Whilehewascomingup,LordIpsdenwaslecturingMarshalSaundersonapointonwhichthatworthyhadalwaysthoughthimselfverysuperiortohismaster——"Gentlemanlydeportment."
"Now,Saunders,mindandbehavelikeagentleman,orweshallbefoundout."
"Itrust,mylord,myconduct——"
"WhatImeanis,youmustnotbesooverpoweringlygentleman—likeasyouareapttobe;nogentlemanissogentlemanasallthat;itcouldnotbeborne,_c’estsuffoquant;_andawhitehandkerchiefisunsoldier—like,andnobodytiesawhitehandkerchiefsowellasthat;ofallthevices,perfectionisthemostintolerable."Hislordshipthentouchedwithhiscanethegeneralissimo’stie,whosecountenancestraightwayfell,asthoughhehadlostthreesuccessivebattles.
Gattycameup.
Theysaluted.
"Whereisyoursecond,sir?"saidthemare’chal.
"Mysecond?"saidGatty."Ah!Iforgottowakehim——doesitmatter?"
"Itismerelyacustom,"saidLordIpsden,withaveryslightlysatiricalmanner."Savanadero,"saidhe,"dousthehonortomeasuretheground,andbeeverybody’ssecond."
Savanaderomeasuredtheground,andhandedapistoltoeachcombatant,andstruckanimposingattitudeapart.
"Areyouready,gentlemen?"saidthisJack—o’—both—sides.
"Yes!"saidboth.
Justasthesignalwasabouttobegiven,aninterruptionoccurred."I
begyourpardon,sir,"saidLordIpsdentohisantagonist;"Iamgoingtotakea_liberty——agreatliberty_withyou,butIthinkyouwillfindyourpistolisonlyathalfcock."
"Thankyou,mylord;whatamItodowiththething?"
"Drawbackthecockso,andbereadytofire?"
"So?"_Bang!_
Hehadtouchedthetriggeraswellasthecock,sooffwentthebarker;
andafteraconsiderablepausethefield—marshalsprangyellingintotheair.
"Hallo!"criedMr.Gatty.
"Ah!oh!I’madeadman,"whinedthegeneral.
"Nonsense!"saidIpsden,afteramomentofanxiety."Giveyourselfnoconcern,sir,"saidhe,soothingly,tohisantagonist——"amereaccident.
Mare’chal,reloadMr.Gatty’spistol."
"Excuseme,mylord——"
"Loadhispistoldirectly,"saidhislordship,sternly;"andbehavelikeagentleman."
"Mylord!mylord!butwhereshallIstandtobesafe?"
"Behindme!"
ThecommanderofdivisionadvancedreluctantlyforGatty’spistol.
"No,mylord!"saidGatty,"itisplainIamnotafitantagonist;I
shallbutexposemyself——andmymotherhasseparatedus;Ihavelosther——ifyoudonotwinhersomeworsemanmay;but,oh!ifyouareaman,usehertenderly."
"Whom?"
"ChristieJohnstone!Oh,sir,donotmakeherregretmetoomuch!Shewasmytreasure,myconsolation——shewastobemywife,shewouldhavecheeredtheroadoflife——itisadesertnow.Ilovedher——I——I——"
Herethepoorfellowchoked.
LordIpsdenturnedround,andthrewhispistoltoSaunders,saying,"Catchthat,Saunders."
Saunders,onthecontrary,byasinglemotionchangedhispersonfromaverticalstraightlinetoahorizontallineexactlyparallelwiththeearth’ssurface,andtheweaponsanginnoxiousoverhim.
Hislordshipthen,withanobledefianceofetiquette,walkeduptohisantagonistandgavehimhishand,withamotionnoonecouldresist;forhefeltforthepoorfellow.
"Itisallamistake,"saidhe."ThereisnosentimentbetweenLaJohnstoneandmebutmutualesteem.Iwillexplainthewholething._I_
admire_her_forhervirtue,herwit,herinnocence,hergoodnessandallthatsortofthing;and_she,_what_she_seesin_me,_IamsureIdon’tknow,"addedhe,slightlyshrugginghisaristocraticshoulders."DomethehonortobreakfastwithmeatNewhaven."
"Ihaveorderedtwelvesortsoffishatthe’Peacock,’mylord,"saidSaunders.
"Divine!(Ihatefish)ItoldSaundersallwouldbehungryandnoneshot;
bytheby,youarewinged,Ithinkyousaid,Saunders?"
"No,mylord!butlookatmytrousers."
Thebullethadcuthispantaloons.
"Isee——onlybarked;sogoandseeaboutourbreakfast."
"Yes,mylord"_(faintly)._
"Anddrawonmeforfiftypounds’worthof——newtrousers."
Yes,mylord"_(sonorously)._
Theduelistsseparated,GattytakingtheshortcuttoNewhaven;heproposedtotakehisfavoriteswimthere,torefreshhimselfbeforebreakfast;andhewentfromhislordshipalittlecheeredbyremarkswhichfellfromhim,andwhich,thoughvague,soundedfriendly——poorfellow,exceptwhenhehadabrushinhandhewasadreamer.
Thisviscount,whodidnotseemtotroublehisheadaboutclassdignity,wastoconverthismotherfromheraristocratictendenciesorsomething.
_Quesais—je?_whatwillnotadreamerhope?
LordIpsdenstrolledalongthesands,andjudgehissurprise,when,attendedbytwofootmen,hemetatthattimeinthemorningLadyBarbaraSinclairLordIpsdenhadbeensodisheartenedandpiquedbythislady’sconductthatforawholeweekhehadnotbeennearher.Thislineofbehaviorsometimesanswers.
Shemethimwithagranddisplayofcordiality.
Sheinquired,"Whetherhehadheardofamostgallantaction,that,coupledwithanothercircumstance"_(hereshesmiled),_"hadinpartreconciledhertotheagewelivein?"
Heaskedforfurtherparticulars.
Shetheninformedhim"thatashiphadbeenashoreontherocks,thatnofishermandaredventureout,thatayounggentlemanhadgiventhemhiswholefortune,andsobribedthemtoaccompanyhim;thathehadsavedtheshipandthemen’slives,paidawayhisfortune,andlightedanodiouscigarandgonehome,neverminding,amidtheblessingsandacclamationsofamaritimepopulation."
Abeautifulstoryshetoldhim;sobeautiful,infact,thatuntilshehaddiscoursedtenminuteshehardlyrecognizedhisownfeat;butwhenhedidheblushedinsideaswellasoutwithpleasure.Oh!musicofmusic——praisefromeloquentlips,andthoselipsthelipswelove.
Thenextmomenthefeltashamed;ashamedthatLadyBarbarashouldpraisehimbeyondhismerits,asheconceived.
Hemadeafainthypocriticalendeavortomoderatehereulogium;thisgavemattersanunexpectedturn,LadyBarbara’seyesflasheddefiance.
"Isayitwasanobleaction,thatonenursedineffeminacy(asyouallare)shouldteachthehardyseamentomockatperil——noblefellow!"
"Hedidaman’sduty,Barbara."
"Ipsden,takecare,youwillmakemehateyou,ifyoudetractfromadeedyoucannotemulate.Thisgentlemanriskedhisownlifetosaveothers——heisahero!IshouldknowhimbyhisfacethemomentIsawhim.Oh,thatI
weresuchaman,orknewwheretofindsuchacreature!"
ThewatercameintoLordIpsden’seyes;hedidnotknowwhattosayordo;heturnedawayhishead.LadyBarbarawassurprised;herconsciencesmoteher.
"Oh,dear,"saidshe,"therenow,Ihavegivenyoupain——forgiveme;wecan’tallbeheroes;dearIpsden,don’tthinkIdespiseyounowasI
used.Oh,no!Ihaveheardofyourgoodnesstothepoor,andIhavemoreexperiencenow.ThereisnobodyIesteemmorethanyou,Richard,soyouneednotlookso."
"Thankyou,dearestBarbara."
