CHAPTER v
AN AGITATION.
With this intention, and every faculty of her mind absorbed inreflecting upon the reasons which gave rise to it, she returned toPortman-square.
As her chair was carried into the hall, she observed, with some alarm, alook of consternation among the servants, and an appearance of confusionin the whole house. She was proceeding to her own room, intending toenquire of her maid if any evil had happened, when she was crossedupon the stairs by Mr Harrel, who passed her with an air so wild andperturbed, that he hardly seemed to know her.
Frightened and amazed, she stopt short, irresolute which way to go; but,hastily returning, he beckoned her to follow him.
She obeyed, and he led her to the library. He then shut the door, andabruptly seizing her hand, called out, "Miss Beverley, I am ruined!--Iam undone!--I am blasted for ever!"
"I hope not, Sir!" said Cecilia, extremely terrified, "I hope not! Whereis Mrs Harrel?"
"O I know not! I know not!" cried he, in a frantic manner, "but I havenot seen her,--I cannot see her,--I hope I shall never see her more!--"
"O fie! fie!" said Cecilia, "let me call her, I beg; you should consultwith her in this distress, and seek comfort from her affection."
"From her affection?" repeated he, fiercely, "from her hatred youmean! do you not know that she, too, is ruined? Oh past redemptionruined!--and yet that I should hesitate, that I should a moment hesitateto conclude the whole business at once!"
"How dreadful!" cried Cecilia, "what horrible thing has happened?"
"I have undone Priscilla!" cried he, "I have blasted my credit! I havedestroyed--no, not yet quite destroyed myself!"
"O yet nor ever!" cried Cecilia, whose agitation now almost equalledhis own, "be not so desperate, I conjure you! speak to me moreintelligibly,--what does all this mean? How has it come to pass?"
"My debts!--my creditors!--one way only," striking his hand upon hisforehead, "is left for me!"
"Do not say so, Sir!" said Cecilia, "you shall find many ways; pray havecourage! pray speak calmly; and if you will but be more prudent, willbut, in future, better regulate your affairs, I will myself undertake--"
She stopt; checked in the full career of her overflowing compassion, bya sense of the worthlessness of its object; and by the remembrance ofthe injunctions of Mr Monckton.
"What will you undertake?" cried he, eagerly, "I know you are anangel!--tell me, what will you undertake?"
"I will,--" said Cecilia, hesitating, "I will speak to Mr Monckton,--Iwill consult--"
"You may as well consult with every cursed creditor in the house!"interrupted he; "but do so, if you please; my disgrace must perforcereach him soon, and a short anticipation is not worth begging off."
"Are your creditors then actually in the house?"
"O yes, yes! and therefore it is high time I should be out of it!--Didyou not see them?--Do they not line the hall?--They threaten me withthree executions before night!--three executions unless I satisfy theirimmediate demands!--"
"And to what do their demands amount?"
"I know not!--I dare not ask!--to some thousand pounds, perhaps,--and Ihave not, at this minute, forty guineas in the house!"
"Nay, then," cried Cecilia, retreating, "I can indeed do nothing! iftheir demands are so high, I _ought_ to do nothing."
She would then have quitted him, not more shocked at his situation, thanindignant at the wilful extravagance which had occasioned it.
"Stay," cried he, "and hear me!" then, lowering his voice, "seekout," he continued, "your unfortunate friend,--go to the poor ruinedPriscilla,--prepare her for tidings of horror! and do not, though yourenounce Me, do not abandon Her!"
Then, fiercely passing her, he was himself leaving the room; butCecilia, alarmed by the fury of his manner, called out, "What is it youmean? what tidings of horror? whither are you going?"
"To hell!" cried he, and rushed out of the apartment.
Cecilia screamed aloud, and conjuring him to hear her, ran after him;he paid her no regard, but, flying faster than she had power to pursue,reached his own dressing-room, shut himself into it with violence, andjust as she arrived at the door, turned the key, and bolted it.
Her terror was now inexpressible; she believed him in the very act ofsuicide, and her refusal of assistance seemed the signal for the deed:her whole fortune, at that moment, was valueless and unimportant to her,compared with the preservation of a fellow-creature: she called out withall the vehemence of agony to beg he would open the door, and eagerlypromised by all that was sacred to do everything in her power to savehim.
At these words he opened it; his face was totally without colour, and hegrasped a razor in his hand.
"You have stopt me," said he, in a voice scarce audible, "at the verymoment I had gathered courage for the blow: but if indeed you willassist me, I will shut this up,--if not, I will steep it in my blood!"
