CHAPTER iv.
A WRANGLING.
Mr Monckton, the next day, as soon as breakfast was over, went out,to avoid showing, even to Cecilia, the anxiety he felt concerning theregulation of her fortune, and arrangement of her affairs. He strongly,however, advised her not to mention her large debt, which, thoughcontracted in the innocence of the purest benevolence, would incurnothing but reproof and disapprobation, from all who only heard of it,when they heard of its inutility.
At eleven o'clock, though an hour before the time appointed, whileCecilia was sitting in Lady Margaret's dressing room, "with sad civilityand an aching head," she was summoned to Mr Briggs in the parlour.
He immediately began reproaching her with having eloped from him, in thesummer, and with the various expences she had caused him from uselesspurchases and spoilt provisions. He then complained of Mr Delvile, whomhe charged with defrauding him of his dues; but observing in the midstof his railing her dejection of countenance, he suddenly broke off, andlooking at her with some concern, said, "what's the matter, Ducky? a'n'twell? look as if you could not help it."
"O yes," cried Cecilia, "I thank you, Sir, I am very well."
"What do you look so blank for, then?" said he, "bay? what are frettingfor?--crossed in love?--lost your sweetheart?"
"No, no, no," cried she, with quickness.
"Never mind, my chick, never mind," said he, pinching her cheek, withresumed good humour, "more to be had; if one won't snap, another will;put me in a passion by going off from me with that old grandee, or wouldhave got one long ago. Hate that old Don; used me very ill; wish I couldtrounce him. Thinks more of a fusty old parchment than the price ofstocks. Fit for nothing but to be stuck upon an old monument for aDeath's head."
He then told her that her accounts were all made out, and he was readyat any time to produce them; he approved much of her finishing whollywith the _old Don_, who had been a mere cypher in the executorship; buthe advised her not to think of taking her money into her own hands, ashe was willing to keep the charge of it himself till she was married.
Cecilia, thanking him for the offer, said she meant now to make heracknowledgments for all the trouble he had already taken, but by nomeans purposed to give him any more.
He debated the matter with her warmly, told her she had no chance tosave herself from knaves and cheats, but by trusting to nobody buthimself, and informing her what interest he had already made of hermoney, enquired how she would set about getting more?
Cecilia, though prejudiced against him by Mr Monckton, knew not how tocombat his arguments; yet conscious that scarce any part of the moneyto which he alluded was in fact her own, she could not yield to them.He was, however, so stubborn and so difficult to deal with, that she atlength let him talk without troubling herself to answer, and privatelydetermined to beg Mr Monckton would fight her battle.
She was not, therefore, displeased by his interruption, though very muchsurprised by the sight of his person, when, in the midst of Mr Briggs'soratory, Mr Hobson entered the parlour.
"I ask pardon, ma'am," cried he, "if I intrude; but I made free to callupon the account of two ladies that are acquaintances of yours, that arequite, as one may say, at their wit's ends."
"What is the matter with them, Sir?"
"Why, ma'am, no great matter, but mothers are soon frightened, and whenonce they are upon the fret, one may as well talk to the boards! theyknow no more of reasoning and arguing, than they do of a shop ledger!however, my maxim is this; every body in their way; one has no moreright to expect courageousness from a lady in them cases, than one hasfrom a child in arms; for what I say is, they have not the proper use oftheir heads, which makes it very excusable."
"But what has occasioned any alarm? nothing, I hope, is the matter withMiss Belfield?"
"No, ma'am; thank God, the young lady enjoys her health very well: butshe is taking on just in the same way as her mamma, as what can be morenatural? Example, ma'am, is apt to be catching, and one lady's cryingmakes another think she must do the same, for a little thing serves fora lady's tears, being they can cry at any time: but a man is quite ofanother nature, let him but have a good conscience, and be clear of theworld, and I'll engage he'll not wash his face without soap! that's whatI say!"
"Will, will!" cried Mr Briggs, "do it myself! never use soap; nothingbut waste; take a little sand; does as well."
"Let every man have his own proposal;" answered Hobson; "for my part, Itake every morning a large bowl of water, and souse my whole head in it;and then when I've rubbed it dry, on goes my wig, and I am quite freshand agreeable: and then I take a walk in Tottenham Court Road as far asthe Tabernacle, or thereabouts, and snuff in a little fresh countryair, and then I come back, with a good wholesome appetite, and in a finebreathing heat, asking the young lady's pardon; and I enjoy my pot offresh tea, and my round of hot toast and butter, with as good a relishas if I was a Prince."
