CHAPTER LVI
The two sisters no sooner discovered the escape of their prey, than,screaming with violent laughter, they began a romping race in itspursuit.
Near the entrance into the hall, Juliet was met by Selina, with commandsfrom Mrs Ireton, that she would either present herself, immediately, tothe company; or seek another abode.
In minds of strong sensibility, arrogance rouses resentment more quicklyeven than injury: a message so gross, an affront so public, required,therefore, no deliberation on the part of Juliet; and she was answeringthat she would make her preparations to depart; when the Miss Crawleys,rushing suddenly upon her, exclaimed, with clamourous joy, 'She'scaught! She's caught! The Ellis is caught!' and, each of them seizing ahand, they dragged her, with merry violence, into the breakfast-room.
Her hoydening conductors failed not to excite the attention of the wholeassembly; though it fell not, after the first glance, upon themselves.Juliet, to whom exercise and confusion gave added beauty; and whom nodisorder of attire could rob of an air of decency, which, inherent inher nature, was always striking in her demeanor; was no sooner seen,than, whether with censure or applause, she monopolized all remark.
Mrs Ireton haughtily bid her approach.
Averse, yet unwilling to risk the consequences of a public breach, sheslowly advanced.
'I am afraid, Ma'am,' said Mrs Ireton, with a smile of derision; 'I amafraid, Ma'am, you have hurried yourself? It is not much above an hour,I believe, since I did myself the honour of sending for you. I have noconception how you have been able to arrive so soon! Pray how far doyou think it may be from hence to the Temple? ten or twelve yards, Iverily believe! You must really be ready to expire!'
Having constrained herself to hear thus much, Juliet conceived that theduty even of her humble station could require no more; she made,therefore, a slight reverence, with intention to withdraw. But MrsIreton, offended, cried, 'Whither may you be going, Ma'am?--And pray,Ma'am,--if I may take the liberty to ask such a question,--who told youto go?--Was it I?--Did any body hear me?--Did you, Lady Arramede?--oryou, Miss Brinville?--or only Miss Ellis herself? For, to be sure I musthave done it: I take that for granted: she would not, certainly, thinkof going without leave, after I have sent for her. So I make no doubtbut I did it. Though I can't think how it happened, I own. 'Twasperfectly without knowing it, I confess. In some fit of absence--perhapsin my sleep;--for I have slept, too, perhaps, without knowing it!'
Sarcasms so witty, uttered by a lady at an assembly in her own house,could not fail of being received with applause; and Mrs Ireton, lookingaround her triumphantly, regarded the disconcerted Juliet as acompletely vanquished vassal. In a tone, therefore, that marked the mostperfect self-satisfaction, 'Pray, Ma'am,' she continued, 'for what mightyou suppose I did myself the favour to want you? was it only to take aview of your new _costume_? 'Tis very careless and picturesque, to besure, to rove abroad in that agreeable dishabille, just like the "maidenall forlorn;" or rather to speak with mere exactitude, like the "man alltattered and torn," for 'tis more properly his _costume_ you adopt, thanthe neat, tidy maiden's.'
The warm-hearted young Lady Barbara, all pity and feeling for Juliet,here broke from her quiet and cautious aunt, and, with irrepressibleeagerness, exclaimed, 'Mrs Ireton, 'twas Mr Loddard, your own littlenaughty nephew, who deranged in that manner the dress of that elegantMiss Ellis.'
The Miss Crawleys, now, running to the little boy, called out, 'TheLoddard! the Loddard! 'tis the Loddard has set up the new _costume_!'
Mrs Ireton, though affecting to laugh, had now done with the subject;and, while she was taking a pinch of snuff, to gain time to suggest someother, Sir Jaspar Herrington, advancing to Juliet, said, 'Has this younglady no place?' and, gallantly taking her hand, he led her to his ownchair, and walked to another part of the room.
A civility such as this from Sir Jaspar, made all the elders of thecompany stare, and all the younger titter; but the person the mostsurprized was Mrs Ireton, who hastily called out, 'Miss Ellis would notdo such a thing! Take Sir Jaspar's own seat! That has his own particularcushions! She could not do such a thing! I should think not, at least! Imay judge ill, but I should think not. A seat prepared for Sir Jaspar bymy own order! Miss Ellis can dispense with having an easy chair, andthree cushions, I should presume! I may be wrong, to be sure, but Ishould presume so!'
