Chapter IV.
The Chinese Parlour.
Mrs. Gatty's Fever having now turned, 'tis incredible the Gratitude she expressed to me for all my Care of her during the course of it. I may say that during the whole Term, the only Concern Lady Betty shewed whether she were likely to sink or swim, was conveyed in a single Message, and that of the briefest; to know, was she about yet? a likely Thing, when the Girl was at that Moment in a Fever-Lethargy! Gatty took it mighty little to Heart, I must say for her, when she learned how little Recollection of her had been intimated; and she said, with a Smile, she was ready to wish they should forget her altogether, so content was she to remain, and so loth to go back.
And now her Appetite mended apace, and she began to regain Colour and Flesh, and the Chamber was fumigated, and she had a warm Bath, and Dr. Elwes pronounced that she might go below with Safety to herself and others. We resolved to make a little Festival of it, and asked him to sup with us, which he cheerfully consented to; and I had Pleasure in combing out Gatty's long fine Hair, which she was yet unequal to doing herself, and arranging her Dress with some Air of Smartness.
After this, she reclined in the Arm-Chair by the Window, to repose herself a little before she went down Stairs. Meanwhile, I tended a Rose that grew in a Pot that stood in the Window-Sill, and had just finished watering it, when, as Ill-Luck would have it, the Water, filtering too quickly through the Pot, descended copiously on some one who had got his Head out of the Window beneath.
"Hallo! Who's that, giving me a Shower-Bath?" cries Mr. Fenwick; at the first Sound of whose Voice I drew my Head in quickly, and we both fell a laughing.
"Don't let us answer," says Gatty.
"Let us both put our Heads out at the same Moment," said I, "and then he won't know which it was."
It was a pert Thing to do, but we were just then in cheerful Spirits; so we looked out, without looking down, quite unconcernedly.
"I am glad to see you so much better, Mrs. Gatty," said Mr. Fenwick; "poor Mrs. Patty, though, looks all the worse for her shutting up. You remind me of the two Damsels in Don Quixote, looking through the Inn-Casement, and plotting Mischief."
"Oh no, Sir," says Gatty, so softly that I only heard her, and immediately withdrawing and sitting down. I did the same, actuated by that nameless Feeling which often tells Women what is seemly and becoming for them to do, without enabling them to say why.
Mrs. Gatty shyly begged me to go down first, because she said my Mother and Sister would be glad to see me; which indeed they were. Prue had set out our little Parlour in the prettiest Way imaginable.—My Father's Arm-Chair was placed for Gatty at the little Gothic Window wreathed with Jessamine; my Mother's Chair was in its accustomed Place. This Room was hung with a very expensive Chinese Paper, that had cost my Father I am afraid to say how much per Yard, and which was covered with Groups of Chinese Figures illustrating the Manners and Customs of that Empire, depicted with extraordinary Liveliness and Verisimilitude; no two Groups alike. This Paper-hanging had been Prue's and my Picture-Gallery for many a Year; and when we were Children, and my Father had it by him in Pieces, we had needed no other Entertainment on rainy Days; preventing the long Rolls from curling up by setting a Caddy on one End, and a Work-Box on the other. Corresponding with this Paper were sundry Josses and Jars, much fitter for Lady Betty than for us; and the Mantel-Shelf was decorated with Nosegays of fresh Flowers; my Mother having put the Five Senses carefully away, for Fear they should share the Fate of the Shepherdesses. As for the Tea-Table, never was such a Spread! Fancy-Bread, Buns, and Cakes of all Descriptions, cold Fowl, marbled Veal, delicate Slices of pink Ham, and a superb Dish of ripe Grapes. Dear Prue, whom I had not seen for some Days, was blooming with Health and Sprightliness. She had put on a pretty chintz Muslin over her Pea-green silk Petticoat, with a Knot or two of pale pink Ribbon to her Stomacher, and her best Muslin Apron worked with Pansies and Sweet-Peas. A Sweet-Pea she was herself! so brightly, delicately tinted with Colour! so pliant, slim, and debonnaire! When we were little Girls, kind Dr. Elwes had been wont to say we were as like as two Peas,—two Sweet-Peas; but somehow, I fell off afterwards, lost my Bloom and Freshness, grew lanky and angular, while Prue's scarlet Lips and carmine Cheeks, and violet-blue Eyes, grew brighter and deeper every Day; only she stopped growing too soon, and, but for her neat Make, would have been too round.
