The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 3 of 5)

by Fanny Burney

  CHAPTER XLIV

  Juliet, in re-mounting the stairs, was stopt, by her new acquaintance,before the door of his apartment.

  'If you knew,' he said, 'how despitefully I have been treated, and howmiserably black and blue I have been pinched, by the little Imp whoseoffer you have rejected, sleep would fly your eyes at night, fromremorse for your hardness of heart. Its Impship insists upon it, thatthe fault must all be mine. What! it cries, would you persuade me, thata young creature whose face beams with celestial sweetness, whose voiceis the voice of melody, whose eyes have the softness of the Dove's--'

  Juliet, though she smiled, would have escaped; but he told her he mustbe heard.

  'Would you persuade me, quoth my sprite, that such an angelic personage,would rather let my poor despised coin canker and rust in your miserlycoffers, than disperse it about in the world, in kind, generous, oruseful activity? No, my antique, continues my little elf, you havepresented it in some clumsy, hunchy, awkward mode, that has made herdeem you an unworthy bearer of fairy gifts; and she flies the downywings of my gentle succour, from the fear of falling into your rough anduncooth claws.'

  Juliet, who now, through the ill-closed fingers of his gouty hand,discerned his prepared purse, seriously begged to decline thisdiscussion.

  'What malice you must bear me!' he cried. 'You are surely in the pay ofmy evil genius! and I shall be whipt with nettles, or scratched withthorns, all night, in revenge of my failure! And that parcel,too,--which strains the fine fibres of your fair hands,--cast it butdown, and millions of my little elves will struggle to convey it safelyto your chamber.'

  'I doubt not their dexterity,' answered Juliet, 'nor the benevolence oftheir fabricator; but I assure you, Sir, I want no help.'

  'If you will not accept their aerial services, deign, at least, not torefuse mine!'

  He endeavoured, now, to take the gown-packet into his own hands;laughingly saying, upon her grave resistance, 'Beware, fair nymph, ofthe dormant sensations which you may awaken, if you should make mesuppose you afraid of me! Many a long day is past, alas! and gone, sinceI could flatter myself with the idea of exciting fear in a youngbreast!'

  Ceasing, however, the attempt, after some courteous apologies, herespectfully let her pass.

  But, upon entering her room, she heard something chink as she depositedher parcel upon a table; and, upon examination, found that he hadmanaged to slip into it, during the contest, a little green purse.

  Vexed at this contrivance, and resolved not to lose an instant inreturning what no distress could induce her to retain, she immediatelydescended; but the staircase was vacant, and the door was closed.Fearful any delay might authorize a presumption of acceptance, sheassumed courage to tap at the door.

  A scampering, at the same moment, up the stairs, made her instantlyregret this measure; and by no means the less, for finding herselfrecognized, and abruptly accosted by young Gooch, the farmer's son, atthe very moment that her gouty admirer had hobbled to answer to hersummons.

  'Well, see if I a'n't a good marksman!' he cried; 'for else, Ma'am, Imight have passed you; for they told me, below, you were up there, atthe very top of the house. But I'd warrant to pick you out from ahundred, Ma'am; as neat as my father would one of his stray sheep. Butwhat I come for, Ma'am, is to ask the favour of your company, if it'sagreeable to you, to a little junket at our farm.'

  Then, rubbing his hands with great glee, unregarding the surprised lookof Juliet, at such an invitation, or the amused watchfulness of theobservant old beau, he went glibly on.

  'Father's to give it, Ma'am. You never saw old dad, I believe, Ma'am?The old gentleman's a very good old chap; only he don't like our clubs:for he says they make me speak quite in the new manner; so that thefarmers, he says, don't know what I'd be at. He's rather in years,Ma'am, poor man. He don't know much how things go. However, he's a verywell meaning old gentleman.'

  Juliet gravely enquired, to what unknown accident she might attribute aninvitation so unexpected?

