_The Vigil._
"That's as good-looking a young Man," says my _Father_, "as ever I
saw--quite a Mate for _Gatty_."
"Hush, _Father_, he'll hear you," says _Prue_ softly.
"He can't," says _Father_, lowering his Voice, however.
"How provoking it must be to _Gatty_," says _Prue_, "to know he is
here, and yet be kept in attendance on my Lady!"
"Tush, Child, she'd rather know he was here than not.... Well, Mr.
_Heavitree_," (when our Visitor returned,) "have you considered where
you are to get a Bed to-night?"
"Why, no, Sir, really I have not."
"Then I'll tell you! You may take your Choice of all the Beds in this
House except Lady _Betty's_; for we are all going to sit up!"
"Why, then, Sir, with your Leave, I'll sit up too!"
"Do so, young Gentleman, and welcome. You see, we have quality Lodgers
in the House, who keep late Hours; and as they require a good Deal of
waiting on, we think it best to sit up--'Tis but for one Night."
"Besides which," put in my _Mother_, "though we are not ourselves
apprehensive of an Earthquake this Night any more than any other, yet
having such a fresh Recollection of the Terror we experienced during
the last Shock, and knowing that so many Thousands of People are in
distressing Apprehension of a similar and more terrible Occurrence, it
seems unfeeling to think of sleeping and taking one's natural Rest,
instead of watching with others, and sympathising with them."
"I think precisely as you do, Madam," said Mr. _Heavitree_; "I assure
you that though I am not of those who expect the Earthquake, I am
disposed for Anything but Levity, and feel this to be an impressive
Occasion."
So, this being his acknowledged Feeling, we sate about the Fire
and fell into a somewhat graver Strain of Conversation than usual;
and I was glad to find that the young Man could talk seriously as
well as pleasantly. Though he had not let fall a Word about want of
Refreshment, I knew he must have been fasting for some Time, and
therefore helped him plentifully to cold Beef with his Tea and Bread
and Butter, which he pronounced very acceptable. While he was eating,
_Gatty_ returned, all Smiles, and said, "I am glad to see you doing so
well, Mr. _Heavitree_!" but just as he had made Room for her beside
him, tinkle went the Bell, and away she was obliged to run again.
"Can't we muffle that Bell?" says he, somewhat impatiently.
"Then my _Lady_ would hammer on the Floor," said I, "and would keep her
up-Stairs altogether."
"Yes," says _Father_, "that would answer as ill as the two Housemaids
in _Æsop's_ Fables, that killed the Cock for waking their Mistress."
"Well," says Mr. _Heavitree_, "it won't be for long, that's one
Blessing. Her Time's up on Monday, and I shall stay in Town till then,
and take her down with me in the old Coach."
"I hope you won't have so many overturns this Time," said my _Mother_.
"Why, no," said he smiling, "we can dispense with them now; but I
protest that Snow-Journey was the pleasantest I ever had in my Life."
"You are going to possess a Treasure, Sir," said my _Father_
energetically.
"Indeed I think so, Sir! I was not aware you so well knew her Value."
"Always took to her, Mr. _Heavitree_, from the very first; Didn't I,
Girls?"
"Indeed you did, _Father_."
"And when is it to be?" says my _Father_ significantly.
"Nay, Sir," said Mr. _Heavitree_ with a little Embarrassment, "I've not
got _Gatty_ to name the Day yet, but I hope it will be before long; and
as my Sister _Clarissa_ is shortly to be married, which will deprive
_Roaring House_ of its present Mistress, perhaps we may arrange to have
two Weddings on the same Day."
"Was that poor Wayfarer found under the Snow?" said my _Mother_.
"Oh no, Ma'am, we conclude she accomplished her Journey in Safety."
By-and-by, _Gatty_ joined us again; and we all sate chatting till
Twelve o'Clock. Then my _Lady's_ Supper went up, and then we had our
own; a pretty substantial one, as watching makes People hungry.
After Supper, we, according to Custom, had Prayers; and I thought
it not amiss to select for our Evening Portion the twenty-fourth
Chapter of St. _Matthew_, which speaks of Famines, Pestilences, and
Earthquakes. After this, we again drew round the Fire; for Watching
makes people chilly: and Mr. _Heavitree_ began to repeat some Reports
he had gathered, of the wretched State our Gaols were in, at that
Time, overflowing with the Refuse of our Army and Navy, who, for Want
of honest Employment, were perishing miserably amidst the Stench and
Horrors of noisome Dungeons.
