money!
Ah
!
how
I
endeavoured
to
close
my
eyes
to
the
truth
:
—
I
forced
myself
to
put
faith
in
his
excuses
for
absence
—
I
compelled
myself
to
be
satisfied
with
his
apologies
for
not
keeping
his
engagements
.
Fool
that
I
have
been
!
Had
I
reproached
—
wept
—
stormed
—
and
quarrelled
,
as
other
women
would
have
done
,
he
would
yet
be
my
slave
:
but
I
was
too
pliant
—
too
easy
—
too
docile
,
—
and
he
has
ended
by
contemning
me
!
I
wanted
spirit
—
I
was
deficient
in
courage
—
I
practised
no
artifice
.
I
should
have
refused
him
my
favours
when
he
was
most
impassioned
;
I
should
have
tantalized
him
—
acted
with
caprice
—
set
a
high
value
upon
the
pleasures
which
he
enjoyed
in
my
arms
.
Oh
!
it
is
cruel
—
cruel
!
I
have
been
the
pensioned
harlot
of
that
man
!
He
commanded
the
use
of
my
person
as
he
would
that
of
the
lowest
prostitute
in
the
street
.
I
was
too
cheap
—
too
willing
—
too
ready
to
meet
him
half
way
in
the
dalliance
of
love
!
I
caught
a
fine
bird
—
and
by
leaving
his
cage
open
,
have
allowed
him
an
opportunity
to
fly
away
!
The
indignity
is
insufferable
!
For
weeks
I
had
not
asked
him
for
a
shilling
—
for
weeks
I
had
not
spoken
to
him
on
the
subject
of
money
.
And
now
—
to-day
—
when
I
require
a
hundred
guineas
for
urgent
matters
,
to
be
refused
!
to
be
denied
that
paltry
sum
!
Oh
!
it
is
monstrous
!
And
not
to
come
himself
to
explain
,
—
but
to
send
a
cool
note
,
expressing
a
regret
that
the
numerous
demands
he
has
had
upon
him
lately
render
it
impossible
for
him
to
comply
with
my
request
!
A
worn-out
excuse
—
a
wretched
apology
!
And
for
him
,
too
,
who
absolutely
rolls
in
riches
!
I
never
could
have
believed
it
.
Even
now
it
appears
a
dream
!
Ah
!
the
ungrateful
monster
!
It
is
true
that
he
has
supplied
me
at
times
in
the
most
generous
manner
,
—
that
he
redeemed
my
jewels
for
me
a
second
time
,
some
months
ago
,
when
Rupert
played
me
that
vile
trick
by
plundering
me
during
my
absence
;
—
but
,
alas
!
the
jewels
have
returned
to
their
old
place
—
and
who
is
to
redeem
them
now
?
"
Lady
Cecilia
paused
,
and
compressed
her
lips
together
.
She
felt
herself
slighted
—
perhaps
for
some
rival
:
and
whose
sufferings
are
more
acute
than
those
of
a
neglected
woman
?
who
experiences
mental
pangs
more
poignant
?
Lady
Cecilia
felt
herself
degraded
.
She
now
comprehended
that
she
had
been
made
the
instrument
of
a
heartless
libertine
's
pleasures
;
and
that
he
coolly
thrust
her
aside
when
literally
satiated
with
her
charms
.
This
was
a
most
debasing
conviction
—
debasing
beyond
all
others
,
for
a
patrician
lady
!
Never
did
she
seem
so
little
in
her
own
estimation
:
she
felt
polluted
;
—
she
saw
that
she
had
sold
herself
for
gold
:
she
remembered
how
willingly
,
how
easily
she
surrendered
herself
on
the
first
occasion
of
her
criminality
;
and
she
despised
herself
,
because
she
felt
that
Greenwood
despised
her
also
!
She
had
no
virtue
—
but
she
had
pride
.
The
highest
bidder
might
enjoy
her
person
,
so
voluptuous
was
she
by
nature
—
so
ready
also
was
she
to
make
any
sacrifice
to
obtain
the
means
of
gratifying
her
extravagance
.
Love
with
her
was
not
a
refinement
—
it
was
a
sensuality
.
Still
she
had
her
pride
—
her
woman
's
pride
;
for
even
the
most
degraded
courtezan
has
that
;
and
it
was
her
pride
that
was
now
so
deeply
wounded
.