"Pot of fresh tea," cried Briggs, "bring a man to ruin; toast andbutter! never suffer it in my house. Breakfast on water-gruel, soonerdone; fills one up in a second. Give it my servants; can't eat much ofit. Bob 'em there!" nodding significantly.
"Water-gruel!" exclaimed Mr Hobson, "why I could not get it down if Imight have the world for it! it would make me quite sick, asking theyoung lady's pardon, by reason I should always think I was preparing forthe small-pox. My notion is quite of another nature; the first thing Ido is to have a good fire; for what I say is this, if a man is cold inhis fingers, it's odds if ever he gets warm in his purse! ha! ha! warm,you take me, Sir? I mean a pun. Though I ought to ask pardon, for Isuppose the young lady don't know what I am a saying."
"I should indeed be better pleased, Sir," said Cecilia, "to hear whatyou have to say about Miss Belfield."
"Why, ma'am, the thing is this; we have been expecting the young'Squire, as I call him, all the morning, and he has never come; so MrsBelfield, not knowing where to send after him, was of opinion he mightbe here, knowing your kindness to him, and that."
"You make the enquiry at the wrong place, Sir," said Cecilia, muchprovoked by the implication it conveyed; "if Mr Belfield is in thishouse, you must seek him with Mr Monckton."
"You take no offence, I hope, ma'am, at my just asking of the question?for Mrs Belfield crying, and being in that dilemma, I thought I coulddo no less than oblige her by coming to see if the young gentleman washere."
"What's this? what's this?" cried Mr Briggs eagerly; "who are talkingof? hay?--who do mean? is this the sweet heart? eh, Duck?"
"No, no, Sir," cried Cecilia.
"No tricks! won't be bit! who is it? will know; tell me, I say!"
"_I'll_ tell Sir," cried Mr Hobson; "it's a very handsome younggentleman, with as fine a person, and as genteel a way of behaviour, andwithal, as pretty a manner of dressing himself, and that, as any ladyneed desire. He has no great head for business, as I am told, but theladies don't stand much upon that topic, being they know nothing of itthemselves."
"Has got the ready?" cried Mr Briggs, impatiently; "can cast an account?that's the point; can come down handsomely? eh?"
"Why as to that, Sir, I'm not bound to speak to a gentleman's privateaffairs. What's my own, is my own, and what is another person's, isanother person's; that's my way of arguing, and that's what I calltalking to the purpose."
"Dare say he's a rogue! don't have him, chick. Bet a wager i'n'tworth two shillings; and that will go for powder and pomatum; hate aplaistered pate; commonly a numscull: love a good bob-jerom."
"Why this is talking quite wide of the mark," said Mr Hobson, "tosuppose a young lady of fortunes would marry a man with a bob-jerom.What I say is, let every body follow their nature; that's the way to becomfortable; and then if they pay every one his own, who's a right tocall 'em to account, whether they wear a bob-jerom, or a pig-tail downto the calves of their legs?"
"Ay, ay," cried Briggs, sneeringly, "or whether they stuff their gulletswith hot rounds of toast and butter."
"And what if they do,
Sir?" returned Hobson, a little angrily; "when aman's got above the world, where's the harm of living a little genteel?as to a round of toast and butter, and a few oysters, fresh opened, byway of a damper before dinner, no man need be ashamed of them, providedhe pays as he goes: and as to living upon water-gruel, and scrubbingone's flesh with sand, one might as well be a galley-slave at once. Youdon't understand life, Sir, I see that."
"Do! do!" cried Briggs, speaking through his shut teeth; "you're outthere! oysters!--come to ruin, tell you! bring you to jail!"
"To jail, Sir?" exclaimed Hobson, "this is talking quite ungenteel! letevery man be civil; that's what I say, for that's the way to make everything agreeable but as to telling a man he'll go to jail, and that, it'stantamount to affronting him."
A rap at the street-door gave now a new relief to Cecilia, who began togrow very apprehensive lest the delight of spending money, thus warmlycontested with that of hoarding it, should give rise to a quarrel,which, between two such sturdy champions for their own opinions, mightlead to a conclusion rather more rough and violent than she desired towitness: but when the parlour-door opened, instead of Mr Delvile, whomshe now fully expected, Mr Albany made his entrance.
This was rather distressing, as her real business with her guardiansmade it proper her conference with them should be undisturbed: andAlbany was not a man with whom a hint that she was engaged could berisked: but she had made no preparation to guard against interruption,as her little acquaintance in London had prevented her expecting anyvisitors.
