CHAPTER XLIX
Juliet was making enquiries of the young work-women, for arecommendation to some small lodging, when she was surprised by thereceipt of a letter from Mrs Pierson, soliciting her company immediatelyat Lewes; where poor Flora, she said, was taken dangerously ill of ahigh fever, and was raving, continually, for Miss Ellis. A returnpost-chaise to the postilion of which Mrs Pierson had given directionsto call at Mrs Hart's, at three o'clock in the afternoon, would bringher, for nearly nothing; if she would have so much charity as to comeand comfort the poor girl; and Mrs Pierson would find a safe conveyanceback at night, if Miss Ellis could not oblige them by sleeping at thehouse: but she hoped that Mrs Hart would not refuse to spare her fromher work, for a few hours, as it might produce a favourable turn in thedisorder.
Juliet read this letter with real concern. Had she rescued the poor,weak, and wilful Flora from immediate moral, only to devote her toimmediate physical, destruction? And what now could be devised for herrelief? Her intellects were too feeble for reason, her temper was toopetulant for entreaty. Nevertheless, the benevolent are easily urged toexertion; and Juliet would not refuse the summons of the distressedmother, while she could flatter herself that any possible means might besuggested for serving the self-willed, and half-witted, but innocentdaughter.
She set out, therefore, upon this plan, far from sanguine of success,but persuaded that the effort was a duty.
By her own calculations from memory, she was arrived within about a mileof Lewes, when the horses suddenly turned down a narrow lane.
She demanded of the postilion why he did not proceed straight forward.He answered, that he knew a short cut to the house of Mrs Pierson.Uneasy, nevertheless, at quitting thus alone the high road, she beggedhim to go the common way, promising to reward him for the additionaltime which it might require. But he drove on without replying; though,growing now alarmed, she called, supplicated, and menaced in turn.
She looked from window to window to seek some object to whom she mightapply for aid; none appeared, save a man on horseback, whom she hadalready noticed from time to time, near the side of the chaise; and towhom she was beginning to appeal, when she surprised him making signs tohurry on the postilion.
She now believed the postilion himself to be leagued with somehighwayman; and was filled with affright and dismay.
The horses galloped on with encreased swiftness, the horseman alwayskeeping closely behind the chaise; till they were stopt by a small cart,from which Juliet had the joy to see two men alight, forced, by thenarrowness of the road, to take off their horse, and drag back theirvehicle.
She eagerly solicited their assistance, and made an effort to open thechaise door. This, however, was prevented by the pursuing horseman, who,dismounting, opened it himself; and, to her inexpressible terrour,sprung into the carriage.
What, then, was her mingled consternation and astonishment, when,instead of demanding her purse, he gaily exclaimed, 'Why are youfrightened, you beautiful little creature?' And she saw Sir LyellSycamore.
A change, but not a diminution of alarm, now took place; yet, assuming afirmness that sought to conceal her fears, 'Quit the chaise, Sir Lyell,'she cried, 'instantly, or you will compel me to claim protection fromthose two men!'
'Protection? you pretty little vixen!' cried he, yet more familiarly,'who should protect you like your own adorer?'
Juliet, leaning out, as far as was in her power, from the chaise-window,called with energy for help.
'What do you mean?' cried he, striving to draw her back. 'What are youafraid of? You don't imagine me such a blundering cavalier, as to intendto carry you off by force?'
The postilion was assisting the two men to fix their horse, for draggingback their cart; but her cries reached their ears, and one of them,advancing to the chaise, exclaimed, 'Good now! if it is not Miss Ellis!'And, to her infinite relief and comfort, she beheld young Gooch.
She entreated him to open the door; but, lolling his arms over it,without attending to her, he said, 'Well! to see but how things turnout! Here have I been twice this very morning, at your new lodgings, tolet you know it's now or never, for our junket's to night; and the oldgentlewoman that keeps the house, who's none of the good-naturedest, asI take it, would never let me get a sight of you, say what I would; andhere, all of the sudden, when I was thinking of you no more than if youhad never been born, I come pop upon you, as one may say, withincock-crow of our very door; all alone, with only the young Baronight!'