She
knew
not
what
course
to
pursue
.
Should
she
endeavour
to
bring
Greenwood
back
to
her
arms
?
Or
should
she
be
revenged
?
If
she
resolved
upon
the
former
,
what
wiles
was
she
to
adopt
—
what
artifices
to
employ
?
If
she
decided
upon
the
latter
,
what
point
in
her
neglectful
lover
was
vulnerable
—
what
weapon
could
she
use
?
A
woman
does
not
like
to
choose
the
alternative
of
vengeance
,
because
such
a
proceeding
implies
the
absence
of
all
hope
and
of
all
power
of
recalling
the
faithless
one
.
And
yet
what
was
Lady
Cecilia
to
do
?
That
refusal
of
the
money
which
she
had
requested
,
appeared
expressive
of
Mr.
Greenwood
's
determination
to
break
off
the
connexion
.
In
that
case
nothing
remained
to
her
but
vengeance
.
Such
were
her
thoughts
.
Her
reverie
was
interrupted
by
the
sudden
entrance
of
her
husband
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
His
face
was
flushed
with
drinking
—
for
he
had
dined
,
with
his
friend
Chichester
,
at
a
tavern
;
and
his
cares
had
forced
him
to
apply
with
even
more
than
usual
liberality
to
the
bottle
.
He
threw
himself
into
a
chair
opposite
to
his
wife
,
and
said
,
"
Well
,
Cecilia
,
I
have
got
very
bad
news
to
tell
you
.
"
"
Indeed
,
Sir
Rupert
?
"
she
said
,
in
a
tone
which
signified
that
she
also
had
her
annoyances
,
and
would
rather
not
be
troubled
with
his
.
"
I
have
,
on
my
honour
!
"
cried
the
baronet
.
"
In
fact
,
Cecilia
,
I
must
find
a
thousand
pounds
to-morrow
by
twelve
o'clock
.
"
Lady
Cecilia
only
laughed
ironically
.
"
You
make
merry
,
madam
,
at
my
misfortunes
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
;
"
but
I
can
assure
you
that
the
present
is
no
laughing
matter
.
"
"
And
I
unfortunately
have
no
more
diamonds
and
jewellery
for
you
to
rob
me
of
,
"
returned
the
lady
.
"
No
,
Cecilia
—
but
you
are
my
wife
;
and
the
disgrace
that
falls
upon
your
husband
would
redound
on
yourself
.
"
"
Oh
!
if
you
be
afraid
of
rusticating
in
the
Queen
's
Bench
prison
for
a
season
,
I
would
advise
you
to
make
yourself
easy
on
that
head
;
because
—
"
"
Because
what
,
Cecilia
?
"
"
Because
I
can
assure
all
your
friends
and
acquaintances
that
you
are
merely
passing
the
winter
in
Paris
.
"
"
Ridiculous
!
"
cried
the
baronet
impatiently
.
"
Not
so
ridiculous
as
you
imagine
,
"
returned
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
You
are
accustomed
,
you
know
,
to
leave
home
for
weeks
and
months
together
.
"
"
Lady
Cecilia
,
this
is
no
time
for
either
ill-feeling
or
sarcasm
.
If
we
have
no
love
for
one
another
,
at
least
let
us
sit
down
and
converse
calmly
upon
the
urgency
of
our
present
situation
.
"
"
Our
situation
?
"
ejaculated
Cecilia
.
"
Yes
—
ours
,
"
repeated
the
baronet
emphatically
.
"
In
one
word
,
Cecilia
,
can
you
possibly
raise
a
thousand
pounds
?
"
To
a
person
who
had
not
the
means
of
obtaining
even
the
tenth
part
of
that
sum
,
and
who
had
herself
been
disappointed
that
very
evening
in
her
endeavour
to
procure
a
hundred
guineas
,
the
question
put
by
the
baronet
appeared
in
so
ridiculous
a
light
,
that
—
in
spite
of
her
own
annoyances
—
Lady
Cecilia
threw
herself
back
in
her
chair
,
and
burst
into
a
loud
and
hearty
laugh
.
Sir
Rupert
rose
and
paced
the
room
in
an
agitated
manner
;
for
he
was
totally
at
a
loss
what
course
to
pursue
.