He advanced with a solemn air to Cecilia, and, looking as if hardlydetermined whether to speak with severity or gentleness, said, "oncemore I come to prove thy sincerity; now wilt thou go with me wheresorrow calls thee? sorrow thy charity can mitigate?"
"I am very much concerned," she answered, "but indeed at present it isutterly impossible."
"Again," cried he, with a look at once stern and disappointed, "againthou failest me? what wanton trifling! why shouldst thou thus elate aworn-out mind, only to make it feel its lingering credulity? or why,teaching me to think I had found an angel, so unkindly undeceive me?"
"Indeed," said Cecilia, much affected by this reproof, "if you knew howheavy a loss I had personally suffered--"
"I do know it," cried he, "and I grieved for thee when I heard it. Thouhast lost a faithful old friend, a loss which with every setting sunthou mayst mourn, for the rising sun will never repair it! but was thata reason for shunning the duties of humanity? was the sight of death amotive for neglecting the claims of benevolence? ought it not rather tohave hastened your fulfilling them? and should not your own sufferingexperience of the brevity of life, have taught you the vanity of allthings but preparing for its end?"
"Perhaps so, but my grief at that time made me think only of myself."
"And of what else dost thou think now?"
"Most probably of the same person still!" said she, half smiling, "butyet believe me, I have real business to transact."
"Frivolous, unmeaning, ever-ready excuses! what business is so importantas the relief of a fellow-creature?"
"I shall not, I hope, there," answered she, with alacrity, "be backward;but at least for this morning I must beg to make you my Almoner."
She then took out her purse.
Mr Briggs and Mr Hobson, whose quarrel had been suspended by theappearance of a third person, and who had stood during this shortdialogue in silent amazement, having first lost their anger in theirmutual consternation, now lost their consternation in their mutualdispleasure Mr. Hobson felt offended to hear business spoken ofslightly, and Mr Briggs felt enraged at the sight of Cecilia's readypurse. Neither of them, however, knew which way to interfere, thestem gravity of Albany, joined to a language too lofty for theircomprehension, intimidating them both. They took, however, the relief ofcommuning with one another, and Mr Hobson said in a whisper "This, youmust know, is, I am told, a very particular old gentleman; quite what Icall a genius. He comes often to my house, to see my lodger Miss HennyBelfield, though I never happen to light upon him myself, except once inthe passage: but what I hear of him is this; he makes a practice, asone may say, of going about into people's houses, to do nothing but findfault."
"Shan't get into mine!" returned Briggs, "promise him that! don't halflike him; be bound he's an old sharper."
Cecilia, mean time, enquired what he desired to have.
"Half a guinea," he answered.
"Will that do?"
"For those who have nothing," said he, "it is much. Hereafter, you mayassist them again. Go but and see their distresses, and you will wish togive them every thing."
Mr Briggs now, when actually between her fingers he saw the halfguinea, could contain no longer; he twitched the sleeve of her gown, andpinching her arm, with a look of painful eagerness, said in a whisper"Don't give it! don't let him have it! chouse him, chouse him! nothingbut an old bite!"
"Pardon me, Sir," said Cecilia, in a low voice, "his character is verywell known to me." And then, disengaging her arm from him, she presentedher little offering.
At this sight, Mr Briggs was almost outrageous, and losing in his wrath,all fear of the stranger, he burst forth with fury into the followingoutcries, "Be ruined! see it plainly; be fleeced! be stript! be robbed!won't have a gown to your back! won't have a shoe to your foot! won'thave a rag in the world! be a beggar in the street! come to the parish!rot in a jail!--half a guinea at a time!--enough to break the GreatMogul!"
"Inhuman spirit of selfish parsimony!" exclaimed Albany, "repinest thouat this loan, given from thousands to those who have worse than nothing?who pay to-day in hunger for bread they borrowed yesterday from pity?who to save themselves from the deadly pangs of famine, solicit but whatthe rich know not when they possess, and miss not when they give?"
"Anan!" cried Briggs, recovering his temper from the perplexity ofhis understanding, at a discourse to which his ears were whollyunaccustomed, "what d'ye say?"
"If to thyself distress may cry in vain," continued Albany, "if thy ownheart resists the suppliant's prayer, callous to entreaty, and hardenedin the world, suffer, at least, a creature yet untainted, who meltsat sorrow, and who glows with charity, to pay from her vast wealth agenerous tax of thankfulness, that fate has not reversed her doom, andthose whom she relieves, relieve not her!"
"Anan!" was again all the wondering Mr Briggs could say.
"Pray, ma'am," said Mr Hobson, to Cecilia, "if it's no offence, was theGentleman ever a player?"
