Father still dutifully submissive at home--Abroad, I am splitting
a straw in arguments with Susannah about straw bonnets--The rest
of the Chapter contains coquetry, courting, and costumes.
It was some time before we were sufficiently composed to enter into
conversation, and then I tried my utmost to please him. Still, there was
naturally a restraint on both sides, but I was so particular and devoted
in my attentions, so careful of giving offence, that when he complained
of weariness, and a wish to retire, he stipulated that I should be with
him to breakfast on the next morning.
I hastened to Mr Masterton, although it was late, to communicate to him
all that had passed; he heard me with great interest. "Japhet," said he,
"you have done well--it is the proudest day of your life. You have
completely mastered him. The royal Bengal tiger is tamed. I wish you
joy, my dear fellow. Now I trust that all will be well. But keep your
own counsel, do not let this be known at Reading. Let them still imagine
that your father is as passionate as ever, which he will be, by-the-bye,
with everybody else. You have still to follow up your success, and leave
me to help you in other matters."
I returned home to the Piazza, and, thankful to Heaven for the events of
the day, I soon fell fast asleep, and dreamt of Susannah Temple. The next
morning I was early at the Adelphi hotel; my father had not yet risen,
but the native servants who passed in and out, attending upon him, and
who took care to give me a wide berth, had informed him that "Burra
Saib's" son was come, and he sent for me. His leg was very painful and
uncomfortable, and the surgeon had not yet made his appearance. I
arranged it as before, and he then dressed, and came out to breakfast.
I had said nothing before the servants, but as soon as he was comfortable
on the sofa I took his hand, and kissed it, saying, "Good morning, my
dear father; I hope you do not repent of your kindness to me yesterday."
"No, no; God bless you, boy. I've been thinking of you all night."
"All's right," thought I; "and I trust to be able to keep it so."
I shall pass over a fortnight, during which I was in constant attendance
upon my father. At times he would fly out in a most violent manner, but I
invariably kept my temper, and when it was all over, would laugh at him,
generally repeating and acting all which he had said and done during his
paroxysm. I found this rather dangerous ground at first, but by degrees
he became used to it, and it was wonderful how it acted as a check upon
him. He would not at first believe but that I exaggerated, when the
picture was held up to his view and he was again calm. My father was not
naturally a bad-tempered man, but having been living among a servile
race, and holding high command in the army, he had gradually acquired a
habit of authority and an impatience of contradiction which was
unbearable to all around. Those who were high-spirited and sensitive
shunned him; the servile and the base continued with him for their own
interests, but trembled at his wrath. I had during this time narrated to
my father the events of my life, and, I am happy to say, had, by
attention and kindness joined with firmness and good temper, acquired a
dominion over him. I had at his request removed to the hotel, and lived
with him altogether. His leg was rapidly arriving to a state of
convalescence, and he now talked of taking a house and setting up his
establishment in London. I had seen but little of Mr Masterton during
this time, as I had remained in-doors in attendance upon the general. I
had written once to Mr Cophagus, stating how I was occupied, but saying
nothing about our reconciliation. One morning, Mr Masterton called upon
us, and after a little conversation with the general, he told me that
he had persuaded Mr Cophagus and his wife to leave Reading and come to
London, and that Susannah Temple was to come with them.
"On a visit?" inquired I. "No, not on a visit. I have seen Cophagus, and
he is determined to cut the Quakers, and reside in London altogether."
"What! does he intend to return to the pomps and vanities of this wicked
world?"
"Yes, I believe so, and his wife will join him. She has no objection to
decorate her pretty person."
"I never thought that she had--but Susannah Temple--"
"When Susannah is away from her friends, when she finds that her sister
and brother-in-law no longer wear the dress, and when she is constantly
in your company, to all which please to add the effect I trust of my
serious admonitions, she will soon do as others do, or she is no woman.
This is all my plan, and leave it to me--only play your part by seeing
as much of her as you can."
"You need not fear that," replied I.
"Does your father know of your attachment?" inquired Mr Masterton.
"No, I passed her over without mentioning her name," replied I. "It is
too soon yet to talk to him about my marrying; in fact, the proposal
must, if possible, come from him. Could not you manage that?"
"Yes, I will if I can; but, as you say, wait awhile. Here is their
address--you must call to-morrow, if you can; and do you think you can
dine with me on Thursday?"
"Yes, if the general continues improving; if not, I will send you word."
The next day I complained of a headache, and said, that I would walk out
until dinner-time. I hastened to the address given me by Mr Masterton,
and found that Mr Cophagus and his wife were out, but Susannah remained
at home. After our first questions, I inquired of her how she liked
London.
"I am almost afraid to say, Japhet, at least to you; you would only
laugh at me."
"Not so, Susannah; I never laugh when I know people are sincere."
"It appears to me, then, to be a vanity fair."
"That there is more vanity in London than in any other city, I grant,"
replied I; "but recollect, that there are more people and more wealth.
I do not think that there is more in proportion than in other towns in
England, and if there is more vanity, Susannah, recollect also that
there is more industry, more talent, and I should hope a greater
proportion of good and honest people among its multitudes; there is also,
unfortunately, more misery and more crime."