His
only
hope
was
in
his
wife
;
and
yet
he
knew
not
how
to
break
the
fatal
news
to
her
.
"
My
God
!
Cecilia
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
after
a
pause
,
during
which
he
resumed
his
seat
,
"
you
will
drive
me
mad
!
"
"
You
have
become
very
sensitive
of
late
,
Sir
Rupert
;
and
yet
I
was
not
aware
that
you
were
so
weak-minded
as
to
tremble
upon
the
verge
of
insanity
.
Certainly
your
conduct
has
never
led
me
to
suppose
that
you
were
over
sane
.
"
"
My
dear
Cecilia
,
cease
this
raillery
,
in
the
name
of
every
thing
sacred
,
"
cried
the
baronet
.
"
I
tell
you
that
ruin
hangs
over
me
—
ruin
of
the
most
fearful
nature
—
ruin
in
which
your
own
name
,
as
that
of
my
wife
,
will
be
compromised
—
"
"
Then
tell
me
at
once
what
you
dread
,
and
I
will
tell
you
whether
I
can
assist
you
;
for
I
know
perfectly
well
that
you
require
me
to
do
something
.
"
"
Do
not
ask
me
what
it
is
,
Cecilia
;
but
say
—
can
you
procure
from
any
quarter
—
from
any
quarter
,
mind
—
a
thousand
pounds
?
"
"
Absurd
!
Sir
Rupert
,
"
answered
the
lady
.
"
I
have
no
means
of
helping
myself
at
this
moment
—
much
less
of
providing
so
large
a
sum
to
supply
your
extravagance
.
This
is
a
debt
of
honour
,
I
presume
—
a
debt
contracted
at
the
gambling
table
.
"
"
No
—
it
is
far
more
serious
than
that
,
Cecilia
;
and
you
must
exert
yourself
.
If
I
do
not
have
that
amount
by
twelve
to-morrow
,
the
consequences
will
be
most
fatal
.
I
know
you
can
borrow
the
money
for
me
—
you
have
resources
,
no
matter
where
or
how
—
I
ask
no
questions
—
I
do
not
wish
to
pry
into
your
secrets
—
"
"
You
are
really
very
considerate
,
Sir
Rupert
.
You
do
not
wish
to
pry
into
my
secrets
:
but
you
would
not
hesitate
to
pry
into
my
drawers
and
boxes
,
if
you
thought
there
was
any
thing
in
them
worth
taking
.
"
And
as
she
uttered
these
words
,
a
smile
of
superb
contempt
curled
her
vermilion
lips
.
Sir
Rupert
was
maddened
by
this
behaviour
on
the
part
of
his
wife
;
and
with
difficulty
could
he
restrain
his
feelings
of
rage
and
hatred
.
"
Madam
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
"
I
ask
you
to
throw
aside
your
raillery
,
and
converse
with
me
—
for
once
—
in
a
serious
manner
.
"
"
I
am
willing
to
do
so
,
Sir
Rupert
,
"
answered
Cecilia
;
"
but
you
really
appear
to
be
joking
me
yourself
.
You
speak
in
enigmas
about
the
ruin
that
hangs
over
you
and
will
involve
me
;
—
you
refuse
to
entrust
me
with
more
of
your
secret
than
is
necessary
to
serve
as
a
preface
for
your
demand
;
—
and
that
demand
is
a
thousand
pounds
!
A
thousand
pounds
are
required
in
a
few
hours
of
a
person
who
has
no
diamonds
to
pledge
—
no
friends
to
apply
to
—
"
"
Stay
,
Cecilia
,
"
cried
the
baronet
.
"
You
cannot
be
without
friends
.
For
a
year
past
you
have
been
well
supplied
with
funds
—
you
have
redeemed
your
diamonds
twice
—
you
have
satisfied
many
of
our
creditors
—
the
servants
'
wages
and
the
rent
have
been
regularly
paid
—
"
"
And
all
this
has
been
done
without
the
contribution
of
one
shilling
on
the
part
of
my
husband
towards
the
household
expenses
,
"
added
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
I
am
glad
you
have
mentioned
that
point
,
"
exclaimed
Sir
Rupert
:
"
it
proves
that
you
have
friends
—
that
perhaps
your
father
and
mother
assist
you
in
private
,
—
in
a
word
,
that
you
have
some
resources
.