"That they are," says my _Father_; "and as for _Newgate_, it is now in
so pestilential a State of Infection from the overcrowding together of
dirty, starving Felons, that the Effluvium they have brought into Court
on their Trials hath cost us the Lives of a Lord Mayor, an Alderman,
two Judges, divers Lawyers, the greater Part of the Jury, and I know
not how many of the Bystanders. This Spread of the Gaol Fever among the
upper Classes will do more to get the Abuse remedied than the Deaths of
Hundreds of Criminals in their Cells; but yet I can't for the Life of
me help regretting that so many able-bodied Men, whose Labour might be
serviceable to the Community, should be idling at the public Expense in
Prison."
Mr. _Heavitree_ was silent, and _Gatty_ presently asked him what he was
musing about. He said, "Those Rogues who pulled me into the dark Cellar
said I was not the right Man. I was wondering if they have found him
yet, and what they have done to him."
This led to sundry dismal Stories, of Footpads and Street-Assassins;
and of Lord _Harborough's_ being beset by Robbers in _Piccadilly_ in
broad Daylight, and one of the Chairmen pulling a Pole out of his
_Lordship's_ Chair and knocking down one of the Villains, while the
Earl, leaping out, and drawing his Sword, put the Rest to flight. Then
we wondered whether Times could get worse, and whether they would ever
mend, and whether the next Generation would listen to such Facts as
idle Tales, or whether Abuses would increase to that Degree as to bring
down a Providential Judgment on the City, like that which overtook
_Gomorrah_, or like that which we were now expecting.
Soon after this, my _Father_ fell fast asleep, and my _Mother_ began
to nod. _Prudence_ was knitting with all her Might, and I took up my
_Mother's_ Knotting, and on Pretence of getting nearer the Light,
edged my Chair further off from _Gatty_, who continued conversing
with Mr. _Heavitree_ in an under Tone, which became lower and lower.
I am persuaded neither of them felt in the least sleepy, nor had the
smallest Apprehensions of the Earthquake; but _Prue_ yawned awfully
from Time to Time, and I was profoundly silent and very serious.
All at once, Lady _Betty's_ Bell rang violently, and _Gatty_ ran up
Stairs. The Wax Lights had burned out, and at first it seemed that
there were no others, which put my _Lady_ into a sad Taking. The Idea
of her being _left in the Dark with an Earthquake_! Happily, another
Pacquet of Wax Candles was found, and, after Ratafia had been served
round, they fell to their Card-playing again; but _Gatty_ affirmed that
my _Lady_ changed Colour, and laid down her Hand on Mr. _Sandys's_
roguishly shaking the Table.
At Length, all the Clocks struck Five; at which Hour everybody
conceived themselves safe, as witlessly as they had previously held
themselves to be in Danger. The Card-Party now broke up; _Gatty_
went to undress my _Lady_, and I went to lock out the Gentlemen, who
departed in a Body, looking fagged and haggard enough. Just as Mr.
_Caryl_ was going forth, he paused for a Moment and said, "By-the-bye,
this is where Mr.--Mr. what's his Name? Mr. _Fenwick_ lodged--Can you
tell me where he is at present, Mrs. _Patty_?"
I coolly answered, "With his poor People in _Shoreditch_, Sir."
"_Shoreditch? Shoreditch?_ Ha, I'll try to remember that," says he
carelessly; and turned on his Heel. I thought to myself, I don't
believe you will; your Cue is to forget.
Then I went to get my _Father_ and _Mother_ to Bed, and send off
_Prue_, and lastly, to go to Bed myself. As for Mr. _Heavitree_, he
was content with a couple of Chairs by the Fire. _Gatty_ slept with my
_Lady_, who did not feel brave enough to be alone.
The Watch made us all latish, and arise yawnish. _Peter_ told me
the Roads were all astir before Light, with People returning to
their Homes; and that the Preachers were trying to enforce on their
Penitents that they had had an Answer to Prayer. Lady _Betty_ did not
rise till Noon; what with her Vapours, her Whims, and her Breakfast,
she did not depart till two o'Clock. We had scarcely a Word of _Gatty_,
but she ran in to us just at last, and kissed us all round, taking
Leave of us once for all, and receiving our good Wishes for her future
Happiness with many Blushes and Smiles. Mr. _Heavitree_ had already
gone off; and as soon as we had tidied my _Lady's_ Rooms, we all
subsided into our usual Quiet.
The following Day, about Noon, I was behind the Counter, when I
received a great Shock by hearing a Customer say casually, "Dr. _Elwes_
is dead--he went off quite suddenly at six this Morning."