Nearly as much shocked, now, as, the moment before, she had beenrelieved, Juliet eagerly declared, that she was not with any body; shewas simply going to Lewes upon business.
'Why then,' cried he, 'the Baronight must be out his head, begging hispardon, to let you come this way; and the postilion as stupid as a post;for it's quite the contrary. It will lead you to you don't know where.We only turned down it ourselves, just to borrow a few glasses, offarmer Barnes, because we've more mouths than we have got of our own:for I've invited all our club; which poor dad don't much like. He says Iam but a bungler at saving money, any more than at getting it; but I amas rare a hand as any you know, far or near, says the old gentleman, forspending it. The old gentleman likes to say his say. However, I must notleave my horse to his gambols.'
Then nodding, still without listening to Juliet, he returned to his_chay-cart_.
Juliet now unhasped the chaise-door herself, and was springing from thecarriage; when Sir Lyell, forcibly holding her, exclaimed, 'What wouldyou do, you lovely termagant? Would you make me pass for a devil of aravisher? No, no, no! you handsome little firebrand! name your terms,and command me! I know you love me,--and I adore you. Why then this idlecruelty to us both? to nature itself; and to beauty?'
More and more indignant, Juliet uttered a cry for help, that immediatelybrought back young Gooch, who was followed by an elderly companion.
Provoked and resentful, yet amazed and ashamed, the Baronet jumped outof the chaise, saying, with affected contempt, yet stronger pique,'Yes! help, gentlemen, help! come quick! quick! Miss Ellis is takensuddenly ill!'
The insolent boldness of this appeal, was felt only by Juliet; whosescorn, however potent, was less prevalent than her satisfaction, uponbeholding her old friend Mr Tedman. She descended to meet him, with anenergetic 'Thank Heaven!' and an excess of gladness, not more tormentingto the Baronet, than unexpected by himself. 'Well, this is very kind ofyou, indeed, my dear,' cried he, heartily shaking hands with her; 'to beso glad to see me; especially after the ungenteel way I was served in byyour lodging-gentlewoman, making no more ceremony than refusing to letme up, under cover that you saw no gentlemen; though I told her what agood friend I had been to you; and how you learnt my darter the musics;and how I used to bring you things; and lend you money; and that; andhow I was willing enough to do the like again, put in case you was inneed: but I might just as well have talked to the post; which huffed mea little, I own.'
'O, those old gentlewomen,' interrupted Gooch, 'are always like that.One can never make any thing of 'em. I don't over like them myself, totell you the truth.'
Juliet assured them that, having no time but for business, herinjunctions of non-admission had been uniform and universal; and oughtnot, therefore, to offend any one. She then requested Mr Tedman to orderthat the postilion would return to the high road; which he had quittedagainst her positive direction; and to have the goodness to insist uponhis driving her by the side of his own vehicle, till they reached Lewes.
Tedman, looking equally important and elated, again heartily shook handswith her, and said, 'My dear, I'll do it with pleasure; or, I'll engageTim to send off your chay, and I'll take you in his'n; put in case itwill be more to your liking; for I am as little agreeable as you are, toletting them rascals of drivers get the better of me.'
Juliet acceded to this proposal, in which she saw immediate safety, withthe most lively readiness; entreating Mr Tedman to complete hiskindness, in extricating her from so suspicious a person, by paying himthe half-crown,
which she had promised him, for carrying her to Lewes.
'Half-a-crown?' repeated Mr Tedman, angrily refusing to take it. 'It'stoo much by half, for coming such a mere step; put in case he did notput to o'purpose. You're just like the quality; and they're none ofyour sharpest; to throw away your money, and know neither the why northe wherefore.'
The Baronet, with a loud oath, said that the postilion was a scoundrel,for having offended the young lady; and menaced to inform against him,if he received a sixpence.
The postilion made no resistance; the horses were taken off, and thechaise was drawn back to the high road. The little carriage belonging toyoung Gooch followed, into which Juliet, refusing all aid but from MrTedman, eagerly sprang; and her old friend placed himself at her side;while Gooch took the reins.