Now
what
those
resources
may
be
,
I
do
not
ask
you
:
all
I
require
is
assistance
—
now
—
within
a
few
hours
—
before
twelve
to-morrow
.
"
"
Even
if
I
could
raise
the
sum
you
require
,
"
said
Cecilia
,
"
I
would
not
think
of
giving
it
to
you
without
knowing
for
what
destination
it
was
intended
.
"
"
And
can
you
procure
the
sum
,
if
I
reveal
to
you
—
if
I
tell
you
—
—
"
"
I
promise
nothing
,
"
interrupted
Lady
Cecilia
drily
.
"
But
you
will
do
your
best
?
"
persisted
the
baronet
.
"
I
will
do
nothing
without
being
previously
made
aware
of
the
real
nature
of
your
difficulties
.
"
"
I
will
then
keep
you
in
the
dark
no
longer
.
The
cause
of
my
embarrassment
is
a
bill
of
exchange
,
for
a
thousand
pounds
,
now
lying
in
Greenwood
's
hands
,
and
due
to-morrow
.
"
"
That
is
but
a
simple
debt
;
and
,
methinks
,
Sir
Rupert
,
that
your
acquaintance
with
bills
is
not
so
slight
as
to
render
you
an
alarmist
respecting
the
consequences
.
"
"
Were
it
only
a
simple
matter
of
debt
,
I
should
care
but
little
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
,
still
compelled
to
support
the
biting
raillery
of
his
wife
:
"
but
unfortunately
—
in
an
evil
hour
—
I
know
not
what
demon
prompted
me
at
the
moment
—
—
"
"
Speak
,
Sir
Rupert
—
tell
me
the
truth
at
once
,
"
cried
Lady
Cecilia
,
now
really
alarmed
.
"
I
say
that
in
an
evil
hour
—
in
a
moment
of
desperation
—
in
an
excess
of
frenzy
—
I
committed
a
forgery
!
"
"
A
forgery
!
"
repeated
Lady
Cecilia
,
turning
deadly
pale
.
"
Ah
!
what
a
disgrace
to
the
family
—
what
shame
for
me
—
—
"
"
I
told
you
that
my
ruin
would
redound
upon
yourself
,
Cecilia
.
But
there
is
more
yet
for
you
to
hear
.
The
acceptance
that
I
forged
—
—
"
"
Well
?
"
"
Was
that
of
Lord
Tremordyn
—
—
"
"
My
father
!
"
"
And
now
you
know
all
.
Can
you
assist
me
?
"
"
Sir
Rupert
,
I
have
no
means
of
raising
one
tenth
part
of
the
sum
that
you
need
to
cover
this
infamous
transaction
.
"
"
And
yet
you
seemed
to
say
that
if
I
told
you
the
nature
of
my
difficulties
—
—
"
"
I
was
curious
to
learn
your
secret
;
and
as
you
appeared
resolved
to
keep
it
from
me
,
I
thought
I
would
see
if
there
were
no
means
of
wheedling
it
out
of
you
.
"
"
And
you
therefore
have
no
hope
to
give
me
?
"
said
the
baronet
,
in
a
tone
of
despair
.
"
None
.
Where
could
I
raise
one
thousand
pounds
?
how
am
I
to
obtain
such
a
sum
?
It
is
for
you
either
to
pacify
Mr.
Greenwood
,
or
to
throw
yourself
at
my
father
's
feet
and
confess
all
.
"
"
Mr.
Greenwood
is
resolute
;
and
you
know
that
your
father
would
spurn
me
from
his
presence
.
So
far
from
me
being
able
to
help
myself
,
it
is
for
you
to
help
me
.
Perhaps
Mr.
Greenwood
would
listen
to
your
representations
;
or
else
Lord
Tremordyn
would
accord
to
you
what
he
would
never
concede
to
me
.
"
"
You
cannot
suppose
that
I
can
have
any
influence
upon
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
began
Lady
Cecilia
:
"
and
as
for
—
"
"
On
the
contrary
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
,
fixing
his
eyes
in
a
significant
manner
upon
his
wife
's
countenance
;
"
I
have
every
reason
to
believe
that
your
influence
over
Mr.
Greenwood
is
very
great
;
and
I
will
now
thank
you
to
exercise
it
in
my
behalf
.
