 Book 3, Chapter 13 of Camilla. Camilla or a picture of youth by Fanny Barney, Chapter 13. Attic Adventures Mr. Tyrold, according to the system of recreation, which he had settled with his wife, saw with satisfaction the pleasure with which Camilla began this new acquaintance, in the hope it would help to support her spirits during the interval of suspense with regard to the purposes of Mandelbert. Mrs. Albury was unknown to him except by general fame, which told him she was a woman of reputation as well as fashion, and that, though her manners were lively, her heart was friendly, and her hand ever open to charity. Upon admitting Lionel again to his presence, he spoke forcibly, though with brevity upon the culpability of his conduct. What he had done, he said, let him colour it to himself with what levity he might, was not only a robbery, but a robbery of the most atrocious and unjustifiable class, adding terror to violation of property, and playing upon susceptibility of the weakness and infirmities. Which he ought to have been the first to have sheltered and sheathed. Had the action contained no purpose but a frolic, even then the situation of the object on whom it fell rendered it inhuman, but as it same and end was to obtain money, it was dishonourable to his character and criminal by the laws of his country. Yet shudder no more, continued he, young man, at the justice to which they make you amenable, then at having deserved though you escape it. From this day, however, I will name it no more. Feeble must be all I could utter compared with what the least reflection must make you feel. Your uncle in a broken state of health is sent abroad, your mother, though too justly incensed to see you, sacrifices her happiness to serve you. Lionel for a few hours was in despair after this harangue, but as they cast away, he strove to drive it from his mind, persuading himself it was useless to dwell upon what was irretrievable. Mrs. Arbery the following day made her visit at Everrington, and invited the two sisters to breakfast she was to give the next morning. Mr. Tyrold, who with surprise and concern at the coldness so dilatory, found a second day wearing away without a visit from Mandelbert. Gladly consented to allow of an amusement that might shake from Camilla the pensiveness into which at times he saw her falling. Mrs. Arbery had declared she hated ceremony in the summer, guarded therefore by Lionel the sisters walked to the group. From the little hill they had again to pass, they observed a group of company upon the leads of her house, which were flat and balustrated round. And when they presented themselves at the door, they were met by Major Servod, who conducted them to the scene of business. It was the end of July, and the weather was sultry, but though the height of the place upon which the present party was collected gave some freshness to the air, the heat reflected from the lead would have been nearly intolerable, had it not been obviated by an awning and by mats in the part where seats and refreshments were arranged. French horns and clarinets were played during the repast. This little entertainment had, for motive, a young lady's quitting her boarding school. Miss Dennell, a niece by marriage of Mrs. Arbery, who at the age of fourteen came to preside at the house and table of her father, had begged to be felicitated by her aunt upon the joyful occasion, with a ball. But Mrs. Arbery declared she never gave any entertainments in which she did not expect to play the principal part herself, and that balls and concerts were therefore excluded from her list of home diversions. It was vastly well to see other shine superior, she said, elsewhere, but she could not be so accommodating as to perform nobody under her own roof. She offered her, however, a breakfast with full choice of its cakes and refreshments, which, with leave to fix upon the spot where it should be given, was all the youthful pleader could obtain. The Eddington trio met with a reception, the most polite, and Camilla was distinguished by marks of peculiar favor. Few guests were added to the party she had met there before, except the young lady, who was its present foundress, and whose voice she recollected to have heard in the inquiries which had reached her ear from within the paddock. Miss Dennell was a pretty, blooming, tall girl, but as childish in intellect as in experience, though self-persuaded she was a woman in both, since she was called from school to sit at the head of her father's table. Camilla required nothing further for entertainment than to listen to her new friend. La Vina, though more amazed than amused, always modestly hung back as a mere looker on, and the company in general made their diversion from viewing through various classes, the seats of the neighboring gentlemen, and reviewing with yet more scrutiny their characters and circumstances. But Lionel ever restless ceased the opportunity to patrol the attic regions of the house, where, meeting with a capacious lumber-room, he returned to assure the whole party it would make an admirable theater and to ask who would come forth to spout with him. Mr. McDersi said he did not know one word of any part, but he could never refuse anything that might contribute to the company's pleasure. Away they sped together, and in a few minutes reversed the face of everything. Old sofas, bedsteads and trunks, large family chests, deal-boxes and hampers, carpets and curtains rolled up for the summer, tables with two legs and chairs without bottoms, were trackled from the middle to one end of the room, and arranged to form a semi-circle with seats in front for a pit. Carpets were then uncovered and untied to be spread forth the stage, and curtains withers little mercy were unfurled and hung up to make a scene. Then they applied to Ms. Dennell, who had followed to peep at what they were about, and asked if she thought the audience might be admitted. She declared she had never seen any place so neat and elegant in her life. Such an opinion could not but be decisive, and they prepared to reassent when the sight of a small door near the entrance of the large apartment excited the ever-ready curiosity of Lionel, who though the key was on the outside, contrived to turn it wrong, but while endeavouring to rectify by force what he had spoiled by awkwardness, a sudden noise from within startled them all, and occasioned quick and reiterated screams from Ms. Dennell, who, with the utmost velocity, burst back upon the company on the leads, calling out, Oh Lord, how glad I am, I am coming back alive. Mr. McTurrey, St. John, Mr. Tyrrell are very likely killed, for they have just found. I don't know how many robbers shut up in a dark closet. The gentleman waited for no explanation to this unintelligible story, but hastened to the spot, and Mrs. Arlbury ordered all the servants who were in waiting to follow and assist. Ms. Dennell then entreated to have the trapped door through which they ascended from a small staircase to the leads. Double-locked, the gentleman should declare upon their honours that the thieves were all dead. Mrs. Arlbury would not listen to this, but waited with Lavigne and Camilla the event. The gentleman meanwhile reached the scene of action, at the moment when McTurrey is striking first his foot and then his whole person against the door, had forced it open with such sudden violence that he fell over a pail of water into the adjoining room. The servants arriving at the same time announced that this was merely a closet for mops, brooms and pails belonging to the housemaid, and it appeared upon examination that the noise from within had simply been produced by the falling down of a broom, occasioned by the shaking the door in endeavouring to force the lock. The end sign, wetted or splashed all over, was in a fury, and turning to Lionel, who laughed, was efferously, whilst the rest of the gentleman were scarcely moderate, and the servants joined in the chorus. Perimterily demanded to know if he had put the pail there on purpose. In which case, sir, said he, you must never let me see you laugh again to the longest hour you have to live. My good MacDursey, said the general, go into another room and have your clothes wiped and dried. It will be time enough then to settle who shall laugh longest. General, said he, I scorned to mind being either wet or dry, a soul you ought to be above such delicate effeminacy. It is not, therefore, the sowsing I regard, provided I can once be clear it was not done for a joke. Lionel, when he could speak, declared that far from placing the pail there on purpose, he had not known there was such a closet in the house, nor had ever been up those stairs till they all mounted them together. I am perfectly satisfied then, my good friend, said the end sign, shaking him by the hand with an heartiness that gave him no small share of the pail's contents. When a gentleman tells me a thing seriously, I make it a point to believe him, especially if he has a good honest countenance that assures me he would not refuse me satisfaction in the case he had meant to make game of me. And do you always terminate your jests with a ceremony of a tilting match? cried sir, sadly. Yes, sir, if I made a joke of by a man of any honour, for to tell you a piece of my mind, there is no one thing upon earth I hate like a joke unless it's against another person. And then it only gives me a little joy inwardly, for I make it a point of completions not to laugh out, except where I happen to wish for a little private conversation with a person that gives me the diversion. First set you in the extreme, cried sir, sadly, an infallible excellent mode to make a man die of laughter, drawl to the utmost. With regard to that, sir, I have no objection to a little wit or humour provided a person has the politeness to laugh only at himself and his own particular friends and relations. But if once he takes the liberty to turn me into ridicule, I look upon it as an affront and expect the proper reparation. Oh, to refuse that would be without bowels to a degree. Lionel now ran upstairs to beg the ladies would come and see the theatre, but suddenly exclaimed as he looked around. Aha! and hastily galloped down and to the bottom of the house. Mrs. Albury descended with her young party, and the ensign in mock heroics solemnly prostrated himself to Miss Dennell, pouring into her delighted ears from various shreds and scraps of different tragedies. The most high-flown and egregiously ill-adapted compliments, while the major less absurdly, though scarcely passionately, made Camilla his duet, and whispered the tenderest lines of Romeo. Lionel, presently running, out of breath upstairs again, cried, Mrs. Albury, I have drawn you in a new bow. Have you? cried she coolly. Why then I permit you to draw him out again. Had you told me he had forced himself in, you had made him welcome. But I foster only willing slaves, so opt, if you please, with your boast and your bow. I can't upon my word, ma'am, for he set my heels. Mandelbert at the same moment, not hearing what passed, made his appearance. The surprised and always unguarded Camilla uttered an involuntarily exclamation, which instantly catching his ear, drew his eye towards the exclamer, and there fixed it, with an astonishment which suspended fully his harp-made bow, and beginning address to Mrs. Albury. Lionel had described him upon the little hill before the house, where, as he was passing on, his own attention had been caught by the sound of