Chapter VII.
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.