"
"
What
do
you
mean
,
Sir
Rupert
?
"
exclaimed
Cecilia
,
a
deep
blush
suffusing
her
face
,
and
her
eyes
sinking
beneath
her
husband
's
expressive
look
.
"
Do
not
force
me
to
explanations
,
Cecilia
,
"
returned
the
baronet
.
"
I
know
more
than
you
imagine
—
I
have
proofs
of
more
than
you
fancy
I
could
even
suspect
.
But
of
that
no
matter
:
relieve
me
from
this
embarrassment
—
and
I
will
never
trouble
you
about
your
pursuits
.
"
"
What
would
you
have
me
do
?
"
asked
the
guilty
wife
,
in
a
trembling
voice
.
"
Go
to
Greenwood
and
settle
this
business
for
me
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
in
an
authoritative
tone
.
"
I
cannot
—
I
dare
not
—
I
have
no
right
to
demand
such
a
favour
of
him
—
I
should
be
certain
to
experience
a
refusal
—
I
—
"
"
Lady
Cecilia
,
"
interrupted
the
baronet
,
speaking
in
a
slow
and
emphatic
manner
,
"
Mr.
Greenwood
is
too
gallant
a
man
to
refuse
a
mere
trifle
to
a
lady
who
has
refused
nothing
to
him
.
"
"
Sir
Rupert
—
you
cannot
suppose
—
you
—
"
"
I
mean
what
I
say
,
madam
,
"
added
the
baronet
sternly
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
is
your
paramour
,
and
you
can
surely
use
your
influence
with
him
to
save
your
husband
.
"
"
My
God
!
what
do
I
hear
?
"
ejaculated
Cecilia
.
"
What
proof
have
you
,
Sir
Rupert
—
what
testimony
—
what
ground
—
"
"
Every
proof
—
every
testimony
—
every
ground
,
"
interrupted
the
baronet
impatiently
.
"
But
,
again
I
say
,
I
do
not
wish
to
ruin
your
reputation
,
if
you
will
save
mine
.
"
"
Impossible
!
"
cried
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
I
do
not
deny
that
Mr.
Greenwood
has
accommodated
me
with
an
occasional
loan
—
upon
interest
—
"
"
Interest
indeed
!
"
said
the
baronet
,
whose
turn
to
assume
a
tone
of
raillery
had
now
arrived
:
"
interest
paid
from
the
bank
of
my
honour
!
"
"
Upon
legal
and
commercial
terms
has
he
lent
me
money
,
"
continued
Lady
Cecilia
;
"
and
this
very
evening
has
he
refused
to
advance
me
another
shilling
!
"
"
Is
that
true
,
Cecilia
?
"
demanded
Sir
Rupert
.
"
Nay
—
satisfy
yourself
,
"
said
the
lady
;
and
drawing
a
note
from
her
bosom
,
she
handed
it
to
her
husband
.
The
correspondence
that
passed
between
Mr.
Greenwood
and
Lady
Cecilia
was
always
of
a
laconic
and
most
guarded
nature
:
there
was
consequently
nothing
in
the
letter
now
communicated
to
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
to
confirm
his
belief
in
his
wife
's
criminality
.
Indeed
,
the
epistle
was
neither
more
nor
less
than
any
gentleman
might
write
upon
a
matter
of
business
to
any
lady
.
"
I
see
that
Mr.
Greenwood
is
tired
of
you
,
Cecilia
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
throwing
the
note
upon
the
table
,
"
and
that
he
is
anxious
to
break
off
the
connexion
.
Now
I
will
tell
you
how
you
must
be
kind
enough
to
act
,
"
he
continued
,
in
a
tone
of
command
.
"
You
must
proceed
at
once
to
Mr.
Greenwood
;
you
must
tell
him
that
I
have
discovered
all
—
that
I
have
positive
proofs
—
that
since
the
day
when
Chichester
discovered
him
with
his
arm
round
your
neck
in
my
drawing-room
—
"
"
Oh
!
that
villain
Chichester
!
"
murmured
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
That
ever
since
that
day
,
"
continued
the
baronet
,
"
Chichester
and
myself
have
watched
your
proceedings
—
have
seen
you
,
Cecilia
,
repair
to
the
appointments
agreed
upon
with
your
paramour
—
"
"
But
this
is
atrocious
!