Sir Lyell looked on, visibly provoked; and when they were driving away,called out, in a tone between derision and indignation, 'Bravo, MrTedman! You are still, I see, the happy man!'
Young Gooch, laughing without scruple, smacked his horse; while MrTedman angrily muttered, 'The quality always allows themselves to sayany thing! They think nothing of that! All's one to them whether onelikes it or not.'
The design of Juliet was, when safely arrived at the farm, which waswithin a very short walk of the town of Lewes, to beg a safe guide toaccompany her to the house of Mrs Pierson; where she resolved to passthe night; and whence she determined to write to Elinor, and solicit aninterview; in which she meant to lay open her new difficulties, in thehope of re-awakening some interest that might operate in her favour.
To save herself from the vulgar forwardness of ignorant importunity, sheforbore to mention her plan, till she alighted from the little vehicle,at the gate of the farm-yard.
'Goodness! Ma'am,' then cried young Gooch, 'you won't think of such athing as going away, I hope, before you've well come? Why our sport'sall ready! why, if you'll step a little this way, you may see the threesacks, that three of our men are to run a race in! There'll be finescrambling and tumbling, one o' top o' t'other. You'll laugh till yousplit your sides. And if you'll only come here, to the right, I'll shewyou the stye where our pig is, that's to be caught by the tail. But itwill be well soaped, I can tell you; so it will be no such easy thing.'
Slightly thanking him, Juliet applied for aid, in procuring her aconductor, to Mr Tedman; who, though at first he pressed her to stay, asshe might get a little amusement so pure cheap, since it would costnothing but looking on; no sooner heard her pronounce that she wascalled away by business, than he ceased all opposition; and promised totake care of her to Lewes himself, when he'd just spoken a word or twoto his cousin Gooch: 'For I can't go with you, my dear, only I and you,you know, without that,' he said, 'just upon coming; for fear it shouldput them upon joking; which I don't like; for all the quality's so fondof it. Besides which, I must give in my presents; for this littlehamper's full of little odd things for the junket; and if I leave 'emout here, to the mercy of nobody knows who, somebody or other'll be apilfering, as sure as a gun; put in case they smoke what I've got in myhamper. And they're pretty quick at mischief.'
Juliet supplicated him to be speedy. Pleased to have his servicesaccepted, he put his hamper under his arm, and walked on to the house;mindless of the impatient remonstrances of young Gooch, who exclaimed,'Why now, who'd have thought this of the 'Squire? it's doing justcontrary; for he's the very person I thought would make you stay! forhe's come, as one may say, half o' purpose for your sake; for he neverplump accepted of our invitation till I told him, in my letter, of myhaving invited of you. And then he said he would come.'
Then, lowering his voice into a whisper, he added, 'Between ourselves,Ma'am, the poor 'Squire, my good cousin, don't get much for his money athome, I believe. His daughter's got quite the top end; and she's none ofyour obligingests; she won't do one mortal thing he desires. She's beenbrought up at them fine boarding-schools, with misses that hold up theirheads so high, that nothing's good enough for 'em. So she's alwaysashamed of her papa, because, she says, he's so mean; as he tells us.The poor 'Squire, my cousin, don't much like it; but he can't helphimself. She's as exact like a fine lady as ever you see; and she won'tspeak a word to any of her poor relations, because they are so low, shesays.' He then added, 'If you won't go while I'm gone, I'll give you asagreeable a surprize as ever you had in your life!'
He ran on to the house.
In a few minutes, Juliet felt something tickle the nape of her neck,and, imagining it to be an insect, she would have brushed it away withher hand, but received, between her fingers, a pink; and, looking round,saw Flora Pierson, nearly breathless from her efforts to smother alaugh.
'Is it possible?' cried Juliet, in great amazement. 'Miss Pierson! Ithought you were ill in bed?'