'Madam,' answered Sir Jaspar, 'in days of old, I never could bear tosit, when I saw a lady standing; and though those days are past, alas!and gone,--still I cannot, even to escape a twitch of the gout, see afair female neglected, without feeling a twitch of another kind, thatgives me yet greater pain.'
'Your politeness, Sir Jaspar,' replied Mrs Ireton, 'we all know; and, ifit were for one of my guests,--but Miss Ellis can hardly desire, Ishould suppose, to see you drop down with fatigue, while she is reposingupon your arm-chair. Not that I pretend to know her way of thinking! Idon't mean that. I don't mean to have it imagined I have the honour ofher confidence; but I should rather suppose she could not insist uponturning you out of your seat, only to give you a paroxysm of the gout.'
However internally moved, Juliet endured this harangue in total silence;convinced that where all authority is on the side of the aggressor,resistance only provokes added triumph. Her looks, therefore, thoughthey shewed her to be hurt and offended, evinced a dignifiedforbearance, superiour to the useless reproach, and vain retaliation, ofunequal contention.
She rose, nevertheless, from the seat which she had only momentarily,and from surprise occupied, and would have quitted the room, but thatshe saw she should again be publicly called back; and hers was not asituation for braving open enmity. She thankfully, however, accepted achair which was brought to her by Sir Marmaduke Crawley, and placed nextto that which had been vacated by the old Baronet; who then returned tohis own.
She now hoped to find some support from his countenance; as his powerfulsituation in the house, joined to his age, would make his smallestattention prove to her a kind of protection. Her expectation, however,was disappointed: he did not address to her a word; or appear to haveever beheld her before; and his late act of politeness seemed exertedfor a perfect stranger, from habitual good breeding.
And is it you, thought the pensive Juliet, who, but a few minutessince, spoke to me with such flattery, such preference? with an evenimpassioned regard? And shall this so little assembly guide and awe you?There, where I wished upon me your compliments;--while here, where asmile would be encouragement, where notice would be charity, you affectto have forgotten, or appear never to have seen me! Ah! mentallycontinued the silent moralist, if we reflected upon the difficulty ofgaining esteem; upon the chances against exciting affection; upon theunion of time and circumstance necessary for obtaining sincere regard;we should require courage to withhold, not to follow, the movement ofkindness, that, where distress sighs for succour, where helplessnesssolicits support, gives power to the smallest exertion, to a singleword, to a passing smile,--to bestow a favour, and to do a service, thatcatch, in the brief space of a little moment, a gratitude that neverdies!
But, while thus to be situated, was pain and dejection to Juliet, to seeher seated, however unnoticed, in the midst of this society, was almostequally irksome to Mrs Ireton; who, after some vain internal fretting,ordered the butler to carry about refreshments; consoled with thecertainty, that he would as little dare present any to Juliet, as omitto present them to every one else.
The smiles and best humour of Mrs Ireton now soon returned; for thedependent state of Juliet became more than ever conspicuous, when thusdecidedly she was marked as the sole person, in a large assembly, thatthe servants were permitted, if not instructed to neglect.
Juliet endeavoured to sit tranquil, and seem unconcerned; but herfingers were in continual motion; her eyes, meaning to look no where,looked every where; and Mrs Ireton had the gratification to perceive,that, however she struggled for indifference, she was fully sensible ofthe awkwardness of her situation.
&nb
sp; But this was no sooner remarked by Lady Barbara Frankland, than,starting with vivacity from her vainly watchful aunt, she flew to herformer instructress, crying, 'Have you taken nothing yet, Miss Ellis? Opray, then, let me chuse your ice for you?'
She ran to a side-board, and selecting the colour most pleasing to hereyes, hastened with it to the blushing, but relieved and gratefulJuliet; to whom this benevolent attention seemed instantly to restorethe self-command, that pointed indignities, and triumphant derision,were sinking into abashed depression.
The sensation produced by this action in Mrs Ireton, was as ungenial asthat which it caused to Juliet was consolatory. She could not for amoment endure to see the creature of her power, whom she looked upon asdestined for the indulgence of her will, and the play of her authority,receive a mark of consideration which, if shewn even to herself, wouldhave been accepted as a condescension. Abruptly, therefore, while theywere standing together, and conversing, she called out, 'Is it possible,Miss Ellis, that you can see the child in such imminent danger, and staythere amusing yourself?'
Lady Kendover hastily called off her young niece; and Juliet, sighingcrossed over the room, to take charge of the little boy, who was sittingastraddle out of one of the windows.
