"Fie, Mr Hobson fie," cried the supple Mr Simkins, "how can you be so hard? for my share, I must needs own I think the poor lady"s to be pitied; for it must have been but a melancholy sight to her, to see her spouse cut off so in the flower of his youth, as one may say: and you ought to scorn to take exceptions at a lady"s proudness when she"s in so much trouble. To be sure, I can"t say myself as she was over-complaisant to make us welcome; but I hope I am above being so unpitiful as for to owe her a grudge for it now she"s so down in the mouth."
"Let everybody be civil!" cried Mr Hobson, "that"s my notion; and then I shall be as much above being unpitiful as anybody else."
"Mrs Harrel," said Cecilia, "was then too unhappy, and is now, surely, too unfortunate, to make it possible any resentment should be harboured against her."
"You speak, ma"am, like a lady of sense," returned Mr Hobson, "and, indeed, that"s the character I hear of you; but for all that, ma"am, every body"s willing to stand up for their own friends, for which reason, ma"am, to be sure you"ll be making the best of it, both for the Relict, and the late gentleman himself; but, ma"am, if I was to make bold to speak my mind in a fair manner, what I should say would be this: a man here to go shooting himself with all his debts unpaid, is a mere piece of scandal, ma"am! I beg pardon, but what I say is, the truth"s the truth, and I can"t call it by no other nomination."
Cecilia now, finding she had not any chance of pacifying him, rang for her servant and chair.
Mr Simkins then, affecting to lower his voice, said reproachfully to his friend "Indeed, Mr Hobson, to speak ingenusly, I must needs say I don"t think it over and above pelite in you to be so hard upon the young lady"s acquaintance that was, now he"s defunct. To be sure I can"t pretend for to deny but he behaved rather comical; for not paying of n.o.body, nor so much as making one a little compliment, or the like, though he made no bones of taking all one"s goods, and always chused to have the prime of every thing, why it"s what I can"t pretend to stand up for. But that"s neither here nor there, for if he had behaved as bad again, poor Miss could not tell how to help it; and I dares to say she had no more hand in it than n.o.body at all."
"No, to be sure," cried Mrs Belfield, "what should she have to do with it? Do you suppose a young lady of her fortune would want to take advantage of a person in trade? I am sure it would be both a shame and a sin if she did, for if she has not money enough, I wonder who has. And for my part, I think when a young lady has such a fine fortune as that, the only thing she has to do, is to be thinking of making a good use of it, by dividing it, as one may say, with a good husband. For as to keeping it all for herself, I dare say she"s a lady of too much generosity; and as to only marrying somebody that"s got as much of his own, why it is not half so much a favour: and if the young lady would take my advice, she"d marry for love, for as to lucre, she"s enough in all conscience."
"As to all that," said Mr Hobson, "it makes no alteration in my argument; I am speaking to the purpose, and not for the matter of complaisance: and therefore I"m bold to say Mr Harrel"s action had nothing of the gentleman in it. A man has a right to his own life, you"ll tell me; but what of that? that"s no argument at all, for it does not give him a bit the more right to my property; and a man"s running in debt, and spending other people"s substances, for no reason in the world but just because he can blow out his own brains when he"s done,--though it"s a thing neither lawful nor religious to do,--why it"s acting quite out of character, and a great hardship to trade into the bargain."
"I heartily wish it had been otherwise," said Cecilia; "but I still hope, if any thing can be done for Mrs Harrel, you will not object to such a proposal."
"Ma"am, as I said before," returned Mr Hobson, "I see you"re a lady of sense, and for that I honour you: but as to any thing being done, it"s what I call a distinct thing. What"s mine is mine, and what"s another man"s is his; that"s my way of arguing; but then if he takes what"s mine, where"s the law to hinder my taking what"s his? This is what I call talking to the purpose. Now as to a man"s cutting his throat, or the like of that, for blowing out his own brains may be called the self-same thing, what are his creditors the better for that? nothing at all, but so much the worse it"s a false notion to respect it, for there"s no respect in it; it"s contrary to law, and a prejudice against religion."
"I agree entirely in your opinion," said Cecilia, "but still Mrs Harrel"--
"I know your argument, ma"am," interrupted Mr Hobson; "Mrs Harrel i"n"t the worse for her husband"s being shot through the head, because she was no accessory to the same, and for that reason, it"s a hardship she should lose all her substance; this, ma"am, is what I say, speaking to your side of the argument. But now, ma"am, please to take notice what I argue upon the reply; what have we creditors to do with a man"s family?
Suppose I am a cabinet-maker? When I send in my chairs, do I ask who is to sit upon them? No; it"s all one to me whether it"s the gentleman"s progeny or his friends, I must be paid for the chairs the same, use them who may. That"s the law, ma"am, and no man need be ashamed to abide by it."