No further efforts were necessary to repress the laugh; resentment,rather than gravity, took its place, and, with pouting lips, and afrowning brow, she answered, 'Ill? Yes! I have had enough to make meill, that's sure! It's more a wonder, by half, that I a'n't dead; for Icried so that my eyes grew quite little; and I looked quite a fright;and I grew so hoarse that nobody could tell a word I said; though Italked enough, I'm sure; for nothing can hinder me of my talking, if itwas never so, papa says.'
Juliet now, upon closer enquiry, learnt that Flora had neither had afever, nor desired a meeting; and that Mrs Pierson had neither writtenthe letter, nor given any orders about a return post-chaise.
The passing suspicions which already had occurred to Juliet in disfavourof Sir Lyell Sycamore, returned, now, with redoubled force. That he hadmade signs to the driver to quit the high road, however dismaying, shehad attributed to sudden impulse, upon meeting her alone in apost-chaise; and had not doubted that, upon seeing the sincerity of herresentment, he would have retired with shame and repentance: but a planthus concerted to get her into his power, changed apprehension intocertainty, and indignation into abhorrence.
The happy accident to which she owed her escape, even from theknowledge, till it was past, of her danger, she now blessed withrapture; and the junket, so disdained and rejected, she now felt thatshe could never recollect without grateful delight.
But how return to Brighthelmstone? What vehicle find? How trust herselfto any even when procured?
She enquired of Flora whether it were possible that Mrs Pierson couldgrant her one night's lodging?
The smiles, the dimples, and the good humour of the simple girl, allrevived, and played about her pretty face, at this request. 'O yes!' shecried. 'Miss Ellis, I shall be so glad to have you come! for mamma and Iare so dull together that I'm quite moped. I don't like it by half aswell as I did the shop. So many smart gentlemen and ladies coming in andout every moment! dressed so nice, and speaking so polite! I'm obligedto wear all my worst things, now, to save my others, mamma says, forfear of the expence. And it makes me not look as well by half, as I didat Miss Matson's. I looked well enough there, I believe; as people toldme; at least the gentlemen. But I go such a dowd, here, that it's enoughto frighten you. I'm sure when I go to the glass, and that's a hundredtimes a-day, for aught I know, if it were counted, to see what sort of afigure I make, I could break it with pleasure, for seeing me such adisguise; for I look quite ugly, unless I happen to be in my smilings.'
This prattle was interrupted by a signal from Mr Tedman, that madeJuliet hope that he was now ready to depart; but, upon approaching him,he only said, 'Come hither, my dear, and sit down a bit, upon thisbench, for we can't go yet. I have not given all my presents. And Idon't care to leave 'em!' winking significantly: 'not that I mean todoubt any body; only it's as well have a sharp eye. We are all honestestwith good looking after.'
Juliet now was surrounded by young farmers, who offered her cakes orale, and asked her hand for the ensuing dance; while young Goochcollected around him an admiring audience, to listen to his account, howhe and the young gentlewoman, who was so pretty, had acted together in aplay.
Mr Tedman then bid her divine how his cousin Gooch was employed, and whythe presents
were not yet delivered? and upon her declared inability toconjecture, 'Would you believe it, my dear?' he cried, 'For all Timdrove us such a good round trot, the quality got the start of us! Andnow he's in the kitchen, with cousin Gooch, taking a cup of ale!'
The disturbance of Juliet at this intelligence, he thought simplysurprize, and continued, 'Nay, it was not easy to guess, sure enough. Hemust have rid over every thing, hedge, ditch, and the like. But yourquality's not over mindful of other people's property. He's come to buysome hay. He come o'purpose, he says. And he's a mortal good customer,for he says nothing but, "Mighty well! That's very reasonable, indeed! Ithought it had been twice the price!" Old coz chuckles, I warrant him!Your quality's but a poor hand at a bargain. I would not employ 'em,between you and I. They never know what they are about.'