Well, I went up for Mrs. Gatty, and entering somewhat too softly, surprised her on her Knees. She slightly coloured as she rose, but said Nothing, and putting her Arm within mine, went down Stairs; having doubtlessly vented her Gratitude for late Mercies received, in pious Ejaculation, which made me love her all the better. My Mother's and Sister's Reception of her was most cordial, to which she responded with the utmost Cheerfulness; and we vied with one another in Alacrity in conducting her to her Seat, and bolstering her up in it. "Of course, you know," said I to Prudence, "that Dr. Elwes is going to join us by and by."—"Oh, yes," says she, "and Mr. Fenwick too;" which startled me a little, and made me cast a furtive Glance at myself in a little oval Mirrour in a Shell-work Frame that hung by the Window. The View was not satisfactory; in dressing Gertrude, I had neglected bestowing Pains on myself: besides, my wan Look and heavy Eyes were what no Pains could remedy. I suppressed a little Sigh, and looked at Gatty. Pale as she yet was, even Prue's Beauty faded before hers, into the buxom Bloom of a Milkmaid. Gertrude's Loveliness was independent of red and white, though the delicate Muslin Kerchief over her Neck was not purer than the lily Throat it enclosed. For Convenience sake, I had tied her abundant Hair in a Club behind, low down on the Poll, with a broad black Ribband; her Gown was of the plainest mourning Stuff; yet there she sate, an enthroned Queen for Beauty in its Glory, without being in the least conscious of it. Of course, Angels are beautiful without being vain; I think Gatty was as removed from Vanity as an Angel, and almost as beautiful. There was a Dignity, Repose, and Thought about her, that made you conclude her Mind to be set upon Something high, even without her speaking a Word. As all this struck me, I felt inclined to slip away and smarten myself; but then thought, why should I? I'm trim and neat, though neither pretty nor gay; to aim at matching Gatty would be futile; and as for looking wan, why, she's my Reward; for, in nursing her into Health, I have neglected my own.
So I remained as I was; and presently came down Mr. Fenwick, who, Prudence told me, had been quite another Man since Mr. Caryl's Visit. Close on his Heels followed Dr. Elwes, in his best Wig and Ruffles, with a Flower in his Button-Hole; so our gala Preparations were by no Means in vain. Then our little Feast began: with two such Men at Table, 'twould have been surprising if good Conversation had been wanting, and every one seemed in happy Tune. As for the Doctor, he was quite on the merry Pin, praised the Cream, Butter, and Cakes, partook of Everything, and complimented us handsomely all round. I believe my dear Mother had not had such a tranquilly pleasant Evening for many a Day. I presided at the Tea-Board, which was supplied with fairy-like Cups without Handles, of real China, and the Tea-Caddy was real Chinese too, one of my poor Father's Purchases. Prue tripped off now and then into the Shop; but our Man Peter was on Duty there, as well as Saunders's Daughter, so that we could leave the Business pretty safely in their Charge.
All at once enters Nanny Saunders from the Shop, with a Face as red as Currant-Jelly; and, "Sir,—Mr. Fenwick!" says she, "here's a Gentleman of Quality inquiring for you!" and without more ado, ushers Mr. Paul Caryl in upon us.
For my Part, I felt greatly confused; the rest expressed by their Looks simple Surprise, all except Mr. Fenwick, who, upsetting his Cup (which luckily was empty) in his Hurry to rise, and colouring very red, hastened to meet his Guest.
"Faith, I find you pleasantly engaged, Sir!" were the easy, lively Words first spoken by our Man of Fashion. "Don't let me disturb any one, pray.—May I request to be presented to the Ladies?" And he bowed upon my Mother's Hand as if she had been a Duchess, saluted Prue and me more distantly, and stood at pause for a Moment when he came to Gatty, then bowed low, noticed the Doctor, and then turned to Mr. Fenwick.
"I've good News for you," said he gaily, "so thought I would bring it myself. I know how I should have liked it, had I been in your Place. But suppose we postpone it a little, and enjoy the Goods the Gods provide us. Why should we forget the universal Doom of Man—'Fruges consumere nati'? Ha, Sir?"
I mutely offered him a Dish of Tea, which he immediately accepted; and, as he sipped it, he addressed some trifling Remark to my Mother, who cheerfully replied. Many Persons would have been completely fluttered by the Entry of an unexpected Guest, of a Grade so removed from their own; but my Mother never lost her Self-Possession or Self-Respect; which on this Occasion was so influential on all around her, that we almost immediately regained our Ease, and became as cheerful and chatty as we had been before.
"Upon my Life, this is a very pleasant little Interlude!" cried Mr. Caryl. "What a lucky Fellow I am! Always falling on my Legs! Here, now, have I dropped into the midst of a most agreeable little Tea-Party, and am made welcome to all these good Things as if my Presence were no Intrusion!"
"Don't name Intrusion, Sir," says my Mother.
"But I must name it, Madam! Most abominable Intrusion! Hum,—hum,—I can't help thinking I have seen that Lady's Face before"—with his Eyes full upon Gatty.