The truth of this speech palliating its sententious absurdity, made Cecilia give up her faint attempt to soften him; and her chair being ready, she arose to take leave.
"Lack-a-day, ma"am," cried Mrs Belfield, "I hope you won"t go yet, for I expect my son home soon, and I"ve a heap of things to talk to you about besides, only Mr Hobson having so much to say stopt my mouth. But I should take it as a great favour, ma"am, if you would come some afternoon and drink a dish of tea with me, for then we should have time to say all our say. And I"m sure, ma"am, if you would only let one of your footmen just take a run to let me know when you"d come, my son would be very proud to give you the meeting; and the servants can"t have much else to do at your house, for where there"s such a heap of "em, they commonly think of nothing all day long but standing and gaping at one another."
"I am going out of town to-morrow," said Cecilia, "and therefore cannot have the pleasure of calling upon Miss Belfield again."
She then slightly courtsied, and left the room.
The gentle Henrietta, her eyes swimming in tears, followed her to her chair; but she followed her not alone, Mrs Belfield also attended, repining very loudly at the unlucky absence of her son: and the cringing Mr Simkins, creeping after her and bowing, said in a low voice, "I humbly crave pardon, ma"am, for the liberty, but I hope you won"t think as I have any share in Mr Hobson"s behaving so rude, for I must needs say, I don"t think it over genteel in no shape." And Mr Hobson himself, bent upon having one more sentence heard, called out, even after she was seated in her chair, "All I say, ma"am, is this: let every man be honest; that"s what I argue, and that"s my notion of things."
Cecilia still reached home before Mrs Delvile; but most uneasy were her sensations, and most unquiet was her heart: the letter she had seen in the hands of Henrietta seemed to corroborate all her former suspicions, since if it came not from one infinitely dear to her she would not have shewn such fondness for it, and if that one was not dear to her in secret, she would not have concealed it.
Where then was the hope that any but Delvile could have written it? in _secret_ she could not cherish _two_, and that Delvile was cherished most fondly, the artlessness of her character unfitted her for disguising.
And why should he write to her? what was his pretence? That he loved her she could now less than ever believe, since his late conduct to herself, though perplexing and inconsistent, evinced at least a partiality incompatible with a pa.s.sion for another. What then, could she infer, but that he had seduced her affections, and ruined her peace, for the idle and cruel gratification of temporary vanity?
"And if such," cried she, "is the depravity of this accomplished hypocrite, if such is the littleness of soul that a manner so n.o.ble disguises, shall be next, urged, perhaps, rather by prudence than preference, make _me_ the object of his pursuit, and the food of his vain-glory? And shall _I_, warned and instructed as I am, be as easy a prey and as wretched a dupe? No, I will be better satisfied with his conduct, before I venture to trust him, and since I am richer than Henrietta and less likely to be deserted, when won, I will be more on my guard to know why I am addressed, and vindicate the rights of innocence, if I find she has been thus deluded, by forgetting his talents in his treachery, and renouncing him for ever!"
Such were the reflections and surmises that dampt all the long-sought pleasure of her change of residence, and made her habitation in St James"s-square no happier than it had been at Mr Harrel"s!
She dined again with only Mr and Mrs Delvile, and did not see their son all day; which, in her present uncertainty what to think of him, was an absence she scarcely regretted.
When the servants retired, Mr Delvile told her that he had that morning received two visits upon her account, both from admirers, who each pretended to having had leave to wait upon her from Mr Harrel.
He then named Sir Robert Floyer and Mr Marriot.
"I believe, indeed," said Cecilia, "that neither of them were treated perfectly well; to me, however, their own behaviour has by no means been strictly honourable. I have always, when referred to, been very explicit; and what other methods they were pleased to take, I cannot wonder should fail."
"I told them," said Mr Delvile, "that, since you were now under my roof, I could not refuse to receive their proposals, especially as there would be no impropriety in your alliance with either of them but I told them, at the same time, that I could by no means think of pressing their suit, as that was an office which, however well it might do for Mr Harrel, would be totally improper and unbecoming for me."
"Certainly;" said Cecilia, "and permit me, Sir, to entreat that, should they again apply to you, they may be wholly discouraged from repeating their visits, and a.s.sured that far from having trifled with them hitherto, the resolutions. I have declared will never be varied."
"I am happy," said Mrs Delvile, "to see so much spirit and discernment where arts of all sorts will be practised to ensnare and delude. Fortune and independence were never so securely lodged as in Miss Beverley, and I doubt not but her choice, whenever it is decided, will reflect as much honour upon her heart, as her difficulty in making it does upon her understanding."
