Part 4 (1/2)

”Then praise the novels rather than their wretched author,” I told him roundly, ”and inflate Mr. Egerton's sales! You cannot display your pride more profitably, or in a manner more suited to my taste; for I mean to have one of those gorgeous confections,” I added with a nod towards La Belle a.s.semblee La Belle a.s.semblee, ”as soon as I have put off my blacks.”

WE DAWDLED ALONG THE SHOPS OF N NORTH S STREET, STOPPING now and again to admire a particularly fine picture displayed in a window, or a daring hat, or a zephyr cloak such as might have driven Eliza wild; and after taking a cold collation in a parlour at the Old s.h.i.+p, drove out in a hired gig along the coast. All manner of natural beauties may be found to the west of town-the fall of boulders known as The Rocks, at the mouth of a little inlet just brushed by the road near Southwick-and the natural wonder called Egypt, just shy of Sh.o.r.eham, which looks to be the work of antique Pharaohs in its scattering of monoliths, standing upright amidst the sea. With the wind on my cheeks and my curls whipping from beneath my bonnet, I might almost have been nineteen again-and felt lighter of heart than I had in all the sad weeks since Eliza's decline. now and again to admire a particularly fine picture displayed in a window, or a daring hat, or a zephyr cloak such as might have driven Eliza wild; and after taking a cold collation in a parlour at the Old s.h.i.+p, drove out in a hired gig along the coast. All manner of natural beauties may be found to the west of town-the fall of boulders known as The Rocks, at the mouth of a little inlet just brushed by the road near Southwick-and the natural wonder called Egypt, just shy of Sh.o.r.eham, which looks to be the work of antique Pharaohs in its scattering of monoliths, standing upright amidst the sea. With the wind on my cheeks and my curls whipping from beneath my bonnet, I might almost have been nineteen again-and felt lighter of heart than I had in all the sad weeks since Eliza's decline.

On our return to Brighton, Henry elected to drive out a mile or two along the Lewes road to the encampment of the 10th Royal Hussars-being an inveterate Paymaster, my brother must needs renew acquaintance among the officers; he can never be entirely at his ease, even at a watering-place, but must be about the business of winning custom wherever it may offer. As his conversations could in no way include me me, I was at leisure to walk about. I had alluded to Brighton Camp in Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice, without ever having seen it-and thought it should prove very good sport to learn how much the truth differed from my invention.8 There is much colour in the general scene, for the Prince of Wales Own, as they are called, are scrupulous as to the quality of their horses, their curricles, and their uniforms. They are among the most das.h.i.+ng set of men in England, and betray little sensibility of their losses in the Peninsula, at Corunna and Vittoria. Their manners, when in possession of their senses and not foxed from the b.u.mpers of brandy they are known to take at all hours of the day, are elegant in the extreme; and so I suffered no impropriety or insult-on account of my black clothes, and matronly cap, and general appearance of outworn looks. There are silly girls enough for hanging on the sleeve of every red coat-and one of my advanced years must appear in the nature of deserted chaperon.

It was with a start, therefore, that I heard my name called in an excited accent. Turning, I observed Miss Catherine Twining, accompanied by her father. She was dressed with extreme propriety this morning, in dove-grey muslin drawn up to the neck and a dark blue spencer; a close bonnet concealed her glossy chestnut curls; her eyes, however, were sparkling with delight.

”Miss Austen! What good fortune! Is it not remarkable that we should meet again, within a day of our first acquaintance? I must ascribe it to the workings of Fate!” Miss Twining cried.

”Providence, rather,” the General corrected drily, ”who sees all and orders all. I wonder you have the courage to call down His notice, unfortunate child.”

Miss Twining's pink cheeks blanched; her imploring gaze fixed on my countenance.

”General Twining,” I said with a curtsey. ”Miss Twining. I hope I find you fully recovered from your ordeal of yesterday?”

”We were not to speak of it!” General Twining looked all his rage. ”I wonder wonder at your insolence, ma'am! And your lack of delicacy! Indeed, I must suspicion some dark purpose in your deliberate allusion to events that cannot too soon be forgotten. Understand, Miss Austen, you shall never hope to profit by your shameful knowledge.” at your insolence, ma'am! And your lack of delicacy! Indeed, I must suspicion some dark purpose in your deliberate allusion to events that cannot too soon be forgotten. Understand, Miss Austen, you shall never hope to profit by your shameful knowledge.”

”Profit?” I repeated, bewildered.