horns and clarinets. Just as, without any explanation, Lionel flew to tell him he was wanted, and almost forced him off his horse and up the stairs. Mrs. Albury, in common with those who dispense with all forms for themselves, exacted them punctiliously from all others. The visit therefore of Mandelbert, not being designed for her, afforded her at first no gratification, and produced rather a contrary feeling, when she observed the total absence of all pleasure in the surprise with which he met Camilla at her house. She gave him a reception of cold civility, and then chatted almost fully whether General Orser said me. Edgar Scarce saw whether he was received or not. His bow was mechanical, his apology for his intrusion was unintelligible. Amazement at seeing Camilla under this roof, disappointment at her breach of implied promise, and mortification at the air of being at home, which he thought he remarked in her situation, though at an acquaintance he had taken so much pains to keep aloof from her. All conspired to displease and perplex him, and though his eyes could with difficulty look any other way, he neither spoke to nor approached her. Nor was even thus meeting her all he had to give him disturbance. The palpable devour some major servant incensed as well as astonished him. For under pretext of only following the tumour of the day, in effecting to act the hero in love, the major assailed her without reserve, with declarations of his passion, which though his words passed off as quotations, his looks and manner made appropriate. How already, thought Edgar, has he obtained such a privilege, such confidence to have uttered one such sentence my tongue would have trembled, my lips would have quivered. Camilla felt confounded by his presence from the consciousness of the ill opinion she must excite by this second apparent disregard of a given engagement. She would feign have explained to him its history, but she could not free herself from the major, whose theatrical effusions were not now to be repressed, since at first she had unthinkingly attended to them. Lionel joined with MacDursey in directing similar heroics to Miss Dennell, who simply enchanted, called out, I am determined when I have a house of my own, I'll have just such a room as this at the top of it, on purpose to act a play every night. And when, my dear, said Mrs. Albury, do you expect to have a house of your own? Oh, as soon as I married you now. Is your marrying then already decided? Dear no, not that I know of aunt, I'm sure I never trouble myself about it, only I suppose it will happen some day or other. And when it does, you are very sure your husband will approve your acting place every night? Oh, as to that I shan't ask him. Whenever I'm married I'll be my own mistress, that I'm resolved upon, but Papa's so monstrous cross he says he won't let me act place now. Papas and mamas, cried so sadly, are ever most egregiously in the way. It is prodigiously surprising they have never yet been banished society. I know no mark more irrefregible of the supineness of mankind. Then, rising and exclaiming, what savage heat! I wish the weather had a little feeling. He broke up the party by ordering his caracal and being the first to depart. Bad creature, cried Mrs. Albury, if one had the least care for him is exactly an animal to dry one mad. He labours harder to be effected than any plowman does for his dinner and completely at his conceit obscures it. He has every endowment nature can bestow except common sense. They now all descended to take leave except the ensign and Lionel, who went arm in arm prowling about to view all the garrets followed on tiptoe by Miss Dannell. La Vina called vainly after her brother, but Camilla hoping every instant she might clear her conduct to Edgar was not sorry to be detained. They had not, however, been five minutes in the parlour before a violent and angry noise from above induced them all to remount to the top of the house. And there, upon entering a garret coincid issued, they saw Miss Dannell decorated with the ensign's cock-cat and feather, yet looking pale with fright. Lionel, a cootert in the maids' clothes and almost in a convulsion of laughter and macderacy in a rage utterly incomprehensible, with the coachman's large bob wig hanging loose upon his head. It was sometimes before it was possible to gather that having all paraded into various garrets in search of adventures, Lionel, after retiring herself in the maids' gown, cap and apron, had suddenly deposited upon Miss Dannell's head the ensign's cock-cat, replacing it with the coachman's best wig upon the topi of macderacy, whose resentment was so violent at this liberty that it was still some minutes before he could give it articulation. The effect of this full-buckled bobgerum, which stuck follow from the young face and powdered locks of the ensign, was irresistibly ludicrous, yet he would have deemed it a greater indignity to take it quietly off, then to be viewed in it by thousands. Though, when he saw the disposition of the whole company to sympathize with Lionel, his wrath rose yet higher, and stamping with passion, he fiercely said to him, Take it off, sir, take it off my head! Lionel, holding these two imperious, a command to be obeyed, only shouted louder. Macderacy, then incensed beyond endurance, lowered his voice with stifled chowler, and, putting his arms at Kimbo's head, If you take me for a fool, sir, I shall demand satisfaction for it's what I never put up with. Then, turning to the rest, he solemnly added, I beg pardon of all the worthy company for speaking this little whisper, which certainly I should scorn to do before ladies, if it had not been a secret. Mrs. Albury, alarmed at the serious consequences, now threatening this folly, said, No, no, I allow of no secrets in my house, but what are entrusted to myself, I insist therefore upon being umpire in this cause. Madam, said Macderacy, I hope never to become such a debased brute of the creation as to contradict the commands of a fair lady, except when it's upon a point of honor. But I can't consent to pass for a fool, and steal more not for a paltrone. You'll excuse the little hint. Then, while making a profound and ceremonious bow, his wig fell over his head on the ground. This is very unlucky, cried he with a look of vexation, for certainly, and to be sure, no human mortal should have made me take it off myself before I was righted. Camilla, picking it up, to render the affair merely burlesque, pulled off the maid's cap from her brother's head, and put on the wig in its place, saying, There, Lionel, you have played the part of Lady Ronghead long enough, be so good now as to perform that of Sir Francis. This ended the business, and the whole party in Curricles, on horseback or on foot, departed from the grove. End of Chapter 13, read by Losh Rolander. Book 4, Chapter 1 of Camilla. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linda Velwest. Camilla or A Picture of Youth by Fanny Burney. Book 4, Chapter 1, A Few Explanations. The last words of Dr. Marchmont in Taking Leave of Edgar were injunctions to circumspection, and representations of the difficulty of drawing back with honor if once any incautious eagerness betrayed his partiality. To this counsel, he was impelled to submit, lest he should risk for Camilla a report similar to that which for Indiana had given him so much disturbance. There, indeed, he felt himself wholly blameless. His admiration was but such as he always experienced at sight of a beautiful picture, nor had it ever been demonstrated in any more serious manner. He had distinguished her by no particular attention, singled her out by no pointed address, taken no pains to engage her good opinion, and manifested no flattering pleasure at her approach or presence. His sense of right was too just to mislead him into giving himself similar absolution with respect to Camilla. He had never, indeed, indulged a voluntary vent to his preference, but the candor of his character convinced him that what so forcibly he had felt he must occasionally have betrayed. Yet the idea excited regret without remorse, for though it had been his wish as well as intention to conceal his best hopes till they were ratified by his judgment, he had the conscious integrity of knowing that, should her heart become his prize, his dearest view in life would be to solicit her hand. To preserve, therefore, the appearance of an undesigning friend of the house, he had forced himself to refrain for two days from any visit to the rectory, whether he was repairing when thus, unlooked and unwished for, he surprised Camilla at the grove. Disappointed and disapproving feelings kept him while there aloof from her by continual suggestions that her character was of no stability, that Dr. Marchmont was right in his doubts and mismarglined herself, not wrong in accusing her of caprice. And when he perceived, upon her preparing to walk home with her brother and sister, that Major Sir Wood stepped forward to attend her, he indignantly resolved to arrange without delay his continental excursion. But again, when, as she quitted the room, he saw her head half turned round with an eye of inquiry if he followed, he determined frankly and at once in his capacity of a friend to request some explanation of this meeting. The assiduities of the Major made it difficult to speak to her, but the aid of her desire for a conversation which was equally anxious and less guarded than his own anticipated his principal investigation by urging her voluntarily to seize an opportunity of relating to him the history of her first visit to Mrs. Arlbury and of assuring him that the second was indispensable its consequence. Soffoned by this apparent earnestness for his good opinion, all his interest and all his tenderness for her returned, and though much chagrined at the accident or rather mischief which had thus established the acquaintance, he had too little to say whatever he had to feel of positive weight against it to propose its now being relinquished. He thanked her impressively for so ready an explanation, and then gently added, I know your predilection in favor of this lady, and I will say nothing to disturb it, but as she is yet new to you, and as all residents, all intercourse from your home or relations is new to you also. Tell me candidly, sincerely tell me, can you condescend to suffer an old friend, though in the person of but a young man, to offer you from time to time a hint, a little counsel, a few brief words of occasional advice, and even perhaps now and then to torment you into a little serious reflection? If you, cried she gaily, will give me the reflection, I promise to the best of my power to give you in return the seriousness, but I can by no means engage for both. Oh, never, but from your own prudence, he answered gratefully, may your delightful vivacity know a curb. If now I see myself to fear it, it is not from morose-ness, it is not from insensibility to its charm. He was stopped here by McDursey, who suddenly overtaking him, in treated an immediate short conference upon a matter of movement. Though cruelly vexed by the interruption, he could not refuse to turn back with him, and Camilla again was left holy to the gallant major, but her heart felt so light that she had just cleared herself to Edgar, so gratified by his request to become himself, her monitor, and so enchanted to find her acquaintance with Mrs. Albury no longer disputed, that she was too happy to admit any vexation, and the