in capacity as in powers -of pleasing? 'Tis a miserable thing, my dear General, to see the dearth -of character there is in the world. Pope has bewailed it in women; -believe me, he might have extended his lamentation. You may see, indeed, -one man grave, and another gay; but with no more "mark or likelihood," -no more distinction of colouring, than what simply belongs to a dismal -face or a merry one: and with just as little light and shade, just as -abrupt a skip from one to the other, as separates inevitably the old man -from the young one. We are almost all, my good General, of a nature so -pitifully plastic, that we act from circumstances, and are fashioned by -situation.' - -Then, laughing at her own pique, 'General,' she added, 'shall I make you -a confession? I am not at all sure, if that wretched Sir Sedley had -behaved as he ought to have done, and been at my feet all the evening, -that I should not, at this very moment, be amused in the same manner -that he is himself! yet it would be very abominable, I own.' - -'This is candid, however.' - -'O, we all acknowledge our faults, now; 'tis the mode of the day: but -the acknowledgment passes for current payment; and therefore we never -amend them. On the contrary, they take but deeper root, by losing all -chance of concealment. Yet I am vexed to see that odious Sir Sedley shew -so silly a passion for being a man of the _ton_, as to suffer himself to -be led in a string by those two poor paltry creatures, who are not more -troublesome as fops, than tiresome as fools, merely because they are -better known than himself upon the turf and at the clubs.' - -Here, she was joined by Lord O'Lerney and the honourable Mr. Ormsby. -And, in the next saunter of the _tonnish_ triumvirs, Lord Newford, -suddenly seeing with whom she was associated, stopt, and looking at her -with an air of surprise, exclaimed, 'God bless me! Mrs. Arlbery! I hope -you are perfectly well?' - -'Infinitely indebted to your lordship's solicitude!' she answered, -rather sarcastically. But, without noticing her manner, he desired to be -one in her tea-party, which she was then rising to form. - -She accepted the offer, with a glance of consciousness at the General, -who, as he conducted her, said: 'I did not expect so much grace would so -immediately have been accorded.' - -'Alas! my dear General, what can one do? These _tonnish_ people, -cordially as I despise them, lead the world; and if one has not a few of -them in one's train, 'twere as well turn hermit. However, mark how he -will fare with me! But don't judge from the opening.' - -She now made his lordship so many gay compliments, and mingled so much -personal civility with the general entertainment of her discourse, that, -as soon as they rose from tea, he professed his intention of sitting by -her, for the rest of the evening. - -She immediately declared herself tired to death of the Rooms, and -calling upon Miss Dennel and Camilla, abruptly made her exit. - -The General, again her conductor, asked how she could leave thus a -conquest so newly made. - -'I leave,' she answered, 'only to secure it. He will be piqued that I -should go, and that pique will keep me in his head till to-morrow. 'Tis -well, my dear General, to put any thing there! But if I had stayed a -moment longer, my contempt might have broken forth into satire, or my -weariness into yawning: and I should then inevitably have been cut by -the _ton_ party for the rest of the season.' - -Miss Dennel, who had been dancing, and was again engaged to dance, -remonstrated against retiring so soon; but Mrs. Arlbery had a regular -system never to listen to her. Camilla, whom nothing had diverted, was -content to retreat. - -At the door stood Sir Sedley Clarendel, who, as if now first perceiving -them, said to Mrs. Arlbery, 'Ah! my fair friend!--And how long have you -been at the Wells?' - -'Intolerable wretch!' cried she, taking him apart, 'is it thus you keep -your conditions? did you draw me into bringing this poor love-sick thing -with me, only to sigh me into the vapours?' - -'My dear madam!' exclaimed he, in a tone of expostulation, 'who can -think of the same scheme two days together? Could you possibly form a -notion of anything so patriarchal?' - - * * * * * - -Before they retired to their chambers at the hotel, Camilla told Mrs. -Arlbery how shocking to her was the sight, much more any acquaintance -with Lord Newford, who was the person that had so much terrified the -lady she had met on their journey. Mrs. Arlbery assured her he should be -exiled her society, if, upon investigation, he was found the aggressor; -but while there appeared so much mystery in the complaint and the -conduct of this unknown lady, she should postpone his banishment. - -Camilla was obliged to submit: but scarce rested till she saw again her -new favourite the next morning. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_Mount Ephraim_ - - -This expected guest arrived early. Camilla received her with the only -sensation of pleasure she had experienced at Tunbridge. Yet what she -excited seemed still stronger: the fair stranger besought her friendship -as a solace to her existence, and hung upon her as upon a treasure long -lost, and dearly recovered. Camilla soon caught the infection of her -softness, and felt a similar desire to cultivate her regard. She found -her beauty attractive, her voice melodious, and her manners bewitchingly -caressing. - -Fearing, nevertheless, while yet in ignorance of her connexions, to -provoke further ridicule from Mrs. Arlbery by going abroad with her, she -proposed deferring to return her visit till another day: the lady -consented, and they spent together two hours, which each thought had -been but two minutes, when Mrs. Arlbery summoned Camilla to a walk. - -The fair unknown then took leave, saying her servant was in waiting; and -Camilla and Mrs. Arlbery went to the bookseller's. - -Here, that lady was soon joined by Lord O'Lerney and General Kinsale, -who were warm admirers of her vivacity and observations. Mr. Dennel took -up the Daily Advertiser; his daughter stationed herself at the door to -see the walkers upon the Pantiles; Sir Theophilus Jarard, under colour -of looking at a popular pamphlet, was indulging in a nap in a corner; -Lord Newford, noticing nothing, except his own figure as he past a -mirrour, was shuffling loud about the floor, which was not much -embellished by the scraping of his boots; and Sir Sedley Clarendel, -lounging upon a chair in the middle of the shop, sat eating _bon bons_. - -Mrs. Arlbery, for some time, confined her talents to general remarks: -but finding these failed to move a muscle in the face of Sir Sedley, at -whom they were directed, she suddenly exclaimed: 'Pray, my Lord -O'Lerney, do you know any thing of Sir Sedley Clarendel?' - -'Not so much,' answered his Lordship, 'as I could wish; but I hope to -improve my acquaintance with him.' - -'Why then, my lord, I am much afraid you will conclude, when you see him -in one of those reveries, from the total vacancy of his air, that he is -thinking of nothing. But pray permit me to take his part. Those apparent -cogitations, to which he is so much addicted, are moments only of -pretended torpor, but of real torment, devoted, not as they appear, to -supine insipidity, but to painful secret labour how next he may call -himself into notice. Nevertheless, my lord, don't let what I have said -hurt him in your opinion; he is quaint, to be sure, but there's no harm -in him. He lives in my neighbourhood; and, I assure your lordship, he -is, upon the whole, what may be called a very good sort of man.' - -Here she yawned violently; and Sir Sedley, unable to maintain his -position, twice crossed his legs, and then arose and took up a book: -while Lord Newford burst into so loud a laugh, that he awakened Sir -Theophilus Jarard, by echoing, 'A good sort of man! O poor Clary!... O -hang it!... O curse it!... poor Clary!' - -'What's the matter with Clary?' cried Sir Theophilus, rubbing his eyes; -'I have been boring myself with this pamphlet, till I hardly know -whether I am awake or asleep.' - -'Why, he's a good sort of man!' replied Lord Newford. - -Sir Sedley, though he expected, and even hoped for some pointed -strictures, and could have defied even abuse, could not stand this -mortifying praise; and, asking for the subscription books, which, -already, he had twice examined, said: 'Is there any body here one -knows?' - -'O, ay, have you any names?' cried Lord Newford, seizing them first; and -with some right, as they were the only books in the shop he ever read. - -'Come, I'll be generous,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'and add another signature -against your lordship's next lecture.' - -She then wrote her name, and threw down half-a-guinea. Camilla, to whom -the book was next presented, concluded this the established custom, and, -from mere timidity, did the same; though somewhat disturbed to leave -herself no more gold than she gave. Miss Dennel followed; but her -father, who said he did not come to Tunbridge to read, which he could do -at home, positively refused to subscribe. - -Sir Theophilus now, turning, or rather, tossing over the leaves, cried: -'I see no name here one knows any thing of, but Lady Alithea Selmore.' - -'Why, there's nobody else here,' said Lord Newford, 'not a soul!' - -Almost every body present bowed; but wholly indifferent to reproof, he -again whistled, again streamed up and down the room, and again took a -bold and full survey of himself in the looking-glass. - -'On the contrary,' cried Sir Sedley, 'I hear there is a most -extraordinary fine creature lately arrived, who is invincible to a -degree.' - -'O that's Mrs. Berlinton;' said Sir Theophilus; 'yes, she's a pretty -little thing.' - -'She's very beautiful indeed,' said Lord O'Lerney. - -'Where can one see her?' cried Mrs. Arlbery. - -'If she is not at the Rooms to-night,' said Sir Sedley, 'I shall be -stupified to petrifaction. They tell me she is a marvel of the first -water; turning all heads by her beauty, winning all hearts by her -sweetness, fascinating all attention by her talents, and setting all -fashions by her elegance.' - -'This paragon,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, to Camilla, 'can be no other than -your mysterious fair. The description just suits your own.' - -'But my fair mysterious,' said Camilla, 'is of a disposition the most -retired, and seems so young, I don't at all think her married.' - -'This divinity,' said Sir Sedley, 'for the blessing of everyone, yet - - Lord of Himself, uncumber'd by a Wife[1], - -[Footnote 1: Dryden] - -is safely noosed; and amongst her attributes are two others cruel to -desperation; she excited every hope by a sposo properly detestable--yet -gives birth to despair, by a coldness the most shivering.' - -'And what,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'is this Lady Alithea Selmore?' - -'Lady Alithea Selmore,' drily, but with a smile, answered General -Kinsale. - -'Nay, nay, that's not to be mentioned irreverently,' returned Mrs. -Arlbery; 'a title goes for a vast deal, where there is nothing else; -and, where there is something, doubles its value. - -Mr. Dennel, saying he found, by the newspaper, a house was to be sold -upon Mount Ephraim, which promised to be a pretty good bargain, proposed -walking thither, to examine what sort of condition it was in. - -Lord O'Lerney inquired if Camilla had yet seen Mount Ephraim. No, she -answered; and a general party was made for an airing. Sir Sedley ordered -his phaeton; Mrs. Arlbery drove Camilla in her's; Miss Dennel walked -with her father; and the rest of the gentlemen went on horseback. - - * * * * * - -Arrived at Mount Ephraim, they all agreed to alight, and enjoy the view -and pure air of the hill, while Mr. Dennel visited the house. But, just -as Mrs. Arlbery had descended from the phaeton, her horses, taking -fright at some object that suddenly struck them, reared up, in a manner -alarming to the spectators, and still more terrific to Camilla, in whose -hands Mrs. Arlbery had left the reins: and the servant, who stood at the -horses' heads, received a kick that laid him flat on the ground. - -'O, jump out! jump out!' cried Miss Dennel, 'or else you'll be -murdered!' - -'No! no! keep your seat, and hold the reins!' cried Mrs. Arlbery: 'For -heaven's sake, don't jump out!' - -Camilla, mentally giddy, but personally courageous, was sufficiently -mistress of herself to obey the last injunction, though with infinite -labour, difficulty, and terror, the horses plunging and flouncing -incessantly. - -'Don't you think she'll be killed?' cried Lord Newford, dismounting, -lest his own horse should also take fright. 'Do you think one could -help her?' said Sir Theophilus Jarard, steadily holding the bridle of -his mare from the same apprehension. - -Lord O'Lerney was already on foot to afford her assistance, when the -horses, suddenly turning round, gave to the beholders the dreadful -menace of going down the steep declivity of Mount Ephraim full gallop. - -Camilla now, appalled, had no longer power to hold the reins; she let -them go, with an idea of flinging herself out of the carriage, when Sir -Sedley, who had darted like lightning from his phaeton, presented -himself at the horses' heads, on the moment of their turning, and, at -the visible and imminent hazard of his life, happily stopt them while -she jumped to the ground. They then, with a fury that presently dashed -the phaeton to pieces, plunged down the hill. - -The fright of Camilla had not robbed her of her senses, and the exertion -and humanity of Sir Sedley seemed to restore to him the full possession -of his own: yet one of his knees was so much hurt, that he sunk upon the -grass. - -Penetrated with surprise, as well as gratitude, Camilla, notwithstanding -her own tremor, was the first to make the most anxious inquiries: -secretly, however, sighing to herself: Ah! had Edgar thus rescued me! -yet struck equally with a sense of obligation and of danger, from the -horrible, if not fatal mischief she had escaped, and from the -extraordinary hazard and kindness by which she had been saved, she -expressed her concern and acknowledgments with a softness, that even Sir -Sedley himself could not listen to unmoved. - -He received, indeed, from this adventure, almost every species of -pleasure of which his mind was capable. His natural courage, which he -had nearly annihilated, as well as forgotten, by the effeminate part he -was systematically playing, seemed to rejoice in being again exercised; -his good nature was delighted by the essential service he had performed; -his vanity was gratified by the publicity of the praise it brought -forth; and his heart itself experienced something like an original -feeling, unspoilt by the apathy of satiety, from the sensibility he had -awakened in the young and lovely Camilla. - -The party immediately flocked around him, and he was conveyed to a house -belonging to Lord O'Lerney, who resided upon Mount Ephraim, and his -lordship's carriage was ordered to take him to his apartment at the -hotel. - -Mrs. Arlbery, whose high spirits were totally subdued by the terror with -which she had been seized at the danger of Camilla, was so delighted by -her rescue, and the courage with which it was effected, that all her -spleen against Sir Sedley was changed into the warmest approbation. When -he was put into the coach, she insisted upon seeing him safe to the -hotel; Camilla, with her usual inartificial quickness, seconding the -motion, and Lord O'Lerney, a nobleman far more distinguished by -benevolence and urbanity than by his rank, taking the fourth place -himself. The servant, who was considerably hurt, he desired might remain -at his house. - -In descending Mount Ephraim, Camilla turned giddy with the view of what -she had escaped, and cast her eyes with doubled thankfulness upon Sir -Sedley as her preserver. Fragments of the phaeton were strewed upon the -road; one of the horses [lay] dead at the bottom of the hill; and the -other was so much injured as to be totally disabled for future service. - -When they came to the hotel, they all alighted with the young baronet, -Camilla with as little thought, as Mrs. Arlbery with little care for -doing any thing that was unusual. They waited in an adjoining apartment -till they were assured nothing of any consequence was the matter, and -Lord O'Lerney then carried them to their new lodging upon Mount -Pleasant. - -Mrs. Arlbery bore her own share in this accident with perfect -good-humour, saying it would do her infinite good, by making her a rigid -oeconomist; for she could neither live without a phaeton, nor yet -build one, and buy ponies, but by parsimonious savings from all other -expenses. - - * * * * * - -At night they went again to the Rooms. But Mrs. Arlbery found in them as -little amusement as Camilla. Sir Sedley was not there, either to attack -or to flatter; the celebrated Mrs. Berlinton still appeared not to -undergo a scrutiny; and Lady Alithea Selmore sat at the upper end of the -apartment, attended by all the beaux, except the General, now at -Tunbridge. - -This was not to be supported. She arose, and declaring she would take -her tea with the invalid, bid the General escort her to his room. - -In their way out, she perceived the assembly books. Recollecting she had -not subscribed, she entered her name, but protested she could afford but -half-a-guinea, upon her present new and avaricious plan. - -Camilla, with much secret consternation, concluded it impossible to give -less; and a few shillings were now all that remained in her purse. Her -uneasiness, however, presently passed away, upon recollecting she should -want no more money, as she was now free of the rooms, and of the -library, and equipped in attire for the whole time she should stay. - -Miss Dennel put down a guinea; but her father, telling her half-a-crown -would have done, said, for that reason, he should himself pay nothing. - -Sir Sedley received them with the most unaffected pleasure: forced upon -solitude, and by no means free from pain, he had found no resource but -in reading, which of late had been his least occupation, except the mere -politics of the day. Even reflection had discovered its way to him, -though a long banished guest, which had quitted her post, to make room -for affectation, vanity, and every species of frivolity. Reduced, -however, to be reasonable, even by this short confinement, he now felt -the obligation of their charitable visit, and set his foppery and -conceit apart, from a desire to entertain them. Camilla had not -conceived he had the power of being so pleasantly natural; and the -strong feeling of gratitude in her ever warm heart made her contribute -what she was able to the cheerfulness of the evening. - -Some time after, General Kinsale was called out, and presently returned -with Major Cerwood, just arrived from the regiment; who, with some -apology to Sir Sedley, hoped he might be pardoned for the liberty he -took, upon hearing who was at the hotel, of preferring such society to -the Rooms. - -As the Major had nothing in him either brilliant or offensive, his -sight, after the first salutations, was almost all of which the company -was sensible. - -Camilla, his sole object, he could not approach; she sat between the -baronet and Mrs. Arlbery; and all her looks and all her attention were -divided between them. - -Mrs. Arlbery, emerging from the mortifications of neglect, which she had -experienced, almost for the first time in her life, at the Rooms, was -unusually alive and entertaining; Sir Sedley kept pace with her, and -the discourse was so whimsical, that Camilla, amused, and willing to -encourage a sensation so natural to her, after a sadness till now, for -so long a time unremitting, once more heard and welcomed the sound of -her own laughter. - -It was instantly, however, and strangely checked; a sigh, so deep that -it might rather be called a groan, made its way through the wainscot of -the next apartment. - -Much raillery followed the sight of her changed countenance; the hotel -was pronounced to be haunted, and by a ghost reduced to that plight from -her cruelty. But the good-humour and gaiety of the conversation soon -brought her again to its tone; and time passed with general hilarity, -till they observed that Miss Dennel, who, having no young female to talk -with of her own views and affairs, was thoroughly tired, had fallen fast -asleep upon her chair. - -Her father was already gone home to a hot supper, which he had ordered -in his own room, and meant to eat before their return; Mrs. Arlbery, to -his great discomfort, allowing nothing to appear at night but fruit or -oysters. - -They now took leave, Mrs. Arlbery conducted by the General, and Camilla, -by the Major; while Miss Dennel, unassisted and half asleep, stumbled, -screamed, and fell, just before she reached the staircase. - -The General was first to aid her; the Major, not choosing to quit -Camilla; who, looking round at a light which came from the room whence -the sigh they had heard had issued, perceived, as it glared in her eyes, -it was held by Edgar. - -Astonishment, pleasure, hope, and shame, took alternate rapid possession -of her mind; but the last sensation was the first that visibly operated, -and she snatched her hand involuntarily from the Major. - -Mrs. Arlbery exclaimed, 'Bless me, Mr. Mandlebert! are you the ghost we -heard sighing in that room yonder?' - -Mandlebert attempted to make some slight answer; but his voice refused -all sound. - -She went on, then, to the carriage of Mr. Dennel, followed by her young -ladies, and drove off for Mount Pleasant. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_Knowle_ - - -The last words of Camilla to Mandlebert, in quitting Cleves, and the -tears with which he saw her eyes overflowing, had annihilated all his -resentment, and left him no wish but to serve her. Her distinction -between what was wisest and what was kindest, had penetrated him to the -quick. To be thought capable of severity towards so sweet a young -creature, the daughter of his guardian, his juvenile companion, and -earliest favourite, made him detestable in his own eyes. He languished -to follow her, to apologise for what had hurt her, and to vow to her a -fair and disinterested friendship for the rest of his life: and he only -forced himself, from decency, to stay out his promised week with the -baronet, before he set out for Tunbridge. - -Upon his arrival, which was late, he went immediately to the Rooms; but -he only saw her name in the books, and learnt, upon inquiring for Mrs. -Arlbery, that she and her party were already retired. - -Glad to find her so sober in hours, he went to the hotel, meaning -quietly to read till bed-time, and to call upon her the next morning. - -In a few moments, a voice struck his ear that effectually interrupted -his studies. It was the voice of Camilla. Camilla at an hotel at past -eleven o'clock! He knew she did not lodge there; he had seen, in the -books, the direction of Mrs. Arlbery at Mount Pleasant. Mrs. Arlbery's -voice he also distinguished, Sir Sedley Clarendel's, General Kinsale's, -and, least of all welcome, ... the Major's. - -Perhaps, however, some lady, some intimate friend of Mrs. Arlbery, was -just arrived, and had made them spend the evening there. He rang for his -man, and bid him inquire who had taken the next room, ... and learnt it -was Sir Sedley Clarendel. - -To visit a young man at an hotel; rich, handsome, and splendid; and with -a _chaperon_ so far from past her prime, so elegant, so coquetish, so -alluring, and still so pretty; and to meet there a flashy Officer, her -open pursuer and avowed admirer--'Tis true, he had concluded, Tunbridge -and the Major were one; but not thus, not with such glaring impropriety; -his love, he told himself, was past; but his esteem was still -susceptible, and now grievously wounded. - -To read was impossible. To hold his watch in his hand, and count the -minutes she still stayed, was all to which his faculties were equal. No -words distinctly reached him; that the conversation was lively, the tone -of every voice announced, but when that of Camilla struck him by its -laughter, the depth of his concern drew from him a sigh that was heard -into the next apartment. - -Of this, with infinite vexation, he was himself aware, from the sudden -silence and pause of all discourse which ensued. Ashamed both of what he -felt and what he betrayed, he grew more upon his guard, and hoped it -might never be known to whom the room belonged. - -When, however, as they were retiring, a scream reached his ear, though -he knew it was not the voice of Camilla, he could not command himself, -and rushed forth with a light; but the lady who screamed was as little -noticed as thought of: the Major was holding the hand of Camilla, and -his eye could take in no more: he saw not even that Mrs. Arlbery was -there; and when roused by her question, all voice was denied him for -answer; he stood motionless even after they had descended the stairs, -till the steps of the General and the Major, retiring to their chambers, -brought to him some recollection, and enabled him to retreat. - -Fully now, as well as cruelly convinced, of the unabated force of his -unhappy passion, he spent the night in extreme wretchedness; and all -that was not swallowed up in repining and regret, was devoted to -ruminate upon what possible means he could suggest, to restore to -himself the tranquillity of indifference. - -The confusion of Camilla persuaded him she thought she was acting wrong; -but whether from disapprobation of the character of the Major, or from -any pecuniary obstacles to their union, he could not devise. To assist -the marriage according to his former plan, would best, he still -believed, sooth his internal sufferings, if once he could fancy the -Major at all worthy of such a wife. But Camilla, with all her -inconsistencies, he thought a treasure unequalled: and to contribute to -bestow her on a man who, probably, only prized her for her beauty, he -now persuaded himself would rather be culpable than generous. - -Upon the whole, therefore, he could resolve only upon a complete change -of his last system; to seek, instead of avoiding her; to familiarise -himself with her faults, till he ceased to doat upon her virtues; to -discover if her difficulties were mental or worldly; to enforce them if -the first, and ... whatever it might cost him--to invalidate them if the -last. - -This plan, the only one he could form, abated his misery. It reconciled -him to residing where Camilla resided, it was easy to him, therefore, to -conclude it the least objectionable. - - * * * * * - -Camilla, meanwhile, in her way to Mount Pleasant, spoke not a syllable. -Dismay that Edgar should have seen her so situated, while in ignorance -how it had happened, made an uneasiness the most terrible combat the -perplexed pleasure, that lightened, yet palpitated in her bosom, from -the view of Edgar at Tunbridge, and from the sigh which had reached her -ears. Yet, was it for her he sighed? was it not, rather, from some -secret inquietude, in which she was wholly uninterested, and might never -know? Still, however, he was at Tunbridge; still, therefore, she might -hope something relative to herself induced his coming; and she -determined, with respect to her own behaviour, to observe the -injunctions of her father, whose letter she would regularly read every -morning. - -Mrs. Arlbery, also, spoke not; the unexpected sight of Mandlebert -occupied all her thoughts; yet, though his confusion was suspicious, she -could not, ultimately, believe he loved Camilla, as she could suggest no -possible impediment to his proclaiming any regard he entertained. His -sigh she imagined as likely to be mere lassitude as love; and supposed, -that having long discovered the partiality of Camilla, his vanity had -been confounded by the devoirs of the Major. - -Miss Dennel, therefore, was the only one whose voice was heard during -the ride; for now completely awaked, she talked without cessation of the -fright she had endured. 'La, I thought,' cried she, 'when I tumbled -down, somebody threw me down on purpose, and was going to kill me! dear -me! I thought I should have died! And then I thought it was a robber; -and then I thought that candle that come was a ghost! O la! I never was -so frightened in my life!' - - * * * * * - -The next morning they went, as usual, to the Pantiles, and Mrs. Arlbery -took her seat in the bookseller's shop, where the usual beaux were -encountered; and where, presently, Edgar entering, addressed to her some -discourse, and made some general inquiries after the health of Camilla. - -It was a cruel drawback to her hopes to see him first thus in public: -but the manner of Mrs. Arlbery at the hotel, he had thought repulsive; -he had observed that she seemed offended with him since the rencounter -at the breakfast given for Miss Dennel; and he now wished for some -encouragement for renewing his rights to the acquaintance. - -Sir Sedley, though with the assistance of a stick he had reached the -library, was not sufficiently at his ease to again mount his horse; a -carriage expedition was therefore agitating for the morning, and to see -Knowle being fixed upon, equipages and horses were ordered. - -While they waited their arrival. Lady Alithea Selmore, and a very shewy -train of ladies and gentlemen, came into the library. Sir Sedley, losing -the easy, natural manner which had just so much pleased Camilla, resumed -his affectation, indolence, and inattention, and flung himself back in -his chair, without finishing a speech he had begun, or listening to an -inquiry why he stopt short. His friends, Lord Newford and Sir Theophilus -Jarard, shuffled up to her ladyship; and Sir Sedley, muttering to -himself life would not be life without being introduced to her, got up, -and seizing Lord Newford by the shoulder, whispered what he called the -height of his ambition, and was presented without delay. - -He then entered into a little abrupt, half articulated conversation with -Lady Alithea, who, by a certain toss of the chin, a short and half -scornful laugh, and a supercilious dropping of the eye, gave to every -sentence she uttered the air of a _bon mot_; and after each, as -regularly stopt for some testimony of admiration, as a favourite actress -in some scene in which every speech is applauded. What she said, indeed, -had no other mark than what this manner gave to it; for it was neither -good nor bad, wise nor foolish, sprightly nor dull. It was what, if -naturally spoken, would have passed, as it deserved, without censure or -praise. This manner, however, prevailed not only upon her auditors, but -herself, to believe that something of wit, of _finesse_, of peculiarity, -accompanied her every phrase. Thought, properly speaking, there was none -in any thing she pronounced: her speeches were all replies, which her -admirers dignified by the name of repartees, and which mechanically and -regularly flowed from some word, not idea, that preceded. - -Mrs. Arlbery, having listened some time, turned entirely away, though -with less contempt of her ladyship than of her hearers. Her own -auditors, however, except the faithful General, had all deserted her. -Even the Major, curious to attend to a lady of some celebrity, had -quitted the chair of Camilla; and Edgar himself, imagining, from this -universal devotion, there was something well worth an audience, had -joined the group. - -'We are terribly in the back ground, General!' cried Mrs. Arlbery, in a -low voice. 'What must be done to save our reputations?' - -The General, laughing, said, he feared they were lost irretrievably; but -added that he preferred defeat with her, to victory without her. - -'Your gallantry, my dear General,' cried she, with a sudden air of glee, -'shall be rewarded! Follow me close, and you shall see the fortune of -the day reversed.' - -Rising then, she advanced softly, and with an air of respect, towards -the party, and fixing herself just opposite to Lady Alithea, with looks -of the most profound attention, stood still, as if in admiring -expectation. - -Lady Alithea, who had regarded this approach as an intrusion that -strongly manifested ignorance of high life, thought much better of it -when she remarked the almost veneration of her air. She deemed it, -however, wholly beneath her to speak when thus attended to; till, -observing the patient admiration with which even a single word seemed to -be hoped for, she began to pardon what appeared to be a mere tribute to -her fame; and upon Sir Theophilus Jarard's saying, 'I don't think we -have had such a bore of a season as this, these five years;' could not -refuse herself the pleasure of replying: 'I did not imagine, Sir -Theophilus, you were already able to count by lustres.' - -Her own air of complacency announced the happiness of this answer. The -company, as usual, took the hint, and approbation was buzzed around her. -Lord Newford gave a loud laugh, without the least conception why; and -Sir Theophilus, after paying the same compliment, wished, as it -concerned himself, to know what had been said; and glided to the other -end of the shop, to look for the word lustre in Entick's dictionary. - -But this triumph was even less than momentary; Mrs. Arlbery, gently -raising her shoulders with her head, indulged herself in a smile that -favoured yet more of pity than derision; and, with a hasty glance at the -General, that spoke an eagerness to compare notes with him, hurried out -of the shop; her eyes dropt, as if fearful to trust her countenance to -an instant's investigation. - -Lady Alithea felt herself blush. The confusion was painful and unusual -to her. She drew her glove off and on; she dabbed a highly scented -pocket handkerchief repeatedly to her nose; she wondered what it was -o'clock; took her watch in her hand, without recollecting to examine it; -and then wondered if it would rain, though not a cloud was to be -discerned in the sky. - -To see her thus completely disconcerted, gave a weight to the -mischievous malice of Mrs. Arlbery, of which the smallest presence of -mind would have robbed it. Her admirers, one by one, dwindled away, with -lessened esteem for her talents; and, finding herself presently alone in -the shop with Sir Theophilus Jarard, she said, 'Pray, Sir Theophilus, do -you know anything of that queer woman?' - -The words _queer woman_ were guides sufficient to Sir Theophilus, who -answered, 'No! I have seen her, somewhere, by accident, but--she is -quite out of our line.' - -This reply was a sensible gratification to Lady Alithea, who, having -heard her warmly admired by Lord O'Lerney, had been the more susceptible -to her ridicule. Rudeness she could have despised without emotion; but -contempt had something in it of insolence; a commodity she held herself -born to dispense, not receive. - - * * * * * - -When Mrs. Arlbery arrived, laughing, at the bottom of the Pantiles, she -found Edgar making inquiries of the time and manner of drinking the -mineral water. - -Camilla heard him, also, and with deep apprehensions for his health. He -did not however look ill; and a second sadness, not less deep, ensued, -that she could now retain no hope of being herself his inducement to -this journey. - -But egotism was no part of her composition; when she saw, therefore, the -next minute, Sir Sedley Clarendel advance limping, and heard him ask if -his phaeton were ready, she approached him, saying, 'Will you venture, -Sir Sedley, in your phaeton?' - -'There's no sort of reason why not,' answered he, sensibly flattered; -'yet I had certainly rather go as you go!' - -'Then that,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'must be in Dennel's coach, with him and -my little niece here: and then I'll drive the General in your phaeton.' - -'Agreed!' cried Sir Sedley, seating himself on one of the forms; and -then, taking from a paper some tickets, added; 'I want a few guineas.' - -'So do I!' exclaimed Mrs. Arlbery; 'do you know where such sort of -things are to be met with?' - -'Lady Alithea Selmore has promised to disperse some twenty tickets for -the master of the ceremonies' ball, and she commands me to help. How -many shall I give you?' - -'Ask Mr. Dennel,' answered she negligently; 'he's the only paymaster -just now.' - -Mr. Dennel turned round, and was going to walk away; but Mrs. Arlbery, -taking him by the arm, said: 'My good friend, how many tickets shall Sir -Sedley give you?' - -'Me!--none at all.' - -'O fie! every body goes to the master of the ceremonies' ball. Come, you -shall have six. You can't possibly take less.' - -'Six! What should I do with them?' - -'Why, you and your daughter will use two, and four you must give away.' - -'What for?' - -'Was ever such a question? To do what's proper and right, and handsome -and gallant.' - -'O, as to all that, it's what I don't understand. It's out of my way.' - -He would then have made off; but Mrs. Arlbery, piqued to succeed, held -him fast, and said: 'Come, if you'll be good, I'll be good too, and you -shall have a plain joint of meat at the bottom of the table every day -for a fortnight.' - -Mr. Dennel softened a little here into something like a smile; and drew -two guineas from his purse; but more there was no obtaining. - -'Come,' cried Sir Sedley, 'you have canvassed well so far. Now for your -fair self.' - -'You are a shocking creature!' cried she; 'don't you know I am turned -miser?' - -Yet she gave her guinea. - -'But the fair Tyrold does not also, I trust, assume that character?' - -Camilla had felt very uneasy during this contest; and now, colouring, -said she did not mean to go to the ball. - -'Can you ever expect, then,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'to have a partner at -any other? You don't know the rules of these places. The master of the -ceremonies is always a gentleman, and every body is eager to shew him -every possible respect.' - -Camilla was now still more distressed; and stammered out, that she -believed the fewer balls she went to, the better her father would be -pleased. - -'Your father, my dear, is a very wise man, and a very good man, and a -very excellent preacher: but what does he know of Tunbridge Wells? -Certainly not so much as my dairy maid, for she has heard John talk of -them; but as to your father, depend upon it, the sole knowledge he has -ever obtained, is from some treatise upon its mineral waters; which, -very possibly, he can analyse as well as a physician: but for the -regulation of a country dance, be assured he will do much better to make -you over to Sir Sedley, or to me.' - -Camilla laughed faintly, and feeling in her pocket to take out her -pocket handkerchief, by way of something to do, Mrs. Arlbery concluded -she was seeking her purse, and suddenly putting her hand upon her arm to -prevent her, said, 'No, no! if you don't wish to go, or choose to go, or -approve of going, I cannot, in sober earnestness, see you compelled. -Nothing is so detestable as forcing people to be amused. Come, now for -Knowle.' - -Sir Sedley was then putting up his tickets; but the Major, taking one of -them out of his hand, presented it to Camilla, saying: 'Let the ladies -take their tickets now, and settle with us afterwards.' - -Camilla felt extremely provoked, yet not knowing how to resist, took the -ticket; but, turning pointedly from the Major to Sir Sedley, said: 'I am -your debtor, then, sir, a guinea--the smallest part, indeed, of what I -owe you, though all I can pay!' And she then resolved to borrow that sum -immediately of Mrs. Arlbery. - -Sir Sedley began to think she grew handsomer every moment: and, -contrary to his established and systematic inattention, upon hearing the -sound of the carriages, conducted her himself to Mr. Dennel's coach, -which he ascended after her. - -Edgar, unable to withstand joining the party, had ordered his horse -during the debate about the tickets. - -Lords O'Lerney and Newford, and Sir Theophilus Jarard, and Major -Cerwood, went also on horseback. - -Sir Sedley made it his study to procure amusement for Camilla during the -ride; and while he humoured alternately the loquacious folly of Miss -Dennel, and the under-bred positiveness of her father, intermingled with -both comic sarcasms against himself, and pointed annotations upon the -times, that somewhat diverted her solicitude and perplexity. - -She forgot them however, more naturally, in examining the noble antique -mansion, pictures, and curiosities of Knowle; and in paying the tribute -that taste must ever pay to the works exhibited there of Sir Joshua -Reynolds. - -The house viewed, they all proceeded to the park, where, enchanted with -the noble old trees which venerably adorn it, they strolled delightedly, -till they came within sight of an elegant white form, as far distant as -their eyes could reach, reading under an oak. - -Camilla instantly thought of her moonlight friend; but Sir Theophilus -called out, 'Faith, there's the divine Berlinton!' - -'Is there, faith?' exclaimed Lord Newford, suddenly rushing forward to -satisfy himself if it were true. - -Deeming this an ill-bred and unauthorised intrusion, they all stopt. The -studious fair, profoundly absorbed by her book, did not hear his -lordship's footsteps, till his coat rustled in her ears. Raising then -her eyes, she screamed, dropt her book, and darting up, flew towards the -wood, with a velocity far exceeding his own, though without seeming to -know, or consider, whither her flight might lead her. - -Camilla, certain now this was her new friend, felt an indignation the -most lively against Lord Newford, and involuntarily sprung forward. It -was evident the fair fugitive had perceived none of the party but him -she sought to avoid; notwithstanding Lord Newford himself, when -convinced who it was, ceased his pursuit, and seemed almost to find out -there was such a sensation as shame; though by various antics, of -swinging his cane, looking up in the air, shaking his pocket -handkerchief, and sticking his arms a-kimbo, he thought it essential to -his credit to disguise it. - -Camilla had no chance to reach the flying beauty, but by calling to her -to stop; which she did instantly at the sound of her voice, and, turning -round with a look of rapture, ran into her arms. - -The Major, whose devoirs to Camilla always sought, not avoided the -public eye, eagerly pursued her. Edgar, cruelly envying a licence he -concluded to result from his happy situation, looked on in silent amaze; -but listened with no small attention to the remarks that now fell from -Mrs. Arlbery, who said she was sure this must be the fair Incognita that -Miss Tyrold had met with upon the road; and gave a lively relation of -that adventure. - -He could not hear without delight the benevolent courage thus manifested -by Camilla, nor without terror the danger to which it might have exposed -her. But Lord O'Lerney, with an air of extreme surprise, exclaimed: 'Is -it possible Lord Newford could give any cause of alarm to Mrs. -Berlinton?' - -'Is she then, my lord, a woman of character?' cried Mrs. Arlbery. - -'Untainted!' he answered solemnly; 'as spotless, I believe, as her -beauty: and if you have seen her, you will allow that to be no small -praise. She comes from a most respectable family in Wales, and has been -married but a few months.' - -'Married, my lord? my fair female Quixote assured me she was single.' - -'No, poor thing! she was carried from the nursery to the altar, and, I -fear, not very judiciously nor happily.' - -'Dear!' cried Miss Dennel, 'i'n't she happy?' - -'I never presume to judge,' answered his lordship, smiling; 'but she has -always something melancholy in her air.' - -'Pray how old is she?' said Miss Dennel. - -'Eighteen.' - -'Dear! and married?--La! I wonder what makes her unhappy!' - -'Not a husband, certainly!' said Mrs. Arlbery, laughing, 'that is -against all chance and probability.' - -'Well, I'm resolved when I'm married myself, I won't be unhappy.' - -'And how will you help it?' - -'O, because I'm determined I won't. I think it's very hard if I may'nt -have my own way when I'm married.' - -''Twill at least be very singular!' answered Mrs. Arlbery. - -Camilla now returned to her party, having first conducted her new friend -towards a door in the park where her carriage was waiting. - -'At length, my dear,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'your fair mysterious has, I -suppose, avowed herself?' - -'I made no inquiry,' answered she, painfully looking down. - -'I can tell you who she is, then, myself,' said Miss Dennel; 'she is -Mrs. Berlinton, and she's come out of Wales, and she's married, and -she's eighteen.' - -'Married!' repeated Camilla, blushing from internal surprise at the -conversations she had held with her. - -'Yes; your fair Incognita is neither more nor less,' said Mrs. Arlbery, -'than the honourable Mrs. Berlinton, wife to Lord Berlinton's brother, -and, next only to Lady Alithea Selmore, the first toast, and the -reigning cry of the Wells for this season.' - -Camilla, who had seen and considered her in almost every other point of -view, heard this with less of pleasure than astonishment. When a further -investigation brought forth from Lord O'Lerney that her maiden name was -Melmond, Mrs. Arlbery exclaimed: 'O, then, I cease to play the idiot, -and wonder! I know the Melmonds well. They are all half crazy, romantic, -love-lorn, studious, and sentimental. One of them was in Hampshire this -summer, but so immensely "melancholy and gentleman-like[2]," that I -never took him into my society.' - -[Footnote 2: Ben Jonson] - -''Twas the brother of this young lady, I doubt not,' said Lord O'Lerney; -'he is a young man of very good parts, and of an exemplary character; -but strong in his feelings, and wild in pursuit of whatever excites -them.' - -'When will you introduce me to your new friend, Miss Tyrold?' said Mrs. -Arlbery; 'or, rather,' (turning to Lord Newford,) 'I hope your lordship -will do me that honour; I hear you are very kind to her; and take much -care to convince her of the ill effects and danger of the evening air.' - -'O hang it! O curse it!' cried his lordship; 'why does a woman walk by -moon-light?' - -'Why, rather, should man,' said Lord O'Lerney, 'impede so natural a -recreation?' - -The age of Lord O'Lerney, which more than doubled that of Lord Newford, -made this question supported, and even drew forth the condescension of -an attempted exculpation. 'I vow, my lord,' he cried, 'I had no -intention but to look at a letter; and that I thought, she only read in -public to excite curiosity.' - -'O but you knelt to her!' cried Miss Dennel, 'you knelt to her! I saw -you! and why did you do that, when you knew she was married, and you -could not be her lover?' - -The party being now disposed to return to the Wells, Mrs. Arlbery called -upon the General to attend her to the phaeton. Camilla, impatient to pay -Sir Sedley, followed to speak to her; but, not aware of her wish, Mrs. -Arlbery hurried laughingly on, saying, 'Come, General, let us be gone, -that the coach may be last, and then Dennel must pay the fees! That will -be a good guinea towards my ponies!' - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_Mount Pleasant_ - - -The shame and distress natural to every unhackneyed mind, in any -necessity of soliciting a pecuniary favour, had now, in that of Camilla, -the additional difficulty of coping against the avowed desire of Mrs. -Arlbery not to open her purse. - -When they arrived at Mount Pleasant, she saw all the horsemen alighted, -and in conversation with that lady; and Edgar move towards the carriage, -palpably with a design to hand her out: but as the Major advanced, he -retreated, and, finding himself unnoticed by Mrs. Arlbery, remounted his -horse. Provoked and chagrined, she sprung forwards alone, and when -pursued by the Major, with some of his usual compliments, turned from -him impatiently and went up stairs. - -Intent in thinking only of Edgar, she was not herself aware of this -abruptness, till Mrs. Arlbery, following her to her chamber, said, 'Why -were you so suddenly haughty to the Major, my dear Miss Tyrold? Has he -offended you?' - -Much surprised, she answered, no; but, forced by further questions, to -be more explicit, confessed she wished to distance him, as his behaviour -had been remarked. - -'Remarked! how? by whom?' - -She coloured, and was again hardly pressed before she answered, 'Mr. -Mandlebert--once--named it to me.' - -'O, ho, did he?' said Mrs. Arlbery, surprised in her turn; 'why then, my -dear, depend upon it, he loves you himself.' - -'Me!--Mr. Mandlebert!--' exclaimed Camilla, doubting what she heard. - -'Nay, why not?' - -'Why not?' repeated she in an excess of perturbation; 'O, he is too -good! too excelling! he sees all my faults--points them out himself--' - -'Does he?...' said Mrs. Arlbery thoughtfully, and pausing: 'nay, -then,--if so--he wishes to marry you!' - -'Me, ma'am!' cried Camilla, blushing high with mingled delight at the -idea, and displeasure at its free expression. - -'Why, else, should he caution you against another?' - -'From goodness, from kindness, from generosity!--' - -'No, no; those are not the characteristics of young men who counsel -young women! We all heard he was engaged to your beautiful -vacant-looking cousin; but I suppose he grew sick of her. A very young -man seldom likes a silly wife. It is generally when he is further -advanced in life that he takes that depraved taste. He then flatters -himself a fool will be easier to govern.' - -She now went away to dress; leaving Camilla a new creature; changed in -all her hopes, though overwhelmed with shame at the freedom of this -attack, and determined to exert her utmost strength of mind, not to -expose to view the secret pleasure with which it filled her. - -She was, however, so absent when they met again, that Mrs. Arlbery, -shaking her head, said: 'Ah, my fair friend! what have you been thinking -of?' - -Excessively ashamed, she endeavoured to brighten up. The General and Sir -Sedley had been invited to dinner. The latter was engaged in the evening -to Lady Alithea Selmore, who gave tea at her own lodgings. 'The Rooms, -then, will be quite empty,' said Mrs. Arlbery; 'so we had better go to -the play.' - -Mr. Dennel had no objection, and Sir Sedley promised to attend them, as -it would be time enough for her ladyship afterwards. - - * * * * * - -So completely was Camilla absorbed in her new ideas, that she forgot -both her borrowed guinea, and the state of her purse, till she arrived -at the theatre. The recollection was then too late; and she had no -resource against completely emptying it. - -She was too happy however, at this instant, to admit any regret. The -sagacity of Mrs. Arlbery she thought infallible; and the sight of Edgar -in a box just facing her, banished every other consideration. - -The theatre was almost without company. The assembly at Lady Alithea -Selmore's had made it unfashionable, and when the play was over, Edgar -found easily a place in the box. - -Lord Newford and Sir Theophilus Jarard looked in just after, and -affected not to know the piece was begun. Sir Sedley retired to his -toilette, and Mr. Dennel to seek his carriage. - -Some bills now got into the box, and were read by Sir Theophilus, -announcing a superb exhibition of wild beasts for the next day, -consisting chiefly of monkies who could perform various feats, and a -famous ourang outang, just landed from Africa. - -Lord Newford said he would go if he had but two more days to live. Sir -Theophilus echoed him. Mr. Dennel expressed some curiosity; Miss Dennel, -though she protested she should be frightened out of her wits, said she -would not stay at home; Mrs. Arlbery confessed it would be an amusing -sight to see so many representations of the dear human race; but Camilla -spoke not: and scarce heard even the subject of discourse. - -'You,' cried the Major, addressing her, 'will be there?' - -'Where?' demanded she. - -'To see this curious collection of animals.' - -'It will be curious, undoubtedly,' said Edgar, pleased that she made no -answer; 'but 'tis a species of curiosity not likely to attract the most -elegant spectators; and rather, perhaps, adapted to give pleasure to -naturalists, than to young ladies.' - -Softened, at this moment, in every feeling of her heart towards Edgar, -she turned to him, and said, 'Do you think it would be wrong to go?' - -'Wrong,' repeated he, surprised though gratified, 'is perhaps too hard a -word; but, I fear, at an itinerant show, such as this, a young lady -would run some chance of finding herself in a neighbourhood that might -seem rather strange to her.' - -'Most certainly then,' cried she, with quickness, 'I will not go!' - -The astonished Edgar looked at her with earnestness, and saw the -simplicity of sincerity on her countenance. He looked then at the Major; -who, accustomed to frequent failures in his solicitations, exhibited no -change of features. Again he looked at Camilla, and her eyes met his -with a sweetness of expression that passed straight to his heart. - -Mrs. Arlbery now led the way to the coach; the forwardness of the Major, -though in her own despight, procured him the hand of Camilla; but she -had left upon Edgar an impression renovating to all his esteem. She is -still, he thought, the same; candid, open, flexible; still, therefore, -let me follow her, with such counsel as I am able to give. She has -accused me of unkindness;--She was right! I retreated from her service -at the moment when, in honour, I was bound to continue in it. How -selfish was such conduct! how like such common love as seeks only its -own gratification, not the happiness or welfare of its object! Could -she, though but lately so dear to me, that all the felicity of my life -seemed to hang upon her, become as nothing, because destined to another? -No! Her father has been my father, and so long as she retains his -respected name, I will watch by her unceasingly. - - * * * * * - -In their way home, one of the horses tired, and could not be made to -drag the carriage up to Mount Pleasant. They were therefore obliged to -alight and walk. Mrs. Arlbery took the arm of Mr. Dennel, which she did -not spare, and his daughter, almost crying with sleep and fatigue, made -the same use of Camilla's. She protested she had never been so long upon -her feet in her life as that very morning in Knowle Park, and, though -she leant upon her companion with as little scruple as upon a walking -stick, she frequently stopt short, and declared she should stay upon the -road all night, for she could not move another step: and they were still -far from the summit, when she insisted upon sitting down, saying -fretfully, 'I am sure I wish I was married! Nobody minds me. I am sure -if I was, I would not be served so. I'm resolved I'll always have two -coaches, one to come after me, and one to ride in; for I'm determined I -won't marry a man that has not a great fortune. I'm sure papa could -afford it too, if he'd a mind; only he won't. Every body vexes me. I'm -sure I'm ready to cry!' - -Mr. Dennel and Mrs. Arlbery, who neither of them, at any time, took the -smallest notice of what she said, passed on, and left the whole weight -both of her person and her complaints to Camilla. The latter, however, -now reached the ears of a fat, tidy, neat looking elderly woman, who, in -a large black bonnet, and a blue checked apron, was going their way; she -approached them, and in a good-humoured voice, said: 'What! poor dear! -why you seem tired to death? come, get up, my dear; be of good heart, -and you shall hold by my arm; for that t'other poor thing's almost -hauled to pieces.' - -Miss Dennel accepted both the pity and the proposal; and the substantial -arm of her new friend, gave her far superior aid to the slight one of -Camilla. - -'Well, and how did you like the play, my dears?' cried the woman. - -'La!' said Miss Dennel, 'how should you know we were at the play?' - -'O, I have a little bird,' answered she, sagaciously nodding, 'that -tells me everything! you sat in the stage box?' - -'Dear! so we did! How can you tell that? Was you in the gallery?' - -'No, my dear, nor yet in the pit neither. And you had three gentlemen -behind you, besides that gentleman that's going up the Mount?' - -'Dear! So we had! But how do you know? did you peep at us behind the -scenes?' - -'No, my dear; I never went behind the scenes. But come, I hope you'll do -now, for you ha'n't much further to go.' - -'Dear! how do you know that?' - -'Because you live at that pretty house, there, up Mount Pleasant, that's -got the little closet window.' - -'La, yes! who told you so?' - -'And there's a pretty cat belonging to the house, all streaked brown and -black?' - -'O, la!' exclaimed Miss Dennel, half screaming, and letting go her arm, -'I dare say you're a fortune-teller! Pray, don't speak to me till we get -to the light!' - -She now hung back, so terrified that neither Camilla could encourage, -nor the woman appease her; and she was going to run down the hill, -forgetting all her weariness, to seek refuge from the servants, when -the woman said, 'Why what's here to do? Why see, my dear, if I must let -you into the secret--you must know--but don't tell it to the world!--I'm -a gentlewoman!' She then removed her checked apron, and shewed a white -muslin one, embroidered and flounced. - -Miss Dennel was now struck with a surprise, of which Camilla bore an -equal share. Their new acquaintance appeared herself in some confusion, -but having exacted a promise not to be discovered to _the world_, she -told them, she lodged at a house upon Mount Pleasant, just by their's, -whence she often saw them; that, having a ticket given her, by a friend, -for the play, she dressed herself and went into a box, with some very -genteel company, who kept their coach, and who sat her down afterwards -at another friend's, where she pretended she should be fetched: 'But I -do my own way,' continued she, 'and nobody knows a word of the matter: -for I keep a large bonnet, and cloak, and a checked apron, and a pair of -clogs, or pattens, always at this friend's; and then when I have put -them on, people take me for a mere common person, and I walk on, ever so -late, and nobody speaks to me; and so by that means I get my pleasure, -and save my money; and yet always appear like a gentlewoman when I'm -known.' - -She then again charged them to be discreet, saying that if this were -spread to _the world_, she should be quite undone, for many ladies that -took her about with them, would notice her no more. At the same time, as -she wished to make acquaintance with such pretty young ladies, she -proposed that they should all three meet in a walk before the house, the -next morning, and talk together as if for the first time. - -Camilla, who detested all tricks, declined entering into this -engagement; but Miss Dennel, charmed with the ingenuity of her new -acquaintance, accepted the appointment. - - * * * * * - -Camilla had, however, her own new friend for the opening of the next -day. 'Ah! my sweet protectress!' cried she, throwing her arms about her -neck, 'what am I not destined to owe you? The very sight of that man is -horror to me. Amiable, generous creature! what a sight was yours, when -turning round, I met your eyes, and beheld him no more!' - -'Your alarm, at which I cannot wonder,' said Camilla, 'prevented your -seeing your safety; for Lord Newford was with a large party.' - -'O, he is obnoxious to my view! wherever I may see him, in public or in -private, I shall fly him. He would have torn from me the loved -characters of my heart's best correspondent!--' - -Camilla now felt a little shocked, and colouring and interrupting her, -said: 'Is it possible, Mrs. Berlinton--' and stopt not knowing how to go -on. - -'Ah! you know me, then! You know my connexions and my situation!' cried -she, hiding her face on Camilla's bosom: 'tell me, at least, tell me, -you do not therefore contemn and abhor me?' - -'Heaven forbid!' said Camilla, terrified at such a preparation; 'what -can I hear that can give you so cruel an idea?' - -'Alas! know you not I have prophaned at the altar my plighted vows to -the most odious of men? That I have formed an alliance I despise? and -that I bear a name I think of with disgust, and hate ever to own?' - -Camilla, thunderstruck, answered; 'No, indeed! I know nothing of all -this!' - -'Ah! guard yourself, then, well,' cried she, bursting into tears, 'from -a similar fate! My friends are kind and good, but the temptation of -seeing me rich beguiled them. I was disinterested and contented myself, -but young and inexperienced; and I yielded to their pleadings, unaware -of their consequences. Alas! I was utterly ignorant both of myself and -the world! I knew not how essential to my own peace was an amiable -companion; and I knew not, then,--that the world contained one just -formed to make me happy!' - -She now hung down her head, weeping and desponding. Camilla sought to -sooth her, but was so amazed, so fearful, and so perplext, she scarce -knew what either to say or to think. - -The fair mourner, at length, a little recovering, added: 'Let me not -agitate your gentle bosom with my sorrows. I regard you as an angel sent -to console them; but it must be by mitigating, not partaking of them.' - -Camilla was sensibly touched; and though strangely at a loss what to -judge, felt her affections deeply interested. - -'I dreaded,' she continued, 'to tell you my name, for I dreaded to sink -myself into your contempt, by your knowledge of an alliance you must -deem so mercenary. 'Twas folly to hope you would not hear it; yet I -wished first to obtain, at least, your good will. The dear lost name of -Melmond is all I love to pronounce! That name, I believe, is known to -you; so may be, also, perhaps, my brother's unhappy story?' - -Melmond, she then said, believing Miss Lynmere betrothed to Mr. -Mandlebert, had quitted Hampshire in misery, to finish his vacation in -Wales, with their mutual friends. There he heard that the rumour was -false; and would instantly have returned and thrown himself at the feet -of the young lady, by whose cousin, Mr. Lionel Tyrold, he had been told -she was to inherit a large fortune; when this second report, also, was -contradicted, and he learnt that Miss Lynmere had almost nothing; 'My -brother,' added she, 'with the true spirit of true sentiment, was but -the more urgent to pursue her; but our relations interfered--and he, -like me, is doomed to endless anguish!' - -The accident, she said, of the preceding morning, was owing to her being -engaged in reading Rowe's letters from the dead to the living; which had -so infinitely enchanted her, that, desiring to peruse them without -interruption, yet fearing to again wander in search of a rural retreat, -she had driven to Knowle; where, hearing the noble family was absent, -she had asked leave to view the park, and there had taken out her -delicious book, which she was enjoying in the highest luxury of solitude -and sweet air, when Lord Newford broke in upon her. - -Camilla enquired if she feared any bad consequences, by telling Mr. -Berlinton of his impertinence. - -'Heaven forbid,' she answered, 'that I should be condemned to speak to -Mr. Berlinton of anything that concerns or befalls me! I see him as -little as I am able, and speak to him as seldom.' - -Camilla heard this with grief, but durst not further press a subject so -delicate. They continued together till noon, and then reluctantly -parted, upon a message from Mrs. Arlbery that the carriages were -waiting. Mrs. Berlinton declined being introduced to that lady, which -would only, she said, occasion interruptions to their future -_tête-à-têtes_. - -Neither the thoughtlessness of the disposition, nor the gaiety of the -imagination of Camilla, could disguise from her understanding the -glaring eccentricity of this conduct and character: but she saw them -with more of interest than blame; the various attractions with which -they were mixed, blending in her opinion something between pity and -admiration, more captivating, though more dangerous, to the fond fancy -of youth, than the most solid respect, and best founded esteem. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_The accomplished Monkies_ - - -When Camilla descended, she found Sir Sedley Clarendel and General -Kinsale in attendance; and saw, from the parlour window, Miss Dennel -sauntering before the house, with the newly made acquaintance of the -preceding evening. - -The Baronet, who was to drive Mrs. Arlbery, enquired if Camilla would -not prefer, also, an open carriage. Mrs. Arlbery seconded the motion. -Miss Dennel, then, running to her father, exclaimed, 'Pray, papa, let's -take this lady I've been talking with in the coach with us. She's the -good-naturedest creature I ever knew.' - -'Who is she? what's her name?' - -'O, I don't know that, papa; but I'll go and ask her.' - -Flying then back, 'Pray, ma'am,' she cried, 'what's your name? because -papa wants to know.' - -'Why, my dear, my name's Mittin. So you may think of me when you put on -your gloves.' - -'Papa, her name's Mittin,' cried Miss Dennel, scampering again to her -father. - -'Well, and who is she?' - -'O, la, I'm sure I can't tell, only she's a gentlewoman.' - -'And how do you know that?' - -'She told me so herself.' - -'And where does she live?' - -'Just by, papa, at that house you see there.' - -'O, well, if she's a neighbour, that's enough. I've no more to say.' - -'O, then, I'll ask her!' cried Miss Dennel, jumping, 'dear! I'm so glad! -'twould have been so dull, only papa and I. I'm resolved, when I've a -house of my own, I'll never go alone any where with papa.' - -This being muttered, the invitation was made and accepted, and the -parties set forward. - -The ride was perfectly pleasing to Camilla, now revived and cheerful; -Sir Sedley was free from airs; Mrs. Arlbery drew them into conversation -with one another, and none of them were glad when Mr. Dennel, called -'stop! or you'll drive too far.' - -Camilla, who, supposing she was going, as usual, to the Pantiles, had -got into the phaeton without inquiry; and who, finding afterwards her -mistake, concluded they were merely taking an airing, now observed she -was advancing towards a crowd, and presently perceived a booth, and an -immense sign hung out from it, exhibiting a man monkey, or ourang -outang. - -Though excessively fluttered, she courageously, and at once, told Mrs. -Arlbery she begged to be excused proceeding. - -Mrs. Arlbery, who had heard, at the play, the general objections of -Mandlebert, though she had not attended to her answer, conjectured her -reason for retreating, and laughed, but said she would not oppose her. - -Camilla then begged to wait in Mr. Dennel's carriage, that she might -keep no one else from the show. Sir Sedley, saying it would be an -excruciatingly vulgar sight, proposed they should all return; but she -pleaded strongly against breaking up the party, though, while she was -handed out, to go back to the coach, the Dennels and Mrs. Mittin had -alighted, and it had driven off. - -The chagrin of Camilla was so palpable, that Mrs. Arlbery herself agreed -to resign the scheme; and Sir Sedley, who drew up to them, said he -should rejoice in being delivered from it: but Miss Dennel, who was -waiting without the booth for her aunt, was ready to cry at the thought -of losing the sight, which Mrs. Mittin had assured her was extremely -pretty; and, after some discussion, Camilla was reduced to beg she might -do no mischief, and consent to make one. - -A more immediate distress now occurred to her; she heard Mr. Dennel call -out to the man stationed at the entrance of the booth, 'What's to pay?' -and recollected she had no money left. - -'What your Honor pleases,' was the answer, 'but gentlefolks gives -half-a-crown.' - -'I'm sure it's well worth it,' said Mrs. Mittin, 'for it's one of the -most curious things you ever saw. You can't give less, sir.' And she -passed nimbly by, without paying at all: but added, 'I had a ticket the -first day, and now I come every day for nothing, if it don't rain, for -one only need to pay at first.' - -Mr. Dennel and his daughter followed, and Camilla was beginning a -hesitating speech to Mrs. Arlbery, as that lady, not attending to her, -said to Mr. Dennel: 'Well, frank me also; but take care what you pay; -I'm not at all sure I shall ever return it. All I save goes to my -ponies.' And, handed by the General, she crossed the barrier; not -hearing the voice of her young friend, which was timidly beseeching her -to stop. - -Camilla was now in extreme confusion. She put her hand into her pocket, -took it out, felt again, and again brought forth the hand empty. - -The Major, who was before her, and who watched her, begged leave to -settle with the booth-keeper; but Camilla, to whom he grew daily more -irksome, again preferred a short obligation to the Baronet, and -blushingly asked if he would once more be her banker? - -Sir Sedley, by no means suspecting the necessity that urged this -condescension, was surprised and delighted, and almost without knowing -it himself, became all that was attentive, obliging, and pleasing. - -Before they were seated, the young Ensign, Mr. Macdersey, issuing from a -group of gentlemen, addressed himself to Camilla, though with an air -that spoke him much discomposed and out of spirits. 'I hope you are -well, Miss Camilla Tyrold,' he cried; 'and have left all your family -well? particularly the loveliest of your sex, that angel of beauty, the -divine Miss Lynmere?' - -'Except the company present!' said Mrs. Arlbery; 'always except the -company present, when you talk of beauty to women.' - -'I would not except even the company absent!' replied he, with warmth; -but was interrupted from proceeding, by what the master of the booth -called his _Consort of Musics_: in which not less than twenty monkies -contributed their part; one dreadfully scraping a bow across the strings -of a vile kit, another beating a drum, another with a fife, a fourth -with a bagpipe, and the sixteen remainder striking together tongs, -shovels, and pokers, by way of marrowbones and cleavers. Every body -stopt their ears, though no one could forbear laughing at their various -contortions, and horrible grimaces, till the master of the booth, to -keep them, he said, in tune, dealt about such fierce blows with a stick, -that they set up a general howling, which he called the _Wocal_ part of -his _Consort_, not more stunning to the ear, than offensive to all -humanity. The audience applauded by loud shouts, but Mrs. Arlbery, -disgusted, rose to quit the booth. Camilla eagerly started up to second -the motion, but her eyes still more expeditiously turned from the door, -upon encountering those of Edgar; who, having met the empty coach of Mr. -Dennel, had not been able to refrain from inquiring where its company -had been deposited; nor, upon hearing it was at the _accomplished -Monkies_, from hastening to the spot, to satisfy himself if or not -Camilla had been steady to her declaration. But he witnessed at once the -propriety of his advice, and its failure. - -The master of the booth could not endure to see the departure of the -most brilliant part of his spectators, and made an harangue, promising -the company, at large, if they would submit to postponing the _Consort_, -in order to oblige his friends the Quality, they should have it, with -the newest squalls in taste, afterwards. - -The people laughed and clapped, and Mrs. Arlbery sat down. - -In a few minutes, the performers were ready for a new exhibition. They -were dressed up as soldiers, who, headed by a corporal, came forward to -do their exercises. - -Mrs. Arlbery, laughing, told the General, as he was upon duty, he should -himself take the command: the General, a pleasant, yet cool and sensible -man, did not laugh less; but the Ensign, more warm tempered, and wrong -headed, seeing a feather in a monkey's cap, of the same colour, by -chance, as in his own, fired with hasty indignation, and rising, called -out to the master of the booth: 'What do you mean by this, sir? do you -mean to put an affront upon our corps?' - -The man, startled, was going most humbly to protest his innocence of any -such design; but the laugh raised against the Ensign amongst the -audience gave him more courage, and he only simpered without speaking. - -'What do you mean by grinning at me, sir?' said Macdersey; 'do you want -me to cane you?' - -'Cane me!' cried the man enraged, 'by what rights?' - -Macdersey, easily put off all guard, was stepping over the benches, with -his cane uplifted, when his next neighbour, tightly holding him, said, -in a half whisper, 'If you'll take my advice, you'd a deal better -provoke him to strike the first blow.' - -Macdersey, far more irritated by this counsel than by the original -offence, fiercely looked back, calling out 'The first blow! What do you -mean by that, sir?' - -'No offence, sir,' answered the person, who was no other than the slow -and solemn Mr. Dubster; 'but only to give you a hint for your own good; -for if you strike first, being in his own house, as one may say, he may -take the law of you.' - -'The law!' repeated the fiery Ensign; 'the law was made for poltroons: a -man of honour does not know what it means.' - -'If you talk at that rate, sir,' said Dubster, in a low voice, 'it may -bring you into trouble.' - -'And who are you, sir, that take upon you the presumption to give me -your opinion?' - -'Who am I, sir? I am a gentleman, if you must needs know.' - -'A gentleman! who made you so?' - -'Who made me so? why leaving off business! what would you have make me -so? you may tell me if you are any better, if you come to that.' - -Macdersey, of an ancient and respectable family, incensed past measure, -was turning back upon Mr. Dubster; when the General, taking him gently -by the hand, begged he would recollect himself. - -'That's very true, sir, very true, General!' cried he, profoundly -bowing; 'what you say is very true. I have no right to put myself into a -passion before my superior officer, unless he puts me into it himself; -in which case 'tis his own fault. So I beg your pardon, General, with -all my heart. And I'll go out of the booth without another half -syllable. But if ever I detect any of those monkies mocking us, and -wearing our feathers, when you a'n't by, I sha'n't put up with it so -mildly. I hope you'll excuse me, General.' - -He then bowed to him again, and begged pardon of all the ladies; but, in -quitting the booth, contemptuously said to Mr. Dubster: 'As to you, you -little dirty fellow, you a'n't worth my notice.' - -'Little dirty fellow!' repeated Mr. Dubster, when he was gone; 'How come -you to think of that? why I'm as clean as hands can make me!' - -'Come, sir, come,' said Mrs. Mittin, reaching over to him, and stroking -his arm, 'don't be angry; these things will happen, sometimes, in public -companies; but gentlemen should be above minding them. He meant no harm, -I dare say.' - -'O, as to that, ma'am,' answered Mr. Dubster proudly, 'I don't much care -if he did or not: it's no odds to me. Only I don't know much what right -he has to defame me. I wonder who he thinks he is that he may break the -peace for nothing. I can't say I'm much a friend to such behaviour. -Treating people with so little ceremony.' - -'I protest,' cried Sir Sedley to Camilla, ''tis your favourite swain -from the Northwick assembly! wafted on some zephyr of Hope, he has -pursued you to Tunbridge. I flatter myself he has brought his last bran -new cloaths to claim your fair hand at the master of the ceremonies' -ball.' - -'Hush! hush!' cried Camilla, in a low voice; 'he will take you literally -should he hear you!' - -Mr. Dubster, now perceiving her, bowed low from the place where he -stood, and called out, 'How do you do, ma'am? I ask pardon for not -speaking to you before; but I can't say as I see you.' - -Camilla was forced to bow, though she made no answer. But he continued -with his usual steadiness; 'Why, that was but a unked morning we was -together so long, ma'am, in my new summer-house. We was in fine -jeopardy, that's the truth of it. Pray, how does the young gentleman do -as took away our ladder?' - -'What a delectable acquaintance!' cried Sir Sedley; 'would you have the -cruelty to keep such a treasure to yourself? present me, I supplicate!' - -'O, I know you well enough, sir,' said Mr. Dubster, who overheard him; -'I see you at the hop at the White Hart; and I believe you know me -pretty well too, sir, if I may take account by your staring. Not that I -mind it in the least.' - -'Come, come, don't be touchy,' said Mrs. Mittin; 'can't you be -good-natured, and hold your tongue? what signifies taking things amiss? -It only breeds ill words.' - -'That's very sensibly observed upon!' said Mr. Dennel; 'I don't know -when I've heard any thing more sensibly said.' - -'O, as to that, I don't take it amiss in the least,' cried Mr. Dubster; -'if the gentleman's a mind to stare, let him stare. Only I should like -to know what it's for. It's no better than child's play, as one may say, -making one look foolish for nothing.' - -The ourang outang was now announced, and Mrs. Arlbery immediately left -the booth, accompanied by her party, and speedily followed by Edgar. - -Neither of the carriages were in waiting, but they would not return to -the booth. Sir Sedley, to whom standing was still rather inconvenient, -begged a cast in the carriage of a friend, who was accidentally passing -by. - -Macdersey, who joined them, said he had been considering what that -fellow had proposed to him, of taking the first blow, and found he could -not put up with it: and upon the appearance of Mr. Dubster, who in -quitting the booth was preparing, with his usual leisurely solemnity, to -approach Camilla, darted forward and seizing him by the collar, -exclaimed, 'Retract, sir! Retract!' - -Mr. Dubster stared, at first, without speech or opposition; but being -released by the Major, whom the General begged to interfere, he angrily -said: 'Pray, sir, what business have you to take hold of a body in such -a manner as that? It's an assault, sir, and so I can prove. And I'm glad -of it; for now I can serve you as I did another gentleman once before, -that I smarted out of a good ten pound out of his pocket, for a knock he -gave me, for a mere nothing, just like this here pulling one by the -collar, nobody knows why.' - -The Major, endeavouring to quiet Macdersey, advised him to despise so -low a person. - -'So I will, my dear friend,' he returned, 'as soon as ever I have given -him the proper chastisement for his ignorance. But I must do that first. -You won't take it ill, Major.' - -'I believe,' cried Mr. Dubster, holding up both his hands, 'the like of -this was never heard of! Here's a gentleman, as he calls himself, ready -to take away my life, with his own good will, for nothing but giving him -a little bit of advice! However, it's all one to me. The law is open to -all. And if any one plays their tricks upon me, they shall pay for their -fun. I'm none of your tame ones to put up with such a thing for nothing. -I'm above that, I promise you.' - -'Don't talk, sir, don't talk!' cried Macdersey; 'it's a thing I can't -bear from a mean person, to be talked to. I had a hundred thousand times -rather stand to be shot at.' - -'Not talk, sir? I should be glad to know what right you has to hinder -me, provided I say nothing against the law? And as to being a mean -person, it's more than you can prove, for I'm sure you don't know who I -am, nor nothing about me. I may be a lord, for any thing you know, -though I don't pretend to say I am. But as to what people take me for, -that behave so out of character, it's what I sha'n't trouble my head -about. They may take me for a chimney-sweeper, or they may take me for a -duke; which they like. I sha'n't tell them whether I'm one or t'other, -or whether I'm neither. And as to not talking, I shall hold my tongue -when I think proper.' - -'Ask my pardon this instant, fellow!' cried the Ensign, whom the Major, -at the motion of the General, now caught by the arm, and hurried from -the spot: Mrs. Mittin, at the same moment pulling away Mr. Dubster, and -notably expounding to him the advantages of patience and good humour. - -Mrs. Arlbery, wearied both of this squabble and of waiting, took the arm -of the General, and said she would walk home; Miss Dennel lovingly held -by Mrs. Mittin, with whom her father also assorted, and by whom Mr. -Dubster was drawn on. - -Camilla alone had no immediate companion, as the Major was occupied by -the Ensign. Edgar saw her disengaged. He trembled, he wavered; he wished -the Major back; he wished him still more at a distance too remote ever -to return; he thought he would instantly mount his horse, and gallop -towards Beech Park; but the horse was not ready, and Camilla was in -sight;--and, in less than a minute, he found himself, scarce knowing -how, at her side. - -Camilla felt a pleasure that bounded to her heart, though the late -assertions of Mrs. Arlbery prepared her to expect him. He knew not, -however, what to say; he felt mortified and disappointed, and when he -had uttered something scarce intelligible about the weather, he walked -on in silence. - -Camilla, whose present train of thoughts had no discordant tendency, -broke through this strangeness herself, and said: 'How frivolous I must -appear to you! but indeed I was at the very door of the booth, before I -knew whither the party was going.' - -'You did not, I hope, at least,' he cried, 'when you had entered it, -deem me too rigid, too austere, that I thought the species, both of -company and of entertainment, ill calculated for a young lady?' - -'Rigid! austere!' repeated she; 'I never thought you either! never--and -if once again--' she stopt; embarrassed, ashamed. - -'If once again what?' cried he in a tremulous voice; 'what would Miss -Camilla say?--would she again--Is there yet--What would Miss Camilla -say?--' - -Camilla felt confounded, both with ideas of what he meant to allude to, -and what construction he had put upon her half finished sentence. -Impatient, however, to clear that, 'If once more,' she cried, 'you could -prevail with yourself--now and then--from time to time--to give me an -hint, an idea--of what you think right--I will promise, if not a -constant observance, at least a never-failing sense of your kindness.' - -The revulsion in the heart, in the whole frame of Edgar, was almost too -powerful for restraint: he panted for an immediate explanation of every -past and every present difficulty, and a final avowal that she was -either self-destined to the Major, or that he had no rival to fear: But -before he could make any answer, a sudden and violent shower broke up -the conference, and grouped the whole party under a large tree. - -This interruption, however, had no power upon their thoughts; neither of -them heard a word that was saying; each ruminated intently, though -confusedly, upon what already was passed. Yet where the wind -precipitated the rain, Edgar stationed himself, and held his hat to -intercept its passage to Camilla; and as her eye involuntarily was -caught by the shower that pattered upon his head and shoulders, she -insensibly pressed nearer to the trunk of the tree, to afford more -shelter to him from its branches. - -The rest of the party partook not of this taciturnity: Mr. Dubster, -staring Mrs. Mittin full in the face, exclaimed: 'I think I ought to -know you, ma'am, asking your pardon?' - -'No matter for that!' cried she, turning with quickness to Camilla; -'Lord, miss--I don't know your name,--how your poor hat is all I don't -know how! as limp, and as flimzy, as if it had been in a wash-tub!' - -'I've just bethought me,' continued he, 'where it was we used to see one -another, and all the whole manner of it. I've got it as clear in my head -as if it was but yesterday. Don't you remember--' - -'Can't you stand a little out, there?' interrupted she; 'what signifies -a man's old coat? don't you see how you let all the rain come upon this -young lady? you should never think of yourself, but only of what you can -do to be obliging.' - -'A very good rule, that! a very good one indeed!' said Mr. Dennel; 'I -wish everybody would mind it.' - -'I'm as willing to mind it, I believe,' said Mr. Dubster, 'as my -neighbours; but as to being wet through, for mere complaisance, I don't -think it fair to expect such a thing of nobody. Besides, this is not -such an old coat as you may think for. If you was to see what I wear at -home, I promise you would not think so bad of it. I don't say it's my -best; who'd be fool then, to wear it every day? However, I believe it's -pretty nigh as good as that I had on that night I saw you at Mrs. -Purdle's, when, you know, one of your pattens--' - -'Come, come, what's the man talking about? one person should not take -all the conversation up so. Dear miss ... do tell me your name?... I am -so sorry for your hat, I can't but think of it; it looks as dingy!...' - -'Why, now, you won't make me believe,' said Mr. Dubster, 'you've forgot -how your patten broke; and how I squeezed my finger under the iron? And -how I'd like to have lost the use of it? There would have been a fine -job! And how Mrs. Purdle....' - -'I'm sure the shower's over,' cried Mrs. Mittin, 'and if we stay here, -we shall have all the droppings of the leaves upon us. Poor miss -thing-o-me's hat is spoilt already. There's no need to make it worse.' - -'And how Mrs. Purdle,' he continued, 'was obliged to lend you a pair of -shoes and stockings, because you was wet through your feet? And how they -would not fit you, and kept tumbling off? And how, when somebody come to -fetch you in their own coach, you made us say you was taken ill, because -you was so daubed with mud and mire, you was ashamed to shew yourself? -And how....' - -'I can't think what you are talking of,' said Mrs. Mittin; 'but come, -let's you and I go a little way on, to see if the rain's over.' She then -went some paces from the tree, and said: 'What signifies running on so, -Mr. Dubster, about things nobody knows anything of? It's tiring all the -company to death. You should never talk about your own fingers, and -hap-hazards, to genteel people. You should only talk about agreeable -subjects as I do. See how they all like me! That gentleman brought me to -the monkies in his own coach.' - -'As to that,' answered he, gravely, 'I did not mean, in the least, to -say anything disagreeable; only I thought it odd you should not seem to -know me again, considering Mrs. Purdle used----' - -'Why you've no nous, Mr. Dubster; Mrs. Purdle's a very good sort of -woman and the best friend I have in the world, perhaps, at the bottom; -but she i'n't a sort of person to talk of before gentlefolks. You should -talk to great people about their own affairs, and what you can do to -please them, and find out how you can serve them, if you'd be treated -genteelly by them, as I am. Why, I go every where, and see every thing, -and it costs me nothing. A friend, a lady of great fashion, took me one -day to the monkies, and paid for me; and I've gone since, whenever I -will, for nothing.' - -'Nobody treats me to nothing,' answered he, in a melancholy voice, -'whatever's the reason: except when I make friends with somebody that -can let me in free, sometimes. And I get a peep, now and then, at what -goes forward, that way.' - -'But you are rich enough to pay for yourself now, Mr. Dubster; good -lack! if I had such a fortune as yours, I'd go all the world over, and -thanks to nobody.' - -'And how long would you be rich then, Mrs. Mittin? Who'd give you your -money again when you'd spent it? I got mine hard enough. I sha'n't fool -it away in a hurry, I promise you!' - -'I can't say I see that, Mr. Dubster, when two of your wives died so -soon, and left you so handsome.' - -'Why, yes, I don't say to the contrary of that; but then, think of the -time before, when I was 'prentice!--' - -The shower was now over, and the party proceeded as before. - -Edgar, uncertain, irresolute, walked on in silence: yet attentive, -assiduous, even tenderly watchful to guide, guard, and assist his fair -companion in her way. The name of the Major trembled perpetually upon -his lips; but fear what might be the result of his inquiries stopt his -speech till they approached the house; when he commanded voice to say: -'You permit, then, the renewal of my old privilege?--' - -'Permit! I wish for it!' - -They were now at the door. Edgar, not daring to speak again to Camilla, -and not able to address any one else, took his leave; enchanted that he -was authorized, once more, to inform himself with openness of the state -of her affairs, and of her conduct. And Camilla, dwelling with delight -upon the discernment of Mrs. Arlbery, blest the happy penetration that -had endowed her with courage to speak again to Edgar in terms of -friendship and confidence. - -Mrs. Mittin, declaring she could not eat till she had seen what could be -done for the hat of Miss Tyrold, accompanied her upstairs, took it off -herself, wiped it, smoothed, and tried to new arrange it; and, at last, -failing to succeed, insisted upon taking it home, to put it in order, -and promised to return it in the morning time enough for the Pantiles. -Camilla was much ashamed; but she had no means to buy another, and she -had now lost her indifference to going abroad. She thought, therefore, -this new acquaintance at least as useful as she was officious, and -accepted her civility with thanks. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_The Rooms_ - - -The evening, as usual, was destined to the Rooms. The first object -Camilla perceived upon her entrance was Edgar, and the smile with which -she met his eye brought him instantly to her side. That smile was not -less radiant for his nearer approach; nor was his pleasure in it less -animated for observing that Major Cerwood was not of her party, nor as -yet in the room. The opportunity seemed inviting to engage her himself; -to suggest and to find it irresistible was the same thing, and he -inquired if her whole evening were arranged, or she would go down two -dances with an old friend. - -The softness of her assent was even exquisite delight to him; and, as -they all walked up and down the apartment, though he addressed her but -little, and though she spoke but in answer, every word he uttered she -received as couching some gentle meaning, and every syllable she -replied, he thought conveyed something of flattering interest: and -although all was upon open and unavoidable subjects, he had no eyes but -for her, she had no attention but for him. - -This quiet, yet heart-felt intercourse, was soon a little interrupted by -the appearance of a large and striking party, led on by Lady Alithea -Selmore; for which every body made way, to which every body turned, and -which, passing by all the company without seeming conscious there was -any to pass, formed a mass at the upper end of the room, with an air and -manner of such exclusive attention to their chief, or to one another, -that common observation would have concluded some film before their eyes -obstructed their discerning that they were not the sole engrossers of -the apartment. - -But such was not the judgment formed of them by Mrs. Arlbery, who, -forced by the stream to give them passage, paid herself for the -condescension by a commentary upon the passengers. 'Those good people,' -said she, 'strive to make us believe we are nothing to them. They strive -even to believe it themselves. But this is the mere semblance worn by -pride and affectation, to veil internal fatigue. They come hither to -recruit their exhausted powers, not, indeed, by joining in our society, -but by a view of new objects for their senses, and the flattering idea, -for their minds, of the envy or admiration they excite. They are all -people of some consequence, and many of them are people of title: but -these are far the most supportable of the group; their privileged -superiority over the rest is so marked and indisputable, that they are -saved the trouble either of claiming or ascertaining it: but those who -approach their rank without reaching it, live in a constant struggle to -make known their importance. Indeed, I have often seen that people of -title are less gratified with the sound of their own honours, than -people of no title in pronouncing them.' - -Sir Sedley Clarendel was of this set. Like the rest he passed Mrs. -Arlbery without seeming to notice her, and was passing Camilla in the -same manner; but not aware this was only to be fine, like the party to -which he belonged, she very innocently spoke to him herself, to hope he -got safe to his lodgings, without feeling any further ill effect from -his accident. - -Sir Sedley, though internally much gratified by this interest in his -safety, which in Camilla was the result of having herself endangered it, -looked as if he scarce recollected her, and making hastily a kind of -half bow, walked on with his company. - -Camilla, who had no view, nor one serious thought concerning him, was -rather amused than displeased by his caprices; and was preparing to -relate the history of his lameness to Edgar, who seemed surprised and -even hurt by her addressing him, and by his so slightly passing her, -when the entrance of another splendid party interrupted all discourse. - -And here, to her utter amaze, she beheld, as chief of the group, her -romantic new friend; not leading, indeed, like Lady Alithea Selmore, a -train, but surrounded by admirers, who, seeking no eye but hers, seemed -dim and humble planets, moving round a radiant sun. - -Camilla now, forgetting Sir Sedley, would have taken this moment to -narrate her adventure with Mrs. Berlinton, had not her design been -defeated by the approach of the Major. He belonged to this last group, -but was the only one that separated from it. He spoke to Camilla with -his usual air of devotion, told her he had dined with Mrs. Berlinton, to -whose husband, whom he had taken for her grandfather, he had been just -introduced; and begged to know of Mrs. Arlbery if he might have the -pleasure of bringing them all acquainted; an offer which Camilla, -unauthorised by Mrs. Berlinton, had not ventured to make. Mrs. Arlbery -declined the proposal; not anxious to mix where she had small chance of -presiding. - -The party, after traversing the room, took full and exclusive possession -of a considerable spot just below that occupied by Lady Alithea. - -These two companies completely engrossed all attention, amply supplying -the rest of the assembly with topics for discourse. The set with Lady -Alithea Selmore was, in general, haughty, supercilious, and taciturn; -looking around with eyes determined to see neither any person nor any -thing before them, and rarely speaking, except to applaud what fell from -her ladyship; who far less proud, because a lover of popularity, deigned -herself, from time to time, a slight glance at the company, to see if -she was observed, and to enjoy its reverence. - -The party to which Mrs. Berlinton was the loadstone, was far more -attractive to the disciples of nature, though less sedulously sought by -those whom the manners and maxims of the common world had sophisticated. -They were gay, elegant, desirous to please, because pleased themselves; -and though some of them harboured designs deeper and more dangerous than -any formed by the votaries of rank, they appeared to have nothing more -in view than to decorate with flowers the present moment. The magnetic -influence of beauty was, however, more powerful than that of the _ton_; -for though Mrs. Berlinton, from time to time, allured a beau from Lady -Alithea Selmore, her ladyship, during the whole season, had not one -retaliation to boast. But, on the other hand, the females, in general, -strove to cluster about Lady Alithea; Mrs. Berlinton leaving them no -greater chance of rival-ship in conversation than in charms. - -Edgar had made way upon the approach of the Major, who wore an air of -superior claim extremely unpleasant to him; but, since already engaged -to Camilla, he meant to return to her when the dancing began. - -She concluded he left her but to speak to some acquaintance, and was, -herself, amply occupied in observing her new friend. The light in which -she now beheld her, admired, pursued, and adulated, elegantly adorned in -her person, and evidently with but one rival for fame and fashion in -Tunbridge, filled her with astonishment. Nothing could less assort with -her passion for solitude, her fondness for literary and sentimental -discussions, and her enthusiasm in friendship. But her surprise was -mixed with praise and admiration, when she reflected upon the soft -humility, and caressing sweetness of her manners, yet found her, by -general consent, holding this elevated rank in society. - -The Major earnestly pressed to conduct Camilla to this coterie, assuring -her Mrs. Berlinton would not have passed, had she seen her, for, during -dinner, and at coffee, she had talked of nobody else. Camilla heard this -with pleasure, but shrunk from all advances, and strove rather to hide -than shew herself, that Mrs. Berlinton might have full liberty either to -seek or avoid her. She wished to consult Edgar upon this acquaintance; -though the present splendour of her appearance, and the number of her -followers, made her fear she could never induce him to do justice to the -sweetness and endearment of her social powers. - -When the Major found he pleaded in vain, he said he would at least let -Mrs. Berlinton know where to look for her; and went himself to that -lady. - -Edgar, who had felt sensibly mortified to observe, when he retreated, -that the eyes and attention of Camilla had been wholly bestowed upon -what he considered merely as a new scene, was now coming forward; when -he saw Mrs. Berlinton hastily rise, suddenly break from all her -adulators, and, with quick steps and animated gestures, traverse the -apartment, to address Camilla, whom, taking by both her hands, which she -pressed to her heart, she conjured, in the most flattering terms, to -accompany her back. - -Camilla was much gratified; yet, from delicacy to Mrs. Arlbery, -stimulated by the fear of missing her expected partner in the country -dances, declined the invitation: Mrs. Berlinton looked disappointed; but -said she would not be importunate, and returned alone. - -Camilla, a little disturbed, besought the Major to follow, with an -offer of spending with her, if she pleased, the whole of the ensuing -day. - -'Charming!' cried the Major, 'for I am engaged to her myself already.' - -To Camilla this hearing was distressing; to Edgar it was scarcely -endurable. But she could not retract, and Edgar was stopt in the -inquiries he meant to make concerning this striking new acquaintance, by -an abrupt declaration from Mrs. Arlbery, that the Rooms were -insufferable, and she would immediately go home. She then gave her hand -to the General, and Miss Dennel took the arm of Camilla, murmuring, that -she would never leave the Rooms at such an early hour again, when once -she was married. - -To quit Edgar thus, at the very moment of renewed intercourse and amity, -seemed too cruel; and Camilla, though with blushes, and stammering, -whispered Mrs. Arlbery, 'What can I do, ma'am? most unfortunately I have -engaged myself to dance?' - -'With whom?' - -'With--Mr.--Mandlebert.' - -'O, vastly well! Stay, then by all means: but, as he has not engaged me -too, allow me, I beseech you, to escape. Mrs. Berlinton will, I am sure, -be happy to take care of you.' - -This scheme was, to Camilla, the most pleasant that could be proposed; -and, at the same instant, the Major returned to her, with these words -written with a pencil upon the back of a letter. - -'To-morrow, and next day, and next day, come to me, my lovely friend; -every thing, and every body fatigues me but yourself.' - -Camilla, obliged again to have recourse to the Major, wrote, upon the -same paper, 'Can you have the goodness to convey me to Mount Pleasant -to-night, if I stay?' and begged him to bring her an answer. She -entreated, also, Mrs. Arlbery to stop till it arrived, which was almost -in the same minute; for the eye of Mrs. Berlinton had but glanced upon -the words, ere her soft and lovely form was again with their fair -writer, with whom, smiling and delighted, she walked back, arm in arm, -to her place. - -Mrs. Arlbery and the General, and Mr. and Miss Dennel, now left the -room. - -Edgar viewed all this with amazement. He found that the young lady she -joined was sister-in-law to a peer, and as fashionable as she was -beautiful; but could not fathom how so great an intimacy had so suddenly -been formed. - -Camilla, thus distinguished, became now herself an object of peculiar -notice; her own personal claim to particular attention, her dejection -had forfeited, for it had robbed her eyes of their animation, and her -countenance of its play; but no contagion spreads with greater certainty -nor greater speed than that of fashion; slander itself is not more sure -of promulgation. She was now looked at by all present as if seen for the -first time; every one discovered in her some charm, some grace, some -excellence; those who, the minute before, had passed her with perfect -indifference, said it was impossible to see and not be struck with her; -and all agreed she could appear upon no spot under the sun, and not -instinctively be singled out, as formed to shine in the highest sphere. - -But he by whom this transaction was observed with most pleasure, was Sir -Sedley Clarendel. The extraordinary service he had performed for -Camilla, and the grateful interest she had shewn him in return, had led -him to consider her with an attention so favourable, that, without half -her merit, or half her beauty, she could not have failed rising in his -estimation, and exciting his regard: and she had now a superior charm -that distanced every other; she had been asked to dance, yet refused it, -by a man of celebrity in the _ton_; and she was publicly sought and -caressed by the only rival at Tunbridge, in that species of renown, to -Lady Alithea Selmore. - -He felt an increased desire to be presented to Mrs. Berlinton himself; -and, gliding from his own circle as quietly as he could contrive, not to -offend Lady Alithea, who, though she laughed at _the little Welsh -rustic_, was watchful of her votaries, and jealous of her rising power, -came gently behind Lord O'Lerney and whispered his request. - -He was received by the young beauty with that grace, and that sweetness -which rendered her so generally bewitching, yet with an air that proved -her already accustomed to admiration, and untouched by its intoxicating -qualities. All that was voluntary of her attention was bestowed -exclusively upon Camilla, though, when addressed and called upon by -others, she answered without impatience, and looked without displeasure. - -This conduct, at the same time that it shewed her in a point of view the -most amiable, raised Camilla higher and higher in the eyes of the -by-standers: and, in a few minutes more, the general cry throughout the -assembly was, to inquire who was the young lady thus brought forward by -Mrs. Berlinton. - -Edgar heard this with increased anxiety. Has she discretion, has she -fortitude, thought he, to withstand public distinction? Will it not -spoil her for private life; estrange her from family concerns? render -tasteless and insipid the conjugal and maternal characters, meant by -Nature to form not only the most sacred of duties, but the most -delicious of enjoyments? - -Very soon after, this anxiety was tinctured with a feeling more severe; -he saw her spoken to negligently by Sir Sedley; he required, after what -he had already himself deemed impertinence from the Baronet, that she -should have assumed to him a distant dignity; but he perceived, on the -contrary, that she answered him with pleasant alacrity, and, when not -engaged by Mrs. Berlinton, attended to him, even with distinction. - -Alas! thought he, the degradation from the true female character is -already begun! already the lure of fashion draws her from what she owes -to delicacy and propriety, to give a willing reception to insolence and -foppery! - -Camilla, meanwhile, unsuspicious of his remarks, and persuaded every -civility in her power was due to Sir Sedley, was gay, pleased, and -pleasing; happy to consider herself under the guidance, and restored to -the amity of Edgar, and determined to acquaint him with all her affairs, -and consult him upon all her proceedings. - -The dancing, for which mutually they languished, as the mutual means of -reunion, seemed not to be the humour of the evening, and those who were -ready for it, were not of sufficient consequence to bring it forward. -But when Mrs. Berlinton mentioned, that she had been taking some lessons -in a cotillon, a universal cry was raised by all her party, to try one -immediately. She pleaded in vain her inexperience in such dances; they -insisted there was nobody present that could criticise, that her form -alone would compensate for every mistake of rule, and that the best -lesson was easy practice. - -She was soon gained, for she was not addicted to denials; but the -application which ensued to Camilla was acceded to less promptly. As -there were but two other ladies in the circle of Mrs. Berlinton, her -assistance was declared to be indispensable. She pleaded inability of -every sort, though to dance without Edgar was her only real objection; -for she had no false shame in being ignorant of what she never had -learnt. But Mrs. Berlinton protested she would not rise if she were the -only novice to be exhibited; and the Major then prepared to prostrate -himself at the feet of Camilla; who, hastily, and ashamed, stood up, to -prevent an action that Edgar might misinterpret. - -Hoping, however, now, to at least draw him into their set, she ventured -to acknowledge to Mrs. Berlinton, that she was already engaged, in case -she danced. - -The Major, who heard her, and who knew it was not to himself, -strenuously declared this could only be for country dances, and -therefore would not interfere with a cotillon. - -'Will country dances, then,' said she, blushing, 'follow?' - -'Certainly, if any one has spirit to begin them.' - -The cotillon was now played, and the preceding bow from the opposite -Major forced her courtsie in return. - -The little skill in this dance of one of the performers, and the total -want of it in another, made it a mere pleasantry to all, though the -youth and beauty of the two who did the worst, rendered them objects of -admiration, that left nearly unnoticed those who did best. - -To Camilla what belonged to pleasantry in this business was of short -duration. When the cotillon was over, she saw nothing of Edgar. She -looked around, mortified, disappointed. No one called for a country -dance; and the few who had wished for it, concluding all chance over -when a cotillon was begun, had now retired, or given it up. - -What was this disappointment, compared with the sufferings of Edgar? -Something of a contest, and of entreaties, had reached his ears, while -he had hovered near the party, or strolled up and down the room. He had -gathered the subject was dancing, and he saw the Major most earnest with -Camilla. He was sure it was for her hand, and concluded it was for a -country dance; but could she forfeit her engagement? were matters so far -advanced, as to make her so openly shew him all prevailing, all -powerful, not only over all rivals, but, according to the world's -established customs upon these occasions, over all decorum? - -Presently, he saw the Major half kneel; he saw her rise to prevent the -prostration; and he heard the dance called. - -He could bear no more; pain intolerable seized, distracted him, and he -abruptly quitted the ballroom, lest the Major should approach him with -some happy apology, which he was unfitted to receive. - -He could only settle his ideas by supposing she really loved Major -Cerwood, and had suffered her character to be infected by the indelicacy -that made a part of his own. Yet why had she so striven to deny all -regard, all connection? what an unaccountable want of frankness! what a -miserable dereliction of truth! - -His first impulse was to set off instantly from Tunbridge; but his -second thoughts represented the confession this would make. He was too -proud to leave the Major, whom he despised, such a triumph, and too much -hurt to permit Camilla herself to know him so poignantly wounded. She -could not, indeed, but be struck by his retreat; he resolved, however, -to try to meet with her the next day, and to speak to her with the amity -they had so lately arranged, yet in a way that should manifest him -wholly free from all other interest or view. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_Ways to the Heart_ - - -All pleasure to Camilla was completely over from the moment that Edgar -disappeared. - -When she returned to Mount Pleasant, Mrs. Arlbery, whom she found alone, -said, 'Did I not understand that you were going to dance with Mr. -Mandlebert? How chanced he to leave you? We were kept ages waiting for -the coach; and I saw him pass by, and walk off.' - -Camilla, colouring, related the history of the cotillon; and said, she -feared, not knowing how she had been circumstanced, he was displeased. - -'Displeased!' cried Mrs. Arlbery, laughing; 'and do you, at seventeen, -suffer a man to be displeased? How can you do worse when you are fifty? -Know your own power more truly, and use it better. Men, my dear, are all -spoilt by humility, and all conquered by gaiety. Amuse and defy -them!--attend to that maxim, and you will have the world at your feet.' - -'I have no such ambition: ... but I should be sensibly hurt to make an -old friend think ill of me.' - -'When an old friend,' said Mrs. Arlbery, archly, 'happens to be a young -man, you must conduct yourself with him a little like what you are; that -is, a young woman. And a young woman is never in her proper place, if -such sort of old friends are not taught to know their own. From the -instant you permit them to think of being offended, they become your -masters; and you will find it vastly more convenient to make them your -slaves.' - -Camilla pretended to understand this in a mere general sense, and wished -her good night. - - * * * * * - -The next morning, at an early hour, her chamber door was opened with -great suddenness, and no preparation, and Mrs. Mittin tript nimbly into -the room, with a hat in her hand. - -'Look here! my dear Miss Tyrold,' cried she, 'for now that other young -lady has told me your name, and I writ it down upon paper, that I might -not forget it again: look at your hat now! Did you ever see anything so -much improved for the better? I declare nobody would know it! Miss -Dennel says it's as pretty again as it was at first. I'll go and shew it -to the other lady.' - -Away she went, triumphant, with the trophy of her notability; but -presently returned, saying, 'Do, pray, Miss Tyrold, write me down that -other lady's name upon a scrap of paper. It always goes out of my head. -And one looks as if one knew nobody, when, one forgets people's names.' - -Camilla complied, and expressed her shame to have caused her so much -trouble. - -'O, my dear, it's none at all. I got all the things at Mrs. Tillden's.' - -'Who is Mrs. Tillden?' cried Camilla, staring. - -'Why the milliner. Don't you know that?' - -'What things?' asked Camilla, alarmed. - -'Why these, my dear; don't you see? Why it's all new, except just the -hat itself, and the feathers.' - -Camilla was now in extreme embarrassment. She had concluded Mrs. Mittin -had only newly arranged the ornaments, and had not the smallest idea of -incurring a debt which she had no means to discharge. - -'It all comes to quite a trifle,' continued Mrs. Mittin, 'for all it's -so pretty. Mrs. Tillden's things are all monstrous cheap. I get things -for next to nothing from her, sometimes, when they are a little past the -mode. But then I recommend her a heap of customers. I get all my -friends, by hook or by crook, to go to her shop.' - -'And what,' stammered out Camilla, 'besides my thanks, do I owe you?' - -'Oh nothing. She would not be paid; she said, as you was her customer, -and had all your things of her at first, she'd put it down in your bill -for the season.' - -This was, at least, some respite; though Camilla felt the disagreeable -necessity of increasing her intended demand upon Mrs. Arlbery. - -Miss Dennel came with a summons from that lady to the Pantiles, whither, -as the day was fine, she proposed they should walk. - -'O,' cried Mrs. Mittin, 'if you are going upon the Pantiles, you must go -to that shop where there's the curious ear-rings that are be to raffled -for. You'll put in to be sure.' - -Camilla said no, with a sigh attributed to the ear-rings, but due to a -tender recollection of the raffle in which Edgar had procured her the -trinket she most valued. Mrs. Mittin proposed accompanying them, and -asked Camilla to introduce her to Mrs. Arlbery. This was very -disagreeable; but she knew not how, after the civility she owed her, to -refuse. - -Mrs. Arlbery received her with much surprize, but perfect unconcern; -conscious of her own importance, she feared no disgrace from being seen -with one in a lower station; and she conceived it no honour to appear -with one in a higher. - -When they came to the Pantiles, Mrs. Mittin begged to introduce them to -a view of the ear-rings, which belonged, she said, to one of her -particular friends; and as Mrs. Arlbery caught the eye of Sir Sedley -Clarendel in passing the window, she entered the shop. - -'Well,' cried Mrs. Mittin, to its master, 'don't say I bring you no -company. I am sure you ought to let me throw for nothing, if it's only -for good luck; for I am sure these three ladies will all put in. Come, -Miss Dennel, do lead the way. 'Tis but half a guinea, and only look what -a prize.' - -'Ask papa to pay for me!' cried Miss Dennel. - -'Come, good sir, come, put down the half guinea for the young lady. I'm -sure you can't refuse her. Lord! what's half a guinea?' - -'That's a very bad way of reasoning,' answered Mr. Dennel; 'and what I -did not expect from a woman of your sense.' - -'Why you don't think, sir, I meant that half a guinea's a trifle? No -indeed! I know what money is better than that. I only mean half a guinea -is nothing in comparison to ten guineas, which is the price of the -ear-rings; and so that makes me think it's pity the young lady should -lose an opportunity of getting them so cheap. I'm sure if they were -dear, I should be the last to recommend them, for I think extravagance -the greatest sin under the sun.' - -'Well, now you speak like the sensible woman I took you for.' - -A very little more eloquence of this sort was necessary, before Mr. -Dennel put down half a guinea. - -'Well, I declare,' cried Mrs. Mittin, 'there's only three more names -wanted; and when these two ladies have put in, there will be only one! -I'm sure if I was rich enough, that one would not be far off. But come, -ma'am, where's your half guinea? Come, Miss Tyrold, don't hold back; who -knows but you may win? there's only nineteen against you. Lord, what's -that?' - -Camilla turned away, and Mrs. Arlbery did not listen to a word; but when -Sir Sedley said, 'They are really very pretty; won't you throw?' she -answered, 'I must rather make a raffle with my own trinkets, than raffle -for other people's. Think of my ponies! However, I'll put in, if Mr. -Dennel will be my paymaster.' - -Mr. Dennel, turning short off, walked out of the shop. - -'This is a bad omen!' cried she, laughing; and then desired to look at -the list of rafflers; when seeing amongst the names those of Lady -Alithea Selmore and the Hon. Mrs. Berlinton, she exclaimed: ''Tis a -coalition of all fashion and reputation! We shall be absolutely scouted, -my dear Miss Tyrold, if we shrink. My poor ponies must wait half a -guinea longer! Let us put in together.' - -Camilla answered, she had no intention to try for them. - -'Well, then, lend me half a guinea; for I never trust myself, now, with -my purse.' - -'I have not a half guinea ... I have ... I have no ... gold ... in my -purse,' answered Camilla, with a face deeply tinged with red. - -Major Cerwood, who joined the party during this discussion, intreated to -be banker for both the ladies. Camilla positively refused any share; but -Mrs. Mittin said it would be a shame for such a young lady to go -without her chance, and wrote down her name next to that of Mrs. -Arlbery; while the Major, without further question, put down a guinea -upon the counter. - -Camilla could not endure this; yet, from a youthful shame of confessing -poverty, forced herself to the ear of Mrs. Arlbery, and whispered an -entreaty that she would pay the guinea herself. - -Mrs. Arlbery, surprized, answered she had really come out without her -purse; but seeing her seriously vexed, added, 'If you do not approve of -the Major for a banker till we go home, what say you to Sir Sedley?' - -'I shall prefer him a thousand times!' - -Mrs. Arlbery, in a low voice, repeated this to the young Baronet, and -receiving his guinea, threw it down; making the Major, without the -smallest excuse or ceremony, take back his own. - -This was by no means lost upon Sir Sedley; he felt flattered ... he felt -softened; he thought Camilla looked unusually lovely; he began to wonder -at the coldness of Mandlebert, and to lament that the first affections -of so fair a creature should be cast away. - -Mandlebert himself was an object of nothing less than envy. He had -entered the shop during the contest about the raffle, and seen Major -Cerwood pay for Camilla as well as for Mrs. Arlbery. Confirmed in his -notions of her positive engagement, and sick at heart from the -confirmation, he walked further into the shop, upon pretence of looking -at some other articles, before he could assume sufficient composure to -speak to her. - -Mrs. Mittin now began woefully to repine that she could not take the -last share for the ear-rings; and, addressing herself to Mr. Dennel, who -re-entered as soon as he saw the money was paid for Mrs. Arlbery, she -said, 'You see, sir, if there was somebody ready to take the last chance -at once, this gentleman might fix a day for the throwing immediately; -but else, it may be dawdled on, nobody knows how long; for one will be -gone, and t'other will be gone, and there'll be no getting the people -together; and all the pleasure of the thing is being here to throw for -one's self: for I don't much like trusting money matters out of sight.' - -'If I'd thought of all that,' said Mr. Dennel, 'I should not have put -in.' - -'True, sir. But here, if it was not that I don't happen to have half a -guinea to spare just now, how nicely it might all be finished in a -trice! For, as I have been saying to Miss Dennel, this may turn out a -real bargain; for they'll fetch their full value at any time. And I tell -Miss Dennel that's the only way to lay out money, upon things that will -bring it back again if it's wanted; not upon frippery froppery, that's -spoilt in a minute, and then i'n't worth a farthing.' - -'Very sensibly said,' cried Mr. Dennel; 'I'm sure she can't hear better -advice; I'm much obliged to you for putting such sensible thoughts into -her head.' And then, hoping she would continue her good lessons to his -daughter, he drew out his purse, and begged her to accept a chance from -it for the prize. - -Mrs. Mittin was in raptures; and the following week was settled for the -raffle. - -Mrs. Arlbery, who had attended to this scene with much amusement, now -said to General Kinsale, who had taken a seat by her: 'Did I not tell -you well, General, that all men are at the disposition of women? If even -the shrewd monied man cannot resist, what heart shall we find -impenetrable? The connoisseur in human characters knows, that the -pursuit of wealth is the petrifaction of tenderness: yet yonder is my -good brother-in-law, who thinks cash and existence one, allured even to -squander money, merely by the address of that woman, in allowing that -money should be the first study of life! Let even Clarendel have a care -of himself! or, when least he suspects any danger, some fair dairy-maid -will praise his horsemanship, or take a fancy to his favourite spaniel, -or any other favourite that happens to be the foible of the day, and his -invulnerability will be at her feet, and Lady Clarendel be brought -forward in a fortnight.' - -Lord O'Lerney now entered the shop, accompanying a lady whose -countenance and appearance were singularly pleasing, and who, having -made some purchase, was quietly retiring, when the master of the shop -inquired if she wished to look at the ear-rings; adding, that though the -number was full, he knew of one person, who would give up her chance, in -case it would oblige a customer. - -She answered she had no present occasion for ear-rings, and would not -therefore take up either his time or her own unnecessarily; and then -walked gently away, still attended by Lord O'Lerney. - -'Bless me,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'who is that? to hear a little plain -common sense is so rare, it strikes one more than wit.' - -'It's Lady Isabella Irby, madam,' answered the master of the shop. - -Here Lord O'Lerney, who had only handed her to her carriage, returned. - -'My Lord,' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'do you know what a curiosity you brought -in amongst us just now? A woman of rank who looks round upon other -people just as if she thought they were her fellow creatures?' - -'Fie, fie!' answered Lord O'Lerney, laughing, 'why will you suppose that -so rare? If we have not as many women who are amiable with titles as -without, it is only because we have not the same number from which to -select them. They are spoilt or unspoilt, but in the same proportion as -the rest of their sex. Their fall, or their escape, is less local than -you imagine; it does not depend upon their titles, but upon their -understandings.' - -'Well, my lord, I believe you are right. I was adopting a narrow -prejudice, merely from indolence of thought.' - -'But why, my lord,' cried Sir Sedley, 'does this paragon of a divinity -deny her example to the world? Is it in contempt of our incorrigibility? -or in horror of our contagion?' - -'My dear Sir Sedley,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'don't flatter yourself with -being so dangerous. Her ladyship does not fly you from fear, take my -word for it. There is nothing in her air that looks as if she could only -be good by being shut up. I dare believe she could meet you every day, -yet be mistress of herself! Nevertheless, why, my lord, is she such a -recluse? Why does one never see her at the Rooms?' - -'Never see her there, my dear madam! she is there almost every night; -only being unintruding, she is unnoticed.' - -'The satire, then, my lord,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'falls upon the company. -Why is she not surrounded by volunteer admirers? Why, with a person and -manner so formed to charm, joined to such a character, and such rank, -has she not her train?' - -'The reason, my dear madam, you could define with more sagacity than -myself; she must be sought! And the world is so lazy, that the most easy -of access, however valueless, is preferred to the most perfect, who must -be pursued with any trouble.' - -Admirable Lord O'Lerney! thought Edgar, what a lesson is this to -youthful females against the glare of public homage, the false -brilliancy of unfeminine popularity! - -This conversation, however, which alone of any he had heard at Tunbridge -promised him any pleasure, was interrupted by Mr. Dennel, who said the -dinner would be spoilt, if they did not all go home. - -Camilla felt extremely vexed to quit the shop, without clearing up the -history of the dance; and Edgar, seeing the persevering Major at her -side as she departed, in urgency to put any species of period to his own -sufferings, followed the party, and precipitately began a discourse with -Lord O'Lerney upon making the tour of Europe. Camilla, for whom it was -designed, intent upon planning her own defence, heard nothing that was -said, till Lord O'Lerney asked him if his route would be through -Switzerland, and he answered: 'My route is not quite fixed, my lord.' - -Startled, she now listened, and Mrs. Arlbery, whom she held by the arm, -was equally surprised, and looked to see how she bore this intimation. - -'If you will walk with me to my lodgings,' replied Lord O'Lerney, 'I -will shew you my own route, which may perhaps save you some -difficulties. Shall you set out soon?' - -'I fancy within a month,' answered Edgar; and, arm in arm, they walked -away together, as Camilla and her party quitted the Pantiles for Mount -Pleasant. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_Counsels for Conquest_ - - -Fortunately for Camilla, no eye was upon her at this period but that of -Mrs. Arlbery; her changed countenance, else, must have betrayed still -more widely her emotion. Mrs. Arlbery saw it with real concern, and -saying she had something to consult her about, hurried on with her -alone. - -Camilla scarce knew that she did, or what she suffered; the suddenness -of surprise, which involved so severe a disappointment, almost stupified -her faculties. Mrs. Arlbery did not utter one word by the way, and, when -they arrived at home, saw her to her chamber, pressed her hand, and left -her. - -She now, from a sense of shame, came to her full recollection. She was -convinced all her feelings were understood by Mrs. Arlbery; she thought -over what her father had said upon such exposures, and hopeless of any -honorable end to her suspences, earnestly wished herself back at -Etherington, to hide in his revered breast her confusion and grief. - -Even Mrs. Arlbery she now believed had been mistaken; Edgar appeared -never to have loved her; his attentions, his kindness, had all flowed -from friendship; his solicitude, his counsel had been the result of -family regard. - -When called to dinner, she descended with downcast eyes. She found no -company invited; she felt thankful, yet abashed; and Mrs. Arlbery let -her retire when the meal was over, but soon followed to beg she would -prepare for the play. - -She saw her hastily putting away her handkerchief, and dispersing her -tears. 'Ah! my dear,' cried she, taking her hand, 'I am afraid this old -friend of yours does not much contribute to make Tunbridge Wells -salubrious to you!' - -Camilla, affecting not to understand her, said she had never been in -better health. - -'Of mind, do you mean, or body?' cried Mrs. Arlbery, laughing; but -seeing she only redoubled her distress, more seriously added, 'Will you -suffer me, my dear Miss Tyrold, to play the old friend, also, and speak -to you with openness?' - -Camilla durst not say no, though she feared to say yes. - -'I must content myself with a tacit compliance, if I can obtain no -other. I am really uneasy to talk with you; not, believe me, from -officiousness nor impertinence, but from a persuasion I may be able to -promote your happiness. You won't speak, I see? And you judge perfectly -right; for the less you disclaim, the less I shall torment you. Permit -me, therefore, to take for granted that you are already aware I am -acquainted with the state of your heart.' - -Camilla, trembling, had now no wish but to fly; she fastened her eyes -upon the door, and every thought was devoted to find the means of -escape. - -'Nay, nay, if you look frightened in sober sadness, I am gone. But shall -I think less, or know less, for saying nothing? It is not speech, my -dear Miss Tyrold, that makes detections: It only proclaims them.' - -A sigh was all the answer of Camilla: though, assured, thus, she had -nothing to gain by flight, she forced herself to stay. - -'We understand one another, I see, perfectly. Let me now, then, as -unaffectedly go on, as if the grand explanation had been verbally made. -That your fancy, my fair young friend, has hit upon a tormentor, I will -not deny; yet not upon an ingrate; for this person, little as you seem -conscious of your power, certainly loves you.' - -Surprised off all sort of guard, Camilla exclaimed, 'O no!--O no!' - -Mrs. Arlbery smiled, but went on. 'Yes, my dear, he undoubtedly does you -that little justice; yet, if you are not well advised, his passion will -be unavailing; and your artlessness, your facility, and your innocence, -with his knowledge, nay, his very admiration of them, will operate but -to separate you.' - -Glowing with opposing yet strong emotions at these words, the -countenance of Camilla asked an explanation, in defiance of her earnest -desire to look indifferent or angry. - -'You will wonder, and very naturally, how such attractions should work -as repulses; but I will be plain and clear, and you must be candid and -rational, and forgive me. These attractions, my dear, will be the source -of this mischief, because he sees, by their means, that you are -undoubtedly at his command.' - -'No, madam! no, Mrs. Arlbery!' cried Camilla, in whose pride now every -other feeling was concentrated, 'he does not, cannot see it!--' - -'I would not hurt you for the world, my very amiable young friend; but -pardon me if I say, that not to see it--he must be blinder than I -imagine him!--blinder than ... to tell you the truth, I am much inclined -to think any of his race.' - -Confounded, irritated, and wounded, Camilla remained a moment silent, -and then, though scarce articulately, answered: 'If such is your -opinion ... at least he shall see it ... fancy it, I mean ... no -more!...' - -'Keep to that resolution, and you will behold him ... where he ought to -be ... at your feet.' - -Irresistibly, though most unwillingly, appeased by this unexpected -conclusion, she turned away to hide a blush in which anger had not -solely a place, and suffered Mrs. Arlbery to go on. - -'There is but one single method to make a man of his ruminating class -know his own mind: give him cause to fear he will lose you. Animate, -inspirit, inspire him with doubt.' - -'But why, ma'am,' cried Camilla, in a faltering voice; 'why shall you -suppose I will take any method at all?' - -'The apprehension you will take none is the very motive that urges me to -speak to you. You are young enough in the world to think men come of -themselves. But you are mistaken, my dear. That happens rarely; except -with inflamed and hot-headed boys, whose passions are in their first -innocence as well as violence. Mandlebert has already given the dominion -of his to other rulers, who will take more care of his pride, though not -of his happiness. Attend to one who has travelled further into life than -yourself, and believe me when I assert, that his bane, and yours alike, -is his security.' - -With a colour yet deeper than ever, Camilla resentfully repeated, -'Security!' - -'Nay, how can he doubt? with a situation in life such as his....' - -'Situation in life! Do you think he can ever suppose that would have the -least, the most minute weight with me?' - -'Why, it would be a very shocking supposition, I allow! but yet, somehow -or other, that same sordid thing called money, does manage to produce -such abundance of little comforts and pretty amusements, that one is -apt ... to half suspect ... it may really not much add to any matrimonial -aversion.' - -The very idea of such a suspicion offended Camilla beyond all else that -had passed; Mrs. Arlbery appeared to her indelicate, unkind, and -ungenerous, and regretting she had ever seen, and repenting she had ever -known her, she sunk upon a chair in a passionate burst of tears. - -Mrs. Arlbery embraced her, begged her pardon a thousand times; assured -her all she had uttered was the effect of esteem as well as of -affection, since she saw her too delicate, and too inexperienced, to be -aware either of the dangers or the advantages surrounding her; and that -very far from meaning to hurt her, she had few things more at heart than -the desire of proving the sincerity of her regard, and endeavouring to -contribute to her happiness. - -Camilla thanked her, dried her eyes, and strove to appear composed; but -she was too deeply affected for internal consolation: she felt herself -degraded in being openly addressed as a love-sick girl; and injured in -being supposed, for a moment, capable of any mercenary view. She desired -to be excused going out, and to have the evening to herself; not on -account of the expence of the play; she had again wholly forgotten her -poverty; but to breathe a little alone, and indulge the sadness of her -mind. - -Mrs. Arlbery, unfeignedly sorry to have caused her any pain, would not -oppose her inclination; she repeated her apologies, dragged from her an -assurance of forgiveness, and went down stairs alone to a summons from -Sir Sedley Clarendel. - -The first moments of her departure were spent by Camilla in the deepest -dejection; from which, however, the recollection of her father, and her -solemn engagement to him, soon after awakened her. She read again his -injunctions, and resolving not to add to her unhappiness by any failure -in her duty, determined to make her appearance with some spirit before -Mrs. Arlbery set out. - - * * * * * - -'My dear Clarendel,' cried that lady, as she entered the parlour, 'this -poor little girl is in a more serious plight than I had conjectured. I -have been giving her a few hints, from the stores of my worldly -knowledge, and they appear to her so detestably mean and vulgar, that -they have almost broken her heart. The arrival of this odious Mandlebert -has overthrown all our schemes. We are cut up, Sir Sedley! completely -cut up!' - -'O, indubitably to a degree!' cried the Baronet, with an air of mingled -pique and conceit; 'how could it be otherwise? Exists the wight who -could dream of competition with Mandlebert!' - -'Nay, now, my dear Clarendel, you enchant me. If you view his power with -resentment, you are the man in the world to crumble it to the dust. To -work, therefore, dear creature, without delay.' - -'But how must I go about it? a little instruction, for pity!' - -'Charming innocent! So you don't know how to try to make yourself -agreeable?' - -'Not in the least! I am ignorant to a redundance.' - -'And were you never more adroit?' - -'Never. A goth in grain! Witless from the first _muling in my nurse's -arms_!' - -'Come, come, a truce for a moment, with foppery, and answer me -seriously; Were you ever in love, Clarendel? speak the truth. I am just -seized with a passionate desire to know.' - -'Why ... yes ...' answered he, pulling his lips with his fingers, 'I -think--I rather think ... I was once.' - -'O tell! tell! tell!' - -'Nay, I am not very positive. One hears it is to happen; and one is put -upon thinking of it, while so very young, that one soon takes it for -granted. Define it a little, and I can answer you more accurately. Pray, -is it any thing beyond being very fond, and very silly, with a little -touch of melancholy?' - -'Precise! precise! Tell me, therefore, what it was that caught you. -Beauty? Fortune? Flattery? or Wit? Speak! speak! I die to know!' - -'O, I have forgotten all that these hundred years! I have not the -smallest trace left!' - -'You are a terrible coxcomb, my dear Clarendel! and I am a worse myself -for giving you so much encouragement. But, however, we must absolutely -do something for this fair and drooping violet. She won't go even to the -play tonight.' - -'Lovely lily! how shall we rear it? Tell her I beg her to be of our -party.' - -'You beg her? My dear Sir Sedley! what do you talk of?' - -'Tell her 'tis my entreaty, my supplication!' - -'And you think that will make her comply?' - -'You will see.' - -'Bravo, my dear Clarendel, bravo! However, if you have the courage to -send such a message, I have not to deliver it: but I will write it for -you.' - -She then wrote, - -'Sir Sedley Clarendel asserts, that if you are not as inexorable as you -are fair, you will not refuse to join our little party tonight at the -theatre.' - -Camilla, after a severe conflict from this note, which she concluded to -be the mere work of Mrs. Arlbery to draw her from retirement, sent word -she would wait upon her. - -Sir Sedley heard the answer with exultation, and Mrs. Arlbery with -surprise. She declared, however, that since he possessed this power, she -should not suffer it to lie dormant, but make it work upon her fair -friend, till it either excited jealousy in Mandlebert, or brought -indifference to herself. 'My resolution,' cried she, 'is fixt; either to -see him at her feet, or drive him from her heart.' - -Camilla, presently descending, looked away from Mrs. Arlbery; but, -unsuspicious as she was undesigning, thanked the Baronet for his -message, and told him she had already repented her solitary plan. The -Baronet felt but the more flattered, from supposing this was said from -the fear of flattering him. - -In the way to the theatre, Camilla, with much confusion, recollected her -empty purse; but could not, before Mr. and Miss Dennel and Sir Sedley, -prevail with herself to make it known; she could only determine to ask -Mrs. Arlbery to pay for her at present, and defer the explanation till -night. - -But, just as she alighted from the coach, Mrs. Arlbery, in her usual -manner, said: 'Do pay for me, good Dennel; you know how I hate money.' - -Camilla, hurrying after her, whispered, 'May I beg you to lend me some -silver?' - -'Silver! I have not carried any about with me since I lost my dear -ponies and my pet phaeton. I am as poor as Job; and therefore bent upon -avoiding all temptation. Somebody or other always trusts me. If they get -paid, they bless their stars. If not,--do you hear me, Mr. -Dennel?--'twill be all the same an hundred years hence; so what man of -any spirit will think of it? hey, Mr. Dennel?' - -'But--dear madam!--pray--' - -'O, they'll change for you, here, my dear, without difficulty.' - -'But ... but ... pray stop!... I ... I have no gold neither!' - -'Have you done like me, then, come out without your purse?' - -'No!...' - -This single negative, and the fluttered manner, and low voice in which -it was pronounced, gave Mrs. Arlbery the utmost astonishment. She said -nothing, however, but called aloud to Mr. Dennel to settle for the whole -party. - -Mr. Dennel, during the dialogue, had paid for himself and his daughter, -and walked on into the box. - -'What a Hottentot!' exclaimed Mrs. Arlbery. 'Come, then, Clarendel, take -pity on two poor distressed objects, and let us pass.' - -Sir Sedley, little suspicious of the truth, yet flattered to be always -called upon to be the banker of Camilla, obeyed with alacrity. - -Mrs. Arlbery placed Camilla upon a seat before her, and motioned to the -Baronet to remain in a row above; and then, in a low voice, said: 'My -dear Clarendel, do you know they have let that poor girl come to -Tunbridge without a sixpence in her pocket!' - -'Is it possible?' - -''Tis a fact. I never suspected it till suspicion was followed by -confirmation. She had a guinea or two, I fancy, at first, just to equip -her with one set of things to appear in; which, probably, the good -Parson imagined would last as clean and as long at a public place as at -his parsonage-house, where my best suit is worn about twice in a summer. -But how that rich old uncle of hers could suffer her to come without a -penny, I can neither account for nor forgive. I have seen her shyness -about money-matters for some days past; but I so little conjectured the -possibility of her distress, that I have always rather increased than -spared it.' - -'Sweet little angel!' exclaimed the Baronet, in a tone of tenderness; 'I -had indeed no idea of her situation. Heavens! I could lay half my -fortune at her feet to set her at ease!' - -'Half, my dear Clarendel!' cried Mrs. Arlbery, laughing; 'nay, why not -the whole? where will you find a more lovely companion?' - -'Pho, pho!--but why should it be so vastly horrid an incongruity that a -man who, by chance, is rich, should do something for a woman who, by -chance, is poor? How immensely impertinent is the prejudice that forbids -so natural a use of money! why should the better half of a man's actions -be always under the dominion of some prescriptive slavery? 'Tis hideous -to think of. And how could he more delectably spend, or more -ecstatically enjoy his fortune, than by so equitable a participation?' - -'True, Sir Sedley. And you men are all so disinterested, so pure in your -benevolence, so free from any spirit of encroachment, that no possible -ill consequence could ensue from such an arrangement. When once a fair -lady had made you a civil courtesy, you would wholly forget you had ever -obliged her. And you would let her walk her ways, and forget it also: -especially if, by chance, she happened to be young and pretty.' - -This raillery was interrupted by the appearance of Edgar in an opposite -box. 'Ah!' cried Mrs. Arlbery, 'look but at that piece of congelation -that nothing seems to thaw! Enter the lists against him, dear Clarendel! -He has stationed himself there merely to watch and discountenance her. I -hate him heartily; yet he rolls in wealth, and she has nothing. I must -bring them, therefore, together, positively: for though a husband ... -such a fastidious one especially ... is not what I would recommend to -her for happiness, 'tis better than poverty. And, after his cold and -selfish manner, I am convinced he loves her. He is evidently in pursuit -of her, though he wants generosity to act openly. Work him but with a -little jealousy, and you will find me right.' - -'Me, my dear madam? me, my divine Mrs. Arlbery? Alas! with what chance? -No! see where enters the gallant Major. Thence must issue those poignant -darts that newly vivify the expiring embers of languishing love.' - -'Now don't talk such nonsense when I am really serious. You are the very -man for the purpose: because, though you have no feeling, Mandlebert -does not know you are without it. But those Officers are too notoriously -unmeaning to excite a moment's real apprehension. They have a new -dulcinea wherever they newly quarter, and carry about the few ideas they -possess from damsel to damsel, as regularly as from town to town.' - -The Major was now in the box, and the conversation ended. - -He endeavoured, as usual, to monopolize Camilla; but while her thoughts -were all upon Edgar, the whole she could command of her attention was -bestowed upon Sir Sedley. - -This was not unobserved by Edgar, who now again wavered in believing she -loved the Major: but the doubt brought with it no pleasure; it led him -only the more to contemn her. Does she turn, thought he, thus, from one -to the other, with no preference but of accident or caprice? Is her -favour thus light of circulation? Is it now the mawkish Major, and now -the coxcomb Clarendel? Already is she thus versed in the common -dissipation of coquetry?... O, if so, how blest has been my escape! A -coquette wife!... - -His heart swelled, and his eye no longer sought her. - - * * * * * - -At night, as soon as she went to her own room, Mrs. Arlbery followed -her, and said: 'My dear Miss Tyrold, I know much better than you how -many six-pences and three-pences are perpetually wanted at places such -as these. Do suffer me to be your banker. What shall we begin our -account with?' - -Camilla felt really thankful for being spared an opening upon this -subject. She consented to borrow two guineas; but Mrs. Arlbery would not -leave her with less than five, adding, 'I insist upon doubling it in a -day or two. Never mind what I say about my distress, and my phaeton, -and my ponies; 'tis only to torment Dennel, who trembles at parting with -half-a-crown for half an hour; or else, now and then, to set other -people a staring; which is not unamusing, when nothing else is going -forward. But believe me, my dear young friend, were I really in -distress, or were I really not to discharge these petty debts I incur, -you would soon discover it by the thinness of our parties! These men -that now so flock around us; would find some other loadstone. I know -them pretty well, dear creatures!...' - -Though shocked to appear thus destitute, Camilla was somewhat relieved -to have no debt but with Mrs. Arlbery; for she resolved to pay Sir -Sedley and the milliner the next day, and to settle with Mrs. Arlbery -upon her return to Etherington. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_Strictures upon the Ton_ - - -The next day was appointed for the master of the ceremonies' ball; which -proved a general rendezvous of all parties, and almost all classes of -company. - -Mrs. Mittin, in a morning visit to Camilla, found out that she had only -the same cap for this occasion that she had worn upon every other; and, -assuring her it was grown so old-fashioned, that not a lady's maid in -Tunbridge would now be seen in it, she offered to pin her up a turban, -which should come to next to nothing, yet should be the prettiest, and -simplest, and cheapest thing that ever was seen. - -Camilla, though a stranger to vanity, and without any natural turn to -extravagance, was neither of an age, nor a philosophy, to be unmoved by -the apprehension of being exposed to ridicule from her dress: she -thankfully, therefore, accepted the proposal; and Mrs. Mittin, taking a -guinea, said, she would pay Mrs. Tillden for the hat, at the same time -that she bought a new handkerchief for the turban. - -When she came back, however, she had only laid out a few shillings at -another shop, for some articles, so cheap, she said it would have been a -shame not to buy them; but without paying the bill, Mrs. Tillden having -desired it might not be discharged till the young lady was leaving the -Wells. - -As the turban was made up from a pattern of one prepared for Mrs. -Berlinton, Camilla had every reason to be satisfied of its elegance. Nor -did Mrs. Mittin involve her in much distress how her own trouble might -be recompensed; the cap she found unfit for Camilla, she could contrive, -she said, to alter for herself; and as a friend had given her a ticket -for the ball, it would be mighty convenient to her, as she had nothing -of the kind ready. - - * * * * * - -Far different were the sensations with which Edgar and Camilla saw each -other this night, from those with which, so lately they had met in the -same apartment. Edgar thought her degenerating into the character of a -coquette, and Camilla, in his intended tour, anticipated a period to all -their intercourse. - -She was received, meanwhile, in general, with peculiar and flattering -attention. Sir Sedley Clarendel made up to her, with public smiles and -courtesy; even Lord Newford and Sir Theophilus Jarard, though they -passed by Mrs. Arlbery without speaking to her, singled out Camilla for -their devoirs. The distinction paid her by the admired Mrs. Berlinton -had now not only marked her as an object whom it would not be derogatory -to treat with civility, but as one who might, hence-forward, be regarded -herself as admitted into _certain circles_. - -Mrs. Arlbery, though every way a woman of fashion, they conceived to be -somewhat wanting in _ton_, since she presided in no party, was unnoticed -by Lady Alithea Selmore, and unknown to Mrs. Berlinton. - -_Ton_, in the scale of connoisseurs in the _certain circles_, is as much -above fashion, as fashion is above fortune: for though the latter is an -ingredient that all alike covet to possess, it is courted without being -respected, and desired without being honoured, except only by those who, -from earliest life, have been taught to earn it as a business. _Ton_, -meanwhile, is as attainable without birth as without understanding, -though in all the _certain circles_ it takes place of either. To define -what it is, would be as difficult to the most renowned of its votaries, -as to an utter stranger to its attributes. That those who call -themselves of the _ton_ either lead, or hold cheap all others, is -obtrusively evident: but how and by what art they attain such -pre-eminence, they would be perplexed to explain. That some whim has -happily called forth imitators; that some strange phrase has been -adopted; that something odd in dress has become popular; that some -beauty, or some deformity, no matter which, has found annotators; may -commonly be traced as the origin of their first public notice. But to -whichever of these accidents their early fame may be attributed, its -establishment and its glory is built upon vanity that knows no -deficiency, or insolence that knows no blush. - -Notwithstanding her high superiority both in capacity and knowledge, -Mrs. Arlbery felt piqued by this behaviour, though she laughed at -herself for heeding it. 