"Yes,andifyouweretobesuchagooseastowritemeanotherletterproposingabsurditiestome——"
"Wouldtheanswerbedifferent?"
"Verydifferent."
"Oh,Barbara,wouldyouaccept?"
"Why,ofcoursenot;butIwouldrefusecivilly!"
"Ah!"
"There,don’tsigh;Ihateasighingman.I’lltellyousomethingthatI
knowwillmakeyoulaugh."Shethensmiledsaucilyinhisface,andsaid,"DoyourememberMr.————?"
_L’effronte’e!_thiswastheearnestman.ButIpsdenwasamatchforherthistime."IthinkIdo,"saidhe;"agentlemanwhowantstomakeJohnBulllittleagainintoJohnCalf;butitwon’tdo."
Herladyshiplaughed."WhydidyounottellusthatonInchCoombe?"
"BecauseIhadnotread_TheCatspaw_then."
_"TheCatspaw?_Ah!Ithoughtitcouldnotbeyou.Whoseisit?"
"Mr.Jerrold’s."
"ThenMr.Jerroldisclevererthanyou."
"Itispossible."
"Itiscertain!Well,Mr.JerroldandLordIpsden,youwillbothbegladtohearthatitwas,inpointoffact,abullthatconfutedtheadvocateoftheMiddleAges;wewerewalking;hewastellingmemanhoodwasextinctexceptinafewearnestmenwholiveduponthepast,itsassociations,itstruth;whenahorridbullgave——oh——suchabellow!andcametrottingup.Iscreamedandran——Iremembernothingbutarrivingatthestile,andlo,ontheotherside,offeringmehisarmwith_empressment_acrossthewoodenbarrierwas——"
"Well?"
"Well!don’tyousee?"
"No——oh——yes,Isee!——fancy——ah!ShallItellyouhowhecametogetfirstover?Heranmoreearnestlythanyou."
’ItisnotMr.Jerroldthistime,Ipresume,"saidhersatiricalladyship.
"No!youcannotalwayshavehim.Iventuretopredictyourladyshiponyourreturnhomegavethismediaevalpersonagehis_conge’."_
"No!"
"No?"
"Igaveithimatthestile!Letusbeserious,ifyouplease;Ihaveaconfidencetomakeyou,Ipsden.Frankly,Ioweyousomeapologyformyconductoflate;Imeanttobereserved——Ihavebeenrude——butyoushalljudgeme.Ayearagoyoumademesomeproposals;Irejectedthembecause,thoughIlikeyou——"
"Youlikeme?"
"Idetestyourcharacter.Sincethen,myWestIndiaestatehasbeenturnedintospecie;thatspecie,thebulkofmyfortune,placedonboardavessel;thatvessellost,atleastwethinkso——shehasnotbeenheardof."
"Mydearcousin."
"DoyoucomprehendthatnowIamcoolerthanevertoallyounggentlemenwhohavelargeincomes,and"(holdingoutherhandlikeanangel)"Imusttroubleyoutoforgiveme."
Hekissedherlovelyhand.
"Iesteemyoumoreandmore,"saidhe."Youought,forithasbeenahardstruggletomenottoadoreyou,becauseyouaresoimproved,_moncousin."_
"Isitpossible?Inwhatrespect?"
"Youarebrownerandcharitabler;andIshouldhavebeenverykindtoyou——mawkishlykind,Ifear,mysweetcousin,ifthiswretchedmoneyhadnotgonedowninthe_Tisbe."_
"Hallo!"criedtheviscount.
"Ah!"squeakedLadyBarbara,unusedtosuchinterjections.
"Gonedowninwhat?"saidIpsden,inaloudvoice.
"Don’tbellowinpeople’sears.The_Tisbe,_stupid,"criedshe,screamingatthetopofhervoice.
"Ritum,titurn,titum,tum,tum,tiddy,iddy,"wentLordIpsden——hewhistledapolka.
_LadyBarbara(inspectinghimgravely)._"Ihavehearditatadistance,butIneversawhowitwasdonebefore._Itisvery,verypretty!!!!"_
_Ipsden."Polkez—vous,madame?"_
_LadyBarb."Si,jepolke,MonsieurleVicomte."_
Theypolkedforasecondortwo.
"Well,IdaresayIamwrong,"criedLadyBarbara,"butIlikeyoubetternowyouareadownright——ahem!——thanwhenyouwereonlyaninsipidnon—intellectual——youaregreatlyimproved."
_Ips._"Inwhatrespects?’
_LadyBarb._"DidInottellyou?brownerandmoreimpudent;buttellme,"saidshe,resuminghersly,satiricaltone,"howisitthatyou,whousedtobethepinkofcourtesy,danceandsingoverthewreckofmyfortunes?"
"Becausetheyarenotwrecked."
"IthoughtItoldyoumyspecieisgonedowninthe_Tisbe."_
_Ipsden._"Butthe_Tisbe_hasnotgonedown."
_LadyBarb._"Itellyouitis."
_Ipsden._"Iassureyouitisnot."
_LadyBarb._"Itisnot?"
_Ipsden._"Barbara!Iamtoohappy,Ibegintonourishsuchsweethopesoncemore.Oh,Icouldfallonmykneesandblessyouforsomethingyousaidjustnow."
LadyBarbarablushedtothetemples.
"Thenwhydon’tyou?"saidshe."Allyouwantisalittleenthusiasm."
Thenrecoveringherself,shesaid:
"Youkneelonwetsand,withblacktrouserson;thatwillneverbe!!!"
Thesetwoweresooccupiedthattheydidnotobservetheapproachofastrangeruntilhebrokeinupontheirdialogue.
AnAncientMarinerhadbeenforsomeminutesstandingoffandon,reconnoiteringLordIpsden;henowboredown,andwithgreatrough,roaringcordiality,thatmadeLadyBarbarastart,criedout:
"Givemeyourhand,sir——givemeyourhand,ifyouweretwicealord.
"Icouldn’tspeaktoyoutillthebrigwassafeinport,andyouslippedaway,butI’vebroughtyouupatlast;and——givemeyourhandagain,sir.
Isay,isn’titapityyouarealordinsteadofasailor?"
_Ipsden._"ButIamasailor."
_AncientMariner._"Thatyeare,andassmartaoneasevertiedatrue—lover’sknotinthetop;buttellthetruth——youwerenevernearerlosingthenumberofyourmessthanthatdayintheold_Tisbe."_
_LadyBarb._"Theold_Tisbe!_Oh!"
_Ipsden._"Doyourememberthatnicelittlelurchshegavetoleewardaswebroughtherround?"
_LadyBarb._"Oh,Richard!"
_AncientMariner._"Andthatreeltheoldwenchgaveunderourfeet,norththepier—head.Iwouldn’thavegivenawashing—tubforheratthatmoment."
_Ipsden._"Pastdangerbecomespleasure,sir._Olimethoecmeminisse_——I
begyourpardon,sir."
_AncientMariner(takingoffhishatwithfeeling)._"Godblessye,sir,andsendyemanyhappydays,andwellspent,withtheprettyladyIseealongside;askingyourpardon,miss,forpartingpleasantercompany——soI’llsheeroff."
Andawaywenttheskipperofthe_Tisbe,_rollingfearfully.Intheheatofthisreminiscence,theskipperoftheyacht(theyareallalike,bluewateroncefairlytasted)hadlostsightofLadyBarbara;henowlookedround.Imaginehissurprise!
Herladyshipwasintears.
"DearBarbara,"saidLordIpsden,"donotdistressyourselfonmyaccount."
"Itisnotyourfe—feelingsIcareabout;atleast,Ih—h—hopenot;butI
havebeensounjust,andIpridedmyselfsoonmyj—ju—justice."
"Nevermind!"
"Oh!ifyoudon’t,Idon’t.Ihatemyself,soitisnowonderyouh—hateme."
"Iloveyoumorethanever."
"Thenyouareagoodsoul!OfcourseyouknowIalways_l_—esteemedyou,Richard."
"No!Ihadanideayoudespisedme!"
