The describer and biographer of my friend Mr. Philip Firmin has tried to extenuate1 nothing; and, I hope, has set down naught2 in malice3. If Philip’s boots had holes in them, I have written that he had holes in his boots. If he had a red beard, there it is red in this story. I might have oiled it with a tinge5 of brown, and painted it a rich auburn. Towards modest people he was very gentle and tender; but I must own that in general society he was not always an agreeable companion. He was often haughty6 and arrogant7: he was impatient of old stories: he was intolerant of commonplaces. Mrs. Baynes’ anecdotes9 of her garrison10 experiences in India and Europe got a very impatient hearing from Mr. Philip; and though little Charlotte gently remonstrated12 with him, saying, “Do, do let mamma tell her story out; and don’t turn away and talk about something else in the midst of it; and don’t tell her you have heard the story before, you rude man! If she is not pleased with you, she is angry with me, and I have to suffer when you are gone away," — Miss Charlotte did not say how much she had to suffer when Philip was absent; how constantly her mother found fault with him; what a sad life, in consequence of her attachment13 to him, the young maiden14 had to lead; and I fear that clumsy Philip, in his selfish thoughtlessness, did not take enough count of the sufferings which his behaviour brought on the girl. You see I am acknowledging that there were many faults on his side, which, perhaps, may in some degree excuse or account for those which Mrs. General Baynes certainly committed towards him. She did not love Philip naturally; and do you suppose she loved him because she was under great obligations to him? Do you love your creditor15 because you owe him more than you can ever pay? If I never paid my tailor, should I be on good terms with him? I might go, on ordering suits of clothes from now to the year nineteen hundred; but I should hate him worse year after year. I should find fault with his cut and his cloth: I daresay I should end by thinking his bills extortionate, though I never paid them. Kindness is very indigestible. It disagrees with very proud stomachs. I wonder was that traveller who fell among the thieves grateful afterwards to the Samaritan who rescued him? He gave money certainly; but he didn’t miss it. The religious opinions of Samaritans are lamentably16 heterodox. O brother! may we help the fallen still though they never pay us, and may we lend without exacting17 the usury19 of gratitude20!
Of this I am determined21, that whenever I go courting again, I will not pay my addresses to my dear creature — day after day, and from year’s end to year’s end, very likely, with the dear girl’s mother, father, and half a dozen young brothers and sisters in the room. I shall begin by being civil to the old lady, of course. She is flattered at first by having a young fellow coming courting to her daughter. She calls me “dear Edward;” works me a pair of braces22; writes to mamma and sisters, and so forth23. Old gentleman says, “Brown, my boy” (I am here fondly imagining myself to be a young fellow named Edward Brown, attached, let us say, to Miss Kate Thompson) — Thompson, I say, says, “Brown, my boy, come to dinner at seven. Cover laid for you always;” and of course, delicious thought! that cover is by dearest Kate’s side. But the dinner is bad sometimes. Sometimes I come late. Sometimes things are going badly in the city. Sometimes Mrs. Thompson is out of humour; — she always thought Kate might have done better. And in the midst of these doubts and delays, suppose Jones appears, who is older, but of a better temper, a better family, and — plague on him! — twice as rich? What are engagements? What are promises? It is sometimes an affectionate mother’s Duty to break her promise, and that duty the resolute24 matron will do.
Then Edward is Edward no more, but Mr. Brown; or, worse still, nameless in the house. Then the knife and fork are removed from poor Kate’s side, and she swallows her own sad meal in tears. Then if one of the little Thompsons says, artlessly, “Papa, I met Teddy Brown in Regent Street; he looked so — ” “Hold your tongue, unfeeling wretch25!” cries mamma. “Look at that dear child!” Kate is swooning. She has salvolatile. The medical man is sent for. And presently — Charles Jones is taking Kate Thompson to dinner. Long voyages are dangerous; so are long courtships. In long voyages passengers perpetually quarrel (for that Mrs. General could vouch); in long courtships the same danger exists; and how much the more when in that latter ship you have a mother who is for ever putting in her oar26! And then to think of the annoyance27 of that love voyage, when you and the beloved and beloved’s papa, mamma, half a dozen brothers and sisters, are all in one cabin! For economy’s sake the Bayneses had no sitting-room28 at madame’s — for you could not call that room on the second floor a sittingroom which had two beds in it, and in which the young ones practised the piano, with poor Charlotte as their mistress. Philip’s courting had to take place for the most part before the whole family; and to make love under such difficulties would have been horrible and maddening and impossible almost, only we have admitted that our young friends had little walks in the Champs Elysées; and then you must own that it must have been delightful29 for them to write each other perpetual little notes, which were delivered occultly under the very nose of papa and mamma, and in the actual presence of the other boarders at madame’s , who, of course, never saw anything that was going on. Yes, those sly monkeys actually made little post-offices about the room. There was, for instance, the clock on the mantelpiece in the salon30 on which was carved the old French allegory, “Le temps fait passer l’amour.” One of those artful young people would pop a note into Time’s boat, where you may be sure no one saw it. The trictrac board was another post-office. So was the drawer of the music-stand. So was the Sèvres China flower-pot, to each of which repositories in its turn the lovers confided31 the delicious secrets of their wooing.