'Nevertheless,' cried she, 'those who shew -contempt, even though themselves are the most contemptible, always seem -on the higher ground. Yet 'tis only, with regard to these animals of the -_ton_, that nobody combats them. Their presumption is so notorious, -that, either by disgust or alarm, it keeps off reprehension. Let anyone -boldly, and face to face, venture to be more uncivil than themselves, -and they would be overpowered at once. Their valour is no better than -that of a barking cur, who affrights all that go on without looking at -him, but who, the moment he is turned upon with a stamp and a fierce -look, retreats himself, amazed, afraid, and ashamed.' - -'If you, Mrs. Arlbery,' said the General, 'would undertake to tutor -them, what good you might do!' - -'O, Heavens, General, suspect me not of such reforming Quixotism! I have -not the smallest desire to do them any good, believe me! If nature has -given them no sense of propriety, why should I be more liberal? I only -want to punish them; and that not, alas! from virtue, but from spite!' - -The conversation of the two men of the _ton_ with Camilla was soon over. -It was made up of a few disjointed sentences, abusing Tunbridge, and -praising the German Spa, in cant words, emphatically and conceitedly -pronounced, and brought round upon every occasion, and in every speech, -with so precise an exclusion of all other terms, that their vocabulary -scarce consisted of forty words in totality. - -Edgar occupied the space they vacated the moment of their departure; but -not alone; Mrs. Mittin came into it with him, eager to tell Camilla how -everybody had admired her turban; how sweetly she looked in it; how -everybody said, they should not have known her again, it became her so; -and how they all agreed her head had never been so well dressed before. - -Edgar, when he could be heard, began speaking of Sir Sedley Clarendel; -he felt miserable in what he thought her inconsiderate encouragement of -such impertinence; and the delicacy which restrained him from expressing -his opinion of the Major, had no weight with him here, as jealousy had -no share in his dislike to the acquaintance: he believed the young -Baronet incapable of all love but for himself, and a decidedly destined -bachelor: without, therefore, the smallest hesitation, he plainly avowed -that he had never met with a more thoroughly conceited fop, a more -elaborate and self-sufficient coxcomb. - -'You see him only,' said Camilla, 'with the impression made by his -general appearance; and that is all against him: I always look for his -better qualities and rejoice in finding them. His very sight fills me -with grateful pleasure, by reminding me of the deliverance I owe to -him.' - -Edgar, amazed, intreated an explanation; and, when she had given it, -struck and affected, clasped his hands, and exclaimed: 'How providential -such a rescue! and how differently shall I henceforth behold him!' And, -almost involuntarily turning to Mrs. Arlbery, he intreated to be -presented to the young Baronet. - -Sir Sedley received his overtures with some surprise, but great -civility; and then went on with a ludicrous account he was giving to -Lord Newford and Sir Theophilus, of the quarrel of Macdersey with Mr. -Dubster. - -'How awake thou art grown, Clary?' cried Sir Theophilus; 'A little while -ago thou wast all hip and vapour; and now thou dost nothing but -patronise fun.' - -'Why, yes,' answered the Baronet, 'I begin to tire of _ennui_. 'Tis -grown so common. I saw my footman beginning it but last week.' - -'O, hang it! O, curse it!' cried Lord Newford, 'your footman!' - -'Yes, the rogue is not without parts. I don't know if I shan't give him -some lessons, upon leaving it off myself. The only difficulty is to find -out what, in this nether world, to do without it. How can one fill up -one's time? Stretching, yawning, and all that, are such delicious -ingredients for coaxing on the lazy hours!' - -'O, hang it, O, curse it,' cried Lord Newford; 'who can exist without -them? I would not be bound to pass half an hour without yawning and -stretching for the Mogul's empire. I'd rather snap short at once.' - -'No, no, don't snap short yet, little Newy,' cried Sir Sedley. 'As to -me, I am never at a loss for an expedient. I am not without some -thoughts of falling in love.' - -He looked at Edgar; who, not aware this was designed to catch his -attention, naturally exclaimed: 'Thoughts! can you choose, or avoid at -pleasure?' - -'Most certainly. After four-and-twenty a man is seldom taken by -surprise; at least, not till he is past forty: and then, the fear of -being too late, sometimes renovates the eagerness of the first youth. -But, in general, your willing slaves are boys.' - -Edgar, laughing, begged a little information, how he meant to put his -thoughts in execution. - -'Nothing so facile! 'Tis but to look at some fair object attentively, to -follow her with your eyes when she quits the room; never to let them -rest without watching for her return; filling up the interval with a few -sighs; to which, in a short time, you grow so habituated, that they -become natural; and then, before you are aware, a certain solicitude and -restlessness arise, which the connoisseurs in natural history dub -falling in love.' - -'These would be good hints,' said Edgar, 'to urge on waverers, who wish -to persuade themselves to marry.' - -'O no, my dear sir! no! that's a mistake of the first magnitude; no man -is in love when he marries. He may have loved before; I have even heard -he has sometimes loved after: but at the time never. There is something -in the formalities of the matrimonial preparations that drive away all -the little cupidons. They rarely stand even a demand of consent--unless -they doubt obtaining it; but a settlement! Parchments! Lawyers!--No! -there is not a little Love in the Island of Cyprus, that is not ready to -lend a wing to set passion, inspiration, and tenderness to flight, from -such excruciating legalities.' - -'Don't prose, Clary; don't prose,' cried Sir Theophilus, gaping till his -mouth was almost distorted. - -'O, killing! O, murder!' cried Lord Newford; 'what dost talk of marriage -for?' - -'It seems, then,' said Edgar, 'to be much the same thing what sort of -wife falls to a man's lot; whether the woman of his choice, or a person -he should blush to own?' - -'Blush!' repeated Sir Sedley, smiling; 'no! no! A man of any fashion -never blushes for his wife, whatever she may be. For his mistress, -indeed, he may blush: for if there are any small failings there, his -taste may be called in question.' - -'Blush about a wife!' exclaimed Lord Newford; 'O, hang it! O, curse it! -that's too bad!' - -'Too bad, indeed,' cried Sir Theophilus; 'I can't possibly patronise -blushing for a wife.' - -''Tis the same, then, also,' said Edgar, 'how she turns out when the -knot is tied, whether well or ill?' - -'To exactitude! If he marry her for beauty, let her prove what she may, -her face offers his apology. If for money, he needs none. But if, -indeed, by some queer chance, he marries with a view of living with her, -then, indeed, if his particularity gets wind, he may grow a little -anxious for the acquittal of his oddity, in seeing her approved.' - -'Approved! Ha! ha!' cried Lord Newford; 'a wife approved! That's too -bad, Clary; that's too bad!' - -'Poor Clary, what art prosing about?' cried Sir Theophilus. 'I can't -possibly patronise this prosing.' - -The entrance of the beautiful Mrs. Berlinton and her train now -interrupted this conversation; the young Baronet immediately joined her; -though not till he had given his hand to Edgar, in token of his -willingness to cultivate his acquaintance. - -Edgar, returning to Camilla, confessed he had too hastily judged Sir -Sedley, when he concluded him a fool, as well as a fop; 'For,' added he, -with a smile, 'I see, now, one of those epithets is all he merits. He is -certainly far from deficient in parts, though he abuses the good gifts -of nature with such pedantry of affectation and conceit.' - -Camilla was now intent to clear the history of the cotillon; when Mrs. -Berlinton approaching, and, with graceful fondness, taking her hand, -entreated to be indulged with her society: and, since she meant not to -dance, for Edgar had not asked her, and the Major she had refused, she -could not resist her invitation. She had lost her fear of displeasing -Mrs. Arlbery by quitting her, from conceiving a still greater, of -wearying by remaining with her. - -Edgar, anxious both to understand and to discuss this new connexion, -hovered about the party with unremitting vigilance. But, though he could -not either look at or listen to Mrs. Berlinton, without admiring her, -his admiration was neither free from censure of herself, nor terrour -for her companion: he saw her far more beautiful than prudent, more -amiable than dignified. The females in her group were few, and little -worthy notice; the males appeared, to a man, without disguise, though -not without restraint, her lovers. And though no one seemed selected, no -one seemed despised; she appeared to admit their devoirs with little -consideration; neither modestly retiring from power, nor vainly -displaying it. - -Camilla quitted not this enchantress till summoned by Mrs. Arlbery; who, -seeing herself again, from the arrival of Lady Alithea Selmore, without -any distinguished party, that lady drawing into her circle all people of -any consequence not already attracted by Mrs. Berlinton, grew sick of -the ball and the rooms, and impatient to return home. Camilla, in -retiring, presented, folded in a paper, the guinea, half-guinea, and -silver, she had borrowed of Sir Sedley; who received it without -presuming at any contest; though not, after what he had heard from Mrs. -Arlbery, without reluctance. - -Edgar watched the instant when Camilla moved from the gay group; but -Mrs. Mittin watched it also; and, approaching her more speedily, because -with less embarrassment, seized her arm before he could reach her: and -before he could, with any discretion, glide to her other side, Miss -Dennel was there. - -'Well now, young ladies,' said Mrs. Mittin, 'I'm going to tell you a -secret. Do you know, for all I call myself Mrs. I'm single?' - -'Dear, la!' exclaimed Miss Dennel; 'and for all you're so old!' - -'So old, Miss! Who told you I was so old? I'm not so very old as you may -think me. I'm no particular age, I assure you. Why, what made you think -of that?' - -'La, I don't know; only you don't look very young.' - -'I can't help that, Miss Dennel. Perhaps you mayn't look young yourself -one of these days. People can't always stand still just at a particular -minute. Why, how old, now, do you take me to be? Come, be sincere.' - -'La! I'm sure I can't tell; only I thought you was an old woman.' - -'An old woman! Lord, my dear, people would laugh to hear you. You don't -know what an old woman is. Why it's being a cripple, and blind, and -deaf, and dumb, and slavering, and without a tooth. Pray, how am I like -all that?' - -'Nay, I'm sure I don't know; only I thought, by the look of your face, -you must be monstrous old.' - -'Lord, I can't think what you've got in your head, Miss Dennel! I never -heard as much before, since I was born. Why the reason I'm called Mrs. -is not because of that, I assure you; but because I'd a mind to be taken -for a young widow, on account everybody likes a young widow; and if one -is called Miss, people being so soon to think one an old maid, that it's -quite disagreeable.' - -This discourse brought them to the carriage. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_Traits of Character_ - - -The following morning, Mrs. Mittin came with eager intelligence, that -the raffle was fixed for one o'clock; and, without any scruple, -accompanied the party to the shop, addressing herself to every one of -the set as to a confirmed and intimate friend. But her chief supporter -was Mr. Dennel, whose praise of her was the vehicle to his censure of -his sister-in-law. That lady was the person in the world whom he most -feared and disliked. He had neither spirit for the splendid manner in -which she lived, nor parts for the vivacity of her conversation. The -first, his love of money made him condemn as extravagant, and the latter -his self-love made him hate, because he could not understand. He -persuaded himself, therefore, that she had more words than meaning; and -extolled all the obvious truths uttered by Mrs. Mittin, to shew his -superior admiration of what, being plain and incontrovertible, he -dignified with the panegyric of being sensible. - -When they came upon the Pantiles, they were accosted by Mr. Dubster; who -having solemnly asked them, one by one, how they all did, joined Mrs. -Mittin, saying: 'Well, I can't pretend as I'm over sorry you've got -neither of those two comical gentlemen with you, that behaved so free to -me for nothing. I don't think it's particular agreeable being treated -so; though it's a thing I don't much mind. It's not worth fretting -about.' - -'Well, don't say any more about it,' cried Mrs. Mittin, endeavouring to -shake him off; 'I dare say you did something to provoke 'em, or they're -too genteel to have taken notice of you.' - -'Me provoke them! why what did I do? I was just like a mere lamb, as one -may say, at the very time that young Captain fell abusing me so, calling -of me a little dirty fellow, without no provocation. If I'm little, or -big, I don't see that it's any business of his. And as to dirty, I'd put -on all clean linen but the very day before, as the people can tell you -at the inn; so the whole was a mere piece of falsehood from one end to -t'other.' - -'Well, well, what do you talk about it for any more? You should never -take anything ill of a young gentleman. It's only aggravating him so -much the worse.' - -'Aggravating him, Mrs. Mittin! why what need I mind that? Do you think -I'm to put up with his talking of caning me, and such like, because of -his being a young gentleman? Not I, I assure you! I'm no such person. -And if once I feel his switch across these here shoulders, it won't be -so well for him!' - -The party now entered the shop where the raffle was to be held. - -Edgar was already there; he had no power to keep away from any place -where he was sure to behold Camilla; and a raffle brought to his mind -the most tender recollections. He was now with Lord O'Lerney, in whose -candour and benevolence of character he took great delight, and with -whom he had joined Lady Isabella Irby, who had been drawn, as a quiet -spectatress, to the sight, by a friend, who, having never seen the -humours of a raffle, had entreated, through her means, to look on. He -languished to see Camilla presented to this lady, in whose manners and -conversation, dignity and simplicity were equally blended. - -While he was yet, though absently, conversing with them, Lord O'Lerney -pointed out Camilla to Lady Isabella. - -'I have taken notice of her already at the Rooms;' answered her -Ladyship; 'and I have seldom, I think, seen a more interesting young -creature.' - -'The character of her countenance,' said Lord O'Lerney, 'strikes me very -peculiarly. 'Tis so intelligent, yet so unhackneyed, so full of meaning, -yet so artless, that, while I look at her, I feel myself involuntarily -anxious for her welfare.' - -'I don't think she seems happy,' said Lady Isabella; 'Do you know who -she is, my Lord?' - -Edgar, here, with difficulty suppressed a sigh. Not happy! thought he; -ah! wherefore? what can make Camilla unhappy? - -'I understand she is a niece of Sir Hugh Tyrold,' answered his Lordship; -'a Yorkshire Baronet. She is here with an acquaintance of mine, Mrs. -Arlbery, who is one of the first women I have ever known, for wit and -capacity. She has an excellent heart, too; though her extraordinary -talents, and her carelessness of opinion make it sometimes, but very -unjustly, doubted.' - -Edgar heard this with much pleasure. A good word from Lord O'Lerney -quieted many fears; he hoped he had been unnecessarily alarmed; he -determined, in future, to judge her more favourably. - -'I should be glad,' continued his Lordship, 'to hear this young lady -were either well established, or returned to her friends without -becoming an object of public notice. A young woman is no where so rarely -respectable, or respected, as at these water-drinking places, if seen at -them either long or often. The search of pleasure and dissipation, at a -spot consecrated for restoring health to the sick, the infirm, and the -suffering, carries with it an air of egotism, that does not give the -most pleasant idea of the feeling and disposition.' - -'Yet, may not the sick, my Lord, be rather amended than hurt by the -sight of gaiety around them?' - -'Yes, my dear Lady Isabella; and the effect, therefore, I believe to be -beneficial. But as this is not the motive why the young and the gay seek -these spots, it is not here they will find themselves most honoured. And -the mixture of pain and illness with splendor and festivity, is so -unnatural, that probably it is to that we must attribute that a young -woman is no where so hardly judged. If she is without fortune, she is -thought a female adventurer, seeking to sell herself for its attainment; -if she is rich, she is supposed a willing dupe, ready for a snare, and -only looking about for an ensnarer.' - -'And yet, young women seldom, I believe, my Lord, merit this severity of -judgment. They come but hither in the summer, as they go to London in -the winter, simply in search of amusement, without any particular -purpose.' - -'True; but they do not weigh what their observers weigh for them, that -the search of public recreation in the winter is, from long habit, -permitted without censure; but that the summer has not, as yet, -prescription so positively in its favour; and those who, after meeting -them all the winter at the opera, and all the spring at Ranelagh, hear -of them all the summer at Cheltenham, Tunbridge, &c. and all the autumn -at Bath, are apt to inquire, when is the season for home.' - -'Ah, my Lord! how wide are the poor inconsiderate little flutterers from -being aware of such a question! How necessary to youth and -thoughtlessness is the wisdom of experience!' - -Why does she not come this way? thought Edgar; why does she not gather -from these mild, yet understanding moralists, instruction that might -benefit all her future life? - -'There is nothing,' said Lord O'Lerney, 'I more sincerely pity than the -delusions surrounding young females. The strongest admirers of their -eyes are frequently the most austere satirists of their conduct.' - -The entrance of Lord Newford, Sir Theophilus Jarard, and Sir Sedley -Clarendel, all noisily talking and laughing together, interrupted any -further conversation. The two former no sooner saw Camilla, and -perceived neither Lady Alithea Selmore, nor Mrs. Berlinton, than they -made up to her; and Sir Sedley, who now found she was completely -established in the _bon ton_, felt something of pride mix with pleasure -in publicly availing himself of his intimacy with her; and something -like interest mix with curiosity, in examining if Edgar were struck with -her ready attention to him. - -Upon Edgar, however, it made not the slightest impression. While Sir -Sedley had appeared to him a mere fop, he had thought it degraded her; -but how he regarded him as her preserver, it seemed both natural and -merited. - -Sir Sedley, not aware of this reasoning, was somewhat piqued; and taking -him to another part of the shop, whispered: 'I am horribly vapoured! Do -you know I have some thoughts of trying that little girl? Do you think -one could make anything of her?' - -'How? what do you mean?' cried Edgar, with sudden alarm. - -Sir Sedley, a little flattered, affectedly answered: 'O, if you have any -serious designs that way, incontestably I won't interfere.' - -'Me!' cried Edgar, surprised and offended; 'believe me, no! I have all -my life considered her--as my sister.' - -Sir Sedley saw this was spoken with effort; and negligently replied: -'Nay you are just at the first epocha for marrying from inclination; but -you are in the right not to perform so soon the funeral honours of -liberty. 'Tis what you may do at any time. So many girls want -establishments, that a man of sixty can just as easily get a wife of -eighteen, as a man of one-and-twenty. The only inconvenience in that -sort of alliance is, that though she begins with submitting to her -venerated husband as prettily as to her papa, she is terribly apt to -have a knack of running away from him, afterwards, with equal facility.' - -'That is rather a discouraging article, I confess,' cried Edgar, 'for -the tardy votaries of Hymen!' - -'O, no! 'tis no great matter!' answered he, patting his snuffbox; 'we -are impenetrable in the extreme to those sort of grievances now-a-days. -We are at such prodigious expence of sensibility in public, for tales of -sorrow told about pathetically, at a full board, that if we suffered -much for our private concerns to boot, we must always meet one another -with tears in our eyes. We never weep now, but at dinner, or at some -diversion.' - -Lord Newford, pulling him by the arm, called out: 'Come, Clary, what art -about, man? we want thee.' - -'Come, Clary! don't shirk, Clary,' cried Sir Theophilus; 'I can't -possibly patronise this shirking.' And they hauled him to a corner of -the shop, where all three resumed their customary laughing whispers. - -'You will not, perhaps, suspect, Lady Isabella,' said Lord O'Lerney, -smiling, 'that one of that triumvirate is by no means deficient in -parts, and can even, when he desires it, be extremely pleasing?' - -'Your Lordship judges right, I confess! I had not, indeed, done him such -justice!' - -'See then,' said his Lordship, 'how futile an animal is man, without -some decided character and principle! - - He's every thing by turns, and nothing long[3]. - -[Footnote 3: Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel.] - -Wise, foolish; virtuous, vicious; active, indolent; prodigal and -avaricious! No contrast is too strong for him while guided but by -accident or impulse. This gentleman also, in common with the rest of his -_tonnish_ brethren, is now daily, though unconsciously, hoarding up a -world of unprepared-for mortification, by not foreseeing that the more -he is celebrated in his youth, for being the leader of the _ton_, and -the man of the day, the earlier he will be regarded as a creature out of -date, an old beau, and a fine gentleman of former times. But 'tis by -reverses, such as these, that folly and impropriety pay their penalties. -We might spare all our anger against the vanity of the beauty, or the -conceit of the coxcomb. Are not wrinkles always in waiting to punish the -one, and age, without honour, to chastise and degrade the other?' - -All the rafflers were now arrived, except Mrs. Berlinton, who was -impatiently expected. Lady Alithea Selmore had already sent a proxy to -throw for her in her own woman; much to the dissatisfaction of most part -of the company. A general rising and inquietude to look out for Mrs. -Berlinton, gave Edgar, at length, an opportunity to stand next to -Camilla. 'How I grieve,' he cried 'you should not know Lady Isabella -Irby! she seems to me a model for a woman of rank in her manners, and a -model for a woman of every station in her mind. The world, I believe, -could scarce have tempted her to so offensive a mark of superiority as -has just been exhibited by Lady Alithea Selmore, who has ingeniously -discovered a method of being signalised as the most important person out -of twenty, by making herself nineteen enemies.' - -'I wonder,' said Camilla, 'she can think the chance of the ear-rings -worth so high a price!' - -A footman, in a splendid livery, now entering, inquired for Miss Tyrold. -She was pointed out to him by Major Cerwood, and he delivered her a -letter from Mrs. Berlinton. - -The contents were to entreat she would throw for that lady, who was in -the midst of Akenside's Pleasures of the Imagination, and could not tear -herself away from them. - -Camilla blushed excessively in proclaiming she was chosen Mrs. -Berlinton's proxy. Edgar saw with tenderness her modest confusion, and, -with a pleasure the most touching, read the favourable impression it -made upon Lord O'Lerney and Lady Isabella. - -This seemed an opportunity irresistible for venting his fears and -cautions about Mrs. Berlinton; and, taking the bustling period in which -the rafflers were arranging the order and manner of throwing, he said, -in a low, and diffident tone of voice, 'You have committed to me an -important and, I fear, an importunate office; yet, while I hold, I -cannot persuade myself not to fulfil it; though I know that to give -advice which opposes sentiment and feeling, is repugnant to independence -and to delicacy. Such, therefore, I do not mean to enforce; but merely -to offer hints--intimations--and observations--that without controlling, -may put you upon your guard.' - -Camilla, affected by this unexpected address, could only look her desire -for an explanation. - -'The lady,' he continued, 'whom you are presently to represent, appears -to be uncommonly engaging?--' - -'Indeed she is! She is attractive, gentle, amiable.' - -'She seems, also, already to have caught your affection?' - -'Who could have withheld it, that had seen her as I have seen her? She -is as unhappy as she is lovely....' - -'I have heard of your first meeting, with as much pleasure in the -presence of mind it called forth on one side, as with doubt and -perplexity, upon every circumstance I can gather, of the other.--' - -'If you knew her, you would find it impossible to hold any doubts; -impossible to resist admiring, compassionating, and loving her!' - -'If my knowledge of her bribed an interest in her favour, without -convincing me she deserved it, I ought, rather, to regret that you have -not escaped falling into such a snare, than that I could have escaped it -myself.' - -'I believe her free, nay incapable of all ill!' cried Camilla warmly; -'though I dare not assert she is always coolly upon her guard.' - -'Do not let me hurt you,' said Edgar, gently; 'I have seen how lovely -she is in person, and how pleasing in manners. And she is so young that, -were she in a situation less exposed, want of steadiness or judgment -might, by a little time, be set right. But here, there is surely much to -fear from her early possession of power.... O, that some happier chance -had brought about such a peculiar intercourse for you with Lady Isabella -Irby! There, to the pleasure of friendship, might be added the modesty -of retired elegance, and the security of established respectability.' - -'And may not this yet happen, with Mrs. Berlinton? Lady Isabella, though -still young, is not in the extreme youth of Mrs. Berlinton: a few more -years, therefore, may bring equal discretion; and as she has already -every other good quality, you may hereafter equally approve her.' - -'Do you think, then,' said Edgar, half smiling, 'that the few years of -difference in their age were spent by Lady Isabella in the manner they -are now spent by Mrs. Berlinton? do you think she paved the way for her -present dignified, though unassuming character, by permitting herself to -be surrounded by professed admirers? by letting their sighs reach her -ears? by suffering their eyes to fasten with open rapture on her face? -and by holding it sufficient not to suppress such liberties, so long as -she does not avowedly encourage them?' - -Camilla was startled. She had not seen her conduct in this light: yet -her understanding refused to deny it might bear this interpretation. - -Charmed with the candour of her silence, Edgar continued, 'How wide from -all that is open to similar comment, is the carriage and behaviour of -Lady Isabella! how clear! how transparent, how free from all conjecture -of blemish! They may each, indeed, essentially be equally innocent; and -your opinion of Mrs. Berlinton corroborates the impression made by her -beautiful countenance: yet how far more highly is the true feminine -character preserved, where surmise is not raised, than where it can be -parried! Think but of those two ladies, and mark the difference. Lady -Isabella, addressed only where known, followed only because loved, sees -no adulators encircling her, for adulation would alarm her; no admirers -paying her homage, for such homage would offend her. She knows she has -not only her own innocence to guard, but the honour of her husband. -Whether she is happy with him or not, this deposit is equally sacred.--' - -He stopt; for Camilla again started. The irrepressible frankness of her -nature revolted against denying how much this last sentence struck her, -and she ingenuously exclaimed: 'O that this most amiable young creature -were but more aware of this duty!' - -'Ah, my dear Miss Camilla,' cried Edgar, with energy, 'since you feel -and own ... and with you, that is always one ... this baneful -deficiency, drop, or at least suspend an intercourse too hazardous to be -indulged with propriety! See what she may be sometime hence, ere you -contract further intimacy. At present, unexperienced and unsuspicious, -her dangers may be yours. You are too young for such a risk. Fly, fly -from it, my dear Miss Camilla!... as if the voice of your mother were -calling out to caution you!' - -Camilla was deeply touched. An interest so warm in her welfare was -soothing, and the name of her mother rendered it awful; yet, thus -united, it appeared to her more strongly than ever to announce itself as -merely fraternal. She could not suppress a sigh; but he attributed it to -the request he had urged, and, with much concern, added: 'What I have -asked of you, then, is too severe?' - -Again irresistibly sighing, yet collecting all her force to conceal the -secret cause, she answered, 'If she is thus exposed to danger ... if her -situation is so perilous, ought I not rather to stay by, and help to -support her, than by abandoning, perhaps contribute to the evil you -think awaiting her?' - -'Generous Camilla!' cried he, melted into tender admiration, 'who can -oppose so kind a design? So noble a nature!...' - -No more could be said, for all preliminaries had been settled, and the -throwing being arranged to take place alphabetically, she was soon -summoned to represent Mrs. Berlinton. - -From this time, Edgar could speak to her no more: even the Major could -scarcely make way to her: the two men of the _ton_ would not quit her, -and Sir Sedley Clarendel appeared openly devoted to her. - -Edgar looked on with the keenest emotion. The proof he had just received -that her intrinsic worth was in its first state of excellence, had come -home to his heart, and the fear of seeing her altered and spoilt, by the -flatteries and dangers which environed her, with his wavering belief in -her engagement with Major Cerwood, made him more wretched than ever. But -when, some time after, she was called upon to throw for herself, the -recollection that, from the former raffle, her half-guinea, even when -the prize was in her hand, had been voluntarily withdrawn to be bestowed -upon a poor family, so powerfully affected him, that he could not rest -in the shop; he was obliged to breathe a freer air, and to hide his -disturbance by a retreat. - -Her throw was the highest the dice had yet afforded. A Miss Williams -alone came after her, whose throw was the lowest; Miss Camilla Tyrold, -therefore, was proclaimed to be the winner. - -This second testimony of the favour of fortune was a most pleasant -surprise to Camilla, and made the room resound with felicitations, till -they were interrupted by a violent quarrel upon the Pantiles, whence the -voice of Macdersey was heard, hollooing out: 'Don't talk, I say sir! -don't presume to say a word!' and that of Mr. Dubster angrily answering, -he would talk as long as he thought proper, whether it was agreeable or -not. - -Sir Sedley advanced to the combatants, in order to help on the dispute; -but Edgar, returning at the sound of high words, took the Ensign by the -arm, and prevailed with him to accompany him up and down the Pantiles; -while Mrs. Mittin ran to Mr. Dubster, and pulling him into the shop, -said: 'Mr. Dubster, if I'm not ashamed of you! how can you forget -yourself so? talking to gentlemen at such a rate!' - -'Why what should hinder me?' cried he; 'do you think I shall put up with -every thing as I used to do when you first knew me, and we used to meet -at Mr. Typton's, the tallow chandler's, in Shug-lane? no, Mrs. Mittin, -nor no such a thing; I'm turned gentleman myself, now, as much as the -best of 'em; for I've nothing to do, but just what I choose.' - -'I protest, Mr. Dubster,' cried Mrs. Mittin, taking him into a corner -'you're enough to put a saint into a pet! how come you to think of -talking of Mr. Typton here? before such gentlefolks? and where's the use -of telling every body he's a tallow chandler? and as to my meeting with -you there once or so, in a way, I desire you'll mention it no more; for -it's so long ago, I have no recollection of it.' - -'No! why don't you remember--' - -'Fiddle, faddle, what's the good of ripping up old stories about -nothing? when you're with genteel people, you must do as I do; never -talk about business at all.' - -Macdersey now entered the shop, appeased by Edgar from shewing any -further wrath, but wantonly inflamed by Sir Sedley, in a dispute upon -the passion of love. - -'Do you always, my dear friend,' said the Baronet, 'fall in love at -first sight?' - -'To be sure I do! If a man makes a scruple of that, it's ten to one but -he's disappointed of doing it at all; because, after two or three second -sights, the danger is you may spy out some little flaw in the dear -angel, that takes off the zest, and hinders you to the longest day you -have to live.' - -'Profoundly cogitated that! you think then, my vast dear sir, the -passion had more conveniently be kindled first, that the flaws may -appear after, to cure it?' - -'No, sir! no! when a man's once in love, those flaws don't signify, -because he can't see them; or, if he could, at least he'd scorn to own -them.' - -'Live for ever brave Ireland!' exclaimed Mrs. Arlbery; 'what cold, -phelgmatic Englishman would have made a speech of so much gallantry?' - -'As to an Englishman,' said Macdersey, 'you must never mind what he says -about the ladies, because he's too sheepish to speak out. He's just as -often in love as his neighbours, only he's so shy he won't own it, till -he sees if the young fair one is as much in love as himself; but a -generous Irishman never scruples to proclaim the girl of his heart, -though he should have twenty in a year.' - -'But is that perfectly delicate, my dearest sir, to the several -Dulcineas?' - -'Perfectly! your Irishman is the delicatest man upon earth to the fair -sex; for he always talks of their cruelty, if they are never so kind. He -knows every honest heart will pity him, if it's true; and if it i'n't, -he is too much a man of honour not to complain all one; he knows how -agreeable it is to the dear creatures; they always take it for a -compliment.' - -'Whether avowedly or clandestinely,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'still you are -all in our chains. Even where you play the tyrant with us, we occupy all -your thoughts; and if you have not the skill to make us happy, your next -delight is to make us miserable; for though, now and then, you can -contrive to hate, you can never arrive at forgetting us.' - -'Contrive to hate you!' repeated Macdersey; 'I could as soon contrive to -turn the world into a potato; there is nothing upon earth, nothing under -the whole firmament I value but beauty!' - -'A cheerful glass, then,' said Sir Sedley, 'you think horridly -intolerable?' - -'A cheerful glass, sir! do you take me for a milk-sop? do you think I -don't know what it is to be a man? a cheerful glass, sir, is the first -pleasure in life; the most convivial, the most exhilarating, the most -friendly joy of a true honest soul! what were existence without it? I -should choose to be off in half an hour; which I should only make so -long, not to shock my friends.' - -'Well, the glass is not what I patronise,' said Sir Theophilus; 'it hips -me so consumedly the next day; no, I can't patronise the glass.' - -'Not patronise wine?' cried Lord Newford; 'O hang it! O curse it! that's -too bad, Offy! but hunting! what dost think of that, little Offy?' - -'Too obstreperous! It rouses one at such aukward hours; no, I can't -patronise hunting.' - -'Hunting!' cried Macdersey; 'O, it leaves everything behind it; 'tis the -thing upon the earth for which I have the truest taste. I know nothing -else that is not a bauble to it. A man is no more, in my estimation, -than a child, or a woman, that don't enjoy it.' - -'Cards, then,' said Sir Sedley, 'you reprobate?' - -'And dice?'--cried Lord Newford-- - -'And betting?'--cried Sir Theophilus. - -'Why what do you take me for, gentlemen?' replied Macdersey, hotly; 'Do -you think I have no soul? no fire? no feeling? Do you suppose me a -stone? a block? a lump of lead? I scorn such suspicions; I don't hold -them worth answering. I am none of that torpid, morbid, drowsy tribe. I -hold nobody to have an idea of life that has not rattled in his own hand -the dear little box of promise. What ecstasy not to know if, in two -seconds, one mayn't be worth ten thousand pounds! or else without a -farthing! how it puts one on the rack! There's nothing to compare with -it. I would not give up that moment to be sovereign of the East Indies! -no, not if the West were to be put into the bargain.' - -'All these things,' said Mr. Dennel, 'are fit for nothing but to bring a -man to ruin. The main chance is all that is worth thinking of. 'Tis -money makes the mare to go; and I don't know any thing that's to be done -without it.' - -'Money!' exclaimed Macdersey, 'tis the thing under heaven I hold in the -most disdain. It won't give me a moment's concern never to see its -colour again. I vow solemnly, if it were not just for the pleasures of -the table, and a jolly glass with a friend, and a few horses in one's -stable, and a little ready cash in one's purse, for odd uses, I should -not care if the mint were sunk under ground to-morrow; money is what I -most despise of all.' - -'That's talking out of reason,' said Mr. Dennel, walking out of the shop -with great disgust. - -'Why, if I was to speak,' said Mr. Dubster, encouraged to come forward, -by an observation so much to his own comprehension and taste as the -last; 'I can't but say I think the same; for money--' - -'Keep your distance, sir!' cried the fiery Ensign, 'keep your distance, -I tell you! if you don't wish I should say something to you pretty -cutting.' - -This broke up the party, which else the lounging spirit of the place, -and the general consent by which all descriptions of characters seem -determined to occupy any spot whatever, to avoid a moment's abode in -their lodgings, would still have detained till the dinner hour had -forced to their respective homes. To suppress all possibility of further -dissention, Mrs. Arlbery put Miss Dennel under the care of Macdersey, -and bid him attend her towards Mount Pleasant. - -Mr. Dubster, having stared after them some time in silence, called out: -'Keep my distance! I can't but say but what I think that young Captain -the rudest young gentleman I ever happened to light upon! however, if he -don't like me, I shan't take it much to heart; I can't pretend to say I -like him any better; so he may choose; it's much the same to me; it -breaks no squares.' - -Edgar, almost without knowing it, followed Camilla, but he could -displace neither the Baronet nor the Major, who, one with a look of open -exultation, and the other with an air of determined perseverance, -retained each his post at her side. - -He saw that all her voluntary attention was to Sir Sedley, and that the -Major had none but what was called for and inevitable. Was this -indifference, or security? was she seeking to obtain in the Baronet a -new adorer, or to excite jealousy, through his means, in an old one? -Silent he walked on, perpetually exclaiming to himself: 'Can it be -Camilla, the ingenuous, the artless Camilla, I find it so difficult to -fathom, to comprehend, to trust?' - -He had not spirits to join Mrs. Arlbery, though he lamented he had not, -at once, visited her; since it was now awkward to take such a step -without an invitation, which she seemed by no means disposed to offer -him. She internally resented the little desire he had ever manifested -for her acquaintance; and they had both too much penetration not to -perceive how wide either was from being the favourite of the other. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_Traits of Eccentricity_ - - -Thus passed the first eight days of the Tunbridge excursion, and another -week succeeded without any varying event. - -Mrs. Arlbery now, impelled with concern for Camilla, and resentment -against Edgar, renewed the subject of her opinion and advice upon his -character and conduct. 'My dear young friend,' cried she, 'I cannot bear -to see your days, your views, your feelings, thus fruitlessly consumed: -I have observed this young man narrowly, and I am convinced he is not -worth your consideration.' - -Camilla, deeply colouring, was beginning to assure her she had no need -of this counsel; but Mrs. Arlbery, not listening, continued. - -'I know what you must say; yet, once more, I cannot refrain venturing at -the liberty of lending you my experience. Turn your mind from him with -all the expedition in your power, or its peace may be touched for the -better half of your life. You do not see, he does not, perhaps, himself -know, how exactly he is calculated to make you wretched. He is a -watcher; and a watcher, restless and perturbed himself, infests all he -pursues with uneasiness. He is without trust, and therefore without -either courage or consistency. To-day he may be persuaded you will make -all his happiness; to-morrow, he may fear you will give him nothing but -misery. Yet it is not that he is jealous of any other; 'tis of the -object of his choice he is jealous, lest she should not prove good -enough to merit it. Such a man, after long wavering, and losing probable -happiness in the terror of possible disappointment, will either die an -old batchelor, with endless repinings at his own lingering -fastidiousness, or else marry just at the eve of confinement for life, -from a fit of the gout. He then makes, on a sudden, the first prudent -choice in his way; a choice no longer difficult, but from the -embarrassment of its ease; for she must have no beauty, lest she should -be sought by others, no wit, lest others should be sought by herself; -and no fortune, lest she should bring with it a taste of independence, -that might curb his own will, when the strength and spirit are gone with -which he might have curbed her's.' - -Camilla attempted to laugh at this portrait; but Mrs. Arlbery entreated -her to consider it as faithful and exact. 'You have thought of him too -much,' cried she, 'to do justice to any other, or you would not, with -such perfect unconcern, pass by your daily increasing influence with Sir -Sedley Clarendel.' - -Excessively, and very seriously offended, Camilla earnestly besought to -be spared any hints of such a nature. - -'I know well,' cried she, 'how repugnant to seventeen is every idea of -life that is rational. Let us, therefore, set aside, in our discussions, -any thing so really beneficial, as a solid connection formed with a view -to the worldly comforts of existence, and speak of Sir Sedley's devoirs -merely as the instrument of teaching Mandlebert, that he is not the only -rich, young, and handsome man in this lower sphere, who has viewed Miss -Camilla Tyrold with complacency. Clarendel, it is true, would lose every -charm in my estimation by losing his heart; for the earth holds nothing -comparable for deadness of weight, with a poor soul really in -love--except when it happens to be with oneself!--yet, to alarm the -selfish irresolution of that impenetrable Mandlebert, I should really -delight to behold him completely caught.' - -Camilla, distressed and confused, sought to parry the whole as raillery: -but Mrs. Arlbery would not be turned aside from her subject and purpose. -'I languish, I own,' cried she, 'to see that frozen youth worked up into -a little sensibility. I have an instinctive aversion to those cold, -haughty, drawing-back characters, who are made up of the egotism of -looking out for something that is wholly devoted to them, and that has -not a breath to breathe that is not a sigh for their perfections.' - -'O! this is far ...' Camilla began, meaning to say, far from the -character of Mandlebert; but ashamed of undertaking his defence, she -stopt short, and only mentally added, Even excellence such as his -cannot, then, withstand prejudice! - -'If there is any way,' continued Mrs. Arlbery, 'of animating him for a -moment out of himself, it can only be by giving him a dread of some -other. The poor Major does his best; but he is not rich enough to be -feared, unless he were more attractive. Sir Sedley will seem more -formidable. Countenance, therefore, his present propensity to wear your -chains, till Mandlebert perceives that he is putting them on; and -then ... mount to the rising ground you ought to tread, and shew, at -once, your power and your disinterestedness, by turning from the handsome -Baronet and all his immense wealth, to mark ... since you are determined -to indulge it ... your unbiassed preference for Mandlebert.' - -Camilla, irresistibly appeased by a picture so flattering to all her -best feelings, and dearest wishes, looked down; angry with herself to -find she felt no longer angry with Mrs. Arlbery. - -Mrs. Arlbery, perceiving a point gained, determined to enforce the blow, -and then leave her to her reflections. - -'Mandlebert is a creature whose whole composition is a pile of -accumulated punctilios. He will spend his life in refining away his own -happiness: but do not let him refine away yours. He is just a man to -bewitch an innocent and unguarded young woman from forming any other -connexion, and yet, when her youth and expectations have been sacrificed -to his hesitation, ... to conceive he does not use her ill in thinking -of her no more, because he has entered into no verbal engagement. If his -honour cannot be arraigned of breaking any bond, ... What matters merely -breaking her heart?' - -She then left the room; but Camilla dwelt upon nothing she had uttered -except the one dear and inviting project of proving disinterestedness to -Edgar. 'O! if once,' she cried, 'I could annihilate every mercenary -suspicion! If once I could shew Edgar that his situation has no charms -for me ... and it has none! none! then, indeed, I am his equal, though I -am nothing, ... equal in what is highest, in mind, in spirit, in -sentiment! - - * * * * * - -From this time the whole of her behaviour became coloured by this -fascinating idea; and a scheme which, if proposed to her under its real -name of coquetry, she would have fled and condemned with antipathy, when -presented to her as a means to mark her freedom from sordid motives, she -adopted with inconsiderate fondness. The sight, therefore, of Edgar, -wherever she met him, became now the signal for adding spirit to the -pleasure with which, already, and without any design, she had attended -to the young Baronet. Exertion gave to her the gaiety of which -solicitude had deprived her, and she appeared, in the eyes of Sir -Sedley, every day more charming. She indulged him with the history of -her adventure at the house of Mr. Dubster, and his prevalent taste for -the ridiculous made the account enchant him. He cast off, in return, all -airs of affectation, when he conversed with her separately; and though -still, in all mixt companies, they were resumed, the real integrity, as -well as indifference of her heart, made that a circumstance but to -stimulate this new species of intercourse, by representing it to be -equally void of future danger to them both. - -All this, however, failed of its desired end. Edgar never saw her -engaged by Sir Sedley, but he thought her youthfully grateful, and -esteemed her the more, or beheld her as a mere coquette, and ceased to -esteem her at all. But never for a moment was any personal uneasiness -excited by their mutually increasing intimacy. The conversations he had -held, both with the Baronet and herself, had satisfied him that neither -entertained one serious thought of the other; and he took, therefore, no -interest in their acquaintance, beyond that which was always alive,--a -vigilant concern for the manner in which it might operate upon her -disposition. - -With respect to the Major, he was by no means so entirely at his ease. -He saw him still the declared and undisguised pursuer of her favour; and -though he perceived, at the same time, she rather avoided than sought -him, he still imagined, in general, his acceptance was arranged, from -the many preceding circumstances which had first given him that belief. -The whole of her behaviour, nevertheless, perplexed as much as it -grieved him, and frequently, in the same half hour, she seemed to him -all that was most amiable for inspiring admiration, and all that was -least to be depended upon, for retaining attachment. - -Yet however, from time to time, he felt alarmed or offended, he never -ceased to experience the fondest interest in her happiness, nor the most -tender compassion for the dangers with which he saw her environed. He -knew, that though her understanding was excellent, her temper was so -inconsiderate, that she rarely consulted it; and that, though her mind -was of the purest innocence, it was unguarded by caution, and -unprotected by reflexion. He thought her placed where far higher -discretion, far superior experience, might risk being shaken; and he did -not more fervently wish, than internally tremble, for her safety. -Wherever she appeared, she was sure of distinction: ''Tis Miss Tyrold, -the friend of Mrs. Berlinton,' was buzzed round the moment she was seen; -and the particular favour in which she stood with some votaries of the -_ton_, made even her artlessness, her retired education, and her -ignorance of all that pertained to the _certain circles_, past over and -forgiven, in consideration of her personal attractions, her youth, and -newness. - -Still, however, even this celebrity was not what most he dreaded: so -sudden and unexpected an elevation upon the heights of fashionable fame -might make her head, indeed, giddy, but her heart he thought formed of -materials too pure and too good to be endangered so lightly; and though -frequently, when he saw her so circumstanced, he feared she was undone -for private life, he could not reflect upon her principles and -disposition, without soon recovering the belief that a short time might -restore her mind to its native simplicity and worth. But another rock -was in the way, against which he apprehended she might be dashed, whilst -least suspicious of any peril. - -This rock, indeed, exhibited nothing to the view that could have -affrighted any spectator less anxiously watchful, or less personally -interested in regarding it. But youth itself, in the fervour of a strong -attachment, is as open-eyed, as observant, and as prophetic as age, with -all its concomitants of practice, time, and suspicion. This rock, -indeed, far from giving notice of danger by any sharp points or rough -prominences, displayed only the smoothest and most inviting surface: for -it was Mrs. Berlinton, the beautiful, the accomplished, the attractive -Mrs. Berlinton, whom he beheld as the object of the greatest risk she -had to encounter. - -As he still preserved the character with which she had consented to -invest him of her monitor, he seized every opportunity of communicating -to her his doubts and apprehensions. But in proportion as her connexion -with that lady increased, use to her manners and sentiments abated the -wonderment they inspired, and they soon began to communicate an unmixt -charm, that made all other society, that of Edgar alone excepted, -heartless and uninteresting. Yet, in the conversations she held with him -from time to time, she frankly related the extraordinary attachment of -her new friend to some unknown correspondent, and confessed her own -surprise when it first came to her knowledge. - -Edgar listened to the account with the most unaffected dismay, and -represented the probable danger, and actual impropriety of such an -intercourse, in the strongest and most eloquent terms; but he could -neither appal her confidence, nor subdue her esteem. The openness with -which all had originally and voluntarily been avowed, convinced her of -the innocence with which it was felt, and all that his exhortations -could obtain, was a remonstrance on her own part to Mrs. Berlinton. - -She found that lady, however, persuaded she indulged but an innocent -friendship, which she assured her was bestowed upon a person of as much -honour as merit, and which only with life she should relinquish, since -it was the sole consolation of her fettered existence. - -Edgar, to whom this was communicated, saw with terror the ascendance -thus acquired over her judgment as well as her affections, and became -more watchful and more uneasy in observing the progress of this -friendship, than all the flattering devoirs of the gay Baronet, or the -more serious assiduities of the Major. - -Mrs. Berlinton, indeed, was no common object, either for fear or for -hope, for admiration or for censure. She possessed all that was most -softly attractive, most bewitchingly beautiful, and most irresistibly -captivating, in mind, person, and manners. But to all that was thus most -fascinating to others, she joined unhappily all that was most dangerous -for herself; an heart the most susceptible, sentiments the most -romantic, and an imagination the most exalted. She had been an orphan -from earliest years, and left, with an only brother, to the care of a -fanatical maiden aunt, who had taught her nothing but her faith and her -prayers, without one single lesson upon good works, or the smallest -instruction upon the practical use of her theoretical piety. All that -ever varied these studies were some common and ill selected novels and -romances, which a young lady in the neighbourhood privately lent her to -read; till her brother, upon his first vacation from the University, -brought her the works of the Poets. These, also, it was only in secret -she could enjoy; but, to her juvenile fancy, and irregularly principled -mind, that did not render them more tasteless. Whatever was most -beautifully picturesque in poetry, she saw verified in the charming -landscapes presented to her view in the part of Wales she inhabited; -whatever was most noble or tender in romance, she felt promptly in her -heart, and conceived to be general; and whatever was enthusiastic in -theology, formed the whole of her idea and her belief with respect to -religion. - -Brought up thus, to think all things the most unusual and extraordinary, -were merely common and of course; she was romantic without -consciousness, and excentric without intention. Nothing steady or -rational had been instilled into her mind by others; and she was too -young, and too fanciful to have formed her own principles with any depth -of reflection, or study of propriety. She had entered the world, by a -sudden and most unequal marriage, in which her choice had no part, with -only two self-formed maxims for the law of her conduct. The first of -these was, that, from her early notions of religion, no vestal should be -more personally chaste; the second, that, from her more recently imbibed -ones of tenderness, her heart, since she was married without its -concurrence, was still wholly at liberty to be disposed of by its own -propensities, without reproach and without scruple. - -With such a character, where virtue had so little guide even while -innocence presided; where the person was so alluring, and the situation -so open to temptation, Edgar saw with almost every species of concern -the daily increasing friendship of Camilla. Yet while he feared for her -firmness, he knew not how to blame her fondness; nor where so much was -amiable in its object, could he cease to wish that more were right. - - * * * * * - -Thus again lived and died another week; and the fourth succeeded with no -actual occurrence, but a new change of opinion in Mrs. Arlbery, that -forcibly and cruelly affected the feelings of Camilla. - -Uninformed of the motive that occasioned the indifference with which -Edgar beheld the newly awakened gallantry of Sir Sedley, and the -pleasure with which Camilla received it, Mrs. Arlbery observed his total -unconcern, first with surprise, next with perplexity, and finally with a -belief he was seriously resolved against forming any connection with her -himself. This she took an early opportunity to intimate to Camilla, -warmly exhorting her to drive him fast from her mind. - -Camilla assured her that no task could be more easy; but the -disappointment of the project with respect to Sir Sedley, which she -blushed to have adopted, hurt her in every possible direction. Coquetry -was as foreign to the ingenuousness of her nature, as to the dignity of -all her early maternal precepts. She had hastily encouraged the devoirs -of the Baronet, upon the recommendation of a woman she loved and -admired; but now, that the failure of her aim brought her to reflexion, -she felt penitent and ashamed to have heeded any advice so contrary to -the singleness of the doctrines of her father, and so inferior to the -elevation of every sentiment she had ever heard from her mother. If -Edgar had seen her design, he had surely seen it with contempt: and -though his manner was still the most gentle, and his advice ever ready -and friendly, the opinion of Mrs. Arlbery was corroborated by all her -own observations, that he was decidedly estranged from her. - -What repentance ensued! what severity of regret! how did she canvass her -conduct, how lament she had ever formed that fatal acquaintance with -Mrs. Arlbery, which he had so early opposed, and which seemed eternally -destined to lead her into measures and conduct most foreign to his -approbation! - -The melancholy that now again took possession of her spirits made her -decline going abroad, from a renewed determination to avoid all meetings -with Edgar. Mrs. Arlbery felt provoked to find his power thus unabated, -and Sir Sedley was astonished. He still saw her perpetually, from his -visits at Mount Pleasant; but his vanity, that weakest yet most -predominant feature of his character, received a shock for which no -modesty of apprehension or fore-thought had prepared him, in finding -that, when he saw her no more in the presence of Mandlebert, he saw her -no more the same. She was ready still to converse with him; but no -peculiar attention was flattering, no desire to oblige was pointed. He -found he had been merely a passive instrument, in her estimation, to -excite jealousy; and even as such had been powerless to produce that -effect. The raillery which Mrs. Arlbery spared not upon the occasion -added greatly to his pique, and his mortification was so visible, that -Camilla perceived it, and perceived it with pain, with shame, and with -surprise. She thought now, for the first time, that the public homage he -had paid her had private and serious motives, and that what she imagined -mere sportive gallantry, arose from a growing attachment. - -This idea had no gratifying power; believing Edgar without care for her, -she could not hope it would stimulate his regard; and conceiving she had -herself excited the partiality by wilful civilities, she could feel only -reproach from a conquest, unduly, unfairly, uningenuously obtained. - -In proportion as these self-upbraidings made her less deserving in her -own eyes, the merits of the young Baronet seemed to augment; and in -considering herself as culpable for having raised his regard, she -appeared before him with a humility that gave a softness to her look and -manners, which soon proved as interesting to Sir Sedley as her marked -gaiety had been flattering. - -When she perceived this, she felt distressed anew. To shun him was -impossible, as Mrs. Arlbery not only gave him completely the freedom of -her house, but assiduously promoted their belonging always to the same -group, and being seated next to each other. There was nothing she would -not have done to extenuate her error, and to obviate its ill effect upon -Sir Sedley; but as she always thought herself in the wrong, and regarded -him as injured, every effort was accompanied with a timidity that gave -to every change a new charm, rather than any repulsive quality. - -In this state of total self-disapprobation, to return to Etherington was -her only wish, and to pass the intermediate time with Mrs. Berlinton -became her sole pleasure. But she was forced again into public to avoid -an almost single intercourse with Sir Sedley. - -In meeting again with Edgar she saw him openly delighted at her sight, -but without the least apparent solicitude, or notice, that the young -Baronet had passed almost the whole of the interval upon Mount Pleasant. - -This was instantly noticed, and instantly commented upon by Mrs. -Arlbery, who again, and strongly pointed out to Camilla, that to save -her youth from being wasted by fruitless expectation, she must forget -young Mandlebert, and study only her own amusement. - -Camilla dissented not from the opinion; but the doctrine to which it was -easy to agree, it was difficult to put in practice; and her ardent mind -believed itself fettered for ever, and for ever unhappy. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -_Traits of Instruction_ - - -The sixth and last week destined for the Tunbridge sojourn was begun, -when Mrs. Arlbery once more took her fair young guest apart, and -intreated her attention for one final half hour. The time, she said, was -fast advancing in which they must return to their respective homes; but -she wished to make a full and clear representation of the advantages -that might be reaped from this excursion, before the period for -gathering them should be past. - -She would forbear, she said, entering again upon the irksome subject of -the insensibility of Mandlebert, which was, at least, sufficiently -glaring to prevent any delusion. But she begged leave to speak of what -she believed had less obviously struck her, the apparent promise of a -serious attachment from Sir Sedley Clarendel. - -Camilla would here instantly have broken up the conversation, but Mrs. -Arlbery insisted upon being heard. - -Why, she asked, should she wilfully destine her youth to a hopeless -waste of affection, and dearth of all permanent comfort? To sacrifice -every consideration to the honours of constancy, might be soothing, and -even glorious in this first season of romance; but a very short time -would render it vapid; and the epoch of repentance was always at hand to -succeed. With the least address, or the least genuine encouragement, it -was now palpable she might see Sir Sedley, and his title and fortune at -her feet. - -Camilla resentfully interrupted her, disclaiming with Sir Sedley, as -with everyone else, all possibility of alliance from motives so -degrading; and persisted, in declaring, that the most moderate -subsistence with freedom, would be preferable to the most affluent -obtained by any mercenary engagement. - -Mrs. Arlbery desired her to recollect that Sir Sedley, though rich even -to splendour, was so young, so gay, so handsome, and so pleasant, that -she might safely honour him with her hand, yet run no risk of being -supposed to have made a merely interested alliance. 'I throw out this,' -she cried, 'in conclusion, for your deepest consideration, but I must -press it no further. Sir Sedley is evidently charmed with you at -present; and his vanity is so potent, and, like all vanity, so easily -assailable, that the smallest food to it, adroitly administered, would -secure him your slave for life, and rescue you from the antediluvian -courtship of a man, who, if he marries at all, is so deliberate in his -progress, that he must reach his grand climacteric before he can reach -the altar.' - - * * * * * - -Far from meditating upon this discourse with any view to following its -precepts, Camilla found it necessary to call all her original fondness -for Mrs. Arlbery to her aid, to forgive the plainness of her attack, or -the worldliness of her notions: and all that rested upon her mind for -consideration was, her belief in the serious regard of Sir Sedley, -which, as she apprehended it to be the work of her own designed -exertions, she could only think of with contrition. - -These ruminations were interrupted by a call down stairs to see a -learned bullfinch. The Dennels and Sir Sedley were present; she met the -eyes of the latter with a sensation of shame that quickly deepened her -whole face with crimson. He did not behold it without emotion, and -experienced a strong curiosity to define its exact cause. - -He addressed himself to her with the most marked distinction; she could -scarcely answer him; but her manner was even touchingly gentle. Sir -Sedley could not restrain himself from following her in every motion by -his eyes; he felt an interest concerning her that surprised him; he -began to doubt if it had been indifference which caused her late change; -her softness helped his vanity to recover its tone, and her confusion -almost confirmed him that Mrs. Arlbery had been mistaken in rallying his -failure of rivalry with Mandlebert. - -The bird sung various little airs, upon certain words of command, and -mounted his highest, and descended to his lowest perch; and made -whatever evolutions were within the circumference of his limited -habitation, with wonderful precision. - -Camilla, however, was not more pleased by his adroitness, than pained to -observe the severe aspect with which his keeper issued his orders. She -inquired by what means he had obtained such authority. - -The man, with a significant wag of the head, brutally answered, 'By the -true old way, Miss; I licks him.' - -'Lick him!' repeated she, with disgust; 'how is it possible you can beat -such a poor delicate little creature?' - -'O, easy enough, Miss,' replied the man, grinning; 'everything's the -better for a little beating, as I tells my wife. There's nothing so fine -set, Miss, but what will bear it, more or less.' - -Sir Sedley asked with what he could strike it, that would not endanger -its life. - -'That's telling, sir!' cried the man, with a sneer; 'howbeit, we've -plenty of ill luck in the trade. No want of that. For one that I rears, -I loses six or seven. And sometimes they be so plaguy sulky, they tempt -me to give 'em a knock a little matter too hard, and then they'll fall -you into a fit, like, and go off in a twinkle.' - -'And how can you have the cruelty,' cried Camilla, indignantly, 'to -treat in such a manner a poor little inoffensive animal who does not -understand what you require?' - -'O, yes, a does, miss, they knows what I wants as well as I do myself; -only they're so dead tiresome at being shy. Why now this one here, as -does all his larning to satisfaction just now, mayhap won't do nothing -at all by an hour or two. Why sometimes you may pinch 'em to a mummy -before you can make 'em budge.' - -'Pinch them!' exclaimed she; 'do you ever pinch them?' - -'Do I? Ay, miss. Why how do you think one larns them dumb creturs? It -don't come to 'em natural. They are main dull of themselves. This one as -you see here would do nothing at all, if he was not afraid of a tweak.' - -'Poor unhappy little thing!' cried she! 'I hope, at least, now it has -learnt so much, its sufferings are over!' - -'Yes, yes, he's pretty well off. I always gives him his fill when he's -done his day's work. But a little squeak now and then in the intrum does -'em no harm. They're mortal cunning. One's forced to be pretty tough -with 'em.' - -'How should I rejoice,' cried Camilla, 'to rescue this one poor -unoffending and oppressed little animal from such tyranny!' Then, taking -out her purse, she desired to know what he would have for it. - -The man, as a very great favour, said he would take ten guineas; though -it would be his ruin to part with it, as it was all his livelihood; but -he was willing to oblige the young lady. - -Camilla, with a constrained laugh, but a very natural blush, put up her -purse, and said: 'Thou must linger on, then, in captivity, thou poor -little undeserving sufferer, for I cannot help thee!' - -Every body protested that ten guineas was an imposition; and the man -offered to part with it for five. - -Camilla, who had imagined it would have cost half a guinea, was now more -ashamed, because equally incapable to answer such a demand; she -declined, therefore, the composition, and the man was dismissed. - - * * * * * - -At night, when she returned to her own room from the play, she saw the -little bullfinch, reposing in a superb cage, upon her table. - -Delighted first, and next perplexed, she flew to Mrs. Arlbery, and -inquired whence it came. - -Mrs. Arlbery was as much amazed as herself. - -Questions were then asked of the servants; but none knew, or none would -own, how the bird became thus situated. - -Camilla could not now doubt but Sir Sedley had given this commission to -his servant, who could easily place the cage in her room, from his -constant access to the house. She was enchanted to see the little animal -relieved from so painful a life, but hesitated not a moment in resolving -to refuse its acceptance. - -When Sir Sedley came the next day, she carried it down, and, with a -smile of open pleasure, thanked him for giving her so much share in his -generous liberality; and asked if he could take it home with him in his -carriage, or, if she should send it to his hotel. - -Sir Sedley was disappointed, yet felt the propriety of her delicacy and -her spirit. He did not deny the step he had taken, but told her that -having hastily, from the truth of reflection her compassion had -awakened, ordered his servant to follow the man, and buy the bird, he -had forgotten, till it arrived, his incapability of taking care of it. -His valet was as little at home as himself, and there was small chance, -at an inn, that any maid would so carefully watch, as to prevent its -falling a prey to the many cats with which it was swarming. He hoped, -therefore, till their return to Hampshire, she would take charge of a -little animal that owed its deliverance from slavery to her pitying -comments. - -Camilla, instinctively, would with unfeigned joy, have accepted such a -trust: but she thought she saw something archly significant in the eye -of Mrs. Arlbery, and therefore stammered out, she was afraid she should -herself be too little at home to secure its safety. - -Sir Sedley, looking extremely blank, said, it would be better to -re-deliver it to the man, brute as he was, than to let it be -unprotected; but, where generosity touched Camilla, reflection ever flew -her; and off all guard at such an idea, she exclaimed she would rather -relinquish going out again while at Tunbridge, than render his humanity -abortive; and ran off precipitately with the bird to her chamber. - -Mrs. Arlbery, soon following, praised her behaviour; and said, she had -sent the Baronet away perfectly happy. - -Camilla, much provoked, would now have had the bird conveyed after him; -but Mrs. Arlbery assured her, inconsistency in a woman was as -flattering, as in a man it was tedious and alarming; and persuaded her -to let the matter rest. - -Her mind, however, did not rest at the same time: in the evening, when -the Baronet met them at the Rooms, he was not only unusually gay, but -looked at her with an air and manner that seemed palpably to mark her as -the cause of his satisfaction. - -In the deepest disturbance, she considered herself now to be in a -difficulty the most delicate; she could not come forward to clear it up, -without announcing expectations from his partiality which he had never -authorised by any declaration; nor yet suffer such symptoms of his -believing it welcome to pass unnoticed, without risking the reproach of -using him ill, when she made known, at a later period, her indifference. - -Mrs. Arlbery would not aid her, for she thought the embarrassment might -lead to a termination the most fortunate. To consult with Edgar was her -first wish; but how open such a subject? The very thought, however, gave -her an air of solicitude when he spoke to her, that struck him, and he -watched for an opportunity to say, 'You have not, I hope, forgotten my -province?... May I, in my permitted office, ask a few questions?' - -'O, yes!' cried she, with alacrity; 'And, when they are asked, and when -I have answered them, if you should not be too much tired, may I ask -some in my turn?' - -'Of me!' cried he, with the most gratified surprise. - -'Not concerning yourself!' answered she, blushing; 'but upon something -which a little distresses me.' - -'When, and where may it be?' cried he, while a thousand conjectures -rapidly succeeded to each other; 'may I call upon Mrs. Arlbery to-morrow -morning?' - -'O, no! we shall be, I suppose, here again at night,' she answered; -dreading arranging a visit Mrs. Arlbery would treat, she knew, with -raillery the most unmerciful. - -There was time for no more, as that lady, suddenly tired, led the way to -the carriage. Edgar followed her to the door, hoping and fearing, at -once, every thing that was most interesting from a confidence so -voluntary and so unexpected. - -Camilla was still more agitated; for though uncertain if she were right -or wrong in the appeal she meant to make, to converse with him openly, -to be guided by his counsel, and to convince him of her superiority to -all mercenary allurements were pleasures to make her look forward to the -approaching conference with almost trembling delight. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -_A Demander_ - - -The next night, as the carriage was at the door, and the party preparing -for the Rooms, the name of Mr. Tyrold was announced, and Lionel entered -the parlour. - -His manner was hurried, though he appeared gay and frisky as usual; -Camilla felt a little alarmed; but Mrs. Arlbery asked if he would -accompany them. - -With all his heart, he answered, only he must first have a moment's chat -with his sister. Then, saying they should have a letter to write -together, he called for a pen and ink, and was taking her into another -apartment, when Mr. Dennel objected to letting his horses wait. - -'Send them back for us, then,' cried Lionel, with his customary ease, -'and we will follow you.' - -Mr. Dennel again objected to making his horses so often mount the hill; -but Lionel assuring him nothing was so good for them, ran on with so -many farrier words and phrases of the benefit they would reap from such -light evening exercise, that, persuaded he was master of the subject, -Mr. Dennel submitted, and the brother and sister were left -_tête-à-tête_. - -At any other time, Camilla would have proposed giving up the Rooms -entirely: but her desire to see Edgar, and the species of engagement she -had made with him, counterbalanced every inconvenience. - -'My dear girl,' said Lionel, 'I am come to beg a favour. You see this -pen and ink. Give me a sheet of paper.' - -She fetched him one. - -'That's a good child,' cried he, patting her cheek; 'so now sit down, -and write a short letter for me. Come begin. Dear Sir.' - -She wrote--Dear Sir. - -'An unforeseen accident,--write on,--an unforeseen accident has reduced -me to immediate distress for two hundred pounds....' - -Camilla let her pen drop, and rising said, 'Lionel! is this possible?' - -'Very possible, my dear. You know I told you I wanted another hundred -before you left Cleves. So you must account it only as one hundred, in -fact, at present.' - -'O Lionel, Lionel!' cried Camilla, clasping her hands, with a look of -more remonstrance than any words she durst utter. - -'Won't you write the letter?' said he, pretending not to observe her -emotion. - -'To whom is it to be addressed?' - -'My uncle, to be sure, my dear! What can you be thinking of? Are you in -love, Camilla?' - -'My uncle again? no Lionel, no!--I have solemnly engaged myself to apply -to him no more.' - -'That was, for me, my dear; but where can your thoughts be wandering? -Why you must ask for this, as if it were for yourself.' - -'For myself!' - -'Yes, certainly. You know he won't give it else.' - -'Impossible! what should I want two hundred pounds for?' - -'O, a thousand things; say you must have some new gowns and caps, and -hats and petticoats, and all those kind of gear. There is not the least -difficulty; you can easily persuade him they are all worn out at such a -place as this. Besides, I'll tell you what is still better; say you've -been robbed; he'll soon believe it, for he thinks all public places -filled with sharpers.' - -'Now you relieve me,' said she, with a sort of fearful smile, 'for I am -sure you cannot be serious. You must be very certain I would not deceive -or delude my uncle for a million of worlds.' - -'You know nothing of life, child, nothing at all. However, if you won't -say that, tell him it's for a secret purpose. At least you can do that. -And then, you can make him understand he must ask no questions about the -matter. The money is all we want from him.' - -'This is so idle, Lionel, that I hope you speak it for mere nonsense. -Who could demand such a sum, and refuse to account for its purpose?' - -'Account, my dear? Does being an uncle give a man a right to be -impertinent? If it does, marry out of hand yourself, there's a good -girl, and have a family at once, that I may share the same privilege. I -shall like it of all things; who will you have?' - -'Pho, pho!' - -'Major Cerwood?' - -'No, never!' - -'I once thought Edgar Mandlebert had a sneaking kindness for you. But I -believe it is gone off. Or else I was out.' - -This was not an observation to exhilarate her spirits. She sighed: but -Lionel, concluding himself the cause, begged her not to be low-spirited, -but to write the letter at once. - -She assured him she could never again consent to interfere in his -unreasonable requests. - -He was undone, then, he said; for he could not live without the money. - -'Rather say, not with it,' cried she; 'for you keep nothing!' - -'Nobody does, my dear; we all go on the same way now-a-days.' - -'And what do you mean to be the end of it all, Lionel? How do you -purpose living when all these resources are completely exhausted?' - -'When I am ruined, you mean? why how do other people live when they're -ruined? I can but do the same; though I have not much considered the -matter.' - -'Do consider it, then, dear Lionel! for all our sakes, do consider it!' - -'Well,--let us see.' - -'O, I don't mean so; I don't mean just now; in this mere idle manner.--' - -'O, yes, I'll do it at once, and then it will be over. Faith I don't -well know. I have no great _gusta_ for blowing out my brains. I like the -little dears mighty well where they are. And I can't say I shall much -relish to consume my life and prime and vigour in the king's bench -prison. 'Tis horribly tiresome to reside always on the same spot. Nor I -have no great disposition to whisk off to another country. Old England's -a pretty place enough. I like it very well; ... with a little rhino -understood! But it's the very deuce, with an empty purse. So write the -letter, my dear girl.' - -'And is this your consideration, Lionel? And is this its conclusion?' - -'Why what signifies dwelling upon such dismalties? If I think upon my -ruin beforehand, I am no nearer to enjoyment now than then. Live while -we live, my dear girl! I hate prophesying horrors. Write, I say, write!' - -Again she absolutely refused, pleading her promise to her uncle, and -declaring she would keep her word. - -'Keep a fiddlestick!' cried he, impatiently; 'you don't know what -mischief you may have to answer for! you may bring misery upon all our -heads! you may make my father banish me his sight, you may make my -mother execrate me!--' - -'Good Heaven!' cried Camilla interrupting him, 'what is it you talk of? -what is it you mean?' - -'Just what I say; and to make you understand me better, I'll give you a -hint of the truth; but you must lose your life twenty times before you -reveal it--There's--there's--do you hear me?--there's a pretty girl in -the case!' - -'A pretty girl!--And what has that to do with this rapacity for money?' - -'What an innocent question! why what a baby thou art, my dear Camilla!' - -'I hope you are not forming any connexion unknown to my father?' - -'Ha, ha, ha!' cried Lionel laughing loud: 'Why thou hast lived in that -old parsonage-house till thou art almost too young to be rocked in a -cradle.' - -'If you are entering into any engagement,' said she, still more gravely, -'that my father must not know, and that my mother would so bitterly -condemn,--why am I to be trusted with it?' - -'You understand nothing of these things, child. 'Tis the very nature of -a father to be an hunks, and of a mother to be a bore.' - -'O Lionel! such a father!--such a mother!--' - -'As to their being perfectly good, and all that, I know it very well. -And I am very sorry for it. A good father is a very serious misfortune -to a poor lad like me, as the world runs; it causes one such confounded -gripes of the conscience for every little awkward thing one does! A bad -father would be the joy of my life; 'twould be all fair play there; the -more he was choused the better.' - -'But this pretty girl, Lionel!--Are you serious? Are you really engaging -yourself? And is she so poor? Is she so much distressed, that you -require these immense and frequent sums for her?' - -Lionel laughed again, and rubbed his hands; but after a short silence -assumed a more steady countenance, and said, 'Don't ask me any thing -about her. It is not fit you should be so curious. And don't give a hint -of the matter to a soul. Mind that! But as to the money, I must have it. -And directly: I shall be blown to the deuce else.' - -'Lionel!' cried Camilla, shrinking, 'you make me tremble! you cannot -surely be so wicked ... so unprincipled.... No! your connexions are -never worse than imprudent!--you would not else be so unkind, so -injurious as to place in me such a confidence!' - -The whole face of Lionel now flashed with shame, and he walked about the -room, muttering: ''Tis true, I ought not to have done it.' And soon -after, with still greater concern, he exclaimed: 'If this appears to you -in such a heinous light, what will my father think of it? And how can I -bear to let it be known to my mother?' - -'O never, never!' cried she emphatically; 'never let it reach the -knowledge of either! If indeed you have been so inconsiderate, and so -wrong--break up, at least, any such intercourse before it offends their -ears.' - -'But how, my dear, can I do that, if it gets blazed abroad?' - -'Blazed abroad!' - -'Yes; and for want, only, of a few pitiful guineas.' - -'What can you mean? How can it depend upon a few guineas?' - -'Get me the guineas;--and leave the how to me.' - -'My dear Lionel,' cried she, affectionately, 'I would do any thing that -is not absolutely improper to serve you; but my uncle has now nothing -more to spare; he has told me so himself; and with what courage, then, -in this dark, mysterious, and, I fear, worse than mysterious business, -can I apply to him?' - -'My dear child, he only wants to hoard up his money to shew off poor -Eugenia at her marriage; and you know as well as I do what a ninny he is -for his pains; for what a poor little dowdy thing will she look, dizened -out in jewels and laces?' - -'Can you speak so of Eugenia? the most amiable, the most deserving, the -most excellent creature breathing!' - -'I speak it in pure friendship. I would not have her exposed. I love -dear little Greek and Latin as well as you do. Only the difference is I -don't talk so like an old woman; and really when you do it yourself, you -can't think the ridiculous effect it has, when one looks at your young -face. However, only write the request as if from yourself, and tell him -you'll acquaint him with the reason next letter; but that the post is -just going out now, and you have time for no more. And then, just coax -him over a little, with, how you long to be back, and how you hate -Tunbridge, and how you adore Cleves, and how tired you are for want of -his bright conversation,--and you may command half his fortune.--My dear -Camilla, you don't know from what destruction you will rescue me! Think -too of my father, and what a shock you will save him: And think of my -mother, whom I can never see again if you won't help me!' - -Camilla sighed, but let him put the pen into her hand, whence, however, -the very next moment's reflection was urging her to cast it down, when -he caught her in his arms in a transport of joy, called her his -protectress from dishonour and despair, and said he would run to the -Rooms while she wrote, just to take the opportunity of seeing them, and -to un-order the carriage, that she might have no interruption to her -composition, which he would come back to claim before the party -returned, as he must set off for Cleves, and gallop all night, to -procure the money, which the loss of a single day would render useless. - -All this he uttered with a rapidity that mocked every attempt at -expostulation or answer; and then ran out of the room and out of the -house. - - * * * * * - -Horrour at such perpetual and increasing ill conduct, grief at the -compulsive failure of meeting Edgar, and perplexity how to extricate -herself from her half given, but wholly seized upon engagement to write, -took for a while nearly equally shares in tormenting Camilla. But all -presently concentred in one domineering sentiment of sharp repentance -for what she had apparently undertaken. - -To claim two hundred pounds of her uncle, in her own name, was out of -all question. She could not, even a moment, dwell upon such a project; -but how represent what she herself so little understood as the necessity -of Lionel? or how ask for so large a sum, and postpone, as he desired, -all explanation? She was incapable of any species of fraud, she detested -even the most distant disguise. Simple supplication seemed, therefore, -her only method; but so difficult was even this, in an affair so dark -and unconscionable, that she began twenty letters without proceeding in -any one of them beyond two lines. - -Thus far, however, her task was light to what it appeared to her upon a -little further deliberation. That her brother had formed some unworthy -engagement or attachment, he had not, indeed, avowed clearly, but he had -by no means denied, and she had even omitted, in her surprise and -consternation, exacting his promise that it should immediately be -concluded. What, then, might she be doing by endeavouring to procure -this money? Aiding perhaps vice and immorality, and assisting her -misguided, if not guilty brother, to persevere in the most dangerous -errors, if not crimes? - -She shuddered, she pushed away her paper, she rose from the table, she -determined not to write another word. - -Yet, to permit parents she justly revered to suffer any evil she had the -smallest chance to spare them, was dreadful to her; and what evil could -be inflicted upon them, so deeply, so lastingly severe, as the -conviction of any serious vices in any of their children? - -This, for one minute, brought her again to the table; but the next, her -better judgment pointed out the shallowness and fallacy of such -reasoning. To save them present pain at the risk of future anguish, to -consult the feelings of her brother, in preference to his morality, -would be forgetting every lesson of her life, which, from its earliest -dawn, had imbibed a love of virtue, that made her consider whatever was -offensive to it as equally disgusting and unhappy. - -To disappoint Lionel was, however, terrible. She knew well he would be -deaf to remonstrance, ridicule all argument, and laugh off whatever she -could urge by persuasion. She feared he would be quite outrageous to -find his expectations thus thwarted; and the lateness of the hour when -he would hear it, and the weight he annexed, to obtaining the money -expeditiously, redoubled at once her regret for her momentary -compliance, and her pity for what he would undergo through its failure. - -After considering in a thousand ways how to soften to him her -recantation, she found herself so entirely without courage to encounter -his opposition, that she resolved to write him a short letter, and then -retire to her room, to avoid an interview. - -In this, she besought him to forgive her error in not sooner being -sensible of her duty, which had taught her, upon her first reflexion, -the impossibility of demanding two hundred pounds for herself, who -wanted nothing, and the impracticability of demanding it for him, in so -unintelligible a manner. - -Thus far only she had proceeded, from the length of time consumed in -regret and rumination, when a violent ringing at the door, without the -sound of any carriage, made her start up, and fly to her chamber; -leaving her unfinished letter, with the beginnings of her several essays -to address Sir Hugh, upon the table, to shew her various efforts, and to -explain that they were relinquished. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -_An Accorder_ - - -Thus, self-confined and almost in an agony, Camilla remained for a -quarter of an hour, without any species of interruption, and in the -greatest amazement that Lionel forbore pursuing her, either with letter -or message. - -Another violent ringing at the bell, but still without any carriage, -then excited her attention, and presently the voice and steps of Lionel -resounded upon the stairs, whence her name was with violence -vociferated. - -She did not move; and in another minute, he was rapping at her chamber -door, demanding admittance, or that she would instantly descend. - -Alarmed for her open letter and papers, she inquired who was in the -parlour. - -'Not a soul,' he answered; 'I have left them all at the Rooms.' - -'Have you returned, then, twice?' - -'No. I should have been here sooner, but I met two or three old cronies, -that would not part with me. Come, where's your letter?' - -'Have you not seen what I have written?' - -Down upon this intimation he flew, without any reply; but was presently -back, saying he found nothing in the parlour, except a letter to -herself. - -Affrighted, she followed him; but not one of her papers remained. The -table was cleared, and nothing was to be seen but a large packet, -addressed to her in a hand she did not know. - -She rang to inquire who had been in the house before her brother. - -The servant answered, only Sir Sedley Clarendel, who he thought had been -there still, as he had said he should wait till Mrs. Arlbery came home. - -'Is it possible,' cried she, 'that a gentleman such as Sir Sedley -Clarendel, can have permitted himself to touch my papers?' - -Lionel agreed that it was shocking; but said the loss of time to himself -was still worse; without suffering her, therefore, to open her packet, -he insisted that she should write another letter directly; adding, he -had met the Baronet in his way from the Rooms, but had little suspected -whence he came, or how he had been amusing himself. - -Camilla now hung about her brother in the greatest tribulation, but -refused to take the pen he would have put into her hands, and, at last, -not without tears, said: 'Forgive me, Lionel! but the papers you ought -to have found would have explained--that I cannot write for you to my -uncle.' - -Lionel heard this with the indignation of an injured man. He was -utterly, he said, lost; and his family would be utterly disgraced, for -ruin must be the lot of his father, or exile or imprisonment must be his -own, if she persisted in such unkind and unnatural conduct. - -Terrour now bereft her of all speech or motion, till the letter, which -Lionel had been beating about in his agitation, without knowing or -caring what he was doing, burst open, and some written papers fell to -the floor, which she recognised for her own. - -Much amazed, she seized the cover, which had only been fastened by a -wafer that was still wet, and saw a letter within it to herself, which -she hastily read, while a paper that was enclosed dropt down, and was -caught by Lionel. - - _To Miss_ Camilla Tyrold. - - Forgive, fairest Camilla, the work of the Destinies. I came hither - to see if illness detained you; the papers which I enclose from - other curious eyes caught mine by accident. The pathetic sisterly - address has touched me. I have not the honour to know Mr. Lionel - Tyrold; let our acquaintance begin with an act of confidence on his - part, that must bind to him for ever his lovely sister's. - - Most obedient and devoted - SEDLEY CLARENDEL. - -The loose paper, picked up by Lionel, was a draft, upon a banker, for -two hundred pounds. - -While this, with speechless emotion, was perused by Camilla, Lionel, -with unbounded joy, began jumping, skipping, leaping over every chair, -and capering round and round the room in an ecstasy. - -'My dearest Lionel,' cried she, when a little recovered, 'why such joy? -you cannot suppose it possible this can be accepted.' - -'Not accepted, child? do you think me out of my senses? Don't you see me -freed from all my misfortunes at once? and neither my father grieved, -nor my mother offended, nor poor numps fleeced?' - -'And when can you pay it? And what do you mean to do? And to whom will -be the obligation? Weigh, weigh a little all this.' - -Lionel heard her not; his rapture was too buoyant for attention, and he -whisked every thing out of its place, from frantic merriment, till he -put the apartment into so much disorder, that it was scarce practicable -to stir a step in it; now and then interrupting himself to make her low -bows, scraping his feet all over the room, and obsequiously saying: 'My -sister Clarendel! How does your La'ship do? my dear Lady Clarendel, pray -afford me your La'ship's countenance.' - -Nothing could be less pleasant to Camilla than raillery which pointed -out, that, even by the unreflecting Lionel, this action could be -ascribed to but one motive. The draft, however, had fallen into his -hands, and neither remonstrance nor petition, neither representation of -impropriety nor persuasion, could induce him to relinquish it; he would -only dance, sing, and pay her grotesque homage, till the coach stopt at -the door; and then, ludicrously hoping her Ladyship would excuse his -leaving her, for once, to play the part of the house-maid, in setting -the room to rights, he sprang past them all, and bounded down the hill. - -Mrs. Arlbery was much diverted by the confusion in the parlour, and Miss -Dennel asked a thousand questions why the chairs and tables were all -thrown down, the china jars removed from the chimney-piece into the -middle of the room, and the sideboard apparatus put on the chimney-piece -in their stead. - -Camilla was too much confounded either to laugh or explain, and hastily -wishing them good-night, retired to her chamber. - -Here, in the extremest perturbation, she saw the full extent of her -difficulties, without perceiving any means of extrication. She had no -hope of recovering the draft from Lionel, whom she had every reason to -conclude already journeying from Tunbridge. What could she say the next -day to Sir Sedley? How account for so sudden, so gross an acceptance of -pecuniary obligation? What inference might he not draw? And how could -she undeceive him, while retaining so improper a mark of his dependence -upon her favour? The displeasure she felt that he should venture to -suppose she would owe to him such a debt, rendered but still more -palpable the species of expectation it might authorise. - -To destroy this illusion occupied all her attention, except what was -imperiously seized upon by regret of missing Edgar, with whom to consult -was more than ever her wish. - -In this disturbed state, when she saw Mrs. Arlbery the next morning, her -whole care was to avoid being questioned: and that lady, who quickly -perceived her fears by her avoidance, took the first opportunity to say -to her, with a laugh, 'I see I must make no inquiries into the gambols -of your brother last night: but I may put together, perhaps, certain -circumstances that may give me a little light to the business: and if, -as I conjecture, Clarendel spoke out to him, his wildest rioting is more -rational than his sister's gravity.' - -Camilla protested they had not conversed together at all. - -'Nay, then, I own myself still in the dark. But I observed that -Clarendel left the Rooms at a very early hour, and that your brother -almost immediately followed.' - -Camilla ventured not any reply; and soon after retreated. - -Mrs. Arlbery, in a few minutes, pursuing her, laughingly, and with -sportive reproach, accused her of intending to steal a march to the -altar of Hymen; as she had just been informed, by her maid, that Sir -Sedley had actually been at the house last night, during her absence. - -Camilla seriously assured her, that she was in her chamber when he -arrived, and had not seen him. - -'For what in the world, then, could he come? He was sure I was not at -home, for he had left me at the Rooms?' - -Camilla again was silent; but her tingling cheeks proclaimed it was not -for want of something to say. Mrs. Arlbery forbore to press the matter -further; but forbore with a nod that implied _I see how it is_! and a -smile that published the pleasure and approbation which accompanied her -self-conviction. - -The vexation of Camilla would have prompted an immediate confession of -the whole mortifying transaction, had she not been endued with a sense -of honour, where the interests of others were concerned, that repressed -her natural precipitance, and was more powerful even than her -imprudence. - -She waited the greatest part of the morning in some little faint hope of -seeing Lionel: but he came not, and she spent the rest of it with Mrs. -Berlinton. She anxiously wished to meet Edgar in the way, to apologise -for her non-appearance the preceding evening; but this did not happen; -and her concern was not lessened by reflecting upon the superior -interest in her health and welfare, marked by Sir Sedley, who had taken -the trouble to walk from the Rooms to Mount Pleasant to see what was -become of her. - -She returned home but barely in time to dress for dinner, and was not -yet ready, when she saw the carriage of the Baronet drive up to the -door. - -In the most terrible confusion how to meet him, what to say about the -draft, how to mention her brother, whether to seem resentful of the -liberty he had so unceremoniously taken, or thankful for its kindness, -she had scarce the force to attire herself, nor, when summoned down -stairs, to descend. - -This distress was but increased upon her entrance, by the sight and the -behaviour of the Baronet; whose address to her was so marked, that it -covered her with blushes, and whose air had an assurance that spoke a -species of secret triumph. Offended as well as frightened, she looked -every way to avoid him, or assumed a look of haughtiness, when forced by -any direct speech to answer him. She soon, however, saw, by his -continued self-complacency, and even an increase of gaiety, that he only -regarded this as coquetry, or bashful embarrassment, since every time -she attempted thus to rebuff him, an arch smile stole over his features, -that displayed his different conception of her meaning. - -She now wished nothing so much as a prompt and positive declaration, -that she might convince him of his mistake and her rejection. For this -purpose, she subdued her desire of retreat, and spent the whole -afternoon with Mrs. Arlbery and the Dennels in his company. - -Nevertheless, when Mrs. Arlbery, who had the same object in view, though -with a different conclusion, contrived to draw her other guests out of -the apartment and to leave her alone with Sir Sedley, modesty and shame -both interfered with her desire of an explanation, and she was hastily -retiring; but the Baronet, in a gentle voice, called after her, 'Are you -going?' - -'Yes, I have forgotten something....' - -He rose to follow her, with a motion that seemed purporting to take her -hand; but, gliding quickly on, she prevented him, and was almost at the -same moment in her own chamber. - -With augmented severity, she now felt the impropriety of an apparent -acceptance of so singular and unpleasant an obligation, which obviously -misled Sir Sedley to believe her at his command. - -Shocked in her delicacy, and stung in her best notions of laudable -pride, she could not rest without destroying this humiliating idea; and -resolved to apply to Edgar for the money, and to pay the Baronet the -next day. Her objections to betraying the extravagance of Lionel, though -great and sincere, yielded to the still more dangerous evil of letting -Sir Sedley continue in an errour, that might terminate in branding her -in his opinion, with a character of inconsistency or duplicity. - -Edgar, too, so nearly a brother to them both, would guard the secret of -Lionel better, in all probability, than he would guard it himself; and -could draw no personal inferences from the trust and obligation when he -found its sole incitement was sooner to owe an obligation to a ward of -her father, than to a new acquaintance of her own. - -Pleased at the seeming necessity of an application that would lead so -naturally to a demand of the counsel she languished to claim, she -determined not to suffer Sir Sedley to wait even another minute under -his mistake; but, since she now could speak of returning the money, to -take courage for meeting what might either precede or ensue in a -conference. - -Down, therefore, she went; but as she opened the parlour door, she heard -Sir Sedley say to Mrs. Arlbery, who had just entered before her: 'O, -fie! fie! you know she will be cruel to excruciation! you know me -destined to despair to the last degree.' - -Camilla, whose so speedy re-appearance was the last sight he expected, -was too far advanced to retreat; and the resentment that tinged her -whole complexion shewed she had heard what he said, and had heard it -with an application the most offensive. - -An immediate sensibility to his own impertinence now succeeded in its -vain display; he looked not merely concerned, but contrite; and, in a -voice softened nearly to timidity, attempted a general conversation, but -kept his eyes, with an anxious expression, almost continually fixed upon -her's. - -Anger with Camilla was a quick, but short-lived sensation; and this -sudden change in the Baronet from conceit to respect, produced a change -equally sudden in herself from disdain to inquietude. Though mortified -in the first moment by his vanity, it was less seriously painful to her -than any belief that under it was couched a disposition towards a really -steady regard. With Mrs. Arlbery she was but slightly offended, though -certain she had been assuring him of all the success he could demand: -her way of thinking upon the subject had been openly avowed, and she did -justice to the kindness of her motives. - -No opportunity, however, arose to mention the return of the draft; Mrs. -Arlbery saw displeasure in her air, and not doubting she had heard what -had dropt from Sir Sedley, thought the moment unfavorable for a -_tête-à-tête_, and resolutely kept her place, till Camilla herself, -weary of useless waiting, left the room. - -Following her then to her chamber, 'My dear Miss Tyrold,' she cried, 'do -not let your extreme youth stand in the way of all your future life. A -Baronet, rich, young, and amiable, is upon the very point of becoming -your slave for ever; yet, because you discover him to be a little -restive in the last agonies of his liberty, you are eager, in the -high-flown disdain of juvenile susceptibility, to cast him and his -fortune away; as if both were such every-day baubles, that you might -command or reject them without thought of future consequence.' - -'Indeed no, dear madam; I am not actuated by pride or anger; I owe too -much to Sir Sedley to feel either above a moment, even where I think -them ... pardon me!... justly excited. But I should ill pay my debt, by -accepting a lasting attachment, where certain I can return nothing but -lasting, eternal, unchangeable indifference.' - -'You sacrifice, then, both him and yourself, to the fanciful delicacy of -a first love?' - -'No, indeed!' cried she blushing. 'I have no thought at all but of the -single life. And I sincerely hope Sir Sedley has no serious intentions -towards me; for my obligations to him are so infinite, I should be -cruelly hurt to appear to him ungrateful.' - -'You would appear to him, I confess, a little surprising,' said Mrs. -Arlbery, laughing; 'for diffidence certainly is not his weak part. -However, with all his foibles, he is a charming creature, and -prepossession only can blind you to his merit.' - -Camilla again denied the charge, and strove to prevail with her to -undeceive the Baronet from any false expectations. But she protested she -would not be accessary to so much after-repentance; and left her. - -The business now wore a very serious aspect to Camilla. Mrs. Arlbery -avowed she thought Sir Sedley in earnest, and he knew she had herself -heard him speak with security of his success. The bullfinch had gone -far, but the draft seemed to have riveted the persuasion. The bird it -was now impossible to return till her departure from Tunbridge; but she -resolved not to defer another moment putting upon her brother alone the -obligation of the draft, to stop the further progress of such dangerous -inference. - -Hastily, therefore, she wrote to him the following note: - - _To Sir_ Sedley Clarendel, _Bart._ - - SIR, - - Some particular business compelled my brother so abruptly to quit - Tunbridge, that he could not have the honour to first wait upon you - with his thanks for the loan you so unexpectedly put into his - hands; by mine, however, all will be restored to-morrow morning, - except his gratitude for your kindness. - - I am, sir, in both our names, - your obliged humble servant, - CAMILLA TYROLD. - - MOUNT PLEASANT, - Thursday Evening. - -She now waited till she was summoned down stairs to the carriage, and -then gave her little letter to a servant, whom she desired to deliver it -to Sir Sedley's man. - -Sir Sedley did not accompany them to the Rooms, but promised to follow. - -Camilla, on her arrival, with palpitating pleasure, looked round for -Edgar. She did not, however, see him. She was accosted directly by the -Major; who, as usual, never left her, and whose assiduity to seek her -favour seemed increased. - -She next joined Mrs. Berlinton; but still she saw nothing of Edgar. Her -eyes incessantly looked towards the door, but the object they sought -never met them. - -When Sir Sedley entered, he joined the group of Mrs. Berlinton. - -Camilla tried to look at him and to speak to him with her customary -civility and chearfulness, and nearly succeeded; while in him she -observed only an expressive attention, without any marks of presumption. - -Thus began and thus ended the evening. Edgar never appeared. - -Camilla was in the utmost amaze and deepest vexation. Why did he stay -away? was his wrath so great at her own failure the preceding night, -that he purposely avoided her? what, also, could she do with Sir Sedley? -how meet him the next morning without the draft she had now promised?' - -In this state of extreme chagrin, when she retired to her chamber, she -found the following letter upon her table: - - _To Miss_ Camilla Tyrold. - - Can you think of such a trifle? or deem wealth so truly - contemptible, as to deny it all honourable employment? Ah, rather, - enchanting Camilla! deign further to aid me in dispensing it - worthily! - - SEDLEY CLARENDEL. - -Camilla now was touched, penetrated, and distressed beyond what she had -been in any former time. She looked upon this letter as a positive -intimation of the most serious designs; and all his good qualities, as -painted by Mrs. Arlbery, with the very singular obligation she owed to -him, rose up formidably to support the arguments and remonstrances of -that lady; though every feeling of her heart, every sentiment of her -mind, and every wish of her soul, opposed their smallest weight. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -_An Helper_ - - -The next morning, as Camilla had accompanied Mrs. Arlbery, in earnest -discourse, from her chamber to the hall, she heard the postman say Miss -Tyrold as he gave in a letter. She seized it, saw the hand-writing of -Lionel, and ran eagerly into the parlour, which was empty, to read it, -in some hopes it would at least contain an acknowledgment of the draft, -that might be shewn to Sir Sedley, and relieve her from the pain of -continuing the principal in such an affair. - -The letter, however, was merely a sportive rhapsody, beginning; _My dear -Lady Clarendel_; desiring her favour and protection, and telling her he -had done what he could for her honour, by adding two trophies to the -victorious car of Hymen, driven by the happy Baronet. - -Wholly at a loss how to act, she sat ruminating over this letter, till -Mrs. Arlbery opened the door. Having no time to fold it, and dreading -her seeing the first words, she threw her handkerchief, which was then -in her hand, over it, upon the table, hoping presently to draw it away -unperceived. - -'My dear friend,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'I am glad to see you a moment -alone. Do you know any thing of Mandlebert?' - -'No!' answered she affrighted, lest any evil had happened. - -'Did he not take leave of you at the Rooms the other night?' - -'Leave of me? is he gone any where?' - -'He has left Tunbridge.' - -Camilla remained stupified. - -'Left it,' she continued, 'without the poor civility of a call, to ask -if you had any letters or messages for Hampshire.' - -Camilla coloured high; she felt to her heart this evident coldness, and -she knew it to be still more marked than Mrs. Arlbery could divine; for -he was aware she wished particularly to speak with him; and though she -had failed in her appointment, he had not inquired why. - -'And this is the man for whom you would relinquish all mankind? this is -the grateful character who is to render you insensible to every body?' - -The disturbed mind of Camilla needed not this speech; her debt to Sir -Sedley, cast wholly upon herself by the thoughtless Lionel; her -inability to pay it, the impressive lines the Baronet had addressed to -her, and the cruel and pointed indifference of Edgar, all forcibly -united to make her wish, at this moment, her heart at her own disposal. - -In a few minutes, the voice of Sir Sedley, gaily singing, caught her -ear. He was entering the hall, the street door being open. She started -up; Mrs. Arlbery would have detained her, but she could not endure to -encounter him, and without returning his salutation, or listening to his -address, crossed him in the hall, and flew up stairs. - -There, however, she had scarcely taken breath, when she recollected the -letter which she had left upon the table, and which the afflicting -intelligence that Edgar had quitted Tunbridge, had made her forget she -had received. In a terror immeasurable, lest her handkerchief should be -drawn aside, and betray the first line, she re-descended the stairs, and -hastily entered the room. Her shock was then inexpressible. The -handkerchief, which her own quick motion in retiring had displaced, was -upon the floor, the letter was in full view; the eyes of Sir Sedley were -fixed upon his own name, with a look indefinable between pleasure and -impertinence, and Mrs. Arlbery was laughing with all her might. - -She seized the letter, and was running away with it, when Mrs. Arlbery -slipt out of the room, and Sir Sedley, shutting the door, half archly, -half tenderly repeated, from the letter, 'My dear Lady Clarendel!' - -In a perfect agony, she hid her face, exclaiming: 'O Lionel! my -foolish ... cruel brother!...' - -'Not foolish, not cruel, I think him,' cried Sir Sedley, taking her -hand, 'but amiable ... he has done honour to my name, and he will use -it, I hope, henceforth, as his own.' - -'Forget, forget his flippancy,' cried she, withdrawing impatiently her -hand; 'and pardon his sister's breach of engagement for this morning. I -hope soon, very soon, to repair it, and I hope....' - -She did not know what to add; she stopt, stammered, and then endeavoured -to make her retreat. - -'Do not go,' cried he, gently detaining her; 'incomparable Camilla! I -have a thousand things to say to you. Will you not hear them?' - -'No!' cried she, disengaging herself; 'no, no, no! I can hear -nothing!...' - -'Do you fascinate then,' said he, half reproachfully, 'like the -rattlesnake, only to destroy?' - -Camilla conceived this as alluding to her recent encouragement, and -stood trembling with expectation it would be followed by a claim upon -her justice. - -But Sir Sedley, who was far from any meaning so pointed, lightly added; -'What thus agitates the fairest of creatures? can she fear a poor -captive entangled in the witchery of her loveliness, and only the more -enslaved the more he struggles to get free?' - -'Let me go,' cried she, eager to stop him; 'I beseech you, Sir Sedley!' - -'All beauteous Camilla!' said he, retreating yet still so as to -intercept her passage; 'I am bound to submit; but when may I see you -again?' - -'At any time,' replied she hastily; 'only let me pass now!' - -'At any time! adorable Camilla! be it then to-night! be it this -evening!... be it at noon!... be it....' - -'No, no, no, no!' cried she, panting with shame and alarm; 'I do not -mean at any time! I spoke without thought ... I mean....' - -'Speak so ever and anon,' cried he, 'if thought is my enemy! This -evening then....' - -He stopt, as if irresolute how to finish his phrase, but soon added: -'Adieu, till this evening, adieu!' and opened the door for her to pass. - -Triumph sat in his eye; exultation spoke in every feature; yet his voice -betrayed constraint, and seemed checked, as if from fear of entrusting -it with his sentiments. The fear, however, was palpably not of -diffidence with respect to Camilla, but of indecision with regard to -himself. - -Camilla, almost sinking with shame now hung back, from a dread of -leaving him in this dangerous delusion. She sat down, and in a faltering -voice, said: 'Sir Sedley! hear me, I beg!...' - -'Hear you?' cried he, gallantly casting himself at her feet; 'yes! from -the fervid rays of the sun, to the mild lustre of the moon!... -from....' - -A loud knock at the street door, and a ringing at the same time at the -bell, made him rise, meaning to shut again the door of the parlour, but -he was prevented by the entrance of a man into the hall, calling out, in -a voice that reached to every part of the house, 'An express for Miss -Camilla Tyrold.' - -Camilla started up, concluding it some strange intelligence concerning -Edgar. But a letter was put into her hand, and she saw it was the -writing of Lavinia. - -It was short, but most affectionate. It told her that news was just -arrived from the Continent, which gave reason for hourly expectation of -their cousin Lynmere at Cleves, in consequence of which Sir Hugh was -assembling all the family to receive him. She was then, with her father, -going thither from Etherington, where the restored health of her uncle -had, for a week past, enabled them to reside, and she was ordered to -send off an express to Tunbridge, to beg Camilla would prepare -immediately for the post-chaise of Sir Hugh, which would be sent for -her, with the Cleves housekeeper, and reach Mount Pleasant within a few -hours after this notice. - -A hundred questions assailed Camilla when she had run over this letter, -the noise of the express having brought Mrs. Arlbery and the Dennels -into the parlour. - -She produced the letter, and putting it in the hands of Mrs. Arlbery, -relieved her painful confusion, by quitting the room without again -meeting the eyes of Sir Sedley. - -She could make no preparation, however, for her journey, from mingled -desire and fear of an explanation with the Baronet before her departure. - -Again, therefore, in a few minutes she went down; gathering courage from -the horror of a mistake that might lead to so much mischief. - -She found only Mrs. Arlbery in the parlour. - -Involuntarily staring, 'Where,' she cried, 'is Sir Sedley?' - -'He is gone,' answered Mrs. Arlbery, laughing at her earnestness; 'but -no doubt you will soon see him at Cleves.' - -'Then I am undone!' cried she, bursting into tears, and running back to -her chamber. - -Mrs. Arlbery instantly followed, and kindly inquired what disturbed her. - -'O, Mrs. Arlbery!' she cried, 'lend me, I beseech you, some aid, and -spare me, in pity, your raillery! Sir Sedley, I fear, greatly mistakes -me; set him right, I conjure you....' - -'Me, my dear? and do you think if some happy fatality is at work at this -moment to force you to your good, I will come forth, like your evil -genius, to counteract its operations?' - -'I must write, then ... yet, in this haste, this confusion, I fear to -involve rather than extricate myself!' - -'Ay, write by all means; there is nothing so prettily forwards these -affairs, as a correspondence between the parties undertaken to put an -end to them.' - -She went, laughing, out of the chamber, and Camilla, who had seized a -pen, distressfully flung it from her. - -What indeed could she say? he had made no direct declaration; she could -give, therefore, no direct repulse; and though, through her brother's -cruel want of all consideration, she was so deeply in his debt, she -durst no longer promise its discharge; for the strange departure of -Edgar robbed her of all courage to make to him her meditated -application. - -Yet to leave Sir Sedley in this errour was every way terrible. If, which -still seemed very possible, from his manner and behaviour, he should -check his partiality, and make the whole of what had passed end in mere -public-place gallantry, she must always have the mortification to know -he had considered her as ready to accept him: If, on the contrary, -encouraging what he felt for her, from the belief she returned his best -opinion, he should seriously demand her hand ... how could she justify -the apparent attention she once paid him? and how assert, while so -hopelessly his debtor, the independence to reject one who so many ways -seemed to hold himself secure? - - * * * * * - -She was broken in upon by Mrs. Mittin, who entered full of lamentation -at the intelligence she had just heard from Miss Dennel of her sudden -departure; which she ended with, 'But as you are going in such haste, my -dear, you must have fifty things to do, so pray now, let me help you. -Come, what shall I pack up for you? Where's all your things?' - -Camilla, incapable of doing any business for herself, accepted the -offer. - -'Well then, now where's your gowns? Bless me! what a one is here? why -it's been in the dew, and then in the dust, and then in the dew again, -till all the bottom must be cut off; why you can never shew it amongst -your friends; it will quite bring a disgrace upon poor Tunbridge; come, -I think you must give it to me; I've got a piece of muslin just like -it, and I can piece it so that it won't appear; but it will never do for -you again.' - -Camilla was surprised; but her mind was filled with other matters, and -the gown was put apart. - -'What! are those all your neck handkerchiefs? why, my dear Miss Tyrold, -that's a thing you want very bad indeed; why here's one you can never -wear again; it wants more darning than it's worth.' - -Camilla said she should have very good time to mend it at home. - -'But then, my dear, you don't consider what a bad look that will have -amongst your friends; what will they think of poor Tunbridge, that you -should have let it go so far? why, may be they'll never let you come -again; the best way will be not to let them see it; suppose I take it -off your hands? I dare say they don't know your count.' - -At any other time, Camilla would either have resisted these seizures, or -have been diverted by the pretence that they were made only for her own -benefit; but she was now glad at any rate to get rid of the care of the -package. - -When this was over, and Mrs. Mittin had pretty well paid herself for her -trouble: 'Well, my dear,' she cried, 'and what can I do for you next? -Have you paid Mrs. Tillden, and Mr. Doust, and Mr. Tent?' - -These were questions that indeed roused Camilla from her reverie; she -had not once thought of what she owed to the milliner, to her shoemaker, -nor to her haberdasher; from all of whom she had now, through the hands -of Mrs. Mittin, had various articles. She thanked her for reminding her -of so necessary an attention, and said she would immediately send for -the bills. - -'I'll run and pay 'em for you myself,' said Mrs. Mittin; 'for they -always take that kind; and as I recommended them all to you, I have a -right they should know how I stand their friend; for there's many an odd -service they may do me in return; so I'll go for you with all my heart; -only give me the money.' - -Camilla took out her purse, in which, from her debt to Sir Sedley, and -perpetually current expences, there now remained but fifteen shillings -of her borrowed five guineas; though latterly, she had wholly denied -herself whatever did not seem an expence unavoidable. What to do she now -knew not; for though all she had ordered had been trifling, she was -sure it must amount to four or five guineas. She had repeatedly refused -to borrow anything more of Mrs. Arlbery, always hoping every call for -money would be the last; but she was too inexperienced to know, that in -gay circles, and public places, the demands for wealth are endless and -countless; and that oeconomy itself, which is always local, is there -lavish and extravagant, compared with its character, in private scenes -and retired life. - -Yet was this the last moment to apply to Mrs. Arlbery upon such a -subject, since it would be endowing her with fresh arms to fight the -cause of Sir Sedley. She sat still, and ruminating, till Mrs. Mittin, -who without scruple had taken a full inventory of the contents of the -purse, exclaimed: 'La! my dear, why sure I hope that i'n't all you've -got left?' - -Camilla was fain to confess she had nothing more at Tunbridge. - -'Well, don't be uneasy, my dear,' cried she, 'and I'll go to 'em all, -and be caution for you, till you get the money.' - -Camilla thanked her very sincerely, and again resumed her first opinion -of her real good nature, and kindness of heart. She took her direction -in London, whither she was soon to return, and promised, in a short -time, to transmit the money for her to distribute, as every one of the -shopkeepers went to the metropolis in the winter. - -Delighted both with the praise and the commission, Mrs. Mittin took -leave; and Camilla determined to employ her next quarter's allowance in -paying these debts, and frankly to beg from her uncle the five guineas -that were due to Mrs. Arlbery. - -She then wrote an affectionate adieu to Mrs. Berlinton, intreating to -hear from her at Etherington; and, while she was sealing it, Mrs. -Arlbery came to embrace her, as the carriage was at the door. - -Camilla, in making her acknowledgments for the kindness she had -received, intermingled a petition, that at least, she would not augment, -if she refused to clear the mistake of Sir Sedley. - -'I believe he may safely,' she answered, 'be left to himself; though it -is plain that, at this moment, he is in a difficulty as great as your -own; for marriage he still resists, though he finds you resistless. I -wish you mutually to be parted till ... pardon me, my fair friend ... -your understandings are mutually cleared, and he is divested of what is -too factitious, and you of what is too artless. Your situation is, -indeed, rather whimsical; for the two mortals with whom you have to -deal require treatment diametrically opposite; yet, humour them a little -adroitly, and you presently gain them both. He that is proud, must be -distanced; he that is vain, must be flattered. This is paying them with -their own coin; but they hold no other to be current. Pride, if not -humbled, degenerates into contempt; vanity, if not indulged, dissolves -into indifference.' - -Camilla disclaimed taking any measures with respect to either; but Mrs. -Arlbery insisted the field would be won by Sir Sedley, 'who is already,' -she cried, 'persuaded you have for some time encouraged him, and that -now you are fully propitious....' - -Camilla hastily interrupted her: 'O, Mrs. Arlbery!' she cried, 'I cannot -endure this! add not to my disturbance by making it my own work!' - -She then embraced her; took leave of the Dennels, and with the -housekeeper of Sir Hugh set out from Tunbridge for Cleves. - - -END OF THE THIRD VOLUME. - - - - -VOLUME IV - - - - -BOOK VII - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_The right Style of Arguing_ - - -Camilla was received with the most tender joy by all her family, again -re-assembled at Cleves to welcome the return of young Lynmere, who was -expected every hour. Sir Hugh, perfectly recovered from his late -illness, and busy, notwithstanding all remonstrance, in preparation for -the approaching nuptials, was in spirits that exhilarated whoever saw -him. Eugenia awaited that event with gentleness, though with varying -sensations; from fears, lest her personal misfortunes should prove -repulsive to Clermont, and from wishes to find him resembling Melmond in -talents, and Bellamy in passion and constancy. - -Dr. Orkborne gave now his lessons with redoubled assiduity, from an -ambition to produce to the scholastic traveller, a phenomenon of his own -workmanship in a learned young female: nor were his toils less ready, -nor less pleasant, for a secret surmise they would shortly end; though -not till honour should be united with independence, for his recompence. -But Miss Margland fretted, that this wedding would advance no London -journey; and Indiana could not for a moment recover from her -indignation, that the deformed and ugly Eugenia, though two years -younger than herself, should be married before her. Lavinia had no -thought but for the happiness of her sister; and Mr. Tyrold lamented the -absence of his wife, who, alike from understanding and affection, was -the only person to properly superintend this affair, but from whom Dr. -Marchmont, just arrived, brought very faint hopes of a speedy return. - -Eugenia, however, was not the sole care of her father, at this period. -The countenance of Camilla soon betrayed, to his inquiring eyes, the -inefficacy of the Tunbridge journey. But he forbore all question; and -left to time or her choice to unravel, if new incidents kept alive her -inquietude, or, if no incident at all had been equally prejudicial to -her repose. - - * * * * * - -Two days after, while Camilla, still astonished by no news, nor sight of -Edgar, was sitting with her sisters, and recounting to them her late -adventures, and present difficulties, with Sir Sedley Clarendel, Jacob -brought her, in its own superb bird-cage, the learned little bullfinch; -telling her, it had been delivered to him without any message, by a man -who said she had left it, by mistake, at Tunbridge; whence he had had -orders to follow her with it to Cleves park. - -She was much provoked thus to receive it. Mrs. Arlbery had pressed her -to take it in her uncle's chaise, which she had firmly refused; and she -now concluded this method was adopted, that Sir Sedley might imagine she -detained it as his gift. - -In drawing out, soon after, the receptacle for the bird's nourishment, -she perceived, written with a pencil upon the wood, these words: 'Thou -art gone then, fair fugitive! Ah! at least, fly only where thou mayst be -pursued!' - -This writing had not been visible till the machine was taken out to be -replenished. She recollected the hand of Sir Sedley, and was now sure it -was sent by himself, and could no longer, therefore, doubt his -intentions being serious. - -With infinite perplexity she consulted with her sisters; but, when -candidly she had related, that once, to her never-ending regret, she had -apparently welcomed his civilities, Eugenia pronounced her rectitude to -be engaged by that error, as strongly as her gratitude by the -preservation of her life, and the extraordinary service done to Lionel, -not to reject the young baronet, should he make his proposals. - -She heard this opinion with horror. Timid shame, and the counsel of her -father, united to impede her naming the internal obstacle which she felt -to be insurmountable; and, while casting up, in silence, her appealing -eyes to Heaven for relief, from the intricacy in which she found herself -involved, she saw Lionel galloping into the park. - -She flew to meet him, and he dismounted, and led his horse, to walk with -her. - -She flattered herself, she might now represent the mischief he was -doing, and obtain from him some redress. But he was more wild and -impracticable than ever. 'Well, my dear girl,' he cried, 'when are all -these betterings and worsings to take place? Numps has sent for me to -see poor little Greek and Latin hobble to the altar; but, 'tis a million -to one, if our noble baronet does not whisk you there before her. He's a -charming fellow, faith. I had a good long confab with him this morning.' - -'This morning? I hope, then, you were so good, so just, as to tell him -when you mean to pay the money you have borrowed?' - -'My dear child, I often think you were born but yesterday, only, by some -accident, you came into the world, like Minerva, grown up and ready -dressed. What makes you think I mean to pay him? Have I given him any -bond?' - -'A bond? Is that necessary to justice and honour?' - -'If I had asked the money, you are right, my dear; I ought, then, -certainly, to refund. But, as it now stands, 'tis his own affair. I have -nothing to do with it: except, indeed, receiving the dear little golden -boys, and making merry with them.' - -'O fie, Lionel, fie!' - -'Why, what had I to do with it? Do you think he would care one fig if he -saw me sunk to the bottom of the Red Sea? No, my dear, no; you are the -little debtor; so balance your accounts for yourself, and don't cast -them upon your poor neighbours, who have full enough to settle of their -own.' - -Camilla was thunderstruck; 'And have you been so cruel,' she cried, -'seeing the matter in such a light, to place me in such a predicament?' - -'Cruel, my dear girl? why, what will it cost you, except a dimple or two -the more? And don't you know you always look best when you smile? I -assure you, it's a mercy he don't see you when you are giving me one of -my lectures. It disfigures you so horribly, that he'd take fright and -never speak to you again.' - -'What can I ever say, to make you hear me, or feel for me? Tell me, at -least, what has passed this morning; and assure me that nothing new, -nothing yet worse, has occurred.' - -'O no, nothing at all. All is in the fairest train possible. I dare say, -he'll come hither, upon the grand question, before sun-set.' - -Camilla gasped for breath, and was some time before she could ask whence -he drew such a conclusion. - -'O, because I see he's in for it. I have a pretty good eye, my dear! He -said, too, he had such a prodigious ... friendship, I think he called -it, for you, that he was immeasurably happy, and all that, to be of the -least service to your brother. A fine fellow, upon my word! a fine -generous spark as ever I saw. He charged me to call upon him freely when -I had any little embarrassment, or difficulty, or was hard run, or -things of that sort. He's a fine buck, I tell you, and knows the world -perfectly, that I promise you. He's none of your drivellers, none of -your ignoramuses. He has the true notion of things. He's just a right -friend for me. You could not have made a better match.' - -Camilla, in the most solemn manner, protested herself disengaged in -thought, word, and deed; and declared her fixed intention so to -continue. But he only laughed at her declarations, calling them maidenly -fibs; and, assuring her, the young baronet was so much in earnest, she -might as well be sincere as not. 'Besides,' he added, ''tis not fair to -trifle where a man behaves so handsomely and honourably. Consider the -£.200!' - -'I shall quite lose my senses, Lionel!' cried she, in an agony; 'I shall -quite lose my senses if you speak in this manner!' - -Lionel shouted aloud; 'Why, my dear girl, what is £.200 to Sir Sedley -Clarendel? You talk as if he had twenty pound a-year for pin-money, like -you and Lavinia, that might go with half a gown a-year, if good old -Numps did not help you. Why, he's as rich as Croesus, child. Besides, -he would have been quite affronted if I had talked of paying him such a -trifle, for he offered me any thing I pleased. O, he knows the world, I -promise you! He's none of your starched prigs. He knows life, my dear! -He said, he could perfectly conceive how hard it must be to a lad of -spirit, like me, to be always exact. I don't know that I ever made a -more agreeable acquaintance in my life.' - -Camilla was in an agitation that made him regard her, for a moment, with -a serious surprise; but his natural levity soon resumed its post, and, -laughing at himself for being nearly, he said, taken in, by her childish -freaks, he protested he would bite no more: 'For, after all, you must -not think to make a fool of me, my dear. It won't do. I'm too knowing. -Do you suppose, if he had not already made up his mind to the noose, and -was not sure you had made up yours to letting it be tied, he would have -cared for poor me, and my scrapes? No, no; whatever he does for me, -before you are married, you may set down in your own memorandum book: -whatever he may please to do afterwards, I am content should be charged -to poor Pillgarlick.' - -He then bid her good-morrow, by the name of Lady Clarendel; and said, he -would go and see if little Greek and Latin were as preposterous a prude -about young Lynmere. - -Camilla remained almost petrified with amazement at her own situation; -and only was deterred from immediately opening her whole heart and -affairs to her father, with the confidence to which his indulgence -entitled him, by the impossibility of explaining her full distress -without betraying her brother. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_A Council_ - - -The next morning, Camilla, eager to try once more her influence with her -brother, accompanied him into the park, and renewed her remonstrances, -but with no better success; and while they were passing by a private -gate, that opened to the high road, they saw Sir Sedley Clarendel -driving by in his phaeton. - -Lionel, bursting from his sister, opened the gate, called to Sir Sedley -to give his reins to one of his servants, and brought him, not -unwilling, though much surprised, into the park. - -Camilla, in dismay unspeakable at this conduct, and the idea of such a -meeting, had run forward instantly to hide herself in the summer-house, -to avoid re-passing the gate in her way to the mansion; but her scheme -was more precipitate than wise; Lionel caught a glimpse of her gown as -she went into the little building, and shouted aloud: 'Look! look! Sir -Sedley! there's Camilla making believe to run away from you!' - -'Ah, fair fugitive!' cried the baronet, springing forward, and entering -the summer-house almost as soon as herself, 'fly only thus, where you -may be pursued!' - -Camilla, utterly confounded, knew not where to cast her eyes, where to -hide her face; and her quick-changing colour, and short-heaved breath, -manifested an excess of confusion, that touched, flattered, and -penetrated the baronet so deeply and so suddenly, as to put him off -from all guard of consequences, and all recollection of matrimonial -distaste: 'Beautiful, resistless Camilla!' he cried; 'how vain is it to -struggle against your witchery! Assure me but of your clemency, and I -will adore the chains that shackle me!' - -Camilla, wholly overcome, by sorrow, gratitude, repentance, and shame, -sunk upon a chair, and shed a torrent of tears that she even sought not -to restrain. The shock of refusing one, to whose error in believing -himself acceptable she had largely contributed, or the horror of -yielding to him her hand, while her heart was in the possession of -another, made her almost wish, at this moment, he should divine her -distress, that his own pride might conclude it. - -But far different from what would produce such an effect, were the -feelings of pride now working in his bosom. He imagined her emotion had -its source in causes the softest and most flattering. Every personal -obstacle sunk before this idea, and with a seriousness in his manner he -had not yet used: 'This evening, lovely Camilla,' he cried, 'let me beg, -for this evening, the audience accorded me upon that which I lost at -Tunbridge.' - -He was then going; but Camilla, hastily rising, cried, 'Sir Sedley, I -beseech ...' when Lionel capering into the little apartment, danced -round it in mad ecstasy, chanting 'Lady Clarendel, Lady Clarendel, my -dear Lady Clarendel!' - -Camilla now was not confused alone. Sir Sedley himself could gladly have -pushed him out of the building; but neither the looks of surprise and -provocation of the baronet, nor the prayers nor reprimands of Camilla, -could tame his wild transport. He shook hands, whether he would or not, -with the one; he bowed most obsequiously, whether she would regard him -or not, to the other; and still chanting the same burden, made a clamour -that shook the little edifice to its foundation. - -The strong taste for ridicule, that was a prominent part of the -character of Sir Sedley, was soon conquered by this ludicrous behaviour, -and both his amazement and displeasure ended in a hearty fit of -laughter. But Camilla suffered too severely to join in the mirth; she -blushed for her brother, she blushed for herself, she hung her head in -speechless shame, and covered her eyes with her hand. - -The noisy merriment of Lionel preventing any explanation, though -rendering it every moment more necessary, Sir Sedley, repeating his -request for the evening, took leave. - -Camilla looked upon his departing in this manner as her sentence to -misery, and was pursuing him, to decline the visit; but Lionel, seizing -her two hands, swung her round the room, in defiance of her even angry -expostulations and sufferings, which he neither credited nor conceived, -and then skipt after the baronet himself, who was already out of the -park. - -She became now nearly frantic. She thought herself irretrievably in the -power of Sir Sedley, and by means so forced and indelicate, that she was -scarcely more afflicted at the event, than shocked by its circumstances; -and though incapable to really harbour rancour against a brother she -sincerely loved, she yet believed at this moment she never should -forgive, nor willingly see him more. - -In this state she was found by Lavinia. The history was inarticulately -told, but Lavinia could give only her pity; she saw not any avenue to an -honourable retreat, and thought, like Eugenia, she could now only free -herself by the breach of what should be dearer to her even than -happiness, her probity and honour. - -Utterly inconsolable she remained, till again she heard the voice of -Lionel, loudly singing in the park. - -'Go to him! go to him! my dearest Lavinia,' she cried, 'and, if my peace -is dear to you, prevail with him to clear up the mistakes of Sir Sedley, -and to prevent his dreaded, killing visit this evening!' - -Lavinia only answered by compliance; but, after an half hour's useless -contest with her riotous brother, returned to her weeping sister, not -merely successless with regard to her petition, but loaded with fresh -ill tidings that she knew not how to impart. Lionel had only laughed at -the repugnance of Camilla, which he regarded as something between -childishness and affectation, and begged Lavinia to be wiser than to -heed to it: 'Brother Sedley has desired me, however,' he added, 'not to -speak of the matter to Numps nor my father, till he has had a little -more conversation with his charmer; and he intends to call to-night as -if only upon a visit to me.' - -When Camilla learnt, at length, this painful end of her embassy, she -gave herself up so completely to despair, that Lavinia, affrighted, ran -to the house for Eugenia, whose extreme youth was no impediment, in the -minds of her liberal sisters, to their belief nor reverence of her -superior wisdom. Her species of education had early prepossessed them -with respect for her knowledge, and her unaffected fondness for study, -had fixed their opinion of her extraordinary understanding. The goodness -of her heart, the evenness of her temper, and her natural turn to -contemplation, had established her character alike for sanctity and for -philosophy throughout the family. - -She listened with the sincerest commiseration to the present state of -the case: 'Certainly,' she cried, 'you cannot, in honour, now refuse -him; but deal with him sincerely, and he may generously himself -relinquish his claims. Write to him, my dear Camilla; tell him you -grieve to afflict, yet disdain to deceive him; assure him of your -perfect esteem and eternal gratitude; but confess, at once, your heart -refuses to return his tenderness. Entreat him to forgive whatever he may -have mistaken, and nobly to restore to you the liberty of which your -obligations, without his consent, must rob you.' - -To Lavinia this advice appeared infallible; but Camilla, though she felt -an entanglement which fettered herself, thought it by no means -sufficiently direct or clear to authorise a rejection of Sir Sedley; -since, strangely as she seemed in his power, circumstances had placed -her there, and not his own solicitation. - -Yet to prevent a visit of which her knowledge seemed consent, and which -her consent must be most seriously to authorise, she deemed as -indispensable to her character, as to her fears. She hesitated, -therefore, not a moment in preferring writing to a meeting; and after -various conversations, and various essays, the following billet was -dispatched to Clarendel Place, through the means of Molly Mill, and by -her friend Tommy Hodd. - - _To Sir_ Sedley Clarendel. - - I should ill return what I owe to Sir Sedley Clarendel by causing - him any useless trouble I can spare him. He spoke of a visit hither - this evening, when I was too much hurried to represent that it - could not be received, as my brother's residence is at Etherington, - and my father and my uncle have not the honour to be known to Sir - Sedley. For me, my gratitude must ever be unalterable; and where - accident occasions a meeting, I shall be most happy to express it; - but I have nothing to say, nothing to offer, that could recompense - one moment of Sir Sedley's time given voluntarily to such a visit. - - CAMILLA TYROLD. - -Ill as this letter satisfied her, she could devise nothing better; but -though her sisters had both thought it too rigorous, she would not risk -anything gentler. - -During the dinner, they all appeared absent and dejected; but Sir Hugh -attributed it to the non-arrival of Clermont, in watching for whom his -own time was completely occupied, by examining two weather-cocks, and -walking from one to the other, to see if they agreed, or how they -changed; Indiana was wholly engrossed in consultations with Miss -Margland, upon the most becoming dress for a bride's maid; and Mr. -Tyrold, having observed that his three girls had spent the morning -together, concluded Camilla had divulged to them her unhappy perplexity, -and felt soothed himself in considering she had soothers so affectionate -and faithful. - -Early in the evening Tommy Hodd arrived, and Molly Mill brought Camilla -the following answer of Sir Sedley. - - _Miss_ Camilla Tyrold. - - Ah! what in this lower sphere can be unchequered, when even a - correspondence with the most lovely of her sex, brings alarm with - its felicity? Must I come, then, to Cleves, fair Insensible, but as - a visitor to Mr. Lionel? Have you taken a captive only to see him - in fetters? Allured a victim merely to behold him bleed? Ah! - tomorrow, at least, permit the audience that to-day is denied, and - at your feet, let your slave receive his doom. - - SEDLEY CLARENDEL. - -Camilla turned cold. She shrunk from a remonstrance she conceived she -had merited, and regarded herself to be henceforth either culpable or -unhappy. Unacquainted with the feminine indulgence which the world, by -long prescription, grants to coquetry, its name was scarcely known to -her; and she saw in its own native egotism the ungenerous desire to -please, where she herself was indifferent, and anticipated from Sir -Sedley reproach, if not contempt. No sophistications of custom had -warped the first innocence of her innate sense of right, and to trifle -with the feelings of another for any gratification of her own, made -success bring a blush to her integrity, not exultation to her vanity. - -The words _victim_ and _bleeding_, much affected the tender Lavinia, -while those of _fetters_, _captive_, and _insensible_, satisfied the -heroic Eugenia that Sir Sedley deserved the hand of her sister; but -neither of them spoke. - -'You say nothing?' cried Camilla, turning paler and paler, and sitting -down lest she should fall. - -They both wept and embraced her, and Eugenia said, if, indeed, she could -not conquer her aversion, she saw no way to elude the baronet, but by -openly confessing her repugnance, in the conversation he demanded. - -Camilla saw not less strongly the necessity of being both prompt and -explicit; but how receive Sir Sedley at Cleves? and upon what pretence -converse with him privately? Even Lionel the next day was to return to -the university, though his presence, if he staid, would, in all -probability, but add to every difficulty. - -At length, they decided, that the conference should take place at the -Grove; and to prevent the threatened visit of the next day, Camilla -wrote the following answer: - - _To Sir_ Sedley Clarendel. - - I should be grieved, indeed, to return my obligations to Sir Sedley - Clarendel by meriting his serious reproach; yet I cannot have the - honour of seeing him at Cleves, since my brother is immediately - quitting it for Oxford. As soon as I hear Mrs. Arlbery is again at - the Grove, I shall wait upon her, and always be most happy to - assure Sir Sedley of my gratitude, which will be as lasting as it - is sincere. - - CAMILLA TYROLD. - -Though wretched in this strange state of things, she knew not how to -word her letter more positively, since his own, notwithstanding its -inferences, had so much more the style of florid gallantry than plain -truth. Molly Mill undertook that Tommy Hodd should carry it early the -next morning. - - * * * * * - -Lionel was so enraged at the non-appearance of the young baronet at -night, that Camilla was compelled to confess she had promised to see -him, and to give him his answer at Mrs. Arlbery's. He was out of humour, -nevertheless, lest Sir Sedley should be affronted by the delay, and -feared that the best match in the whole county would prove abortive, -from his sister's foolish trimmings, and silly ignorance of life. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_A Proposal of Marriage_ - - -The increasing depression of Camilla, and the melancholy of her -sympathising sisters, though still attributed to the adverse wind by the -compass-watching baronet, escaped not the notice of Mr. Tyrold; who, -alarmed for the peace of his daughter, determined to watch for the first -quiet opportunity of investigating her actual situation. - -Lionel, after breakfast, the next morning, was obliged to relinquish -waiting for Clermont, and to set off for Oxford. He contrived to whisper -to Camilla, that he hoped she would be a good girl at last, and not play -the fool; but, finding she only sighed, he laughed at her calamitious -state, in becoming mistress of fifteen thousand per annum, only by the -small trouble of running over a short ceremony; and, assuring her he -would assist her off with part of the charge, if it were too heavy for -her, bid her inform him in time of the propitious day. - -Camilla, shortly after, saw from her window, galloping full speed across -the park to the house, Major Cerwood. She suspected her tormenting -brother to have been again at work; nor was she mistaken. He had met -with the Major at the hotel at Tunbridge, while his spirits, always -violent, were in a state of almost intoxication of delight, at the -first idea of such an accession to his powers of amusement, as a new -brother rolling in immense wealth, which he already considered as nearly -at his own disposal. High wrought, therefore, for what he deemed good -sport, he confirmed what he had asserted at the ball at Northwick, of -the expectations of Camilla from Sir Hugh, by relating the public fact, -of her having been announced, to the family and neighbourhood, for his -uncle's heiress, at ten years of age; and only sinking, in his account, -the revocation made so soon after in favour of Eugenia. To this, he -added his advice, that no time was to be lost, as numberless new suitors -were likely to pursue her from Tunbridge. - -The Major, upon alighting, inquired for Sir Hugh, deeming Mr. Tyrold of -little consequence, since it was not from him Camilla was to inherit her -fortune. - -The baronet, as usual, was watching the winds and the clouds; but, -concluding whoever came would bring some news from Clermont, received -the Major with the utmost cordiality, saying: 'I see, sir, you are a -stranger; by which I suppose you to be just come from abroad; where, I -hope, you left all well?' - -'I am just come, sir,' answered the Major, 'from Tunbridge, where I had -the honour, through my acquaintance with Mrs. Arlbery, of meeting daily -with your charming niece; an honour, sir, which must cause all the -future happiness or misery of my life.' - -He then made a declaration, in form, of the most ardent passion for -Camilla; mentioned his family, which was an honourable one; talked of -his expectations with confidence, though vaguely; and desired to leave -the disposition of the settlement wholly to the baronet; who, he hoped, -would not refuse to see his elder brother, a gentleman of fortune in -Lincolnshire, who would have the honour to wait upon him, at any time he -would be so good as to appoint, upon this momentous affair. - -Sir Hugh heard this harangue with consternation. The Major was in the -prime of life, his person was good, his speech was florid, his air was -assured, and his regimentals were gay. Not a doubt of his success -occurred to the baronet; who saw, in one blow, the darling scheme of his -old age demolished, in the deprivation of Camilla. - -The Major impatiently waited for an answer; but Sir Hugh was too much -disordered to frame one; he walked up and down the room, muttering in a -desponding manner, to himself, 'Lord, help us! what a set of poor weak -mortals we are, we poor men! The best schemes and plans in the world -always coming to nothing before we can bring them about! I'll never form -another while I live, for the sake of this one warning. Nobody knows, -next, but what Clermont will be carrying off Eugenia to see foreign -parts! and then comes some other of these red-coats to take away -Indiana; and, after doing all for the best so long, I may be left all -alone, except just for Mrs. Margland and the Doctor! that I don't take -much pleasure in, Lord help me! except as a Christian, which I hope is -no sin.' - -At length, endeavouring to compose himself, he sat down, and said, 'So -you are come, sir, to take away from me my own particular little niece? -which is a hard thing upon an uncle, intending her to live with him. -However, I don't mean to find fault; but I can tell you this one thing, -sir, which I beg you to remember; which is, if you don't make her happy, -you'll break my heart! For she's what I love the best in the world, -little as I've made it appear, by not leaving her a shilling. For which -sake, however, I can't but respect you the more for coming after her, -instead of Eugenia.' - -'Sir?' cried the Major, amazed. - -'The other two chaps,' continued he, 'that came about us not long ago, -wanted to make their court to Eugenia and Indiana; as well as another -that came to the house when I was ill, in the same coat as yourself, by -what I can gather from the description; but never a one has come to -Camilla yet, except yourself, because my brother can spare her but a -trifle, having another young girl to provide for, besides Lionel; which -is the most expensive of them all, poor boy! never having enough, by the -reason Oxford is so dear, as I suppose.' - -The Major now wore an air of surprise and uneasiness that Sir Hugh began -to observe, but attributed to his unpleasant reception of his proposals. -He begged his pardon, therefore, and again assured him of his respect -for a choice so little mercenary, which he looked upon as a mark of a -good heart. - -The Major, completely staggered, and suspecting the information of -Lionel to be ill grounded, if not purposely deluding, entreated his -permission to wait upon him again; and offered for the present to take -leave. - -Sir Hugh, in a melancholy voice, said, he would first summon his niece, -as he could not answer it to his conscience preventing the meeting, -unless she gave him leave. - -He then rang the bell, and told Jacob to call Camilla. - -Major Cerwood was excessively distressed. To retreat seemed impossible; -yet to connect himself without fortune, when he thought he was -addressing a rich heiress, was a turn of fate he scarcely knew how -either to support or to parry. All that, in this haste, he could -resolve, was, to let the matter pass for the moment, and then insist -upon satisfaction from Lionel, either in clearing up the mistake, or -taking upon himself its blame. - -When Camilla appeared, the disturbance of Sir Hugh still augmented; and -he could hardly articulate, 'My dear, in the case you are willing to -leave your family, here's a gentleman come to make his addresses to you; -which I think it right you should know, though how I shall struggle -through it, if I lose you, is more than my poor weak head can tell; for -what shall I do without my dear little girl, that I thought to make the -best comfort of my old age? which, however, I beg you not to think of, -in case this young Captain's more agreeable.' - -'Ah! my dear uncle!' cried she, 'your Camilla can never return half the -comfort she receives from you! keep me with you still, and ever! I am -much obliged to Major Cerwood. I beg him to accept my sincerest thanks; -but to pardon me, when I assure him, they are all I have to offer him.' - -Repulse was not new to the Major; who, in various country towns, had -sought to retrieve his affairs by some prudent connection; his pride, -however, had never so little suffered as on the present occasion, for -his apprehension of error or imposition had removed from him all thought -of even the possibility of a refusal; which, now, therefore, -unexpectedly and joyfully obviated his embarrassment, and enabled him to -quit the field by an honourable retreat. He bowed profoundly, called -himself, without knowing what he said, the most unhappy of men; and, -without risking one solicitation, or a moment for repentance, hastily -took leave, with intention, immediately, to demand an explanation of -Lionel. - -But he had not escaped a mile from the house, ere he gave up that -design, from anticipating the ridicule that might follow it. To require -satisfaction for a young lady's want of fortune, however reasonable, -would always be derided as ludicrous. He resolved, therefore, quietly -to put up with the rejection; and to gather his next documents -concerning the portion of a fair damsel, from authority better to be -relied upon than that of a brother. - -Sir Hugh, for some time, discovered not that he had retired. Enchanted -by so unexpected a dismission, his favourite scheme of life seemed -accorded to him, and he pressed Camilla to his bosom, in a transport of -joy. 'We shall live together, now, I hope,' he cried, 'without any of -these young chaps coming in again to part us. Not that I would object to -your marrying, my dear girl, if it was with a relation, like Eugenia, -or, with a neighbour, like Indiana, if it had not been for its going -off; but to see you taken away from me by a mere stranger, coming from -distant parts, and knowing nothing of any of us, is a thing that makes -my heart ache but to think of; so I hope it will happen no more; for -these trials do no good to my recovery.' - -Turning round, then, with a view to say something consolatory to the -Major, he was seriously concerned to find him departed. 'I can't say,' -he cried, 'I had any intention to send him off so short, his meaning not -being bad, considering him in the light of a person in love; which is a -time when a man has not much thought, except for himself, by what I can -gather.' - -He then proposed a walk, to watch if Clermont were coming. The wind, he -acknowledged, was indeed contrary; but, he did not doubt, upon such a -particular occasion, his good lad would not mind such difficulties. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_A Bull-Dog_ - - -Sir Hugh called upon his other nieces to join him; purposing to stroll -to the end of a lane which led to the London road. - -Camilla accompanied the party in the most mournful silence. The assuming -letter she had received; the interview she should have to sustain; and -her apparent dependance upon Sir Sedley, sinking her into complete -despondence. - -When they came to the high road, Sir Hugh made a stop, and bid every -body look sharp. - -A horseman was seen advancing full gallop. By his figure he appeared to -be young; by his pace, in uncommon speed. - -'That's him,' cried Sir Hugh, striking his stick upon the ground, and -smiling most complacently; 'I said he would not mind the wind, my dear -Eugenia! what's the wind, or the waves either, to a lover? which is a -thing, however, that I won't talk about; so don't be ashamed, my dear -girl, nobody knowing what we mean.' - -Eugenia looked down, deeply colouring, and much regretting the lameness -that prevented her running back, to avoid so public and discountenancing -a meeting. - -The horseman now came up to them, and was preparing to turn down the -lane; when, all at once, they perceived him to be Edgar Mandlebert. - -He had left Tunbridge in a manner not more abrupt than comfortless. His -disappointment in the failure of Camilla at the Rooms had been as -bitter, as his expectations from the promised conference had been -animated. When Lionel appeared, he inquired if his sister were absent -from illness.... No; she was only writing a letter. To take this moment -for such a purpose, be the letter what it might, seemed sporting with -his curiosity and warm interest in her affairs: and he went back, -mortified and dejected, to his lodgings; where, just arrived by the -stage, he found a letter from Dr. Marchmont, acquainting him with his -return to his rectory. In this suspensive state of mind, to cast himself -upon his sagacious friend seemed a relief the most desirable: but, while -considering whether first to claim from Camilla her promised -communication, the voice of Lionel issuing from the room of Major -Cerwood, struck his ears. He darted forth, and accompanied the youth to -his horse, who was setting out upon some expedition, in the dark; and -then received information, under the pretence of great secrecy, that -Major Cerwood was going immediately to ask leave of absence, and proceed -straight to Hampshire, with his final proposals of marriage with -Camilla. He now concluded this was the subject upon which she had meant -to consult with him; but delicacy, pride, and hope all combated his -interference. He determined even to avoid her, till the answer should be -given. 'I must owe her hand,' cried he, 'to her heart, not to a contest -such as this: and, if impartially and unbiassed, the Major is refused, -no farther cruel doubt, no torturing hesitation, shall keep me another -minute from her feet!' With the dawn, therefore, he set out for -Hampshire; but, fixed to avoid Cleves, till he could learn that the -Major's visit were over, he devoted his mornings to rides, and his -evenings to Dr. Marchmont, till now, a mile or two from the Park, he had -met the Major himself, and concluded the acceptance or the rejection -decided. They merely touched their hats as they passed each other; and -he instantly took the route which the Major was quitting. - -In the excess of his tribulation, he was galloping past the whole group, -without discerning one of its figures; when Sir Hugh called out, 'Why -it's young Mr. Edgar! So now we've walked all this way for nothing! and -Clermont may be still at Jericho, or at Rome, for anything we know to -the contrary!' - -Edgar stopt short. He felt himself shiver at sight of Camilla, but -dismounted, gave his horse to his groom, and joined the party. - -Eugenia recovering, now fearlessly looked up; but Camilla, struck and -affected, shook in every limb, and was forced to hold by Lavinia. - -Edgar called upon his utmost presence of mind to carry him through what -he conceived to be a final trial. He spoke to Sir Hugh, and compelled -himself to speak separately to every one else; but, when he addressed -Camilla, to whom he said something not very distinctly, about Tunbridge, -she curtsied to him slightly, and turned away, without making any -answer. Her mind, taking suddenly a quick retrospection of all that had -passed between them, presented him to her view as uncertain and -delusive; and, casting upon him, internally, the whole odium of her -present distress, and her feelings were so indignant, that, in her -present desperate state, she deemed it beneath her to disguise them, -either from himself or the world. - -Edgar, to whose troubled imagination everything painted his rival, -concluded the Major had been heard with favour; and his own adverse -counsel was now recollected with resentment. - -Sir Hugh, far more fatigued by his disappointment than by his walk, said -he should go no further, as he found it in vain to expect Clermont; and -accepted the arm of Edgar to aid his stick in helping him home. - -Camilla, still leaning upon Lavinia, mounted a little bank, which she -knew Sir Hugh could not ascend, that she might walk on where Edgar could -not join her; involuntarily ejaculating, 'Lavinia! if you would avoid -deceit and treachery, look at a man as at a picture, which tells you -only the present moment! Rely upon nothing of time to come! They are not -like us, Lavinia. They think themselves free, if they have made no -verbal profession; though they may have pledged themselves by looks, by -actions, by attentions, and by manners, a thousand, and a thousand -times!' - -Edgar observed her avoidance with the keenest apprehension; and, -connecting it with her failure at the Rooms, imagined the Major had now -influenced her to an utter aversion of him. - -Sir Hugh meanwhile, though wholly unheard, related, in a low voice, to -Edgar, the history of his preparations for Clermont; begging him, -however, to take no notice of them to Eugenia: and, then, adding, 'Very -likely, Mr. Edgar, you are just come from Tunbridge? and, if so, you may -have met with that young Captain that has been with us this morning; -who, I understand to be a Major?' - -Edgar was thrown into the utmost trepidation; the artless openness of -Sir Hugh gave him every reason to suppose he should immediately gather -full intelligence, and all his peace and all his hopes might hang upon -another word. He could only bow to the question; but before Sir Hugh -could go on, a butcher's boy, who was riding by, from a wanton love of -mischief, gave a signal to his attending bull-dog, to attack the old -spaniel that accompanied Sir Hugh. - -Sustained by his master many a year, the proud old favourite, though -unequal to the combat, disdained to fly; and the fierce bull-dog would -presently have demolished him, had not Edgar, recovering all his vigour -from his earnest desire to rescue an animal so dear to Sir Hugh, armed -himself with the baronet's stick, and thrust it dexterously across the -jaws of this intended antagonist. - -Nothing, however, could withstand the fangs of the bull-dog; they soon -severed it, and, again, he made at the spaniel; but Edgar rushed between -them, with no other weapons than the broken fragments of the stick: and, -while the baronet and Eugenia screamed out to old Rover to return to -them, and Lavinia, with more readiness of common sense, exerted the -fullest powers of which her gentle voice was capable, to conjure the -wicked boy to call off his dog, Camilla, who was the last to look round -at this scene, only turned about as the incensed and disappointed -bull-dog, missing his object, aimed at Edgar himself. Roused at once -from her sullen calm to the most agonising sensibility, every thing and -every body, herself most of all, were forgotten in the sight of his -danger; and, with a piercing shriek, she darted down the bank, and -arrived at the tremendous spot, at the same instant that the more useful -exhortations of Lavinia, had induced the boy to withdraw the fierce -animal; who, with all his might, and all his fury, obeyed the weak -whistle of a little urchin he had been bred to love and respect, for -bringing him his daily food. - -Camilla perceived not if the danger were impending, or over; gasping, -pale, and agitated, she caught Mandlebert by the arm, and, in broken -accents, half pronounced, 'O Edgar!... are you hurt?' - -The revulsion that had operated in her mind took now its ample turn in -that of Mandlebert; he could hardly trust his senses, hardly believe he -existed; yet he felt the pressure of her hand upon his arm, and saw in -her countenance terror the most undisguised, and tenderness that went -straight to his soul. 'Is it Camilla,' he cried, 'who thus speaks to -me?... Is not my safety or my destruction alike indifferent to Camilla?' - -'O no! O no!' cried she, scarce conscious she answered at all, till -called to recollection by his own changed looks; changed from -incredulity and amazement to animation that lightened up every feature, -to eyes that shot fire. Abashed, astonished, ashamed, she precipitately -drew away her hand, and sought quietly to retire. - -But Edgar was no longer master of himself; he conceived he was on a -pinnacle, whence he could only, and without any gradation, turn to -happiness or despair. He followed her, trembling and uncertain, his joy -fading into alarm at her retreat, his hope transforming into -apprehension at her resumed coldness of demeanor. 'Do you repent,' he -cried, 'that you have shewn me a little humanity?... will the Major ... -the happy Major!... be offended you do less than detest me?' - -'The Major!' repeated she, looking back, surprised, 'can you think the -Major has any influence with me?' - -'Ah, Heaven!' he cried, 'what do you say!...' - -Enchanted, affrighted, bewildered, yet silent, she hurried on; Edgar -could not forget himself more than a moment; he forbore, therefore, to -follow, and, though with a self-denial next to torture, returned to Sir -Hugh, to whom his arm was doubly necessary, from the scene he had just -witnessed, and the loss of his stick. - -The butcher's boy and his bull-dog were decamped; and the baronet and -Eugenia were rivalling each other in fondling the rescued spaniel, and -in pouring thanks and praise unlimited upon Edgar. - -They then walked back as before; and, as soon as they re-entered the -mansion, the female party went upstairs, and Sir Hugh, warmly shaking -Edgar by the hand, said: 'My dear Mr. Edgar, this is one of the happiest -days of my life, except just that of my nephew's coming over, which it -is but right to put before it. But here, first, my dear Camilla's -refused that young Captain, who would have carried her the Lord knows -where, immediately, as I make no doubt; and next, I've saved the life of -my poor old Rover, by the means of your good-nature.' - -'Refused?' cried Edgar; 'my dear Sir Hugh!--did you say refused?' - -Sir Hugh innocently gratified him with the repetition of the word, but -begged him not to mention it, 'For fear,' he said, 'it should hurt the -young man when he falls in love somewhere else; which I heartily hope he -will do soon, poor gentleman! for the sake of its not fretting him.' - -'Miss Camilla, then, has refused him?' again repeated Edgar, with a -countenance that, to any man but the baronet, must have betrayed his -whole soul. - -'Yes, poor gentleman! this very morning; for which I am thankful enough: -for what do we know of those young officers, who may all be sent to the -East Indies, or Jamaica, every day of their lives? Not but what I have -the proper pity for him, which, I hope, is all that can be expected.' - -Edgar walked about the room, in a perturbation of hope, fear, and joy, -that disabled him from all further appearance of attention. He wished to -relate this transaction to Dr. Marchmont, yet dreaded any retarding -advice; he languished to make Camilla herself the sole mistress of his -destiny: the interest she had shewn for his safety seemed to admit but -one interpretation; and, finally, he resolved to stay at Cleves till he -could meet with her alone. - -Camilla had not uttered a word after the adventure of the bull-dog. The -smallest idea that she could excite the least emotion in Edgar, brought -a secret rapture to her heart, that, at any former period, would alone -have sufficed to render her happy: but, at this instant of entanglement -with another, she revolted from the indulgence of such pleasure; and -instead of dwelling, as she would have done before, on the look, the -accent, the manner, that were susceptible, by any construction, of -partiality, she checked every idea that did not represent Edgar as -unstable and consistent; and sought, with all her power, to regard him -as Mrs. Arlbery had painted him, and to believe him, except in a few -casual moments of caprice, insensible and hard of heart. - -Yet this entanglement, in which, scarce knowing how, she now seemed to -be entwined with Sir Sedley, grew more and more terrific; and when she -considered that her sisters themselves thought her independence gone, -and her honour engaged, she was seized with so much wonderment, how it -had all been brought about, that her understanding seemed to play her -false, and she believed the whole a dream. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_An Oak Tree_ - - -When the sisters were summoned down stairs to dinner, planted at the -door, ready to receive them at their entrance, stood Edgar. Lavinia and -Eugenia addressed him as usual; but Camilla could not speak, could not -return his salutation, could not look at him. She sat hastily down in -her accustomed place by her uncle, and even the presence of her father -scarcely restrained her tears, as she contrasted the hopeless -uncertainties of Edgar, with the perilous pursuit of Sir Sedley. - -Edgar, for the first time, saw her avoidance without suspecting that it -flowed from repugnance. The interest she had shewn for his safety was -still bounding in his breast, and as, from time to time, he stole a -glance at her, and observed her emotion, his heart whispered him the -softest hopes, that soon the most perfect confidence would make every -feeling reciprocal. - -But these hopes were not long without alloy; he soon discerned something -that far exceeded what could give him pleasure in her perturbation; he -read in it not merely hurry and alarm, but suffering and distress. - -He now ventured to look at her no more; his confidence gave place to -pity; he saw she was unhappy, and breathed no present wish but to -relieve and console her. - -When the dessert was served, she was preparing to retire; but she caught -the eye of her father, and saw she should not long be alone; she -re-seated herself, therefore, in haste, to postpone, at least, his -scrutiny. - -Every body, at length, arose, and Sir Hugh proposed that they should all -walk in the park, during his nap, but keep close to the pales, that they -might listen for all passengers, in case of Clermont's coming. - -To this, also, Camilla could make no objection, and they set out. She -took an arm of each sister, and indulged the heaviness of her heart in -not uttering a word. - -They had not gone far, when a servant ran after Mr. Tyrold with a -pacquet, just arrived, by a private hand, from Lisbon. He returned to -read it in his own room; Lavinia and Eugenia accompanied him to hear its -contents, and Camilla, for the first time, seemed the least affectionate -of his daughters; she durst not encounter him but in the mixt company of -all the house; she told Lavinia to make haste back with the news, and -took the arm of Indiana. - -The compulsion of uninteresting discourse soon became intolerable; and -no longer chained to the party by the awe of her father, she presently -left Indiana to Miss Margland, and perceiving that Edgar was conversing -with Dr. Orkborne, said she would wait for her sisters; and, turning a -little aside, sat down upon a bench under a large oak. - -Here her painful struggle and unwilling forbearance ended; she gave free -vent to her tears, and thought herself the most wretched of human -beings; she found her heart, her aching heart, more than ever devoted to -Mandlebert, filled with his image, revering his virtues, honouring even -his coldness, from a persuasion she deserved not his affection, and -sighing solely for the privilege to consign herself to his remembrance -for life, though unknown to himself, and unsuspected by the world. The -very idea of Sir Sedley was horror to her; she felt guilty to have -involved herself in an intercourse so fertile of danger; she thought -over, with severest repentance, her short, but unjustifiable deviation -from that transparent openness, and undesigning plainness of conduct, -which her disposition as much as her education ought to have rendered -unchangeable. To that, alone, was owing all her actual difficulty, for -to that alone was owing her own opinion of any claim upon her justice. -How dearly, she cried, do I now pay for the unthinking plan with which I -risked the peace of another, for the re-establishment of my own! She -languished to throw herself into the arms of her father, to unbosom to -him all her errors and distresses, and owe their extrication to his -wisdom and kindness. She was sure he would be unmoved by the glare of a -brilliant establishment, and that far from desiring her to sacrifice her -feelings to wealth and shew, he would himself plead against the alliance -when he knew the state of her mind, and recommend to her, so -circumstanced, the single life, in the true spirit of Christian -philosophy and moderation: but all was so closely interwoven in the -affairs and ill conduct of her brother, that she believed herself -engaged in honour to guard the fatal secret, though hazarding by its -concealment impropriety and misery. - -These afflicting ruminations were at length interrupted by the sound of -feet; she took her handkerchief from her eyes, expecting to see her -sisters; she was mistaken, and beheld Mandlebert. - -She started and rose; she strove to chace the tears from her eyes -without wiping them, and asked what he had done with Dr. Orkborne? - -'You are in grief!' cried he in a tone of sympathy; 'some evil has -befallen you!... let me ask....' - -'No; I am only waiting for my sisters. They have just received letters -from Lisbon.' - -'You have been weeping! you are weeping now! why do you turn away from -me? I will not obtrusively demand your confidence ... yet, could I give -you the most distant idea what a weight it might remove from my -mind, ... you would find it difficult to deny yourself the pleasure of -doing so much good!' - -The tears of Camilla now streamed afresh. Words so kind from Edgar, the -cold, the hard-hearted Edgar, surprised and overset her; yet she -endeavoured to hide her face, and made an effort to pass him. - -'Is not this a little unkind?' cried he, gravely; 'however, I have no -claim to oppose you.' - -'Unkind!' she repeated, and involuntarily turning to him, shewed a -countenance so disconsolate, that he lost his self-control, and taking -her reluctant hand, said: 'O Camilla! torture me no longer!' - -Almost transfixed with astonishment, she looked at him for a moment in a -speechless wonder; but the interval of doubt was short; the character of -Edgar, for unalienable steadiness, unalterable honour, was fixed in her -mind, like 'truths from holy writ,' and she knew, with certainty -incontrovertible, that his fate was at her disposal, from the instant he -acknowledged openly her power over his feelings. - -Every opposite sensation, that with violence the most ungovernable could -encounter but to combat, now met in her bosom, elevating her to rapture, -harrowing her with terror, menacing even her understanding. The most -exquisite wish of her heart seemed accorded at a period so nearly too -late for its acceptance, that her faculties, bewildered, confused, -deranged, lost the capacity of clearly conceiving if still she were a -free agent or not. - -He saw her excess of disorder with alarm; he sought to draw her again to -her seat; but she put her hand upon her forehead, and leant it against -the bark of the tree. - -'You will not speak to me!' cried he; 'you will not trust me! shall I -call you cruel? No! for you are not aware of the pain you inflict, the -anguish you make me suffer! the generosity of your nature would else, -unbidden, impulsively interfere.' - -'_You_ suffer! _you!_' cried she, again distressfully, almost -incredulously, looking at him, while her hands were uplifted with -amazement: 'I thought you above any suffering! superior to all -calamity!... almost to all feeling!...' - -'Ah, Camilla! what thus estranges you from candor? from justice? what is -it can prompt you to goad thus a heart which almost from its first -beating....' - -He stopt, desirous to check himself; while penetrated by his softness, -and ashamed of what, in the bitterness of her spirit, she had -pronounced, she again melted into tears, and sunk down upon the bench; -yet holding out to him one hand, while with the other she covered her -face: 'Forgive me,' she cried, 'I entreat ... for I scarce know what I -say.' - -Such a speech, and so accompanied, might have demolished the stoicism of -an older philosopher than Edgar; he fervently kissed her proferred hand, -exclaiming: 'Forgive you! can Camilla use such a word? has she the -slightest care for my opinion? the most remote concern for me, or for my -happiness?' - -'Farewell! farewell!' cried she, hastily drawing away her hand, 'go now, -I beseech you!' - -'What a moment to expect me to depart! O Camilla! my soul sickens of -this suspence! End it, generous Camilla! beloved as lovely! my heart is -all your own! use it gently, and accept it nobly!' - -Every other emotion, now, in the vanquished Camilla, every retrospective -fear, every actual regret, yielded to the conquering charm of grateful -tenderness; and restoring the hand she had withdrawn: 'O Edgar,' she -cried, 'how little can I merit such a gift! yet I prize it ... far, far -beyond all words!' - -The agitation of Edgar was, at first, too mighty and too delicious for -speech; but his eyes, now cast up to heaven, now fixed upon her own, -spoke the most ardent, yet purest felicity; while her hand, now held to -his heart, now pressed to his lips, strove vainly to recover its -liberty. 'Blest moment!' he at length uttered, 'that finishes for every -such misery of uncertainty! that gives my life to happiness ... my -existence to Camilla!' - -Again speech seemed too poor for him. Perfect satisfaction is seldom -loquacious; its character is rather tender than gay; and where happiness -succeeds abruptly to long solicitude and sorrow, its enjoyment is -fearful; it softens rather than exhilarates. Sudden joy is sportive, but -sudden happiness is awful. - -The pause, however, that on his side was ecstatic thankfulness, soon -became mixt, on that of Camilla, with confusion and remorse: Sir Sedley -returned to her memory, and with him every reflection, and every -apprehension, that most cruelly could sully each trembling, though -nearly gratified hope. - -The cloud that so soon dimmed the transient radiance of her countenance, -was instantly perceived by Edgar; but as he was beginning the most -anxious inquiries, the two sisters approached, and Camilla, whose hand -he then relinquished, rushed forward, and throwing her arms around their -necks, wept upon their bosoms. - -'Sweet sisters!' cried Edgar, embracing them all three in one; 'long may -ye thus endearingly entwine each other, in the sacred links of -affectionate affinity! Where shall I find our common father?... where -is Mr. Tyrold?' - -The amazed sisters could with difficulty answer that he was with their -uncle, to whom he was communicating news from their mother. - -Edgar looked tenderly at Camilla, but, perceiving her emotion, forbore -to speak to her, though he could not deny himself the pleasure of -snatching one kiss of the hand which hung down upon the shoulder of -Eugenia; he then whispered to both the sisters: 'You will not, I trust, -be my enemies?' and hurried to the house. - -'What can this mean?' cried Eugenia and Lavinia in a breath. - -'It means,' said Camilla, 'that I am the most distressed ... yet the -happiest of human beings!' - -This little speech, began with the deepest sigh, but finished with the -most refulgent smile, only added to their wonder. - -'I hope you have been consulting with Edgar,' said the innocent Eugenia; -'nobody can more ably advise you, since, in generosity to Lionel, you -are prohibited from counselling with my father.' - -Again the most expressive smiles played in every feature through the -tears of Camilla, as she turned, with involuntary archness, to Eugenia, -and answered: 'And shall I follow his counsel, my dear sister, if he -gives me any?' - -'Why not? he is wise, prudent, and much attached to us all. How he can -have supposed it possible we could be his enemies, is past all -divination!' - -Gaiety was so truly the native growth of the mind of Camilla, that -neither care nor affliction could chace it long from its home. The -speeches of the unsuspicious Eugenia, that a moment before would have -past unheeded, now regaled her renovated fancy with a thousand amusing -images, which so vigorously struggled against her sadness and her -terrors, that they were soon nearly driven from the field by their -sportive assailants; and, by the time she reached her chamber, whither, -lost in amaze, her sisters followed her, the surprise she had in store -for them, the pleasure with which she knew they would sympathise in her -happiness, and the security of Edgar's decided regard, had liberated her -mind from the shackles of reminiscence, and restored her vivacity to its -original spirit. - -Fastening, then, her door, she turned to them with a countenance of the -brightest animation; alternately and almost wildly embraced them, and -related the explicit declaration of Edgar; now hiding in their bosoms -the blushes of her modest joy, now offering up to Heaven the -thanksgiving of her artless rapture, now dissolving in the soft tears of -the tenderest sensibility, according to the quick changing impulses of -her natural and lively, yet feeling and susceptible character. Nor once -did she look at the reverse of this darling portrait of chosen felicity, -till Eugenia, with a gentle sigh, uttered: 'Unhappy Sir Sedley -Clarendel! how may this stroke be softened to him?' - -'Ah Eugenia!' she cried; 'that alone is my impediment to the most -perfect, the most unmixt content! why have you made me think of him?' - -'My dear Camilla,' said Eugenia, with a look of curious earnestness, and -taking both her hands, while she seemed examining her face, 'you are -then, it seems, in love? and with Edgar Mandlebert?' - -Camilla, blushing, yet laughing, broke away from her, denying the -charge. - -A consultation succeeded upon the method of proceeding with the young -baronet. Tommy Hodd was not yet returned with the answer; it was five -miles to Clarendel Place, which made going and returning his day's work. -She resolved to wait but this one reply, and then to acknowledge to -Edgar the whole of her situation. The delicacy of Lavinia, and the high -honour of Eugenia, concurred in the propriety of this confession; and -they all saw the urgent necessity of an immediate explanation with Sir -Sedley, whose disappointment might every hour receive added weight from -delay. Painful, therefore, confusing and distasteful, as was the task, -Camilla determined upon the avowal, and as completely to be guided by -Edgar in this difficult conjuncture, as if his advice were already -sanctioned by conjugal authority. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_A Call of the House_ - - -Edgar returned to the parlour with a countenance so much brightened, a -joy so open, a confidence so manly, and an air so strongly announcing -some interesting intelligence, that his history required no prelude. -'Edgar,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'you have a look to disarm care of its -corrosion. You could not take a better time to wear so cheering an -aspect; I have just learnt that my wife can fix no sort of date for her -return; I must borrow, therefore, some reflected happiness; and none, -after my children, can bring its sunshine so home to my bosom as -yourself.' - -'What a fortunate moment have you chosen,' cried Edgar, affectionately -taking him by the hand, 'to express this generous pleasure in seeing me -happy! will you repent, will you retract, when you hear in what it may -involve you?... Dearest sir! my honoured, my parental friend! to what a -test shall I put your kindness!... Will you give me in charge one of the -dearest ties of your existence? will you repose in my care so large a -portion of your peace? will you trust to me your Camilla?...' - -With all the ardour of her character, all the keen and quick feelings of -her sensitive mind, scarce had Camilla herself been more struck, more -penetrated with sudden joy, sudden wonder, sudden gratification of every -kind, than Mr. Tyrold felt at this moment. He more than returned the -pressure with which Edgar held his hand, and instantly answered, 'Yes, -my excellent young friend, without hesitation, without a shadow of -apprehension for her happiness! though she is all the fondest father can -wish; ... and though she only who gave her to me is dearer!' - -Felicity and tenderness were now the sole guests in the breast of Edgar. -He kissed with reverence the hand of Mr. Tyrold, called him by the -honoured and endearing title of father; acknowledged that, from the -earliest period of observation, Camilla had seemed to him the most -amiable of human creatures; spoke with the warm devotion he sincerely -felt for her of Mrs. Tyrold; and was breathing forth his very soul in -tender rapture upon his happy prospects, when something between a sigh -and a groan from the baronet, made him hastily turn round, apologise for -not sooner addressing him, and respectfully solicit his consent. - -Sir Hugh was in an agitation of delight and surprise almost too potent -for his strength. 'The Lord be good unto me,' he cried; 'have I lived to -see such a day as this!' Then, throwing his arms about Edgar's neck, -while his eyes were fast filling with tears, which soon ran plentifully -down his cheeks, 'Good young Mr. Edgar!' he cried; 'good young man! and -do you really love my poor Camilla, for all her not being worth a penny? -And will my dear little darling come to so good an end at last, after -being disinherited for doing nothing? And will you never vex her, nor -speak an unkind word to her? Indeed, young Mr. Edgar, you are a noble -boy! you are indeed; and I love you to the bottom of my old heart for -this true good naturedness!' - -Then, again and again embracing him, 'This is all of a piece,' he -continued, 'with your saving my poor old Rover, which is a thing I shall -never forget to my longest day, being a remarkable sign of a good heart; -the poor dog having done nothing to offend, as we can all testify. So -that it's a surprising thing what that mastiff owed him such a grudge -for.' - -Then quitting him abruptly to embrace Mr. Tyrold, 'My dear brother,' he -cried, 'I hope your judgment approves this thing, as well as my -sister's, when she comes to hear it, which I shall send off express, -before I sleep another wink, for fear of accidents.' - -'Approve,' answered Mr. Tyrold, with a look of the most expressive -kindness at Edgar, 'is too cold a word; I rejoice, even thankfully -rejoice, to place my dear child in such worthy and beloved hands.' - -'Well, then,' cried the enchanted baronet, 'if that's the case, that we -are all of one mind, we had better settle the business at once, all of -us being subject to die by delay.' - -He then rang the bell, and ordered Jacob to summon Camilla to the -parlour, adding, 'And all the rest too, Jacob, for I have something to -tell them every one, which, I make no doubt, they will be very glad to -hear, yourself included, as well as your fellow-servants, who have no -right to be left out; only let my niece come first, being her own -affair.' - -Camilla obeyed not the call without many secret sensations of distress -and difficulty, but which, mingled with the more obvious ones of modesty -and embarrassment, all passed for a flutter of spirits that appeared -natural to the occasion. - -Mr. Tyrold could only silently embrace her: knowing what she had -suffered, and judging thence the excess of her present satisfaction, he -would not add to her confusion by any information of his consciousness; -but the softness with which he held her to his bosom spoke, beyond all -words, his heartfelt sympathy in her happiness. - -Camilla had no power to draw herself from his arms; but Edgar hovered -round her, and Sir Hugh repeatedly and impatiently demanded to have his -turn. Mr. Tyrold, gently disengaging himself from her embraces, gave -one of her hands to Edgar, who, with grateful joy, pressed it to his -lips. 'My children!' he then said, laying a hand upon the shoulder of -each, 'what a sight is this to me! how precious a union! what will it be -to your excellent mother! So long and so decidedly it has been our -favourite earthly wish, that, were she but restored to me ... to her -country and to her family ... I might, perhaps, require some new evil to -prevent my forgetting where ... and what I am!' - -'My dear brother, I say! my dear niece! My dear Mr. young Edgar!' cried -Sir Hugh, in the highest good humour, though with nearly exhausted -patience, 'won't you let me put in a word? nor so much as give you my -blessing? though I can hardly hold life and soul together for the sake -of my joy!' - -Camilla cast herself into his arms, he kissed her most fondly, saying: -'Don't forget your poor old uncle, my dear little girl, for the account -of this young Mr. Edgar, because, good as he is, he has taken to you but -a short time in comparison with me.' - -'No,' said Edgar, still tenaciously retaining the hand parentally -bestowed upon him; 'no, dear Sir Hugh, I wish not to rob you of your -darling. I wish but to be admitted myself into this dear and respected -family, and to have Etherington, Cleves, and Beech Park, considered as -our alternate and common habitations.' - -'You are the very best young man in the whole wide world!' cried Sir -Hugh, almost sobbing with ecstasy; 'for you have hit upon just the very -thing I was thinking of in my own private mind! What a mercy it is our -not accepting that young Captain, who would have run away with her to I -don't know where, instead of being married to the very nearest estate in -the county, that will always be living with us!' - -The rest of the family now, obedient to the direction of Jacob, who had -intimated that something extraordinary was going forward, entered the -room. - -'Come in, come in,' cried Sir Hugh, 'and hear the good news; for we have -just been upon the very point of losing the best opportunity that ever -we had in our lives of all living together; which, I hope, we shall now -do, without any more strangers coming upon us with their company, being -a thing we don't desire.' - -'But what's the good news, uncle?' said Indiana; 'is it only about our -living together?' - -'Why, yes, my dear, that's the first principle, and the other is, that -young Mr. Edgar's going to marry Camilla; which I hope you won't take -ill, liking being all fancy.' - -'Me?' cried she, with a disdainful toss of the head, though severely -mortified; 'it's nothing to me, I'm sure!' - -Camilla ashamed, and Edgar embarrassed, strove now mutually to shew Sir -Hugh they wished no more might be said: but he only embraced them again, -and declared he had never been so full of joy before in his whole life, -and would not be cut short. - -Miss Margland, extremely piqued, vented her spleen in oblique sarcasms, -and sought to heal her offended pride by appeals for justice to her -sagacity and foresight in the whole business. - -Jacob, now opening the door, said all the servants were come. - -Camilla tried to escape; but Sir Hugh would not permit her, and the -house-keeper and butler led the way, followed by every other domestic of -the house. - -'Well, my friends,' he cried, 'wish her joy, which I am sure you will do -of your own accord, for she's going to be mistress of Beech Park; which -I thought would have been the case with my other niece, till I found out -my mistakes; which is of no consequence now, all having ended for the -best; though unknown to us poor mortals.' - -The servants obeyed with alacrity, and offered their hearty -congratulations to the blushing Camilla and happy Edgar, Molly Mill -excepted; who, having concluded Sir Sedley Clarendel the man, doubted -her own senses, and, instead of open felicitations, whispered Camilla, -'Dear Miss, I've got another letter for you! It's here in my bosom.' - -Camilla, frightened, said: 'Hush! hush!' while Edgar, imagining the -girl, whose simplicity and talkativeness were familiar to him, had said -something ridiculous, entreated to be indulged with hearing her remark: -but seeing Camilla look grave, forbore to press his request. - -The baronet now began an harangue upon the happiness that would accrue -from these double unions, for which he assured them they should have -double remembrances, though the same preparations would do for both, as -he meant they should take place at the same time, provided Mr. Edgar -would have the obligingness to wait for a fair wind, which he was -expecting every hour. - -Camilla could now stay no longer; nor could Edgar, though adoring the -hearty joy of Sir Hugh, refuse to aid her in absconding. - -He begged her permission to follow, as soon as it might be possible, -which she tacitly accorded. She was impatient herself for the important -conference she was planning, and felt, with increasing solicitude, that -all her life's happiness hung upon her power to extricate herself -honourably from the terrible embarrassment in which she was involved. - -She sauntered about the hall till the servants came out, anxious to -receive the letter which Molly Mill had announced. They all sought to -surround her with fresh good wishes; but she singled out Molly, and -begged the rest to leave her for the present. The letter, however, was -not unpinned from the inside of Molly's neck handkerchief, before Edgar, -eager and gay, joined her. - -Trembling then, she entreated her to make haste. - -'La, Miss,' answered the girl, 'if you hurry me so, I shall tear it as -sure as can be; and what will you say then, Miss?' - -'Well ... then ... another time will do ... take it to my room.' - -'No, no, Miss; the gentleman told Tommy Hodd he wanted an answer as -quick as can be; he said, if Tommy'd come a-horseback, he'd pay for the -horse, to make him quicker; and Tommy says he always behaves very -handsome.' - -She then gave her the squeezed billet. Camilla, in great confusion, put -it into her pocket. Edgar, who even unavoidably heard what passed, held -back till Molly retired; and then, with an air of undisguised surprise -and curiosity, though in a laughing tone, said, 'Must not the letter be -read till I make my bow?' - -'O yes,' ... cried she, stammering, 'it may be read ... at any time.' -And she put her hand in her pocket to reproduce it. But the idea of -making known the strange and unexpected history she had to relate, by -shewing so strange a correspondence, without one leading and softening -previous circumstance, required a force and confidence of which she was -not mistress. She twisted it, therefore, hastily round, to hide the -hand-writing of the direction, and, then, with the same care, rolled it -up, and encircled it with her fingers. - -'Shall I be jealous?' said he, gently, though disappointed. - -'You have much reason!' she answered, with a smile so soft, it dispersed -every fear, yet with an attention so careful to conceal the address, -that it kept alive every wonder. He took her other hand, and kissing it, -cried: 'No, sweetest Camilla, such unworthy distrust shall make no part -of our compact. Yet I own myself a little interested to know what -gentleman has obtained a privilege I should myself prize above almost -any other. I will leave you, however, to read the letter, and, perhaps, -before you answer it ... but no ... I will ask nothing; I shall lose all -pleasure in your confidence, if it is not spontaneous. I will go and -find your sisters.' - -The first impulse of Camilla was, to commit to him immediately the -unopened letter: but the fear of its contents, its style, its -requisitions, made her terror overpower her generosity; and, though she -looked after him with regret, she stood still to break the seal of her -letter. - - _Miss_ Camilla Tyrold. - - Is it thus, O far too fair tormenter! thou delightest to torture? - Dost thou give wings but to clip them? raise expectation but to bid - it linger? fan bright the flame of hope, but to see it consume in - its own ashes? Another delay?... Ah! tell me how I may exist till - it terminates! Name to me, O fair tyrant! some period, ... or build - not upon longer forbearance, but expect me at your feet. You talk - of the Grove: its fair owner is just returned, and calls herself - impatient to see you. To-morrow, then, ... you will not, I trust, - kill me again tomorrow? With the sun, the renovating sun, I will - visit those precincts, nor quit them till warned away by the pale - light of Diana: tell me, then, to what century of that period your - ingenious cruelty condemns me to this expiring state, ere a - vivifying smile recalls me back to life? - - SEDLEY CLARENDEL. - -The immediate presence of Edgar himself could not have made this letter -dye the cheeks of Camilla of a deeper red. She saw that Sir Sedley -thought her only coquetishly trifling, and she looked forward with -nearly equal horror to clearing up a mistake that might embitter his -future life, and to acknowledging to Edgar ... the scrupulous, the -scrutinising, the delicate Edgar ... that such a mistake could have been -formed. - -She was ruminating upon this formidable, this terrible task, when Edgar -again appeared, accompanied by her sisters. She hurried the letter into -her pocket. Edgar saw the action with a concern that dampt his spirits; -he wished to obtain from her immediately the unlimited trust, which -immediately, and for ever, he meant to repose in her. They all strolled -together for a short time in the park; but she was anxious to retreat to -her room, and her sisters were dying with impatience to read Sir -Sedley's letter. Edgar, disturbed to see how little any of their -countenances accorded with the happy feelings he had so recently -experienced, proposed not to lengthen the walk, but flattered himself, -upon re-entering the house, Camilla would afford him a few minutes of -explanation. But she only, with a faint smile, said she should soon -return to the parlour; and he saw Molly Mill eagerly waiting for her -upon the stairs, and heard her, in reply to some question concerning -Tommy Hodd, desire the girl to be quiet till she got to her room. - -Edgar could form no idea of what all this meant, yet, that some secret -disturbance preyed upon Camilla, that some gentleman wrote to her, and -expected impatiently an answer; and that the correspondence passed -neither through her friends, nor by the post, but by the medium of Molly -Mill, were circumstances not less unaccountable than unpleasant. - -Camilla, meanwhile, produced the letter to her sisters, beseeching their -ablest counsel. 'See but,' she cried, 'how dreadfully unprepared is Sir -Sedley for the event of the day! And oh!... how yet more unprepared -must be Edgar for seeing that such a letter could ever be addressed to -me! How shall I shew it him, my dear sisters? how help his believing I -must have given every possible encouragement, ere Sir Sedley could have -written to me in so assured a style?' - -Much deliberation ensued; but they were all so perplexed, that they were -summoned to tea before they had come to any resolution. - -The counsel of Eugenia, then, prevailed; and it was settled, that -Camilla should avoid, for the present, any communication to Edgar, lest -it should lead to mischief between him and the young baronet, who could -not but be mutually displeased with each other; and that the next -morning, before she saw Edgar again, she should set out for the Grove, -and there cast herself wholly upon the generosity of Sir Sedley; and, -when freed from all engagement, return, and relate, without reserve, -the whole history to Edgar; who would so soon be brother of her brother, -that he would pardon the faults of Lionel, and who would then be in no -danger himself from personal contest or discussion with Sir Sedley. She -wrote, therefore, one line, to say she would see Mrs. Arlbery early the -next day, and delivered it to Molly Mill; who promised to borrow a horse -of the under-groom, that Tommy Hodd might be back before bed-time, -without any obligation to Sir Sedley. - -She, then, went down stairs; when Edgar, disappointed by her long -absence, sought vainly to recompense it by conversing with her. She was -gentle, but seated herself aloof, and avoided his eyes. - -His desire to unravel so much mystery he thought now so legitimated by -his peculiar situation, that he was frequently upon the point of -soliciting for information: but, to know himself privileged, upon -further reflexion, was sufficient to insure his forbearance. Even when -that knot was tied which would give to him all power, he sincerely meant -to owe all her trust to willing communication. Should he now, then, make -her deem him exacting, and tenacious of prerogative? no; it might -shackle the freedom of her mind in their future intercourse. He would -quietly, therefore, wait her own time, and submit to her own -inclination. She could not doubt his impatience; he would not compel her -generosity. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_The Triumph of Pride_ - - -The three sisters were retired, at night, to another council in the room -of Camilla, when Molly Mill, with a look of dismay, burst in upon them, -bringing, with the answer of Sir Sedley, news that Tommy Hodd, by an -accident he could not help, had rode the horse she had borrowed for him -of the under-groom to death. - -The dismay, now, spread equally to them all. What a tale would this -misfortune unfold to Sir Hugh, to Edgar, to the whole house! The debt of -Lionel, the correspondence with Sir Sedley, the expectations of the -young baronet.... Camilla could not support it; she sent for Jacob to -own to him the affair, and beg his assistance. - -Jacob, though getting into bed, obeyed the call. He was, however, so -much irritated at the loss of the horse, and the boldness of the -under-groom, in lending him without leave, that, at first, he would -listen to no entreaties, and protested that both the boy and Molly Mill -should be complained of to his master. The eloquence, however, of his -three young mistresses, for so all the nieces of Sir Hugh were called by -the servants at Cleves, soon softened his ire; he almost adored his -master, and was affectionately attached to the young family. They begged -him, therefore, to buy another horse, as like it as possible, and to -contrive not to employ it when Sir Hugh was in sight, till they were -able to clear up the history to their uncle themselves: this would not -be difficult, as the baronet rarely visited his stables since his fall, -from the melancholy with which he was filled by the sight of his horses. - -There was to be a fair for cattle in the neighbourhood the next day, and -Jacob promised to ride over to see what bargain he could make for them. - -They then inquired about what money would be necessary for the purchase. - -The cost, he said, of poor Tom Jones was 40£. - -Camilla held up her hands, almost screaming. Eugenia, with more presence -of mind, said they would see him again in the morning before he went, -and then told Molly Mill to wait for her in her own room. - -'What can I now do?' cried Camilla; 'I would not add the history of this -dreadful expence to the sad tale I have already to relate to Edgar for -the universe! To begin my career by such a string of humiliations would -be insupportable. Already I owe five guineas to Mrs. Arlbery, which the -tumult of my mind since my return has prevented me from naming to my -uncle; and I have left debts at Tunbridge that will probably take up all -my next quarter's allowance!' - -'As far as these three guineas will go,' said Lavinia, taking out her -purse, 'here, my dearest Camilla, they are; ... but how little that is! -I never before thought my pittance too small! yet how well we all know -my dear father cannot augment it.' - -Eugenia, who, in haste, had stept to her own room, now came back, and -putting twenty guineas into the hand of Camilla, said: 'This, my beloved -sister, is all I now have by me; but Jacob is rich and good, and will -rejoice to pay the rest for us at present; and I shall very soon -reimburse him, for my uncle has insisted upon making me a very -considerable present, which I shall, now, no longer refuse.' - -Camilla burst into tears, and, hanging about their necks: 'O my -sisters,' she cried, 'what goodness is yours! but how can I avail myself -of it with any justice? Your three guineas, my Lavinia, your little -all ... how can I bear to take?' - -'Do not teach me to repine, my dear Camilla, that I have no more! I am -sure of being remembered by my uncle on the approaching occasions, and I -can never, therefore, better spare my little store.' - -'You are all kindness! and you my dear Eugenia, though you have more, -have claims upon that more, and are both expected and used to answer -them....' - -'Yes, I have indeed more!' interrupted Eugenia, 'which only sisters good -as mine could pardon; but because my uncle has made me his heiress, has -he made me a brute? No! whatever I have, must be amongst us all in -common, not only now, but ...' She stopt, affrighted at the idea she was -presenting to herself, and fervently clasping her hands, exclaimed: 'O -long ... long may it be ere I can shew my sisters all I feel for them! -they will believe it, I am sure ... and that is far happier!' - -The idea this raised struck them all, at the same moment, to the heart. -Not one of them had dry eyes, and with a sadness over-powering every -other consideration, they sighed as heavily, and with looks as -disconsolate, as if the uncle so dear to them were already no more. - -The influence of parts, the predominance of knowledge, the honour of -learning, the captivation of talents, and even the charm of fame itself, -all shrink in their effects before the superior force of goodness, even -where most simple and uncultivated, for power over the social -affections. - - * * * * * - -At an early hour, the next morning the commission, with the twenty -guineas in hand, and the promise of the rest in a short time, were given -to Jacob; and Camilla, then, begged permission of her father, and the -carriage of her uncle, to visit Mrs. Arlbery, who, she had heard, was -just returned to the Grove. - -Concluding she wished to be the messenger of her own affairs to that -lady, they made no opposition, and she set off before eight o'clock, -without entering the parlour, where Edgar, she was informed, was already -arrived for breakfast. - -The little journey was terrible to her; scenes of disappointment and -despair on the part of Sir Sedley, were anticipated by her alarmed -imagination, and she reproached herself for every word she had ever -spoken, every look she had ever given, that could have raised any -presumption of her regard. - -The last note was written in the style of all the others, and not one -ever expressed the smallest doubt of success; how dreadful then to break -to him such news, at the very moment he might imagine she came to meet -him with partial pleasure! - -Mrs. Arlbery was not yet risen. Camilla inquired, stammering, if any -company were at the house. None, was the answer. She then begged leave -to walk in the garden till Mrs. Arlbery came down stairs. - -She was not sorry to miss her; she dreaded her yet more than Sir Sedley -himself, and hoped to see him alone. - -Nevertheless, she remained a full hour in waiting, ruminating upon the -wonder her disappearance would give to Edgar, and nearly persuaded some -chance had anticipated her account to Sir Sedley, whose rage and grief -were too violent to suffer him to keep his appointment. - -This idea served but to add to her perturbation, when, at last, she saw -him enter the garden. - -All presence of mind then forsook her; she looked around to see if she -could escape, but his approach was too quick for avoidance. Her eyes, -unable to encounter his, were bent upon the ground, and she stood still, -and even trembling, till he reached her. - -To the prepossessed notions and vain character of Sir Sedley, these were -symptoms by no means discouraging; with a confidence almost amounting to -arrogance he advanced, pitying her distress, yet pitying himself still -more for the snare in which it was involving him. He permitted his eyes -for a moment to fasten upon her, to admire her, and to enjoy -triumphantly her confusion in silence: 'Ah, beauteous tyrant!' he then -cried; 'if this instant were less inappreciable, in what language could -I upbraid thy unexampled abuse of power? thy lacerating barbarity?' - -He then, almost by force, took her hand; she struggled eagerly to -recover it, but 'No,' he cried, 'fair torturer! it is now my prisoner, -and must be punished for its inhuman sins, in the congealing and -unmerciful lines it has portrayed for me.' - -And then, regardless of her resistance, which he attributed to mere -bashfulness, he obstinately and incessantly devoured it with kisses, in -defiance of opposition, supplication, or anger, till, suddenly and -piercingly, she startled him with a scream, and snatched it away with a -force irresistible. - -Amazed, he stared at her. Her face was almost convulsed with emotion; -but her eyes, which appeared to be fixed, directed him to the cause. At -the bottom of the walk, which was only a few yards distant, stood -Mandlebert. - -Pale and motionless, he looked as if bereft of strength and faculties. -Camilla had seen him the moment she raised her eyes, and her horror was -uncontrollable. Sir Sedley, astonished at what he beheld, astonished -what to think, drew back, with a supercilious kind of bow. Edgar, -recalled by what he thought insolence to his recollection, advanced a -few steps, and addressing himself to Camilla, said: 'I had the commands -of Sir Hugh to pursue you, Miss Tyrold, to give you immediate notice -that Mr. Lynmere is arrived.' He added no more, deigned not a look at -Sir Sedley, but rapidly retreated, remounted his horse, and galloped -off. - -Camilla looked after him till he was out of sight, with uplifted hands -and eyes, deploring his departure, his mistake, and his resentment, -without courage to attempt stopping him. - -Sir Sedley stood suspended, how to act, what to judge. If Edgar's was -the displeasure of a discarded lover, why should it so affect Camilla? -if of a successful one, why came she to meet him? why had she received -and answered his notes? - -Finding she attempted neither to speak nor move, he again approached -her, and saying, 'Fair Incomprehensible!...' would again have taken her -hand; but rousing to a sense of her situation, she drew back, and with -some dignity, but more agitation, cried: 'Sir Sedley, I blush if I am -culpable of any part of your mistake; but suffer me now to be explicit, -and let me be fully, finally, and not too late understood. You must -write to me no more; I cannot answer nor read your letters. You must -speak to me no more, except in public society; you must go further, Sir -Sedley ... you must think of me no more.' - -'Horrible!' cried he, starting back; 'you distress me past measure!' - -'No, no, you will soon ... easily ... readily forget me.' - -'Inhuman! you make me unhappy past thought!' - -'Indeed I am inexpressibly concerned; but the whole affair....' - -'You shock, you annihilate me, you injure me in the tenderest point!' - -Camilla now, amazed, cried 'what is it you mean, sir?' - -'By investing me, fair barbarian, with the temerity of forming any claim -that can call for repulse!' - -Utterly confounded by so unexpected a disclaiming of all design, she -again, though from far different sensations, cast up her eyes and hands. -And is it, she thought, for a trifler such as this, so unmeaning, so -unfeeling, I have risked my whole of hope and happiness? - -She said, however, no more; for what more could be said? She coloured, -past him, and hastily quitting the garden, told the footman to apologise -to Mrs. Arlbery for her sudden departure, by informing her that a near -relation was just arrived from abroad; and then got into the carriage -and drove back to Cleves. Sir Sedley followed carelessly, yet without -aiming at overtaking her, and intreated, negligently, to be heard, yet -said nothing which required the smallest answer. - -Piqued completely, and mortified to the quick, by the conviction which -now broke in upon him of the superior ascendance of Mandlebert, he could -not brook to have been thought in earnest when he saw he should not have -been accepted, nor pardon his own vanity the affront it had brought upon -his pride. He sung aloud an opera air till the carriage of Sir Hugh was -out of sight, and then drove his phaeton to Clarendel-Place, where he -instantly ordered his post-chaise, and in less than an hour, set off on -a tour to the Hebrides. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_A Summons to Happiness_ - - -Camilla had but just set out from Cleves, when Sir Hugh, consulting his -weather-cocks, which a new chain of ideas had made him forget to -examine, saw that the wind was fair for the voyage of his nephew; and -heard, upon inquiry, that the favourable change had taken place the -preceding day, though the general confusion of the house had prevented -it from being heeded by any of the family. - -With eagerness the most excessive, he went to the room of Eugenia, and -bid her put on a smart hat to walk out with him, as there was no knowing -how soon a certain person might arrive. - -Eugenia, colouring, said she would rather stay within. - -'Well,' cried he, 'you'll be neater, to be sure, for not blowing about -in the wind; so I'll go take t'other girls.' - -Eugenia, left alone, became exceedingly fluttered. She could not bear to -remain in the house under the notion of so degrading a consideration as -owing any advantage to outward appearance; and fearing her uncle, in his -extreme openness, should give that reason for her not walking, she -determined to take a stroll by herself in the park. - -She bent her steps towards a small wood at some distance from the house, -where she meant to rest herself and read; for she had learnt of Dr. -Orkborne never to be unprovided with a book. But she had not yet reached -her place of intended repose, when the sound of feet made her turn -round, and, to her utter consternation, she saw a young man, whose -boots, whip, and foreign air, announced instantly to be Clermont -Lynmere. - -She doubted not but he was sent in pursuit of her; and though youthful -timidity prompted her to shun him, she retained sufficient command over -herself to check it, and to stop till he came up to her; while he, -neither quickening nor slackening his pace as he approached, passed her -with so little attention, that she was presently convinced he had scarce -even perceived her. - -Disconcerted by a meeting so strange and so ill timed, she involuntarily -stood still, without any other power than that of looking after him. - -In a few minutes Molly Mill, running up to her, cried: 'Dear Miss, have -not you seen young Mr. Lynmere? He come by t'other way just as master, -and Miss Margland, and Miss Lynmere, and Miss Tyrold, was gone to meet -him by the great gate; and so he said he'd come and look who he could -find himself.' - -Eugenia had merely voice to order her back. The notion of having a -figure so insignificant as to be passed, without even exciting a doubt -[who] she might be, was cruelly mortifying. She knew not how to return -to the house, and relate such an incident. She sat down under a tree to -recollect herself. - -Presently, however, she saw the stranger turn quick about, and before -she could rise, slightly touching his hat, without looking at her: -'Pray, ma'am,' he said, 'do you belong to that house?' pointing to the -mansion of Sir Hugh. - -Faintly she answered, 'Yes, sir;' and he then added: 'I am just arrived, -and in search of Sir Hugh and the young ladies; one of them, they told -me, was this way; but I can trace nobody. Have you seen any of them?' - -More and more confounded, she could make no reply. Inattentive to her -embarrassment, and still looking every way around, he repeated his -question. She then pointed towards the great gate, stammering she -believed they went that way. 'Thank you;' he answered, with a nod, and -then hurried off. - -She now thought no more of moving nor of rising; she felt a kind of -stupor, in which, fixed, and without reflection, she remained, till, -startled by the sound of her uncle's voice, she got up, made what haste -she was able to the house by a private path, and ascended to her own -room by a back stair case. - -That an interview to which she had so long looked forward, for which, -with unwearied assiduity, she had so many years laboured to prepare -herself, and which was the declared precursor of the most important æra -of her life, should pass over so abruptly, and be circumstanced so -aukwardly, equally dispirited and confused her. - -In a few minutes, Molly Mill, entering, said: 'They're all come back, -and Sir Hugh's fit to eat the young squire up; and no wonder, for he's a -sweet proper gentleman, as ever I see. Come, miss, I hope you'll put on -something else, for that hat makes you look worse than any thing. I -would not have the young squire see you such a figure for never so -much.' - -The artlessness of unadorned truth, however sure in theory of extorting -administration, rarely, in practice, fails inflicting pain or -mortification. The simple honesty of Molly redoubled the chagrin of her -young mistress, who, sending her away, went anxiously to the -looking-glass, whence, in a few moments, she perceived her uncle, from -the window, laughing, and making significant signs to some one out of -her sight. Extremely ashamed to be so surprised, she retreated to the -other end of the room, though not till she had heard Sir Hugh say: 'Ay, -ay, she's getting ready for you; I told you why she would not walk out -with us, so don't let's hurry her, though I can't but commend your being -a little impatient, which I dare say so is she, only young girls can't -so well talk about it.' - -Eugenia now found that Clermont had no suspicion he had seen her. Sir -Hugh concluded she had not left her room, and asked no questions that -could lead to the discovery. - -Presently the baronet came up stairs himself, and tapping at her door, -said: 'Come, my dear, don't be too curious, the breakfast having been -spoilt this hour already; besides your cousin's having nothing on -himself but his riding dress.' - -Happy she could at least clear herself from so derogatory a design, she -opened her door. Sir Hugh, surveying her with a look of surprise and -vexation, exclaimed: 'What my dear! an't you dizen'd yet? why I thought -to have seen you in all your best things!' - -'No, sir,' answered she calmly; 'I shall not dress till dinner-time.' - -'My dear girl,' cried he, kindly, though a little distressed how to -explain himself; 'there's no need you should look worse than you can -help; though you can do better things, I know, than looking well at any -time; only what I mean is, you should let him see you to the best -advantage at the first, for fear of his taking any dislike before he -knows about Dr. Orkborne, and that.' - -'Dislike, sir!' repeated she, extremely hurt; 'if you think he will take -any dislike ... I had better not see him at all!' - -'My dear girl, you quite mistake me, owing to my poor head's always -using the wrong word; which is a remarkable thing that I can't help. But -I don't mean in the least to doubt his being pleased with you, except -only at the beginning, from not being used to you; for as to all your -studies, there's no more Greek and Latin in one body's face than in -another's; but, however, if you won't dress, there's no need to keep the -poor boy in hot water for nothing.' - -He then took her hand, and rather dragged than drew her down stairs, -saying as they went: 'I must wish you joy, though, for I assure you he's -a very fine lad, and hardly a bit of a coxcomb.' - -The family was all assembled in the parlour, except Camilla, for whom -the baronet had instantly dispatched Edgar, and Mr. Tyrold, who was not -yet returned from a morning ride, but for whom Sir Hugh had ordered the -great dinner bell to be rung, as a signal of something extraordinary. - -Young Lynmere was waiting the arrival of Eugenia with avowed and -unbridled impatience. Far from surmising it was her he had met in the -park, he had concluded it was one of the maids, and thought of her no -more. He asked a thousand questions in a breath when his uncle was gone. -Was she tall? was she short? was she plump? was she lean? was she fair? -was she brown? was she florid? was she pale? But as he asked them of -every body, nobody answered; yet all were in some dismay at a curiosity -implying such entire ignorance, except Indiana, who could not, without -simpering, foresee the amazement of her brother at her cousin's person -and appearance. - -'Here's a noble girl for you!' cried Sir Hugh, opening the door with a -flourish; 'for all she's got so many best things, she's come down in her -worst, for the sake of looking ill at the beginning, to the end that -there may be no fault to be found afterwards; which is the wiseness that -does honour to her education.' - -This was, perhaps, the first time an harangue from the baronet had been -thought too short; but the surprise of young Lynmere, at the view of his -destined bride, made him wish he would speak on, merely to annul any -necessity for speaking himself. Eugenia aimed in vain to recover the -calmness of her nature, or to borrow what might resemble it from her -notions of female dignity. The injudicious speech of Sir Hugh, but -publicly forcing upon the whole party the settled purpose of the -interview, covered her with blushes, and gave a tremor to her frame that -obliged her precipitately to seat herself, while her joined hands -supplicated his silence. - -'Well, my dear, well!' said he, kissing her, 'don't let me vex you; what -I said having no meaning, except for the best; though your cousin might -as well have saluted you before you sat down, I think; which, however, I -suppose may be out of fashion now, every thing changing since my time; -which, Lord help me! it will take me long enough to learn.' - -Lynmere noticed not this hint, and they all seated themselves round the -breakfast table; Sir Hugh scarce able to refrain from crying for joy, -and continually exclaiming: 'This is the happiest day of all my life, -for all I've lived so long! To see us all together, at last, and my dear -boy come home to his native old England!' - -Miss Margland made the tea, and young Lynmere instantly and almost -voraciously began eating of every thing that was upon the table. -Indiana, when she saw her brother as handsome as her cousin was -deformed, thought the contrast so droll, she could look at neither -without tittering; Lavinia observed, with extreme concern, the visible -distress of her sister; Dr. Orkborne forbore to ruminate upon his work, -in expectation, every moment, of being called upon to converse with the -learned young traveller; but Sir Hugh alone spoke, though his delight -and his loquacity joined to his pleasure in remarking the good old -English appetite which his nephew had brought with him from foreign -parts, prevented his being struck with the general taciturnity. - -The entrance of Mr. Tyrold proved a relief to all the party, though a -pain to himself. He suffered in seeing the distressed confusion of -Eugenia, and felt something little short of indignation at the -supercilious air with which Clermont seemed to examine her; holding his -head high and back, as if measuring his superior height, while every -line round his mouth marked that ridicule was but suppressed by -contempt. - -When Sir Hugh, at length, observed that the young traveller uttered not -a syllable, he exclaimed: 'Lord help us! what fools it makes of us, -being overjoyed! here am I talking all the talk to myself, while my -young scholar says nothing! which I take to be owing to my speaking only -English; which, however, I should not do, if it was not for the -misfortune of knowing no other, which I can't properly call a fault, -being out of no idleness, as that gentleman can witness for me; for I'll -warrant nobody's taken more pains; but our heads won't always do what we -want.' - -He then gave a long and melancholy detail of his studies and their -failure. - -When the carriage arrived with Camilla, young Lynmere loitered to a -window, to look at it; Eugenia arose, meaning to seize the opportunity -to escape to her room; but seeing him turn round upon her moving, she -again sat down, experiencing, for the first time, a sensation of shame -for her lameness, which, hitherto, she had regularly borne with -fortitude, when she had not forgotten from indifference: neither did she -feel spirits to exhibit, again, before his tall and strikingly elegant -figure, her diminutive little person. - -Camilla entered with traces of a disordered mind too strongly marked in -her countenance to have escaped observation, had she been looked at with -any attention. But Eugenia and Lynmere ingrossed all eyes and all -thoughts. Even herself, at first sight of the husband elect of her -sister, lost, for a moment, all personal consideration, and looked at -him only with the interesting idea of the future fate of Eugenia. But it -was only for a moment; when she turned round, and saw nothing of Edgar, -when her uncle's inquiry what had become of him convinced her he was -gone elsewhere, her heart sunk, she felt sick, and would have glided out -of the room, had not Sir Hugh, thinking her faint for want of her -breakfast, begged Miss Margland to make her some fresh tea; adding, 'As -this is a day in which I intend us all to be happy alike, I beg nobody -will go out of the room, for the sake of our enjoying it all together.' - -This summons to happiness produced the usual effect of such calls; a -general silence, succeeded by a general yawning, and a universal secret -wish of separation, to the single exception of Sir Hugh, who, after a -pause, said, 'Why nobody speaks but me! which I really think odd enough. -However, my dear nephew, if you don't care for our plain English -conversation, which, indeed, after all your studies, one can't much -wonder at, nobody can be against you and the Doctor jabbering together a -little of your Greek and Latin.' - -Lynmere, letting fall his bread upon the table, leaned back in his -chair, and, sticking his hands in his side, looked at his uncle with an -air of astonishment. - -'Nay,' continued the baronet, 'I don't pretend I should be much the -wiser for it; however, it's what I've no objection to hear: so come, -Doctor! you're the oldest; break the ice!' - -A verse of Horace with which Dr. Orkborne was opening his answer, was -stopt short, by the eager manner in which Lynmere re-seized his bread -with one hand, while, with the other, to the great discomposure of the -exact Miss Margland, he stretched forth for the tea-pot, to pour out a -bason of tea; not ceasing the libation till the saucer itself, -overcharged, sent his beverage in trickling rills from the tablecloth to -the floor. - -The ladies all moved some paces from the table, to save their clothes; -and Miss Margland reproachfully inquired if she had not made his tea to -his liking. - -'Don't mind it, I beg, my dear boy,' cried Sir Hugh; 'a little slop's -soon wiped up; and we're all friends: so don't let that stop your -Latin.' - -Lynmere, noticing neither the Latin, the mischief, nor the consolation, -finished his tea in one draught, and then said: 'Pray, sir, where do you -keep all your newspapers?' - -'Newspapers, my dear nephew? I've got no newspapers: what would you have -us do with a mere set of politics, that not one of us understand, in -point of what may be their true drift; now we're all met together -o'purpose to be comfortable?' - -'No newspapers, sir?' cried Lynmere, rising, and vehemently ringing the -bell; and, with a scornful laugh, adding, half between his teeth, 'Ha! -ha! live in the country without newspapers! a good joke, faith!' - -A servant appearing, he gave orders for all the morning papers that -could be procured. - -Sir Hugh looked much amazed; but presently, starting up, said, 'My dear -nephew, I believe I've caught your meaning, at last; for if you mean, as -I take for granted, that we're all rather dull company, why I'll take -your hint, and leave you and a certain person together, to make a better -acquaintance; which you can't do so well while we're all by, on account -of modesty.' - -Eugenia, frightened almost to sickness, [was] caught by her two sisters; -and Mr. Tyrold, tenderly compassionating her apprehensions, whispered to -Sir Hugh to dispense with a _tête-à-tête_ so early: and, taking her -hand, accompanied her himself to her room, composing, and re-assuring -her by the way. - -Sir Hugh, though vexed, then followed, to issue some particular orders; -the rest of the party dispersed, and young Lynmere remained with his -sister. - -Walking on tiptoe to the door, he shut it, and put his ear to the -key-hole, till he no longer heard any footstep. Turning then hastily -round, he flung himself, full length, upon a sofa, and burst into so -violent a fit of laughter, he was forced to hold his sides. - -Indiana, tittering, said, 'Well, brother, how do you like her?' - -'Like her!' he repeated, when able to speak; 'why the old gentleman -doats! He can never, else, seriously suppose I'll marry her.' - -'He! he! he! yes, but he does, indeed, brother. He's got every thing -ready.' - -'Has he, faith?' cried Lynmere, again rolling on the sofa, almost -suffocated with violent laughter: from which, suddenly recovering, he -started up to stroam to a large looking-glass, and, standing before it, -in an easy and most assured attitude, 'Much obliged to him, 'pon -honour!' he exclaimed: 'Don't you think,' turning carelessly, yet in an -elegant position, round to his sister, 'don't you think I am, Indiana?' - -'Me, brother? la! I'm sure I think she's the ugliest little fright, poor -thing! I ever saw in the world, poor thing! such a little, short, -dumpty, hump backed, crooked, limping figure of a fright ... poor -thing!' - -'Yes, yes,' cried he, changing his posture, but still undauntedly -examining himself before the glass, 'he has taken amazing care of me, I -confess; matched me most exactly!' - -Then sitting down, as if to consider the matter more seriously, he took -Indiana by the arm, and, with some displeasure, said, 'Why, what does -the old quoz mean? Does he want me to toss him in a blanket?' - -Indiana tittered more than ever at this idea, till her brother angrily -demanded of her, why she had not written herself some description of -this young Hecate, to prepare him for her sight? Sir Hugh having merely -given him to understand that she was not quite beautiful. - -Indiana had no excuse to plead, but that she did not think of it. She -had, indeed, grown up with an aversion to writing, in common with -whatever else gave trouble, or required attention; and her -correspondence with her brother rarely produced more than two letters in -a year, which were briefly upon general topics, and read by the whole -family. - -She now related to him the history of the will, and the vow, which only -in an imperfect, and but half-credited manner had reached him. - -His laughter than gave place to a storm of rage. He called himself -ruined, blasted, undone; and abused Sir Hugh as a good-for-nothing -dotard, defrauding him of his just rights and expectations. - -'Why, that's the reason,' said Indiana, 'he wants to marry you to cousin -Eugenia; because, he says, it's to make you amends.' - -This led him to a rather more serious consideration of the affair; for, -he protested, the money was what he could not do without. Yet, again -parading to the glass, 'What a shame, Indiana,' he cried, 'what a shame -would it be to make such a sacrifice? If he'll only pay a trifle of -money for me, and give me a few odd hundreds to begin with, I'll hold -him quit of all else, so he'll but quit me of that wizen little stump.' - -A newspaper, procured from the nearest public house, being now brought, -he pinched Indiana by the chin, said she was the finest girl he had seen -in England, and whistled off to his appointed chamber. - -Clermont Lynmere so entirely resembled his sister in person, that now, -in his first youth, he might almost have been taken for her, even -without change of dress: but the effect produced upon the beholders bore -not the same parallel: what in her was beauty in its highest delicacy, -in him seemed effeminacy in its lowest degradation. The brilliant -fairness of his forehead, the transparent pink of his cheeks, the -pouting vermillion of his lips, the liquid lustre of his languishing -blue eyes, the minute form of his almost infantine mouth, and the snowy -whiteness of his small hands and taper fingers, far from bearing the -attraction which, in his sister, rendered them so lovely, made him -considered by his own sex as an unmanly fop, and by the women, as too -conceited to admire any thing but himself. - -With respect to his understanding, his superiority over his sister was -rather in education than in parts, and in practical intercourse with the -world, than in any higher reasoning faculties. His character, like his -person, wanted maturing, the one being as distinct from intellectual -decision, as the other from masculine dignity. He had youth without -diffidence, sprightliness without wit, opinion without judgment, and -learning without knowledge. Yet, as he contemplated his fine person in -the glass, he thought himself without one external fault; and, early -cast upon his own responsibility, was not conscious of one mental -deficiency. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_Offs and Ons_ - - -Mr. Tyrold left Eugenia to her sisters, unwilling to speak of Lynmere -till he had seen something more of him. Sir Hugh, also, was going, for -he had no time, he said, to lose in his preparations: but Eugenia, -taking his arm, besought that nothing of that kind might, at present, be -mentioned. - -'Don't trouble yourself about that, my dear,' he answered; 'for it's -what I take all into my own hands; your cousin being a person that don't -talk much; by which, how can any thing be brought forward, if nobody -interferes? A girl, you know, my dear, can't speak for herself, let her -wish it never so much.' - -'Alas!' said Eugenia, when he was gone, 'how painfully am I situated! -Clermont will surely suppose this precipitance all mine; and already, -possibly, concludes it is upon my suggestion he has thus prematurely -been called from his travels, and impeded in his praise-worthy ambition -of studying the laws, manners, and customs of the different nations of -Europe!' - -The wan countenance of Camilla soon, however, drew all observation upon -herself, and obliged her to narrate the cruel adventure of the morning. - -The sisters were both petrified by the account of Sir Sedley; and their -compassion for his expected despair was changed into disgust at his -insulting impertinence. They were of opinion that his bird and his -letters should immediately be returned; and their horror of any debt -with a character mingling such presumption with such levity, made -Eugenia promise that, as soon as she was mistress of so much money, she -would send him, in the name of Lionel, his two hundred pounds. - -The bird, therefore, by Tom Hodd, was instantly conveyed to -Clarendel-Place; but the letters Camilla retained, till she could first -shew them to Edgar, ... if this event had not lost him to her for ever, -and if he manifested any desire of an explanation. - - * * * * * - -Edgar himself, meanwhile, in a paroxysm of sudden misery, and torturing -jealousy, had galloped furiously to the rector of Cleves. - -'O, Doctor Marchmont!' he cried, 'what a tale have I now to unfold! -Within these last twenty-four hours I have been the most wretched ... -the happiest ... and again the most agonized of human beings! I have -thought Camilla bestowed upon another, ... I have believed her, ... oh, -Doctor!... my own!... I have conceived myself at the summit of all -earthly felicity!... I find myself, at this moment deluded and undone!' - -He then detailed the account, calling upon the Doctor to unravel to him -the insupportable ænigma of his destiny; to tell him for what purpose -Camilla had shewn him a tenderness so bewitching, at the very time she -was carrying on a clandestine intercourse with another? with a man, who, -though destitute neither of wit nor good qualities, it was impossible -she should love, since she was as incapable of admiring as of -participating in his defects? To what incomprehensible motives attribute -such incongruities? Why accept and suffer her friends to accept him, if -engaged to Sir Sedley? why, if seriously meaning to be his, this secret -correspondence? Why so early, so private, so strange a meeting? 'Whence, -Doctor Marchmont, the daring boldness of his seizing her hand? whence -the never-to-be-forgotten licence with which he presumed to lift it to -his lips, ... and there hardily to detain it, so as never man durst do, -whose hopes were not all alive, from his own belief in their -encouragement! explain, expound to me this work of darkness and -amazement; tell me why, with every appearance of the most artless -openness, I find her thus eternally disingenuous and unintelligible? -why, though I have cast myself wholly into her power, she retains all -her mystery ... she heightens it into deceit next perjury?' - -'Ask me, my dear young friend, why the sun does not give night, and the -moon day; then why women practise coquetry. Alas! my season for surprise -has long been passed! They will rather trifle, even with those they -despise, than be candid even with those they respect. The young baronet, -probably, has been making his court to her, or she has believed such was -his design; but as you first came to the point, she would not hazard -rejecting you, while uncertain if he were serious. She was, possibly, -putting him to the test, by the account of your declaration, at the -moment of your unseasonable intrusion.' - -'If this, Doctor, is your statement, and if your statement is just, in -how despicable a lottery have I risked the peace of my life! You -suppose then ... that, if sure of Sir Sedley ... I am discarded?' - -'You know what I think of your situation: can I, when to yet more riches -I add a title, suppose that of Sir Sedley less secure?' - -The shuddering start, the distracted look of Edgar, with his hand -clapped to his burning forehead, now alarmed the Doctor; who endeavoured -to somewhat soften his sentence, dissuading him against any immediate -measures, and advising him to pass over these first moments of emotion, -and then coolly to suffer inquiry to take place of decision. But Edgar -could not hear him; he shook hands with him, faintly smiled, as an -apology for not speaking; and, hurrying off, without waiting for his -servant, galloped towards the New Forest: leaving his absence from -Cleves to declare his defection, and bent only to fly from Camilla, and -all that belonged to her. - -All, however, that belonged to Camilla was precisely what followed him; -pursued him in every possible form, clung to his heart-strings, almost -maddened his senses. He could not bear to reflect; retrospection was -torture, anticipation was horror. To lose thus, without necessity, -without calamity, the object of his dearest wishes, ... to lose her from -mere declension of esteem.... - -'Any inevitable evil,' he cried, 'I could have sustained; any blow of -fortune, however severe; any stroke of adversity, however terrible; ... -but this ... this error of all my senses ... this deception of all my -hopes ... this extinction of every feeling I have cherished'-- - -He rode on yet harder, leaping over every thing, thoughtless rather than -fearless of every danger he could encounter, and galloping with the -speed and violence of some pursuit, though wholly without view, and -almost without consciousness; as if, hoping by flight, to escape from -the degenerate portrait of Camilla: but its painter was his own -imagination, and mocked the attempt. - -From the other side of a five-barred gate, which, with almost frantic -speed, he was approaching with a view to clear, a voice halloo'd to stop -him; and, at the same time, a man who was leading one horse, and riding -another, dismounted, and called out, 'Why, as sure as I'm alive, it's -'Squire Mandlebert!' - -Edgar now, perceiving Jacob, was going to turn back to avoid him; but, -restraining this first movement, faintly desired him to stand by, as he -had not a moment to lose. - -'Good lack!' cried Jacob, with the freedom of an old servant, who had -known him from a boy; 'why, I would not but have happened to come this -way for never so much! why you might have broke your neck, else! Leap -such a gate as this here? why, I can't let you do no such a thing! Miss -Camilla's like a child of my own, as one may say; and she'll never hold -up her head again, I'll be bound for it, if you should come to any harm; -and, as to poor old master! 'twould go nigh to break his heart.' - -Struck with words which, from so faithful an old servant, could not but -be touching, Edgar was brought suddenly to himself, and felt the claim -of the Tyrold family for a conduct more guarded. He endeavoured to put -his own feelings apart, and consider how best he might spare those of -the friends of Camilla; those of Camilla herself he concluded to be out -of his reach, except as they might simply relate to the female pride and -vanity of refusing rather than being given up. - -He paused, now, to weigh how he might obviate any offence; and, after -first resolving to write a sort of general leave-taking, and, next, -seeing the almost insuperable objections to whatever he could state, -determined upon gaining time for deliberation, by merely commissioning -Jacob to carry a message to Cleves, that some sudden affairs called him, -for the present, to a distant part of the country. This, at such a -period, would create a surprise that might lead the way to what would -follow: and Camilla, who could not, he thought, be much astonished, -might then take her own measures for the defection she would see reason -to expect. - -But Jacob resisted bearing the intelligence: 'Good lack, sir,' he cried, -'what have you got in your head? something that will do you no good, -I'll be bound, by the look of your eyes, which look as big as if they -was both going to drop out; you'd better come yourself and tell 'em -what's the matter, and speak a word to poor Miss Camilla, or she'll -never believe but what some ill has betided you. Why we all knew about -it, fast enough, before our master told us; servants have eyes as well -as their masters; only Mary will have it she found it out at the first, -which an't true, for I saw it by the time you'd been a week in the -house; and if you'll take my word, squire, I don't think there's such -another heart in the world as Miss Camilla's, except just my own old -master's.' - -Edgar leant against his horse, neither speaking nor moving, yet -involuntarily listening, while deeply sighing. - -'What a power of good she'll do,' continued Jacob, 'when she's mistress -of Beech Park! I warrant she'll go about, visiting the poor, and making -them clothes, and broths, and wine possets, and baby-linen, all day -long. She has done it at Etherington quite from a child; and when she -had nothing to give 'em, she used to take her thread papers and needle -books, and sit down and work for them, and carry them bits and scraps of -things to help 'em to patch their gowns. Why when she's got your fine -fortunes, she'll bring a blessing upon the whole county.' - -Edgar felt touched; his wrath was softened into tenderness, and he -ejaculated to himself: 'Such, indeed, I thought Camilla! active in -charity, gentle in good works!... I thought that in putting my fortune -into her hands, I was serving the unhappy, ... feeding the indigent, ... -reviving the sick!' - -'Master,' continued Jacob, 'took a fancy to her from the very first, as -well as I; and when master said she was coming to live with us, I asked -to make it a holiday for all our folks, and master was as pleased as I. -But nobody'd think what a tender heart she's got of her own, without -knowing her, because of her singing, and laughing, and dancing so, -except when old Miss Margland's in the way, who's what Mr. Lionel calls -a kill-joy at any time. Howbeit, I'll take special care she shan't be by -when I tell her of my stopping you from breaking your neck here; but I -wish you could be in a corner yourself, to peep at her, without her -knowing it; I'll warrant you she'll give me such a smile, you'd be fit -to eat her!' - -Shaken once more in every resolution, because uncertain in every -opinion, Edgar found the indignant desperation which had seized him -begin to subside, and his mind again become assailable by something -resembling hope. Almost instinctively he remounted his horse, and almost -involuntarily ... drawn on by hearkening to the praise of Camilla, and -fascinated by the details made by Jacob of her regard, accompanied him -back to Cleves. - -As they rode into the park, and while he was earnestly endeavouring to -form some palliation, by which he might exculpate what seemed to him so -guilty in the strange meeting and its strange circumstances, he -perceived Camilla herself, walking upon the lawn. He saw she had -observed him, and saw, from her air, she seemed irresolute if to -re-enter the house, or await him. - -Jacob, significantly pointing her out, offered to shew the effect he -could produce by what he could relate; but Edgar, giving him the charge -of his horse, earnestly besought him to retire in quiet, and to keep his -opinions and experiments to himself. - -Each now, separately, and with nearly equal difficulty, strove to attain -fortitude to seek an explanation. They approached each other; Camilla -with her eyes fixed upon the ground, her air embarrassed, and her cheeks -covered with blushes; Edgar with quick, but almost tottering steps, his -eyes wildly avoiding hers, and his complexion pale even to -indisposition. - -When they were met within a few yards, they stopt; Camilla still without -courage to look up, and Edgar striving to speak, but finding no passage -for his voice. Camilla, then, ashamed of her situation, raised her eyes, -and forced herself to say, 'Have you been into the house? Have you seen -my cousin Lynmere?' - -'No ... madam.' - -Struck with a cold formality that never before, from Edgar, had reached -her ears, and shocked by the sight of his estranged and altered -countenance, with the cruel consciousness that appearances authorised -the most depreciating suspicions, she advanced, and holding out her -hand, 'Edgar,' she gently cried, 'are you ill? or only angry?' - -'O Camilla!' he answered, 'can you deign to use to me such a word? can -you distort my dearest affections, convulse my fairest hopes, eradicate -every power of happiness ... yet speak with so much sweetness ... yet -look at me with such mildness? such softness ... I had almost said ... -such kindness?' - -Deeply affected, she could hardly stand. He had taken her offered hand, -but in a manner so changed from the same action the preceding day, that -she scarce knew if he touched while he held it, scarce felt that he -relinquished, as almost immediately she withdrew it. - -But her condescension at this moment was rather a new torment than any -solace to him. The hand which she proferred, and which the day before he -had received as the token of permanent felicity, he had now seen in the -possession of another, with every licence, every apparent mark of -permitted rapture in which he had been indulged himself. He knew not to -whom it of right belonged; and the doubt not merely banished happiness, -but mingled resentment with misery. - -'I see,' cried she, after a mortified pause; 'you have lost your good -opinion of me ... I can only, therefore....' She stopt, but his -melancholy silence was a confirmation of her suggestion that offended -her into more exertion, and, with sensibility raised into dignity, she -added, 'only hope your intended tour to the Continent may take place -without delay!' - -She would then have walked on to the house; but following her, 'Is all -over?' he cried, 'and is it thus, Camilla, we part?' - -'Why not?' said she, suppressing a sigh, yet turning back. - -'What a question! cruel Camilla! Is this all the explanation you allow -me?' - -'What other do you wish?' - -'All!... every other!... that meeting ... those letters....' - -'If you have any curiosity yet remaining ... only name what you desire.' - -'Are you indeed so good?' cried he, in a voice that shewed his soul -again melting; 'those letters, then....' - -'You shall have them ... every one!' she cried, with alacrity; and -instantly taking out her pocket-book, presented him with the prepared -packet. - -Penetrated by this unexpected openness and compliance, he snatched her -hand, with intent to press it to his lips; but again the recollection he -had seen that liberty accorded to Sir Sedley, joined to the sight of his -writing, checked him; he let it go; bowed his thanks with a look of -grateful respect, and attempting no more to stop her, walked towards the -summer-house, to peruse the letters. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_Resolutions_ - - -The sound of the dinner-bell, which rang in the ears of Edgar before he -reached his intended retreat, would have been unnoticed, if not seconded -by a message from Sir Hugh, who had seen him from his window. - -Compelled to obey, though in a state of suspense almost intolerable, he -put up the important little packet, and repaired to the dining parlour; -where, though none were equally disturbed with himself, no one was at -ease. Young Lynmere, under an appearance of mingled assurance and -apathy, the effect of acquired conceit, playing upon natural insipidity, -was secretly tormented with the rueful necessity of sacrificing either a -noble fortune, or his own fine person; Sir Hugh felt a strange -disappointment from the whole behaviour of his nephew, though it was -what he would not acknowledge, and could not define; Mr. Tyrold saw with -much uneasiness the glaringly apparent unsuitableness of the intended -alliance; Eugenia had never yet thought herself so plain and -insignificant, and felt as if, even since the morning, the small-pox had -renewed its ravages, and she had sunk into being shorter; Indiana and -Miss Margland were both acutely incensed with Mandlebert; Dr. Orkborne -saw but small reason to expect gratitude for his labours from the -supercilious negligence of the boasted young student; Lavinia was -disturbed for both her sisters; and Camilla felt that all she valued in -life depended upon the next critical hour or two. - -In this state of general discomfort, Sir Hugh, who could never be -silent, alone talked. Having long prepared himself to look upon this -meeting as a day of happiness, he strove to believe, for a while, the -whole family were peculiarly enjoying themselves; but, upon a dead -silence, which ensued upon his taking a copious draught of Madeira and -water, 'Why, my dear nephew,' he cried, putting down his goblet, 'you -don't tell us any thing? which I've no doubt but you know why yourself. -However, as we're all met o' purpose to see you, I can't say I should be -sorry to hear the sound of your voice, provided it won't be -disagreeable.' - -'We are not much--conversant, sir, in each other's connexions, I -believe,' answered Lynmere, without ceasing a moment to eat, and to help -himself, and ordering a fresh plate at every second mouthful; 'I have -seen nothing, yet, of your folks hereabouts; and, I fancy, sir, you -don't know a great deal of the people I have been used to.' - -Sir Hugh, having good humouredly acknowledged this to be truth, was at a -loss what further to purpose; and, imagining the taciturnity of the rest -of the party to proceed from an awe of the knowledge and abilities of -his nephew, soon became himself so infected with fear and reverence, -that, though he could not be silent, he spoke only to those who were -next him, and in a whisper. - -When the dessert was served, something like a general relief was -effected by the unexpected entrance of Dr. Marchmont. Alarmed by the -ungoverned, and, in him, unprecedented, emotions of Edgar, he had been -to Beech Park; and, finding he had not returned there, had ridden on, in -the most uneasy uncertainty, to inquire for him at Cleves. - -Happy to see him safe, though almost smiling to see with whom, he was -beginning some excuse for his intrusion, when the baronet saved his -proceeding, by calling out, 'Well, this is as good a piece of good luck -as any we've met with yet! Here's Dr. Marchmont come to wish us joy; and -as he's as good a scholar as yourself, nephew, for any thing I know to -the contrary, why you need not be so afraid of speaking, for the sake of -our not understanding you; which here's five of us can do now, as well -as yourself.' - -Lynmere, readily concluding Mr. Tyrold and Edgar, with the two Doctors, -made four, glanced round the table to see who might be the fifth; when, -supposing it Miss Margland, he withdrew his eyes with a look of -derision, and, turning to the butler, asked what wines he might call -for. - -Sir Hugh then proposed that they should all pair off; the ignorant ones -going one way, and the learned ones staying another. - -It would be difficult to say which looked most averse to this -proposition, Eugenia, or the young traveller; who hastily said, 'I -always ride after dinner, sir. Is your groom at hand? Can he shew me -your horses?' - -'My nephew little suspects,' cried Sir Hugh, winking, 'Eugenia belongs -to the scholars! Ten to one but he thinks he's got Homer and Horace to -himself! But here, my dear boy, as you're so fond of the classics'-- - -Clermont, nimbly rising, and knocking down a decanter of water in his -haste, but not turning back to look at it, nor staying to offer any -apology, affected not to hear his uncle, and flung hastily out of the -room, calling upon Indiana to follow him. - -'In the name of all the _Diavoli_,' cried he, pulling her into the park -with him, 'what does all this mean? Is the old gentleman _non compos_? -what's all this stuff he descants upon so freely, of scholars, and -classics, and Homer, and Horace?' - -'O you must ask Eugenia, not me!' answered Indiana, scornfully. - -'Why, what does Eugenia know of the matter?' - -'Know? why every thing. She's a great scholar, and has been brought up -by Dr. Orkborne; and she talks Greek and Latin.' - -'Does she so? then, by the Lord! she's no wife of mine! I'd as soon -marry the old Doctor himself! and I'm sure he'd make me as pretty a -wife. Greek and Latin! why I'd as soon tie myself to a rod. Pretty sort -of dinners she'll give!' - -'O dear, yes, brother; she don't care what she eats; she cares for -nothing but books, and such kind of things.' - -'Books! ha! ha! Books, and Latin and Greek! upon my faith, a pretty wife -the old gentleman has been so good as to find me! why he must be a -downright driveller!' - -'Ah, brother, if we had all that fortune, what a different figure we -should cut with it!' - -'Why, yes, I rather flatter myself we should. No great need of five -thousand a year to pore over books! Ha! ha! faith, this is a good hum -enough! So he thinks to take me in, does he?' - -'Why, you know, she is so rich, brother....' - -'Rich? well, and what am I? do you see such a figure as this,' (suddenly -skipping before her,) 'every day? Am I reduced to my last legs, think -you? Do you suppose I can't meet with some kind old dowager any time -these twenty years?' - -'La, brother, won't you have her then?' - -'No, faith, won't I! It's not come to that, neither. This learning is -worse than her ugliness; 'twould make me look like a dunce in my own -house.' - -He then protested he had rather lose forty estates, than so be -sacrificed, and vowed, without venturing a direct refusal, he would soon -sicken the old gentleman of his scheme. - - * * * * * - -Eugenia, in retreating to her room, was again accompanied by her father -and her uncle, whom she conjured now, to name her to Clermont no more. - -'I can't say I admire these puttings off, my dear,' said the baronet, -'in this our mortal state, which is always liable to end in our dying. -Not that I pretend to tell you I think him over much alert; but there's -no knowing but what he may have some meaning in it that we can't -understand; a person having studied all his life, has a right to a -little particularity.' - -Mr. Tyrold himself now seriously interfered, and desired that, -henceforth, Clermont might be treated as if his visit to Cleves was -merely to congratulate his uncle upon his recovery; and that all -schemes, preparations, and allusions, might be put aside, unless the -youth himself, and with a good grace, brought them forward; meanwhile, -he and Lavinia would return without delay to Etherington, to obviate all -appearance of waiting the decision of any plan. - -Sir Hugh was much discomfited by the exaction of such forbearance, yet -could the less oppose it, from his own internal discontent with his -nephew, which he inadvertently betrayed, by murmuring, in his way to his -chamber, 'There's no denying but what they've got some odd-fangled new -ways of their own, in those foreign parts; meeting a set of old -relations for the first time, and saying nothing to them, but asking for -the newspapers! Lord help us! caring about the wide world, so, when we -know nothing of it, instead of one's own uncles and nephews, and -kinspeople!' - - * * * * * - -During this time, Edgar, almost agonised by suspence and doubt, had -escaped to the summer-house, whither he was followed by Dr. Marchmont, -greatly to the wonder, almost with the contempt of Dr. Orkborne; whom he -quitted, in anxiety for his young friend, just as he had intimated a -design to consult him upon a difficult passage in an ancient author, -which had a place in his work, that was now nearly ready for the press. - -'I know well, Doctor,' said Edgar, 'that to find me here, after all that -has passed, will make you conclude me the weakest of men ... but I -cannot now explain how it has been brought about ... these letters must -first tell me if Camilla and I meet more than once again.' - -He then hastily ran over the letters; but by no means hastily could he -digest, nor even comprehend their contents. He thought them florid, -affected, and presuming; yet vague, studied, with little appearance of -sincerity, and less of explicit decision. What related to Lionel, and to -aiding him in the disposal of his wealth, seemed least intelligible, yet -most like serious meaning; but when he found that the interview at the -Grove was by positive appointment, and granted to a request made with a -forwardness and assurance so wide from all delicacy and propriety, the -blood mounted high into his cheeks, and, precipitately putting up the -packet, he exclaimed: 'Here, then, it ends! the last little ray of -hesitation is extinct ... extinct to be kindled never more!' - -The sound of these last words caused him an emotion of sorrow he was -unable to resist, though unwilling to betray, and he hurried out of the -summer-house to the wood, where he strove to compose his mind to the -last leave-taking upon which he was now determined; but so dreadful was -the resolution which exacted from his own mouth the resignation of all -that, till now, had been dearest to his views and hopes, that the -afternoon was far advanced, before he could assume sufficient courage to -direct his steps to the spot where the sacrifice was to be made. - -Accusing himself, then, of weakness unpardonable, he returned to the -summer-house, to apologise to Dr. Marchmont for his abrupt retreat; but -the Doctor had already re-entered the mansion. Thither, therefore, he -proceeded, purposing to seek Camilla, to return her the letters of Sir -Sedley, and to desire her commands in what manner to conduct himself -with her father and her uncle, in acknowledging his fears that the -projected union would fail of affording, to either party, the happiness -which, at first, it seemed to promise. - -The carriage of Sir Hugh was in waiting at the door, and Mr. Tyrold and -Lavinia were in the hall. Edgar, in no condition for such an encounter, -would have avoided them; but Mr. Tyrold, little suspecting his desire, -rejoiced at the meeting, saying he had had the house searched for him in -vain, that he might shake hands with him before his return to -Etherington. - -Then, taking him apart, 'My dear Edgar,' he cried, 'I have long loved -you as tenderly, and I may now confide in you as completely, as if you -were my son. I go hence in some inquietude; I fear my brother has been -too hasty in making known his views with regard to Clermont; who does -not seem equal to appreciating the worth of Eugenia, though it is -evident he has not been slack in noticing her misfortunes. I entreat -you, during my absence, to examine him as if you were already the -brother of that dear child, who merits, you well know, the best and -tenderest of husbands.' - -He then followed Lavinia into the carriage, prevented by his own -occupied mind from observing the fallen countenance of Edgar, who, more -wretched than ever, bemoaned now the kindness of which he had hitherto -been proud, and lamented the paternal trust which he would have -purchased the day before almost with life. - - * * * * * - -Camilla, during this period, had gone through conflicts no less severe. - -Jacob, who had bought a horse, for which he had cheerfully advanced 20 -l. had informed her of the gate adventure of Edgar, and told her that, -but for his stopping him, he was riding like mad from Cleves, and only -sending them all a message that he could not come back. - -Grieved, surprised, and offended, she instantly determined she would not -risk such another mark of his cold superiority, but restore to him his -liberty, and leave him master of himself. 'If the severity of his -judgment,' cried she, 'is so much more potent than the warmth of his -affection, it shall not be his delicacy, nor his compassion, that shall -make me his. I will neither be the wife of his repentance nor of his -pity. I must be convinced of his unaltered love, his esteem, his -trust ... or I shall descend to humiliation, not rise to happiness, in -becoming his. Softness here would be meanness; submission degrading ... -if he hesitates ... let him go!' - -She then, without weighing, or even seeing one objection, precipitately -resolved to beg permission of her friends, to accept an invitation she -had received, without as yet answering, to meet Mrs. Berlinton at -Southampton, where that lady was going to pass some weeks. She could -there, she thought, give the rejection which here its inviolable -circumstances made her, for Lionel's sake, afraid to risk; or she could -there, if a full explanation should appease him, find opportunity to -make it with equal safety; his dislike to that acquaintance rather urged -than impeded her plan, for her wounded spirit panted to prove its -independence and dignity. - -Eugenia approved this elevation of sentiment, and doubted not it would -shew her again in her true light to Edgar, and bring him, with added -esteem, to her feet. - -Camilla wept with joy at the idea: 'Ah!' she cried, 'if such should be -my happy fate; if, after hearing all my imprudence, my precipitance, and -want of judgment, he should voluntarily, when wholly set free, return to -me ... I will confess to him every feeling ... and every failing of my -heart! I will open to him my whole soul, and cast myself ever after upon -his generosity and his goodness.... O, my Eugenia! almost on my knees -could I receive ... a second time ... the vows of Edgar Mandlebert!' - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_Ease and Freedom_ - - -Lynmere, at tea-time, returned from his ride, with a fixed plan of -frightening or disgusting the baronet from the alliance; with Eugenia, -herself, he imagined the attempt would be vain, for he did not conceive -it possible any woman who had eyes could be induced to reject him. - -Determined, therefore, to indulge, in full, both the natural presumption -and acquired luxuriance of his character, he conducted himself in a -manner that, to any thing short of the partiality of Sir Hugh, would -have rendered him insupportably offensive: but Sir Hugh had so long -cherished a reverence for what he had himself ordered with regard to his -studies, and what he implicitly credited of his attainments, that it was -more easy to him to doubt his senses, than to suppose so accomplished a -scholar could do any thing but what was right. - -'Your horses are worth nothing, sir,' cried he, in entering; 'I never -rode so unpleasant a beast. I don't know who has the care of your stud; -but whoever it is, he deserves to be hanged.' - -Sir Hugh could not refuse, either to his justice or his kindness, to -vindicate his faithful Jacob; and for his horses he made as many -excuses, as if every one had been a human creature, whom he was -recommending to his mercy, with a fear they were unworthy of his favour. - -Not a word was said more, except what Miss Margland, from time to time, -extorted, by begging questions, in praise of her tea, till Lynmere, -violently ringing the bell, called out to order a fire. - -Every body was surprised at this liberty, without any previous demand of -permission from the baronet, or any inquiry into the feelings of the -rest of the company; and Sir Hugh, in a low voice, said to Eugenia, 'I -am a little afraid poor Mary will be rather out of humour to have the -grate to polish again tomorrow morning, in the case my nephew should not -like to have another fire then; which, I suppose, if the weather -continues so hot, may very likely not be agreeable to him.' - -Another pause now ensued; Dr. Marchmont, who, of the whole party, was -alone, at this time, capable of leading to a general conversation, was -separately occupied by watching Camilla; while himself, as usual, was -curiously and unremittingly examined by Dr. Orkborne, in whom so much -attention to a young lady raised many private doubts of the justice of -his scholastic fame; which soon, by what he observed of his civility -even to Miss Margland, were confirmed nearly to scepticism. - -Mary, now, entering with a coal scuttle and a candle, Lynmere, with much -displeasure, called out, 'Bring wood; I hate coals.' - -Mary, as much displeased, and nearly as much humoured as himself, -answered that nothing but coals were ever burnt in that grate. - -'Take it all away, then, and bid my man send me my pelisse. That I made -to cross the Alps in.' - -'I am very sorry, indeed, nephew,' said Sir Hugh, 'that we were not -better prepared for your being so chilly, owing to the weather being set -in so sultry, that we none of us much thought of having a fire; and, -indeed, in my young time, we were never allowed thinking of such things -before Michaelmas-day; which I suppose is quite behind-hand now. Pray, -nephew, if it is not too much trouble to you, what's the day for -lighting fires in foreign parts?' - -'There's no rule of that sort, now, sir, in modern philosophy; that kind -of thing's completely out; entirely exploded, I give you my word.' - -'Well, every thing's new, Lord help me, since I was born! But pray, -nephew, if I may ask, without tiring you too much, on account of my -ignorance, have they fires in summer as well as winter there?' - -'Do you imagine there are grates and fires on the Continent, sir, the -same as in England? ha! ha!' - -Sir Hugh was discountenanced from any further inquiry. - -Another silence ensued, broken again by a vehement ringing of the bell. - -When the servant appeared, 'What have you got,' cried Lynmere, 'that you -can bring me to eat?' - -'Eat, nephew! why you would not eat before supper, when here's nobody -done tea? not that I'd have you baulk your appetite, which, to be sure, -ought to be the best judge.' - -The youth ordered some oysters. - -There were none in the house. - -He desired a barrel might immediately be procured; he could eat nothing -else. - -Still Edgar, though frequent opportunities occurred, had no fortitude to -address Camilla, and no spirits to speak. To her, however, his dejection -was a revival; she read in it her power, and hoped her present plan -would finally confirm it. - -A servant now came in, announcing a person who had brought two letters, -one for Sir Hugh, the other for Miss Camilla, but who said he would -deliver them himself. The baronet desired he might be admitted. - -Several minutes passed, and he did not appear. The wonder of Sir Hugh -was awakened for his letter; but Camilla, dreading a billet from Sir -Sedley, was in no haste. - -Lynmere, however, glad of an opportunity to issue orders, or make -disturbance, furiously rang the bell, saying: 'Where are these letters?' - -'Jacob,' said the baronet, 'my nephew don't mean the slowness to be any -fault of yours, it being what you can't help; only tell the person that -brought us our letters, we should be glad to look at them, not knowing -who they may be from.' - -'Why he seems but an odd sort of fish, sir; I can't much make him out; -he's been begging some flour to put in his hair; he'll make himself so -spruce, he says, we sha'n't know him again; I can't much think he's a -gentleman.' - -He then, however, added he had made a mistake, as there was no letter -for his master, but one for Miss Camilla, and the other for Miss -Margland. - -'For me?' exclaimed Miss Margland, breaking forth from a scornful -silence, during which her under lip had been busy to express her -contempt of the curiosity excited upon this subject. 'Why how dare they -not tell me it was for me? it may be from somebody of consequence, -about something of importance, and here's half a day lost before I can -see it!' - -She then rose to go in search of it herself, but opened the door upon -Mr. Dubster. - -A ghost, could she have persuaded herself she had seen one, could not -more have astonished, though it would more have dismayed her. She drew -haughtily back, saying: 'Is there nobody else come?' - -The servant answered in the negative, and she retreated to her chair. - -Camilla alone was not perplext by this sight; she had, already, from the -description, suggested whom she might expect, according to the -intimation given by the ever mischievous Lionel. - -Miss Margland, concluding he would turn out to be some broken tradesman, -prepared herself to expect that the letter was a petition, and watched -for an opportunity to steal out of the room. - -Mr. Dubster made two or three low bows, while he had his hand upon the -door, and two or three more when he had shut it. He then cast his eyes -round the room, and espying Camilla, with a leering sort of smile, said: -'O, you're there, ma'am! I should find you out in a hundred. I've got a -letter for you, ma'am, and another for the gentlewoman I took for your -mamma; and I was not much out in my guess, for there's no great -difference, as one may say, between a mamma and a governess; only the -mother's the more natural, like.' - -He then presented her a letter, which she hastily put up, not daring to -venture at a public perusal, lest it might contain not merely something -ludicrous concerning Mr. Dubster, to which she was wholly indifferent, -but allusions to Sir Sedley Clarendel, which, in the actual situation of -things, might be fatally unseasonable. - -'And now,' said Mr. Dubster, 'I must give up my t'other letter, asking -the gentlewoman's pardon for not giving it before; only I was willing to -give the young lady her's first, young ladies being apt to be more in a -hurry than people a little in years.' - -This address did not much add to the benevolent eagerness of Miss -Margland to read the epistle, and endeavouring to decline accepting it: -'Really,' she said, 'unless I know what it's about, I'm not much used to -receiving letters in that manner.' - -'As to what it's about,' cried he, with a half suppressed simper, and -nodding his head on one side; 'that's a bit of a secret, as you'll see -when you've read it.' - -'Indeed, good man, I wish you very well; but as to reading all the -letters that every body brings one, it requires more time than I can -pretend to have to spare, upon every trifling occasion.' - -She would then have retired; but Mr. Dubster, stopping her, said: 'Why, -if you don't read it, ma'am, nobody'll be never the wiser for what I -come about, for it's ungain-like to speak for one's self; and the young -gentleman said he'd write to you, because, he said, you'd like it the -best.' - -'The young gentleman? what young gentleman?' - -'Young squire Tyrold; he said you'd be as pleased as any thing to tell -it to the old gentleman yourself; for you was vast fond, he said, of -matrimony.' - -'Matrimony? what have I to do with matrimony?' cried Miss Margland, -reddening and bridling; 'if it's any vulgar trick of that kind, that Mr. -Lionel is amusing himself with, I'm not quite the right sort of person -to be so played upon; and I desire, mister, you'll take care how you -come to me any more upon such errands, lest you meet with your proper -deserts.' - -'Dear heart! I'm not going to offer anything uncivil. As to matrimony, -it's no great joke to a man, when once he's made his way in the world; -it's more an affair of you ladies by half.' - -'Of us? upon my word! this is a compliment rather higher than I -expected. Mr. Lionel may find, however, I have friends who will resent -such impertinence, if he imagines he may send who he will to me with -proposals of this sort.' - -'Lauk, ma'am, you need not be in such a fright for nothing! however, -there's your letter, ma'am,' putting it upon the table; 'and when you -are in better cue, I suppose you'll read it.' - -Then, advancing to Camilla: 'Now, ma'am, let's you and I have a little -talk together; but first, by good rights, I ought to speak to your -uncle; only I don't know which he is; 'twill be mortal kind if you'll -help a body out.' - -Sir Hugh was going to answer for himself, when Lynmere, fatigued with so -long a scene in which he had no share, had recourse to his friend the -bell, calling out, at the same time, in a voice of impatience, 'No -oysters yet!' - -Sir Hugh now began to grow unhappy for his servants; for himself he not -only could bear any thing, but still concluded he had nothing to bear; -but his domestics began all to wear long faces, and, accustomed to see -them happy, he was hurt to observe the change. No partiality to his -nephew could disguise to him, that, long used to every possible -indulgence, it was vain to hope they would submit, without murmuring, to -so new a bondage of continual and peremptory commands. Instead of -attending, therefore, to Mr. Dubster, he considered what apology to -offer to Jacob; who suspecting by whom he was summoned, did not make his -appearance till Lynmere rung again. - -'Where are these oysters?' he then demanded; 'have you been eating -them?' - -'No, sir,' answered he surlily; 'we're not so sharp set; we live in Old -England; we don't come from outlandish countries.' - -This true John Bullism, Lynmere had neither sense to despise, nor humour -to laugh at; and, seriously in a rage, called out, 'Sirrah, I'll break -your bones!' and lifted up his riding switch, with which, as well as his -boots, he had re-entered the parlour. - -'The Lord be good unto me!' cried Sir Hugh, 'what new ways are got into -the world! but don't take it to heart, Jacob, for as to breaking your -bones, after all your long services, it's a thing I sha'n't consent to; -which I hope my nephew won't take ill.' - -Affronted with the master, and enraged with the man, Lynmere stroamed -petulantly up and down the room, with loud and marked steps, that -called, or at least disturbed the attention of every one, exclaiming, at -every turning, 'A confounded country this! a villainous country! nothing -to be had in it! I don't know what in the world to think of that there's -any chance I can get!' - -Sir Hugh, recovering, said he was sorry he was so badly off; and desired -Jacob not to fail procuring oysters if they were to be had within a -mile. - -'A mile?... ten miles! say ten miles round,' cried Lynmere, 'or you do -nothing; what's ten miles for a thing of that sort?' - -'Ten miles, nephew? what? at this time of night! why you don't think, -with all your travelling, that when they've got ten miles there, they'll -have ten miles to come back, and that makes count twenty.' - -'Well, sir, and suppose it was forty; what have such fellows to do -better?' - -Sir Hugh blessed himself, and Mr. Dubster said to Camilla: 'So, ma'am, -why you don't read your letter, neither, no more than the gentlewoman; -however, I think you may as well see a little what's in it; though I -suppose no great matters, being from a lady.' - -'A lady! what lady?' cried she, and eagerly taking it from her pocket, -saw the hand-writing of Mrs. Berlinton, and inquired how it came into -his possession. - -He answered, that happening to meet the lady's footman, whom he had -known something of while in business, as he was going to put it to the -post, he told him he was coming to the very house, and so took it to -bring himself, the man being rather in a hurry to go another way; 'so I -thought 'twas as well, ma'am,' he added, 'to save you the postage; for -as to a day or so sooner or later, I suppose it can break no great -squares, in you ladies letter-writing.' - -Camilla, hastily running it over, found it contained a most pressing -repetition of invitation from Mrs. Berlinton for the Southampton plan, -and information that she should make a little circuit, to call and take -her up at Cleves, if not immediately forbidden; the time she named for -her arrival, though four days distant from the date of her letter, would -be now the following morning. - -This seemed, to the agitated spirits of Camilla, an inviting opening to -her scheme. She gave the letter to her uncle, saying, in a fluttered -manner, she should be happy to accompany Mrs. Berlinton, for a few days, -if her father should not disapprove the excursion, and if he could -himself have the goodness to spare one of the carriages to fetch her -home, as Southampton was but sixteen miles off. - -While Sir Hugh, amazed at this request, yet always unable to pronounce a -negative to what she desired, stammered, Edgar abruptly took leave. - -Thunderstruck by his departure, she looked affrighted, after him, with a -sigh impossible to repress; she now first weighed the hazard of what she -was doing, the deep game she was inconsiderately playing. Would it -sunder ... would it unite them?... Tears started into her eyes at the -doubt; she did not hear her uncle's answer; she rose to hurry out of the -room; but before she could escape, the big drops rolled fast down her -cheeks; and, when arrived at her chamber, 'I have lost him!' she cried, -'by my own unreflecting precipitance; I have lost him, perhaps, for -ever!' - -Dr. Marchmont now also took leave; Mr. Dubster desired he might speak -with the baronet the next morning; and the family remained alone. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_Dilemmas_ - - -While the baronet was pondering, in the most melancholy manner, upon -this sudden and unexpected demand of absence in Camilla, the grim -goddess of Envy took possession of the fine features of Indiana; who -declared she was immured alive, while her cousin went everywhere. The -curiosity of Lynmere being excited, to inquire what was to be had or -done at Southampton, he heard it abounded in good company, and good -fish, and protested he must undoubtedly set out for it the next morning. - -Indiana then wept with vexation and anger, and Miss Margland affirmed, -she was the only young lady in Hampshire, who had never been at -Southampton. Sir Hugh, concluding Edgar would attend Camilla, feared it -might hurt the other match to part Eugenia from Clermont; and, after a -little pause, though deeply sighing at such a dispersion from Cleves, -consented that they should all go together. Camilla, therefore, was -commissioned to ask leave of Mr. Tyrold for Eugenia, as well as for -herself, and to add a petition from Sir Hugh, that he and Lavinia would -spend the time of their absence at Cleves. The baronet then, of his own -accord, asked Dr. Orkborne to be of the party, that Eugenia, he said, -might run over her lessons with him in a morning, for fear of forgetting -them. - -A breach, however, such as this, of plans so long formed, and a -desertion so voluntary of his house, at the very epoch he had settled -for rendering its residence the most desirable, sent him in complete -discomfiture to his bed. But there, in a few hours, his sanguine temper, -and the kindness of his heart new modelled and new coloured the -circumstances of his chagrin. He considered he should have full time to -prepare for the double marriages; and that, with the aid of Lavinia, he -might delight and amaze them all, with new dresses and new trinkets, -which he could now choose without the torment of continual opposition -from the documentising Miss Margland. Thus he restored his plastic mind -to its usual satisfaction, and arose the next morning without a cloud -upon his brow. The pure design of benevolence is to bestow happiness -upon others, but its intrinsic reward is bringing happiness home! - -But this sweetness of nature, so aptly supplying the first calls, and -the first virtues of philosophy, was yet more severely again tried the -next morning: for when, forgetting the caution he had solemnly promised, -but vainly endeavoured to observe, he intimated to Lynmere these -purposes, the youth, blushing at the idea of being taken for the -destined husband of Eugenia in public, preferred all risks to being -followed by such a rumour to Southampton; and, when he found she was to -be of the party, positively declared the match to be out of all -question. - -Sir Hugh now stood aghast. Many had been his disappointments; his rage -for forming schemes, and his credulity in persuading himself they would -be successful, were sources not more fertile of amusement in their -projection, than of mortification in their event: but here, the length -of time since his plan had been arranged, joined to the very superficial -view he had taken of any chance of its failure, had made him, by -degrees, regard it as so fixed and settled, that it rather demanded -congratulation than concurrence, rather waited to be enjoyed than -executed. - -Lynmere took not the smallest interest in the dismay of his uncle, but, -turning upon his heel, said he would go to the stables, to see if he -could find something that would carry him any better than the miserable -jade he had mounted the preceding evening. - -Sir Hugh remained in a kind of stupefaction. He seemed to himself to be -bereft of every purpose of life; and robbed at once, of all view for his -actions, all subject for his thoughts. The wide world, he believed, had -never, hitherto, given birth to a plan so sagaciously conceived, so -rationally combined, so infallibly secure: yet it was fallen, crushed, -rejected! - -A gleam of sunshine, however, ere long, [burst] upon his despondence; it -occurred to him, that the learned education of Eugenia was still a -secret to her cousin; his whole scheme, therefore, might perhaps yet be -retrieved, when Lynmere should be informed of the peculiar preparations -made for his conjugal happiness. - -Fetching now a long breath, to aid the revival of his faculties and his -spirits, he considered how to open his discourse so as to render it most -impressive, and then sent for Clermont to attend him in his chamber. - -'Nephew,' cried he, upon his entrance, 'I am now going to talk to you a -little in your own way, having something to tell you of, that, I -believe, you won't know how to hold cheap, being a thing that belongs to -your studies; that is to say, to your cousin's; which, I hope, is pretty -much the same thing, at least as to the end. Now the case of what I have -to say is this; you must know, nephew, I had always set my heart upon -having a rich heir; but it's what did not turn out, which I am sorry -enough for; but where's the man that's so wise as to know his own doom? -that is, the doom of his fortune. However, that's what I should not talk -of to you, having so little; which, I hope, you won't take to heart. -And, indeed, it in't much worth a wise man's thinking of, when he han't -got it, for what's a fortune, at bottom, but mere metal? And so having, -as I said before, no heir, I'm forced, in default of it, to take up with -an heiress. But, to the end of making all parties happy, I've had her -brought up in the style of a boy, for the sake of your marrying her. For -which reason, I believe, in point of the classics....' - -'Me, sir!' cried Lynmere, recovering from a long yawning fit, 'and what -have I to do with marrying a girl like a boy? That's not my taste, my -dear sir, I assure you. Besides, what has a wife to do with the -classics? will they shew her how to order her table? I suppose when I -want to eat, I may go to a cook's shop!' - -Here subsided, at once, every particle of that reverence Sir Hugh had so -long nourished for Clermont Lynmere. To hear the classics spoken of with -disrespect, after all the pains he had taken, all the orders he had -given for their exclusive study and veneration, and to find the common -calls of life, which he had believed every scholar regarded but as means -of existence, not auxiliaries of happiness, named with preference, -distanced, at a stroke, all high opinion of his nephew, and made way, in -its stead, for a displeasure not wholly free from disdain. - -'Well, Clermont,' said he, after a pause, 'I won't keep you any longer, -now I know your mind, which I wish I had known before, for the account -of your cousin, who has had plague enough about it in her bringing up; -which, however, I shall put an end to now, not seeing that any good has -come from it.' - -Lynmere joyfully accepted the permission to retire, enchanted that the -rejection was thus completely off his mind, and had incurred only so -slight a reproof, unaccompanied with one menace, or even remonstrance. - -The first consternation of Sir Hugh, at the fall of this favourite -project, was, indeed, somewhat lessened, at this moment, by the fall of -his respectful opinion of its principal object. He sent therefore, -hastily, for Eugenia, to whom he abruptly exclaimed, 'My dear girl, -who'd have thought it? here's your cousin Clermont, with all his Greek -and Latin, which I begin to bless God I don't know a word of, turning -out a mere common nothing, thinking about his dinners and suppers! for -which reason I beg you'll think of him no more, it not being worth your -while; in particular, as he don't desire it.' - -Eugenia, at this intimation, felt nearly as much relieved as disturbed. -To be refused was, indeed, shocking; not to her pride, she was a -stranger to that passion; but to her delicacy, which pointed out to her, -in strong colours, the impropriety of having been exposed to such a -decision: nevertheless, to find herself unshackled from an alliance to -which she looked forward with dread, without offending her uncle, to -whom so many reasons made it dear, or militating against her own heroic -sentiments of generosity, which revolted against wilfully depriving her -cousin of an inheritance already offered to him, removed a weight from -her mind, which his every word, look, and gesture, had contributed to -increase since their first meeting. - - * * * * * - -Dr. Marchmont had ridden to Beech Park, where he had spent the night, -though uninvited by its agitated owner, whom the very name of Mrs. -Berlinton, annexed to an accepted party of pleasure, had driven, in -speechless agony, from Cleves. - -'I wonder not,' cried he, 'at your disturbance; I feel for it, on the -contrary, more than ever, from my observations of this evening; for I -now see the charm, the potent charm, as well as the difficulties of your -situation. This strange affair with Sir Sedley Clarendel cannot, in -common foresight of what may ensue from it, be passed over without the -most rigid scrutiny, and severest deliberation; yet, I sincerely hope, -inquiry may produce some palliation: this young lady, I see, will not -easily, for sweetness, for countenance, for every apparent attraction, -be replaced: and, the first of all requisites is certainly in your -favour; it is evident she loves you.' - -'Loves me?' cried Edgar, his arms involuntarily encircling him as he -repeated the magnetising words: 'Ah! Dr. Marchmont, could she then thus -grieve and defy me?--And yet, so too said Jacob,--that good, faithful, -excellent old servant....' - -'Yes; I watched her unremittingly; and saw her so much hurt by your -abrupt retreat, that her eyes filled with tears the moment you left the -room.' - -'O, Dr. Marchmont!--and for me were they shed?