  'Why, Ma'am,' answered Gooch, delighted at the idea of having given heran agreeable surprize, 'Why it's the 'Squire, Ma'am, that put it into myhead. You know who I mean? our rich cousin, 'Squire Tedman. He's a greatfriend of yours, I can assure you, Ma'am. He wants you to take a littlepleasure sadly. And he's sadly afraid, too, he says, that you'll misshim, now he's gone to town; for he used often, he says, to bring you oneodd thing or another. He's got a fine fortune of his own, my cousin the'Squire. And he's a widower.--And he's taken a vast liking to you, I cantell you, Ma'am;--so who knows....'

  Juliet would have been perfectly unmoved by this ignorant forwardness,but for the presence of a stranger, to whose good opinion, after herexperience of his benevolence, she could not be indifferent. With anair, therefore, that marked her little satisfaction at this familiarjocoseness, she declined the invitation; and begged the young man toacquaint Mr Tedman, that, though obliged to his intentions, she shouldfeel a yet higher obligation in his forbearance to forward to her, infuture, any similar proposals.

  'Why, Ma'am,' cried young Gooch, astonished, 'this i'n't a thing you canget at every day! We shall have all the main farmers of theneighbourhood! for it's given on account of a bargain that we've made,of a nice little slip of land, just by our square hay-field. And I'veleave to choose six of the company myself. But they won't be farmers,Ma'am, I can tell you! They'll be young fellows that know better how theworld goes. And we shall have your good friend 'Squire Stubbs; for it'she that made our bargain.'

  Juliet, now, turning from him to the silent, remarking stranger, said,'I am extremely ashamed, Sir, to obtrude thus upon your time, but theperson for whom you so generously destined this donation commissions meto return it, with many thanks, and an assurance that it is not at allwanted.'

  She held out her hand with the purse, but, drawing back from receivingit, 'Madam,' he cried, 'I would upon no account offend any one who hasthe honour of being known to you; but you will not, therefore, I hope,insist that I should quarrel with myself, by taking what does not belongto me?'

  While Juliet, now, looked wistfully around, to discover some place whereshe might drop the purse, unseen by the young man, whosemisinterpretations might be injurious, the youth volubly continued hisown discourse.

  'We shall give a pretty good entertainment in the way of supper, Iassure you, Ma'am; for we shall have a goose at top, and a turkey atbottom, and as fine a fat pig as ever you saw in your life in themiddle; with as much ale, and mead, and punch, as you can desire todrink. And, as all my sisters are at home, and a brace or so of niceyoung lasses of their acquaintance, besides ever so many farmers, and usseven stout young fellows of my club, into the bargain, we intend tokick up a dance. It may keep you out a little late, to be sure, Ma'am,but you shall have our chay-cart to bring you home. You know ourchay-cart of old, Ma'am?'

  'I, Sir?'

  'Why, lauk! have you forgot that, Ma'am? Why it's our chay-cart thatbrought you to Brighton, from Madam Maple's at Lewes, as good as half ayear ago. Don't you remember little Jack, that drove you? and that wentfor you again the next day, to fetch you back?'

  Juliet now found, that this was the carriage procured for her byHarleigh, upon her first arrival at Lewes; and, though chagrined at theair of former, or disguised intimacy, which such an incident might seemto convey to her new friend, she immediately acknowledged recollectingthe circumstance.

  'Well, I'm only sorry, Ma'am, I did not drive you myself; but I had notthe pleasure of your acquaintance then, Ma'am; for 'twas before of ouracting together.'

  The surprise of the listening old gentleman now altered its expression,from earnest curiosity to suppressed pleasantry; and he leant againsthis door, to take a pinch of snuff, with an air that denoted him to berather waiting for some expected amusement, than watching, asheretofore, for some interesting explanation.

  Juliet, in discerning the passing change in his ideas, became more thanever eager to return the purse; yet more than ever fearful ofmisconstruction from young Gooch; wh
om she now, with encreaseddissatisfaction, begged to lose no time in acquainting Mr Tedman, thatbusiness only ever took her from home.

