_Lady Betty's Fright._
"However that may be, _Gatty_," said I, "'tis certain you and I have
not the Power of rectifying Abuses, and must take Things as we find
them; but you must console yourself with thinking your Trial will
probably not be long, for I'll wager a Pound you'll be married within
the Twelvemonth."
"Who to?" says she, opening her Eyes wide.
"Nay, I can't tell that," said I, "but you are not the Sort of Girl to
be overlooked."
She smiled sadly and said, "You are only speaking at Random, nor have
I any Wish to be married, any further than I should like almost any
Condition better than my own. But now, tell me, _Patty_, is it not a
bad State of Things when young Women are so placed as that they are
tempted to look to Marriage as an Escape?"
"Certainly it is," said I; "but yet, _Gatty_, let me tell you, your
Condition might be many Degrees worse than it now is. Nay, if you had
been born and bred to Servitude, you might even consider you had a
tolerable Place; 'tis your gentler Birth and Bringing-up that makes
the Collar so hard to wear. Suppose, for Instance, Lady _Betty_, in
addition to her Caprice and Frivolity, had the Sufferings, Infirmities,
and confirmed Ill-Humours of old Age? Or suppose she were married to a
troublesome Husband? Or, even as she is, that she were a Martyr to some
irritating Complaint?"
"Then I would nurse her with Pity and Patience," says _Gatty_.
"However, 'tis no use supposing this and the other--I must take my Lot
and make the best of it; only I sometimes envy the Shop-Girls behind
the poorest Counter, for methinks they have more Exercise and Variety,
and have at least their Sundays to themselves; whereas, 'e'en Sunday
shines no Sabbath-Day to me.'"
I had a Word on my Lips as to what the Shop-Women might have to say on
the other Side of the Question; but Time pressed, and I was obliged to
run down Stairs to see the Milk sent out.
After Breakfast, Mr. _James_ the Footman made his Appearance in Undress
Livery, carrying a small Trunk, and requested to see Mrs. _Gatty_. When
she appeared, "Mrs. _Gatty_," says he--"dear me, how you've fallen
away! you must have been ill indeed!... I was about to say, your
Billet to my _Lady_ threw us into sad Confusion Yesterday. I carried
it to her on a Salver, and she, not knowing who sent it, opened it
carelessly, when, seeing your Name, she dropped it like a red-hot Coal,
and fell back on her Settee, crying to me to throw the Billet in the
Fire. But then called me back to bid me look in it first, and see what
you said, she smelling to her Scent-Bottle all the While. When I told
her _Ladyship_ the Contents, she said she would by no Means have you
back yet, it would be highly dangerous, and perhaps cost many precious
Lives; that you had better go down somewhere into the Country, to your
Home, in short, till you got thoroughly disinfected; and after that she
would let you know her Mind about you. So I have brought your Trunk,
and your Half-Year's Wages; and here are five Pounds to clear off your
Expenses here and pay for your Journey into the Country."
I never saw a Face light up with Joy as _Gatty's_ did, that Moment!
"Oh, this is delightful!" said she, "Thank you kindly, _James_, for
being the Bearer of such good Tidings! I have little Doubt that I shall
be quite strong and well after spending a Month at Home, and then I
will do as my _Lady_ pleases."
When the Man was gone, she pressed the five Pounds on my _Mother_, with
the humblest Expressions of Gratitude; but my _Mother_ would by no
Means take it. At length it was decided to inclose three Pounds in a
Packet to Dr. _Elwes_, not to be sent to him till _Gatty_ was gone; and
the other two would pay her Journey, outside the Coach, to her native
Place, so that my Lady _Betty's_ Bounty but just cleared Expenses.
_Gatty_ was now in the gayest Spirits, and whereas she had hitherto
seemed rather a quiet Girl, she was now talking incessantly. There
was Something moving in witnessing the Joy she experienced in looking
forward to seeing her Mother, and the Glee with which she spoke of her
little Brothers and Sisters, the Dog, the Cat, the most trivial Thing
connected with Home. For Instance, "_Pussy_," she would say, "you are
handsomer than our old Tortoiseshell; and yet I would not exchange old
_Tibby_ for you." "How glad _Towler_ will be to see me! I fancy him at
the Gate, wagging his Tail. He is deaf, and has lost most of his Teeth,
but I hope he is not so blind but what he will know me again."
As her Luggage was but light, I made her find Room for a small but
very rich Plum-Cake, a present from my _Mother_ to hers, and also some
Gingerbread-Nuts for the Children.