The obsidian gaze swept over my figure. ”Was it that hope that hope that brought you to Brighton Camp? A handsome sum, perhaps, in exchange for the preservation of your silence-the alternative being the publication of my daughter's wantonness throughout the streets of Brighton?” that brought you to Brighton Camp? A handsome sum, perhaps, in exchange for the preservation of your silence-the alternative being the publication of my daughter's wantonness throughout the streets of Brighton?”

”Sir!” I gasped, outraged.

”Papa!” Miss Twining cried, at the same instant.

”How else am I to understand your pursuit of us here this morning, madam? Disgraceful! On such a day of melancholy importance to the Twining family! If it is not advantage advantage you seek-if it is not you seek-if it is not interest interest that has brought you hard on my daughter's heels-then how may you account for your brazen appearance here, in an encampment of soldiers, and entirely without protection? I might almost a.s.sume you to have been Byron's confederate, and posted in Cuckfield a-purpose, the better to blackmail your victim!” that has brought you hard on my daughter's heels-then how may you account for your brazen appearance here, in an encampment of soldiers, and entirely without protection? I might almost a.s.sume you to have been Byron's confederate, and posted in Cuckfield a-purpose, the better to blackmail your victim!”

I stared at him, my body rigid with indignation. ”I am thankful that my brother, Mr. Austen, is unable to hear your insults, General-for he should not hesitate to answer them with a demand for justice. I have nothing further to say to you but Good day Good day.”

I would have stepped past the repugnant fellow on the instant, and made my way blindly in any direction opposite the Twinings' own, had not Miss Twining impeded me. ”Pray-I implore implore you, Miss Austen-do you, Miss Austen-do not not-do not take my papa in bad part-it is only that he is suffering, you see, on account of dear Richard.”

I stopped short. What courage the child possessed, to speak out against all caution, all portents in that black and furious face, wavering above her! Where had she learnt such courage? Or was it the broken voice of desperation that spoke-seeking a support of any kind that offered? I could not walk coldly from such a plea; my heart must hear it, and my temper cool. I felt my looks soften, and I forced a smile for the girl. She was so very young, after all- ”If I have offended you, Miss Austen, I beg leave to apologise,” her father said stiffly. ”Such words ought, I apprehend, to have been reserved for Byron himself. But he is unfortunately from Brighton at this present. When he returns, I shall know how to act.”

”Papa!” In alarm, Miss Twining grasped his coat sleeve. ”You cannot challenge a poet to a duel! Every feeling must be offended!”

He shook her hand away as tho' it had been a fly.

”It is difficult, Miss Austen, for a father to know what he should do for so wayward a daughter. How Catherine can have abandoned propriety yesterday, and entered the coach of a stranger-abandoning reputation and every claim to honour....I know my duty-the girl ought ought to have been soundly whipped, and confined to her room-but circ.u.mstances prevented the natural consequence of sin.” to have been soundly whipped, and confined to her room-but circ.u.mstances prevented the natural consequence of sin.”

This was heaping mortification upon mortification; Miss Twining looked weak with shame, and she could not lift up her eyes. I sincerely pitied her.

”I have an idea that your daughter repents of her impulsive folly,” I said firmly, ”and would be grateful for silence from us both on the subject. It is no deprivation to me, sir, I a.s.sure you, to talk of more cheerful matters.”

”It would have been better for her, had she not been seen abroad this se'ennight,” General Twining persisted heavily, ”but our visit to the Camp could not be put off. I observe you are in mourning, ma'am-and that you will have noted, for your part, that I am in blacks as well. My son-my only heir only heir-was killed on this day, a year since, under that disreputable fool Wellington's command in Spain. It is for that reason-for that solemn observance of our irremediable loss-that Catherine and I have visited the Hussars this morning.”

”You have my deepest sympathy,” I murmured.

”Mr. Hendred Smalls,” the General said broodingly, ”-a most respectable clergyman, with every distinction bestowed by the Regent himself-was so good as to offer a service of penance for the redemption of my poor son's soul. His brother officers took leave from their duties to attend-they have not entirely forgot my martyred Richard. You will apprehend that Catherine's absence should have excited comment, at a moment when comment was least desired. Her Her penance, therefore, has been forestalled a little.” He unbent so far as to lean towards me, as if to confide. ”I would not have Mr. Smalls think ill of her for the world. I should not wish penance, therefore, has been forestalled a little.” He unbent so far as to lean towards me, as if to confide. ”I would not have Mr. Smalls think ill of her for the world. I should not wish that gentleman that gentleman to have a horror of one who might, with a little push, be to have a horror of one who might, with a little push, be all all to him in future.” to him in future.”