"I will! I will!" cried Cecilia, "I will do every thing you desire!"
"And quickly?"
"Immediately."
"Before my disgrace is known? and while all may yet be hushed up?"
"Yes, yes! all--any--every thing you wish!"
"Swear, then!"
Here Cecilia drew back; her recollection returned as her terror abated,and her repugnance to entering into an engagement for she knew notwhat, with a man whose actions she condemned, and whose principles sheabhorred, made all her fright now give way to indignation, and, after ashort pause, she angrily answered, "No, Sir, I will not swear!--but yet,all that is reasonable, all that is friendly--"
"Hear me swear, then!" interrupted he, furiously, "which at this momentI do, by every thing eternal, and by every thing infernal, that Iwill not outlive the seizure of my property, and that the moment I aminformed there is an execution in my house, shall be the last of myexistence!"
"What cruelty! what compulsion! what impiety!" cried Cecilia: "give me,however, that horrible instrument, and prescribe to me what conditionsyou please."
A noise was now heard below stairs, at which Cecilia, who had not daredcall for help lest he should quicken his desperation, was secretlybeginning to rejoice, when, starting at the sound, he exclaimed, "Ibelieve you are too late!--the ruffians have already seized my house!"then, endeavouring to force her out of the room, "Go," he cried, "to mywife;--I want to be alone!"
"Oh give me first," cried she, "that weapon, and I will take what oathyou please!"
"No, no!--go,--leave me,--" cried he, almost breathless with emotion, "Imust not now be trifled with."
"I do not trifle! indeed I do not!" cried Cecilia, holding by his arm:"try, put me to the proof!"
"Swear, solemnly swear, to empty my house of these creditors thismoment!"
"I do swear," cried she, with energy, "and Heaven prosper me as I amsincere!"
"I see, I see you are an angel!" cried he, rapturously, "and as such Iworship and adore you! O you have restored me to life, and rescued mefrom perdition!"
"Give me, then, that fatal instrument!"
"That instrument," returned he, "is nothing, since so many others are inmy power; but you have now taken from me all desire of using them. Go,then, and stop those wretches from coming to me,--send immediately forthe Jew!--he will advance what money you please,--my man knows whereto find him; consult with Mr Arnott,--speak a word of comfort toPriscilla,--but do nothing, nothing at all, till you have cleared myhouse of those cursed scoundrels!"
Cecilia, whose heart sunk within her at the solemn promise she hadgiven, the mention of the Jew, and the arduous task she had undertaken,quitted him without reply, and was going to her own room, to compose herhurried spirits, and consider what steps she had to take, when hearingthe noise in the hall grow louder, she stopt to listen, and catchingsome words that greatly alarmed her, went half way down stairs, whenshe was met by Davison, Mr Harrel's man, of whom she enquired into theoccasion of the disturbance.
He answered that he must go immediately to his master, for the bailiffswer
e coming into the house.
"Let him not know it if you value his life!" cried she, with new terror."Where is Mr Arnott? call him to me,--beg him to come this moment;--Iwill wait for him here."
The man flew to obey her; and Cecilia, finding she had time neither fordeliberation nor regret, and dreading lest Mr Harrel, by hearing of thearrival of the bailiffs, should relapse into despair, determined to callto her aid all the courage, prudence, and judgment she possessed, and,since to act she was compelled, endeavour with her best ability, to savehis credit, and retrieve his affairs.
The moment Mr Arnott came, she ordered Davison to hasten to his master,and watch his motions.
Then, addressing Mr Arnott, "Will you. Sir," she said, "go and tellthose people that if they will instantly quit the house, every thingshall be settled, and Mr Harrel will satisfy their demands?"
"Ah madam!" cried Mr Arnott, mournfully, "and how? he has no means topay them, and I have none--without ruin to myself,--to help him!"
"Send them but away," said Cecilia, "and I will myself be your securitythat your promise shall not be disgraced."
"Alas, madam," cried he, "what are you doing? well as I wish to MrHarrel, miserable as I am for my unfortunate sister, I yet cannot bearthat such goodness, such beneficence should be injured!"
Cecilia, however, persisted, and with evident reluctance he obeyed her.
While she waited his return, Davison came from Mr Harrel, who hadordered him to run instantly for the Jew.