"I fancy not, indeed!"
"I ask pardon, then, ma'am; I mean no harm; but my notion was thegentleman might be speaking something by heart."
"Is it but on the stage, humanity exists?" cried Albany, indignantly;"Oh thither hasten, then, ye monopolizers of plenty! ye selfish,unfeeling engrossers of wealth, which ye dissipate without enjoying,and of abundance, which ye waste while ye refuse to distribute! thither,thither haste, if there humanity exists!"
"As to engrossing," said Mr Hobson, happy to hear at last a word withwhich he was familiar, "it's what I never approved myself. My maxim isthis; if a man makes a fair penny, without any underhand dealings, whyhe has as much a title to enjoy his pleasure as the Chief Justice, orthe Lord Chancellor: and it's odds but he's as happy as a greater man.Though what I hold to be best of all, is a clear conscience, with a neatincome of 2 or 3000 a year. That's my notion; and I don't think it's abad one."
"Weak policy of short-sighted ignorance!" cried Albany, "to wish forwhat, if used, brings care, and if neglected, remorse! have you not nowbeyond what nature craves? why then still sigh for more?"
"Why?" cried Mr Briggs, who by dint of deep attention began now betterto comprehend him, "why to buy in, to be sure! ever hear of stocks, eh?know any thing of money?"
"Still to make more and more," cried Albany, "and wherefore? to spend invice and idleness, or hoard in chearless misery! not to give succourto the wretched, not to support the falling; all is for self,however little wanted, all goes to added stores, or added lux
ury; nofellow-creature served, nor even one beggar relieved!"
"Glad of it!" cried Briggs, "glad of it; would not have 'em relieved;don't like 'em; hate a beggar; ought to be all whipt; live uponspunging."
"Why as to a beggar, I must needs say," cried Mr Hobson, "I am by nomeans an approver of that mode of proceeding; being I take 'em all forcheats: for what I say is this, what a man earns, he earns, and it's noman's business to enquire what he spends, for a free-born Englishman ishis own master by the nature of the law, and as to his being a subject,why a duke is no more, nor a judge, nor the Lord High Chancellor, andthe like of those; which makes it tantamount to nothing, being he isanswerable to nobody by the right of Magna Charta: except in cases oftreason, felony, and that. But as to a beggar, it's quite another thing;he comes and asks me for money; but what has he to shew for it? whatdoes he bring me in exchange? why a long story that he i'n't worth apenny! what's that to me? nothing at all. Let every man have his own;that's my way of arguing."
"Ungentle mortals!" cried Albany, "in wealth exulting; even ininhumanity! think you these wretched outcasts have less sensibilitythan yourselves? think you, in cold and hunger, they lose those feelingswhich even in voluptuous prosperity from time to time disturb you? yousay they are all cheats? 'tis but the niggard cant of avarice, to lureaway remorse from obduracy. Think you the naked wanderer begs fromchoice? give him your wealth and try."
"Give him a whip!" cried Briggs, "sha'n't have a souse! send him toBridewell! nothing but a pauper; hate 'em; hate 'em all! full of tricks;break their own legs, put out their arms, cut off their fingers, snaptheir own ancles,--all for what? to get at the chink! to chouse us ofcash! ought to be well flogged; have 'em all sent to the Thames; worsethan the Convicts."
"Poor subterfuge of callous cruelty! you cheat yourselves, to shun thefraud of others! and yet, how better do you use the wealth so guarded?what nobler purpose can it answer to you, than even a chance to snatchsome wretch from sinking? think less how _much_ ye save, and morefor _what_; and then consider how thy full coffers may hereafter makereparation, for the empty catalogue of thy virtues."
"Anan!" said Mr Briggs, again lost in perplexity and wonder.
"Oh yet," continued Albany, turning towards Cecilia, "preach not herethe hardness which ye practice; rather amend yourselves than corrupther; and give with liberality what ye ought to receive with gratitude!"
"This is not my doctrine," cried Hobson; "I am not a near man, neither,but as to giving at that rate, it's quite out of character. I have asgood a right to my own savings, as to my own gettings; and what I sayis this, who'll give to _me_? let me see that, and it's quite anotherthing: and begin who will, I'll be bound to go on with him, pound forpound, or pence for pence. But as to giving to them beggars, it's whatI don't approve; I pay the poor's rate, and that's what I call charityenough for any man. But for the matter of living well, and spendingone's money handsomely, and having one's comforts about one, why it's athing of another nature, and I can say this for myself, and that is,I never grudged myself any thing in my life. I always made myselfagreeable, and lived on the best. That's my way."