I collected the General intended to make a match between his daughter and the loyal clergyman-was it for Mr. Smalls that Miss Twining had rebuffed so dramatic a parti parti as Byron? Was it possible the clergyman had won her heart, to the exclusion of all other interests-even the most Romantic Lord to walk the streets of Brighton? And how had such an ardent attachment won the General's approval? The girl was, after all, but fifteen; Mr. Smalls, if he had advanced so far as to earn the Regent's notice and favour, must be somewhat older than a curate, and an unlikely companion for a child barely out of the schoolroom. I glanced at Miss Twining in sympathy-there is nothing as dreadful as the publication of one's love affairs-and found her disgusted gaze fixed upon some object behind me. as Byron? Was it possible the clergyman had won her heart, to the exclusion of all other interests-even the most Romantic Lord to walk the streets of Brighton? And how had such an ardent attachment won the General's approval? The girl was, after all, but fifteen; Mr. Smalls, if he had advanced so far as to earn the Regent's notice and favour, must be somewhat older than a curate, and an unlikely companion for a child barely out of the schoolroom. I glanced at Miss Twining in sympathy-there is nothing as dreadful as the publication of one's love affairs-and found her disgusted gaze fixed upon some object behind me.

I turned, and espied a rotund gentleman of advanced years hastening towards our party. His face shone with perspiration, despite the mildness of the day; his hatless head betrayed a balding pate; and his general corpulence suggested a familiarity with the pleasures of the table that must supersede all other pursuits. A cheerful-looking gentleman enough; and however unlikely it seemed, on excellent terms with General Twining. He appeared determined, in his purposeful waddle, to pay his respects on the sad occasion.

”Ah,” the General muttered uneasily. ”How very unfortunate-Miss Austen, I must beg you to preserve the profoundest silence on the subject of my daughter's recent disgrace, before Mr....That is, I hope I may depend upon your discretion...Catherine, do not slouch so, and at least attempt attempt to suggest the angelic in your looks!” to suggest the angelic in your looks!”

”You cannot mean, sir-”

”Indeed, Miss Austen,” Miss Twining burst out. ”Behold the aspirant to my hand! Am I not to be congratulated? Every girl in Brighton must envy me such a beau! I do not think he is above three years older older than my father, indeed! May I present the extremely respectable Mr. Hendred Smalls to your acquaintance?” than my father, indeed! May I present the extremely respectable Mr. Hendred Smalls to your acquaintance?”

8 Henry Austen began life as a banker when he was appointed regimental paymaster of the Oxfords.h.i.+re Militia at the age of twenty-six-the year he married Eliza de Feuillide, his widowed cousin.- Henry Austen began life as a banker when he was appointed regimental paymaster of the Oxfords.h.i.+re Militia at the age of twenty-six-the year he married Eliza de Feuillide, his widowed cousin.-Editor's note.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Regent's Reception 8 MAY 1813 1813.

BRIGHTON, CONT.

”A PLEASURE, TO BE SURE PLEASURE, TO BE SURE,” MR. SMALLS p.r.o.nOUNCED AS he bent with effort over my hand; ”for any young lady who is accounted a friend to our dear Miss Twining, must be a treasure indeed.” he bent with effort over my hand; ”for any young lady who is accounted a friend to our dear Miss Twining, must be a treasure indeed.”

I murmured some pleasantry, acutely aware of Catherine Twining's discomfort; she had stepped back a pace, as though to put as much distance as possible between herself and this preposterous suitor, this puffing Romeo some four decades her senior, whose countenance shone with the exertion of making his bow and whose fingers clutched damply at my own. Hendred Smalls effected a smile-his teeth, as should not be unusual in a man of his span, were very very bad-and then turned with a simper to his real object, Miss Twining. Having learnt, no doubt, from previous experience, she kept her hands firmly clutched on her reticule and merely bobbed a curtsey, her face all but obscured beneath the brim of her bonnet. bad-and then turned with a simper to his real object, Miss Twining. Having learnt, no doubt, from previous experience, she kept her hands firmly clutched on her reticule and merely bobbed a curtsey, her face all but obscured beneath the brim of her bonnet.

General Twining placed his hand in the small of his daughter's back and thrust her ungently towards the clergyman. ”Pray show your grat.i.tude to Mr. Smalls, my dear, for that most eloquent tribute to your brother. Mr. Smalls, for my part, I can conceive of nothing more fitting to the martial nature of Richard's life-and the bitter waste of his end.”

”Sacrifice,” Mr. Smalls observed, with his small black eyes fixed upon Miss Twining's cheek, ”is the highest purpose of man's existence on earth. You may be proud, General-if I may so express it-that Richard's life was was wasted; for it is the death won without glory, the obscure and insignificant ending, that is most valued in the eyes of the Creator. We should not set ourselves up as rivals, I am sure, of that consummate sacrifice at Calgary.” wasted; for it is the death won without glory, the obscure and insignificant ending, that is most valued in the eyes of the Creator. We should not set ourselves up as rivals, I am sure, of that consummate sacrifice at Calgary.”