major had never thought her so charming, though of the major she thought not one moment. McDursey, with the long ceremonious and not very clear apology, confessed he had called Mandelbeer aside only to inquire into the certain truth if it were not a positive secret of his intended nuptials with the beautiful Miss Lindmere. Mandelbeer, with surprise, but without any hesitation, declared himself holy without any pretensions to that lady. McDursey then embraced him, and they parted, mutually satisfied. It seemed now too late to Mandelbeer to go to Etherington till the next day, wither as soon as he had breakfasted, he then wrote. According to his general custom, he went immediately to the study, where he met with a calm but kind reception from Mr. Tyrold, and after half an hour's conversation upon Lisbon, Dr. Marchmont, and Mrs. Tyrold, he left him to seek his young friends. In the parlor he found Lavinia alone, but before he could inquire for her sister, who was accidentally upstairs, Lionel, just dismounted from his horse, appeared. Oh-ho, Edgar, cried he. You are here, are you? This would make fine confusion if that beauty of nature Miss Marglin should happen to call. They've just sent for you to Beach Park. I don't know what's to be done to you, but if you have an inclination to save poor Camilla's eyes, or cap, at least, from that meek, tender creature you'll set off for Cleese before they know you are in this house. Edgar, amazed, desired an explanation, but he protested the wrath of Miss Marglin had been so comical and given him so much diversion that he had not been able to get any particulars. He only knew there was a great commotion, and that Edgar was declared in love with some of his sisters or cousins, and Miss Marglin was in a rage that it was not with herself, and that, in short, because he only happened to drop a hint of the latter notion, that delectable paragon had given him so violent a blow with her fine eyes that, in order to vent an ungovernable fit of laughter without the risk of having the house pulled about his ears, he had hastily mounted his horse and galloped off. The contempt of Edgar for Miss Marglin would have made him disdain another question if the name of Camilla had not been mingled in this relation. No question, however, could procure further information. Lionel, enchanted that he had tormented Miss Marglin, understood nothing more of the matter and could only repeat his own merry sayings and their effect. Lavinia expressed most innocently her curiosity to know what this meant and was going for Camilla to assist in some conjecture, but Edgar, who by this strange story had lost his composure, felt unequal to hearing it discussed in her presence, and pleading sudden haste rode away. He did not, however, go to Cleves. He hardly knew if Lionel had not amused him with a feigned story, but he no sooner arrived at Beach Park than he found a message from Sir Hugh begging to see him with all speed. The young ensign was the cause of this present summons and disturbance. Elated by the declaration of Mandelbeer that the rumor of his contract was void of foundation and buoyed up by Mrs. Albury to whom he returned with the communication, he resolved to make his advances in form. He presented himself, therefore, at Cleves, where he asked an audience of Sir Hugh and at once, with his accustomed vehemence, declared himself bound eternally life and soul to his fair niece, Miss Lindmere, and desired that in order to pay his addresses to her he might be permitted to see her at odd times when he was off duty. Sir Hugh was scarce able to understand him from his volubility and the extravagance of his phrases and gestures, but he imbueded them to his violent passion and therefore answered him with great gentleness, assuring him he did not mean to doubt his being a proper alliance for his niece, though he had never heard of him before, but begging he would not be affronted if he could not accept him, not knowing yet quite clearly if she were not engaged to a young gentleman in the neighborhood. The ensign now loudly proclaimed his own news. Mandelbeer had protested himself free and the whole county already rang with the mistake. Sir Hugh, who always at a loss, how to say no, thought this would have been a good answer, now sent for Miss Margland and desired her to speak herself with the young gentleman. Miss Margland, much gratified, asked McDursey if she could look at his rent roll. He had nothing of the kind at hand, he said, not being yet come to his estate, which was in Ireland and was still the property of a first cousin, who was not yet dead. Miss Margland, promising he should have an answer in a few days, then dismissed him. But more irritated than ever against Mandelbeer, from the contrast of his power to make settlements, she burst forth into her old declarations of his ill usage of Miss Lindmere, attributing it wholly to the contrivances of Camilla, she had herself, she said, surprised, weadling Edgar into her snares, when she called last at Etherington, and who, she doubted not, they should soon hear was going to be married to him. Sir Hugh always understood literally whatever was said. These assertions, therefore, of ill humor, merely made to vent black bile, affected him deeply for the honour and welfare of Camilla, and he hastily sent a messenger for Edgar, determining to beg, if that were the case, he would openly own the whole and not leave all the blame to fall all upon his poor niece. At this period, Lionel had called, and by inflaming Miss Margland had aggravated the general disturbance. When Edgar arrived, Sir Hugh told him of the affair, assuring him he should never have taken amiss his preferring Camilla, which he thought but natural, if he had only done it from the first. Edgar, though easily through all this, he saw the malignant yet shallow offices of Miss Margland, found himself with infinite vexation, compelled to declare off equally from both the charges, conscious that till the very moment of his proposals he must appear to have no preference nor designs. He spoke, therefore, with the utmost respect of the young ladies, but again said it was uncertain if he should not travel before he formed any establishment. The business thus explicitly decided nothing more could be done, but Miss Margland was somewhat appeased when she heard that her pupil was not so disgracefully to be supplanted. Indiana herself, to whom Edgar had never seemed agreeable, soon forgot she had ever thought of him and elated by the acquisition of a new lover, doubted not but in a short time, the publication of her liberty would prove slavery to all mankind. Early the next morning the carriage of Sir Hugh arrived at the rectory for Camilla. She never refused an invitation from her uncle, but she felt so little equal to passing a whole day in the presence of Miss Margland after the unaccountable yet alarming relation she had gathered from Lionel, that she entreated him to accompany her and to manage that she should return with him when the horses were fed and rested. Lionel, ever good-humored and ready to oblige, willingly complied, but demanded that she should go with him in their way back to see a new house, which he had wanted to examine. Sir Hugh received her with his usual affection, Indiana with indifference and Miss Margland with a malicious smile, but Eugenia, soon taking her aside, disclosed to her that Edgar, the day before, publicly and openly disclaimed any views upon Indiana and had declared himself without any passion, whatever, and free from all inclination or intention but to travel. The blush of pleasure with which Camilla heard the first sentence of this speech became the tingle of shame at the second and whitened into surprise and sorrow at the last. Eugenia, though she saw some disturbance, understood not these changes, fully absorbed in the study of literature and languages under the direction of a preceptor who had never mingled with the world, her capacity had been occupied in constant work for her memory, but her judgment and penetration had been wholly unexercised. Like her uncle, she concluded everybody and everything to be precisely what they appeared, and though, in that given point of view, she had keener intellects to discern and more skill to appreciate persons and characters, she was as unpracticed as himself in these discriminative powers which dive into their own conceptions to discover the latent springs, the multifarious and contradictory sources of human actions and propensities. Upon their return to the company, Miss Marglen chose to relate the history herself. Mr. Mandelbeer, she said, had not only thought proper to acknowledge his utter insensibility to Miss Lindmere, but had declared his indifference for every woman under the sun, and protested he held them all cheap alike. So I would advise nobody, she continued, to flatter themselves with making a conquest of him, for they may take my word for it. He won't be caught very easily. Camilla disdained to understand this but in a general sense and made no answer. Indiana, pouting her lips, said she was sure she did not want to catch him, she did not fear having offers enough without him if she should happen to choose to marry. Certainly, said Miss Marglen, there's no doubt of that. And this young officer's coming the very moment he heard of your being at liberty is a proof that the only reason of your having had no more proposals is owing to Mr. Mandelbeer. So I don't speak for you but for anybody else that may suppose they may please the difficult gentleman better. Camilla now breathed hard with resentment, but still was silent, and Indiana, answering only for herself, said, ah yes, I can't say I'm much frightened. I dare say if Mr. Melmon had known, but he thought like everybody else. However, I'm sure, I'm very glad of it. Only I wish he had spoke a little sooner, for I suppose Mr. Melmon thinks me as much out of his reach as if I was married. Not that I care about it, only it's provoking. No, my dear, said Miss Marglen, it would be quite below your dignity to think about him without knowing better who he is or what are his expectations and connections. As to this young officer, I shall take proper care to make enquiries before he has his answer. He belongs to a very good family for he's related to Lord O'Learney and friends in Ireland who can acquaint me with his situation and fortune. There's time enough to look about you. Only as Mr. Mandelbeer has behaved so unhansomely, I hope none of the family will give him their continence. I am sure it will be to no purpose. If anybody should think of doing it by way of having any design upon him, it will be lost labor, I can tell them. As to that I'm quite easy, said Indiana, tossing her head. Anybody is welcome to him for me, my cousin, or anybody else. Camilla now absolutely called upon to speak with all the spirit she could assume, said, With regard to me there is no occasion to remind me how much I am out of the question. Yet suffer me to say, Respect for myself would secure me from forming such plans as you surmise if no other sense of propriety could save me from such humiliation. Now, my dear, you speak properly, said Miss Markland, taking her hand, and I hope you will have the spirit to shoe him you care no more for him than he cares for you. I hope so too, answered Camilla, turning pale, but I don't suppose I can imagine that it is very likely he should have mentioned anything good or bad with regard to his care for me. This was painfully