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Night and Morning, a novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton |
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Book 1 - Chapter 9 |
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_ BOOK I CHAPTER IX "Thus things are strangely wrought,
Arthur Beaufort, the young heir, was at his father's house. He was fresh from Oxford, where he had already discovered that learning is not better than house and land. Since the new prospects opened to him, Arthur Beaufort was greatly changed. Naturally studious and prudent, had his fortunes remained what they had been before his uncle's death, he would probably have become a laborious and distinguished man. But though his abilities were good, he had not those restless impulses which belong to Genius--often not only its glory, but its curse. The Golden Rod cast his energies asleep at once. Good-natured to a fault, and somewhat vacillating in character, he adopted the manner and the code of the rich young idlers who were his equals at College. He became, like them, careless, extravagant, and fond of pleasure. This change, if it deteriorated his mind, improved his exterior. It was a change that could not but please women; and of all women his mother the most. Mrs. Beaufort was a lady of high birth; and in marrying her, Robert had hoped much from the interest of her connections; but a change in the ministry had thrown her relations out of power; and, beyond her dowry, he obtained no worldly advantage with the lady of his mercenary choice. Mrs. Beaufort was a woman whom a word or two will describe. She was thoroughly commonplace--neither bad nor good, neither clever nor silly. She was what is called well-bred; that is, languid, silent, perfectly dressed, and insipid. Of her two children, Arthur was almost the exclusive favourite, especially after he became the heir to such brilliant fortunes. For she was so much the mechanical creature of the world, that even her affection was warm or cold in proportion as the world shone on it. Without being absolutely in love with her husband, she liked him--they suited each other; and (in spite of all the temptations that had beset her in their earlier years, for she had been esteemed a beauty--and lived, as worldly people must do, in circles where examples of unpunished gallantry are numerous and contagious) her conduct had ever been scrupulously correct. She had little or no feeling for misfortunes with which she had never come into contact; for those with which she had--such as the distresses of younger sons, or the errors of fashionable women, or the disappointments of "a proper ambition"--she had more sympathy than might have been supposed, and touched on them with all the tact of well-bred charity and ladylike forbearance. Thus, though she was regarded as a strict person in point of moral decorum, yet in society she was popular-as women at once pretty and inoffensive generally are. To do Mrs. Beaufort justice, she had not been privy to the letter her husband wrote to Catherine, although not wholly innocent of it. The fact is, that Robert had never mentioned to her the peculiar circumstances that made Catherine an exception from ordinary rules--the generous propositions of his brother to him the night before his death; and, whatever his incredulity as to the alleged private marriage, the perfect loyalty and faith that Catherine had borne to the deceased,--he had merely observed, "I must do something, I suppose, for that woman; she very nearly entrapped my poor brother into marrying her; and he would then, for what I know, have cut Arthur out of the estates. Still, I must do something for her--eh?" "Yes, I think so. What was she?-very low?" "A tradesman's daughter." "The children should be provided for according to the rank of the mother; that's the general rule in such cases: and the mother should have about the same provision she might have looked for if she had married a tradesman and been left a widow. I dare say she was a very artful kind of person, and don't deserve anything; but it is always handsomer, in the eyes of the world, to go by the general rules people lay down as to money matters." So spoke Mrs. Beaufort. She concluded her husband had settled the matter, and never again recurred to it. Indeed, she had never liked the late Mr. Beaufort, whom she considered mauvais ton. In the breakfast-room at Mr. Beaufort's, the mother and son were seated; the former at work, the latter lounging by the window: they were not alone. In a large elbow-chair sat a middle-aged man, listening, or appearing to listen, to the prattle of a beautiful little girl--Arthur Beaufort's sister. This man was not handsome, but there was a certain elegance in his air, and a certain intelligence in his countenance, which made his appearance pleasing. He had that kind of eye which is often seen with red hair--an eye of a reddish hazel, with very long