“Everything I could wish for you! Almack’s—I am sure she will be able to procure you a voucher, for she knows all the patronesses! Concerts! The theatre! All the ton parties—breakfasts, Assemblies, balls—my love, you will have such opportunities! you can have no notion! Why, she writes that—but never mind that!”
Arabella found her voice. “But Mama, how shall we contrive? The expense! I cannot—I cannot to go London without any clothes to wear!”
“No, indeed!” said Mrs. Tallant laughing. “That would present a very odd appearance, my love!”
“Yes, Mama, but you know what I mean! I have only two ball dresses, and though they do very well for the Assemblies in Harrowgate, and country parties, I know they are not modish enough for Almack’s! And Sophy has borrowed all Mrs. Caterham’s Monthly Museums, and I have been looking at the fashions in them, and it is too lowering, ma’am! Everything must be trimmed with diamonds, or ermine, or point-lace!”
“My dear Arabella, don’t put yourself in a taking! That has all been thought of, I assure you. You must know that have had this scheme in my mind for many a long day.” She saw her daughter’s face of mystification, and laughed again. “Why, did you think I would send you into society looking like a rustic? I am not quite such a zany, I hope! I have been putting by for this very occasion since I don’t know when.”
“Mama!”
“I have a little money of my own, you know,” explained Mrs. Tallant. “Your dear Papa would never use it, but desired me to spend it only as I liked, because I used to be very fond of pretty things, and he never could bear to think I might not have them when I married him. That was all nonsense, of course, and I’m sure I very soon gave up thinking of such fripperies. But I was very glad to have it to spend on my children. And in spite of Margaret’s drawing-lessons, and Sophy’s music-master, and dearest Bertram’s new coat, and those yellow pantaloons which he dare not let Papa see—my love, was there ever such a foolish boy? As though Papa did not know all along!—and having to take poor Betsy to the doctor three times this year, I have quite a little nest-egg saved for you!”
“Oh, mama, no, no!” cried Arabella, distressed. “I would rather not go to London at all than that you should be put to such dreadful expense!”
That is because you are sadly shatterbrained, my dear,” replied her mother calmly. “I regard it as an investment, and I shall own myself extremely astonished if a great deal of good does not come of it.” She hesitated, looked a little conscious, and said, picking her words: “I am sure I do not have to tell you that Papa is a Saint. Indeed, I don’t suppose there is a better husband or father alive! But he is not at all practical, and when one has eight children to provide for, one must have a little worldly sense, or I don’t know how one is to go on. One need have no anxiety about dear James, to be sure; and since Harry is set on going to sea, and his uncle is so obliging as to use his influence in his behalf, his future is settled. But I own I cannot be happy about poor Bertram; and where I am to find suitable husbands for all you girls in this restricted neighbourhood, I have not the least notion! Now, that is speaking more plainly than perhaps Papa would like, but you are a sensible puss, Arabella, and I have no scruple in being open with you. If I can but contrive to establish you respectably, you may bring out your sisters, and perhaps, even, if you should be so fortunate as to marry a gentleman of position, you might be able to help Bertram to buy his commission. I do not mean, of course, that your husband should purchase it precisely, but he might very likely have an interest at the Horse Guards, or—or something of the sort!”
Arabella nodded, for it was no news to her that she, as the eldest of four sisters, was expected to marry advantageously. She knew it to be her duty to do so. “Mama, I will try not to disappoint you!” she said earnestly.