"
ejaculated
the
lady
,
now
dreadfully
excited
.
"
Nay
—
do
not
interrupt
me
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
in
an
imperative
manner
.
"
You
must
tell
Mr.
Greenwood
that
I
and
my
witness
have
followed
you
both
to
an
hotel
at
Greenwich
—
that
we
have
been
in
the
next
room
and
have
overheard
your
conversation
—
that
we
have
been
aware
of
the
moments
of
your
amorous
dalliance
—
"
"
Ah
!
Sir
Rupert
—
do
you
want
to
kill
me
"
cried
Cecilia
,
bursting
into
an
agony
of
tears
.
"
Nonsense
!
"
ejaculated
the
baronet
:
"
I
only
want
you
to
save
me
,
and
I
will
screen
you
.
Go
,
then
,
to
Greenwood
—
tell
him
all
this
—
assure
him
that
I
know
all
—
that
for
months
have
I
been
watching
you
—
and
that
I
should
obtain
from
him
damages
far
more
important
than
the
amount
of
this
acceptance
,
but
that
I
am
willing
to
compromise
the
business
by
the
destruction
of
that
document
.
"
"
And
why
could
you
not
have
acquainted
Mr.
Greenwood
with
all
this
when
you
last
saw
him
?
"
demanded
Lady
Cecilia
,
drying
her
tears
,
and
endeavouring
to
compose
herself
,
now
that
the
worst
was
known
.
"
I
did
not
intend
to
mention
my
knowledge
of
your
criminality
at
all
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
;
"
and
had
you
consented
in
the
first
instance
to
use
your
influence
with
Greenwood
to
obtain
the
money
to
settle
the
bill
,
you
would
not
have
forced
me
to
these
revelations
.
"
"
Say
rather
,
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
"
exclaimed
the
lady
,
"
that
you
would
have
me
obtain
for
you
the
means
to
pay
this
forged
bill
;
and
when
once
you
were
freed
from
the
power
of
Greenwood
,
you
would
have
brought
your
action
against
him
,
and
exposed
your
wife
.
But
as
you
have
failed
in
making
me
—
the
wife
whom
you
would
thus
expose
—
the
instrument
of
procuring
that
sum
,
—
and
as
the
danger
now
stares
you
in
the
face
,
you
proclaim
your
knowledge
of
our
connexion
,
and
use
it
as
a
means
to
compromise
the
forgery
.
"
"
Cecilia
,
you
do
not
think
me
capable
—
—
"
"
I
think
you
capable
of
any
thing
,
"
interrupted
his
wife
indignantly
;
and
it
was
singular
to
see
that
adulterous
woman
—
that
criminal
wife
—
that
profligate
female
now
putting
her
husband
to
the
blush
,
by
exposing
his
base
designs
.
"
Well
—
after
all
,
"
exclaimed
Sir
Rupert
,
"
recriminations
will
do
no
good
.
Go
to
Greenwood
—
settle
the
affair
—
and
the
past
shall
be
buried
in
oblivion
.
"
"
And
what
guarantee
do
you
offer
to
ensure
eternal
secresy
on
your
part
,
provided
Mr.
Greenwood
will
give
up
this
forged
bill
?
"
"
I
will
sign
any
paper
he
may
require
,
"
replied
the
baronet
.
"
But
time
presses
—
it
is
now
nearly
ten
o'clock
—
and
to-morrow
morning
—
—
"
"
I
will
go
to
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
said
Lady
Cecilia
,
rising
from
her
seat
:
"
I
will
go
to
him
—
and
endeavour
to
compromise
this
affair
to
the
best
of
my
power
.
"
Sir
Rupert
rang
the
bell
and
ordered
wine
to
be
brought
up
,
while
Lady
Cecilia
hastened
to
her
boudoir
to
attire
herself
for
going
out
;
and
in
the
mean
time
a
servant
was
despatched
to
procure
a
cab
.
The
vehicle
arrived
and
Lady
Cecilia
was
already
upon
the
threshold
of
the
front
door
of
the
house
,
when
a
servant
in
a
handsome
livery
ascended
the
steps
,
presented
a
letter
,
and
said
"
For
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
"
Lady
Cecilia
received
the
letter
;
and
the
servant
who
delivered
it
,
immediately
took
his
departure
.