lashes; the eyebrows were dark, and clearly defined; and the short hair showed to advantage the contour of a small well-shaped head. His features were irregular; the complexion had been sanguine, but was now faded, and a yellow tinge mingled with the red. His face was more wrinkled, especially round the eyes--which, when he laughed, were scarcely visible--than is usual even in men ten years older. But his teeth were still of a dazzling whiteness; nor was there any trace of decayed health in his countenance. He seemed one who had lived hard; but who had much yet left in the lamp wherewith to feed the wick. At the first glance he appeared slight, as he lolled listlessly in his chair--almost fragile. But, at a nearer examination, you perceived that, in spite of the small extremities and delicate bones, his frame was constitutionally strong. Without being broad in the shoulders, he was exceedingly deep in the chest--deeper than men who seemed giants by his side; and his gestures had the ease of one accustomed to an active life. He had, indeed, been celebrated in his youth for his skill in athletic exercises, but a wound, received in a duel many years ago, had rendered him lame for life--a misfortune which interfered with his former habits, and was said to have soured his temper. This personage, whose position and character will be described hereafter, was Lord Lilburne, the brother of Mrs. Beaufort. "So, Camilla," said Lord Lilburne to his niece, as carelessly, not fondly, he stroked down her glossy ringlets, "you don't like Berkeley Square as you did Gloucester Place." "Oh, no! not half so much! You see I never walk out in the fields,--[Now the Regent's Park.]--nor make daisy-chains at Primrose Hill. I don't know what mamma means," added the child, in a whisper, "in saying we are better off here." Lord Lilburne smiled, but the smile was a half sneer. "You will know quite soon enough, Camilla; the understandings of young ladies grow up very quickly on this side of Oxford Street. Well, Arthur, and what are your plans to-day?" "Why," said Arthur, suppressing a yawn, "I have promised to ride out with a friend of mine, to see a horse that is for sale somewhere in the suburbs." As he spoke, Arthur rose, stretched himself, looked in the glass, and then glanced impatiently at the window. "He ought to be here by this time." "He! who?" said Lord Lilburne, "the horse or the other animal--I mean the friend?" "The friend," answered Arthur, smiling, but colouring while he smiled, for he half suspected the quiet sneer of his uncle. "Who is your friend, Arthur?" asked Mrs. Beaufort, looking up from her work. "Watson, an Oxford man. By the by, I must introduce him to you." "Watson! what Watson? what family of Watson? Some Watsons are good and some are bad," said Mrs. Beaufort, musingly. "Then they are very unlike the rest of mankind," observed Lord Lilburne, drily. "Oh! my Watson is a very gentlemanlike person, I assure you," said Arthur, half-laughing, "and you need not be ashamed of him." Then, rather desirous of turning the conversation, he continued, "So my father will be back from Beaufort Court to-day?" "Yes; he writes in excellent spirits. He says the rents will bear raising at least ten per cent., and that the house will not require much repair." Here Arthur threw open the window. "Ah, Watson! how are you? How d'ye do, Marsden? Danvers, too! that's capital! the more the merrier! I will be down in an instant. But would you not rather come in?" "An agreeable inundation," murmured Lord Lilburne. "Three at a time: he takes your house for Trinity College." A loud, clear voice, however, declined the invitation; the horses were heard pawing without. Arthur seized his hat and whip, and glanced to his mother and uncle, smilingly. "Good-bye! I shall be out till dinner. Kiss me, my pretty Milly!" And as his sister, who had run to the window, sickening for the fresh air and exercise he was about to enjoy, now turned to him wistful and mournful eyes, the kind-hearted young man took her in his arms, and whispered while he kissed her: "Get up early to-morrow, and we'll have such a nice walk together." Arthur was gone: his mother's gaze had followed his young and graceful figure to the door. "Own that he is handsome, Lilburne. May I not say more:--has he not the proper air?" "My dear sister, your son will be rich. As for his air, he has plenty of airs, but wants graces." "Then who could polish him like yourself?" "Probably no one. But had I a son--which Heaven forbid!--he should not have me for his Mentor. Place a young man--(go and shut the door, Camilla!)