In the Afternoon, a Boatman stepped into the Shop with some
Boat-Cloaks, saying that Mr. and Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ were coming up
from the Water-Side to take Tea in our Gardens. I knew not the young
Gentleman was married; and indeed he was not so, but his Companion
proved to be his Aunt; the quietest, sweetest-looking old Lady I ever
set Eyes on. The Sky having clouded over, we had little Company
that Afternoon; I set their Table in our nicest Arbour, and had
Pleasure in serving them myself, and providing them with the freshest
_Shrewsbury_ Cakes and lightest Buns. They seemed on the pleasantest of
Terms together; the young Man's Attention to the old _Lady_, without
fulsomeness, was very agreeable to see; and their Conversation was
somewhat above the common Run. Towards the Conclusion of their Repast,
a Rain-Shower came on, which alarmed Mrs. _Arbuthnot_, and made her
request Shelter in the House. I instantly shewed them into our Parlour;
where _Gatty_, having finished her Packing, was embroidering an Apron
which _Prue_ had commenced for my _Mother_, but had got tired of
before it was half done. _Gatty_ was such a superior Needlewoman that
her Work, besides being done so quickly, put _Prudence's_ quite to
shame; the Leaves, Flowers, and Sprigs seemed to grow under her nimble
Fingers. Old Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ watched her a little While, admiring her
Facility; and then raising her Eyes from _Gatty's_ white Hands to her
almost as white Face, "You look very delicate, young Woman," says she.
"Oh, Ma'am, I'm a great deal better now; almost well," says _Gatty_,
scarcely looking up.
"Have you been very ill?"
"Yes, Madam, I have had a Fever."
"This is the young Person, Aunt," says Mr. _Arbuthnot_, "whom I
mentioned to you as having been taken ill, the Day of Lady _Betty's_
Folly."
"And are you going to return to Lady _Betty_?" says Mrs. _Arbuthnot_.
"No, Madam, I am going Home To-morrow; into the Country."
"The best Place for you, Child. Are you going into Service no more?"
"I wish it were so, Madam," said _Gatty_, hemming away a Sigh.
"I should think Lady _Betty's_ Place too hard for you; she goes out a
good deal."
"The Hours try me, Madam. I have been used always to go to Bed early."
"How early?" put in Mr. _Arbuthnot_.
"Nine o'clock, Sir."
"And now?--at Lady _Betty's_?"
"Not till Two or Three in the Morning; sometimes Four."
He shrugged his Shoulders, and drew in his Breath.
"My Dear," remonstrated Mrs. _Arbuthnot_ gently, "I am not sure we have
any Right to inquire into the Details of her _Ladyship's_ Household."
He smiled, and looked brimfull of Questions he wanted to ask.
"Perhaps some other Employment might be found less injurious to your
Health," resumed the old _Lady_. "You seem a skilful Embroidress. That
Pattern is charming; I should like to have it."
"I shall be very happy to copy it for you, Madam," said _Gatty_.
"Alas, Child, I could not work it if you would give it to me, unless
you gave me your Eyesight too! But I'll tell you what you might do for
me. You are going into the Country, you say. Probably you will there
have Leisure to work on your own Account."
"Oh yes, Madam!"
"Work me a Set of Aprons, then, as your Time and Strength permit; I
will Pay you for your Trouble when they are finished; but here is
Something for the Muslin and Silks, which I will get you to supply."
And she put Money into her Hand.
"I think I have some prettier Patterns than this up-Stairs, Madam,"
cried _Gatty_; and she flew up-Stairs, without at all regarding the
Trouble of unpacking her Box to get the Patterns, which were at the
very Bottom, in order to lie flat.
"There is Something very well-spoken and obliging about her," said Mrs.
_Arbuthnot_ to me. "Is she of respectable Condition?"
"Her _Father_, Madam, was a Country Curate, and died, leaving a
large young Family unprovided. Her _Mother_ is a distant Relation of
Lady _Betty's_. _Gatty_ became Lady _Betty's_ Maid, because no better
Independence offered to her, and she wanted to assist her _Mother_."
"Tut! tut! This is a sad Story--Surely Something more suitable might be
found."
"You spoke of an Embroidery-Shop, Madam--_we_ thought of that too, as
_Gatty_ is so clever, and can design as well as execute Patterns; but
my _Mother_ thought it would expose such a pretty, unprotected Girl,
thoughtless and ignorant of Evil, to many Temptations we had not taken
into the Account."
"The Clouds are breaking, now, Aunt," said Mr. _Arbuthnot_, returning
from the Garden-Door, where he had been apparently watching the
Weather, but very likely hearing none the less of what was said. "I
think we may shortly venture to return."