  'Why, that's but moping for you, neither, Ma'am,' he answered, in a toneof pity. 'You'd have double the spirits if you'd go a little abroad;for staying within doors gives one but a hippish turn. It will go nighto make you grow quite melancholick, Ma'am.'

  Hopeless to get rid either of him or of the purse, Juliet, now, wasmoving up stairs, when the voice of Miss Bydel called out from thepassage, 'Why, Mr Gooch, have you forgot I told you to send Mrs Ellis tome?'

  'That I had clean!' he answered. 'I ask your pardon, I'm sure,Ma'am.--Why, Ma'am, Miss Bydel told me to tell you, when I said I wascoming up to ask you to our junket, that she wanted to say a word or twoto you, down in the shop, upon business.'

  Juliet would have descended; but Miss Bydel, desiring her to wait,mounted herself, saying, 'I have a mind to see your little new room:'stopping, however, when she came to the landing-place, which was squareand large, 'Well-a-day!' she exclaimed: 'Sir Jaspar Herrington!--who'dhave thought of seeing you, standing so quietly at your door? Why I didnot know you could stand at all! Why how is your gout, my good Sir? Andhow do you like your new lodgings? I heard of your being here from MissMatson. But pray, Mrs Ellis, what has kept you both, you and young MrGooch, in such close conference with Sir Jaspar? I can't think whatyou've been talking of so long. Pray how did you come to be so intimatetogether? I should like to know that.'

  Sir Jaspar courteously invited Miss Bydel to enter his apartment; butthat lady, not aware that nothing is less delicate than professions ofdelicacy; which degrade a just perception, and strict practice ofpropriety, into a display of conscious caution, or a suspicion of evilinterpretation; almost angrily answered, that she could not for theworld do such a thing, for it would set every body a talking: 'for, asI'm not married, Sir Jaspar, you know, and as you're a single gentleman,too, it might make Miss Matson and her young ladies think I don't knowwhat. For, when once people's tongues are set a-going, it's soon toolate to stop them. Besides, every body's always so prodigious curious todive into other people's affairs, that one can't well be too prudent.'

  Sir Jaspar, with an arched brow, of which she was far from comprehendingthe meaning, said that he acquiesced in her better judgment; but, as shehad announced that she came to speak with this young lady upon business,he enquired, whether there would be any incongruity in putting a coupleof chairs upon the landing-place.

  'Well,' she cried, 'that's a bright thought, I declare, Sir Jaspar! forit will save me the trouble of groping up stairs;' and then, seizing theopportunity to peep into his room, she broke forth into warmexclamations of pleasure, at the many nice and new things with which ithad been furnished, since it had been vacated by Mrs Ellis.

  A look, highly commiserating, shewed him shocked by these observations;and the air, patiently calm, with which they were heard by Juliet,augmented his interest, as well as wonder, in her story and situation.

  He ordered his valet to fetch an arm-chair for Miss Bydel; while,evidently meant for Juliet, he began to drag another forward himself.

  'Bless me, Sir Jaspar!' cried Miss Bydel, looking, a little affronted,towards Juliet, 'have you no common chairs?'

  'Yes,' he answered, still labouring on, 'for common purposes!'

  This civility was not lost upon Juliet, who declining, though thankfulfor his attention, darted forward, to take, for herself, a seat of lessdignity; hastily, as she passed, dropping the purse upon a table.

  A glance at Sir Jaspar sufficed to assure her, that this action had notescaped his notice; and though his look spoke disappointment, it shewedhim sensible of the propriety of avoiding any contest.

  Relieved from this burthen, she now cheerfully waited to hear the ordersof Miss Bydel: young Gooch waited to hear them also; seated,cross-legged, upon the balustrade; though Sir Jaspar sent his valetaway, and, retired, scrupulously, himself, to the further end of hisapartment.