--between two vices--women and gambling, if you want to polish him into the fashionable smoothness. Entre nous, the varnish is a little expensive!" Mrs. Beaufort sighed. Lord Lilburne smiled. He had a strange pleasure in hurting the feelings of others. Besides, he disliked youth: in his own youth he had enjoyed so much that he grew sour when he saw the young. Meanwhile Arthur Beaufort and his friends, careless of the warmth of the day, were laughing merrily, and talking gaily, as they made for the suburb of H----. "It is an out-of-the-way place for a horse, too," said Sir Harry Danvers. "But I assure you," insisted Mr. Watson, earnestly, "that my groom, who is a capital judge, says it is the cleverest hack he ever mounted. It has won several trotting matches. It belonged to a sporting tradesman, now done up. The advertisement caught me." "Well," said Arthur, gaily, "at all events the ride is delightful. What weather! You must all dine with me at Richmond to-morrow--we will row back." "And a little chicken-hazard, at the M---, afterwards," said Mr. Marsden, who was an elder, not a better, man than the rest--a handsome, saturnine man--who had just left Oxford, and was already known on the turf. "Anything you please," said Arthur, making his horse curvet. Oh, Mr. Robert Beaufort! Mr. Robert Beaufort! could your prudent, scheming, worldly heart but feel what devil's tricks your wealth was playing with a son who if poor had been the pride of the Beauforts! On one side of our pieces of old we see the saint trampling down the dragon. False emblem! Reverse it on the coin! In the real use of the gold, it is the dragon who tramples down the saint! But on--on! the day is bright and your companions merry; make the best of your green years, Arthur Beaufort! The young men had just entered the suburb of H---, and were spurring on four abreast at a canter. At that time an old man, feeling his way before him with a stick,--for though not quite blind, he saw imperfectly,--was crossing the road. Arthur and his friends, in loud converse, did not observe the poor passenger. He stopped abruptly, for his ear caught the sound of danger--it was too late: Mr. Marsden's horse, hard-mouthed, and high-stepping, came full against him. Mr. Marsden looked down: "Hang these old men! always in the way," said he, plaintively, and in the tone of a much-injured person, and, with that, Mr. Marsden rode on. But the others, who were younger--who were not gamblers--who were not yet grinded down into stone by the world's wheels--the others halted. Arthur Beaufort leaped from his horse, and the old man was already in his arms; but he was severely hurt. The blood trickled from his forehead; he complained of pains in his side and limbs. "Lean on me, my poor fellow! Do you live far off? I will take you home." "Not many yards. This would not have happened if I had had my dog. Never mind, sir, go your way. It is only an old man--what of that? I wish I had my dog." "I will join you," said Arthur to his friends; "my groom has the direction. I will just take the poor old man home, and send for a surgeon. I shall not be long." "So like you, Beaufort: the best fellow in the world!" said Mr. Watson, with some emotion. "And there's Marsden positively, dismounted, and looking at his horse's knees as if they could be hurt! Here's a sovereign for you, my man." "And here's another," said Sir Harry; "so that's settled. Well, you will join us, Beaufort? You see the yard yonder. We'll wait twenty minutes for you. Come on, Watson." The old man had not picked up the sovereigns thrown at his feet, neither had he thanked the donors. And on his countenance there was a sour, querulous, resentful expression. "Must a man be a beggar because he is run over, or because he is half blind?" said he, turning his dim, wandering eyes painfully towards Arthur. "Well, I wish I had my dog!" "I will supply his place," said Arthur, soothingly. "Come, lean on me--heavier; that's right. You are not so bad,--eh?" "Um!--the sovereigns!--it is wicked to leave them in the kennel!" Arthur smiled. "Here they are, sir." The old man slid the coins into his pocket, and Arthur continued to talk, though he got but short answers, and those only in the way of direction, till at last the old man stopped at the door of a small house near the churchyard. After twice ringing the bell, the door was opened by a middle-aged woman, whose appearance was above that of a common menial; dressed, somewhat gaily for her years, in a cap seated very far back on a black touroet, and decorated with red ribands, an apron made out of an Indian silk handkerchief, a puce-coloured sarcenet gown, black silk stockings, long gilt earrings, and a watch at her girdle. "Bless us and save us, sir! What has happened?" exclaimed this worthy personage, holding up her hands. "Pish! I am faint: let me in. I don't want your aid any more, sir. Thank you. Good day!" Not discouraged by this farewell, the churlish tone of which fell harmless on the invincibly sweet temper of Arthur, the young man continued to assist the sufferer along the narrow passage into a little old-fashioned parlour; and no sooner was the owner deposited on his worm-eaten leather chair than he fainted away. On reaching the house, Arthur had sent his servant (who had followed him with the horses) for the nearest surgeon; and while the woman was still employed, after taking off the sufferer's cravat, in burning feathers under his nose, there was heard a sharp rap and a shrill ring. Arthur opened the door, and admitted a smart little man in nankeen breeches and gaiters. He bustled into the room. "What's this--bad accident--um--um! Sad thing, very sad. Open the window. A glass of water--a towel." "So--so: I see--I see--no fracture--contusion. Help him off with his coat. Another chair, ma'am; put up his poor legs. What age is he, ma'am?