"Howsillyyouare!Can’tyousee?WhenIthoughtyouwerenotperfection,whichyouarenow,itvexedmetodeath;youneversawmeaffrontanyonebutyou?"
"No,Ineverdid!Whatdoesthatprove?"
"Thatdependsuponthewitofhimthatreasonsthereon."(Comingtoherself.)
"Iloveyou,Barbara!Willyouhonormewithyourhand?"
"No!Iamnotsobase,soselfish.Youareworthahundredofme,andherehaveIbeentreatingyou_dehautenbas._DearRichard,poorRichard.Oh!oh!oh!"(Aperfectfloodoftears.)
"Barbara!Iregretnothing;thismomentpaysforall."
"Well,then,Iwill!sinceyoukeeppressingme.There,letmego;Imustbealone;ImusttelltheseahowunjustIwas,andhowhappyIam,andwhenyouseemeagainyoushallseethebettersideofyourcousinBarbara."
Shewasperemptory."Shehadherfollyandhismeritstothinkover,"shesaid;butshepromisedtopassthroughNewhaven,andheshouldputherintoherpony—phaeton,whichwouldmeetherthere.
LadyBarbarawasonlyafoolbytheexcessofherwitoverherexperience;andLordIpsden’slovewasnotmisplaced,forshehadagreatheartwhichshehidfromlittlepeople.Iforgiveher!
Theresolutionssheformedincompanywiththesea,havingdismissedIpsden,andorderedherflunkyintothehorizon,willprobablygiveourviscountjusthalfacenturyofconjugalbliss.
Ashewasgoingshestoppedhimandsaid:"YourfriendhadbrownerhandsthanIhavehithertoconceivedpossible._Totellthetruth,_Itookthemfortheclawsofamahoganytablewhenhegrappledyou——isthattheterm?
_C’este’gal_——Ilikehim——"
Shestoppedhimagain."Ipsden,inthemidstofallthisthatpoorman’sshipisbroken.Ifeelitis!Youwillbuyhimanother,ifyoureallyloveme——forIlikehim."
Andsotheseloverspartedforatime;andLordIpsdenwithaboundingheartreturnedtoNewhaven.Hewenttoentertainhislate_vis—’a—vis_atthe"Peacock."
Meantimeashorterandlesspleasant_rencontre_hadtakenplacebetweenLeithandthatvillage.
Gattyfeltheshouldmeethislostsweetheart;andsureenough,ataturnoftheroadChristieandJeancamesuddenlyuponhim.
Jeannodded,butChristietooknonoticeofhim;theypassedhim;heturnedandfollowedthem,andsaid,"Christie!"
"Whatisyourwillwi’me?"saidshe,coldly.
"I——I——Howpaleyouare!"
"Iamnoveryweel."
"Shehasbeenwatchingovermucklewi’Flucker,"saidJean.
Christiethankedherwithalook.
"Ihopeitisnot——not——"
"Naefears,lad,"saidshe,briskly;"Idinnathinkthatmuckleo’ye."
"AndIthinkofnothingbutyou,"saidhe.
Adeepflushcrimsonedtheyoungwoman’sbrow,butsherestrainedherself,andsaidicily:"Thaat’sverygudeo’ye,I’msure."
Gattyfeltallthecontempthermannersandwordsexpressed.Hebithislips.Thetearstartedtohiseye."Youwillforgetme,"saidhe."Idonotdeservetoberemembered,butIshallneverforgetyou.IleaveforEngland.IleaveNewhavenforever,whereIhavebeensohappy.Iamgoingatthreeo’clockbythesteamboat.Won’tyoubidmegood—by?"Heapproachedhertimidly.
"Ay!thatwulldo,"criedshe;"Gudebewi’ye,lad;Iwishyenaeill."
Shegaveacommandinggestureofdismissal;heturnedaway,andwentsadlyfromher.Shewatchedeverymotionwhenhisbackwasturned.
"Thatisyou,Christie,"saidJean;"usetheladslikedirt,an’theythinka’themairo’ye."
"Oh,Jean,myhairt’sbroken.I’mjustdeeingforhim."
"Letmespeaktillhimthen,"saidJean;"I’llsunebringhimtillhismarrow—banes;"andshetookahastysteptofollowhim.
Christieheldherfast."I’ddeeereI’dgiveintillthem.Oh,Jean!I’malassiecleanflungawa;hehasneitherhairtnorspunkava,yonlad!"
Jeanbegantomakeexcusesforhim.Christieinveighedagainsthim.Jeanspokeupforhimwithmoreearnestness.
Nowobserve,Jeandespisedthepoorboy.
Christieadoredhim.
SoJeanspokeforhim,becausewomenofeverydegreeareoftenonesolidmassoftact;andChristieabusedhim,becauseshewantedtohearhimdefended.
CHAPTERXVI.
RICHARD,LORDVISCOUNTIPSDEN,havingdottedtheseashorewithsentinels,totellhimofLadyBarbara’sapproach,awaitedhisguestinthe"Peacock";but,asGattywasalittlebehindtime,heplacedSaunderssentineloverthe"Peacock,"andstrolledeastward;ashecameoutofthe"Peacock,"Mrs.Gattycamedownthelittlehillinfront,andalsoproceededeastward;meantimeLadyBarbaraandherescortwerenotfarfromtheNewTownofNewhaven,ontheirwayfromLeith.
Mrs.Gattycamedown,merelywithavaguefear.Shehadnoreasontosupposeherson’salliancewithChristieeitherwouldorcouldberenewed,butshewasacarefulplayerandwouldnotgiveachanceaway;
shefoundhewasgoneoutunusuallyearly,soshecamestraighttotheonlyplaceshedreaded;itwasherson’slastdayinScotland.Shehadpackedhisclothes,andhehadinspiredherwithconfidencebyarrangingpictures,etc.,himself;shehadnoideahewaspackingforhisdeparturefromthislife,notEdinburghonly.
ShecamethentoNewhavenwithnoseriousmisgivings,for,evenifhersonhadagainvacillated,shesawthat,withChristie’sprideandherownfirmness,thegamemustbehersintheend;but,asIsaidbefore,shewasonewhoplayedhercardsclosely,andsuchseldomlose.
Butmystoryiswiththetwoyoungfishwives,who,ontheirreturnfromLeith,foundthemselvesatthefootoftheNewTown,Newhaven,someminutesbeforeanyoftheotherpersonswho,itistobeobserved,wereapproachingitfromdifferentpoints;theycameslowlyin,Christieinparticular,withalistlessnessshehadnever,knowntillthislastweek;
forsomedaysherstrengthhadfailedher——itwasJeanthatcarriedthecreelnow——before,Christie,intheprideofherstrength,wouldalwaysdomorethanhershareoftheirjointlabor.Thenshecouldhardlybeforcedtoeat,andwhatshedideatwasquitetastelesstoher,andsleeplefther,andinitssteadcameuneasyslumbers,fromwhichsheawokequiveringfromheadtofoot.
Oh!perilousventureofthosewholoveoneobjectwiththewholeheart.
Thisgreatbuttenderheartwasbreakingdaybyday.
Well,ChristieandJean,strollingslowlyintotheNewTownofNewhaven,foundanassemblageofthenativesalllookingseaward;thefishermen,exceptSandyListon,wereawayattheherringfishery,butalltheboysandwomenoftheNewTownwerecollected;thegirlsfeltamomentarycuriosity;itproved,however,tobeonlyanindividualswimmingintowardshorefromagreaterdistancethanusual.
Alittlematterexcitescuriosityinsuchplaces.
Theman’sheadlookedlikeaspotofink.
SandyListonwasmindinghisownbusiness,lazilymendingaskait—net,whichhehadattachedtoacrazyoldherring—boathauleduptorot.
Christiesatdown,paleandlanguid,byhim,onacreepiethatalasswhohadbeenbaitingalinewithmusselshadjustvacated;suddenlysheseizedJean’sarmwithaconvulsivemotion;Jeanlookedup——itwastheLondonsteamboatrunningoutfromLeithtoGrantonPiertotakeupherpassengersforLondon.CharlesGattywasgoingbythatboat;thelookofmutedespairthepoorgirlgavewenttoJean’sheart;sheranhastilyfromthegroup,andcriedoutofsightforpoorChristie.