  Miss Bydel, as little struck with the ill breeding of the young farmer,as with the good manners of the baronet, forgot her business, fromrecollecting that Mr Scope was waiting for her in the shop. 'Forhappening,' said she, 'to pass by, and see me, through the glass-door,he just stept in, on purpose to have a little chat.'

  'O ho, what, is 'Squire Scope here?' cried young Gooch; and, rapidlysliding down the banisters, seized upon the unwilling and precise MrScope, whom he dragged up to the landing-place.

  'Well, this is droll enough!' cried Miss Bydel, palpably enchanted,though trying to look displeased; 'only I hope you have not told MrScope 'twas I that sent you for him, Mr Gooch? for, I assure you, MrScope, I would not do such a thing for the world. I should think itquite improper. Besides, what will Miss Matson and the young millinerssay? Who knows but you may have set them a prating, Mr Gooch? It's nojoke, I can assure you, doing things of this sort.'

  'I'm sure, Ma'am,' said Gooch, 'I thought you wanted to see the 'Squire;for I did not do it in the least to make game.'

  'There can be no doubt, Madam,' said Mr Scope, somewhat offended, 'thatall descriptions of sport are not, at all times, advisable. For, insmall societies, as in great states, if I may be permitted to comparelittle things with great ones, danger often lurks unseen, and mischiefbreaks out from trifles. In like manner, for example, if one of thoseyoung milliners, misinterpreting my innocence, in obeying the supposedcommands of the good Miss Bydel, should take the liberty to laugh at myexpence, what, you might ask, could it signify that a young girl shouldlaugh? Young persons, especially of the female gender, being naturallygiven to laughter, at very small provocatives; not to say sometimeswithout any whatsoever. Whereupon, persons of an ordinary judgment, mayconclude such an action, by which I mean laughing, to be of noconsequence.--'

  'But I think it very rude!' cried Miss Bydel, extremely nettled.

  'Please to hear me, Madam!' said Mr Scope. 'Persons, I say, of deeperknowledge in the maxims and manners of the moral world, would lookforward with watchfulness, on such an occasion, to its future effects;for one laugh breeds another, and another breeds another; for nothing isso catching as laughing; I mean among the vulgar; in which class I wouldbe understood to include the main mass of a great nation. What, I ask,ensues?--'

  'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, rather impatiently, 'Iassure you if I knew any body that took such a liberty as to laugh atme, I should let them know my thoughts of such airs without muchceremony!'

  'My very good lady,' said Mr Scope, formally bowing, 'if I may requestsuch a favour, I beg you to be silent. The laugh, I observe, caughtthus, from one to another, soon spreads abroad; and then, the more aged,or better informed, may be led to enquire into its origin: and theresult of such investigation must needs be, that the worthy Miss Bydel,having sent her commands to her humble servant, Mr Scope, to follow herup stairs--'

  'But if they said that,' cried Miss Bydel, looking very red, 'it wouldbe as great a fib as ever was told, for I did not send my commands, northink of such a thing. It was Mr Gooch's own doing, only for his ownnonsense. And I am curious to know, Mr Gooch, whether any body ever putsuch thoughts into your head? Pray did you ever hear any body talk, MrGooch? For, if you have, I should be glad to know what they said.'

  Mr Scope, waving his hand to demand attention, again begged leave toremark, that he had not finished what he purposed to advance.

  'My argument, Madam,' he resumed, 'is a short, but, I hope, a clear one,for 'tis deduced from general principles and analogy; though, upon amerely cursory view, it may appear somewhat abstruse. But what I mean,in two words, is, that the laugh raised by Mr Gooch, and those youngmilliners; taking it for granted that they laughed; which, indeed, Irather think I heard them do; may, in itself, perhaps, as onlyannouncing incapacity, not be condemnable; but when it turns out that itpromulgates false reports, and makes two worthy persons, if I may takethe liberty to name myself with the excellent Miss Bydel, appear to befit subjects for ridicule; then, indeed, the laugh is no longerinnoce
nt; and ought, in strict justice, to be punished, as seriously asany other mode of propagating false rumours.'