Have you ever looked at your love-letters to Darby, when you were courting, dear Joan? They are sacred pages to read. You have his tied up somewhere in a faded ribbon. You scarce need spectacles as you look at them. The hair grows black; the eyes moisten and brighten; the cheeks fill and blush again. I protest there is nothing so beautiful as Darby and Joan in the world. I hope Philip and his wife will be Darby and Joan to the end. I tell you they are married; and don’t want to make any mysteries about the business. I disdain32 that sort of artifice33. In the days of the old three-volume novels, didn’t you always look at the end, to see that Louisa and the earl (or young clergyman, as the case might be) were happy? If they died, or met with other grief, for my part I put the book away. This pair, then, are well; are married; are, I trust, happy: but before they married, and afterwards, they had great griefs and troubles; as no doubt you have had, dear sir, or madam, since you underwent that ceremony. Married? Of course they are. Do you suppose I would have allowed little Charlotte to meet Philip in the Champs Elysées with only a giddy little boy of a brother for a companion, who would turn away to see Punch, Guignol, the soldiers marching by, the old woman’s gingerbread and toffy stall and so forth? Do you, I say, suppose I would have allowed those two to go out together, unless they were to be married afterwards? Out walking together they did go; and, once, as they were arm-in-arm in the Champs Elysées, whom should they see in a fine open carriage but young Twysden and Captain and Mrs. Woolcomb, to whom, as they passed, Philip doffed34 his hat with a profound bow, and whom he further saluted35 with a roar of immense laughter. Woolcomb must have heard the peal36. I daresay it brought a little blush into Mrs. Woolcomb’s cheek; and — and so, no doubt, added to the many attractions of that elegant lady. I have no secrets about my characters, and speak my mind about them quite freely. They said that Woolcomb was the most jealous, stingy, ostentatious, cruel little brute38; that he led his wife a dismal39 life. Well? If he did? I’m sure, I don’t care. “There is that swaggering bankrupt beggar Firmin!” cries the tawny40 bridegroom, biting his moustache. “Impudent41 ragged42 blackguard,” says Twysden minor43, “I saw him.”
“Hadn’t you better stop the carriage, and abuse him to himself, and not to me?” says Mrs. Woolcomb, languidly, flinging herself back on her cushions.
“Go on. Hang you! Ally! Vite!” cry the gentlemen in the carriage to the laquais de place on the box.
“I can fancy you don’t care about seeing him,” resumes Mrs. Woolcomb. “He has a violent temper, and I would not have you quarrel for the world.” So I suppose Woolcomb again swears at the laquais de place: and the happy couple, as the saying is, roll away to the Bois de Boulogne.
“What makes you laugh so?” says little Charlotte, fondly, as she trips along by her lover’s side.
“Because I am so happy, my dearest!” says the other, squeezing to his heart the little hand that lies on his arm. As he thinks on yonder woman, and then looks into the pure eager face of the sweet girl beside him, the scornful laughter occasioned by the sudden meeting which is just over hushes44; — and an immense feeling of thankfulness fills the breast of the young man:— thankfulness for the danger from which he has escaped, and for the blessed prize which has fallen to him.
But Mr. Philip’s walks were not to be as pleasant as this walk; and we are now coming to history of wet, slippery roads, bad times, and winter weather. All I can promise about this gloomy part is, that it shall not be a long story. You will acknowledge we made very short work with the love-making, which I give you my word I consider to be the very easiest part of the novel-writer’s business. As those rapturous scenes between the captain and the heroine are going on, a writer who knows his business may be thinking about anything else — about the ensuing chapter, or about what he is going to have for dinner, or what you will; therefore, as we passed over the raptures45 and joys of the courting so very curtly46, you must please to gratify me by taking the grief in a very short measure. If our young people are going to suffer, let the pain be soon over. Sit down in the chair, Miss Baynes, if you please, and you, Mr. Firmin, in this. Allow me to examine you; just open your mouth if you please; and — oh, oh, my dear miss — there it is out! A little eau-de-Cologne and water, my dear. And now, Mr. Firmin, if you please, we will — what fangs47! what a big one! Two guineas. Thank you. Good morning. Come to me once a year. John, show in the next party. About the ensuing painful business, then, I protest I don’t intend to be much longer occupied than the humane48 and dexterous49 operator to whom I have made so bold as to liken myself. If my pretty Charlotte is to have a tooth out, it shall be removed as gently as possible, poor dear. As for Philip, and his great red-bearded jaw50, I don’t care so much if the tug51 makes him roar a little. And yet they remain, they remain and throb52 in after life, those wounds of early days. Have I not said how, as I chanced to walk with Mr. Firmin in Paris, many years after the domestic circumstances here recorded, he paused before the window of that house near the Champs Elysées where Madame Smolensk once held her pension, shook his fist at a jalousie of the now dingy53 and dilapidated mansion54, and intimated to me that he had undergone severe sufferings in the chamber55 lighted by yonder window? So have we all suffered; so, very likely, my dear young miss, or master, who peruses56 this modest page, will you have to suffer in your time. You will not die of the operation, most probably: but it is painful: it makes a gap in the mouth, voyez-vous? and years and years, maybe, after, as you think of it, the smart is renewed, and the dismal tragedy enacts57 itself over again.
