Part 59 (2/2)
I returned my thanks, accepted the invitation, and took my leave, his lords.h.i.+p saying, as he shook hands with me, ”You don't know, how happy this intelligence has made me. I trust that your father and I shall be good friends.”
When I returned to the carriage, as my father had desired me to take an airing, I thought I might as well have a companion, so I directed them to drive to Mr Cophagus's. The servant knocked, and I went in as soon as the door was opened. Susannah and Mrs Cophagus were sitting in the room.
”Susannah,” said I, ”I know you do not like to walk out, so I thought, perhaps, you would have no objection to take an airing in the carriage: my father has lent it to me. Will you come?--it will do you good.”
”It is very kind of you, j.a.phet, to think of me; but--”
”But what?” replied Mrs Cophagus. ”Surely thou wilt not refuse, Susannah. It would savour much of ingrat.i.tude on thy part.”
”I will not then be ungrateful,” replied Susannah, leaving the room; and in a short time she returned in a Leghorn bonnet and shawl like her sister's. ”Do not I prove that I am not ungrateful, j.a.phet, since to do credit to thy carriage, I am content to depart from the rules of our persuasion?” said Susannah, smiling.
”I feel the kindness and the sacrifice you are making to please me, Susannah,” replied I; ”but let us lose no time.”
I handed her down to the carriage, and we drove to the Park. It was a beautiful day, and the Park was filled with pedestrians as well as carriages. Susannah was much astonished, as well as pleased. ”Now, Susannah,” said I, ”if you were to call this Vanity Fair, you would not be far wrong; but still, recollect that even all this is productive of much good. Reflect how many industrious people find employment and provision for their families by the building of these gay vehicles, their painting and ornamenting. How many are employed at the loom, and at the needle, in making these costly dresses. This vanity is the cause of wealth not being h.o.a.rded, but finding its way through various channels, so as to produce comfort and happiness to thousands.”
”Your observations are just, j.a.phet, but you have lived in the world and seen much of it. I am as one just burst from an egg-sh.e.l.l, all amazement. I have been living in a little world of my own thoughts, surrounded by a mist of ignorance, and not being able to penetrate farther, have considered myself wise when I was not.”
”My dear Susannah, this is a checkered world, but not a very bad one-- there is in it much of good as well as evil. The sect to which you belong, avoid it--they know it not--and they are unjust towards it.
During the time that I lived at Reading, I will candidly state to you that I met with many who called themselves of the persuasion, who were wholly unworthy of it, but they made up in outward appearance and hypocrisy what they wanted in their conduct to their fellow creatures.
Believe me, Susannah, there are pious and good, charitable and humane, conscientious and strictly honourable people among those who now pa.s.s before your view in such gay procession; but society requires that the rich should spend their money in superfluities, that the poor may be supported. Be not deceived, therefore, in future, by the outward garments, which avail nothing.”
”You have induced me much to alter my opinions already, j.a.phet; so has that pleasant friend of thine, Mr Masterton, who has twice called since we have been in London; but is it not time that we should return?”
”It is indeed later than I thought it was, Susannah,” lied I, looking at my watch, ”and I am afraid that my father will be impatient for my return. I will order them to drive home.”
As we drove along, leaning against the back of the carriage, my hand happened to touch that of Susannah, which lay beside her on the cus.h.i.+on, I could not resist taking it in mine, and it was not withdrawn. What my thoughts were, the reader may imagine: Susannah's I cannot acquaint him with; but in that position we remained in silence until the carriage stopped at Cophagus's door. I handed Susannah out of the carriage, and went up stairs for a few moments. Mrs Cophagus and her husband were out.
”Susannah, this is very kind of you, and I return you my thanks. I never felt more happy than when seated with you in that carriage.”
”I have received both amus.e.m.e.nt and instruction, j.a.phet, and ought to thank you. Do you know what pa.s.sed in my mind at one time?”
”No--tell me.”
”When I first knew you, and you came among us, I was, as it were, the guide, a presumptuous one perhaps to you, and you listened to me--now it is reversed--now that we are removed and in the world, it is you that are the guide, and it is I who listen and obey.”
”Because, Susannah, when we first met I was much in error, and had thought too little of serious things, and you were fit to be my guide: now we are mixing in the world, with which I am better acquainted than yourself. You then corrected me, when I was wrong: I now point out to you where you are not rightly informed: but, Susannah, what you have learnt of me is as nought compared with the valuable precepts which I gained from your lips--precepts which, I trust, no collision with the world will ever make me forget.”
”Oh! I love to hear you say that; I was fearful that the world would spoil you, j.a.phet; but it will not--will it?”
”Not so long as I have you still with me, Susannah: but if I am obliged to mix again with the world, tell me, Susannah, will you reject me?-- will you desert me?--will you return to your own people and leave me so exposed? Susannah, dearest, you must know how long, how dearly I have loved you:--you know that, if I had not been sent for and obliged to obey the message, I would have lived and died content with you. Will you not listen to me now, or do you reject me?”
I put my arm round her waist, her head fell upon my shoulder, and she burst into tears. ”Speak, dearest, this suspense is torture to me,”
continued I.
”I do love you, j.a.phet,” replied she at last, looking fondly at me through her tears; ”but I know not whether this earthly love may not have weakened my affection towards Heaven. If so, may G.o.d pardon me, for I cannot help it.”
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