Afishwife,lookingthroughatelescopeattheswimmer,remarked:"He’scominginfast;he’sagallantswimmer,yon——
"Canhedee’t?"inquiredChristieofSandyListon.
"Finethaat,"wasthereply;"hedoesitayeo’Sundayswhenyeareatthekirk."
"It’snoooto’thekirkwindowye’llhaeseenhim,Sandy,mymon,"saidayoungfishwife.
"Rinformyglassonyway,Flucker,"saidChristie,forcingherselftotakesomelittleinterest.
Fluckerbroughtittoher,sheputherhandonhisshoulder,gotslowlyup,andstoodonthecreepieandadjustedthefocusofherglass;afterashortview,shesaidtoFlucker:
"Rinandseethenook."Shethenleveledherglassagainattheswimmer.
Fluckerinformedherthenooksaid"halfeleven"——Scotchfor"halfpastten."
Christiewhippedoutawell—thumbedalmanac.
"Yonnook’sayeahint,"saidshe.Sheswepttheseaoncemorewithherglass,thenbroughtittogetherwithaclick,andjumpedoffthestool.
Herquickintelligenceviewedthematterdifferentlyfromalltheothers.
"Noow,"criedshe,smartly,"wha’lllendmehisyawl?"
"Hets!dinnabesaeinterferin’,lassie,"saidafishwife.
"Haenaneo’yeonyspunk?"saidChristie,takingnonoticeofthewoman.
"Speak,laddies!"
"M’uncle’syawlisatthepier—head;ye’llgether,mywoman,"saidaboy.
"Aschell’nforwha’sfirstonboard,"saidChristie,holdingupthecoin.
"Comeawa’,Flucker,we’llhaeherschell’n;"andthesetwoworthiesinstantlyeffectedafalsestart.
"It’snounderyourjackets,"saidChristie,asshedashedafterthemlikethewind.
"Haw!haw!haw!"laughedSandy.
"What’sherbusinesspickingupamonagainsthiswill?"saidawoman.
"She’sanawfu’lassie,"whinedanother.Theexaminationoftheswimmerwasthencontinued,andthecrowdincreased;somewouldhaveithewasrapidlyapproaching,othersthathemadelittleornoway.
"Whaest?"saidanother.
"It’salummy,"saidagirl.
"Na!it’snoalummy,"saidanother.
Christie’sboatwasnowseenstandingoutfromthepier.SandyListon,castingacontemptuouslookonalltherest,liftedhimselflazilyintotheherring—boatandlookedseaward.Hismannerchangedinamoment.
"TheDeevil!"criedhe;"thetide’sturned!Youwi’yourglass,couldyounoseeyonman’sdriftingoottosea?"
"Hech!"criedthewomen,"he’llbedrooned——he’llbedrooned!"
"Yes;he’llbedrooned!"criedSandy,"ifyonlassiedoesnacomealongsidehimdeevelichquick——he’ssairspent,Idoot."
Twospectatorswerenowaddedtothescene,Mrs.GattyandLordIpsden.
Mrs.Gattyinquiredwhatwasthematter.
"It’samondrooning,"wasthereply.
Thepoorfellow,whomSandy,byaidofhisglass,nowdiscoveredtobeinawornoutcondition,wasabouthalfamileeastofNewhavenpier—head,andunfortunatelythewindwasnearlydueeast.Christiewasstandingnorth—northeast,herboat—hookjammedagainstthesail,whichstoodasflatasaknife.
ThenativesoftheOldTownwerenowseenpouringdowntothepierandthebeach,andstrangerswerecollectinglikebees.
"Afterwitiseverybody’swit!!!"——_OldProverb._
TheaffairwasintheJohnstone’shands.
"Thatboatisnotgoingtothepoorman,"saidMrs.Gatty,"itisturningitsbackuponhim."
"Shecannalieinthewind’seye,forascleverassheis,"answeredafishwife.
"Ikenwhaitis,"suddenlysqueakedalittlefishwife;"it’sChristieJohnstone’slad;it’syondaftpainterfr’England.Hech!"criedshe,suddenly,observingMrs.Gatty,"it’syourson,woman."
Theunfortunatewomangaveafearfulscream,and,flyinglikeatigeronListon,commandedhim"togostraightouttoseaandsaveherson."
JeanCarnieseizedherarm."Divyeseeyonboat?"criedshe;"anddivyemindChristie,thelasswha’shairtyehaebroken?aweel,woman——_it’sjustaracebetweendeethandCirstyJohnstoneforyourson._
Thepooroldwomanswooneddeadaway;theycarriedherintoChristieJohnstone’shouseandlaidherdown,thenhurriedback——thegreaterterrorabsorbedtheless.
LadyBarbaraSinclairwastherefromLeith;and,seeingLordIpsdenstandingintheboatwithafisherman,sheaskedhimtotellherwhatitwas;neitherhenoranyoneansweredher.
"Whydoesn’tshecomeabout,Liston?"criedLordIpsden,stampingwithanxietyandimpatience.
"She’llnobelang,"saidSandy;"butthey’llmakamesso’’twi’ne’eramani’theboat."
"Ye’resureo’thaat?"putinawoman.
"Ay,aboutshecomes,"saidListon,asthesailcamedownonthefirsttack.Hewasmistaken;theydippedthelugascleverlyasanymaninthetowncould.
"Hech!lookatherhaulingontheropelikeamon,"criedawoman.Thesailflewupontheothertack.
"She’sanawfu’lassie,".whinedanother.
"He’sawa,"groanedListon,"he’sdoon!"
"No!he’supagain,"criedLordIpsden;"butIfearhecan’tlivetilltheboatcomestohim."
Thefishermanandtheviscountheldonbyeachother.
"Hedoesnaseeher,ormaybehe’dtakhairt."
"I’dgivetenthousandpoundsifonlyhecouldseeher.MyGod,themanwillbedrownedunderoureyes.Ifhebutsawher!!!"
ThewordshadhardlyleftLordIpsden’slips,whenthesoundofawoman’svoicecamelikeanAEoliannoteacrossthewater.
"Hurraih!"roaredListon,andeverycreaturejoinedthecheer.
"She’llnolethimdee.Ah!she’sinthebows,hailinghiman’wavingthelad’sbonnetowerherheadtogiehimcoorage.Gudeblessye,lass;Gudeblessye!"
Christieknewitwasnousehailinghimagainstthewind,butthemomentshegotthewindshedartedintothebows,andpitchedinitshighestkeyherfullandbrilliantvoice;afteramomentofsuspenseshereceivedproofthatshemustbeheardbyhim,foronthepiernowhungmenandwomen,clusteredlikebees,breathlesswithanxiety,andthemomentaftershehailedthedrowningman,shesawandheardawildyellofapplauseburstfromthepier,andthepierwasmoredistantthantheman.ShesnatchedFlucker’scap,plantedherfootonthegunwale,heldonbyarope,hailedthepoorfellowagain,andwavedthecaproundandroundherhead,togivehimcourage;andinamoment,atthesightofthis,thousandsofvoicesthunderedbacktheircheerstoheracrossthewater.
Blow,wind——spring,boat——andyou,Christie,stillringlifetowardthosedespairingearsandwavehopetothosesinkingeyes;cheertheboaton,youthousandsthatlookuponthisaction;hurrah!fromthepier;hurrah!
fromthetown;hurrah!fromtheshore;hurrah!now,fromtheveryshipsintheroads,whosecrewsareswarmingontheyardstolook;fiveminutesagotheylaughedatyou;threethousandeyesandheartshanguponyounow;ay,thesearethemomentswelivefor!
Andnowdeadsilence.Theboatiswithinfiftyyards,theyareallthreeconsultingtogetherroundthemast;anerrornowisdeath;hisforeheadonlyseemsabovewater.