  Miss Bydel, after protesting that Mr Scope talked so prodigiouslysensible, that she was never tired of hearing him, for all his speecheswere so long; abruptly told Juliet, that she had called to let her know,that she should be glad to be paid, out of hand, the money which she hadadvanced for the harp.

  Sir Jaspar, who, during the harangue of Mr Scope, which was uttered intoo loud and important a manner, to leave any doubt of its beingintended for general hearing; had drawn his chair to join the party,listened to this demand with peculiar attention; and was struck with theevident distress which it caused to Juliet; who fearfully besought alittle longer law, to collect the debts of others, that she might beable to discharge her own.

  Young Gooch, coming behind her, said, in a half whisper, 'If you'll tellme how much it is you owe, Ma'am, I'll help you out in a trice; for Ican have what credit I will in my father's name; and he'll never knowbut what 'twas for some frolic of my own; for I don't make much of aconfidant of the old gentleman.'

  The most icy refusal was insufficient to get rid of this offer, orofferer; who assured her that, if the worst came to the worst, and hisfather, by ill luck, should find them out, he would not make a fuss forabove a day or two; 'because,' he continued, 'he has only me, as one maysay, for the rest are nothing but girls; so he can't well help himself.He gave me my swing too long from the first, to bind me down at thistime of day. Besides, he likes to have me a little in the fashion, Iknow, though he won't own it; for he is a very good sort of an oldgentleman, at bottom.'

  Sir Jaspar sought to discover, whether the colour which heightened thecheeks of Juliet at this proposal, which now ceased to be delivered in awhisper, was owing to confusion at its publicity, or to disdain at theidea of conspiring either at deceiving or braving the young man'sfather; while Miss Bydel, whose plump curiosity saved her from allspecies of speculative trouble, bluntly said, 'Why should you hesitateat such an offer, my dear? I'm sure I don't see how you can do betterthan accept it. Mr Gooch is a very worthy young man, and so are all hisfamily. I'm sure I only wish he'd take to you more solidly, and make amatch of it. That would put an end to your troubles at once; and Ishould get my money out of hand.'

  This was an opportunity not to be passed over by the argumentative butunerring Mr Scope, for trite observations, self-evident truths, andhackneyed calculations, upon the mingled dangers and advantages ofmatrimony, 'which, when weighed,' said he, 'in equal scales, andabstractedly considered, are of so puzzling a nature, that the wise andwary, fearing to risk them, remain single; but which, when looked uponin a more cursory way, or only lightly balanced, preponderate so much infavour of the state, that the great mass of the nation, having but smallmeans of reflection, or forethought, ordinarily prefer matrimony. If,therefore, young Mr Gooch should think proper to espouse this youngperson, there would be nothing in it very surprising; nevertheless, insumming up the expences of wedlock, and a growing family, it might seem,that to begin the married state with debts already contracted, on thefemale side, would appear but a shallow mark of prudence on the male,where the cares of that state reasonably devolve; he being naturallysupposed to have the most sense.'

  'O, as to that, Mr Scope,' cried Miss Bydel, 'if Mr Gooch should take aliking to this young person, she has money enough to pay her debts, Ican assure you: I should not have asked her for it else; but the thingis, she don't like to part with it.'

  Juliet solemnly protested, that the severest necessity could alone havebrought her into the pecuniary difficulties under which she laboured;the money to which Miss Bydel alluded being merely a deposit which sheheld in her hands, and for which she was accountable.

  'Well, that's droll enough,' said Miss Bydel, 'that a young person, notworth a penny in the world, should have the care of other people'smoney! I should like to know what sort of persons they must be, that canthink of making such a person their steward!'