"Bad way too," cried Briggs, "never get on with it, never see beyondyour nose; won't be worth a plum while your head wags!" then, takingCecilia apart, "hark'ee, my duck," he added, pointing to Albany, "who isthat Mr Bounce, eh? what is he?"
"I have known him but a short time, Sir; but I think of him veryhighly."
"Is he a _good_ man? that's the point, is he a _good_ man?"
"Indeed he appears to me uncommonly benevolent and charitable."
"But that i'n't the thing; is he _warm_? that's the point, is he_warm_?"
"If you mean _passionate_," said Cecilia, "I believe the energy of hismanner is merely to enforce what he says."
"Don't take me, don't take me," cried he, impatiently; "can come downwith the ready, that's the matter; can chink the little gold boys? eh?"
"Why I rather fear not by his appearance; but I know nothing of hisaffairs."
"What does come for? eh? come a courting?"
"Mercy on me, no!"
"What for then? only a spunging?"
"No, indeed. He seems to have no wish but to assist and plead forothers."
"All fudge! think he i'n't touched? ay, ay; nothing but a trick! only toget at the chink: see he's as poor as a rat, talks of nothing but givingmoney; a bad sign! if he'd got any, would not do it. Wanted to makeus come down; warrant thought to bam us all! out there! a'n't so soongulled."
A knock at the street door gave now a new interruption, and Mr Delvileat length appeared.
Cecilia, whom his sight could not fail to disconcert, felt doublydistressed by the unnecessary presence of Albany and Hobson; sheregretted the absence of Mr Monckton, who could easily have taken themaway; for though without scruple she could herself have acquainted MrHobson she had business, she dreaded offending Albany, whose esteem shewas ambitious of obtaining.
Mr Delvile entered the room with an air stately and erect; he took offhis hat, but deigned not to make the smallest inclination of his head,nor offered any excuse to Mr Briggs for being past the hour of hisappointment: but having advanced a few paces, without looking eitherto the right or left, said, "as I have never acted, my coming may not,perhaps, be essential; but as my name is in the Dean's Will, and I haveonce or twice met the other executors mentioned in it, I think it a dutyI owe to my own heirs to prevent any possible future enquiry or troubleto them."
This speech was directly addressed to no one, though meant to beattended to by every one, and seemed proudly uttered as a mere apologyto himself for not having declined the meeting.
Cecilia, though she recovered from her confusion by the help of heraversion to this self-sufficiency, made not any answer. Albany retiredto a corner of the room; Mr Hobson began to believe it was time for himto depart; and Mr Briggs thinking only of the quarrel in which he hadseparated with Mr Delvile in the summer, stood swelling with venom,which he longed for an opportunity to spit out.
Mr Delvile, who regarded this silence as the effect of his awe-inspiringpresence, became rather more complacent; but casting his eyes round theroom, and perceiving the two strangers, he was visibly surprised, andlooking at Cecilia for some explanation, seemed to stand suspended fromthe purpose of his visit till he heard one.
Cecilia, earnest to have the business concluded, turned to Mr Briggs,and said, "Sir, here is pen and ink: are you to write, or am I? or whatis to be done?"
"No, no," said he, with a sneer, "give it t'other; all in our turn;don't come before his Grace the Right Honourable Mr Vampus."
"Before whom, Sir?" said Mr Delvile, reddening.
"Before my Lord Don Pedigree," answered Briggs, with a spiteful grin,"know him? eh? ever hear of such a person?"
Mr Delvile coloured still deeper, but turning contemptuously from him,disdained making any reply.
Mr Briggs, who now regarded him as a defeated man, said exultingly to MrHobson, "what do stand here for?--hay?--fall o' your marrowbones; don'tsee 'Squire High and Mighty?"
"As to falling on my marrowbones," answered Mr Hobson, "it's what Ishall do to no man, except he was the King himself, or the like of that,and going to make me Chancellor of the Exchequer, or Commissioner ofExcise. Not that I mean the gentleman any offence; but a man's a man,and for one man to worship another is quite out of law."
"Must, must!" cried Briggs, "tell all his old grand-dads else: keeps 'emin a roll; locks 'em in a closet; says his prayers to 'em; can't livewithout 'em: likes 'em better than cash!--wish had 'em here! pop 'em allin the sink!"
"If your intention, Sir," cried Mr Delvile, fiercely, "is only to insultme, I am prepared for what measures I shall take. I declined seeing youin my own house, that I might not be under the same restraint as when itwas my unfortunate lot to meet you last."
