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drawing-room: meanwhile it was announced to her that Mrs. Bute Crawley had come up from Hampshire by the mail, was staying at the Gloster, sent her love to Miss Crawley, and asked for breakfast with Miss Briggs. The arrival of Mrs. Bute, which would not have caused any extreme delight at another period, was hailed with pleasure now; Miss Crawley being pleased at the notion of a gossip with her sister-in- law regarding the late Lady Crawley, the funeral arrangements pending, and Sir Pitts abrupt proposal to Rebecca. It was not until the old lady was fairly ensconced in her usual arm-chair in the drawing-room, and the preliminary embraces and inquiries had taken place between the ladies, that the conspirators thought it advisable to submit her to the operation. Who has not admired the artifices and delicate approaches with which women prepare their friends for bad news? Miss Crawleys two friends made such an apparatus of mystery before they broke the intelligence to her, that they worked her up to the necessary degree of doubt and alarm. And she refused Sir Pitt, my dear, dear Miss Crawley, prepare yourself for it, Mrs. Bute said, because because she couldnt help herself. Of course there was a reason, Miss Crawley answered. She liked somebody else. I told Briggs so yesterday. likes somebody else! Briggs gasped. O my dear friend, she is married already. Married already, Mrs. Bute chimed in; and both sate with clasped hands looking from each other at their victim. Send her to me, the instant she comes in. The little sly wretch: how dared she not tell me? cried out Miss Crawley. She wont come in soon. Prepare yourself, dear friend shes gone out for a long timeshesshes gone altogether. Gracious goodness, and whos to make my chocolate? Send for her and have her back; I desire that she come back, the old lady said. She decamped last night, Maam, cried Mrs. Bute. She left a letter for me, Briggs exclaimed. Shes married to Prepare her, for heavens sake. Dont torture her, my dear Miss Briggs. Shes married to whom? cries the spinster in a nervous fury. Toto a relation of She refused Sir Pitt, cried the victim. Speak at once. Dont drive me mad. O Maamprepare her, Miss Briggsshes married to Rawdon Crawley. Rawdon married Rebeccagovernessnobod Get out of my house, you fool, you idiotyou stupid old Briggs how dare you? Youre in the plotyou made him marry, thinking that Id leave my money from him you did, Martha, the poor old lady screamed in hysteric sentences. I, Maam, ask a member of this family to marry a drawing-masters daughter? Her mother was a Montmorency, cried out the old lady, pulling at the bell with all her might. Her mother was an opera girl, and she has been on the stage or worse herself, said Mrs. Bute. Miss Crawley gave a final scream, and fell back in a faint. They were forced to take her back to the room which she had just quitted. One fit of hysterics succeeded another. The doctor was sent forthe apothecary arrived. Mrs. Bute took up the post of nurse by her bedside. Her relations ought to be round about her, that amiable woman said. She had scarcely been carried up to her room, when a new person arrived to whom it was also necessary to break the news. This was Sir Pitt. Wheres Becky? he said, coming in. Wheres her traps? Shes coming with me to Queens Crawley. Have you not heard the astonishing intelligence regarding her surreptitious union? Briggs asked. Whats that to me? Sir Pitt asked. I know shes married. That makes no odds. Tell her to come down at once, and not keep me. Are you not aware, sir, Miss Briggs asked, that she has left our roof, to the dismay of Miss Crawley, who is nearly killed by the intelligence of Captain Rawdons union with her? When Sir Pitt Crawley heard that Rebecca was married to his son, he broke out into a fury of language, which it would do no good to repeat in this place, as indeed it sent poor Briggs shuddering out of the room; and with her we will shut the door upon the figure of the frenzied old man, wild with hatred and insane with baffled desire. One day after he went to Queens Crawley, he burst like a madman into the room she had used when there dashed open her boxes with his foot, and flung about her papers, clothes, and other relics. Miss Horrocks, the butlers daughter, took some of them. The children dressed themselves and acted plays in the others. It was but a few days after the poor mother had gone to her lonely burying- place; and was laid, unwept and disregarded, in a vault full of strangers. Suppose the old lady doesnt come to, Rawdon said to his little wife, as they sate together in the snug little Brompton lodgings. She had been trying the new piano all the morning. The new gloves fitted her to a nicety; the new shawls became her wonderfully; the new rings glittered on her little hands, and the new watch ticked at her waist; suppose she dont come round, eh, Becky? ILL make your fortune, she said; and Delilah patted Samsons cheek. You can do anything, he said, kissing the little hand. By Jove you can; and well drive down to the Star and Garter, and dine, by Jove. |
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