 Book 7, Chapter 13 of Camilla This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org, reading by Lars Rolander. Camilla or a picture of youth by Fanny Burnie, Chapter 13, Live and Learn Before the cleave's party assembled to breakfast after the various arrangements made for Southampton, Mr. Dubster arrived and demanded an interview with Sir Yug, who, attending him to the drawing-room, asked his pleasure. Why have you not read the young gentleman's letter, sir? cried he, surprised, because he said he'd put it all down as a pike's dock to save time. Sir Yug had not heard of it. Why, then, if you please, sir, we'll go and ask that gentlewoman what she's done with it. She might as well have shooed it after the young gentleman's taking the trouble to write it to her, but she is none of the good nature it is. I take it. Preparing, then, to Miss Markland, after his usual, the company, I ask pardon, ma'am, he cried, but what's the reason are you keeping the young gentleman's letter to yourself, which was writ of purpose to let your gentleman know what I come for? Because I never trouble myself with anything that's impertinent, she haughtily answered, though, in fact, when the family had retired she had stolen downstairs and read the letter, which contained a warm recommendation of Mr. Dubster to her favor, with abundant flippant offers to promote her own interest for so desirable a match. Should Camilla prove blind to its advantages, this she had then burnt, with a determination never to acknowledge her condescension in opening it. The repeated calls for Mr. Dubster procuring no further satisfaction. Why, then, I don't see, he said, but what I must bade off as if the young gentleman had not writ the letter, for I've got to speak for myself at last. Taking Sir Yu then, by a button of his coat, he decide he would go back with him to the other parlor, and there, with much circumlocution, and unqualified declarations of his having given over all thoughts of further marrying, till the young gentleman over persuaded him of his being particular agreeable to the young lady, he solemnly proposed himself for Miss Camilla Tirold. Sir Yu, who perceived in this address nothing that was ridiculous, was somewhat drawn from reflecting on his own disappointment, by the pity conceived for this hopeless uter to whom, with equal circumlocution of concern, he communicated that his niece was on the point of marriage with a neighbor. I know that, replied Mr. Dubster nodding suggestiously, the young gentleman having told me of the young baronet, but he said it was all against her will being only your over-teasing and the like. The Lord be good unto me, exclaimed the baronet, holding up his hands, if I don't think all the young boys have a mind to drive me out of my wits, one after the other. Harrying then back to the breakfast parlor and to Camilla. Come hither, my dear, he cried, for here's a gentleman come to make his addresses to you that won't take an answer. Every serious thought and every melancholy apprehension in Camilla gave place at this speech to the ludicrous image of such an admirer as Mr. Dubster, foisted upon her by the ridiculous machinations of Lionel. She took Sir Yuge by the hand and, drawing him away to the most distant window, said in a low voice, My dear uncle, this is a mere trick of Lionel, the person you see here is, I believe, a tinker. A tinker? repeated Sir Yuge, quite loud, in defiance of the sines and hists, hists of Camilla. Good luck, that's a person I should never have thought of. Then walking up to Mr. Dubster, who was taking into his hands all the ornaments from the chimney piece, one by one, to examine. Sir, he said, you may be a very good sort of man, and I don't doubt, but you are, for proper respect for every trade in its way. But in point of marrying my niece, it's a thing I must beg you to put out of your head. It not being a proper subject to talk of to a young lady from a person in that line. Very well, sir, answered Mr. Dubster stifly and pouting. It's not of much consequence. Don't make yourself, there's nothing in what I was going to propose, but what was quite genteel. I'd scorn to dress a lady else. She'd have a good five hundred a year in case of outliving me. Good luck, five hundred a year, who'd have thought of such a thing by the tinkering business. The what business did you say, sir? cried Mr. Dubster, strutting up to the baronet with the solemn frown. The tinkering business, my good friend. Aren't you a tinker? Sir! cried Mr. Dubster, swelling. I did not think when coming to make such a handsome offer of being affronted at such a rate as this. Not that I mind it. It's not worth fretting about. However, as to a tinker, I'm no more a tinker than yourself. Whatever put it in your head. Good luck, my dear! cried the baronet to Camilla. The gentleman quite denies it. Camilla, though unable to refrain from laughing, confessed she had received the information from Mrs. Arlbury at the Northwick breakfast, who she now supposed had said it in random sport. Sir, you cordially begged his pardon and asked him to take a seat at the breakfast table to soften the undesigned offence. A note now arrived from Mr. Tyrold to the baronet. It contained his consent to return with La Vigna to Cleves and his ready acquiescence in the little excursion to Southampton, since Miss Marglen would be superintendent of the party, and since he added they will have another guardian to whom already I consign my Camilla, and upon her account my dear Eugenia also with the same fearless confidence I should feel in seeing them again under the maternal wing. Sir Eug, who always read his letters aloud, said when he had done, See what it is to be a good boy. My brother looks upon young Mr. Edgar as this young girl's husband already. That is one of them, by which means the other becomes his sister, which I'm sure is a trouble he won't mind except as a pleasure. Camilla's distress at this speech passed unnoticed from the abrupt entrance of Lindmer, giving orders aloud to his servant to get ready for Southampton. Inflamed with triumph in his recent success in baffling his uncle, that youth was in the most turbulent spirits and fixed the resolution either to lord it over the whole house or regain at once his liberty for returning to the continent. Forcing a chair between Sir Eugen and Camilla, he seized rapidly whatever looked most inviting from every plate on the table to place upon his own murmuring the whole time against the horses, declaring the stud the most wretched he had ever seen and protesting the old groom must be turned away without loss of time. What, Jacob? cried the Baronet. Why nephew, he has lived with me from a boy and now he's grown old. I'd sooner rub down every horse with my own hand than part with him. He must certainly go, sir. There's no keeping him. I may be tempted else to knock his brains out some day. Besides, I have a very good fellow I can recommend to you of my own. Clermont, I've no doubt of his being a good fellow, which I'm very glad of. But as to your always knocking out the brains of my servants, it's a thing I must beg you not to talk of anymore, being against the law. Besides which, it don't sound very kind of you, considering they're having done you no harm, never having seen your face as one may say, except just to wait upon you, which can hardly be reckoned a bad office. There's a servant being a man as well as you, whether Homer and Horace tell you so or no. To see Sir Eug displeased was a sight new to the whole house. Camilla and Eugenia mutually pained for him, endeavored by various little kind offices to divert his attention. But Indiana thought his displeasure proved her brother to be a wit, and Clermont rose in spirits and in insolence upon the same idea, too shallow to know, that of all the qualities with which the perversity of human nature is gifted, and power which is the most common to attain, and the most easy to practice, is the art of provoking. Jacob now appearing, Linmer ordered some shrimps. There were none. There's nothing to be had. This a wretched count in this. Get nice, shrimps at Southampton, Sir, by what I hear, said Mr. Dabster. Tom Hicks says he has been sick with him many a day. He's eat such a heap. They get him by hundreds and hundreds and hundreds at a time. Pray, nephew, how long shall you stay? Because of my niece is coming back at the same time. A fortnight's enough to tire me anywhere, Sir. Pray, what do you all do with yourselves here after breakfast? What's your mode? Mode, nephew. We've got no particular mode that ever I heard of. However, among so many of us, I think it's a little hard if you can find nothing to say to us, all in a manner your relations to. We take no notice of relations now, Sir. That's out. I'm sorry for it, nephew. For a relations a relation, whether you take notice of him or not. And there's never an ode in Virgil will tell you to the contrary, as I believe. A short silence now ensued, which was broken by a sigh from Sir Hugh, who ejaculated to himself, though allowed. I can't but think what my poor friend Westwind will do if his sons come home in this manner, caring for nobody but an oyster or a shrimp, unless it's a newspaper. And what should a man care for else my good old friend in a desert place such as this? Good old friend, repeated the baronet, to be sure I'm not very young. However, as to that, but you mean no harm, I know, for which reason I can't be so ill-natured as to take it ill. However, if for Westwind is served in this way, he's my dearest friend that I've got out of us all here, of my own kin, and he's got only one son, and he sent him to foreign parts only for cheapness, and if he should happen to like nothing he can get at home, it won't answer much in saving to send out for things all day long. Oh, don't be trouble, sir. Westwind's but a poor creature. He'll take up with anything. He'll live within his allowance the whole time, a mighty poor creature. I'm glad of it, glad of it indeed, cried sir you, with involuntarily eagerness. I should have been sorry if my poor good old friend had had such disappointment. Upon my honor, cried Linn, repeat, the quass of the present season are beyond what a man could have hoped to see. Quass? What's quass, nephew? Why, it's a thing there's no explaining to you, sort of