"Who cares?" cried Briggs, with an air of defiance, "what can do, eh?poke me into a family vault? bind me o' top of an old monument? tieme to a stinking carcase? make a corpse of me,
and call it one of yourfamous cousins?--"
"For heaven's sake, Mr Briggs," interrupted Cecilia, who saw that MrDelvile, trembling with passion, scarce refrained lifting up his stick,"be appeased, and let us finish our business!"
Albany now, hearing in Cecilia's voice the alarm with which she wasseized, came forward and exclaimed, "Whence this unmeaning dissension?to what purpose this irritating abuse? Oh vain and foolish! live ye sohappily, last ye so long, that time and peace may thus be trifled with?"
"There, there!" cried Briggs, holding up his finger at Mr Delvile, "haveit now! got old Mr Bounce upon you! give you enough of it; promise youthat!"
"Restrain," continued Albany, "this idle wrath; and if ye have ardentpassions, employ them to nobler uses; let them stimulate acts of virtue,let them animate deeds of beneficence! Oh waste not spirits that mayurge you to good, lead you to honour, warm you to charity, in poor andangry words, in unfriendly, unmanly debate!"
Mr Delvile, who from the approach of Albany, had given him his wholeattention, was struck with astonishment at this address, and almostpetrified with wonder at his language and exhortations.
"Why I must own," said Mr Hobson, "as to this matter I am much of thesame mind myself; for quarreling's a thing I don't uphold; being itadvances one no way; for what I say is this, if a man gets the better,he's only where he was before, and if he gets worsted, why it's odds butthe laugh's against him: so, if I may make bold to give my verdict, Iwould have one of these gentlemen take the other by the hand, and soput an end to bad words. That's my maxim, and that's what I call beingagreeable."
Mr Delvile, at the words _one of these gentlemen take the other by thehand_, looked scornfully upon Mr Hobson, with a frown that expressed hishighest indignation, at being thus familiarly coupled with Mr Briggs.And then, turning from him to Cecilia, haughtily said, "Are thesetwo persons," pointing towards Albany and Hobson, "waiting here to bewitnesses to any transaction?"
"No, Sir, no," cried Hobson, "I don't mean to intrude, I am goingdirectly. So you can give me no insight, ma'am," addressing Cecilia, "asto where I might light upon Mr Belfield?"
"Me? no!" cried she, much provoked by observing that Mr Delvile suddenlylooked at her.
"Well, ma'am, well, I mean no harm: only I hold it that the right way tohear of a young gentleman, is to ask for him of a young lady: that's mymaxim. Come, Sir," to Mr Briggs, "you and I had like to have fallen out,but what I say is this; let no man bear malice; that's my way: so I hopewe part without ill blood?"
"Ay, ay;" said Mr Briggs, giving him a nod.
"Well, then," added Hobson, "I hope the good-will may go round, and thatnot only you and I, but these two good old gentlemen will also lend ahand."
Mr Delvile now was at a loss which way to turn for very rage; but afterlooking at every one with a face flaming with ire, he said to Cecilia,"If you have collected together these persons for the purpose ofaffronting me, I must beg you to remember I am not one to be affrontedwith impunity!"
Cecilia, half frightened, was beginning an answer that disclaimed anysuch intention, when Albany, with the most indignant energy, called out,"Oh pride of heart, with littleness of soul! check this vile arrogance,too vain for man, and spare to others some part of that lenity thounourishest for thyself, or justly bestow on thyself that contempt thounourishest for others!"
And with these words he sternly left the house.
The thunderstruck Mr Delvile began now to fancy that all the demonsof torment were designedly let loose upon him, and his surprise andresentment operated so powerfully that it was only in broken sentenceshe could express either. "Very extraordinary!--a new method ofconduct!--liberties to which I am not much used!--impertinences I shallnot hastily forget,--treatment that would scarce be pardonable to aperson wholly unknown!--"
"Why indeed, Sir," said Hobson, "I can't but say it was rather a cut up;but the old gentleman is what one may call a genius, which makes it alittle excusable; for he does things all his own way, and I am told it'sthe same thing who he speaks to, so he can but find fault, and that."
"Sir," interrupted the still more highly offended Mr Delvile, "what_you_ may be told is extremely immaterial to _me_; and I must take theliberty to hint to you, a conversation of this easy kind is not what Iam much in practice in hearing."
"Sir, I ask pardon," said Hobson, "I meant nothing but what wasagreeable; however, I have done, and I wish you good day. Your humbleservant, ma'am, and I hope, Sir," to Mr Briggs, "you won't begin badwords again?"
