As Elizabeth was stepping into the chaise she suddenly recollected the
trunk; and turning to the nurse, desired it might be instantly corded,
and given to the driver. A man who was standing at the hall door
exclaimed, "but we must first search it."
"Search it, then," cried Elizabeth, haughtily, "but do not detain us in
the cold."
"Cold, forsooth!" said the man; "I wonder what people would be at, with
their fine carriages! I shall take my own time, I can assure you,
ma'am, though your feathers are so high!"
"There is no arguing with vulgar, obstinate people," said Elizabeth, as
she drew up the chaise window; she did not consider, that civility is
due to every person; it is, however, too much the case with young ladies
that they think they have a right to command with authority, and,
however unreasonable, that their command must be obeyed.
Elizabeth saw that her pupil was too deeply affected to answer any
questions, therefore during the ride remained silent. In the evening,
however, Miss Damer mentioned that her father had left the kingdom, and
with a trembling voice added, "there are circumstances, ma'am, which it
would not become me to reveal; when Mrs. Adair returns home, as far as I
am at liberty, I will explain the cause of our distress."
"Not another word upon the subject," cried Elizabeth; "I was not
attending to you, for this teasing kitten has ruffled all my silks."
Elizabeth turned the kitten out of the room, and began to put her
netting balls in order, saying at the time, "what have I to do with your
father's affairs, my dear? I will not hear any family secrets; for I do
not love secrets of any kind. You are in the house of friends: therefore
try to be happy. My mother and sister never make professions: by their
actions you must judge them. For my part, I would rather have one act
of kindness than a thousand promises, or words of praise and comfort.
But come and assist me with my silk, for I can do no good with it."
Elizabeth wrote the particulars to Mrs. Adair, and finished her letter
with the hope that the promise she had given to their pupil, of having a
home with them, would not be disapproved.
Mrs. Adair received this letter with some degree of displeasure. She was
not one who was generous for worldly fame; she justly considered that
her pupil's friends were the most proper persons to provide for her, and
lost no time in calling at her late residence. On her arrival at the
house, she found all the shutters closed; an elderly female, however,
at the moment stopped and unlocked the door, who proved to be the nurse
Elizabeth had seen.
Mrs. Adair followed her into the house, which was quite desolate: not a
piece of furniture was remaining. She inquired if Miss Damer had any
relations or friends to take care of her. "No, indeed, madam," said the
nurse; "her mother's sister is the only near relation, and she has
married somebody. It was a sad day for my poor young lady! she was
stupified with grief! Her father fled--and the sheriff's officers in the
house! All things were in confusion! chairs in one place, carpets upon
dining-room tables, satin curtains upon the floor, nothing in its
place; and then to see the nice things my good mistress had once so
highly prized, handled so roughly! Ah, madam, ladies little think, when
they are so delicate in handling their finery, into what brutish hands
it may fall at last! But a happy thing it was, that my mistress did not
live to see the confusion."
"The young lady!" said Mrs. Adair; "other affairs I have not any thing
to do with."
"My young lady, madam! Ah, from a child she knew the right from wrong;
but sorrowful was her life, after her mamma's death. She was no
squanderer of her father's money--she knew the value of every thing; no
waste, no scantiness was her mode. But it was a sad day when she ceased
to rule in her father's house. O, Madam, I have seen her so treated! But
it will come home at last to those who have triumphed in their
wickedness; justice overtakes sinners in the long-run."
Mrs. Adair now inquired if Miss Damer had heard from her father.
"No, Madam; nor dare he return to England; he is too profligate to think
of any person but himself, and the painted, gaudy creature and her
children who are gone with him. But I hope my young lady will find a
friend with you, Madam, for I am sure you are Mrs. Adair."
Mrs. Adair told her to make herself easy respecting Miss Damer, and
desired she would go down and spend a day at her house. "It will be a
satisfaction to the young lady to see you," she added.
Scarcely was Mrs. Adair seated, on the evening she returned home, when
Elizabeth, in a tone of fretful impatience, asked "why her letter had
not been answered?"
"I pass over your question," said Mrs. Adair, "to ask why you did not
consult me, respecting a provision for Miss Damer?"
"It was impossible! I could not keep her in a state of suspense."
"But do you consider, that bills must be discharged, and that servants'
wages and taxes must be paid, before we make even an ideal division of
the sums we are to receive from parents? And for Miss Damer, we shall
not receive sixpence! And who is to pay for the harp, the pelisse, the
bonnet, and the books that her father requested us to purchase? Likewise
her washing bills, and many other extras, which of course add to the
account."
"O, my dear mother," said Elizabeth with astonishment, "I could not have
supposed that you would have thought of these petty things."
"I have more than thought, for they have dwelt upon my mind. Great
affairs women seldom have anything to do with; it is in the petty,
every-day concerns of life, that we are called upon to be prudent. How
many men date their troubles to the thoughtless extravagance and want
of economy in a wife! But, for the sake of bringing the subject home to
your own bosom, we will suppose that you are a young married woman."
Elizabeth blushed, and was attempting to speak, but Mrs. Adair checked
her. "You receive your friends, and return your parties in bridal
finery; one excursion takes place of another, and gaiety upon gaiety
succeeds; this passes over, and with faded dresses, faded looks begin.
At least, care sits a little heavy on your husband's brow; he perceives
that you are deficient in all the requisites for a good wife; and when
he looks round the uncomfortable apartment in which he is seated, his
thoughts naturally revert to the home of his youth, and his prudent,
excellent mother; you are too much the lady to attend to domestic
concerns. 'Servants receive high wages: and they must do their duty.'
And what is their duty? Just to please themselves; and tease you for
money for trifles, and to go to market. You supply all their wants,
without considering what is wasted, and what is really wanted.
"Next we will suppose that a young family demands your aid: nay, your
constant care. 'But the fatigue, and the bustle, and the noise of
children distract you,' Poor, helpless little things; they have not
reason to take care of themselves: additional servants must therefore
be engaged. And they are constantly with nurses, who sometimes coax
them, sometimes beat them, and sometimes scold them; so, through their
mother's idleness, they learn many vicious tricks. Evil grows upon evil.
Through your extravagance, and your husband's misfortunes, you are
brought to beggary. How do you like this picture?"
"O, mother! you do not think so ill of me! I would do every thing, and
submit to every inconvenience, rather than involve the man I should
marry in misery."
"Depend upon it, Elizabeth, people live in an ideal world, when they do
not think of proper ways and means to provide for a family. The word
liberal, in its modern sense, means profuseness to needy adventurers,
and idle friends; indifference to the nearest and dearest ties,
originate in this misapplied term. A liberal spirit runs into debt to
honest tradesmen, and with an unruffled countenance hears of their
bankruptcy. The liberal treat as lords, when they know they are only
beggars. Believe me, the most estimable characters are those with whom
there is the least tendency to this overflowing prodigality of kindness.
It is, however, my wish to serve Miss Damer. She shall be educated for a
governess. But let us not neglect the old despised adage: 'Be just
before you are generous.'"