gentleman, and sometimes we say quiss, my good old sir. Sir you now for almost the first time in his life felt seriously affronted. His utmost lenity could not palliate the willful disrespect of his language, and with a look of grave displeasure he answered, really nephew, I can't but say I think you've got rather a particular odd way of speaking to persons, as to talking so much about peoples being old. You do well to consider that's no fault in anybody, except once years, which is what we can't be said to help. You discount too much upon words, sir, we have left off now, using them with such prodigious precision. It's quite over, sir. Oh my dear Claremont, cried sir you, losing his short movement of anger in a more tender sensation of concern. How it goes to my heart to see you turn out such a jack-a-napes! Linmy, resentfully hanging back, said no more, and Mr. Dubster having drunk seven dishes of tea with a long apology between each for the trouble, gladly ceased the moment of course to ask Camilla when she had heard from their friend Mrs. Mittin, adding, I should have brought you a letter from her man myself, but that I was rather out of sorts with her for happening to meet her, the day as you went walking on them pantels, with some of her quality binding, when I was not dressed out quite in my best becomes, she made as if she did not know me. Not as it signifies, it's pretty much of a muchness to me. I remember her another sort of person to what she looks now before I was a gentleman myself. Why pray what was you then, sir? cried Sir Yu with great simplicity. As to that, sir, there's no need to say whether I was one thing I know of. I'm not in the least ashamed of what I was. Sir Yu, seeing him offended, was beginning an apology, but interrupting him, no, sir, he said, there's no need to say nothing about it. It's not a thing to take much to heart. I've been defamed often enough. I hope to be above minding it. Only just this one thing, sir. I beg I may have the favor to be introduced to that lady as had the oblige-ness to call me a tinker when I never was no such thing. Breakfast now being done, the ladies retired to prepare for their journey. Well, cried Mr. Dubster looking after Eugenia, that little lady will make no great figure at such a place as Southton. I would not have a look out for a husband there. She'd have been just the thing for me, cried Linmer, hortily rising, and conceitably parading his fine form up and down the room, his eyes catching it from looking-glass to looking-glass, by every possible contrivance, just the thing matched to perfection. Lord, help me! If I don't find myself in the dark about everything, cried Sir Eugen, who'd have thought of you scholars thinking so much of beauty. I should be glad to know what your classics say to that point. Faith, my good sir, I never trouble myself to ask. From the time we begin our tours we wipe away all that stuff as fast as possible from our thoughts. Why, Prime Nephew, what harm could it do to your tours? We want room, sir, room in the perichranium. As soon as we begin to travel, we give up everything to taste, and then we want clear heads. Clear heads, sir, for pictures, statues, busts, relievers, basal relievers, tablets, monuments, mausoleums. If you go on at that rate, Nephew, interrupted Sir Eugen holding his ears, you'll put my poor head quite into a whirlaging. And it's none of the deepest already. Lord, help me! Linmir now, without ceremony, made off, and Mr. Dubster, left alone with the Baronet, said they might as well proceed to business. So pray, sir, if I may make bold, in the case we come to write understanding about the young lady, what do you propose to give her down? Sir Eugen staring inquired what he meant. Why, I mean, sir, what shall you give her at the first? I know she's to have it all at your demise, but that isn't the bird in the hand. Now, when once I know that, I can make my offers, which shall be handsome or not, according. And that's but fair, so how much can you part with, sir? Not a guinea, cried Sir Eugen with some emotion. I can't give her anything. Mr. Edgar knows that. That's hard indeed, sir. What nothing for a setting out. And pray, sir, what may the sum total be upon your demise? Not a penny, cried Sir Eugen, with still more agitation. Don't you know, I've disinherited her. Disinherited her? Why, this is bad news enough, and pray, sir, what for? Nothing, she never offended me in thought word nor did. Well, that's odd enough, and when did you do it, sir? The very week she was nine years old, poor thing, which I shall never forget as long as I live being my worst action. Well, this is particular enough, and young squire Tyrols never heard a word of it, which is somewhat a wonder too. Not heard of it? Why, the whole family know it. I've settled everything I was worth in the world upon her younger sister that you also saw sitting by her. Well, if Tom Hicks did not as good as tell me so ever so long ago, though the young squire said it was all to the contrary, what for I don't know, unless to take me in. But he won't find that quite so easy asking his pardon. Matrimon is a good thing enough when it's to help a man forward, but a person must be full indeed to put himself out of his way for nothing. He then formally wished the Baronet a good day, and hastened from the house, puffed up with bane glory at his own suggestive precautions, which had thus happily saved him from being tricked into unprofitable wedlock. Mrs. Burlinton now arrived, and as Camilla was ready, though trembling, doubtful, a prehensive of the step she was taking, declined a lighting. A general meeting was to take place at the inn, and the Baronet putting a twenty-pound note into her hand, with the most tender blessings parted with his starling knees, and then, surprised at not seeing Edgar to breakfast, sent his butler to tell him the history of the excursion. Linmir was already set off on horseback, and the party consisted of Dr. Orkman, Miss Marglund, Indiana, and Judea, followed two hours after in the coach of the Baronet, which drove from the park as the chairs entered it with Mr. Tyrold and LaVigna to supply their places. End of chapter 13, read by Lars Rolander. Book 8, chapter 1 of Camilla This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. Camilla or a Picture of Youth by Fanny Burnie, chapter 1. A Way to Make Friends When Camilla appeared at the hall door, a gentleman descended from the carriage of Mrs. Burlinton, with an air the most melancholy, and eyes bent to the earth in the mournful bow with which he offered her his hand. Though, when he had assisted her into the coach, he raised them, and turning round, cast upon the mansion a look of desponding fondness that immediately brought to her recollection young Melmont, the Oxford student and the brother of her new friend. Mrs. Burlinton received her with tenderness, folding her to her breast, and declaring life to be now insupportable without her. The affection of Camilla was nearly reciprocal, but her pleasure had no chance of equal participation. Nor was the suspensive state of her mind the only impediment opposite to her in the carriage, and immediately claiming her attention was Mrs. Mittin. The agitating events which had filled up the short interval of her residence at Cleves had so completely occupied every faculty that, till the affair of the horse involved her in new difficulties, her depth had entirely flown her remembrance. And the distressing scenes which immediately succeeded to that forced recollection made its duration as short as it was irksome, but the sight of Mrs. Mittin brought it back with violence to her memory and flashed it with shame upon her conscience. The twenty pounds, however, just given her by Sir Yug, occurred at the same moment to her thoughts, and she determined to repair her negligence by appropriating it into parcels for the payment of all she owed before she suffered sleep again to her eyes. Mrs. Burlinton informed her that both herself and her brother had been summoned to Southampton to meet Mrs. Ecton, the aunt by whom she had been educated, who had just arrived there from Wales, upon some secret business necessary for her to hear but which could not be revealed by letters. The journey, though in itself short and pleasant, proved to Camilla long and wearisome. The beauties of the prospect were acknowledged by her eye, but her mind dead to pleasure refused to give them their merited effect. To the charms of nature she could not be blind. Her fervent imagination and the lessons of her youth combined to do them justice. But she thought not of them at this moment. Hill, Vale or Plain were uninteresting, however beautiful. It was Edgar she looked for. Edgar who thus coldly had suffered her to depart, but who was still, it was possible, might pursue and hope ever active painted him as she proceeded in every distant object that caught her eye, whether living or inanimate, brightening from time to time, the roses of her cheeks with the felicity of a speedy reconciliation. But upon every near approach the flattering error was detected, and neither Hill, Vale nor Plain could dispel the disappointment. A fine country and diversified views may soften even the keenest affliction of decided misfortune and tranquilize the most gloomy sadness into resignation and composure. But suspense rejects the gentle palliative. It is an absorbent of the faculties that suffers them to see, hear and feel only its own perplexity and the finer the fibers of the sensibility on which it ceases. The more exclusive is its despotism, doubt in a fervent mind from the rapidity of its evolutions between fear and in its utmost despondence and hope in its fullest rapture, his little short of torture. They drew immediately to an elegant house situated upon a small eminence half a mile without the town of Southampton, which had already been secured. And Mrs. Burlington, as soon as she had chosen the pleasantest apartment it afforded for Camilla and suffered Mrs. Mittin to choose the next pleasant for herself, went accompanied by her brother to the lodging of Mrs. Ekdon. Left alone, Camilla stationed herself at the window, believing she meant to look at the prospect, but her eye faithful to her heart rubbed up and down the high road and took in only chases or horsemen till Mrs. Mittin, with her customary familiarity, came into the room. Well, my dear Miss, she cried, you're welcome to Southampton and welcome to Mrs. Burlington. She's a nice lady as ever I knew. I suppose you're surprised to see us so great together, but I'll tell you how it came about. You must know, just as you was gone, I happened to be in the bookshop when she came in and asked for a book, the Peruvian letter she called and it was not at home. And she looked quite vexed for she said she had looked the catalogue up and down and saw nothing she'd a mind to. