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this goodthis noble man has deigned to offer me. Do you think I have no heart? Have you all loved me, and been so kind to the poor orphandesertedgirl, and am I to feel nothing? O my friends! O my benefactors! may not my love, my life, my duty, try to repay the confidence you have shown me? Do you grudge me even gratitude, Miss Crawley? It is too muchmy heart is too full; and she sank down in a chair so pathetically, that most of the audience present were perfectly melted with her sadness. Whether you marry me or not, youre a good little girl, Becky, and Im your vriend, mind, said Sir Pitt, and putting on his crape-bound hat, he walked awaygreatly to Rebeccas relief; for it was evident that her secret was unrevealed to Miss Crawley, and she had the advantage of a brief reprieve. Putting her handkerchief to her eyes, and nodding away honest Briggs, who would have followed her upstairs, she went up to her apartment; while Briggs and Miss Crawley, in a high state of excitement, remained to discuss the strange event, and Firkin, not less moved, dived down into the kitchen regions, and talked of it with all the male and female company there. And so impressed was Mrs. Firkin with the news, that she thought proper to write off by that very nights post, with her humble duty to Mrs. Bute Crawley and the family at the Rectory, and Sir Pitt has been and proposed for to marry Miss Sharp, wherein she has refused him, to the wonder of all. The two ladies in the dining-room (where worthy Miss Briggs was delighted to be admitted once more to confidential conversation with her patroness) wondered to their hearts content at Sir Pitts offer, and Rebeccas refusal; Briggs very acutely suggesting that there must have been some obstacle in the shape of a previous attachment, otherwise no young woman in her senses would ever have refused so advantageous a proposal. You would have accepted it yourself, wouldnt you, Briggs? Miss Crawley said, kindly. Would it not be a privilege to be Miss Crawleys sister? Briggs replied, with meek evasion. Well, Becky would have made a good Lady Crawley, after all, Miss Crawley remarked (who was mollified by the girls refusal, and very liberal and generous now there was no call for her sacrifices). She has brains in plenty (much more wit in her little finger than you have, my poor dear Briggs, in all your head). Her manners are excellent, now I have formed her. She is a Montmorency, Briggs, and blood is something, though I despise it for my part; and she would have held her own amongst those pompous stupid Hampshire people much better than that unfortunate ironmongers daughter. Briggs coincided as usual, and the previous attachment was then discussed in conjectures. You poor friendless creatures are always having some foolish tendre, Miss Crawley said. You yourself, you know, were in love with a writing-master (dont cry, Briggs youre always crying, and it wont bring him to life again), and I suppose this unfortunate Becky has been silly and sentimental toosome apothecary, or house-steward, or painter, or young curate, or something of that sort. Poor thing! poor thing! says Briggs (who was thinking of twenty-four years back, and that hectic young writing-master whose lock of yellow hair, and whose letters, beautiful in their illegibility, she cherished in her old desk upstairs). Poor thing, poor thing! says Briggs. Once more she was a fresh-cheeked lass of eighteen; she was at evening church, and the hectic writing-master and she were quavering out of the same psalm-book. After such conduct on Rebeccas part, Miss Crawley said enthusiastically, our family should do something. Find out who is the objet, Briggs. Ill set him up in a shop; or order my portrait of him, you know; or speak to my cousin, the Bishop and Ill doter Becky, and well have a wedding, Briggs, and you shall make the breakfast, and be a bridesmaid. Briggs declared that it would be delightful, and vowed that her dear Miss Crawley was always kind and generous, and went up to Rebeccas bedroom to console her and prattle about the offer, and the refusal, and the cause thereof; and to hint at the generous intentions of Miss Crawley, and to find out who was the gentleman that had the mastery of Miss Sharps heart. Rebecca was very kind, very affectionate and affected responded to Briggss offer of tenderness with grateful fervourowned there was a secret attachmenta delicious mysterywhat a pity Miss Briggs had not remained half a minute longer at the keyhole! Rebecca might, perhaps, have told more: but five minutes after Miss Briggss arrival in Rebeccas apartment, Miss Crawley actually made her appearance therean unheard-of honourher impatience had overcome her; she could not wait for the tardy operations of her ambassadress: so she came in person, and ordered Briggs out of the room. And expressing her approval of Rebeccas conduct, she asked particulars of the interview, and the previous transactions which had brought about the astonishing offer of Sir Pitt. Rebecca said she had long had some notion of the partiality with which Sir Pitt honoured her (for he was in the habit of making his feelings known in a very frank and unreserved manner) but, |
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