"I believe you are right, Japhet. Are you aware that Mr Cophagus has put
off his plain attire?"
"If it grieves you, Susannah, it grieves me also; but I presume he finds
it necessary not to be so remarkable."
"For him, I could find some excuse; but what will you say, Japhet, when
I tell you that my own sister, born and bred up to our tenets, hath also
deviated much from the dress of the females of our sect?"
"In what hath she made an alteration?"
"She has a bonnet of plaited straw with ribbons."
"Of what colour are the ribbons?"
"Nay, of the same as her dress--of grey."
"Your bonnet, Susannah, is of grey silk; I do not see that there is
vanity in descending to straw, which is a more homely commodity. But
what reason has she given?"
"That her husband wills it, as he does not like to walk out with her
in her Quaker's dress."
"Is it not her duty to obey her husband, even as I obey my father,
Susannah?--but I am not ashamed to walk out with you in your dress; so
if you have no objection, let me show you a part of this great city."
Susannah consented; we had often walked together in the town of Reading:
she was evidently pleased at what I said. I soon escorted her to Oxford
Street, from thence down Bond Street, and through all the most frequented
parts of the metropolis. The dress naturally drew upon her the casual
glance of the passengers, but her extreme beauty turned the glance to an
ardent gaze, and long before we had finished our intended walk, Susannah
requested that I would go home. She was not only annoyed but almost
alarmed at the constant and reiterated scrutiny which she underwent,
ascribing it to her dress, and not to her lovely person. As soon as we
returned I sat down with her.
"So I understand that Mr Cophagus intends to reside altogether in London."
"I have not heard so; I understood that it was business which called him
hither for a few weeks. I trust not, for I shall be unhappy here."
"May I ask why?"
"The people are rude--it is not agreeable to walk out."
"Recollect, my dear Susannah, that those of your sect are not so plentiful
in London as elsewhere, and if you wear a dress so different from other
people, you must expect that curiosity will be excited. You cannot blame
them--it is you who make yourself conspicuous, almost saying to the people
by your garment, 'Come, and look at me.' I have been reflecting upon what
Mr Masterton said to you at Reading, and I do not know whether he was not
right in calling it a garb of pride instead of a garb of humility."
"If I thought so, Japhet, even I would throw it off," replied Susannah.
"It certainly is not pleasant that every one should think that you walk
out on purpose to be stared at, yet such is the ill-natured construction
of the world, and they will never believe otherwise. It is possible, I
should think, to dress with equal simplicity and neatness, to avoid gay
colours, and yet to dress so as not to excite observation."
"I hardly know what to say, but that you all appear against me, and that
sometimes I feel that I am too presumptuous in thus judging for myself."
"I am not against you, Susannah; I know you will do what you think is
right, and I shall respect you for that, even if I disagree with you; but
I must say, that if my wife were to dress in such a way as to attract the
public gaze, I should feel too jealous to approve of it. I do not,
therefore, blame Mr Cophagus for inducing his pretty wife to make some
alteration in her attire, neither do I blame but I commend her for
obeying the wishes of her husband. Her beauty is his, and not common
property."
Susannah did not reply; she appeared very thoughtful.
"You disagree with me, Susannah," said I, after a pause; "I am sorry for
it."
"I cannot say that I do, Japhet; I have learned a lesson this day, and,
in future, I must think more humbly of myself, and be more ruled by the
opinions and judgment of others."
Mr and Mrs Cophagus then came in. Cophagus had resumed his medical coat
and waistcoat, but not his pantaloons or Hessians: his wife, who had a
very good taste in dress, would not allow him. She was in her grey silk
gown, but wore a large handsome shawl, which covered all but the skirts;
on her head she had a Leghorn bonnet, and certainly looked very pretty.
As usual, she was all good-humour and smiles. I told them that we had
been walking out, and that Susannah had been much annoyed by the staring
of the people.
"Always so," said Cophagus, "never mind--girls like it--feel pleased--and
so on."
"You wrong me much, brother Cophagus," replied Susannah, "it pained me
exceedingly."
"All very well to say so--know better--sly puss--will wear dress--people
say, pretty Quaker--and so on."
Susannah hastily left the room after this attack, and I told them what
had passed.
"Mrs Cophagus," said I, "order a bonnet and shawl like yours for her,
without telling her, and perhaps you will persuade her to put them on."
Mrs Cophagus thought the idea excellent, and promised to procure them.
Susannah not making her re-appearance, I took leave and arrived at the
hotel in good time for dinner.
"Japhet," said the general to me as we were at table, "you have mentioned
Lord Windermear very often, have you called upon him lately?"
"No, sir, it is now two years and more since I have seen him. When I was
summoned to town to meet you, I was too much agitated to think of
anything else, and since that I have had too much pleasure in your
company."
"Say, rather, my good boy, that you have nursed me so carefully that you
have neglected your friends and your health. Take my carriage to-morrow,
and call upon him, and after that, you had better drive about a little,
for you have been looking pale these last few days. I hope to get out
myself in a short time, and then we will have plenty of amusement
together in setting up our establishment."