Philip liked his little maiden to go out, to dance, to laugh, to be admired, to be happy. In her artless way she told him of her balls, her tea-parties, her pleasures, her partners. In a girl’s first little season nothing escapes her. Have you not wondered to hear them tell about the events of the evening, about the dresses of the dowagers, about the compliments of the young men, about the behaviour of the girls, and what not?
Little Charlotte used to enact58 the over-night’s comedy for Philip, pouring out her young heart in her prattle59 as her little feet skipped by his side. And to hear Philip roar with laughter! It would have done you good. You might have heard him from the Obelisk60 to the Etoile. People turned round to look at him, and shrugged61 their shoulders wonderingly, as good-natured French folks will do. How could a man who had been lately ruined, a man who had just been disappointed of a great legacy62 from the earl his great uncle, a man whose boots were in that lamentable63 condition, laugh so, and have such high spirits? To think of such an impudent ragged blackguard (as Ringwood Twysden called his cousin) daring to be happy! The fact is, that clap of laughter smote64 those three Twysden people like three boxes on the ear, and made all their cheeks tingle65 and blush at once. At Philip’s merriment, clouds which had come over Charlotte’s sweet face would be chased away. As she clung to him doubts which throbbed66 at the girl’s heart would vanish. When she was acting18 those scenes of the past night’s entertainment, she was not always happy. As she talked and prattled67, her own spirits would rise; and hope and natural joy would spring in her heart again, and come flushing up to her cheek. Charlotte was being a hypocrite, as, thank heaven, all good women sometimes are. She had griefs: she hid them from him. She had doubts and fears: they fled when he came in view, and she clung to his strong arm, and looked in his honest blue eyes. She did not tell him of those painful nights when her eyes were wakeful and tearful. A yellow old woman in a white jacket, with a nightcap and a night-light, would come, night after night, to the side of her little bed; and there stand, and with her grim voice bark against Philip. That old woman’s lean finger would point to all the rents in poor Philip’s threadbare paletot of a character — point to the holes, and tear them wider open. She would stamp on those muddy boots. She would throw up a peaked nose at the idea of the poor fellow’s pipe — his pipe, his great companion and comforter when his dear little mistress was away. She would discourse68 on the partners of the night; the evident attentions of this gentleman, the politeness and high breeding of that.
And when that dreary69 nightly torture was over, and Charlotte’s mother had left the poor child to herself, sometimes Madame Smolensk, sitting up over her ledgers70 and bills, and wakeful with her own cares, would steal up and console poor Charlotte; and bring her some tisane, excellent for the nerves; and talk to her about — about the subject of which Charlotte best liked to hear. And though Smolensk was civil to Mrs. Baynes in the morning, as her professional duty obliged her to be, she has owned that she often felt a desire to strangle Madame la Générale for her conduct to her little angel of a daughter; and all because Monsieur Philippe smells the pipe, parbleu! “What? a family that owes you the bread which they eat; and they draw back for a pipe! The cowards, the cowards! A soldier’s daughter is not afraid of it. Merci! Tenez, M. Philippe,” she said to our friend when matters came to an extremity71. “Do you know what in your place I would do? To a Frenchman I would not say so; that understands itself. But these things make themselves otherwise in England. I have no money, but I have a cachemire. Take him; and if I were you, I would make a little voyage to Gretna Grin.”
And now, if you please, we will quit the Champs Elysées. We will cross the road from madame’s boarding-house. We will make our way into the Faubourg St. Honoré, and actually enter a gate over which the L-on, the Un-c-rn, and the R-y-l Cr-wn and A-ms of the Three K-ngd-ms are sculptured, and going under the porte-cochére, and turning to the right, ascend72 a little stair, and ask of the attendant on the landing, who is in the chancellerie? The attendant says that several of those messieurs y sont. In fact, on entering the room, you find Mr. Motcomb, — let us say — Mr. Lowndes, Mr. Halkin, and our young friend Mr. Walsingham Hely, seated at their respective tables in the midst of considerable smoke. Smoking in the midst of these gentlemen, and bestriding his chair, as though it were his horse, sits that gallant73 young Irish chieftain, The O’Rourke. Some of the gentlemen are copying, in a large handwriting, despatches on foolscap paper. I would rather be torn to pieces by O’Rourke’s wildest horses, than be understood to hint at what those despatches, at what those despatch-boxes contain. Perhaps they contain some news from the Court of Spain, where some intrigues74 are carried on, a knowledge of which would make your hair start off your head; perhaps that box, for which a messenger is waiting in a neighbouring apartment, has locked up twenty-four yards of Chantilly lace for Lady Belweather, and six new French farces75 for Tom Tiddler of the Foreign Office, who is mad about the theatre. It is years and years ago; how should I know what there is in those despatch-boxes?