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to oblige her and be a way to make a prodigious and teal acquaintance besides. So I took down the name and I found out the lady that had got the book and I made her a visit and I told her it was particular wanted by a lady that had a reason. So she let me have it and I took it to my pretty lady who was so pleased she did not know how to thank me. So this got me footing in the house and there I heard amongst her people she was coming to Southampton and was to call for you, my dear miss. So when I found she had not her coach full I asked her to give me a cast for I told her you'd be particular glad to see me as with some business to settle together that was a secret between only us two. So she said she would do anything to give you pleasure. So then I made free to ask her to give me a night's lodging till I could find out some friend to be at. For I'd a vast mind to come to Southampton as I could do it so reasonable for I like to go everywhere. And I say, my dear miss, if you'll tell her to will oblige you she'll make me the compliment to let me stay all the time for I know nobody here though I don't fear making friends go where I will. And you know, my dear miss, you can do no less by me considering what I've done for you. For I've kept all the good people quiet about your debts and they say you may pay them when you will as I told them you were such a rich heiress which Mr. Dubster let me into the secret of for he had had it from your brother. Camila now experienced the extremist repentance and shame to find herself involved in any obligation with her character so forward vulgar and encroaching and to impose such a person through the abuse of her name and influence upon the time and patience of Mrs. Burlington. The report spread by Lionel she immediately disavowed and producing her twenty pound bank note begged Mrs. Mitten would have the goodness to get a change for her and to discharge her accounts without delay. Surprised by this readiness and struck by the view of the note Mrs. Mitten imputed to me reserve the denial of her expected wealth but readily promised to get in the bills and see her clear. Camila would now have been left alone but Mrs. Mitten thought of nothing less than quitting her and she knew not how to bid her depart. It was uncertain when Mrs. Burlington could return to obviate therefore in some measure the fatigue you of such conversation Camila proposed walking. It was still but two o'clock and the weather was delicious. Every place that opened to any view presented some prospect that was alluring. Camila notwithstanding her anxiety was caught and at intervals at least forgot all within from admiration of all without. Mrs. Mitten led immediately to the town and Camila was struck with its neatness and surprised by its populousness. Mrs. Mitten assured her it was nothing to London and only wished she could walk her from Tering Cross to Temple Bar just to show her what it was to see a little of the world. But now, my dear, she cried the thing is to find out what we've got to look at so don't let's go on without knowing what we're about. However, these shops are also monstrous smart. It will be a pleasure to go into them and ask the good people what there is to see in the town. This pretext proved so fertile to her of entertainment in the opportunity it afforded of taking a near view of the various commodities exposed to sale that while she entered almost every shop with inquiries of what was worth seeing she attended to no answer nor information. But having examined and admired all the goods within sight or reach walked off to obtain by similar means a similar privilege further on boasting to Camila that by this clever device they might see all that was smartest without the expense of buying anything. It is possible that this might safely have been repeated from one end of the town to the other had Mrs. Mittin been alone and she seemed well disposed to make the experiment but Camila who absent and absorbed accompanied without heeding her was of a figure and appearance not quite so well adapted for indulging with impunity such unbridled curiosity. The shopkeepers who according to their several tastes or opinions gave their directions to the churches the case, the marketplace the antique gates, the town hall etc involuntarily looked at her as they answered the questioner and not satisfied with a short view followed to the door to look again this presently produced an effect that for the whole length of the high street was amperdidiculous everyone perceiving that whatsoever had been his recommendation whether to the right to the left or forward the two inquirers went no further then into the next shop whence they regularly drew forth either the master or the man to make another stare at their singular proceeding some suppose they were only seeking to attract notice others thought they were deranged in mind and others again imagine they were shoplifters and hastened back to their counters to examine what was missing of their goods two men of the two last persuasions communicated to one another their opinions each sustaining his own with a positiveness that would have ended in quarrel had it not been accommodated by a wager to settle this became now so important that business gave way to speculation and the contending parties accompanied by a young perfumer as arbitrator leaving their affairs in the hands of their wives or their domestics issued forth from their repositories to pursue and watch the curious travelers laying bets by the way at almost every shop as they proceeded till they reached the K where the ladies made a full stand and their followers opened a consultation of best to decide the contest Mr. Ferle is a jacious old linen draper who concluded them to be shoplifters declared he would keep aloof for he should detect them best when they least suspected they were absurd Mr. Dream a gentle and simple haberdasher who believed their senses disordered made a circuit to face and examine them frequently however looking back to see that no absconding trick was played him by his friends when he came up to them the pensive and absurd look of Camila struck him as too particular to be natural and in Mrs. Mitten he immediately fancied something wild if not insane in truth an opinion preconceived of her derangement might easily authorize strong suspicions of confirmation from the contended volubility with which she incessantly ran on without waiting for answerers or even listeners and his observation had not taught him that the locations desire only to speak the exact time not attention Mrs. Mitten soon observing the curiosity with which he examined them looked at him so hard in return talking the whole time in a quick low voice to Camila upon his oddity that struck with a direful panic in the persuasion she was marking him for some mischief he turned short about to get back to his companions leaving Mrs. Mitten with precisely the same opinion of himself which he had imbibed of her well my dear, cried she this is one of the most miraculous adventures I've met with yet as sure as you're alive that man that stares so is not right in the head for else what should he run away for all in such a hurry after looking at us so particular for nothing I'll assure you I think the best thing we can do is to get off as fast as we can for fear of the worst they then sped their way from the cave but in turning down the first passage to get out of sight they were led into one of the little rooms prepared for the accommodations of bathers this seemed so secure as well as pleasant that Camila soothed by the tranquility with which she could contemplate the noble Southampton water and its fine banks sat down at the window and decide not to walk any further the fright with which Mr. Dream had retreated gained no proselyt to his opinion Mr. Gert the perfumer asserted significantly they were only idle travellers the light character and Mr. Ferrell when in dodging them he saw they went into a bathing room offered to double his wager that he was to make some assortment of their spoil this was accepted and it was agreed that one should saunter in the adjoining passages to see which way they turned upon coming out while the two others should patrol the beach to watch their disappearance from the windows Mrs. Mitten meanwhile was as much amused though with different objects as Camila a large mixed party of ladies and gentlemen who had ordered a vessel for sailing down the water which was not yet ready now made their appearance and their dress, their air of enjoyment their rise of impatience the frisky gait of some the noisy merriment of others seemed to Mrs. Mitten marks of so much grandeur and happiness that all her thoughts were at work to devise some contrivance for becoming of their acquaintance Camila also surveyed but almost without seeing them for the only image of her mind now unexpectedly met her view Dr. Marchmont and Edgar just arrived had patrolled to the beach where Edgar whose eye from his eagerness appeared to be everywhere in a moment immediately perceived her they both bowed and Dr. Marchmont amazed by the air and figure of her companion inquired if Mrs. Burlington had any particularly vulgar relation to whom she was likely to commit her fair guest Edgar who had seen only herself could not now forebear another glance but the aspect of Mrs. Mitten without Mrs. Burlington or any other more dignified or fitting protectress was both unaccountable and unpleasant to him he recollected having seen her a ton bridge where the careless temple and negligent manner so Mrs. Arbery made all approaches easy that answered any purpose of amusement or ridicule that he could not conceive how Mrs. Burlington or Camilla herself