  Young Gooch said that it would not be his father, for one, who would doit; and Mr Scope was preparing an elaborate dissertation upon the natureof confidence, with regard to money-matters, in a great state; when MissBydel, charmed to have pronounced a sentence which seemed to accord withevery one's opinion, ostentatiously added, 'I should like, I say, MrsEllis, to know what sort of person it could be, that would trust aperson with one's cash, without enquiring into their circumstances? forthough, upon hearing that a person has got nothing, one may give 'emsomething, one must be no better than a fool to make them one's banker.'

  Juliet, who could not enter into any explanation, stammered, coloured,and from the horrour of seeing that she was suspected, wore an air ofseeming apprehensive of detection.

  A short pause ensued, during which every one fixed his eyes upon herface, save Sir Jaspar; who seemed studying a portrait upon hissnuff-box.

  Her immediate wish, in this disturbance, was to clear herself from soterrible an aspersion, by paying Miss Bydel, as she had paid her othercreditors, from the store of Harleigh; but her wishes, tamed now bymisfortune and disappointment, were too submissively under the controulof fear and discretion, to suffer her to act from their first dictates:and a moment's reflection pointed out, that, joined to the improprietyof such a measure with respect to Harleigh himself, it would be liable,more than any other, to give her the air of an impostor, who possessedmoney that she could either employ, or disclaim all title to, at herpleasure. Calling, therefore, for composure from conscious integrity,she made known her project of applying once more to Miss Matson, forwork; and earnestly supplicated for the influence of Miss Bydel, thatthis second application might not, also, be vain.

  The eyes of the attentive Sir Jaspar, as he raised them from hissnuff-box, now spoke respect mingled with pity.

  'As to recommending you to Miss Matson, Mrs Ellis,' answered Miss Bydel,'it's out of all reason to demand such a thing, when I can't tell whoyou are myself; and only know that you have got money in your handsnobody knows how, nor what for.'

  An implication such as this, nearly overpowered the fortitude of Juliet;and, relinquishing all further effort, she rose, and, silently, almostgloomily, began ascending the stairs. Sir Jaspar caught the expressionof her despair by a glance; and, in a tone of remonstrance, said to MissBydel, 'In your debt, good Miss Bydel? Have you forgotten, then, thatthe young lady has paid you?'

  'Paid me? good Me! Sir Jaspar,' cried Miss Bydel, staring; 'how can yousay such a thing? Do you think I'd cheat the young woman?'

  'I think it so little,' answered he, calmly, 'that I venture to remindyou, thus publicly, of the circumstance; in full persuasion that I shallmerit your gratitude, by aiding your memory.'

  'Good Me! Sir Jaspar, why I never heard such a thing in my life! Paidme? When? Why it can't be without my knowing it?'

  'Certainly not; I beg you, therefore, to recollect yourself.'

  The stare of Miss Bydel was now caught by Mr Scope; and her 'Good Me!'was echoed by young Gooch; while the surprised Juliet, turning back,said, 'Pardon me, Sir! I have never been so happy as to be able todischarge the debt. It remains in full force.'

  'Over you, too, then,' cried Sir Jaspar, with quickness, 'have I theadvantage in memory? Have you forgotten that you delivered, to MissBydel, the full sum, not twenty minutes since?'

  Miss Bydel now, reddening with anger, cried, 'Sir Jaspar, I have longenough heard of your ill nature; but I never suspected your crossnesswould take such a turn against a person as this, to make people believeI demand what is not my own!'

  Juliet again solemnly acknowledged the debt; and Mr Scope opened anharangue upon the merits of exactitude between debtor and creditor, andthe usefulness of settling no accounts, without, what were the onlylegal witnesses to obviate financial controversy, receipts in full; whenSir Jaspar, disregarding, alike, his rhetoric or Miss Bydel's choler,quietly patting his snuff-box, said, that it was possible that MissBydel had, inadvertently, put the sum into her work-bag, and forgottenthat it had been refunded
.