But the work, whatever it may be, is not very pressing — for there is only Mr. Chesham — [Did I say Chesham before, by the way? You may call him Mr. Sloanestreet if you like]. There is only Chesham (and he always takes things to the grand serious) who seems to be much engaged in writing; and the conversation goes on.
“Who gave it?” asks Motcomb.
“The black man, of course, gave it. We would not pretend to compete with such a long purse as his. You should have seen what faces he made at the bill! Thirty francs a bottle for Rhine wine. He grinned with the most horrible agony when he read the addition. He almost turned yellow. He sent away his wife early. How long that girl was hanging about London; and think of her hooking a millionnaire at last! Othello is a frightful76 screw, and diabolically77 jealous of his wife.”
“What is the name of the little man who got so dismally78 drunk, and began to cry about old Ringwood?”
“Twysden — the woman’s brother. Don’t you know Humbug79 Twysden, the father? The youth is more offensive than the parent.”
“A most disgusting little beast. Would come to the Variétés, because we said we were going: would go to Lamoignon’s , where the Russians gave a dance and a lansquenet. Why didn’t you come, Hely?”
Mr. Hely. — I tell you I hate the whole thing. Those painted old actresses give me the horrors. What do I want with winning Motcomb’s money who hasn’t got any? Do you think it gives me any pleasure to dance with old Carodol? She puts me in mind of my grandmother — only she is older. Do you think I want to go and see that insane old Boutzoff leering at Corinne and Palmyrine, and making a group of three old women together? I wonder how you fellows can go on. Aren’t you tired of truffles and écrevisses á la Bordelaise; and those old opera people, whose withered80 old carcases are stuffed with them?
The O’R. — There was Cérisette, I give ye me honour. Ye never saw. She feel asleep in her cheer —
Mr. Lowndes. — In her hwhat, O’ R.?
The O’R. — Well, in her Chair then! And Figaroff smayred her feece all over with the craym out of a Charlotte Roose. She’s a regular bird, and mustache, you know, Cérisette has.
Mr. Hely. — Charlotte, Charlotte! Oh! (He clutches his hair madly. His elbows are on the table.)
Mr. Lowndes. — It’s that girl he meets at the teaparties, where he goes to be admired.
Mr. Hely. — It is better to drink tea than, like you fellows, to muddle81 what brains you have with bad champagne82. It is better to look, and to hear, and to see, and to dance with a modest girl, than, like you fellows, to be capering83 about in taverns84 with painted old hags like that old Cérisette, who has got a face like pomme cuite, and who danced before Lord Malmesbury at the Peace of Amiens. She did, I tell you; and before Napoleon.
Mr. Chesham. — (Looks up from his writing.) — There was no Napoleon then. It is of no consequence, but —
Lowndes. — Thank you, I owe you one. You’re a most valuable man, Chesham, and a credit to your father and mother.
Mr. Chesham. — Well, the First Consul85 was Bonaparte.
Lowndes. — I am obliged to you. I say I am obliged to you, Chesham, and if you would like any refreshment86 order it meis sumptibus, old boy — at my expense.
Chesham. — These fellows will never be serious. (He resumes his writing.)
Hely. — (Iterum, but very low.) — Oh, Charlotte, Char11 —
Mr. Lowndes. — Hely is raving87 about that girl — that girl with the horrible old mother in yellow, don’t you remember? and old father — good old military party, in a shabby old coat — who was at the last ball. What was the name? O’Rourke, what is the rhyme for Baynes?
The O’R. — Pays, and be hanged to you. You’re always makin fun on me, you little cockney!
Mr. Motcomb. — Hely was just as bad about the Danish girl. You know, Walse, you composed ever so many verses to her, and wrote home to your mother to ask leave to marry her!
The O’R. — I’d think him big enough to marry without anybody’s leave — only they wouldn’t have him because he’s so ugly.
Mr. Hely. — Very good, O’Rourke. Very neat and good. You were diverting the company with an anecdote8. Will you proceed?
The O’R. — Well, then, the Cérisette had been dancing both on and off the stage till she was dead tired, I suppose, and so she fell dead asleep, and Figaroff, taking the whatdyecallem out of the Charlotte Roose, smayred her face all —
Voice without. — Deet Mosho Ringwood Twysden, sivoplay, poor l’honorable Moshoo Lownds!
Servant. — Monsieur Twisden!
Mr. Twysden. — Mr. Lowndes, how are you?
Mr. Lowndes. — Very well, thank you; how are you?
Mr. Hely. — Lowndes is uncommonly88 brilliant to-day.
Mr. Twysden. — Not the worse for last night? Some of us were a little elevated, I think!
Mr. Lowndes. — Some of us quite the reverse. (Little cad, what does he want? Elevated! he couldn’t keep his little legs!)
