66 CHAPTER LV. IN WHICH THE SAME SUBJECT IS PURSUED. They won't a give 'em up." said the man; there's a regular shinty in the house; and every thing at sixes and sevens. The landlord s come in and took possession. BECKY did not rally from the state of stuThe servants was a drinkin up in the draw-por and confusion in which the events of the ing-room. They said they said you had a previous night had plunged her intrepid gone off with the plate, colonel"-the man spirit, until the bel's of the Curzon-street added after a pause: Oue of the servants chapels were ringing for afternoon service; is off already. And Simpson, the man as and, rising from her bed, she began to ply was very no.sy and drunk indeed, says noth-her own bell, in order to summon the French ing shall go out of the house until his wages maid, who bad left her some hours before. is paid up." The account of this little revolution in May Fair astonished and gave a little gayety to an otherwise very triste conversation. The two officers laughed at Rawdon's discomfiture. Mrs. Rawdon Crawley rang many times in vain; and though, on the last occasion, she rang with such vehemence as to pull down the bell-rope, Mademoiselle Fifine did not make her appearance; no, not though her mistress, in a great pet, and with the I'm glad the little 'un isn't at home," bell-rope in her hand, came out to the landRawdon said, biting his nails. You re-ing-place, with her hair over her shoulders, member him, Mac, don't you, in the Riding and screamed out repeatedly for her attendSchool? How he sat the kicker, to be ant. sure! didn't he?" "That he did, old boy," said the good natured captain. The truth is, she had quitted the premises for many hours, and upon that permission which is called French leave among us. Little Rawdon was then sitting, one of After picking up the trinkets in the drawfifty gown-boys, in the Chapel of White-ing-room, Mademoiselle had ascended to her friars School: thinking, not about the sermon, but about going home next Saturday, when his father would certainly tip him, and perhaps would take him to the play. He's a regular trump, that boy," the father went on, still musing about his son, "I say, Mac, if any thing goes wrong-if I drop-I should like you to go and see him, you know and say that I was very fond of him, and that. And-dash it-old chap, give him these gold sleeve buttons: it's all I've got. He covered his face with his black hands: over which the tears rolled and made furrows of white. Mr. Macmurdo had also occasion to take off his sila nightcap and rub it across his eyes. own apartments, packed and corded her own boxes there, tripped out and called a cab for herself, brought down her trunks with her own hand, and, without ever so much as asking the aid of any of the other servants, who would probably have refused it, as they hated her cordially, and without wishing any one of them good by, had made her exit from Curzon-street. The game, in her opinion, was over in that little domestic establishment. Fifine went off in a cab, as we have known more exalted persons of her nation to do under similar circumstances: but, more provident or lucky than these, she secured not only her own property, but some of her mistress's "Go down and order some breakfast," (if, indeed, that lady could be said to have he said to his mau, in a loud cheerful voice any property at all); and not only carried off What'll you have, Crawley? Some the trinkets before alluded to, and some fadeviled kidneys and a herring--let's say-vorite dresses on which she had long kept And, Clay, lay out some dressing things for the colonel: we were always pretty much of a size, Rawdon, my boy, and neither of us ride so light as we did when we first entered the corps." With which, and leaving the colonel to dress himself, Macmurdo turned round toward the wall, and resumed the perusal of Bell's Life, until such time as his friend's toilet was complete, and he was at liberty to commence his own. her eye, but four richly guilt Louis Quatorze candlesticks, six gilt Albums, Keepsakes, and Books of Beauty, a gold enameled snuff-box, which had once belonged to Madame du Barri, and the sweetest little inkstand and mother-of-pearl blotting book, which Becky used when she composed her charming little pink notes, had vanished from the premises in Curzon-street, together with Mademoi selle Fifine, and all the silver laid on the This, as he was about to meet a lord, table for the little festin which Rawdon inCaptain Macmurdo performed with partic-terrupted. The plated ware mademo sello He waxed his mustache into a left behind her as too cumbrous, probably, state of brilliant polish, and put on a tight for which reason, no doubt, she also left the cravat, and a trim buff wastcont: so that fire-irons, the chimney-glasses, and the roseall the young officers in the mess-room, wood cottage piano. whither Crawley had preceded his friend, complimented Mac on his appearance at breakfast, and asked if he was going to be married that Sunday. ular care. A lady very like her subsequently kept a milliner's shop in