"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!"