Mr. Twysden. — Eh! Smoking, I see. Thank you. I very seldom do — but as you are so kind — puff89. Eh — uncommonly handsome person that, eh — Madame Cérisette.
The O’R. — Thank ye for telling us.
Mr. Lowndes. — If she meets with your applause, Mr. Twysden, I should think Mademoiselle Cérisette is all right.
The O’R. — Maybe they’d raise her salary if ye told her.
Mr. Twysden. — Heh — I see you’re chaffing me. We have a good deal of that kind of thing in Somerset — in our — in — hem4! This tobacco is a little strong. I am a little shaky this morning. Who, by the way, is that Prince Boutzoff who played lansquenet with us? Is he one of the Livonian Boutzoffs, or one of the Hessian Boutzoffs? I remember at my poor uncle’s , Lord Ringwood, meeting a Prince Blucher de Boutzoff, something like this man, by the way. You knew my poor uncle?
Mr. Lowndes. — Dined with him here three months ago at the “Trois Fréres.”
Mr. Twysden. — Been at Whipham, I daresay? I was bred up there. It was said once that I was to have been his heir. He was very fond of me. He was my godfather.
The O’R. — Then he gave you a mug, and it wasn’t a beauty (sotto voce).
Mr. Twysden. — You said somethin? I was speaking of Whipham, Mr. Lowndes — one of the finest places in England, I should say, except Chatsworth, you know, and that sort of thing. My grandfather built it — I mean my great grandfather, for I’m of the Ringwood family.
Mr. Lowndes. — Then was Lord Ringwood your grandfather, or your grand godfather.
Mr. Twysden. — He! he! My mother was his own niece. My grandfather was his own brother, and I am —
Mr. Lowndes. — Thank you. I see now.
Mr. Halkin. — Das ist sehr interessant. Ich versichere ihnen das ist SEHR interessant.
Mr. Twysden. — Said somethin? (This cigar is really — I’ll throw it away, please.) I was sayin that at Whipham, where I was bred up, we would be forty at dinner, and as many more in the upper servants’ hall.
Mr. Lowndes. — And you dined in the — you had pretty good dinners?
Mr. Twysden. — A French chef. Two aids, besides turtle from town. Two or three regular cooks on the establishment, besides kitchen-maids, roasters, and that kind of thing, you understand. How many have you here now? In Lord Estridge’s kitchen you can’t do, I should say, at least without, — let me see — why, in our small way — and if you come to London my father will be dev’lish glad to see you — we —
Mr. Lowndes. — How is Mrs. Woolcomb this morning? That was a fair dinner Woolcomb gave us yesterday.
Mr. Twysden. — He has plenty of money, plenty of money. I hope, Lowndes, when you come to town — the first time you come, mind — to give you a hearty90 welcome and some of my father’s old por —
Mr. Hely. — Will nobody kick this little beast out?
Servant. — Monsieur Chesham peut-il voir M. Firmin?
Mr. Chesham. — Certainly. Come in, Firmin!
Mr. Twysden. — Mr. Fearmang — Mr. Fir — Mr. who? You don’t mean to say you receive that fellow, Mr. Chesham?
Mr. Chesham. — What fellow? and what do you mean, Mr. Whatdycallem?
Mr. Twysden. — That blackg — oh — that is, I— I beg your —
Mr. Firmin — (entering and going up to Mr. Chesham). — I say, give me a bit of news of to-day. What you were saying about that — hum and hum and haw — mayn’t I have it? (He is talking confidentially92 with Mr. Chesham, when he sees Mr. Twysden.) What! you have got that little cad here?
Mr. Lowndes. — You know Mr. Twysden, Mr. Firmin? He was just speaking about you.
Mr. Firmin. — Was he? So much the worse for me.
Mr. Twysden. — Sir! We don’t speak. You’ve no right to speak to me in this manner! Don’t speak to me: and I won’t speak to you, sir — there! Good morning, Mr. Lowndes! Remember your promise to come and dine with us when you come to town. And — one word — (he holds Mr. Lowndes by the button. By the way, he has very curious resemblances to Twysden senior) — we shall be here for ten days certainly. I think Lady Estridge has something next week. I have left our cards, and —
Mr. Lowndes. — Take care. He will be there (pointing to Mr. Firmin).
Mr. Twysden. — What? That beggar? You don’t mean to say Lord Estridge will receive such a fellow as — Good-by, good-by! (Exit Mr. Twysden.)
Mr. Firmin. — I caught that little fellow’s eye. He’s my cousin, you know. We have had a quarrel. I am sure he was speaking about me.
Mr. Lowndes. — Well, now you mention it, he was speaking about you.
Mr. Firmin. — Was he? Then, don’t believe him, Mr. Lowndes. That is my advice.
Mr. Hely(at his desk composing). — “Maiden of the blushing cheek, maiden of the — oh, Charlotte, Char — ” [He bites his pen and dashes off rapid rhymes on Government paper.]