"Iftheymisshimonthattack?"saidLordIpsden,significantly,toListon.
"He’llneverseeLondonBriggagain,"wasthewhisperedreply.
Theycarriedontillallonshorethoughttheywouldrunoverhim,orpasthim;butno,attenyardsdistanttheywereallatthesail,andhaditdownlikelightning;andthenFluckersprangtothebows,theotherboytothehelm.
Unfortunately,therewerebuttwoJohnstonesintheboat;andthisboy,inhishurry,actuallyputthehelmtoport,insteadoftostarboard.
Christie,whostoodamidships,sawtheerror;shesprangaft,flungtheboyfromthehelmandjammedithard—a—starboardwithherfoot.Theboatansweredthehelm,buttoolateforFlucker;themanwasfouryardsfromhimastheboatdriftedby.
"He’sadeedmon!"criedListon,onshore.
Theboat’slengthgaveonemorelittlechance;theafter—partmustdriftnearerhim——thankstoChristie.Fluckerflewaft;flunghimselfonhisback,andseizedhissister’spetticoats.
"Flingyourselfowerthegunwale,"screamedhe."Ye’llnohurt;I’sehaudye."
Sheflungherselfboldlyoverthegunwale;themanwassinking,hernailstouchedhishair,herfingersentangledthemselvesinit,shegavehimapowerfulwrenchandbroughthimalongside;theboyspinnedhimlikewild—cats.
Christiedartedawayforwardtothemast,passedaroperoundit,threwittheboys,inamomentitwasunderhisshoulders.Christiehauledonitfromtheforethwart,theboysliftedhim,andtheytumbledhim,gaspingandgurglinglikeadyingsalmon,intothebottomoftheboat,andflungnetandjacketsandsailoverhimtokeepthelifeinhim.
Ah!drawyourbreathallhandsatseaandashore,anddon’ttryitagain,younggentleman,fortherewasnothingtospare;whenyouweremissedatthebowtwostoutheartsquiveredforyou;LordIpsdenhidhisfaceinhistwohands,SandyListongaveagroan,and,whenyouweregrabbedastern,jumpedoutofhisboatandcried:
"Agillo’whiskyforonyfavor,forit’sturnedmeasseeckasadoeg."
Headded:"Hemayblessyonlassie’sfowrbanes,forshe’sta’enhimooto’Death’smaw,assureasGude’sinheaven!"
LadyBarbara,whohadallherlifebeenlongingtoseeperilousadventures,prayedandtrembledandcriedmostpiteously;andLordIpsden’sbackwastoher,andhepaidnoattentiontohervoice;butwhenthebattlewaswon,andLordIpsdenturnedandsawher,sheclungtohisarmanddriedhertears;andthentheOldTowncheeredtheboat,andtheNewTowncheeredtheboat,andthetownscheeredeachother;andtheJohnstones,ladandlass,settheirsail,andsweptbackintriumphtothepier;sothenLadyBarbara’sbloodmountedandtingledinherveinslikefire."Oh,hownoble!"criedshe.
"Yes,dearest,"saidIpsden."Youhaveseensomethinggreatdoneatlast;
andbyawoman,too!"
"Yes,"saidBarbara,"howbeautiful!oh!howbeautifulitallis;onlythenextoneIseeIshouldlikethedangertobeoverfirst,thatisall."
TheboysandChristie,themomenttheyhadsavedGatty,upsailagainforNewhaven;theylandedinaboutthreeminutesatthepier.
TIME.FromNewhaventowntopieronfoot:1m.30sec.Firsttack:5m.
30sec.Secondtack,andgettinghimonboard:4m.0sec.Backtothepier,goingfree:3m.30sec.
Total:14m.30sec.
Theycameintothepier,Christiesittingquietlyonthethwartafterherwork,theboysteering,andFluckerstandingagainstthemast,handsinhispockets;thedeportmentthisyounggentlemanthoughtfittoassumeonthisoccasionwas"completeapathy";hecameintoportwiththeairofonebringinghometheordinaryresultsofhisday’sfishing;thiswas,I
suppose,toimpressthespectatorswiththenotionthatsavingliveswasanevery—dayaffairwithLaFamilleJohnstone;asforGatty,hecametohimselfunderhisheapofnetsandjacketsandspokeoncebetweenDeath’sjawandthepier.
"Beautiful!"murmuredhe,andwassilent.Themeaningofthisobservationnevertranspired,andneverwillinthisworld.Sixmonthsafterward,beingsubjectedtoasearchinginterrogatory,hestatedthathehadalludedtothemajestyandfreedomofacertain_pose_Christiehadadoptedwhilehailinghimfromtheboat;but,reader,ifhehadwantedyouandmetobelieveitwasthis,heshouldnothavebeenhalfayearfindingitout——_increduliodimus!_Theylanded,andChristiesprangonshore;whileshewaswendingherwaythroughthecrowd,impededbygreetingsandacclamations,witheverynowandthenalasswavingherkerchieforaladhisbonnetovertheheroine’shead,poorMrs.GattywasreceivingtheattentionoftheNewTown;theybroughtherto,theytoldherthegoodnews——shethankedGod.
Thewholestoryhadspreadlikewildfire;theyexpostulatedwithher,theytoldhernowwasthetimetoshowshehadaheart,andblesstheyoungpeople.
Sherewardedthemwithavaluableprecept.
"Mindyourownbusiness!"saidshe.
"Hech!y’areadourwife!"criedNewhaven.
Thedourwifebenthereyesontheground.
Thepeoplewerestillcollectedatthefootofthestreet,buttheywerenowinknots,whenindashedFlucker,arrivingbyashortcut,andcrying:"Shedoesnaken,shedoesnaken,shewasowermoedesttolook,Idaursay,andye’llnotellher,forhe’sablackguard,an’he’sjustmakingafuleo’thepuirlass,andifshekenswhatshehasdoneforhim,she’llbefondero’himthanacoowo’hercauf."
"Oh,Flucker!wemauntellher,it’sherlad,herainlad,shesaved,"
expostulatedawoman.
"Didevermyfeytherdoagoodturntillye?"criedFlucker."Awel,then,ye’llnotellthelassie,she’sweelassheis;he’sgaunt’Ennglandtheday.Icanniegieyea’ahidin’,"saidhe,withaneyethatflashedvolumesofgoodintentiononahundredandfiftypeople;"butIamfeytherlessandmotherless,an’Icanfa’onmykneesan’curseyea’ifyedoussicanillturn,an’thenye’llseewhetherye’llthrive."
"We’llnotell,Flucker,yeneednacurseusonyway."
Hislordship,withallthesharpauthorityofaskipper,orderedMasterFluckertothepier,withamessagetotheyacht;Flucker_qua_yachtsmanwasamachine,andwentasamatterofcourse."Iamdeterminedtotellher,"saidLordIpsdentoLadyBarbara.
"But,"remonstratedLadyBarbara,"thepoorboysayshewillcurseusifwedo."
"Hewon’tcurseme."
"Howdoyouknowthat?"
"Becausethelittleblackguard’sgrogwouldbestoppedonboardtheyachtifhedid."
Fluckerhadnotbeengonemanyminutesbeforeloudcheeringwasheard,andChristieJohnstoneappearedconvoyedbyalargedetachmentoftheOldTown;shehadtriedtoslipaway,buttheywouldnotlether.TheyconvoyedherintriumphtilltheysawtheNewTownpeople,andthentheyturnedandlefther.
Shecameinamongthegroups,achangedwoman——herpallorandherlistlessnessweregone——theoldlightwasinhereye,andthebrightcolorinhercheek,andsheseemedhardlytotouchtheearth.
"I’mjustdroukit,lasses,"criedshe,gayly,wringinghersleeve.Everyeyewasuponher;didsheknow,ordidshenotknow,whatshehaddone?
LordIpsdensteppedforward;thepeopletacitlyacceptedhimasthevehicleoftheircuriosity.
"Whowasit,Christie?"
"Idinnaken,formypairt!"
Mrs.Gattycameoutofthehouse.