uttered, but from a curiosity irrepressible. As to that, my dear, don't deceive yourself, for the question was put home to him very properly that you might know what you had to expect and not keep off other engagements from a false notion. This indeed, said Camilla, coloring with indignation, this has been a most useless, a most causeless inquiry. I'm very glad you treat the matter as it deserves, for I like to see young ladies behave with dignity. And pray then, what was there any—did he make—was any answer to this to— Oh yes, he answered without any great ceremony I can assure you. He said in so many words that he thought no more of you than of our cousin and was going abroad to divert and amuse himself better than by entering into marriage with either one or other of you or with anybody else. Camilla felt half-killed by this answer and, presently quitting the room, ran out into the garden and to a walk far from the house before she had power to breathe or recollection to be aware of the sensibility she was betraying. She then, as hastily went back, secretly resolving never more to think of him and to shoo both to himself and to the world by every means in her power her perfect indifference. She could not, however, endure to encounter Miss Margilland again but called for Lionel and begged him to hurry the coachmen. Lionel complied. She took a hasty leave of her uncle and only saying, Good-bye, good-bye, to the rest, made her escape. Sir Hugh, ever unsuspicious, thought her merely afraid to detain her brother, but Eugenia, calm, affectionate, and divested of cares for herself, saw evidently that something was wrong, though she divined not what, and entreated leave to go with her sister to Etherington and thence return without keeping out the horses. Sir Hugh was well pleased and the two sisters and Lionel set off together. The presence of Lionel stifled the enquiries of Eugenia and pride all up in arms absorbed every softer feeling in Camilla. When they had driven half a mile, now young ladies said he, I shall treat you with a frolic. I shall treat you with a frolic. I shall treat you with a frolic. I shall treat you with a frolic. He then stopped the carriage and told the coachmen to drive to Cornfield, saying, Tis but two miles about, and coachy won't mind that, will you, coachy? The coachmen, looking forward to half a crown, said his horses would be all the better for a little more exercise, and Jacob, familiarly fond of Lionel from a boy, made no difficulty. Lionel desired his sisters to ask no questions, assuring them he had great designs and a most agreeable surprise in view for them. In pursuance of his directions, they drove on till they came before a small house, just new-fronted with deep red bricks containing, on the ground floor, two little bow windows in a sharp triangular form, enclosing a door ornamented with small panes of glass, cut in various shapes. On the first story, a little balcony, decorated in the middle, and at each corner with leaden image of cupids. And in the attic story, a very small Venetian window, partly formed with minute panes of glass, and partly with glazed tiles, representing in blue and white various devices of dogs and cats, mice and birds, rats and ferrets, as emblems of the conjugal state. Well, young ladies, what say you to this? cried he. Does it hit your fancy if it does to your own? Eugenia asked what he meant. Mean to make a present of it to which ever is the best girl and can first cry boo to a ghost. Come, don't look disdainfully, Eugenia. What say you? Won't it be better to be mistress of this little neat tight snug box and a pretty little tidy husband that belongs to it than to pour all day long over a Latin theme with old doctor Orc Bourne? I have often thought my poor uncle was certainly out of his wits when he set us all men, women and children to learn Latin, or else be whipped by the old doctor. But we all soon got our necks out of the collar, except for Eugenia, and she's had to work for us all. However, here's an opportunity. See, but what a pretty place. Not quite finished, to be sure, but look at that lake, how cool, how rural, how refreshing. Lake, replied Eugenia, I see nothing but a very dirty little pond with a mass of rubbish in the middle. Indeed, I see nothing else but rubbish all round and everywhere. That's the very beauty of the thing, my dear. It's all in the exact state for being finished under your own eye and according to your own taste. To whom does it belong? It's uninhabited yet, but it's preparing for a very spruce-young spark that I advise you both to set your caps at. Hold, I see somebody peeping. I'll go and get some news for you. He then jumped from the coach and ran up five deep narrow steps, formed of single large rough stones which mounted so much above the threshold of the house that upon opening the door there appeared a stool to assist all comers to reach the floor of the passage. Eugenia with some curiosity looked out and saw her brother after nearly forcing his entrance speak to a very mean little man dressed in old dirty cloths who seemed willing to hide himself behind the door but whom he almost dragged forward, saying aloud, Oh, I can take no excuse. I insist upon your shewing the house. I have brought two young ladies on purpose to see it and who knows, but one of them may take a fancy to it and make you a happy man for life. As to that, sir, said the man still endeavouring to retreat, I can't say as I've quite made my mind up yet as to the marriage ceremony. I've known partly enough of the state already, but if ever I marry again, which is a moot point, I shan't do it hand overhead like a boy without knowing what I'm about. However, it's time and up a conscience to think of that when my house is done and my workmen is off my hands. Camilla, now by the language and the voice, gathered that this was Mr. Dubster. Foe, foe, answered Lionel, you must not be so hard-hearted when fair ladies are in the case. Besides, one of them is that pretty girl you flirted with at Northwick. She is a sister of mine, and I shall take it very ill if you don't hand her out of the coach and do the honours of your place to her. Camilla much provoked, earnestly called to her brother, but utterly in vain. Lock a day why it is not half finished, said Mr. Dubster, nor a quarter neither, and as to that young lady I can't say as it was much in my mind to be over-civil to her any more. Big and pardon, after her giving me the slip in that manner, I can't say as I think it was over and above handsome letting me get my gloves, not that I'm on did in the least as to that. Foe, foe, man, you must never bear malice against a fair lady. Besides, she's come now on purpose to make her excuses. Oh, well that's another thing. If the young lady is sorry, I shan't think of holding out. Besides, I can't say but what I thought her agreeable enough if it had not been for her behaving so comical just at the last, not that I mean in the least to make any complaint by way of getting of the young lady scolded. You must make friends now, man, and think no more of it! cried Lionel, who would have drawn him to the carriage, but he protested he was quite ashamed to be seen in such a dishable and should go first and dress himself. Lionel, on the contrary, declaring nothing so manly nor so becoming as a neglect of outward appearance, pulled him to the coach door, not withstanding all his efforts to disengage himself and the most bashful distortions with which he strove to sneak behind his conductor. Ladies, said he, Mr. Dubster, desires to have the honour of walking over his house and grounds with you. Camilla declared she had no time to alight, but Lionel insisted and soon forced them both from the coach. Mr. Dubster no longer stiff, starched and proud as when full dress, was sunk into the smallest insignificance, and when they were compelled to enter his grounds through a small Chinese gate painted of a deep blue would entirely have kept out of sight, but for a whisper from Lionel that the ladies had owned, they thought he looked to particular advantage in that careless attire. Encouraged by this he came boldly forward and suddenly facing them made a low bow, saying, young ladies, you're humble. They curtsied slightly and Camilla said she was very sorry to break in upon him. Oh, it don't much matter, cried he, extremely pleased by this civility. I only hope, young ladies, you won't take umbrage at my receiving you in this pickle, but you've popped upon me unawares as one might say, and my best coat is at this very minute at Tom Hicks's, nicely packed and papered up and tied all round in a drawer of his upstairs in his room, and I'd have gone for it with the greatest pleasure in life to shoe my respect if the young gentleman would have let me. And then, recollecting Eugenia, Good luck, ma'am, said he in a low voice to Camilla. That's the same lame little lady as I saw at the ball. That lady, sir, answered she, provoked, is my sister. Oh, mercy's me, exclaimed he, lifting up his hands. I wish I'd known as much at the time. I'm sure, ma'am, if I'd have thought the young lady was anyways related to you, I would not have said a word disrespectful upon new account. Lionel asked how long he had this place. Only a little while. I happened of it quite lucky. A friend of mine was just being turned out of it in default to payment, and so I got it a bargain. I intend to fix it up a little in taste, and then, whether I lack it or no, I can always let in. They were now, by Lionel, dragged into the house, which was yet unfurnished, half papered, and half whitewashed. The workmen, Mr. Dovster said, were just gone to dinner, and he rejoiced that they had happened to come so conveniently when he should be no loser by leaving the men to themselves in order to oblige the young ladies with his company. He insisted upon shooing them not only every room, but every closet, every cupboard, every nook, corner, and hiding place, praising their utility and enumerating all their possible approbations with the most minute and communes. But I'm quite sorry, cried he, young ladies, to think as I have nothing to offer you. I eats my dinner always at the globe having nobody here to cook. However, I'd have had a morsel, a cake, or so if the young gentleman had been so kind as to give me an autumn beforehand of your intending me the favor. But as to getting things into the house haphazard, really everything is so dear, it's quite out of reason. The scampering of horses now carrying them to a window, they saw some hounds in full cry, followed by horsemen in full gallop. Lionel declared he would borrow Jacob's mare and join them while his sisters walked about the grounds. But Camilla, taking him aside, made a serious espostulation, protesting that her father, with all his indulgence and even her uncle himself, would be certainly displeased if he left them alone with this man of whom they knew nothing but his very low trade. Why, what is his trade? A tinker's Mrs. Arlberry told me so. He laughed violently at this information protesting he was rejoiced to find so much money could be made by the tinkering business which he was determined to follow in his next distress for cash, yet added he feared this was only the malice of Mrs. Arlberry for dubster he had been told had kept a shop for ready-made wigs. He gave up, however, his project for getting the chase when he no longer heard the hounds and desired Mr. Dubster to proceed ensuing his lions. Lock a day, sir, I've got no lions nor tigers