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.