could be joined by such a companion Mr. Furl having remarked these two gentlemen's spouse began to fear for his wager yet thinking it authorized him to seek some information approached them and taking off his hat said you seem to be noticing those two ladies up there pray gentlemen if you know objection who may they be why do you ask sir cried Edgar starly why we were wager depending upon them sir and I believe there's no gentlemen will refuse to help another about a wager a wager repeated Edgar wishing but vainly to manifest no curiosity what inducement could you have to lay a wager about them why I believe sir there's no bodies a better judge than me what I've laid about to be sure if you know the ladies but I've seen so much of their tricks in my time that they must be pretty sharp before they overreach me what tricks who must be sharp who are you talking of shoplifter sir shoplifters what do you mean no harm sir I may be out to be sure as I say and if so I ask pardon only as we've laid the wager I think I may speak before I pay the curiosity of Edgar would have been converted into a critical had he been less uneasy at seeing with whom Camilla was thus associated Mrs. Mitten might certainly be a worthy woman and if so must merit every kindness that could be shown her but her air and manner so strongly displayed the low bread society to which she had been accustomed that he foresaw nothing but improper acquaintance or demeaning adventures that could ensue from such a connection at a public place Dr. Marchman demanded what had given rise to this suspicion Mr. Furl answered that they had been into every shop in the town rooting over everybody's best goods yet not laying out a penny nothing of this could Edgar comprehend except that Camilla had suffered herself to be led about by Mrs. Mitten entirely at her pleasure but all further inquiry was stopped by the voluntary and pert junction of Gert the junk perfumer who during this period had by no means been idle for perceiving in the group waiting for a vessel a certain customer by whom he knew such a subject would be well received he contrived to excite his curiosity to ask some questions which could only be satisfied by the history of the wager and his own opinion that both parties were out this drew all eyes to the bathing room and new beds soon were circulated consisting of every description of conjecture or even possibility except that the two objects in question were innocent and for that in a set of fourteen only one was found who defended Camilla though her face seemed the very index of purity which still more strongly was painted upon it than beauty or even than youth such is the prevalent disposition to believe in general depravity that while those who are debased themselves find a consolation in thinking others equally worthless those even who are of a better sort nourish a secret vanity in supposing few as good as themselves and fully without reflection the fair candor of their minds by aiding that insidious degeneracy which robs the community of all confidence in virtue the approach of the perfumer to Edgar had all the hardiness of vulgar elation bestowed at this moment by the recent encouragement of having been permitted to propagate his facetious opinions in a society of gentle folks for though to one only amongst them a young man of large fortune by whom he was particularly patronized he had presumed verbally to address himself he had yet the pleasure to hear his account repeated from one to another till not a person of the company escaped hearing it my friend Ferls been telling you I suppose sir said he to Edgar of his foolish wager but take my word for it here Edgar who again had resistably looked up at the room so that the three gentlemen had entered it alarmed lest these surmises should be productive of impertinence to Camilla he darted quickly from the beach to her immediate protection but the rapidity of his wishes were ill seconded by the uncertainty of his footsteps and while with his eyes eagerly wondering all around he hastily pushed forward he was stopped by Mr. Dream who told him to take care how he went on for in one of those bathing houses to the best of his belief there were two crazy women one melancholy and one stark wild that had just as he supposed escaped from their keepers how shall I find my way then to another of the bathing houses cried Edgar Mr. Dream undertook to shoo him where he might turn but said he must not lose sight of the door because he had a bottle of port depending upon it his neighbour Mr. Furl insisting they were only shoplifters Edgar here stopped short and stared Dream then assured him it was what he could not believe as nothing was missing though Mr. Furl would have it that it was days and days sometimes before people found out what was gone but he was sure himself they were touched in the head by their going about so wide asking everybody the same questions and minding nobody's answers Edgar convinced now Camilla was here again implicated broke with disgust from the man and rushed to the door he charged him to avoid End of chapter 1 read by Lars Rolander Book 8 chapter 2 of Camilla This is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Reading by Lars Rolander Camilla or a picture of youth by Fanny Burney Chapter 2 A Rage of Obliging Camilla from the instant she had perceived Edgar had been in the utmost emotion from doubt if his journey were to seek a reconciliation or only to return her letters and take a lasting farewell Her first feeling at his sight urged her to retire but something of a softer nature speedily interfered representing if now he should join her what suffering might mutually be saved by an immediate conference She kept there for her seat looking steadily straight down the water and denying herself one moment's glance at anything or person upon the beach Little imagining she engrossed herself the attention of all who paraded it But when the insinuations of the flippant perfumer had once made her looked at her beauty, her apparently unprotected situation and the account of the wager seemed to render her an object to be stared at without stoop all Mrs. Meaton saw how much they were absurd but Camilla, unheeding her remarks listened only to hear if any footsteps approached but when at last some struck careers they were accompanied by an unknown voice so loud and clamorously jovial that disturbed she looked round and saw the door violently flung open and three persons dressed like gentlemen looked their way into the small dwelling place Mr. Holder, the leader of this triumvirate was the particular patron of Gert the young perfumer and though his superior in birth and riches was scarcely upon a par with him from willful neglect in education and undoubtedly beneath him in decency and conduct, notwithstanding young Gert he kicked himself far less upon such sentimental qualifications than upon his skill in cosmetics and had less respect for unadulterated morals than unadulterated powder the second who entered was in every particular still less defensible he was a peer of the realm he had a daughter married and his age entitled him to be the grandfather of young Holder at the point of fortune speculists deemed them equal for though the estate of Holder was as yet unencumbered with the mortgages that hung upon that of Lord Valhurst they computed with great exactness the term of its superiority since already he had enlisted in the jockey meetings and belonged to the gaming clubs the third a young man of a serious but pleasing demeanor rather an attendant than a partner in this intrusion he was the only one of the whole party to whom the countenance of Camilla had announced innocence and when Holder instigated by the assertions of the facetious Gert proposed the present measure and Lord Valhurst caught by the youthful beauty of the fair subject of discussion acceded this single champion stood forth and modestly yet firmly declaring as opinion they were mistaken accompanied them with a view to protect her if he himself were right boisterously entering Holder addressed at once to Camilla such unceremonious praise of her beauty that affrighted and offended she hastily seized the arm of Mrs. Mitten and in a voice of alarm though with an air of command that admitted no doubt of her seriousness and no appeal from her resolution said let us go home Mrs. Mitten immediately simple as were these words their manner had an effect upon Holder to aive and distance him beauty in the garb of virtue is rather formidable than attractive to those who are natively unenlightened as well as habitually degenerate though over such as have ever known better sentiments it frequently retains its primeval power even in their darkest declension of depravity but while Holder repulsed stood back and the young champion with an air the most respectful made way for her to pass Lord Valhurst shutting the door planted himself against it seeing terror now take possession of every feature of her face her determined protector called out make way my lord I beg and offered her his hand but Camilla equally frightened at them all shrunk appalled from his assistance and turned towards the window with an intention of demanding help from Edgar whom she supposed still on the beach but the pair slowly moving from the door said he was the last to mean to disconcert the young lady and only wish to stop her till he could call for his carriage that he might see her safe wherever she wished to go Camilla had no doubt of the sincerity of this proposal but would accept no aid from a stranger even though an old man while she hoped to obtain that of Edgar Edgar however she saw not and fear is generally precipitate she concluded him gone concluded herself deserted and from knowing neither equally fearing both the young men inclined towards Lord Valhurst who with delighted surprise was going to take her under his care when Edgar rushed forward the pleasure that darted into her eyes announced his welcome holder from his reception thought the enigma of his own ill success sold the other youth supposing him her brother no longer sought to interfere but Lord Valhurst exhibited signs of such irrepressible modification that inexperience itself could not mistake the dishonourable views of his offered services since to see her in safety was so evidently