Mr. Firmin. — What does he say? He said Charlotte.
Mr. Lowndes. — He is always in love and breaking his heart, and he puts it into poems; he wraps it up in paper, and falls in love with somebody else. Sit down and smoke a cigar, won’t you?
Mr. Firmin. — Can’t stay. Must make up my letter. We print to-morrow.
Mr. Lowndes. — Who wrote that article pitching into Peel?
Mr. Firmin. — Family secret — can’t say — good-by. (Exit Mr. Firmin.)
Mr. Chesham. — In my opinion, a most ill-advised and intemperate93 article. That journal, the Pall94 Mall Gazette, indulges in a very needless acrimony, I think.
Mr. Lowndes. — Chesham does not like to call a spade a spade. He calls it a horticultural utensil95. You have a great career before you, Chesham. You have a wisdom and gravity beyond your years. You bore us slightly, but we all respect you — we do, indeed. What was the text at church last Sunday? Oh, by the way, Hely, you little miscreant96, you were at church?
Mr. Chesham. — You need not blush, Hely. I am not a joking man: but this kind of jesting does not strike me as being particularly amusing, Lowndes.
Mr. Lowndes. — You go to church because you are good, because your aunt was a bishop97 or something. But Hely goes because he is a little miscreant. You hypocritical little beggar, you got yourself up as if you were going to a déje?né, and you had your hair curled, and you were seen singing out of the same hymn-book with that pretty Miss Baynes, you little wheedling98 sinner; and you walked home with the family — my sisters saw you — to a boarding-house where they live — by Jove! you did. And I’ll tell your mother!
Mr. Chesham. — I wish you would not make such a noise, and let me do my work, Lowndes. You —
Here Asmodeus whisks us out of the room, and we lose the rest of the young men’s conversation. But enough has been overheard, I think, to show what direction young Mr. Hely’s thoughts had taken. Since he was seventeen years of age (at the time when we behold100 him he may be twenty-three) this romantic youth has been repeatedly in love: with his elderly tutor’s daughter, of course; with a young haberdasher at the university; with his sister’s confidential91 friend; with the blooming young Danish beauty last year; and now, I very much fear, a young acquaintance of ours has attracted the attention of this imaginative Don Juan. Whenever Hely is in love, he fancies his passion will last for ever, makes a confidant of the first person at hand, weeps plenteously, and writes reams of verses. Do you remember how in a previous chapter we told you that Mrs. Tuffin was determined she would not ask Philip to her soirées, and declared him to be a forward and disagreeable young man? She was glad enough to receive young Walsingham Hely, with his languid air, his drooping101 head, his fair curls, and his flower in his button-hole; and Hely, being then in hot pursuit of one of the tall Miss Blacklocks, went to Mrs. Tuffin’s , was welcomed there with all the honours; and there, fluttering away from Miss Blacklock, our butterfly lighted on Miss Baynes. Now Miss Baynes would have danced with a mopstick, she was so fond of dancing: and Hely, who had practised in a thousand Chaumiéres, Mabilles (or whatever was the public dance-room then in vogue), was a most amiable102, agile103, and excellent partner. And she told Philip next day what a nice little partner she had found — poor Philip, who was not asked to that paradise of a party. And Philip said that he knew the little man; that he believed he was rich; that he wrote pretty little verses:— in a word, Philip, in his leonine way, regarded little Hely as a lion regards a lapdog.
Now this little slyboots had a thousand artful little ways. He had a very keen sensibility and a fine taste, which was most readily touched by innocence104 and beauty. He had tears, I won’t say at command; for they were under no command, and gushed105 from his fine eyes in spite of himself. Charlotte’s innocence and freshness smote him with a keen pleasure. Bon Dieu! What was that great, tall Miss Blacklock, who had tramped through a thousand ball-rooms, compared to this artless, happy creature? He danced away from Miss Blacklock, and after Charlotte, the moment he saw our young friend; and the Blacklocks, who knew all about him, and his money, and his mother, and his expectations — who had his verses in their poor album — by whose carriage he had capered106 day after day in the Bois de Boulogne — stood scowling107 and deserted108, as this young fellow danced off with that Miss Baynes, who lived in a boarding-house, and came to parties in a cab with her horrid109 old mother! The Blacklocks were as though they were not henceforth for Mr. Hely. They asked him to dinner. Bless my soul, he utterly110 forgot all about it! He never came to their box on their night at the opera. Not one twinge of remorse111 had he. Not one pang112 of remembrance. If he did remember them, it was when they bored him, like those tall tragic113 women in black who are always coming in their great long trains to sing sermons to Don Juan. Ladies, your name is down in his lordship’s catalogue; his servant has it; and you, Miss Anna, are number one thousand and three.