--my dear--dear friend! -withhold from me such a picture--or reconcile me completely to viewing -no other!' - -'Once more, let me warn you to circumspection. The stake for which you -are playing is life in its best part, 'tis peace of mind. That her -manners are engaging, that her looks are captivating, and even that her -heart is yours, admit no doubt: but the solidity or the lightness of -that heart are yet to be proved.' - -'Still, Doctor, though nearly in defiance of all my senses, still I can -doubt anything rather than the heart of Camilla! Precipitate, I know, -she has always been reckoned; but her precipitance is of kin to her -noblest virtues; it springs but from the unsuspicious frankness of an -unguarded, because innocent nature. And this, in a short time, her -understanding will correct.' - -'Are you sure it is adequate to the task? There is often, in early -youth, a quickness of parts which raises expectations that are never -realised. Their origin is but in the animal spirits, which, instead of -ripening into judgment and sense by added years, dwindle into -nothingness, or harden into flippancy. The character, at this period, is -often so unstable, as to be completely new moulded by every new -accident, or new associate. How innumerable are the lurking ill -qualities that may lie dormant beneath the smiles of youth and beauty, -in the season of their untried serenity! The contemporaries of half our -fiercest viragos of fifty, may assure you that, at fifteen, they were -all softness and sweetness. The present æra, however, my dear young -friend, is highly favourable to all you can judiciously wish; namely, -the entire re-establishment, or total destruction of all confidence.... -To a man of your nice feelings, there is no medium. Your love demands -respect, or your tranquillity exacts flight from its object. Set apart -your offence at the cultivation of an acquaintance you disapprove; be -yourself of the party to Southampton, and there, a very little -observation will enable you to dive into the most secret recesses of her -character.' - -'Steadiness, Doctor, I do not want, nor yet, however I suffer from its -exertion, fortitude: but a plan such as this, requires something more; -it calls for an equivocal conduct, which, to me, would be impracticable, -and to her, might prove delusive. No!... the openness I so much pine to -meet with, I must, at least, not forfeit myself.' - -'The fervour of your integrity, my dear Mandlebert, mistakes caution for -deceit. If, indeed, this plan had any other view than your union, it -would not merely be cruel, but infamous: the truth, however, is you must -either pursue her upon proof, or abandon her at once, with every chance -of repenting such a measure.' - -'Alas! how torturing is hesitation! to believe myself the object of her -regard ... to think that first of all human felicities mine, yet to find -it so pliant ... so precarious ... to see her, with such thoughtless -readiness, upon the point of falling into the hands of another!... -receiving ... answering ... his letters!... letters too so confident, -so daring! made up of insolent demands and imperious reproaches ... to -meet him by his own appointment.... O, Dr. Marchmont! all delicious as -is the idea of her preference ... all entwined as she is around my soul, -how, now, how ever again, can I be happy, either to quit ... or to claim -her?...' - -'This division of sentiment is what gives rise to my plan. At -Southampton, you will see if Sir Sedley pursues her; and, as she will be -uncertain of your intentions, you will be enabled to judge the -singleness of her mind, and the stability of her affection, by the -reception she gives him.' - -'But if ... as I think I can gather from her delivering me his letters, -the affair, whatever it has been, with Sir Sedley, is over.... What -then?' - -'You will have leisure to discuss it; and opportunity, also, to see her -with other Sir Sedleys. Public places abound with those flutterers after -youth and beauty; unmeaning admirers, who sigh at every new face; or -black traitors to society, who seek but to try, and try but to publish -their own power of conquest.' - -'Will you, then, my dear Doctor, be also of the party? for my sake, will -you, once more, quit your studies and repose, to give me, upon the spot, -your counsel, according to the varying exigence of varying -circumstances? to aid me to prepare and compose my mind for whatever may -be the event, and to guide even, if possible, my wavering and distracted -thoughts?' - -To the importance of the period, and to a plea so serious, every -obstacle yielded, and Dr. Marchmont agreed to accompany him to -Southampton. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -_Live and Learn_ - - -Before the Cleves party assembled to breakfast, after the various -arrangements made for Southampton, Mr. Dubster arrived, and demanded an -interview with Sir Hugh, who, attending him to the drawing-room, asked -his pleasure. - -'Why, have not you read the young gentleman's letter, sir?' cried he, -surprised, 'because, he said, he'd put it all down, clear as a pike -staff, to save time.' - -Sir Hugh had not heard of it. - -'Why, then, if you please, sir, we'll go and ask that elderly -gentlewoman, what she's done with it. She might as well have shewed it, -after the young gentleman's taking the trouble to write it to her. But -she is none of the good naturedest, I take it.' - -Repairing, then, to Miss Margland, after his usual bows to all the -company, 'I ask pardon, ma'am,' he cried; 'but pray, what's the reason -of your keeping the young gentleman's letter to yourself, which was writ -o'purpose to let the old gentleman know what I come for?' - -'Because I never trouble myself with any thing that's impertinent,' she -haughtily answered: though, in fact, when the family had retired, she -had stolen downstairs, and read the letter; which contained a warm -recommendation of Mr. Dubster to her favour, with abundant flippant -offers to promote her own interest for so desirable a match, should -Camilla prove blind to its advantages. This she had then burnt, with a -determination never to acknowledge her condescension in opening it. - -The repeated calls of Mr. Dubster procuring no further satisfaction; -'Why, then, I don't see,' he said, 'but what I'm as bad off, as if the -young gentleman had not writ the letter, for I've got to speak for -myself at last.' - -Taking Sir Hugh, then, by a button of his coat, he desired he would go -back with him to the other parlour: and there, with much circumlocution, -and unqualified declarations of his having given over all thoughts of -further marrying, till the young gentleman over persuaded him of his -being particular agreeable to the young lady, he solemnly proposed -himself for Miss Camilla Tyrold. - -Sir Hugh, who perceived in this address nothing that was ridiculous, was -somewhat drawn from reflecting on his own disappointment, by the pity he -conceived for this hopeless suitor, to whom, with equal circumlocution -of concern, he communicated, that his niece was on the point of marriage -with a neighbour. - -'I know that,' replied Mr. Dubster, nodding sagaciously, 'the young -gentleman having told me of the young baronight; but he said, it was all -against her will, being only your over teasing, and the like.' - -'The Lord be good unto me!' exclaimed the baronet, holding up his hands; -'if I don't think all the young boys have a mind to drive me out of my -wits, one after t'other!' - -Hurrying, then, back to the breakfast parlour, and to Camilla, 'Come -hither, my dear,' he cried, 'for here's a gentleman come to make his -addresses to you, that won't take an answer.' - -Every serious thought, and every melancholy apprehension in Camilla gave -place, at this speech, to the ludicrous image of such an admirer as Mr. -Dubster, foisted upon her by the ridiculous machinations of Lionel. She -took Sir Hugh by the hand, and, drawing him away to the most distant -window, said, in a low voice, 'My dear uncle, this is a mere trick of -Lionel; the person you see here is, I believe, a tinker.' - -'A tinker!' repeated Sir Hugh, quite loud, in defiance of the signs and -hists! hists! of Camilla, 'good lack! that's a person I should never -have thought of!' Then, walking up to Mr. Dubster, who was taking into -his hands all the ornaments from the chimney-piece, one by one, to -examine, 'Sir,' he said, 'you may be a very good sort of man, and I -don't doubt but you are, for I've a proper respect for every trade in -its way; but in point of marrying my niece, it's a thing I must beg you -to put out of your head; it not being a proper subject to talk of to a -young lady, from a person in that line.' - -'Very well, sir,' answered Mr. Dubster, stiffly, and pouting, 'it's not -of much consequence; don't make yourself uneasy. There's nothing in what -I was going to propose but what was quite genteel. I'd scorn to address -a lady else. She'd have a good five hundred a-year, in case of outliving -me.' - -'Good lack! five hundred a-year! who'd have thought of such a thing by -the tinkering business?' - -'The what business, did you say, sir?' cried Mr. Dubster, strutting up -to the baronet, with a solemn frown. - -'The tinkering business, my good friend. An't you a tinker?' - -'Sir!' cried Mr. Dubster, swelling, 'I did not think, when I was coming -to make such a handsome offer, of being affronted at such a rate as -this. Not that I mind it. It's not worth fretting about. However, as to -a tinker, I'm no more a tinker than yourself, whatever put it in your -head.' - -'Good lack, my dear,' cried the baronet, to Camilla, 'the gentleman -quite denies it.' - -Camilla, though unable to refrain from laughing, confessed she had -received the information from Mrs. Arlbery at the Northwick breakfast, -who, she now supposed, had said it in random sport. - -Sir Hugh cordially begged his pardon, and asked him to take a seat at -the breakfast table, to soften the undesigned offence. - -A note now arrived from Mr. Tyrold to the baronet. It contained his -consent to return, with Lavinia, to Cleves, and his ready acquiescence -in the little excursion to Southampton, since Miss Margland would be -superintendant of the party; 'and since,' he added, 'they will have -another guardian, to whom already I consign my Camilla, and, upon her -account, my dear Eugenia also, with the same fearless confidence I -should feel in seeing them again under the maternal wing.' - -Sir Hugh, who always read his letters aloud, said, when he had done: -'See what it is to be a good boy! my brother looks upon young Mr. Edgar -as these young girls' husband already; that is, of one of them; by which -means the other becomes his sister; which, I'm sure, is a trouble he -won't mind, except as a pleasure.' - -Camilla's distress at this speech past unnoticed, from the abrupt -entrance of Lynmere, giving orders aloud to his servant to get ready for -Southampton. - -Inflamed with triumph in his recent success in baffling his uncle, that -youth was in the most turbulent spirits, and fixed a resolution either -to lord it over the whole house, or regain at once his liberty for -returning to the Continent. - -Forcing a chair between Sir Hugh and Camilla, he seized rapidly whatever -looked most inviting from every plate on the table, to place upon his -own, murmuring the whole time against the horses, declaring the stud the -most wretched he had ever seen, and protesting the old groom must be -turned away without loss of time. - -'What, Jacob?' cried the baronet; 'why, nephew, he has lived with me -from a boy; and now he's grown old, I'd sooner rub down every horse with -my own hand, than part with him.' - -'He must certainly go, sir. There's no keeping him. I may be tempted -else to knock his brains out some day. Besides, I have a very good -fellow I can recommend to you of my own.' - -'Clermont, I've no doubt of his being a good fellow, which I'm very glad -of; but as to your always knocking out the brains of my servants, it's a -thing I must beg you not to talk of any more, being against the law. -Besides which, it don't sound very kind of you, considering their having -done you no harm; never having seen your face, as one may say, except -just to wait upon you; which can hardly be reckoned a bad office; -besides a servant's being a man, as well as you; whether Homer and -Horace tell you so or no.' - -To see Sir Hugh displeased, was a sight new to the whole house. Camilla -and Eugenia, mutually pained for him, endeavoured, by various little -kind offices, to divert his attention; but Indiana thought his -displeasure proved her brother to be a wit; and Clermont rose in spirits -and in insolence upon the same idea: too shallow to know, that of all -the qualities with which the perversity of human nature is gifted, and -power which is the most common to attain, and the most easy to practise, -is the art of provoking. - -Jacob now appearing, Lynmere ordered some shrimps. - -There were none. - -'No shrimps? There's nothing to be had! 'Tis a wretched county this!' - -'You'll get nice shrimps at Southampton, sir, by what I can hear,' said -Mr. Dubster. 'Tom Hicks says he has been sick with 'em many a day, he's -eat such a heap. They gets 'em by hundreds, and hundreds, and hundreds -at a time.' - -'Pray, nephew, how long shall you stay? because of my nieces coming back -at the same time.' - -'A fortnight's enough to tire me anywhere, sir. Pray what do you all do -with yourselves here after breakfast? What's your mode?' - -'Mode, nephew? we've got no particular mode that ever I heard of. -However, among so many of us, I think it's a little hard, if you can -find nothing to say to us; all, in a manner, your relations too.' - -'We take no notice of relations now, sir; that's out.' - -'I'm sorry for it, nephew, for a relation's a relation, whether you take -notice of him or not. And there's ne'er an ode in Virgil will tell you -to the contrary, as I believe.' - -A short silence now ensued, which was broken by a sigh from Sir Hugh, -who ejaculated to himself, though aloud, 'I can't but think what my poor -friend Westwyn will do, if his son's come home in this manner! caring -for nobody, but an oyster, or a shrimp; ... unless it's a newspaper!' - -'And what should a man care for else, my good old friend, in a desart -place such as this?' - -'Good old friend!' repeated the baronet; 'to be sure, I'm not very -young.... However, as to that ... but you mean no harm, I know, for -which reason I can't be so ill-natured as to take it ill. However, if -poor Westwyn is served in this ... way.... He's my dearest friend that -I've got, out of us all here, of my own kin, and he's got only one son, -and he sent him to foreign parts only for cheapness; and if he should -happen to like nothing he can get at home, it won't answer much in -saving, to send out for things all day long.' - -'O don't be troubled, sir; Westwyn's but a poor creature. He'll take up -with anything. He lived within his allowance the whole time. A mighty -poor creature.' - -'I'm glad of it! glad of it, indeed!' cried Sir Hugh, with involuntary -eagerness; 'I should have been sorry if my poor good old friend had had -such disappointment.' - -'Upon my honour,' cried Lynmere, piqued, 'the quoz of the present season -are beyond what a man could have hoped to see!' - -'Quoz! what's quoz, nephew?' - -'Why, it's a thing there's no explaining to you sort of gentlemen; and -sometimes we say quiz, my good old sir.' - -Sir Hugh, now, for almost the first time in his life, felt seriously -affronted. His utmost lenity could not palliate the wilful disrespect of -his language; and, with a look of grave displeasure, he answered, -'Really, nephew, I can't but say, I think you've got rather a particular -odd way of speaking to persons. As to talking so much about people's -being old, you'd do well to consider that's no fault in anybody; except -one's years, which is what we can't be said to help.' - -'You descant too much upon words, sir; we have left off, now, using them -with such prodigious precision. It's quite over, sir.' - -'O, my dear Clermont!' cried Sir Hugh, losing his short movement of -anger in a more tender sensation of concern, 'how it goes to my heart to -see you turn out such a jackanapes!' - -Lynmere, resentfully hanging back, said no more: and Mr. Dubster, having -drunk seven dishes of tea, with a long apology between each for the -trouble, gladly seized the moment of pause, to ask Camilla when she had -heard from _their friend Mrs. Mittin_, adding, 'I should have brought -you a letter from her, ma'am, myself, but that I was rather out of sorts -with her; for happening to meet her, the day as you went, walking on -them Pantiles, with some of her quality binding, when I was not dressed -out quite in my best becomes, she made as if she did not know me. Not as -it signifies. It's pretty much of a muchness to me. I remember her -another sort of person to what she looks now, before I was a gentleman -myself.' - -'Why, pray, what was you then, sir?' cried Sir Hugh, with great -simplicity. - -'As to that, sir, there's no need to say whether I was one thing or -another, as I know of; I'm not in the least ashamed of what I was.' - -Sir Hugh seeing him offended, was beginning an apology; but, -interrupting him, 'No, sir,' he said, 'there's no need to say nothing -about it. It's not a thing to take much to heart. I've been defamed -often enough, I hope, to be above minding it. Only just this one thing, -sir; I beg I may have the favour to be introduced to that lady as had -the obligingness to call me a tinker, when I never was no such thing.' - -Breakfast now being done, the ladies retired to prepare for their -journey. - -'Well,' cried Mr. Dubster, looking after Eugenia, 'that little lady will -make no great figure at such a place as Southton. I would not have her -look out for a husband there.' - -'She'd have been just the thing for me!' cried Lynmere, haughtily -rising, and conceitedly parading his fine form up and down the room; his -eyes catching it from looking-glass to looking-glass, by every possible -contrivance; 'just the thing! matched to perfection!' - -'Lord help me! if I don't find myself in the dark about every thing!' -cried Sir Hugh; 'who'd have thought of you scholars thinking so much of -beauty; I should be glad to know what your classics say to that point?' - -'Faith, my good sir, I never trouble myself to ask. From the time we -begin our tours, we wipe away all that stuff as fast as possible from -our thoughts.' - -'Why, pray, nephew, what harm could it do to your tours?' - -'We want room, sir, room in the pericranium! As soon as we begin to -travel, we give up everything to taste. And then we want clear heads. -Clear heads, sir, for pictures, statues, busts, alto relievos, basso -relievos, tablets, monuments, mausoleums....' - -'If you go on at that rate, nephew,' interrupted Sir Hugh, holding his -ears, 'you'll put my poor head quite into a whirligig. And it's none of -the deepest already, Lord help me!' - -Lynmere now, without ceremony, made off; and Mr. Dubster, left alone -with the baronet, said they might as well proceed to business. 'So pray, -sir, if I may make bold, in the case we come to a right understanding -about the young lady, what do you propose to give her down?' - -Sir Hugh, staring, inquired what he meant. - -'Why, I mean, sir, what shall you give her at the first? I know she's to -have it all at your demise; but that i'n't the bird in the hand. Now, -when once I know that, I can make my offers, which shall be handsome or -not, according. And that's but fair. So how much can you part with, -sir?' - -'Not a guinea!' cried Sir Hugh, with some emotion; 'I can't give her -anything! Mr. Edgar knows that.' - -'That's hard, indeed, sir. What nothing for a setting out? And, pray, -sir, what may the sum total be upon your demise?' - -'Not a penny!' cried Sir Hugh, with still more agitation: 'Don't you -know I've disinherited her?' - -'Disinherited her? why this is bad news enough! And pray, sir, what -for?' - -'Nothing! She never offended me in thought, word, nor deed!' - -'Well, that's odd enough. And when did you do it, sir?' - -'The very week she was nine years old, poor thing! which I shall never -forget as long as I live, being my worst action.' - -'Well, this is particular enough! And young squire Tyrold's never heard -a word of it: which is somewhat of a wonder too.' - -'Not heard of it? why the whole family know it! I've settled everything -I was worth in the world upon her younger sister, that you saw sitting -by her.' - -'Well, if Tom Hicks did not as good as tell me so ever so long ago, -though the young squire said it was all to the contrary: what for, I -don't know; unless to take me in. But he won't find that quite so easy, -asking his pardon. Matrimony's a good thing enough, when it's to help a -man forward: but a person must be a fool indeed, to put himself out of -his way for nothing.' - -He then formally wished the baronet a good day, and hastened from the -house, puffed up with vain glory, at his own sagacious precautions, -which had thus happily saved him from being tricked into unprofitable -wedlock. - -Mrs. Berlinton now arrived, and, as Camilla was ready, though trembling, -doubtful, apprehensive of the step she was taking, declined alighting. A -general meeting was to take place at the inn: and the baronet, putting a -twenty pound note into her hand, with the most tender blessings parted -with his darling niece. And then, surprised at not seeing Edgar to -breakfast, sent his butler to tell him the history of the excursion. - -Lynmere was already set off on horseback: and the party, consisting of -Dr. Orkborne, Miss Margland, Indiana, and Eugenia, followed two hours -after, in the coach of the baronet, which drove from the park as the -chaise entered it with Mr. Tyrold and Lavinia, to supply their places. - - - - -BOOK VIII - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Way to make Friends_ - - -When Camilla appeared at the hall-door, a gentleman descended from the -carriage of Mrs. Berlinton, with an air the most melancholy, and eyes -bent to the earth, in the mournful bow with which he offered her his -hand: though, when he had assisted her into the coach, he raised them, -and, turning round, cast upon the mansion a look of desponding fondness, -that immediately brought to her recollection young Melmond, the Oxford -student, and the brother of her new friend. - -Mrs. Berlinton received her with tenderness, folding her to her breast, -and declaring life to be now insupportable without her. - -The affection of Camilla was nearly reciprocal, but her pleasure had no -chance of equal participation; nor was the suspensive state of her mind -the only impediment; opposite to her in the carriage, and immediately -claiming her attention, was Mrs. Mittin. - -The agitating events which had filled up the short interval of her -residence at Cleves, had so completely occupied every faculty, that, -till the affair of the horse involved her in new difficulties, her debts -had entirely flown her remembrance; and the distressing scenes which -immediately succeeded to that forced recollection, made its duration as -short as it was irksome; but the sight of Mrs. Mittin brought it back -with violence to her memory, and flashed it, with shame, upon her -conscience. - -The twenty pounds, however, just given her by Sir Hugh, occurred at the -same moment to her thoughts; and she determined to repair her -negligence, by appropriating it into parcels for the payment of all she -owed, before she suffered sleep again to [close] her eyes. - -Mrs. Berlinton informed her, that both herself and her brother had been -summoned to Southampton to meet Mrs. Ecton, the aunt by whom she had -been educated, who had just arrived there from Wales, upon some secret -business, necessary for her to hear, but which could not be revealed by -letters. - -The journey, though in itself short and pleasant, proved to Camilla long -and wearisome; the beauties of the prospect were acknowledged by her -eye, but her mind, dead to pleasure, refused to give them their merited -effect. To the charms of nature she could not be blind; her fervent -imagination, and the lessons of her youth, combined to do them justice; -but she thought not of them at this moment; hill, vale, or plain, were -uninteresting, however beautiful; it was Edgar she looked for; Edgar, -who thus coldly had suffered her to depart, but who still, it was -possible, might pursue; and hope, ever active, painted him, as she -proceeded, in every distant object that caught her eye, whether living -or inanimate, brightening, from time to time, the roses of her cheeks -with the felicity of a speedy reconciliation; but upon every near -approach, the flattering error was detected, and neither hill, vale, nor -plain, could dispel the disappointment. A fine country, and diversified -views, may soften even the keenest affliction of decided misfortune, and -tranquillise the most gloomy sadness into resignation and composure; but -suspense rejects the gentle palliative; 'tis an absorbent of the -faculties that suffers them to see, hear, and feel only its own -perplexity; and the finer the fibres of the sensibility on which it -seizes, the more exclusive is its despotism; doubt, in a fervent mind, -from the rapidity of its evolutions between fear in its utmost -despondence, and hope in its fullest rapture, is little short of -torture. - -They drove immediately to an elegant house, situated upon a small -eminence, half a mile without the town of Southampton, which had already -been secured; and Mrs. Berlinton, as soon as she had chosen the -pleasantest apartment it afforded for Camilla, and suffered Mrs. Mittin -to choose the next pleasant for herself, went, accompanied by her -brother, to the lodging of Mrs. Ecton. - -Left alone, Camilla stationed herself at a window, believing she meant -to look at the prospect; but her eye, faithful to her heart, roved up -and down the high road, and took in only chaises or horsemen, till Mrs. -Mittin, with her customary familiarity, came into the room. 'Well, my -dear miss,' she cried, 'you're welcome to Southampton, and welcome to -Mrs. Berlinton; she's a nice lady as ever I knew; I suppose you're -surprised to see us so great together? but I'll tell you how it came -about. You must know, just as you was gone, I happened to be in the -book shop when she came in, and asked for a book; the Peruvan Letters -she called it; and it was not at home, and she looked quite vexed, for -she said she had looked the catalogue up and down, and saw nothing else -she'd a mind to; so I thought it would be a good opportunity to oblige -her, and be a way to make a prodigious genteel acquaintance besides; so -I took down the name, and I found out the lady that had got the book, -and I made her a visit, and I told her it was particular wanted by a -lady that had a reason; so she let me have it, and I took it to my -pretty lady, who was so pleased, she did not know how to thank me: So -this got me footing in the house; and there I heard, amongst her people -she was coming to Southampton, and was to call for you, my dear miss; so -when I found she had not her coach full, I ask'd her to give me a cast; -for I told her you'd be particular glad to see me, as we'd some business -to settle together, that was a secret between only us two; so she said -she would do anything to give you pleasure; so then I made free to ask -her to give me a night's lodging, till I could find out some friend to -be at; for I'd a vast mind to come to Southampton, as I could do it so -reasonable, for I like to go every where. And I dare say, my dear miss, -if you'll tell her 'twill oblige you, she'll make me the compliment to -let me stay all the time, for I know nobody here; though I don't fear -making friends, go where I will. And you know, my dear miss, you can do -no less by me, considering what I've done for you; for I've kept all the -good people quiet about your debts; and they say you may pay them when -you will, as I told them you was such a rich heiress; which Mr. Dubster -let me into the secret of, for he had had it from your brother.' - -Camilla now experienced the extremest repentance and shame, to find -herself involved in any obligation with a character so forward, vulgar, -and encroaching, and to impose such a person, through the abuse of her -name and influence, upon the time and patience of Mrs. Berlinton. - -The report spread by Lionel she immediately disavowed, and, producing -her twenty pound bank note, begged Mrs. Mittin would have the goodness -to get it changed for her, and to discharge her accounts without delay. - -Surprised by this readiness, and struck by the view of the note, Mrs. -Mittin imputed to mere reserve the denial of her expected wealth, but -readily promised to get in the bills, and see her clear. - -Camilla would now have been left alone; but Mrs. Mittin thought of -nothing less than quitting her, and she knew not how to bid her depart. -It was uncertain when Mrs. Berlinton could return; to obviate, -therefore, in some measure, the fatigue of such conversation, Camilla -proposed walking. - -It was still but two o'clock, and the weather was delicious; every place -that opened to any view, presented some prospect that was alluring; -Camilla, notwithstanding her anxiety, was caught, and at intervals, at -least, forgot all within, from admiration of all without. - -Mrs. Mittin led immediately to the town, and Camilla was struck with its -neatness, and surprised by its populousness. Mrs. Mittin assured her it -was nothing to London, and only wished she could walk her from -Charing-cross to Temple-bar, just to shew her what it was to see a -little of the world. - -'But now, my dear,' she cried, 'the thing is to find out what we've got -to look at; so don't let's go on without knowing what we're about; -however, these shops are all so monstrous smart, 'twill be a pleasure to -go into them, and ask the good people what there's to see in the town.' - -This pretext proved so fertile to her of entertainment, in the -opportunity it afforded of taking a near view of the various commodities -exposed to sale, that while she entered almost every shop, with -inquiries of what was worth seeing, she attended to no answer nor -information, but having examined and admired all the goods within sight -or reach, walked off, to obtain, by similar means, a similar privilege -further on; boasting to Camilla, that, by this clever device they might -see all that was smartest, without the expence of buying any thing. - -It is possible that this might safely have been repeated, from one end -of the town to the other, had Mrs. Mittin been alone; and she seemed -well disposed to make the experiment; but Camilla, who, absent and -absorbed, accompanied without heeding her, was of a figure and -appearance not quite so well adapted for indulging with impunity such -unbridled curiosity. The shopkeepers, who, according to their several -tastes or opinions, gave their directions to the churches, the quays, -the market-place, the antique gates, the town-hall, &c. involuntarily -looked at her as they answered the questioner, and not satisfied with -the short view, followed to the door, to look again; this presently -produced an effect that, for the whole length of the High-street, was -amply ridiculous; every one perceiving that, whatsoever had been his -recommendation, whether to the right, to the left, or straight forward, -the two inquirers went no further than into the next shop, whence they -regularly drew forth either the master or the man to make another starer -at their singular proceeding. - -Some supposed they were only seeking to attract notice; others thought -they were deranged in mind; and others, again, imagined they were -shoplifters, and hastened back to their counters, to examine what was -missing of their goods. - -Two men of the two last persuasions communicated to one another their -opinions, each sustaining his own with a positiveness that would have -ended in a quarrel, had it not been accommodated by a wager. To settle -this became now so important, that business gave way to speculation, and -the contending parties, accompanied by a young perfumer as arbitrator, -leaving their affairs in the hands of their wives, or their domestics, -issued forth from their repositories, to pursue and watch the curious -travellers; laying bets by the way at almost every shop as they -proceeded, till they reached the quay, where the ladies made a full -stand, and their followers opened a consultation how best to decide the -contest. - -Mr. Firl, a sagacious old linen-draper, who concluded them to be -shoplifters, declared he would keep aloof, for he should detect them -best when they least suspected they were observed. - -Mr. Drim, a gentle and simple haberdasher, who believed their senses -disordered, made a circuit to face and examine them, frequently, -however, looking back, to see that no absconding trick was played him by -his friends. When he came up to them, the pensive and absorbed look of -Camilla struck him as too particular to be natural; and in Mrs. Mittin -he immediately fancied he perceived something wild, if not insane. In -truth, an opinion preconceived of her derangement might easily authorise -strong suspicions of confirmation, from the contented volubility with -which she incessantly ran on, without waiting for answerers, or even -listeners; and his observation had not taught him, that the loquacious -desire only to speak. They exact time, not attention. - -Mrs. Mittin, soon observing the curiosity with which he examined them, -looked at him so hard in return, talking the whole time, in a quick low -voice, to Camilla, upon his oddity, that, struck with a direful panic, -in the persuasion she was marking him for some mischief, he turned short -about to get back to his companions; leaving Mrs. Mittin with precisely -the same opinion of himself which he had imbibed of her. - -'Well, my dear,' cried she, 'this is one of the most miraclous -adventures I've met with yet; as sure as you're alive that man that -stares so is not right in the head! for else what should he run away -for, all in such a hurry, after looking at us so particular for nothing? -I'll assure you, I think the best thing we can do, is to get off as fast -as we can, for fear of the worst.' - -They then sped their way from the quay; but, in turning down the first -passage to get out of sight, they were led into one of the little rooms -prepared for the accommodation of bathers. - -This seemed so secure, as well as pleasant, that Camilla, soothed by the -tranquillity with which she could contemplate the noble Southampton -water and its fine banks, sat down at the window, and desired not to -walk any further. - -The fright with which Mr. Drim had retreated, gained no proselyte to his -opinion; Mr. Girt, the perfumer, asserted, significantly, they were only -idle travellers, of light character; and Mr. Firl, when in dodging them, -he saw they went into a bathing room, offered to double his wager that -it was to make some assortment of their spoil. - -This was accepted, and it was agreed that one should saunter in the -adjoining passages to see which way they turned upon coming out, while -the two others should patrol the beach, to watch their disappearance -from the windows. - -Mrs. Mittin, meanwhile, was as much amused, though with different -objects, as Camilla. A large mixt party of ladies and gentlemen, who had -ordered a vessel for sailing down the water, which was not yet ready, -now made their appearance; and their dress, their air of enjoyment, -their outcries of impatience, the frisky gaiety of some, the noisy -merriment of others, seemed to Mrs. Mittin marks of so much grandeur and -happiness, that all her thoughts were at work to devise some contrivance -for becoming of their acquaintance. - -Camilla also surveyed, but almost without seeing them; for the only -image of her mind now unexpectedly met her view; Dr. Marchmont and -Edgar, just arrived, had patrolled to the beach, where Edgar, whose -eye, from his eagerness, appeared to be every where in a moment, -immediately perceived her; they both bowed, and Dr. Marchmont, amazed by -the air and figure of her companion, inquired if Mrs. Berlinton had any -particularly vulgar relation to whom she was likely to commit her fair -guest. - -Edgar, who had seen only herself, could not now forbear another glance; -but the aspect of Mrs. Mittin, without Mrs. Berlinton, or any other more -dignified or fitting protectress, was both unaccountable and unpleasant -to him; he recollected having seen her at Tunbridge, where the careless -temper, and negligent manners of Mrs. Arlbery, made all approaches easy, -that answered any purpose of amusement or ridicule; but he could not -conceive how Mrs. Berlinton, or Camilla herself, could be joined by such -a companion. - -Mr. Firl, having remarked these two gentlemen's bows, began to fear for -his wager; yet, thinking it authorised him to seek some information, -approached them, and taking off his hat, said: 'You seem to be noticing -those two ladies up there; pray, gentlemen, if you've no objection, who -may they be?' - -'Why do you ask, sir?' cried Edgar, sternly. - -'Why, we've a wager depending upon them, sir, and I believe there's no -gentleman will refuse to help another about a wager.' - -'A wager?' repeated Edgar, wishing, but vainly, to manifest no -curiosity; 'what inducement could you have to lay a wager about them?' - -'Why, I believe, sir, there's nobody's a better judge than me what I've -laid about; though I may be out, to be sure, if you know the ladies; but -I've seen so much of their tricks, in my time, that they must be pretty -sharp before they'll over-reach me.' - -'What tricks? who must be sharp? who are you talking of?' - -'Shoplifters, sir.' - -'Shoplifters! what do you mean?' - -'No harm, sir; I may be out, to be sure, as I say; and if so, I ask -pardon; only, as we've laid the wager, I think I may speak before I -pay.' - -The curiosity of Edgar would have been converted into ridicule, had he -been less uneasy at seeing with whom Camilla was thus associated; Mrs. -Mittin might certainly be a worthy woman, and, if so, must merit every -kindness that could be shewn her; but her air and manner so strongly -displayed the low bred society to which she had been accustomed, that -he foresaw nothing but improper acquaintance, or demeaning adventures, -that could ensue from such a connection at a public place. - -Dr. Marchmont demanded what had given rise to this suspicion. - -Mr. Firl answered, that they had been into every shop in the town, -routing over every body's best goods, yet not laying out a penny. - -Nothing of this could Edgar comprehend, except that Camilla had suffered -herself to be led about by Mrs. Mittin, entirely at her pleasure; but -all further inquiry was stopt, by the voluntary and pert junction of -Girt, the young perfumer, who, during this period, had by no means been -idle; for perceiving, in the group waiting for a vessel, a certain -customer by whom he knew such a subject would be well received, he -contrived to excite his curiosity to ask some questions, which could -only be satisfied by the history of the wager, and his own opinion that -both parties were out. - -This drew all eyes to the bathing room; and new bets soon were -circulated, consisting of every description of conjecture, or even -possibility, except that the two objects in question were innocent: and -for that, in a set of fourteen, only one was found who defended Camilla, -though her face seemed the very index of purity, which still more -strongly was painted upon it than beauty, or even than youth. Such is -the prevalent disposition to believe in general depravity, that while -those who are debased themselves find a consolation in thinking others -equally worthless, those even, who are of a better sort, nourish a -secret vanity in supposing few as good as themselves; and fully, without -reflection, the fair candour of their minds, by aiding that insidious -degeneracy, which robs the community of all confidence in virtue. - -The approach of the perfumer to Edgar had all the hardiness of vulgar -elation, bestowed, at this moment, by the recent encouragement of having -been permitted to propagate his facetious opinions in a society of -gentlefolks; for though to one only amongst them, a young man of large -fortune, by whom he was particularly patronised, he had presumed -verbally to address himself, he had yet the pleasure to hear his account -repeated from one to another, till not a person of the company escaped -hearing it. - -'My friend Firl's been telling you, I suppose, sir,' said he, to Edgar, -'of his foolish wager? but, take my word for it....' - -Here Edgar, who again had irresistibly looked up at the room, saw that -the three gentlemen had entered it; alarmed lest these surmises should -be productive of impertinence to Camilla, he darted quickly from the -beach to her immediate protection. - -But the rapidity of his wishes were ill seconded by the uncertainty of -his footsteps; and while, with eyes eagerly wandering all around, he -hastily pushed forward, he was stopt by Mr. Drim, who told him to take -care how he went on, for, in one of those bathing houses, to the best of -his belief, there were two crazy women, one melancholy, and one stark -wild, that had just, as he supposed, escaped from their keepers. - -'How shall I find my way, then, to another of the bathing houses?' cried -Edgar. - -Mr. Drim undertook to shew him where he might turn, but said he must not -lose sight of the door, because he had a bottle of port depending upon -it; his neighbour, Mr. Firl, insisting they were only shoplifters. - -Edgar here stopt short and stared. - -Drim then assured him it was what he could not believe, as nothing was -missing; though Mr. Firl would have it that it was days and days, -sometimes, before people found out what was gone; but he was sure, -himself, they were touched in the head, by their going about so wild, -asking everybody the same questions, and minding nobody's answers. - -Edgar, convinced now Camilla was here again implicated, broke with -disgust from the man, and rushed to the door he charged him to avoid. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_A Rage of Obliging_ - - -Camilla, from the instant she had perceived Edgar, had been in the -utmost emotion, from doubt if his journey were to seek a reconciliation, -or only to return her letters, and take a lasting farewell. Her first -feeling at his sight urged her to retire: but something of a softer -nature speedily interfered, representing, if now he should join her, -what suffering might mutually be saved by an immediate conference. She -kept, therefore, her seat, looking steadily straight down the water, and -denying herself one moment's glance at anything, or person, upon the -beach: little imagining she ingrossed, herself, the attention of all who -paraded it. But, when the insinuations of the flippant perfumer had once -made her looked at, her beauty, her apparently unprotected situation, -and the account of the wager, seemed to render her an object to be -stared at without scruple. - -Mrs. Mittin saw how much they were observed, but Camilla, unheeding her -remarks, listened only to hear if any footsteps approached; but when, at -last, some struck her ears, they were accompanied by an unknown voice, -so loud and clamorously jovial, that, disturbed, she looked round ... -and saw the door violently flung open, and three persons, dressed like -gentlemen, force their way into the small dwelling place. - -Mr. Halder, the leader of this triumvirate, was the particular patron of -Girt, the young perfumer; and, though his superior in birth and riches, -was scarcely upon a par with him, from wilful neglect, in education; and -undoubtedly beneath him in decency and conduct, notwithstanding young -Girt piqued himself far less upon such sentimental qualifications, than -upon his skill in cosmetics, and had less respect for unadulterated -morals, than unadulterated powder. - -The second who entered, was, in every particular, still less defensible: -he was a peer of the realm; he had a daughter married, and his age -entitled him to be the grandfather of young Halder. In point of fortune, -speculatists deemed them equal; for though the estate of Halder was as -yet unincumbered with the mortgages that hung upon that of Lord -Valhurst, they computed, with great exactness, the term of its -superiority, since already he had inlisted in the jockey meetings, and -belonged to the gaming clubs. - -The third, a young man of a serious, but pleasing demeanour, was rather -an attendant than a partner in this intrusion. He was the only one of -the whole party to whom the countenance of Camilla had announced -innocence; and when Halder, instigated by the assertions of the -facetious Girt, proposed the present measure, and Lord Valhurst, caught -by the youthful beauty of the fair subject of discussion, acceded, this -single champion stood forth, and modestly, yet firmly, declaring his -opinion they were mistaken, accompanied them with a view to protect -her, if he himself were right. - -Boisterously entering, Halder addressed at once to Camilla, such -unceremonious praise of her beauty, that, affrighted and offended, she -hastily seized the arm of Mrs. Mittin, and, in a voice of alarm, though -with an air of command that admitted no doubt of her seriousness, and no -appeal from her resolution, said, 'Let us go home, Mrs. Mittin, -immediately.' - -Simple as were these words, their manner had an effect upon Halder to -awe and distance him. Beauty, in the garb of virtue, is rather -formidable than attractive to those who are natively unenlightened, as -well as habitually degenerate: though, over such as have ever known -better sentiments, it frequently retains its primeval power, even in -their darkest declension of depravity. - -But while Halder, repulsed, stood back, and the young champion, with an -air the most respectful, made way for her to pass; Lord Valhurst, -shutting the door, planted himself against it. - -Seeing terror now take possession of every feature of her face, her -determined protector called out: 'Make way, my Lord, I beg!' and offered -her his hand. But Camilla, equally frightened at them all, shrunk -appalled from his assistance, and turned towards the window, with an -intention of demanding help from Edgar, whom she supposed still on the -beach; but the peer, slowly moving from the door, said he was the last -to mean to disconcert the young lady, and only wished to stop her till -he could call for his carriage, that he might see her safe wherever she -wished to go. - -Camilla had no doubt of the sincerity of this proposal, but would accept -no aid from a stranger, even though an old man, while she hoped to -obtain that of Edgar. Edgar, however, she saw not, and fear is generally -precipitate: she concluded him gone; concluded herself deserted, and, -from knowing neither, equally fearing both the young men, inclined -towards Lord Valhurst; who, with delighted surprise, was going to take -her under his care, when Edgar rushed forward. - -The pleasure that darted into her eyes announced his welcome. Halder, -from his reception, thought the enigma of his own ill success solved; -the other youth, supposing him her brother, no longer sought to -interfere; but Lord Valhurst exhibited signs of such irrepressible -mortification, that inexperience itself could not mistake the -dishonourable views of his offered services, since, to see her in -safety, was so evidently not their purpose. Camilla, looking at him with -the horror he so justly excited, gave her hand to Edgar, who had -instantly claimed it, and, without one word being uttered by either, -hastily walked away with him, nimbly accompanied by Mrs. Mittin. - -The young man, whose own mind was sufficiently pure to make him give -easy credit to the purity of another, was shocked at his undeserved -implication in so gross an attack, and at his failure of manifesting the -laudable motive which had made him one of the triumvirate; and, looking -after her with mingled admiration and concern, 'Indeed, gentlemen,' he -cried, 'you have been much to blame. You have affronted a young lady who -carries in the whole of her appearance the marks of meriting respect.' - -The sensibility of Lord Valhurst was not of sufficient magnitude to -separate into two courses: the little he possessed was already occupied -by his disappointment, in losing the beautiful prey he believed just -falling into his hands, and he had no emotion, therefore, to bestow upon -his young reprover. But Halder, who, to want of feeling, added want of -sense, roared out, with rude raillery, a gross, which he thought witty -attack, both of the defender and the defended. - -The young man, with the proud probity of unhackneyed sentiment, made a -vindication of his uncorrupt intentions; which produced but louder -mirth, and coarser incredulity. The contest, however, was wholly -unequal; one had nerves of the most irritable delicacy; the other had -never yet, by any sensation, nor any accident, been admonished that -nerves made any part of the human composition: in proportion, therefore, -as one became more offended, the other grew more callous, till the -chivalry of indignant honour, casting prudence, safety, and forbearance -away, dictated a hasty challenge, which was accepted with a hoarse laugh -of brutal senselessness of danger. Courage is of another description. It -risks life with heroism; but it is only to preserve or pursue something, -without which the charm of life were dissolved: it meets death with -steadiness; but it prepares for immortality with reverence and emotion. - - * * * * * - -Edgar and Camilla continued their walk in a silence painful to both, but -which neither knew how first to break; each wished with earnestness an -opening to communication and confidence; but, mutually shocked by the -recent adventure, Edgar waited the absence of Mrs. Mittin, to point out -the impropriety and insufficiency of such a guard; and Camilla, still -aghast with terror, had no power of any sort to begin a discourse. - -Their taciturnity, if not well supplied, was, at least, well contrasted -by the volubility of Mrs. Mittin, which, as in the bathing house it had -been incessant, in declaring, to the three intruders, that both she and -the other young lady were persons of honour, was now no less unremitting -in boasting how well she had checked and kept them in order. - -The horror of the attack she had just escaped became soon but a -secondary suffering to Camilla, though, at the moment, it had impressed -her more terribly than any actual event of her life, or any scene her -creative imagination had ever painted; yet, however dreadful, it was now -past; but who could tell the end of what remained? the mute distance of -Edgar, her uncertainty of his intentions, her suspicions of his wished -secession, the severe task she thought necessary to perform of giving -him his liberty, with the anguish of a total inability to judge whether -such a step would recall his tenderness, or precipitate his retreat, -were suggestions which quickly succeeded, and, in a very short time, -wholly domineered over every other. - -When they arrived at the house, Edgar demanded if he might hope for the -honour of being presented, as a friend of the family, to Mrs. Berlinton. - -Reviving, though embarrassed, she looked assent, and went forward to -inquire if Mrs. Berlinton were come home. - -The servant answered no; but delivered her a letter from that lady; she -took it with a look of distress whether or not to invite Edgar to enter, -which the, at this period, welcome officiousness of Mrs. Mittin -relieved, by saying, 'Come, let us all come in, and make the parlour a -little comfortable against Mrs. Berlinton comes home; for, I dare say, -there's nothing as it should be. These lodging-houses always want a heap -of things one never thinks of before hand.' - -They then all three entered, and Mrs. Mittin, who saw, she said, a -thousand ways by which she might serve and oblige Mrs. Berlinton, by -various suggestions, and even directions, which she hazarded against her -return, busied herself to arrange the two parlours to her satisfaction; -and, then, went up stairs, to settle, also, all there; making abundant -apologies for leaving them, and assuring them she would be back again as -soon as she possibly could get all in order. - -Her departure was a moment of extreme confusion to Camilla, who -considered it as an invitation to her great scheme of rejection, but who -stammered something upon every other subject, to keep that off. She -looked at her letter, wondered what it could contain, could not imagine -why Mrs. Berlinton should write when they must so soon meet; and spent -in conjectures upon its contents the time which Edgar besought her to -bestow upon their perusal. - -Nothing gives so much strength to an adversary as the view of timidity -in his opponent. Edgar grew presently composed, and felt equal to his -purposed expostulation. - -'You decline reading your letter till I am gone?' cried he; 'I must, -therefore, hasten away. Yet, before I go, I earnestly wish once more to -take upon me the office formerly allowed me, and to represent, with -simple sincerity, my apprehensions upon what I have observed this -morning.' - -The beginning of this speech had made Camilla break the seal of her -letter; but its conclusion agitated her too much for reading it. - -'Is this silence,' said he, trying to smile, 'to repress me as -arrogant, ... or to disregard me as impertinent?' - -'Neither!' she answered, forcing herself to look towards him with -cheerfulness; 'it is merely ... attention.' - -'You are very good, and I will try to be brief, that I may put your -patience to no longer proof than I can avoid. You know, already, all I -can urge concerning Mrs. Berlinton; how little I wonder at the -promptness of your admiration; yet how greatly I fear for the permanence -of your esteem. In putting yourself under her immediate and sole -protection, you have shewn me the complete dissonance of our judgments -upon this subject; but I do not forget that, though you had the goodness -to hear me, you had the right to decide for yourself. Trust indeed, even -against warning, is so far more amiable than suspicion, that it must -always, even though it prove unfortunate, call for praise rather than -censure.' - -The confusion of Camilla was now converted into self-reproach. What she -thought coldness, she had resented; what appeared to her to be -haughtiness, she had resisted; but truth, in the form of gentleness, -brought her instantly to reason, and reason could only resume its -empire, to represent as rash and imprudent an expedition so repugnant, -in its circumstances, to the wishes and opinions of the person whose -approbation was most essential to her happiness. Edgar had paused; and -her every impulse led to a candid recognition of what she felt to be -wrong; but her precarious situation with him, the report of his intended -flight by Jacob, the letters still detained of Sir Sedley Clarendel, and -no explanation demanded, by which she could gather if his plighted -honour were not now his only tie with her, curbed her design, depressed -her courage, and, silently, she let him proceed. - -'Upon this subject, therefore, I must say no more, except to hint a -wish, that the apprehensions which first induced me to name it may, -unbidden, occur as timely heralds to exertion, should any untoward -circumstances point to danger, alarm, or impropriety.' - -The new, but strong friendship of Camilla was alarmed for its delicacy -by these words. The diffidence she felt, from conscious error, for -herself, extended not to Mrs. Berlinton, whom, since she found -guiltless, she believed to be blameless. She broke forth, therefore, -into a warm eulogy, which her agitation rendered eloquent, while her own -mind and spirits were relieved and revived, by this flight from her -mortified self, to the friend she thought deserving her most fervent -justification. - -Edgar listened attentively, and his eyes, though they expressed much of -serious concern, shewed also an irrepressible admiration of an -enthusiasm so ardent for a female friend of so much beauty. - -'May she always merit this generous warmth!' cried he; 'which must have -excited my best wishes for her welfare, even if I had been insensible to -her own claims upon every man of feeling. But I had meant, at this time, -to confine my ungrateful annotations to another ... to the person who -had just quitted the room.' - -'You do not mean to name her with Mrs. Berlinton? to imagine it possible -I can have for her any similar regard? or any, indeed, at all, but such -common good-will as all sorts and classes of people are entitled to, who -are well meaning?' - -'Here, at least, then,' said Edgar, with a sigh half suppressed, 'our -opinions may be consonant. No; I designed no such disgraceful parallel -for your elegant favourite. My whole intention is to remonstrate ... can -you pardon so plain a word?... against your appearing in public with a -person so ill adapted to insure you the respect that is so every way -your due.' - -'I had not the smallest idea, believe me, of appearing in public. I -merely walked out to see the town, and to beguile, in a stroll, time, -which, in this person's society, hung heavy upon me at home, in the -absence of Mrs. Berlinton.' - -The concise simplicity of this innocent account, banished, in a moment, -all severity of judgment; and Edgar, expressively thanking her, rose, -and was approaching her, though scarcely knowing with what purpose, when -Mrs. Mittin burst into the room, exclaiming: 'Well, my dear, you'll -never guess how many things I have done since I left you. In the first -place, there was never a wash-ball; in the next place, not a napkin nor -a towel was in its proper place; then the tea-things were forgot; and as -to spoons, not one could I find. And now, I've a mind to go myself to a -shop I took good notice of, and get her a little almond powder for her -nice white hands; which, I dare say, will please her. I've thought of a -hundred things at least. I dare say I shall quite win her heart. And I'm -sure of my money again, if I lay out never so much. And I don't know -what I would not do for such a good lady.' - -During this harangue, Camilla, ashamed of her want of resolution, -secretly vowed, that, if again left alone with him, she would not lose a -moment in restoring him his liberty, that with dignity she might once -more receive, or with fortitude for ever resign it. She thought herself, -at this moment, capable of either; but she had only thought it, since -his softened look and air had made her believe she had nothing to fear -from the alternative. - -Mrs. Mittin soon went, though her continued and unmeaning chattery made -the short term of her stay appear long. - -Each eager upon their own plan, both then involuntarily arose. - -Camilla spoke first. 'I have something,' she cried, 'to say, ...' but her -voice became so husky, the inarticulate sounds died away unheard, and -blushing at so feeble an opening, she strove, under the auspices of a -cough, to disguise that she had spoken at all, for the purpose of -beginning, in a more striking manner, again. - -This succeeded with Edgar at this moment, for he had heard her voice, -not her words: he began, therefore, himself. 'This good lady,' he said, -'seems bit with the rage of obliging, though not, I think, so -heroically, as much to injure her interest. But surely she flatters -herself with somewhat too high a recompence? The heart of Mrs. Berlinton -is not, I fancy, framed for such a conquerer. But how, at the same time, -is it possible conversation such as this should be heard under her roof? -And how can it have come to pass that such a person....' - -'Talk of her,' interrupted Camilla, recovering her breath, 'some other -time. Let me now inquire ... have you burnt ... I hope so!... those -foolish ... letters ... I put into your hands?...' - -The countenance of Edgar was instantly overclouded. The mention of those -letters brought fresh to his heart the bitterest, the most excruciating -and intolerable pang it had ever experienced; it brought Camilla to his -view no longer artless, pure, and single-minded, but engaged to, or -trifling with, one man, while seriously accepting another. 'No, madam,' -he solemnly said, 'I have not presumed so far. Their answers are not -likely to meet with so violent a death, and it seemed to me that one -part of the correspondence should be preserved for the elucidation of -the other.' - -Camilla felt stung by this reply, and tremulously answered, 'Give me -them back, then, if you please, and I will take care to see them all -demolished together, in the same flames. Meanwhile....' - -'Are you sure,' interrupted Edgar, 'such a conflagration will be -permitted? Does the man live who would have the philosophy ... the -insensibility I must rather style it--ever to resign, after once -possessing, marks so distinguishing of esteem? O, Camilla! I, at least, -could not be that man!' - -Cut to the soul by this question, which, though softened by the last -phrase, she deemed severely cruel, she hastily exclaimed: 'Philosophy I -have no right to speak of ... but as to insensibility ... who is the man -that ever more can surprise me by its display? Let me take, however, -this opportunity....' - -A footman, opening the door, said, his lady had sent to beg an answer to -her letter. - -Camilla, in whom anger was momentary, but the love of justice permanent, -rejoiced at an interruption which prevented her from speaking, with -pique and displeasure, a sentence that must lose all its purpose if not -uttered with mildness. She would write, she said, immediately; and, -bidding the man get her pen and ink, went to the window to read her -letter; with a formal bow of apology to Edgar as she passed him. - -'I have made you angry?' cried he, when the man was gone; 'and I hate -myself to have caused you a moment's pain. But you must feel for me, -Camilla, in the wound you have inflicted! you know not the disorder of -mind produced by a sudden, unlooked-for transition from felicity to -perplexity, ... from serenity to misery!...' - -Camilla felt touched, yet continued reading, or rather rapidly repeating -to herself the words of her letter, without comprehending, or even -seeking to comprehend, the meaning of one sentence. - -He found himself quite unequal to enduring her displeasure; his own, all -his cautions, all Dr. Marchmont's advice, were forgotten; and tenderly -following her, 'Have I offended,' he cried, 'past forgiveness? Is -Camilla immoveable? and is the journey from which I fondly hoped to date -the renewal of every hope, the termination of every doubt, the period of -all suffering and sorrow....' - -He stopt abruptly, from the entrance of the servant with pen and ink, -and the interruption was critical: it called him to his self-command: he -stammered out that he would not impede her writing; and, though in -palpable confusion, took his leave: yet, at the street-door, he gave a -ticket with his name, to the servant who attended him, for Mrs. -Berlinton; and, with his best respects, desired she might be told he -should do himself the honour to endeavour to see her in the evening. - -The recollection of Edgar came too late to his aid to answer its -intended purpose. The tender avowal which had escaped him to Camilla, of -the view of his journey, had first with astonishment struck her ear, and -next with quick enchantment vibrated to her heart, which again it -speedily taught to beat with its pristine vivacity; and joy, spirit, and -confidence expelled in a breath all guests but themselves. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_A Pleasant Adventure_ - - -Camilla was again called upon for her note, before she had read the -letter it was to answer; but relieved now from the pressure of her own -terrifying apprehensions, she gave it complete and willing attention. - -It contained four sides of paper, closely yet elegantly written in the -language of romantic sentiment. Mrs. Berlinton said she had spent, as -yet, only a few minutes with her aunt; but they had been awfully -important; and since she had exacted from her a promise to stay the -whole day, she could not deny her disappointed friendship the transient -solace of a paper conversation, to sooth the lingering interval of this -unexpected absence. 'My soul pines to unburden the weight of its sorrows -into thy sympathising bosom, my gentlest friend; but oh! there let them -not sojourn! receive but to lighten, listen but to commiserate, and -then, far, far thence dismiss them, retaining but the remembrance thou -hast dismissed them with consolation.' She then bewailed the time lost -to soft communication and confidence, in their journey, from the -presence of others; for though one was a brother she so truly loved, she -found, notwithstanding the tenderness of his nature, he had the -prejudices of a man upon man's prerogatives, and her woes called for -soothing not arguments; and the other, she briefly added, was but an -accidental passenger. ''Tis in thee only, O my beauteous friend! I would -trust the sad murmurs of my irreversible and miserable destiny, of which -I have learnt but this moment the cruel and desperate secret cause.' She -reserved, however, the discovery for their meeting, and called upon her -pity for her unfortunate brother, as deeply involved in his future -views, as she in her past, by this mystery: 'And have I written this -much,' she burst forth, 'without speaking of the cherished correspondent -whom so often I have described to thee? Ah! believe me not faithless to -that partner of my chosen esteem, that noble, that resistless possessor -of my purest friendship! No, charming Camilla, think not so degradingly -of her whom fate, in its sole pitying interval, has cast into thy arms.' -Two pages then ensued with this exclusive encomium, painting him chief -in every virtue, and master of every grace. She next expressed her -earnestness to see Indiana, [who] Camilla had told her would be at -Southampton. 'Present me, I conjure thee, to the fair and amiable -enslaver of my unhappy brother! I die to see, to converse with her, to -catch from her lovely lips the modest wisdom with which he tells me they -teem; to read in her speaking eyes the intelligence which he assures me -illumines them.' She concluded with desiring her to give what orders she -pleased for the coach, and the servants, and to pass the day with her -friends. - -Camilla, whose own sensations were now revived to happiness, read the -letter with all the sympathy it claimed, and felt her eyes fill with -generous tears at the contrast of their situations; yet she highly -blamed the tenderness expressed for the unknown correspondent, though -its innocence she was sure must vanquish even Edgar, since its so -constant avowal proved it might be published to all mankind. She -answered her in language nearly as affectionate, though less inflated -than her own, and resolved to support her with Edgar, till her sweetness -and purity should need no champions but themselves. She was ashamed of -the species of expectation raised for Indiana, yet knew not how to -interfere in Melmond's idea of her capacity, lest it might seem unkind -to represent its fallaciousness; but she was glad to find her soft -friend seemed to have a strict guardian in her brother; and wished -eagerly to communicate to Edgar a circumstance which she was sure would -be so welcome to him. - -Impatient to see Eugenia, she accepted the offer of the carriage, and -desirous to escape Mrs. Mittin, begged to have it immediately; but that -notable person came to the door at the same time as the coach, and, -without the smallest ceremony, said she would accompany her to the -hotel, in order to take the opportunity of making acquaintance with her -friends. - -Courage frequently, at least in females, becomes potent as an agent, -where it has been feeble as a principal. Camilla, though she had wished, -upon her own account, to repress Mrs. Mittin in the morning, had been -too timid for such an undertaking; but now, in her anxiety to oblige -Edgar, she gathered resolution for declining her company. She then -found, as is generally the case with the fearful, the task less -difficult than she had expected; for Mrs. Mittin, content with a promise -self-made, that the introduction should take place the next day, said -she would go and help Mrs. Berlinton's woman to unpack her lady's -things, which would make a useful friend for her in the house, for a -thousand odd matters. - - * * * * * - -The carriage of Sir Hugh was just driving off as Camilla arrived at the -hotel. - -She hurried from Mrs. Berlinton's coach, demanding which way the company -was gone; and being answered, by a passing waiter, up stairs, ran on at -once, without patience or thought for asking if she should turn to the -right or left; till seeing a gentleman standing still upon the landing -place, and leaning upon the bannisters, she was retreating, to desire a -conductor, when she perceived it was Dr. Orkborne; who, while the ladies -were looking at accommodations, and inquiring about lodgings, in -profound cogitation, and with his tablets in his hands, undisturbed by -the various noises around him, and unmoved by the various spectators -continually passing and repassing, was finishing a period which he had -begun in the coach for his great work. - -Camilla, cheerfully greeting him, begged to know which way she should -find Eugenia; but, making her a sign not to speak to him, he wrote on. -Accustomed to his manner, and brought up to respect whatever belonged to -study, from the studious life and turn of her father, she obeyed the -mute injunction, and waited quietly by his side; till, tired of the -delay, though unwilling to interrupt him, she glided softly about the -passage, watching and examining if she could see any of the party, yet -fearing to offend or mortify him if she called for a waiter. - -While straying about thus, as far off as she could go without losing -sight of Dr. Orkborne, a door she had just passed was flung open, and -she saw young Halder, whose licentious insolence had so much alarmed her -in the bathing-house, stroam out, yawning, stretching, and swearing -unmeaningly, but most disgustingly, at every step. - -Terrified at his sight, she went on, as she could not get to the Doctor -without passing him; but the youth, recollecting her immediately, called -out: 'Ah, ha! are you there again, you little vixen?' and pursued her. - -'Dr. Orkborne! Dr. Orkborne!' she rather screamed than said, 'pray come -this way! I conjure--I beseech--I entreat--Dr. Orkborne!--' - -The Doctor, catching nothing of this but his name, querulously -exclaimed: 'You molest me much!' but without raising his eyes from his -tablets; while Halder, at the appeal, cried: 'Ay, ay, Doctor! keep your -distance, Doctor! you are best where you are, Doctor, I can tell you, -Doctor!' - -Camilla, then, too much scared to be aware she ran a far greater risk -than she escaped, desperately sought refuge by opening the nearest door; -though by the sudden noises upon the stairs, and in all the adjoining -passages, it seemed as if Dr. Orkborne were the only one not alarmed by -her cries. - -No one, however, could approach so soon as the person of whose chamber -she had burst the door; who was an old gentleman, of a good and lively -countenance, who promptly presenting himself, looked at her with some -surprise, but good humouredly asked her what she was pleased to want in -his room. - -'That gentleman,' she cried, panting and meaning to point to Dr. -Orkborne; 'that gentleman I want, sir!' but such a medley of waiters, -company, and servants, had in a moment assembled in the space between -them, that the Doctor was no longer to be discerned. - -'Do you only open my door, then,' said he, drily, 'to tell me you want -somebody else?' - -Yet when Halder, vowing he owed her an ill turn for which she should -pay, would have seized her by the hand, he protected with his own arm, -saying: 'Fie, boy, fie! let the girl alone! I don't like violence.' - -A gentleman now, forcing himself through the crowd, exclaimed: 'Miss -Camilla Tyrold! Is it possible! what can you do here, madam?' - -It was Dr. Marchmont, whom the affrighted Camilla, springing forward, -could only answer in catching by the arm. - -'Tyrold!' repeated the old gentleman; 'Is her name Tyrold?' - -Sorry now to have pronounced it in this mixt company, Dr. Marchmont -evaded any answer; and, begging her to be composed, asked whither, or to -whom, he might have the honour of conducting her. - -'Almost all my family are here,' cried she, 'but I could not make Dr. -Orkborne shew me the way to them.' - -The old gentleman then, repeating 'Tyrold! why if her name is Tyrold, -I'll take care of her myself;' invited her into his apartment. - -Dr. Marchmont, thanking him, said: 'This young lady has friends, who in -all probability are now uneasily seeking her; we must lose no time in -joining them.' - -'Well, but, well,' cried the old stranger, 'let her come into my room -till the coast is clear, and then take her away in peace. Come, there's -a good girl, come in, do! you're heartily welcome; for there's a person -of your name that's the best friend I ever had in the world. He's gone -from our parts, now; but he's left nothing so good behind. Pray, my -dear, did you ever hear of a gentleman, an old Yorkshire Baronet, of -your name?' - -'What! my uncle?' - -'Your uncle! why are you niece to Sir Hugh Tyrold?' - -Upon her answering yes, he clapped his hands with delight, and saying: -'Why then I'll take care of you myself, if it's at the risk of my life!' -carried, rather than drew her into his room, the Doctor following. Then, -loudly shutting his door in the face of Halder, he called out: 'Enter my -castle who dare! I shall turn a young man myself, at the age of seventy, -to drub the first varlet that would attack the niece of my dear old -friend!' - -They soon heard the passage clear, and, without deigning to listen to -the petulant revilings with which young Halder solaced his foolish rage, -'Why, my dear,' he continued, 'why did not you tell me your name was -Tyrold at once? I promise you, you need carry nothing else with you into -our parts, to see all the doors fly open to you. You make much of him, I -hope, where he is? for he left not a dry eye for twenty miles round when -he quitted us. I don't know how many such men you may have in Hampshire; -but Yorkshire's a large county, yet the best man in it would find it -hard to get a seat in Parliament, where Sir Hugh Tyrold would offer -himself to be a candidate. We all say, in Yorkshire, he's so stuffed -full of goodness and kindness, that there's no room left in him for -anything else; that's our way of talking of him in Yorkshire; if you -have a better way in Hampshire, I shall be glad to learn it; never too -late for that; I hate pride.' - -No possible disturbance could make Camilla insensible to pleasure in the -praise of her uncle, or depress her spirits from joining in his eulogy; -and her attention, and brightening looks, drew a narrative from the old -gentleman of the baronet's good actions and former kindnesses, so -pleasant both to the speaker and the hearer, that the one forgot he had -never seen her before, and the other, the frightful adventure which -occasioned their meeting now. - -Dr. Marchmont at length, looking at his watch, inquired what she meant -to do; to seek her sister and party, she answered; and, returning her -host the warmest acknowledgments for his assistance and goodness, she -was going; but, stopping her: 'How now?' he cried, 'don't you want to -know who I am? Now I have told you I am a friend of your uncle, don't -you suppose he'll ask you my name?' - -Camilla, smiling, assured him she wished much to be informed, but knew -not how to trouble him with the question. - -'Why my name, my dear, is Westwyn, and when you say that to your uncle, -he won't give you a sour look for your pains; take my word for that -beforehand. I carried over his nephew and heir, a cousin, I suppose, of -yours, to Leipsic with me, about eight years ago, along with a boy of my -own, Hal Westwyn; a very good lad, I assure you, though I never tell him -so to his face, for fear of puffing him up; I hate a boy puffed up; he -commonly comes to no good; that's the only fault of my honoured friend; -he spoils all young people--witness that same cousin of yours, that I -can't say I much like; no more does he me; but tell your good uncle you -have met me; and tell him I love and honour him as I ought to do; I -don't know how to do more, or else I would; tell him this, my dear. And -I have not forgot what he did for me once, when I was hard run; and I -don't intend it; I'm no friend to short memories.' - -Camilla said, his name, and her uncle's regard for him, had long been -familiar to her; and told him Clermont Lynmere was of the party to -Southampton, though she knew not how to enter abruptly into an -explanation of his mistake concerning the inheritance. Mr. Westwyn -answered he was in no hurry to see Clermont, who was not at all to his -taste; but would not quit Hampshire without visiting Cleves: and when he -gathered that two more nieces of Sir Hugh were in the house, he desired -to be presented to them. - -Upon re-entering the passage, to the great amusement of Dr. Marchmont, -and serious provocation of Camilla, they perceived Dr. Orkborne, -standing precisely where he had first stationed himself; attending no -more to the general hubbub than to her particular entreaty, and as -regardless of the various jolts he had received during the tumult, as of -the obstruction he caused, by his inconvenient position, to the haste of -the passers by. Still steadily reposing against the bannisters, he -worked hard at refining his paragraph, persuaded, since not summoned by -Miss Margland, he had bestowed upon it but a few minutes, though he had -been fixed to that spot near an hour. - -Miss Margland received Camilla with a civility which, since her positive -and public affiance to Edgar, she thought necessary to the mistress of -Beech Park; but she looked upon Dr. Marchmont, whom she concluded to -have been her advocate, with a cold ill-will, which, for Mr. Westwyn, -she seasoned still more strongly by a portion of contemptuous -haughtiness; from a ready disposition to believe every stranger, not -formally announced, beneath her notice. - -The Doctor soon retired, and found Edgar in his apartment, just returned -from a long stroll. He recounted to him the late transaction, with -reiterated exhortations to circumspection, from added doubts of the -solidity, though with new praise of the attractions of Camilla. 'She -seems a character,' he said, 'difficult to resist, and yet more -difficult to attach. Nothing serious appears to impress her for two -minutes together. Let us see if the thoughtlessness and inadvertence -thus perpetually fertile of danger, result from youthful inexperience, -or have their source in innate levity. Time and reason will rectify the -first; but time, and even reason, will but harden and embolden the -latter. Prudence, therefore, must now interfere; or passion may fly, -when the union it has formed most requires its continuance.' - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_An Author's Time-keeper_ - - -Mr. Westwyn, charmed to meet so many near relations of a long-valued -friend, struck by the extraordinary beauty of Indiana, and by the -sensible answers of the child, as he called Eugenia; as well as caught -by the united loveliness of person and of mind which he observed in -Camilla, could not bring himself to retire till the dinner was upon the -table: pleading, in excuse for his stay, his former intimacy with Sir -Hugh. Miss Margland, seeing in him nothing that marked fashion, strove -to distance him by a high demeanour: but though not wanting in -shrewdness, Mr. Westwyn was a perfectly natural man, and only thinking -her manners disagreeable, without suspecting her intention, took but -little notice of her, from the time he saw she could give him no -pleasure: while with the young party, he was so much delighted, that he -seriously regretted he had only one son to offer amongst them. - -When the dinner was served, Eugenia grew uneasy that Dr. Orkborne should -be summoned, whose non-appearance she had not ventured to mention, from -the professed hatred of his very sight avowed by Miss Margland. But -Camilla, brought up to exert constantly her courage for the absent, told -the waiter to call the gentleman from the head of the stairs. - -'My master himself, ma'am,' he answered, 'as well as me, both told the -gentleman the company he came with were served; but he as good as bid us -both hold our tongues. He seems to have taken a great liking to that -place upon the stairs; though there's nothing I know of particular in -it.' - -'But, if you tell him we wait dinner--' cried Eugenia; when Miss -Margland, interrupting her said, 'I'm sure, then, you won't tell him -true: for I beg we may all begin. I think it would be rather more -decorous he should wait for us!' - -The waiter, nevertheless, went; but presently returned, somewhat -ruffled; saying, 'The gentleman does not choose to hear me, ma'am. He -says, if he mayn't be let alone one single minute, it will be throwing -away all his morning. I can't say I know what he means; but he speaks -rather froppish. I'd as lieve not go to him again, if you please.' - -Miss Margland declared, she wished him no better dinner than his -pot-hooks; but did not doubt he would come just before they had done, as -usual; and he was no more mentioned: though she never in her life eat so -fast; and the table was ordered to be cleared of its covers, with a -speed exactly the reverse of the patience with which the Doctor was -indulged on similar occasions by the baronet. - -Miss Margland, when the cloth was removed, proposed a sally in search of -lodgings. Camilla and Eugenia, desirous of a private conference, begged -to remain within; though the latter sought to take care of her absent -preceptor, before she could enjoy the conversation of her sister; and -when Miss Margland and Indiana, in secret exultation at his dinnerless -state, had glided, with silent simpering, past him, flew to beseech his -consent to take some nourishment. - -Such, however, was his present absorption in what he was writing, that -the voluntary kindness of his pupil was as unwelcome as the forced -intrusion of the waiter; and he conjured her to grant him a little -respite from such eternal tormenting, with the plaintive impatience of -deprecating some injury. - -The sisters, now, equally eager to relate and to listen to their mutual -affairs, shut themselves up in the apartment of Eugenia; who, with the -greatest simplicity, began the discourse, by saying, 'Have you heard, my -dear sister, that Clermont has refused me?' - -Camilla was severely shocked. Accustomed herself to the face and form of -Eugenia, which, to her innocent affection, presented always the image of -her virtuous mind and cultivated understanding, she had not presaged -even the possibility of such an event; and, though she had seen with -concern the inequality of their outward appearance, Clermont had seemed -to her, in all else, so inferior to her sister, that she had repined at -his unworthiness, but never doubted the alliance. - -She was distressed how to offer any consolation; but soon found none was -required. Eugenia was composed and contented, though pensive, and not -without some feeling of mortification. Yet anger and resentment had -found no place in the transaction. Her equity acknowledged that Clermont -had every right of choice: but while her candour induced her to even -applaud his disinterestedness in relinquishing the Cleves estate, her -capacity pointed out how terrible must be the personal defects, that so -speedily, without one word of conversation, one trial of any sort how -their tastes, tempers, or characters might accord, stimulated him to so -decisive a rejection. This view of her unfortunate appearance cast her, -at first, into a train of melancholy ideas, that would fast have led her -to unhappiness, though wholly unmixed with any regret of Clermont, had -not the natural philosophy of her mind come to her aid; or had her -education been of a more worldly sort. - -When Camilla related her own history, her plan of making Edgar again -completely master of his own proceedings met the entire approbation of -Eugenia, who, with a serious smile, said, 'Take warning by me, my dear -sister! and, little as you have reason to be brought into any comparison -with such a one as me, anticipate the disgrace of defection!' - -Camilla, much touched, embraced her, sincerely wishing she were half as -faultless as her excellent self. - -The return of Miss Margland and Indiana obliged them to quit their -retreat; and they now found Dr. Orkborne in the dining-room. Having -finished his paragraph, he had sought his party of his own accord; but, -meeting with no one, had taken a book from his pocket, with which he -meant to beguile the appetite he felt rising, till the hour of dinner, -which he had not the smallest suspicion was over; for of the progress of -time he had no knowledge but by its palpable passage from the sun to the -moon; his watch was never wound up, and the morning and the evening were -but announced to him by a summons to breakfast and to supper. - -The ladies seated themselves at the window. Indiana was enchanted by the -concourse of gay and well-dressed people passing by, and far from -insensible to the visible surprise and pleasure she excited in those who -cast up their eyes at the hotel. Eugenia, to whom a great and populous -town was entirely new, found also, in the diversity as well as novelty -of its objects, much matter for remark and contemplation; Miss Margland -experienced the utmost satisfaction in seeing, at last, some faces and -some things less rustic than had been presented to her in Yorkshire or -at Cleves; and Camilla had every hope that this place, in Edgar's own -expression, would terminate every perplexity, and give local date to her -life's permanent felicity. - -In a few minutes, a youth appeared on the opposite pavement, whose air -was new to none of the party, yet not immediately recollected by any. It -was striking, however, in elegance and in melancholy. Eugenia -recollected him first, and starting back, gasped for breath; Indiana the -next moment called out, 'Ah!... it's Mr. Melmond!' and blushing high, -her whole face was bright and dimpled with unexpected delight. - -He walked on, without looking up, and Indiana, simply piqued as well as -chagrined, said she was glad he was gone. - -But Eugenia looked after him with a gentle sigh, which now first she -thought blameless, and a pleasure, which, though half mournful, she now -suffered herself to encourage. Free from all ties that made her shun -this partiality as culpable, she secretly told herself she might now, -without injury to any one, indulge it for an object [whom,] little as he -was known to her, she internally painted with all the faultless -qualities of ideal excellence. - -From these meditations she was roused by Dr. Orkborne's looking rather -wishfully round him, and exclaiming, 'Pray ... don't we dine rather -late?' - -The mistake being cleared up, by Miss Margland's assuring him it was -impossible to keep dinner waiting all day, for people who chose to stand -whole hours upon a staircase, he felt rather discomforted: but when -Eugenia privately ordered him a repast in his own chamber, he was amply -consoled, by the unconstrained freedom with which he was empowered to -have more books upon the table than plates; and to make more ink spots -than he eat mouthfuls. - - * * * * * - -Camilla had the mortification to find, upon her return home, that Edgar -had made his promised visit, not only in her absence, but while Mrs. -Berlinton was still with her aunt. - -The lady then communicated to Camilla the secret to which, while yet in -ignorance of its existence, she now found she had been sacrificed. Mrs. -Ecton, two years ago, had given her hand, in the most solemn privacy, to -her butler, who now attended her to Southampton. To avoid disobliging a -sick old relation, from whom she expected a considerable legacy, she had -prevailed with her husband to consent that the marriage should not be -divulged: but certain that whatever now might be her fortune, she had no -power to bequeath it from her new connexion, the terror of leaving -utterly destitute a beautiful young creature, who believed herself well -provided for, had induced her to nearly force her acceptance of an -almost superannuated old man of family; who, merely coveting her beauty, -inquired not into her inclination. The same latent cause had made her -inexorable to the pleadings of young Melmond; who, conceiving his -fortune dependent upon the pleasure of his aunt, his certain income -being trifling, thought it his duty to fly the fair object of his -adoration, when he discovered the deceit of Lionel with regard to the -inheritance of Sir Hugh. This sick old relation was now just dead, and -had left to her sole disposal a considerable estate. The husband -naturally refused to be kept any longer from his just rights; but the -shame she felt of making the discovery of a marriage contracted -clandestinely, after she was sixty years of age, with a man under -thirty, threw her into a nervous fever. And, in this state, unable to -reveal to her nephew an event which now affected him alone, she -prevailed with Mr. Ulst, who was willing to revisit his original home, -Southampton, to accompany her thither in his usual capacity, till she -had summoned her nephew and niece, and acquainted them with the affair. - -To herself, Mrs. Berlinton said, the evil of this transaction had been -over, while yet it was unknown; she had heard it, therefore, in silence, -and forborne unavailing reproach. But her brother, to whom the blow was -new, and the consequences were still impending, was struck with extreme -anguish, that while thus every possible hope was extinguished with -regard to his love, he must suddenly apply himself to some business, or -be reduced to the most obscure poverty. - -Camilla heard the account with sincere concern for them both, much -heightened for young Melmond, upon finding that, by his express desire, -his sister now relinquished her design of cultivating an acquaintance -with Indiana, whom he had the virtue to determine to avoid, since his -fortune, and even his hopes, were thus irretrievably ruined. - -They conversed together to a late hour; and Camilla, before they parted, -made the most earnest apologies for the liberty taken with her house by -Mrs. Mittin: but Mrs. Berlinton, with the utmost sweetness, begged she -might stay till all her business with her was settled; smilingly adding, -business alone, she was sure could bring them together. - -Much relieved, she then determined to press Mrs. Mittin to collect and -pay her accounts immediately; and to avoid with her, in the meanwhile, -any further transactions. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_An agreeable Hearing_ - - -Early the next morning, Camilla went to the hotel, in the carriage of -Mrs. Berlinton; eluding, though not without difficulty, the company of -Mrs. Mittin. She found the party all in good spirits; Indiana, in -particular, was completely elated; joined to the admiration she -believed awaiting her in this large and fashionable town, she now knew -she might meet there the only person who had ever excited in her -youthful, and nearly vacant breast, any appropriate pleasure, -super-added to the general zest of being adored. She did not, indeed, -think of marrying any one who could not offer her a coach and four; but -so little was she disturbed by thinking at all, that the delight of -being adulated by the man she preferred, carried with it no idea of -danger. Eugenia too, soothed with the delusions of her romantic but -innocent fancy, flattered herself she might now see continually the -object she conceived formed for meriting her ever reverential regard; -and Miss Margland was importantly occupied upon affairs best suited to -her taste and ancient habits, in deliberating how first to bring forth -her fair charge with the most brilliant effect. - -Camilla was much embarrassed how to parry an introduction to Mrs. -Berlinton, upon which all the females built as the foundation of their -Southampton prosperity; the young ones, already informed she was the -sister of Melmond, languishing to know her for his sake; and Miss -Margland, formerly acquainted with the noble family of her husband, -being impatient to resume her claims in similar circles; but an awkward -beginning apology was set aside by the entrance of Edgar and Dr. -Marchmont. - -Indiana now poured forth innumerable questions upon what she might look -forward to with respect to balls and public places; Eugenia asked nearly -as many concerning the buildings, antiquities, and prospects; and Miss -Margland more than either, relative to the company, their genealogies -and connexions. The two Doctors soon sat aloof, conferring upon less -familiar matters; but Edgar only spoke in reply, and Camilla uttered not -a word. - -Soon after, a voice on the stairs called out, 'O never mind shewing me -the way; if I come to a wrong room, I'll go on till I come to a right;' -and the next minute young Lynmere sallied into the apartment. - -'I could not get to you last night,' cried he; 'and I can only stay a -moment now. I have a pretty serious business upon my hands; so if you -can give me any breakfast, don't lose time.' - -Miss Margland, willing to please the brother of Indiana, readily ordered -for him whatever the inn would afford, of which he failed not heartily -to partake, saying, 'I have met with a good comic sort of adventure here -already. Guess what it is?' - -Indiana complied; but his own wish to communicate was so much stronger -than that of anyone to hear, that, before she could pronounce three -words, he cried: 'Well, if you're so excessive curious, I'll tell it -you. I'm engaged in a duel.' - -Indiana screamed; Miss Margland echoed her cry; Eugenia, who had looked -down from his entrance, raised her eyes with an air of interest; Camilla -was surprised out of her own concerns; and Edgar surveyed him with an -astonishment not wholly unmixt with contempt; but the two Doctors went -on with their own discourse. - -'Nay, nay, Dye, don't be frightened; 'tis not a duel in which I am to -fight myself; I am only to be second. But suppose I were first? what -signifies? these are things we have in hand so often, we don't think of -them.' - -'La! brother! you don't say so?' cried Indiana: 'La! how droll!' He then -pretended that he would tell nothing more. - -Camilla inquired if he had seen Mr. Westwyn, whom she had met with the -preceding day. - -'Not I, faith! but that's apropos enough; for it's his son that has -asked me to be his second.' - -'O, poor good old Mr. Westwyn!' cried Camilla, now much interested in -this history; 'and can you not save him such a shock? can you not be -mediator instead of second? he seems so fond of his son....' - -'O, as to him, it's no matter; he's such a harsh old hunks, I shall be -glad to have him worked a little; I've often wanted to pull him by the -nose, myself, he takes such liberties with me. But did you ever hear of -such a fool as his son? he deserves to be badgered as bad as his father; -he's going to fight with as fine an honest fellow as ever I met with, -for nothing at all! absolutely nothing!' - -'Dear! how droll!' said Indiana. - -'But why can you not interfere?' cried Camilla: 'poor Mr. Westwyn will -be made so unhappy if any evil befalls his son!' - -'O, faith, as to him, he may take it as he will; I shan't trouble my -head about him; he has made free enough with me, I can assure you; it's -only to have him out of the way, that the business is put off till noon; -it was to have been in the morning, but the old tyrant took it into his -pate to make poor Henry, who is one of your good ones, and does nothing -to vex him on purpose, ride out with him; he has promised, however, to -get off by twelve o'clock, when four of us are to be at a certain spot -that I shan't name.' - -Camilla again began to plead the merits of the father; but Indiana more -urgently demanded the reason of the combat. 'I dare say, brother, they -fight about being in love with somebody? don't they, brother? now do -tell me?' - -'Not a whit! it's for a girl he don't care a straw for, and never saw -but once in his life, and don't care a farthing if he never sees again.' - -'Dear, how droll, brother! I thought people always fought about being in -love with somebody they wanted to marry; and never but when she was -excessive pretty.' - -'O, faith, marriage seldom deserves a fighting match; but as to being -pretty, that's all Harry has in his excuse, so he pretends she's as -divine as an angel.' - -'Dear! well, and don't you know anything more than that about it?' - -'No, nor he neither; he only saw her at a bathing house, where a fine -jolly young buck was paying her a few compliments, that she affected not -to like; and presently, in a silly dispute whether she was a girl of -character, they had a violent quarrel, and Harry was such a fool as to -end it with a challenge.' - -At the words _a bathing house_, the blood forsook the cheeks of Camilla -with sudden personal alarm; but it mounted high into them again, upon -hearing the nature of the dispute; though yet again it sunk, and left -them wholly pallid, at the brief and final conviction she was the sole -cause of this duel, and upon so disgraceful a dispute. - -The emotions of Edgar, though less fearful, were not less violent nor -painful. That Camilla should be the subject of any challenge was -shocking, but of such a one he thought a dishonour; yet to prevent, and -with the least publicity, its effect, was the immediate occupation of -his mind. - -A short pause ensued, broken presently by Clermont, who, looking at his -watch, suddenly jumped up, and calling out, 'Faith, I shall be too -late!' was capering out of the room; but the shame of Camilla in the -disgrace, was overpowered by her terror of its consequences, and -starting up, and clasping her hands, 'O cousin! O Clermont!' she cried, -'for Heaven's sake stop this affair!' - -Clermont, satisfied that a sufficient alarm was raised to impede the -transaction, without any concession on his part, declared himself bound -in honour to attend the appointment, and, in extreme seeming haste and -earnestness, walked off; stopping, however, when he came to the door, -not to listen to the supplications of his cousin, but to toss off a -fresh cup of chocolate, which a waiter was just carrying to the next -room. - -Camilla now, her face varying in colour twenty times in a minute, and -her whole frame shaking, while her eyes were cast, conscious and timid, -on the floor, approached Edgar, and saying, 'This young man's father is -my dear uncle's friend!...' burst into tears. - -Edgar, wholly dissolved, took her hand, pressed it to his lips, besought -her, in a low voice, to dismiss her apprehensions, in the confidence of -his most ardent exertions, and again kissing her hand, with the words, -'Too ... O, far too dear Camilla!' hastened after Lynmere. - -Affected in a thousand ways, she dropt, weeping, upon a chair. Should -the duel take place, and any fatal consequences follow, she felt she -should never be happy again; and even, should it be prevented, its very -suggestion, from so horrible a doubt of her character, seemed a stain -from which it could never recover. The inconsiderate facility with which -she had wandered about with a person so little known to her, so -underbred, and so forward, appeared now to herself inexcusable; and she -determined, if but spared this dreadful punishment, to pass the whole of -her future life in unremitting caution. - -Eugenia, with the kindest sympathy, and Indiana and Miss Margland, with -extreme curiosity, sought to discover the reason of her emotion; but -while begging them to dispense with an explanation, old Mr. Westwyn was -announced and appeared. - -The horrors of a culprit, the most cruel as well as criminal, seemed -instantly the portion of the self-condemned Camilla; and, as he advanced -with cheerful kindness, to inquire after her health, his ignorance that -all his happiness, through her means, was that moment at stake, pierced -her with a suffering so exquisite, that she uttered a deep groan, and -sunk back upon her chair. - -An instant's recollection brought her more of fortitude, though not of -comfort; and springing up and addressing, though not looking at Mr. -Westwyn, who was staring at her with astonishment and concern: 'Where, -sir,' she cried, 'is your son? If you have the least knowledge which way -he is gone ... which way he may be traced ... pursue and force him back -this moment!... Immediately!...' - -'My son!' repeated the good old gentleman, wanting no other word to -participate in any alarm; 'what, Hal Westwyn?--' - -'Follow him ... seek him ... send for him ... and do not, a single -instant, lose sight of him all day!' - -'My dear young lady, what do you mean? I'll send for him, to be sure, if -you desire it; but what makes you so good as to think about my son? did -you ever see my son? do you know my son? do you know Hal Westwyn?' - -'Don't ask now, dear sir! secure him first, and make what inquiries you -please afterwards.' - -Mr. Westwyn, in evident consternation, walked out, Camilla herself -opening the door; but turning back in the passage, strongly said: 'If -the boy has been guilty of any misbehaviour, I won't support him; I -don't like misbehaviour; it's a bad thing; I can't take to it.' - -'O no! no! quite the contrary!' exclaimed the agitated Camilla, 'he is -good, kind, generous! I owe him the greatest obligation! and I desire -nothing upon earth so much, at this moment, as to see him, and to thank -him!' - -The old gentleman's eyes now filled with tears, and coming back, and -most affectionately shaking hands with her, 'I was afraid he had -misbehaved,' he cried; 'but he was always a good lad; and if he has done -any thing for the niece of my dear Sir Hugh Tyrold, I shall hug him to -my heart!' and then, in great, but pleased perturbation, he hurried -away, saying to himself, as he went: 'I'll take him to her, to be sure; -I desire nothing better! God bless her! If she can speak so well of my -poor Hal, she must be the best girl living! and she shall have him ... -yes, she shall have him, if she's a mind to him; and I don't care if she -i'n't worth a groat; she's niece to my old friend; that's better.' - -Camilla speeding, but not hearing him, returned to her seat; yet could -not answer one question, from the horrors of her fears, and her shame of -the detail of the business. - -When the breakfast was over Miss Margland desired everyone would get -ready to go to the lodgings; and, with Indiana, repaired herself to -visit them, and give general orders. Dr. Marchmont had glided out of -the room, in anxiety for Edgar; to the great dissatisfaction, and almost -contempt of Dr. Orkborne, with whom he was just discussing some -controverted points upon the shield of Achilles; which, that he could -quit for the light concerns of a young man, added again to his surmises -that, though he had run creditably the usual scholastic race, his -reputation was more the effect of general ability and address, than of -such sound and consummate learning as he himself possessed. Ruminating -upon the ignorant injustice of mankind, in suffering such quacks in -literature and philology to carry the palm of fame, he went to his -chamber, to collect, from his bolster and bedside, the hoard of books -and papers, from which, the preceding night, he had disencumbered his -coat, waistcoat, and great coat pockets, inside and out, to review -before he could sleep; and which now were again to encircle him, to -facilitate their change of abode. - -But Eugenia would not quit her afflicted sister, who soon, in her gentle -breast, deposited the whole of her grief, her apprehensions, and her -plans; charging her instantly to retire, if Edgar should return, that -whatever might be the event he should unfold, she might release him -immediately from an engagement that his last words seemed to avow did -not make him happy, and that probably he now repented. The design was so -consonant to the native heroism of Eugenia, that she consented, with -applause, to aid its execution. - -About half an hour, which seemed to be prolonged to twenty times the -duration of the whole day, passed in terrible expectation; Edgar then -appeared, and Eugenia, suspending her earnest curiosity, to comply with -the acute feelings of her sister, retreated. - -Camilla could scarce breathe; she stood up, her eyes and mouth open, her -face pale, her hands uplifted, waiting, but not daring to demand -intelligence. - -Edgar, entering into her distress with a tenderness that drove from him -his own, eagerly satisfied her: 'All,' he cried, 'is safe; the affair -has been compromised; no duel has taken place; and the parties have -mutually pledged themselves to forget the dispute.' - -Tears again, but no longer bitter, flowed copiously down her cheeks, -while her raised eyes and clasped hands expressed the fervency of her -thankfulness. - -Edgar, extremely touched, took her hand; he wished to seize a moment so -nearly awful, to enforce upon her mind every serious subject with which -he most desired it to be impressed; but sorrow was ever sacred to him; -and desiring only, at this period, to console her: 'This adventure,' he -cried, 'has now terminated so well, you must not suffer it to wound you. -Dismiss it, sweet Camilla, from your memory!... at least till you are -more composed.' - -'No, sir!' cried Camilla, to whom his softness, by restoring her hope of -an ultimately happy conclusion, restored strength; 'it ought never to be -dismissed from my memory; and what I am now going to say will fix it -there indelibly.' - -Edgar was surprised, but pleased; his most anxious wishes seemed on the -point of being fulfilled; he expected a voluntary explanation of every -perplexity, a clearance of all mystery. - -'I am sensible that I have appeared to you,' she resumed, 'in many -points reprehensible; in some, perhaps, inexcusable....' - -'Inexcusable? O no! never! never!' - -'The letters of Sir Sedley Clarendel I know you think I ought not to -have received....' - -Edgar, biting his nails, looked down. - -'And, indeed, I acknowledge myself, in that affair, a most egregious -dupe!...' - -She blushed; but her blush was colourless to that of Edgar. Resentment -against Sir Sedley beat high in every vein; while disappointment to his -delicacy, in the idea of Camilla duped by any man, seemed, in one blow, -to detach him from her person, by a sudden dissolution of all charm to -his mind in the connection. - -Camilla saw, too late, she had been too hasty in a confession which some -apologising account should have preceded; but what her courage had -begun, pride now aided her to support, and she continued. - -'For what belongs to that correspondence, and even for its being unknown -to my friends, I may offer, perhaps, hereafter, something in -exculpation; ... hereafter, I say, building upon your long family -regard; for though we part ... it will be, I trust, in amity.' - -'Part!' repeated Edgar, recovering from his displeasure by amazement. - -'Yes, part,' said she, with assumed firmness; 'it would be vain to -palliate what I cannot disguise from myself ... I am lessened in your -esteem.' She could not go on; imperious shame took possession of her -voice, crimsoned her very forehead, blushed even in her eyes, demolished -her strained energy, and enfeebled her genuine spirit. - -But the conscious taciturnity of Edgar recalled her exertions; struck -and afflicted by the truth she had pronounced, he could not controvert -it; he was mute; but his look spoke keen disturbance and bitter regret. - -'Not so low, however, am I yet, I trust, fallen in your opinion, that -you can wonder at the step I now take. I am aware of many errours; I -know, too, that appearances have often cruelly misrepresented me; my -errours you might have the candour to forget, and false appearances I -could easily clear in my own favour--but where, and what is the talisman -which can erase from my own remembrance that you have thought me -unworthy?' - -Edgar started; but she would not give him time to speak; what she had -last uttered was too painful to her to dwell upon, or hear answered, and -rapidly, and in an elevated manner, she went on. - -'I here, therefore, solemnly release you from all tie, all engagement -whatever with Camilla Tyrold! I shall immediately acquaint my friends -that henceforth ... we Both are Free!' - -She was then retiring. Edgar, confounded by a stroke so utterly and -every way unexpected, neither answering nor interposing, till he saw her -hand upon the lock of the door. In a voice then, that spoke him cut to -the soul, though without attempting to stop her, 'This then,' he cried, -'Camilla, is your final adieu.' - -She turned round, and with a face glowing, and eyes glistening, held out -to him her hand: 'I knew not if you would accept,' she said, 'a kinder -word, or I should have assured you of my unaltered regard ... and have -claimed the continuance of your friendship, and even ... if your -patience is not utterly exhausted, of your watchful counsel.... -Farewell! remember me without severity! my own esteem must be permanent -as my existence!' - -The door, here, was opened by Miss Margland and Indiana, and Camilla -hastily snatched away the hand which Edgar, grasping with the fondness -of renovated passion, secretly meant to part with no more, till a final -reconciliation once again made it his own; but compelled to yield to -circumstance, he suffered it to be withdrawn; and while she darted into -the chamber of Eugenia, to hide her deep emotion from Indiana, who was -tittering, and Miss Margland, who was sneering, at the situation in -which she was surprised, he abruptly took leave himself, too much -impressed by this critical scene, to labour for uninteresting discourse. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_Ideas upon Marriage_ - - -While, in the bosom of her faithful sister, Camilla reposed her feelings -and her fears, alternately rejoicing and trembling in the temerity of -the resolution she had exerted; Edgar sought his not less faithful, nor -honourable, but far more worldly friend, Dr. Marchmont. - -He narrated, with extreme emotion, the scene he had just had with -Camilla; asserting her possession of every species of excellence from -the nobleness of her rejection, and abhorring himself for having given -her a moment's doubt of his fullest esteem. Not a solicitude, he -declared, now remained with him, but how to appease her displeasure, -satisfy her dignity, and recover her favour. - -'Softly, softly!' said the Doctor; 'measure your steps more temperately, -ere you run with such velocity. If this refusal is the result of an -offended sensibility, you cannot exert yourself too warmly in its -consolation; even if it is from pride, it has a just claim to your -concessions, since she thinks you have injured it; yet pause before you -act, may it not be merely from a confidence of power that loves to -tyrannize over its slaves, by playing with their chains? or a lurking -spirit of coquetry, that desires to regain the liberty of trifling with -some new Sir Sedley Clarendel? or, perhaps, with Sir Sedley himself?' - -'Dr. Marchmont! how wretchedly ill you think of women!' - -'I think of them as they are! I think of them as I have found them. They -are artful, though feeble; they are shallow, yet subtle.' - -'You have been unfortunate in your connexions?' - -'Yet who had better prospects? with energies as warm, with hopes as -alive as your own, twice have I conducted to the altar two beings I -thought framed for my peculiar felicity; but my peace, my happiness, and -my honour, have been torn up by the root, exactly where I thought I had -planted them for my whole temporal existence. This heart, which to you -appears hard and suspicious, has been the dupe of its susceptibilities; -first, in a creature of its own choice, next, where it believed itself -chosen. That first, Mandlebert, had you seen her, you would have -thought, as I thought her myself ... an angel! She was another Camilla.' - -'Another Camilla!' - -'Grace, sweetness, and beauty vied in her for pre-eminence. Yes, another -Camilla! though I see your incredulity; I see you think my comparison -almost profane; and that grace, sweetness, and beauty, waited the birth -of Camilla to be made known to the world. Such, however, she was, and I -saw and loved at once. I knew her character fair, I precipitately made -my addresses, and concluded myself beloved in return ... because I was -accepted!' - -Edgar shrunk back, and cast down his eyes. - -'Nor was it till the moment ... heart-breaking yet to my -recollection!... of her sudden death, that I knew the lifeless, -soulless, inanimate frame was all she had bestowed upon me. In the -private drawer of her bureau, I then found a pocketbook. In the first -leaf, I saw a gentleman's name; ... I turned over, and saw it again; I -looked further, and still it met my view; I opened by chance, ... but -nothing else appeared: ... there it was still, traced in every hand, -charactered in every form, shape, and manner, the wayward, wistful eye -could delight to fashion, for varying, yet beholding it without end: -while, over the intermediate spaces, verses, quotations, short but -affecting sentences, were every where scattered, bewailing the misery of -disappointed hope, and unrequited love; of a heartless hand devoted at -the altar; of vows enchaining liberty, not sanctifying affection! I -then ... alas, too late! dived deeper, with, then, useless -investigation, ... and discovered an early passion, never erased from -her mind; ... discovered ... that I had never made her happy! that she -was merely enduring, suffering me ... while my whole confiding soul was -undividedly hers!...' - -Edgar shuddered at this picture; 'But why, then,' he cried, 'since she -seemed amiable as well as fair, why did she accept you?' - -'Ask half the married women in the nation how they became wives: they -will tell you their friends urged them; ... that they had no other -establishment in view; ... that nothing is so uncertain as the -repetition of matrimonial powers in women; ... and that those who -cannot solicit what they wish, must accommodate themselves to what -offers. This first adventure, however, is now no longer useful to you, -though upon its hard remembrance was founded my former caution: but I am -even myself satisfied, at present, that the earliest partiality of -Camilla has been yours; what now you have to weigh, is the strength or -inadequacy of her character, for guiding that partiality to your mutual -happiness. My second melancholy history will best illustrate this -difficulty. You may easily believe, the last of my intentions was any -further essay in a lottery I had found so inauspicious; but, while cold -even to apathy, it was my inevitable chance to fall in the way of a -pleasing and innocent young creature, who gave me, unsought and -unwished-for, her heart. The boon, nevertheless, soon caught my own: for -what is so alluring as the voluntary affection of a virtuous woman?' - -'Well,' cried Edgar, 'and what now could disturb your tranquillity?' - -'The insufficiency of that heart to its own decision. I soon found her -apparent predilection was simply the result of the casualty which -brought me almost exclusively into her society, but unmarked by any -consonance of taste, feeling, or understanding. Her inexperience had -made her believe, since she preferred me to the few who surrounded her, -I was the man of her choice: with equal facility I concurred in the same -mistake; ... for what is so credulous as self-love? But such a regard, -the child of accident, not selection, was unequal, upon the discovery of -the dissimilarity of our dispositions, to the smallest sacrifice. My -melancholy returned with the view of our mutual delusion; lassitude of -pleasing was the precursor of discontent. Dissipation then, in the form -of amusement, presented itself to her aid: retirement and books came to -mine. My resource was safe, though solitary; hers was gay, but perilous. -Dissipation, with its usual Proteus powers, from amusement changed its -form to temptation, allured her into dangers, impeached her honour, and -blighted her with disgrace. I just discerned the precipice whence she -was falling, in time to avert the dreadful necessity of casting her off -for ever: ... but what was our life thence forward? Cares -unparticipated, griefs uncommunicated, stifled resentments, and -unremitting weariness! She is now no more; and I am a lonely individual -for the rest of my pilgrimage. - -'Take warning, my dear young friend, by my experience. The entire -possession of the heart of the woman you marry is not more essential to -your first happiness, than the complete knowledge of her disposition is -to your ultimate peace.' - -Edgar thanked him, in deep concern to have awakened emotions which the -absorption of study, and influence of literature, held generally -dormant. The lesson, however, which they inculcated, he engaged to keep -always present to his consideration; though, but for the strange affair -of Sir Sedley Clarendel, he should feel confident that, in Camilla, -there was not more of exterior attraction, than of solid excellence: -and, with regard to their concordance of taste and humour, he had never -seen her so gay, nor so lovely, as in scenes of active benevolence, or -domestic life. She had promised to clear, hereafter, the transaction -with Sir Sedley; but he could not hold back for that explanation: hurt, -already, by his apparent scruples, she had openly named them as the -motives of her rejection: could he, then, shew her he yet demurred, -without forfeiting all hope of a future accommodation? - -'Delicacy,' said Dr. Marchmont, 'though the quality the most amiable we -can practise in the service of others, must not take place of common -sense, and sound judgment, for ourselves. Her dismission does not -discard you from her society; on the contrary, it invites your -friendship....' - -'Ah, Doctor! what innocence, what sweetness does that very circumstance -display!' - -'Learn, however, their concomitants, ere you yield to their charms: -learn if their source is from a present, yet accidental preference, or -from the nobler spring of elevated sentiment. The meeting you surprised -with Sir Sedley, the presumption you acknowledge of his letters, and the -confession made by herself that she had submitted to be duped by him.' - -'O, Dr. Marchmont! what harrowing drawbacks to felicity! And how much -must we rather pity than wonder at the errors of common young women, -when a creature such as this is so easy to be misled!' - -'You must not imagine I mean a censure upon the excellent Mr. Tyrold, -when I say she is left too much to herself: the purity of his -principles, and the virtue of his character, must exempt him from blame; -but his life has been both too private and too tranquil, to be aware of -the dangers run by Female Youth, when straying from the mother's -careful wing. All that belongs to religion, and to principle, he feels, -and he has taught; but the impediments they have to encounter in a -commerce with mankind, he could not point out, for he does not know. Yet -there is nothing more certain, than that seventeen weeks is not less -able to go alone in a nursery, than seventeen years in the world.' - -This suggestion but added to the bias of Edgar to take her, if possible, -under his own immediate guidance. - -'Know, first,' cried the Doctor, 'if to your guidance she will give way; -know if the affair with Sir Sedley has exculpations which render it -single and adventitious, or if there hang upon it a lightness of -character that may invest caprice, chance, or fickleness, with powers of -involving such another entanglement.' - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_How to treat a Defamer_ - - -As the lodgings taken by Miss Margland could not be ready till the -afternoon, Camilla remained with her sister; a sojourn which, while it -consoled her with the society, and gratified her by the approbation of -Eugenia, had yet another allurement; it detained her under the same roof -with Edgar; and his manner of listening to her rejection, and his -undisguised suffering before they were parted, led her to expect he -might yet demand a conference before she quitted the hotel. - -In about an hour, as unpleasantly as unceremoniously, they were broken -in upon by Mrs. Mittin. - -'How monstrous lucky, my dear,' cried she, to Camilla, 'that I should -find you, and your little sister, for I suppose this is she, together! I -went into your dining-room to ask for you, and there I met those other -two ladies; and I've made acquaintance with 'em, I assure you, already; -for I told them I was on a visit at the Honourable Mrs. Berlinton's. So -I've had the opportunity to recommend some shops to 'em, and I've been -to tell some of the good folks to send them some of their nicest goods -for 'em to look at; for, really, since I've been bustling a little about -here, I've found some of the good people so vastly obliging, I can't but -take a pleasure in serving 'em, and getting 'em a few customers, -especially as I know a little civility of that sort makes one friends -surprisingly. Often and often have I got things under prime cost myself, -only by helping a person on in his trade. So one can't say good nature's -always thrown away. However, I come now on purpose to put a note into -your own hands, from Mrs. Berlinton; for all the servants were out of -the way, except one, and he wanted to be about something else, so I -offered to bring it, and she was very much pleased; so I fancy it's -about some secret, for she never offered to shew it me; but as to the -poor man I saved from the walk, I've won his heart downright; I dare say -he'll go of any odd errand for me, now, without vails. That's the best -of good nature, it always comes home to one.' - -The note from Mrs. Berlinton contained a tender supplication for the -return of Camilla, and a pressing and flattering invitation that her -sister should join their little party, as the motives of honour and -discretion which made her, at the request and for the sake of her -brother, sacrifice her eagerness to be presented to Miss Lynmere, -operated not to impede her acquaintance with Miss Eugenia. - -This proposition had exquisite charms for Eugenia. To become acquainted -with the sister of him to whom, henceforward, she meant to devote her -secret thoughts, enchanted her imagination. Camilla, therefore, -negotiated the visit with Miss Margland, who, though little pleased by -this separate invitation, knew not how to refuse her concurrence; but -Indiana, indignant that the sister of Melmond should not, first, have -waited upon her, and solicited her friendship, privately resolved, in -pique of this disrespect, to punish the brother with every rigour she -could invent. - -Camilla, upon her return, found Mrs. Mittin already deeply engaged in -proposing an alteration in the dress of Eugenia, which she was aiding -Molly Mill to accomplish; and so much she found to say and to do, to -propose and to object to, to contrive and to alter, that, from the -simplicity of the mistress, and the ignorance of the maid, the one was -soon led to conclude she should have appeared improperly before Mrs. -Berlinton, without such useful advice; and the other to believe she must -shortly have lost her place, now her young lady was come forth into the -world, if she had not thus miraculously met with so good a friend. - -During these preparations, Camilla was summoned back to the dining-room -to receive Mr. Westwyn. - -She did not hear this call with serenity. The danger which, however -unwittingly, she had caused his son, and the shocking circumstances -which were its foundation, tingled her cheeks, and confounded her wish -of making acknowledgments, with an horror that such an obligation could -be possible. - -The door of the dining-room was open, and as soon as her steps were -heard, Mr. Westwyn came smiling forth to receive her. She hung back -involuntarily; but, pacing up to her, and taking her hand, 'Well, my -good young lady,' he cried, 'I have brought you my son; but he's no -boaster, that I can assure you, for though I told him how you wanted him -to come to you, and was so good as to say you were so much obliged to -him, I can't make him own he has ever seen you in his life; which I tell -him is carrying his modesty over far; I don't like affectation ... I -have no taste for it.' - -Camilla, discovering by this speech, as well as by his pleased and -tranquil manner, that he had escaped hearing of the intended duel, and -that his son was still ignorant whose cause he had espoused, ardently -wished to avert farther shame by concealing herself; and, step by step, -kept retreating back towards the room of Eugenia; though she could not -disengage her hand from the old gentleman, who, trying to draw her on, -said: 'Come, my dear! don't go away. Though my son won't confess what he -has done for you, he can't make me forget that you were such a dear soul -as to tell me yourself, of his good behaviour, and of your having such a -kind opinion of him. And I have been telling him, and I can assure you -I'll keep my word, that if he has done a service to the niece of my dear -old friend, Sir Hugh Tyrold, it shall value him fifty pound a-year more -to his income, if I straighten myself never so much. For a lad, that -knows how to behave in that manner, will never spend his money so as to -make his old father ashamed of him. And that's a good thing for a man to -know.' - -'Indeed, sir, this is some mistake,' said the young man himself, now -advancing into the passage, while Camilla was stammering out an excuse -from entering; 'it's some great mistake; I have not the honour to -know....' - -He was going to add Miss Tyrold, but he saw her at the same moment, and -instantly recollecting her face, stopt, blushed, and looked amazed. - -The retreating effort of Camilla, her shame and her pride, all subsided -by his view, and gave place to the more generous feelings of gratitude -for his intuitive good opinion, and emotion for the risk he had run in -her defence: and with an expression of captivating sweetness in her eyes -and manner, 'That you did not know me,' she cried, 'makes the -peculiarity of your goodness, which, indeed, I am more sensible to than -I can express.' - -'Why, there! there, now! there!' cried Mr. Westwyn, while his son, -enchanted to find whose character he had sustained, bowed almost to the -ground with respectful gratitude for such thanks; 'only but listen! she -says the very same things to your face, that she said behind your back! -though I am afraid, it's only to please an old father; for if not, I -can't for my life find out any reason why you should deny it. Come, Hal, -speak out, Hal!' - -Equally at a loss how either to avow or evade what had passed in the -presence of Camilla, young Westwyn began a stammering and awkward -apology; but Camilla, feeling doubly his forbearance, said: 'Silence may -in you be delicate ... but in me it would be graceless.' Then, turning -from him to old Mr. Westwyn, 'you may be proud, sir,' she cried, 'of -your son! It was the honour of an utter stranger he was protecting, as -helpless as she was unknown at the time she excited his interest; nor -had he even in view this poor mede he now receives of her thanks!' - -'My dearest Hal!' cried Mr. Westwyn, wringing him by the hand; 'if you -have but one small grain of regard for me, don't persist in denying -this! I'd give the last hundred pounds I had in the world to be sure it -was true!' - -'That to hear the name of this lady,' said the young man, 'should not be -necessary to inspire me with respect for her, who can wonder? that any -opportunity could arise in which she should want defence, is all that -can give any surprise.' - -'You own it, then, my dear Hal? you own you've done her a kindness? why -then, my dear Hal, you've done one to me! and I can't help giving you a -hug for it, let who will think me an old fool.' - -He then fervently embraced his son, who confused, though gratified, -strove vainly to make disclaiming speeches. 'No, no, my dear Hal,' he -cried, 'you sha'n't let yourself down with me again, I promise you, -though you've two or three times tried to make me think nothing of you; -but this young lady here, dear soul, speaks another language; she says -I may be proud of my son! and I dare say she knows why, for she's a -charming girl, as ever I saw; so I will be proud of my son! Poor dear -Hal! thou hast got a good friend, I can tell thee, in that young lady! -and she's niece to the best man I ever knew; and I value her good -opinion more than anybody's.' - -'You are much too good,' cried Camilla, in an accent of tender pleasure, -the result of grateful joy, that she had not been the means of -destroying the paternal happiness of so fond a father, joined to the -dreadful certainty how narrowly she had escaped that misery; 'you are -much too good, and I blush even to thank you, when I think--' - -What she meant to add was in a moment forgotten, and that she blushed -ceased to be metaphorical, when now, as they all three entered the -dining-room together, the first object that met her eyes was Edgar. - -Their eyes met not again; delighted and conscious, she turned hers -hastily away. He comes, thought she, to [claim] me! he will not submit -to the separation; he comes to re-assure me of his esteem, and to -receive once more my faithful heart! - -Edgar had seen, by chance, the Westwyns pass to the room of the Cleves -party, and felt the most ardent desire to know if they would meet with -Camilla, and what would be her reception of her young champion, whose -sword, with extreme trouble, he had himself that morning sheathed, and -whose gallantry he attributed to a vehement, however, sudden passion. -Dr. Marchmont acknowledged the epoch to be highly interesting for -observation, and, presuming upon their old right of intimacy with all -the party, they abruptly made a second visit. - -Miss Margland and Indiana, who were examining some goods sent by Mrs. -Mittin, had received them all four without much mark of civility; and -Mr. Westwyn immediately desired Camilla to be sent for, and kept upon -the watch, till her step made him hasten out to meet her. - -Edgar could not hear unmoved the dialogue which ensued; he imagined an -amiable rival was suddenly springing up in young Westwyn, at the very -moment of his own dismission, which he now even thought possible this -incipient conquest had urged; and when Camilla, walking between the -father and the son, with looks of softest sensibility, came into the -room, he thought he had never seen her so lovely, and that her most -bewitching smiles were purposely lavished for their captivation. - -With this idea, he found it impossible to speak to her; their situation, -indeed, was too critical for any common address, and when he saw that -she turned from him, he attempted to converse with the other ladies upon -their purchases; and Camilla, left to her two new beaux, had the -unavoidable appearance of being engrossed by them, though the sight of -Edgar instantly robbed them of all her real attention. - -Soon after, the door was again opened, and Mr. Girt, the young perfumer, -came, smirking and scraping, into the room, with a box of various toys, -essences, and cosmetics, recommended by Mrs. Mittin. - -Ignorant of the mischief he had done her, and not even recollecting to -have seen him, Camilla made on to look at his goods; but Edgar, to whom -his audacious assertions were immediately brought back by his sight, -would have made him feel the effects of his resentment, had not his -passion for Camilla been of so solid, as well as warm a texture, as to -induce him to prefer guarding her delicacy, to any possible display he -could make of his feelings to others, or even to herself. - -Mr. Girt, in the midst of his exhibition of memorandum books, smelling -bottles, tooth-pick cases, and pocket mirrours; with washes to -immortalize the skin, powders becoming to all countenances, and pomatums -to give natural tresses to old age, suddenly recollected Camilla. The -gross mistake he had made he had already discovered, by having dodged -her to the house of Mrs. Berlinton; but all alarm at it hid ceased, by -finding, through a visit made to his shop by Mrs. Mittin, that she was -uninformed he had propagated it. Not gifted with the discernment to see -in the air and manner of Camilla her entire, though unassuming -superiority to her accidental associate, he concluded them both to be -relations of some of the upper domestics; and with a look and tone -descending from the most profound adulation, with which he was -presenting his various articles to Miss Margland and Indiana, into a -familiarity the most facetious, 'O dear, ma'am,' he cried, 'I did not -see you at first; I hope t'other lady's well that's been so kind as to -recommend me? Indeed I saw her just now.' - -Young Westwyn, to whom, as to Edgar, the bold defamation of Girt -occurred with his presence, but whom none of the nameless delicacies of -the peculiar situation, and peculiar character of Edgar, restrained into -silence, felt such a disgust at the presumption of effrontery that gave -him courage for this facetious address, to a young lady whose innocence -of his ill usage made him think its injury double, that, unable to -repress his indignation, he abruptly whispered in his ear, 'Walk out of -the room, sir!' - -The amazed perfumer, at this haughty and unexpected order, stared, and -cried aloud, 'No offence, I hope, sir?' - -Mr. Westwyn asked what was the matter? while Camilla, crimsoned by the -familiar assurance with which she had been addressed, retired to a -window. - -'Nothing of any moment, sir,' answered Henry; and again, in a low but -still more positive voice, he repeated his command to Girt. - -'Sir, I'm not used to be used in this manner!' answered he, hardily, and -hoping, by raising his tone, for the favourable intervention of the -company. - -Indiana, now, was preparing to scream, and Miss Margland was looking -round to see whom she should reprehend; but young Westwyn, coolly -opening the door, with a strong arm, and an able jerk, twisted the -perfumer into the passage, saying, 'You may send somebody for your -goods.' - -Girt, who equally strong, but not equally adroit as Henry, strove in -vain to resist, vowed vengeance for this assault. Henry, without seeming -to hear him, occupied himself with looking at what he had left. Camilla -felt her eyes suffuse with tears; and Edgar, for the first time in his -life, found himself visited by the baleful passion of envy. - -Miss Margland could not comprehend what this meant; Indiana comprehended -but too much in finding there was some disturbance of which she was not -the object; but Mr. Westwyn, losing his look of delight, said, with -something of severity, 'Ha! what did you turn that man out of the room -for?' - -'He is perfectly aware of my reason, sir,' said Henry; and then added it -was a long story, which he begged to relate another time. - -The blank face of Mr. Westwyn shewed displeasure and mortification. He -lifted the head of his cane to his mouth, and after biting it for some -time, with a frowning countenance, muttered, 'I don't like to see a man -turned out of a room. If he's done any harm, tell him so; and if it's -worse than harm, souse him in a horsepond; I've no objection: But I -don't like to see a man turned out of a room; it's very unmannerly; and -I did not think Hal would do such a thing.' Then suddenly, and with a -succinct bow, bidding them all good bye, he took a hasty leave; still, -however, muttering, all the way along the passage, and down the stairs, -loud enough to be heard: 'Kicking and jerking a man about does not prove -him to be in the wrong. I thought Hal had been more of a gentleman. If I -don't find the man turns out to be a rascal, Hal shall beg his pardon; -for I don't like to see a man turned out of a room.' - -Henry, whose spirit was as irritable as it was generous, felt acutely -this public censure, which, though satisfied he did not deserve, every -species of propriety prohibited his explaining away. With a forced -smile, therefore, and a silent bow, he followed his father. - -Miss Margland and Indiana now burst forth with a torrent of wonders, -conjectures, and questions; but the full heart of Camilla denied her -speech, and the carriage of Mrs. Berlinton being already at the door, -she called upon Eugenia, and followed, perforce, by Mrs. Mittin, left -the hotel. - -Edgar and Dr. Marchmont gave neither surprise nor concern by retiring -instantly to their own apartment. - -'Dr. Marchmont,' said the former, in a tone of assumed moderation, 'I -have lost Camilla! I see it plainly. This young man steps forward so -gallantly, so ingenuously, nay so amiably, that the contrast ... chill, -severe, and repulsive ... must render me ... in this detestable -state ... insupportable to all her feelings. Dr. Marchmont! I have not -a doubt of the event!' - -'The juncture is, indeed, perilous, and the trial of extremest hazard; -but it is such as draws all uncertainty to a crisis, and, therefore, is -not much to be lamented. You may safely, I think, rest upon it your -destiny. To a general female heart a duel is the most dangerous of all -assaults, and the most fascinating of all charms; and a duellist, though -precisely what a woman most should dread, as most exposing her to public -notice, is the person of all others she can, commonly, least resist. By -this test, then, prove your Camilla. Her champion seems evidently her -admirer, and his father her adorer. Her late engagement with you may -possibly not reach them; or reaching but with its dissolution, serve -only to render them more eager.' - -'Do you suppose him,' cried Edgar, after a pause of strong disturbance; -'do you suppose him rich?' - -'Certainly not. That the addition of fifty pounds a-year to his income -should be any object, proves his fortune to be very moderate.' - -'Clear her, then, at least,' said he, with a solemnity almost -reproachful; 'clear her, at least, of every mercenary charge! If I lose -her ...' he gasped for breath ... 'she will not, you find, be bought -from me! and pique, anger, injustice, nay inconstancy, all are less -debasing than the sordid corruption of which you suspected her.' - -'This does not, necessarily, prove her disinterested; she is too young, -yet, to know herself the value she may hereafter set upon wealth. And, -independent of that inexperience, there is commonly so little stability, -so little internal hold, in the female character, that any sudden glare -of adventitious lure, will draw them, for the moment, from any and every -regular plan of substantial benefit. It remains, therefore, now to be -tried, if Beech Park, and its master united, can vie with the bright and -intoxicating incense of a life voluntarily risked, in support ... not of -her fair fame, that was unknown to its defender ... but simply of the -fair countenance which seemed its pledge.' - -Edgar, heartless and sad, attempted no further argument; he thought the -Doctor prejudiced against the merits of Camilla; yet it appeared, even -to himself, that her whole conduct, from the short period of his open -avowal, had seemed a wilful series of opposition to his requests and -opinions. And while terror for surrounding dangers gave weight to his -disapprobation of her visiting Southampton, with a lady she knew him to -think more attractive than safe or respectable, her sufferance of the -vulgar and forward Mrs. Mittin, with whom again he saw her quit the -hotel, was yet more offensive, since he could conceive for it no other -inducement than a careless, if not determined humour, to indulge every -impulse, in equal contempt of his counsel, and her own reflection. - -All blame, however, of Camilla, was short of his self-dissatisfaction, -in the distance imposed upon him by uncertainty, and the coldness -dictated by discretion. At a period so sensitive, when her spirit was -alarmed, and her delicacy was wounded, that a stranger should start -forward, to vindicate her innocence, and chastise its detractors, was -singular, was unfortunate, was nearly intolerable; and he thought he -could with thankfulness, have renounced half his fortune, to have been -himself the sole protector of Camilla. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_The Power of Prepossession_ - - -The two sisters were silent from the hotel to the house of Mrs. -Berlinton.... From the height of happiest expectation, raised by the -quick return of Edgar, Camilla was sunk into the lowest despondence, by -the abortive conclusion of the meeting: while Eugenia was absorbed in -mute joy, and wrapt expectation. But Mrs. Mittin, undisturbed by the -pangs of uncertainty, and unoccupied by any romantic persuasion of -bliss, spoke amply, with respect to quantity, for all three. - -Mrs. Berlinton, though somewhat struck at first sight of Eugenia, with -her strange contrast to Camilla, received her with all the -distinguishing kindness due to the sister of her friend. - -She had the poems of Collins in her hand; and, at their joint desire, -instead of putting the book aside, read aloud, and with tenderest -accent, one of his most plaintive odes. - -Eugenia was enraptured. Ah! thought she, this is indeed the true sister -of the accomplished Melmond!... She shall share with him my adoration. -My heart shall be devoted ... after my own dear family ... to the homage -of their perfections! - -The ode, to her great delight, lasted till the dinner was announced, -when Melmond appeared: but her prepossession could alone give any charm -to his sight: he could barely recollect that he had seen her, or even -Camilla before; he had conversed with neither; his eyes had been devoted -to Indiana, and the despondence which had become his portion since the -news of the marriage of his aunt, seemed but rendered the more -peculiarly bitter, by this intimate connection with the family of an -object so adored. - -Yet, though nothing could be more spiritless than the hour of dinner, -Eugenia discovered in it no deficiency; she had previously settled, that -the presence of Melmond could only breathe sweets and perfection, and -the magic of prejudice works every event into its own circle of -expectation. - -Melmond did not even accompany them back to the drawing-room. Eugenia -sighed; but nobody heard her. Mrs. Mittin said, she had something of -great consequence to do in her own room, and Mrs. Berlinton, to divert -the languor she found creeping upon them all, had recourse to Hammond's -elegies. - -These were still reading, when a servant brought in the name of Lord -Valhurst. 'O, deny me to him! deny me to him!' cried Mrs. Berlinton; -''tis a relation of Mr. Berlinton's, and I hate him.' - -The order was given, however, too late; he entered the room. - -The name, as Camilla knew it not, she had heard unmoved; but the sight -of a person who had so largely contributed to shock and terrify her in -the bathing-house, struck her with horror. Brought up with the respect -of other times, she had risen at his entrance; but she turned suddenly -round upon recollecting him, and instead of the courtsie she intended -making, involuntarily moved away her chair from the part of the room to -which he was advancing. - -This was unnoticed by Mrs. Berlinton, whose chagrin at his intrusion -made her wish to walk away also; while with Lord Valhurst it only -passed, joined to her rising, for a mark of her being but little -accustomed to company. That Eugenia rose too was not perceived, as she -rather lost than gained in height by standing. - -Most obsequiously, but most unsuccessfully, the peer made his court to -Mrs. Berlinton; inquiring after her health, with fulsome tenderness, and -extolling her good looks with nearly gross admiration. Mrs. Berlinton -listened, for she was incapable of incivility; though, weary and -disgusted, she seldom made the smallest answer. - -The two sisters might, with ease, equally have escaped notice, since, -though Mrs. Berlinton occasionally addressed them the peer never turned -from herself, had not Mrs. Mittin, abruptly entering in search of a pair -of scissors, perceived him, and hastily called out, 'O lauk, sir, if it -is not you! I know you again well enough! But I hope, now you see us in -such good company as this good lady's, you'll believe me another time, -when I tell you we're not the sort of persons you took us for! Miss -Tyrold, my dear, I hope you've spoke to the gentleman?' - -Lord Valhurst with difficulty recollected Mrs. Mittin, from the very -cursory view his otherwise occupied eyes had taken of her; but when the -concluding words made him look at Camilla, whose youth and beauty were -not so liable to be forgotten, he knew at once her associate, and was -aware of the meaning of her harangue. - -Sorry to appear before his fair kinswoman to any disadvantage, though by -no means displeased at an opportunity of again seeing a young creature -he had thought so charming, he began an apology to Mrs. Mittin, while -his eyes were fixed upon Camilla, vindicating himself from every -intention that was not respectful, and hoping she did not so much injure -as to mistake him. - -Mrs. Mittin was just beginning to answer that she knew better, when the -words, 'Why, my Lord, how have you offended Mrs. Mittin?' dropping from -Mrs. Berlinton, instantly new strung all her notions. To find him a -nobleman was to find him innocent; for, though she did not quite suppose -that a peer was not a mortal, she had never spoken to one before; and -the power of title upon the ear, like that of beauty upon the eye, is, -in its first novelty, all-commanding; manifold as are the drawbacks to -the influence of either, when awe is lost by familiarity, and habitual -reflection takes place of casual and momentary admiration. Title then, -as well as beauty, demands mental auxiliaries; and those who possess -either, more watched than the common race, seem of higher -responsibility; but proportioned to the censure they draw where they -err, is the veneration they inspire where their eminence is complete. -Nor is this the tribute of prejudice, as those who look up to all -superiority with envy love to aver; the impartial and candid reflectors -upon human frailty, who, in viewing it, see with its elevation its -surrounding temptations, will call it but the tribute of justice. - -To Mrs. Mittin, however, the mere sound of a title was enough; she felt -its ascendance without examining its claims, and, dropping the lowest -courtsie her knees could support, confusedly said, she hoped his -lordship would excuse her speaking so quick and improperly, which she -only did from not knowing who he was; for, if she had known him better, -she should have been sure he was too much the gentleman to do anything -with an ill design. - -His lordship courteously accepted the apology; and advanced to Camilla, -to express his hopes she had not participated in such injurious -suspicions. - -She made no answer, and Mrs. Berlinton inquired what all this meant. - -'I protest, my dear madam,' said the peer, 'I do not well comprehend -myself. I only see there has been some misunderstanding; but I hope this -young lady will believe me, when I declare, upon my honour, that I had -no view but to offer my protection, at the time I saw her under alarm.' - -This was a declaration Camilla could not dispute, and even felt inclined -to credit, from the solemnity with which it was uttered; but to discuss -it was every way impossible, and therefore, coldly bowing her head, she -seemed acquiescent. - -Lord Valhurst now pretty equally divided his attention between these two -beautiful young women; looking at and complimenting them alternately, -till a servant came in and said, 'The two Mr. Westwyns desire to see -Miss Tyrold.' - -Camilla did not wish to avoid persons to whom she was so much obliged, -but begged she might receive them in the next apartment, that Mrs. -Berlinton might not be disturbed. - -The eager old gentleman stood with the door in one hand, and his son in -the other, awaiting her. 