--Sixty-eight! Too old to bleed. Thank you. How is it, sir? Poorly, to be sure will be comfortable presently--faintish still? Soon put all to rights." "Tray! Tray! Where's my dog, Mrs. Boxer?" "Lord, sir, what do you want with your dog now? He is in the back-yard." "And what business has my dog in the back-yard?" almost screamed the sufferer, in accents that denoted no diminution of vigour. "I thought as soon as my back was turned my dog would be ill-used! Why did I go without my dog? Let in my dog directly, Mrs. Boxer!" "All right, you see, sir," said the apothecary, turning to Beaufort--"no cause for alarm--very comforting that little passion--does him good--sets one's mind easy. How did it happen? Ah, I understand! knocked down--might have been worse. Your groom (sharp fellow!) explained in a trice, sir. Thought it was my old friend here by the description. Worthy man--settled here a many year--very odd-eccentric (this in a whisper). Came off instantly: just at dinner--cold lamb and salad. 'Mrs. Perkins,' says I, 'if any one calls for me, I shall be at No. 4, Prospect Place.' Your servant observed the address, sir. Oh, very sharp fellow! See how the old gentleman takes to his dog--fine little dog--what a stump of a tail! Deal of practice--expect two accouchements every hour. Hot weather for childbirth. So says I to Mrs. Perkins, 'If Mrs. Plummer is taken, or Mrs. Everat, or if old Mr. Grub has another fit, send off at once to No. 4. Medical men should be always in the way-that's my maxim. Now, sir, where do you feel the pain?" "In my ears, sir." "Bless me, that looks bad. How long have you felt it?" "Ever since you have been in the room." "Oh! I take. Ha! ha!--very eccentric--very!" muttered the apothecary, a little disconcerted. "Well, let him lie down, ma'am. I'll send him a little quieting draught to be taken directly--pill at night, aperient in the morning. If wanted, send for me--always to be found. Bless me, that's my boy Bob's ring. Please to open the door, ma' am. Know his ring--very peculiar knack of his own. Lay ten to one it is Mrs. Plummer, or perhaps. Mrs. Everat--her ninth child in eight years--in the grocery line. A woman in a thousand, sir!" Here a thin boy, with very short coat-sleeves, and very large hands, burst into the room with his mouth open. "Sir--Mr. Perkins--sir!" "I know--I know-coming. Mrs. Plummer or Mrs. Everat?" "No, sir; it be the poor lady at Mrs. Lacy's; she be taken desperate. Mrs. Lacy's girl has just been over to the shop, and made me run here to you, sir." "Mrs. Lacy's! oh, I know. Poor Mrs. Morton! Bad case--very bad--must be off. Keep him quiet, ma'am. Good day! Look in to-morrow-nine o'clock. Put a little lint with the lotion on the head, ma'am. Mrs. Morton! Ah! bad job that." Here the apothecary had shuffled himself off to the street door, when Arthur laid his hand on his arm. "Mrs. Morton! Did you say Morton, sir? What kind of a person--is she very ill?" "Hopeless case, sir--general break-up. Nice woman--quite the lady--known better days, I'm sure." "Has she any children--sons?" "Two--both away now--fine lads--quite wrapped up in them--youngest especially." "Good heavens! it must be she--ill, and dying, and destitute, perhaps,"--exclaimed Arthur, with real and deep feeling; "I will go with you, sir. I fancy that I know this lady--that," he added generously, "I am related to her." "Do you?--glad to hear it. Come along, then; she ought to have some one near her besides servants: not but what Jenny, the maid, is uncommonly kind. Dr. -----, who attends her sometimes, said to me, says he, 'It is the mind, Mr. Perkins; I wish we could get back her boys." "And where are they?" "'Prenticed out, I fancy. Master Sidney--" "Sidney!" "Ah! that was his name--pretty name. D'ye know Sir Sidney Smith?--extraordinary man, sir! Master Sidney was a beautiful child--quite spoiled. She always fancied him ailing--always sending for me. 'Mr. Perkins,' said she, 'there's something the matter with my child; I'm sure there is, though he won't own it. He has lost his appetite--had a headache last night.' 'Nothing the matter, ma'am,' says I; 'wish you'd think more of yourself.' "These mothers are silly, anxious, poor creatures. Nater, sir, Nater--wonderful thing--Nater!--Here we are." And the apothecary knocked at the private door of a milliner and hosier's shop. _ |
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