I could hardly go on weighing some Comfits, the Tears crowded so fast
into my Eyes at the unexpected Loss of our old Friend. I remained but
to have the ill News confirmed and gather the Particulars, and then
went up to break them to my _Mother_, who was sitting with my _Father_
in their own Chamber. She was a good deal affected, and my _Father_
undertook the Office of Consoler with great Kindliness. After a While
I went down and asked _Prue_, who felt less Concern than I did for the
_Doctor_, to take my Place a little While in the Shop. Then I went and
sate down in the Parlour, and thought over his various Acts of Kindness
to me, and shed some Tears of unaffected Regret. He had never been a
decidedly religious Character, but was much liked by his Patients,
deservedly loved by the Poor, and to us had been a tried and valued
Friend.
While I was in this sorrowful Mood, in comes Mr. _Fenwick_, so flushed
with Exercise and good Spirits as to look quite handsome. Feeling so
low as I did just then, I did not reciprocate his Salutation quite so
cheerfully as he seemed to expect; and he, on his Part, on finding
that my _Father_ and _Mother_ were well, paid less Attention to my
Depression than he might have done; and, for the first Time in my Life,
I thought him a little selfish.
"I have some good News," said he.
"I am glad to hear it," said I, "for I have some bad News."
"What's that?" said he.
"Our dear Friend Dr. _Elwes_ is dead;" and I put the Corner of my Apron
to my Eyes.
"Well,--I am sorry to hear it," resumes he, after a Pause; "he was not,
I fear, a very thoughtful Man."
"A very _good_ Man," said I, warming.
"A very kindly, attentive Man in a Sick-room," says he, "and a pleasant
Companion, which is all I know about him."
"_We_ knew a good Deal more," said I, "and know that his Loss won't be
soon supplied. We shall miss him very much. He was truly benevolent,
whatever you may think."
"I don't deny it, I assure you," said he, looking surprised at my Heat,
"I only wished there had been a more Christian Basis for his many good
Qualities."
"It is not very Christian, I think, to depreciate them, especially at a
Time like this."
"My dear _Patty_, I stand reproved. I did not sufficiently consider,
nor, indeed, sufficiently know the Wound your Feelings had just
experienced."
This touched me, and I said, "We will speak of it no more, Sir. I am
glad to see you looking so well. You told me, I think, you had heard
some good News."
"Yes, from Mr. _Caryl_."
"Quack!" said I hastily; losing my Temper and good Manners in my
revived Impression of that Gentleman's Duplicity and Hollowness.
"_Patty!_" said Mr. _Fenwick_, in a Tone of mild Surprise.
"I beg your Pardon, Sir," said I, ashamed of myself, "but you know I
never can hear that Gentleman's Name with Patience."
"I do know it," said he, smiling very pleasantly, "and should retort on
you the Accusation of Uncharitableness, or else endeavour to laugh you
out of your singular Prejudice against him, but that I feel Something
in it so flattering to myself, that I am disarmed. However, I have that
to tell you of him now, which will, I fancy, alter your Opinion."
"Nothing will alter my Opinion of him," persisted I, "no Good will ever
come to you from that Quarter."
"Why not?"
"Because I know him better than you do." He laughed.
"You may laugh, Sir," said I, "but you'll see in Time that I am right.
Have you seen him lately?"
"Not since I was in this House."
"Ah, well, I have seen him more than once--I've seen him and heard him
among his own Set, when he didn't know I was by, and he said Things
that ... convinced me he was a false Friend to you."
"What were those Things?"
"I'm not clear that I have a Right to repeat them."
"An accused Party has always a Right to have the Charge against him
substantiated. You are silent?--Well, Mrs. _Patty_, since you are so
inveterate against this poor Gentleman, I shall only irritate you, I am
afraid, by acquainting you with Anything in his Favour, and therefore
I'll keep my News to myself--"
"Just tell me one Thing--Has he sent you back your Poem?"
"My Poem! No--you know he accidently burnt that, Months ago."
"Pshaw!"
"You never will believe it," continued he laughing, "nor forgive him
for it. Why, _I_ have forgiven him, this long While; and if I have,
can't _you_?"
"No."
"Well, _Patty_, this Interest in the Fate of my unlucky Manuscript is,
as I have before told you, very gratifying to me; but still, I should
be more gratified if you would do Justice to an innocent Man."
"Why, he was here, the Night before last, Sir! and from the careless
Way in which he inquired for you, I could see he did not value you a
Straw! I really wonder at you, Mr. _Fenwick_."
"Nay, I must say I wonder at _you_, Mrs. _Patty_; but since we are
getting rather too warm upon it, I'll wish you Good-bye for the
Present, and converse with you some other Time on what is in my Mind,
but which I fear would just now meet with an unfavourable Hearing."
Saying which, he took up his Hat, and was going away quite formally,
when, turning short about, he looked full into my Face for a Minute,
and said with an inexpressible Sweetness of Reproach:
"Why, _Patty_! I didn't think you could be so cross!"
[Illustration]