"No, no," said Briggs, "ready to make up; all at end; only don't muchlike _Spain_, that's all!" winking significantly, "nor a'n't over fondof a _skeleton_!"
Mr Hobson now retired; and Mr Delvile and Mr Briggs, being both weariedand both in haste to have done, settled in about five minutes all forwhich they met, after passing more than an hour in agreeing what thatwas.
Mr Briggs then, saying he had an engagement upon business, declinedsettling his own accounts till another time, but promised to see Ceciliaagain soon, and added, "be sure take care of that old Mr Bounce! crackedin the noddle; see that with half an eye! better not trust him! breakout some day: do you a mischief!"
He then went away: but while the parlour-door was still open, to the nolittle surprise of Cecilia, the servant announced Mr Belfield. He hardlyentered the room, and his countenance spoke haste and eagerness. "I havethis moment, madam," he said, "been informed a complaint has been lodgedagainst me here, and I could not rest till I had the honour of assuringyou, that though I have been rather dilatory, I have not neglected myappointment, nor has the condescension of your interference been thrownaway."
He then bowed, shut the door, and ran off Cecilia, though happy tounderstand by this speech that he was actually restored to his family,was sorry at these repeated intrusions in the presence of Mr Delvile,who was now the only one that remained.
She expected every instant that he would ring for his chair, which hekept in waiting; but, after a pause of some continuance, to her equalsurprise and disturbance, he made the following speech. "As it isprobable I am now for the last time alone with you, ma'am, and as it iscertain we shall meet no more upon business, I cannot, in justice to myown character, and to the respect I retain for the memory of the Dean,your uncle, take a final leave of the office with which he was pleasedto invest me, without first fulfilling my own ideas of the duty itrequires from me, by giving you some counsel relating to your futureestablishment."
This was not a preface much to enliven Cecilia; it prepared her for suchspeeches as she was least willing to hear, and gave to her the mixt andpainful sensation of spirits depressed, with ride alarmed.
"My numerous engagements," he continued, "and the appropriation of mytime, already settled, to their various claims, must make me brief inwhat I have to represent, and somewhat, perhaps, abrupt in coming to thepurpose. But that you will excuse."
Cecilia disdained to humour this arrogance by any compliments orconcessions: she was silent, therefore; and when they were both seated,he went on.
"You are now at a time of life when it is natural for young women towish for some connection: and the largeness of your fortune will removefrom you such difficulties as prove bars to the pretensions, in thisexpensive age, of those who possess not such advantages. It would havebeen some pleasure to me, while I yet considered you as my Ward, to haveseen you properly disposed of: but as that time is past, I can only giveyou some general advice, which you may follow or neglect as you thinkfit. By giving it, I shall satisfy myself; for the rest, I am notresponsible."
He paused; but Cecilia felt less and less inclination to make use of theopportunity by speaking in her turn.
"Yet though, as I just now hinted, young women of large fortunes mayhave little trouble in finding themselves establishments, they oughtnot, therefore, to trifle when proper ones are in their power, nor tosuppose themselves equal to any they may chance to desire."
Cecilia coloured high at this pointed reprehension; but feeling herdisgust every moment
encrease, determined to sustain herself withdignity, and at least not suffer him to perceive the triumph of hisostentation and rudeness.
"The proposals," he continued, "of the Earl of Ernolf had always myapprobation; it was certainly an ill-judged thing to neglect such anopportunity of being honourably settled. The clause of the name was, to_him_, immaterial; since his own name half a century ago was unheard of,and since he is himself only known by his title. He is still, however,I have authority to acquaint you, perfectly well disposed to renew hisapplication to you."
"I am sorry, Sir," said Cecilia coldly, "to hear it."
"You have, perhaps, some other better offer in view?"
"No, Sir," cried she, with spirit, "nor even in desire."
"Am I, then, to infer that some inferior offer has more chance of yourapprobation?"
"There is no reason, Sir, to infer any thing; I am content with myactual situation, and have, at present, neither prospect nor intentionof changing it."
"I perceive, but without surprise, your unwillingness to discussthe subject; nor do I mean to press it: I shall merely offer to yourconsideration one caution, and then relieve you from my presence. Youngwomen of ample fortunes, who are early independent, are sometimes aptto presume they may do every thing with impunity; but they are mistaken;they are as liable to censure as those who are wholly unprovided for."
"I hope, Sir," said Cecilia, staring, "this at least is a caution ratherdrawn from my situation than my behaviour?"
