It was Noon, Gatty said, when one Post-Chaise made its Appearance; so into this she and Mr. Heavitree and the other Passenger were packed, and her Box tied on behind; and they recommenced their Journey, Mr. Heavitree sitting between the two. Their Pace was mended, and they were congratulating themselves on their Speed, when, by Reason of the roundness of the Road, over went the Chaise. However, they soon righted again, the Chaise being so much lighter than the Coach; and they did not overturn again till just as they got to Newton Buzzard; which was the first Stage, of fourteen Miles, from Larkfield. However, the Day was now so far spent, it being about three o'Clock, at which Hour even the Stage-Coach always pulls up for the Night during Winter, that Mr. Heavitree said it would be Madness to proceed, especially as the following Stage included Splitskull Hill. He had an Aunt in the Town, at whose House he always slept when he attended the Markets; so he went to her while Gatty remained at the Inn, to fish for an Invitation. And the Invitation was not long forthcoming, so he came back almost directly, and told Gatty his Aunt would take no Denial; so they went there and had a very hospitable Reception from the old Lady, who gave them a hot Supper and well-aired Beds. The next Day, the Coach being reported still immoveable and very ruinous, they went on as before in a Chaise, and, the Roads being more beaten, got on much faster and without any more Impediment, till they safely reached London, where kind Mr. Heavitree took leave of Gatty at Lady Betty's Door.
But, now,—oh! what News. Gatty on entering the House, and being fairly shut into it, learned to her Dismay that Lady Betty had not summoned her up in one of her Capricchios, but was laid up with the Small-Pox, which had caused Madam Pompon and several other Servants to desert her, and had occasioned her sending so peremptorily and laconically for Gatty.
Mrs. Bowerbank, when she got to this, laid down the Letter and began to cry. She said she knew Gatty would take the Infection and die, or else be marked for life; what a cruel Thing it was of Lady Betty to send for her, especially as her Ladyship had been so afraid of catching the Fever from Gatty. I thought so too, and quite felt for the poor Mother. She said that she would go and take Gatty away directly, without minding what Lady Betty might think, were it not now too late to save her from Danger; besides, how could she bring her Home to her other Children, who had never had the Disease?
Then she went on to finish the Letter, crying over it all the While; and Gatty proceeded to say, that finding what was required of her, she recommended herself to God, and, having laid aside her travelling Dress and taken some slight Refreshment, she went straight up to my Lady's Chamber, where she found Lady Betty in Bed, in very high Fever, attended only by one of the inferior Servants, quite a low Person, who had had the Disorder, therefore had Nothing to fear. That Lady Betty, being blinded, did not at first recognise her; but, catching the Sound of her Voice, cried peremptorily, "Is that Gatty, at last? Then send Jenny away. You are not to leave the Room again, Gatty, but make them bring Everything to you." Since which, Gatty had remained at her Bed-side, where she was now writing, while my Lady lay in a kind of Stupor, brought on perhaps by her quieting Medicine; since the Irritation was so great, she could not keep her Hands off herself, much less sleep. Indeed, once she had bidden Gatty tie her Hands up, that she might not disfigure herself in her Torment; yet she had soon been unable to keep from fighting at herself again, and when Gatty had gently tried to stay her, had fiercely cried, "Isn't my Face my own, to do with as I like?"
Oh poor Lady Betty! She that was so vain of her Beauty! and carried her Head so high! to be laid thus low, and mastered by inexorable Disease! deserted by her pampered Menials that had flattered her in Health, and beholden for the commonest Attentions, first to a poor Scullion, and now to one whom she had inhumanely neglected in her own Extremity! Was it not a Lesson to poor, purse-proud, puffed-up Humanity? And was not Gatty like an Angel, returning Good for Evil? I lay awake thinking of it at Night, for many an Hour.