neither. It's a deal of expense keeping them animals and though I know they reckon me near, I shan't do no such thing, for if a man does not take a little care of his money when once he's got it, especially if it's honestly, I think he's a fool for his pains begging pardon for speaking my mind so freely. He then led them again to the front of the house where he desired they would look at his pond. This, said he, is what I value the most of all except my summer house and my labyrinth. I shall stock it well and many a good dinner I hope to eat from it. It gives me an appetite. Sometimes I think only to look at it. It is a beautiful piece of water, said Lionel, and may be useful to the outside as well as the inside, for if you go in head foremost, you may bathe as well as feed from it. No, I shan't do that, sir. I'm not over and above fond of water at best. However, I shall have a swan. A swan? Why, sure you won't be contented with only one? Oh, yes I shall. It will only be made of wood painted over in white. There's no end to feeding them things if one has them alive. Besides, it will look just as pretty and won't bat. And I know a friend of mine that one of them creatures flew at and gave him such a bang as he almost broke his leg only for throwing a stone at it out of mere play. They are mortal spiteful if you happen to hurt them when you're in their reach. He then begged them to go over to his island, which proved to be what Eugenia had taken for a mass of rubbish. They would feign have been excused crossing a plank which he called a bridge, but Lionel would not be denied. Now here, said he, when my island's finished, I shall have something these young ladies will like, and that's a lamb. Alive or dead, cried Lionel, alive, he replied, for I shall have good pasture in a little bit of ground just by where I shall keep me a cow. And here will be grass enough upon my island to keep it from starving on Sundays. And for now and then, when I have someone come to see me and when it's fit for killing, I can change it with the farmer down the lane for another young one by a bargain I've agreed with him for already. For I don't love to run no risks about a thing for mere pleasure. Your place will be quite a paradise, said Lionel. Why, indeed, sir, I think I've earned having a little recreated for I worked hard enough for it before I happened of meeting with my first wife. Oh, how, so you began with marrying a fortune? Yes, sir, and very pretty she was, too, she had not been so puny, but she was always ailing. She cost me a mort of money to the pota-cari before she went off, and she was a tedious while a dying poor soul. Your first wife, surely you have not been twice married already? Yes, I have. My second wife brought me a very pretty fortune, too. I can't say, but I've rather had the luck of it as far as I've gone yet a while. They now repast the plank, and were conducted to an angle in which a bench was placed close to the Chinese rail, which was somewhat shaded by a willow that grew in a little piece of stagnant water on the other side. A syringa was planted in front, and a broom-tree on the right united it with the willow. In the middle there was a deal-table. Now, young ladies, said Mr. Dubster, if you have a taste to breathe a little fresh country air, here's where I advise you to take your rest. When I come to this place first, my arbor, as I call this, had no look-out, but just to the field, so I cut away them lilacs, and now there's a good, pretty look-out. And it's a thing not to be believed. What a side of people and coaches and gentlemen's whiskies and stages and flies and wagons and all sorts of things as ever you can think of goes by all day long. I often think people's got but little to do at home. Next, he desired to lead them to his grotto, which he said was but just begun. It was indeed as yet nothing but a little square hole dug into a chalky soil down into which no steps being yet made, he slid, as well as he could, to the no small whitening of his old brown coat which already was thread-bear. He begged the ladies to follow that he might shoe them the devices he had marked out with his own hand and from his own head for fitting up the inside. Lionel would not suffer his sisters to refuse compliance, though Mr. Dubster himself cautioned them to come carefully. In particular, he said, the little lady as she has happened of an ugly accident already as a judge in one of her hips and would be pity at her time of life if she should happen of another at the other sod. Eugenia not aware this misfortune was so glaring felt much hurt by this speech and Camilla, very angry with its speaker, sought to silence him by a resentful look, but not observing it. Pray, ma'am," he continued, was it a fall or was you born so? Eugenia looked struck and surprised and Camilla hastily whispered it was a fall and bid him say no more about it, but not understanding her. I take it then," he said, that was what stunted your growth so, Miss, for I take it you're not much above the dwarf as they shoe it exited her change. Much of a muchness, I guess. Did you ever see him, ma'am? No, sir. It would be a good sight enough to see you together. He'd think himself a man in a minute. You must have had the smallpox mortal bad, ma'am. I suppose you'd the confluence sort. Camilla here, without waiting for help, slid down into the intended grotto and asked a thousand questions to change the subject, while Eugenia, much disconcerted, slowly followed aided by Lionel. Mr. Dubster then displayed the ingenious intermixture of circles and diamonds projected for the embellishment of his grotto, the first of which were to be formed with cockle shells, which he meant to color with blue paint, and the second he proposed shaping with bits of shining black coal. The spaces between would each have an oyster shell in the middle, and here and there he designed to leave the chalk to itself, which would always, he observed, make the grotto light and cheery. Shells, he said, unluckily, he did not happen to have, but as he had thoughts of taking a little pleasure some summer at Brithome Stone or Margate, for he intended to see all those places. He should make a collection then, being told he might have as curious shells and pebbles too, as a man could wish to look at, only for the trouble of picking them up off the shore. They next went to what he called his labyrinth, which was a little walk he was cutting zigzag through some brushwood so low that no person above three foot height could be hid by it. Every step they took here cost a rent to some lace or some muslin of one of the sisters, which Mr. Dubster observed with a delight he could not conceal, saying this was a true country walk and would do them both a great deal of good, and adding, we that live in town would give our ears for such a thing as this. And though they could never proceed a yard at a time from the continual necessity of disentangling their dress from thorns and briars, he exultantly boasted that he should give them a good appetite for their dinner and ask if this rural ramble did not make them begin to feel hungry. For my part, continued he, if once I get settled a bit, I shall take a turn in this zigzag every day before dinner, which may save me my five grains of rhubarb that the doctor ordered me for my stomach, since my having my illness which came upon me almost as soon as I was a gentleman, from change of life, I believe, for I never knew no other reason and none of the doctors could tell me nothing about it, but a man that's had a deal to do feels quite unked at first when he's only got to look and stare about him and just walk from one room to another without no employment. Lionel said, he hoped at least he would not require his rhubarb to get down his dinner today. I hoped so too, squire, answered he, licking his lips, for I've ordered a pretty good one, I can tell you, beef steaks and onions, and I don't know what's better, Tom Hicks is done with me at the Globe as soon as I've give my workmen their tasks and seen after a young lad that should do me a job there by my grotto. Tom Hicks is a very good fellow, I like him best of any acquaintance I've made in these here parts. Indeed, I've made no other on account of the inconvenience of dressing when I'm so much about with my workmen. So I keep pretty incog from the gentile, and Tom does well enough in the interim. He then requested them to make haste to his summer house because his workmen would be soon returned and he could not then spare a moment longer without spoiling his own dinner. My summer house, said he, is not above half complete yet, but it will be very pretty when it's done, only I've got no stares yet to it, but there's a very good ladder if the ladies ain't afraid. The ladies both desire to be excused mounting, but Lionel protested he would not have his friend affronted, and as neither of them were in the habit of resisting him, nor of investigating with seriousness anything that he proposed, they were soon tased into acquiescence and he assisted them to ascend. Mr. Dubster followed. The summer house was as yet no more than a shell without windows scarcely roofed and composed of lath and plaster, not half dry. It looked on to the high road and Mr. Dubster assured them that on market days the people passed so thick there was no seeing them for the dust. Here they soon had caused to repent their facility, that dangerous yet venial because natural fault of youth, for hardly had they entered this place where a distant glimpse of a fleet stag and a party of sportsmen incited Lionel to scamper down and calling out, I shall be back presently, he made off towards the house dragging the ladder after him. The sisters eagerly and almost angrily remonstrated but to no purpose and while they were still in treating him to return and supposing him though out of sight within hearing, they suddenly perceived him passing the window and the high road on horseback switch in hand and looking in the utmost glee. I have borrowed Jacob's mare, he cried, for just half an hour's sport and sent Jacob and Cochie to get a little refreshment at the next public house, but don't be impatient, I shan't be long. Off then he galloped, laughing in defiance of the serious entreaties of his sisters and without staying to hear even one sentence of normal exhortations of Mr. Dubster. End of Chapter 2. Book 4, Chapter 3 of Camilla. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linda Velwest. Camilla or A Picture of Youth by Fanny Burney. Book 4, Chapter 3. A Few Compliments. The two young ladies and Mr. Dubster left us together and so situated that separation without assistance was impossible, looked at one another for some time in nearly equal dismay. And then Mr. Dubster, with much displeasure, exclaimed, Them young gentlemen are as full of mischief as an eggs full of meat. Who'd have thought of a person's going to do such a thing as this? It's mortal, unconvenient, makin' me leave my workmen at this rate, for I dare say there come or comin' by this time. I wish I'd tied the ladder to this here rafter. The sisters, though equally provoked, thought it necessary to make some apology for the wild behavior of their brother. Oh, young ladies, said he, formally waving his hand by way of a bow, I don't in the least mean to blame you about it, for you're very welcome to say as long as it's agreeable, only I hope he'll come back by my dinner time for a cold beef steak is one or other the worst morsel I know. He then kept an unremitting watch from one window to another for some passenger from whom he could claim aid. But much as he had boasted of the numbers perpetually in sight, he now deloriously confessed that sometimes not a soul came near the place for half a day together. And as to my workmen, continued he, the deuce can't make them here if once they begin they're knockin' and hammerin'. And then, with a smirk at the idea, he added, I'll tell you what, I'd best give a good squall at once and then if they are come I may catch them in the proviso you won't mind it, young ladies. This scheme was put immediately into practice, but though the sisters were obliged to stop their ears from his vociferation, it answered no purpose. Well, I'll bet you what you will, cried he. They are all deaf. However, it's as well as it is, for if they was to come and see me hoisted up in this cage like they'd only make a joke of it. And then they'd mind me no more than a pin never again. It's surprising how them young gentlemen never think of nothin'. If he'd served me so when I was apprentice he'd have paid pretty dear for his frolic. Master woulda charged him half a day's work as sure as a gun. Soon after, while looking out of the window, I do think, he exclaimed, I see somebody. It shall go hard but what I'll make them come to us. He then shouted with great violence, but the person crossed a style into a field without seeing or hearing him. This provoked him very seriously and turning to Camilla rather indignantly, he said, Really, ma'am, I wish you tell your brother I should take it as a favor he'd never serve me o' this manner no more. She hoped, she said, he would in future be more considerate. It's a great hindrance to business, ma'am, such things, and it's a sheer love of mischief too, beg and pardon, for it's of no manner of use to him no more than it is to us. He then desired that if anybody should pass by again they might all squall out at once, saying it was odds then, but they might be heard. Not that it's over agreeable at the best, added he, for if one was to stop any poor person and make them come round and look for the latter, one could not be off giving them something, and as to any of the gentle folks, one might beg and pray as long as one would before they'd stir a step for one, and as to any of one's acquaintance, if they was to go by, it's ten to one, but they'd only fall a laughin'. People's generally ill-natured when they seize one in jeopardy. Eugenia, already thoughtful and discomposed, now grew uneasy, lest her uncle should be surprised at her long absence. This a little appeased Mr. Dubster, who with less resentment said, so I see then we're all in the same quandary. However, don't mind it young ladies, you can have no great matters to do with your time, I'll take it, so it does not so much signify, but a man's quite different. He looks like a fool, as one may say, poked up in such a place as this, to be stared at by all comers and goers, only nobody happens to pass by. His lamentations now were happily interrupted by the appearance of three women and a boy, who, with baskets on their heads, were returning from the next market-town. With infinite satisfaction he prepared to assail them, saying he should now have some chance to get a bit of dinner and assuring the ladies that if they should like a little scrap for a relish, he should be very willing to send them it by their footmen. For it's a long while, said he, young ladies, to be fasting, that's the truth of it. The market women now approached and were most clamorsly hailed before their own loud discourse, and the singing and whistling of the boy permitted their hearing the appeal. Pray, will you be so kind, said Mr. Dubster, when he had made them stop, as to step round by the house and see if you can see the workmen, and if you can tell them a young gentleman has come here while they was at dinner, has taken away the ladder and left us stuck up here in the lurch? The women all left and said it was a good merry trick, but were preparing to follow his directions when Mr. Dubster called after the boy, who loitered behind with an encouraging nod. If you'll bring the ladder with you upon your shoulders, my lad, I'll give you a half penny. The boy was well contented, but the women, a little alarmed, turned back and said, and what will you give to us, master? Give, repeated he, a little embarrassed, while I'll give, while I'll thank you kindly, and it won't be much out of your way for the house is only round there. You'll thank us kindly, will you, said one of the women, it's like you may, but what will you do over and above? A do, why, it's no great manner just to stop at the house as you go by and tell them. Here Eugenia whispered she would herself satisfy them and begged he would let them make their own terms. No, miss, no, I don't like to see nobody's money fooled away no more than my own, however, as you are so generous, I'll agree with them to give him a pot of beer. He then, with some parade, made this concession, but said he must see the latter before the money should be laid down. A pot of beer for four? A pot of beer for four? They all exclaimed in a breath and down everyone put her basket and sent her arms akimbo, unanimously declaring they would shame him for such stinginess. The most violent abuse now followed, the boy imitating them and every other sentence concluded with a pot of beer for four? Ha! Camilla and Eugenia both frightened Bissat that they might have anything and everything that could appease them. But Mr. Dubster was inflexible not to submit to imposition because of a few foul words. For dear heart, said he, what harm will they do us? They ant of no consequence. Then, addressing them again, as to four, he cried, that's one over the bargain, for I did not reckon the boy for nothing. You didn't, didn't you? cried the boy. God, I hope I'm as good as you any day in the year. You'll thank us kindly, will you? said one of the women. To vacans, and so you shall, when we're fools enough to serve you, a pot of beer for four. We help you down, we get you a ladder, cried another. Yes, forsooth, it's like we may. No, stay where you are, like a toad in a hole as you be. Camilla and Eugenia now tired of vain application to Mr. Dubster, who heard all this abuse with the most sedate unconcern advanced themselves to the window, and Eugenia, ever foremost where money was to be given, began. Good women, when, with a violent, loud shout, they called out, What? Are you all in Hobbes' pond? Well, they as well may let you out for we, so I wish you a merry time of it. Eugenia began again, her good women, when the boy exclaimed, What were you put up there for, Miss, to frighten the crows? Eugenia, not understanding him, was once more recommencing, but the first woman said, I suppose you think we'll serve you for looking at no need to be paid. Yes, yes, cried the second, Miss may go to market with her beauty. She'll not want for nothing if she shoe her pretty face. She need not be a feared of it, however, said the third, for it will never be no worse. Only take care, Miss, you don't catch the smallpox. Oh, fakes, that would be a pity, cried the boy, for fear Miss should be marked. Eugenia, astonished and confounded, made no further attempt, but Camilla, though at that moment she could have inflicted any punishment upon such unprovoked assailants, affected to give but little weight to what they said, and gently drew her away. Hoity-toity, cried one of the women as she moved off. Why, Miss, do you walk upon your knees? Why, my Paul would make two of her, said another, though she's only nine years old. She won't take much for claws, cried another, that's one good thing. I'd answer to make her a gown out of my apron, said the third. Your apron, cried another, your pocket handkerchief, you mean, why, she'd be lost in your apron, and you might look half an hour before you'd fund her. Eugenia, to whom such language was utterly new, was now in such visible consternation that Camilla, a frighted, earnestly charged dubster any means either of menace or of reward to make them depart. Lock, don't mind them, ma'am, cried he following Eugenia. They can't do you no hurt, though they are rather rude. I must need to confess the truth to say such things to your face, but one must not expect people to be over-polite so far from London. However, I see the sporting gentry coming round over that way yonder, who warrant they'll gallop them off. Harkey, mistresses, them gentlemen that are coming here shall take you before the justice for affronting Sir Hugh Tyrold's heiresses to all his fortunes. The women to whom the name and generous deeds of Sir Hugh Tyrold were familiar were now quieted and dismayed. They offered some awkward apologies of not guessing such young ladies could be posted up in such a place and hoped it would be no detriment to them at the ensuing Christmas when the good Baronet gave away beef and beer. But Mr. Dubster pompously ordered them to make off, saying he would not accept the latter from them now, for the gentry that were coming would get it for nothing. Sir Troop off, cried he, and as for you, to the boy, you should have your jacket well trimmed. I promise you, I know who you are well enough and I'll tell your master of you as sure as you're alive. Away then with complete, though not well-principled repentance, they all marched. Mr. Dubster, turning round with exaltation, cried, I only said that to frighten them for I never seen them before as I know of, but I don't mind them of a rush. I hope you don't neither, though I can't pretend it's over-agreable being made fun of. If I see anybody's snigger of me I always ask them what is for, not as leave as they'd let it alone. Eugenia, who, as there was no seat, had sunk upon the floor for rest and for refuge, remained silent and seemed almost petrified, while Camilla, affectionately leaning over her, began talking upon other subjects in hopes to dissipate a shock she was ashamed to console. She made no reply, no comment, but sighed deeply. Luck, cried Mr. Dubster, what's the matter with the young lady? I hope she don't go forth to take to heart what them old women says. She'll be never the worst to look at because of their impudence. Besides, fretten does no good to nothing. If you only come and stand here where I do, Miss, you may have a peep at ever so many dogs and all the gentlemen riding, helter-skelter around that hill. It's a pretty sight enough for them as has nothing better to mind. I don't know, but I might make one among them myself now, men, if it was not for the expansiveness of hiring a horse. Here some of the party came galloping towards them, and Mr. Dubster made so loud and outcry that two or three of the sportsmen looked up, and one of them, riding close to the summer house, perceived the two young ladies and, instantly dismounting, fastened his horse to a tree and tried to scramble up into the little, unfinished building. Camilla then saw it was Major Sirwood. She explained to him the mischievous frolic of her brother and accepted his offered services to find the latter and the carriage. Eugenia, meanwhile, rose and curtsied in answer to his enquiries after her health, and then, gravely fixing her eyes upon the ground, took no further notice of him. The object of the Major was not Eugenia. Her taciturnity therefore did not affect him, but, pleased to be shut up with Camilla, he soon found out that, though to mount had been easy, to descend would be difficult, and after various mock efforts, pronounced