'But I had flattered myself,' cried Sir Marmaduke Crawley, addressingMrs Ireton, 'that we should have a little music?'
Mrs Ireton, to whom the talents of Juliet gave pleasure in proportiononly to her own repugnance to bringing them into play, had relinquishedthe projected performance, when she perceived the general interest whichwas excited by the mere appearance of the intended performer. Shedeclared herself, therefore, so extremely fearful lest some mischiefshould befall her little nephew, that she could not possibly trust himfrom the care of Miss Ellis.
Half the company, now, urged by the thirst of fresh amusement, professedthe most passionate fondness for children, and offered their services towatch the dear, sweet little boy, while Miss Ellis should play or sing;but the averseness] of Ellis remained uncombated by Mrs Ireton, and,therefore, unconquered.
The party was preparing to break up, when Mr Giles Arbe entered theroom, to apologize for the non-appearance of Miss Arbe, his cousin, whohad bid him bring words, he said, that she was taken ill.
Ireton, by a few crafty questions, soon drew from him, that Miss Arbewas only gone to a little private music-meeting at Miss Sycamore's:though, affrighted when he had made the confession, he entreated MrsIreton not to take it amiss; protesting that it was not done in anydisrespect to her, but merely because his cousin was more amused at MissSycamore's.
Mrs Ireton, extremely piqued, answered, that she should be very careful,in future, not to presume to make an invitation to Miss Arbe, but in atotal dearth of other entertainment; in a famine; or public fast.
But, the moment he sauntered into another room, to partake of somerefreshments, 'That old savage,' she cried, 'is a perfect horrour! Hehas not a single atom of common sense; and if he were not Miss Arbe'scousin, one must tell one's butler to shew him the door. At least, suchis my poor opinion. I don't pretend to be a judge; but such is mynotion!'
'O! I adore him!' cried Miss Crawley. 'He makes me laugh till I am readyto die! He has never a guess what he is about; and he never hears a wordone says. And he stares so when one laughs at him! O! he's thedelightfullest, stupidest, dear wretch that breathes!'
'O! I can't look at him without laughing!' exclaimed Miss Di. 'He's thebest thing in nature! He's delicious! enchanting! delightful! O! so deara fool!'
'He is quite unfit,' said Mrs Maple, 'for society; for he says everything that comes uppermost, and has not the least idea of what is due topeople.'
'O! he is the sweetest-tempered, kindest-hearted creature in the world!'exclaimed Lady Barbara. 'My aunt's woman has heard, from Miss Arbe'smaid, all his history. He has quite ruined himself by serving poorpeople in distress. He is so generous, he can never pronounce arefusal.'
'But he dresses so meanly,' said Miss Brinville, 'that mamma and I havebegged Miss Arbe not to bring him any more to see us. Besides,--he tellsevery thing in the world to every body.'
'Poor Miss Arbe a'n't to blame, I assure you, Miss Brinville,' saidSelina; 'for she dislikes him as much as you do; only when her papainvited him to live with them, he was very rich; and it was thought hewould leave all his fortune to them. But, since then, Miss Arbe says, heis grown quite poor; for he has dawdled away almost all his money, inone way or another; letting folks out of prison, setting people up inbusiness, and all that.'
'O! he's the very king of quizzes!' cried Ireton. 'He drags me out ofthe spleen, when I feel as if there were no possibility I could yawn onanother half hour.'
Sir Jaspar now, looking with an air of authority towards Ireton, said,'It would have been your good star, not your evil genius, by which youwould have been guided, Mr Ireton, had you been attracted to this oldgentleman as to an example, rather than as a butt for your wit. He hasvery good parts, if he knew how to make use of them; though he has asimplicity of manners, that induces common observers to conclude him tobe nearly an ideot. And, indeed, an absent man seems always in a stateof childhood; for as he is never occupied with what is present, thosewho think of nothing else, naturally take it for granted that whatpasses is above his comprehension; when perhaps, it is only below hisattention. But with Mr Arbe, though his temper is incomparably good andplacid, absence is neither want of understanding, nor of powers ofobservation; for, when once he is awakened to what is passing, by anything that touches his feelings of humanity, or his sense of justice,his seeming stupor turns to energy; his silence is superseded byeloquence; and his gentle diffidence is supplanted by a mental courage,which electrifies with surprize, from its contrast with his generaldocility; and which strikes, and even awes, from an apparent dignity ofdefying consequence;--though, in fact, it is but the effect of neverweighing them. Such, however, as he is, Mr Ireton, with thesingularities of his courage, or the oddities of his passiveness, he isa man who is useful to the world, from his love of doing good; and happyin himself, from the serenity of a temper unruffled by any species ofmalignity.'