Good Heaven, thought Cecilia, that a man so wretchedly selfish andworldly, should dare, with all his guilt upon his head,
To rush unlicenced on eternity! [Footnote: Mason's Elfrida]
Mr Arnott was more than half an hour with the people; and when, at last,he returned, his countenance immediately proclaimed the ill success ofhis errand. The creditors, he said, declared they had so frequentlybeen deceived, that they would not dismiss the bailiffs, or retirethemselves, without actual payment.
"Tell them, then, Sir," said Cecilia, "to send me their accounts, and,if it be possible, I will discharge them directly."
Mr Arnott's eyes were filled with tears at this declaration, and heprotested, be the consequence to himself what it might, he would payaway every shilling he was worth, rather than witness such injustice.
"No," cried Cecilia, exerting more spirit, that she might shock himless, "I did not save Mr Harrel, to destroy so much better a man! youhave suffered but too much oppression already; the present evil is mine;and from me, at least, none I hope will ever spread to Mr Arnott."
Mr Arnott could not bear this; he was struck with grief, withadmiration, and with gratitude, and finding his tears now refused to berestrained, he went to execute her commission in silent dejection.
The dejection, however, was encreased, though his tears were dispersed,when he returned; "Oh madam!" he cried, "all your efforts, generous asthey are, will be of no avail! the bills even now in the house amount tomore than L7000!"
Cecilia, amazed and confounded, started and clasped her hands, callingout, "What must I do! to what have I bound myself! and how can I answerto my conscience,--to my successors, such a disposal, such an abuse ofso large a part of my fortune!"
Mr Arnott could make no answer; and they stood looking at each other insilent irresolution, till Davison brought intelligence that the Jew wasalready come, and waited to speak with her.
"And what can I say to him?" cried she, more and more agitated; "Iunderstand nothing of usury; how am I to deal with him?"
Mr Arnott then confessed that he should himself have instantly been bailfor his brother, but that his fortune, originally not large, was now somuch impaired by the many debts which from time to time he had paid forhim, that as he hoped some day to have a family of his own, he dare notrun a risk by which he might be utterly ruined, and the less, as hissister had at Violet Bank been prevailed upon to give up her settlement.
This account, which explained the late uneasiness of Mrs Harrel, stillencreased the distress of Cecilia; and every moment she obtained forreflection, augmented her reluctance to parting with _so_ large a sum ofmoney for so worthless an object, and added strength to her resentmentfor the unjustifiable menaces which had extorted from her such apromise. Yet not an instant would she listen to Mr Arnott's offer offulfilling her engagement, and charged him, as he considered herown self-esteem worth her keeping, not to urge to her a proposal soungenerous and selfish.
Davison now came again to hasten her, and said that the Jew was with hismaster, and they both impatiently expected her.
Cecilia, half distracted with her uncertainty how to act, changed colourat this message, and exclaimed "Oh Mr Arnott, run I beseech you for MrMonckton! bring him hither directly,--if any body can save me it is him;but if I go back to Mr Harrel, I know it will be all over!"
"Certainly," said Mr Arnott, "I will run to him this moment."
"Yet no!--stop!--" cried the trembling Cecilia, "he can now do me nogood,--his counsel will arrive too late to serve me,--it cannot callback the oath I have given! it cannot, compulsatory as it was, make mebreak it, and not be miserable for ever!"
This idea sufficed to determine her; and the apprehension ofself-reproach, should the threat of Mr Harrel be put in execution, wasmore insupportable to her blameless and upright mind, than any loss ordiminution which her fortune could sustain.
Slowly however, with tardy and unwilling steps, her judgment repugnant,and her spirit repining, she obeyed the summons of Mr Harrel, who,impatient of her delay, came forward to meet her.
"Miss Beverley," he cried, "there is not a moment to be lost; this goodman will bring you any sum of money, upon a proper consideration, thatyou will command; but if he is not immediately commissioned, andthese cursed fellows are not got out of my house, the affair will beblown,"---"and what will follow," added he, lowering his voice, "I willnot again frighten you by repeating, though I shall never recant."
Cecilia turned from him in horror; and, with a faltering voice and heavyheart, entreated Mr Arnott to settle for her with the Jew.
Large as was the sum, she was so near being of age, and her securitywas so good, that the transaction was soon finished: 7500 pounds wasreceived of the Jew, Mr Harrel gave Cecilia his bond for the payment,the creditors were satisfied, the bailiffs were dismissed, and the housewas soon restored to its customary appearance of splendid gaiety.
Mrs Harrel, who during this scene had shut herself up in her own roomto weep and lament, now flew to Cecilia, and in a transport of joy andgratitude, thanked her upon her knees for thus preserving her from utterruin: the gentle Mr Arnott seemed uncertain whether most to grieve orrejoice; and Mr Harrel repeatedly protested she should have the soleguidance of his future conduct.