it would be necessary to wait till some assistance arrived from below, adding young Mr. Tyrold would soon return as he had seen him in the hunt. Camilla, whose concern now was all for her sister, heard this with indifference, but Mr. Dubster lost all patience. So here, said he, I may stay and let Tom Hicks eat up all my dinner, for I can't expect him to fast because of this young gentleman's comical tricks. I have half a mind to give a jump down myself and go look for the latter, only I'm not over luck. Besides, if one should break one's leg, it's but a hard thing upon a man to be a cripple in the middle of life. It's no such great hindrance to a lady, so I don't say it out of disrespect, because ladies can't do much at the best. The Major, finding Dubster was his host, thought it necessary to take some notice of him and ask him if he never rode out. Why, no, not much of that, sir, he answered, for when a man's not over used to riding, one's apt to get a bad tumble sometimes. I believe it's as well, let alone. I never see as there was much wit in breaking one's neck before one's time. Besides, half them gentlemen are no better than sharpers, big and pardon, for all they look as if they could knock one down. How do you mean sharpers, sir? Well, they don't pay everyone his own, not one in ten of them, and they're as proud as Lucifer. If I was to go among them tomorrow, I'll lay a wager, they take no notice of me, unless I was to ask them to dinner, and a man may soon eat up his substance if he's so over complacent. Surely, Major, cried Camilla, my brother cannot be much longer before he joins us. Remembers us, rather? Who else could desert or forget you? cried the Major. It's a moot-point whether he'll come or know I see that, said Mr. Dubster, quite enraged. Them young squires never know what to do for their fun. I must need say I think it's pity, but what he'd brought up to some callin' would have steadied him a little, I warrant. He don't seem to know much of the troubles of life. A shower of rain now revived his hopes that the fear of being wet might bring him back, not considering how little sportsmen regard wet jackets. However, continued he, it's really a piece of good luck that he was not taken with a fancy to leave us upon my island, and then we might all have been soused by this here rain, and he could just as well have walked off with my bridge as with the latter. Here, to his inexpressible relief, Lionel from the road hailed them, and Camilla with emotion the most violent perceived Edgar was by his side. Mr. Dubster, however, angry as well as clad, very solemnly said, I wonder, sir, what you think my workmen have been doing all this time with nobody to look after them? Besides that, I promised a pot of beer to a lad to wheel me away all that rubbish I'd cut out of my grotto, and it's a good half-day's work. Do it who will, and ten to one if they'd stirred and now all left to themselves so? Fofo, man, you've been too happy, I hope, to trouble your mind about business. How do do, my little girls, how you have been entertained? This is a better joke to you than to us, Squire, but pray, sir, big and pardon, how came you to forget what I told you about the globe? I know very well that they say it's quite alley-mode to make fun, but I can't pretend as I'm over-fond of the custom. He then desired that, at least, if he would not get the latter himself, he would tell that other gentleman that was with him what he had done with it. Edgar, having met Lionel and heard from him how and where he had left his sisters, had impatiently ridden with him to their relief, but when he saw that the major made one in the little party and that he was standing by Camilla, he felt hurt and amazed, and proceeded no farther. Camilla believed herself careless of his opinion what she had heard from Miss Margland of his professed indifference, gave her now as much resentment as at first it had caused her grief. She thought such a declaration an unprovoked indignity. She deigned not even to look at him, resolved forever to avoid him, yet to prove herself at the same time unmortified and disengaged, talk cheerfully with the major. Lionel, now producing the latter, ran up it to help his sisters to descend, and Edgar, dismounting, could not resist entering the grounds to offer them his hand as they came down. Eugenia was first assisted, for Camilla talked on with the major as if not hearing she was called, and Mr. Dubster, his complacence wholly worn out, the next followed, bowing low to everyone separately, and begging pardon but saying he could really afford to waste no more time without going to give a little look after his workmen to see if they were alive or dead. At this time, the horse of the major by some accident breaking loose, his master was forced to run down, and Lionel scampered after to assist him. Camilla remained alone. Edgar, slowly mounting the latter, gravely offered his services, but hastily leaning out of the window, she pretended to be too much occupied in watching the motions of the major and his horse to hear or attend to anything else. A sigh now tore the heart of Edgar, from doubt if this were preference to the major or the first dawn of incipient coquetry, but he called not upon her again. He stood quietly behind till the horse was seized and the major re-ascended the latter. They then stood at each side of it with offers of assistance. This appeared to Camilla a fortunate moment for making a spirited display of her indifference. She gave her hand to the major, and, slightly cursing to Edgar as she passed, was conducted to the carriage of her uncle. Lionel again was the only one who spoke in the short route to Etherington, whence Eugenia, without a lighting, returned to cleaves. End of Chapter 3 Book 4, Chapter 4 of Camilla This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Linda Bellwest. Camilla or A Picture of Youth by Fanny Burney Book 4, Chapter 4 The Danger of Disguise Edgar remained behind, almost petrified. He stood in the little building, looking after them, yet neither descending nor stirring till one of the workmen advanced to fetch the latter. He then hastily quitted the spot, mounted his horse, and galloped after the carriage, though without any actual design to follow it, or any formed purpose wither to go. The sight, however, of the major pursuing the same route made him, with deep disgust, turn about and take the shortest road to Beach Park. He hardly breathed the whole way from indignation, yet his wrath was without definition and nearly beyond comprehensibility, even to himself, till suddenly recurring to the lovely smile which Camilla had accepted the assistance of Major Sirwood, he involuntarily clasped his hands and called out, Oh, happy Major! Awakened by his ejaculation to the true state of his feelings, he started as from a sword held at his breast. Jealousy, he cried, Am I reduced to so humiliating a passion? Am I capable of love without trust? Unhappy enough to cherish it with hope? No, I will not be such a slave to the delusions of inclination. I will abandon neither my honor nor my judgment to my wishes. It is not alone even her heart that can fully satisfy me, its delicacy must be mine as well as its preference. Jealousy is a passion for which my mind is not framed and which I must not find a torment but an impossibility. He now began to fear he had made a choice the most injudicious and that coquetry and caprice had only waited opportunity to take place of candor and frankness. Yet, recollecting the disclaiming speeches he had been compelled to make at Cleves, he thought if she had heard them she might be actuated by resentment. Even then, however, her manner of shooing it was alarming and fraught with mischief. He reflected with fresh repugnance upon the gay and dissipated society with which she was newly mixing and which from her extreme openness and facility might so easily yet so fatally sully the fair artlessness of her mind. He then felt tempted to hint to Mr. Tyrold who, viewing all things and all people in the best light, rarely foresaw danger and never suspected deception, the expediency of her breaking off this intercourse till she could pursue it under the security of her mother's penetrating protection. But it occurred to him next it was possible the Major might have pleased her. Arden, as were his own views, they had never been declared while those of the Major seemed proclaimed without reserve. He felt his face tingle at the idea though it nearly made his heart cease to beat and determined to satisfy his conjecture ere he took any measure for himself. To speak to her openly he thought the surest as well as fairest way and resolved with whatever anguish should he find the Major favored to aid her choice in his fraternal character and then travel till he should forget her in every other. For this purpose it was necessary to make immediate enquiry into the situation of the Major and then, if she would hear him, relate to her the result, well assured to gather the state of her heart upon this subject by her manner of attending to the least word by which it should be introduced. Camilla, meanwhile, was somewhat comforted by the exertion she had shown and by her hopes it had struck Egger with respect. The next morning Sir Hugh sent for her again and begged she would pass the whole day with her sister Eugenia and use all her pretty ways to amuse her for she had returned home the preceding morning quite moped with melancholy and had continued pining ever since, refusing to leave her room even for meals yet giving no reason for her behavior. What had come to her he could not tell but to see her so went to his heart for she had always, he said till now, been cheerful and even tempered though thinking over her learning made her not much of a young person. Camilla flew up the stairs and found her with a look of despondence seated in a corner of her room which she had darkened by nearly shutting all the shutters. She knew but too well the root shock she had received and sought to revive her with every expression of soothing kindness but she shook her head and continued moot melancholy and wrapped in meditation. More than an hour was spent thus the strict orders of Sir Hugh forbidding them any intrusion but when at length Camilla ventured to say Is it possible, my dearest Eugenia the passing insolence of two or three brutal wenches can affect you this deeply? She awakened from her silent trance and raising her head while something bordering upon resentment began to kindle in her breast cried Spare me this question, Camilla and I will spare you all reproach. What reproach, my dear sister? cried Camilla amazed. What reproach have I merited? The reproach answered she solemnly that from me all my family merit the reproach of representing to me that thousands resembled me of assuring me I had nothing peculiar to myself though I was so unlike all my family of deluding me into utter ignorance of my unhappy defects and then casting me all unconscious and unprepared into the wide world to hear them. She would now have shut herself into her book closet but Camilla forcing her way and almost kneeling to be heard conjured her to drive such cruel ideas from her mind and treat the barbarous insults that she had suffered with the contempt they deserved. Camilla said she firmly I am no longer to be deceived nor trifled with I will no more expose to the light a form and face so hideous I will retire from all mankind and end my destined course in a solitude that