Ireton ventured not to manifest any resentment at this conclusion; butwhen, by his embarrassed air, Sir Jaspar saw that it was understood, hesmiled, and more gaily added, 'If the fates, the sisters three, and suchlittle branches of learning, had had the benevolence to have fixed myown birth under the influence of the same planet with that of Mr GilesArbe, how many twitches, goadings, and worries should I have beenspared, from impatience, ambition, envy, discontent, and ill will!'
The subject was here dropt, by the re-entrance of Mr Arbe; who,observing Selina, said that he wanted prodigiously to enquire about herpoor aunt, whom, lately, he had met with no where; though she used to beevery where.
'My aunt, Sir?--She's there!' said Selina, pointing to Mrs Maple.
'No, no, I don't mean that aunt; I mean your young aunt, that used to beso all alive and clever. What's become of her?'
'O, I dare say it's my sister you are thinking of?'
'Ay, it's like enough; for she's young enough, to be sure; only you looksuch a mere child. Pray how is she now? I was very sorry to hear of hercutting her throat.'
A titter, which was immediately exalted into a hearty laugh by the MissCrawleys, was all the answer.
'It was not right to do such a thing,' he continued; 'very wrong indeed.There's no need to be afraid of not dying soon enough, for we only cometo be gone! I pitied her, however, with all my heart, for love is but adangerous thing; it makes older persons than she is go astray, one wayor other. And it was but unkind of Mr Harleigh not to marry her, whetherhe liked or not, to save her from such a naughty action. And pray whatis become of that pretty creature that used to teach you all music? Ihave enquired for her at Miss Matson's, often; but I always forgot wherethey said she was gone. Indeed they made me a little angry about her,which, probably, was the reason that I could never recollect what theytold me of her direction.'
'Angry, Mr Giles?' repeat
ed Mrs Ireton, with an air of restoredcomplacency; 'What was it, then, they said of her? Not that I am verycurious to hear it, as I presume you will believe! You won't imagine it,I presume, a matter of the first interest to me!'
'O, what they said of her was very bad! very bad, indeed; and that's thereason I give no credit to it.'
'Well, well, but what was it?' cried Ireton.
'Why they told me that she was turned toad-eater.'
Universal and irresistible smiles throughout the whole company, to theexception of Lady Barbara and Sir Jaspar, now heightened theembarrassment of Juliet into pain and distress: but the young Loddardevery moment struggled to escape into the garden, through the window;and she did not dare quit her post.
'So I asked them what they meant,' Mr Giles continued; 'for I neverheard of any body's eating toads; though I am assured our neighbours, ont'other bank, are so fond of frogs. But they made it out, that it onlymeant a person who would swallow any thing, bad or good; and do whateverhe was bid, right or wrong; for the sake of a little pay.'
This definition by no means brought the assembly back to its gravity;but while Juliet, ashamed and indignant, kept her face turned constantlytowards the garden, Ireton called out, 'Why you don't speak to yourlittle friend, Loddard, Mr Giles. There he is, at the window.'
Mr Giles now, notwithstanding her utmost efforts to avoid his eyes,perceived the blushing Juliet; though, doubting his sight, he stared andexclaimed, 'Good la! that lady's very like Miss Ellis! And, I protest,'tis she herself! And just as pretty as ever! And with the same innocentface that not a soul can either buy or make, but God Almighty himself!'
He then enquired after her health and welfare, with a cordiality thatsomewhat lessened the pain caused by the general remark that wasproduced by his address: but the relief was at an end upon his adding,'I wanted to see you prodigiously, for I have never forgotten yourpaying your debts so prettily, against your will, that morning. It fixedyou in my good opinion. I hope, however, it is a mistake, what they tellme, that you are turned what they call toad-eater? and have let yourselfout, at so much a year, to say nothing that you think; and to do nothingthat you like; and to beg pardon when you are not in fault; and to eatall the offals; and to be beat by the little gentleman; and worried bythe little dog? I hope all that's mere misapprehension, my dear; for itwould be but a very mean way of getting money.'