But as for Miss Charlotte, that is a different affair. What innocence! What a fraicheur! What a merry good humour! Don Slyboots is touched, he is tenderly interested: her artless voice thrills through his frame; he trembles as he waltzes with her; as his fine eyes look at her, psha! what is that film coming over them? O Slyboots, Slyboots! And as she has nothing to conceal114, she has told him all he wants to know before long. This is her first winter in Paris: her first season of coming out. She has only been to two balls before, and two plays and an opera. And her father met Mr. Hely at Lord Trim’s . That was her father playing at whist. And they lived at Madame Smolensk’s boarding-house in the Champs Elysées. And they had been to Mr. Dash’s , and to Mrs. Blank’s, and she believed they were going to Mrs. Star’s on Friday. And did they go to church? Of course they went to church, to the Rue37 d’Aguesseau, or wherever it might be. And Slyboots went to church next Sunday. You may perhaps guess to what church. And he went the Sunday after. And he sang his own songs, accompanying himself on the guitar at his lodgings115. And he sang elsewhere. And he had a very pretty little voice, Slyboots had. I believe those poems under the common title of “Gretchen” in our Walsingham’s charming volume were all inspired by Miss Baynes. He began to write about her and himself the very first night after seeing her. He smoked cigarettes and drank green tea. He looked so pale — so pale and sad, that he quite pitied himself in the looking-glass in his apartments in the Rue Miroménil. And he compared himself to a wrecked116 mariner117, and to a grave, and to a man entranced and brought to life. And he cried quite freely and satisfactorily by himself. And he went to see his mother and sister next day at the H?tel de la Terrasse; and cried to them and said he was in love this time for ever and ever. And his sister called him a goose. And after crying he ate an uncommonly good dinner. And he took every one into his confidence, as he always did whenever he was in love: always telling, always making verses, and always crying. As for Miss Blacklock, he buried the dead body of that love deep in the ocean of his soul. The waves engulphed Miss B. The ship rolled on. The storm went down. And the stars rose, and the dawn was in his soul, Well, well! The mother was a vulgar woman, and I am glad you are out of it. And what sort of people are General Baynes and Mrs. Baynes?
“Oh, delightful people! Most distinguished118 officer, the father; modest — doesn’t say a word. The mother, a most lively, brisk, agreeable woman. You must go and see her, ma’am. I desire you’ll go immediately.”
“And leave cards with P. P. C. for the Miss Blacklocks!” says Miss Hely, who was a plain, lively person. And both mother and sister spoiled this young Hely; as women ought always to spoil a son, a brother, a father, husband, grandfather — any male relative, in a word.
To see this spoiled son married was the good-natured mother’s fond prayer. An eldest119 son had died a rake; a victim to too much money, pleasure, idleness. The widowed mother would give anything to save this one from the career through which the elder had passed. The young man would be one day so wealthy, that she knew many and many a schemer would try and entrap120 him. Perhaps, she had been made to marry his father because he was rich; and she remembered the gloom and wretchedness of her own union. Oh, that she could see her son out of temptation, and the husband of an honest girl! It was the young lady’s first season? So much the more likely that she should be unworldly. “The general — don’t you remember a nice old gentleman — in a — well, in a wig121 — that day we dined at Lord Trim’s , when that horrible old Lord Ringwood was there? That was General Baynes; and he broke out so enthusiastically in defence of a poor young man — Dr. Firmin’s son — who was a bad man, I believe; but I shall never have confidence in another doctor again, that I shan’t. And we’ll call on these people, Fanny. Yes, in a brown wig — the general, I perfectly122 well remember him, and Lord Trim said he was a most distinguished officer. And I have no doubt his wife will be a most agreeable person. Those generals’ wives who have travelled over the world must have acquired a quantity of delightful information. At a boarding-house, are they? I daresay very pleasant and amusing. And we’ll drive there and call on them immediately.”
On that day, as MacGrigor and Moira Baynes were disporting123 in the little front garden of Madame Smolensk’s ; I think Moira was just about to lick MacGrigor, when his fratricidal hand was stopped by the sight of a large yellow carriage — a large London dowager family carriage — from which descended124 a large London family footman, with side-locks begrimed with powder, with calves125 such as only belong to large London family footmen, and with cards in his hand. “Ceci Madam Smolensk?” says the large menial. “Oui,” says the boy, nodding his head; on which the footman was puzzled, for he thought from his readiness in the use of the French language that the boy was a Frenchman.
“Ici demure126 General Bang?” continued the man.
“Hand us over the cards, John. Not at home,” said Moira.
“Who ain’t at ‘ome?” inquired the menial.
“General Baynes, my father, ain’t at home. He shall have the pasteboard when he comes in. Mrs. Hely? Oh, Mac, it’s the same name as that young swell127 who called the other day! Ain’t at home, John. Gone out to pay some visits. Had a fly on purpose. Gone out with my sister. ‘Pon my word, they have, John.” And from this accurate report of the boy’s behaviour, I fear that the young Baynes must have been brought up at a classical and commercial academy, where economy was more studied than politeness.