the Rue du Helder at Paris, where she lived with great credit, and enjoyed the patronage of my Lord Steyne. This person always spoke of England as of did not join. "He ain't a coming back," the most treacherous country in the world, Mr. Trotter resumed. He sent for his and stated to her young pupils that she had things, and I wouldn't let 'em go, although been affreusement volé by natives of that Mr. Raggles would: and I don't b'l eve he's island. It was no doubt compassion for her no more a colonel than I am. He's hof: misfortunes which induced the Marquis of and I suppose you're a goin' after him. Steyne to be so very kind to Madame de You're no better than swindlers, both on Saint Amaranthe. May she flourish as she you. Don't be a bullyin' me. I won't stand deserves-she appears no more in our quar-it. Pay us our seller.es, I say. Pay us our ter of Vanity Fair. selleries." It was evident, from Mr. Trot Hearing a buzz and a stir below, and indig-ter's flushed countenance and defective innant at the impudence of those servants who tonation, that he, too, had had recourse to would not answer her summons, Mrs. Craw-vinous stimulus. ley flung her morning robe round her, and descended majestically to the drawing-room, whence the noise proceeded. Mr. Raggles," said Becky, in a passion of vexation, you will not surely let me be insulted by that drunken man?” Hold your noise, Trotter; do, now," said Simpson, the page. He was affected by his mistress's deplorable situation, and succeeded in preventing an outrageous denial of the epithet “ drunken," on the footman's part. The cook was there with blackened face, seated on the beautiful chintz sofa by the side of Mrs. Raggles, to whom she was administering Maraschino. The page with the sugar-loaf buttons, who carried about Becky's pink notes, and jumped about her little car- "O mam," said Raggles, "I never thought riage with such alacrity, was now engaged to Lve to see this year day. I've known thẹ putting his fingers into a cream disn: the Crawley family ever since I was born. I footman was talking to Raggles, who had a Lved butler with Miss Crawley for thirty face full of perplexity and woe-and yet, years; and I little thought one of that fauthough the door was open, and Becky hadly was a goin' to ruing me-yes, ruing me” been screaming a half dozen of times a few said the poor fellow, with tears in his eyes. feet off, not one of her attendants had obeyed | her call. Have a little drop; do ee, now, Mrs. Raggles," the cook was saying as Becky entered, the white Cashmere dressing-gown flounc ng around her. Simpson! Trotter!" the mistress of the house cred, in great wrath. How dare you stay here when you heard me call How dare you sit down in my presence! Where's my maid?" The page withdrew his fingers from his mouth with a momentary terror: but the cook took off a glass of Maraschino, of which Mrs. Raggles had had enough, staring at Becky over the little gilt glass, as she drained its contents. The liq uor appeared to give the odious rebel courage. Your sofy, indeed!" Mrs. Cook said. "I'm a settin' on Mrs. Raggles's soly. Don't you stir, Mrs. Raggles, mum. I'm a settin' on Mr. and Mrs. Raggles's sofy, which they bought with honest money, and very dear it cost 'em, too. And I'm thinkin' if I set here until I paid my wages, I shall set a precious long time, Mrs. Raggles; and set I will, too-ha, ha!" and with this she filled herself another glass of the liquor, and drank it with a more hideously satirical air. Trotter! Simpson! turn that drunken wretch out." screamed Mrs. Crawley. "I shawn't," said Trotter, the footman; "turn out yourself. Pay our selleries, and turn me out, too. We'll go fast enough." "Are you all here to insult me?" cried Becky, in a fury; when Colonel Crawley comes home 1 il-" Har fou a goin' to pay me? You've lived in this ouse four year. You've 'ad my substance: my plate and inning. You ho me a milk and butter bill of two hundred pourds: you must ave noo laid heggs for your homlets, and cream for your spanil dog." She didn't care what her own flesh and blood had." interposed the cook. Many's the time he d have starved but for me.” And "He's a charity boy now, Cooky," said Mr. Trotter, with a drunken ha, ha! honest Ruggles continued, in a lamentable tone, an enumeration of his griefs. All he said was true. Becky and her husband had ruined him. He had bills coming due next week, and no means to meet them. He would be sold up, and turned out of his shop and his house, because he had trusted to the Crawley fam ly. His tears and lamentations made Becky more peevish than ever. You all seem to be against me," she said, bitterly. What do you want? I can't pay you on Sunday. Come back tomorrow, and I'll pay you every thing. I thought Colonel Crawley had settled with you. He will, to-morrow. I declare to you, upon my honor, that he left home this morning with fifteen hundred pounds in his pocketbook. He has left me nothing. Apply to him. Give me a bonnet and shawl, and let me go out and find him. There was a d.fference between us this morning. You all seem to know it. I