"Ahandsomeyoungfellow,Ihope,Christie?"resumedLordIpsden.
"YemaunaskFlucker,"wasthereply."Icouldnotakmucklenotice,yeken,"puttingherhandbeforehereye,andhalfsmiling.
"Well!Ihearheisverygood—looking;andIhearyouthinkso,too."
Sheglidedtohimandlookedinhisface.Hegaveameaningsmile.Thepoorgirllookedquiteperplexed.Suddenlyshegaveaviolentstart.
"Christie!whereisChristie?"hadcriedawell—knownvoice.Hehadlearnedonthepierwhohadsavedhim——hehadslippedupamongtheboatstofindher——hecouldnotfindhishat——hecouldnotwaitforit——hisdrippinghairshowedwherehehadbeen——itwasherlovewhomshehadjustsavedoutofDeath’sveryjaws.
Shegaveacryoflovethatwentthrougheveryheart,highorlow,youngorold,thatheardit.Andshewenttohim,throughtheairitseemed;
but,quickasshewas,anotherwasasquick;themotherhadseenhimfirst,andshewasthere.Christiesawnothing.Withanothercry,theverykeynoteofhergreatandlovingheart,sheflungherarmsround——Mrs.Gatty,whowasonthesameerrandasherself.
"Heartsarenotsteel,andsteelisbent;Heartsarenotflint,andflintisrent."
TheoldwomanfeltChristietouchher.Sheturnedfromhersoninamomentandweptuponherneck.Herlovertookherhandandkissedit,andpressedittohisbosom,andtriedtospeaktoher;butallhecoulddowastosobandchoke——andkissherhandagain.
"Mydaughter!"sobbedtheoldwoman.
AtthatwordChristieclaspedherquickly;andthenChristiebegantocry.
"Iamnotastone,"criedMrs.Gatty.
"Igavehimlife;butyouhavesavedhimfromdeath.Oh,Charles,nevermakeherrepentwhatshehasdoneforyou."
Shewasawoman,afterall;andprudenceandprejudicemeltedlikesnowbeforeherheart.
Therewerenotmanydryeyes——leastofalltheheroicLadyBarbara’s.
Thethreewhomamomenthadmadeonewerebecomingcalmer,andtakingoneanother’shandsforlife,whenadiabolicalsoundarose——andwhatwasitbutSandyListon,who,afterfuriousresistance,wasblubberingwithexplosivebutshort—livedviolence?Havingdoneit,hewasthefirsttodraweverybody’sattentiontothephenomenon;andaffectingtoconsideritapurelyphysicalattack,likea_coupdesoleil,_orsoon,heproceededinstantlytoDrysel’sforhispanacea.
LadyBarbaraenjoinedLordIpsdentowatchthesepeople,andnottoloseawordtheysaid;and,aftershehadinsisteduponkissingChristie,shewentofftohercarriage.Andshetoowassohappy,shecriedthreedistincttimesonherwaytoEdinburgh.
LordIpsden,havingremindedGattyofhisengagement,beggedhimtoaddhismotherandChristietotheparty,andescortedLadyBarbaratoherphaeton.
Sothenthepeopledispersedbydegrees.
"Thatoldlady’sfaceseemsfamiliartome,"saidLordIpsden,ashestoodonthelittlenaturalplatformbythe"Peacock.""Doyouknowwhosheis,Saunders?"
"ItisPeggy,thatwascookinyourlordship’suncle’stime,mylord.Shemarriedagreen—grocer,"addedSaunders,withaninjuredair.
"Hech!hech!"criedFlucker,"Christiehasta’enupherheadwi’acook’sson."
Mrs.Gattywasusheredintothe"Peacock"withmockcivilitybyMr.
Saunders.Norecognitiontookplace,eachbeingashamedoftheotherasanacquaintance.
Thenextarrivalwasabeautifulyoungladyinablacksilkgown,aplainbutduck—likeplaidshawl,whoprovedtobeChristieJohnstone,inherSundayattire.
Whentheymet,Mrs.Gattygavealittlescreamofjoy,andsaid:"Oh,mychild;ifIhadseenyouinthatdress,Ishouldneverhavesaidawordagainstyou."
"Parsminimaestipsapuellasui!"
Hislordshipsteppeduptoher,tookoffhishat,andsaid:"WillMrs.
Gattytakefrommeacommissionfortwopictures,asbigasherself,andasbonny?"addedhe,doingalittleScotch.Hehandedheracheck;and,turningtoGatty,added,"Atyourconvenience,sir,_bienentendu."_
"Hech!it’sforfivehundredpund,Chairles."
"Goodgeargangsinlittlebook,"*saidJean.
*Bulk.
"Ay,doesit,"repliedFlucker,assumingthecompliment.
"Mylord!"saidtheartist,"youtreatArtlikeaprince;andsheshalltreatyoulikeaqueen.Whenthesuncomesoutagain,Iwillworkforyouandfame.Youshallhavetwothingspainted,everystrokeloyallyinthesunlight.InspiteofgloomywinterandgloomierLondon,IwilltryifI
can’thangnatureandsummeronyourwallsforever.Asforme,youknowI
mustgotoGerardDowandCuyp,andPierredeHoogh,whenmylittlesandisrun;butmyhandwritingshallwarmyourchildren’schildren’shearts,sir,whenthishandisdust."Hiseyeturnedinward,hewalkedtoandfro,andhiscompanionsdiedoutofhissight——hewasinthekingdomofart.
HislordshipandJeanenteredthe"Peacock,"followedbyFlucker,whomerelylingeredatthedoortomoralizeasfollows:
"Hech!hech!isnathaatlamentable?Christie’smon’sasdaftasadrunkweaver."
Butonestayedquietlybehind,andassumedthatmomenttheofficeofherlife.
"Ay!"heburstoutagain,"theresourcesofourartarestillunfathomed!
Picturesareyettobepaintedthatshallrefreshmen’sinnersouls,andhelptheirheartsagainsttheartificialworld;andcharmthefiendaway,likeDavid’sharp!!Theworld,aftercenturiesoflies,willgivenatureandtruthatrial.Whataparadiseartwillbe,whentruths,insteadoflies,shallbetoldonpaper,onmarble,oncanvas,andontheboards!!!"
"Dinner’sontheboarrd,"murmuredChristie,alludingtoLordIpsden’sbreakfast;"andIhaethechargeo’ye,"pullinghissleevehardenoughtodestroytheequilibriumofaflea.
"Thendon’tletuswasteourtimehere.Oh,Christie!"
"Whatest,myladdy?"
"I’msopreciouslyhungry!!!!"
"C—way*then!"
*Comeaway.
Offtheyran,handinhand,sparksofbeauty,loveandhappinessflyingallaboutthem.
CHAPTERXVII.
"THEREisnothingbutmeetingandpartinginthisworld!"andyoumaybesuretheincongruouspersonagesofourtalecouldnotlongbetogether.
Theirseparatepathshadmetforaninstantinonefocus,furnishedthenandtherethematterofaneccentricstory,andthendivergedforever.
Ourliveshaveageneralcurrent,andalsoanepisodeortwo;andtheepisodesofacommonplacelifeareoftenratherstartling;inlikemannerthistaleisnotaspecimen,butanepisodeofLordIpsdenandLadyBarbara,whosoonafterthismarriedandlivedliketherestofthe_beaumonde._Insodoing,theypassedoutofmyhands;suchaswishtoknowhowviscountsandviscountessesfeedandsleep,anddothedomestic(socalled),andthesocial(socalled),arereferredtothefashionablenovel.ToMr.Saunders,forinstance,whohasinthepressoneofthosecerberus—leviathansoffiction,socommonnow;incredibleasfoliotofutureages.Saunderswilltakeyoubythehand,andleadyouovercarpetstwoinchesthick——underrosycurtains——todinner—tables.Hewill_fete_you,andoperayou,anddazzleyouryoungimaginationwith_e’p’ergnes,_andsalvers,andbuhlandormolu.Nofishwivesorpaintersshallintrudeuponhispolishedscenes;allshallbeasgenteelashimself.Saundersisagoodauthority;heismoreinthesociety,andfarmoreintheconfidenceofthegreat,thanmostfashionablenovelists.Mr.