  Exulting that means, now, were open for vindication and redress, MissBydel eagerly untied the strings of her work-bag; though Julietentreated that she would spare herself the useless trouble. But SirJaspar protested, with great gravity, that his own honour was now asdeeply engaged to prove an affirmative, as that of Miss Bydel to prove anegative: holding, however, her hand, he said that he could not besatisfied, unless the complete contents of the work-bag were openly andfairly emptied upon a table, in sight of the whole party.

  Miss Bydel, though extremely affronted, consented to this proposal;which would clear her, she said, of so false a slander. A table was thenbrought upon the landing-place; as she still stiffly refused risking herreputation, by entering the apartment of a single gentleman; though hemight not, as she observed, be one of the youngest.

  Sir Jaspar demanded the precise amount of the sum owed. A guinea and ahalf.

  He then fetched a curious little japan basket from his chamber, intowhich he desired that Miss Bydel would put her work-bag; though he wouldnot suffer her to empty it, till, with various formalities, he hadhimself placed it in the middle of the table; around which he made everyone draw a chair.

  Miss Bydel now triumphantly turned her work-bag inside out; but what washer consternation, what the shock of Mr Scope, and how loud the shout ofyoung Gooch, to see, from a small open green purse, fall a guinea and ahalf!

  Miss Bydel, utterly confounded, remained speechless; but Juliet, throughwhose sadness Sir Jaspar saw a smile force its way, that rendered herbeauty dazzling, recollecting the purse, blushed, and would haverelieved Miss Bydel, by confessing that she knew to whom it belonged;had she not been withheld by the fear of the strange appearance which sosudden a seeming intimacy with the Baronet might wear.

  Sir Jaspar, again patting her snuff-box, composedly said, 'I waspersuaded Miss Bydel would find that her debt had been discharged.'

  Miss Bydel remained stupified; while Mr Scope, with a look concerned,and even abashed, condolingly began an harangue upon the frail tenure ofthe faculty of human memory.

  Miss Bydel, at length, recovering her speech, exclaimed, 'Well, here'sthe money, that's certain! but which way it has got into my work-bag,without my ever seeing or touching it, I can't pretend to say: but ifMrs Ellis has done it to play me a trick--'

  Juliet disavowed all share in the transaction.

  'Then it's some joke of Sir Jaspar's! for I know he dearly loves tomortify; so I suppose he has given me false coin, or something thatwon't go, just to make me look like a fool.'

  'The money, I have the honour to assure you, is not mine,' was all that,very tranquilly, Sir Jaspar replied: while Mr Scope, after a carefulexamination of each piece, declared each to be good gold, and fullweight.

  Sundry 'Good me's!' and other expressions of surprise, though all of apleasurable sort, now broke forth from Miss Bydel, finishing with,'However, if nobody will own the money, as the debt is fairly my due, Idon't see why I may not take it; though as to the purse, I won't touchit, because as that's a thing I have not lent to any body, I've no rightto it.'

  Juliet here warmly interfered. The purse, she said, and the moneybelonged to the same proprietor; and, as neither of them were hers, bothought to be regarded as equally inadmissible for the payment of a debtwhich she alone had contracted. This disinterested sincerity made evenMr Scope turn to her with an air of profound, though surprised respect;while Sir Jaspar fixed his eyes upon her face with encreased and themost lively wonder; young Gooch stared, not perfectly understanding her;but Miss Bydel, rolling up the purse, which she put back into thebasket, said, 'Well, if the money is not yours, Mrs Ellis, my dear, itcan be nobody's but Sir Jaspar's; and if he has a mind to pay your debtfor you, I don't see why I should hinder him, when 'twould be so much tomy disadvantage. He's rich enough, I assure you; for what has an oldbachelor to do with his money? So I'll take my due, be it which way itwill.' And, unmoved by all that Juliet could urge, she put the guineaand the half-guinea carefully into her pocket.

  Juliet declared, that a debt which she had not herself discharged, sheshould always consider as unpaid, though her creditor might be changed.

  Confused then, ashamed, perplexed,--yet unavoidably pleased, she mountedto her chamber.