not their purpose Camilla looking at him with a horror he so justly excited gave her hand to Edgar who had instantly claimed it and without one word being uttered by either hastily walked away with him nimbly accompanied by Mrs. Mittin the young man whose own mind was sufficiently pure to make him give easy credits to the purity of another was shocked at his undeserved implication in so gross an attack and at his failure of manifesting the laudable motive which had made him one of the triumvirate and looking after her with mingled admiration and concern in tea gentlemen he cried you have been much to blame you have affronted a young lady who carries in the whole of her appearance the marks of meriting respect the sensibility of Lord Valhurst was not of sufficient magnitude to separate into two courses the little he possessed was already occupied by his disappointment in losing the beautiful prey he believed just falling into his hands and he had no emotion therefore to bestow upon his young reprover but Halder who to want of feeling added want of sense roared out with rude railery a gross which he thought witty attack both of the defender and the defended the young man with a proud probity of unhacknaged sentiment made of indication of his uncorrupt intentions which produced but louder mirth and coarsers in credulity the contest however was fully unequal one had nerves of the most irritable delicacy the other had never yet by any sensation nor any accident been admonished that nerves made any part of the human composition in proportion therefore as one became more offended the other grew more callous till the chivalry of indignant honour casting prudence, safety and forbearance away dictated a hasty challenge which was accepted with a horse-law for brutal senselessness of danger courage is of another description it risks life with heroism but it is only to preserve or pursue something without which the charm of life were dissolved it's death with steadiness but it repairs for immortality with reverence and emotion Edgar and Camilla continued their walk in a silence painful to both but which neither knew how first to break each wished with earnestness an opening to communication and confidence but mutually shocked by the recent adventure Edgar waited the absence of Mrs. Mitten to point out the impropriety and insufficiency of such a guard and Camilla still aghast with terror had no power of any sort to begin a discourse there thus eternity if not well supplied was at least well contrasted by the volubility of Mrs. Mitten which as in the bathing house it had been incessant in declaring to the three intruders that both she and the other young lady were persons of honour was now no less unremitting in boasting how well she had checked and kept them in order the horror of the attack she had just escaped became soon but a secondary suffering to Camilla though at the moment it had impressed her more terribly than any actual event of her life or any scene her creative imagination had ever painted yet however dreadful it was now past but who could tell the end of what remained the mute distance of Edgar her uncertainty of his intentions her suspicions of his wished secession the severe task she thought necessary to perform of giving him his liberty with the anguish of total inability to judge whether such a step would recall his tenderness or precipitate his retreat were suggestions which quickly succeeded and in a very short time fully domineered over every other when they arrived at the house Edgar demanded if he might hope for the honour of being presented as a friend of the family to Mrs. Burlington reviving though embarrassed she looked ascent and went forward to inquire if Mrs. Burlington would come home the servant answered no but delivered her a letter from that lady she took it with a look of distress whether or not to invite Edgar to enter which the at this period welcome officiousness of Mrs. Mitten relieved by saying come let us all come in and make the parlor a little comfortable against Mrs. Burlington comes home for I dare say there's nothing as it should be these lodging houses always want a heap of things one never thinks of beforehand they then all three entered and Mrs. Mitten her so she said a thousand ways by which she might serve and oblige Mrs. Burlington by various suggestions and even directions which she hazarded against her return visited herself to range the two parlours to her satisfaction and then went upstairs to settle also all there making abundant apologies for leaving them and assuring them she would be back again as soon as she possibly could get all in order her departure was a moment of extreme confusion to Camilla who considered it as an invitation to her great scheme of rediction but was damaged something upon every other subject to keep that off she looked at her letter wondered what it could contain could not imagine why Mrs. Burlington should write when they must so soon meet and spent in conjectures upon its contents the time which Edgar resorted her to bestow upon their perusal nothing gives so much strength to an adversary as the view of timidity in his opponent Edgar grew presently composed and felt equal to his proposed expostulation you decline reading your letter till I am gone cried he I must therefore hasten away yet before I go I earnestly wish once more to take upon me the office formally allowed me and to represent with simple sincerity my apprehensions upon what I have observed this morning the beginning of this speech had made Camilla break the seal of her letter but its conclusion agitated her too much for reading it is this silence said he trying to smile to repress me as arrogant or to disregard me as impertinent neither she answered forcing herself to look towards him with cheerfulness it is merely a tension you are very good and I will try to be brief that I may put your patience to no longer proof than I can avoid you know already all I can urge concerning Mrs. Burlington how little I wonder at the promptness of your admiration yet how greatly I fear for the permanence of your esteem in putting yourself under her immediate and sole protection you have shown me the complete dissonance of our judgments upon this subject but I do not forget that though you had all the goodness to hear me you had the right to decide for yourself trust indeed even against warning is so far more amable than suspicion that it must always even though it proved unfortunate call for praise rather than censor the confusion of Camilla was now converted into self-reproach what she thought coldness she had resented what appeared to her to be haughtiness she had resisted but truth in the form of gentleness brought her instantly to reason and reason could only resume its empire to represent as rash and imprudent an expedition so repugnant in its circumstances to the wishes and opinions of the person whose appropriation was most essential to her happiness Edgar had paused and her every impulse led to a candid recognition of what she felt to be wrong but her precarious situation with him the report of his intended flight by Jacob the letters still detained of Sir Sedley Clarendle and no explanation demanded by which she could gather if his plighted honour were not now his only tie with her curved her design depressed her courage and silently she let him proceed upon this subject therefore I must say no more except to hint the wish that the apprehensions which first induced me to name it may unbidden occurs timely heralds to exertion should any untoward circumstances point to danger, alarm or impropriety the new but strong friendship of Camilla was alarmed for its delicacy by these words the diffidence she felt from conscious error for herself extended not to Mrs. Burlington whom since she found guiltless she believed to be blameless she broke forth therefore into a warm eulogy which her agitation rendered eloquent while her own mind and spirits were relieved and revived by this flight from her mortified self to the friend she thought deserving her most fervent justification Edgar listened attentively and his eyes though they expressed much of serious concern and also an irrepressible admiration of an enthusiast so ardent for a female friend of so much beauty may she always merit this generous warmth which must have excited my best wishes for her welfare even if I had been insensible to her own claims upon every man of feeling but I had meant at this time to confine my ungrateful annotations to another to the person who had just quitted the room you do not mean to name her with Mrs. Burlington to imagine it possible I can have for her any similar regard or any indeed at all but such common goodwill as all sorts and classes of people are entitled to who are well meaning here at least then said Edgar with a sigh half suppressed our opinion may be consonant no I design no such disgraceful parallel for your elegant favorite my whole intention is to demonstrate can you pardon so plain a word against your appearing in public with a person so ill adapted to ensure you the respect that is so every way you're due I had not the smallest idea believe me of appearing in public I merely walked out to see the town to be gale in a stroll time which in this person society hung heavy upon me at home in the absence of Mrs. Burlington the concise simplicity of this innocent account banished in a moment all severity of judgment and Edgar expressively thanking her rose and was approaching her those scarcely knowing with what purpose when Mrs. Mitten burst into the room exclaiming well my dear you'll never guess how many things I have done since I left you in the first place there was never a wash ball in the next place not a napkin nor a towel was in its proper place then the tea things were forgot and as to spoons not one could I find and now I have a mind to go myself to shop I took good notice of and get her a little almond powder for her nice white hands which I dare say will please her I've thought of a hundred things at least I dare say I shall quite win her heart and I'm sure of my money again if I lay out never so much and I don't know what I would not do for such a good lady during this harangue Camilla shamed of a want of resolution secretly vowed that if again left alone with him she would not