'My dear young lady,' he cried, 'I have been -hunting you out for hours. Your good governess had not a mind to give me -your direction, thinking me, I suppose, but a troublesome old fellow; -and I did not know which way to turn, till Hal found it out. Hal's -pretty quick. So now, my dear young lady, let me tell you my errand; -which I won't be tedious in, for fear, another time, you may rather not -see me. And the more I see you, the less I like to think such a thing. -However, with all my good will to make haste, I must premise one thing, -as it is but fair. Hal was quite against my coming upon this business. -But I don't think it the less right for that; and so I come. I never yet -saw any good of a man's being ruled by his children. It only serves to -make them think their old fathers superannuated. And if once I find Hal -taking such a thing as that into his head, I'll cut him off with a -shilling, well as I love him.' - -'Your menace, sir,' said Henry, colouring, though smiling, 'gives me no -alarm, for I see no danger. But ... shall we not detain Miss Tyrold too -long from her friends?' - -'Ay now, there comes in what I take notice to be the taste of the -present day! a lad can hardly enter his teens, before he thinks himself -wiser than his father, and gives him his counsel, and tells him what he -thinks best. And, if a man i'n't upon his guard, he may be run down for -an old dotard, before he knows where he is, and see his son setting up -for a member of parliament, making laws for him. Now this is what I -don't like; so I keep a tight hand upon Hal, that he mayn't do it. For -Hal's but a boy, ma'am, though he's so clever. Not that I pretend I'd -change him neither, for e'er an old fellow in the three kingdoms. Well, -but, now I'll tell you what I come for. You know how angry I was about -Hal's turning that man out of the room? well, I took all the pains I -could to come at the bottom of the fray, intending, all the time, to -make Hal ask the man's pardon; and now what do you think is the end? -Why, I've found out Hal to be in the right! The man proves to be a -worthless fellow, that has defamed the niece of my dear Sir Hugh Tyrold; -and if Hal had lashed him with a cat-o'nine-tails, I should have been -glad of it. I can't say I should have found fault. So you see, my dear -young lady, I was but a cross old fellow, to be so out of sorts with -poor Hal.' - -Camilla, with mingled gratitude and shame, offered her acknowledgments; -though what she heard astonished, if possible, even more than it -mortified her. How in the world, thought she, can I have provoked this -slander? - -She knew not how little provocation is necessary for calumny; nor how -regularly the common herd, where appearances admit two interpretations, -decide for the worst. Girt designed her neither evil nor good; but not -knowing who nor what she was, simply filled up the doubts in his own -mind, by the bias of his own character. - -Confused as much as herself, Henry proposed immediately to retire; and, -as Camilla did not invite them to stay, Mr. Westwyn could not refuse his -consent: though, sending his son out first, he stopt to say, in a low -voice, 'What do you think of Hal, my dear young lady? I'n't he a brave -rogue? And did not you tell me I might be proud of my son? And so I am, -I promise you! How do you think my old friend will like Hal? I shall -take him to Cleves. He's another sort of lad to Master Clermont! I hope, -my dear young lady, you don't like your cousin? He's but a sad spark, I -give you my word. Not a bit like Hal.' - - * * * * * - -When the carriage came for Eugenia, who was self-persuaded this day was -the most felicitous of her life, she went so reluctantly, that Mrs. -Berlinton, caught by her delight in the visit, though unsuspicious of -its motive, invited her to renew it the next morning. - -At night, Mrs. Mittin, following Camilla to her chamber, said, 'See -here, my dear! what do you say to this? Did you ever see a prettier -cloak? look at the cut of it, look at the capes! look at the mode! And -as for the lace, I don't think all Southampton can produce its fellow; -what do you say to it, my dear?' - -'What every body must say to it, Mrs. Mittin; that it's remarkably -pretty.' - -'Well, now try it on. There's a set! there's a fall off the shoulders! -do but look at it in the glass. I'd really give something you could but -see how it becomes you. Now, do pray, only tell me what you think of -it?' - -'Always the same, Mrs. Mittin; that it's extremely pretty.' - -'Well, my dear, then, now comes out the secret! It's your own! you may -well stare; but it's true; it's your own, my dear!' - -She demanded an explanation; and Mrs. Mittin said, that, having taken -notice that her cloak looked very mean by the side of Mrs. Berlinton's, -when she compared them together, she resolved upon surprising her with a -new one as quick as possible. She had, therefore, got the pattern of -Mrs. Berlinton's and cut it out, and then got the mode at an -haberdasher's, and then the lace at a milliner's, and then set to work -so hard, that she had got it done already. - -Camilla, seeing the materials were all infinitely richer than any she -had been accustomed to wear, was extremely chagrined by such -officiousness, and gravely inquired how much this would add to her -debts. - -'I don't know yet, my dear; but I had all the things as cheap as -possible; but as it was not all at one shop, I can't be clear as to the -exact sum.' - -Camilla, who had determined to avoid even the shadow of a debt, and to -forbear every possible expence till she had not one remaining, was now -not merely vexed, but angry. Mrs. Mittin, however, upon whose feelings -that most troublesome of all qualities to its possessors, delicacy, -never obtruded, went on, extolling her own performance, and praising her -own good nature, without discovering that either were impertinent; and, -so far from conceiving it possible they could be unwelcome, that she -attributed the concern of Camilla to modesty, on account of her trouble; -and mistook her displeasure for distress, what she could do for her in -return. And, indeed, when she finished her double panegyric upon the -cloak and its maker, with confessing she had sat up the whole night, in -order to get it done, Camilla considered herself as too much obliged to -her intention to reproach any further its want of judgment; and -concluded by merely entreating she would change her note, pay for it -immediately, discharge her other accounts with all speed, and make no -future purchase for her whatsoever. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_A Scuffle_ - - -Eugenia failed not to observe her appointment the next morning, which -was devoted to elegiac poetry. A taste so similar operated imperceptibly -upon Mrs. Berlinton, who detained her till she was compelled to return -to prepare for a great ball at the public rooms; the profound -deliberations of Miss Margland, how to exhibit her fair pupil, having -finished, like most deliberations upon such subjects, by doing that -which is done by every body else upon the same occasion. - -Sir Hugh had given directions to Miss Margland to clear his three nieces -equally of all expenses relative to public places. Camilla, therefore, -being entitled to a ticket, and having brought with her whatever was -unspoilt of her Tunbridge apparel, thought this the most seasonable -opportunity she could take for again seeing Edgar, who, in their present -delicate situation, would no longer, probably, think it right to inquire -for her at a stranger's. - -Mrs. Berlinton had not purposed appearing in public, till she had formed -her own party; but an irrepressible curiosity to see Indiana induced her -to accompany Camilla, with no other attendant than Lord Valhurst. - -Mrs. Mittin sought vainly to be of the party; Mrs. Berlinton, though -permitting her stay in her house, and treating her with constant -civility, had no idea of including her in her own society, which she -aimed to have always distinguished by either rank, talents, or admirers: -and Camilla, who now felt her integrity involved in her economy, was -firm against every hint for assisting her with a ticket. - -Lord Valhurst, who alone, of the fashionable sojourners, had yet -discovered the arrival of Mrs. Berlinton, was highly gratified by this -opportunity of attending two such fair creatures in public. - -Mrs. Berlinton, as usual, was the last to enter the room; for she never -began the duties of the toilette till after tea-time. Two such youthful -beauties were not likely to pass without observation. - -Mrs. Berlinton, already no longer new to it, had alternately the air of -receiving it with the most winning modesty, or of not noticing she -received it at all: for though, but a few months since, she had scarcely -been even seen by twenty persons, and even of those had never met a -fixed eye without a blush, the feelings are so often the mere -concomitants of the habits, that she could now already know herself the -principal object of a whole assembly, without any sensation of timidity, -or appearance of confusion. To be bold was not in her nature, which was -soft and amiable; but admiration is a dangerous assaulter of diffidence, -and familiarity makes almost any distinction met unmoved. - -Camilla was too completely engrossed by her heart, to think of her -appearance. - -Lord Valhurst, from his time of life, seemed to be their father, though -his adulating air as little suited that character as his inclination. He -scarce knew upon which most to lavish his compliments, or to regale his -eyes, and turned, half expiring with ecstasy, from the soft charms of -his kinswoman, with something, he thought, resembling animation, to the -more quickening influence of her bright-eyed companion. - -But the effect produced upon the company at large by the radiant beauty -of Indiana, who had entered some time, was still more striking than any -immediate powers from all the bewitching graces of Mrs. Berlinton, and -all the intelligent loveliness of Camilla. Her faultless face, her -perfect form, raised wonder in one sex, and overpowered envy in the -other. The men looked at her, as at something almost too celestial for -their devoirs; the women, even the most charming amongst them, saw -themselves distanced from all pretensions to rivalry. She was followed, -but not approached; gazed at, as if a statue, and inquired after, -rather as a prodigy than a mortal. - -This awful homage spread not, however, to her party; the watchful but -disdainful eyes of Miss Margland obtained for herself, even with usury, -all the haughty contempt they bestowed upon others: Eugenia was -pronounced to be a foil, brought merely in ridicule: and Dr. Orkborne, -whom Miss Margland, though detesting, forced into the set, in preference -to being without a man, to hand them from the carriage, and to call it -for them at night, had a look so forlorn and distressed, while obliged -to parade with them up and down the room, that he seemed rather a -prisoner than an esquire, and more to require a guardian to prevent his -escaping himself, than to serve for one in securing his young charges -from any attack. - -Miss Margland augured nothing short of half a score proposals of -marriage the next day, from the evident brilliancy of this first opening -into life of her beautiful pupil; whose own eyes, while they dazzled all -others, sought eagerly those of Melmond, which they meant to vanquish, -if not annihilate. - -The first care of Miss Margland was to make herself and her young ladies -known to the master of the ceremonies. Indiana needed not that -precaution to be immediately the choice of the most elegant man in the -room; yet she was piqued, not delighted, and Miss Margland felt still -more irritated, that he proved to be only a baronet, though a nobleman, -at the same time, had presented himself to Eugenia. It is true the peer -was ruined; but his title was unimpaired; and though the fortune of the -baronet, like his person, was in its prime, Indiana thought herself -degraded by his hand, since the partner of her cousin was of superior -rank. - -Eugenia, insensible to this honour, looked only for Melmond; not like -Indiana, splendidly to see and kill, but silently to view and venerate. -Melmond, however, was not there; he knew his little command over his -passion, in presence of its object; he knew, too, that the expence of -public places was not beyond the propriety of his income, and virtuously -devoted his evening to his sick aunt. - -Edgar had waited impatiently the entrance of Camilla. His momentary -sight of Lord Valhurst, at the bathing-room, did not bring him to his -remembrance in his present more shewy apparel, and he was gratified to -see only an old beau in her immediate suite. He did not deem it proper, -as they were now circumstanced, to ask her to dance; but he quietly -approached and bowed to her, and addressed some civil inquiries to Mrs. -Berlinton. The Westwyns had waited for her at the door; and the father -had immediately made her give her hand to Henry to join the dancers. - -'That's a charming girl,' cried old Mr. Westwyn, when she was gone; 'a -very charming girl, I promise you. I have taken a prodigious liking to -her; and so has Hal.' - -Revived by this open speech, which made him hope there was no serious -design, Edgar smiled upon the old gentleman, who had addressed it to the -whole remaining party; and said, 'You have not known that young lady -long, I believe, sir?' - -'No, sir; but a little while; but that I don't mind. A long while and a -short while is all one, when I like a person: for I don't think how many -years they've got over their heads since first I saw them, but how many -good things they've got on the inside their hearts to make me want to -see them again. Her uncle's the dearest friend I have in the world; and -when I go from this place, I shall make him a visit; for I'm sure of a -welcome. But he has never seen my Hal. However, that good girl will be -sure to speak a kind word for him, I know; for she thinks very well of -him; she told me herself, I might be proud of my son. I can't say but -I've loved the girl ever since for it.' - -Edgar was so much pleased with the perfectly natural character of this -old gentleman, that, though alarmed at his intended call upon the favour -of Sir Hugh, through the influence of Camilla, for Henry, he would yet -have remained in his society, had he not been driven from it by the -junction of young Lynmere, whose shallow insolence he thought -insupportable. - -Mrs. Berlinton, who declined dancing, had arrived so late, that when -Henry led back Camilla, the company was summoned to the tea-table. She -was languishing for an introduction to Indiana, the absence of Melmond -obviating all present objection to their meeting; she therefore gave -Camilla the welcome task to propose that the two parties should unite. - -Many years had elapsed since Miss Margland had received so sensible a -gratification; and, in the coalition which took place, she displayed -more of civility in a few minutes, than she had exerted during the whole -period of her Yorkshire and Cleves residence. - -Notwithstanding all she had heard of her charms, Mrs. Berlinton still -saw with surprise and admiration the exquisite face and form of the -chosen of her brother, whom she now so sincerely bewailed, that, had her -own wealth been personal or transferrable, she would not have hesitated -in sharing it with him, to aid his better success. - -Lord Valhurst adhered tenaciously to his kinswoman; and the three -gentlemen who had danced the last dances with Indiana, Eugenia, and -Camilla, asserted the privilege of attending their partners at the -tea-table. - -In a few minutes, Lynmere, coming up to them, with 'Well, have you got -any thing here one can touch?' leant his hand on the edge, and his whole -body over the table, to take a view at his ease of its contents. - -'Suppose there were nothing, sir?' said old Westwyn; 'look round, and -see what you could want.' - -'Really, sir,' said Miss Margland, between whom and Camilla Lynmere had -squeezed himself a place, 'you don't use much ceremony!' - -Having taken some tea, he found it intolerable, and said he must have a -glass of Champagne. - -'La, brother!' cried Indiana, 'if you bring any wine, I can't bear to -stay.' - -Miss Margland said the same; but he whistled, and looked round him -without answering. - -Mrs. Berlinton, who, though she had thought his uncommonly fine person -an excuse for his intrusion, thought nothing could excuse this -ill-breeding, proposed they should leave the tea-table, and walk. - -'Sit still, ladies,' said Mr. Westwyn, 'and drink your tea in peace.' -Then, turning to Lynmere, 'I wonder,' he cried, 'you a'n't ashamed of -yourself! If you were a son of mine, I'll tell you what; I'd lock you -up! I'd serve you as I did when I carried you over to Leipsic, eight -years ago. I always hated pert boys. I can't fancy 'em.' - -Lynmere, affecting not to hear him, though inwardly firing, called -violently after a waiter; and, in mere futile vengeance, not only gave -an order for Champagne, but demanded some Stilton cheese. - -'Cheese!' exclaimed Miss Margland, 'if you order any cheese, I can't so -much as stay in the room. Think what a nauseous smell it will make!' - -The man answered, they had no Stilton cheese in the house, but the very -best of every other sort. - -Lynmere, who had only given this command to shew his defiance of -control, seized, with equal avidity, the opportunity to abuse the -waiter; affirming he belonged to the worst served hotel in Christendom. - -The man walked off in dudgeon, and Mr. Westwyn, losing his anger in his -astonishment at this effrontery, said, 'And pray, Mr. Lynmere, what do -you pretend to know of Stilton cheese? do they make it at Leipsic? did -you ever so much as taste it in your life?' - -'O, yes! excellent! excellentissimo! I can eat no other.' - -'Eat no other! it's well my Hal don't say the same! I'd churn him to a -cheese himself if he did! And pray, Mr. Lynmere, be so good as to let me -know how you got it there?' - -'Ways and means, sir; ways and means!' - -'Why you did not send across the sea for it?' - -'A travelled man, sir, thinks no more of what you call across the sea, -than you, that live always over your own fire-side, think of stepping -across a kennel.' - -'Well, sir, well,' said the old gentleman, now very much piqued, 'I -can't but say I feel some concern for my old friend, to have his money -doused about at such a rantipole rate. A boy to be sending over out of -Germany into England for Stilton cheese! I wish it had been Hal with all -my heart! I promise you I'd have given him enough of it. If the least -little thought of the kind was but once to have got in his head, I'd -have taken my best oaken stick, and have done him the good office to -have helped it out for him: and have made him thank me after too! I hate -daintiness; especially in boys. I have no great patience with it.' - -Only more incensed, Lynmere called aloud for his Champagne. The waiter -civilly told him, it was not usual to bring wine during tea: but he -persisted; and Mr. Westwyn, who saw the ladies all rising, -authoritatively, told the waiter to mind no such directions. Lynmere, -who had entered the ball-room in his riding-dress, raised a switch at -the man, which he durst not raise at Mr. Westwyn, and protested, in a -threatening attitude, he would lay it across his shoulders, if he obeyed -not. The man, justly provoked, thought himself authorised to snatch if -from him: Clermont resisted; a fierce scuffle ensued; and though Henry, -by immediate intervention, could have parted them, Mr. Westwyn insisted -there should be no interference, saying, 'If any body's helped, let it -be the waiter; for he's here to do his duty: he don't come only to -behave unmannerly, for his own pleasure. And if I see him hard run, it's -odds but I lend him my own fist to right him.--I like fair play.' - -The female party, in very serious alarm at this unpleasant scene, rose -to hurry away. Lord Valhurst was ambitious to suffice as guardian to -both his fair charges; but Henry, when prohibited from stopping the -affray, offered his services to Camilla, who could not refuse them; and -Mrs. Berlinton, active and impatient, flew on foremost; with more speed -than his lordship could follow, or even keep in sight. Indiana was -handed out by her new adorer, the young baronet; and Eugenia was -assisted by her new assailer, the young nobleman. - -Edgar, who had hurried to Camilla at the first tumult, was stung to the -heart to see who handed her away; and, forcing a passage, followed, till -Henry, the envied Henry, deposited her in the carriage of Mrs. -Berlinton. - -The confusion in the room, meanwhile, was not likely soon to decrease, -for old Mr. Westwyn, delighted by this mortifying chastisement to -Clermont, would permit neither mediation nor assistance on his side; -saying, with great glee, 'It will do him a great deal of good! My poor -old friend will bless me for it. This is a better lesson than he got in -all Leipsic. Let him feel that a Man's a Man; and not take it into his -head a person's to stand still to be switched, when he's doing his duty, -according to his calling. Switching a man is a bad thing. I can't say I -like it. A gentleman should always use good words; and then a poor man's -proud to serve him; or, if he's insolent for nothing, he may trounce him -and welcome. I've no objection.' - -Miss Margland, meanwhile, had not been remiss in what she esteemed a -most capital feminine accomplishment, screaming; though, in its -exercise, she had failed of any success; since, while her voice called -remark, her countenance repelled its effect. Yet as she saw that not one -lady of the group retreated unattended, she thought it a disgrace to -seem the only female, who, from internal courage, or external neglect, -should retire alone; she therefore called upon Dr. Orkborne, conjuring, -in a shrill and pathetic voice, meant more for all who surrounded than -for himself, that he would protect her. - -The Doctor, who had kept his place in defiance of all sort of -inconvenience, either to himself or to others; and who, with some -curiosity, was viewing the combat, which he was mentally comparing with -certain pugilistic games of old, was now, for the first time in the -evening, receiving some little entertainment, and therefore composedly -answered, 'I have a very good place here, ma'am; and I would rather not -quit it till this scene is over.' - -'So you won't come, then, Doctor?' cried she, modulating into a soft -whine the voice which rage, not terror, rendered tremulous. - -Dr. Orkborne, who was any thing rather than loquacious, having given one -answer, said no more. - -Miss Margland appealed to all present upon the indecorum of a lady's -being kept to witness such unbecoming violence, and upon the unheard-of -inattention of the Doctor: but a short, 'Certainly!--' 'To be sure, -ma'am!--' or, 'It's very shocking indeed!' with a hasty decampment from -her neighbourhood, was all of sympathy she procured. - -The entrance, at length, of the master of the house, stopt the affray, -by calling off the waiter. Clermont, then, though wishing to extirpate -old Westwyn from the earth, and ready to eat his own flesh with fury at -the double disgrace he had endured, affected a loud halloo, as if he had -been contending for his amusement; and protesting Bob, the waiter, was a -fine fellow, went off with great apparent satisfaction. - -'Now, then, at least, sir,' cried Miss Margland, imperiously to the -Doctor, who, still ruminating upon the late contest, kept his seat, 'I -suppose you'll condescend to take care of me to the coach?' - -'These modern clothes are very much in the way,' said the Doctor, -gravely; 'and give a bad effect to attitudes.' He rose, however, but not -knowing what _to take care of a lady to a coach_ meant, stood resolutely -still, till she was forced, in desperation, to walk on alone. He then -slowly followed, keeping many paces behind, notwithstanding her -continually looking back; and when, with a heavy sigh at her hard fate, -she got, unassisted, into the carriage, where her young ladies were -waiting, he tranquilly mounted after her, tolerably reconciled to the -loss of his evening, by some new annotations it had suggested for his -work, relative to the games of antiquity. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_A Youthful Effusion_ - - -Camilla now thought herself safe in harbour; the storms all over, the -dangers all past, and but a light gale or two wanting to make good her -landing on the bosom of permanent repose. This gale, this propitious -gale, she thought ready to blow at her call; for she deemed it no other -than the breath of jealousy. She had seen Edgar, though he knew her to -be protected, follow her to the coach, and she had seen, by the light -afforded from the lamps of the carriage, that her safety from the crowd -and tumult was not the sole object of his watchfulness, since though -that, at the instant she turned round, was obviously secure, his -countenance exhibited the strongest marks of disturbance. The secret -spring, therefore, she now thought, that was to re-unite them, was in -her own possession. - -All the counsels of Mrs. Arlbery upon this subject occurred to her; and -imagining she had hitherto erred from a simple facility, she rejoiced in -the accident which had pointed her to a safer path, and shewn her that, -in the present disordered state of the opinions of Edgar, the only way -to a lasting accommodation was to alarm his security, by asserting her -own independence. - -Her difficulty, however, was still considerable as to the means. The -severe punishment she had received, and the self blame and penitence she -had incurred, from her experiment with Sir Sedley Clarendel, all -rendered, too, abortive, by Edgar's contempt of the object, determined -her to suffer no hopes, no feelings of her own, to engross her ever more -from weighing those of another. The end, therefore, of her deliberation -was to shew general gaiety, without appropriate favour, and to renew -solicitude on his part by a displayed ease of mind on her own. - -Elated with this idea, she determined upon every possible public -exhibition by which she could execute it to the best advantage. Mrs. -Berlinton had but to appear, to secure the most fashionable persons at -Southampton for her parties, and soon renewed the same course of life -she had lived at Tunbridge, of seeing company either at home or abroad -every day, except when some accidental plan offered a scheme of more -novelty. - -Upon all these occasions, young Westwyn, though wholly unsought, and -even unthought of by Camilla, was instinctively and incautiously the -most alert to second her plan; he was her first partner when she danced, -her constant attendant when she walked, and always in wait to converse -with her when she was seated; while, not purposing to engage him, she -perceived not his fast growing regard, and intending to be open to all -alike, observed not the thwarting effect to her design of this peculiar -assiduity. - -By old Mr. Westwyn this intercourse was yet more urgently forwarded. -Bewitched with Camilla, he carried his son to her wherever she appeared, -and said aloud to everybody but herself: 'If the boy and girl like one -another, they shall have one another; and I won't inquire what she's -worth; for she thinks so well of my son, that I'd rather he'd have her -than an empress. Money goes but a little way to make people happy; and -true love's not a thing to be got every day; so if she has a mind to my -Hal, and Hal has a mind to her, why, if they have not enough, he must -work hard and get more. I don't like to cross young people. Better let a -man labour with his hands, than fret away his spirit. Neither a boy nor -a girl are good for much when they've got their hearts broke.' - -This new experiment of Camilla, like every other deduced from false -reasoning, and formed upon false principles, was flattering in its -promise, pernicious in its progress, and abortive in its performance. -Edgar saw with agony what he conceived the ascendance of a new -attachment built upon the declension of all regard for himself; and in -the first horror of his apprehensions, would have resisted the -supplanter by enforcing his own final claim; but Dr. Marchmont -represented that, since he had heard in silence his right to that claim -solemnly withdrawn, he had better first ascertain if this apparent -connection with young Westwyn were the motive, or only the consequence -of that resumption: 'If the first be the case,' he added, 'you must -trust her no more; a heart so inflammable as to be kindled into passion -by a mere accidental blaze of gallantry and valour, can have nothing in -consonance with the chaste purity and fidelity your character requires -and merits: If the last, investigate whether the net in which she is -entangling herself is that of levity, delighting in change, or of pique, -disguising its own agitation in efforts to agitate others.' - -'Alas!' cried the melancholy Edgar, 'in either case, she is no more the -artless Camilla I first adored! that fatal connection at the Grove, -formed while her character, pure, white, and spotless, was in its -enchanting, but dangerous state of first ductility, has already broken -into that clear transparent singleness of mind, so beautiful in its -total ignorance of every species of scheme, every sort of double -measure, every idea of secret view and latent expedient!' - -'Repine not, however, at the connection till you know whether she owe to -it her defects, or only their manifestation. A man should see the woman -he would marry in many situations, ere he can judge what chance he may -have of happiness with her in any. Though now and then 'tis a blessed, -'tis always a perilous state; but the man who has to weather its storms, -should not be remiss in studying the clouds which precede them.' - -'Ah, Doctor! by this delay ... by these experiments ... should I lose -her!...' - -'If by finding her unworthy, where is the loss?' - -Edgar sighed, but acknowledged this question to be unanswerable. - -'Think, my dear young friend, what would be your sufferings to discover -any radical, inherent failing, when irremediably hers! run not into the -very common error of depending upon the gratitude of your wife after -marriage, for the inequality of her fortune before your union. She who -has no fortune at all, owes you no more for your alliance, than she who -has thousands; for you do not marry her because she has no fortune! you -marry her because you think she has some endowment, mental or personal, -which you conclude will conduce to your happiness; and she, on her part, -accepts you, because she supposes you or your situation will contribute -to hers. The object may be different, but neither side is indebted to -the other, since each has self, only, in contemplation; and thus, in -fact, rich or poor, high or low, whatever be the previous distinction -between the parties, on the hour of marriage they begin as equals. The -obligation and the debt of gratitude can only commence when the knot is -tied: self, then, may give way to sympathy; and whichever, from that -moment, most considers the other, becomes immediately the creditor in -the great account of life and happiness.' - - * * * * * - -While Camilla, in gay ignorance of danger, and awake only to hope, -pursued her new course, Eugenia had the infinite delight of improving -daily and even hourly in the good graces of Mrs. Berlinton; who soon -discovered how wide from justice to that excellent young creature was -all judgment that could be formed from her appearance. She found that -she was as elegant in her taste for letters as herself, and far more -deeply cultivated in their knowledge; that her manners were gentle, her -sentiments were elevated, yet that her mind was humble; the same authors -delighted and the same passages struck them; they met every morning; -they thought every morning too short, and their friendship, in a very -few days, knit by so many bands of sympathy, was as fully established as -that which already Mrs. Berlinton had formed with Camilla. - -To Eugenia this treaty of amity was a delicious poison, which, while it -enchanted her faculties by day, preyed upon her vitals by night. She -frequently saw Melmond, and though a melancholy bow was almost all the -notice she ever obtained from him, the countenance with which he made -it, his air, his figure, his face, nay his very dress, for the half -instant he bestowed upon her, occupied all her thoughts till she saw him -again, and had another to con over and dwell upon. - -Melmond, inexpressibly wretched at the deprivation of all hope of -Indiana, at the very period when fortune seemed to favour his again -pursuing her, dreamt not of this partiality. His time was devoted to -deliberating upon some lucrative scheme of future life, which his -literary turn of mind rendered difficult of selection, and which his -refined love of study and retirement made hateful to him to undertake. - -He was kind, however, and even consoling to his aunt, who saw his nearly -desolate state with a compunction bitterly increased by finding she had -thrown their joint properties, with her own person, into the hands of a -rapacious tyrant. To soften her repentance, and allow her the soothing -of all she could spare of her own time, Mrs. Berlinton invited her to -her own house. Mr. Ulst, of course included in the invitation, made the -removal with alacrity, not for the pleasure it procured his wife, but -for the money it saved himself; and Mrs. Mittin voluntarily resigned to -them the apartment she had chosen for her own, by way of a little -peace-offering for her undesired length of stay; for still, though -incessantly Camilla inquired for her account, she had received no answer -from the creditors, and was obliged to wait for another and another -post. - -Mrs. Ulst, though not well enough, at present, to see company, and at -all times, fanatically averse to every species of recreation, could not -entirely avoid Eugenia, whose visits were constant every morning, and -whose expected inheritance made a similar wish occur for her nephew, -with that which had disposed of her niece; for she flattered herself -that if once she could see them both in possession of great wealth, her -mind would be more at ease. - -She communicated this idea to Mr. Ulst, who, most willing, also, to get -rid of the reproach of the poverty and ruin of Melmond, imparted it, -with strong exhortation for its promotion, to the young man; but he -heard with disdain the mercenary project, and protested he would daily -labour for his bread, in preference to prostituting his probity, by -soliciting a regard he could never return, for the acquirement of a -fortune which he never could merit. - -Mr. Ulst, much too hard to feel this as any reflection upon himself, -applied for the interest of Mrs. Berlinton; but she so completely -thought with her brother, that she would not interfere, till Mr. Ulst -made some observations upon Eugenia herself, that inclined her to waver. - -He soon remarked, in that young and artless character, the symptoms of -the partiality she had conceived in favour of Melmond, which, when once -pointed out, could not be mistaken by Mrs. Berlinton, who, though more -than equally susceptible with Eugenia, was self-occupied, and saw -neither her emotion at his name, nor her timid air at his approach, till -Mr. Ulst, whose discernment had been quickened by his wishes, told her -when, and for what, to look. - -Touched now, herself, by the double happiness that might ensue, from a -gratified choice to Eugenia, and a noble fortune to her brother, she -took up the cause, with delicacy, yet with pity; representing all the -charming mental and intellectual accomplishments of Eugenia, and -beseeching him not to sacrifice both his interest and his peace, in -submitting to a hopeless passion for one object, while he inflicted all -its horrors upon another. - -Melmond, amazed and softened, listened and sighed; but protested such a -change, from all of beauty to all of deformity, was impracticable; and -that though he revered the character she painted, and was sensible to -the honour of such a preference, he must be base, double, and perjured, -to take advantage of her great, yet unaccountable goodness, by heartless -professions of feigned participation. - -Mrs. Berlinton, to whom sentiment was irresistible, urged the matter no -longer, but wept over her brother, with compassionate admiration. - -Another day only passed, when Mrs. Mittin picked up a paper upon the -stairs, which she saw fall from the pocket of Eugenia, in drawing out -her handkerchief, but which, determining to read ere she returned, she -found contained these lines. - -'O Reason! friend of the troubled breast, guide of the wayward fancy, -moderator of the flights of hope, and sinkings of despair, Eugenia calls -thee!' - - O! to a feeble, suppliant Maid, - Light of Reason, lend thy aid! - And with thy mild, thy lucid ray, - Point her the way - To genial calm and mental joy! - From Passion far! whose flashes bright - Startle--affright-- - Yet ah! invite! - With varying powers attract, repel, - Now fiercely beam, - Now softly gleam, - With magic spell - Charm to consume, win to destroy! - Ah! lead her from the chequer'd glare - So false, so fair!-- - Ah, quick from Passion bid her fly, - Its sway repulse, its wiles defy; - And to a feeble, suppliant heart - Thy aid, O Reason's light, impart! - - Next, Eugenia, point thy prayer - That He whom all thy wishes bless, - Whom all thy tenderest thoughts confess, - Thy calm may prove, thy peace may share. - O, if the griefs to him assign'd, - To thee might pass--thy strengthened mind - Would meet all woe, support all pain, - Suffering despise, complaint disdain, - Brac'd with new nerves each ill would brave, - From Melmond but one pang to save!' - -Overjoyed by the possession of the important secret this little juvenile -effusion of tenderness betrayed, Mrs. Mittin ran with it to Mrs. -Berlinton, and without mentioning she had seen whence the paper came, -said she had found it upon the stairs: for even those who have too -little delicacy to attribute to treachery a clandestine indulgence of -curiosity, have a certain instinctive sense of its unfairness, which -they evince without avowing, by the care with which they soften their -motives, or their manner, of according themselves this species of -gratification. - -Mrs. Berlinton, who scrupulously would have withheld from looking into a -letter, could not see a copy of verses, and recognise the hand of -Eugenia, already known to her by frequent notes, and refrain reading. -That she should find any thing personal, did not occur to her; to -peruse, therefore, a manuscript ode or sonnet, which the humility of -Eugenia might never voluntarily reveal, caused her no hesitation; and -she ran through the lines with the warmest delight, till, coming -suddenly upon the end, she burst into tears, and flew to the apartment -of her brother. - -She put the paper into his hand without a word. He read it hastily. -Surprised, confounded, disordered, he looked at his sister for some -explanation or comment; she was still silently in tears; he read it -again, and with yet greater emotion; when, holding it back to her, 'Why, -my sister,' he cried, 'why would she give you this? why would you -deliver it? Ah! leave me, in pity, firm in integrity, though fallen in -fortune!' - -'My brother, my dear brother, this matchless creature merits not so -degrading an idea; she gave me not the precious paper ... she knows not -I possess it; it was found upon the stairs: Ah! far from thus openly -confessing her unhappy prepossession, she conceals it from every human -being; even her beloved sister, I am convinced, is untrusted; upon paper -only she has breathed it, and breathed it as you see ... with a -generosity of soul that is equal to the delicacy of her conduct.' - -Melmond now felt subdued. To have excited such a regard in a mind that -seemed so highly cultivated, and so naturally elegant, could not fail to -touch him; and the concluding line deeply penetrated him with tender -though melancholy gratitude. He took the hand of his sister, returned -her the paper, and was going to say: 'Do whatever you think proper;' but -the idea of losing all right to adore Indiana checked and silenced him; -and mournfully telling her he required a little time for reflection, he -entreated to be left to himself. - -He was not suffered to ruminate in quiet; Mrs. Mittin, proud of having -any thing to communicate to a relation of Mrs. Berlinton's, made an -opportunity to sit with Mrs. Ulst, purposely to communicate to her the -discovery that Miss Eugenia Tyrold was in love with, and wrote verses -upon, her nephew. Melmond was instantly sent for; the important secret -was enlarged upon with remonstrances so pathetic, not to throw away such -an invitation to the most brilliant good fortune, in order to cast -himself, with his vainly nourished passion, upon immediate hardships, or -lasting penury; that reason as well as interest, compelled him to -listen; and, after a severe conflict, he gave his reluctant promise to -see Eugenia upon her next visit, and endeavour to bias his mind to the -connexion that seemed likely to ensue. - -Camilla, who was in total ignorance of the whole of this business, -received, during the dinner, an incoherent note from her sister, -conjuring that she would search immediately, but privately, in her own -chamber, in the dressing-room of Mrs. Berlinton, in the hall, and upon -the stairs, for a paper in her hand-writing, which she had somewhere -lost, but which she besought her, by all that she held dear, not to read -when she found; protesting she should shut herself up for ever from the -whole world, if a syllable of what she had written on that paper were -read by a human being. - -Camilla could not endure to keep her sister a moment in this suspensive -state, and made an excuse for quitting the table that she might -instantly seek the manuscript. Melmond and Mrs. Berlinton both -conjectured the contents of the billet, and felt much for the modest and -timid Eugenia; but Mrs. Mittin could not confine herself to silent -suggestion; she rose also, and running after Camilla, said: 'My dear -Miss, has your sister sent to you to look for any thing?' - -Camilla asked the meaning of her inquiry; and she then owned she had -picked up, from the stairs, a sort of love letter, in which Miss Eugenia -had wrote couplets upon Mr. Melmond. - -Inexpressibly astonished, Camilla demanded their restoration; this soon -produced a complete explanation, and while, with equal surprise and -concern, she learnt the secret of Eugenia, and its discovery to its -object, she could not but respect and honour all she gathered from Mrs. -Berlinton of the behaviour of her brother upon the detection; and his -equal freedom from presumptuous vanity, or mercenary projects, induced -her to believe her sister's choice, though wholly new to her, was well -founded; and that if he could conquer his early propensity for Indiana, -he seemed, of all the characters she knew, Edgar alone and always -excepted, the most peculiarly formed for the happiness of Eugenia. - -She begged to have the paper, and entreated her sister might never know -into whose hands it had fallen. This was cheerfully agreed to; but Mrs. -Mittin, during the conference, had already flown to Eugenia, and amidst -a torrent of offers of service, and professions of power to do any thing -she pleased for her, suffered her to see that her attachment was -betrayed to the whole house. - -The agony of Eugenia was excessive; and she resolved to keep her chamber -till she returned to Cleves, that she might neither see nor be seen any -more by Melmond nor his family. Scarce could she bear to be broken in -upon even by Camilla, who tenderly hastened to console her. She hid her -blushing conscious face, and protested she would inhabit only her own -apartment for the rest of her life. - -The active Mrs. Mittin failed not to carry back the history of this -resolution; and Melmond, to his unspeakable regret in being thus -precipitated, thought himself called upon in all decency and propriety -to an immediate declaration. He could not, however, assume fortitude to -make it in person; nor yet was his mind sufficiently composed for -writing; he commissioned, therefore, his sister to be the bearer of his -overtures. - -He charged her to make no mention of the verses, which it was fitting -should, on his part, pass unnoticed, though she could not but be -sensible his present address was their consequence; he desired her -simply to state his high reverence for her virtues and talents, and his -consciousness of the inadequacy of his pretensions to any claim upon -them, except what arose from the grateful integrity of esteem with which -her happiness should become the first object of his future life, if she -forbade not his application for the consent of Sir Hugh and Mr. Tyrold -to solicit her favour. - -With respect to Indiana, he begged her, unless questioned, to be wholly -silent. To say his flame for that adorable creature was extinguished -would be utterly false; but his peace, as much as his honour, would lead -him to combat, henceforth, by all the means in his power, his ill-fated -and woe-teeming passion. - -This commission was in perfect consonance with the feelings of Mrs. -Berlinton, who, though with difficulty she gained admission, executed it -with the most tender delicacy to the terrified Eugenia, who, amazed and -trembling, pale and incredulous, so little understood what she heard, so -little was able to believe what she wished, that, when Mrs. Berlinton, -with an affectionate embrace, begged her answer, she asked if it was not -Indiana of whom she was speaking! - -Mrs. Berlinton then thought it right to be explicit: she acknowledged -the early passion of her brother for that young lady, but stated that, -long before he had ventured to think of herself, he had determined its -conquest; and that what originally was the prudence of compulsion, was -now, from his altered prospects in life, become choice: 'And believe -me,' added she, 'from my long and complete knowledge of the honour and -the delicacy of his opinion, as well as of the tenderness and gratitude -of his nature, the woman who shall once receive his vows, will find his -life devoted to the study of her happiness.' - -Eugenia flew into her arms, hung upon her bosom, wept, blushed, smiled, -and sighed, alternately; one moment wished Indiana in possession of her -fortune, the next thought she herself, in all but beauty, more formed -for his felicity, and ultimately gave her tacit but transported consent -to the application. - -Melmond, upon receiving it, heaved what he fondly hoped would be his -last sigh for Indiana; and ordering his horse, set off immediately for -Cleves and Etherington; determined frankly to state his small income and -crushed expectations; and feeling almost equally indifferent to -acceptance or rejection. - -Camilla devoted the afternoon to her agitated but enraptured sister, who -desired her secret might spread no further, till the will of her father -and uncle should decide its fate; but the loquacious Mrs. Mittin, having -some cheap ribands and fine edgings to recommend to Miss Margland and -Indiana, could by no means refrain from informing them, at the same -time, of the discovered manuscript. - -'Poor thing!' cried Indiana, 'I really pity her. I don't think,' -imperceptibly gliding towards the glass; 'I don't think, by what I have -seen of Mr. Melmond, she has much chance; I've a notion he's rather more -difficult.' - -'Really this is what I always expected!' said Miss Margland; 'It's just -exactly what one might look for from one of your learned educations, -which I always despised with all my heart. Writing love verses at -fifteen! Dr. Orkborne's made a fine hand of her! I always hated him, -from the very first. However, I've had nothing to do with the bringing -her up, that's my consolation! I thank Heaven I never made a verse in my -life! and I never intend it.' - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_The Computations of Self-Love_ - - -Camilla left her sister to accompany Mrs. Berlinton to the Rooms; no -other mode remaining for seeing Edgar, who, since her rejection, had -held back from repeating his attempt of visiting Mrs. Berlinton. - -In mutual solicitude, mutual watchfulness, and mutual trials of each -other's hearts and esteem, a week had already passed, without one hope -being extirpated, or one doubt allayed. This evening was somewhat more, -though less pleasantly decisive. - -Accident, want of due consideration, and sudden recollection, in an -agitated moment, of the worldly doctrine of Mrs. Arlbery, had led -Camilla, once more, into the semblance of a character, which, without -thinking of, she was acting. Born simple and ingenuous, and bred to hold -in horror every species of art, all idea of coquetry was foreign to her -meaning, though an untoward contrariety of circumstances, playing upon -feelings too potent for deliberations, had eluded her into a conduct as -mischievous in its effects and as wide from artlessness in its -appearance, as if she had been brought up and nourished in fashionable -egotism. - -Such, however, was not Camilla: her every propensity was pure, and, when -reflection came to her aid, her conduct was as exemplary as her wishes. -But the ardour of her imagination, acted upon by every passing idea, -shook her Judgment from its yet unsteady seat, and left her at the mercy -of wayward Sensibility--that delicate, but irregular power, which now -impels to all that is most disinterested for others, now forgets all -mankind, to watch the pulsations of its own fancies. - -This evening brought her back to recollection.--Young Westwyn, urged by -what he deemed encouragement, and prompted by his impatient father, -spoke of his intended visit to Cleves, and introduction to Sir Hugh, in -terms of such animated pleasure, and with a manner of such open -admiration, that she could not mistake the serious purposes which he -meant to imply. - -Alarmed, she looked at him; but the expression of his eyes was not such -as to still her suspicions. Frightened at what now she first observed, -she turned from him, gravely, meaning to avoid conversing with him the -rest of the evening; but her caution came too late; her first civilities -had flattered both him and his father into a belief of her favour, and -this sudden drawback he imputed only to virgin modesty, which but added -to the fervour of his devoirs. - -Camilla now perceived her own error: the perseverance of young Westwyn -not merely startled, but appalled her. His character, unassuming, though -spirited, was marked by a general decency and propriety of demeanour, -that would not presumptuously brave distancing; and awakened her, -therefore, to a review of her own conduct, as it related or as it might -seem, to himself. - -And here, not all the guiltlessness of her intentions could exonerate -her from blame with that finely scrutinizing monitor to which Heaven, in -pity to those evil propensities that law cannot touch, nor society -reclaim, has devolved its earthly jurisdiction in the human breast. With -her hopes she could play, with her wishes she could trifle, her -intentions she could defend, her designs she could relinquish--but with -her conscience she could not combat. It pointed beyond the present -moment; it took her back to her imprudence with Sir Sedley Clarendel, -which should have taught her more circumspection; and it carried her on -to the disappointment of Henry and his father, whom while heedlessly she -had won, though without the most remote view to beguile, she might seem -artfully to have caught, for the wanton vanity of rejecting. - -While advice and retrospection were thus alike oppressive in accusation, -her pensive air and withdrawn smiles proved but more endearing to young -Westwyn, whose internal interpretation was so little adapted to render -them formidable, that his assiduities were but more tender, and allowed -her no repose. - -Edgar, who with the most suffering suspense, observed her unusual -seriousness, and its effect upon Henry, drew from it, with the customary -ingenuity of sensitive minds to torment themselves, the same inference -for his causeless torture, as proved to his rival a delusive blessing. -But while thus he contemplated Henry as the most to be envied of -mortals, a new scene called forth new surprise, and gave birth to yet -new doubts in his mind. He saw Camilla not merely turn wholly away from -his rival, but enter into conversation, and give, apparently, her whole -attention to Lord Valhurst, who, it was palpable, only spoke to her of -her charms, which, alternately with those of Mrs. Berlinton, he devoted -his whole time to worshipping. - -Camilla by this action, meant simply to take the quickest road she saw -in her power to shew young Westwyn his mistake. Lord Valhurst she held -nearly in aversion; for, though his vindication of his upright motives -at the bathing-house, joined to her indifference in considering him -either guilty or innocent, made her conclude he might be blameless in -that transaction, his perpetual compliments, enforced by staring eyes -and tender glances, wearied and disgusted her. But he was always by her -side, when not in the same position with Mrs. Berlinton; and while his -readiness to engage her made this her easiest expedient, his time of -life persuaded her it was the safest. Little aware of the effect this -produced upon Edgar, she imagined he would not more notice her in any -conversation with Lord Valhurst, than if she were discoursing with her -uncle. - -But while she judged from the sincerity of reality, she thought not of -the mischief of appearance. What in her was designed with innocence, was -rendered suspicious to the observers by the looks and manner of her -companion. The pleasure with which he found, at last, that incense -received, which hitherto had been slighted, gave new zest to an -adulation which, while Camilla endured merely to shew her coldness to -young Westwyn, seemed to Edgar to be offered with a gross presumption of -welcome, that must result from an opinion it was addressed to a -confirmed coquette. - -Offended in his inmost soul by this idea, he scarce desired to know if -she were now stimulated most by a wish to torment Henry, or himself, or -only by the general pleasure she found in this new mode of amusement. -'Be it,' cried he, to Dr. Marchmont, 'as it may, with me all is equally -over! I seek not to recall an attachment liable to such intermissions, -such commotions. What would be my peace, my tranquillity, with a -companion so unstable? A mind all at large in its pursuits?--a -dissipated wife!--No!--I will remain here but to let her know I -acquiesce in her dismission, and to learn in what form she has -communicated our breach to her friends.' - -Dr. Marchmont was silent, and they walked out of the room together; -leaving the deceived Camilla persuaded he was so indifferent with regard -to the old peer, that all her influence was lost, and all her late -exertions were thrown away, by one evening's remissness in exciting his -fears of a young rival. - - * * * * * - -Melmond returned to Southampton the next morning with an air of deep and -settled melancholy. He had found the two brothers together, and the -candour of his appearance, the plainness of his declaration, the -openness with which he stated his situation, and his near relationship -to Mrs. Berlinton, procured him a courteous hearing; and he soon saw -that both the father and the uncle, though they desired time for -consideration and inquiry, were disposed to favour him. Mr. Tyrold, -though, to his acknowledged recent disappointment of fortune, he -attributed his address, had so little hope that any man at once amiable -and rich would present himself to his unfortunate Eugenia, that, when he -saw a gentleman well educated, well allied, of pleasing manners, and -with every external promise of a good and feeling character, modestly, -and with no professions but of esteem and respect, seek her of her -friends, he thought himself not even entitled to refuse him. He told -him, however, that he could conclude upon nothing in a matter of such -equal interest to himself and his wife, without her knowledge and -concurrence; and that during the time he demanded before he gave a final -answer, he required a forbearance of all intercourse, beyond that of a -common acquaintance. His first design was immediately to send for -Eugenia home; but the young man appeared so reasonable, so mild, so -unlike a fortune-hunter, that, constitutionally indulgent where he -apprehended nothing criminal, he contented himself with writing to the -same effect to Eugenia, fully satisfied of her scrupulous punctuality, -when once his will was known. - -Melmond, though thus well received, returned back to Southampton with -any air rather than that of a bridegroom. The order, not to wait upon -Eugenia in private, was the only part of his task he performed with -satisfaction; for though a mind really virtuous made him wish to conquer -his repugnance to his future partner, he felt it could not be by -comparing her with Indiana. - -Eugenia received the letter of her father, written in his own and her -uncle's name, with transport; and, to testify her grateful obedience, -resolved to name the impending transaction to no one, and even to -relinquish her visits to Mrs. Berlinton, and only to see Melmond when -accident brought him before her in public. - -But Mrs. Mittin, through words casually dropt, or conversations not very -delicately overheard, soon gathered the particulars of her situation, -which happily furnished her with a new subject for a gossiping visit to -Miss Margland and Indiana. The first of these ladies received the news -with unconcern, rather pleased than otherwise, that the temptation of an -heiress should be removed from any rivalry with the charms of her fair -pupil; who, by no means, however, listened to the account with equal -indifference. The sight of Melmond at Southampton, with the circumstance -of his being brother to the Honourable Mrs. Berlinton, had awakened all -the pleasure with which she had first met his impassioned admiration; -and while she haughtily expected from every public exhibition, 'to bring -home hearts by dozens,' the secret point she had in view, was shewing -Melmond that her power over others was as mighty as it had been over -himself. She had not taken the trouble to ask with what end: what was -passed never afforded her an observation; what was to come never called -forth an idea. Occupied only by the present moment, things gone remained -upon her memory but as matters of fact, and all her expectations she -looked forward to but as matters of course. To lose, therefore, a -conquest she had thought the victim of her beauty for life, was a -surprise nearly incredible; to lose him to Eugenia an affront scarcely -supportable; and she waited but an opportunity to kill him with her -disdain. But Melmond, who dreaded nothing so much as an interview, -availed himself of the commands of Mr. Tyrold, in not going to the -lodgings of Eugenia, and lived absorbed in a melancholy retirement, -which books alone could a little alleviate. - -The conclusion of the letter of Mr. Tyrold gave to Camilla as much pain -as every other part of it gave to Eugenia pleasure: it was an earnest -and parentally tender prayer, that the alliance with Melmond, should his -worth appear such as to authorise its taking place, might prove the -counterpart to the happiness so sweetly promised from that of her sister -with Edgar. - -While Camilla sighed to consider how wide from the certainty with which -he mentioned it was such an event, she blushed that he should thus be -uninformed of her insecurity: but while a reconciliation was not more -her hope than her expectation with every rising sun, she could not -endure to break his repose with the knowledge of a suspense she thought -as disgraceful as it was unhappy. Yet her present scheme to accelerate -its termination, became difficult even of trial. - -The obviously serious regard of Henry was a continual reproach to her; -and the undisguised approbation of his father was equally painful. Yet -she could now only escape them by turning to some other, and that other -was necessarily Lord Valhurst, whose close siege to her notice forced -off every assailant but himself. This the deluded Camilla thought an -expedient the most innoxious; and gave to him so much of her time, that -his susceptibility to the charms of youth and beauty was put to a trial -beyond his fortitude; and, in a very few days, notwithstanding their -disproportion in age, his embarrassed though large estates, and the -little or no fortune which she had in view, he determined to marry her: -for when a man of rank and riches resolves to propose himself to a woman -who has neither, he conceives his acceptance not a matter of doubt. - -In any other society, his admiration of Camilla might easily, like what -he had already experienced and forgotten for thousands of her sex, have -escaped so grave or decided a tendency; but in Mrs. Berlinton he saw so -much of youth and beauty bestowed upon a man whom he knew to be his own -senior in age, that the idea of a handsome young wife was perpetually -present to him. He weighed, like all people who seek to entice -themselves to their own wishes, but one side of the question; and -risked, like all who succeed in such self-seduction, the inconvenience -of finding out the other side too late. He saw the attractions of his -fair kinswoman; but neglected to consider of how little avail they were -to her husband; he thought, with exultation of that husband's age, and -almost childishness; but forgot to take into the scales, that they had -obtained from his youthful choice only disgust and avoidance. - -While he waited for some trinkets, which he had ordered from town, to -have ready for presenting with his proposals, Edgar only sought an -opportunity and courage to take his last farewell. Whenever Camilla was -so much engaged with others that it was impossible to approach her, he -thought himself capable of uttering an eternal adieu; but when, by any -opening, he saw where and how he might address her, his feet refused to -move, his tongue became parched, and his pleading heart seemed -exclaiming: O, not to-night! yet, yet, another day, ere Camilla is -parted with for ever! - -But suddenly, soon after, Camilla ceased to appear. At the rooms, at the -plays, at the balls, and at the private assemblies, Edgar looked for her -in vain. Her old adulator, also, vanished from public places, while her -young admirer and his father hovered about in them as usual, but -spiritless, comfortless, and as if in the same search as himself. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_Juvenile Calculations_ - - -Mrs. Norfield, a lady whom circumstances had brought into some intimacy -with Mrs. Berlinton upon her marriage, had endeavoured, from the first -of her entrance into high life, to draw her into a love of play; not -with an idea of doing her any mischief, for she was no more her enemy -than her friend; but to answer her own purposes of having a Faro table -under her own direction. She was a woman of fashion, and as such -every-where received; but her fortune was small, and her passion for -gaming inordinate; and as there was not, at this time, one Faro table at -Southampton, whither she was ordered for her health, she was almost -wearied into a lethargy, till her reiterated intreaties prevailed, at -length, with Mrs. Berlinton to hold one at her own house. - -The fatigue of life without view, the peril of talents without prudence, -and the satiety of pleasure without intermission, were already -dangerously assaulting the early independence and the moment of vacancy -and weariness was seized by Mrs. Norfield, to press the essay of a new -mode of amusement. - -Mrs. Berlinton's house opened, failed not to be filled; and opened for a -Faro table, to be filled with a peculiar set. To game has, -unfortunately, always its attractions; to game with a perfect novice is -not what will render it less alluring; and to see that novice rich and -beautiful is still less likely to be repelling. - -Mr. Berlinton, when he made this marriage, supposed he had engaged for -life a fair nurse to his infirmities; but when he saw her fixed -aversion, he had not spirit to cope with it; and when she had always an -excuse for a separation, he had not the sense to acquaint himself how -she passed her time in his absence. A natural imbecility of mind was now -nearly verging upon dotage, and as he rarely quitted his room but at -meal times, she made a point never to see him in any other part of the -day. Her antipathy rendered her obdurate, though her disposition was -gentle, and she had now left him at Tunbridge, to meet her aunt at -Southampton, with a knowledge he was too ill to follow her, and a -determination, upon various pretences, to stay away from him for some -months. The ill fate of such unequal alliances is almost daily -exemplified in life; and though few young brides of old bridegrooms fly -their mates thus openly and decidedly, their retainers have seldom much -cause to rejoice in superior happiness, since they are generally -regarded but as the gaolers of their young prey. - -Moderation was the last praise to which Mrs. Berlinton had any claim; -what she entered upon through persecution, in an interval of mental -supineness, she was soon awake to as a pleasure, and next pursued as a -passion. Her beloved correspondent was neglected; her favourite authors -were set aside; her country rambles were given up; balls and the rooms -were forgotten; and Faro alone engrossed her faculties by day, and her -dreams during the short epoch she reserved for sleep at night. She lost, -as might be expected, as constantly as she played; but as money was not -what she naturally valued, she disdained to weigh that circumstance; -and so long as she had any to pay, resigned it with more grace than by -others it was won. - -That Camilla was not caught by this ruinous fascination, was not simply -the effect of necessity. Had the state of her finances been as -flourishing as it was decayed, she would have been equally steady in -this forbearance: her reason was fair, though her feelings frequently -chased it from the field. She looked on, therefore, with safety, though -not wholly with indifference; she had too much fancy not to be amused by -the spirit of the business, and was too animated not to take part in the -successive hopes and fears of the several competitors; but though her -quick sensations prompted a readiness, like that of Mrs. Berlinton, to -enter warmly into all that was presented to her, the resemblance went no -further; what she was once convinced was wrong she was incapable of -practising. - -Upon Gaming, the first feeling and the latest reflection are commonly -one; both point its hazards to be unnecessary, its purposes rapacious, -and its end desperate loss, or destructive gain; she not only, -therefore, held back; she took the liberty, upon the privilege of their -avowed friendship, to remonstrate against this dangerous pastime with -Mrs. Berlinton. But that lady, though eminently designed to be amiable, -had now contracted the fearful habit of giving way to every propensity; -and finding her native notions of happiness were blighted in the bud, -concluded that all which now remained for her was the indulgence of -every luxury. She heard with sweetness the expostulation of her young -friend; but she pursued her own course. - -In a very few days, however, while the blush of shame dyed her beautiful -cheeks, she inquired if Camilla could lend her a little ready money. - -A blush of no less unpleasant feelings overspread the face of her fair -guest, in being compelled to own she had none to lend; but she eagerly -promised to procure some from Mrs. Mittin, who had a note in her hand to -exchange for the payment of some small debts contracted at Tunbridge. -Mrs. Berlinton, gathering, from her confusion, how ill she was stored, -would not hear of applying to this resource, 'though I hate,' she cried, -'to be indebted to that odious old cousin, of whom I was obliged to -borrow last night.' - -Glaring imprudence in others is a lesson even to the most unthinking; -Camilla, when she found that Mrs. Berlinton had lost every guinea she -could command, ventured to renew still more forcibly her exhortations -against the Faro table; but Mrs. Berlinton, notwithstanding she -possessed an excellent capacity, was so little fortified with any -practical tenets either of religion or morality, that where sentiment -did not take the part of what was right, she had no preservative against -what was wrong. The Faro table, therefore, was still opened; and Lord -Valhurst, by the sums he lent, obtained every privilege of intimacy in -the family, except that of being welcome. - -Against this perilous mode of proceeding Camilla was not the only -warner. Mrs. Ulst saw with extreme repugnance the mode of life her niece -was pursuing, and reprimanded her with severe reproach; but her -influence was now lost; and Mrs. Berlinton, though she kindly attended -her, and sought to alleviate her sufferings, acted as if she were not in -existence. - -It was now Mrs. Mittin gained the highest point of her ambition; Mrs. -Berlinton, tired of remonstrances she could not controvert, and would -not observe, was extremely relieved by finding a person who would sit -with her aunt, comply with her humours, hear her lamentations, subscribe -to her opinions, and beguile her of her rigid fretfulness by the -amusement of gossiping anecdotes. - -Mrs. Mittin had begun life as the apprentice to a small country -milliner; but had rendered herself so useful to a sick elderly -gentlewoman, who lodged in the house, that she left her a legacy, which, -by sinking into an annuity, enabled her to quit her business, and set -up, in her own conception, for a gentlewoman herself; though with so -very small an income, that to sustain her new post, she was frequently -reduced to far greater dependence and hardships than she experienced in -her old one. She was good-humoured, yet laborious; gay, yet subservient; -poor, yet dissipated. To be useful, she would submit to any drudgery; to -become agreeable, devoted herself to any flattery. To please was her -incessant desire, and her rage for popularity included every rank and -class of society. The more eminent, of course, were her first objects, -but the same aim descended to the lowest. She would work, read, go of -errands, or cook a dinner; be a parasite, a spy, an attendant, a drudge; -keep a secret, or spread a report; incite a quarrel, or coax contending -parties into peace; invent any expedient, and execute any scheme ... all -with the pretext to oblige others, but all, in fact, for simple -egotism; as prevalent in her mind as in that of the more highly -ambitious, though meaner and less dangerous. - -Camilla was much relieved when she found this officious person was no -longer retained solely upon her account; but still she could neither -obtain her bills, no answers ever arriving, nor the money for her twenty -pound note, Mrs. Mittin always evading to deliver it, and asserting she -was sure somebody would come in the stage the next day for the payment -she had promised; and when Camilla wanted cash for any of the very few -articles she now allowed herself to think indispensable, instead of -restoring it into her hands, she flew out herself to purchase the goods -that were required, and always brought them home with assurances they -were cheaper than the shopkeepers would let her have them for herself. - -Camilla resisted all incitements to new dress and new ornaments, with a -fortitude which must not be judged by the aged, nor the retired, who -weighing only the frivolity of what she withstood, are not qualified to -appreciate the merit of this sort of resignation; the young, the gay, -the new in life, who know that, amongst minor calamities, none are more -alarming to the juvenile breast than the fear of not appearing initiated -in the reigning modes, can alone do justice to the present philosophy of -Camilla, in seeing that all she wore, by the quick changes of fashion, -seemed already out of date; in refusing to look at the perpetual -diversity of apparel daily brought, by various dress modellers, for the -approbation of Mrs. Berlinton, and in seeing that lady always newly, -brightly, and in a distinguished manner attired, yet appearing by her -side in exactly the same array that she had constantly worn at -Tunbridge. Nor was Camilla indifferent to this contrast; but she -submitted to it as the duty of her present involved situation, which -exacted from her every privation, in preference to bestowing upon any -new expence the only sum she could command towards clearing what was -past. - -But, after a very short time, the little wardrobe exhibited a worse -quality than that of not keeping pace with the last devices of the -_ton_; it lost not merely its newness, but its delicacy. Alas! thought -she, how long, in the careful and rare wear of Etherington and Cleves, -all this would have served me; while here, in this daily use, a -fortnight is scarce passed, yet all is spoilt and destroyed. Ah! public -places are only for the rich! - -Now, therefore, Mrs. Mittin was of serious utility; she failed not to -observe the declining state of her attire; and though she wondered at -the parsimony which so resolutely prohibited all orders for its renewal, -in a young lady she considered as so great an heiress, she was yet proud -to display her various powers of proving serviceable. She turned, -changed, rubbed, cleaned, and new made up all the several articles of -which her dress was composed, to so much advantage, and with such -striking effect, that for yet a few days more all seemed renewed, and by -the arts of some few alterations, her appearance was rather more than -less fashionable than upon her first arrival. - -But this could not last long; and when all, again, was fading into a -state of decay, Mrs. Berlinton received an invitation for herself and -her fair guest, to a great ball and supper, given upon the occasion of a -young nobleman's coming of age, in which all the dancers, by agreement, -were to be habited in uniform. - -This uniform was to be clear fine lawn, with lilac plumes and ornaments. - -Camilla had now, with consuming regret, passed several days without one -sight of Edgar. This invitation, therefore, which was general to all the -company at Southampton, was, in its first sound, delicious; but became, -upon consideration, the reverse. Clear lawn and lilac plumes and -ornaments she had none; how to go she knew not; yet Edgar she was sure -would be there; how to stay away she knew less. - -This was a severe moment to her courage; she felt it faltering, and -putting down the card of invitation, without the force of desiring Mrs. -Berlinton to make her excuse, repaired to her own room, terrified by the -preponderance of her wishes to a consent which she knew her situation -rendered unwarrantable. - -There, however, though she gained time for reflection, she gathered not -the resolution she sought. The stay at Southampton, by the desire of -Lynmere, had been lengthened; yet only a week now remained, before she -must return to her father and her uncle ... but how return? separated -from Edgar? Edgar whom she still believed she had only to see again in -some more auspicious moment, to re-conquer and fix for life! But when -and where might that auspicious moment be looked for? not at Mrs. -Berlinton's; there he no more attempted to visit: not at the Rooms; -those now were decidedly relinquished, and all general invitations were -inadequate to draw Mrs. Berlinton from her new pursuit: where, then, was -this happy explanation to pass? - -When our wishes can only be gratified with difficulty, we conclude, in -the ardour of combating their obstacle, that to lose them, is to lose -everything, to obtain them is to ensure all good. At this ball, and this -supper, Camilla painted Edgar completely restored to her; she was -certain he would dance with her; she was sure he would sit by no one -else during the repast; the many days since they had met would endear to -him every moment they could now spend together, and her active -imagination soon worked up scenes so important from this evening, that -she next persuaded her belief that all chance of reconciliation hung -wholly upon the meeting it offered. - -Impelled by this notion, yet wavering, dissatisfied, and uncomfortable, -she summoned Mrs. Mittin, and entreated she would make such inquiries -concerning the value of the ball-dress uniform, as would enable her to -estimate its entire expence. - -Her hours passed now in extreme disquietude; for while all her hopes -centred in the approaching festival, the estimate which was to determine -her power of enjoying it was by no means easy to procure. Mrs. Mittin, -though an adept in such matters, took more pleasure in the parade than -in the performance of her task; and always answered to her inquiries, -that it was impossible to speak so soon; that she must go to such -another shop first; that she must consult with such and such a person; -and that she must consider over more closely the orders given by Mrs. -Berlinton, which were to be her direction, though with the stipulation -of having materials much cheaper and more common. - -At length, however, she burst into her room, one morning, before she was -dressed, saying: 'Now, my dear miss, I hope I shall make you happy;' and -displayed, upon the bed, a beautiful piece of fine lawn. - -Camilla examined and admired it, asked what it was a yard, and how much -would suffice for the dress. - -'Why, my dear, I'll answer for it there's enough for three whole -dresses; why it's a whole piece; and I dare say I can get a handkerchief -and an apron out of it into the bargain.' - -'But I want neither handkerchief, nor apron, nor three dresses, Mrs. -Mittin; I shall take the smallest quantity that is possible, if I take -any at all.' - -Mrs. Mittin said that the man would not cut it, and she must take the -whole, or none. - -Camilla was amazed she could so far have misunderstood her as to bring -it upon such terms, and begged she would carry it back. - -'Nay, if you don't take this, my dear, there's nothing in the shops that -comes near it for less than fifteen shillings a-yard; Mrs. Berlinton -gives eighteen for her's, and it don't look one bit to choose; and this, -if you take it all together, you may have for ten, for all its width, -for there's 30 yards, and the piece comes to but fifteen pound.' - -Camilla protested she would not, at this time, pay ten shillings a-yard -for any gown in the world. - -Mrs. Mittin, who had flattered herself that the handkerchief and apron, -at least, if not one of the gowns, would have fallen to her share, was -much discomposed by this unexpected declaration; and disappointed, -murmuring, and conceiving her the most avaricious of mortals, was forced -away; leaving Camilla in complete despondence of any power to effect her -wish with propriety. - -Mrs. Mittin came back late, and with a look of dismay; the man of whom -she had had the muslin, who was a traveller, whom she had met at a -friend's, had not waited her return; and, as she had left the fifteen -pounds with him, for a pledge of the security of his goods, she supposed -he had made off, to get rid of the whole piece at once. - -Camilla felt petrified. No possible pleasure or desire could urge her, -deliberately, to what she deemed an extravagance; yet here, in one -moment, she was despoiled of three parts of all she possessed, either -for her own use, or towards the restitution of her just debts with -others. - -Observing her distress, though with more displeasure than pity, from -believing it founded in the most extraordinary covetousness, Mrs. Mittin -proposed measuring the piece in three, and disposing of the two gowns -she did not want to Mrs. Berlinton, or her sister and Miss Lynmere. - -Camilla was a little revived; but the respite of difficulty was short; -upon opening the piece, it was found damaged; and after the first few -yards, which Mrs. Mittin had sedulously examined, not a breadth had -escaped some rent, fray, or mischief. - -The ill being now irremediable, to make up the dress in the cheapest -manner possible was the only consolation that remained. Mrs. Mittin -knew a mantua-maker who, to oblige her, would undertake this for a very -small payment; and she promised to procure everything else that was -necessary for the merest trifle. - -Determined, however, to risk nothing more in such hands, she now -positively demanded that the residue of the note should be restored to -her own keeping. Mrs. Mittin, though much affronted, honestly refunded -the five pounds. The little articles she had occasionally brought were -still unpaid for; but her passion for detaining the money was merely -with a view to give herself consequence, in boasting how and by whom she -was trusted, and now and then drawing out her purse, before those who -had less to produce; but wholly without any design of imposition or -fraud; all she could obtain by hints and address she conceived to be -fair booty; but further she went not even in thought. - -Three days now only remained before this event-promising ball was to -take place, and within three after it, the Southampton expedition was to -close. Camilla scarce breathed from impatience for the important moment, -which was preceded by an invitation to all the company, to take a sail -on the Southampton water on the morning of the entertainment. - -END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. - - - - -VOLUME V - - -BOOK IX - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Water Party_ - - -The ball dress of Camilla was not yet ready, when she set out for the -amusement of the morning. Melmond, upon this occasion, was forced into -the excursion; his sister represented, so pathetically, the ungrateful -ill-breeding of sequestering himself from a company of which it must so -publicly be judged Eugenia would make one, with the impossibility of for -ever escaping the sight of Indiana, that he could not, in common -decency, any longer postpone the double meeting he almost equally -dreaded. - -And this, with all that could aggravate its misery, from seeing the two -objects together, immediately occurred. Sir Hugh Tyrold's coach, -containing Miss Margland, Indiana, Eugenia, and Dr. Orkborne, was -arrived just before that of Mrs. Berlinton; and, the morning being very -fine, they had just alighted, to join the company assembling upon the -beach for the expedition. Miss Margland still continued to exact the -attendance of the Doctor, though his wry looks and sluggish pace always -proclaimed his ill will to the task. But Clermont, the only proper beau -for her parties, was completely unattainable. He had connected himself -with young Halder, and his associates, from whom, while he received -instructions relative to the stables and the dog-kennels, he returned, -with suitable edification, lessons on the culinary art. - -Melmond, deeply distressed, besought his sister not to alight till the -last moment. She pitied him too sincerely not to comply; and, in a very -short time, she had herself an aggregate of almost all the gentlemen on -the beach before the coach. - -Among these, the first to press forward were the two Westwyns, each -enraptured to again see Camilla; and the most successful in obtaining -notice was Lord Valhurst, with whom Camilla still thought it prudent, -however irksome, to discourse, rather than receive again the assiduities -of Henry: but her mind, far from them all, was hovering on the edge of -the shore, where Edgar was walking. - -Edgar, for some time past, had joined the utmost uneasiness what conduct -to pursue with regard to the friends of Camilla, to the heart-rending -decision of parting from her for ever. He soon learnt the new and -dangerous manner in which Mrs. Berlinton spent her evenings, and the -idea that most naturally occurred to him, was imparting it to Mr. -Tyrold. But in what way could he address that gentleman, without first -knowing if Camilla had acquainted him with the step she had taken? He -felt too strongly the severe blow it would prove, not to wish softening -it with every palliation; and while these still lingering feelings awed -his proceedings, his servant learnt, from Molly Mill, that Melmond had -been favourably received at Cleves, as a suitor to Eugenia. Finding so -near an alliance likely to take place with the brother, he gave up his -plan of remonstrating against the sister, except in private counsel to -Camilla; for which, and for uttering his fearful adieu, he was now -waiting but to speak to her unobserved. - -Still, however, with pain unabating he saw the eager approach to her of -Henry, with disgust that of Lord Valhurst, and with alarm the general -herd. - -Lord Pervil, the young nobleman who deemed it worth while to be at the -expence of several hundred pounds, in order to let the world know how -old he was, now, with his mother, a widow lady, and some other -relations, came down in a superb new equipage, to the water-side. Mrs. -Berlinton could not be so singular, as not to join in the general crowd, -that flocked around them with congratulations; and all parties, in a few -minutes, were assembled on one spot. - -Edgar, when he had spoken to the group to which the honours of the day -belonged, made up to Camilla, gravely enquired after her health; and -then placed himself as near to her as he was able, in the hope of -conferring with her when the company began to move. - -Her spirits now rose, and her prospects re-opened to their wished -termination. All her regret was for Henry, who saw her present -avoidance, and bemoaned her long absence, with a sadness that reproached -and afflicted her. - -A very fine yacht, and three large pleasure-boats, were in readiness for -this company, surrounded by various other vessels of all sorts and -conditions, which were filled with miscellaneous parties, who meant to -partake the same gales for their own diversion or curiosity. The invited -set was now summoned to the water, Lord Pervil and his relations leading -the way by a small boat to the yacht, to which Mrs. Berlinton and the -Cleves party were particularly selected guests. - -Camilla, depending upon the assistance of Edgar, in passing through the -boat to the yacht, so obviously turned from Henry, that he lost all -courage for persevering in addressing her, and was even, though most -unwillingly, retiring from a vicinity in which he seemed palpably -obtrusive, had not his father insisted upon detaining him, whispering, -'Be of good heart, Hal! the girl will come round yet.' - -Edgar kept equally near her, with a design that was the counterpart of -her own wish, of offering her his hand when it was her turn to enter the -boat; but they were both disappointed, the Peer, not waiting that -rotation, presented her his arm as soon as Lady Pervil had led the way. -There was no redress, though Camilla was as much provoked as either of -the young rivals. - -Lord Valhurst did not long exult in his victory; the unsteadiness of the -boat made him rather want help for himself, than find force to bestow it -upon another, and, upon mounting at the helm to pass her on to the -yacht, he tottered, his foot slipt, and he must have sunk between the -two vessels, had not a waterman caught him up, and dragged him into the -yacht, with no further misfortune than a bruised shin, wet legs and -feet, and a deplorably rueful countenance, from mingled fright and -mortification. - -Edgar, not wholly unsuspicious such an accident might happen, was -darting into the boat to snatch Camilla from its participation, when he -felt himself forcibly pulled back, and saw, at the same moment, Henry, -who had also started forward, but whom nothing had retarded, anticipate -his purpose, and aid her into the yacht. - -Looking round to see by what, or by whom, he had so unaccountably been -stopt, he perceived old Mr. Westwyn, his forefinger upon his nose in -sign of silence and secrecy, grasping him by the coat. - -'What is the humour of this, Sir?' cried he, indignantly. - -Mr. Westwyn, still making his token for discretion, and bending forward -to speak in his ear, said, 'Do, there's a good soul, let my boy help -that young lady. Hal will be much obliged to you, I can tell you; and -he's a very good lad.' - -The nature of Edgar was too candid to suffer his wrath to resist a -request so simple in sincerity; but deeply he sighed to find, by its -implication, that the passion of Henry was thus still fed with hopes. - -The passing of other ladies, with their esquires, prevented him, who had -no lady he wished to conduct, from making his way yet into the yacht; -and the honest old gentleman, detained by the same reason, entered -promptly into the history of the present situation of his son with -regard to Camilla; relating, frankly, that he thought her the sweetest -girl in the world, except that she did not know her own mind; for she -had been so pleased with his son first of all, that he really thought he -should oblige her by making it a match: 'which I could not,' added he, -'have the heart to refuse to a girl that gave the boy such a good -character. You'd be surprised to know how she took to him! you may be -proud, says she to me, you may be proud of your son! which is what I -shall never forget; for though I loved Hal just the same before, I never -could tell but what it was only because he was my own. And I'm so afraid -of behaving like a blind old goose, that I often snub Hal, when he's no -more to blame than I am myself, for fear of his getting out of my hands, -and behaving like a certain young man he has been brought up with, and -who, I assure you, deserves to have his ears cropt ten times a day, for -one piece of impudence or other. I should not have been sorry if he'd -fallen into the water along with that old lord, whom I don't wish much -good to neither; for, between friends, it seems to me that it's he that -has put her out of conceit with my poor Hal: for all of a sudden, nobody -can tell why nor wherefore, she takes it into her head there's nothing -else worth listening to, but just his old compliments. And my poor Hal, -after thinking she had such a kindness for him, that he had nothing to -do but put on his best coat--for I told him I'd have none of his -new-fangled modes of affronting my worthy old friend, by doing to him -like a postillion, with a cropt head, and half a coat--after thinking -he'd only to ask his consent, for he'd got mine without ever a word, all -at once, without the least quarrel, or either I or Hal giving her the -least offence, she won't so much as let him speak to her; but turns off -to that old fellow that tumbled into the water there, and had near made -her slip in after, if it had not been for my son's stopping her, which -I sha'n't forget your kindness in letting him do; but what's more, she -won't speak to me neither! though all I want is to ask her the reason of -her behaviour! which I shall certainly do, if I can catch her any five -minutes away from that lord; for you'll never believe what good friends -we were, before she took so to him. We three, that is, she and I, and -Hal, used to speak to nobody else, scarce. Poor Hal thought he'd got it -all his own way. And I can't but own I thought as much myself; for there -was no knowing she'd hold herself so above us, all at once. I assure -you, if we don't bring her to, it will go pretty hard with us; for I -like her just as well as Hal does. I'd have made over to them the best -half of my income immediately.' - -Edgar had never yet felt such serious displeasure against Camilla, as -seized him upon this artless narrative. To have trifled thus, and, as he -believed, most wantonly, with the feelings and peace of two amiable -persons, whether from the vanity of making a new conquest, or the -tyranny of persecuting an old one, shewed a love of power the most -unjustifiable, and a levity the most unpardonable. And when he -considered himself as exactly in the same suspensive embarrassment, as a -young man of little more than a fortnight's acquaintance, he felt -indignantly ashamed of so humiliating a rivalry, and a strong diminution -of regret at his present purpose. - -Melmond, meanwhile, pressed by his sister, seconded by his own sense of -propriety, had forced himself to the Cleves' party; and, after bowing -civilly to Miss Margland, who courteously smiled upon one who she -imagined would become master of Cleves, and most profoundly to Indiana, -who coloured, but deigned not the smallest salutation in return, offered -his hand to Eugenia; but with a mind so absorbed, and steps so -uncertain, that he was unable to afford her any assistance; and her -lameness and helplessness made her so much require it, that she was in -danger of falling every moment; yet she felt in Paradise; she thought -him but enfeebled, as she was enfeebled herself, by a tender -sensibility; and danger, therefore, was not merely braved, it was dear, -it was precious to her. - -Indiana now consoled her mortification, with the solace of believing a -retaliation at hand, that would overcome the otherwise indelible -disgrace of being superseded by Eugenia in a conquest. Full of her own -little scheme, she imperiously refused all offers of aid, and walked on -alone, till crossing the boat, she gave a shriek at every step, made -hazardous by her wilful rejection of assistance, and acted over again -the charm of terror, of which she well recollected the power upon a -former occasion. - -These were sounds to vibrate but too surely to the heart of Melmond; he -turned involuntarily to look at her; her beauty had all its original -enchantment; and he snatched away his eyes. He led on her whom still -less he durst view; but another glance, thus surprised from him, shewed -Indiana unguarded, unprotected; his imagination painted her immediately -in a watery grave; and, seeing Eugenia safe, though not accommodated, he -rushed back to the boat, and with trembling respect implored her to -accept his aid. - -Triumphant, now, she conceived herself in her turn, and looking at him -with haughty disdain, said, she chose to go alone; and when again he -conjured her not to risk her precious safety, added, 'You know you don't -care about it; so pray go to your Miss Eugenia Tyrold.' - -Young Melmond, delicate, refined, and well bred, was precisely amongst -the first to feel, that a reply such as this must be classed amongst the -reverse of those three epithets--had it come from any mouth but that of -Indiana!--but love is deaf, as well as blind, to every defect of its -chosen object, during the season of passion: from her, therefore, this -answer, leaving unobserved the littleness and spleen which composed it, -retained but so much of meaning as belongs to announcing jealousy, and -in giving him that idea, filled him with sensations that almost tore him -asunder. - -Urged by her pique, she contrived, and with real risk, to jump into the -yacht alone; though, if swayed by any less potent motive, she would -sooner have remained in the boat the whole day. But what is the strength -which may be put upon a par with inclination? and what the general -courage that partial enterprise will not exceed? - -Melmond, who only to some amiable cause could attribute whatever flowed -from so beautiful an object, having once started the idea of jealousy, -could give its source only to love: the impure spring of envy entered -not into his suggestions. What, then, was his distraction, to think -himself so greatly miserable! to believe he was secretly favoured by -Indiana, at the instant of his first devoirs to another! Duty and -desire were equally urgent to be heard; he shrunk in utter despondence -from the two objects that seemed to personify both, and retreated, to -the utmost of his power, from the sight of either. - -Miss Margland had more than echoed every scream of Indiana, though -nobody had seemed to hear her. Dr. Orkborne, the only beau she could -compel into her service, was missing; her eye and voice alike every -where demanded him in vain; he neither appeared to her view, nor -answered her indignant calls.--Nor, indeed, though she forced his -attendance, had she the most remote hope of inspiriting him to any -gallantry: but still he was a man, and she thought it a mark of -consequence to have one in her train; nor was it by any means nothing to -her to torment Dr. Orkborne with her reproaches. To dispositions highly -irascible, it is frequently more gratifying to have a subject of -complaint than of acknowledgment. - -The ladies being now all accommodated upon the deck, sailing orders were -given, when an 'holla! holla!' making the company look round, Lynmere -desired to be admitted. All the party intended for the yacht were -already on board, and Lord Pervil told Mr. Lynmere he would find a very -good place in one of the pleasure boats: but he answered he was just -come from them, and preferred going in the yacht. Lord Pervil then only -hoped the ladies would excuse being a little crowded. Edgar had already -glided in, and Mr. Westwyn had openly declared, when asked to go to one -of the boats, that he always went where Hal went, be it where it might. - -Clermont, now, elbowing his way into a group of gentlemen, and -addressing himself to young Halder, who was amongst them, said: 'Do you -know what they've got to eat here?' - -'No.' - -'What the deuce! have not you examined the larder? I have been looking -over the three boats,--there's nothing upon earth!--so I came to see if -I could do any better here.' - -Halder vowed if there were nothing to eat, he would sooner jump over -board, and swim to shore, than go starving on. - -'Starving?' said Mr. Westwyn, 'why I saw, myself, several baskets of -provisions taken into each of the boats.' - -'Only ham and fowls,' answered Clermont, contemptuously. - -'Only ham and fowls? why what would you have?' - -'O the d----l,' answered he, making faces, 'not that antediluvian stuff! -any thing's better than ham and fowls.' - -'Stilton cheese, for instance?' cried Mr. Westwyn, with a wrathful -sneer, that made Clermont, who could not endure, yet, for many reasons, -could not resent it, hastily decamp from his vicinity. - -Mr. Westwyn, looking after the young epicure with an expression of angry -scorn, now took the arm of Edgar, whose evident interest in his first -communication encouraged further confidence, and said: 'That person that -you see walk that way just now, is a fellow that I have a prodigious -longing to give a good caning to. I can't say I like him; yet he's -nephew and heir to the very best man in the three kingdoms. However, I -heartily hope his uncle will disinherit him, for he's a poor fool as -well as a sorry fellow. I love to speak my mind plainly.' - -Edgar was ill-disposed to conversation, and intent only upon Camilla, -who was now seated between Mrs. Berlinton and Eugenia, and occupied by -the fine prospects every where open to her; yet he explained the error -of Clermont's being heir, as well as nephew, to Sir Hugh; at which the -old gentleman, almost jumping with surprise and joy, said: 'Why, then -who's to pay all his debts at Leipsic? I can't say but what I'm glad to -hear this. I hope he'll be sent to prison, with all my heart, to teach -him a little better manners. For my old friend will never cure him; he -spoils young people prodigiously. I don't believe he'd so much as give -'em a horse-whipping, let 'em do what they would. That i'n't my way. Ask -Hal!' - -Here he stopt, disturbed by a new sight, which displaced Clermont from -his thoughts. - -Camilla, to whom the beauties of nature had mental, as well as visual -charms, from the blessings, as well as pleasure, she had from childhood -been instructed to consider as surrounding them, was so enchanted by the -delicious scenery every way courting her eyes, the transparent -brightness of the noble piece of water upon which she was sailing, the -richness and verdure of its banks, the still and gently gliding motion -of the vessel, the clearness of the heavens, and the serenity of the -air, that all her cares, for a while, would have been lost in admiring -contemplation, had she not painfully seen the eternal watching of Henry -for her notice, and gathered from the expression of his eyes, his -intended expostulation. The self-reproach with which she felt how ill -she could make her defence, joined to a sincere and generous wish to -spare him the humiliation of a rejection, made her seek so to engage -herself, as to prevent the possibility of his uttering two sentences -following. But as this was difficult with Eugenia, who was lost in -silent meditation upon her own happiness, or Mrs. Berlinton, who was -occupied in examining the beauty so fatal to the repose of her brother, -she had found such trouble in eluding him, that, when she saw Lord -Valhurst advance from the cabin, where he had been drying and refreshing -himself, she welcomed him as a resource, and, taking advantage of the -civility she owed him for what he had suffered in esquiring her, gave -him her sole attention; always persuaded his admiration was but a sort -of old fashioned politeness, equally without design in itself, or -subject for comment in others. - -But what is so hard to judge as the human heart? The fairest observers -misconstrue all motives to action, where any received prepossession has -found an hypothesis. To Edgar this conduct appeared the most degrading -fondness for adulation, and to Mr. Westwyn a tyrannical caprice, meant -to mortify his son. 'I hope you saw that! I hope you saw that!' cried -he, 'for now I don't care a pin for her any longer! and if Hal is such a -mere fool as ever to think of her any more, I'll never see his face -again as long as I live. After looking askew at the poor boy all this -time, to turn about and make way for that nasty old fellow; as who -should say, I'll speak to nothing but a lord! is what I shall never -forgive; and I wish I had never seen the girl, nor Hal neither. I can't -say I like such ways. I can't abide 'em.' - -A sigh that then escaped Edgar, would have told a more discerning -person, that he came in for his ample share in the same wish. - -'And, after all,' continued he, 'being a lord is no such great feat that -ever I could learn. Hal might be a lord too, if he could get a title. -There is nothing required for it but what any man may have; nobody asks -after what he can do, or what he can say. If he's got a good head, it's -well; and if he has not, it's all one. And that's what you can't say of -such a likely young fellow as my son. You may see twenty for one that's -as well looking. Indeed, to my mind, I don't know that ever I saw a -prettier lad in my life. So she might do worse, I promise her, though -she has used my son so shabbily. I don't like her the better for it, I -assure her; and so you may tell her, if you please. I'm no great friend -to not speaking my mind.' - -The fear of being too late for the evening's arrangements, made Lord -Pervil, after a two hours sail, give orders for veering about: the -ladies were advised to go into the cabin during this evolution, and -Camilla was amongst those who most readily complied, for the novelty of -viewing what she had not yet seen. But when, with the rest, she was -returning to the deck, Lord Valhurst, who had just descended, entreated -her to stop one moment. - -Not at all conjecturing his reason, she knew not how to refuse, but -innocently begged him to speak quick, as she was in haste, not to lose -any of the beautiful landscapes they were passing. - -'Ah what,' cried the enamoured peer, 'what in the world is beautiful in -any comparison with yourself? To me no possible object can have such -charms; and I have now no wish remaining but never to lose sight of it.' - -Amazed beyond all measure, she stared at him a moment in silence, and -then, confirmed by his looks that he was serious, would have left the -cabin with precipitance: but, preventing her from passing; 'Charming -Miss Tyrold!' he cried, 'let the confession of my flame meet your -favour, and I will instantly make my proposals to your friends.' - -To Camilla this offer appeared as little delicate, as its maker was -attractive; yet she thought herself indebted for its general purport, -and, as soon as her astonishment allowed her, gracefully thanked him for -the honour of his good opinion, but entreated him to make no application -to her friends, as it would not be in her power to concur in their -consent. - -Concluding this to be modest shyness, he was beginning a passionate -protestation of the warmth of his regard, when the effusion was stopt by -the appearance of Edgar. - -Little imagining so serious a scene to be passing as the few words he -now gathered gave him to understand, his perplexity at her not returning -with the other ladies, made him suggest this to be a favourable moment -to seize for following her himself, and demanding the sought, though -dreaded conference. But when he found that his lordship, instead of -making, as he had supposed, his usual fond, yet unmeaning compliments, -was pompously offering his hand, he precipitately retired. - -No liveliness of temper had injured in Camilla the real modesty of her -character. A sense, therefore, of obligation for this partiality -accompanied its surprise, and was preparing her for repeating the -rejection with acknowledgments though with firmness, when the sight of -Edgar brought an entirely new train of feelings and ideas into her mind. -O! happy moment! thought she; he must have heard enough of what was -passed to know me, at least, to be disinterested! he must see, now, it -was himself, not his situation in life, I was so prompt in -accepting--and if again he manifests the same preference, I may receive -it with more frankness than ever, for he will see my whole heart, -sincerely, singly, inviolably his own! - -Bewitched with this notion, she escaped from the peer, and ran up to the -deck, with a renovation of animal spirits, so high, so lively, and so -buoyant, that she scarce knew what she said or did, from the -uncontroulable gaiety, which made every idea dance to a happiness new -even to her happy mind. Whoever she looked at, she smiled upon; to -whatever was proposed, she assented: scarce could she restrain her voice -from involuntarily singing, or her feet from instinctively dancing. - -Edgar, compared with what he now felt, believed that hitherto he had -been a stranger to what wonder meant. Is this, thought he, Camilla? Has -she wilfully fascinated this old man seriously to win him, and has she -won him but to triumph in the vanity of her conquest? How is her -delicacy perverted! what is become of her sensibility? Is this the -artless Camilla? modest as she was gay, docile as she was spirited, -gentle as she was intelligent? O how spoilt! how altered! how gone! - -Camilla, little suspicious of this construction, thought it would be now -equally wrong to speak any more with either Henry or Lord Valhurst, and -talked with all others indiscriminately, changing her object with almost -every speech. - -A moment's reflection would have told her, that quietness alone, in her -present situation, could do justice to the purity of her intentions: but -reflection is rarely the partner of happiness in the youthful breast; it -is commonly brought by sorrow, and flies at the first dawn of returning -joy. - -Thus, while she dispensed to all around, with views the most innocent, -her gay and almost wild felicity, the very delight to which she owed her -animation, of believing she was evincing to Edgar with what singleness -she was his own, gave her the appearance, in his judgment, of a -finished, a vain, an all-accomplished coquette. The exaltation of her -ideas brightened her eyes into a vivacity almost dazzling, gave an -attraction to her smiles that was irresistible, the charm of fascination -to the sound of her voice, to her air a thousand nameless graces, and to -her manner and expression an enchantment. - -Powers so captivating, now for the first time united with a facility of -intercourse, soon drew around her all the attendant admiring beaux. - -No animal is more gregarious than a fashionable young man, who, whatever -may be his abilities to think, rarely decides, and still less frequently -acts for himself. He may wish, he may appreciate, internally with -justice and wisdom; but he only says, and only does, what some other man -of fashion, higher in vogue, or older in courage, has said or has done -before him. - -The young Lord Pervil, the star of the present day, was now drawn into -the magic circle of Camilla; this was full sufficient to bring into it -every minor luminary of his constellation; and even the resplendent and -incomparable beauty of Indiana, even the soft and melting influence of -the expressively lovely Mrs. Berlinton, gave way to the superior -ascendance of that varied grace, and winning vivacity, which seemed -instinctively sharing with the beholders its own pleasure and animation. - -To Edgar alone this gave her not new charms: he saw in her more of -beauty, but less of interest; the sentence dictated by Dr. Marchmont, as -the watch-word to his feelings, _were she mine_, recurred to him -incessantly; alas! he thought, with this dissipated delight in -admiration, what individual can make her happy? to the rational serenity -of domestic life, she is lost! - -Again, as he viewed the thickening group before her, offering fresh and -fresh incense, which her occupied mind scarce perceived, though her -elevated spirits unconsciously encouraged, he internally exclaimed: 'O, -if her trusting father saw her thus! her father who, with all his tender -lenity, has not the blind indulgence of her uncle, how would he start! -how would his sense of fair propriety be revolted!--or if her -mother--her respectable mother, beheld thus changed, thus undignified, -thus open to all flattery and all flatterers, her no longer peerless -daughter--how would she blush! how would the tint of shame rob her -impressive countenance of its noble confidence!' - -These thoughts were too agitating for observation; his eyes moistened -with sadness in associating to his disappointment that of her revered -and exemplary parents, and he retreated from her sight till the moment -of landing; when with sudden desperation, melancholy yet determined, he -told himself he would no longer be withheld from fulfilling his purpose. - -He made way, then, to the group, though with unsteady steps; his eye -pierced through to Camilla; she caught and fixt it. He felt cold; but -still advanced. She saw the change, but did not understand it. He -offered her his hand before Lady Pervil arose to lead the way, lest some -competitor should seize it; she accepted it, rather surprized by such -sudden promptness, though encouraged by it to a still further dependance -upon her revived and sanguine expectations. - -Yet deeper sunk this flattering illusion, when she found his whole frame -was shaking, and saw his complexion every moment varying. She continued, -though in a less disengaged manner, her sprightly discourse with the -group; for he uttered not a word. Content that he had secured her hand, -he waited an opportunity less public. - -Lady Pervil, who possessed that true politeness of a well-bred woman of -rank, who knows herself never so much respected as when she lays aside -mere heraldic claims to superiority, would not quit the yacht of which -she did the honours, till every other lady was conducted to the shore. -Edgar had else purposed to have detained Camilla in the vessel a moment -later than her party, to hear the very few words it was his intention to -speak. Frustrated of this design, he led her away with the rest, still -totally silent, till her feet touched the beach: she was then, with -seeming carelessness, withdrawing her hand, to trip off to Mrs. -Berlinton; but Edgar, suddenly grasping it, tremulously said: 'Will it -be too much presumption--in a rejected man--to beg the honour of three -minutes conference with Miss Tyrold, before she joins her party?' - -A voice piercing from the deep could not have caused in Camilla a more -immediate revulsion of ideas; but she was silent, in her turn, and he -led her along the beach, while Mrs. Berlinton, attended by a train of -beaux, went to her carriage, where, thus engaged, she contentedly -waited. - -'Do not fear,' he resumed, when they had passed the crowd, 'do not fear -to listen to me, though, once more, I venture to obtrude upon you some -advice; let it not displease you; it is in the spirit of the purest good -will; it is singly, solely, and disinterestedly as a friend.' - -Camilla was now all emotion; pale she turned, but Edgar did not look at -her; and she strove to thank him in a common manner, and to appear cool -and unmoved. - -'My opinion, my fears rather, concerning Mrs. Berlinton, as I find she -hopes soon for a near connexion with your family, will henceforth remain -buried in my own breast: yet, should you, to any use hereafter remember -them, I shall rejoice: though should nothing ever recur to remind you of -them, I shall rejoice still more. Nor will I again torment you about -that very underbred woman who inhabits the same house, and who every -where boasts an intimacy with its two ladies, that is heard with general -astonishment: nor yet upon another, and far more important topic, will I -now touch,--the present evening recreation at Mrs. Berlinton's. I know -you are merely a spectatress, and I will not alarm your friends, nor -dwell myself, upon collateral mischiefs, or eventual dangers, from a -business that in three days will end, by your restoration to the most -respectable of all protections. All that, now, I mean to enter upon, all -that, now, I wish to enforce, a few words will comprise, and those words -will be my--' - -He would have said _my last_ but his breath failed him; he stopt; he -wanted her to seize his meaning unpronounced; and, though it came to her -as a thunderbolt from heaven, its very horror helped her; she divined -what he could not utter, by feeling what she could not hear. - -'Few, indeed,' cried he, in broken accents, 'must be these final words! -but how can I set out upon my so long procrastinated tour, with an idea -that you are not in perfect safety, yet without attempting to point out -to you your danger? And yet,--that you should be surrounded by admirers -can create no wonder;--that you should feel your power without -displeasure, is equally natural;--I scarcely know, therefore, what I -would urge--yet perhaps, untold, you may conceive what struggles in my -breast, and do justice to the conflict between friendship and respect, -where one prompts a freedom, which the other [trembles] to execute. I -need not, I think, say, that to offend you is nearly the only thing that -could aggravate the affliction of this parting.'-- - -Camilla turned aside from him; but not to weep; her spirit was now -re-wakened by resentment, that he could thus propose a separation, -without enquiring if she persisted to desire it. - -'I tire you?' resumed he, mournfully; 'yet can you be angry that a -little I linger? Farewell, however--the grave, when it closes in upon me -can alone end my prayers for your felicity! I commit wholly to you my -character and my conduct, with regard to your most honoured father, whom -I beseech and conjure you to assure of my eternal gratitude and -affection. But I am uncertain of your wishes; I will, therefore, depart -without seeing him. When I return to this country, all will be -forgotten--or remembered only--' _by me_, he meant to say, but he -checked himself, and, with forced composure, went on: - -'That I travel not with any view of pleasure, you, who know what I -leave--how I prize what I lose,--and how lately I thought all I most -coveted mine for ever, will easily believe. But if earthly bliss is the -lot of few, what right had I to expect being so selected? Severe as is -this moment, with blessings, not with murmurs, I quit you! blessings -which my life, could it be useful to you, should consecrate. If you were -persuaded our dispositions would not assimilate; if mine appeared to you -too rigorous, too ungenial, your timely precaution has spared more -misery than it has inflicted. How could I have borne the light, when it -had shewn me Camilla unhappy--yet Camilla my own--?' - -His struggle here grew vain, his voice faltered; the resentment of -Camilla forsook her; she raised her head, and was turning to him her -softened countenance, and filling eyes, when she saw Melmond, and a -party of gentlemen, fast approaching her from Mrs. Berlinton. Edgar saw -them too, and cutting short all he meant to have added, kissed, without -knowing what he did, the lace of her cloak, and ejaculating, 'Be Heaven -your guard, and happiness your portion!' left her hand to that of -Melmond, which was held out to her, and slightly bowing to the whole -party, walked slowly, and frequently looking back, away: while Camilla, -nearly blinded now by tears that would no longer be restrained, kept her -eyes fixedly upon the earth, and was drawn, more dead than alive, by -Melmond to the coach. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_Touches of Wit and Humour_ - - -The suddenness of this blow to Camilla, at the moment when her -expectations from Edgar were wound up to the summit of all she desired, -would have stupefied her into a consternation beyond even affliction, -had not the mildness of his farewell, the kindness of his prayers, and -the friendship of his counsels, joined to the generosity of leaving -wholly to herself the account of their separation, subdued all the pride -that sought to stifle her tenderness, and penetrated her with an -admiration which left not one particle of censure to diminish her -regret. - -Melmond and his sister, always open to distress, and susceptible to -pity, saw with true concern this melancholy change, and concluded that -Mandlebert had communicated some painful intelligence. - -She went straight to her own room, with a sign of supplication that Mrs. -Berlinton would not follow; and turning quick from Mrs. Mittin, who met -her at the street door. - -Mrs. Berlinton yielded; but Mrs. Mittin was not easily rebuffed. She was -loaded with lilac plumes, ribbands, and gauzes, and Camilla saw her bed -completely covered with her new ball dress. - -This sight was, at first, an aggravation of her agony, by appearing to -her as superfluous as it was expensive: but wherever hope could find an -aperture to creep in at, it was sure of a welcome from Camilla. Edgar -was undoubtedly invited to the ball; why should he not be there? he had -taken leave of her, indeed, and he certainly proposed going abroad; but -could a mere meeting once more, be so repugnant as not to be endured. - -The answer to this question was favourable to her wishes, for by her -wishes it was framed: and the next play of her fertile and quick -reviving imagination, described the meeting that would ensue, the -accidents that would bring them into the same set, the circumstances -that would draw them again into conversation, and the sincerity with -which she would do justice to her unalterable esteem, by assuring him -how injurious to it were his surmises that she thought him rigorous, -austere, or in any single instance to blame. - -These hopes somewhat appeased, though their uncertainty could not banish -her terrors, and she was able to appear at dinner tolerably composed. - -Another affair, immediately after, superseded them, for the present, by -more urgent difficulties. - -Soon after her arrival at Southampton, a poor woman, who washed for her, -made a petition in behalf of her brother, a petty shop-keeper, who, by -various common, yet pitiable circumstances of unmerited ill success in -business, was unable to give either money or security to the wholesale -dealers, for the renewal of his exhausted stock in trade; though the -present full season, made it rational to suppose, that, if he had his -usual commodities, he might retrieve his credit, save himself from -bankruptcy, and his children from beggary. These last, which were five -in number, were all, upon various pretences, brought to Camilla, whose -pity they excited by the innocence with which they seemed ignorant of -requiring it; and who received them with smiles and encouragement, -however frivolous their errands, and frequent their interruptions. But -the goods which their father wanted to lay in, to revive his trade, -demanded full thirty pounds, which, Camilla declared, were as absolutely -out of her power to give as thirty thousand, though she promised to -plead to Sir Hugh for the sum, upon her return to Cleves, and was -prevailed with to grant her name to this promise for the wholesale -dealers. These would trust, however, to no verbal security; and Mrs. -Mittin, who from collateral reasons was completely a friend of the poor -man, offered to be bound for him herself, though thirty pounds were -nearly her year's income, provided Camilla would sign a paper, by which -she would engage _upon her honour_, to indemnify her of any loss she -might eventually sustain by this agreement, as soon as she was of age, -or should find it in her power before that time. - -The seriousness of this clause, made Camilla refuse the responsibility, -protesting she should have no added means in consequence of being of -age. But Mrs. Mittin assured Higden, the poor man, as she assured all -others, that she was heiress to immense wealth, for she had had it from -one that had it from her own brother's own mouth; and that though she -could not find out why she was so shy of owning it, she supposed it was -only from the fear of being imposed upon. - -The steadiness of Camilla, however, could not withstand her compassion, -when the washerwoman brought the poor children to beg for their father; -and, certain of her uncle's bounty, she would have run a far more -palpable risk, sooner than have assumed the force to send them weeping -away. - -The stores were then delivered; and all the family poured forth their -thanks. - -But this day, in quitting the dining parlour, she was stopt in the hall -by Higden, who, in unfeigned agonies, related, that some flasks of oil, -in a small hamper, which were amongst the miscellaneous articles of his -just collected stores, had, by some cruel accident, been crushed, and -their contents, finding their way into all the other packages, had -stained or destroyed them. - -Camilla, to whose foresight misfortune never presented itself, heard -this with nearly equal terror for herself, and sorrow for the poor man: -yet her own part, in a second minute, appeared that of mere -inconvenience, compared with his, which seemed ruin irretrievable; she -sought, therefore, to comfort him; but could afford no further help, -since she had painfully to beg from her uncle the sum already so -uselessly incurred. He ventured still to press, that, if again he could -obtain a supply, every evil chance should be guarded against; but -Camilla had now learned that accidents were possible; and the fear which -arises from disappointed trust, made her think of probable mischiefs -with too acute a discernment, to deem it right to run again any hazard, -where, if there were a failure, another, not herself, would be the -sufferer. Yet the despair of the poor man induced her to promise she -would write in his favour, though not act in it again unauthorised. - -With feelings of still augmented discomfort, from her denial, she -repaired to her toilette; but attired herself without seeing what she -put on, or knowing, but by Mrs. Mittin's descriptions and boastings, -that her dress was new, of the Pervil uniform, and made precisely like -that of Mrs. Berlinton. Her agitated spirits, suspended, not between -hope and fear, but hope and despair, permitted no examination of its -elegance: the recollection of its expence, and the knowledge that Edgar -thought her degenerating into coquetry, left nothing but regret for its -wear. - -Mrs. Berlinton, who never before, since her marriage, had been of any -party where her attractions had not been unrivalled, had believed -herself superior to pleasure from personal homage, and knew not, till -she missed it, that it made any part of her amusement in public. But the -Beauty, when first she perceives a competitor for the adulation she has -enjoyed exclusively, and the Statesman, at the first turn of popular -applause to an antagonist, are the two beings who, perhaps, for the -moment, require the most severe display of self-command, to disguise, -under the semblance of good humour or indifference, the disappointment -they experience in themselves, or the contempt with which they are -seized for the changing multitude. - -Mrs. Berlinton, though she felt no resentment against Camilla for the -desertion she had occasioned her, felt much surprize; not to be first -was new to her: and whoever, in any station of life, any class of -society, has had regular and acknowledged precedency, must own a sudden -descent to be rather awkward. Where resignation is voluntary, to give up -the higher place may denote more greatness of mind than to retain it; -but where imposed by others, few things are less exhilarating to the -principal, or impress less respect upon the by-stander. - -Mrs. Berlinton had never been vain; but she could not be ignorant of her -beauty; and that the world's admiration should be so wondrously fickle, -or so curiously short-lived, as to make even the bloom of youth fade -before the higher zest of novelty, was an earlier lesson than her mind -was prepared to receive. She thought she had dressed herself that -morning with too much carelessness of what was becoming, and devoted to -this evening a greater portion of labour and study. - -While Camilla was impatiently waiting, Mrs. Pollard, the washerwoman, -gained admittance to her, and bringing two interesting little children -of from four to five years old, and an elder girl of eleven, made them -join with herself to implore their benefactress to save them all from -destruction. - -Higden having had the imprudence, in his grief, to make known his recent -misfortune, it had reached the ears of his landlord, who already was -watchful and suspicious, from a year and half arrears of his rent; and -steps were immediately preparing to seize whatever was upon the premises -the next morning; which, by bringing upon him all his other creditors, -would infallibly immure him in the lingering hopelessness of a prison. - -Camilla now wavered; the debt was but eighteen pounds; the noble -largesses of her uncle in charity, till, of late, that he had been -somewhat drained by Lionel, were nearly unlimited.--She paused--looked -now at the pleading group, now at her expensive dress; asked how, for -her own hopes, she could risk so much, yet for their deliverance from -ruin so little; and with a blush turning from the mirrour, and to the -children with a tear, finally consented that the landlord should apply -to her the next morning. - - * * * * * - -Lord Pervil had some time opened the ball before Mrs. Berlinton's -arrival; but he looked every where for Camilla, to succeed to a young -lady of quality with whom he had danced the first two dances. He could -not, however, believe he had found, though he now soon saw and made up -to her. The brilliancy of her eyes was dimmed by weeping, her vivacity -was changed into dejection, sighs and looks of absence took place of -smiles and sallies of gaiety, and her whole character seemed to have -lost its spring and elasticity. She gave him her hand, to preserve her -power of giving it if claimed by Edgar, and though he had thought of her -without ceasing since she had charmed him in the yacht, till he had -obtained it, not a lady appeared in the room, by the time these two -dances were over, that he would not more cheerfully have chosen for two -more: her gravity every minute encreased, her eye rolled, with restless -anxiety, every where, except to meet his, and so little were her -thoughts, looks, or conversation bestowed upon her partner, that instead -of finding the animated beauty who had nearly captivated him on board -the yacht, he seemed coupled with a fair lifeless machine, whom the -music, perforce, put in motion; and relinquished her hand with as little -reluctance as she withdrew it. - -Melmond had again, by his sister, been forced into the party, though -with added unwillingness, from his new idea of Indiana. Now, however, to -avoid that fair bane was impossible: Indiana was the first object to -meet every eye, from the lustre of her beauty, and the fineness of her -figure, each more than ever transcendently conspicuous, from the uniform -which had obliged every other female in the room to appear in exactly -the same attire. Yet great and unrivalled as was the admiration which -she met, what came simply and naturally was insufficient for the thirst -with which she now quaffed this intoxicating beverage; and to render its -draughts still more delicious, she made Eugenia always hold by her arm. -The contrast here to the spectators was diverting as well as striking, -and renewed attention to her own charms, when the eye began to grow -nearly sated with gazing. The ingenuous Eugenia, incapable of suspecting -such a design, was always the dupe to the request, from the opinion it -was made in kindness, to save her from fatigue in the eternal sauntering -of a public place; and, lost to all fear, in being lost to all hope, as -to her own appearance, cheerfully accompanied her beautiful kinswoman, -without conjecturing that, in a company whence the illiterate and vulgar -were excluded, personal imperfections could excite pleasantry, or be a -subject of satire. - -Camilla, who still saw nothing of Edgar, yet still thought it possible -he might come, joined them as soon as she was able. Miss Margland was -full of complaints about Dr. Orkborne, for his affording them no -assistance in the yacht, and not coming home even to dinner, nor to -attend them to Lord Pervil's; and Eugenia, who was sincerely attached to -the Doctor, from the many years he had been her preceptor, was beginning -to express her serious uneasiness at his thus strangely vanishing; when -Clermont, with the most obstreperous laughter, made up to them, and -said: 'I'll tell you a monstrous good joke! the best thing you ever -heard in your life! the old Doctor's been upon the very point of being -drowned!--and he has not had a morsel to eat all day!' - -He then related that his man, having seen him composedly seated, and -musing upon a pile of planks which were seasoning upon the beach, with -his face turned away from the company to avoid its interruptions, had -enquired if he had any commands at home, whither he was going: 'Not for -meaning to do them,' continued Lynmere; 'No, no! catch Bob at that! but -only to break in upon him; for Bob's a rare hand at a joke. He says he's -ready to die with laughing, when he speaks to the old Doctor while he's -studying, because he looks so much as if he wished we were all hanged. -However, he answered tolerably civilly, and only desired that nobody -might go into his room till he came home from the sail, for he'd forgot -to lock it. So Bob, who smoked how the matter was, says: 'The sail, Sir, -what are you going alone, then? for all the company's been gone these -two hours.' So this put him in such a taking, Bob says he never laughed -so much in his life. He jumped up as if he'd been bit: 'Gone?' says he, -'why where's Miss Eugenia, I promised Sir Hugh not to lose sight of -her.' So he said he'd go after her that very moment. 'Call me a boat,' -said he: just as if he'd ordered a hackney coach; for he knows about as -much of winds and tides as my little bay Filly, that I bought of Halder -yesterday for fifty pounds, but that I shall make worth seventy in less -than a month. Well, there was nothing to be had but a small fishing -boat, so Bob winks at the man to take in a friend; for he has all those -fellows in a string. So in went his Latinship, and off they put. Bob -fell into such a fit of laughter, he says I might have heard him a mile -off. I don't think Bob has his fellow upon earth for fun.' - -Eugenia now interrupted the narration, with a serious enquiry where Dr. -Orkborne was at present. - -Lynmere, shouting at what he thought the ridicule of this concern, -answered, that Bob had told the fisherman to go about his own business, -unless the Doctor offered to pay him handsomely for taking him on board -the yacht; but thinking it would be a good joke to know what was become -of him, he had gone himself, with Halder, and some more choice blades, -to the beach, about half an hour ago, to make Bob see if the fishing -boat was come in; and, by good luck, they arrived at the very nick of -time, and saw the Doctor, the fish, and the fishing-tackle, all hauled -out together. 'And a better sight was never seen before, I promise you!' -continued Lynmere; 'I thought I should quite have burst my sides with -looking at him, he was so wet and so cold, and so miserable; and when I -thought of his having had no dinner, I shouted till I was ready to roll -on the beach--and he smelt so of the fish, that I could have hugged Bob, -'twas such monstrous good sport. He got three half crowns in a minute -for his ingenuity. Halder began;--and two others of us gave two more.' - -'Poor Dr. Orkborne! and where is he now?' said Eugenia. - -'Why we got about the fisherman, and then we had all the same fun over -again: He says, that, at first, the poor gentleman was in a great -taking, fretting and fuming, and looking out for the yacht, and seeming -almost beside himself for hurry to get to it; but after that, he takes -out a little red book and a pencil, and falls to writing, just as hard -as if he'd come into the boat for nothing else; insomuch, that when they -were just coming along-side the yacht, he never lifted up his head, nor -listened to one word, but kept making a motion with his hand to be let -alone: and when the man said the yacht would be passed, he bid him hold -his peace, and not interrupt him so, in such a pettish manner, that the -man resolved to take honest Bob's advice, and go on about his own -business. And so he did, and the Doctor was as content as a lord, till -he had scribbled all he could scratch out of his noddle: but then came -the best sport of all; for when he had nothing more to write, and looked -up, and saw the boat stock still, and the man fishing at his leisure, -and heard the yacht had been bound homeward of a good hour, he was in -such a perilous passion, the man says, that he actually thought he'd -have jumped overboard. I'll bet what you will he won't ask Bob to call -him a boat again in a hurry.' - -'As to his behaviour,' said Miss Margland, 'it's the last thing in the -world to surprize me, after what I have seen myself; nor any body else, -I believe, neither. Who is Dr. Orkborne? I doubt much if any body ever -heard his name before. I should like to know if any body can tell who -was his grandfather!' - -She then declared, if she could get any soul to fetch him, he should -still come, if it were only that he might not pass the evening all in -his own way, which would be just the thing to encourage him to hide -himself out of sight, on purpose not to help them another time. - -Eugenia was going to beg he might not be disturbed, when Melmond, all -alacrity to seize any means of absenting himself from the two cousins, -who produced in him so severe a conflict, offered his services to carry -a message to the Doctor; which, being readily accepted, he set off. - -Indiana and Eugenia, not wholly without similarity of sensation, looked -after him. Indiana had now caught his eye; and though quickness was no -part of her character, the tale it told had convinced her that her -power, though no longer acknowledged was not extinguished; it required -neither elemental precepts, nor sagacious perceptions, to make this -discovery, and she exultingly determined to appease her late -mortification, by reducing him to her feet. She stopt not to enquire -what such a step might be to Eugenia, nor what was likely, or even -desirable to be its event. Where narrow minds imagine they have received -injury, they seek revenge rather than redress, from an opinion that such -a conduct asserts their own importance. - -Still vainly, and wretchedly, the eyes of Camilla sought Edgar: the -evening advanced, but he came not; yet, catching at every possible -chance for hope, she thought some other room that they had not visited, -might be open for company, where, finally, they might meet. - -Dr. Orkborne accompanied Melmond back. Miss Margland was preparing him a -reproachful reception, but was so much offended by the fishy smell which -he brought into the room, that she had immediate recourse to her salts, -and besought him to stand out of her way. He complied without -reluctance, though with high disdain. - -The young ladies were all dancing. Indiana had no sooner perceived -Melmond, than she determined to engage his attention: the arts of -coquetry require but slender parts, where the love of admiration is -potent; she pretended, therefore, to feel extremely ill, put her hand to -her forehead, and telling her partner, Mr. Halder, she could not stand -another minute, hastened to Miss Margland, and cast herself, as if -fainting, upon her neck. - -This had all the success with Melmond that his own lively imagination -could give it. He flew to a side-table to get her a glass of water, -which his trembling hand could scarce hold, but which she received from -him with a languishing sweetness, that dissolved every tie but of love, -and he '_hung over her enamoured_[4];' while Miss Margland related that -she could hardly keep from fainting herself, so much she had been -shocked and disordered by the horrid smell of Dr. Orkborne. - -[Footnote 4: Milton] - -Indiana now caught the infection, and protested she was so much worse, -that if she had not a little air she should die. Melmond was flying to -open a window, but a lady who sat close to it, objected; and he had then -recourse to two folding doors, leading to a portico open to a large -garden. - -Hither Indiana permitted herself to be led, and led by the thrice happy, -yet thrice miserable Melmond. Miss Margland was accompanying them, but -Lady Pervil, advancing to enquire what went wrong, gave her an -opportunity irresistible to inveigh against Dr. Orkborne; and as her -well-bred hearer, though little interested in such a detail, would not -interrupt it, Indiana arrived alone in the portico with Melmond. Halder, -who had danced with her, followed, but supposing Melmond the favoured -man, walked singing off, and made the tour of the garden. - -This situation was to Melmond as dangerous, as to Indiana it was -exulting. She now suddenly withdrew her hand, with an air of poignant -disdain, which the illuminated portico and house made amply visible; and -when, surprised and much moved, he tremblingly enquired if she were -worse, she answered, 'Why do you ask? I am sure you do not care.' - -Easily deprived of all forbearance, 'Heavens!' he exclaimed, 'do I live, -yet suffer this imputation! O divine Indiana! load me with every other -reproach, rather than this dreadful charge of insensibility to all that -is most lovely, most perfect upon earth!' - -'I thought,' said Indiana, again softening her fine eyes, 'you had quite -forgot me, and all the vows you made to me.' - -'Wretch that I am,' cried Melmond nearly distracted by this charge, and -by the regret at losing him, which seemed its purpose, 'condemned to -every species of woe! O fair, angelic Indiana! in a cottage with you -would I have dwelt, more delightedly, and more proudly, than any -potentate in the most gorgeous palace: but, alas! from you--formed to -enchant all mankind, and add grace to every dignity--from you could I -dare ask such a sacrifice?' - -Indiana now listened with an attentive softness no longer factitious; -though all her views wafted her to splendour and high life, her ear -could not withstand the romantic sound of love and a cottage; and though -no character was ever less formed to know and taste the blessings such a -spot may bestow and reciprocate, she imagined she might there be happy, -for she considered such a habitation but as a bower of eglantine and -roses, in which she might repose and be adored all day long. - -Melmond saw but too quickly the relenting cast of her countenance; and -ecstasy and despair combated which should bear sway in his breast. 'Ah, -madam,' he cried, 'most adorable and most adored of women! you know my -terrible situation, but you know not the sufferings, nor the constancy -of my heart!--the persecution of friends, the pressure of distress, the -hopelessness of my idolized Indiana--' - -A deep sigh interrupted him--it came not from Indiana--startled, he -looked round--and beheld Eugenia, leaning against the door by which she -seemed to have intended entering, pale, petrified, aghast. - -Shame now tied his tongue, and tingled, with quick reproach, through his -whole frame. He looked at Indiana with despair, at Eugenia with remorse; -injured rectitude and blushing honour urged him to the swiftest -termination of so every way terrible a scene, and bowing low to Eugenia, -'I durst not, madam,' he cried, 'ever hope for your pardon! yet I rather -deluded myself than deceived you when I ventured to solicit your -acceptance. Alas! I am a bankrupt both in fortune and in heart, and can -only pray you will hasten to forget--that you may forbear to execrate -me!' - -He then disappeared, finding a way out by the garden, to avoid -re-entering the ball-room. - -Eugenia, who, in this speech, comprehended an eternal adieu, sunk upon -the seat of the portico, cold, shivering, almost lifeless. Little -prepared for such an event, she had followed Indiana the moment she was -disengaged from the dance, not suspicious of any _tête-à-tête_, from -believing Halder of the party. The energy of Melmond made her approach -unheard; and the words she unavoidably caught, nearly turned her to -marble. - -Indiana was sorry for her distress, yet felt a triumph in its cause; and -wondered how so plain a little creature could take it into her head to -think of marrying. - -Camilla now joined them, affrighted at the evident anguish of Eugenia, -who, leaning upon her affectionate bosom, had the relief excited by -pity, of bursting into tears, while despondingly she uttered: 'All is -over, my sister, and over for life with Eugenia! Melmond flies and -detests me! I am odious in his sight! I am horror to this thoughts!' - -Camilla wept over her in silent, but heart-breaking sympathy. Indiana -returned to the dance: but the two suffering sisters remained in the -portico till summoned to depart. They were insensible to the night air, -from the fever of their minds. They spoke no more; they felt the -insufficiency of words to express their griefs, and their mutual -compassion was all that softened their mutual sorrows. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_An Adieu_ - - -Lost to all happiness, and for the first time in her life, divested of -hope, Camilla at a late hour returned to Mrs. Berlinton's. And here, -her heart-breaking disappointment received the cruel aggravation of the -most severe self-reproach, when, in facing the mirror to deposit her -ornaments upon the toilette table, she considered the expensive elegance -of her whole dress, now, even in her own estimation, by its abortive -purpose, rendered glaringly extravagant. Since her project had failed, -she saw the impropriety of having risked so much in its attempt; and a -train of just reflections ensued, to which her understanding was always -equal, though her gaiety was seldom disposed. 'Would Edgar,' thought -she, 'wait the event of a meeting at a ball to decide his conduct? Had -he not every title to claim a conference with me, if he had the smallest -inclination? Rejected as he calls himself, I had not pretended to demand -our separation from any doubts, any displeasure of my own. From the -moment he suffered me to quit, without reclamation, the roof under which -I had proposed our parting, I ought to have seen it was but his own -desire, perhaps design, I was executing. And all the reluctance he -seemed to feel, which so weakly I attributed to regard, was but the -expiring sensibility of the last moment of intercourse. Not with -murmurs, he says, he will quit me--nor with murmurs will I now resign -him!