no one shall discover. Camilla terrified besought her to form no such plan bewailed the unfortunate adventure of the preceding day invade against the inhuman women and pleaded the love of all her family with the most energetic affection. Those women, she said calmly are not to blame they have been untutored but not false and they have only uttered such truths as I ought to have learned from my cradle my own blindness has been infatuated but it sprung from inattention and ignorance it is now removed leave me Camilla give notice to my uncle he must find me some retreat tell all that has passed to my father I will myself write to my mother and when my mind is more subdued and when sincerely and unaffectedly I can forgive you from all my heart I may consent to see you again she then positively insisted upon being left Camilla penetrated with her undeserved yet irremediable distress still continued at her door supplicating for readmittens in the softest terms but without any success till the second dinner bell summoned her downstairs she then fervently called upon her sister to speak once more and tell her what she must do and what say Eugenia steadily answered you have already my commission I have no change to make in it unable to obtain anything further she painfully descended but the voice of her uncle no sooner reached her ears from the dining parlor then shocked to convey to him so terrible a message she again ran upstairs and casting herself against her sister's door called out Eugenia I dare not obey you would you kill my poor uncle my uncle who loves us all so tenderly would you afflict would you make him unhappy no not for the universe she answered opening the door and then more gently yet not less steadfastly looking at her I know she continued you are all very good I know all was meant for the best I know I must be a monster not to love you for the very error to which I am a victim I forgive you there for all and I blushed to have felt angry but yet at the age of fifteen at the instant of entering into the world at the approach of forming a connection which oh Camilla what a time what a period to discover to know that I cannot even be seen without being derided and offended her voice faltered and running to the window curtain she entwined herself in its folds and called out oh hide me hide me from every human eye from everything that lives and breathes pursue me persecute me no longer but suffer me to abide by myself till my fortitude is better strengthened to meet my destiny the least impatience from Eugenia was too rare to be opposed and Camilla who in common with all her family not withstanding her extreme youth respected as much as she loved her sought only to appease her by promising compliance she gave to her therefore an unresisted though unreturned embrace and went to the dining parlor Sir Hugh was much disappointed to see her without her sister but she evaded any account of the commission till the meal was over and then begged to speak with him alone gently and gradually she disclosed the source of the sadness of Eugenia but Sir Hugh heard it with a dismay that almost overwhelmed him all his contrition for the evils of which unhappily he had been the cause returned with severest force and far from opposing her scheme of retreat he empowered Camilla to offer her any residence she chose and to tell her he would keep out of her sight as the cause of all her misfortunes or give her the immediate possession and disposal of his whole estate if that would make her better amends than to wait till his death this message was no sooner delivered to Eugenia than losing at once every angry she hastened downstairs and casting herself at the knees of her uncle begged him to pardon her design and promised never to leave him while she lived Sir Hugh most affectionately embracing her said you are too good my dear a great deal too good to one who has used you so ill at the very time when you were too young to help yourself I have not a word to offer in my own behalf except to hope you will forgive me for the sake of its being all done out of pure ignorance alas my dearest uncle all I owe to your intentions is the deepest gratitude and it is yours from the bottom of my heart chance alone was my enemy and all I have to regret is that no one was sincere enough to find enough consider enough to instruct me of the extent of my misfortunes and prepare me for the attacks to which I am liable my dear girl said he while tears started into his eyes what you say nobody can reply to and I find I have been doing you one wrong after another instead of the least good for all this was by my own order which it is but fair to your brothers and sisters and father and mother and the servants to confess God knows I have faults enough of my own upon my head without taking another of pretending to have none Eugenia now sought to control him in her turn voluntarily promising to mix with the family as usual and only desiring to be excused from going abroad or seeing any strangers my dear said he you shall judge just what you think fit which is the least thing I can do for you after your being so kind as to forgive me which I hope to do nothing in future not to deserve more meaning always to ask my brothers advice which might have saved me all my worst actions if I had done it sooner for I've used poor Camilla no better than giving her the smallpox and that bad fall but don't hate me my dears if you can help it for it was none of it done for want of love only not knowing how to shoot it in the proper manner which I hope you'll excuse for the score of my bad education oh my uncle cried Camilla throwing her arms around his neck while Eugenia embraced his knees what language is this for nieces who owe and who next to their parents love you more than anything upon earth you are both the best little girls in the world my dears and I need have nothing upon my conscience if you two pass it over which is a great relief to me for there's nobody else I've used so bad as you two young girls which God knows goes to my heart whenever I think of it poor little innocence what had you ever done to provoke me the two sisters with the most virtuous emulation vied with each other in demonstrative affection till he was tolerably consoled the rest of the day was ruffled but for one moment upon Sir Hughes answering to a proposition of Miss Margeline for a party to the next Middleton races that there was no refusing to let Eugenia take that pleasure after her behaving so nobly her face was then again overcast with the deepest gloom and she begged not to hear of the races nor of any other place public or private for going abroad as she meant during the rest of her life immovably to remain at home he looked much concerned but assured her she should be mistress in everything Camilla left them in the evening with a promise to return the next day and with every anxiety of her own lost in pity for her innocent and unfortunate sister she was soon however called back to herself when with what light yet remained she saw Edgar ride up to the coach door with indefatigable pains he had devoted the day to the search of information concerning the major of Mrs. Albury he had learned that he was a man of fashion but small fortune and from the end sign he had even that small fortune was gone and that the estate in which it was vested had been mortgaged for three thousand pounds to pay certain debts of honour Edgar had already been to the parsonage house but hearing Camilla was at Cleves had made a short visit and determined to walk his horse upon the road till he met the carriage of Sir Hugh believing he could have no better opportunity of seeing her alone yet when the coach upon riding up to the door stopped he found himself in an embarrassment for which he was unprepared he asked how she did desired news of the health of all the family one by one and then struck by the coldness of her answers suffered the carriage to drive on confounded at so sudden a loss of all presence of mind he continued for a minute or two just where she left him and galloped after the coach and again presented himself at its window in a voice and manner the most hurried he apologised for this second detention but I believe he said some genius of officiousness has today taken possession of me for I began it upon a coyote sort of enterprise and a spirit of night errantry seems willing to accompany me through it to the end he stopped but she did not speak her first sensation at his sight had been wholly indignant but when she found he had something to say which he knew not how to pronounce her curiosity was awakened and she looked earnest for an explanation I know he resumed with considerable hesitation that to give advice and to give pain is commonly the same thing I do not therefore mean I have no intention so lately you allowed me a privilege never to be forgotten he could not get on and his embarrassment and this recollection soon robbed Camilla of every angry emotion she looked down but her continence was full of sensibility and anger recovering his voice proceeded my quixotism I was going to say of this morning though for a person of whom I know almost nothing would every possible effort where I certain the result would give pleasure to the person for whom alone since with regard to himself it is merely involved in expressions he knew not how to clear or to finish he was again without breath and Camilla raising her eyes looked at him with astonishment endeavoring then to laugh one would think he this same quixotism had taken possession of my intellects and rendered them as confused as if instead of an agent I were a principal still holy in the dark as to his aim yet satisfied by these last words it had no reference to himself she now lost enough of the acuteness of her curiosity to dare about what yet remained and begged him without further preference to be more explicit stammering he then said that the evident admiration with which a certain gentleman was seen to sigh in her train had awakened for him an interest which had induced some inquiries into the state of his prospects and expectations these he continued turn out to be though not high nor by any means adequate to however they are such as some previous friendly exertions with settled future economy might render more propitious and for those previous exertions mr. Tyrold has a claim which it would be the pride and happiness of my life to see him honor if if the if almost dropped in articulated but he added I shall make some further inquiries before I venture to say any more for yourself then made sir cried she suddenly seizing the whole of the meeting not for me whoever this person may be to whom you allude to me he is utterly indifferent a flash of involuntary delight beamed in the eyes of Edgar at these words he had almost thanked her he had almost dropped the reins of his horse to clasp his hands but filled only with her own emotions without watching his or waiting for any answer she coldly bid him good night and called to the coachman to drive fast home Edgar however was left with a sunbeam of the most lively delight he is but wholly indifferent to her he cried she is angry at my interference she has but acted apart in the apparent preference and for me perhaps acted it momentary however was the pleasure such a thought could afford him oh Camilla he cried if indeed I might hope from you any partiality why act any part at all how plain how easy how direct your row to my heart if but straightly pursued end of chapter 4