lose a moment in restoring him misliberty that with dignity she might once more receive or with fortitude for ever resign it she thought herself at this moment capable of either but she had only thought it since his softened look and air had made her believe she had nothing to fear from the alternative Mrs. Mitten soon went though her continued and unmeaning chattery made the short term of her stay appear long each eager upon their own plan both then involuntarily arose Camilla spoke first I have something she cried to say but her voice became so husky the inarticulate sounds died away unheard and blushing at so feeble an opening she strove under the auspices of a calf to disguise that she has spoken at all for the purpose of beginning in a more striking manner again this succeeded with Edgar at this moment for he had heard her voice not her words he began there for himself this good lady he said since bit with the rage of obliging though not I think so heroically as much to injure her interest but surely she flatters herself with somewhat too high a recompense the heart of Mrs. Burlington is not I fancy framed for such a conqueror but how at the same time is it possible conversation such as this should be heard under her roof and how can it come to pass that such a person talk of her interrupted Camilla recovering her breast some other time let me now inquire have you burnt I hope so those foolish letters I put into your hands the countenance of Edgar was instantly over clouded the mention of those letters brought fresh to his heart the bitterest the most excruciating and intolerable pang it had ever experienced it brought Camilla to his view no longer artless pure and single minded but engaged too or trifling with one man while seriously accepting another no madam he solemnly said I have not presumed so far their answers are not likely to meet with so violent a death and it seemed to me that one part of the correspondence should be preserved for the elucidation of the other Camilla felt stung by this reply and tremulously answered give me them back then if you please and I will take care to see them all demolished together in the same flames meanwhile are you sure interrupted Edgar such a conflagration will be permitted does the man live who would have the philosophy the insensibility I must rather style it ever to resign after once possessing marks so distinguishing of esteem oh Camilla I at least could not be that man cut to the soul by this question which though softened by the last phrase she deemed severely cruel she hastily exclaimed philosophy I have no right to speak of but as to insensibility who is the man that ever more can surprise me by its display let me take however this opportunity a footman opening the door said his lady had sent to beg an answer to her letter Camilla in whom anger was momentary but the love of justice permanent rejoiced at an interruption which prevented her from speaking with peak and his pleasure a sentence that must lose all its purpose if not uttered with mildness she would write she said immediately and beating the man get her pen and ink went to the window to read her letter with a former bow of apology to Edgar as she passed him I have made you angry cried he when the man was gone and I hate myself to have caused you a moments pain but you must feel for me Camilla in the wound you have inflicted you know not the disorder of mine produced by sudden unlooked for transition from felicity to perplexity from serenity to misery Camilla felt touched yet continued reading or rather rapidly repeating to herself the words of her letter without comprehending or even seeking to comprehend the meaning of one sentence he found himself quite unequal to enduring her displeasure his own all his cautions all doctor Marchman's advice were forgotten and tenderly following her have I offended he cried past forgiveness is Camilla immovable and is the journey from which I fondly hope to date the renewal of every hope the termination of every doubt the period of all suffering and sorrow he stopped abruptly from the entrance of the servant with pen and ink and the interruption was critical it called him to his self command he stammered out that he would not impede her writing and though in palpable confusion took his leave yet at the street door he gave a ticket with his name and him for Mrs. Burlington and with his best respects decide she might be told he should do himself the honor to endeavor to see her in the evening the recollection of Edgar came too late to his aid to answer its intended purpose the tender avowal which had escaped him to Camilla of the view of his journey had first with astonishment struck her ear and next with quick enchantment vibrated to her heart which again it speedily taught to beat with its pristine vivacity and joy spirit and confidence expelled in a breath all but themselves End of chapter 2 read by Lars Rolander Book 8 chapter 3 of Camilla this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander Camilla or a picture of youth by Fanny Burnie chapter 3 a pleasant adventure Camilla was again called upon for her note before she had read the letter it was to answer but relieved now from the pressure of her own terrifying apprehensions and the attention it contained four sides of paper closely yet elegantly written in the language of romantic sentiment Mrs. Burlington said she had spent as yet only a few minutes with her aunt but they had been awfully important and since she had exacted from her a promise to stay the whole day she could not deny her disappointed friendship the transient solace of a paper conversation triggering interval of this unexpected absence my soul pines to unburden the weight of its sorrows into thy sympathizing bosom my gentlest friend but oh there let them not so adjourn receive but to lighten listen but to commiserate and then far far then dismiss them retaining but the remembrance thou has dismissed them she then bewailed the time lost to soft communication and confidence in their journey from the presence of others for though one was a brother she so truly loved she found notwithstanding the tenderness of his nature he had the prejudices of a man upon man's prerogatives and her vows called for soothing not arguments and the other she briefly added was but an accidental passenger and the only oh my buttious friend I would trust the sad murmurs of my irreversible and miserable destiny of which I have learnt but this moment the cruel and desperate secret course she reserved however the discovery for their meeting and called upon her pity for her unfortunate brother as deeply involved in his future views as she in her past by his dismissery and have I written this much she burst forth without speaking of the cherished correspondent whom so often I have described to thee ah, believe me not faithless to that partner of my chosen esteem that no one that resistless possessor of my purest friendship no charming Camilla think not so degradingly of her whom fate in its sole pitting interval has cast into thy arms two pages then ensued with his exclusive encomium painting him chief in every virtue and master of every grace she next expressed her earnestness to see Indiana Camilla told her would be at Chathampton present me, I conjure thee to the fair and amable enslaver of my unhappy brother I die to see to converse with her to catch from her lovely lips the modest wisdom with which she tells me thy team to read in her speaking eyes the intelligence which she assures me illumines them she concluded with desiring her to give what orders she pleased for the coach and the servants and to pass the day with her friends Camilla's own sensations were now revived to happiness read the letter with all the sympathy it claimed and felt her eyes filled with generous tears at the contrast of their situations yet she highly blamed the tenderness expressed for the unknown correspondent though its innocence she was sure must vanquish even Edgar since its so constant avowal proved it might be published to all mankind she answered her in language nearly as affectionate though less inflated than her own and resolved to support her with Edgar till her sweetness and purity should need no champions but themselves she was ashamed of the species of expectation raised for Indiana yet knew not how to interfere in Melmond's idea of her capacity lest it might seem unkind to represent its fallaciousness but she was glad to find her soft friend seemed to have a strict guardian in her brother and wished eagerly to communicate to Edgar a circumstance which she was sure would be so welcome to him impatient to see Eugenia she accepted the offer of the carriage and desires to escape Mrs. Mitten begged to have it immediately but that notable person came to the door at the same time as the coach and without the smallest ceremony said she would accompany her to the hotel in order to take the opportunity of making acquaintance with her friends carriage frequently at least in females becomes potent as an agent where it has been feeble as a principal Camilla though she had wished upon her own account to repress Mrs. Mitten in the morning had been too timid for such an undertaking but now in her incite to oblige Edgar she gathered resolution for declining her company she then found as is generally the case with the fearful the task less difficult than she had expected for Mrs. Mitten content with the promise self-made that the introduction should take place the next day said she would go and help Mrs. Burlington's woman to unpack her lady's things which would make a useful friend for her in the house for a thousand odd matters the carriage of Sir Yuig was just driving off as Camilla arrived at the hotel and was worried from Mrs. Burlington's coach demanding which way the company was gone and being answered by a passing waiter upstairs ran on at once without patience or thought for asking if she should turn to the right or left till seeing a gentleman standing still upon the landing place and leaning upon the banisters she was retreating to desire a conductor when she perceived it was Dr. Orpon who, while the ladies were looking at accommodations and inquiring about lodgings in profound cogitation and with his tablets in his hands undisturbed by the various noises around him and