And thus the Families fell apart; and Mark never renewed his Confidences to me after that first Evening; and, if he had Moments of keen Pleasure now and then, I am persuaded he had Hours of Pain he had never known before. For Violet was capricious and coquettish, and sometimes would vex him by being unreasonable and hard to please: at other Times, by laying herself out to please others, as Master Braidfoot, and their Lodger Master Clarke. And though she gave out to Mark that this was only for a Feint, to draw off the Attention of her Father and Mother from himself, yet sometimes it was certainly with no other Purpose than to plague him, and at other Times, I fear, with no better Purpose than to please herself; and I know it cost him many a Tear.
Poor Mark! how my Heart ached for him, and swelled against her, when I found him one Evening with his Arms on the Table, and his Head on his Arms, and saw, when he looked up, that he had been crying. He rose, and looked out of Window, and said, “Has it done raining yet? I think I have been asleep!” But I knew he had not.
All his Money now went in fine Clothes for himself, and Presents for her; so that if he needed a little Purse against his Marriage Day, he was not going the Way to fill it.
There was great Talk among the young People, about this Time, of an Excursion up the River, to eat Buns and drink Whey at Chelsea. I was invited to join them, but declined, on account of my Mother: but Mark was to go, and could think of Nothing else. I washed and starched his Collar and Bands myself, and sewed a new Lace on his Hat. He wore a plain silver-grey Cloth Suit, which was sober, but very becoming, for he never affected strong Contrasts, like my Father. Knowing he was fond of a Flower in his Button-hole, but was pressed for Time to get one, I gave a little Girl a Penny to run down to the Market for the best Moss-rose she could buy, and gave it him myself. He thanked me most pleasantly for it, and looked so comely and cheerful, that when he went forth, I could not help standing just behind the Window-blind, to look after him, and to see the gay Party set out from Master Armytage’s. First, a Boy was sent forward, with a great Basket full of Veal-pies and other Dainties; then came out Master Armytage, with Mistress Glossop, who had condescended to join the Party, and wore a peach-blossom Silk, with pea-green Ribbons. Then Mistress Armytage, with a little Basket covered up, no Doubt containing Something very precious; and Hugh Braidfoot by himself, with his Hands in his Pockets, as if he expected to be asked to carry it, and did not mean to offer, walking a little in Advance of her; then Violet, looking sweet! between Mark and Master Clarke—(I know she liked having two better than one, whatever might be her Value for either;) and then Kitty, who by Rights should have had one or other of them, slowly following with Master and Mistress Benskin. I observed her to be a very little lame, but Nothing to speak of.
Well! the Day was fine, the Water looked lovely, there was Nothing to prevent their having a most charming Party of Pleasure, unless it were their own Fault. I thought of them many Times, as I sat quietly weaving Hair at my Mother’s Bedside; and fancied them floating on the River, landing under tall Trees, rambling among Meadows, sitting on the Grass, eating and drinking in the Shade, and scattering in small Parties. I fancied what I should do and feel if I were Violet, and how Mark would comport himself, and what he would say: but, when I looked on my Mother’s pain-worn Face, I did not wish to change Places.
They did not come Home till very late; much too late. I had persuaded my Father to go to Bed, and let me sit up for Mark, for Fear of disturbing my Mother. He said Dolly might as well sit up too; however, she proved heavy to sleep, so I sent her to Bed.
And looked on the Bridge
Then I sat at my Window, which was over Master Blower’s Sitting-room, and looked out on the Bridge. The Harvest-moon, brightly shining, made our Side of the Way as light as Day, but Master Armytage’s Side was in deep Shade. I heard St. Magnus’s Clock, and St. Paul’s, and St. Mary Overy’s, strike Eleven. Then I saw some dark Figures coming along in the Shade, and stop at Master Armytage’s Door, and knock up the Maid, who, after long Delay, came sleepily to the Door with a Candle. Then the others, who had been talking, but not much, like People who were very tired after too long a Day’s Pleasure, said “Good-night;” and I saw Hugh Braidfoot shake Hands with the Girl on his Arm, and step across to his own Door in the broad Moonshine. Master and Mistress Benskin had gone Home before, and let themselves in with the House-key. I counted those that entered Master Armytage’s, and only made out his own Family. Mark had doubtless seen Mistress Glossop to her own Door, as was right and fitting. For him, then, I must expect to wait a good While longer: and I did wait a good While; till all the Clocks struck Twelve. Just as they had done striking, I heard and knew his Step, and opened the Door without his knocking.