"I mean not, ma'am, narrowly to go into, or investigate the subject;what I have said you may make your own use of; I have only to observefurther, that when young women, at your time of life, are at allnegligent of so nice a thing as reputation, they commonly live to repentit."
He then arose to go, but Cecilia, not more offended than amazed, said,"I must beg, Sir, you will explain yourself!"
"Certainly this matter," he answered, "must be immaterial to _me_: yet,as I have once been your guardian by the nomination of the Deanyour uncle, I cannot forbear making an effort towards preventing anyindiscretion: and frequent visits to a young man--"
"Good God! Sir," interrupted Cecilia, "what is it you mean?"
"It can certainly, as I said before, be nothing to _me_, though I shouldbe glad to see you in better hands: but I cannot suppose you have beenled to take such steps without some serious plan; and I would adviseyou, without loss of time, to think better of what you are about."
"Should I think, Sir, to eternity," cried Cecilia, "I could neverconjecture what you mean!"
"You may not chuse," said he, proudly, "to understand me; but I havedone. If it had been in my power to have interfered in your service withmy Lord Derford, notwithstanding my reluctance to being involved in anyfresh employment, I should have made a point of not refusing it: butthis young man is nobody,--a very imprudent connection--"
"What young man, Sir?"
"Nay, _I_ know nothing of him! it is by no means likely I should: but asI had already been informed of your attention to him, the corroboratingincidents of my servant's following you to his house, his friend'sseeking him at yours, and his own waiting upon you this morning; werenot well calculated to make me withdraw my credence to it."
"Is it, then, Mr Belfield, Sir, concerning whom you draw theseinferences, from circumstances the most accidental and unmeaning?"
"It is by no means my practice," cried he, haughtily, and with evidentmarks of high displeasure at this speech, "to believe any thing lightly,or without even unquestionable authority; what once, therefore, I havecredited, I do not often find erroneous. Mistake not, however, what Ihave said into supposing I have any objection to your marrying; on thecontrary, it had been for the honour of my family had you been married ayear ago I should not then have suffered the degradation of seeing a sonof the first expectations in the kingdom upon the point of renouncinghis birth, nor a woman of the first distinction ruined in her health,and broken for ever in her constitution."
The emotions of Cecilia at this speech were too powerful forconcealment; her colour varied, now reddening with indignation, nowturning pale with apprehension; she arose, she trembled and sat down,she arose again, but not knowing what to say or what to do, again satdown.
Mr Delvile then, making a stiff bow, wished her good morning.
"Go not so, Sir!" cried she, in faltering accents; "let me at leastconvince you of the mistake with regard to Mr Belfield--"
"My mistakes, ma'am," said he, with a contemptuous smile, "are perhapsnot easily convicted: and I may possibly labour under others thatwould give you no less trouble: it may therefore be better to avoid anyfurther disquisition."
"No, not better," answered she, again recovering her courage from thisfresh provocation; "I fear no disquisition; on the contrary, it is myinterest to solicit one."
"This intrepidity in a young woman," said he, ironically, "is certainlyvery commendable; and doubtless, as you are your own mistress, yourhaving run out great part of your fortune, is nothing beyond what youhave a right to do."
"Me!" cried Cecilia, astonished, "run out great part of my fortune!"
"Perhaps that is another _mistake_! I have not often been sounfortunate; and you are not, then, in debt?"
"In debt, Sir?"
"Nay, I have no intention to inquire into your affairs. Good morning toyou, ma'am."
"I beg, I entreat, Sir, that you will stop!--make me, at least,understand what you mean, whether you deign to hear my justification ornot."
"O, I am mistaken, it seems! misinformed, deceived; and you have neitherspent more than you have received, nor taken up money of Jews? yourminority has been clear of debts? and your fortune, now you are of age,will be free from incumbrances?"
Cecilia, who now began to understand him, eagerly answered, "do youmean, Sir, the money which I took up last spring?"
"O no; by no means, I conceive the whole to be a _mistake_!"
And he went to the door.
"Hear me but a moment, Sir!" cried she hastily, following him; "sinceyou know of that transaction, do not refuse to listen to its occasion; Itook up the money for Mr Harrel; it was all, and solely for him."
"For Mr Harrel, was it?" said he, with an air of superciliousincredulity; "that was rather an unlucky step. Your servant, ma'am."
And he opened the door.
"You will not hear me, then? you will not credit me?" cried she in thecruellest agitation.
"Some other time, ma'am; at present my avocations are too numerous topermit me."
And again, stiffly bowing, he called to his servants, who were waitingin the hall, and put himself into his chair.