They were now joined by Mr Gooch, a hale, hearty, cherry-cheeked dapperfarmer, fair in all his dealings, and upright in all his principles,except when they had immediate reference to his professional profits.'Well!' he cried, ''Squire!' rubbing his hands in great glee. 'I've hada good chapman enough here! I've often seen un at our races, but Ilittle thought of having to chaffer with un. Howsever, one may haveworse luck with one's money. A don't much understand business. But who'sthat pretty lass with ye, 'Squire? Some play-mate, I warrant, of cousinMolly? And why did no' cousin Molly come, too? A'd a have been heartilywelcome. And perhaps a'd a picked up a sweetheart.'
'Stop, father, stop!' cried young Gooch: 'I've something to say to you.You know how you've always stood to it, that you would not believe aword about all those battles, and guillotines, and the like, of MounseerRobert Speer, in foreign parts; though I told you, over and over, that Ihad it from our club? Well! here's a person now here, in your owngrounds, that's seen it all with her own eyes! So if you don't believeit, never believe it as long as you live.'
'Like enough not, Tim,' answered the father: 'I do no' much give my mindto believing all them outlandish fibs, told by travellers. I can hearstaring stories eno' by my own fire-side. And I a'n't over friendly tobelieving 'em there. But, bless my heart! for a man for to come for togo for to pretend telling me, because it be a great ways off, and Ican't find un out, that there be a place where there comes a man, whosays, every morning of his life, to as many of his fellow-creatures as acan set eyes on, whether they be man, woman, or baby; here, mount me twoor three dozen of you into that cart, and go and have your heads choptoff! And that they'll make no more ado, than go, only because they'rebid! Why if one will believe such staring stuff as that be, one may aswell believe that the moon be made of cream-cheese, and the like.There's no sense in such a set of lies; for life's life every where,even in France; though it be but a poor starving place, at best, withoutpasture, or cattle; or corn, either, fit for a man for to eat.'
'Ay, father, ay; but Bob Spear, as we call him at our club--'
'Y're young, y're young, Tim,' interrupted Mr Gooch; 'and youryoungsters do believe every thing. When you've sowed your wild oats,you'll know better. But we mustn't all be calves at the same time. Ifthere were none for to give milk, there'd be none for to suck. So it beall for the best. And that makes me for to take it the less to heart,when I do see you be such a gudgeon, Tim, with no more sense than toswallow neat down every thing that do come in your way. But you'll neverthrive, Tim, till you be like to what I be; people do tell such a peckof staring lies, that I do no' believe, nor I wo'no' believe one mortalword by hear-say.'
'For my part,' said Mr Tedman, 'I never enquire into all that, whetherit be true, or whether it be false; because it's nothing to me eitherway; and one wastes a deal of time in idle curiosity, about things thatdon't concern one; put in case one can't turn them to one's profit.'
'That's true, coz,' said Mr Gooch; 'for as to profit, there be none tocome from foreign parts: for they be all main poor thereabout; for, theydo tell me, that there be not a man among un, as sets his eyes, aboveonce in his life, or thereabout, upon a golden guinea! And as to roastbeef and plum-pudding, I do hear that they do no' know the taste of sucha thing. So that they be but a poor stinted race at best, for they cannever come to their natural growth.'
'What, then, you do believe what folks tell you sometimes, father?'cried the son, grinning.
'To be sure I do, Tim; when they do tell me somewhat that be worth aman's hearing.'
They were now joined by Mr Stubbs, who, seeing Juliet, was happy in theopportunity of renewing her favourite enquiries, relative to theagricultural state of the continent.
Mr Gooch, extremely surprized, exclaimed, 'Odds heart! Why sure such ayoung lass as that be, ha'n't been across seas already? Why a couldn'tmake out their gibberish, I warrant me! for't be such queer stuff thatthey do talk, all o'un, that there's no getting at what they'd be at;unless one larns to speak after the same guise, like to ourboarding-school misses. I've seen one or two o'un myself, that passedhere about; but their manner o' talk was so out of the way, I could no'make out a word they did say. T'might all be Dutch for me. And I found'em vast ignorant. They knew no more than my horse when land ought to bemanured, from when it ought for to lie fallow. I did ask un a manyquestions; but a could no' answer me, for to be understood.'