unmoved by the various spectators continually passing and repassing was finishing a period which he had begun in the coach for his great work Camilla cheerfully greeting him begged to know which way she should find Eugenia but making her a sign to speak to him he wrote on accustomed to his manner and brought up to respect whatever belonged to study from the studio's life and turn of her father she obeyed the mute injunction and waited quietly by his side till tired of the delay though unwilling to interrupt him she glided softly about the passage watching and examining if she could see any other party yet fearing to offend or mortify him if she called for a waiter while straying about thus as far off as she could go without losing sight of Dr. Oppen a door she had just passed was flung open and she saw a young holder whose licentious insolence had so much alarmed her in the bathing-house strum out, joining, stretching and swearing unmeaningly but most disgustingly at every step terrified at his side she went on as she could not get to the doctor without passing him but the youth recollecting her immediately called out aha! are you there again your little vixen and pursued her Dr. Oppen, Dr. Oppen she rather screamed and said pray come this way I conjure, I beseech, I entreat Dr. Oppen the doctor catching nothing of this but his name quarrelously exclaimed you molest me much piercing his eyes from his tablets while holder at the appeal cried ay ay doctor keep your distance doctor you are best where you are doctor I can tell you doctor Camilla then too much scared to be aware she ran a far greater risk than she escaped desperately sought refuge by opening the nearest door though by the sudden noises upon the stairs and in all the adjoining passages it seemed as if Dr. Oppen were the only one not alarmed by her cries no one, however could approach so soon as the person of whose chamber she had burst the door who was an old gentleman of a good and lively countenance who promptly presenting himself looked at her with some surprise but good-humoredly asked her what she was pleased to want in his room that gentleman she cried panting and meaning to point to Dr. Oppen that gentleman I want sir but such a medley of waiters company and servants had in a moment assembled in the space between them and the doctor was no longer to be discerned do you only open my door then said he dryly to tell me you want somebody else yet when holder vowing he owed her an ill turn for which she should pay would have seized her by the hand he protected with his own arm saying, fie boy fie let the girl alone I don't like violence the gentleman now forcing himself through the crowd exclaimed miss Camilla Tyrold is it possible what can you do here madam it was Dr. Marchmont whom the frightened Camilla springing forward could only answer in catching by the arm Tyrold, repeated the old gentleman is her name Tyrold sorry now to have pronounced it in this mixed company Dr. Marchmont evaded an answer and begging her to be composed asked with her or to whom he might have the honor of conducting her almost all my family are here cried she but I could not make Dr. Alpont shoe me the way to them the old gentleman then repeating Tyrold why if her name is Tyrold I'll take care of her myself invited her into his department Dr. Marchmont thanking him said this young lady has friends who in all probability are now uneasily seeking her just lose no time in joining them well but well cried the old stranger let her come into my room till the coast is clear and then take her away in peace come there's a good girl come in do your heartily welcome for there's a person of your name that's the best friend I ever had in the world he's gone from our parts now but he's left nothing so good behind pray my dear did you ever hear of a gentleman an old Yorkshire Baronet of your name what my uncle your uncle why are you knees to Sir you Tyrold upon our answering yes he clapped his hands with delight and saying why then I'll take care of you myself if it's at the risk of my life carried rather than drew her into his room the doctor following then loudly shutting his door in the face of holder he called out enter my castle who dare I shall turn a young man myself at the age of 70 to drop the first Barlet that would attack the niece of my dear old friend they soon heard the passage clear and without deigning to listen to the petulant revilings with which young holder so last his foolish rage why my dear he continued why did you not tell me your name was Tyrold at once I promise you you need carry nothing else with you into our parts to see all the doors fly open to you you make much of him I hope where he is for he left not the dry eye for 20 miles round when he quitted us I don't know how many such men you may have in Hampshire but Yorkshire is a large county yet the best man in it would find it hard to get a seat in parliament where Sir you Tyrold would offer himself to be a candidate we all say in Yorkshire he's so stuffed full of goodness and kindness that there's no room left in him for anything else that's our way of talking of him in Yorkshire if you have a better way in Hampshire I shall be glad to learn it never too late for that I hate pride no possible disturbance could make Camilla insensible to pleasure in the praise of her uncle or depress her spirits from joining in his evlogy and her attention and brightening looks true a narrative from the old gentleman of the Baronet's good actions and former kindnesses so pleasant both to the speaker and the hearer that the one forgot he had never seen her before and the other the frightful adventure which occasioned their meeting now Dr. Marchmont at length looking at his watch inquired what she meant to do to seek her sister and party she answered and returning her host the warmest acknowledgments for his assistance and goodness she was going but stopping her how now he cried don't you want to know who I am now I have told you I'm a friend of your uncle don't you suppose he'll ask you my name Camilla smiling assured him she wished much to be informed but knew not how to trouble him with a question why my name my dear is Hal Westwin and when you say that to your uncle he won't give you a sour look for your pains take my word for that beforehand I carried over his nephew and heir a cousin I suppose of yours to Laipsich with me about eight years ago along with a boy of my own Hal Westwin a very good lad I assure you though I never tell him so to his face for fear of puffing him up I made a boy puffed up he commonly comes to no good that's the only fault of my honoured friend he spoils all young people witness that same cousin of yours that I can't say I much like no more does he me but tell your good uncle you have met me and tell him I love and honour him as I ought to do I don't know how to do more or else I would tell him this my dear but what he did for me once when I was hard run and I don't intend it I'm no friend to short memories Camila said his name and her uncle's regard for him had long been familiar to her and told him Clermont Linnmir was of the party to Southampton though she knew not how to enter abruptly into an explanation of his mistake concerning the inheritance Mr Westwin answered he was to see Clermont who was not at all to his taste but would not quit Hampshire without visiting Cleves and when he gathered that two more nieces of Sir Yu were in the house he desired to be presented to them upon re-entering the passage to the great amusement of Dr Marchmont and serious provocation of Camila they perceived Dr Orkman standing precisely where he had first stationed himself attending no more to the general hubbub than to her particular entreaty and as regardless of the various jolts he had received during the tumult as of the obstruction he caused by his inconvenient position to the haste of the passage by still steadily reposing against the banisters he worked hard at refining his paragraph persuaded since not summoned by Miss Marglin he had bestowed upon it for a few minutes though he had been fixed to that spot near an hour Miss Marglin received Camila with a civility which since her positive and public affiance to Edgar she thought necessary to the mistress of Beach Park but she looked upon Dr Marchmont whom she concluded to have been her advocate with the cold ill will which for Mr Westwin she seasoned still more strongly from a ready disposition to believe every stranger not formally announced beneath her notice the doctor soon retired and found Edgar in his apartment just returned from a long stroll he recounted to him the late transaction which reiterated exhortations to circumspection from added doubts of the solidity though with new praise of the attractions of Camila she seems a character he said difficult to resist and yet more difficult to attach nothing serious appears to impress her for two minutes together let us see if the thoughtlessness and inadvertence thus perpetually fertile of danger result from youthful inexperience or have their source in innate levity time and reason will rectify the first but time and even reason will but harden and embolden the latter prudence therefore must now interfere or passion may fly when the union it has formed most requires its continuance End of Chapter 3 read by Lash Rolander Book 8, Chapter 4 of Camila This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Reading by Lash Rolander Camila or a picture of youth by Fanny Burney Chapter 4 An Author's Timekeeper Mr Westwind charmed to meet so many near relations of a long-valued friend struck by the extraordinary beauty of Indiana and by the sensible answers of the child as he called Judea as well as caught by the united loveliness of person and of mind which he observed in Camila could not bring himself to retire till the dinner was upon the table pleading in excuse for his stay his former intimacy with Sir You Miss Marglenn seeing in him nothing that marked fashion strove to distance him by a high demeanour but though not wanting in shrewdness Mr Westwind was a perfectly natural man and only thinking her manners disagreeable without suspecting her intention took but little notice of her. From the time he saw she could give him no pleasure while with a young party he was so much delighted that he