--with blessings, he says, he leaves me--O Edgar! mayest thou too be -blest! The erring and unequal Camilla deserved thee not!' - -A more minute examination of her attire was not calculated to improve -her serenity. Her robe was everywhere edged with the finest Valencienne -lace; her lilac shoes, sash, and gloves, were richly spangled with -silver, and finished with a silver fringe; her ear-rings and necklace -were of lilac and gold beads; her fan and shoe roses were brilliant with -lilac foil, and her bouquet of artificial lilac flowers, and her plumes -of lilac feathers, were here and there tipt with the most tiny -transparent white beads, to give them the effect of being glittering -with the dew. - -Of the cost of all this she was no judge, but, certain its amount must -be high, a warm displeasure arose against the incorrigible Mrs. Mittin, -who had not only taken the pattern, but the value of Mrs. Berlinton's -dress for her guide: and a yet greater dissatisfaction ensued with -herself, for trusting the smallest commission to so vain and -ungovernable an agent. She could only hope to hoard the payment from the -whole of her next year's allowance, by living in so forbearing and -retired a manner, as to require nothing for herself. - -The new, but all powerful guest which now assailed her, unhappiness, had -still kept her eyes from closing, when she was called up to Mr. Tennet, -the landlord of Higden. Her fuller knowledge of her own hopeless debts, -could not make her faithless to her engagement; for her acquaintance -with misery awakened but more pity for the misery of others. She -admitted him, therefore, without demur; and found he was a land -surveyor, who had often been employed by Sir Hugh at Cleves. He accepted -her verbal promise to be answerable for the rent now due, declining her -note of hand, which her minority made illegal, and engaging not to hurry -her for the money; well satisfied, by the Tyrold character in the whole -county, he might abide by her word of honour, founded upon the known -munificence of her uncle. - -This delay was a relief, as it saved a partial demand, that must have -forced an abrupt confession of her own debts, or have deceived the -baronet into a belief she had nothing to solicit. - -When this business was transacted, she hastened to Eugenia, to console -whose sufferings was all that could mitigate her own. - -One of the maids then came to say she had forgotten to inform her, that, -some time after she had set out for Lord Pervil's a stranger, much -muffled up, and with a hat flapped over his face so as wholly to hide -it, had enquired for her, and seemed much disturbed when he heard she -was at the ball, but said he would call again the next day at noon. - -No conjecture occurred to Camilla but that this must be Edgar; it was -contrary to all probability; but no other image could find way to her -mind. She hastened, inexpressibly perturbed, to her sister, determining -to be at home before twelve o'clock, and fashioning to herself all the -varieties such a meeting could afford; every one of which, however they -began, ended regularly with a reconciliation. - -She found Eugenia weeping in bed. She embraced her with the extremest -tenderness: 'Ah my sister!' said the unhappy mourner, 'I weep not for my -disappointment, great as it may be--and I do not attempt describing -it!--it is but my secondary sorrow. I weep, Camilla, for my own -infatuation! for the folly, the blindness of which I find myself -culpable. O Camilla! is it possible I could ever--for a moment, a single -moment, suppose Melmond could willingly be mine! could see his exquisite -susceptibility of every thing that is most perfect, yet persuade myself, -he could take, by choice, the poor Eugenia for his wife! the mangled, -deformed,--unfortunate Eugenia!' - -Camilla, touched to the heart, wept now more than her sister. 'That -Eugenia,' she cried, 'has but to be known, to leave all beauty, all -figure, every exterior advantage aloof, by the nobler, the more just -superiority of intrinsic worth. Let our estimates but be mental, and who -will not be proud to be placed in parallel with Eugenia?' - -She was then beginning her own sad relation, when an unopened letter -upon the toilette table caught her eye. It had been placed there by -Molly Mill, who thought her mistress asleep. Struck by the shape of the -seal, Camilla rose to examine it: what was her palpitation, then, to see -the cypher E M, and, turning to the other side, to perceive the hand -writing of Edgar! - -She put it into her sister's hand, with expectation too big for speech. -Eugenia opened it, and they read it silently together. - - _To Miss_ EUGENIA TYROLD. - - Southampton. - - 'Tis yet but a short time--in every account but my own--since I - thought myself forming a legal claim to address Miss Eugenia Tyrold - as my sister. Every other claim to that affectionate and endearing - title has been hers beyond her own memory; hers by the filial love - I bear her venerated parents; hers, by the tender esteem due to the - union of almost every virtue. These first and early ties must - remain for ever. Disappointment here cannot pierce her barbarous - shafts, fortune cannot wanton in reversing, nor can time dissolve - them.---- - -'O Edgar!' exclaimed Camilla, stopping the reading, and putting her -hand, as in benediction, upon the paper, 'do you deign to talk of -disappointment? do you condescend to intimate you are unhappy? Ah, my -Eugenia, you shall clear this dreadful error!--'tis to you he -applies--you shall be peace-maker; restorer!' - -Eugenia dried her tears at the thought of so sweet an office, and they -read on. - - Of the other--yet nearer claim, I will not speak. You have probably - known longer than myself, its annihilation, and I will not pain - your generous heart with any view of my sufferings in such a - deprivation. I write but to take with my pen the leave I dare not - trust myself to take by word of mouth; to wish to your opening - prospects all the happiness that has flown mine, and to entreat you - to answer for me to the whole of your loved family, that its name - is what, through life, my ear with most reverence will hear, my - heart with most devotion will love. - - EDGAR MANDLEBERT. - -At the kind wish upon her own opening prospects, Eugenia wept afresh; -but when Camilla took the letter to press to her lips and her heart what -he said of his sufferings, she perceived at the doubling down, two lines -more:-- - - I am this moment leaving Southampton for the Isle of Wight, whence - I shall sail to the first port, that the first vessel with which I - may meet shall be bound. - -'No, my dear Eugenia,' cried she, then colouring, and putting down the -letter, 'your mediation will be spared. He acquaints us he is quitting -England. He can only mention it to avoid the persecution of an answer. -Certainly none shall be obtruded upon him.' - -Eugenia pleaded that still a letter might overtake him at the Isle of -Wight, and all misunderstanding might be rectified. 'And then, my -sister, all may be well, and your happiness renewed.--It has not flown -you--like that of Eugenia--from any radical cause. Her's is not only -gone, past all resource, but has left behind it disgrace with sorrow, -derision with disappointment!' - -Camilla strove to soothe her, but would no longer listen to any -mediation; she resolved, at once, to write of the separation to her -father, and beseech him to send for her to Etherington, and never again -suffer her to quit that roof, where alone her peace was without -disturbance, her conduct without reproach. Even her debts, now, she felt -equal to avowing, for as, far from contracting new ones, she meant in -future to reside in complete obscurity, she hoped the feelings of this -moment would procure pardon for her indiscretions, which her own -sedulous future oeconomy should be indefatigable to repair. - -Eugenia would not strive longer against a procedure which she deemed -dignified, and the departure of Camilla was hurried by a messenger, who -brought word that the strange man, with the flapped hat, was returned, -and entreated her, for Heaven's sake, to let him speak with her one -moment. - -Dead, now, to the hope she had entertained of this enquirer, she merely -from his own urgency complied with his call; for her curiosity was gone -since she now knew it could not be Edgar. - - * * * * * - -Edgar, indeed, was actually departed. His heart was loaded with sorrow, -his prospect seemed black with despondence; but Camilla was lost to that -perfect confidence, and unbounded esteem, he required to feel for his -wife, and no tenderness without them, no partial good opinion, nor -general admiration, could make him wish to lead her to the altar. 'No!' -cried he, 'Dr. Marchmont; you judged me better than my first passion, -and her untried steadiness enabled me to judge myself. Misery only could -have followed my view of her in the mixt society in which the thousand -accidents of life might occasionally have placed us. I can only be happy -with a character as simple in the world, as in retirement; as artless at -an assembly, as in a cottage. Without that heavenly simplicity, the -union of all else that renders life desirable, were vain! without -that--all her enchanting qualities, with which nothing can vie, and -which are entwined around my heart-strings, were ineffectual to my -peace.' - -'You are right,' said the Doctor, 'and your timely caution, and early -wisdom, will protect you from the bitterness of a personal experience -like mine. With all the charms she assembles, her character seems too -unstable for private domestic life. When a few years more have blunted -the wild vivacity, the floating ambition, the changing propensities -which now render her inconsistent to others, and fluctuating even to -herself, she may yet become as respectable, as she must always be -amiable. But now, ... whoever takes her from the circle in which she is -playing, will see her lost to all gaiety, though without daring to -complain, from the restraint of bidden duties, which make the bidder a -tyrant.' - -Edgar shrunk from such a part, and immediately prepared for his long -projected tour. - -He had, originally, purposed visiting Mr. Tyrold before he set out, and -conversing with him upon the state of danger in which he thought his -daughter; but his tenderness for her feelings, during his last adieu, -had beguiled him of this plan, lest it should prove painful, injurious, -or inauspicious to her own views or designs in breaking to her friends -their breach. He now addressed a few lines to his revered guardian, to -be delivered by Dr. Marchmont; to whom he gave discretionary powers, if -any explanation should be demanded; though clogged with an earnest -clause, that he would neither advance, nor confess any thing that could -hurt Camilla, even a moment, unless to avert from her some danger, or -substantiate some good. - -Dr. Marchmont determined to accompany him to the Isle of Wight, whither -he resolved to go, and wait for his baggage; and undertook the -superintendance of his estate and affairs in his absence. - -When they were summoned to the little vessel, Edgar changed colour, his -heart beat quick, and he sighed rather than breathed. He held his hand -upon his eyes and forehead for a few minutes, in agony inexpressible, -then silently gave his servant the letter he had written for Eugenia, -took the Doctor by the arm, walked to the beach, and got aboard; his -head still turned wholly towards the town, his eyes looking above it, as -if seeking to fix the habitation of Camilla. Dr. Marchmont sought to -draw his attention another way, but it was rivetted to the spot they -were quitting. - -'I feel truly your unhappiness, my dear Mandlebert,' said he, 'that this -young creature, with defects of so cruel a tendency, mingles qualities -of so endearing a nature. Judge, however, the predominance of what is -faulty, since parents so exemplary have not been able to make the scales -weigh down on the side of right. Alas! Mr. Tyrold has himself erred, in -committing, at so early a period, her conduct into her own reins. The -very virtues, in the first youth, are so little regulated by reflection, -that, were [they] not watched nor aided, they run into extremes nearly -as pernicious, though not so unamiable as the vices. What instance more -than this now before us can shew the futility of education, and the -precariousness of innate worth, when the contaminating world is allowed -to seize its inexperienced prey, before the character is fixed as well -as formed?' - -A deeply assenting sigh broke from the bosom of Edgar, whose strained -eyes held their purpose, till neither beach, nor town, nor even a spire -of Southampton, were discernible. Again, then, for a moment, he covered -them with his hand, and exclaimed: 'Farewell! Camilla, farewell!' - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_A modest Request_ - - -Quick, though without a wish of speed, was the return home of Camilla; -she felt at this moment in that crushed and desolate state, where the -sudden extinction of hope leaves the mind without energy to form even a -wish. She was quick only because too nervous to be slow, and hurried on, -so little knowing why, that when she came to Mrs. Berlinton's, she was -running to her own room, wholly forgetting what had called her from -Eugenia, till the servant said, 'this is the man, ma'am.' - -She then saw, parading up and down the hall, a figure wrapt round in a -dark blue roquelo, with no part of his face visible, from the flaps of -his hat. - -At another time she might have been startled: but she was now -indifferent to everything, and only enquired what was his business. - -He made no answer but by a low bow, pointing, at the same time to the -door of one of the parlours, and then, in a supplicating manner, putting -together his hands, as if begging to speak to her in private. - -Careless, rather than courageous, she was going into an empty room with -him, when the servant whispered her to be upon her guard, as the man had -a very suspicious look. - -Stopping short, then, she again repeated her question, adding, 'I can -hear anything you have to say where we now are.' - -The stranger shook his head, with a motion towards the servant, that -seemed to demand his absence. - -Alas! thought she, it is some gentleman in distress, who wants to beg -and is ashamed. I have nothing to give him! I will, at least, therefore, -not insist upon his exposing himself. She then whispered the footman to -keep in the hall, and near the parlour, which she entered, telling the -incognito he might follow. - -But she was seriously alarmed out of her apathy, upon seeing him -cautiously shut the door, and sedulously examine the apartment. - -She wanted not presence of mind, when not robbed of it by some peculiar -and poignant feelings. She turned immediately to the bell, certain its -first touch would bring in the footman: but, perceiving her purpose, the -stranger seized her by the arm, and in a hoarse low voice said: 'Are you -mad, Camilla? don't you know me?' and she recognized her brother. - -She expostulated upon his having so causelessly terrified her, and -enquired why he came so disguised. - -He laughed heartily at her affright, and extolled his own skill in -personating a subtle ruffian; declaring he liked to have a touch at all -trades, in case of accidents. - -'And have you come hither, Lionel, only for this foolish and very -unpleasant trick?' - -'O no, my dear! this was only for my opening. I have an hundred smart -freaks in my head, any one of them worth a little trip to Southampton. -Besides, I wanted to know what you were about. How does a certain master -Edgar Mandlebert do? Don't blush, child. What a little sly rogue you -have been! hey ho? Tears?--My dear Camilla! what's all this?' - -She entreated him to make his enquiries of Eugenia. - -'Well, you took me in, I promise you. I fully thought the young Baronet -had been the man. And, really he's as fine a fellow as I ever saw.' - -'Do not speak of him, I beg! O Lionel!--if you knew--' She was going to -say, how through your means, that affair has injured me--but she checked -complaints which she now regarded as useless, and therefore degrading; -and, wiping her eyes, asked if he had yet considered the large sum, for -the obligation of which he had made her seem responsible to Sir Sedley, -whom she should not know how ever to meet, nor consequently, how ever to -visit in the county, till some payment, if not made, were at least -arranged. - -'Pho, pho, my dear child, don't be so Vellum-like; you'll be fit for -nothing, soon, but to file bills and score accounts. What's two hundred -to him? Hang him! I wish 'twere as much again--I hate making a fuss -about nothing. But come, tell me something to raise my spirits--I am -horribly melancholy. I've some notion of making a little sport here with -Miss Scare-crow. How does she go on? Waspish as ever?' - -'Do tell me, seriously, Lionel, what it is has brought you hither?' - -'Two things, my dear. The first of which is the pleasure of seeing you; -and the second, is a little amusement I propose myself with old Dr. Hic, -Hæc, Hoc. I find Clermont's had rare sport with him already. It's deuced -unlucky I did not come sooner.' - -'Clermont? When did you see Clermont?' - -'Don't be curious, child. I never encourage curiosity. It always leads -to disagreeable questions. You may tell me any thing you please, but ask -nothing. That's my manner of dealing with little girls. How did you like -my sending the Major to you? Was not that good fudge? What do you look -so grave for, my dear? You're enough to give one the vapours.' - -Camilla attempted not to rally; she felt pierced as by a poniard at the -very sight of Lionel. The debt he had made her contract with Sir Sedley, -the secrecy it exacted, the correspondence it had drawn on, the cruel -circumstances it had produced, and the heart-breaking event to which it -had, ultimately, led, made his view excite sensations too corrosive, and -reflections too bitter, for any enjoyment of a gaiety, which her utmost -partiality could not disentangle from levity the most unfeeling. - -'Come, come, for pity's sake, be a little less stupid, I conjure you. -How terribly you want a good shaking! shall I give you one? By the way, -you have never thanked me for sending you that smart young tinker. You -are horribly ungrateful to all my tender care to provide you a good -spouse. What! not a smile? Not one dear little dimple for all my rattle? -Nay, then, if that's the case, let's to business at once. Anything is -better than mawkishness. I always preferred being flogged for a frolic, -to being told I was a good boy, at the expence of sitting still, and -learning my lesson.' - -'And what business, my dear Lionel? Have you really any?' - -'O yes, always; nobody has more; only I do it so briskly, people always -suppose it nothing but pleasure. However, just at this minute, I am -really in rather an ugly dilemma. You know, my dear girl, there is a -certain little rather awkward affair of mine, which I once hinted to -you.'-- - -'Lionel, I hope, at least,----' - -'O, none of your hopes with that grave face! Hope, with a grave face, -always means fear. Now, as I am already half shoes over in the slough -of despond, 'twill be horrid ungenerous to poke me still lower.' - -Camilla now began to tremble, and would ask no questions--Lionel, when -he had silenced her, seemed at a loss how to proceed; he walked about -the room with quick jerks, opened and shut the window, seated himself -upon every chair, and every table; and then, in a half passion, said: -'so you don't want to hear any more? and you don't care a fig if I'm -hanged or drowned?' - -'My spirits are not high, my dear Lionel; and my head is full, and my -heart is oppressed: if you have any thing, therefore, important to say, -speak, I beg without trifling.' - -'Nay, there's nothing new; so don't look frightened; it's all the same -old story.' - -'You continue, then, that dark, mysterious connexion? O brother!' - -'Why she's so pretty! so monstrous pretty! besides, she doats upon me. -You don't half conceive what a pretty fellow I am, Camilla. A sister -never knows how to judge a man. All the women like me prodigiously.' - -'Indeed, Lionel, you take an undue advantage of my affection. I must -seriously insist that you mention this subject to me no more.' - -'I don't intend it. I intend to finish with this once--provided you do -me one last good turn. Will you, now? Come, don't be queer.' - -'I will do nothing, absolutely nothing in so improper--so shocking a -business. Indeed, I know not how to forgive you for naming it again.' - -'Well, then, I'll pledge you my word and honour you shall never hear of -it more, if you'll only grant me this one favour.' - -Displeased at the past, and frightened for what might be to come, she -protested she would immediately leave the room, if he continued this -persecution: adding, 'how affectionately I love you, I need not, I am -sure, say; but a confidence such as this, from a brother to a sister, -disgraces us both: and let me penetrate, but not irritate you, if I own, -that I much doubt whether I ought not from the beginning, to have -revealed this transaction at Etherington. Do not be angry Lionel: has -not every consideration been surmounted by the fear of giving you pain?' - -Finding he still would be heard, she was peremptorily quitting the -room; but when she had her hand upon the door, he effectually stopt her, -by saying, 'Nay, then, if nothing will content you but getting the whole -out at once, you may make yourself easy, the business is at end, -for----we're blown!' - -'I must certainly be glad if such a business is at an end, Lionel; but -how do you mean blown? to whom? in what manner?' - -'To every body, I'm afraid; for the husband's upon the point of getting -at it.' - -'Husband?' - -'O, the deuce! I did not mean to say that: however, it's out! and as it -must have been known sooner or later----' - -Camilla now had an air the nearest to severity she had ever worn: -'Adieu, Lionel!' she cried, 'I am sorry for you, indeed; but you must -find another hearer for this guilty history.--I will listen no more!' - -Lionel now detained her by force. 'How can you take up the thing so -wrong,' said he; 'when I tell you it's over, isn't that enough? Besides, -I promise you I have not wanted for my punishment: when you hear all, -you'll find that.' - -Too sick for speech, yet too weak for resistance, she was constrained to -return to her seat, and hear what he pleased to relate. - -'My adventure, my dear, was discovered entirely by the want of a little -hush money. 'Tis the very deuce and all for a man to be in love when he -is poor. If I had only had a little hush-money--yes, yes, I understand -that eye! but as to those paltry sums I have had, from time to time, -since this affair, why they could not be expected to last for ever: And -the first went to a housemaid,--and the second to the groom,--and the -third----' - -'Lionel! Lionel! is this a communication--are these particulars for me?' - -'Nay, I only mention it to let you know it's all gone fairly. Besides, -as to her being a married woman, which, I see, is what you think so much -the worst of all, I assure you, if you knew her husband, you would not -wonder; he deserves every thing. Such a tiresome quiz! It was often -hours before we could get rid of him. You never knew such a blockhead. -The poor thing can't bear him. But she's fond of me to distraction. Nay, -nay, don't frown so! If you'll believe me, Camilla, you'll quite spoil -your face. Well, the fellow that threatens to betray us, won't keep our -secret under three hundred pounds! There's an unconscionable knave! -However, I thought that better than a trial too; not that she would have -broken her heart at a separation, you'll believe; but then ... there's a -certain horrid thing called damages! And then my father's -particularities,--and my mother's seeing things in such strong -lights--and a parson's son,--and all that.'-- - -Camilla, shaking and pale, now entreated him to get her a glass of -water, and, for a while, at least, to forbear continuing this terrible -story. - -He consented to ring for the water, and then, more briefly, went on. - -'Finding it vain to hope any longer for entire concealment, I thought a -private discovery less shocking than a public one; and therefore, -telling my story as well as I could, I stated that three hundred pounds -would save both the expences and publicity of a trial; and, with every -possible profession of contrition and reformation, I humbly petitioned -for that sum from my uncle.' - -'My poor uncle! alas! what unreasonable--unmerciful claims every way -surround him!' - -'He's well revenged for mine, I promise you! There's no plague lost -between us, as you'll own, when you've heard the end of my poor -petition. I followed up my letter, according to my usual custom, the -next day, in order to receive my money, knowing poor uncle hates writing -worse than giving: well, and when I arrived, my mind just made up to a -few gentle reprimands against naughtiness, and as many gentle promises -to do so no more; out pops me the old butler, and says his master can't -see me! Not see me? Why, who's with him? Your father, Sir! O,--then for -your life, cries I, don't say I have been here--but now--Camilla will -you think me punished or not?--My uncle had a little gout in his -right-hand, and had made my father open and read--that very day,--all -his letters! If ever you knew old Nick serve a poor young fellow a worse -turn than that, tell me so? I owe him such a grudge for it, I could -almost find [it] in my heart to turn parson myself.' - -Camilla could not utter a word. She dropt her head over her folded arms -upon the table, to hide her offending brother from her sight, whom now, -placed in opposition to her all-excellent father, she blamed beyond her -powers, beyond what she conceived even her rights of expression. - -'Why now, my dear Camilla, what do you hide your face for? Do you think -I'm not as sorry for this thing as you can be for the life of you? -However, now comes the worst; and if you don't pity me when you hear -this, you may depend upon it you have no bowels. I was making off as -fast as I could, mum the word to the servants, when in comes old Jacob -with a letter. I snatched it from him, hoping my uncle had privately -sent me a draft--but the direction was written by my father! Don't you -begin to feel a little for me now?' - -She could only raise her head to ejaculate, 'My poor--poor father!' and -then, nearly in an agony, drop it again. - -'Hey-day, Camilla? how's this? what! not one word of poor, poor brother, -too? why you are harder than flint. However, read that letter. And then, -if you don't think me the most unhappy young fellow in existence, you -are fit to devise tortures for the inquisition.' - -She took the letter eagerly, yet awfully, kissed in weeping the -hand-writing, and read what follows: - - _To_ LIONEL TYROLD, _Esq._ - - To have brought up my family with the purity of principle which the - holy profession of their father ought to inspire him to teach, has - been, from the hour that my paternal solicitudes commenced, the - most fervent of my prayers. How my hopes have been deluded you have - but too long known; how grossly they have failed has reached my own - knowledge but this moment. I here resign the vain expectation, that - through my son the community might bless me: may a forfeiture so - dread not extend to me, also, through my daughters!-- - -Camilla stopt, sunk upon her knees, and devoutly repeated the last -sentence, with her own ardent supplications joined to it before she -could proceed. - - A few words more must, for the present, suffice between us. - Accident, by throwing into my hands this last letter to the uncle - whose goodness you have most unwarrantably and unfeelingly abused, - has given birth to an investigation, by which I have arrived at the - discovery of the long course of rapacity by which you have - pillaged from the same source. Henceforth, you will find it dry. I - have stated to my brother the mistake of his compliance, and - obtained his solemn word, that all intercourse between you, that - has not my previous approbation, shall here finally cease. You will - now, therefore, empty no more those coffers which, but for you, - have only been opened to the just claims of benevolence. - - You will regard this detection as the wrath of ill-fortune; I view - it, on the contrary, as the mercy of Providence. What were further - pecuniary exonerations, but deeper plunges into vilifying - dissoluteness? If, as you intimate, the refusal of your present - demands will expose you to public shame, may its shock awaken - feelings that may restore you to private virtue! I cannot spare you - from disgrace, by aiding you in corruption; I cannot rescue you - from worldly dishonour, by hiding and abetting crimes that may - unfold to eternal misery. To errour I would be lenient; to - penitence I would be consoling; to reformation I would open my - arms: but to him who confesses his guilt only to save himself from - punishment, to him who would elude the incurred penalties of his - wickedness, by shamelessly soliciting a respectable old relation to - use bribery for its concealment,--to him, I can only say, since all - precepts of virtue have failed to shew thee its excellence, go! - learn of misfortune the evils, at least of vice! Pay to the laws of - society what retribution they require for their violation--and if - suffering should lead to contrition, and seclusion from the world - bring thee back to rectitude, then thou may'st find again thy - father - - AUGUSTUS TYROLD. - - Another name I mention not. I present not to this sullied page an - image of such purity: yet, if thy own thoughts dare paint it to thy - view, will not thy heart, O Lionel! smite thee and say,--From her - native land, from her sorrowing husband, from daughters just - opening into life, by my follies and indiscretions I have driven my - mother--by my guilt I shall make her blush to return to them?-- - -Camilla wept over this letter till its characters were almost effaced by -her tears. To withhold from her father the knowledge of the misconduct -of Lionel, what had she not suffered? what not sacrificed? yet to find -it all unavailing, to find him thus informed of his son's wanton calls -for money, his culpable connection, and his just fears of seeing it -published and punished,--and to consider with all this, that Edgar, -through these unpardonable deviations from right, was irretrievably lost -to her, excited sorrow the most depressing for her father, and regrets -scarce supportable for herself. - -'Well,' cried Lionel, 'what do you think of my case now? Don't you allow -I pay pretty handsomely for a mere young man's gambol? I assure you I -don't know what might have been the consequence, if Jacob had not -afforded me a little comfort. He told me you were going to be married to -'squire Mandlebert, and that you were all at Southton, and that he was -sure you would do any thing in the world to get me out of jeopardy; and -so, thinking pretty much the same myself, here I am! Well, what say you, -Camilla? Will you speak a little word for me to Edgar?' - -Shame, now taking place of affliction, stopt her tears, which dried upon -her burning cheeks, as she answered, 'He is well known to you, -Lionel:--you can address him yourself!' - -'No; that's your mistake, my dear. I have a little odd money matter to -settle with him already; and besides, we have had a sort of a falling -out upon the subject; for when I spoke to him about it last, he gave -himself the airs of an old justice of the peace, and said if he did not -find the affair given up, nothing should induce him ever to help me -again. What a mere codger that lad has turned out!' - -'Ah, noble Edgar! just, high-principled, and firm!' half pronounced -Camilla, while again the icicles dissolved, and trickled down her face. - -'See but the different way in which things strike people! however, it is -not very pretty in you, Camilla, to praise him for treating me so -scurvily. But come, dost think he'll lend me the money?' - -'Lend,' repeated she, significantly. - -'Ay lend; for I shall pay it every farthing; and every thing else.' - -'And how? And when?' - -'Why,--with old unky Relvil's fortune.' - -'For shame, brother!' - -'Nay, nay, you know as well as I do, I must have it at last. Who else -has he to leave it to? Come, will you beg the three hundred for me? He -dare not refuse you, you know, in your day of power.' - -'Lionel,' cried she, with extreme emotion, 'I shall see him no more! -nor, perhaps may you!--He has left England.' - -'Impossible! why Jacob told me unky was working night and day at -preparations for your keeping the wedding at Cleves.' - -'I cannot talk upon this subject. I must beseech you to reserve your -enquiries for Eugenia.' - -'I must go to her then, directly. I have not a moment to lose. If you -won't make Edgar help me in this business--and I know he won't do it of -his own accord, I am utterly done up. There will remain but one single -thing for me. So now for my roquelo. But do only tell me, Camilla, if -you ever knew such a poor unlucky wight? for before I came to you, -certain it would not be easy to make that young prig do any thing he had -already declared against, I found out cousin Clermont. What a handsome -coxcomb that is! Well, I told him my case, for one young fellow soon -comprehends the difficulties of another, and begged him to ask for the -money of uncle Hugh, as if for himself, telling him, that as he was a -new-comer, and a new beginner, he could not so readily be refused; and -promising to serve him as good a turn myself, when he had got a little -into our ways, and wanted it, with my good uncle Relvil. Well! what do -you think was the next news? It's enough to make a man's hair stand on -end, to see what a spite fortune has taken to me! Do you know he has got -debts of his own, of one sort or another, that poor unky has never heard -of, to the amount of upwards of a thousand pounds?' - -He then muffled himself up and departed. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_A Self-dissection_ - - -Camilla remained in a state of accumulated distress, that knew not upon -what object most to dwell: her father, shocked and irritated beyond the -mild endurance of his character; her brother, wantonly sporting with his -family's honour, and his own morals and reputation; her uncle, preparing -for nuptials broken off without his knowledge; Edgar, by a thousand -perversities of accident, of indiscretion, of misunderstanding, for ever -parted from her;--rushed all together upon her mind, each combating for -precedence, each individually foiled, yet all collectively triumphant. -Nor were even these her sole subjects of affliction: yet another cause -was added, in debts contracted from mingled thoughtlessness, -inexperience, and generosity, augmented to she knew not what sum, and to -be paid by she knew not what means. And this topic, which in itself -seemed to her the least interesting, soon, by the circumstances with -which it was connected, grew the most pressing of any. How, at a moment -like this, could she make her purposed confession to her father, whose -wounded mind demanded all she could offer of condolement? How call upon -her uncle to be responsible for what she owed, when she now knew the -enormous accounts preparing for him from Clermont, of which he was -himself yet uninformed? - - * * * * * - -Lionel soon returned. 'So it's really all off?' he cried; 'dame Fortune, -methinks, has a mind to give me a taste of her art that I shan't easily -forget. Eugenia would tell me no particulars. But, since things are -thus, there is only one step left for poor Pillgarlick. I must whisk -over to the Continent.' - -'To the Continent? without consulting my father? without--' - -'My father?--Why, you see he gives me up. He thinks--I thank him!--a -little wholesome discipline will do me good. Don't you understand what -he means by _seclusion from the world_? A prison, my dear! a gaol! -However, I'm not quite of that opinion. I really think a man's as well -off in a little open air. So fare thee well, child. As soon as ever my -dear uncle Relvil says good night, I'll come home again, and wish you -all good morning.' - -'Lionel! Lionel!--' - -'Well, well! I know it's very wrong, and all that; so say nothing. Don't -distress me, I beg, for I hate to be hipped. Besides, old Relvil don't -deserve much better; why can't he behave like a man, and settle an -annuity upon himself, and an old servant, and a dog, and a cat, and a -parrot, and then let an honest young fellow see a little of the world -handsomely, and like a gentleman? But your bachelor uncles, and maiden -aunts, are the most tantalizing fellows and fellowesses in the -creation.' - -He then kissed her, and was going; but, earnestly detaining him, she -conjured that he would let her first hint his design to their father, -that at least it might be set aside, if it would still more deeply -disturb him. - -'No, child, no; I know his way of reasoning already. He thinks every man -should pay for what he owes, either with money or stripes. Now my poor -dear little body is not of that opinion. And what would they get by -having me shut up in prison? And I'll defy 'em to cast me in any other -damages. I've a few debts, too, of my own, that make me a little uneasy. -I don't mean to trades people; they can wait well enough; our credit is -good: but a man looks horrid small, walking about, when he can't pay his -debts of honour. However, when I disappear, perhaps my father will take -compassion upon my character. If not, the Relvil estate shall wipe off -all in the long run.' - -'And is it possible, Lionel, thus lightly, thus negligently, thus -unmoved, you can plan such a journey? such an exile?' - -'Why what can I do? what can I possibly do? I am obliged to be off in my -own defence. Unless, indeed, I marry little Miss Dennel, which I have -once or twice thought of; for she's a monstrous fool. But then she is -very rich. How should you like her for a sister? Nay, nay, I'm serious. -Don't shake your head as if I was joking. What do you think of her for -my spouse?' - -'She is a good girl, I believe, Lionel, though a simple one; and I -should be sorry to see her unhappy; and how could either of you be -otherwise, with contempt such as this?' - -'Bless thy heart, my little dear, what have husbands and wives to do -with making one another unhappy? Prithee don't set about forming thy -notions of married people from the parsonage-house, and conclude a wife -no better than a real rib, sticking always close to a man's side. You -grow so horrid sententious, I really begin to believe you intend to take -out your diploma soon, and put on the surplice my father meant for his -poor son.' - -'Alas, Lionel!--how changed, how hard--forgive me if I say how hard must -you be grown, to be capable of gaiety and rattle at this period!' - -'You'll die an old maid, Camilla, take my word for it. And I'm really -sorry, for you're not an ugly girl. You might have been got off. But -come, don't look so melancholy at a little silly sport. The world is so -full of sorrow, my dear girl, so little visited by happiness, that -cheerfulness is almost as necessary as existence, in such a vale of -tears.' - -'What can induce you to laugh, Lionel, at such words?' - -'I can't help it, faith! I was thinking I spoke so like a parson's son!' - -Camilla cast up her eyes and hands: 'Lionel,' she cried, 'what have you -done with your heart? has it banished every natural feeling? has the -affecting letter of the best of fathers, his cruel separation from the -most excellent of mothers, and even your own dreadfully censurable -conduct, served but to amuse you with ridicule and derision?' - -'Camilla,' cried he, taking her hands, 'you wrong me! you think I have -no feeling, because I am not always crying. However, shall I tell you -the truth? I hate myself! and so completely hate myself at this moment, -that I dare not be grave! dare not suffer reflection to take hold of me, -lest it should make life too odious for me to bear it. I have run on -from folly to wickedness for want of thought; and now thought is ready -to come back, I must run from that, for want of fortitude. What has -bewitched me, I know no more than you; but I never meant to play this -abominable part. And now, if I did not flog up my spirits to prevent -their flagging, I suppose I should hang or drown. And, believe me, if I -were condemned to the galleys, I should think it less than I deserve; -for I hate myself, I repeat--I honour my father, though I have used him -so ill; I love my mother,--for all her deuced severity,--to the bottom -of my soul; I would cut off my left arm for Lavinia and Eugenia; and for -thee, Camilla, I would lop off my right!--But yet, when some frolic or -gambol comes into my way, I forget you all! clear out of my memory you -all walk, as if I had never beheld you!' - -Camilla now embraced him with a deluge of tears, entreated him to -forgive the asperity his seeming want of all feeling had drawn from her, -and frequently to write to her, and acquaint her how he went on, and -send his direction for her answers; that so, at least, their father -might know how he employed himself, and have the power to give him -counsel. - -'But how, my poor Lionel,' she added, 'how will you live abroad? How -will you even travel?' - -'Why as to how I shall live there, I don't know; but as well as I -deserve easily: however, as to how I shall get there, look here,' taking -from his pocket a handful of guineas, 'that good little Eugenia has -given me every thing, even to the last half crown, that she had at -Southampton, to help me forward.' - -'Dear excellent, ever generous Eugenia! O that I could follow her -example! but alas! I have nothing!--and worse than nothing!' - -They then affectionately embraced each other, and parted. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_A Reckoning_ - - -What Camilla experienced at this juncture she believed inadmissible of -aggravation. Even the breaking off with Edgar seemed as a new misfortune -from the new force which circumstances gave to its affliction. With his -sympathising aid, how might she have softened the sorrows of her father! -how have broken the shock of the blow Clermont was preparing for her -uncle? But now, instead of lessening their griefs, she must herself -inflict upon them a heavier evil than any they had yet suffered. And how -could she reveal tidings for which they were so wholly unprepared? how -be even intelligible in the history, without exposing the guilty Lionel -beyond all chance of pardon? - -Again she went to counsel with Eugenia, who, with her usual -disinterested affection, proposed taking the painful business upon -herself at their return home. Camilla with tears of gratitude accepted -the sisterly office, and resolved to devote the rest of her short time -for Southampton to Mrs. Berlinton; who, shocked to see her evident -unhappiness, hung over her with the most melting tenderness: bewailing -alike the disappointment of Eugenia, and the conduct of her brother; who -now, with exquisite misery, shut himself wholly up in his room. - -This compassionate kindness somewhat softened her anguish; but when the -engagements of Mrs. Berlinton called her away, Mrs. Mittin burst briskly -into her chamber. - -'Well, my dear,' cried she, 'I come with better news now than ever! only -guess what it is!' - -Nothing could less conduce to the tranquillity of Camilla than such a -desire; her conjectures always flowed into the channels of her wishes; -and she thought immediately that Mrs. Mittin had been informed of her -situation, and came to her with some intelligence of Edgar. - -Mrs. Mittin, after keeping her a full quarter of an hour in suspence, at -last said: 'Do you know Miss Dennel's going to be married?--though she -was fifteen only yesterday!--and I am invited to the wedding?' - -No surprise had ever yet produced less pleasure to Camilla, who now -ceased to listen, though Mrs. Mittin by no means ceased to speak, till -her attention was awakened by the following sentence: 'So, as I am to go -to town, to shop with her, at her own papa's desire, you can give me the -money, you know, my dear, and I can pay off your Tunbridge bills for -you.' - -She then took out of her pockets some accounts, which, she said, she had -just received; though, in fact, they had been in her possession more -than a week: but till the invitation of Miss Dennel called her so -pleasantly away, she had thought it prudent to keep every motive in -reserve, that added importance to her stay. - -Camilla, with the utmost apprehension, took the papers into her hands; -they were the bills from Tunbridge, of the milliner, the shoe-maker, the -haberdasher, and the glover, and amounted altogether to sixteen pounds. - -The chief articles had been nearly forced upon her by Mrs. Mittin, with -assurances of their cheapness, and representations of their necessity, -that, joined to her entire ignorance of the enormous charges of fashion, -had led her to imagine four or five guineas the utmost sum at which they -could be estimated. - -What now, then, was her horror! if to sixteen pounds amounted the -trifles she had had at Tunbridge, what calculation must she make of -articles, so infinitely more valuable, that belonged to her debts at -Southampton? And to whom now could she apply? The unhappy situation of -her father was no longer an only reason to forbear such a call upon him: -Lionel, still under age, was flying the kingdom with debts, which, be -they small as they might, would, to Mr. Tyrold's limited income, be as -heavy as the more considerable ones of her cousin upon Sir Hugh; yet who -besides could give her aid? Eugenia, whose yearly allowance, according -to her settled future fortune, was five times that of her sisters, had -given what help she had in her power, before she quitted Cleves, upon -the affair of the horse; and all that remained of a considerable present -made for her Southampton expedition by her uncle, who in every thing -distinguished her as his successor and heiress, she had just bestowed -upon Lionel, even, as he had declared, to her last half crown. Mrs. -Berlinton, whose tender friendship might, in this emergence, have -encouraged solicitation, was involved in debts of honour, and wanted -money for herself; and to Mrs. Arlbery, her only other acquaintance rich -enough to give assistance, and with whom she was intimate enough to ask -it, she already owed five guineas; and how, in conscience or decency, -could she address her for so much more, when she saw before her no time, -no term, upon which she could fix for restitution? - -In this terrible state, with no one to counsel her, and no powers of -self-judgment, she felt a dread of going home, that rendered the coming -day a day of horror, though to a home to which, hitherto, she had turned -as the first joy of her happiness, or softest solace of any disturbance. -Her filial affections were in their pristine force; her short commerce -with the world had robbed them of none of their vivacity; her regard for -Edgar, whom she delighted to consider as a younger Mr. Tyrold, had -rather enlarged than divided them; but to return a burthen to an already -burthened house, an affliction to an already afflicted parent--'No!' she -broke out, aloud, 'I cannot go home!--I cannot carry calamity to my -father!--He will be mild--but he will look unhappy; and I would not see -his face in sorrow--sorrow of my own creating--for years of after joy!' - -She threw herself down upon the bed, hid her face with the counterpane, -and wept, in desperate carelessness of the presence of Mrs. Mittin, and -answering nothing that she said. - -In affairs of this sort, Mrs. Mittin had a quickness of apprehension, -which, though but the attribute of ready cunning, was not inferior to -the keenest penetration, possessed, for deeper investigations, by -characters of more solid sagacity. From the fear which Camilla, in her -anguish, had uttered of seeing her father, she gathered, there must be -some severe restriction in money concerns; and, without troubling -herself to consider what they might be, saw that to aid her at this -moment would be the highest obligation; and immediately set at work a -brain as fertile in worldly expedients, as it was barren of intellectual -endowments, in forming a plan of present relief, which she concluded -would gain her a rich and powerful friend for life. - -She was not long in suggesting a proposition, which Camilla started up -eagerly to hear, almost breathless with the hope of any reprieve to her -terrors. - -Mrs. Mittin, amongst her numerous friends, counted a Mr. Clykes, a -money-lender, a man, she said, of the first credit for such matters with -people of fashion in any difficulty. If Camilla, therefore, would -collect her debts, this gentleman would pay them, for a handsome -premium, and handsome interest, till she was able, at her own full -leisure, to return the principal, with a proper present. - -Camilla nearly embraced her with rapture for this scheme. The premium -she would collect as she could, and the interest she would pay from her -allowance, certain that when her uncle was cleared from his -embarrassments, her own might be revealed without any serious distress. -She put, therefore, the affair wholly into the hands of Mrs. Mittin, -besought her, the next morning, to demand all her Southampton bills, to -add to them those for the rent and the stores of Higden, and then to -transact the business with Mr. Clykes; promising to agree to whatever -premium, interest, and present, he should demand, with endless -acknowledgments to herself for so great a service. - -She grieved to employ a person so utterly disagreeable to Edgar; but to -avert immediate evil was ever resistless to her ardent mind. - -The whole of the Southampton accounts were brought her early the next -morning by the active Mrs. Mittin, who now concluded, that what she had -conceived to be covetousness in Camilla, was only the fear of a hard -tyrant of a father, who kept her so parsimoniously, that she could allow -herself no indulgence, till the death of her uncle should endow her with -her own rich inheritance. - -Had this arrangement not taken place before the arrival of the bills, -Camilla, upon beholding them, thought she should have been driven to -complete distraction. The ear-rings and necklace, silver fringes and -spangles, feathers, nosegay, and shoe-roses, with the other parts of the -dress, and the fine Valencienne edging, came to thirty-three pounds. The -cloak also, that cheapest thing in the world, was nine guineas; and -various small articles, which Mrs. Mittin had occasionally brought in, -and others with which Camilla could not dispense, came to another five -pounds. To this, the rent for Higden added eighteen; and the bill of -stores, which had been calculated at thirty, was sent in at -thirty-seven. - -The whole, therefore, with the sixteen pounds from Tunbridge, amounted -to one hundred and eighteen pounds nine shillings. - -Struck to the very soul with the idea of what she must have endured to -have presented, at such a period, so large an account, either at Cleves -or at Etherington, she felt lifted into paradise by the escape of this -expedient, and lost sight of every possible future difficulty, in the -relief of avoiding so severe a present penalty. - -By this means, also, the tradesmen would not wait; and she had been -educated with so just an abhorrence of receiving the goods, and -benefiting from the labours of others, without speeding them their -rights and their rewards, that she felt despicable as well as miserable, -when she possessed what she had not repaid. - -Mrs. Mittin was now invested with full powers for the agency, which her -journey to London would give her immediate means to execute. She was to -meet Miss Dennel there in two days, to assist in the wedding purchases, -and then to accompany that young lady to her father's house in -Hampshire, whence she could visit Etherington, and finally arrange the -transaction. - -Camilla, again thanking, took leave of her, to consign her few remaining -hours to Mrs. Berlinton, who was impatient at losing one moment of the -society she began sincerely to regret she had not more uniformly -preferred to all other. As sad now with cares as Camilla was with -afflictions, she had robbed her situation of nearly the only good which -belonged to it--an affluent power to gratify every luxury, whether of -generosity or personal indulgence. Her gaming, to want of happiness, -added now want of money; and Camilla, with a sigh, saw something more -wretched, because far deeper and more wilful in error than herself. - -They mingled their tears for their separate personal evils, with the -kindest consolation that either could suggest for the other, till -Camilla was told that Eugenia desired to see her in the parlour. - -Mrs. Berlinton, ashamed, yet delighted to meet her again, went down at -the same time. She embraced her with fondness, but ventured not to utter -either apology or concern. Eugenia was serious but composed, sighed -often, yet both accepted and returned her caresses. - -Camilla enquired if Miss Margland expected them immediately. - -'Yes,' she answered; 'but I have first a little business of my own to -transact.' Then, turning to Mrs. Berlinton, and forcing a smile, 'You -will be surprised,' she said, 'to hear me ask for ... your brother!... -but I must see him before I can leave Southampton.' - -Mrs. Berlinton hung her head: 'There is certainly,' she cried, -'no reproach he does not merit ... yet, if you knew ... the -respect ... the ... the....' - -Eugenia rang the bell, making a slight apology, but not listening to -what Mrs. Berlinton strove to say; who, colouring and uneasy, still -attempted to utter something softening to what had passed. - -'Be so good,' said Eugenia, when the footman appeared, 'to tell Mr. -Melmond I beg to speak with him.' - -Camilla astonished, and Mrs. Berlinton silenced, waited, in an -unpleasant pause, the event. - -Eugenia, absorbed in thought, neither spoke to, nor looked at them, nor -moved, till the door opened, and Melmond, who durst not refuse so direct -a summons, though he would have preferred any punishment to obeying it, -blushing, bowing, and trembling, entered the room. - -She then started, half heaved, and half checked a sigh, took a folded -note out of her pocket-book, and with a faint smile, said, 'I fear my -desire must have been painful to you; but you see me now for the last -time--I hope!--with any ill-will.' - -She stopt for breath to go on; Melmond, amazed, striving vainly to -articulate one word of excuse, one profession even of respect. - -'Believe me, Sir,' she then continued, 'surprise was the last sensation -I experienced upon a late ... transaction. My extraordinary personal -defects and deformity have been some time known to me, though--I cannot -tell how--I had the weakness or vanity not to think of them as I ought -to have done!----But I see I give you uneasiness, and therefore I will -be more concise.' - -Melmond, confounded, had bowed down his head not to look at her, while -Camilla and Mrs. Berlinton both wept. - -'The sentiments, Sir,' she then went on, 'of my cousin have never been -declared to me; but it is not very difficult to me to divine what they -may be. All that is certain, is the unkindness of Fortune, which forbids -her to listen, or you to plead to them. This, Sir, shall be my -care'--she stopt a moment, looking paler, and wanting voice; but -presently recovering, proceeded--'my happiness, let me say, to -endeavour to rectify. I have much influence with my kind uncle; can I -doubt, when I represent to him that I have just escaped making two -worthy people wretched, he will deny aiding me to make them happy? No! -the residence already intended at Cleves will still be open, though one -of its parties will be changed. But as my uncle, in a manner unexampled, -has bound himself, in my favour, from any future disposition of what he -possesses, I have ventured, Sir, upon this paper, to obviate any -apprehensions of your friends, for the unhappy time when that generous -uncle can no longer act for himself.' - -She then unfolded, and gave him the paper, which contained these words: - - 'I here solemnly engage myself, if Miss Indiana Lynmere accepts, - with the consent of Sir Hugh Tyrold, the hand of Frederic Melmond, - to share with them, so united, whatever fortune or estate I may be - endowed with, to the end of my life, and to bequeath them the same - equal portion by will after my death. - - Signed. EUGENIA TYROLD.' - -Unable to read, yet conceiving the purport of the writing, Melmond was -at her feet. She endeavoured to raise him, and though extremely -affected, said, with an air of some pleasantry, 'Shew less surprise, -Sir, or I shall conclude you thought me as frightful within as without! -But no! Providence is too good to make the mind necessarily deformed -with the body.' - -'Ah, Madam!' exclaimed Melmond, wholly overcome, 'the noblest as well as -softest of human hearts I perceive to be yours----and were mine at my -own disposal--it must find you resistless!'-- - -'No more, no more!' interrupted she, penetrated with a pleasure in these -words which she durst not indulge, 'you shall hear from me -soon.--Meanwhile, be Hope your motto, Friendship shall be mine.' - -She was then going to hold out her hand to him; but her courage failed; -she hastily embraced Mrs. Berlinton, took the arm of Camilla, and -hurried out of the house, followed by the footman who had attended her. - -Melmond, who had seen the motion of her hand now advancing, now -withdrawn, would have given the universe to have stamped upon it his -grateful reverence; but his courage was still less than her own; she -seemed to him, on the sudden, transformed to a deity, benignly employed -to rescue and bless him, but whose transcendent goodness he could only, -at a distance, and in all humility, adore. - -Mrs. Berlinton was left penetrated nearly as much as her brother, and -doubtful if even the divine Indiana could render him as happy as the -exalted, the incomparable Eugenia. - - * * * * * - -The two sisters found Miss Margland in extreme ill-humour waiting their -arrival, and the whole party immediately quitted Southampton. - -It not seldom occurred to Miss Margland to be cross merely as a mark of -consequence; but here the displeasure was as deep with herself as with -others. She had entered Southampton with a persuasion her fair pupil -would make there the establishment so long the promised mede of her -confinement; and Indiana herself, not knowing where to stop her sanguine -and inflated hopes, imagined that the fame of her beauty would make the -place where it first was exhibited the resort of all of fashion in the -nation. And the opening of the scene had answered to their fullest -expectations: no other name was heard but Indiana Lynmere, no other -figure was admired, no other face could bear examination. - -But her triumph, though splendid, was short; she soon found that the -overtures of eyes were more ready than those of speech; and though one -young baronet, enchanted with her beauty, immediately professed himself -her lover, when he was disdained, in the full assurance of higher -offers, and because a peer had addressed himself to Eugenia, she saw not -that he was succeeded by any other, nor yet that he broke his own heart. -Men of taste, after the first conversation, found her more admirable to -look at than speak with; adventurers soon discovered that her personal -charms were her only dower; the common herd were repulsed from -approaching her by the repulsive manners of Miss Margland; and all -evinced, that though a passion for beauty was still as fashionable as it -was natural, the time was past when the altar of Hymen required no other -incense to blaze upon it. - -The governess, therefore, and the pupil, quitted Southampton with equal -disappointment and indignation; the first foreseeing another long and -yawning sojourn at Cleves; the second firmly believing herself the most -unaccountably ill-used person in the creation, that one offer only had -reached her, and that without repetition, though admired nearly to -adoration, she literally rather than metaphorically conceived herself a -demi-goddess. - -One solitary offer to Eugenia, of an every way ruined young nobleman, -though a blast both to the settlement and the peace of Indiana, was to -herself wholly nugatory. Intent, at that period, upon dedicating for -ever to Melmond her virgin heart, she was sorry, upon his account, for -the application, but gave it not, upon her own, a moment's -consideration. This proposition was made upon her first arrival, and was -followed by no other. She was then, by the account given to the master -of the ceremonies by Miss Margland, regarded as the heiress of Cleves: -but, almost immediately after, the report spread by Mrs. Mittin, that -Camilla was the true heiress, gained such ground amongst the -shopkeepers, and thence travelled so rapidly from gossip to gossip, and -house to house, that Eugenia was soon no more thought of; though a -species of doubt was cast upon the whole party, from the double -assertion, that kept off from Camilla, also, the fortune seekers of the -place. - -But another rumour got abroad, that soon entirely cleared Eugenia, not -merely of lovers but acquaintances; namely, her studies with Dr. -Orkborne. This was a prevailing theme of spite with Miss Margland, when -the Doctor had neglected and displeased her; and a topic always at hand -for her spleen, when it was angered by other circumstances not so easy -of blame or of mention. - -This, shortly, made Eugenia stared at still more than her peculiar -appearance. The misses, in tittering, ran away from the learned lady; -the beaux contemptuously sneering, rejoiced she was too ugly to take in -any poor fellow to marry her. Some imagined her studies had stinted her -growth; and all were convinced her education had made her such a fright. - -Of the whole party, the only one who quitted Southampton in spirits was -Dr. Orkborne. He was delighted to be no longer under the dominion of -Miss Margland, who, though she never left him tranquil in the possession -of all he valued, his leisure, and his books and papers, eternally -annoyed him with reproaches upon his absence, non-attendance, and -ignorance of high life; asking always, when angry, 'If any one had ever -heard who was his grandfather?' - -The doctor, in return, despising, like most who have it not, whatever -belonged to noble birth, regarded her and her progenitors as the pest of -the human race; frequently, when incensed by interruption, exclaiming, -'Where intellect is uncultivated, what is man better than a brute, or -woman than an idiot?' - -Nor was his return to his own room, books, and hours, under the roof of -the indulgent Sir Hugh, the only relief of this removal: he knew not of -the previous departure of Dr. Marchmont, and he was glad to quit a spot -where he was open to a comparison which he felt to be always to his -disadvantage. - -So much more powerful and more prominent is character than education, -that no two men could be more different than Dr. Marchmont and Dr. -Orkborne, though the same university had finished their studies, and the -same passion, pursuit, and success in respect to learning, had raised -and had spread their names and celebrity. The first, with all his -scholastic endowments, was a man of the world, and a grace to society; -the second, though in erudition equally respectable, was wholly lost to -the general community, and alive only with his pen and his books. They -enjoyed, indeed, in common, that happy and often sole reward of learned -labours, the privilege of snatching some care from time, some repining -from misfortune, by seizing for themselves, and their own exclusive use, -the whole monopoly of mind; but they employed it not to the same -extension. The things and people of this lower sphere were studiously, -by Dr. Orkborne, sunk in oblivion by the domineering prevalence of the -alternate transport and toil of intellectual occupation; Dr. Marchmont, -on the contrary, though his education led to the same propensities, -still held his fellow creatures to be of higher consideration than their -productions. Without such extravagance in the pursuit of his studies, he -knew it the happy province of literary occupations, where voluntary, to -absorb worldly solicitudes, and banish for a while even mental -anxieties; and though the charm may be broken by every fresh intrusion -of calamity, it unites again with the first retirement, and, without -diminishing the feelings of social life, has a power, from time to time, -to set aside their sufferings. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_Brides and no Brides_ - - -In the hall of the Cleves mansion the party from Southampton were -received by Sir Hugh, Mr. Tyrold, and Lavinia. The baronet greeted in -particular the two nieces he regarded as brides elect, with an elation -that prevented him from observing their sadness; while their confusion -at his mistake he attributed to the mere bashfulness of their situation. -He enquired, nevertheless, with some surprise, why the two bridegrooms -did not attend them? which, he owned, he thought rather odd; though he -supposed it might be only the new way. - -The changing colour and starting tears of the two sisters still escaped -his kindly occupied but undiscerning eyes: while Mr. Tyrold, having -tenderly embraced, avoided looking at them from the fear of adding to -their blushes, and sat quiet and grave, striving to alleviate his -present new and deep sorrow, by participating in the revived happiness -of his brother. But Lavinia soon saw their mutual distress, and with -apprehensive affection watched an opportunity to investigate its cause. - -'But come,' cried Sir Hugh, 'I sha'n't wait for those gentlemen to shew -you what I've done for you, seeing they don't wait for me, by their -following their own way, which, however, I suppose they may be with -their lawyers, none of those gentleman having been here, which I think -rather slow, considering the rooms are almost ready.' - -He would now have taken them round the house; but, nearly expiring with -shame, they entreated to be excused; and, insupportably oppressed by the -cruel discovery they had to divulge, stole apart to consult upon what -measures they should take. They then settled that Camilla should -accompany Mr. Tyrold to Etherington, but keep off all disclosure till -the next morning, when Eugenia would arrive, and unfold the sad tidings. - -When they returned to the parlour, they found Sir Hugh, in the innocency -of his heart, had forced Indiana, Miss Margland, and even Dr. Orkborne, -to view his improvements for the expected nuptials, judging the -disinterestedness of their pleasure by his own; though to the two -ladies, nothing could be less gratifying than preparations for a scene -in which they were to bear no part, and the Doctor thought every evil -genius at work to detain him from his study and his manuscripts. - -'But what's the oddest' cried the Baronet, 'of all, is nobody's coming -for poor Indiana; which I could never have expected, especially in the -point of taking off little Eugenia first, whom her own cousin did not -think pretty enough; which I can never think over and above good natured -in him, being so difficult. However, I hope we shall soon forget that, -now for which reason, I forgive him.' - -Indiana was so much piqued, she could scarce refrain from relating the -portico history at Lord Pervil's; but the Baronet, not remarking her -discomposure, turned to Camilla and Eugenia, smilingly exclaiming: -'Well, my dear girls, I sha'n't mention what we have been looking at in -your absence, because of your blushes, which I hope you approve. But we -shall soon, I hope, see it all together, without any of your modesty's -minding it. I shall have to pinch a little for it the rest of the year, -which, God knows, will be a pleasure to me, for the sake of my two dear -girls, as well as of Mr. Edgar; not to mention the new young gentleman; -who seems a pretty kind of person too, though he is not one of our own -relations.' - -He was rather disappointed when he found Camilla was to go to -Etherington, but desired there might be a general meeting the next day, -when he should also invite Dr. Marchmont. 'For I think' said he, 'he's -as little proud as the best dunce amongst us; which makes me like him as -well. And I can't say but I was as much obliged to him that day about -the mad bull, as if he had been one of my nephews or nieces himself: -which is what I sha'n't forget.' - -In the way back to Etherington, Camilla could scarce utter a word; and -Lavinia, who had just gathered from her, in a whisper 'All is over with -Edgar!' with divided, but silent pity, looked from her father to her -sister, thought of her brother, and wept for all three. Mr. Tyrold alone -was capable of any exertion. Unwilling to give Camilla, whom he -concluded impressed with the thousand solicitudes of her impending -change of situation, any abrupt account of her brother's cruel conduct, -he spoke with composure though not with cheerfulness, and hoped, by a -general gravity, to prepare, without alarming her, for the ill news he -must inevitably relate. But he soon, however, observed an excess of -sadness upon her countenance, far deeper than what he could attribute to -the thoughts he had first suggested, and wholly different from an -agitation in which though fear bears a part, hope preponderates. - -It now struck him that probably Lionel had been at Southampton: for so -wide was every idea from supposing any mischief with Edgar, that, like -Sir Hugh, upon his non-appearance, he had concluded him engaged with his -lawyer. But of Melmond, less sure, he had been more open in enquiry, and -with inexpressible concern, for his beloved and unfortunate Eugenia, -gathered that the affair was ended: though her succeeding plan, by her -own desire, Camilla left for her own explanation. - -When they arrived at Etherington, taking her into his study, 'Camilla,' -he said, 'tell me, I beg ... do you know anything of Lionel?' - -An unrestrained burst of tears convinced him his conjecture was right, -and he soon obtained all the particulars of the meeting, except its -levity and flightiness. Where directly questioned, no sisterly -tenderness could induce her to filial prevarication; but she rejoiced to -spare her brother all exposure that mere silence could spare; and as Mr. -Tyrold suspected not her former knowledge of his extravagance and ill -conduct, he neither asked, nor heard, any thing beyond the last -interview. - -At the plan of going abroad, he sighed heavily, but would take no -measures to prevent it. Lionel, he saw was certain of being cast in any -trial; and though he would not stretch out his arm to avert the -punishment he thought deserved, he was not sorry to change the languid -waste of imprisonment at home, for the hardships with which he might -live upon little abroad. - -A calamity such as this seemed cause full sufficient for the distress of -Camilla; Mr. Tyrold sought no other; but though she wept, now, at -liberty, his very freedom from suspicion and enquiry increased her -anguish. 'Your happy fate,' cried he, 'is what most, at this moment -supports me; and to that I shall chiefly owe the support of your mother; -whom a blow such as this will more bitterly try than the loss of our -whole income, or even than the life itself of your brother. Her virtue -is above misfortune, but her soul will shudder at guilt.' - -The horror of Camilla was nearly intolerable at this speech, and the -dreadful disappointment which she knew yet to be awaiting her loved -parents. 'Take comfort, my dearest girl,' said Mr. Tyrold, who saw her -suffering, 'it is yours, for all our sakes to be cheerful, for to you we -shall owe the worthiest of sons, at the piercing juncture when the -weakest and most faulty fails us.' - -'O my father!' she cried, 'speak not such words! Lionel himself ...' she -was going to say: has made you less unhappy than you will be made by me: -but she durst not finish her phrase; she turned away from him her -streaming eyes, and stopt. - -'My dearest child,' he cried, 'let not your rising prospects be thus -dampt by this cruel event. The connection you have formed will be a -consolation to us all. It binds to us for life a character already so -dear to us; it will afford to our Lavinia, should we leave her single, a -certain asylum; it will give to our Eugenia a counsellor that may save -her hereafter from fraud and ruin; it may aid poor Lionel, when, some -time hence, he returns to his country, to return to the right path, -whence so widely he has strayed; and it will heal with lenient balm the -wounded, bleeding bosom of a meritorious but deeply afflicted mother! -While to your father, my Camilla....' - -These last words were not heard; such a mention of her mother had -already overpowered her, and unable to let him keep up his delusion, she -supported her shaking frame against his shoulder, and exclaimed in a -tone of agony: 'O my father! you harrow me to the soul!--Edgar has left -me!--has left England!--left us all!----' - -Shocked, yet nearly incredulous, he insisted upon looking at her: her -countenance impelled belief. The woe it expressed could be excited by -nothing less than the deprivation of every worldly expectation, and a -single glance was an answer to a thousand interrogatories. - -Mr. Tyrold now sat down, with an air between calmness and despondence, -saying, 'And how has this come to pass?' - -Again she got behind him, and in a voice scarce audible, said, Eugenia -would, the next morning, explain all. - -'Very well, I will wait;' he quietly, but with palpably stifled -emotions, answered: 'Go, my love, go to Lavinia; open to her your heart; -you will find consolation in her kindness. My own, I confess, is now -weighed down with sorrow! this last and unexpected stroke will demand -some time, some solitude, to be yielded to as it ought.' He then held -out to her his hand, which she could scarcely approach from trembling, -and scarcely kiss for weeping, and added: 'I know what you feel for -me--and know, too, that my loss to yours is nothing,--for yours is not -to be estimated! you are young, however, and, with yourself, it may pass -away ... but your mother--my heart, Camilla, is rent for your -unfortunate mother!' - -He then embraced her, called Lavinia, and retired for the night. - -Terribly it passed with them all. - -The next morning, before they assembled to breakfast, Eugenia was in the -chamber of Camilla. - -She entered with a bright beam upon her countenance, which, in defiance -of the ravaging distemper that had altered her, gave it an expression -almost celestial. It was the pure emanation of virtue, of disinterested, -of even heroic virtue. 'Camilla!' she cried, 'all is settled with my -uncle! Indiana ... you will not wonder--consents; and already this -morning I have written to Mr. Mel....' - -With all her exaltation, her voice faltered at the name, and, with a -faint smile, but deep blush, she called for the congratulations of her -sister upon her speedy success. - -'Ah, far more than my congratulations, my esteem, my veneration is -yours, dear and generous Eugenia! true daughter of my mother! and -proudest recompence of my father!' - -She was not sufficiently serene to give any particulars of the -transaction; and Mr. Tyrold soon sent for her to his room. - -Camilla, trembling and hanging over her, said: 'You will do for me, I -know better than I could do for myself:--but spare poor Lionel--and be -just to Edgar!'-- - -Eugenia strictly obeyed: in sparing Lionel she spared also her father, -whom his highly unfeeling behaviour with regard to Sir Sedley would yet -further have incensed and grieved; and, in doing justice to Edgar, she -flattered herself she prevented an alienation from one yet destined to -be nearly allied to him, since time, she still hoped, would effect the -reconciliation of Camilla with the youth whom--next to Melmond--she -thought the most amiable upon earth. - -Mr. Tyrold, by this means, gathered no further intelligence than that -they had parted upon some mutual, though slight dissatisfaction. He -hoped, therefore, with Eugenia, they might soon meet again; and -resolved, till he could better judge what might prove the event, to keep -this distress from Sir Hugh. - -He then met Camilla with the most consolatory kindness; yet would not -trust her ardent mind with the hopes he cherished himself, dreading -infinitely more to give than to receive disappointment. He blamed her -for admitting any doubts of the true regard of Edgar, in whom promise -was always short of performance, and whom he conceived displeased by -unjust suspicions, or offended by undue expectations of professions, -which the very sincerity of his rational and manly character prevented -him from making. - -Camilla heard in silence suggestions she could not answer, without -relating the history of Sir Sedley: 'No, Lionel, no!' she said to -herself, 'I will not now betray you! I have lost all!--and now the loss -to me is irreparable, shall I blast you yet further to my poor father, -whose deepest sigh is already for your misconduct?' - -The story of Eugenia herself he learnt with true admiration, and gave to -her magnanimity its dearest mede, in her mother's promised, and his own -immediate approbation. - -But Sir Hugh, notwithstanding all Eugenia could urge in favour of -Melmond, had heard her account with grief and resentment. All, however, -being actually ready for the double wedding, he could not, he said, -answer to his conscience doing so much for the rest, and refusing the -same for Indiana, whom he called upon to accept or reject the -preparations made for her cousin. - -Indiana stood fluttering for a few minutes between the exultation of -being the first bride, and the mortification of marrying a man without -fortune or title. But the observation of Sir Hugh, upon the oddity of -her marrying the last, she was piqued with a most earnest ambition to -reverse. Nor did Melmond himself go for nothing in this affair, as all -she had of heart he had been the first to touch. - -She retired for a short conference with Miss Margland, who was nearly in -an equal dilemma, from unwillingness to dispose of her beautiful pupil -without a title, and from eagerness to quit Cleves, which she thought a -convent for dullness, and a prison for confinement. Melmond had strongly -in his favour the received maxim amongst match-makers, that a young -lady without fortune has a less and less chance of getting off upon -every public appearance, which they call a public failure: their joint -deliberations were, however, interrupted by an abrupt intrusion of Molly -Mill, who announced she had just heard that Miss Dennel was going to be -married. - -This information ended the discussion. The disgrace of a bridal -appearance anticipated in the neighbourhood by such a chit, made Indiana -hastily run down stairs, and tell her uncle that the merit of Melmond -determined her to refuse every body for his sake. - -A man and horse, therefore, at break of day the next morning, was sent -off by Eugenia to Southampton with these words: - - _To_ FREDERIC MELMOND, _Esq._; - - You will be welcome, Sir, at Cleves, where you will forget, I hope, - every painful sensation, in the happiness which awaits you, and - dismiss all retrospection, to return with sincerity the serene - friendship of - - EUGENIA TYROLD. - -Mr. Tyrold now visited Cleves with only his younger daughter, and -excused the non-appearance there, for the present, of Camilla; -acknowledging that some peculiar incidents, which he could not yet -explain, kept Mandlebert away, and must postpone the celebration of the -marriage. - -The vexation this gave Sir Hugh, redoubled his anxiety to break to him -the evil by degrees, if to break it to him at all should become -indispensable. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_A Hint for Debtors_ - - -Mr. Tyrold was well aware that to keep from Sir Hugh the affliction of -Camilla, he must keep from him Camilla herself: for though her sighs she -could suppress, and her tears disperse, her voice had lost its tone, her -countenance its gaiety; her eyes no longer sparkled, her very smiles -betrayed anguish. He was the last to wonder at her sufferings, for Edgar -was nearly as dear to him as herself; but he knew not, that, added to -this annihilation of happiness, her peace was consumed by her secret -knowledge of the blows yet impending for himself and for her uncle. -Concealment, always abhorrent to her nature, had, till now, been unknown -even to her thoughts; and its weight, from a species of culpability that -seemed attached to its practice, was, at times, more dreadful to bear -than the loss even of Edgar himself. The latter blackened every prospect -of felicity; but the former, still more tremendous to the pure -principles in which she had been educated, seemed to strike even at her -innocence. The first wish of an ingenuous mind is to anticipate even -enquiry; the feeling, therefore, that most heavily weighs it down, is -any fear of detection. - -While they were at breakfast the following morning, the servant brought -in the name of Dr. Marchmont. - -Camilla felt nearly fainting. Why he was come--whence--whether Edgar -accompanied him--or sent by him any message--whether he were returned to -Beech Park--or sailed for the Continent----were doubts that pressed so -fast, and so vehemently upon her mind, that she feared to quit the room -lest she should meet Edgar in the passage, and feared still more to -continue in it, lest Dr. Marchmont should enter without him. Mr. Tyrold, -who participated in all her feelings, and shared the same ideas, gently -committed her to Lavinia, and went into his study to the doctor. - -His own illusion was there quickly destroyed. The looks of Dr. Marchmont -boded nothing that was happy. They wore not their customary expression. -The gravity of Mr. Tyrold shewed a mind prepared for ill news, if not -already oppressed with it, and the doctor, after a few general speeches, -delivered the letter from Edgar. - -Mr. Tyrold received it with a secret shuddering: 'Where,' he said, 'is -Mandlebert at present?' - -'I believe, by this time--at the Hague.' - -This sentence, with the grieved, yet still air and tone of voice which -accompanied it, was death at once to every flattering hope: he -immediately read the letter, which, conceived in the tenderest terms of -reverence and affection, took a short and simple, though touchingly -respectful leave of the purposed connection, and demolished at once -every distant view of future conciliation. - -He hung his head a moment, and sighed from the bottom of his heart; but -the resignation which he summoned upon every sorrow was never deaf to -his call, and when he had secretly ejaculated a short and silent prayer -for fortitude to his beloved wife, he turned calmly to the doctor, and -began conversing upon other affairs. - -Dr. Marchmont presumed not to manifest the commiseration with which he -was filled. He saw the true Christian, enduring with humility -misfortune, and the respectable parent supporting the dignity of his -daughter by his own. To the first character, complaint was forbidden; to -the second, it would have been degrading. He looked at him with -veneration, but to spare further useless and painful efforts, soon took -leave. - -Mr. Tyrold, shaking hands with him, said, as they were parting, 'when -you write to Mandlebert, assure him of my constant affection. The world, -Dr. Marchmont is too full of real evil, for me at least, to cause one -moment of unnecessary uneasiness to any of its poor pilgrims. 'Tis -strange, my dear doctor, this is not more generally considered, since -the advantage would be so reciprocal from man to man. But wrapt up in -our own short moment, we forget our neighbour's long hour! and existence -is ultimately embittered to all, by the refined susceptibility for -ourselves that monopolizes our feelings.' - -Doctor Marchmont, who in this last sentence construed a slight -reflection upon Edgar, expressively answered, 'Our sensibility for -others is not always dormant, because not apparent. How much of worth -and excellence may two characters separately possess, where yet there -are disuniting particles which impede their harmonizing with each -other!' - -Mr. Tyrold, powerfully struck, saw now the general nature of the -conceptions which had caused this lamented breach. He could not concur, -but he would not attempt to controvert: opinion in this case must have -even the precedence of justice. If Edgar thought his daughter of a -disposition with which his own could not sympathise, it were vain to -expatiate upon her virtues or her sweetness; that one doubt previously -taken might mar their assimilating efficacy. Comprehending, therefore, -the cause at large, he desired no detail; the words of Dr. Marchmont, -though decisive, were not offensive, and they parted perfect friends, -each perceiving, yet forgiving, that each cast upon the other the error -of false reasoning; Edgar to the one, and Camilla to the other, -appearing faultless in the separation. - -But not in the tasks which succeeded were their offices as easily to be -compared. Dr. Marchmont wrote to Edgar that all was quietly -relinquished, and his measures were honourably acquitted; while Mr. -Tyrold, shut up in his study, spent there some of the severest minutes -of his life, in struggling for the equanimity he coveted to pronounce to -his daughter this last doom. Pity for her suspence accelerated his -efforts, and he then sent for her down stairs. - -His utmost composure, in such an interview, was highly necessary for -both. The pale and trembling Camilla advanced with downcast eyes; but -when he took her in his arms, and kissed her, a sudden ray of hope shot -across her quick imagination, and she looked up: an instant was now -sufficient to rectify her mistake. The tenderness of her father wore no -air of congratulation, it was the mere offspring of compassion, and the -woe with which it was mixt, though mild, though patient, was too potent -to require words for explanation. - -The glance sufficed; her head dropt, her tears in torrents bathed his -bosom; and she retired to Lavinia while yet neither of them had spoken. - -Mr. Tyrold, contented with virtuous exertions, demanded not -impossibilities; he left to nature that first grief which too early -exhortation or controul rather inflames than appeases. He then brought -her back to his apartment. - -He conjured her, there, to remember that she grieved not alone; that -where the tears flowed not so fast from the eyes, the sources were not -dry whence they sprung, and that bridled sorrow was sometimes the most -suffering. - -'Alas, my dearest father, to think you mourn too--and for me!--will that -lessen what I feel?' - -'Yes, my dear child, by a generous duty it will point out to watch that -the excess of one affliction involve you not in another.' - -'What a motive,' she answered, 'for exertion! If the smallest part of -your happiness--of my honoured mother's--depends upon mine, I shall be -unhappy, I think, no more!' - -A gush of tears ill accorded with this fond declaration; but Mr. Tyrold, -without noticing them, kindly replied, 'Let your filial affection, my -child, check the inordinacy of your affliction, and I will accept with -pleasure for your virtuous mother, and with thanks for myself, the -exertion which, beginning for our sakes, may lead you to that self -denial which is the parent of our best human actions, and approximates -us the most to what is divine.' - -Broken-hearted as was Camilla, her sorrows would, at least apparently, -have abated from consolation so tender, if all she felt had been known; -if no latent and lurking evil had hung upon her spirits, defeating all -argument, and blighting all comfort, by the cruel consciousness of -concealed mischief, which while incessantly she studied the best moment -for revealing, accident might prematurely betray. - -Upon this subject her thoughts were unremittingly bent, till, in a few -days time, she received a letter from Mrs. Mittin, informing her she had -just seen the money-lender, Mr. Clykes, who, finding her so much under -age, would not undertake the business for less than ten per cent, nor -without a free premium of at least twenty pounds. - -The latter demand, so entirely out of her power to grant, gave to her -the mental strength she had yet sought in vain; and determining to end -this baneful secret, she seized her own first moment of emotion to -relate to her father the whole of her distresses, and cast herself upon -his mercy. - -I shall be happier, she cried, much happier, as, with tottering steps, -she hurried to the study; he will be lenient, I know;--and even if not, -what displeasure can I incur so severe as the eternal apprehension of -doing wrong? - -But her plan, though well formed, had fixed upon an ill-timed moment for -its execution. She entered the room with an agitation which rather -sought than shunned remark, that some enquiry might make an opening for -her confession: but Mr. Tyrold was intently reading a letter, and -examining some papers, from which he raised not his eyes at her -approach. She stood fearfully before him till he had done; but then, -still not looking up, he leant his head upon his hand, with a -countenance so disturbed, that, alarmed from her design, by the -apprehension he had received some ill tidings from Lisbon, she asked, in -a faint voice, if the foreign post were come in? - -'I hope not!' he answered: 'I should look with pain, at this moment, -upon the hand of your unhappy mother!' - -Camilla, affrighted, knew not now what to conjecture; but gliding into -her pocket the letter of Mrs. Mittin, stood suspended from her purpose. - -'What a reception,' he presently added, 'is preparing for that noblest -of women when her exile may end! That epoch, to which I have looked -forward as the brightener of my every view upon earth--how is it now -clouded!' - -Giving her, then, the letter and papers; 'The son,' he said, 'who once I -had hoped would prove the guardian of his sisters, the honour of his -mother's days, the future prop of my own--See, Camilla, on how sandy a -foundation mortal man builds mortal hopes!' - -The letter was from a very respectable tradesman, containing a complaint -that, for the three years Lionel had been at the University, he had -never paid one bill, though he continually ordered new articles: and -begging Mr. Tyrold would have the goodness to settle the accounts he -enclosed; the young gentleman, after fixing a day for payment, having -suddenly absconded without notice to any one. - -'The sum, you see,' continued Mr. Tyrold, 'amounts to one hundred and -seventy-one pounds; a sum, for my income, enormous. The allowance I made -this cruel boy, was not only adequate to all his proper wants, and -reasonable desires, but all I could afford without distressing myself, -or injuring my other children: yet it has served him, I imagine, but for -pocket money! The immense sums he has extorted from both his uncles, -must have been swallowed up at a gaming table. Into what wretched -courses has he run! These bills, large as they are, I regard but as -forerunners of others; all he has received he has squandered upon his -vices, and to-morrow, and the next day, and the next, I may expect an -encreasing list of his debts, from his hatter, his hosier, his -shoe-maker, his taylor,--and whoever he has employed. - -Camilla, overwhelmed with internal shame, yet more powerful than grief -itself, stood motionless. These expences appeared but like a second part -of her own, with her milliner, her jeweller, and her haberdasher; which -now seemed to herself not less wanton in extravagance. - -Surprised by her entire silence, Mr. Tyrold looked up. Her cheeks, -rather livid than pale, and the deep dismay of her countenance, -extremely affected him. The kindness of his embraces relieved her by -melting her into tears, though the speech which accompanied them was, to -her consciousness, but reproach: 'Let not your sisterly feelings thus -subdue you, my dearest Camilla. Be comforted that you have given us no -affliction yourself, save what we must feel for your own undeservedly -altered prospects. No unthinking imprudence, no unfeeling selfishness, -has ever, for an instant, driven from your thoughts what you owe to your -duty, or weakened your pleasure in every endearing filial tie. Let this -cheer you, my child; and let us all try to submit calmly to our general -disappointment.' - -Praise thus ill-timed, rather probed than healed her wounds. Am I -punished? am I punished? She internally exclaimed; but could not bear to -meet the eyes of her father, whose indulgence she felt as if abusing, -and whose good opinion seemed now but a delusion. Again, he made her -over to the gentle Lavinia for comfort, and fearing serious ill effects -from added misery, exerted himself, from this time, to appear cheerful -when she was present. - -His predictions failed not to be fulfilled: the application made by one -creditor, soon reached every other, and urged similar measures. Bills, -therefore, came in daily, with petitions for payment; and as Lionel -still wanted a month or two of being of age, his creditors depended with -confidence upon the responsibility of his father. - -Nor here closed the claims springing from general ill conduct. Two young -men of fashion, hard pressed for their own failures, stated to Mr. -Tyrold the debts of honour owing them from Lionel: and three notorious -gamesters, who had drawn in the unthinking youth to his ruin, enforced -the same information, with a hint that, if they were left unsatisfied, -the credit of the young man would fall the sacrifice of their ill -treatment. - -The absence of Mrs. Tyrold at this period, by sparing her daily -difficulty as well as pain, was rejoiced in by her husband; though -never so strongly had he wanted her aiding counsel, her equal interest, -and her consoling participation. Obliged to act without them, his -deliberation was short and decisive for his measures, but long and -painful for their means of execution. He at once determined to pay, -though for the last time, all the trades people; but the manner of -obtaining the money required more consideration. - -The bills, when all collected, amounted to something above five hundred -pounds, which was but one hundred short of his full yearly income. - -Of this, he had always contrived to lay by an hundred pounds annually, -which sum, with its accumulating interest, was destined to be divided -between Lavinia and Camilla. Eugenia required nothing; and Lionel was to -inherit the paternal little fortune. The portion of Mrs. Tyrold, which -was small, the estate of her father having been almost all entailed upon -Mr. Relvil, was to be divided equally amongst her children. - -To take from the little hoard which, with so tender a care, he had -heaped for the daughters, so large a share for the son, and to answer -demands so unduly raised, and ill deserved, was repulsive to his -inclination, and shocked his strong sense of equal justice. To apply to -Mr. Relvil would be preposterous; for though upon him dwelt all his -ultimate hopes for Lionel, he knew him, at this moment, to be so -suffering and so irritated by his means, that to hear of any new -misdemeanours might incense him to an irrevocable disinheritance. - -With regard to Sir Hugh, nothing was too much to expect from his -generous kindness; yet he knew that his bountiful heart had always kept -his income from overflowing; and that, for three years past, Lionel had -drained it without mercy. His preparations, also, for the double -marriages had, of late, much straitened him. To take up even the -smallest part of what, in less expensive times, he had laid by, he would -regard as a breach of his solemn vow, by which he imagined himself bound -to leave Eugenia the full property she would have possessed, had he died -instantly upon making it. Reason might have shewn this a tie of -supererogation; but where any man conceived himself obeying the dictates -of his conscience, Mr. Tyrold held his motives too sacred for dispute. - -The painful result of this afflicting meditation, was laying before his -daughters the whole of his difficulties, and demanding if they would -willingly concur in paying their brother's bills from their appropriate -little store, by adopting an altered plan of life, and severe -self-denial of their present ease and elegance, to aid its speedy -replacement. - -Their satisfaction in any expedient to serve their brother that seemed -to fall upon themselves, was sincere, was even joyful: but they jointly -besought that the sum might be freely taken up, and deducted for ever -more from the hoard; since no earthly gratification could be so great to -them, as contributing their mite to prevent any deprivation of domestic -enjoyment to their beloved parents. - -His eyes glistened, but not from grief; it was the pleasure of virtuous -happiness in their purity of filial affection. But though he knew their -sincerity, he would not listen to their petition. 'You are not yet,' -said he, 'aware what your future calls may be for money. What I have yet -been able to save, without this unexpected seizure, would be inadequate -to your even decent maintenance, should any accident stop short its -encrease. Weep not, my dear children! my health is still good, and my -prospect of lengthened life seems fair. It would be, however, a temporal -folly as well as a spiritual presumption, to forget the precarious -tenure of human existence. My life, my dear girls, will be happier, -without being shorter, for making provisions for its worldly cessation.' - -'But, Sir! but my father!' cried Camilla, hanging over him, and losing -in filial tenderness her personal distresses; 'if your manner of living -is altered, and my dear mother returns home and sees you relinquishing -any of your small, your temperate indulgencies, may it not yet more -embitter her sufferings and her displeasure for the unhappy cause? For -her sake then, if not for ours----' - -'Do not turn away, dearest Sir!' cried Lavinia; 'what mother ever -merited to have her peace the first study of her children, if it is not -ours?' - -'O Providence benign!' said Mr. Tyrold, folding them to his heart, 'how -am I yet blessed in my children!--True and excellent daughters of my -invaluable wife--this little narration is the solace I shall have to -offer for the grief I must communicate.' - -He would not, however, hearken to their proposition; his peace, he said, -required not only immediate measures for replacing what he must borrow, -but also that no chasm should have lieu in funding his usual annual sum -for them. All he would accept was the same severe forbearance he should -instantly practice himself, and which their mother, when restored to -them, would be the first to adopt and improve. And this, till its end -was answered, they would all steadily continue, and then, with cheerful -self-approvance, resume their wonted comforts. - -Mr. Tyrold had too frequent views of the brevity of human life to -postpone, even from one sun to another, any action he deemed essential. -A new general system, therefore, immediately pervaded his house. Two of -the servants, with whom he best could dispense, were discharged; which -hurt him more than any other privation, for he loved, and was loved by -every domestic who lived with him. His table, always simple though -elegant, was now reduced to plain necessaries; he parted with every -horse, but one to whose long services he held himself a debtor; and -whatever, throughout the whole economy of his small establishment, -admitted simplifying, deducting, or abolishment, received, without -delay, its requisite alteration or dismission. - -These new regulations were quietly, but completely, put in practice, -before he would discharge one bill for his son; to whom, nevertheless, -though his conduct was strict, his feelings were still lenient. He -attributed not to moral turpitude his errours nor his crimes, but to the -prevalence of ill example, and to an unjustifiable and dangerous levity, -which irresistibly led him to treat with mockery and trifling the most -serious subjects. The punishment, however, which he had now drawn upon -himself, would yet, he hoped, touch his heart. - -But the debts called debts of honour, met not with similar treatment. He -answered with spirited resentment demands he deemed highly flagitious, -counselling those who sent them, when next they applied to an unhappy -family to whose calamities they had contributed, to enquire first if its -principles, as well as its fortune, made the hazards of gaming amongst -its domestic responsibilities. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_A Lover's Eye_ - - -The serenity of virtue would now again have made its abode the breast of -Mr. Tyrold, but for the constant wretchedness to which he saw his -daughter a prey. With the benignest pity he strove to revive her; a pity -unabated by any wonder, unalloyed with any blame. His wonder fell all -upon Edgar, whom he considered as refining away mortal happiness, by -dissatisfaction that it was not divine; but his censure, which he -reserved wholly for vice, exonerated them both. Still, however, he -flattered himself that ere long, to her youthful mind and native -cheerfulness, tranquillity, if not felicity, would imperceptibly return, -from such a union for exertion of filial and sisterly duties: that -industry would sweeten rest, virtue gild privation, and self-approvance -convert every sacrifice into enjoyment. - -But peace such as this was far from her bosom. While the desertion of -Edgar had tolled the death bell to all her hopes, an unremitting -contention disturbed her mind, whether to avow or conceal her situation -with regard to the money-lender. The reflections of every night brought -a dissatisfaction in her conduct, which determined her upon an openness -the most undisguised for the following morning: but timidity, and the -desire of reprieve from the fearful task, again, the following morning, -regularly postponed her purpose. - -In the first horror occasioned by her father's distress from the bills -of her brother, she wrote a supplicating letter to Mrs. Mittin, to -intreat she would endeavour to quiet her creditors till she could -arrange something for their payment. And while this produced a -correspondence replete with danger, difficulty, and impropriety, a new -circumstance occurred, which yet more cruelly embittered her conflicting -emotions. Lavinia, in the virtuous eagerness of her heart to forward the -general oeconomy, insisted wholly to relinquish, for this year, her -appropriate allowance; declaring that, by careful management, she could -dispense with anything new, and that the very few expences she might -find utterly unavoidable, she would demand from time to time as they -occurred. Camilla, at this proposition, retreated, in agony, to her -chamber. To make the same was impossible; for how, then, find interest -for the money-lender? yet to withstand so just an example, seemed a -disgrace to every duty and every feeling. - -Lavinia, who, in her countenance and abrupt departure, read the new -distress she had incautiously excited, with a thousand self-reproaches -followed her. She had considered but the common cause when she spoke, -without weighing the strange appearance of not being seconded by her -sister: But her mind was amongst the last to covet the narrow praise of -insidious comparison; and her concern for the proposal she had made, -when she saw its effect, was as deep as that of Camilla in hearing it, -though not attended with the same aggravations. - -Mr. Tyrold remained utterly surprized. The generous and disinterested -nature of Camilla, made it impossible to suspect her restrained by a -greater love of money than Lavinia; and he could not endure to suppose -her late visits to public places, had rendered personal oeconomy more -painful. But he would make no enquiry that might seem a reproach; nor -suffer any privation or contribution that was not cheerful and -voluntary. - - * * * * * - -The purchases for the wedding of Miss Dennel being now made, that young -lady came down to the country to solemnize her nuptials, accompanied by -Mrs. Mittin, who instantly visited Camilla. She could settle nothing, -she said, with the money-lender, without the premium; but she had coaxed -all the creditors, by assuring them, that, as the debtor was a great -heiress, they were certain of their money when she came to her estate. -Camilla could not endure to owe their forbearance to a falsehood; though -to convince Mrs. Mittin of her errour, in contradiction to the assertion -of Lionel, was a vain attempt. The business, however, pressed; and to -keep back these but too just claimants was her present most fervent -desire. Mrs. Mittin was amongst the most expert of expedient-mongers, -and soon started a method for raising the premium. She asked to look at -what Camilla possessed of trinkets: and the prize ear-rings of -Tunbridge, the ear-rings and necklace of Southampton, and several small -toys occasionally given her, were collected. The locket she also -demanded, to make weight; but neither that, nor the peculiar gifts, as -keep-sakes, of her father, mother, or uncle, consisting of a seal, a -ring, and a watch, would she part with. What she would relinquish, -however, Mrs. Mittin disposed of to one of her numerous friends; but -they raised only, when intrinsically valued, sixteen pounds. Lavinia -then insisted upon coming forward with a contribution of every trinket -she was worth, save what had the same sacred motives of detention: and -the twenty pounds, without any ceremony of acknowledgment, were -delivered to Mr. Clykes; who then took into his own hands the payment of -the hundred and eighteen pounds; for which he received a bond, signed by -Camilla, and witnessed by Mrs. Mittin; and another note of hand, -promising ten per cent. interest for the sum, till the principal were -repaid. These two notes, he acknowledged, were mere pledges of honour, -as the law would treat her as an infant: but he never acted without -them, as they prevented mistakes in private dealings. - -This important affair arranged, Camilla felt somewhat more at ease; she -was relieved from hourly alarms, and left the mistress to make her -confession as circumstances directed. But she obtained not for nothing -the agency of Mrs. Mittin, who was not a character to leave self out of -consideration in her transactions for others; and at every visit made at -Etherington from this time, she observed something in the apparel of -Camilla that was utterly old fashioned, or too mean for her to wear; but -which would do well enough for herself, when vamped up, as she knew how. -Her obligations and inexperience made it impossible to her to resist, -though, at this season of saving care, she gave up nothing which she -could not have rendered useful, by industry and contrivance. - - * * * * * - -During this unhappy period at Etherington, a brighter, though not -unclouded scene, was exhibited at Cleves. Melmond arrived; he was -permitted to pay his addresses to the fair Indiana, and believed -felicity celestial accorded to him even upon earth. - -But this adored object herself suffered some severe repining at her -fate, when she saw, from her window, her lover gallop into the park -without equipage, without domestics, and mounted on a hired horse. The -grimacing shrugs of Miss Margland shewed she entered into this -mortification; and they were nearly conspiring to dismiss the ignoble -pretender, when a letter, which he modestly sent up, from his sister, -inviting Indiana to pass a few weeks in Grosvenor Square, once again -secured the interest of the brother. She suffered, therefore, Sir Hugh -to hand her down stairs, and the enamoured Melmond thought himself the -most blest of men. - -The sight of such eager enjoyment, and the really amiable qualities of -this youth, soon completely reconciled the Baronet to this new business; -for he saw no reason, he said, in fact, why one niece had not as good a -right to be married first as another. The generous and sentimental -Eugenia never ceased her kind offices, and steadily wore an air of -tolerable cheerfulness all day, though her pillow was nightly wetted -with tears for her unfortunate lot. - -Nor, with all her native equanimity and acquired philosophy, was this a -situation to bring back serenity. The enthusiastic raptures of Melmond -elevated him, in her eyes, to something above human; and while his -adoration of Indiana presented to her a picture of all she thought most -fascinating, his grateful softness of respect to herself, was -penetratingly touching to her already conquered heart. - -Indiana, meanwhile, began ere long, to catch some of the pleasure she -inspired. The passionate animation of Melmond, soon not only resumed its -first power, but became even essential to her. No one else had yet -seemed to think her so completely a goddess, except Mr. Macdersey, whom -she scarce expected ever to see again. With Melmond she could do nothing -that did not make her appear to him still more lovely: and though her -whims, thus indulged, became almost endless, they but kindled with fresh -flame his admiration. If she fretted, he thought her all sensibility; if -she pouted, all dignity; if her laughter was unmeaning, she was made up -of innocent gaiety; if what she said was shallow, he called her the -child of pure nature; if she were angry, how becoming was her spirit! if -illiberal, how noble was her frankness! Her person charmed his eye, but -his own imagination framed her mind, and while his enchanted faculties -were the mere slaves of her beauty, they persuaded themselves they were -vanquished by every other perfection. - - * * * * * - -Mr. Tyrold had not yet related Edgar's defection to Sir Hugh; though -from the moment the time of hope was past, he wished to end that of -expectation. But the pressure of the affairs of Lionel detained him at -Etherington, and he could not bear to give grief to his brother, till he -could soften its effect by the consolation of some residence at Cleves. -This time now arrived; and the next day was fixed for his painful task, -in which he meant to spare Camilla any share, when Jacob begged -immediate admittance into the study, where Mr. Tyrold and his daughters -were drinking tea. - -His scared look instantly announced ill news. Mr. Tyrold was alarmed, -Lavinia was frightened, and Camilla exclaimed, 'Jacob, speak at once!' - -He begged to sit down. - -Camilla ran to get him a chair. - -'Is my brother well, Jacob?' cried Mr. Tyrold. - -'Why, pretty well, considering, Sir,--but these are vast bad times for -us!' - -'O! if my uncle is but well,' cried Camilla, relieved from her first -dreadful doubt, 'all, I hope, will do right!' - -'Why, ay, Miss,' said Jacob, smiling, 'I knew you'd be master's best -comfort; and so I told him, and so he says, for that matter himself, as -I've got to tell you from him. But, for all that, he takes on prodigious -bad. I never saw him in the like way, except just that time when Miss -Geny had the small pox.' - -They all supplicated him to forbear further comments, and then gathered, -that a money-agent, employed by young Lynmere, had just arrived at -Cleves; where, with bitter complaints, he related that, having been -duped into believing him heir to Sir Hugh Tyrold, he had been prevailed -with to grant him money, from time to time, to pay certain bills, -contracted not only there, but in London, for goods sent thence by his -order, to the amount of near thirteen hundred pounds, without the -interest, of which he should give a separate account; that he had vainly -applied to the young gentleman for re-imbursement, who finally assured -him he was just disinherited by his uncle. No hope, therefore, remained -to save him from the ruin of this affair, but in the compassion of the -Baronet, which he now came to most humbly solicit. - -While Mr. Tyrold, in silent surprise and concern, listened to an -account that placed his brother in difficulties so similar to his own, -Camilla, sinking back in her chair; looked pale, looked almost lifeless. -The history of the debts she already knew, and had daily expected to -hear; but the circumstance of the money-lender, and the delusion -concerning the inheritance, so resembled her own terrible, and yet -unknown story, that she felt personally involved in all the shame and -horror of the relation. - -Mr. Tyrold, who believed her suffering all for her uncle, made further -enquiries, while Lavinia tenderly sustained her. 'Don't take on so, dear -Miss,' said Jacob, 'for all our hope is in you, as Master and I both -said; and he bid me tell your papa, that if he'd only give young 'Squire -Mandlebert a jog, to egg him on, that he might not be so shilly shally, -as soon as ever the wedding's over, he'd accept his kind invitation to -Beech Park, and bide there till he got clear, as one may say.' - -Mr. Tyrold now required no assigned motive for the excessive distress of -his daughter, and hastened to turn Jacob from this too terribly trying -subject, by saying, 'My brother then means to pay these demands?' - -'Lauk, yes, Sir! his honour pays every thing as any body asks him; only -he says he don't know how, because of having no more money, being so -hard run with all our preparations we have been making this last -fortnight.' - -Camilla, with every moment encreasing agitation, hid her face against -Lavinia; but Mr. Tyrold, with some energy, said: 'The interest, at -least, I hope he will not discharge; for those dangerous vultures, who -lie in wait for the weak or erring, to encourage their frailties or -vices, by affording them means to pursue them, deserve much severer -punishment, than merely losing a recompense for their iniquitous -snares.' - -This was quite too much for the already disordered Camilla; she quitted -her sister, glided out of the room, and delivered herself over as a prey -no longer to sorrow but remorse. Her conduct seemed to have been -precisely the conduct of Clermont, and she felt herself dreadfully -implicated as one of the _weak or erring_, guilty of _frailties or -vices_. - -That an uncle so dearly loved should believe she was forming an -establishment which would afford him an asylum during his difficulties, -now every prospect of that establishment was over, was so heart-piercing -a circumstance, that to her father it seemed sufficient for the whole -of what she endured. He made her over, therefore, to Lavinia, while he -hastened to Cleves; for Jacob, when he had said all he was ordered to -say, all he had gathered himself, and all he was able to suggest, -finished with letting him know that his master begged he would set out -that very moment. - -The time of his absence was spent by Camilla in an anguish that, at his -return, seemed quite to have changed her. He was alarmed, and redoubled -his tenderness; but his tenderness was no longer her joy. He knows not, -she thought, whom he caresses; knows not that the wounds just beginning -to heal for the son, are soon to be again opened for the daughter! - -Yet her affections were all awake to enquire after her uncle; and when -she heard that nothing could so much sooth him as her sight, all fear of -his comments, all terror of exertion, subsided in the possible chance of -consoling him: and Mr. Tyrold, who thought every act of duty led to -cheerfulness, sent to desire the carriage might fetch her the next -morning. - -He passed slightly over to Camilla the scene he had himself gone -through; but he confessed to Lavinia its difficulty and pain. Sir Hugh -had acknowledged he had drawn his bankers dry, yet had merely current -cash to go on till the next quarter, whence he intended to deduct the -further expences of the weddings. Nevertheless, he was determined upon -paying every shilling of the demand, not only for the debts, but for all -the complicate interest. He would not listen to any reasoning upon this -subject, because, he said, he had it upon his conscience that the first -fault was his own, in letting poor Clermont leave the kingdom, without -clearing up to him that he had made Eugenia his exclusive heiress. It -was in vain Mr. Tyrold pointed out, that no future hopes of wealth could -exculpate this unauthorized extravagance in Clermont, and no dissipation -in Clermont could apologize for the clandestine loan, and its illegal -interest: 'The poor boy,' said he, 'did it all, knowing no better, which -how can I expect, when I did wrong myself, being his uncle? Though, if I -were to have twenty more nephews and nieces in future, the first word I -should say to them would be to tell them I should give them nothing; to -the end that having no hope, they might all be happy one as another.' -All, therefore, that was left for Mr. Tyrold, was to counsel him upon -the best and shortest means of raising the sum; and for this purpose, -he meant to be with him again the next day. - -This affair, however, with all its reproach for the past, and all its -sacrifices for the time to come, by no means so deeply affected Sir Hugh -as the blow Mr. Tyrold could no longer spare concerning Edgar. It sunk -to his heart, dispirited him to tears, and sent him, extremely ill, to -bed. - -The chaise came early the next morning, and Mr. Tyrold had the pleasure -to see Camilla exert herself to appear less sad. Lavinia was also of the -party, as he meant to stay the whole day. - -Eugenia met them in the hall, with the welcome intelligence that Sir -Hugh, though he had passed a wretched night, was now somewhat better, -and considerably cheered, by a visit from his old Yorkshire friend, Mr. -Westwyn. - -Nevertheless, Sir Hugh dismissed him, and everybody else, to receive -Camilla alone. - -She endeavoured to approach him calmly, but his own unchecked emotions -soon overset her borrowed fortitude, and the interview proved equally -afflicting to both. The cruel mischiefs brought upon him by Clermont, -were as nothing in the balance of his misfortunes, when opposed to -the sight of sorrow upon that face which, hitherto, had so -constantly enlivened him as an image of joy: and with her, every -self-disappointment yielded, for the moment, to the regret of losing so -precious a blessing, as offering a refuge, in a time of difficulty, to -an uncle so dear to her. - -Mr. Tyrold would not suffer this scene to be long uninterrupted; he -entered, with a cheering countenance, that compelled them to dry their -tears, and told them the Westwyns could not much longer be left out, -though they remained, well contented, for the present, with Miss -Margland and his other daughters. 'Melmond and Indiana,' added he, -smiling, 'seem at present not beings of this lower sphere, nor to have a -moment to spare for those who are.' - -'That, my dear brother,' answered the Baronet, 'is all my comfort; for -as to all the rest of my marrying, you see what it's come to! who could -have thought of young Mr. Edgar's turning out in the same way? I can't -say but what I take it pretty unkind of him, letting me prepare at this -rate for nothing; besides Beech Park's being within but a stone's throw, -as one may say, as well as his own agreeableness. However, now I've -seen a little more of the world, I can't say I find much difference -between the good and the bad, with respect to their all doing alike. The -young boys now-a-days, whatever's come to 'em, don't know what they'd be -at. They think nothing of disappointing a person if once they've a mind -to change their minds. All one's preparations go for nothing; which they -never think of.' - -Mr. Tyrold now prevailed for the re-admission of Mr. Westwyn, who was -accompanied by his son, and followed by the Cleves family. - -The cheeks of Camilla recovered their usual hue at the sight of Henry, -from the various interesting recollections which occurred with it. She -was seen herself with their original admiration, both by the father and -the son, though with the former it was now mingled with anger, and with -the latter no longer gilded with hope. Yet the complaints against her, -which, upon his arrival, Mr. Westwyn meant to make, were soon not merely -relinquished, but transformed into pity, upon the view of her dejected -countenance, and silent melancholy. - -The Baronet, however, revived again, by seeing his old friend, whose -humour so much resembled his own, that, in Yorkshire, he had been always -his first favourite. Each the children of untutored nature, honest and -open alike in their words and their dealings, their characters and their -propensities were nearly the same, though Sir Hugh, more self-formed, -had a language and manner of his own; and Mr. Westwyn, of a temper less -equal and less gentle, gave way, as they arose, to such angry passions -as the indulgent Baronet never felt. - -'My dear friend,' said Mr. Westwyn, 'you don't take much notice of my -Hal, though, I'll give you my word, you won't see such another young -fellow every day. However, it's as well not, before his face, for it -might only make him think himself somebody: and that, while I am alive, -I don't intend he should do. I can't bear a young fellow not dutiful. -I've always a bad opinion of him. I can't say he pleases me.' - -'My dear Westwyn,' answered the Baronet, 'I've no doubt but what master -Hal is very good, for which I am truly glad. But as to much -over-rejoicing, now, upon the score of young boys, it's what I can't do, -seeing they've turned out so ill, one after another, as far as I have -had to do with them; for which, however, I hope I bear 'em no malice. -They've enough to answer for without that, which, I hope, they'll think -of in time.' - -'Why to be sure, Sir Hugh, if you set about thinking of a young fellow -by the pattern of my friend Clermont, I can't say I'm much surprised you -don't care to give him a good word; I can't say I am. I am pretty much -of the same way of thinking. I love to speak the truth.' He then took -Mr. Tyrold apart, and ran on with a history of all he had gathered, -while at Leipsic, of the conduct and way of life of Clermont Lynmere. -'He was a disgrace,' said he, 'even to the English name, as a Professor -told me, that I can't remember the name of, it's so prodigious long; -but, if it had not been for my son, he told me, they'd have thought all -the English young fellows good for nothing, except extravagance, and -eating and drinking! "They'd all round have got an ill name," says he, -"if it had not been for your son," were his words which I shall never -forget. I sent him over a noble pipe of Madeira, which I'd just got for -myself, as soon as I came home. I took to him very much, I can't say but -I did; he was a very good man; he had prodigiously the look of an -Englishman. He said Hal was an ornament to the university. I took it -very well of him. I wish he had not such a hard name. I can never call -it to mind. I hate a hard name. I can never speak it without a blunder.' - -Sir Hugh now, who had been talking with Henry, called upon Mr. Westwyn, -to beg his pardon for not speaking of him more respectfully, saying: 'I -see he's quite agreeable, which I should have noticed from the first, -only being what I did not know; which I hope is my excuse; my head, my -dear friend, not getting on much, in point of quickness: though I can't -say it's for want of pains, since you and I used to live so much -together; but to no great end, for I always find myself in the back, -however it happens: which your son, Master Hal, is, I see, quite the -contrary.' - -Mr. Westwyn was so much gratified by this praise, that he immediately -confessed the scheme and wish he had formed of marrying Hal to Camilla, -only for her not approving it. Sir Hugh protested nothing could give him -more pleasure than such a connexion, and significantly added, he had -other nieces, besides Camilla. - -'Why, yes,' said Mr. Westwyn, 'and I can't keep from looking at 'em; I -like 'em all mightily. I'm a great friend to taking from a good stock. I -chuse to know what I'm about. That girl at Southampton hit my fancy -prodigiously. But I'm not for the beauty. A beauty won't make a good -wife. It takes her too much time to put her cap on. That little one, -there, with the hump, which I don't mind, nor the limp, neither, I like -vastly. But I'm afraid Hal won't take to her. A young man don't much -fancy an ugly girl. He's always hankering after something pretty. -There's that other indeed, Miss Lavinia, is as handsome a girl as I'd -wish to see. And she seems as good, too. However, I'm not for judging -all by the eye. I'm past that. An old man should not play the fool. -Which I wish somebody would whisper to a certain Lord that I know of, -that don't behave quite to my mind. I'm not fond of an old fool: nor a -young one neither. They make me sick.' - -Sir Hugh heard and agreed to all this, with the same simplicity with -which it was spoken; and, soon after, Yorkshire becoming their theme, -Mr. Tyrold had the pleasure of seeing his brother so much re-animated by -the revival of old scenes, ideas, and connexions, that he heartily -joined in pressing the Mr. Westwyns to spend a fortnight at Cleves, to -which they consented with pleasure. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_A Bride's Resolves_ - - -With every allowance for a grief in which so deeply he shared, Mr. -Tyrold felt nearly bowed down with sorrow, when he observed his own -tenderness abate of its power to console, and his exhortations of their -influence with his miserable daughter, whose complicated afflictions -seemed desperate to herself, and to him nearly hopeless. - -He now began to fear the rigid oeconomy and retirement of their -present lives might add secret disgust or fatigue to the disappointment -of her heart. He sighed at an idea so little in unison with all that had -hitherto appeared of her disposition; yet remembered she was very young -and very lively, and thought that, if caught by a love of gayer scenes -than Etherington afforded, she was at a season of life which brings its -own excuse for such venial ambition. - -He mentioned, therefore, with great kindness, their exclusion from all -society, and proposed making an application to Mrs. Needham, a lady high -in the esteem of Mrs. Tyrold, to have the goodness to take the charge of -carrying them a little into the world, during the absence of their -mother. 'I can neither exact nor desire,' he said, 'to sequester you -from all amusement for a term so utterly indefinite as that of her -restoration; since it is now more than ever desirable to regain the -favour of your uncle Relvil for Lionel, who has resisted every -profession for which I have sought to prepare him; though his idle and -licentious courses so little fit him for contentment with the small -patrimony he will one day inherit.' - -The sisters mutually and sincerely declined this proposition; Lavinia -had too much employment to find time ever slow of passage; and Camilla, -joined to the want of all spirit for recreation, had a dread of -appearing in the county, lest she should meet with Sir Sedley Clarendel, -whose two hundred pounds were amongst the evils ever present to her. The -money which Eugenia meant to save for this account had all been given to -Lionel; and now her marriage was at an end, and no particular sum -expected, she must be very long in replacing it; especially as Jacob was -first to be considered; though he had kindly protested he was in no -haste to be paid. - -Mr. Tyrold was not sorry to have his proposition declined; yet saw the -sadness of Camilla unabated, and suggested, for a transient diversity, a -visit to the Grove; enquiring why an acquaintance begun with so much -warmth and pleasure, seemed thus utterly relinquished. Camilla had -herself thought with shame of her apparently ungrateful neglect of Mrs. -Arlbery; but the five guineas she had borrowed, and forgotten to pay, -while she might yet have asked them of Sir Hugh, and which now she had -no ability any where to raise, made the idea of meeting with her -painful. And thus, overwhelmed with regret and repentance for all -around, her spirits gone, and her heart sunk, she desired never more, -except for Cleves, to stir from Etherington. - -Had he seen the least symptom of her revival, Mr. Tyrold would have been -gratified by her strengthened love of home; but this was far from being -the case; and, upon the marriage of Miss Dennel, which was now -celebrated, he was glad of an opportunity to force her abroad, from the -necessity of making a congratulatory visit to the bride's aunt, Mrs. -Arlbery. - -The chariot, therefore, of Sir Hugh being borrowed, she was compelled -into this exertion; which was ill repaid by her reception from Mrs. -Arlbery, who, hurt as well as offended by her long absence and total -silence, wore an air of the most chilling coldness. Camilla felt sorry -and ashamed; but too much disturbed to attempt any palliation for her -non-appearance, and remissness of even a note or message. - -The room was full of morning visitors, all collected for the same -complimentary purpose; but she was relieved with respect to her fears of -Sir Sedley Clarendel, in hearing of his tour to the Hebrides. - -Her mournful countenance soon, however, dispersed the anger of Mrs. -Arlbery. 'What,' cried she, 'has befallen you, my fair friend? if you -are not immeasurably unhappy, you are very seriously ill.' - -'Yes,--no,--my spirits--have not been good--' answered she, -stammering;--'but yours may, perhaps, assist to restore them.' - -The composition of Mrs. Arlbery had no particle of either malice or -vengeance; she now threw off, therefore, all reserve, and taking her by -the hand, said: 'shall I keep you to spend the day with me? Yes, or no? -Peace or war?' - -And without waiting for an answer, she sent back the chariot, and a -message to Mr. Tyrold, that she would carry home his daughter in the -evening. - -'And now, my faithless Fair,' cried she, as soon as they were alone, -'tell me what has led you to this abominable fickleness? with me, I -mean! If you had grown tired of any body else, I should have thought -nothing so natural. But you know, I suppose, that the same thing we -philosophise into an admirable good joke for our neighbours, we moralise -into a crime against ourselves.' - -'I thought,' said Camilla, attempting to smile, 'none but country -cousins ever made apologies?' - -'Nay, now, I must forgive you without one word more!' answered Mrs. -Arlbery, laughing, and shaking hands with her; 'a happy citation of one -_bon mot_, is worth any ten offences. So, you see, you have nine to -commit, in store, clear of all damages. But the pleasure of finding one -has not said a good thing only for once, thence to be forgotten and die -away in the winds, is far greater than you can yet awhile conceive. In -the first pride of youth and beauty, our attention is all upon how we -are looked at. But when those begin to be somewhat on the wane--when -that barbarous time comes into play, which revenges upon poor miserable -woman all the airs she has been playing upon silly man--our ambition, -then, is how we are listened to. So now, cutting short reproach and -excuse, and all the wearying round of explanation, tell me a little of -your history since we last met.' - -This was the last thing Camilla meant to undertake: but she began, in a -hesitating manner, to speak of her little debt. Mrs. Arlbery, eagerly -interrupting her, insisted it should not be mentioned; adding: 'I go on -vastly well again; I am breaking in two ponies, and building a new -phaeton; and I shall soon pay for both, without the smallest -inconvenience,--except just pinching my servants, and starving my -visitors. But tell me something of your adventures. You are not half so -communicative as Rumour, which has given me a thousand details of you, -and married you and your whole set to at least half a dozen men a piece, -since you were last at the Grove. Amongst others, it asserts, that my -old Lord Valhurst was seriously at your feet? That prating Mrs. Mittin, -who fastened upon my poor little niece at Tunbridge, and who is now her -factotum, pretends that my lord's own servants spoke of it publicly at -Mrs. Berlinton's.' - -This was a fact that, being thus divulged, a very few questions made -impossible to deny; though Camilla was highly superior to the indelicacy -and ingratitude of repaying the preference of any gentleman by -publishing his rejection. - -'And what in the world, my dear child,' said Mrs. Arlbery, 'could -provoke you to so wild an action as refusing him?' - -'Good Heaven, Mrs. Arlbery!' - -'O, what--you were not in love with him? I believe not!--but if he was -in love with you, take my word for it, that would have done quite as -well. 'Tis such a little while that same love lasts, even when it is -begun with, that you have but a few months to lose, to be exactly upon a -par with those who set out with all the quivers of Cupid, darting from -heart to heart. He has still fortune enough left for a handsome -settlement; you can't help outliving him, and then, think but how -delectable would be your situation! Freedom, money at will, the choice -of your own friends, and the enjoyment of your own humour!' - -'You would but try me, my dear Mrs. Arlbery; for you cannot, I'm sure, -believe me capable of making so solemn an engagement for such mercenary -hopes, and selfish purposes.' - -'This is all the romance of false reasoning. You have not sought the -man, but the man you. You would not have solicited his acceptance, but -yielded to his solicitation of yours. The balance is always just, where -force is not used. The man has his reasons for chusing you; you have -your reasons for suffering yourself to be chosen. What his are, you have -no business to enquire; nor has he the smallest right to investigate -yours.' - -This was by no means the style in which Camilla had been brought up to -think of marriage; and Mrs. Arlbery presently added: 'You are grave? yet -I speak but as a being of the world I live in: though I address one that -knows nothing about it. Tell me, however, a little more of your affairs. -What are all these marriages and no marriages, our neighbourhood is so -busy in making and unmaking?' - -Camilla returned the most brief and quiet answers in her power; but was -too late to save the delicacy of Eugenia in concealing her late double -disappointments, the abortive preparations of Sir Hugh having travelled -through all the adjoining country. 'Poor little dear ugly thing!' cried -Mrs. Arlbery, 'she must certainly go off with her footman;--unless, -indeed, that good old pedant, who teaches her that vast quantity of -stuff she will have to unlearn, when once she goes a little about, will -take compassion upon her and her thousands, and put them both into his -own pockets.' - -This raillery was painful nearly to disgust to Camilla; who frankly -declared she saw her sister with no eyes but those of respect and -affection, and could not endure to hear her mentioned in so ridiculous a -manner. - -'Never judge the heart of a wit,' answered she, laughing, 'by the -tongue! We have often as good hearts, ay, and as much good nature, too, -as the careful prosers who utter nothing but what is right, or the heavy -thinkers who have too little fancy to say anything that is wrong. But we -have a pleasure in our own rattle that cruelly runs away with our -discretion.' - -She then more seriously apologized for what she had said, and declared -herself an unaffected admirer of all she had heard of the good qualities -of Eugenia. - -Other subjects were then taken up, till they were interrupted by a visit -from the young bride, Mrs. Lissin. - -Jumping into the room, 'I'm just run away,' she cried, 'without saying a -word to any body! I ordered my coach myself, and told my own footman to -whisper me when it came, that I might get off, without saying a word of -the matter. Dear! how they'll all stare when they miss me! I hope -they'll be frightened!' - -'And why so, you little chit? why do you want to make them uneasy?' - -'O! I don't mind! I'm so glad to have my own way, I don't care for -anything else. Dear, how do you do, Miss Camilla Tyrold? I wonder you -have not been to see me! I had a great mind to have invited you to have -been one of my bride's maids. But papa was so monstrous cross, he would -not let me do hardly any thing I liked. I was never so glad in my life -as when I went out of the house to be married! I'll never ask him about -any one thing as long as I live again. I'll always do just what I -chuse.' - -'And you are quite sure Mr. Lissin will never interfere with that -resolution?' - -'O, I sha'n't let him! I dare say he would else. That's one reason I -came out so, just now, on purpose to let him see I was my own mistress. -And I told my coachman, and my own footman, and my maid, all three, that -if they said one word, I'd turn 'em all away. For I intend always to -turn 'em away when I don't like 'em. I shall never say anything to Mr. -Lissin first, for fear of his meddling. I'm quite determined I won't be -crossed any more, now I've servants of my own. I'm sure I've been -crossed long enough.' - -Then, turning to Camilla, 'Dear,' she cried, 'how grave you look! Dear, -I wonder you don't marry too! When I ordered my coach, just now, I was -ready to cry for joy, to think of not having to ask papa about it. And -to-day, at breakfast, I dare say I rung twenty times, for one thing or -another. As fast as ever I could think of any thing, I went to ringing -again. For when I was at papa's, every time I rang the bell, he always -asked me what I wanted. Only think of keeping one under so!' - -'And what in the world said Mr. Lissin to so prodigious an uproar?' - -'O, he stared like any thing. But he could not say much: I intend to use -him to it from the first, that he may never plague me, like papa, with -asking me what's the reason for every thing. If I don't like the dinner -to-day, I'll order a new one, to be dressed for me on purpose. And Mr. -Lissin, and papa, and Mrs. Mittin, and the rest of 'em, may eat the old -one. Papa never let me order the dinner at home; he always would know -what there was himself, and have what he chose. I'm resolved I'll have -every thing I like best, now, every day. I could not get at the cook -alone this morning, because so many of 'em were in the way; though I -rung for her a dozen times. But to-morrow, I'll tell her of some things -I intend to have the whole year through; in particular, currant tarts, -and minced veal, and mashed potatoes. I've been determined upon that -these three years, for against I was married.' - -Then, taking Camilla by the hand, she begged she would accompany her to -next room, saying, 'Pray excuse me, Aunt Arlbery, because I want to talk -to Miss Tyrold about a secret.' - -When they came to another apartment, after carefully shutting the door, -'Only think,' she cried, 'Miss Camilla Tyrold, of my marrying Mr. Lissin -at last! Pray did you ever suspect it? I'm sure I did not. When papa -told me of it, you can't think how I was surprised. I always thought it -would have been Colonel Andover, or Mr. Macdersey, or else Mr. Summers; -unless it had been Mr. Wiggan; or else your brother; but Mr. Lissin -never once came into my head, because of his being so old. I dare say -he's seven and twenty! only think!--But I believe he and papa had -settled it all along, only papa never told it me, till just before hand. -I don't like him much; do you?' - -'I have not the pleasure to know him: but I hope you will endeavour to -like him better, now.' - -'I don't much care whether I do or not, for I shall never mind him. I -always determined never to mind a husband. One minds one's papa because -one can't help it: But only think of my being married before you! though -you're seventeen years old--almost eighteen, I dare say--and I'm only -just fifteen. I could not help thinking of it all the time I was -dressing for a bride. You can't think how pretty my dress was. Papa made -Mrs. Mittin buy it, because, he said, she could get every thing so -cheap: but I made her get it the dearest she could, for all that. Papa's -monstrous stingy.' - -This secret conference was broken up by a violent ringing at the gate, -succeeded by the appearance of Mr. Lissin, who, without any ceremony, -opened the door of the chamber into which the ladies had retired. - -'So, ma'am!' said he, visibly very angry, 'I have the pleasure at last -to find you! dinner has waited till it is spoilt, and I hope, therefore, -now, you will do us the favour to come and sit at the head of your -table.' - -She looked frightened, and he took her hand, which she had not courage -to draw back, though in a voice that spoke a sob near at hand, 'I'm -sure,' she cried, 'this is not being treated like a married woman! and -I'm sure if I'd known I might not do as I like, and come out when I'd a -mind, I would not have married at all!' - -Mr. Lissin, with little or no apology to Mrs. Arlbery, then conveyed his -fair bride to her coach. - -'Poor simple girl!' exclaimed Mrs. Arlbery. 'Mr. Lissin, who is a -country squire of Northwick, will soon teach her another lesson, than -that of ordering her carriage just at dinner time! The poor child took -it into her head that, because, upon marrying, she might say, "my -house," "my coach," and "my servants," instead of "my papa's;" and ring -her bell for [whom] she pleased, and give her own orders, that she was -to arrive at complete liberty and independence, and that her husband had -merely to give her his name, and lodge in the same dwelling: and she -will regard him soon, as a tyrant and a brute, for not letting her play -all day long the part of a wild school girl, just come home for the -holidays.' - -The rest of the visit passed without further investigation on the part -of Mrs. Arlbery, or embarrassment on that of Camilla; who found again -some little pleasure in the conversation which, at first, had so much -charmed, and the kindness which even her apparent neglect had not -extinguished. - - * * * * * - -Mrs. Arlbery, in two days, claimed her again. Mr. Tyrold would not -permit her to send an excuse, and she found that lady more kindly -disposed to her than ever; but with an undisguised compassion and -concern in her countenance and manner. She had now learnt that Edgar was -gone abroad; and she had learnt that Camilla had private debts, to the -amount of one hundred and eighteen pounds. - -The shock of Camilla, when spoken to upon this subject, was terrible. -She soon gathered, she had been betrayed by Mrs. Mittin, who, though she -had made the communication as a profound secret to Mrs. Arlbery, with -whom she had met at Mrs. Lissin's, there was every reason to suppose -would whisper it, in the same manner, to an hundred persons besides. - -Mrs. Arlbery, seeing her just uneasiness, promised, in this particular, -to obviate it herself, by a conference with Mrs. Mittin, in which she -would represent, that her own ruin would be the consequence of divulging -this affair, from the general opinion which would prevail, that she had -seduced a young lady under age, to having dealings with a usurer. - -Camilla, deeply colouring, accepted her kind offer; but was forced upon -a confession of the transaction; though with a shame for her trust in -such a character as Mrs. Mittin, that made her deem the relation a -penance almost adequate to its wrong. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_The Workings of Sorrow_ - - -The visit of the Westwyns to Sir Hugh shewed Lavinia in so favourable a -light, that nothing less than the strong prepossession already conceived -for Camilla could have guarded the heart of the son, or the wishes of -the father, from the complete captivation of her modest beauty, her -intrinsic worth, and the cheerful alacrity, and virtuous self-denial, -with which she presided in the new oeconomy of the rectory. But though -the utter demolition of hope played with Henry its usual part of -demolishing, also, half the fervour of admiration, he still felt, in -consequence of his late failure, a distaste of any similar attempt: and -Mr. Westwyn, unbribed by the high praise of his son, which had won him -in Camilla, left him master of his choice. Each, however, found a -delight in the Tyrold society, that seconded the wishes of the Baronet -to make them lengthen their visit. - -The retrenchments, by which the debts of Clermont were to be paid, -could no longer, nevertheless, be deferred; and Mr. Tyrold was just -setting out for Cleves, to give his counsel for their arrangement, when -his daughters were broken in upon by Mrs. Mittin. - -Camilla could scarcely look at her, for displeasure at her conduct; but -soon observed she seemed herself full of resentment and ill humour. She -desired a private interview; and Camilla then found, that Mrs. Arlbery -had not only represented her fault, and frightened her with its -consequences, but occasioned, though most undesignedly, new disturbances -and new dangers to herself: for Mrs. Mittin at length learnt, in this -conference, with equal certainty, surprise, and provocation, that the -inheritance of Sir Hugh was positively and entirely settled upon his -youngest niece; and that the denials of all expectation on the part of -Camilla, which she had always taken for closeness, conveyed but the -simple truth. Alarmed lest she should incur the anger of Mr. Clykes, who -was amongst her most useful friends, she had written him word of the -discovery, with her concern at the mistake: and Mr. Clykes, judging now -he had no chance of the gratuity finally promised for _honour_ and -_secrecy_, and even that his principal was in danger, had sent an -enraged answer, with an imperious declaration, that he must either -immediately be repaid all he had laid out, or receive some security for -its being refunded, of higher value than the note of a minor of no -fortune nor expectations. - -Mrs. Mittin protested she did not know which way to turn, she was so -sorry to have disobliged so good a friend; and broke forth into a -vehement invective against Mr. Dubster, for pretending he knew the truth -from young Squire Tyrold himself. - -Long as was her lamentation, and satisfied as she always felt to hear -her own voice, her pause still came too soon for any reply from Camilla, -who now felt the discovery of her situation to be inevitable, -compulsatory and disgraceful. Self-upbraidings that she had ever -listened to such an expedient, assailed her with the cruellest -poignancy, mingling almost self-detestation with utter despair. - -In vain Mrs. Mittin pressed for some satisfaction; she was mute from -inability to devise any; till the coachman of Mr. Lissin sent word he -could wait no longer. She then, in a broken voice, said, 'Be so good as -to write to Mr. Clykes, that if he will have the patience to wait a few -days, I will prepare my friends to settle my accounts with him.' - -Mrs. Mittin then, recovering from her own fright in this business, -answered, 'O, if that's the case, my dear young lady, pray don't be -uneasy, for it grieves me to vex you; and I'll promise you I'll coax my -good friend to wait such a matter as that; for he's a vast regard for -me; he'll do any thing I ask him, I know.' - -She now went away; and Lavinia, who ran to her sister, found her in a -state of distress, that melted her gentle heart to behold: but when she -gathered what had passed, 'This disclosure, my dearest Camilla,' she -cried, 'can never be so tremendous as the incessant fear of its -discovery. Think of that, I conjure you! and endeavour to bear the one -great shock, that will lead to after peace and ease.' - -'No, my dear sister, peace and ease are no more for me!--My happiness -was already buried;--and now, all that remained of consolation will be -cut off also, in the lost good opinion of my father and mother!--that -destroyed--and Edgar gone--what is life to me?--I barely exist!' - -'And is it possible you can even a moment doubt their forgiveness? dear -as you are to them, cherished, beloved!