Philip comes trudging128 up to dinner, and as this is not his post day, arrives early. He hopes, perhaps, for a walk with Miss Charlotte, or a coze in Madame Smolensk’s little private room. He finds the two boys in the forecourt; and they have Mrs. Hely’s cards in their hand; and they narrate129 to him the advent130 and departure of the lady in the swell carriage, the mother of the young swell with the flower in his button-hole, who came the other day on such a jolly horse. Yes. And he was at church last Sunday, Philip, and he gave Charlotte a hymn-book. And he sang: he sang like the piper who played before Moses, Pa said. And Ma said it was wicked, but it wasn’t: only Pa’s fun, you know. And Ma said you never came to church. Why don’t you?
Philip had no taint131 of jealousy132 in his magnanimous composition, and would as soon have accused Charlotte of flirting133 with other men, as of stealing madame’s silver spoons. “So you have had some fine visitors,” he says, as the fly drives up. “I remember that rich Mrs. Hely, a patient of my father’s . My poor mother used to drive to her house.”
“Oh, we have seen a great deal of Mr. Hely, Philip!” cries Miss Charlotte, not heeding134 the scowls135 of her mother, who is nodding and beckoning136 angrily at the girl.
“You never once mentioned him. He is one of the greatest dandies about Paris: quite a lion,” remarks Philip.
“Is he? What a funny little lion! I never thought about him,” says Miss Charlotte, quite simply. Oh, ingratitude137! ingratitude! And we have told how Mr. Walsingham was crying his eyes out for her.
“She never thought about him?” cries Mrs. Baynes, quite eagerly.
“The piper, is it, you’re talking about?” asks papa. “I called him Piper, you see, because he piped so sweetly at ch — Well, my love?”
Mrs. Baynes was nudging her general at this moment. She did not wish that the piper should form the subject of conversation, I suppose.
“The piper’s mother is very rich, and the piper will inherit after her. She has a fine house in London. She gives very fine parties. She drives in a great carriage, and she has come to call upon you, and ask you to her balls, I suppose.”
Mrs. Baynes was delighted at this call. And when she said, “I’m sure I don’t value fine people, or their fine parties, or their fine carriages, but I wish that my dear child should see the world," — I don’t believe a word which Mrs. Baynes said. She was much more pleased than Charlotte at the idea of visiting this fine lady; or else, why should she have coaxed138, and wheedled139, and been so particularly gracious to the general all the evening? She wanted a new gown. The truth is, her yellow was very shabby; whereas Charlotte, in plain white muslin, looked pretty enough to be able to dispense140 with the aid of any French milliner. I fancy a consultation141 with madame and Mrs. Bunch. I fancy a fly ordered, and a visit to the gown is settled with the milliner, I fancy the terror on Mrs. Baynes’ wizened142 face when she ascertains143 the amount of the bill. To do her justice, the general’s wife had spend little upon her own homely144 person. She chose her gowns ugly, but cheap. There were so many backs to clothe in that family that the thrifty145 mother did not heed99 the decoration of her own.
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extenuate
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| v.减轻，使人原谅 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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anecdote
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| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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char
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| v.烧焦；使...燃烧成焦炭 | |
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remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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usury
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| n.高利贷 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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braces
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| n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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doffed
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| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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hushes
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| n.安静，寂静( hush的名词复数 ) | |
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raptures
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| 极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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peruses
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的第三人称单数 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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enacts
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的第三人称单数 ) | |
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enact
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| vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演 | |
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prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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obelisk
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| n.方尖塔 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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prattled
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的过去式和过去分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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ledgers
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| n.分类账( ledger的名词复数 ) | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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75
farces
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| n.笑剧( farce的名词复数 )；闹剧；笑剧剧目；作假的可笑场面 | |
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76
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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77
diabolically
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78
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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79
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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80
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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81
muddle
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| n.困惑，混浊状态；vt.使混乱，使糊涂，使惊呆；vi.胡乱应付，混乱 | |
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82
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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83
capering
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| v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的现在分词 )；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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84
taverns
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| n.小旅馆，客栈，酒馆( tavern的名词复数 ) | |
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85
consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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86
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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87
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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88
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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89
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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90
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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93
intemperate
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| adj.无节制的，放纵的 | |
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94
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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utensil
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| n.器皿，用具 | |
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miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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97
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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98
wheedling
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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99
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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100
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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101
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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102
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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103
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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104
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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105
gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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106
capered
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| v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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108
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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109
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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111
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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112
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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113
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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114
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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115
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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116
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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117
mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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118
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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120
entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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121
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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122
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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123
disporting
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| v.嬉戏，玩乐，自娱( disport的现在分词 ) | |
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124
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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125
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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126
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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127
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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128
trudging
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
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129
narrate
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| v.讲，叙述 | |
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130
advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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131
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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132
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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133
flirting
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的现在分词 ) | |
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134
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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135
scowls
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| 不悦之色，怒容( scowl的名词复数 ) | |
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136
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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137
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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138
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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139
wheedled
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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141
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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142
wizened
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| adj.凋谢的；枯槁的 | |
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143
ascertains
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的第三人称单数 ) | |
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144
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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145
thrifty
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| adj.节俭的；兴旺的；健壮的 | |
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