promise you, upon my word, that you shall all be paid. He has got a good appointment. Let me go out and fnd him." At this the servants burst into a hoarse haw haw, in which, however, Raggles, who This audacious statement caused Raggles still kept a most melancholy countenance, and the other personages present to look at 1 66 one another with a wild surprise, and with brother-in-law again turned red). "We it Rebecca left them. She went up stairs have talked about it. Your genius and and dressed herself this time without the Lord Steyne's interest made it more than aid of her French maid. She went into probable, had not this dreadful calamity Rawdon's room, and there saw that a trunk come to put an end to all our hopes. But, and bag were packed ready for removal, with first. I own that it was my object to resa pencil direction that they should be given cue my dear husband—hini whom I love in when called for; then she went into the spite of all his ill usage and suspicions of Frenchwoman's garret; every thing was me-to remove him from the poverty and clean, and all the drawers emptied there. ruin which was impending over us. I saw She bethought herself of the trinkets, which Lord Steyne's partiality for me," she said, ha been left on the ground, and felt certain casting down her eyes. "I own that I did that the woman had fled. Good heavens! every thing in my power to make myself was ever such ill luck as mine?" she said: pleasing to him, and as far as an honest wom"to be so near, and to lose all. Is it all too an may, to secure his-his esteem. It was late? No; there was one chance more." only on Friday morning that the news arShe dressed herself, and went away un- rived of the death of the governor of Covenmolested this time, but alone. It was four try Island, and my lord instantly secured o'clock. She went swiftly down the streets the appointment for my dear husband. It (she had no money to pay for a carriage), was intended as a surprise for him--he was and never stopped until she came to Sir to see it in the pipers to-day. Even after Pitt Crawley's door, in Great Gaunt-street. that horrid arrest took place (the expenses Where was Lady Jane Crawley? She was of which Lord Steyne generously said he at church. Becky was not sorry. Sir Pitt would settle, so that I was in a manner prewas in his study, and had given orders not vented from coming to my husband's asto be disturbed-she must see him-she sistance), my lord was laughing with me, slipped by the sentinel in livery at once, and and saying that my dearest Rawdon would was in Sir Pitt's room before the astonished be consoled when he read his appointment baronet had even laid down the paper. in the paper, in that shocking spun—bailiff's He turned red and started back from her house. And then-then he came home. with a look of great alarm and horror. once. His suspicions were excited-the dreadful • Do not look so," she said. "I am not scene took place between my lord and my guilty, Pitt, dear Pitt; you were my friend cruel, cruel Rawdou-and, O my God, what Before God I am not guilty. I seem will happen next? Pitt, dear Pitt! pity so. Every thing is against me. And me, and reconcile us!" And as she spoke at such a moment! just when all my hopes' she flung herself down on her knees, and were about to be realized: just when happi-, bursting into tears, seized hold of Pitt's ness was in store for us." hand, which she kissed passionately. Is this true, what I see in the paper, then?" Sir Pitt said—a paragraph in which had greatly surprised him. It was in this very attitude that Lady Jane, who, returning from church, ran to her husband's room directly she heard Mrs. Rawdon Crawley was closeted there, found the baronet and his sister-in-law. It is true. Lord Steyne told me on Friday night, the night of that fatal ball. He has been promised an appointment any "I am surprised that woman has the autime these six months. Mr. Martyr, the dacity to enter this house," Lady Jane said, colonial secretary, told him yesterday that it trembling in every limb, and turning quite was made out. That unlucky arrest ensued; pale. (Her ladyship had sent out her maid that horrible meeting. I was only guilty of directly after breakfast, who had communitoo much devotedness to Rawdon's service. cated with Raggles and Rawdon Crawley's I have received Lord Steyne alone a hun- household, who had told her all, and a great dred times before. I confess I had money deal more than they knew, of that story, of which Rawdon knew nothing. Don't and many others besides.) "How dare you know how careless he is of it, and could Mrs. Crawley to enter the house of-of an I dare to confide it to him? And so she honest family?" went on with a perfectly connected story, which she poured into the ears of her perplexed kinsman. Sir Pitt started back, amazed at his wife's display of vigor. Becky still kept her kneeling posture, and clung to Sir Pitt's hand. It was to the following effect. Becky Tell her that she does not know all—that owned, and with perfect frankness. but Iam innocent, dear Pitt.” she whimpered out. deep