The calmness of conscious superiority, with which Juliet heard thebeginning of these interrogatories, was converted into extremeconfusion, by their termination, from the appearance of justice whichthe incidents of the morning had given to the attack.
'For now,' continued he, 'that you have paid all your debts, you oughtto hold up your head; for, where nothing is owing, we are all of usequal, rich and poor; another man's riches no more making him mysuperiour, or benefactor, if I do not partake of them, than my povertymakes me his servant, or dependent, if I neither work for, nor ambenefited by him. And I am your witness that you gave every one his due.So don't let any body put you out of your proper place.'
The mortification of Juliet, at this public exhortation, upon a point sodelicate, was not all that she had to endure: the little dog, who,though incessantly tormented by the little boy, always followed him;kept scratching her gown; to be helped up to the window, that he mightplay with, or snarl at him, more at his ease; and the boy, making a whipof his pocket-handkerchief, continually attracted, though merely torepulse him; while Juliet, seeking alternately to quiet both, had not amoment's rest.
'Why now, what's all this my pretty lady?' cried Mr Giles, perceivingher situation. 'Why do you let those two plagueful things torment youso? Why don't you teach them to be better behaved.'
'Miss Ellis would be vastly obliging, certainly,' with a superciliousbrow, said Mrs Ireton, 'to correct my nephew! I don't in the least meanto contest her abilities for superintending his chastisement; not in theleast, I assure you! But only, as I never heard of my brother's givingher such a _carte blanche_; and as I don't recollect having given itmyself,--although I may have done it, again, perhaps, in my sleep!--Ishould be happy to learn by what authority she would be invested withsuch powers of discipline?'
'By what authority? That of humanity, Ma'am! Not to spoil a poorignorant little fellow-creature; nor a poor innocent little beast.'
'It would be immensely amiable of her, Sir, no doubt,' said Mrs Ireton,reddening, 'to take charge of the morals of my household; immensely! Ionly hope you will be kind enough to instruct the young person, at thesame time, how she may hold her situation? That's all! I only hopethat!'
'How? Why by doing her duty! If she can't hold it by that, 'tis her dutyto quit it. Nobody is born to be trampled upon.'
'I hope, too, soon,' said Mrs Ireton, scoffingly, 'nobody will be bornto be poor!'
'Good! true!' returned he, nodding his head. 'Nobody should be poor!That is very well said. However, if you think her so poor, I can giveyou the satisfaction to shew you your mistake. She mayn't, indeed, bevery rich, poor lady, at bottom; but still--'
'No, indeed, am I not!' hastily cried Juliet, frightened at thecommunication which she saw impending.
'But still,' continued he, 'if she is poor, it is not for want of money;nor for want of credit, neither; for she has bank-notes in abundance inone of her work-bags; and not a penny of them is her own! which shewsher to be a person of great honour.'
Every one now looked awakened to a new curiosity; and Selina exclaimed,'O la! have you got a fortune, then, my dear Ellis? O! I dare say, then,my guess will prove true at last! for I dare say you are a princess indisguise?'
'As far as disguise goes, Selina,' answered Mrs Maple, 'we have never, Ithink, disputed! but as to a princess!...'
'A princess?' repeated Mrs Ireton. 'Upon my word, this is an honour Ihad not imagined! I own my stupidity! I can't but own my stupidity; butI really had never imagined myself so much honoured, as to suspect thatI had a princess under my roof, who was so complaisant as to sing, andplay, and read to me, at my pleasure; and to study how to amuse anddivert me! I confess, I had never suspected it! I am quite ashamed of mytotal want of sagacity; but it had never occurred to me!'
'And why not, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why may not a princess be pretty,and complaisant, and know how to sing and play, and read, as well asanother lady? She is just as able to learn as you, or any common person.I never heard that a princess took her rank in the place of herfaculties. I know no difference; except that, if she does the thingswith good nature, you ought to love and honour her the double, inconsideration of the great temptation she has to be proud and idle, andto do nothing. We all envy the great, when we ought only to revere themif they are good, and to pity them if they are bad; for they have thesame infirmities that we have; and nobody that dares put them in mind ofthem: so that they often go to the grave, before they find out that theyare nothing but poor little men and women, like the rest of us. For mypart, when I see them worthy, and amiable, I look up to them asprodigies! Whereas, a common person, such as you, or I, Ma'am,--'
Mrs Ireton, unable to bear this phrase, endeavoured to turn theattention of the company into another channel, by abruptly calling uponJuliet to go to the piano-forte.