Saunders’sworkwillbeinthreevolumes;ninehundredandninetypages!!!!!!
Inotherwords,thissingleworkofthisingeniouswriterwillequalinbulktheaggregateofallthewritingsextantbyMoses,David,Solomon,Isaiah,andSt.Paul!!!
Ishallnotventureintocompetitionwiththisbehemothofthe_salon;_I
willevaporateinthingeneralities.
LordIpsdenthenlivedveryhappilywithLadyBarbara,whoseherohestraightwaybecame,andwhonoblyandpoeticallydotesuponhim.Hehasgoneintopoliticallifetopleaseher,andwillremainthere——topleasehimself.TheywerebothverygratefultoNewhaven;whentheymarriedtheyvowedtovisitittwiceayear,andmingleafortnight’ssimplelifewithitssimplescenes;butfouryearshavepassed,andtheyhaveneverbeenthereagain,andIdaresayneverwill;butwhenViscountIpsdenfallsinwithabrotheraristocratwhoiscrushedbythefiend_ennui,_heremembersAberford,andcondenseshisfamousrecipeintoatwo—edgedhexameter,whichwillmakemylearnedreaderlaugh,foritisfullofwisdom:
"Diluculosurgas!miserissuccurrerediscas!!"
FluckerJohnstonemeditatedduringbreakfastuponthefivehundredpounds,andregrettedhehadnotyearsagoadoptedMr.Gatty’sprofession;somedaysafterwardheinvitedhissistertoaconference.
Chairsbeingset,Mr.Fluckerlaiddownthisobservation,thatnearrelationsshouldbedeucedcarefulnottocastdiscreditupononeanother;thatnowhissisterwastobealady,itwasrepugnanttohissenseofrighttobeafishermanandmakeherladyshipblushforhim;onthecontrary,hefeltithisdutytorisetosuchhighconsiderationthatsheshouldbeproudofhim.
Christieacquiescedatonceinthisposition,butprofessedherselfembarrassedtoknowhowsucha"ne’er—do—weel"wastobemadeasourceofpride;thenshekissedFlucker,andsaid,inatonesomewhatinconsistentwiththeabove,"Tellme,mylaamb!"
Herlambinformedherthattheseahasmanypaths;someofthemdisgraceful,suchaslineornetfishing,andtheperiodicallayingdown,onrockyshoals,andtakingupagain,oflobster—creels;others,superiortoanythingthedrylandcanofferinimportanceanddignityandgeneralestimation,suchasthecommandofamerchantvesseltradingtotheEastorWestIndies.Herlambthensuggestedthatifshewouldbesogoodastolaunchhiminthemerchant—service,withagoodrigofclothesandmoneyinhispocket,therewasthatinhisheadwhichwouldenablehimtoworktowindwardofmostofhiscontemporaries.Hebadehercalculateuponthefollowingresults:Inayearortwohewouldbesecondmate,andnextyearfirstmate,andinafewyearsmoreskipper!Thinkofthat,lass!Skipperofavessel,whoserighegenerouslylefthissisterfreetodetermine;premisingthattwomastswere,inhistheoryofnavigation,indispensable,andthatthreewereagreatdealmorelikeCockerthantwo.Thisledtoageneralconsultation;Flucker’sambitionwasdiscussedandpraised.Thatmodestyounggentleman,inspiteofmanyinjunctionstothecontrary,communicatedhissister’splansforhimtoLordIpsden,andaffectedtodoubttheirprudence.Thebaittook;LordIpsdenwrotetohismanofbusiness,andanunexpectedblowfellupontheingeniousFlucker.
Hewassenttoschool;theretolearnalittleastronomy,alittlenavigation,alittleseamanship,alittlemanners,etc.;inthemysteriesofreadingandwritinghissisterhadalreadyperfectedhimbydintof"thetaws."Thisschoolwasablow;butFluckerwasnofool;hesawtherewasnowayofgettingfromschooltoseawithoutworking.Soheliterallyworkedouttosea.Hisfirstvoyagewasdistinguishedbythefollowingpeculiarities:Attemptstoputtricksuponthisparticularnovicegenerallyendedinthelaughturningagainsttheexperimenters;andinsteadofdrinkinghisgrog,whichhehates,hesecretedit,andsolditforvariousadvantages.Hehasbeennowfourvoyages.Whenhecomesashore,insteadofgoingtohauntsoffollyandvice,heinstantlybearsupforhissister’shouse——KensingtonGravel—pits——whichhemakesinthefollowingmanner:Hegoesuptheriver——Heavenknowswhereall——thishecallsrunningdownthelongitude;thenhelands,andbearsdownupontheGravel—pits;inparticularknowledgeofthenamesofstreetsheisdeficient,butheknowstheexactbearingsofChristie’sdwelling.Hetacksandwearsaccordingasmasonrycompelshim,andhearrivesatthegate.Hehailsthehouse,inavoicethatbringsalltheinhabitantsoftherowtotheirwindows,includingChristie;heisfallenuponanddraggedintothehouse.Thefirstthingis,hedrawsoutfromhisboots,andhisback,andotherhiding—places,ChinacrapeandmarveloussilkhandkerchiefsforChristie;andshetakesfromhispocketamassofOrientalsugar—plums,withwhich,butforthisprecaution,sheknowsbyexperiencehewouldpoisonyoungCharley;andsoonheistobeseensittingwithhishandinhissister’s,andshelooknglikeamotheruponhishandsome,weather—beatenface,andGattyopposite,adoringhimasaspecimenofmalebeauty,andsometimesmakingfurtivesketchesofhim.
Andthenthetaleshealwaysbringswithhim;thehouseisneververydull,butitislivelierthaneverwhenthisinexhaustiblesailorcastsanchorinit.
Thefriends(chieflyartists)whousedtoleaveat9:30,staytilleleven;foranintelligentsailorisbettercompanythantwolawyers,twobishops,threesoldiers,andfourwritersofplaysandtales,allrolledtogether.AndstillhetellsChristieheshallcommandavesselsomeday,andleadshertothemostcheeringinferencesfromthefactofhisprudenceandhisgeneralwidth—awake;inparticularhebidshercontrastwithhimthegeneralfateofsailors,eatenupbyland—sharks,particularlyofthefemalegender,whomhedemonstratestobetheworstenemiespoorJackhas;hecallsthesesunkenrocks,fire—shipsandothermetaphors.Heconcludesthus:"YouareallthelassImeantohavetillI’maskipper,andthenI’llbearupalongsidesomepretty,decentlass,likeyourself,Christie,andwe’llsailincompanyallourlives,letthewindblowhighorlow."SuchisthegraciousFluckerbecomeinhistwentiethyear.Lastvoyage,withChristie’said,heproducedasextantofhisown,and"madeittwelveo’clock"(withthesun’sconsent,I
hope),andtheeyesofauthorityfelluponhim.So,whoknows?perhapshemayoneday,sailaship;and,ifhedoes,hewillbeprouderandhappierthanifwemadehimmonarchoftheglobe.
Toreturntoourchiefs;Mrs.Gattygaveherformalconsenttoherson’smarriagewithChristieJohnstone.
Therewereexamples.Aristocracyhaderenowcondescendedtowealth;
earlshadmarriedwomenrichbytallow—importingpapas;andnodoubt,hadthesesameearlsbeenconsultedinGatty’scase,theywouldhavedecidedthatChristieJohnstone,withherrealandfundedproperty,wasnotavillainousmatchforagreengrocer’sson,withoutarapp;*butMrs.
Gattydidnotreasonso,didnotreasonatall,luckily,herheartranawaywithherjudgment,and,herjudgmentceasingtoact,shebecameawisewoman.
*AdiminutiveGermancoin.
Thecasewaspeculiar.Gattywasaartist_pursang_——andChristie,whowouldnothavebeenthewifefora_petitmaitre,_wasthewifeofwivesforhim.