contrition, that having remarked Lord “Upon my word, my love, I think you Steyne's partiality for her (at the mention do Mrs. Crawley injustice," Sir Pitt said; of which Pitt blushed), and being secure of at which speech Rebecca was vastly reliev her own virtue, she had determined to turned. "Indeed I believe her to be —.” the great peer's attachment to the avant- To be what?" cried out Lady Jane, age of herself and her family. I looked her clear voice thrilling, and her heart beat for a peerage for you, Pitt," she said (the ing violently as she spoke. "To be a wick ed woman—a heartless mother, a false wife? It was but a year since the young cornet, She never loved her dear little boy, who now so knowing a hand in Cribb's parlor, used to fly here and tell me of her cruelty had a still lingering liking for toffy, and used to him. She never came into a family but to be birched at Eton. she strove to bring misery with her, and to weaken the most sacred affections with her wicked flattery and falsehoods. She has deceived her husband, as she has deceived every body; her soul is black with vanity, worldliness, and all sorts of crime. I tremble when I touch her. I keep my children out of her sight. -" "Lady Jaue!" cried Sir Pitt, starting up, "this is really language-" “I have been a true and faithful wife to you, Sir Pitt." Lady Jane continued intrepidly; I have kept my marriage vow as I made it to God, and have been obedient and gentle as a wife should. But righteous obedience has its limits, and I declare that I will not bear that-that woman again under my roof: if she enters it, I and my children will leave it. She is not worthy to sit down with Christian people. You-you must choose, sir, between her and me;" and with this my lady swept out of the room, fluttering with her own audacity, and leaving Rebecca and Sir Pitt not a little astonished at it. So they went on talking about dancers, fights, drinking. demireps, until Macmurdo came down and joined the boys and the conversation. He did not appear to think that any especial reverence was due to their boyhood: the old fellow cut in with stories, to the full as choice as any the youngest rake present had to tell:-nor did his own gray hairs, nor their smooth faces detain him. Old Mac was famous for his good stories. He was not exactly a lady's man; that is, men asked him to dine rather at the houses of their mistresses than of their mothers. There can scarcely be a life lower, perhaps, than his; but he was quite contented with it, such as it was, and led it in perfect good nature, simplicity and modesty of demeanor. By the time Mac had finished a copious breakfast, most of the others had concluded their meal. Young Lord Varinas was smoking an immense Meerschaum pipe, while Captain Hugues was employed with a cigar: that violent little devil, Tandyman, with his little bull terrier between his legs, was tossing for shillings with all his might (that fellow was always at some game or other) against Captain Deucence; and Mac and Rawdon walked off to the club, neither, of course, having given any hint of the busi As for Becky, she was not hurt; nay, she was pleased. "It was the diamond clasp you gave me," she said to Sir Pitt, reaching him out her hand; and before she left him (for which event you may be sure my Lady Jane was looking out from herness which was occupying their minds. dressing room window in the upper story) the baronet had promised to go and seek out his brother, and endeavor to bring about a reconciliation. Rawdon found some of the young fellows of the regiment seated in the mess-room at breakfast, and was induced without much difficulty to partake of that meal, and of the deviled legs of fowls and soda water with which these young gentlemen fortified them selves. Then they had a conversation be fitting the day and their time of life: about the next pigeon-natch at Battersea, with relative bets upon Ross and Osbaldiston: about Mademoiselle Ariane of the French Opera, and who had left her, and how she was consoled by Panther Carr; and about the fight between the Butcher and the Pet, and the probabilities that it was a cross. Young Tandyman, a hero of seventeen, laboriously endeavoring to get up a pair of mustaches, had seen the fight, and spoke in the most scientific manner about the battle, and the condition of the men. It was he who had driven the Butcher on to the ground in his drag, and passed the whole of the previous night with him. Had there not been foul play he must have won it. All the old files of the ring were in it: and Tandyman wouldn't pay; no, damme, he wouldn't pay. Both, on the other hand had joined pretty gayly in the conversation; as, why should they interrupt it? Feasting, drinking, ribaldry, laughter, go on alongside of all sorts of other occupations in Vanity Fair-the crowds were pouring out of church as Rawdon and his friend passed down St. James's street and entered into their club. The old bucks and habitués, who ordinarily stand gaping and grinning out of the great front window of the club, had not arrived aț their post as yet-the