Juliet entreated to be excused.
'Excused? And why, Ma'am? What else have you got to do? What are youravocations? I shall really take it as a favour to be informed.'
'Don't teize her, pretty lady; don't teize her,' cried Mr Giles. 'If shelikes to sing, it's very agreeable; but if not, don't make a point ofit, for it's not a thing at all essential.'
'Likes it?' repeated Mrs Ireton, superciliously; 'We must do nothing,then, but what we like? Even when we are in other people's houses? Evenwhen we exist only through the goodness of some of our superiours? Stillwe are to do only what we like? I am quite happy in the information!Extremely obliged for it, indeed! It will enable me, I hope, to rectifythe gross errour of which I have been guilty; for I really did not knowI had a young lady in my house, who was to make her will and taste theru
le for mine! and, as I suppose, to have the goodness to direct myservants; as well as to take the trouble to manage me. I knew nothing ofall this, I protest. I thought, on the contrary, I had engaged a youngperson, who would never think of taking such a liberty as to give heropinion; but who would do, as she ought, with respect and submission,whatever I should indicate.'--
'Good la, Ma'am,' interrupted Mr Giles: 'Why that would be leading thelife of a slave! And that, I suppose, is what they meant, all this time,by a toad-eater. However, don't look so ashamed, my pretty dear, for atoad-eater-maker is still worse! Fie, fie! What can rich people bethinking of, to lay out their money in buying their fellow-creatures'liberty of speech and thought! and then paying them for a bargain whichthey ought to despise them for selling?'
This unexpected retort turning the smiles of the assembly irresistiblyagainst the lady of the mansion, she hastily renewed her desire thatJuliet would sing.
'Sing, Ma'am?' cried Mr Giles. 'Why a merry-andrew could not do it,after being so affronted! Bless my heart! Tell a human being that shemust only move to and fro, like a machine? Only say what she is bid,like a parrot? Employ her time, call forth her talents, exact herservices, yet not let her make any use of her understanding? Neither saywhat she approves, nor object to what she dislikes? Poor, pretty youngthing! You were never so much to be pitied, in the midst of your worstdistresses, as when you were relived upon such terms! Fie upon it,fie!--How can great people be so little?'
The mingled shame and resentment of Mrs Ireton, at a remonstrance soextraordinary and so unqualified, were with difficulty kept within thebounds of decorum; for though she laughed, and affected to be extremelydiverted, her laugh was so sharp, and forced, that it wounded every ear;and, through the amusement that she pretended to receive, it was obviousthat she suffered torture, in restraining herself from ordering herservants to turn the orator out of the room.
With looks much softened, though in a manner scarcely less fervent, MrGiles then, approaching Juliet, repeated, 'Don't be cast down I say, mypretty lady! You are none the worse for all this. The thing is butequal, at last; so we must not always look at the bad side of our fate.State every thing fairly; you have got your talents, your prettiness,and your winning ways,--but you want these ladies' wealth: they, havegot their wealth, their grandeur, and their luxuries; but they want yourpowers of amusing. You can't well do without one another. So it's bestbe friends on both sides.'
Mrs Ireton, now, dying to give some vent to her spleen, darted the fullvenom of her angry eyes upon Juliet, and called out, 'You don't see, Ipresume, Miss Ellis, what a condition Bijou has put that chair in? 'Twould be too great a condescension for you, I suppose, just to give it alittle pat of the hand, to shake off the crumbs? Though it is not yourbusiness, I confess! I confess that it is not your business! Perhaps,therefore, I am guilty of an indiscretion in giving you such a hint.Perhaps I had better let Lady Kendover, or Lady Arramede, or MrsBrinville, or any other of the ladies, sit upon the dirt, and soil theirclothes? You may think, perhaps, that it will be for the advantage ofthe mercer, or the linen-draper? You may be considering the good oftrade? or perhaps you may think I may do such sort of menial offices formyself?'
However generally power may cause timidity, arrogance, in every generousmind, awakens spirit; Juliet, therefore, raising her head, and,clearing her countenance, with a modest, but firm step, moved silentlytowards the door.
Astonished and offended, 'Permit me, Madam,' cried Mrs Ireton; 'permitme, Miss Ellis,--if it is not taking too great a liberty with a personof your vast consequence,--permit me to enquire who told you to go?'
Juliet turned back her head, and quietly answered, 'A person, Madam, whohas not the honour to be known to you,--myself!' And then steadily leftthe room.