This promise, the hope of his amendment, and the joy she had expanded,somewhat revived the spirits of Cecilia; who, however, deeply affectedby what had passed, hastened from them all to her own room.
She had now parted with 8050 pounds to Mr Harrel, without any securitywhen or how it was to be paid; and that ardour of benevolence whichtaught her to value her riches merely as they enabled her to do good andgenerous actions, was here of no avail to console or reward her, forher gift was compelled, and its receiver was all but detested. "How muchbetter," cried she, "would this have been bestowed upon the amiable MissBelfield! or upon her noble-minded, though proud-spirited brother! andhow much less a sum would have made the virtuous and industriousHills easy and happy for life! but here, to become the tool of theextravagance I abhor! to be made responsible for the luxury I condemn!to be liberal in opposition to my principles, and lavish in defiance ofmy judgment!--Oh that my much-deceived Uncle had better known to whatdangerous hands he committed me! and that my weak and unhappy friend hadmet with a worthier protector of her virtue and safety!"
As soon, however, as she recovered from the first shock of herreflections, she turned her thoughts from herself to the formationof some plan that might, at least, render her donation of serious andlasting
use. The signal service she had just done them gave her atpresent an ascendency over the Harrels, which she hoped, if immediatelyexerted, might prevent the return of so calamitous a scene, by engagingthem both to an immediate change of conduct. But unequal herselfto contriving expedients for this purpose that might not easily becontroverted, she determined to send the next morning a petition toMr Monckton to call upon her, reveal to him the whole transaction, andentreat him to suggest to her what, with most probability of success,she might offer to their consideration.
While this was passing in her mind, on the evening of the day inwhich she had so dearly purchased the right of giving counsel, she wassummoned to tea.
She found Mr Harrel and his lady engaged in earnest discourse; as soonas she appeared, the former said, "My dear Miss Beverley, after theextraordinary kindness you have shewn me this morning, you will not, Iam sure, deny me one trifling favour which I mean to ask this evening."
"No," said Mrs Harrel, "that I am sure she will not, when she knows thatour future appearance in the world depends upon her granting it."
"I hope, then," said Cecilia, "I shall not wish to refuse it."
"It is nothing in the world," said Mr Harrel, "but to go with usto-night to the Pantheon."
Cecilia was struck with the utmost indignation at this proposal;that the man who in the morning had an execution in his house, shouldlanguish in the evening for the amusement of a public place,--that hewho but a few hours before was plunging uncalled into eternity, should,while the intended instrument of death was yet scarce cold from thegrasp of his hand, deliberately court a return of his distress, byinstantly recurring to the methods which had involved him in it,irritated and shocked her beyond even a wish of disguising herdispleasure, and therefore, after an expressive silence, she gave acold, but absolute denial.
"I see," said Mr Harrel, somewhat confused, "you do not understand themotives of our request. The unfortunate affair of this morning is verylikely to spread presently all over the town; the only refutation thatcan be given to it, is by our all appearing in public before any bodyknows whether to believe it or not."
"Do, my dearest friend," cried his lady, "oblige me by your compliance;indeed our whole reputation depends upon it. I made an engagementyesterday to go with Mrs Mears, and if I disappoint her, every body willbe guessing the reason."
"At least," answered Cecilia, "my going can answer no purpose to you:pray, therefore, do not ask me; I am ill disposed for such sort ofamusement, and have by no means your opinion of its necessity."
"But if we do not _all_ go," said Mr Harrel, "we do almost nothing: youare known to live with us, and, your appearance at this critical time isimportant to our credit. If this misfortune gets wind, the consequenceis that every dirty tradesman in town to whom I owe a shilling, willbe forming the same cursed combination those scoundrels formed thismorning, of coming in a body, and waiting for their money, or elsebringing an execution into my house.. The only way to silence report isby putting a good face upon the matter at once, and shewing ourselvesto the world as if nothing had happened. Favour us, therefore, to-nightwith your company, which is really important to us, or ten to one, butin another fortnight, I shall be just in the same scrape."
Cecilia, however incensed at this intelligence that his debts were stillso numerous, felt now so much alarmed at the mention of an execution,as if she was in actual danger of ruin herself. Terrified, therefore,though not convinced, she yielded to their persuasions, and consented toaccompany them.
They soon after separated to make some alteration in their dress,and then, calling in their way for Mrs Mears, they proceeded to thePantheon.