newspaper-room was almost empty. One man was present whom Rawdon did not know; another to whom he owed a little score for whist, and whom, in consequence, he did not care to meet a third was reading the Royalist (a periodical famous for its scandal and its attachment to church and king) Sunday paper at the table, and looking up at Crawley with some interest, said. "Crawley, I congratulate you." "What do you mean!" said the colonel. It is in the Observer and Royalist too," said Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown (the gentleman with whom Rawdon had the outstanding whist account) had been talking about the colonel just before he came in. "It is come just in the nick of time," said Smith. "I suppose Crawley had not a shilling in the world." 66 Delighted to know Captain Macmurdo, I'm sure," Mr. Wenham said, and teudered another smile and shake of the hand to the second, as he had done to the principal. Mac put out one finger, armed with a buckskin glove, and made a very frigid bow to Mr. Wenham over his tight cravat. "It's a wind that blows every body good." was, perhaps, discontented at being put in Mr. Brown said. "He can't go away with-communication with a pikin. and thought out paying me a pony he owes me." that Lord Steyne should have sent him a colonel at the very least. What's the salary?" asked Smith. "Two or three thousand," answered the other. But the climate's so infernal, they don't enjoy it long. Liverseege died after eighteen months of it: and the man before went off in six weeks, I hear.". Some people say his brother is a very clever man. I always found him a dbore," Smith ejaculated. "He must have good interest, though. He must have got the colonel the place." He By no means, my dear colonel," Mr. Wenham said; "the interview which I had the honor of requesting was with you personally, though the company of Captain Macmurdo can not fail to be also most pleasing. In fact, captain, I hope that our con He!" said Brown, with a sneer-versation will lead to none but the most "Pooh. It was Lord Steyne got it." 66 How do you mean?" A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband," answered the other, enigmatically, and went to read his papers. Rawdon, for his part, read in the Royalist the following astonishing paragraph :— agreeable results, very different from those which my friend Colonel Crawley appears to anticipate." Humph!" said Captain Macmurdo. Be hanged these civil ans, he thought to himself, they are always for arranging and speechifying. Mr. Wenham took a chair, "GOVERNORSHIP OF COVENTRY ISLAND. which was not offered to him-took a paper -H.M.S. Yellowjack, Commander Jaun-from his pocket, and resumed— ders, has brought letters and papers from You have seen this gratifying announceCoventry Island. H. E. Sir Thomas Liver- ment in the papers this morning, colonel? seege had fallen a victim to the prevailing Government has secured a most valuable fever at Swamptown. His loss is deeply servant, and you, if you accept office, as I felt in the flourishing colony. We hear that presume you will, an excellent appointment. the Governorship has been offered to Colonel Three thousand a year, delightful climate, Rawdon Crawley, C. B., a distinguished excellent government-house, all your own Waterloo officer. We need not only men way in the colony, and a certain promotion. of acknowledged bravery, but men of admin-1 congratulate you with all my heart. I istrative talents to superintend the affairs of presume you know, gentlemen, to whom our colonies; and we have no doubt that the my friend is indebted for this piece of patgentleman selected by the Colonial Office to ronage?" fill the lamented vacancy which has occurred at Coventry Island is admirably calculated for the post which he is about to occupy." Coventry Island! where was it? who had appointed him to the government? You must take me out as your secretary, old boy," Captain Macmurdo said laughing; and as Crawley and his friend sat wondering and perplexed over the announcement, the club waiter brought in to the colonel a card, on which the name of Mr. Wenham was engraved, who begged to see Colonel Crawley. The colonel and his aid de-camp went out to meet the gentleman, rightly conjecturing that he was an emissary of Lord Steyne. "How d'ye do, Crawley? I am glad to see you," said Mr. Wenham, with a bland smile, and grasping Crawley's hand with great cordiality. 66 .. You come, I suppose. from "Exactly," said Mr. Wenham. Then this is my friend Captain murdo of the Life Guards Green." Hanged, if I know," the captain said: his principal turned very red. . To one of the most generous and kindest men in the world, as he is one of the greatest-to my excellent friend, the Marquis of Steyne." before I take his "I'll see him d- Damme, indeed," said Mr. Wenham, with the most agreeable smile; still, look at the matter as a man of the world-as an honest man, and see if you have to: been in the wrong. You come home from a journey, and find-what?-my Lord Steyne Mac-supping at your house in Curzon-street with Mrs. Crawley. Is the circumstance |