I found this sentiment so revolting I had not a word to utter in response to it. Miss Twining's fixed regard for the paving-stones at her feet-she had ignored her father's injunction to effuse her thanks-suggested that the poor child was as little moved. Mr. Smalls's eloquence may perhaps have been marred by his manner of speaking-he was given to richly rolling consonants, as affected as though he had been trained up in the theatre in his youth, rather than the pulpit; one might suspect him of prating Hamlet Hamlet when he had no babes to baptise. I wondered if he spoke thusly even in the breakfast parlour, crying out for his bread and b.u.t.ter; or if he was liable to declaim from the nether end of the table, when desperately in want of soup. when he had no babes to baptise. I wondered if he spoke thusly even in the breakfast parlour, crying out for his bread and b.u.t.ter; or if he was liable to declaim from the nether end of the table, when desperately in want of soup.

”I am sure you have much to say to one another,” I murmured, ”and must beg to leave you in peace. General, my condolences on your sad loss; and Mr. Smalls, I shall hope to have the pleasure of listening to your sermon on the morrow.”

His round face flushed darkly; his head inclined. ”That is not likely to be possible, Miss Austen. You may not perfectly comprehend my position in life. You will know, I am sure, that there is but one church in Brighton-so charming a town should hardly need more-and that is the venerable St. Nicholas's, which dates from the fourteenth century, tho' certain of the tower stones are decidedly Norman in origin. It falls under the authority of the Bishop of Chichester, and his chosen vicar is the most Reverend Mr. Michel, an excellent man. We have argued points of great doctrinal significance from time to time. I myself am attached, however, to Brighton Camp; I am chaplain to the 10th Royal Hussars, whose Colonel-in-Chief is no less a personage than the Regent himself. I owe everything in life to His Royal Highness. Such benevolence! Such condescension!”

”Such unexpected wisdom,” General Twining interposed warmly, ”in a Royal of indifferent morals.”

Hendred Smalls positively swelled with pleasure at this speech; his round shoulders thrust back, and the hidden stays that bound his torso creaked ominously. ”I should like to offer your party some refreshment, General, before your return to Brighton-a gla.s.s of brandy, the hour being already advanced, with perhaps a lemonade for the ladies!-if such an indulgence should not be adjudged improper, on the melancholy occasion. There is something,” he added, with a particularly offensive smile at Catherine Twining, ”that I should like to say to Miss Twining.”

I hastened to reply for myself in the negative, and with a final nod to Catherine-whose countenance was compounded of indignation and dread-hurried off down the High Street in the direction of Buckingham House, hopeful of encountering Henry. My pulse had quickened under the influence of recent events; I could not quite contain my wrath, indeed-and had General Twining not grasped his ebony walking-stick so firmly, I might have soundly thrashed him with it.

--- ”IT WAS THE WORST SORT OF HUMILIATION, HENRY, TO TO see that perfect flower of a girl bound over as chattel to an odious old man, who might easily have been her grandsire!” I fumed, as we mounted the stairs to our bedchambers at the Castle some hours later. We had contented ourselves with a moderate dinner in the publick coffee room, the better to restore ourselves and prepare for the Regent's reception, to which we were bid at eight o'clock. ”Only conceive of the domestic picture! Little Catherine, huge with child at the tender age of sixteen, and her toothless husband laid up with the gout, from a constant overindulgence in Port! It should certainly drive the poor girl mad-or to publick ruin.” see that perfect flower of a girl bound over as chattel to an odious old man, who might easily have been her grandsire!” I fumed, as we mounted the stairs to our bedchambers at the Castle some hours later. We had contented ourselves with a moderate dinner in the publick coffee room, the better to restore ourselves and prepare for the Regent's reception, to which we were bid at eight o'clock. ”Only conceive of the domestic picture! Little Catherine, huge with child at the tender age of sixteen, and her toothless husband laid up with the gout, from a constant overindulgence in Port! It should certainly drive the poor girl mad-or to publick ruin.”

”She's not quite quite bound over to this fellow, however,” my brother said thoughtfully. ”There was no mention made of a formal engagement. Do not despair, Jane. Miss Twining, recollect, is not without alternatives. Byron may yet prevail!” bound over to this fellow, however,” my brother said thoughtfully. ”There was no mention made of a formal engagement. Do not despair, Jane. Miss Twining, recollect, is not without alternatives. Byron may yet prevail!”

”Henry! Do not even joke of such a thing!”