seriously regretted he had only one son to offer amongst them When the dinner was served Judea grew uneasy that Dr Orkman should be summoned whose non-appearance she had ventured to mention from the professed hatred of his very sight avowed by Miss Marglenn but Camila brought up to exert constantly her courage for the absent told the waiter to call the gentleman from the head of the stairs My master himself, ma'am he answered as well as me both told the gentleman the company he came with were served but he as good as bid us both hold hands he seems to have taken a great liking to that place upon the stairs though there's nothing I know of particular in it but if you tell him we wait dinner cried Judea when Miss Marglenn interrupting her said I'm sure then you won't tell him true for I beg we may all begin I think it would be rather more decorous he should wait for us The waiter nevertheless went but presently returned and was humbled seeing the gentleman does not choose to hear me ma'am he says if he may be let alone one single minute it will be throwing away all his morning I can't say I know what he means but he speaks rather froppish I just leave not go to him again if you please Miss Marglenn declared she wished him no better dinner than his pottocks but did not doubt he would come as usual and it was no more mention though she never in her life it so fast and the table was ordered to be cleared of its covers with the speed exactly the reverse of the patients with which the doctor was indulged on similar occasions by the Baronet Miss Marglenn when the cloth was removed proposed a sally in search of lodgings Camilla and Eugenia desires of a private conference beg to remain within though the latter sought to take care of her absent preceptor before she could enjoy the conversation of her sister and when Miss Marglenn and Indiana in secret exaltation at his dinner estate had glided with silent simpering past him flew to beseech his consent to take some nourishment such however was his present absorption in what he was writing that the voluntary kindness of his pupil was as unwelcome as the forced intrusion of the waiter and he conured her to grant him a little respite from such eternal tormenting with the plaintive impatience of deprecating some injuring the sisters now equally eager to relate and to listen to their mutual affairs shut themselves up in the apartment of Eugenia who with the greatest simplicity began the discourse by saying have you heard my dear sister that Clermont has refused me Camilla was severely shocked accustomed herself to the face and form of Eugenia which to her innocent affection presented always the image of her virtuous mind and cultivated understanding she had not presaged even the possibility of such an event and though she had seen with concern the inequality of their outward appearance Clermont had seemed to her in all else so inferior to her sister that she had repined at his unworthiness but never doubted the alliance she was distressed how to offer any consolation but soon found none was required Eugenia was composed and contented though pensive and not without some feeling of modification yet anger and resentment had found place in the transaction her equity acknowledged that Clermont had ever right of choice but while her candor induced her to even applaud his disinterestedness in relinquishing the cleave's estate her capacity pointed out how terrible must be the personal defects that so speedily without one word of conversation one trial of any sort how their tastes, tempers or characters might accord stimulated him to so decisive a rejection this view of her unfortunate appearance cast her at first into a train of melancholy ideas that would fast have led her to unhappiness though fully unmixed with any regret of Clermont had not the natural philosophy of her mind come to her aid or had her education been of a more sort when Camilla related her own history her plan of making Edgar again completely master of his own proceedings met the entire probation of Eugenia who with a serious smile said take warning by me my dear sister and little as you have reason to be brought into any comparison with such a one as me anticipate the disgrace of defection Camilla much touched sincerely wishing she were half as faultless as her excellent self the return of Miss Margland and Indiana obliged them to quit the retreat and they now found Dr. Orkborn in the dining room having finished his paragraph he had sought his party of his own accord but meeting with no one had taken a book from his pocket with which he meant to be gild the appetite he felt rising till the hour of dinner which he had not the smallest suspicion was over for of the progress of time he had no knowledge but by its palpable passage from the sun to the moon his watch was never wound up and the morning and the evening were but announced to him by his summons to breakfast and to supper the ladies seated themselves at the window Indiana was enchanted by the concourse of gay and well-dressed people passing by and far from insensible to the visible surprise and pleasure she excited in those who cast up their eyes at the hotel to denia to whom a great and populous town was entirely new found also in the diversity as well as novelty of its objects much matter for remark and contemplation Miss Margland experienced the utmost satisfaction in seeing at last some faces and some things less rustic than had been presented to her in Yorkshire or at Cleves and Camilla had every hope that this place in Edgar's own expression would terminate every perplexity and give local date to her life's permanent felicity in a few minutes a youth appeared on the opposite payment whose air was new to none of the party yet not immediately recollected by any it was striking however in elegance and in melancholy eugenia recollected him first and starting back gasped for breath indiana the next moment called out ah it's mr. melmont and blushing high her whole face was bright and dimpled with unexpected delight he walked on without looking up and indiana simply peaked as well as chagrin said she was glad he was gone but eugenia looked after him with a gentle sigh which now first she thought blameless and a pleasure which though half mournful she now suffered herself to encourage free from all ties that made her shun this partiality as culpable she secretly told herself she might now without injury to anyone indulge it for an object little as he was known to her and finally painted with all the faultless qualities of ideal excellence from these meditations she was rushed by dr. orpans looking rather wishfully round him and exclaiming pray don't we dine rather late the mistake being cleared up by miss margillans assuring him it was impossible to keep dinner waiting all day for people who chose to stand whole hours upon a staircase discomforted but when eugenia privately ordered him a repost in his own chamber he was amply consoled by the unconstrained freedom with which she was empowered to have more books upon the table than plates and to make more ink spots than he eat mouthfuls camilla had the mortification to find upon a return home that edgar had made his promised visit only in her absent but while miss burlington was still with her aunt the lady then communicated to camilla the secret to which while yet in ignorance of its existence she now found she had been sacrificed mrs. ecton two years ago had given her hand in the most solemn privacy to her butler who now attended her to south hampton to avoid disobliging a sick old relation from whom she expected a considerable legacy she had prevailed with her husband to consent that the marriage should not be divulged but certain that whatever now might be her fortune she had no power to bequeath it from her new connection the terror of leaving utterly destitute a beautiful young creature who believed herself well provided for had induced her to nearly force her acceptance the most superannuated old man of family who merely coveting her beauty inquired not into her inclination the same latent cause had made her inexorable to the pleadings of young melmont who conceiving his fortune dependent upon the pleasure of his aunt his certain income being trifling thought it his duty to fly the fair object of his adoration when he discovered the deceit of the marionel with regard to the inheritance of seriou the sick old relation was now just dead and had left to her sole disposal a considerable estate the husband naturally refused to be kept any longer from his just rights but the shame she felt of making the discovery of a marriage contracted clandestinely after she was 60 years of age with a man under 30 threw her into a nervous fever and in this state unable to reveal to her nephew an event which now affected him alone she prevailed with Mr. Alst who was willing to revisit his original home South Hampton to accompany her dither in his capacity till she had summoned her nephew and niece and acquainted them with the affair to herself Mrs. Burlington said the evil of this transaction had been over while yet it was unknown she had heard it therefore in silence and foreborn unavailing reproach but her brother to whom the blow was new and the consequences were still impending was struck with extreme anguish that while thus every possible hope was extinguished with regard to his love he must suddenly apply himself to some business or be reduced to the most obscure poverty Camilla heard the account with sincere concern for them both much heightened for young Melmont upon finding that by his express desire his sister now relinquished her design of cultivating an acquaintance with Indiana whom he had the virtue to determine to avoid since his fortune and even his hopes were thus irretrievably ruined they converse together to a late hour and Camilla before they parted made the most earnest apologies for the liberty taken with her house by Mrs. Mitten but Mrs. Burlington with the utmost sweetness begged she might stay till all her business with her was settled smilingly adding business alone she was sure could bring them together much relieved she then determined to press Mrs. Mitten to collect and pay her accounts immediately and to avoid with her in the meanwhile any other transactions End of Chapter 4 Read by Los Rulander