--' - -'No--not their forgiveness--but their esteem, their confidence, their -pleasure in their daughter will all end!--think, Lavinia, of my -mother!--when she finds I, too, have contributed to the distress and -disturbance of my father--that on my account, too, his small income is -again straitened, his few gratifications are diminished--O Lavinia! how -has she strove to guard her poor tottering girl from evil! And how has -her fondness been always the pride of my life! What a conclusion is this -to her cares! what a reward to all the goodness of my father!' - -In this state of desperate wretchedness, she was still incapable to make -the avowal which was now become indispensable, and which must require -another loan from the store her father held so sacred. Lavinia had even -less courage; and they determined to apply to Eugenia, who, though as -softly feeling as either, mingled in her character a sort of heroic -philosophy, that enabled her to execute and to endure the hardest tasks, -where she thought them the demand of virtue. They resolved, therefore, -the next morning, to send a note to Cleves for the carriage, and to -commit the affair to this inexperienced and youthful female sage. - -Far from running, as she was wont, to meet her father upon his entrance, -Camilla was twice sent for before she could gain strength to appear in -his presence; nor could his utmost kindness enable her to look up. - -The heart of Mr. Tyrold was penetrated by her avoidance, and yet more -sunk by her sight. His best hopes were all defeated of affording her -parental comfort, and he was still to seek for her revival or support. - -He related what had passed at Cleves, with the accustomed openness with -which he conversed with his children as his friends. Clermont, he said, -was arrived, and had authenticated all the accounts, with so little of -either shame or sense, that a character less determined upon indulgence -than that of Sir Hugh, must have revolted from affording him succour, if -merely to mortify him into repentance. The manner of making payment, -however, had been the difficult discussion of the whole day. Sir Hugh -was unequal to performing any thing, though ready to consent to every -thing. When he proposed the sale of several of his numerous horses, he -objected, that what remained would be hard worked: when he mentioned -diminishing his table, he was afraid the poor would take it ill, as they -were used to have his orts: and when he talked of discharging some of -his servants, he was sure they would think it very unkind. 'His heart,' -continued Mr. Tyrold, 'is so bountiful, and so full of kindness, that he -pleads his tender feelings, and regretting wishes, against the sound -reason of hard necessity. What is right, however, must only in itself -seek what is pleasant; and there, when it ceases to look more abroad, it -is sure to find it.' - -He stopt, hearing a deep sigh from Camilla, who secretly ejaculated a -prayer that this sentence might live, henceforward, in her memory. He -divined the wish, which devoutly he echoed, and continued: - -'There is so little, in fine, that he could bear to relinquish, that, -with my utmost efforts, I could not calculate any retrenchment, to which -he will agree, at more than an hundred a year. Yet his scruples -concerning his vow resist all the entreaties of our disinterested -Eugenia, to either sell out for the sum, or cut down any trees in -Yorkshire. These difficulties, too potent for his weak frame, were again -sinking him into that despondence which we should all sedulously guard -against, as the most prevailing of foes to active virtue, when, to -relieve him, I made a proposal which my dear girls will both, I trust, -find peculiar pleasure in seconding.' - -Camilla had already [attempted] to raise her drooping head, conscience -struck at what was said of despondence; and now endeavoured to join in -the cheerful confidence expressed by Lavinia, that he could not be -mistaken. - -'The little hoard, into which already we have broken for Lionel,' he -went on, 'I have offered to lend him for present payment, as far as it -will go, and to receive it again at stated periods. In the mean while, I -shall accept from him the same interest as from the bank. For this I am -to have also security. I run no risk of the little all I have to leave -to my two girls.' - -He now looked at them both, expecting to see pleasure even in Camilla, -that what was destined, hereafter, for herself, could prove of the -smallest utility to Sir Hugh; but his disappointment, and her shock were -equal. Too true for the most transitory disguise, the keenest anguish -shot from her eye; and Mr. Tyrold, amazed, said: 'Is it Camilla who -would draw back from any service to her uncle?' - -'Ah no!' cried she, with clasped hands, 'I would die to do him any good! -and O!--that my death at this moment----' - -She stopt, affrighted, for Mr. Tyrold frowned. A frown upon a face so -constantly benign, was new, was awful to her; but she instantly -recollected his condemnation of wishes so desperate, and fearfully -taking his hand, besought his forgiveness. - -His brow instantly resumed its serenity. 'I have nothing,' said he, 'my -dearest child, to forgive, from the moment you recollect yourself. But -try, for your own sake, to keep in mind, that the current sorrows, -however acute, of current life, are but uselessly aggravated by vain -wishes for death. The smallest kind office better proves affection than -any words, however elevated.' - -The conference here broke up; something incomprehensible seemed to Mr. -Tyrold to be blended with the grief of Camilla; and though from her -birth she had manifested, by every opportunity, the most liberal -disregard of wealth, the something not to be understood seemed always to -have money for its object. What this might be, he now fervently wished -to explore; yet still hoped, by patient kindness, to receive her -confidence voluntarily. - -Camilla now was half dead; Lavinia could with difficulty sustain, but by -no possible means revive her. What a period was this to disclose to her -Father that she must deprive him, in part, even of his promised solace -in his intended assistance to his brother, to satisfy debts of which he -suspected not the existence! - -When forced down stairs, by a summons to supper, Mr. Tyrold, to console -her for his momentary displeasure, redoubled his caresses; but his -tenderness only made her weep yet more bitterly, and he looked at her -with a heart rent with anguish. For Lavinia, for Eugenia, he would have -felt similar grief; but their far less gay, though equally innocent -natures, would have made the view of their affliction less strikingly -oppressive. Camilla had, hitherto, seemed in the spring of joy yet more -than of life. Anxiety flew at her approach, and animation took its -place. Nothing could shake his resignation; yet to behold her constant -sadness, severely tried his fortitude. To see tears trickling -incessantly down the pale cheeks so lately blooming; to see her youthful -countenance wear the haggard expression of care; to see life, in its -wish and purposes seem at an end, 'ere, in its ordinary calculation, it -was reckoned to have begun, drew him from every other consideration, and -filled his whole mind with monopolizing apprehension. - -He now himself pressed her, for change of scene, to accept an invitation -she had received from Mrs. Berlinton to Grosvenor Square, whither -Indiana was going in a few days, to spend a fortnight or three weeks -before her marriage. But she declined the excursion, as not more -unseasonable in its expence, than ungenial to her feelings. - - * * * * * - -The following morning, while they were at their melancholy breakfast, a -letter arrived from Lisbon, which Mr. Tyrold read with visible -disturbance, exclaiming, from time to time, 'Lionel, thou art indeed -punished!' - -The sisters were equally alarmed, but Lavinia alone could make any -enquiry. - -Mr. Tyrold then informed them, their uncle Relvil had just acknowledged -to their Mother, that he could no longer, in justice, conceal that, -previously to his quitting England, he had privately married his -house-keeper, to induce her to accompany him in his voyage: and that, -during his first wrath upon the detection of Lionel, he had disinherited -him in favour of a little boy of her own, by a former marriage, whom -they had brought with them to Lisbon. - -Mr. Tyrold, though it had been his constant study to bring up his -children without any reference to their rich uncles, had never -internally doubted, but that the bachelor brother of Mrs. Tyrold would -leave his fortune to the son of his only sister, who was his sole near -relation. And Lionel, he knew, in defiance of his admonitions, had built -upon it himself, rather as a certainty than a hope. 'He will now see,' -said Mr. Tyrold, 'his presumption, and feel, by what he suffers, what he -has earned. Yet culpable as he has been, he is now, also, unfortunate; -and where crimes are followed by punishment, it is not for mortal man to -harbour unabating resentment. I will write a few lines of comfort to -him.' - -Camilla, in this concession, experienced all she could feel of -satisfaction; but the short sensation died away at the last words of the -letter of her Mother, which Mr. Tyrold read aloud. - -'You, I well know, will immediately in this evil, find for yourself, and -impart to our children, something of instruction, if not of comfort. -Shall I recollect this without emulation? No, I will bear up from this -stroke, which, at least, permits my return to Etherington; where, in the -bosom of my dear family, and supported by its honoured chief, I will -forget my voyage, my painful absence, and my disappointment, in -exertions of practical oeconomy, strict, but not rigid, which our good -children will vie with each other to adopt: sedulous, all around, to -shew in what we can most forbear. I hope almost immediately to claim my -share in these labours, which such motives will make light, and such -companions render precious.' - -In agony past repression at these words, Camilla glided out of the room. -The return of her Mother was now horrour to her, not joy; her shattered -nerves could not bear the interview, while under a cloud threatening to -burst in such a storm; and she entreated Lavinia to tell her Father that -she accepted his proposal for going to Mrs. Berlinton's; 'and there,' -she cried, 'Lavinia, I will wait, till Eugenia has told the dreadful -history that thus humbles me to the dust!' - -Lavinia was too timid to oppose reason to this suffering; and Mr. -Tyrold, already cruelly apprehensive the obscurity of their recluse -lives contributed to her depression, and believing she compared her -present privations to the lost elegancies of Beech Park, sighed -heavily, yet said he was glad she would remove from a spot in which -reminiscence was so painful. This was not, indeed, he added, the period -he should have selected for her visiting the capital, or residing at -Mrs. Berlinton's; but she was too much touched by the state of her -family, not to be guarded in her expences; and the pressure of her even -augmenting sadness, was heavier upon his mind than any other alarm. - -The conscience-struck Camilla could make no profession, no promise; nor -yet, though ardently wishing it, refuse his offered advance of her next -quarter's allowance, lest she should be reduced again to the necessity -of borrowing. - -This step once decided, brought with it something like a gloomy -composure. 'I shall avoid,' she cried, 'at least, with my Mother, these -killing caresses of deluded kindness that break my heart with my Father. -She, too, would soon discover there was something darker in my sadness -than even grief! She would be sure that even my exquisite loss could not -render me ungrateful to all condolement; she would know that a daughter -whom she had herself reared and instructed, would blush so unceasingly -to publish any personal disappointment, let her feel it how she might. O -my loved Mother! how did the delight of knowing your kind expectations -keep me, while under your guidance in the way I ought to go! O Mother of -my heart! what a grievous disappointment awaits your sad return! To -find, at the first opening of your virtuous schemes of general -saving--that I, as well as Lionel, have involved my family in -debts--that I, as well as Clermont, have committed them clandestinely to -a usurer!' - -Lavinia undertook to give Eugenia proper instructions for her -commission; but news arrived, the next day, that Sir Hugh would take no -denial to Eugenia's being herself of the party. This added not, however, -to the courage of Camilla for staying, and her next determination was to -reveal the whole by letter. - -Mr. Tyrold would not send her to Cleves to take leave, that her uncle -might not be tempted to exercise his wonted, but now no longer -convenient generosity, nor yet be exposed to the pain of withholding it. -'You will go, now, my dear girl,' he said, 'in your pristine simplicity, -and what can so every way become you? It is not for a scheme of -pleasure, but for a stimulus to mental exertion, I part with you. When -you return, your excellent Mother will aid your task, and reward its -labour. Remember but, while in your own hands, that open oeconomy, -springing from discretion, is always respected. It is false shame alone -that begets ridicule.' - -Weeping and silent she heard him, and his fears gained ground that her -disappointment, joined to a view of gayer life, had robbed Etherington -of all charms to her. Bitterly he regretted he had ever suffered her to -leave his roof, though he would not now force her stay. Compulsion could -only detain her person; and might heighten the disgust of her mind. - -The little time which remained was given wholly to packing and -preparing; and continued employment hid from Mr. Tyrold her emotion, -which encreased every moment, till the carriage of Sir Hugh stopt at the -gate. Lost, then, to all sensation, but the horrour of the avowal that -must intervene 'ere they met again, with incertitude if again he would -see her with the same kindness, she flew into his arms, rather agonised -than affectionate; kissed his hands with fervour, kissed every separate -finger, rested upon his shoulder, hid her face in his bosom, caught and -pressed to her lips even the flaps of his coat, and scarce restrained -herself from bending to kiss his feet; yet without uttering a word, -without even shedding a tear. - -Strangely surprised, and deeply affected, Mr. Tyrold, straining her to -his breast, said: 'Why, my dear child, why, my dearest Camilla, if thus -agitated by our parting, do you leave me?' - -This question brought her to recollection, by the impossibility she -found to answer it; she tore herself, therefore, away from him, embraced -Lavinia, and hurried into the coach. - - - - -BOOK X - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Surprise_ - - -Camilla strove to check her grief upon entering the carriage, in which -Miss Margland had again the charge of the young party; but the -interrogatory of her Father, _Why will you leave me?_ was mentally -repeated without ceasing. Ah! why, indeed! thought she, at a moment when -every filial duty called more than ever for my stay!--Well, might he not -divine the unnatural reason! can I believe it myself?--Believe such an -hour arrived?--when my Mother--the best of Mothers!--is expected--when -she returns to her family, Camilla seeks another abode! is not this a -dream? and may I not one day awake from it? - -Miss Margland was in the highest good humour at this expedition: and -Indiana was still enraptured to visit London, from old expectations -which she knew not how to relinquish; though they were fixed to no -point, and as fantastic as vague. Eugenia, whose dejection had made Sir -Hugh press her into the party, found nothing in it to revive her; and -Camilla entered Grosvenor-square with keen dissatisfaction of every -sort. The cautions of Edgar against Mrs. Berlinton broke into all the -little relief she might have experienced upon again seeing her. She had -meant to keep his final exhortations constantly in her mind, and to make -all his opinions and counsels the rule and measure of her conduct: but a -cruel perversity of events seemed to cast her every action into an -apparent defiance of his wishes. - -Mrs. Berlinton, who, in a mansion the most splendid, received her with -the same gentle sweetness she had first sought her regard, was delighted -by the unexpected sight of Eugenia, whose visit had been settled too -late to be announced by letter; and caressed Indiana immediately as a -sister. Miss Margland, who came but for two days, sought with much -adulation to obtain an invitation for a longer stay; but Mrs. Berlinton, -though all courtesy and grace, incommoded herself with no society that -she did not find pleasing. - -Melmond, who had accompanied them on horseback, was eager to engage the -kindness of his sister for Indiana; and Mrs. Berlinton, in compliment to -her arrival, refused all parties for the evening, and bestowed upon her -an almost undivided attention. - -This was not quite so pleasant to him in proof as in hope. Passionless, -in this case, herself, the delusions of beauty deceived not her -understanding; and half an hour sufficed to shew Indiana to be -frivolous, uncultivated, and unmeaning. The perfection, nevertheless, of -her face and person, obviated either wonder or censure of the choice of -her brother; though she could not but regret that he had not seen with -mental eyes the truly superior Eugenia. - -The wretched Camilla quitted them all as soon as possible, to retire to -her chamber, and ruminate upon her purposed letter. She meant, at first, -to write in detail; but her difficulties accumulated as she weighed -them. 'What a season,' cried she, 'to sink Lionel still deeper in -disgrace! What a treachery, after voluntarily assisting him, to complain -of, and betray him! ah! let my own faults teach me mercy for the faults -of others!' yet, without this acknowledgment, what exculpation could she -offer for the origin of her debts? and all she had incurred at -Tunbridge? those of Southampton she now thought every way unpardonable. -Even were she to relate the vain hopes which had led to the expence of -the ball dress, could she plead, to an understanding like that of her -Mother, that she had been deceived and played upon by such a woman as -Mrs. Mittin? 'I am astonished now myself,' she cried, 'at that passive -facility!--but to me, alas, thought comes only with repentance!' The -Higden debt, both for the rent and the stores, was the only one at which -she did not blush, since, great as was her indiscretion, in not -enquiring into her powers before she plighted her services, it would be -palliated by her motive. - -Vainly she took up her pen; not even a line could she write. 'How -enervating,' she cried, 'is all wrong! I have been, till now, a happy -stranger to fear! Partially favoured, and fondly confiding, I have -looked at my dear Father, I have met my beloved Mother, with the same -courage, and the same pleasure that I looked at and met my brother and -my sisters, and only with more reverence. How miserable a change! I -shudder now at the presence of the most indulgent of Fathers! I fly -with guilty cowardice from the fondest of Mothers!' - -Eugenia, when able, followed her; and had no sooner heard the whole -history, than, tenderly embracing her, she said, 'Let not this distress -seem so desperate to you, my dearest sister! your own account points out -to me how to relieve it, without either betraying our poor Lionel, or -further weighing down our already heavily burthened friends.' - -'And how, my dear Eugenia?' cried Camilla, with fearful gratitude, and -involuntarily reviving by the most distant idea of such a project. - -By adopting, she said, the same means that had been invented by Mrs. -Mittin. She had many valuable trinkets, the annual offerings of her -munificent uncle, the sale of which would go far enough, she could not -doubt, towards the payment of the principal, to induce the money-lender -to accept interest for the rest, till the general affairs of their house -were re-established; when what remained of the sum could be discharged, -without difficulty, by herself; now no longer wanting money, nor capable -of receiving any pleasure from it, but by the pleasure she might give. - -Camilla pressed her in her arms, almost kneeling with fond -acknowledgments, and accepted, without hesitation, her generous offer. - -'All, then, is arranged,' said Eugenia, with a smile so benign it seemed -nearly beautiful; 'and to friendship, and each other, we will devote our -future days. My spirits will revive in the revival of Camilla. To see -her again gay will be renovation to my uncle; and who knows, my dear -sister, but our whole family may again be blest, 'ere long, with peace?' - - * * * * * - -The next morning they sent off a note to the money-lender, whose -direction Camilla had received from Mrs. Mittin, entreating his patience -for a fortnight, or three weeks, when he would receive the greatest part -of his money, with every species of acknowledgment. - -Camilla, much relieved, went to sit with Mrs. Berlinton, but on entering -the dressing room, was struck by the sight of Bellamy, just quitting -it. - -Mrs. Berlinton, upon her appearance, with a look of soft rapture -approaching her, said: 'Felicitate me, loveliest Camilla!--my friend, my -chosen friend is restored to me, and the society for which so long I -have sighed in vain, may be once more mine!' - -Camilla, startled, exclaimed with earnestness, 'My dearest Mrs. -Berlinton, pardon me, I entreat--but is Mr. Bellamy known to Mr. -Berlinton?' - -'No!' answered she, disdainfully; 'but he has been seen by him. Mr. -Berlinton is a stranger to merit or taste; and Alphonso, to him, is but -as any other man.' - -'They are, however, acquainted with each other?' said Camilla. - -Mrs. Berlinton answered, that, after her marriage, she remained three -months in Wales with her aunt, where Bellamy was travelling to view the -country, and where, almost immediately after that unhappy enthralment, -she first knew him, and first learnt the soothing charms of friendship; -but from that period they had met no more, though they had constantly -corresponded. - -Camilla was now first sensible to all the alarm with which Edgar had -hitherto striven to impress her in vain. The impropriety of such a -connexion, the danger of such a partiality, filled her with wonder and -disturbance. She hesitated whether to relate or not the adventure of -Bellamy with her sister; but the strong repugnance of Eugenia to having -it named, and the impossibility of proving the truth of the general -opinion of his base scheme, decided her to silence. Upon the plans and -the sentiments, however, of Mrs. Berlinton herself, she spared not the -extremest sincerity; but she gained no ground by the contest, though she -lost not any kindness by the attempt. - -At dinner, she felt extremely disturbed by the re-appearance of Bellamy, -[who] alone, she found, had been excepted by Mrs. Berlinton, in the -orders of general denial to company. He seemed, himself, much struck at -the sight of Eugenia, who blushed and looked embarrassed by his -presence. He did not, however, address her; he confined his attentions -to Mrs. Berlinton, or Miss Margland. - -The former received them with distinguishing softness; the latter, at -first, disdainfully repelled them, from the general belief at Cleves of -his attempted elopement with Eugenia; but afterwards, finding she was -left wholly to a person who had no resources for entertaining her, -namely, herself,--and knowing Eugenia safe while immediately under her -eye, she deigned to treat him with more consideration. - -The opera was proposed for the evening, Mrs. Berlinton, having both -tickets and her box at the service of her fair friends, as the lady with -whom she had subscribed was out of town. Indiana was enchanted, Miss -Margland was elevated, and Eugenia not unwilling to seek some -recreation, though hopeless of finding it. But Camilla, notwithstanding -she was lightened, at this moment, from one of her most corrosive cares, -was too entirely miserable for any species of amusement. The same strong -feelings that gave to pleasure, when she was happy, so high a zest, -rendered it nearly abhorrent to her, when grief had possession of her -mind. - -After dinner, when the ladies retired to dress, Camilla, with some -uneasiness, conjured Eugenia to avoid renewing any acquaintance with -Bellamy. - -Eugenia blushing, while a tear started into either eye, said she was but -too well guarded from Bellamy, through a late transaction; which had -exalted her to a summit of happiness, from which she could never now -descend to any new plan of life, beyond the single state and retirement. - - * * * * * - -At night, the whole party went to the Opera, except Camilla, who, in -spending the evening alone, meant to ruminate upon her affairs, and -arrange her future conduct: but Edgar, his virtues, and his loss, took -imperious possession of all her thoughts; and while she dwelt upon his -honour, his sincerity, and his goodness, and traced, with cherished -recollection, every scene in which she had been engaged with him, he and -they recurred to her as visions of all earthly felicity. - -Awakened from these reveries, by the sound of the carriage, and the -rapping at the street door, she was hastening down stairs to meet her -sister, when she heard Melmond call out from the coach: 'Is Miss Eugenia -Tyrold come home?' - -'No;' the man answered; and Melmond exclaimed; 'Good Heaven!--I must run -then back to the theatre. Do not be alarmed, my Indiana, and do not -alarm Miss Camilla, for I will not return without her.' - -They all entered but himself; while Camilla, fixed to the stair upon -which she had heard these words, remained some minutes motionless. Then, -tottering down to the parlour, with a voice hollow from affright, and a -face pale as death, she tremulously articulated, 'where is my sister?' - -They looked all aghast, and not one of them, for some time, was capable -to give any account that was intelligible. She then gathered that, in -coming out of the theatre, to get to the coach, they had missed her. -None of them knew how, which way, in what manner. - -'And where's Mr. Bellamy?' cried she, in an agony of apprehension; 'was -he at the Opera? where--where is he?' - -Miss Margland looked dismayed, and Mrs. Berlinton amazed, at this -interrogatory; but they both said he had only been in the box at the -beginning of the Opera, and afterwards to help them out of the crowd. - -'And who did he help? who? who?' exclaimed Camilla. - -'Me,--first--' answered Miss Margland,--'and, when we got into a great -crowd, he took care of Miss Eugenia too.' She then added, that in this -crowd, both she and Eugenia had been separated from Mrs. Berlinton and -Indiana, who by Melmond and another gentleman had been handed straight -to the carriage, without difficulty; that soon after, she had lost the -arm of Bellamy, who, by some mistake, had turned a wrong way; but she -got to the coach by herself; where they had waited full half an hour, -Melmond running to and fro and searching in every direction, but in -vain, to find Eugenia. Nor had Bellamy again appeared. They then came -home, hoping he had put her into a chair, and that she might be arrived -before them. - -'Dreadful! dreadful!' cried Camilla, sinking on the floor, 'she is -forced away! she is lost!' - -When again her strength returned, she desired that some one might go -immediately to the house or lodgings of Bellamy, to enquire if he were -come home. - -This was done by a footman, who brought word he had not been seen there -since six o'clock in the evening, when he dressed, and went out. - -Camilla now, confirmed in her horrible surmise, was nearly frantic. She -bewailed her sister, her father, her uncle; she wanted herself to rush -forth, to search Eugenia in the streets; she could scarce be detained -within, scarce kept off from entire delirium. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_A Narrative_ - - -It was four o'clock in the morning when Melmond returned. Camilla rushed -to the street-door to meet him. His silence and his mournful air -announced his ill success. She wrung her hands in anguish, and besought -him to send instantly an express to Etherington, with the fatal tidings. - -He went himself to the nearest stables, desiring she would prepare a -letter while he got a man and horse for the journey. - -In scrawling and indistinct characters she then wrote: - - 'O my Father--our Eugenia has disappeared! she was lost last night - at the Opera--Mr. Bellamy was conducting her to Mrs. Berlinton's - coach--but we have seen neither of them since!--what--what must we - do?' - -Melmond wrote the address, which her hand could not make legible; and -Miss Margland prepared for the post a laboured vindication to Sir Hugh -of her own conduct upon this occasion. - -Indiana was long gone to bed. She was really very sorry; but she was -really much tired; and she could do, as she said, no good. - -But Mrs. Berlinton felt an alarm for Eugenia, and an astonishment -concerning Bellamy, that would fully have wakened her faculties, had she -been wholly unmoved by the misery of Camilla. Far other was, however, -her nature, gentle, compassionate, and sympathising; and her own -internal disturbance, though great even beyond her own conception why, -sunk at sight of the excess of wretchedness which disordered her poor -friend. - -There could be but one possible opinion of this disastrous adventure, -which was, that Bellamy had spirited this young creature away, to secure -her fortune, by her hand. Melmond again went forth, to make enquiry at -all the stables in London, for any carriage that might have been hired -for a late hour. And at six o'clock, in great perturbation, he came -back, saying, he had just traced that she was put into a chaise and four -from a hackney coach; that the chaise was hired in Piccadilly, and -engaged for a week. He was now determined to ride post himself in the -pursuit, that, if any accidental delay retarded them, he might recover -her before she arrived at Gretna Green, whither he could not doubt she -was to be conveyed: but as she could not be married by force, his -presence might yet be in time to prevent persecution, or foul play. - -Camilla nearly embraced him with transport at this ray of hope, and, -leaving his tenderest condolements for Indiana, whom he implored his -sister to watch sedulously, he galloped northwards. - -His heart was most sincerely in the business; what he owed to the noble -conduct which the high sentiments and pure regard of Eugenia had -dictated, had excited a tender veneration, which made him hold his life -as too small an offering to be refused for her service, if its sacrifice -could essentially shew his gratitude. And often his secret mind had -breathed a wish, that her love of literature had been instilled into her -cousin; though he studiously checked, as profane, all that was not -admiration of that most exquisite workmanship of nature. - -Mrs. Berlinton wanted not to be told this proceeding was wrong, yet -still found it impossible to persuade herself Eugenia would not soon -think it right; though Eugenia was the creature that she most revered in -the whole world, and though, with Bellamy himself she felt irritated and -disappointed. - -Camilla in every evil reverted to the loss of Edgar, whose guardian -care, had she preserved him, would have preserved, she thought, her -loved Eugenia. - -The express from Etherington brought back only a few lines written by -Lavinia, with an account that Mr. Tyrold, in deep misery, was setting -out post for Scotland. - -A week past thus in suspence, nearly intolerable to Camilla, before -Melmond returned. - -Always upon the watch, she heard his voice, and flew to meet him in the -dressing room. He was at the feet of Indiana, to whom he was pouring -forth his ardent lamentations at this long deprivation of her sight. - -But joy had evidently no part in his tenderness; Camilla saw at once -depression and evil tidings, and, sinking upon a chair, could scarcely -pronounce, 'Have you not then found her?' - -'I have left her but this minute,' he answered, in a tone the most -melancholy. - -'Ah! you have then seen her! you have seen my dearest Eugenia?--O, Mr. -Melmond, why have you left her at all?' - -It was long before he could answer; he besought her to compose herself; -he expressed the extremest solicitude for the uneasiness of Indiana, -whose eternal interruptions of 'Dear! where is she?--Dear! why did not -she come back?--Dear! who took her away?' he attributed to the agitation -of the fondest friendship, and conjured, while tears of terror started -into his eyes, that she would moderate the excess of her sensibility. It -seems the peculiar province of the lover, to transfuse all that he -himself most prizes, and thinks praise-worthy, into the breast of his -chosen object; nor is he more blind to the defects with which she may -abound, than prodigal in gifts of virtues which exist but in his own -admiration. - -'And my Father? my poor Father!' cried Camilla, 'you have seen nothing -of my Father?' - -'Pardon me; I have just left him also.' - -'And not with Eugenia?' - -'Yes; they are together.' - -Rapture now defied all apprehension with Camilla; the idea of Eugenia -restored to her Father, was an idea of entire happiness; but her joy -affected Melmond yet more than her alarm: he could not let her fasten -upon any false expectations; he bid his sister aid him to support -Indiana, and then, with all the gentleness of the sincerest concern, -confessed that Eugenia was married before she was overtaken. - -This was a blow for which Camilla was still unprepared. She concluded it -a forced marriage; horror froze her veins, her blood no longer flowed, -her heart ceased to beat, she fell lifeless on the ground. - -Her recovery was more speedy than it was happy, and she was assisted to -her chamber, no longer asking any questions, no longer desiring further -information. All was over of hope: and the particulars seemed -immaterial, since the catastrophe was as irreversible as it was -afflicting. - -Mrs. Berlinton still attended her, grieved for her suffering, yet -believing that Eugenia would be the happiest of women; though an -indignation the most forcible mingled with her surprise at the conduct -of Bellamy. - -This dread sort of chasm in the acuteness of the feelings of Camilla -lasted not long; and Mrs. Berlinton then brought from Melmond the -following account. - -With the utmost speed he could use, he could not, though a single -horseman, overtake them. They never, as he learnt by the way, remitted -their journey, nor stopt for the smallest refreshment but at some -cottage. At length, in the last stage to Gretna Green, he met them upon -their return. It was easy to him to see that his errand was vain, and -the knot indissolubly tied, by the blinds being down, and the easy air -with which Bellamy was looking around him. - -Eugenia sat back in the chaise with a handkerchief to her eyes. He stopt -the vehicle, and told Bellamy he must speak with that lady. 'That lady, -Sir,' he proudly answered, 'is my wife; speak to her, therefore; ... but -in my hearing.' Eugenia at this dropt her handkerchief, and looked up. -Her eyes were sunk into her head by weeping, and her face was a living -picture of grief. Melmond loudly exclaimed: 'I come by the authority of -her friends, and I demand her own account of this transaction.' 'We are -now going to our friends,' replied he, 'ourselves, and we shall send -them no messages.' He then ordered the postillion to drive on, telling -him at his peril to stop no more; Eugenia, in a tone but just audible, -saying: 'Adieu, Mr. Melmond! Adieu!' - -To have risked his life in her rescue, at such a moment, seemed to him -nothing, could he but more certainly have ascertained her own wishes, -and real situation: but as she attempted neither resistance nor -remonstrance, he concluded Bellamy spoke truth; and if they were -married, he could not unmarry them; and if they were going to her -friends, they were doing all he could now exact. He resolved, however, -to follow, and if they should turn any other road, to call for -assistance till he could investigate the truth. - -They stopt occasionally for refreshments at the usual inns, and -travelled no more in the dark; but Bellamy never lost sight of her; and -Melmond, in watching, observed that she returned to the chaise with as -little opposition as she quitted it, though weeping always, and never, -for a voluntary moment, uncovering her face. Bellamy seemed always most -assiduous in his attentions: she never appeared to repulse him, nor to -receive from him any comfort. - -On the second day's journey, just as Bellamy had handed her from the -chaise, at the inn where they meant to dine, and which Melmond, as -usual, entered at the same time, he saw Mr. Tyrold--hurrying, but so -shaking he could scarcely support himself, from a parlour, whence he had -seen them alight, into the passage. The eyes, ever downcast, of -Eugenia, perceived him not, till she was clasped, in mute agony, in his -arms. She then looked up, saw who it was, and fainted away. Bellamy, -though he knew him not, supposed who he might be, and his reverend -appearance seemed to impress him with awe. Nevertheless, he was himself -seizing the now senseless Eugenia, to convey her to some room; when Mr. -Tyrold, reviving from indignation, fixed his eyes upon his face, and -said: 'By what authority, Sir, do you presume to take charge of my -daughter?'--'By the authority,' he answered, 'of a husband.' Mr. Tyrold -said no more; he caught at the arm of Melmond, though he had not yet -seen who he was, and Bellamy carried Eugenia into the first vacant -parlour, followed only by the woman of the house. - -Melmond then, respectfully, and filled with the deepest commiseration, -sought to make himself known to Mr. Tyrold; but he heard him not, he -heeded no one; he sat down upon a trunk, accidentally in the passage -where all this had passed, saying, but almost without seeming conscious -that he spoke aloud: 'This, indeed, is a blow to break both our hearts!' -Melmond then stood silently by, for he saw, by his folded hands and -uplighted eyes, he was ejaculating some prayer: after which, with a -countenance more firm, and limbs better able to sustain him, he rose, -and moved towards the parlour into which the fainting Eugenia had been -carried. - -Melmond then again spoke to him by his name. He recollected the voice, -turned to him, and gave him his hand, which was of an icy coldness. 'You -are very kind, Mr. Melmond,' he said; 'my poor girl'--but stopt, -checking what he meant to add, and went to the parlour-door. - -It was locked. The woman of the house had left it, and said, the lady -was recovered from her fit. Mr. Tyrold, from a thousand feelings, seemed -unable to demand admission for himself: he desired Melmond to speak, and -claim an audience alone for him with his daughter. - -Bellamy opened the door with a look evidently humbled and frightened, -yet affecting perfect ease. When Melmond made known his commission, -Eugenia, starting up, exclaimed: 'Yes, yes! I will see my dear Father -alone!--and O! that this poor frame might sink to rest on his loved -bosom!' - -'In a moment! in a moment!' cried Bellamy, motioning Melmond to -withdraw; 'tell Mr. Tyrold he shall come in a moment.' - -Melmond was forced to retreat; but heard him hastily say, as again he -fastened the door, 'My life, O Eugenia! is in your hands--and is it thus -you requite my ardent love and constancy?' - -Mr. Tyrold now would wait but a few minutes: it was palpable Bellamy -feared the interview; and he could fear it but from one motive: he sent -him, therefore, word by Melmond, that if he did not immediately retire, -and leave him to a conference alone with his daughter, he would apply no -more for a meeting till he claimed it in a court of justice. - -Bellamy soon came out, bowed obsequiously to Mr. Tyrold, who passed him -without notice, and who was then for half an hour shut up with Eugenia. -Longer Bellamy could not endure; he broke in upon them, and left the -room no more. - -Soon after, Mr. Tyrold came out, his own eyes now as red as those of the -weeping bride. He took Melmond apart, thanked him for his kindness, but -said nothing could be done. He entreated him therefore to return to his -own happier affairs; adding, 'I cannot talk upon this miserable event. -Tell Camilla, her sister is, for the present, going home with me--though -not, alas! alone! Tell her, too, I will write to her upon my arrival at -Etherington.' - -'This,' concluded Mrs. Berlinton, 'is all my brother has to relate; all -that for himself he adds, is, that if ever, to something human, the mind -of an angel was accorded--that mind seems enshrined in the heart of -Eugenia!' - -Nothing that Camilla had yet experienced of unhappiness, had penetrated -her with feelings of such deadly woe as this event. Eugenia, from her -childhood, had seemed marked by calamity: her ill health, even from -infancy, and her subsequent misfortunes, had excited in her whole house -the tenderest pity, to which the uncommon character with which she grew -up, had added respect and admiration. And the strange, and almost -continual trials she had had to encounter, from the period of her -attaining her fifteenth year, which, far from souring her mind, had -seemed to render it more perfect, had now nearly sanctified her in the -estimation of them all. To see her, therefore, fall, at last, a -sacrifice to deceit or violence,--for one, if not both, had palpably put -her into the possession of Bellamy, was a grief more piercingly wounding -than all she had yet suffered. Whatever she had personally to bear, she -constantly imagined some imprudence or impropriety had provoked; but -Eugenia, while she appeared to her so blameless, that she could merit no -evil, was so amiable, that willingly she would have borne for her their -united portions. - -How it had been effected, since force would be illegal, still kept -amazement joined to sorrow, till the promised letter arrived from Mr. -Tyrold, with an account of the transaction. - -Eugenia, parted from Miss Margland by Bellamy, in the crowd, was obliged -to accept his protection, which, till then, she had refused, to restore -her to her company. The coach, he said, he knew, had orders to wait in -Pall Mall, whither the other ladies would be conveyed in chairs, to -avoid danger from the surrounding carriages. She desired to go, also, in -a chair: but he hurried her by quick surprize into a hackney-coach, -which, he said, would be more speedy, and bidding the man drive to Pall -Mall, seated himself opposite to her. She had not the most remote -suspicion of his design, as his behaviour was even coldly distant, -though she wondered Pall Mall was so far off, and that the coachman -drove so fast, till they stopt at a turnpike----and then, in one quick -and decided moment, she comprehended her situation, and made an attempt -for her own deliverance--but he prevented her from being heard.--And the -scenes that followed she declined relating. Yet, what she would not -recount, she could not, to the questions of her Father, deny, that -force, from that moment, was used, to repel all her efforts for -obtaining help, and to remove her into a chaise. - -Mr. Tyrold required to hear nothing more, to establish a prosecution, -and to seize her, publickly, from Bellamy. But from this she recoiled. -'No, my dear Father,' she continued, 'the die is cast! and I am his! -Solemn has been my vow! sacred I must hold it!' - -She then briefly narrated, that though violence was used to silence her -at every place where she sought to be rescued, every interval was -employed, by Bellamy, in the humblest supplications for her pardon, and -most passionate protestations of regard, all beginning and all ending in -declaring, that to live longer without her was impossible, and pledging -his ardent attachment for obtaining her future favour; spending the -period from stage to stage, or turnpike to turnpike, in kneeling to -beseech forgiveness for the desperation to which he was driven, by the -most cruel and hopeless passion that ever seized the heart of man. When -they were near their journey's end, he owned that his life was in her -hands, but he was indifferent whether he lost it from the misery of -living without her, or from her vengeance of this last struggle of his -despair. She assured him his life was safe, and offered him pardon upon -condition of immediate restoration to her friends; but, suddenly -producing a pistol, 'Now then,' he said, O! amiable object of my -constant love! bless me with your hand, or prepare to see me die at your -feet!' And, with a terrifying oath, he bound himself not to lose her and -outlive her loss. She besought him to be more reasonable, with the -gentlest prayers; but his vehemence only encreased; she offered him -every other promise he could name; but he preferred death to every other -she should grant. She then pronounced, though in trembling, a positive -refusal. Instantly he lifted up his pistol, and calling out; 'Forgive, -then, O hard-hearted Eugenia, my uncontroulable passion, and shed a tear -over the corpse I am going to prostrate at your feet!' was pointing it -to his temple, when, overcome with horror, she caught his arm, -exclaiming; 'Ah! stop! I consent to what you please!' It was in vain she -strove afterwards to retract; one scene followed another, till he had -bound her by all she herself held sacred, to rescue him from suicide, by -consenting to the union. He found a person who performed the marriage -ceremony on the minute of her quitting the chaise. She uttered not one -word; she was passive, scared, and scarce alive; but resisted not the -eventful ring, with which he encircled her finger, and seemed rousing as -from a dream, upon hearing him call her his wife. He professed eternal -gratitude, and eternal devotion; but no sooner was all conflict at an -end, than, consigning herself wholly to grief, she wept without -intermission. - -When Mr. Tyrold had heard her history, abhorrence of such barbarous -force, and detestation of such foul play upon the ingenuous credulity of -her nature, made him insist, yet more strongly, upon taking legal -measures for procuring an immediate separation, and subsequent -punishment; but the reiterated vows with which, since the ceremony, he -had bound her to himself, so forcibly awed the strict conscientiousness -of her principles, that no representations could absolve her opinion of -what she now held her duty; and while she confessed her unhappiness at a -connection formed by such cruel means, she conjured him not to encrease -it, by rendering her, in her own estimation, perjured. - -'Patiently, therefore,' continued Mr. Tyrold, 'we must bear, what vainly -we should combat, and bow down to those calamities of which the purpose -is hidden, nor fancy no good is answered, because none is obvious. Man -develops but little, though he experiences much. The time will come for -his greater diffusion of knowledge; let him meet it without dread, by -using worthily his actual portion. I resign myself, therefore, with -reverence to this blow; though none yet has struck so hardly at my -heart. We must now do what we can for this victim to her own purity, by -seeking means to secure her future independence, and by bettering--if -possible!--her betrayer. What a daughter, what a sister, what a friend, -has her family thus lost! How will your poor Mother receive such killing -tidings! Misfortune, sickness, and poverty, she has heroism to endure; -but innocence oppressed through its own artlessness, and inexperience -duped by villainy, will shake her utmost firmness, and harass into -disorder her, as yet, unbroken powers of encountering adversity. -Alas!--no evils that visited the early years of this loved child, have -proved to her so grievous as the large fortune with which they were -followed! We repined, my Camilla, at the deprivation you sustained at -that period.--We owe to it, perhaps, that you have not as treacherously -been betrayed! - -'How has the opening promise of our Eugenia more than answered our -fondest expectations! Her knowledge is still less uncommon than her -simplicity, her philosophy for herself than her zeal in the service of -others. She is singular with sweetness, peculiar, yet not impracticable; -generous without parade, and wise without consciousness. Yet now, so -sacrificed seems all,--that I dwell upon her excellencies as if -enumerating them over her tomb!' - -A letter from Lavinia contained some further particulars. Their Father, -she said, finding the poor victim resolute, meant to spare Sir Hugh all -that was possible of the detestable craft of Bellamy; and Eugenia was -already struggling to recover her natural serenity, that she might -appear before him without endangering his own. Bellamy talked of nothing -but love and rapture; yet the unsuspicious Eugenia was the only person -he deceived; for so little from the heart seemed either his looks or his -expressions, that it was palpable he was acting a part, to all who -believed it possible words and thoughts could be divided. - -A postscript to this letter was added by Eugenia herself. - - 'Ah, my Camilla!... where now are all our sweet promised - participations? But let me not talk of myself; nor do you, my - affectionate sister, dwell upon me at this period. One thing I - undertook shall yet be performed; the moment I am able to go to - Cleves, I will deliver, through Lavinia, what I mentioned. Does - anything else remain that is yet in my power? Tell me, my Camilla, - and think but with what joy you will give joy again to your - - EUGENIA.' - -Broken hearted over these letters, Camilla spent her time in their -perpetual perusal, in wiping from them her tears, and pressing with fond -anguish to her lips the signature of her hapless sister, self-beguiled -by her own credulous goodness, and self-devoted by her conscientious -scruples. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_The Progress of Dissipation_ - - -Mr. Clykes, by the promised payment and reward, being for the present -appeased, Camilla still admitted some hope of waiting a more favourable -moment for her cruel confession. She received, also, a little, though -mournful, reprieve from terror, by a letter from Lisbon, written to -again postpone the return of Mrs. Tyrold, at the earnest request of Mr. -Relvil; and she flattered herself that, before her arrival, she should -be enabled to resume those only duties which could draw her from -despondence. She lived, meanwhile, wholly shut up from all company, -consigned to penitence for her indiscretions, to grief for the fate of -her sister, and to wasting regret of her own causelessly lost felicity. - -Indiana smiled not more sweetly upon Melmond, for Miss Margland's -advising her to consider in time, whether the promises made by Miss -Eugenia Tyrold would be binding to Mrs. Bellamy. She saw, nevertheless, -no good, she said, it could do her cousin, that she should neglect such -an opportunity of seeing London: and Miss Margland, in aid of this -desire, spared so much trouble to Mrs. Berlinton, who soon wearied of -Indiana, that she had the satisfaction of being invited to remain in -Grosvenor-square till the two young ladies returned into the country. - -Mrs. Berlinton, who indulged, in full extent, every feeling, but -investigated none, had been piqued and hurt to extreme unhappiness at -the late conduct of Bellamy. Attracted by his fine person, and caught by -the first flattery which had talked to her of her own, she had easily -been captivated by his description of the sympathy which united, and -penetrated by his lamentations at the destiny which parted them. His -request for her friendship had been the first circumstance, after her -marriage, which had given her any interest in life; and soon, with the -common effect of such dangerous expedients to while away chagrin, had -occupied all her thoughts, and made the rest of the universe seem to her -as a blank. But their continued separation from each other, made the day -soon too long for mere regret; and her pliant mind, in this state of -vacancy, had readily been bent to the new pursuit pressed upon her by -Mrs. Norfield; which, however, upon the re-appearance of Bellamy, would -speedily have given way to the resumption of his influence, had not his -elopement with Eugenia left her again all at large. It destroyed an -illusion strong though not definable; demolished a friendship ill -conceived, and worse understood; and brought with it a disappointment -which confused all her ideas. To be inactive was, however, impossible; -simplicity, once given up, returned to the dissipated no more; or -returns but when experience brings conviction. That all is hollow where -the heart bears no part; all is peril where principle is not the guide. - -The Faro Table was now re-opened, and again but too powerfully sharpened -the faculties which mortification had blunted. A company the most -miscellaneous composed her evening assemblies, which were soon, -nevertheless, amongst the most fashionable, as well as crowded of the -metropolis. Whatever there, is new and splendid, is sure of a run for at -least a season. Enquiries into what is right, or strictures upon what is -wrong, rarely molest popularity, till the rise of some fresher luminary -gives fashion another abode. - -Calamity requires not more fortitude than pleasure. What she began but -to divert disappointment and lassitude, she continued to attain -celebrity; and the company which Faro and Fashion brought together, she -soon grew ambitious to collect by motives of more appropriate flattery. -All her aim, now, was to be universally alluring; and she looked from -object to object, in smiling discourse, till one by one, every object -could look only at her: and grace and softness which had been secretly -bewitching while she had the dignity to keep admiration aloof, were -boldly declared to be invincible, since she permitted such professions -to reach her ear. - -Long surrounded by gazing admirers, she became now encircled by avowed -adorers; and what for victory she had essayed, she pursued ardently for -pleasure. Coquetry is as fascinating to those who practise it, as to -those whom it seduces; and she found herself, shortly, more happy by a -conquest effected by wiles and by art, than by any devotion paid -straight forward, and uncourted. The generality of her new ambition -protected it from permanent ill consequences; aiming at everyone, she -cared for no one; mortified by Bellamy, she resolved to mortify others, -and in proportion as her smiles grew softer her heart became harder. - -Indiana, at this period, immersed at once from the most private retreat -into the gayest vortex of pleasure, thought herself in the upper -regions, where happiness, composed by her own ideas, consisted of -perpetual admiration to unfading beauty: but though the high qualities -with which the devotion of Melmond had gifted her had enslaved his -reason and understanding from suspecting that so fair a form could -enclose aught short of its own perfection, his heart was struck, and all -his feelings were offended, when he saw her capable of dissipation upon -a season of calamity to Eugenia; Eugenia, whom though he could not love, -he venerated; Eugenia, whose nature he thought divine, though her -person, unhappily, was but too human; Eugenia, to whom he owed the union -upon which hung all his wishes ... to seek pleasure while Eugenia -suffered, was astonishing, was incomprehensible. He felt as if every -principle of his love were violated; he looked another way, to disguise -his shock;--but when he looked at her again, it was forgotten. - - * * * * * - -Camilla soon after learnt, from Lavinia, that Sir Hugh had been deeply -affected by the history of the elopement, though it had been softened -to him by all possible means, at the desire of the heroic Eugenia -herself; who would now own to no one the force with which she had been -carried off. Bellamy continued the most unremitting demonstrations of -affection, which she received with gentleness, and appeared entirely to -credit as sincere; but he had already absolutely refused a residence -offered for them both at Cleves, and made Eugenia herself ask a separate -provision of her uncle, though she could not even a moment pretend that -the desire was her own. Sir Hugh, nevertheless, had yielded; and -notwithstanding his present embarrassments from Clermont, had insisted -upon settling a thousand pounds a year upon her immediately; in -consequence of which, Bellamy had instantly taken a house at Belfont, to -which they were already removing. Eugenia had recovered her gentle -fortitude, seemed to submit to her destiny, and repined solely she could -not, yet, keep her engagement with respect to the trinkets, which though -she had openly told Bellamy were promised to a friend, he had seized to -pack up, and said, 'he could not re-deliver till they were arranged in -their new dwelling.' But she charged Lavinia to express her hopes that -the detention would not last long. - - * * * * * - -When the given three weeks expired, Indiana, infatuated with London, -begged and obtained leave to stretch her residence there to a month. - -Eugenia was now settled at Belfont; but still Camilla received no -intelligence of the promised boon, and spent her lingering hours in her -chamber, no longer even invited thence, except at meals, by Mrs. -Berlinton; whose extreme and encreasing dissipation, from first allowing -no time, took off, next, all desire for social life. Surprised and hurt, -Camilla was called off a little from herself, through concern. She -sincerely loved Mrs. Berlinton, whom it was difficult to see and know -with indifference, and she softly represented to her how ill she felt at -ease in the falling off she experienced in her partiality. - -Mrs. Berlinton tenderly embraced her, protesting she was dear to her as -ever; and feeling, while she spoke, her first affection return; but not -a moment had she to bestow from her new mode of life: some party was -always formed which she had not force of mind to break; an internal -restlessness, from the want of some right pursuit, joined to a -disappointment she could not own, made that party induce another; and -though none gave her real pleasure, which her strong, however -undisciplined and unguided feelings, shut out from such a species of -vague life, all gave employment to expectation, and were preferable to a -regret at once consuming and mortifying. - -Her gentleness, however, and her returned personal kindness, encouraged -Camilla to repeat her admonitions, and engage assistance from Melmond, -who, at any other period, would, uncalled, have given his whole -attention to a sister dear at once to his honour and his heart; but -Indiana more than occupied, she engrossed him. She now expected an -adoration so unremitting, that if she surprised his eyes turned any -other way even a moment, she reproached him with abated love, and it was -the business of a day to obtain a reconciliation. - -Gratefully, however, at the instigation of Camilla, he resumed the -vigilance with which, upon her first entering London the preceding year, -he had attended to all the actions of his sister. But the difference -already produced by the effect of flattery, the hardening of example, -and the sway of uncontrolled early power, astonished and alarmed him. At -her first setting out, she had hearkened to all counsel, frightened by -every representation of danger, and humbled by every remonstrance -against impropriety. But she now heard him with little or no emotion; -and from beginning to listen unmoved, soon proceeded to reply and -resist. A search, rather than a love, of pleasure had seized her young -mind, which had now gained an ascendant that rendered contest less -shocking, than yielding would have been painful. - -The tribulation of Melmond at this ill success, rested not solely upon -his sister; he saw yet more danger for Indiana, who now seemed scarce to -live but while arraying, or displaying herself. His passion had lost its -novelty, and her eyes lost their beaming pleasure in listening to it; -and the regard he had fondly expected to take place of first ecstacy, he -now found unattainable, from want of all materials for its structure. -His discourse, when not of her beauty, but strained her faculties; his -reading, when compelled to hear it, but wearied her intellects. She had -no genius to catch his meaning, and no attention to supply its place. - -Deeply he now thought of Eugenia, with that regret ever attached to -frail humanity, for what is removed from possible possession. The purity -of her love, the cultivation of her mind, and the nobleness of her -sentiments, now bore forth a contrast to the general mental and -intellectual littleness of Indiana, which made him blame the fastidious -eyes that could dwell upon her face and form; and feel that, even with -the matchless Indiana, he must sigh at their mutual perversity of fate. - -Nor missed he more in soul, than Indiana in adoration, who turned from -what she now resented as coldness, to the violent praises of Macdersey, -who became, at this period, a frequenter of Mrs. Berlinton's assemblies. -She understood not the inevitable difference of the altered situation; -that he who was accepted might be grateful, but could not be anxious; -and that Melmond, while in suspense, wore the same impassioned air, and -spoke the same impassioned feelings as Macdersey. To her, all seemed the -change not from doubt to security, but from love to insensibility. - -To live always at her feet, while he thought her all-divine, was his own -first joy and greatest pride: but when once he found his goddess had -every mortal imperfection, his homage ceased, with amazement that ever -it could have been excited. Those eyes, thought he, which I have gazed -at whole days with such unreflecting admiration; and whose shape, -colour, size, and sweet proportion still hold their pre-eminence, now, -while retaining their first lustre, have lost all their illusory charm! -I meet them--but to deplore their vacancy of the soul's intelligence--I -fondly--vainly seek! - - * * * * * - -Even when again the time arrived for returning to Cleves, Indiana, -hanging languidly upon every minute she could steal from it, petitioned -for a few days more from the ever-granting Baronet, which, while by her -devoted to coquetry, admiration, and dress, were consumed by Camilla in -almost every species of wretchedness. Mrs. Mittin wrote her word that -Mr. Clykes was become more uneasy than ever for his money, as she had -thought it indispensable to acquaint him of the reports in the -neighbourhood, that Mr. Tyrold had met with misfortunes, and was -retrenching: if he could not, therefore, be paid quickly, he must put in -his claims elsewhere. - -The same post brought from Lavinia an account so afflicting of Eugenia, -as nearly to annihilate even this deep personal distress. It was known, -through Molly Mill, who, by the express insistance of Sir Hugh, -continued to live with her young Mistress, that Bellamy had already, at -Belfont, cast off the mask of pretended passion, and grossly demanded of -her Mistress to beg money for him of Sir Hugh; acknowledging, without -scruple, large debts, that demanded speedy payment, and pressing her to -ask for the immediate possession of the Yorkshire estate. Her Mistress, -though mildly, always steadily refused; which occasioned reproaches so -rude and violent as almost to frighten her into fits; and so loud, that -they were often heard by every servant in the house. - -Camilla, at this dreadful history, grew nearly indifferent to all else, -and would have relinquished, almost unrepining, her expectations of -personal relief, but that Lavinia, in the name of their unhappy sister, -bid her still cherish them; assuring her she hoped yet to perform her -engagement, as Mr. Bellamy never disputed her already given promise, -though he had mislaid the key of the box in which the trinkets were -deposited. - -Nor even here rested the misery of Camilla: another alarm stole upon her -mind, of a nature the most dreadful. - -Upon the first evening of this newly-granted stay, while she was -conversing alone with Mrs. Berlinton before the nocturnal _toilette_ of -that lady, a servant announced Mr. Bellamy. Mrs. Berlinton blushed high, -evidently with as much of anger as surprise; Camilla hastily -withdrawing, to avoid an object abhorrent to her, wondered she would -admit him: yet, anxious for any intelligence that could relate to her -sister, enquired when he was gone, and ran towards the dressing-room to -ask what had passed: but before she reached the door, the sound of his -voice re-entering the hall, and of his step re-ascending the stairs, -made her fly into the adjoining apartment, not to encounter him; where -the instant he had shut the door, and before she could move, she heard -him exclaim, 'You weep still, my lovely friend? Ah! can one doubt so -injurious remain upon your mind as to suppose any thing but the cruel -necessity of my misfortunes could have made me tarnish our celestial -friendship with any other engagement? Ah! look at her ... and look at -yourself!' - -Camilla, who, at first, had been immoveable from consternation, now -recovered sufficiently to get back to her room. But she returned no more -to Mrs. Berlinton, though Bellamy soon departed; her eagerness for -information subsided in indignant sorrow. That Eugenia, the injured, the -inestimable Eugenia, should be spoken of, by the very violator who had -torn her from her friends, as a mere burthen attached to the wealth she -procured him, struck at her heart as a poniard. And the impropriety to -herself, and the wrong to Eugenia, of Mrs. Berlinton, in listening to -such a discourse, totally sunk that lady in her esteem; though it -determined her, as a duty due to them all around, to represent what she -felt upon this subject; and the next day, the instant she was visible, -she begged an audience. - -Mrs. Berlinton was pensive and dejected, but, as usual, open and -unguarded; she began herself to speak of the visit of Bellamy, and to -ask why she ran away. - -Camilla, without answer or hesitation, related what she had overheard; -adding: 'O, Mrs. Berlinton! can you suffer him to talk thus? Can you -think of my injured Eugenia--lately your own favourite friend--and bear -to hear him?' - -'How injured, my ever-dear Camilla? Does she know what he says? Can it -hurt her unheard? Can it affect her unimagined? He but solaces his -sadness by a confidence he holds sacred; 'tis the type of our -friendship, now dearer, he says, than ever, since reciprocated by such -sympathy.' - -'You affright me, Mrs. Berlinton! what a perversion of reason to talk of -sympathy in your situations? Did Eugenia press him to the altar? Did any -friends solicit the alliance? Oh, Mrs. Berlinton! think but a moment, -and your own feeling mind will paint his conduct in colours I have not -the skill to attain!' - -'You are right!' cried she, blushing in her unwilling conviction: 'I -know not how he could delude me to believe our fates resembled. -Certainly nothing can be less similar.' - -Camilla was happy in this victory; but the following day, Bellamy, at -the same hour was announced, and in the same manner was admitted; -Camilla flying, and Mrs. Berlinton protesting she should attack his -mistaken comparison with severity. - -Severity, however, was a quality with which she was unacquainted; -Camilla, anxious in every way, hastened to her when he was gone, but -found her dissolved in tender tears, shed, she declared, in regret of -the uneasiness she had given him, for he had now made her fully -sensible his destiny alone was to blame. - -The understanding of Camilla was highly superior to being duped by such -flimsy sophistry, which she heard with added detestation of the -character of Bellamy; yet perceived that no remonstrance could prevent -his admittance, and that every interview regularly destroyed the effect -of every exhortation. - -In this melancholy period, the sole satisfaction she received was -through a letter written by Lionel from Ostend, in which he told her -that the dread of imprisonment, or want, in a foreign country, made him -lead a life so parsimonious, so totally deprived of all pleasure and all -comfort, that he was almost consumed with regret for the wilfulness with -which he had thrown away his innumerable advantages; and so much struck -with the retrospection of the wanton follies and vices which had -involved him in such dishonour and ruin, that he began now to think he -had rather been mad than wicked;--so unmeaning, unreflecting, and -unprovoked, as well as worthless, had been the course he had pursued. - -Camilla sent this letter immediately to her Father, who remitted to -Lionel such a sum as must obviate distress, with such intimation for the -future as he hoped would best encourage more solid reformation. - -Thus passed the time, improperly, or unhappily to all, till the third -period fixed for the return to the country elapsed: and Camilla, finding -the whole view of her journey abortive, saw the accumulated yet useless -suffering involved through her ill-judged procrastination. Yet, as -Eugenia still did not despair, even her confession was unwritten; and as -Miss Margland and Indiana granted her request of going round by Belfont, -which she had previously arranged from an ardent desire to embrace her -loved sister, she still dwelt on a last hope from that interview. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_Hints upon National Prejudice_ - - -With mingled disquietude and distaste, Melmond saw the reluctance of -Indiana to quit town, and that he was less than a cypher with her upon -the last evening's assembly, where, without deigning to bestow one look -upon him, she chatted, smiled, and fluttered with every one else; -undisguisedly betraying that [he] whom she should soon have alone, and -have always, should not rob of even one precious moment this last -splendid blaze of general admiration. He sighed; and in common with the -hapless perverseness of mortals, thought he had _thrown away_, in -Eugenia, _a gem richer than all her tribe_![5] - -[Footnote 5: Shakespeare] - -Camilla, whose heart, however dead to joy, was invariably open to -tenderness, was melted with fond emotions in the idea of again meeting -her beloved Eugenia, and ready for her journey nearly with the light. - -Soon after she was dressed, a house maid, tapping at her door, said, -'Pray, Ma'am, is Miss Lynmere with you?' - -'No.' - -Presently Miss Margland came herself. - -'Pray, Miss Camilla, do you know any thing of Miss Lynmere? It's the -oddest thing in the world where she can be!' - -Camilla, now, went forth to aid the search; Melmond, who was waiting to -hand her into the carriage, looked amazed at the enquiry. It soon, -however, was clear, that she was no where in the house; and, after -sundry examinations and researches, one of the maids was brought to -confess having aided her, in the middle of the night, to go into the -street, where she was handed into a post chaise by Mr. Macdersey. - -Melmond appeared thunder struck. An action so unexpected at the period -of a solemn engagement which waited but the journey to Cleves for being -compleated, seemed to him, at first, incredible. But, when Miss Margland -exclaimed 'O pursue her; Mr. Melmond! order your horse, and gallop to -Scotland immediately!' he gravely, and rather drily answered: 'By no -means, Ma'am! The man who has the honour of her preference, is the only -one who can have any hope to make her happy. I have no ambition for a -hand that has been voluntarily held out to another.' - -He then returned, quietly, to his own lodgings; far more indignant than -hurt at this abrupt conclusion of a connexion which, though it had -opened to him as a promise of Elysium, was closing with every menace of -mutual discontent. - -Camilla was truly concerned; and not merely for the future risk run by -her Cousin, in this rash flight, but for the new disappointment to her -Uncle. She was obliged, however, to bestow her whole attention upon Miss -Margland, whose tribulation was yet greater, and who, in losing thus her -pupil, lost the expected reward of near thirteen years of unwilling -attendance. She had, by no means, indeed, merited this treachery from -Indiana, whom though incapable to instruct in much good, she had -sedulously guarded from all evil. - -To return to Sir Hugh without her charge, without indeed either of the -young ladies who were put under her care, she had not courage. Nor could -Camilla so little feel for her distress as to request it. An express, -therefore, was ordered to Cleves, for informing him of these ill -tidings, with a very elaborate panegyric from Miss Margland of her own -conduct; and a desire to know if she should remain in town till -something transpired concerning Indiana. - -The express was but just gone, when a packet, which ought to have -arrived two days before, by the stage, was delivered to Camilla. Its -intention was merely to convey more speedily a letter from Lavinia, -containing the terrible information that Mr. Clykes had just been at -Etherington himself, to deliver in his accounts, and press immediate -payment! Their Father, Lavinia said, conceived the whole some -imposition, till the man produced the paper signed by his daughter. She -had then been called in, and obliged to confess her knowledge of the -transaction. She would avoid, she said, particulars that could be only -uselessly afflicting; but the interview had ended in their Father's -agreeing to pay, when it should be possible, the sums actually delivered -to the creditors, and for which Mr. Clykes could produce their own -receipts; but refusing, positively and absolutely, any gratuity -whatsoever, from detestation of so dangerous and seductive a species of -trade, as clandestine and illegal money-lending to minors: The man, much -provoked, said a friend of his had been used far more handsomely by Sir -Hugh Tyrold; but finding his remonstrances vain, acknowledged the law -against him for the interest; but threatened to send in an account for -his own trouble, in collecting and paying the bills, that he would -dispute, for validity, in any court of justice to which he could be -summoned: and, in leaving the house, he menaced an immediate writ, if -all he could legally claim were not paid the next day; unless a new -bond were properly signed, with a promise to abide by that already -drawn up. Their Father, she was forced to confess, had now lent his -every guinea, for the debts of Clermont, to Sir Hugh; and was at this -instant, deliberating to whom he should apply; but desired, meanwhile, -an exact statement of the debts which this man had in commission to -discharge. The letter concluded with Lavinia's unfeigned grief in the -task of writing it. - -Camilla read it with a distraction that made it wholly unintelligible to -her; yet could not read it a second time; her eyes became dim, her -faculties confused, and she rather felt deprived of the power of -thinking, than filled with any new and dreadful subjects for rumination. - -In this state, the letter on the floor, her eyes staring around, yet -looking vacant, and searching nothing she was called to Lord O'Lerney, -who begged the honour of a conference with her upon business. - -She shook her head, in token of denial, but could not speak. The servant -looked amazed; yet brought her a second message, that his Lordship was -extremely sorry to torment her, but wished to communicate something -concerning Mr. Macdersey. - -She then faintly articulated, 'I can see nobody.' - -Still the same dreadful vacuity superseded her sensibility, till, soon -after, she received a note from Lady Isabella Irby, desiring to be -admitted to a short conversation with her upon the part of Lord -O'Lerney. - -With the name of Lady Isabella Irby recurred the remembrance that she -was a favourite of Edgar--and bursting into tears, she consented to the -interview; which took place immediately. - -The terrible state in which she appeared was naturally, though not -justly, attributed by her ladyship to the elopement of her Cousin: while -Camilla, called by her sight to softer regrets, beheld again, in mental -view, the loved and gentle image of Edgar. - -Lady Isabella apologised politely, but briefly, for her intrusion, -saying: 'My Lord O'Lerney, whose judgment is never in any danger, but -where warped by his wish of giving pleasure, insists upon it that you -will be less incommoded by a quick forced admission of me than of -himself. Nobody else will think so: but it is not easy to refuse him: so -here I am. The motive of this intrusion you can but too readily divine. -Lord O'Lerney is truly concerned at this rash action in his kinsman, -which he learnt by an accidental call at his lodgings, where various -circumstances had just made it known. He could not rest without desiring -to see some part of the young lady's family, and making an offer of his -own best services with respect to some arrangement for her future -establishment. It is for this purpose, you have been so importunately -hurried; Lord O'Lerney wishing to make the first news that is sent to -Sir Hugh Tyrold less alarming, by stating, at once, what he can -communicate concerning Mr. Macdersey.' - -Camilla, who only now recollected that Mr. Macdersey was related to Lord -O'Lerney, was softened into some attention, and much gratitude for his -goodness, and for her Ladyship's benevolence in being its messenger. - -'Will you, then,' said Lady Isabella, 'now you understand the purport of -his visit, see Lord O'Lerney himself? He can give you much better and -clearer documents than I can; and it is always the best and shortest -mode to deal with principals.' - -Camilla mechanically complied, and Lady Isabella sent her footman with a -note to his Lordship, who was waiting at her house in Park-lane. - -The discourse still fell wholly upon Lady Isabella; Camilla, lost -alternately in misery and absence, spoke not, heard not; yet former -scenes, though not present circumstances, were brought to her mind by -the object before her, and almost with reverence, she looked at the -favourite of Edgar, in whose sweetness of countenance, good sense, -delicacy, and propriety, she conceived herself reading every moment the -causes of his approbation. Ah, why, thought she, while unable to reply, -or to listen to what was said, why knew I not this charming woman, while -yet he took an interest in my conduct and connexions! Perhaps her gentle -wisdom might have drawn me into its own path! how would he have -delighted to have seen me under such influence! how now, even now,--lost -to him as I am!--would he generously rejoice, could he view the -condescending partiality of looks and manner that seem to denote her -disposition to kindness! - -Lord O'Lerney soon joined them; and after thanking Camilla for granting, -and his Ambassadress for obtaining him an audience, said; 'I have been -eager for the honour of a conference with Miss Tyrold, in the hope of -somewhat alleviating the fears for the future, that may naturally join -with displeasure for the present, from the very unadvised step of this -morning. But, however wrong the manner in which this marriage may be -effected, the alliance in itself will not, I hope, be so -disadvantageous, as matches of this expeditious character prove in -general. The actual possessions of Macdersey are, indeed, far beneath -what Miss Lynmere, with her uncommon claims, might demand; but his -expectations are considerable, and well founded; and his family will all -come forward to meet her, with every mark of respect, for which, as its -head, I shall lead the way. He is honest, honourable, and good natured; -not particularly endowed, with judgment or discretion, but by no means -wanting in parts, though they are rather wild and eccentric.' - -His Lordship then gave a full and satisfactory detail of the present -state, and future hopes of his kinsman; and added, that it should be his -own immediate care to endeavour to secure for the fair bride a fixed -settlement, from the rich old cousin who had long promised to make -Macdersey his heir. He told Camilla to write this, without delay, to the -young lady's Uncle, with full leave to use his name and authority. - -'At all times,' he continued, 'it is necessary to be quick, and as -explicit as possible, in representing what can conciliate an adventure -of this sort, of which the clandestine measure implies on one side, if -not on both, something wrong; but most especially it is necessary to use -speed where the flight is made with an Hibernian; for with the English -in general, it is nearly enough that a man should be born in Ireland, to -decide him for a fortune-hunter. If you lived, however, in that country, -you would see the matter pretty equally arranged; and that there are not -more of our pennyless beaux who return laden with the commodity of rich -wives, than of those better circumstanced who bring home wives with more -estimable dowries.' - -He then added, that it was from Miss Lynmere herself he had learnt the -residence of Camilla in Grosvenor Square; for, having made some -acquaintance with her at one of Mrs. Berlinton's evening parties, he had -heard she was a niece of Sir Hugh Tyrold, and immediately enquired after -her fair kinswoman, whom he had seen at Tunbridge. - -Camilla thanked him for remembering her; and Lady Isabella, with a -countenance that implied approbation in the remark, said; 'I have never -once heard of Miss Tyrold at the assemblies of this house.' - -She quietly replied she had never been present at them; but a look of -sensibility with which her eyes dropt, spoke more than she intended, of -concern at their existence, or at least frequency. - -'Your lovely young Hostess,' said Lord O'Lerney, 'has entered the world -at too early an hour to be aware of the surfeit she is preparing -herself, by this unremitting luxury of pleasure; but I know so well her -innocence and good qualities, that I doubt not but the error will bring -its own cure, and she will gladly return to the literary and elegant -intercourse, which she has just now given up for one so much more -tumultuous.' - -'I am glad you still think so, my Lord;' said Lady Isabella, also -looking down; 'she is a very sweet creature, and the little I have seen -of her, made me, while in her sight, warmly her well-wisher. -Nevertheless I should rather see any young person, for whom I was much -interested,--unless endowed with the very remarkable forbearance of Miss -Tyrold,--under her influence after the period your Lordship expects to -return, than during its _interregnum_!' - -Camilla disavowed all claim to such praise, blushing both for her friend -and herself at what was said. Lord O'Lerney, looking concerned, paused, -and then answered, 'You know my partiality for Mrs. Berlinton: yet I -always see with fresh respect the courage with which my dear Lady -Isabella casts aside her native reserve and timidity, where she thinks a -hint--an intimation--may do good, or avert dangers.' - -His eye was then fixed upon Camilla, who surprized, turned hastily to -Lady Isabella, and saw a tender compassion in her countenance, that -confirmed the interpretation of Lord O'Lerney; joined with a modest -confusion that seemed afraid, or ashamed, of what had escaped her. - -Grateful for herself, but extremely grieved for the idea that seemed to -have gone forth of Mrs. Berlinton, she felt a tear start into her eye. -She chaced it, with as little emotion as she could shew; and Lord -O'Lerney, with an air of gayer kindness, said; 'As we must now, Miss -Tyrold, account ourselves to be somewhat allied, you permit me, I hope, -to recommend my gallant Cousin to your protection with Sir Hugh? That he -has his share of the wildness, the blunders, the eccentricities, and the -rhodomontade, which form, with you English, our stationary national -character, must not be denied; but he has also, what may equally, I -hope, be given us in the lump, generosity, spirit, and good intentions. -With all this....' - -He was here interrupted; the door being suddenly burst open by Mrs. -Mittin, who entered, exclaiming, 'Lord, Miss, what a sad thing this is! -I declare it's put me quite into a quiver! And all Winchester's quite in -an uproar, as one may say. You never see how every body's in a turmoil!' - -Here ended the little interval of horrour in Camilla. Mrs. Mittin and -Mr. Clykes seemed to her as one; yet that, already, her Cousin's -elopement should have spread so near home, seemed impossible. 'When,' -she cried, 'were you in Winchester? And how came this affair known to -you?' - -'Known? why, my dear Miss, it was there it all happened. I come through -it with Mr. Dennel, who was so obliging as to bring me to town, for a -little business I've got to do; and next week he'll take me back again; -for as to poor little Mrs. Lissin, she'll be quite lost without me. She -don't know her right hand from her left, as one may say. But how should -she, poor child? Why she is but a baby. What's fifteen? And she's no -more.' - -'We'll talk of that,' said Camilla, colouring at her loquacious -familiarity, 'some other time.' And attempted to beg Lord O'Lerney would -finish what he was saying. But Mrs. Mittin, somewhat affronted, cried; -'Lord, only think of your sitting here, talking, and making yourself so -comfortable, just as if nothing was the matter! when every body else is -in such a taking as never was the like! I must say, as to that, a -gentleman more liked, and in more respect never was, I believe; and I -can't say but what I'm very sorry myself for what Mr. Clykes has done; -however, I told you, you know, you'd best not provoke him; for though -there can't be a better sort of man, he'll leave no stone unturned to -get his money.' - -'For Heaven's sake,' cried Camilla, startled, 'what....' - -'What?... Why, Lord, Miss! don't you know your Papa's took up? He's put -in Winchester Prison, for that debt, you know.' - -The breath of Camilla instantly stopt, and senseless, lifeless, she sunk -upon the floor. - -Lord O'Lerney quitted the room in great concern, to call some female -assistants; but Lady Isabella remained, contributing with equal -tenderness and judgment to her aid, though much personally affected by -the incident. - -Her recovery was quick, but it was only to despair; to screams rather -than lamentations, to cries rather than tears. Her reason felt the shock -as forcibly as her heart; the one seemed tottering on its seat, the -other bursting its abode. Words of alarming incoherency proclaimed the -danger menacing her intellects, while agonies nearly convulsive -distorted her features, and writhed her form. - -Unaffectedly shocked, yet not venturing, upon so slight an acquaintance, -to interfere, Lady Isabella uttered gently but impressively her good -wishes and concern, and glided away. - -The nearly distracted Camilla saw not that she went; and knew no longer -that she had been in the room. She held her forehead one moment; called -for death the next; and the next wildly deprecated eternal punishment. -But as the horrour nearly intolerable of this first abrupt blow gave -way, the desire of flying instantly to her Father was the symptom of -restored recollection. - -Hastening then to Miss Margland, she conjured her, by all that was most -affecting, to set off immediately for Winchester. But Miss Margland, -though she spared not the most severe attacks upon the already -self-condemned and nearly demolished Camilla, always found something -relative to herself that was more pressing than what could regard any -other, and declared she could not stir from town till she received an -answer from Sir Hugh. - -Camilla besought at least to have the carriage; but of this she asserted -herself at present the indisputable mistress, and as the express might -come back in a few hours, with directions that she should set off -immediately, she would not listen to parting with it. Camilla, frantic -to be gone, flew then down stairs, and called to the porter in the hall, -that some one should instantly seek her a chaise, coach, or any -conveyance whatever, that could carry her to Winchester. - -She perceived not that Lady Isabella, waiting for her footman, who had, -accidentally, gone on further, upon some message, now opened the door of -the parlour, where Lord O'Lerney was conversing with her upon what had -happened; she was flying back, though not knowing whither nor which way -she turned, when Lord O'Lerney, gently stopping her, asked, why she -would not, on such an emergence, apply for the carriage of Mrs. -Berlinton? Lady Isabella seconded the motion, by a soft, but just hint, -of the danger of her taking such a journey, in a hired carriage, -entirely unprotected. - -She had scarce consideration enough left to either thank or understand -them, yet mechanically followed their counsel, and went to Mrs. -Berlinton; Lord O'Lerney, deeply touched by her distress, sending in a -servant at the same time with his name, and following: while Lady -Isabella, too much interested to go till something was decided, quietly -shut herself into the parlour, there to wait his Lordship's information. - -The request for the carriage was, indeed, rather made by him than by -Camilla, who, when she entered the room, and would have spoken, found -herself deprived of the power of utterance, and looked a picture of -speechless dismay. - -The tender feelings of Mrs. Berlinton were all immediately awakened by -this sight, and she eagerly answered Lord O'Lerney, that both her -carriage and herself should be devoted to her distressed friend: yet, -the first emotion over, she recollected an engagement she could not -break, though one she hesitated to mention, and at last only alluded to -unexplained, though making known it was insurmountable; while the -colour, of which her late hours had robbed her lovely cheeks, returned -to them as she stammered her retractation. - -The next day, however, she was beginning to promise,--but Camilla, to -whom the next minute seemed endless, flew down again to the hall, to -supplicate the first footman she could meet, to run and order any sort -of carriage he could find; with but barely sufficient recollection to -refrain running out with that view herself. - -Lady Isabella, again coming forth, entreated to know if there were any -commission, any possible service she could herself perform. Camilla -thanked her, without knowing what she said; and Lord O'Lerney, who was -descending the stairs, repeated similar offers. But wild with affright, -or shuddering with horrour, she passed without hearing or observing him. - -To see a young creature in a state so deplorable, and to consider her as -travelling without any friend or support, in so shaken a condition, to -visit an imprisoned Father, touched these benign observers with the -sincerest commiseration; and the connexion of a part of his family -forming at this moment with a branch of her own, induced Lord O'Lerney -to believe he was almost bound to take care of her himself. 'And yet,' -said he to Lady Isabella, 'though I am old enough to be her grandfather, -the world, should I travel with her, might impute my assistance to a -species of admiration which I hope to experience no more--as witness my -trusting myself so much with Lady Isabella Irby!' - -Lady Isabella, from the quick coincidence of similar feelings, instantly -conceived his wishes, and paused to weigh their possibility. A short -consideration was sufficient for this purpose. It brought to her memory -her various engagements; but it represented at the same time to her -benevolence that they would be all, by the performance of one good -action, - - More honour'd in the breach than the observance: - -She sent, therefore, a message after Camilla, entreating a short -conference. - -Camilla, who was trying to comprehend some further account from Mrs. -Mittin, silently, but hastily obeyed the call; and her look of wild -anguish would have fixed the benign intention of Lady Isabella, had it -been wavering. In a simple phrase, but with a manner the most delicate, -her Ladyship then offered to conduct her to Winchester. A service so -unexpected, a goodness so consoling, instantly brought Camilla to the -use of her frightened away faculties, but with sensations of gratitude -so forcible, that Lord O'Lerney with difficulty saved her from falling -at the feet of his amiable friend, and with yet more difficulty -restrained his own knees from doing her that homage. And still the more -strongly he felt this active exertion, from the disappointment he had -just endured through the failure of his favourite Mrs. Berlinton. - -No time was to be lost; Lady Isabella determined to do well what she -once undertook to do at all; she went to Park-lane, to make known her -excursion, and arrange some affairs, and then instantly returned, in her -own post-chaise, and four horses, for Camilla; who was driven from the -metropolis. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_The Operation of Terror_ - - -Lady Isabella, for the first two or three miles, left Camilla -uninterruptedly to her own thoughts; she then endeavoured to engage her -in some discourse, but was soon forced to desist. Her misery exceeded -all measure of restraint, all power of effort. Her Father in prison! and -for her own debts! The picture was too horrible for her view, yet too -adhesive to all her thoughts, all her feelings, all her faculties, to be -removed from them a moment. Penetrated by what she owed to Lady -Isabella, she frequently took her hand, pressed it between her own, -pressed it to her lips; but could shew her no other gratitude, and force -herself to no other exertion. - -It was still early, they travelled post, and with four horses, and -arrived at Winchester before eight o'clock. - -Shaking, she entered the town, half fainting, half dead. Lady Isabella -would have driven straight on to Etherington, which was but a stage -further; but to enter the rectory, whence the Rector himself was -torn--'No!' cried she, 'no! there where abides my Father, there alone -will I abide! No roof shall cover my head, but that which covers his! I -have no wish but to sink at his feet--to crawl in the dust--to confine -myself to the hardest labour for the remnant of my miserable existence, -so it might expiate but this guilty outrage!' - -Lady Isabella took not any advantage of the anguish that was thus -bursting forth with secret history; she was too delicate and too good to -seize such a moment for surprising confidence, and only enquired if she -had any friend in the town, who could direct her whither to go, and -accompany as well as direct. - -She knew no one with sufficient intimacy to endure presenting herself to -them upon such an occasion; and preferred proceeding alone to the sad -and cruel interview. Lady Isabella ordered the chaise to an hotel, where -she was shewn into a room upstairs, whence she sent one of her own -servants to enquire out where debtors were confined, and if Mr. Tyrold -were in custody: charging him not to name, from whom or why he came, and -begging Camilla to get ready a note to prepare her Father for the -meeting, and prevent any affecting surprise. She then went to chuse -herself a chamber, determined not to quit her voluntary charge, till she -saw her in the hands of her own friends. - -Camilla could not write: to kneel, to weep, to sue, was all she could -bear to plan; to present to him the sight of her hand writing she had -not courage. - -Presently she heard a chaise drive rapidly through the inn gate: it -might be him, perhaps released; she flew down the stairs with that wild -hope; but no sooner had descended them, than a dread of his view took -its place, and she ran back: she stopt, however, in the landing place, -to hear who entered. - -Suddenly a voice struck her ear that made her start; that vibrated quick -to her heart, and there seemed to arrest the springs of life; she -thought it the voice of her Mother---- - -It ceased to speak; and she dropt on one knee, inwardly, but fervently -praying her senses might deceive her. - -Again, however, and more distinctly, it reached her; doubt then ceased, -and terrour next to horrour took its place. What was said she knew not, -her trepidation was too great to take in more than the sound. - -Prostrate she fell on the floor; but hearing a waiter say, 'Up stairs, -madam, you may have a room to yourself.' She started, rose, and rushing -violently back to the apartment she had quitted, bolted herself in; -exclaiming, 'I am not worthy to see you, my Mother! I have cast my -Father into prison--and I know you will abhor me!' - -She then sat down against the door, to listen if she were pursued; she -heard a footstep, a female step; she concluded it that of her Mother; -'She can come,' cried she, 'but to give me her malediction!' And flew -frantic about the room, looking for any means of escape, yet perceiving -only the window, whence she must be dashed to destruction. - -She now heard a hand upon the lock of the door. 'O that I could die! -that I could die!' she cried, madly advancing to the window, and -throwing up the sash, yet with quick instinctive repentance pulling it -down, shuddering and exclaiming: 'Is there no death for me but -murder--no murder but suicide?' - -A voice now found its way through her cries to her ear, that said, 'It -is me, my dear Miss Tyrold; will you not admit me?' - -It was Lady Isabella; but her Mother might be with her: she could not, -however, refuse to open the door, though desperately she said to -herself: If she is there, I will pass her, and rush into the streets! - -Seeing, however, Lady Isabella alone, she dropt on her knees, -ejaculating 'Thank Heaven! thank Heaven! one moment yet I am spared!' - -'What is it, my dear Miss Tyrold,' said Lady Isabella, 'that causes you -this sudden agony? what can it be that thus dreadfully disorders you?' - -'Is she with you?' cried she, in a voice scarce audible, 'does she -follow me? does she demand my Father?' - -'Rise, dear madam, and compose yourself. If you mean a Lady whom this -minute I have passed, and whose countenance so much resembles yours, -that I thought her at once some near relation, she is just gone from -this house.' - -'Thank Heaven! thank Heaven!' again ejaculated the prostrate Camilla; -'My Mother is spared a little longer the dreadful sight of all she must -now most abominate upon earth!' - -She then begged Lady Isabella instantly to order the chaise, and return -to town. - -'On the contrary,' answered her Ladyship, extremely surprised at so wild -a request, 'Let me rather, myself, carry you to your family.' - -'O no, Lady Isabella, no!' cried Camilla, speaking with frightful -rapidity, and shaking in every limb, 'all now is changed. I came to wait -upon my Father--to humble myself at his feet--not to obtrude myself upon -my Mother!--O Lady Isabella!--I shall have broken her heart--and I dare -not offend her with my sight!' - -Lady Isabella, with the most judicious gentleness, endeavoured to render -her more reasonable. 'I pretend not,' she said, 'to decide upon your -situation, though I comprehend its general affliction: yet still, and at -all events, its termination must be a meeting. Suffer me, therefore, -rather to hasten than retard so right a measure. Allow of my mediation, -and give me the infinite pleasure of leaving you in the hands of your -friends.' - -Camilla, though scarcely able to articulate her words, declared again -the motive to her journey was at an end; that her Father had now one to -watch, soothe, and attend him, who had none of her dreadful drawbacks to -consoling powers; and that she would remain at Mrs. Berlinton's till -summoned home by their immediate commands. - -Lady Isabella began pleading their own rights to decide if or not the -meeting should be deferred: but wildly interrupting her, 'You know not,' -she cried, 'what it is you ask. I have not nerves, I have not hardiness -to force myself into such a presence. An injured Father ... an offended -Mother ... O Lady Isabella! if you knew how I adore--and how I have -ruined them!...' - -'Let me go to them from you, myself; let me represent your situation. -They are now probably together. That Lady whom I saw but from the -stairs, though her countenance so much struck me, and whom I now -conclude to be Mrs. Tyrold, said, as she passed, I shall walk; I only -want a guide;'-- - -'They had not, then, even met!' cried Camilla, starting up with fresh -horrour; 'she is but just arrived--has but just been at Etherington--and -there heard--that her husband was in prison--and in prison for the debts -of her daughter! her guilty ... perhaps reprobated daughter!'-- - -Again, wringing her hands, half distracted, 'O, that the earth,' she -cried, 'had received me, ere I quitted the parental roof! Innocent I had -then died, beloved, regretted,--no shame would have embittered my -Father's sorrow--no wrath my Mother's--no culpable misconduct would have -blighted with disgrace their so long--long wished-for meeting!' - -The compassionating, yet judicious Lady Isabella, willing to shorten the -sufferings she pitied, made yet another effort to prevent this unadvised -return, by proposing they should both sleep this night at Winchester, -that Camilla might gather some particulars of her family, and some -composure for herself, to better judge what step to pursue. But all -desire of meeting was now converted into horrour; she was too much known -in the neighbourhood to escape being recognized if she stayed till the -morning, and her shattered intellects, she declared, could not bear -passing a whole night in expectation of a discovery through some -accident. 'Have I not already,' cried she, 'heard her voice and fled its -sound? Judge then, Lady Isabella, if I can present myself before her! -No, I must write, first. I have a long and dreadful history to -relate--and then, when she has heard it--and when the rectory has again -its reverend master--and when they find some little palliation, where -now they can see only guilt--and when all is committed without disguise -to their goodness--their mercy--they may say to me perhaps themselves: -Unhappy Camilla! thou hast paid thy just penalty; come home, then, to -thy parents' roof, thou penitent child!' - -Lady Isabella knew too little of the characters with which she had to -deal, to judge if it would be right to insist any further: she ordered, -therefore, fresh horses to her chaise, and as soon as her footman came -back, who brought the now useless direction where Mr. Tyrold was to be -found, they galloped out of Winchester. - -At Alton they stopt to sleep; and, her immediate terrour removed, she -became more sensible of what she owed to Lady Isabella, to whom, in the -course of the evening, she recounted frankly the whole history of her -debts, except what related to Lionel. - -'Your Ladyship hears me,' said she, in conclusion, 'with the patience of -benevolence, though I fear, with the censure of all judgment. What evils -have accrued from want of consideration and foresight! My errours have -all been doubled by concealment--every mischief has been augmented by -delay. O, Lady Isabella! how sad an example shall I add to your powers -of benign instruction!--From day to day, from hour to hour, I planned -expedients, where I ought to have made confessions! To avoid one -dreadful--but direct evil, what I have suffered has been nearly -intolerable--what I have inflicted, unpardonable!' - -Lady Isabella, much touched by her openness and confidence, repaid them -by all that compassion could suggest, or that a sincere disposition -towards esteem could anticipate of kindness. She gathered the amount of -the sum for which Mr. Tyrold was confined, and besought Camilla to let -it less weigh upon her spirits, as she could herself undertake that Lord -O'Lerney would accommodate him with it immediately, and wait his perfect -leisure for re-payment. 'I have known him,' said she, 'from a child, and -have always seen, with respect and admiration, the prompt pleasure with -which he rather seizes than accepts every opportunity to do good.' - -Camilla returned the most grateful thanks; but acknowledged she had no -apprehension but that the writ would immediately be withdrawn, as the -county was almost filled with friends to her Father, who would come -forward upon such an occasion. 'What rests thus upon my mind,' said she, -'and what upon his--and upon my Mother's will rest--is the disgrace--and -the cause! the one so public, the other so clandestine! And besides, -though this debt will be easily discharged, its payment by a loan is -but incurring another: and how that is to be paid, I know not indeed. -Alas! Lady Isabella!--the Father I have thus dreadfully involved, has -hitherto, throughout his exemplary life, held it a sacred duty to adapt -his expences to his income!' - -Again Lady Isabella gave what consolation she could bestow; and in -return for her trust, said she would speak to her with sincerity upon a -point of much delicacy. It was of her friend, Mrs. Berlinton; 'who now,' -said she, 'you are not, perhaps, aware, is become a general topic of -discourse. To the platonics, with which she set out in life, she has, of -late, joined coquetry; nor even there stops the ardour with which she -seeks to animate her existence; to two characters, hitherto thought the -most contradictory, the sentimental and the flirting, she unites yet a -third, till now believed incompatible with the pleasures and pursuits of -either; this, I need not tell you, is that of a gamestress. And when to -three such attributes is added an open aversion to her husband, a -professed, an even boasted hatred of his person, his name, his very -being--what hope can be entertained, be her heart, her intentions what -they may, that the various dangers she sets at defiance, will not -ultimately take their revenge, and surprise her in their trammels?' - -Edgar himself seemed, to Camilla, to be speaking in this representation; -and that idea made it catch her attention, in the midst of her utmost -misery. She urged, however, all she knew, and could suggest, in favour -of Mrs. Berlinton; and Lady Isabella expressed much concern in -occasioning her any painful sensations. 'But who,' said she, 'can see -you thus nearly, and not be interested in your happiness? And I have -known, alas!--though I am still under thirty, instances innumerable of -self-deluded young women, who trusting to their own pure intentions, -have neither feared nor heeded the dangers which encircled them, till -imperceptibly, from the insidious influence of levity, they have pursued -the very course they began with disclaiming, and followed the very steps -from which at first they unaffectedly recoiled.' - -Instructed and grateful, though incapable of being tranquillised, -Camilla the next day reached Grosvenor Square long before her fair -friend had left her downy pillow. Lady Isabella exacted a promise to be -informed of her proceedings, and, loaded with merited acknowledgments, -returned to her own mansion. - -Camilla took possession of the first room in which she found a pen and -ink, and wrote instantly to Lavinia a short, rapid, and incoherent -letter, upon the distraction of her mind at the dreadful calamity she -had occasioned her Father, and the accumulated horrours to which her -Mother had returned. She durst not present herself before them uncalled, -not even by letter; but she would live in the strictest retirement and -penance till they ordered her home, for which epoch, not more longed -[for] than dreaded, she besought her sister's mediation. - -This sent off, she forced herself to wait upon Miss Margland, who had -received an answer from Cleves to continue in town till Indiana wrote or -re-appeared. She was put immediately into uncommon good-humour, by the -ill success at the journey of Camilla, which she protested was exactly -what she expected. - -Camilla then strove to recollect all she had been told by Lord O'Lerney -of Mr. Macdersey, and to relate it to Miss Margland, who, pleased and -surprised, undertook to write it to Sir Hugh. - -To three days of dreadful suspense she now saw herself inevitably -condemned, in waiting an answer from Lavinia: but as her eyes were -opened to remark, by the admonitions of Lady Isabella, and her attention -was called back to the earlier cautions of Edgar, her time, though spent -with misery, hung not upon her unoccupied. She thought herself called -upon by every tie of friendship, faithfully and courageously to -represent to Mrs. Berlinton her impropriety of conduct with regard to -Bellamy, and the reports that were spread abroad to her more general -disadvantage. - -Her reception from that Lady, she had thought, for the first time, cold. -She had welcomed her, indeed, with an accustomed embrace, but her -kindness seemed strained, her smile was faint, and the eyes which so -softly used to second it, were averted. - -As soon as they were alone together, Camilla took her hand; but, without -returning its pressure, Mrs. Berlinton presented her with a new poem for -her evening's amusement. - -Camilla put it down, but while hesitating how to begin, Bellamy was -announced. She started, and flew away, but returned when he was gone, -and begged a conference. - -Mrs. Berlinton answered certainly; though she looked embarrassed, and -added not immediately, as she was obliged to dress for the evening. - -Camilla entreated she might speak with her before dinner the next day. - -To this she received a gentle assent: but no interview at the time -appointed took place; and when at dinner they met, no notice was taken -of the neglect. - -She now saw she was pointedly avoided. Her courage, however, was called -upon, her gratitude was indebted for past kindnesses, and her honour -felt a double engagement. The opportunity therefore she could not obtain -by request, she resolved to seize by surprise. - -Bellamy was again, however, announced; but the moment that, from her own -chamber, she heard him descend the stairs, she flew to the -dressing-room, and abruptly entered it. - -The surprise she gave was not greater than that she received. Mrs. -Berlinton, her fine eyes streaming with tears, and her white hands -uplifted with an air of supplication, was evidently in an act of -devotion. Camilla drew back, and would have retired, but she hastily -dried her eyes, and said: 'Miss Tyrold? Do you want me? where's -Miss--Miss Margland?' - -'Ah! my dearest Mrs. Berlinton! my friend, as I had hoped, and by me, -surely I trust loved for ever,' cried Camilla, throwing her arms round -her neck, 'why this sorrow? why this distance? why this unkind -avoidance?' - -Mrs. Berlinton, who, at first, had shrunk from her embrace, now fell, in -trembling agitation, upon her breast. Camilla hoped this was the instant -to improve; when she appeared to be, herself, calling religion to her -aid, and when the tenderness of her appeal seemed to bring back a -movement of her first partiality. 'Suffer, suffer me,' she therefore -cried, 'to speak to you now! hear me, my dear and amiable friend, with -the sweetness that first won my affection!' - -Mrs. Berlinton, affrighted, drew back, acknowledging herself unhappy; -but shrinking from all discourse, and starting when Camilla named -Bellamy, with a confusion she vainly strove to repress. - -Unhackneyed in the world as was Camilla, her understanding and sense of -right stood here in the place of experience, to point out the danger and -impropriety surrounding her friend; and catching her by the gown, as she -would have quitted the room, 'Mrs. Berlinton,' she emphatically cried, -'if you persist in this unhappy, this perilous intercourse, you risk -your reputation, you risk my sister's peace, you risk even your own -future condemnation!--O forgive me, forgive me! I see how I have -affected you--but you would listen to no milder words!' - -Mrs. Berlinton had sunk upon a chair, her hands clasped upon her -forehead, and tears running rapidly down her cheeks. Brought up with -religious terrours, yet ill instructed in religious principles, the -dread of future punishment nearly demolished her, though no regular -creed of right kept her consistently or systematically in any uniform -exercise of good. But thus forcibly surprised into sudden conscientious -recollections, she betrayed, rather than opened her heart, and -acknowledged that she was weeping at a denial she had given to Bellamy; -who, molested by the impossibility of ever conversing with her -undisturbed, had entreated her to grant him, from time to time, a few -hours society, in a peaceful retirement. 'Nor should I--nor could I--' -she cried, 'refuse him--for I have every reliance in his honour--but -that the guilty world, ignorant of the purity of our friendship, might -causelessly alarm my brother for my fame. And this, and the fear of -any--though so groundless--uneasiness to your sister, makes me resist -his powerful eloquence, and even my own notions of what is due to our -exalted league of friendship.' - -Camilla listened with horrour to this avowal, yet saw, with compassion, -that her friend endeavoured to persuade herself she was free from wrong; -though with censure that she sought to gloss over, rather than -investigate, every doubt to the contrary: but while fear was predominant -for the event of such a situation to herself, abhorrence filled her -whole mind against Bellamy, in every part, every plan, and every -probability of the business. - -'O Mrs. Berlinton!' she cried, 'conquer this terrible infatuation, which -obscures danger from your sight, and right from your discernment! Mr. -Bellamy is married; and if you think, yourself, my sister would be hurt -to know of these unhallowed leagues and bonds, you must be sure, with -the least reflection, that they are wrong; you too, are married; and if -Mr. Melmond would join with the world in contemning the extraordinary -project you mention, you must feel, with the least reflexion, it ought -not to be granted. Even were you both single, it would be equally -improper, though not so wide spreading in its mischief. I have committed -many errours; yet not one of them wilfully, or against conviction: -nevertheless, the ill consequences that have ensued, tear me at this -moment with repentant sorrow:--Ah! think then, what you--so tender, so -susceptible, so feeling, will suffer, if with your apprehensions all -awake, you listen to any request that may make my sister unhappy, or -involve your deserving brother in any difficulty or hazard!' - -Mrs. Berlinton was now subdued. Touched, terrified, and convinced, she -embraced Camilla, wept in her arms, and promised to see Bellamy no more. - -The next day arrived an answer from Lavinia, long, minute, and -melancholy, but tenderly affectionate and replete with pity. - -'Ah, my sister,' she began, 'we cannot yet meet! Our Mother is in no -state to bear any added emotion. The firmness of her whole character, -the fortitude of her whole life, hitherto unbroken by any passion, and -superior to any misfortune, have both given way, suddenly and -dreadfully, to the scene following her arrival.' - -She then went back to particulars. - -Mr. Clykes, she had heard, finding his bill for his own trouble -positively refused, had conceived the Tyrold family in danger of -bankruptcy, by the general rumours of the joint claimants of Lionel and -Clermont; and imagining he had no time to lose, hoped by an arrest to -frighten their Father to terms, in order to obviate the disgrace of such -a measure. Their Father would, however, hear of none, nor pay any thing -above the exact amount of the signed receipts of the various creditors; -and submitted to the confinement, in preference to applying to any -friend to be his bail, till he could consult with a lawyer. He was -already at Winchester, where he had given Clykes a meeting, when the -writ was served against him. He sent a dispatch to Etherington, to -prevent any surprise at his not returning, and to desire the affair -might not travel to Cleves, where Lavinia was then with Sir Hugh. This -note, addressed to the upper servant, fell into the hands of Mrs. Tyrold -herself, the next evening, upon her sudden arrival. She had been thus -unexpectedly brought back by the news of the flight of Bellamy with -Eugenia: her brother was still ill; but every consideration gave way to -the maternal; and in the hope to yet rescue her daughter from this -violator, she set off in a packet which was just sailing. But what, upon -descending from the chaise, was the horrour of her first news! She went -on instantly to Winchester, and alighting at an hotel, took a guide and -went to the place of confinement. - -'The meeting that ensued,' continued Lavinia, 'no one witnessed, but -everyone may imagine. I will not therefore, wound your feelings, my -dearest Camilla, with even touching upon my own. The impression, -however, left upon the mind of our poor Mother, I should try vainly to -disguise, since it has given her a shock that has forced from me the -opening of this letter.' - -She then besought her to take, nevertheless, some comfort, since she had -the unspeakable satisfaction to inform her that their Father was -returned to the rectory. He had been liberated, from the writ's being -withdrawn; though without his consent, without even his knowledge, and -contrary to his wishes. Nor was it yet ascertained by whom this was -done, though circumstances allowed no division to their conjectures. - -Harry Westwyn had learnt the terrible event in a ride he had -accidentally taken to Winchester; and, upon returning to Cleves, had -communicated it, with the most feeling circumspection, to herself. The -excess of grief with which she had heard him, had seemed to penetrate to -his quickly sensitive soul, 'for he is yet more amiable,' she added, -'than his Father's partiality paints him;' they agreed not to name it to -Sir Hugh; though Harry assured her that no less than five gentlemen in -the vicinity had already flown to Mr. Tyrold, to conjure to be accepted -as his bail: but he chose first to consult his lawyer upon the validity -of the claim made against him. All their care, however, was ineffectual; -through some of the servants, Sir Hugh was informed of the affair, and -his affliction was despair. He accused himself as being the cause of -this evil, from the money he had borrowed for Clermont, which might -wholly have been avoided, had he followed his brother's advice in -immediate and severe retrenchments. These, however, he now began, in a -manner that threatened to rob him of every comfort; and Mr. Westwyn was -so much affected by his distress, that, to relieve him, at least, from -the expence of two guests and their servants, he instantly took leave, -promising nevertheless, to yet see him again, before he returned for the -rest of his days to his native home. In a few hours after the departure -of these gentlemen, news arrived that Mr. Tyrold was again at the -rectory. Mr. Clykes had suddenly sent his receipt, in full of all -demands, and then set off for London. - -'There cannot be a doubt this was the deed of the generous Mr. Westwyn, -in compact with his deserving Son,' continued Lavinia; 'they have been -traced to Winchester; but we none of us know where, at present, to -direct to them. The delight of my Uncle at this act of his worthy old -friend, has extremely revived him. My Father is much dissatisfied the -wretched Clykes should thus be paid all his fraudulent claims; but my -Mother and my Uncle would, I believe, scarce have supported life under -his longer confinement.' - -The letter thus concluded. - - 'My Mother, when first she heard you were in town, was herself - going to send for you; but when she understood that Miss Margland - was with you, and you lived in utter seclusion from company, she - said; "Since she is safe, I had rather not yet see her." Our - beloved Father acquiesces, for he thinks you, at present, too much - shaken, as well as herself, for so agitating an interview, till her - mind is restored to its usual firmness. Judge then, my sister, - since even he is for the delay, if your Lavinia can gather courage - to plead against it? - - 'You know, my dearest Camilla, her extreme and tender fondness; you - cannot, therefore, doubt, but her displeasure will soon pass away. - But when, to the dreadful pangs of finding the hapless fate of - Eugenia irremediable, was added the baneful sight of an adored - Husband in custody, you cannot wonder such complicate shocks should - have disordered her frame, and taught her,--even her, as my - imcomparable Father has just said to me, "that always to be - superior to calamity, demands a mental strength beyond the frail - texture of the human composition; though to wish, and to try for - it, shews we have _that within_, which aspires at a higher state, - and prepares us for fuller perfection".' - - 'Can I better finish my letter than with words such as these? - Adieu, then, my dear sister, I hope soon to write more cheerful - tidings. - - 'Our poor Mother is gone to Belfont. What a meeting again there! - - LAVINIA TYROLD.' - -A wish for death, immediate death, in common with every youthful -mourner, in the first paroxysm of violent sorrow, was the sole sensation -which accompanied the reading, or remained after the finishing of this -letter, with Camilla. 'Here,' she cried, falling prostrate, 'here might -I but at once expire! close these unworthy eyes, forbidden to raise -themselves to the authors of my existence! finish my short and culpable -career, forgotten--since no longer cherished--by the parents I have -offended--by the Mother who no longer wishes to see me!' - -She laid down her head, and her sight became dim; a convulsive -shivering, from feelings over-strained, and nerves dreadfully shattered, -seized her; she sighed short and quick, and thought her prayer already -accomplishing; but the delusion soon ceased; she found life still in its -vigour, though bereft of its joy; and death no nearer to her frame, for -being called upon by her wishes. - -In the heaviness of disappointment, 'I have lived,' she cried, 'too -long, and yet I cannot die! I am become an alien to my family, and a -burthen to myself! ordered from my home by my Father, lest my sight -should be destructive to my Mother--while my sister durst not even plead -for me.... O happy Edgar! how great has been thy escape not to have -taken for thy wife this excommunicated wretch!'-- - -To live thus, seemed to her impossible; to pass even the day in such -wretchedness she believed impracticable. Any, every period appeared to -her preferable, and in the desperation of her heart, she determined -instantly to pursue her Mother to Belfont; and there, by the gentle -intercession of Eugenia, to obtain her pardon, or, which she thought -immediately would follow its refusal, to sink to death at her feet. - -Relieved from the intenseness of her agony by this plan, and ever eager -to pursue the first idea that arose, she flew to borrow from Mrs. -Berlinton her post-chaise for the next morning, and to supplicate that -Miss Margland would accompany her to Belfont; whence, if she missed Mrs. -Tyrold, they could easily return the same day, as the distance was not -more than thirteen miles. - -The chaise was accorded promptly by Mrs. Berlinton, and no regret -expressed at the uncertainty of Camilla whether or not she should -return; but Miss Margland, though burning with curiosity to see Eugenia -as Mrs. Bellamy, would not quit town, from continual expectation of some -news of Indiana. - -At an early hour the following morning, and feeling as if suspended but -by a thread between life and death, Camilla set off for Belfont. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_The Reverse of a Mask_ - - -The plan of Camilla was to stop within twenty yards of the house of -Bellamy, and then send for Molly Mill. But till she gave this direction -to the driver, she was not aware of the inconvenience of being without a -servant, which had not previously occurred either to Mrs. Berlinton or -herself. The man could not leave his horses, and she was compelled to -let him draw up to the gate. There, when he rang at a bell, her terrour, -lest she should suddenly encounter Mrs. Tyrold, made her bid him open -the chaise door, that she might get out and walk on, before he enquired -for Molly. But, in stepping from the carriage, she discerned, over a -paling at some distance, Eugenia herself, alone, slowly walking, and her -head turned another way. - -Every personal, and even every filial idea, was buried instantly in this -sight. The disastrous state of this beloved and unhappy sister, and her -own peculiar knowledge of the worthless character of the wretch who had -betrayed her into his snares, penetrated her with an anguish that took -thought from all else; and darting through the great gate, and thence -through a smaller one, which opened to the spot where she saw her -walking, she flew to her in a speechless transport of sorrow, folded her -in her arms, and sobbed upon her shoulder. - -Starting, shaking, amazed, Eugenia looked at her; 'Good Heaven!' she -exclaimed, 'is it my Sister?--Is it Camilla?--Do I, indeed, see one so -dear to me?' And, too weak to sustain herself, she sunk, though not -fainting, upon the turf. - -Camilla could not articulate a syllable. The horrour she had conceived -against Bellamy chilled all attempt at consolation, and her own misery -which, the preceding moment, seemed to be crushing the springs of life, -vanished in the agonized affection with which she felt the misfortunes -of her sister. - -Eugenia soon recovered, and rising, and holding her by the hand, yet -seeming to refuse herself the emotion of returning her embraces, said, -with a faint effort to smile; 'You have surprised me, indeed, my dear -Camilla, and convicted me to myself of my vain philosophy. I had thought -I should never more be moved thus again. But I see now, the affections -are not so speedily to be all vanquished.' - -The melancholy conveyed by this idea of believed apathy, in a young -creature so innocent, and but just dawning into life, still beyond -speech, and nearly beyond sufferance, affected Camilla, who hanging over -her, sighed out: 'My dearest!... dearest Eugenia!' - -'And what is it has brought to me this unexpected, but loved sight? Does -Mr. Bellamy know you are here?' - -'No,' she answered, shuddering at his name. - -Eugenia looked pensive, looked distressed; and casting down her eyes and -hesitating, with a deep sigh said: 'I, ... I have not the trinkets for -my dear Sister ... Mr. Bellamy ...' she stopt. - -Called to her sad self by this shock, of which she strove to repress the -emotion, Camilla recollected her own 'almost blunted purpose[6],' and -fearfully asked if their Mother were yet at Belfont. - -[Footnote 6: Hamlet] - -'Ah, no!' she answered, clasping her hands, and leaning her head upon -her sister's neck: 'She is gone!--The day before yesterday she was with -me,--with me only for one hour!--yet to pass with her such another, I -think, my dear Camilla, would soon lead me where I might learn a better -philosophy than that I so vainly thought I had already acquired here!' - -Camilla, struck with awe, ventured not even at an enquiry; and they -both, for some little time, walked on in silence. - -'Did she name to you,' at length, in broken accents, she asked, 'did she -name to you, my Eugenia, ... the poor, banished ... Camilla?----' - -'Banished? No. How banished?' - -'She did not mention me?' - -'No. She came to me but upon one subject. She failed in her purpose, ... -and left me.' - -A sigh that was nearly a groan finished this short little speech. - -'Ah, Heaven! my Eugenia,' cried Camilla, now in agony unresisted, 'tell -me, then, what passed! what new disappointment had my unhappy Mother to -sustain? And how, and by what cruel fatality, has it fallen to your -lot ... even to yours ... to suffer her wishes to fail?' - -'You know nothing, then,' said Eugenia, after a pause, 'of her view--her -errand hither?' - -'Nothing; but that to see you brought her not only hither, but to -England.' - -'Blessed may she be!' cried Eugenia, fervently, 'and rewarded where -rewards are just, and are permanent!' - -Camilla zealously joined in the prayer, yet besought to know if she -might not be informed of the view to which she alluded? - -'We must go, then,' said Eugenia, 'into the house; my poor frame is yet -feebler than my mind, and I cannot support it unaided while I make such -a relation.' - -Camilla, affrighted, now gave up her request; but the generous Eugenia -would not leave her in suspense. They went, therefore, to a parlour, -where, shutting the doors and windows, she said, 'I must be concise, for -both our sakes; and when you understand me, we must talk instantly of -other things.' - -Camilla could give only a tacit promise; but her air shewed she would -hold it sacred as any bond. - -'The idea which brought over this inestimable Parent, and which brought -her, at a moment when she knew me to be alone, to this sad house, these -sad arms ... Camilla! how shall I speak it? It was to exonerate me from -my vows, as forced! to annul all my engagements, as compulsatory! and to -restore me again ... O, Camilla! Camilla! to my Parents, my Sisters, my -Uncle, my dearly-loved Cleves!' - -She gasped almost convulsively; yet though Camilla now even conjured her -to say no more, went on: 'A proposal such as this, pressed upon me by -one whose probity and honour hold all calamity at nought, if opposed to -the most minute deviation from right--a proposal such as this ... ah! -let me not go back to the one terrible half instant of demur! It was -heart-rending, it was killing! I thought myself again in the bosom of my -loved family!'-- - -'And is it so utterly impossible? And can it not yet be effected?'-- - -'No, my dear Sister, no! The horrible scenes I must go through in a -public trial for such a purpose--the solemn vows I must set aside, the -re-iterated promises I must break,----no, my dear Sister, no!... And -now, we will speak of this no more.' - -Camilla knew too well her firmness, her enthusiasm to perform whatever -she conceived to be her duty, to enter into any contest. Yet to see her -thus self devoted, where even her upright Mother, and pious Father, -those patterns of resignation to every heaven-inflicted sorrow, thought -her ties were repealed by the very villainy which had formed them, -seemed more melancholy, and yet harder for submission, than her first -seizure by the worthless Bellamy. - -'And how bore my poor Mother ... my poor unfortunate Mother! destined -thus to woes of every sort, though from children who adore her!--how -bore she the deprivation of a hope that had brought her so far?' - -'Like herself! nobly! when once it was decided, and she saw that though, -upon certain avowals, the law might revoke my plighted faith, it could -not abrogate the scruples of my conscience. She thinks them -overstrained, but she knows them to be sincere, and permitted them, -therefore, to silence her. Unfit to be seen by any others, she hurried -then away. And then, Camilla, began my trial! Indeed I thought, when she -had left me, ... when my arms no more embraced her honoured knees, and -neither her blessings, nor her sorrows soothed or wounded my ears, I -thought I might defy all evil to assault, all woe to afflict me ever -again! that my eyes were exhausted of every tear, and my heart was -emptied of all power of future feeling. I seemed suddenly quite -hardened;--transformed I thought to stone, as senseless, as immovable, -and as cold!' - -The sensations of Camilla were all such as she durst not utter; but -Eugenia, assuming some composure; added, 'Of this and of me now -enough--speak, my dear Sister, of yourself. How have you been enabled to -come hither? And what could you mean by saying you were banished?' - -'Alas! my dearest Eugenia, if my unhappy situation is unknown to you, -why should I agitate you with new pain? my Mother, I find, spared you; -and not only you, but me--though I have wrung her heart, tortured it by -a sight never to be obliterated from her memory--she would not rob me of -my beloved sister's regard; nor even name me, lest the altered tone of -her voice should make you say, Of what Camilla does my Mother speak?' - -Eugenia, with earnest wonder, begged an explanation; but when Camilla -found her wholly uninformed of the history of their Father's -confinement, she recoiled from giving her such a shock: yet having gone -too far entirely to recede, she rested the displeasure of their Mother -upon the debts, and the dealings with a usurer; both sufficiently -repugnant to the strictness and nobleness of Mrs. Tyrold, to seem ample -justification of her displeasure. - -Eugenia entered into the distresses of her sister, as if exempt herself -from all suffering: and Camilla, thus commiserating and commiserated, -knew now how to tear herself away; for though Eugenia pressed not her -stay, she turned pale, when a door opened, a clock struck, or any thing -seemed to prognosticate a separation; and looked as if to part with her -were death. - -At length, however, the lateness of the day forced more of resolution. -But when Camilla then rang to give orders for the carriage, the footman -said it had been gone more than two hours. The postillion, being left -without any directions, thought it convenient to suppose he was done -with; and knowing Camilla had no authority, and his lady no inclination -to chide him, had given in her little packet, and driven off, without -enquiry. - -Far from repining at this mixture of impertinence and carelessness, -Camilla would have rejoiced in an accident that seemed to invite her -stay, had not her sister seemed more startled than pleased by it. She -begged, therefore, that a post chaise might be ordered; and Molly Mill, -the only servant to whom the mistress of the house appeared willing to -speak, received the commission. At sight of Camilla, Molly had cried -bitterly, and beginning 'O Miss!--' seemed entering into some -lamentation and detail; but Eugenia, checking her, half whispered: 'Good -Molly, remember what you promised!' - -When Molly came back, she said that there were no horses at Belfont, and -would be none till the next morning. - -The sisters involuntarily congratulated one another upon this accident, -though they reciprocated a sigh, that to necessity alone they should owe -their lengthened intercourse. - -'But, my dear mistress,' cried Molly, 'there's a lad that I know very -well, for I always see him when I go of an errand, that's going to -Salisbury; and he says he must go through Etherington, and if you've any -thing you want to send he'll take it for you; and he can bring any thing -back, for he shall be here again to morrow, for he goes post.' - -Eugenia, sending away Molly, said, 'Why should you not seize such an -opportunity to address a few lines to our dear Mother? I may then have -the satisfaction to see her answer: and if, ... as I cannot doubt, she -tells you to return home with Miss Margland;--for she will not, I am -sure, let you travel about alone;--what a relief will it be to me to -know the distresses of my beloved sister are terminated! I shall paint -your meeting in my "mind's eye," see you again restored to the sunshine -of her fondness, and while away my solitary languor with reveries far -more soothing than any that I have yet experienced at Belfont.' - -Camilla embraced her generous Sister; and always readiest for what was -speediest, wrote these lines, directed - - _To Miss_ TYROLD. - - I cannot continue silent, yet to whom may I address myself? I dare - not apply to my Father--I scarce dare even think of my - Mother--Encompassed with all of guilt with which imprudence could - ensnare me, my courage is gone with my happiness! which way may I - then turn? In pity to a wretched sister, drop, O Lavinia, at the - feet of her I durst not name, but whom I revere, if possible, even - more than I have offended, this small and humble memorial of my - unhappy existence--my penitence, my supplication, my indescribable, - though merited anguish! - - CAMILLA. - -Could the two sisters, even in this melancholy state, have continued -together, they felt that yet from tender sympathy, consolation might -revisit their bosoms. The day closed in; but they could not bear to -part; and though, from hour to hour, they pronounced an adieu, they -still sat on, talked on, and found a balm in their restored intercourse, -so healing and so sweet, that the sun, though they hailed not its beams, -rose while they were yet repeating Good Night! - -They then thought it too late to retire, mutually agreeing with how much -greater facility they might recover their lost rest, than an opportunity -such as this for undisturbed conversation. - -Every minute of this endearing commerce made separation seem harder; and -the answer for which they waited from Etherington, anxiously and -fearfully as it was expected, so whiled away the minutes, that it was -noon, and no chaise had been ordered, when they heard one driving up to -the house. - -Alarmed, they listened to know what it portended. 'Mr. Bellamy,' said -Eugenia, in a low voice, 'scarce ever comes home at this hour.' - -'Can it be my Mother herself?' cried Camilla. - -In a few minutes, however, Eugenia looked pale, ''Tis his step!' she -whispered; and presently Bellamy opened the door. - -Obliged to acknowledge his entrance, Camilla arose; but her parched lips -and clammy mouth made her feel as if his sight had given her a fever, -and she attempted not to force any speech. - -He did not seem surprized at seeing her, asked how she did, rather -cavalierly than civilly: rang the bell, and gave various orders; -addressed scarce a word to his wife, and walked whistling about the -room. - -A change so gross and quick from the obsequious Bellamy Camilla had -hitherto seen, was beyond even her worst expectations, and she conceived -as low an opinion of his understanding and his manners, as of his -morals. - -Eugenia kept her eyes rivetted to the ground; and though she tried, from -time to time, to say something to them both, evidently required her -utmost fortitude to remain in the room. - -At length; 'Miss Camilla,' he said, 'I suppose you know Miss Margland is -gone?' - -'Gone? whither?--how gone?' - -'Why home. That is to her home, as she thinks it, Cleves. She set off -this morning with the light.' - -Camilla, astonished, was now called forth from her taciturnity; 'What -possibly,' she cried, 'can have induced this sudden journey? Has my -uncle sent for her?' - -'No; your uncle has nothing to do with it. She had a letter last night -from Mrs. Macdersey, with one enclosed for Sir Hugh, to beg pardon and -so forth; and this morning she set off to carry it.' - -Camilla was confounded. Why Miss Margland had not, at least, called at -Belfont to enquire if she would proceed with her, was beyond all her -conjecture. - -Soon after, Bellamy's servant came in with a letter for Camilla, which -had arrived after she left town, and was given to him by Mrs. -Berlinton's butler. She retired into the next room to read it, where, to -her great consternation, she found it was from Jacob, and had been -written the day of Mr. Tyrold's arrest, though, as it was sent by a -private hand, it had only now arrived. 'Things going,' he said, 'so bad -at Cleves, on account of so many misfortunes, his master was denying -himself all his natural comforts, and in particular he had sent to -un-order a new pipe of Madeira, saying he would go without; though, as -Miss might remember, it was the very wine the doctors had ordered for -his stomach. This all the servants had taken so to heart, that they had -resolved to buy it among 'em, and get it privately laid in, and not let -his honour know but what it was always the same, till he had drunk so -much he could not help himself. For this, they were to join, according -to their wages or savings; Now I' says Jacob, 'being, by his gud -honnur's genrosty, the ritchist ammung us, fur my kalling, wants to do -the most, after nixt to the buttlur and huskippir, so, der Miss, awl -I've gut beng in the funs, witch I cant sil out withowt los, if you can -lit me have the munny fur the hurs, without ullconvenince, til Miss Geny -that was can pay it, I shul be mutch obbleggd, poor Miss Geny nut hawing -of a fardin, witch wil be a gret fevur to, Madm, - - Yur humbbel survent til deth - - JACCUB MORD.' - - * * * * * - -So touching a mark of the fond gratitude of the Cleves' servants to -their kind master, mingled tenderness, in defiance of all horrour, in -the tears of Camilla; but her total inability to satisfy the just claims -of Jacob, since now her resource even in Eugenia failed, with the grief -of either defeating his worthy project, or making it lastingly hurtful -to him, was amongst the severest strokes which had followed her ill -advised schemes. To proclaim such an additional debt, was a shame from -which she shrunk; yet to fly immediately to Cleves, and try to soothe -her oppressed uncle, was an idea that still seemed gifted with some -power to soothe herself. Whither indeed else could she now go? she had -no longer either carriage or protectress in town; and what she gathered -of the re-admission of Bellamy to Grosvenor-square, made the cautions -and opinions of Edgar burst forcibly upon her mind, to impede, though -most mournfully, all future return to Mrs. Berlinton. - -A pliancy so weak, or so wilful, seemed to announce in that lady an -almost determined incorrigibility in wrong, however it might be checked, -in its progress, by a mingled love of right, and a fear of ill -consequences. - -'Ah Edgar!' she cried, 'had I trusted you as I ought, from the moment -of your generous declaration--had my confidence been as firm in your -kindness as in your honour, what misery had I been saved!--from this -connexion--from my debts--from every wide-spreading mischief!--I could -then have erred no more, for I should have thought but of your -approvance!' - -These regrets were, as usual, resuming their absorbing powers;--for all -other evils seemed fluctuating, but here misery was stationary; when the -voice of Bellamy, speaking harshly to his unhappy wife, and some words -she unavoidably caught, by which she found he was requesting that she -would demand money of Sir Hugh, made her conclude him not aware he was -overheard, and force herself back to the parlour. But his inattention -upon her return was so near rudeness, that she soon felt convinced Mrs. -Berlinton had acquainted him with her remonstrances and ill opinion: he -seemed in guilty fear of letting her converse even a moment with -Eugenia; and presently, though with an air of pretended unconcern, said: -'You have no commands for the chaise I came in, Miss Camilla?' - -'No, Sir, ... What chaise?... Why?...' she stammered. - -'It's difficult sometimes to get one at this place; and these horses are -very fresh. I bid them stay till they asked you.' - -This was so palpable a hint for her to depart, that she could not but -answer she would make use of it, when she had taken leave of her sister; -whom she now looked at with emotions near despair at her fate, and with -difficulty restrained even its most unbridled expressions. But Bellamy -kept close, and no private conference could take place. Eugenia merely -said: 'Which way, my dear sister, shall you go?' - -'I ... I am not, fixed--to ... to Cleves, I believe,' answered she, -scarce knowing herself what she said. - -'I am very glad of it,' she replied, 'for the sake of my poor--' she -found her voice falter, and did not pronounce 'uncle;' but added, 'as -Miss Margland has already left London, I think you right to go thither -at once; it may abridge many difficulties; and with post-horses, you may -be there before it is dark.' - -They then embraced tenderly, but parted without any further speech, and -she set off rather mechanically than designedly for Cleves. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_A New View of an old Mansion_ - - -Camilla, for some time, bestowed no thought upon what she was doing, nor -whither she was going. A scene so dreadful as that she now quitted, and -a character of such utter unworthiness as that with which her sister for -life was tied, absorbed her faculties, and nearly broke her heart. - -When she stopt, however, at Bagshot, for fresh horses, the obligation of -giving directions to others, made her think of herself; and, bewildered -with uncertainty whether the step she took were right or wrong, she -regretted she had not, at least, desired to stay till the answer arrived -from Etherington. Yet her journey had the sanction of Eugenia's -concurrence; and Eugenia seemed to her oracular. - -When she came upon the cross road leading from Winchester to Cleves, and -felt her quick approach to the spot so loved yet dreaded, the horses -seemed to her to fly. Twenty times she called out to the driver not to -hurry; who as often assured her the bad roads prevented any haste; she -wanted to form some appropriate plan and speech for every emergence; but -she could suggest none for any. She was now at the feet of her Mother, -now kissing the hands of her Father, now embraced again by her fond -uncle;--and now rejected by them all. But while her fancy was at work -alternately to soothe and to torture her, the park lodge met her eyes, -with still no resolution taken. - -Vehemently she stopt the chaise. To drive in through the park would call -a general attention, and she wished, ere her arrival were announced, to -consult alone with Lavinia. She resolved, therefore, to get out of the -carriage, and run by a private path, to a small door at the back of the -house, whence she could glide to the chamber commonly appropriated to -her sister. - -She told the postillion to wait, and alighting, walked quick and -fearfully towards the lodge. - -She passed through the park-gate for foot passengers without notice from -the porter. It was twilight. She saw no one; and rejoiced in the general -vacancy. Trembling, but with celerity, she '_skimmed_,' like her -celebrated name-sake, the turf; and annoyed only by the shadows of the -trees, which all, as first they caught her eye, seemed the precursors -of the approach of Mrs. Tyrold, speedily reached the mansion: but when -she came to the little door by which she meant to enter, she found it -fastened. - -To the front door she durst not go, from the numerous chances by which -she might surprise some of the family in the hall: and to present -herself at the servant's gate would have an appearance degrading and -clandestine. - -She recollected, at last, the sash-door of a bow-window belonging to a -room that was never occupied but in summer. Thither she went, and -knowing the spring by which it could be opened on the outside, let -herself into the house. - -With steps not to be heard, and scarce breathing, she got thence into a -long stone passage, whence she meant to mount the back stairs. - -She was relieved by not meeting anyone in the way, though surprised to -hear no foot-steps about the house, and no voices from any of the -apartments. - -Cautiously she went on, looking round at every step, to avoid any sudden -encounter; but when she came to the bed-chamber gallery, she saw that -the door of the room of Sir Hugh, by which she must necessarily pass, -was wide open. - -It was possible he might be in it: she had not courage to pass; her -sight, thus unprepared, after so many heavy evils, might be too -affecting for his weak frame. She turned short round, and entered a -large apartment at the head of the stairs, called the billiard-room, -where she resolved to wait and watch ere she ventured any further. - -Its aspect was to the front of the house; she stole gently to a window, -whence she thought the melancholy of her own mind pervaded the park. -None of her uncle's horses were in sight; no one was passing to and fro; -and she looked vainly even for the house-dog who ordinarily patrolled -before the mansion. - -She ventured to bend forwarder, to take a view of the side wings; these, -however, presented not any sight more exhilarating nor more animated. -Nothing was in motion, no one was visible, not even a fire blazed -cheerfulness. - -She next strove to catch a glance of the windows belonging to the -chamber of Eugenia; but her sigh, though sad, was without surprise to -see their shutters shut. Those of Indiana were closed also. 