"Presently, my Dear. The young Person has gone to fetch me some
Patterns."
"By-the-by, Ma'am, would not such a young Person as Mrs. _Gatty_ be
very useful to you in the Parlour, writing your Notes, threading your
Needles, and making Tea for you? Mrs. _Rachael_ is getting past Work
now, and is not much of a Companion."
"My Dear, I have thought of it myself, but we will do Nothing hastily.
At present we will let Mrs. _Gatty_ go Home to recover her Health and
make my Aprons."
_Gatty_ at this Moment reappearing, no more was said, except about
the Patterns, which occasioned more Debate than Mr. _Arbuthnot_ could
reasonably be expected to listen to as patiently as he did. But perhaps
he was thinking of some other Matter all the Time. After this, they
went away.
Though there was now not much Daylight left, _Gatty_ knew she should
match the Muslin and Silks so much better in Town than in the Country,
that she resolved on going out to buy them; and I, to have all of
her Company I could, went with her. The Walk was a long one, but our
Spirits made us insensible of Fatigue, and the Weather after the Shower
was delightful. In the Evening Mr. _Fenwick_ reappeared, though not to
Tea, and asked us what he should read. "Oh, something cheerful, please,
Sir!" cried _Gatty_ hastily, which made us all laugh; but she said she
had no Mind to cry again before she went Home. So he read to us about
Sir _Roger de Coverly_.
At Night _Gatty_ was in such a nervous Fidget, she could scarce keep
still. She kept saying, "I hope to Goodness I shall not over-sleep
myself! Don't let me over-sleep myself!" I told her there was no
Danger, for I always could wake what Time I chose in the Morning, if
I resolved on it overnight; and I had already resolved I would wake,
and wake her, at Five. I told her I meant to see her off. She said,
"Oh, don't!" I said, "Yes, I shall--I want to see the Last of you, so
it's no Use speaking. Otherwise you may miss the Coach, and be returned
on our Hands like a bad Penny." She laughed, and said, "It is quite
insincere of me to pretend to wish you not to go, for I wish to have
you with me to the very Last; only it is such a Shame to give you so
much Fatigue and Trouble." I said, "People who really care for one
another, don't mind Fatigue and Trouble. Would not you do as much for
me?" "Yes, to be sure I would," says she.
"Very well, then," said I, "say no more about it, but let us get to
Sleep as fast as we can."
It was quite Dark when we got up next Morning, but every one was up,
to see _Gatty_ off. We all insisted on her making a hearty Breakfast,
and she declared that every Morsel seemed to stick in her Throat; so
that it was "most Haste, worst Speed." _Prue_ put her up a large
Packet of Sandwiches and Biscuits, saying she would find her Appetite
by-and-by; and my Mother pinned her Handkerchief closer at the Throat,
bidding her beware of Cold. I thought there would be no End to her
Leave-taking.--When she had kissed all round, she began again. "Am not
I to come in for my Share, Mrs. _Gatty_?" says my _Father_, who was
eating an Anchovy. "Oh yes, Sir," says she, laughing, and colouring a
little; and kissed him too.
"That's right," says he; "you're one of the right Sort--frank, without
being forward--A thorough nice Girl, out and out--I wish the World were
full of People like you."
"Thank you for all your Kindness, Sir," says she.
"Pooh," says he, "I've shown you no Kindness; the Women have, I grant
ye; all the better for both Parties."
"Come, _Gatty_," said I, "we shall lose the Coach." So off we set,
with _Peter_ carrying the Trunk.
When we reached the _Old Angel Inn_, a noisy Bell was ringing, enough
to deafen one; and a Man blowing a Horn out of the Window. The Coach
was already at the Door, and a Porter was shoving a very fat Woman into
it, to the apparent Disgust of a Gentleman wrapped in a Roquelaure,
who was already withinside. Then the Porter handed the old Woman a
Dram-Bottle, and a Puppy-Dog tied up in a red Handkerchief. A thin,
tall Gentlewoman in a velvet Hood and green Joseph next followed; and
two rough-looking Men got in last. On the Coach-Roof were two Men
hallooing and wanting to be off. In the Basket, where _Gatty_ was to
go, was an old Woman smoking a Pipe. We took our last Kiss--a hearty
one, and our last Look--a cheerful one; she scrambled up into the
Basket, which was a very awkward Appurtenance, and the lumbering old
Coach drove off, rocking and swaying from Side to Side like a Ship in
a Gale of Wind. Going under the Archway, one of the Men on the coved
Roof of the Vehicle got a severe Rap on the Head. He hallooed out
pretty loudly, but his Voice was drowned by the Horn.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]