"The Day Lady Betty was here, Sir."
"Bless my Soul, yes! I remember all about it now. Most unlucky occurrence! You're quite recovered, Ma'am, I hope?"
And he seemed all at once to reflect, that, whereas he had been here on a previous Occasion with my Lady, he was now taking Tea with the Lady's Maid. Too well-bred to behave superciliously, he nevertheless said not another Syllable to Gatty, but kept eyeing her continually like a fine Picture. For her Part, Gatty looked so little towards him, that I believe she was quite unconscious of the Attention. A Physician is fit Company for Anybody; and Dr. Elwes put some Question about the News of the Day, which soon led to general and fluent Conversation. Mr. Caryl was evidently not aiming to shine, as when at Lady Betty's Table. I cannot recall one witty Thing that he said; but, on the other Hand, there was a racy, genial flow of small Talk, in which all could take their Share, and no one felt distanced or outshone, that was even better than Bon-mot or Repartee. Mr. Fenwick was, I believe, on the Tenter-Hooks, at first, for Mr. Caryl's good News; but soon making out that it was not immediately forthcoming, he gave himself up to the Enjoyment of the passing Moment. Ere Tea was well over, they fell to some amusing Play upon Words, that must be shown upon Paper. Writing Implements were immediately found Room for; and from one ingenious Puzzle to another they went on, now giving us Anagrams to make out, now sending round Quips and Queries that each was to answer in their own Fashion, till Doctor Elwes exclaimed, "Oh, Brag and Loo! how well we can do without you!"
I whispered to him softly, "Shall I fill your Pipe, Sir?"
"No!" returns he, with equal Quietness, "I meant to have had one, but these young Sparks keep me awake without it. They're monstrous good Company, Mrs. Patty."
And so we went on as merry as Crickets, till I began to think of two Things at once; that is to say, of two Dozen—the Anagram before me—and Sausage Rolls, Oyster Patties, stewed Sweetbreads, and so forth for Supper; and to be sensible that I must go and look after them. Just then, I noticed a distressed look cross Prue's Face at some little Attention Mr. Fenwick paid Mrs. Gatty. "Dear me, how foolish of you, Prue," thought I, "to be vexed by Anything like that! Why, he cares very little about you, and Nothing at all for her!" And, stealing from my Seat, I was about to withdraw quietly to the Kitchen, when suddenly the Parlour-Door flies wide open, and on the Threshold stands my poor Father, with a Face as red as his Waistcoat, who after giving an amazed Glance round about him, exclaims:
"Hoity-toity! Who are all these young Fellows, amusing themselves in my Chinese Parlour?"
I thought Mr. Caryl would have gone into Fits with suppressed Laughter. "Sir," said he, advancing and bowing, "I as the chief Intruder, beg to introduce myself by the Name of Mr. Paul Caryl, of the Inner Temple, at your Service; and this is my Friend and your Lodger, Mr. Fenwick, whom I have made a Call upon. The other Gentleman, you will perceive, is your Family Physician."
"You seem all monstrous merry and mightily at Home with one another," says my Father, who evidently had, as was but too common, taken a little too much; "I almost seem like an Interloper in my own House; however, I don't care if I have a cheerful Glass with you to improve our Acquaintance. Hallo! where's my Chair gone? I had like to have sat down upon the Floor."
"Here, Sir," said Gatty, hastily rising.
"Here, Sir? and who are you, Madam? I don't remember ever to have seen your Face before; not an ugly one, neither! Pray, are you Mrs. Paul Caryl?"
"Oh no, Sir!"
"Who then? Mrs. ... Mrs. ... I shall forget my own Name next; hum! Hallo! Why, where are my Senses?"
Mr. Caryl and Mr. Fenwick looked at him in Amazement; while we knew what he missed, well enough.
"Where are they?" reiterated he, raising his Voice very loud, and stamping the Floor. "Woman!" addressing my Mother, "where, I say, are my Five Senses?"
"Dear Mr. Honeywood, they're safe in the China Cupboard," began my Mother, which set Mr. Caryl off in an inextinguishable Fit of Laughter.
"Are these your Manners, Sir?" cries my Father, fiercely turning upon him.
"'Pon my Honour, I'm ashamed of them," says Mr. Caryl, covering his Face in his Cambric Handkerchief.
"Where are my Senses, I say?" recommences my Father; on which Mr. Caryl, unable to stand it any longer, rushes into the Shop, and Mr. Fenwick after him. There we hear them, while my poor Father still continues raging, giving way to fresh Peals of Laughter, which they vainly attempt to smother; and at length Mr. Caryl departs, without returning to wish us good bye; and Dr. Elwes shortly goes also, giving us knowing Looks, and advising Gatty and me to go immediately to Bed. And so ended the Evening.