'How -mournfully,' cried she, 'is all changed! what of virtues are gone with -Eugenia! what of beauty with Indiana! the one so constantly interesting! -the other looking always so lovely!'-- - -But deeper still was her sigh, since mingled with self-reproach, to -perceive her own chamber also shut up. 'Alas!' she cried, 'my poor uncle -considers us all as dead to him!' She durst not lean sufficiently -forward to examine the drawing-room, in which she concluded the family -assembled; but she observed, with wonder, that even the library was not -open, though it was still too light for candles; and Dr. Orkborne, who -usually sat there, from the forgetfulness of application, was the last -to demand them. - -The fear of discovery was now combated by an anxiety to see some -one,--any one, ... and she returned to the passage. All there was still -quiet, and she hazarded gliding past the open door, though without -daring to look into the room; but when she came to the chamber of -Lavinia, which she softly entered, all was dark, and it was evidently -not in present use. - -This was truly distressful. She concluded her sister was returned to -Etherington, and knew not to whom to apply for counsel or mediation. She -no longer, however, feared meeting her parents, who certainly had not -made her sister quit Cleves without themselves; and, after a little -hesitation, relying upon the ever sure lenity of her uncle, she -determined to cast herself upon his kindness: but first to send in a -short note, to avoid giving him any surprise. - -She returned down the gallery, meaning to apply for pen and ink to the -first person she could find: she could only, she knew, meet with a -friend; unless, by ill fortune, she should encounter Miss Margland, the -way to whose apartment she sedulously shunned. - -No longer, however, quite so cautious, she stopt near the chamber of Sir -Hugh, and convinced by the stillness it was empty, could not resist -stepping into the apartment. - -It looked despoiled and forsaken. Nothing was in its wonted order; his -favourite guns hung not over the chimney-piece; the corners of the room -were emptied of his sticks; his great chair was in a new place; no -cushions for his dogs were near the fire; the bedstead was naked. - -She now felt petrified; she sunk on the floor, to ejaculate a prayer for -his safety, but knew not how to rise again, for terrour; nor which way -next to turn, nor what even to conjecture. - -Thus she remained, till suspense grew worse than certainty, and she -forced herself from the room to seek some explanation. It was possible -the whole family residence might be changed to the back front of the -house. She descended the stairs with almost equal apprehension of -meeting any one or seeing no one. The stone passage was now nearly dark. -It was always the first part of the house that was lighted, as its -windows were small and high: but no preparations were now making for -that purpose. She went to the house-keeper's room, which was at the foot -of the stairs she had descended. The door was shut, and she could not -open it. She tried repeatedly, but vainly, to be heard by soft taps and -whisperings; no one answered. - -Amazed, confounded, she turned slowly another away; not a soul was in -sight, not a sound within hearing. Every thing looked desolate, all the -family seemed to be vanished. - -Insensibly, yet irresistibly, she now moved on towards the drawing-room. -The door was shut. She hesitated whether or not to attempt it. She -listened. She hoped to catch the voice of her uncle: but all was -inviolably still. - -This was the only place of assembling in the evening; but her uncle -might have dropt asleep, and she would not hazard startling him with her -presence. She would sooner go to the hall at once, and be announced in -the common way by a servant. - -But what was her astonishment in coming to the hall, to find neither -servant, light nor fire? and the marble pavement covered with trunks, -packing mats, straw, ropes, and boxes? Terrified and astonished, she -thought herself walking in her sleep. She could combine no ideas, either -good or bad, to account for such a scene, and she looked at it -bewildered and incredulous. - -After a long hesitation, spent in wonder rather than thought, she at -length determined to enter the breakfast parlour, and ring the bell: -when the distant sound of a carriage, that was just entering the park, -made her shut herself into the room, hastily, but silently. - -It advanced rapidly; she trembled; it was surely, she thought, her -Mother. - -When it drove up to the portico, and she heard the house-bell ring, she -instinctively barred her door; but finding no one approach to the call, -while the bell was impatiently re-rung, her strong emotions of -expectation were taking her again into the hall: but as her hand was -upon the lock of the door, a light glimmered through the key hole. She -heard some step advancing, and precipitately drew back. - -The hall-door was now opened, and a man enquired for a young lady just -come from Alresford. - -'There's no young lady here at all,' was the answer, in the voice of -Jacob. - -Finding it only her own driver, she ventured out; crying 'O Jacob! where -is my dear uncle?' - -Jacob was, at first, incapable of all answer, through surprise at her -strange appearance; but then said, 'O Miss Camilla! you'll go nigh to -break your good heart when you knows it all! But how, you've got into -the house is what I can't guess; but I wish, for my poor master's sake, -it had been before now!' - -Horrour crept through every vein of Camilla, in the explanation she -awaited of this fearful mystery. She motioned to the driver to stay, -returned back to the parlour, and beckoned, for she could not speak, to -Jacob to follow her. - -When he came, and, shutting the door, was beginning a diffuse -lamentation, eagerness to avert lengthened suspense recovered her voice, -and she passionately exclaimed: 'Jacob! in two words, where is my -uncle?--Is he well?' - -'Why, yes, Miss Camilla, considering--' he began; but Camilla, whose -fears had been fatal, interrupted him with fervent thanksgiving, till -she was called back from joy by the following words: - -'He's gone away Miss Camilla! gone Lord knows where! given up all his -grand house-keeping, turned off almost all his poor servants, left this -fine place, to have it let to whoever will hire it, and is going to -live, he says, in some poor little lodging, till he can scrape together -wherewithal to pay off every thing for your papa.' - -A thunder-bolt that had instantly destroyed her, would gratefully have -been received, in preference to this speech, by Camilla, who, casting up -her hands and eyes, exclaimed: 'Then am I the most detestable, as well -as the most wretched of human beings! My Father I have imprisoned!--my -Uncle I have turned from his house and home! and for thee, O my -Mother!--this is the reception I have prepared!' - -Jacob tried to console her; but his account was only added torture. - -The very instant he told her, that his master had received the news of -the arrest of Mr. Tyrold, he determined upon this violent plan; and -though the so speedy release, through the generosity of Mr. Westwyn, had -exceedingly calmed his first emotions, he would not change his purpose, -and protested he would never indulge himself in peace nor comfort more, -till he had cleared off their joint debts; of which he attributed the -whole fault to himself, from having lived up to the very verge of his -yearly income, when he ought, he said, considering there were so many -young people, to have always kept a few odd sums at hand for accidents. -'We all did what we could,' continued Jacob, 'to put him off from such a -thing, but all to no purpose; but if you'd been here, Miss Camilla, -you'd have done more with him than all of us put together: but he called -Miss Lavinia and all of us up to him, and said to us, I won't have -nobody tell this to my poor little girl, meaning you, Miss Camilla, till -I've got somewhere settled and comfortable; because of her kind heart, -says he.' - -Tenderness so partial, at so suffering an instant, almost killed -Camilla. 'O Jacob,' she cried, 'where is now my dear generous uncle? I -will follow him in this chaise (rushing out as she spoke) I will be his -servant, his nurse, and attend him from morning to night!' - -She hurried into the carriage as she spoke, and bade him give directions -to the postillion. But when she heard he was, at present, only at -Etherington, whence he was seeking a new abode, her head drooped, and -she burst into tears. - -Jacob remained, he said, alone, to take care of all the things, and to -shew the place to such as might come. - -Miss Margland had been at the house about three hours ago; and had met -Sir Hugh, who had come over, to give directions about what he would have -packed up; and he had read a letter from Miss Indy that was, and had -forgiven her; but he was sore vexed Miss Margland had come without Miss -Camilla; only she said Miss Camilla was at Mrs. Bellamy's, and she did -not call, because she thought it would be better to go back again, and -see more about Miss Indy, and so bring Miss Camilla next time; so she -wheedled his master to spare the chaise again, and let her go off -directly to settle every thing to Miss Indy's mind. - -Camilla now repented she had not returned to Mrs. Berlinton's, there, -notwithstanding all objections, to have waited her recall; since there -her parents still believed her, and thence, under the protection of -Miss Margland, would in all probability summon her. To present herself, -after this barbarous aggravation of the calamities she had caused, -undemanded and unforgiven at Etherington, she thought impossible. She -enquired if, by passing the night at Cleves, she might have any chance -of seeing her uncle the next day. Jacob answered, no; but that Mr. -Tyrold himself, with a gentleman from Winchester, who thought of hiring -the house, were to be there early in the morning to take a survey of the -premises. - -A meeting, thus circumstanced, with her Father, at a moment when he came -upon so direful a business, as parting with a place of which she had -herself occasioned the desertion, seemed to her insupportable: and she -resolved to return immediately to Belfont, to see there if her answer -from Lavinia contained any new directions; and if not, to again go to -London, and await final commands; without listening ever more to any -hopes, projects, or judgments of her own. - -Beseeching the worthy Jacob to pardon her non-payment, with every kind -assurance that her uncle should know all his goodness, she told the -postillion to take her to Belfont. - -He could go no further, he said, and that but a foot pace, than to -Alresford. Jacob marvelled, but blessed her, and Camilla, ejaculating, -'Adieu, dear happy Cleves!' was driven out of the park. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_A Last Resource_ - - -To leave thus a spot where she had experienced such felicity; to see it -naked and forlorn, despoiled of its hospitality, bereft of its -master,--all its faithful old servants unrewarded dismissed; in disgrace -to have re-entered its pales, and in terrour to quit them;--to fly even -the indulgent Father, whose tenderness had withstood every evil with -which errour and imprudence could assail him, set her now all at war -with herself, and gave her sensations almost maddening. She reviewed her -own conduct without mercy; and though misery after misery had followed -every failing, all her sufferings appeared light to her repentant sense -of her criminality; for as criminal alone, she could consider what had -inflicted misfortunes upon persons so exemplary. - -She arrived at Alresford so late, with the return horses, that she was -forced to order a room there for the night. - -Though too much occupied to weigh well her lonely and improper -situation, at an inn, and at such hours, she was too uneasy to go to -bed, and too miserable for sleep. She sat up, without attempting to -read, write, or employ herself, patrolling her chamber in mournful -rumination. - -Nearly as soon as it was light, she proceeded, and arrived at the house -of Bellamy as the servants were opening the window-shutters. - -Fearfully she asked who was at home; and hearing only their mistress, -sent for Molly Mill, and enquired for the answer from Etherington; but -the lad had not yet brought any. She begged her to run to the inn, to -know what had detained him; and then, ordering the chaise to wait, went -to her sister. - -Eugenia was gently rejoiced to see her, though evidently with encreased -personal unhappiness. Camilla would fain have spared her the history of -the desertion of Cleves; but it was an act that in its own nature must -be public; and she had no other way to account for her so speedy return. - -Eugenia heard it with the most piercing affliction; and, in the fulness -of her heart, from this new blow, acknowledged the rapacity of Bellamy, -and the barbarity with which he now scrupled not to avow the sordid -motives of his marriage; cruelly lamenting the extreme simplicity with -which she had been beguiled into a belief of the sincerity and violence -of his attachment. 'For myself, however,' she continued, 'I now cease to -murmur. How can misfortune, personally, cut me deeper? But with pity, -indeed, I think of a new victim!' - -She then put into her sister's hand a written paper she had picked up -the preceding evening in her room, and which, having no direction, and -being in the handwriting of Mrs. Berlinton, she had thought was a former -note to herself, accidentally dropt: but the first line undeceived her. - -'I yield, at length, O Bellamy, to the eloquence of your friendship! on -Friday,--at one o'clock, I will be there--as you appoint.' - -Camilla, almost petrified, read the lines. She knew better than her -sister the plan to which this was the consent; which to have been given -after her representations and urgency, appeared so utterly -unjustifiable, that, with equal grief and indignation, she gave up this -unhappy friend as wilfully lost; and her whole heart recoiled from ever -again entering her doors. - -Retracing, nevertheless, her many amiable qualities, she knew not how, -without further effort, to leave her to her threatening fate; and -determined, at all risks, to put her into the hands of her brother, -whose timely knowledge of her danger might rescue her from public -exposure. She wrote therefore the following note: - - '_To_ FREDERIC MELMOND, _Esq._ - - 'Watch and save,--or you will lose your sister. - - C.T.' - -His address, from frequently hearing it, was familiar to her; she went -herself into the hall, to give the billet to a footman for the -post-office. She would not let her sister have any share in the -transaction, lest it should afterwards, by any accident, be known; -though, to give force to her warning, she risked without hesitation the -initials of her own name. - -The repugnance, nevertheless, to going again to Mrs. Berlinton, pointed -out no new refuge; and she waited, with added impatience, for the answer -from Etherington, in hopes some positive direction might relieve her -cruel perplexity. - -The answer, however, came not, and yet greater grew her distress. Molly -Mill brought word that when the messenger, who was a post-boy, returned, -he was immediately employed to drive a chaise to London. The people at -the inn heard him say something of wanting to go to 'Squire Bellamy's -with a letter; but he had not time. He was to come back however at -night. - -To wait till he arrived seemed now to them both indispensable; but while -considering at what hour to order the chaise, they heard a horseman -gallop up to the house-door. 'Is it possible it should already be Mr. -Bellamy?' cried Eugenia, changing colour. - -His voice, loud and angry, presently confirmed the suggestion. Eugenia, -trembling, said she would let him know whom he would find; and went -into the next room, where, as he entered, he roughly exclaimed, 'What -have you done with what I dropt out of my pocket-book?' - -'There, Sir,' she answered, in the tone of firmness given by the -ascendance of innocence over guilt, 'There it is: but how you can -reconcile to yourself the delusions by which you must have obtained it I -know not. I hope only, for her sake, and for yours, such words will -never more meet my eyes.' - -He was beginning a violent answer in a raised voice, when Eugenia told -him her sister was in the next room. - -He then, in a lowered tone, said, 'I warrant, you have shewn her my -letter?' - -The veracious Eugenia was incapable of saying no; and Bellamy, unable to -restrain his rage, though smothering his voice, through his shut teeth, -said, 'I shall remember this, I promise you! However, if she dare ever -speak of it, you may tell her, from me, I shall lock you up upon bread -and water for the rest of your life, and lay it at her door. I have no -great terms to keep with her now. What does she say about Cleves? and -that fool your uncle, who is giving up his house to pay your father's -debts? What has brought her back again?' - -'She is returning to Grosvenor-square, to Miss Margland.' - -'Miss Margland? There's no Miss Margland in Grosvenor-square; nor any -body else, that desires her company I can tell her. However, go, and get -her off, for I have other business for you.' - -Eugenia, then, opening the door, found her sister almost demolished with -terrour and dismay. Silently, for some seconds, they sunk on the breast -of each other; horrour closing all speech, drying up even their tears. - -'You have no message to give me!' Camilla at length whispered; 'I have, -perforce, heard all! and I will go;--though whither--' - -She stopt, with a look of distress so poignant, that Eugenia, bursting -into tears, while tenderly she clung around her, said, 'My sister! my -Camilla! from me--from my house must you wander in search of an asylum!' - -Bellamy here called her back. Camilla entreated she would inquire if he -knew whither Miss Margland was gone. - -He now came in himself, bowing civilly, though with constraint, and told -her that Miss Margland was with Mrs. Macdersey, at Macdersey's own -lodgings; but that neither of them would any more be invited to -Grosvenor-square, after such ill-treatment of Mrs. Berlinton's brother. - -Can you, thought Camilla, talk of ill-treatment? while, turning to her -sister, she said, 'Which way shall I now travel?' - -Bellamy abruptly asked, if she was forced to go before dinner; but not -with an air of inviting any answer. - -None could she make; she looked down, to save her eyes the sight of an -object they abhorred, embraced Eugenia, who seemed a picture of death; -and after saying adieu, added, 'If I knew whither you thought I should -go--that should be my guide?' - -'Home, my dearest sister!' - -'Drive then,' she cried, hurrying to the chaise, 'to Etherington.' - -Bellamy advancing, said, with a smile, 'I see you are not much used to -travelling, Miss Camilla!' and gave the man a direction to Bagshot. - -She began, now, to feel nearly careless what became of her; her -situation seemed equally desolate and disgraceful, and in gloomy -despondence, when she turned from the high road, and stopt at a small -inn, called the half-way-house, about nine miles from Etherington, she -resolved to remain there till she received her expected answer; ardently -hoping, if it were not yielding and favourable, the spot upon which she -should read it, would be that upon which her existence would close. - -Alighting at the inn, which, from being upon a cross road, had little -custom, and was scarce more than a large cottage, she entered a small -parlour, discharged her chaise, and ordered a man and horse to go -immediately to Belfont. - -Presently two or three gentle tappings at the door made her, though -fearfully, say, 'Come in!' A little girl then, with incessant low -courtesies, appeared, and looking smilingly in her face, said, 'Pray, -ma'am, a'n't you the Lady that was so good to us?' - -'When? my dear? what do you mean?' - -'Why, that used to give us cakes and nice things, and gave 'em to Jen, -and Bet, and Jack? and that would not let my dad be took up?' - -Camilla now recollected the eldest little Higden, the washerwoman's -niece, and kindly enquired after her father, her aunt, and family. - -'O, they all does pure now. My dad's had no more mishaps, and he hopes, -please God, to get on pretty well.' - -'Sweet hearing!' cried Camilla, 'all my purposes have not, then, been -frustrated!' - -With added satisfaction she learnt also that the little girl had a good -place, and a kind mistress. She begged her to hasten the Belfont -messenger, giving her in charge a short note for Eugenia, with a request -for the Etherington letter. She had spent nothing in London, save in -some small remembrances to one or two of Mrs. Berlinton's servants; and -though her chaise-hire had now almost emptied her purse, she thought -every expence preferable to either lengthening her suspense, or her -residence on the road. - -In answer to the demand of what she would be pleased to have, she then -ordered tea. She had taken no regular meal for two days; and for two -nights had not even been in bed. But the wretchedness of her mind seemed -to render her invulnerable to fatigue. - -The shaken state of her nerves warped all just consideration of the -impropriety of her present sojourn. Her judgment had no chance, where it -had her feelings to combat, and in the despondence of believing herself -parentally rejected, she was indifferent to appearances, and desperate -upon all other events: nor was she brought to any recollection, till she -was informed that the messenger, [who] she had concluded was half way to -Belfont, could not set out till the next morning: this small and private -inn not being able to furnish a man and horse at shorter warning. - -To pass a second night at an inn, seemed, even in the calculations of -her own harassed faculties, utterly improper; and thus, driven to -extremity, she forced herself to order a chaise for home; though with a -repugnance to so compulsatory a meeting, that made her wish to be -carried in it a corpse. - -The tardy prudence of the character naturally rash, commonly arrives but -to point repentance that it came not before. The only pair of horses the -little inn afforded, were now out upon other duty, and would not return -till the next day. - -Almost to herself incredible seemed now her situation. She was compelled -to order a bed, and to go up stairs to a small chamber: but she could -not even wish to take any rest. 'I am an outcast,' she cried, 'to my -family; my Mother would _rather not see me_; my Father forbears to -demand me; and he--dearer to me than life!--by whom I was once chosen, -has forgotten me!--How may I support my heavy existence? and when will -it end? - -Overpowered, nevertheless, by fatigue, in the middle of the night, she -[lay] down in her cloaths: but her slumbers were so broken by visions of -reproach, conveyed through hideous forms, and in menaces the most -terrific, that she gladly got up; preferring certain affliction to wild -and fantastic horrours. - -Nearly as soon as it was light, she rang for little Peggy, whose -Southampton anecdotes had secured her the utmost respect from the -mistress of the inn, and heard that the express was set off. - -Dreadful and dreary, in slow and lingering misery, passed the long -interval of his absence, though his rapid manner of travelling made it -short for the ground he traversed. She had now, however, bought -sufficient experience to bespeak a chaise against his return. The only -employment in which she could engage herself, was conversing with Peggy -Higden, who, she was glad to find, could not remember her name well -enough to make it known, through her pronunciation. - -From the window, at length, she perceived a man and horse gallop up to -the house. She darted forth, exclaiming: 'Have you brought me any -answer?' And seizing the letter he held out, saw the hand-writing of -Lavinia, and shut herself into her room. - -She opened it upon her knees, expecting to find within some lines from -her Mother; none, however, appeared, and sad and mortified, she laid -down the letter, and wept. 'So utterly, then,' she cried, 'have I lost -her? Even with her pen will she not speak to me? How early is my life -too long!' - -Taking up again, then, the letter, she read what follows. - - '_To Miss_ CAMILLA TYROLD. - - 'Alas, my dear sister, why can I not answer you according to our - mutual wishes? My Father is at Winchester, with a lawyer, upon the - affairs of Indiana; and my Mother is abroad with my uncle, upon - business which he has asked her to transact; but even were she - here ... could I, while the man awaits, intercede? have you - forgotten your ever fearful Lavinia? All that she dares, shall be - done,--but that you may neither think she has been hitherto - neglected, nor let your hopes expect too much speed from her future - efforts, I am painfully reduced to own to you, what already has - passed. But let it not depress you; you know when she is hurt, it is - not lightly; but you know, also, where she loves, her displeasure, - once passed, is never allowed to rise again. - - 'Yesterday I saw her looking at your picture; the moment seemed to - be happy, and I ventured to say; "Ah, poor Camilla!" but she turned - to me with quickness, and cried; "Lament rather, Lavinia, your - Father! Did he merit so little trust from his child, that her - affairs should be withheld from him till they cast him ... where I - found him!... Dread, memorable sight--when may I forget it!" - - 'Even after this, my dear Camilla, I hazarded another word, "she - will be miserable," I said, "my dear Mother, till she returns." - "She will return," she answered, "with Miss Margland. This is no - season for any expence that may be avoided; and Camilla, most of - all, must now see the duties of oeconomy. Were her understanding - less good, I should less heavily weigh her errours; but she sets it - apart, to abandon herself to her feelings. Alas! poor thing! they - will now themselves be her punishers! Let her not however despond; - tell her, when you write, her angelic Father forgives her; and tell - her she has always had my prayers, and will ever have my - blessing;--though I am not eager, as yet, to add to her own - reproaches, those she may experience from my presence." - - 'I knew not how to introduce this to my dearest Camilla, but your - messenger, and his haste, now forces me to say all, and say it - quick. He brings, I find, the letter from Belfont, where already we - had heard you were removed through Miss Margland, much to the - approbation of my Father and my Mother, who hope your sojourn there - is a solace to you both. Adieu, my dearest sister--your messenger - cannot wait. - - 'LAVINIA TYROLD.' - -'She will not see me then!' cried Camilla, 'she cannot bear my sight! O -Death! let me not pray to thee also in vain!' - -Weak from inanition, confused from want of sleep, harassed with fatigue, -and exhausted by perturbation, she felt now so ill, that she solemnly -believed her fatal wish quick approaching. - -The landlord of the inn entered to say that the chaise she had ordered -was at the door; and put down upon the table the bill of what she had to -pay. - -Whither to turn, what course to take, she knew not; though to remain -longer at an inn, while persuaded life was on its wane, was dreadful; -yet how present herself at home, after the letter she had received? what -asylum was any where open to her? - -She begged the landlord to wait, and again read the letter of Lavinia, -when, startled by what was said of abandoning herself to her feelings, -she saw that her immediate duty was to state her situation to her -parents. She desired, therefore, the chaise might be put up, and wrote -these lines: - - 'I could not, unhappily, stay at Eugenia's; nor can I return to - Mrs. Berlinton; I am now at the half-way-house where I shall wait - for commands. My Lavinia will tell me what I may be ordered to do. - I am ill,--and earnestly I pray with an illness from which I may - rise no more. When my Father--my Mother, hear this, they will - perhaps accord me to be blest again with their sight; the brevity - of my career may, to their kindness, expiate its faults; they may - pray for me where my own prayers may be too unsanctified to be - heard; they may forgive me ... though my own forgiveness never more - will quiet this breast! Heaven bless and preserve them; their - unoffending daughters; and my ever loved uncle! - - 'CAMILLA TYROLD.' - -She then rang the bell, and desired this note might go by express to -Etherington. - -But this, the waiter answered, was impossible; the horse on which the -messenger had set out to Belfont, though it had only carried him the -first stage, and brought him back the last, had galloped so hard, that -his master would not send it out again the same day; and they had but -that one. - -She begged he would see instantly for some other conveyance. - -The man who was come back from Belfont, he answered, would be glad to be -discharged, as he wanted to go to rest. - -She then took up the bill, and upon examining the sum total, found, with -the express, the chaise in which she came the last stage, that which she -ordered to take her to Etherington, and the expence of her residence, it -amounted to half a crown beyond what she possessed. - -She had only, she knew, to make herself known as the niece of Sir Hugh -Tyrold, to be trusted by all the environs; but to expose herself in -this helpless, and even pennyless state, appeared to her to be a -degradation to every part of her family. - -To enclose the bill to Etherington was to secure its being paid; but the -sentence, _Camilla most of all must now see the duties of oeconomy_, -made her revolt from such a step. - -All she still possessed of pecuniary value she had in her pocket: the -seal of her Father, the ring of her Mother, the watch of her Uncle, and -the locket of Edgar Mandlebert. With one of these she now determined to -part, in preference to any new exposure at Etherington, or to incurring -the smallest debt. She desired to be left alone, and took them from her -pocket, one by one, painfully ruminating upon which she could bear to -lose. 'It may not, she thought, be for long; for quick, I hope, my -course will end!--yet even for an hour,--even for the last final -moment--to give up such dear symbols of all that has made my happiness -in life!----' - -She looked at them, kissed and pressed them to her heart; spoke to them -as if living and understanding representatives of their donors, and -bestowed so much time in lamenting caresses and hesitation, that the -waiter came again, while yet she was undetermined. - -She desired to speak with the mistress of the house. - -Instinctively she now put away the gifts of her parents; but between her -uncle and Edgar she wavered. She blushed, however, at her demur, and the -modesty of duty made her put up the watch. Taking, then, an agitating -last view of a locket which circumstances had rendered inappreciable to -her, 'Ah! not in vain,' she cried, 'even now shall I lose what once was -a token so bewitching.... Dear precious locket! Edgar even yet would be -happy you should do me one last kind office! generously, benevolently, -he would rejoice you should spare me still one last menacing shame!'-- - -When Mrs. Marl, the landlady, came in, deeply colouring, she put it into -her hand, turning her eyes another way, while she said; 'Mrs. Marl, I -have not quite money enough to pay the bill; but if you will keep this -locket for a security, you will be sure to be paid by and by.' - -Mrs. Marl looked at it with great admiration, and then, with yet greater -wonder, at Camilla. ''Tis pretty, indeed, ma'am,' she said; ''twould be -pity to sell it. However, I'll shew it my husband.' - -Mr. Marl soon came himself, with looks somewhat less satisfied, 'Tis a -fine bauble, ma'am,' cried he, 'but I don't much understand those -things; and there's nobody here can tell me what it's worth. I'd rather -have my money, if you please.' - -Weakened now in body, as well as spirits, she burst into tears. Alas! -she thought, how little do my friends conjecture to what I am reduced! -She offered, however, the watch, and the countenance of Mr. Marl lost -its gloom. - -'This,' said he, 'is something like! A gold watch one may be sure to get -one's own for; but such a thing as that may'n't fetch six-pence, fine as -it looks.' - -Mrs. Marl objected to keeping both; but her husband said he saw no harm -in it; and Camilla begged her note might be sent without delay. - -A labourer, after some search, was found, who undertook, for handsome -pay, to carry it on foot to the rectory. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_A Spectacle_ - - -The messenger returned not till midnight; what, then, was the -consternation of Camilla that he brought no answer! She suspected he had -not found the house; she doubted if the letter had been delivered; but -he affirmed he had put it into the hands of a maid-servant, though, as -it was late, he had come away directly, and not thought of waiting for -any answer. - -It is not very early in life we learn how little is performed, for which -no precaution is taken. Care is the offspring of disappointment; and -sorrow and repentance commonly hang upon its first lessons. Unused to -transact any sort of business for herself, she had expected, in sending -a letter, an answer as a thing of course, and had now only herself to -blame for not having ordered him to stay. She consoled herself, however, -that she was known to be but nine miles distant from the rectory, and -that any commands could be conveyed to her nearly in an hour. - -What they might be, became now, therefore, her sole anxiety. Would not -her Mother write? After an avowal such as she had made of her desolate, -if not dying condition, would she not pardon and embrace her? Was it -not even possible she might come herself? - -This idea mingled emotions of a contrariety scarcely supportable. 'O -how,' she cried, 'shall I see her? Can joy blend with such terrour? Can -I wish her approach, yet not dare to meet her eye?--that eye which never -yet has looked at me, but to beam with bright kindness!--though a -kindness that, even from my childhood, seemed to say, Camilla, be -blameless--or you break your Mother's heart!... my poor unhappy Mother! -she has always seemed to have a presentiment, I was born to bring her to -sorrow!' - -Expectation being now, for this night, wholly dead, the excess of her -bodily fatigue urged her to take some repose: but her ever eager -imagination made her apprehensive her friends might find her too well, -and suspect her representation was but to alarm them into returning -kindness. A fourth night, therefore, passed without sleep, or the -refreshment of taking off her cloaths; and by the time the morning sun -shone in upon her apartment, she was too seriously disordered to make -her illness require the aid of fancy. She was full of fever, faint, -pallid, weak, and shaken by nervous tremors. 'I think,' she cried, 'I am -now certainly going; and never was death so welcomed by one so young. It -will end in soft peace my brief, but stormy passage, and I shall owe to -its solemn call the sacred blessing of my offended Mother!' - -Tranquillised by this hope, and this idea, she now lost all sufferings -but those of disease: her mind grew calm, her spirits serene: all fears -gave way to the certainty of soothing kindness, all grief was buried in -the solemnity of expected dissolution. - -But this composure outlived not the first hours of the morning; as they -vainly advanced, producing no loved presence, no letter, no summons; -solicitude revived, disappointment sunk her heart, and dread preyed -again upon her nerves. She started at every sound; every breath of wind -seemed portentous; she listened upon the stairs; she dragged her feeble -limbs to the parlour, to be nearer at hand; she forced them back again -to her bed-room, to strain her aching eyes out of the window; but still -no voice demanded her, and no person approached. - -Peggy, who repeatedly came to tell her the hour, now assured her it was -dinner time: unable to eat, she was heedless of the hint this conveyed, -and it obtained from her no orders, till Peggy gave her innocently to -understand the expectations of her host and hostess; but when, at five -o'clock, the table was served, all force and courage forsook her. To be -left thus to herself, when her situation was known; to be abandoned at -an inn where she had confessed she thought herself dying; 'My Mother,' -she cried, 'cannot forgive me! my Father himself deserts me! O Edgar! -you did well to fly so unhallowed a connexion!' - -She left her dinner for Peggy, and crawling up stairs, cast herself upon -the bed, with a desperate supplication she might rise from it no more. -'The time,' cried she, 'is past for consolation, and dead for hope! my -parents' own prayers have been averted, and their prognostics fulfilled. -_May the dread forfeiture_, said my dearest Father, _not extend through -my daughters_!--Alas! Lionel himself has not brought upon him a disgrace -such as I have done!--_May Heaven_, said my honoured Mother, _spare me -evil under your shape at least_!--but under that it has come to her the -most heavily!' - -Dissolving, then, in sorrowing regret, recollections of maternal -tenderness bathed her pillow with her tears, and reversing all the -inducements to her sad resignation, abolished every wish but to fall -again at the parental feet. 'To see,' cried she, 'once more, the dear -authors of my being! to receive their forgiveness, their blessing ... to -view again their honoured countenances!--to hear once more their loved -speech.... Alas! was it I that fled the voice of my Mother? That voice -which, till that moment, had been music to my mind! and never reached my -ear, but as the precursor of all kindness! why did I not sooner at once -kneel at her feet, and seek my lost path under my first and best guide?' - -Shocked and contrite in this tardy view of the step she ought to have -taken, she now languished to petition for pardon even for an offence -unknown; and rising, took up a pen to relate the whole transaction. But -her head was confused, and the attempt shewed her she was more ill than -she had even herself suspected. She thought all rapidly advancing, and -enthusiastically rejoiced. - -Yet a second time she took the pen; but it had not touched the paper, -when a buzzing, confused, stifled sort of noise from without drew her to -the window. - -She then perceived an immense crowd of people approaching slowly, and -from a distance, towards the inn. - -As they advanced, she was struck to hear no encrease of noise, save from -the nearer trampling of feet. No voice was distinguishable; no one -spoke louder than the rest; they seemed even to tread the ground with -caution. They consisted of labourers, workmen, beggars, women, and -children, joined by some accidental passengers: yet the general 'hum of -many' was all that was heard; they were silent though numerous, solemn -though mixt. - -As they came near, she thought she perceived something in the midst of -them like a bier, and caught a glimpse of a gentleman's habit. Startled, -she drew in; but soon, upon another view, discerned clearly a -well-dressed man, stretched out his full length, and apparently dead. - -Recoiling, shuddering, she hastily shut the window, 'Yet why,' she -cried, the next moment, 'and whence this emotion? Is not death what I am -meeting?--seeking?--desiring?--what I court? what I pray for?' - -She sighed, walked feebly up and down the room, breathed hard and with -effort, and then forced herself again to open the window, determined to -contemplate steadily the anticipating object of her fervent demand. - -Yet not without severe self-compulsion she flung up again the sash; but -when she looked out, the crowd alone remained; the bier was gone. - -Whether carried on, or brought into the house, she now wished to know, -with some particulars, of whom it might be, and what belonged to so -strange and horrible an appearance. - -She rang for little Peggy; but Peggy came not. She rang again, but no -one answered the bell. She opened her door, meaning to descend to her -little parlour for information; but the murmuring buzz she had before -heard upon the road, was now within the house, which seemed filled with -people, all busy and occupied, yet speaking low, and appearing to -partake of a general awe. - -She could not venture to encounter so many spectators; she shut her -door, to wait quietly till this first commotion should be passed. - -This was not for more than an hour; when observing, from her window, -that the crowd was dispersed, she again listened at the door, and found -that the general disturbance was succeeded by a stillness the most -profound. - -She then rang again, and little Peggy appeared, but looking pale and -much frightened. - -Camilla asked what had been the matter. - -'O ma'am,' she answered, crying, 'here's been murder! A gentleman has -been murdered--and nobody knows who he is, nor who has done it!' - -She then related that he had been found dead in a wood hard by, and one -person calling another, and another, he had been brought to the inn to -be owned. - -'And is he here now?' with an involuntary shudder asked Camilla. - -Yes, she answered, but her mistress had ordered her not to own it, for -fear of frightening the young lady; and said he would soon be carried -away. - -The tale was shocking, and, though scarce conscious why, Camilla desired -Peggy to stay with her. - -The little girl was most willing; but she was presently called down -stairs; and Camilla, with strong shame of nameless fears and weak -horrour, strove to meditate to some use upon this scene. - -But her mind was disturbed, her composure was gone; her thoughts were -broken, abrupt, unfixed, and all upon which she could dwell with any -steadiness, was the desire of one more appeal to her family, that yet -they would consent to see her, if they received it in time; or that they -should know in what frame of mind she expired, should it bring them too -late. - -With infinite difficulty, she then wrote the following lines; every -bending down of her head making it ache nearly to distraction. - - 'Adieu, my dearest parents, if again it is denied me to see you! - Adieu, my darling sisters! my tender uncle! I ask not now your - forgiveness; I know I shall possess it fully; my Father never - withheld it,--and my Mother, if against herself alone I had sinned, - would have been equally lenient; would have probed but to heal, - have corrected, but to pardon. O tenderest of united partners! - bless, then, the early ashes of your erring, but adoring daughter, - who, from the moment she inflicted one wound upon your bosoms, has - found existence intolerable, and prays now but for her earthly - release! - - 'CAMILLA TYROLD.' - -This she gave to Peggy, with a charge that, at any expence, it might be -conveyed to the rectory at Etherington immediately. - -'And shall I not,' thought she, when she had rested from this exertion, -'and may I not at such a period, with innocence, with propriety, write -one poor word to him who was so near becoming first to me in all -things?' - -She again took her pen, but had only written 'O Edgar! in this last -farewell be all displeasure forgotten!--from the first to the final -moment of my short life, dear and sole possessor of my heart!'--when the -shooting anguish of her head stopt her hand, and hastily writing the -direction, lest she could write no more, she, with difficulty added, -'_Not to be delivered till I am dead_;' and was forced to lie down, and -shut all light from her strained and aching eyes. - -Peggy presently brought her word that all the horses were out, and every -body was engaged, and that the note could not possibly go till the next -day. - -Extremely disappointed, she begged to speak with Mrs. Marl; who sent her -word she was much engaged, but would wait upon her as soon as she was -able. - -Vainly, however, she expected her; it grew dusk; she felt herself worse -every moment; flushed with fever, or shivering with cold, and her head -nearly split asunder with agony. She determined to go once more down -stairs, and offer to her host himself any reward he could claim, so he -would undertake the immediate delivery of the letter. - -With difficulty she arose; with slow steps, and tottering, she -descended; but as she approached her little parlour, she heard voices in -it, and stopt. They spoke low, and she could not distinguish them. The -door of an adjoining room was open, and by its stillness empty; she -resolved to ring there, to demand to speak with Mr. Marl. But as she -dragged her weak limbs into the apartment, she saw, stretched out upon a -large table, the same form, dress, and figure she had seen upon the -bier. - -Starting, almost fainting, but too much awed to call out, she held -trembling by the door. - -The bodily feebleness which impeded her immediate retreat, gave force to -a little mental reflexion: Do I shrink thus, thought she, from what so -earnestly I have prayed to become ... and so soon I must represent ... a -picture of death? - -She now impelled herself towards the table. A cloth covered the face; -she stood still, hesitating if she had power to remove it: but she -thought it a call to her own self-examination; and though mentally -recoiling, advanced. When close to the table, she stood still, violently -trembling. Yet she would not allow herself to retreat. She now put forth -her hand; but it shook suspended over the linen, without courage to draw -it aside. At length, however, with enthusiastic self-compulsion, -slightly and fearfully, she lifted it up ... but instantly, and with -instinctive horrour, snatched her hand away, and placed it before her -shut eyes. - -She felt, now, she had tried herself beyond her courage, and, deeply -moved, was fain to retreat; but in letting down her hand, to see her -way, she found she had already removed the linen from a part of the -face, and the view she unintentionally caught almost petrified her. - -For some instants she stood motionless, from want of strength to stir, -but with closed eyes, that feared to confirm their first surmise; but -when, turning from the ghastly visage, she attempted, without another -glance, to glide away, an unavoidable view of the coat, which suddenly -she recognized, put her conjecture beyond all doubt, that she now saw -dead before her the husband of her sister. - -Resentment, in gentle minds, however merited and provoked, survives not -the breath of the offender. With the certainty no further evil can be -practised, perishes vengeance against the culprit, though not hatred of -the guilt: and though, with the first movement of sisterly feelings, she -would have said, Is Eugenia then released? the awe was too great, his -own change was too solemn. He was now where no human eye could follow, -no human judgment overtake him. - -Again she endeavoured to escape the dreadful scene, but her shaking -limbs were refractory, and would not support her. The mortal being -requires use to be reconciled to its own visible mortality; dismal is -its view; grim, repulsive, terrific its aspect. - -But no sooner was her head turned from the dire object, than alarm for -her sister took possession of her soul; and with what recollection she -possessed, she determined to go to Belfont. - -An idea of any active service invigorates the body as well as the mind. -She made another effort to depart, but a glance she knew not how to -avoid shewed her, upon the coat of the right arm and right side of this -ghastly figure, large splashes of blood. - -With horrour thus accumulate, she now sunk upon the floor, inwardly -exclaiming: He is murdered indeed!... and where may be Eugenia? - -A woman who had in charge to watch by the corpse, but who had privately -stolen out for some refreshment, now returning, saw with affright the -new person in the room, and ran to call Mrs. Marl; who, alarmed also at -the sight of the young lady, and at her deplorable condition, assisted -the woman to remove her from the apartment, and convey her to the -chamber, where she was laid down upon the bed, though she resisted being -undressed, and was seized with an aguish shivering fit, while her eyes -seemed emitting sparks of fire. - -'It is certainly now,' cried she, 'over, and hence I move no more!' - -The joy with which, a few minutes before, she would have welcomed such a -belief, was now converted into an awe unspeakable, undefinable. The wish -of death is commonly but disgust of life, and looks forward to nothing -further than release from worldly care:--but the something yet -beyond ... the something unknown, untried, yet to come, _the bourne -whence no traveller returns_ to prepare succeeding passengers for what -they may expect, now abruptly presented itself to her consideration, ... -but came to scare, not to soothe. - -All here, she cried, I have wished to leave ... but ... have I fitted -myself for what I am to meet? - -Conscience now suddenly took the reins from the hands of imagination, -and a mist was cleared away that hitherto, obscuring every duty by -despondence, had hidden from her own perceptions the faulty basis of her -desire. Conscience took the reins--and a mist was cleared away that had -concealed from her view the cruelty of this egotism. - -Those friends, it cried, which thus impatiently thou seekest to quit, -have they not loved, cherished, reared thee with the most exquisite care -and kindness? If they are offended, who has offended them? If thou art -now abandoned, may it not be from necessity, or from accident? When thou -hast inflicted upon them the severe pain of harbouring anger against -what is so dear to them, wouldst thou load them with regret that they -manifested any sensibility of thy errours? Hast thou plunged thy house -in calamity, and will no worthier wish occur to thee, than to leave it -to its sorrows and distress, with the aggravating pangs of causing thy -afflicting, however blamable self-desertion? of coming to thee ... -perhaps even now!... with mild forgiveness, and finding thee a -self-devoted corpse?--not fallen, indeed, by the profane hand of daring -suicide, but equally self-murdered through wilful self-neglect. - -Had the voice been allowed sound which spoke this dire admonition, it -could scarcely with more horrour, or keener repentance have struck her. -'That poor man,' she cried, 'now delivering up his account, by whatever -hand he perished, since less principled, less instructed than myself, -may be criminal, perhaps, with less guilt!' - -The thought now of her Father,--the piety he had striven to inculcate -into her mind; his resignation to misfortune, and his trust through -every suffering, all came home to her heart, with religious veneration; -and making prayer succeed to remorse, guided her to what she knew would -be his guidance if present, and she desired to hear the service for the -sick. - -Peggy could not read; Mrs. Marl was too much engaged; the whole house -had ample employment, and her request was unattainable. - -She then begged they would procure her a prayer-book, that she might try -to read herself; but her eyes, heavy, aching, and dim, glared upon the -paper, without distinguishing the print from the margin. - -'I am worse!' she cried faintly, 'my wish comes fast upon me! Ah! not -for my punishment let it finally arrive!' - -With terror, however, even more than with malady, she now trembled. The -horrible sight she had witnessed, brought death before her in a new -view. She feared she had been presumptuous; she felt that her -preparations had all been worldly, her impatience wholly selfish. She -called back her wish, with penitence and affright: her agitation became -torture, her regret was aggravated to remorse, her grief to despair. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_A Vision_ - - -When the first violence of this paroxysm of sorrow abated, Camilla again -strove to pray, and found that nothing so much stilled her. Yet, her -faculties confused, hurried, and in anguish, permitted little more than -incoherent ejaculations. Again she sighed for her Father; again the -spirit of his instructions recurred, and she enquired who was the -clergyman of the parish, and if he would be humane enough to come and -pray by one who had no claim upon him as a parishioner. - -Peggy said he was a very good gentleman, and never refused even the -poorest person, that begged his attendance. - -'O go to him, then,' cried she, 'directly! Tell him a sick and helpless -stranger implores that he will read to her the prayers for the dying!... -Should I yet live ... they will compose and make me better;--if not ... -they will give me courage for my quick exit.' - -Peggy went forth, and she lay her beating head upon the pillow, and -endeavoured to quiet her nerves for the sacred ceremony she demanded. - -It was dark, and she was alone; the corpse she had just quitted seemed -still bleeding in full view. She closed her eyes, but still saw it; she -opened them, but it was always there. She felt nearly stiff with -horrour, chilled, frozen, with speechless apprehension. - -A slumber, feverish nearly to delirium, at length surprised her harassed -faculties; but not to afford them rest. Death, in a visible figure, -ghastly, pallid, severe, appeared before her, and with its hand, sharp -and forked, struck abruptly upon her breast. She screamed--but it was -heavy as cold, and she could not remove it. She trembled; she shrunk -from its touch; but it had iced her heart-strings. Every vein was -congealed; every stiffened limb stretched to its full length, was hard -as marble: and when again she made a feeble effort to rid her oppressed -lungs of the dire weight that had fallen upon them, a voice hollow, -deep, and distant, dreadfully pierced her ear, calling out: 'Thou hast -but thy own wish! Rejoice, thou murmurer, for thou diest!' Clearer, -shriller, another voice quick vibrated in the air: 'Whither goest thou,' -it cried, 'and whence comest thou?' - -A voice from within, over which she thought she had no controul, though -it seemed issuing from her vitals, low, hoarse, and tremulous, answered, -'Whither I go, let me rest! Whence I come from let me not look back! -Those who gave me birth, I have deserted; my life, my vital powers I -have rejected.' Quick then another voice assailed her, so near, so loud, -so terrible ... she shrieked at its horrible sound. 'Prematurely,' it -cried, 'thou art come, uncalled, unbidden; thy task unfulfilled, thy -peace unearned. Follow, follow me! the Records of Eternity are opened. -Come! write with thy own hand thy claims, thy merits to mercy!' A -repelling self-accusation instantaneously overwhelmed her. 'O, no! no! -no!' she exclaimed, 'let me not sign my own miserable insufficiency!' In -vain was her appeal. A force unseen, yet irresistible, impelled her -forward. She saw the immense volumes of Eternity, and her own hand -involuntarily grasped a pen of iron, and with a velocity uncontroulable -wrote these words: 'Without resignation, I have prayed for death: from -impatience of displeasure, I have desired annihilation: to dry my own -eyes, I have left ... pitiless, selfish, unnatural!... a Father the -most indulgent, a Mother almost idolizing, to weep out their's!' Her -head would have sunk upon the guilty characters; but her eye-lids -refused to close, and kept them glaring before her. They became, then, -illuminated with burning sulphur. She looked another way; but they -partook of the same motion; she cast her eyes upwards, but she saw the -characters still; she turned from side to side; but they were always her -object. Loud again sounded the same direful voice: 'These are thy -deserts; write now thy claims:--and next,--and quick,--turn over the -immortal leaves, and read thy doom....' 'Oh, no!' she cried, 'Oh, -no!... O, let me yet return! O, Earth, with all thy sorrows, take, -take me once again, that better I may learn to work my way to that last -harbour, which rejecting the criminal repiner, opens its soft bosom to -the firm, though supplicating sufferer!' In vain again she -called;--pleaded, knelt, wept in vain. The time, she found, was past; -she had slighted it while in her power; it would return to her no more; -and a thousand voices at once, with awful vibration, answered aloud to -every prayer, 'Death was thy own desire!' Again, unlicensed by her will, -her hand seized the iron instrument. The book was open that demanded her -claims. She wrote with difficulty ... but saw that her pen made no mark! -She looked upon the page, when she thought she had finished, ... but -the paper was blank!... Voices then, by hundreds, by thousands, by -millions, from side to side, above, below, around, called out, echoed -and re-echoed, 'Turn over, turn over ... and read thy eternal doom!' In -the same instant, the leaf, untouched, burst open ... and ... she awoke. -But in a trepidation so violent, the bed shook under her, the cold -sweat, in large drops, fell from her forehead, and her heart still -seemed labouring under the adamantine pressure of the inflexibly cold -grasp of death. So exalted was her imagination, so confused were all her -thinking faculties, that she stared with wild doubt whether then, or -whether now, what she experienced were a dream. - -In this suspensive state, fearing to call, to move, or almost to -breathe, she remained, in perfect stillness, and in the dark, till -little Peggy crept softly into the chamber. - -Certain then of her situation, 'This has been,' she cried, 'only a -vision--but my conscience has abetted it, and I cannot shake it off.' - -When she became calmer, and further recollected herself, she anxiously -enquired if the clergyman would not come. - -Peggy, hesitatingly, acknowledged he had not been sent for; her mistress -had imagined the request proceeded from a disturbance of mind, owing to -the sight of the corpse, and said she was sure, after a little sleep, it -would be forgotten. - -'Alas!' said Camilla, disappointed, 'it is more necessary than ever! my -senses are wandering; I seem hovering between life and death--Ah! let -not my own fearful fancies absorb this hour of change, which religious -rites should consecrate!' - -She then told Peggy to plead for her to her mistress, and assure her -that nothing else, after the dreadful shock she had received, could -still her mind. - -Mrs. Marl, not long after came into the room herself; and enquiring how -she did, said, if she was really bent upon such a melancholy thing, the -clergyman had luckily just called, and would read the service to her -directly, if it would give her any comfort. - -'O, great and infinite comfort!' she cried, and begged he might come -immediately, and read to her the prayer for those of whom there is but -small hope of recovery. She would have risen, that she might kneel; but -her limbs would not second her desire, and she was obliged to lie still -upon the outside of the bed. Peggy drew the curtains, to shade her -eyes, as a candle was brought into the room; but when she heard Mrs. -Marl say: 'Come in, Sir,'--and 'here's the prayer-book;' overpowered -with tender recollection of her Father, to whom such offices were -frequent, she burst into an agony of tears, and hid her face upon the -pillow. - -She soon, however, recovered, and the solemnity of the preparation -overawed her sorrow. Mrs. Marl placed the light as far as possible from -the bed, and when Camilla waved her hand in token of being ready, said, -'Now, Sir, if you please.' - -He complied, though not immediately; but no sooner had he begun, no -sooner devoutly, yet tremblingly, pronounced, _O Father of Mercies!_ -than a faint scream issued from the bed.-- - -He stopt; but she did not speak; and after a short pause, he resumed: -but not a second sentence was pronounced when she feebly ejaculated, 'Ah -heaven!' and the book fell from his hands. - -She strove to raise her head; but could not; she opened, however, the -side curtain, to look out; he advanced, at the same moment, to the foot -of the bed ... fixed his eyes upon her face, and in a voice that seemed -to come from his soul, exclaimed, 'Camilla!' - -With a mental emotion that, for an instant, restored her strength, she -drew again the curtain, covered up her face, and sobbed even audibly, -while the words, 'O Edgar!' vainly sought vent. - -He attempted not to unclose the curtain she had drawn, but with a deep -groan, dropping upon his knees on the outside, cried, 'Great God!' but -checking himself, hastily arose, and motioning to Mrs. Marl and to -Peggy, to move out of hearing, said, through the curtain; 'O Camilla! -what dire calamity has brought this about?--speak, I implore!--why are -you here?--why alone? speak! speak!' - -He heard she was weeping, but received no answer, and with energy next -to torture exclaimed; 'Refuse not to trust me!--recollect our long -friendship--forgive--forget its alienation!--By all you have ever -valued--by all your wonted generosity--I call--I appeal.... Camilla! -Camilla!--your silence rends my soul!' - -Camilla had no utterance, yet could not resist this urgency, and gently -through the opening of the curtain, put forth her feeble hand. - -He seemed affected to agony; he held it between each of his own, and -while softly he uttered, 'O ever--unchangeably generous Camilla!' she -felt it moistened with his tears. - -Too weak for the new sensation this excited, she drew it away, and the -violence of her emotion menacing an hysteric fit, Mrs. Marl came back to -her, and wringing his hands as he looked around the room, he tore -himself away. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_Means to still Agitation_ - - -Declining all aid, Camilla continued in the same position, wrapt up, -coveting the dark, and stifling sighs that were rising into sobs, till -she heard a gentle tap at her door. - -She started, but still hid herself: Mrs. Marl was already gone; Peggy -answered the summons, and returned to the bedside, with a note in her -hand, begging Camilla to take it, as it came from the gentleman who was -to have read the prayers. - -'Is he then gone?' cried she, in a voice announcing deep disappointment. - -'Yes, he went directly, my dear Lady.' - -She threw the covering from her face, and with uplifted hands, -exclaimed; 'O Edgar! could you see me thus ... and leave me?'--Yet -eagerly seizing the letter, called for a candle, and strove to read it. -But the characters seemed double to her weak and dazzled eyes, and she -was forced to relinquish the attempt. She pressed it to her bosom, and -again covered herself up. - -Something, nevertheless, like internal revival, once more, to her own -unspeakable amazement, began fluttering at her breast. She had seen the -beloved of her heart--dearer to her far than the life she thought -herself resigning; seen him penetrated to anguish by her situation, -awakened to the tenderest recollections, and upon her hand had dropt a -testimony of his sensibility, that, dead as she had thought herself to -the world, its views, its hopes, its cares, passed straight to her -heart--that wonderful repository of successive emotions, whence the -expulsion of one species of interest but makes way for the entrance of -another; and which vainly, while yet in mortal life, builds, even from -hour to hour, upon any chasm of mortal solicitude. - -While wrapt up in this reverie, poignantly agitating, yet undefinably -soothing, upon the return of Edgar to England, and his astonishing -appearance in her room, her attention was again aroused by another -gentle tap at the door. - -Peggy opened it, and left the room; but soon came back, to beg an answer -to the note, for which the gentleman was waiting upon the stairs. - -'Waiting?' she repeated, in extreme trepidation, 'is he not then gone?' - -'No ma'am, only out of the room; he can't go away without the answer, he -says.' - -A sensation of pleasure was now so new to Camilla, as almost to be too -potent either for her strength or her intellects. She doubted all around -her, doubted what she heard, doubted even her existence. Edgar, could it -be Edgar who was waiting for an answer?... who was under the same -roof--who had been in the same room--who was now separated from her but -by a thin wainscot?--'O no, no, no!' she cried, 'my senses all delude -me! one vision after another beguiles my deranged imagination!' Yet she -called Peggy to her again, again asked her if it were indeed true; and, -bidding her once more bring the candle, the new spirit with which she -was invigorated, enabled her to persevere in her efforts, till she made -out the following lines; which were sealed, but not directed. - - 'The sorrow, the tumult of my soul, I attempt not to - paint.--Forgive, O Camilla! an intrusion which circumstances made - resistless. Deign to bury in kind oblivion all remembrance but of - our early friendship--our intuitive attachment, our confidence, - esteem, and happy juvenile intercourse; and under such - auspices--animated as they are innocent--permit me to hasten Mrs. - Tyrold to this spot, or trust me--I conjure--with the mystery of - this dreadful desolation--O Camilla!--by all the scenes that have - passed between us--by the impression indelible they have engraved - upon my heart, wound not the most faithful of your friends by - rejecting his services! - - E. M.' - -Dissolved in tears of tenderness, relieving, nay delightful, she -immediately sent him word that she accepted his kind office, and should -feel eternal gratitude if he would acquaint her friends with her -situation. - -Peggy soon informed her the gentleman was gone; and she then inquired -why he had been brought to her as a clergyman. - -The little girl gave the account with the utmost simplicity. Her -mistress, she said, knew the gentleman very well, who was 'Squire -Mandlebert, and lived at a great house not many miles off; and had just -alighted to bait his horses, as she went to ask about sending for the -clergyman. He inquired who was ill; and her Mistress said it was a Lady -who had gone out of her mind, by seeing a dead body, and raved of -nothing but having prayers read to her; which her husband would do, when -his house was clear, if the humour lasted: for they had nobody to send -three miles off; and by drawing the curtains, she would not know if it -was a clergyman or not. The young 'Squire then asked if she was a lodger -or a traveller, and her mistress answered: 'She's a traveller, Sir; and -if it had not been for Peggy's knowing her, we should have been afraid -who she might be; for she stays here, and never pays us; only she has -given us a watch and a locket for pledges.' Then he asked on some more -questions, continued Peggy, and presently desired to see the locket; and -when he had looked at it, he turned as white as a sheet, and said he -must see the lady. Her mistress said she was laid down upon the bed, and -she could not send in a gentleman; unless it was her husband, just to -quiet her poor head by reading her a prayer or too. So then the 'Squire -said he'd take the prayer book and read to her himself, if she'd spare -time to go in the room first, and shut up the curtains. So her mistress -said no, at first; but Peggy said the poor lady fretted on so badly, -that presently up they came together. - -Ah! dear darling locket! internally cried Camilla, how from the first -have I loved--how to the last will I prize it! Ah dear darling locket! -how for ever--while I live--will I wear it in my bosom! - -A calm now took place of her agonies that made her seem in a renovated -existence, till sleep, by gentle approaches, stole upon her again: not -to bring to her the dread vision which accompanied its first return; nor -yet to allow her tranquil repose. A softer form appeared before her; -more afflictive, though not so horrible; it was the form of her Mother; -all displeasure removed from her penetrating countenance; no longer in -her dying child viewing the child that had offended her; yet while -forgiving and embracing, seeing her expire in her arms. - -She awakened, affrighted,--she started, she sat upright; she called -aloud upon her mother, and wildly looking round, thought she saw her at -the foot of the bed. - -She crossed her eyes with her hands, to endeavour to clear her sight: -but the object only seemed more distinct. She bent forward, seeking -conviction, yet incredulous, though still meeting the same form. - -Sighing, at last, from fruitless fatigue; ''Tis wondrous odd,' she -cried, 'but I now never know when I wake or when I sleep!' - -The form glided away; but with motion so palpable, she could no longer -believe herself played upon by imagination. Awe-imprest, and -wonder-struck, she softly opened her side curtain to look after it. It -had stopt by a high chest of drawers, against which, leaning its head -upon its arm, it stood erect, but seemed weeping. She could not discern -the face; but the whole figure had the same sacred resemblance. - -The pulses of her head beat now with so much violence, she was forced to -hold her temples. Doubt, dread, and hope seized every faculty at once; -till, at length, the upraised arm of the form before her dropt, and she -distinctly saw the profile: 'It is herself! it is my Mother!' she -screamed, rather than pronounced, and threw herself from the bed to the -floor. - -'Yes! it is your Mother!' was repeated, in a tone solemn and -penetrating;--'to what a scene, O Camilla, returned! her house -abandoned ... her son in exile ... her Eugenia lost ... her husband, the -prop of all!... where she dare not name!... and thou, the child of her -bosom!... the constant terrour, yet constant darling of her soul ... -where, and how, does she see, does she meet thee, again--O Camilla!' - -Then tenderly, though with anguish, bending over her, she would have -raised, and helped her to return to the bed: but Camilla would not be -aided; she would not lift up her eyes; her face sought the ground, where -leaning it upon her hands, without desiring to speak, without wishing to -stir, torn by self-reproaches that made her deem herself unworthy to -live, she remained speechless, immoveable. - -'Repress, repress,' said Mrs. Tyrold, gently, yet firmly, 'these strong -feelings, uselessly torturing to us both. Raise your head, my poor -girl ... raise ... and repose it upon the breast of your Mother.' - -'Of my Mother?' repeated Camilla, in a voice hardly audible; 'have I a -Mother--who again will own the blast of her hopes and happiness?--the -disgrace, the shame of the best and most injured of Fathers!' - -'Let us pray,' said Mrs. Tyrold, with a sigh, 'that these evils may pass -away, and by salutary exertions, not desponding repinings, earn back our -fugitive peace.' - -Again she then would have raised her; but Camilla sunk from all -assistance: 'No,' she cried, 'I am unworthy your lenity--I am unable -even to bear it, ...' - -'Camilla,' said Mrs. Tyrold, steadily, 'it is time to conquer this -impetuous sensibility, which already, in its effects, has nearly broken -all our hearts. With what horrour have we missed--with what agony sought -you! Now then, that at length, we find you, excite not new terrour, by -consigning yourself to willing despair.' - -Struck with extreme dread of committing yet further wrong, she lifted up -her head, with intention to have risen; but the weak state of her body, -forgotten by herself, and by Mrs. Tyrold unsuspected, took its turn for -demanding attention. - -'Alas! my poor Child,' cried she, 'what horrible havock has this short -absence produced! O Camilla!... with a soul of feeling like -yours,--strong, tender, generous, and but too much alive, how is it you -can thus have forgotten the first ties of your duty, and your heart, and -have been wrought upon by your own sorrows to forget the sorrows you -inflict? Why have you thus fled us? thus abandoned yourself to -destruction? Was our anger to be set in competition with our misery? Was -the fear of displeasure, from parents who so tenderly love you, to be -indulged at the risk of never ending regret to the most lenient of -Fathers? and nearly the loss of senses to a Mother who, from your birth, -has idolized you in her inmost soul?' - -Bending then over her, she folded her in her arms; where Camilla, -overpowered with the struggles of joy and contrition, sunk nearly -lifeless. - -Mrs. Tyrold, seeing now her bodily feebleness, put her to bed, with -words of soothing tenderness, no longer blended with retrospective -investigation; conjuring her to be calm, to remember whose peace and -happiness were encircled in her life and health, and to remit to her -fuller strength all further interesting discourse. - -'Ah, my Mother!' cried Camilla, 'tell me first--if the time may ever -come when with truth you can forgive me?' - -'Alas, my darling Child!' answered the generous Mother, 'I have myself -now to pardon that I forgave thee not at first!' - -Camilla seemed transported to another region; with difficulty Mrs. -Tyrold could hold her in her bed, though hovering over her pillow with -incessant caresses: but to raise her eye only to meet that of her -Mother--not as her fertile terrour had prophesied, darting unrelenting -ire, but softly solicitous, and exquisitely kind; to feel one loved hand -anxiously upon her forehead, and to glue her own lips upon the other; to -find fears that had made existence insupportable, transformed into -security that rendered it delicious;--with a floating, uncertain, yet -irrepressible hope, that to Edgar she owed this restoration, caused a -revulsion in all her feelings, that soon operated upon her frame--not, -indeed, with tranquillity, but with rapture approaching to -delirium:--when suddenly, a heavy, lumbering noise, appalled her. 'Ah, -my Mother!' she faintly cried, 'our beloved Eugenia!... that noise ... -where--and how--is Eugenia?--The wretched Mr. Bellamy is no more!' - -Mrs. Tyrold answered, she was acquainted with the whole dreadful -business, and would relate it in a season of more serenity; but -meanwhile, as repose, she well knew, never associated with suspence, she -satisfied immediate anxiety, by assurances that Eugenia was safe, and at -Etherington. - -This was a joy scarce inferior to that which so recently had transported -her: but Mrs. Tyrold, gathering from the good Peggy, that she had not -been in bed, nor scarce tasted food, since she had been at the -half-way-house, refused all particulars, till she had been refreshed -with nourishment and rest. The first immediately was ordered, and -immediately taken; and Mrs. Tyrold, to propitiate the second, insisted -upon total silence, and prepared to sit up with her all night. - -Long as the extreme agitation of her spirits distanced - - '_Tir'd Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep_',[7] - -[Footnote 7: Young] - -the change from so much misery to heart-felt peace and joy, with the -judicious nursing and restoratives devised by Mrs. Tyrold, for her weak -and half famished frame, made her slumber, when at length, it arrived, -lasted so long that, though broken by frequent starts, she awoke not -till late the next morning. - -Her eyes then opened upon a felicity that again made her think herself -in a new world. Her Mother, leaning over her, was watching her breathe, -with hands uplifted for her preservation, and looks of fondness which -seemed to mark that her happiness depended upon its being granted; but -as she raised herself, to throw her arms around the loved maternal neck, -the shadow of another form, quickly, yet gently receding, struck her -sight; ... 'Ah, Heaven!' she exclaimed, 'who is that?' - -'Will you be good,' said Mrs. Tyrold, gently, 'be tranquil, be composed, -and earn that I should tell you who has been watching by you this hour?' - -Camilla could not answer; certain, now, who it must be, her emotions -became again uncontrollable; her horrour, her remorse, her -self-abhorrence revived, and agonizingly exclaiming, ''Tis my -Father!--O, where can I hide my head?' She strove again to envelop -herself with the bed-curtain from all view. - -'Here--in his own arms--upon his own breast you shall hide it,' said Mr. -Tyrold, returning to the bed-side, 'and all now shall be forgotten, but -thankfulness that our afflictions seem finding their period.' - -'O my Father! my Father!' cried Camilla, forgetting her situation, in -her desire to throw herself at his feet, 'can you speak to me thus, -after the woe--the disgrace I have brought upon you?--I deserve your -malediction!... I expected to be shut out from your heart,--I thought -myself abandoned--I looked forward only in death to receiving your -forgiveness!--' - -Mrs. Tyrold held her still, while her Father now blessed and embraced -her, each uttering, in the same moment, whatever was softest to console -her: but all her quick feelings were re-awakened beyond their power to -appease them; her penitence tortured, her very gratitude tore her to -pieces: 'O my Mother,' she cried, 'how do you forbear to spurn me? Can -you think of what is passed, and still pronounce your pardon? Will you -not draw it back at the sight of my injured Father? Are you not tempted -to think I deserve eternal banishment from you both?--and to repent that -you have not ordered it?' - -'No, my dearest Child, no! I lament only that I took you not at once to -your proper security--to these arms, my Camilla, that now so fondly -infold you! to this bosom--my darling girl!--where my heart beats your -welcome!' - -'You make me too--too happy! the change is almost killing! my Mother--my -dearest Mother!--I did not think you would permit me to ever call you so -again! My Father I knew would pardon me, for the chief suffering was his -own; but even he, I never expected could look at me thus benignly again! -and hardly--hardly would he have been tried, if the evil had been -reversed!' - -Mr. Tyrold exhorted her to silent composure; but finding her agitation -over-power even her own efforts, he summoned her to join him in solemn -thanks for her restoration. - -Awfully, though most gratefully, impressed by such a call, she checked -her emotion, and devoutly obeyed: and the short but pious ceremony -quieted her nerves, and calmed her mind. - -The gentlest tranquillity then took place in her breast, of the -tumultuous joy which had first chaced her deadly affliction. The -soothing, however serious turn, given by devotion to her changed -sensations, softened the acute excess of rapture which mounted felicity -nearly to agony. More eloquent, as well as safer than any speech, was -the pause of deep gratitude, the silence of humble praise, which ensued. -Camilla, in each hand held one of each beloved Parent; alternately she -pressed them with grateful reverence to her lips, alternately her eye -sought each revered countenance, and received, in the beaming fondness -they emitted, a benediction that was balm to every woe. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_Means to obtain a Boon_ - - -Mr. Tyrold was soon, by urgent claims, forced to leave them; and -Camilla, with strong secret anxiety to know if Edgar had caused this -blest meeting, led to a general explanation upon past events. - -And now, to her utter amazement, she found that her letter sent by the -labourer had never been received. - -Mrs. Tyrold related, that she had no sooner read the first letter -addressed to her through Lavinia, than, softened and affected, she wrote -an answer of the utmost kindness to Belfont; desiring Camilla to -continue with her sister till called for by Miss Margland, in her return -home from Mrs. Macdersey. The visit, meanwhile to Cleves, had transpired -through Jacob, and, much touched by, yet much blaming her travelling -thus alone, she wrote to her a second time, charging her to remove no -more from Belfont without Miss Margland. But, on the preceding morning, -the first letter had been returned with a note from Eugenia, that her -sister had set out two days before for Etherington. - -The moment of this intelligence, was the most dreadful to Mr. Tyrold and -herself of their lives. Every species of conjecture was horrible. He set -out instantly for Belfont, determining to make enquiries at every inn, -house, and cottage, by the way; but by taking, unfortunately, the road -through Alton, he had missed the half-way-house. In the evening, while, -with apprehensions surpassing all description, she was waiting some -news, a chaise drove up to the door. She flew out, but saw in it ... -alone, cold, trembling, and scarce in her senses, Eugenia. Instantly -imagining she came with tidings of fatal tendency concerning Camilla, -she started back, exclaiming, 'All, then, is over?' The chaise-door had -been opened; but Eugenia, shaking too violently to get out; only, and -faintly, answered, 'Yes! my Mother ... all is over!--' The mistake was -almost instantaneous death to her--though the next words of Eugenia -cleared it up, and led to her own dreadful narrative. - -Bellamy, as soon as Camilla had left Belfont, had made a peremptory -demand that his wife should claim, as if for some purpose of her own, a -large sum of Sir Hugh. Her steady resistance sent him from the house in -a rage; and she saw no more of him till that day at noon, when he -returned in deeper, blacker wrath than she had ever yet seen; and vowed -that nothing less than her going in person to her uncle with his -request, should induce him ever to forgive her. When he found her -resolute in refusal, he ordered a chaise, and made her get into it, -without saying for what purpose. She saw they were travelling towards -Cleves, but he did not once speak, except where they changed horses, -till they came upon the cross-road, leading to the half-way-house. -Suddenly then, bidding the postillion stop at the end of a lane, he told -him he was going to look at a little farm, and, ordering him to wait, -made her alight and walk down it till they were out of sight of the man -and the carriage. Fiercely, then stopping short, 'Will you give me,' he -cried, 'your promise, upon oath, that you will ask your Uncle for the -money?' 'Indeed, Mr. Bellamy, I cannot!' she answered. 'Enough!' he -cried, and took from his pocket a pistol. 'Good Heaven,' she said, 'you -will not murder me?'--'I cannot live without the money myself,' he -answered, 'and why should I let you?' He then felt in his waistcoat -pocket, whence he took two bullets, telling her, she should have the -pleasure of seeing him load the pistol; and that when one bullet had -dispatched her, the other should disappoint the executioner. Horrour now -conquered her, and she solemnly promised to ask whatever he dictated. 'I -must hold the pistol to your ear,' cried he, 'while you take your oath. -See! 'tis loaded--This is no child's play.' He then lifted it up; but, -at the same moment, a distant voice exclaimed, 'Hold, villain! or you -are a dead man!' Starting, and meaning to hide it within his waistcoat, -his hand shook--the pistol went off--it shot him through the body, and -he dropt down dead. Without sense or motion, she fell by his side; and, -upon recovering, found herself again in the chaise. The postillion, who -knew her, had carried her thither, and brought her on to Etherington. -She then conjured that proper persons might go back with the driver, and -that her Father would have the benevolence to superintend all that could -be done that would be most respectfully decent. - -The postillion acknowledged that it was himself who had cried, 'Hold, -villain! A suspicion of some mischief had occurred to him, from seeing -the end of a pistol jerk from the pocket of the gentleman, as he got out -of the chaise; and begging a man, who accidentally passed while he -waited, to watch his horses, he ran down a field by the side of the -lane, whence he heard the words: 'The pistol is loaded, and for no -child's play!' upon which, seeing it raised, and the young Lady shrink, -he called out. Yet Eugenia protested herself convinced that Bellamy had -no real design against either his own life or her's, though terrour, at -the moment, had conquered her: he had meant but to affright her into -consent, knowing well her word once given, with whatever violence torn -from her, would be held sacred. The rest was dreadful accident, or -Providence in that form playing upon himself his own toils. The pious -young Widow was so miserable at this shocking exit, and the shocking -manner in which the remains were left exposed, that her Mother had set -out herself to give orders in person, from the half-way-house, for -bringing thither the body, till Mr. Tyrold could give his own -directions. She found, however, that business already done. The man -called by the postillion had been joined by a party of labourers, just -leaving off work; those had gathered others; they had procured some -broad planks which served for a bier, and had humanely conveyed the body -to the inn, where the landlord was assured the postillion would come -back with some account of him, though little Peggy had only learnt in -general that he had been found murdered near a wood. - -'Eugenia is just now,' said Mrs. Tyrold, in conclusion, 'plunged into an -abyss of ideas, frightful to her humanity, and oppressive to the -tenderness of her heart. Her nature is too noble to rejoice in a release -to herself, worked by means so horrible, and big with notions of -retribution for the wretched culprit, at which even vengeance the most -implacable might shudder. Nevertheless, all will imperceptibly pass -away, save the pity inherent in all good minds for vice and its -penalties. To know his abrupt punishment, and not to be shocked, would -be inhuman; but to grieve with any regard for a man of such principles -and conduct, would be an outrage to all that they have injured and -offended.' - -This view of the transaction, by better reconciling Camilla to the -ultimate lot of her sister, brought her back to reflect upon her own. -Still she had not gathered with precision how she had been discovered. -To pronounce the name of Edgar was impossible; but after a long pause, -which Mrs. Tyrold had hoped was given again to repose, she ventured to -say, 'I have not yet heard, my dearest Mother, to what benign chance I -immediately owe my present unspeakable, unmerited happiness?' - -Mrs. Tyrold looked at her a moment in silence, as if to read what her -question offered beyond its mere words: but she saw her eye hastily -withdrawn from the examination, and her cheeks suddenly enveloped with -the bed cloaths. - -Quietly, and without turning towards her again, she resumed her -narrative. - -'I engaged the worthy postillion of my poor Eugenia to drive me, -purposing to send Ambrose on with him, while I waited at the -half-way-house: but, about two miles off, Ambrose, who rode before, was -stopt by a gentleman, whom he met in a post chaise; when I came up to -him, I stopt also. It was Mr. Mandlebert.' - -Camilla, who had looked up, now again hastily drew back, and Mrs. -Tyrold, after a short pause, went on. - -'His intelligence, of course, finished my search. My first idea was to -convey you instantly home; but the particulars I gathered made me fear -removing you. When I entered your room, you were asleep;--I dreaded to -surprise yet could not refrain taking a view of you, and while I looked, -you suddenly awoke.' - -Ah! thought Camilla, 'tis to Edgar, then, that ultimately I owe this -blest moment! - -'But my Father,' she cried, 'my dearest Mother,--how came my dear Father -to know where you had found me?' - -'At Belfont he learnt the way you had set out, and that Eugenia and -Bellamy were from home; and, without loss of time ... regardless of the -night and of fasting, ... he returned by a route through which he traced -you at every inn where you had changed horses. He, also, entered as you -were sleeping--and we watched together by your side.' - -Again filial gratitude silenced all but itself, and sleep, the softest -she had known for many months, soon gave to oblivion every care in -Camilla. - -The changeful tide of mental spirits from misery to enjoyment, is not -more rapid than the transition from personal danger to safety, in the -elastic period of youth. 'Tis the epoch of extremes; and moderation, by -which alone we learn the true use of our blessings, is a wisdom we are -frequently only taught to appreciate when redundance no longer requires -its practice. - -Camilla, from sorrow the most desolate, bounded to joy that refused a -solicitude; and from an illness that held her suspended between delirium -and dissolution, to ease that had no complaint. The sufferings which had -deprived her of the benefit of rest and nourishment were no sooner -removed, than she appeared to be at once restored to health; though to -repair the wastes of strength some time yet was necessary. - -Mrs. Tyrold determined to carry her this afternoon to Etherington. The -remains of the wretched Bellamy, in a coffin and hearse brought from -Winchester, had been sent to Belfont in the morning: and Mr. Tyrold had -followed, to give every direction that he should be buried as the master -of the house; without reference to the conduct which had forfeited all -such respect. - -Though the evil committed by the non-deliverance of Camilla's letter was -now past all remedy, Mrs. Tyrold thought it every way right to endeavour -to discover where [lay] the blame: and by the two usual modes of menace -and promises, she learnt that the countryman, when he stopt to drink by -the way, had, in lighting his pipe, let the letter take fire; and -fearing to lose the recompense he had expected, had set his conscience -apart for a crown, and returned with the eventful falsehood, which had -made Camilla think herself abandoned, and her friends deplore her as -lost. - -For the benefit of those with whom, in future, he might have to deal, -Mrs. Tyrold took some pains to represent to him the cruel evils his -dishonesty had produced; but, stupid rather than wicked, what he had -done had been without weighing right from wrong, and what he heard was -without understanding it. - -Camilla found, with extreme satisfaction, that Mrs. Tyrold, -notwithstanding the strictness of the present family oeconomy, meant -liberally to recompense Mrs. Marl, for the trouble and patience with -which she had attended to a guest so little profitable: while Peggy, to -whose grateful remembrance she owed the consideration she had met with -in her deserted condition, was rewarded by a much larger sum than she -had ever before possessed. Camilla was obliged to confess she had parted -with two pledges for future payment: the watch was reclaimed without -difficulty; but she shewed so much distress in naming the locket, that -Mrs. Tyrold, though she looked anxiously surprised, demanded it without -enquiring into its history. - -The excess of delight to Camilla in preparing to return to Etherington, -rendered her insensible to all fatigue, till she was descending the -stairs; when the recollection of the shock she had received from the -corpse of Bellamy, made her tremble so exceedingly, that she could -scarce walk past the door of the room in which it had been laid. 'Ah, my -dearest Mother,' she cried, 'this house must give me always the most -penetrating sensations: I have experienced in it the deepest grief, and -the most heart-soothing enjoyment that ever, perhaps, gave place one to -the other in so short a time!' - - * * * * * - -Ambrose had announced their intended arrival, and at the door of the -house, the timid, but affectionate Lavinia was waiting to receive them; -and as Camilla, in alighting, met her tender embraces, a well-known -voice reached her ears, calling out in hurried accents, 'Where is she? -Is she come indeed? Are you quite sure?' And Sir Hugh, hobbling rather -than walking into the hall, folded her in his feeble arms, sobbing over -her: 'I can't believe it for joy! Poor sinner that I am, and the cause -of all our bad doings! how can I have deserved such a thing as this, to -have my own little Girl come back to me? which could not have made my -heart gladder, if I had had no share in all this bad mischief! which, -God knows I've had enough, owing to my poor head doing always for the -worst, for all my being the oldest of us all; which is a thing I've -often thought remarkable enough, in the point of my knowing no better; -which however, I hope my dear little Darling will excuse for the sake of -my love, which is never happy but in seeing her.' - -The heart of Camilla bounded with grateful joy at sight of this dear -Uncle, and at so tender a reception: and while with equal emotion, and -equal weakness, they were unable to support either each other or -themselves, the worthy old Jacob, his eyes running over, came to help -his Master back to the parlour, and Mrs. Tyrold and Lavinia conveyed -thither Camilla: who was but just placed upon a sofa, by the side of her -fond Uncle, when the door of an inner apartment was softly opened, and -pale, wan, and meagre, Eugenia appeared at it, saying, as faintly, yet -with open arms, she advanced to Camilla: 'Let me too--your poor -harassed, and but half-alive Eugenia, make one in this precious scene! -Let me see the joy of my kind Uncle--the revival of my honoured Mother, -the happiness of my dear Lavinia--and feel even my own heart beat once -more with delight in the bosom of its darling Sister!... my so -mourned--but now for ever, I trust, restored to me, most dear Camilla!' - -Camilla, thus encircled in her Mother's, Uncle's, Sister's, arms at -once, gasped, sighed, smiled, and shed tears in the same grateful -minute, while fondly she strove to articulate, 'Am I again at -Etherington and at Cleves in one? And thus indulgently received? thus -more than forgiven? My heart wants room for its joy! my Mother! my -Sisters! if you knew what despair has been my portion! I feared even the -sight of my dear Uncle himself, lest the sorrows and the errours of a -creature he so kindly loved, should have demolished his generous heart!' - -'Mine, my dearest little Girl?' cried the Baronet, 'why what would that -have signified, in comparison to such a young one as yours, that ought -to know no sorrow yet a while? God knows, it being time enough to begin: -for it is but melancholy at best, the cares of the world; which if you -can't keep off now, will be overtaking you at every turn.' - -Mrs. Tyrold entreated Camilla might be spared further conversation. -Eugenia had already glided back to her chamber, and begged, this one -solacing interview over, to be dispensed with from joining the family at -present; Camilla was removed also to her chamber; and the tender Mother -divided her time and her cares between these two recovered treasures of -her fondest affection. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -_Questions and Answers_ - - -Mr. Tyrold did not return till the next day from Belfont, where, through -the account he gave from his Daughter, the violent exit of the miserable -Bellamy was brought in accidental death. Various circumstances had now -acquainted him with the history of that wretched man, who was the -younger son of the master of a great gaming-house. In his first youth, -he had been utterly neglected, and left to run wild whither he chose; -but his father afterwards becoming very rich, had bestowed upon him as -good an education as the late period at which it was begun could allow. -He was intended for a lucrative business; but he had no application, and -could retain no post: he went into the army; but he had no courage, and -was speedily cashiered. Inheriting a passion for the means by which the -parental fortune had been raised, he devoted himself next to its -pursuit, and won very largely. But as extravagance and good luck, by -long custom, go hand in hand, he spent as fast as he acquired; and upon -a tide of fortune in his disfavour, was tempted to reverse the chances -by unfair play, was found out, and as ignominiously chaced from the -field of hazard as from that of patriotism. His father was no more; his -eldest brother would not assist him; he sold therefore his house, and -all he possessed but his wardrobe, and, relying upon a very uncommonly -handsome face and person, determined to seek a fairer lot, by eloping, -if possible, with some heiress. He thought it, however, prudent not only -to retire from London, but to make a little change in his name, which -from Nicholas Gwigg he refined into Alphonso Bellamy. He began his -career by a tour into Wales; where he insinuated himself into the -acquaintance of Mrs. Ecton, just after she had married Miss Melmond to -Mr. Berlinton: and though this was not an intercourse that could travel -to Gretna Green, the beauty and romantic turn of the bride of so -disproportioned a marriage, opened to his unprincipled mind a scheme yet -more flagitious. Fortunately, however, for his fair destined prey, soon -after the connexion was formed, she left Wales; and the search of new -adventures carried him, by various chances, into Hampshire. But he had -established with her, a correspondence, and when he had caught, or -rather forced, an heiress into legal snares, the discovery of who and -what he was, became less important, and he ventured again to town, and -renewed his heinous plan, as well as his inveterate early habits; till -surprised by some unpleasant recollectors, debts of honour, which he had -found it convenient to elude upon leaving the Capital, were claimed, and -he found it impossible to appear without satisfying such demands. Thence -his cruel and inordinate persecution of his unhappy wife for money; and -thence, ultimately, the brief vengeance which had reverberated upon his -own head. - - * * * * * - -Camilla, whose danger was the result of self-neglect, as her sufferings -had all flowed from mental anguish, was already able to go down to the -study upon the arrival of Mr. Tyrold: where she received, with grateful -rapture, the tender blessings which welcomed her to the paternal -arms--to her home--to peace--to safety--and primæval joy. - -Mr. Tyrold, sparing to her yet weak nerves any immediate explanations -upon the past, called upon his wife to aid him to communicate, in the -quietest manner, what had been done at Belfont to Eugenia; charging -Camilla to take no part in a scene inevitably shocking. - -Once more in the appropriate apartment of her Father, where all her -earliest scenes of gayest felicity had passed, but which, of late, she -had only approached with terrour, only entered to weep, she experienced -a delight almost awful in the renovation of her pristine confidence, and -fearless ease. She took from her pocket--where alone she could ever bear -to keep it--her loved locket, delighting to attribute to it this -restoration to domestic enjoyment; though feeling at the same time, a -renewal of suspence from the return of its donor, and from the affecting -interview into which she had been surprised, that broke in upon even her -filial happiness, with bitter, tyrannical regret. Yet she pressed to her -bosom the cherished symbol of first regard, and was holding it to her -lips, when Mrs. Tyrold, unexpectedly, re-entered the room. - -In extreme confusion, she shut it into its shagreen case, and was going -to restore it to her pocket; but infolding it, with her daughter's hand, -between each of her own, Mrs. Tyrold said, 'Shall I ever, my dear girl, -learn the history of this locket?' - -'O yes, my dearest Mother,' said the blushing Camilla, 'of that--and of -every--and of all things--you have only--you have merely--' - -'If it distresses you, my dear child, we will leave it to another day,' -said Mrs. Tyrold, whose eyes Camilla saw, as she now raised her own, -were swimming in tears. - -'My Mother! my dearest Mother!' cried she, with the tenderest alarm, -'has any thing new happened?--Is Eugenia greatly affected?' - -'She is all, every way, and in every respect,' said Mrs. Tyrold, -'whatever the fondest, or even the proudest Mother could wish. But I do -not at this instant most think of her. I am not without some fears for -my Camilla's strength, in the immediate demand that may be made upon her -fortitude. Tell me, my child, with that sincerity which so long has been -mutually endearing between us, tell me if you think you can see here, -again, and as usual, without any risk to your health, one long admitted -and welcomed as a part of the family?' - -She started, changed colour, looked up, cast her eyes on the floor; but -soon seeing Mrs. Tyrold hold an handkerchief bathed in tears to her -face, lost all dread, and even all consciousness in tender gratitude, -and throwing her arms round her neck, 'O my Mother,' she cried, 'you -who weep not for yourself--scarcely even in the most poignant -sorrow--can you weep for me?--I will see--or I will avoid whoever you -please--I shall want no fortitude, I shall fear nothing--no one--not -even myself--now again under your protection! I will scarcely even -think, my beloved Mother, but by your guidance!' - -'Compose yourself, then, my dearest girl: and, if you believe you are -equal to behaving with firmness, I will not refuse his request of -re-admission.' - -'His request?' repeated Camilla, with involuntary quickness; but finding -Mrs. Tyrold did not notice it, gently adding, 'That person that--I -believe--you mean--has done nothing, my dear Mother, to merit -expulsion!--' - -'I am happy to hear you say so: I have been fearfully, I must own, and -even piercingly displeased with him.' - -'Ah, my dear Mother! how kind was the partiality that turned your -displeasure so wrong a way! that made you,--even you, my dear Mother, -listen to your fondness rather than to your justice!--' - -She trembled at the temerity of this vindication the moment it had -escaped her, and looking another way, spoke again of Eugenia: but Mrs. -Tyrold now, taking both her hands, and seeking, though vainly, to meet -her eyes, said, 'My dearest child, I grow painfully anxious to end a -thousand doubts; to speak and to hear with no further ambiguity, nor -reserve. If Edgar--' - -Camilla again changed colour, and strove to withdraw her hands. - -'Take courage, my dear love, and let one final explanation relieve us -both at once. If Edgar has merited well of you, why are you parted?--If -ill--why this solicitude my opinion of him should be unshaken?' - -Her head now dropt upon Mrs. Tyrold's shoulder, as she faintly answered, -'He deserves your good opinion, my dearest Mother--for he adores you--I -cannot be unjust to him,--though he has made me--I own--not very happy!' - -'Designedly, my Camilla?' - -'O, no, my dearest Mother!--he would not do that to an enemy!' - -'Speak out, then, and speak clearer, my dearest Camilla. If you think of -him so well, and are so sure of his good intentions, what--in two -words,--what is it that has parted you?' - -'Accident, my dearest Mother,--deluding appearances, ... and false -internal reasoning on my part,--and on his, continual misconstruction! O -my dearest Mother! how have I missed your guiding care! I had ever the -semblance, by some cruel circumstance, some inexplicable fatality of -incident, to neglect his counsel, oppose his judgment, deceive his -expectations, and trifle with his regard!--Yet, with a heart faithful, -grateful, devoted,--O my dearest Mother!--with an esteem that defies all -comparison, ... a respect closely meliorating even to veneration!... -Never was heart ... my dearest Mother, so truly impressed with the worth -of another ... with the nobleness....' - -A buzzing noise from the adjoining parlour, sounding something between a -struggle and a dispute, suddenly stopt her, ... and as she raised her -head from the bosom of her Mother, in which she had seemed seeking -shelter from the very confidence she was pouring forth, she saw the door -opened, and the object of whom she was speaking appear at it.... -Fluttered, colouring, trembling, ... yet with eyes refulgent with joy, -and every feature speaking ecstasy. - -Almost fainting with shame and surprise, she gave herself up as -disgraced, if not dishonoured evermore, for a short, but bitter half -moment. It was not longer. Edgar, rushing forward, and seizing the hands -of Mrs. Tyrold, even while they were encircling her drooping, shrinking, -half expiring Camilla, pressed them with ardent respect to his lips, -rapidly exclaiming, 'My more than Mother! my dear, kind, excellent, -inestimable friend!--Forgive this blest intrusion--plead for me where I -dare not now speak--and raise your indeed maternal eyes upon the -happiest--the most devoted of your family!' - -'What is it overpowers me thus this morning?' cried Mrs. Tyrold, leaning -her head upon her clinging Camilla, while large drops fell from her -eyes; 'Misfortune, I see, is not the greatest test of our philosophy!... -Joy, twice to-day, has completely demolished mine!' - -'What goodness is this! what encouragement to hope some indulgent -intercession here--where the sense that now breaks in upon me of -ungenerous ... ever to be lamented--and I had nearly said, execrated -doubt, fills me with shame and regret--and makes me--even at this soft -reviving, heart-restoring moment, feel undeserving my own hopes!'-- - -'Shall I ... may I leave him to make his peace?' whispered Mrs. Tyrold -to her daughter, whose head sought concealment even to annihilation; but -whose arms, with what force they possessed, detained her, uttering -faintly but rapidly, 'O no, no, no!' - -'My more than Mother!' again cried Edgar, 'I will wait till that -felicity may be accorded me, and put myself wholly under your kind and -powerful influence. One thing alone I must say;--I have too much to -answer for, to take any share of the misdemeanors of another!--I have -not been a treacherous listener, though a wilful obtruder.... See, Mrs. -Tyrold! who placed me in that room--who is the accomplice of my -happiness!' - -With a smile that seemed to beam but the more brightly for her -glistening eyes, Mrs. Tyrold looked to the door, and saw there, leaning -against it, the form she most revered; surveying them all with an -expression of satisfaction so perfect, contentment so benign, and -pleasure mingled with so much thankfulness, that her tears now flowed -fast from unrestrained delight; and Mr. Tyrold, approaching to press at -once the two objects of his most exquisite tenderness to his breast, -said, 'This surprise was not planned, but circumstances made it more -than irresistible. It was not, however, quite fair to my Camilla, and if -she is angry, we will be self-exiled till she can pardon us.' - -'This is such a dream,'--cried Camilla, as now, first, from the -voice of her Father she believed it reality; 'so incredible ... so -unintelligible ... I find it entirely ... impossible ... impossible -to comprehend any thing I see or hear!'-- - -'Let the past, ... not the present,' cried Edgar, 'be regarded as the -dream! and generously drive it from your mind as a fever of the brain, -with which reason had no share, and for which memory must find no -place.' - -'If I could understand in the least,' said Camilla, 'what this all -means ... what----' - -Mr. Tyrold now insisted that Edgar should retreat, while he made some -explanation; and then related to his trembling, doubting, wondering -daughter, the following circumstances. - -In returning from Belfont, he had stopt at the half-way-house, where he -had received from Mrs. Marl, a letter that, had it reached him as it was -intended, at Etherington, would have quickened the general meeting, yet -nearly have broken his heart. It was that which, for want of a -messenger, had never been sent, and which Peggy, in cleaning the bed -room, had found under a table, where it had fallen, she supposes, when -the candle was put upon it for reading prayers. - -'There was another letter, too!' interrupted Camilla, with quick -blushing recollection;--'but my illness ... and all that has followed, -made me forget them both till this very moment.... Did she say anything -of any ... other?' - -'Yes; ... the other had been delivered according to its address.' - -'Good Heaven!' - -'Be not frightened, my Camilla, ... all has been beautifully directed -for the best. My accomplice had received his early in the morning; he -was at the house, by some fortunate hazard, when it was found, and, -being well known there, Mrs. Marl gave it to him immediately.' - -'How terrible!... It was meant only in case ... I had seen no one any -more!...' - -'The intent, and the event, have been happily, my child, at war. He came -instantly hither, and enquired for me; I was not returned; he asked my -route, and rode to follow or meet me. About an hour ago, we encountered -upon the road: he gave his horse to his groom, and came into the chaise -to me.' - -Camilla now could with difficulty listen; but her Father hastened to -acquaint her, that Edgar, with the most generous apologies, the most -liberal self-blame, had re-demanded his consent for a union, from which -every doubt was wholly, and even miraculously removed, by learning thus -the true feelings of her heart, as depicted at the awful crisis of -expected dissolution. The returning smiles which forced their way now -through the tears and blushes of Camilla, shewed how vainly she strove -to mingle the regret of shame with the felicity of fond security, -produced by this eventful accident. But when she further heard that -Edgar, in Flanders, had met with Lionel, who, in frankly recounting his -difficulties and adventures, had named some circumstances which had so -shaken every opinion that had urged him to quit England, as to induce -him instantly, from the conference, to seek a passage for his return, -she felt all but happiness retire from her heart;--vanish even from her -ideas. - -'You are not angry, then,' said Mr. Tyrold, as smilingly he read -her delighted sensations, 'that I waited not to consult you? That -I gave back at once my consent? That I folded him again in my -arms?... again ... called him my son?' - -She could but seek the same pressure; and he continued, 'I would not -bring him in with me; I was not aware my dear girl was so rapidly -recovered, and I had a task to fulfil to my poor Eugenia that was still -my first claim. But I promised within an hour, your Mother, at least, -should welcome him. He would walk, he said, for that period. When I met -her, I hinted at what was passing, and she followed me to our Eugenia; I -then briefly communicated my adventure; and your Mother, my Camilla, -lost herself in hearing it! Will you not, ... like me!... withdraw from -her all reverence? Her eyes gushed with tears, ... she wept, as you weep -at this moment; she was sure Edgar Mandlebert could alone preserve you -from danger, yet make you happy--Was she wrong, my dear child? Shall we -attack now her judgment, as well as her fortitude?' - -Only at her feet could Camilla shew her gratitude; to action she had -recourse, for words were inadequate, and the tenderest caresses now -spoke best for them all. - -Respect for the situation of Eugenia, who had desired, for this week, to -live wholly up stairs and alone, determined Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold to keep -back for some time the knowledge of this event from the family. Camilla -was most happy to pay such an attention to her sister; but when Mr. -Tyrold was leaving her, to consult upon it with Edgar, the ingenuousness -of her nature urged her irresistibly to say, 'Since all this has passed, -my dearest Father--my dearest Mother--does it not seem as if I should -now myself----' - -She stopt; but she was understood; they both smiled, and Mr. Tyrold -immediately bringing in Edgar, said, 'I find my pardon, my dear -fellow-culprit, is already accorded; if you have doubts of your own, try -your eloquence for yourself.' - -He left the room, and Mrs. Tyrold was gently rising to quietly follow, -but Camilla, with a look of entreaty of which she knew the sincerity, -and would not resist the earnestness, detained her. - -'Ah yes, stay, dearest Madam!' cried Edgar, again respectfully taking -her hand, 'and through your unalterable goodness, let me hope to procure -pardon for a distrust which I here for ever renounce; but which had its -origin in my never daring to hope what, at this moment, I have the -felicity to believe. Yet now, even now, without your kind mediation, -this dear convalescent may plan some probationary trial at which my -whole mind, after this long suffering, revolts. Will you be my caution, -my dearest Mrs. Tyrold? Will you venture--and will you deign to promise, -that if a full and generous forgiveness may be pronounced....' - -'Forgiveness?' in a soft voice interrupted Camilla: 'Have I any thing to -forgive? I thought all apology--all explanation, rested on my part? and -that my imprudencies--my rashness--my so often-erring judgment ... and -so apparently, almost even culpable conduct....' - -'O, my Camilla! my now own Camilla!' cried Edgar, venturing to change -the hand of the Mother for that of the daughter; 'what too, too touching -words and concessions are these! Suffer me, then, to hope a kind amnesty -may take place of retrospection, a clear, liberal, open forgiveness -anticipate explanation and enquiry?' - -'Are you sure,' said Camilla, smiling, 'this is your interest, and not -mine?... Does he not make a mistake, my dearest Mother, and turn my -advocate, instead of his own? And can I fairly take advantage of such an -errour.' - -The sun-shine of her returning smiles went warm to her Mother's heart, -and gave a glow to the cheeks of Edgar, and a brightness to his eyes -that irradiated his whole countenance. 'Your penetrating judgment,' said -he, to Mrs. Tyrold, 'will take in at once more than any professions, any -protestations can urge for me: ... you see the peace, the pardon which -those eyes do not seek to withhold ... will you then venture, my more -than maternal friend! my Mother, in every meaning which affection and -reverence can give to that revered appellation--will you venture at -once--now--upon this dear and ever after hallowed minute--to seal the -kind consent of my truly paternal guardian, and to give me an example of -that trust and confidence which my whole future life shall look upon as -its lesson?' - -'Yes!' answered Mrs. Tyrold, instantly joining their hands, 'and with -every security that the happiness of all our lives--my child's, my -husband's, your's, my valued Edgar's, and my own, will all owe their -felicity to the blessing with which I now lay my hands upon my two -precious children!' - -Tears were the only language that could express the fulness of joy which -succeeded to so much sorrow; and when Mr. Tyrold returned, and had -united his tenderest benediction with that of his beloved wife, Edgar -was permitted to remain alone with Camilla; and the close of his long -doubts, and her own long perplexities, was a reciprocal confidence that -left nothing untold, not an action unrelated, not even a thought -unacknowledged. - -Edgar confessed that he no sooner had quitted her, than he suspected the -justice of his decision; the turn which of late, he had taken, -doubtfully to watch her every action, and suspiciously to judge her -every motive, though it had impelled him in her presence, ceased to -operate in her absence.--He was too noble to betray the well meant, -though not well applied warnings of Dr. Marchmont, yet he acknowledged, -that when left to cool reflection, a thousand palliations arose for -every step he could not positively vindicate: and when, afterwards, from -the frank communication of Lionel, he learnt what belonged to the -mysterious offer of Sir Sedley Clarendel, that she would superintend the -disposal of his fortune, and the deep obligation in which she had been -innocently involved, his heart smote him for having judged ere he had -investigated that transaction; and in a perturbation unspeakable of -quick repentance, and tenderness, he set out for England. But when, at -the half-way-house, he stopt as usual to rest his horses in his way to -Beech Park,--what were his emotions at the sight of the locket, which -the landlady told him had been pledged by a lady in distress! He -besought her pardon for the manner in which he had made way to her; but -the almost frantic anxiety which seized him to know if or not it was -[she], and to save her, if so, from the intended intrusion of the -landlord, made him irresistibly prefer it to the plainer mode which he -should have adopted with any one else, of sending in his name, and some -message. His shock at her view in such a state, he would not now revive; -but the impropriety of bidding the landlady quit the chamber, and the -impossibility of entering into an explanation in her hearing, alone -repressed, at that agitated moment, the avowal of every sensation with -which his heart was labouring. 'But when,' he added, 'shall I cease to -rejoice that I had listened to the good landlady's history of a sick -guest, while all conjecture was so remote from whom it might be! when I -am tempted to turn aside from a tale of distress, I will recollect what -I owe to having given [ear to one]!' Lost in wonder at what could have -brought her to such a situation, and disturbed how to present himself at -the rectory, till fixed in his plans, he had ridden to the -half-way-house that morning, to enquire concerning the corpse that Mrs. -Marl had mentioned--and there--while he was speaking with her, the -little maid brought down two letters--one of them directed to himself.-- - -'What a rapid transition,' cried he, 'was then mine, from regrets that -robbed life of all charms, to prospects which paint it in its most vivid -colours of happiness! from wavering the most deplorable, to resolutions -of expiating by a whole life of devoted fondness, the barbarous -waywardness that could deprive me, for one wilful moment, of the -exquisite felicity of my lot!...' - -'But still,' said Camilla, 'I do not quite understand how you came in -that room this morning? and how you authorized yourself to overhear my -confessions to my Mother?' - -'Recollect my acknowledged accomplice before you hazard any blame! When -I came hither ... somewhat, I confess, within my given hour, Mr. Tyrold -received me himself at the door. He told me I was too soon, and took me -into the front parlour. The partition is thin. I heard my name spoken by -Mrs. Tyrold, and the gentle voice of my Camilla, in accents yet more -gentle than even that voice ever spoke before, answering some question; -I was not myself, at first, aware of its tenour ... but when, -unavoidably, I gathered it ... when I heard words so beautifully -harmonizing with what I had so lately perused--I would instantly have -ventured into the room; but Mr. Tyrold feared surprising you--you went -on--my fascinated soul divested me of obedience--of caution--of all but -joy and gratitude ... and he could no longer restrain me. And now with -which of her offenders will my Camilla quarrel?' - -'With neither, I believe, just at present. The conspiracy is so complex, -and even my Mother so nearly a party concerned, that I dare not risk the -unequal contest. I must only, in future,' added she smiling, 'speak ill -of you ... and then you will find less pleasure in the thinness of a -partition!' - -Faithfully she returned his communication, by the fullest, most candid, -and unsparing account of every transaction of her short life, from the -still shorter period of its being put into voluntary motion. With nearly -breathless interest, he listened to the detail of her transactions with -Sir Sedley Clarendel, with pity to her debts, and with horrour to her -difficulties. But when, through the whole ingenuous narration, he found -himself the constant object of every view, the ultimate motive to every -action, even where least it appeared, his happiness, and his gratitude, -made Camilla soon forget that sorrow had ever been known to her. - -They then spoke of her two favourites, Mrs. Arlbery, and Mrs. Berlinton; -and though she was animated in her praise of the good qualities of the -first, and the sweet attraction of the last, she confessed the danger, -for one so new in the world, of chusing friends distinct from those of -her family; and voluntarily promised, during her present season of -inexperience, to repose the future choice of her connections, where she -could never be happy without their approvance. - -The two hundred pounds to Sir Sedley Clarendel, he determined, on the -very day that Camilla should be his, to return to the Baronet, under the -privilege, and in the name of paying it for a brother. - -In conference thus softly balsamic to every past wound, and thus -deliciously opening to that summit of earthly felicity ... confidence -unlimited entwined around affection unbounded ... hours might have -passed, unnumbered and unawares, had not prudence forced a separation, -for the repose of Camilla. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -_The last Touches of the Picture_ - - -Late as Edgar quitted the rectory, he went not straight to Beech Park; -every tie both of friendship and propriety carried him first to Dr. -Marchmont; who had too much feeling to wonder at the power of his late -incitements, and too much goodness of heart not to felicitate him upon -their issue, though he sighed at the recollection of the disappointments -whence his own doubting counsel originated. Twice betrayed in his -dearest expectations, he had formed two criterions from his peculiar -experience, by which he had settled his opinion of the whole female sex; -and where opinion may humour systematic prepossession, who shall build -upon his virtue or wisdom to guard the transparency of his impartiality? - -The following day, the Westwyns presented themselves at Etherington; -hurried from a tour they were taking through Devonshire and Cornwall, by -intelligence which had reached them that Sir Hugh Tyrold was ruined, and -Cleves was to be let. They met, by chance, with Edgar alone in the -parlour; and the joy of the old gentleman in hearing how small a part of -the rumour was founded in fact, made him shake hands with him as -cordially for setting him right, as Edgar welcomed his kindness, from -the pleasure afforded by the sight of such primitive regard. But when, -presuming upon his peculiar intimacy in the family, as ward of Mr. -Tyrold, though without yet daring to avow his approaching nearer -affinity, Edgar insisted upon his superior claim for supplanting them in -taking charge of the debt of his guardian; Mr. Westwyn, almost angrily, -protested he would let no man upon earth, let him be whose ward he -pleased, shew more respect than himself for the brother of Sir Hugh -Tyrold; 'And Hal thinks the same too,' he added, 'or he's no son of -mine. And so he'll soon shew you, in a way you can't guess, I give you -my word. At least that's my opinion.' - -He then took his son apart, and abruptly whispered to him, 'As that -pretty girl you and I took such a fancy to, at Southton, served us in -that shabby manner, because of meeting with that old Lord, it's my -opinion you'd do the right thing to take her sister; who's pretty near -as pretty, and gives herself no airs; and that will be shewing respect -for my worthy old friend, now he's down in the world; which is exactly -that he did for me when I was down myself. For if he had not lent me -that thousand pounds I told you of, when not a relation I had would lend -me a hundred, I might have been ruined before ever you were born. Come, -tell me your mind Hal! off or on? don't stand shilly shally; it's what I -can't bear; speak honestly; I won't have your choice controlled; only -this one thing I must tell you without ceremony, I shall never think -well of you again as long as ever I live, if you demur so much as a -moment. It's what I can't bear; it i'n't doing a thing handsomely. I -can't say I like it.' - -The appearance of Lavinia relieved the immediate embarrassment of Henry, -while the modest pleasure with which she received them confirmed the -partiality of both. The eagerness, however, of the father, admitted of -no delay, and when Sir Hugh entered the room, the son's assent being -obtained, he warmly demanded the fair Lavinia for his daughter-in-law. - -Sir Hugh received the proposition with the most copious satisfaction; -Mr. and Mrs. Tyrold with equal, though more anxious delight; and Lavinia -herself with blushing but unaffected hopes of happiness. - -Whatever was known to Sir Hugh, no cautions, nor even his own best -designs, could save from being known to the whole house. Eugenia, -therefore, was unavoidably informed of this transaction; and the -generous pleasure with which she revived from the almost settled -melancholy left upon her, by continual misfortunes, justified the -impatience of Edgar to accelerate the allowed period for publishing his -own happy history. - -Eugenia wept with joy at tidings so precious of her beloved sister, -through whom, and her other dear friends, she was alone, she said, -susceptible of joy, though to all sorrow she henceforth bid adieu, 'For -henceforth,' she cried, 'I mean to regard myself as if already I had -passed the busy period of youth and of life, and were only a spectatress -of others. For this purpose, I have begun writing my memoirs, which will -amuse my solitude, and confirm my--I hope, philosophical idea.' - -She then produced the opening of her intended book. - - SECTION I. - - 'No blooming coquette, elated with adulation and triumphant with - conquest, here counts the glories of her eyes, or enumerates the - train of her adorers: no beauteous prude, repines at the fatigue of - admiration, nor bewails the necessity of tyranny: O gentle reader! - you have the story of one from whom fate has withheld all the - delicacy of vanity, all the regale of cruelty--!' - -'Here,' interrupted the young biographer, 'will follow my portrait, and -then this further address to my readers.' - - 'O ye, who, young and fair, revel in the attractions of beauty, and - exult in the pride of admiration, say, where is your envy of the - heiress to whom fortune comes with such alloys? And which, however - distressed or impoverished, would accept my income with my personal - defects? - - 'Ye, too, O lords of the creation, mighty men! impute not to native - vanity the repining spirit with which I lament the loss of beauty; - attribute not to the innate weakness of my sex, the concern I - confess for my deformity; nor to feminine littleness of soul, a - regret of which the true source is to be traced to your own bosoms, - and springs from your own tastes: for the value you yourselves set - upon external attractions, your own neglect has taught me to know; - and the indifferency with which you consider all else, your own - duplicity has instructed me to feel.' - -Camilla sought to dissuade her from reflexions so afflictive, and -retrospections so poignant; but they aided her, she said, in her task of -acquiring composure for the regulation of her future life. - -Edgar now received permission to make his communication to the Baronet. - -The joy with which Sir Hugh heard it, was for some time over-clouded by -doubt. 'My dear Mr. young Edgar,' he said, 'in case you don't know your -own mind yet, in the point of its not changing again, as it did before, -I'd as leave you would not tell me of it till you've taken the proper -time to be at a certainty; frettings about these ups and downs, being -what do no good to me, in point of the gout.' - -But when thoroughly re-assured, 'Well,' he cried, 'this is just the -thing I should have chose out of all our misfortunes, being what makes -me happier than ever I was in my life; except once before on the very -same account, which all turned out to end in nothing: which, I hope, -won't happen any more: for now I've only to pay off all our debts, and -then I may go back again to Cleves, which I shall be glad enough to do, -it being but an awkward thing to a man, after he's past boyhood, having -no home of his own.' - -A sigh at the recollection of the change in his situation, since his -plan was last agitated, checked his felicity, and depressed even that of -Edgar, who, with the most tender earnestness, besought his leave to -advance the sum requisite to return him tranquilly to his mansion; but -who could not prevail, till Camilla joined in the petition, and -permitted Edgar, in both their names to entreat, as their dearest wish, -that they might be united, according to the first arrangement, from -Cleves. - -This the Baronet could not resist, and preparations were rapidly made -for re-instating him in his dwelling, and for the double marriages -destined to take place upon his return. - -'Well, then, this,' cried he, as he poured upon them his tenderest -blessings and caresses, 'is the oddest of all! My dear little Camilla, -that I took all my fortune from, is the very person to give me hers as -soon as ever she gets it! as well as my own house over my old head -again, after my turning her, as one may say, out of it! which is a thing -as curious, in point of us poor ignorant mortals, as if my brother had -put it in a sermon.' - -'Such turns in the tide of fortune,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'are amongst the -happiest lessons of humanity, where those who have served the humble and -helpless from motives of pure disinterestedness, find they have made -useful friends for themselves, in the perpetual vicissitudes of our -unstable condition.' - -'Why, then, there's but one thing more, by what I can make out,' said -the Baronet, 'that need be much upon my mind, and that I've been -thinking some time about, in point of forming a scheme to get rid of, -which I think I've got a pretty good one: for here's Lavinia going to be -married to the very oldest friend I have in the world; that is, to his -son, which is the same thing in point of bringing us all together; and -my own dear little girl, to the best gentleman in the county, except for -that one thing of going off at the first, which I dare say he did not -mean, for which reason I shall mention it no more: and Indiana, to one -of those young captains, that I can't pretend I know much of; but that's -very excusable in so young a person, not having had much head from the -beginning; which I always make allowance for; my own not being over -extraordinary: and Eugenia, poor thing, being a widow already; for which -God be praised; which I hope is no sin, in point of the poor lad that's -gone not belonging to any of us, by what I can make out, except by his -own doing whether we would or not; which, however, is neither here nor -there, now he's gone; for Eugenia being no beauty, and Clermont having -as good as said so, I suppose she thought she must not be too difficult; -which is a thing young girls are apt to fall into; and boys too, for the -matter of that; for, by what I can make out of life, I don't see but -what a scholar thinks a girl had better be pretty than not, as much as -another man.' - -'But what, my dear brother,' said Mr. Tyrold, 'is your new distress and -new scheme?' - -'Why I can't say but what I'm a little put out, that Indiana should -forget poor Mrs. Margland, in the particular of asking her to go to live -with her; which, however, I dare say she can't help, those young -captains commonly not over liking having elderly persons about them; not -that I mean to guess her age, which I take to be fifty, and upwards; -which is no point of ours. But the thing I'm thinking of is Dr. -Orkborne, in the case of their marrying one another.' - -'My dear brother!... has any such idea occurred to them?' - -'Not as I know of; but Indiana having done with one, and Eugenia with -the other, and me, Lord help me! not wanting either of them, why what -can I do if they won't? the Doctor's asked to go to town, for the sake -of printing his papers, which I begged him not to hurry, for I'm but -little fit for learned conversation just now; though when he's here, he -commonly says nothing; only taking out his tablets to write down -something that comes into his head, as I suppose: which I can't say is -very entertaining in the light of a companion. However, as to his having -called me a blockhead, it's not what I take umbrage at, not being a wit -being a fault of no man's, except of nature, which nobody has a right to -be angry at. Besides, as to his having a little pride, it's what I owe -him no ill-will for; a scholar having nothing else but his learning, is -excusable for making the most of it. However, if they would marry one -another, I can't but say I should take it very well of them. The only -thing I know against it, is the mortal dislike they have to one another: -and that, my dear brother, is the point I want to consult you about; for -then we shall be got off all round: which would be a great thing off my -mind.' - -When the happy day arrived for returning to Cleves, Sir Hugh re-took -possession of his hospitable mansion, amidst the tenderest felicitations -of his fond family, and the almost clamorous rejoicings of the assembled -poor of the neighbourhood: and the following morning, Mr. Tyrold gave -the hand of Lavinia to Harry Westwyn, and Dr. Marchmont united them; and -Edgar, glowing with happiness, now purified from any alloy, received -from the same revered hand, and owed to the same honoured voice, the -final and lasting possession of the tearful, but happy Camilla. - - * * * * * - -What further remains to finish this small sketch of a Picture of Youth, -may be comprised in a few pages. - -Indiana was more fortunate in her northern expedition, than experiments -of that nature commonly prove. Macdersey was a man of honour, and -possessed better claims to her than he had either language or skill to -explain: but the good Lord O'Lerney, who, to benevolence the most -cheerful, and keenness the least severe, joined judgment and -generosity, acted as the guardian of his kinsman, and placed the young -couple in competence and comfort. - -The profession of Macdersey obliging him to sojourn frequently in -country quarters, Indiana, when the first novelty of _tête-à-têtes_ was -over, wished again for the constant adulatress of her charms and -endowments, and, to the inexpressible rapture of Sir Hugh, solicited -Miss Margland to be her companion: and the influence of constant -flattery was so seductive to her weak mind, that, though insensible to -the higher motive of cherishing her in remembrance of her long cares, -she was so spoilt by her blandishments, and so accustomed to her -management, that she parted from her no more. - -Lavinia, with her deserving partner, spent a month between Cleves and -Etherington, and then accompanied him and his fond father to their -Yorkshire estate and residence. Like all characters of radical worth, -she grew daily upon the esteem and affection of her new family, and -found in her husband as marked a contrast with Clermont Lynmere, to -annul all Hypothesis of Education, as Lord O'Lerney, cool, rational, and -penetrating, opposed to Macdersey, wild, eccentric, and vehement, -offered against all that is National. Brought up under the same tutor, -the same masters, and at the same university, with equal care, equal -expence, equal opportunities of every kind, Clermont turned out -conceited, voluptuous, and shallow; Henry modest, full of feeling, and -stored with intelligence. - -Lionel, first enraged, but next tamed, by the disinheritance which he -had drawn upon himself, had ample subject in his disappointment to keep -alive his repentance. And though enabled to return from banishment, by -the ignominious condemnation, with another culprit, of the late partner -in his guilt, he felt so lowered from his fallen prospects, and so -gloomy from his altered spirits, that when his parents, satisfied with -his punishment, held out the olive-branch to invite him home, he came -forth again rather as if condemned, than forgiven; and, wholly wanting -fortitude either to see or to avoid his former associates, he procured -an appointment that carried him abroad, where his friends induced him to -remain, till his bad habits, as well as bad connections, were forgotten, -and time aided adversity in forming him a new character. - -Clermont, for whom his uncle bought a commission, fixed himself in the -army; though with no greater love of his country, than was appendant to -the opportunity it afforded of shewing his fine person to regimental -advantage. - -Mrs. Arlbery was amongst the first to hasten with congratulations to -Camilla. With too much understanding to betray her pique upon the errour -of her judgment, as to the means of attaching Mandlebert, she had too -much goodness of heart not to rejoice in the happiness of her young -friend. - -Mrs. Lissin, who accompanied her in the wedding visit, confessed herself -the most disappointed and distressed of human beings. She had not, she -said, half so much liberty as when she lived with her Papa, and heartily -repented marrying, and wished she had never thought of it. The servants -were always teazing her for orders and directions; every thing that went -wrong, it was always she who was asked why it was not right; when she -wanted to be driving about all day, the coachman always said it was too -much for the horses; when she travelled, the maids always asked her what -must be packed up; if she happened to be out at dinner time, Mr. Lissin -found fault with every thing's being cold: if she wanted to do something -she liked, he said she had better let it alone; and, in fine, her -violent desire for this state of freedom, ended in conceiving it a state -of bondage; she found _her own house_ the house of which she must take -the charge; being _her own mistress_, having the burthen of -superintending a whole family, and being _married_, becoming the -property of another, to whom she made over a legal right to treat her -just as he pleased. And as she had chosen neither for character, nor for -disposition, neither from sympathy nor respect, she found it hard to -submit where she meant to become independent, and difficult to take the -cares where she had made no provision for the solaces of domestic life. - -The notable Mrs. Mittin contrived soon to so usefully ingratiate herself -in the favour of Mr. Dennel, that, in the full persuasion she would save -him half his annual expences, he married her: but her friend, Mr. -Clykes, was robbed in his journey home of the cash which he had so -dishonourably gained. - -The first care of Edgar was to clear every debt in which Camilla had -borne any share, and then to make over to Lavinia the little portion -intended to be parted between the sisters. Henry would have resisted; -but Mr. Tyrold knew the fortune of Edgar to be fully adequate to his -generosity, and sustained the proposition. Sir Sedley Clarendel received -his two hundred pounds without opposition, though with surprise; and was -dubious whether to rejoice in the shackles he had escaped, or to lament -the charmer he had lost. - -Sir Hugh would suffer no one but himself to clear the debts of his two -nephews, or refund what had been advanced by his excellent old friend -Mr. Westwyn. He called back all his servants, liberally recompensed -their marked attachment, provided particularly for good old Jacob; and -took upon himself the most ample reward for the postillion who meant to -rescue Eugenia. - -The prisoner and his wife, now worthy established cottagers, were the -first, at the entrance of Beech Park, to welcome the bride and -bridegroom; and little Peggy Higden was sent for immediately, and -placed, with extremest kindness, where she might rise in use and in -profit. - -Lord O'Lerney was sedulously sought by Edgar, who had the infinite -happiness to see Camilla a selected friend of Lady Isabella Irby, whose -benevolent care of her in the season of her utter distress, had softly -enchained her tenderest gratitude, and had excited in himself an almost -adoring respect. - -Melmond had received in time the caution of Camilla, to prevent the -meeting to which the baseness of Bellamy was deluding his misguided -sister, through her own wild theories. He forbore to blast her fame by -calling him publicly to account; and ere further arts could be -practised, Bellamy was no more. - -Mrs. Berlinton, in the shock of sudden sorrow, shut herself up from the -world. Claims of debts of honour, which she had no means to answer, -pursued her in her retreat; she became at once the prey of grief, -repentance, and shame; and her mind was yet young enough in wrong, to be -penetrated by the early chastisement of calamity. Removed from the whirl -of pleasure, which takes reflexion from action, and feeling from -thought, she reviewed, with poignant contrition, her graceless -misconduct with regard to Eugenia, detested her infatuation, and humbled -herself to implore forgiveness. Her aunt seized the agitating moment of -self-upbraiding and worldly disgust, to impress upon her fears the -lessons of her opening life: and thus, repulsed from passion, and -sickened of dissipation, though too illiberally instructed for cheerful -and rational piety, she was happily snatched from utter ruin by -protecting, though eccentric enthusiasm. - -Eugenia, for some time, continued in voluntary seclusion, happily -reaping from the fruits of her education and her virtues, resources and -reflexions for retirement, that robbed it of weariness. The name, the -recollection of Bellamy, always made her shudder, but the peace of -perfect innocence was soon restored to her mind. The sufferings of Mrs. -Berlinton from self-reproach, taught her yet more fully to value the -felicity of blamelessness; and the generous liberality of her character, -made the first inducement she felt for exertion, the benevolence of -giving solace to a penitent who had injured her. - -Melmond, long conscious of her worth, and disgusted with all that had -rivalled it in his mind, with the fervour of sincerity, yet diffidence -of shame and regret, now fearfully sought the favour he before had -reluctantly received. But Eugenia retreated. She had no courage for a -new engagement, no faith for new vows, no hope for new happiness: till -his really exemplary character, with the sympathy of his feelings, and -the similarity of his taste and turn of mind with her own, made the -Tyrolds, when they perceived his ascendance, second his wishes. -Approbation so sacred, joined to a prepossession so tender, soon -conquered every timid difficulty in the ingenuous Eugenia; who in his -well-earnt esteem, and grateful affection, received, at length, the -recompence of every exerted virtue, and the solace of every past -suffering. Melmond, in a companion delighting in all his favourite -pursuits, and capable of joining even in his severer studies, found a -charm to beguile from him all former regret, while reason and experience -endeared his ultimate choice. Eugenia once loved, was loved for ever. -Where her countenance was looked at, her complexion was forgotten; while -her voice was heard, her figure was unobserved; where her virtues were -known, they seemed but to be enhanced by her personal misfortunes. - -The Baronet was enchanted to see her thus unexpectedly happy, and soon -transferred to Melmond the classical respect which Clermont had -forfeited, when he concurred with Eugenia in a petition, that Dr. -Orkborne, without further delay, might be enabled to retire to his own -plans and pursuits, with such just and honourable consideration for -labours he well knew how to appreciate, as his friend Mr. Tyrold should -judge to be worthy of his acceptance. - -With joy expanding to that thankfulness which may be called the _beauty -of piety_, the virtuous Tyrolds, as their first blessings, received -these blessings of their children: and the beneficent Sir Hugh felt -every wish so satisfied, he could scarcely occupy himself again with a -project ... save a maxim of prudence, drawn from his own experience, -which he daily planned teaching to the little generation rising around -him; To avoid, from the disasters of their Uncle, the Dangers and -Temptations, to their Descendants, of Unsettled Collateral Expectations. - -Thus ended the long conflicts, doubts, suspences, and sufferings of -Edgar and Camilla; who, without one inevitable calamity, one unavoidable -distress, so nearly fell the sacrifice to the two extremes of -Imprudence, and Suspicion, to the natural heedlessness of youth -unguided, or to the acquired distrust of experience that had been -wounded. Edgar, by generous confidence, became the repository of her -every thought; and her friends read her exquisite lot in a gaiety no -longer to be feared: while, faithful to his word, making Etherington, -Cleves, and Beech Park, his alternate dwellings, he rarely parted her -from her fond Parents and enraptured Uncle. And Dr. Marchmont, as he saw -the pure innocence, open frankness, and spotless honour of her heart, -found her virtues, her errours, her facility, or her desperation, but A -PICTURE OF YOUTH; and regretting the false light given by the spirit of -comparison, in the hypothesis which he had formed from individual -experience, acknowledged its injustice, its narrowness, and its -arrogance. What, at last, so diversified as man? what so little to be -judged by his fellow? - - -FINIS - - * * * * * - -[Transcriber's Note: Hyphen and spelling variations left as printed.] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Camilla, by Fanny Burney - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMILLA *** - -***** This file should be named 40619-8.txt or 40619-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/6/1/40619/ - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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