'But, for all that, Master Gooch,' said Mr Stubbs, 'my late Lord hastold me that France is sincerely a fine country, if they knew how tomake the most of it; but the waste lands are quite out of reason; forthey are such a boggling set of farmers, that they grow nothing but whatcomes, as one may say, of itself.'
'France a fine country, Maister Stubbs? Well, that be a word I did no'count to hear from a man of your sense. Why't be as poor a place as yemight wish to set eyes on, all over-run with weeds, and frogs, and thelike. Why ye be as frenchified as Tim, making out them mounseers to be aparcel of Jack the Giant-killers, lopping off heads for mere play, as abody may say. However, here be one that's come to our hop, that be afiner spark than there be in all France, I warrant me: for a makes a bowas like to a mounseer, as if a was twin-brother to un; and a was soready to pay down his money handsomely, I could no' but say a'd bewelcome to our junket; for a says a does like such a thing more than allthem new fangled balls and concerts.'
'Oh, and you believe that upon hear-say do you, father?' cried Tim,sneeringly.
'Yes, to be sure, I do, Tim. When a man do say a thing that ha' got somesense in it, why should no' I believe un, Tim?'
Juliet, who from what had preceded, had concluded the Baronet to begone, earnestly now pressed Mr Tedman to fulfil his kind engagement; butin vain: Mr Gooch brought his best silver tankard, to insist upon hiscousin's drinking success to the new purchase, that occasioned thejunket; and Tim was outrageous at the proposal of retiring, just as thefeats were going to commence. 'Before five minutes are over,' said he,'the pig will begin!'
'Well,' answered Mr Tedman, 'it is but a silly thing, to be sure, thingsof that sort; and I never give my mind to them; but still, as it's athing I never saw, put in case you've no objections, we'll just stay forthe pig, my dear.'
Flora, having now gathered that _the quality_ meant Sir Lyell Sycamore,began dancing and singing, in a childish extacy of delight, that shewedher already, in idea, Lady Sycamore, when, turning to Juliet with suddenand angry recollection, her smiles, gaiety, and capering gave way to abitter fit of crying, and she exclaimed, 'But if he is here, it will benothing to me, I dare say, if Miss Ellis is here the while; for he won'tlook at me, almost, when she is by: will he? For some people play one sofalse, that one might as well be as ugly as the cat, almost, when theyare in the way.'
'Don't be fretted, Miss Flora,' cried young Gooch, soothingly; 'for Ishall ask Miss Ellis to dance myself; for as I shall begin the hop,because of its being our own, I think I've a good right to chuse mypartner; so don't be fretted, so, Miss Flora, for you'll have theBaronight left to you whether he will or no! But come; don't let's losetime; if you'll follow me, you won't want sport, I can tell you; for thebeginning's to be a syllabub under the cow.'
Flora was not too proud to accept this consolation; but J
ulietpositively declared that she should not dance; and earnestly entreatedthat some one might be found to conduct her to Mrs Pierson's.
Flora, recovering her spirits, with the hopes of getting rid of herrival, whispered, 'If you're in real right earnest, Miss Ellis, anddon't say you want to go, only to make a fool of me, which I shall takepretty unkind, I assure you; why I can shew you the way so as you can'tmiss it, if you'd never so. And I'm sure I shall be glad enough to haveyou go, if I must needs speak without a compliment. Only don't tellmamma who's here, for she don't like persons of quality, she says,because of their bad designs; but I'm sure if she was to hear 'em talkas I do, she'd think quite another opinion: wouldn't she?'
Fortunately for the intentions of Juliet, which were instantly to makeknown to Mrs Pierson the new danger of her daughter, Flora waited notfor any answer to this injunction; but set out, prattling incessantly asthey went on, to put the willing Juliet on her way to Lewes.
The cry, however, from young Gooch, of 'Come! Where are the youngladies? The pig's ready!' caught the ears of Flora, with charm not to beresisted; and, hastily pointing out a style, to pass into the meadow,and another, to pass thence to the high road, she capered briskly back;fearing to miss some of the sport, if not a seat next to the Baronet.