Mr Delvile then enquired whether she had fixed upon any person to choose as a guardian in the place of Mr Harrel. No, she said, nor should she, unless it were absolutely necessary.
"I believe, indeed," said Mrs Delvile, "your affairs will not much miss him! Since I have heard of the excess of his extravagance, I have extremely rejoiced in the uncommon prudence and sagacity of his fair ward, who, in such dangerous hands, with less penetration and sound sense, might have been drawn into a thousand difficulties, and perhaps defrauded of half her fortune."
Cecilia received but little joy from this most unseasonable compliment, which, with many of the same sort that were frequently, though accidentally made, intimidated her from the confession she had planned and finding nothing but censure was likely to follow the discovery, she at length determined to give it up wholly, unless any connection should take place which might render necessary its avowal. Yet something she could not but murmur, that an action so detrimental to her own interest, and which, at the time, appeared indispensable to her benevolence, should now be considered as a mark of such folly and imprudence that she did not dare own it.
CHAPTER ii.
A RAILING.
The next morning the family purposed setting off as soon as breakfast was over: young Delvile, however, waited not so long; the fineness of the weather tempted him, he said, to travel on horse-back, and therefore he had risen very early, and was already gone. Cecilia could not but wonder, yet did not repine.
Just as breakfast was over, and Mr and Mrs Delvile and Cecilia were preparing to depart, to their no little surprise, the door was opened, and, out of breath with haste and with heat, in stumpt Mr Briggs! "So,"
cried he to Cecilia, "what"s all this? hay?--where are you going?--a coach at the door! horses to every wheel! Servants fine as lords! what"s in the wind now? think to chouse me out of my belongings?"
"I thought, Sir," said Cecilia, who instantly understood him, though Mr and Mrs Delvile stared at him in utter astonishment, "I had explained before I left you that I should not return."
"Didn"t, didn"t!" answered he, angrily; "waited for you three days, dressed a breast o" mutton o" purpose; got in a lobster, and two crabs; all spoilt by keeping; stink already; weather quite muggy, forced to souse "em in vinegar; one expense brings on another; never begin the like agen."
"I am very sorry, indeed," said Cecilia, much disconcerted, "if there has been any mistake through my neglect; but I had hoped I was understood, and I have been so much occupied--"
"Ay, ay," interrupted he, "fine work! rare doings! a merry Vauxhalling, with pistols at all your noddles! thought as much! thought he"d tip the perch; saw he wasn"t stanch; knew he"d go by his company,--a set of jackanapes! all blacklegs! n.o.body warm among "em: fellows with a month"s good living upon their backs, and not sixpence for the hangman in their pockets!"
Mrs Delvile now, with a look of arch congratulation at Cecilia as the object of this agreeable visit, finding it not likely to be immediately concluded, returned to her chair: but Mr Delvile, leaning sternly upon his cane, moved not from the spot where he stood at his entrance, but surveyed him from head to foot, with the most astonished contempt at his undaunted vulgarity.
"Well I"d all your cash myself; seized that, else!--run out the constable for you, next, and made you blow out your brains for company.
Mind what I say, never give your mind to a gold lace hat! many a one wears it don"t know five farthings from twopence. A good man always wears a bob wig; make that your rule. Ever see Master Harrel wear such a thing? No, I"ll warrant! better if he had; kept his head on his own shoulders. And now, pray, how does he cut up? what has he left behind him? a _twey_-case, I suppose, and a bit of a hat won"t go on a man"s head!"
Cecilia, perceiving, with great confusion, that Mr Delvile, though evidently provoked by this intrusion, would not deign to speak, that Mr Briggs might be regarded as belonging wholly to herself, hastily said "I will not, Sir, as your time is precious, detain you here, but, as soon as it is in my power, I will wait upon you in the city."
Mr Briggs, however, without listening to her, thought proper to continue his harangue.
"Invited me once to his house; sent me a card, half of it printed like a book! t"other half a scrawl could not read; pretended to give a supper; all a mere bam; went without my dinner, and got nothing to eat; all gla.s.s and shew: victuals painted all manner of colours; lighted up like a pastry-cook on twelfth-day; wanted something solid, and got a great lump of sweetmeat; found it as cold as a stone, all froze in my mouth like ice; made me jump again, and brought the tears in my eyes; forced to spit it out; believe it was nothing but a s...o...b..ll, just set up for show, and covered over with a little sugar. Pretty way to spend money!
Stuffing, and piping, and hopping! never could rest till every farthing was gone; nothing left but his own fool"s pate, and even that he could not hold together."
"At present, Sir," said Cecilia, "we are all going out of town; the carriage is waiting at the door, and therefore--"