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-by, 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 Sahib'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 head-ache, 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
much deviated from the dress of the females of our sect?"
"In what hath she made an alteration?"
"She has a bonnet of plaited straw with ribands."
"Of what colour are the ribands?"
"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 everyone 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 learnt 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."