Hewantedabeautifulwifetoembellishhiscanvas,disfiguredhithertobyaninjudiciousselectionofmodels;avirtuouswifetobehiscrown;aprudentwifetosavehimfromruin;acheerfulwifetosustainhisspirits,droopingattimesbyvirtueofhisartist’stemperament;anintellectualwifetopreservehischildrenfrombeingborndoltsandbreddunces,andtokeephisownmindfromsharpeningtoonepoint,andsocontractingandbecomingmonomaniacal.Andhefoundallthesequalities,togetherwiththesunandmoonofhumanexistence——trueloveandtruereligion——inChristieJohnstone.
Insimilarcases,foolishmenhavesettoworktomake,insixmonths,theirdiamondofnature,theexactcutandglossofothermen’spastes,and,nervouslywatchingtheprocess,havesufferedtorture;luckilyCharlesGattywasnotwiseenoughforthis;hesawnaturehaddistinguishedherhelovedbeyondherfellows;here,aselsewhere,hehadfaithinnature——hebelievedthatChristiewouldcharmeverybodyofeye,andear,andmind,andheart,thatapproachedher;headmiredherasshewas,andlefthertopolishherself,ifshechose.Hedidwell;shecametoLondonwithafinemind,abroadbrogue,adelicateear;sheobservedhowherhusband’sfriendsspoke,andinaveryfewmonthsshehadtoneddownherScotchtoarichIoniccoloring,whichherwomanlyinstinctwillneverletherexchangeforthethin,vinegaraccentsthataretooprevalentinEnglishandFrenchsociety;andinotherrespectsshecaught,byeasygradation,thetoneofthenewsocietytowhichhermarriageintroducedher,without,however,losinghercharmingself.
Thewisedowagerlodgeshardby,havingresistedaninvitationtobeinthesamehouse;shecomestothathousetoassisttheyoungwifewithherexperience,andtobewelcome——nottointerfereeveryminute,andteaseher;shelovesherdaughter—in—lawalmostasmuchasshedoesherson,andsheishappybecausehebidsfairtobeanimmortalpainter,and,aboveall,agentleman;andshe,awifelywife,amotherlymother,and,aboveall,alady.
This,then,isahappycouple.Theirlifeisfullofpurposeandindustry,yetlightenedbygayety;theygotooperas,theatersandballs,fortheyareyoung.Theyhaveplentyofsociety,realsociety,nottheill—assortedcollectionofapredeterminednumberofbodies,thatblindlyassumesthatname,buttherichcommunicationofvariousandfertileminds;theyvery,veryseldomconsenttosquatfourmortalhoursononechair(likeoldharesstiffeningintheirhotforms),andnibbling,sippingandtwaddlinginfourmortalhourswhatcouldhavebeeneaten,drunkenandsaidinthirty—fiveminutes.Theyarebothartistsatheart,anditshockstheirnaturestoseefolksmixsoverylargelythe_inutile_withthe_insipidum,_andwaste,atonehugebutbarrenincubation,thesoul,andthestomach,andtheirrevocablehours,thingswithwhichsomuchistobedone.Buttheyhavemanydesirableacquaintances,andnotafewfriends;thelatteraremostlyloversoftruthintheirseveraldepartments,andinallthings.Amongthemarepainters,sculptors,engineers,writers,conversers,thinkers;theseacknowledging,eveninEngland,othergodsbesidestheintestines,meetoften_chez_Gatty,chieflyformentalintercourse;acupofteawithsuchisfound,byexperience,tobebetterthanastalledelkwherechit—chatreignsovertheprostratehours.
This,then,isahappycouple;theverypigeonsandthecrowsneednotblushforthenestatKensingtonGravel—pits.TherethedivineinstitutionMarriagetakesitsnaturalcolors,anditisatoncepleasantandgoodtocatchsuchglimpsesofHeaven’sdesign,andsadtothinkhowoftenthisgreatboon,accordedbyGodtomanandwoman,musthavebeenabusedandperverted,ereitcouldhavesunktobethestandingbuttoffarce—writers,andthethemeofweeklypunsters.
Inthispairweseethewondersamaleandfemalecandoforeachotherinthesweetbondofholywedlock.Inthatblessedrelationalonetwointerestsarereallyone,andtwoheartsliesafeatanchorsidebyside.
ChristieandCharlesarefriends——fortheyaremanandwife.
ChristieandCharlesareloversstill——fortheyaremanandwife.
ChristieandCharlesareoneforever——fortheyaremanandwife.
Thiswifebrightensthehouse,fromkitchentogarret,forherhusband;
thishusbandworkslikeakingforhiswife’scomfort,andforhisownfame——andthatfameishiswife’sglory.Whenoneoftheseexpressesorhintsawish,theother’sfirstimpulseistofindthemeans,nottheobjections.
Theysharealltroubles,and,bysharing,halvethem.
Theyshareallpleasures,and,bysharing,doublethem.
Theyclimbthehilltogethernow,andmanyacantydaytheyshallhavewithoneanother;andwhen,bytheinevitablelaw,theybegintodescendtowardthedarkvalley,theywillstillgohandinhand,smilingsotenderly,andsupportingeachotherwithacaremorelovelythanwhenthearmwasstrongandthefootfirm.
Onthesetwotemperatelivesoldagewilldescendlightly,gradually,gently,andlate——andlateupontheseevergreenhearts,becausetheyarenottunedtosomeselfish,isolatedkey;theseheartsbeatandringwiththeyoungheartsoftheirdearchildren,andyearshencepapaandmammawillbeginlifehopefully,wishfully,warmlyagainwitheachlovednoviceinturn.
Andwhenoldagedoescome,itwillbenocalamitytothese,asitistoyou,poorbatteredbeau,laughedatbythefairninnieswhoerstlaughedwithyou;toyou,poorfollowerofsalmon,fox,andpheasant,whosejointsarestiffening,whosenerveisgone——whoseGolgotharemains;toyou,poorfadedbeauty,whohavestakedalluponman’sappetite,andnotaccumulatedgoodnessorsenseforyoursecondcourse;toyou,poordrawing—roomwit,whosesarcasmhasturnedtovenomandisturningtodrivel.
Whatterrorshasoldageforthishappypair?itcannotmakethemugly,for,thoughthepurplelightofyouthrecedes,anewkindoftranquilbeauty,thealoe—blossomofmanyyearsofinnocence,comesto,andsitslikeadoveupon,theagedfaces,wheregoodness,sympathyandintelligencehaveharboredtogethersolong;andwhereevilpassionshaveflitted(forweareallhuman),butfoundnoresting—place.
Oldageisnocalamitytothem.Itcannotterrifythem;foreretheyhadbeenmarriedaweekthewomantaughttheman,loveroftruth,tosearchforthehighestandgreatesttruthsinabookwrittenformen’ssoulsbytheAuthoroftheworld,thesea,thestars,thesun,thesoul;andthisbook,_Deigratia,_will,asthegoodbishopsings,"TeachthemtolivethattheymaydreadThegraveaslittleastheirbed."
Itcannotmakethemsad,for,ereitcomeslovedsoulswillhavegonefromearthandfromtheirtenderbosom,butnotfromtheirmemories;andwillseemtobeckonthemnowacrossthecoldvalleytothegoldenland.
Itcannotmakethemsad,foronearththehappiestmustdrinkasorrowfulcupmorethanonceinalonglife,andsotheirbrightesthopeswillhavecometodwellhabituallyonthingsbeyondthegrave;andthegreatpainter,_jamSenex,_willchieflymeditateuponaricherlandscapeandbrighterfiguresthanhumanhandhaseverpainted;ascenewhoseglorieshecanseefromhencebutbyglimpsesandthroughaglassdarkly;thegreatmeadowsontheothersideofJordan,whicharebrightwiththespiritsofthejustthatwalkthere,andarewarmedwithaneternalsun,andringwiththetriumphofthehumbleandthetrue,andthepraisesofGodforever.