The
lady
was
about
to
send
in
the
letter
by
her
own
domestic
to
her
husband
,
when
the
superscription
on
the
envelope
caught
her
eyes
by
the
light
of
the
hall-lamp
.
The
writing
was
in
the
delicate
hand
of
a
female
;
and
,
without
a
moment
's
hesitation
,
Cecilia
consigned
the
epistle
to
her
reticule
.
She
then
stepped
into
the
vehicle
,
and
ordered
the
driver
to
take
her
to
Spring
Gardens
.
There
were
two
bright
lamps
fixed
in
front
of
the
cab
;
and
by
these
means
was
Lady
Cecilia
enabled
to
examine
the
contents
of
the
letter
intended
for
her
husband
.
Without
the
least
hesitation
she
opened
the
letter
,
and
to
her
ineffable
surprise
discovered
that
it
contained
a
Bank
of
England
note
for
one
thousand
pounds
.
This
treasure
was
accompanied
by
a
letter
,
the
contents
of
which
were
as
follows
:
—
"
An
individual
who
once
received
some
kindness
at
the
hands
of
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
has
learnt
by
a
strange
accident
that
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
has
a
pressing
need
of
a
sum
of
money
to
liquidate
a
debt
due
to
Mr.
George
Montague
Greenwood
.
The
individual
alluded
to
takes
leave
to
place
the
sum
required
at
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
's
disposal
.
"
No
name
—
no
date
—
no
address
were
appended
to
this
mysterious
note
.
The
writing
was
in
a
delicate
female
hand
;
—
and
a
servant
in
a
handsome
livery
had
delivered
the
letter
.
These
circumstances
,
combined
with
the
handsome
manner
in
which
the
money
was
tendered
,
refuted
the
suspicion
that
some
female
,
with
whom
Sir
Rupert
was
illicitly
connected
,
had
thus
befriended
him
.
Lady
Cecilia
was
bewildered
:
the
pain
of
conjecture
and
doubt
was
however
absorbed
in
the
pleasurable
feelings
excited
by
the
possession
of
so
large
a
sum
of
money
.
The
cab
now
stopped
at
Mr.
Greenwood
's
residence
.
CHAPTER
XCVI
.
THE
MEMBER
OF
PARLIAMENT
'S
LEVEE
.
"
You
have
doubtless
called
,
my
dear
Cecilia
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
,
as
he
handed
the
fair
visitant
to
a
seat
in
his
elegant
drawing-room
,
—
"
you
have
doubtless
called
to
remonstrate
with
me
respecting
my
note
of
this
evening
.
"
"
No
,
"
answered
Cecilia
coldly
:
"
I
come
on
a
more
momentous
affair
than
that
:
Sir
Rupert
knows
all
!
"
"
Ah
!
"
cried
Greenwood
;
"
is
it
possible
that
the
villain
Chichester
—
"
"
Has
betrayed
us
,
"
added
the
lady
.
"
Moreover
,
Sir
Rupert
and
his
inseparable
friend
have
been
watching
and
dogging
all
our
movements
for
months
past
.
"
"
This
is
awkward
—
very
awkward
,
"
observed
Greenwood
.
"
However
,
Sir
Rupert
will
not
dare
show
his
teeth
against
me
,
nor
venture
to
give
publicity
to
the
affair
.
"
"
Because
you
hold
his
bill
,
with
a
forged
acceptance
,
for
one
thousand
pounds
,
"
said
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
Ah
!
he
has
told
you
that
much
—
has
he
?
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
Well
—
you
perceive
,
my
dearest
Cecilia
,
that
he
is
completely
in
my
power
.
"
"
The
most
remarkable
part
of
the
entire
business
,
"
observed
the
lady
,
"
is
that
I
am
actually
deputed
by
Sir
Rupert
to
negotiate
the
amicable
settlement
of
the
affair
with
you
.
"
"
Indeed
!
"
cried
Greenwood
.
"
He
could
not
have
chosen
a
more
charming
plenipotentiary
.
"
"
His
proposal
is
this
:
—
you
are
to
give
up
the
acceptance
,
and
he
will
sign
any
paper
you
choose
to
guarantee
you
against
legal
proceedings
on
his
part
.
"
"
I
do
not
see
,
fair
ambassadress
,
"
said
Greenwood
,
who
did
not
treat
the
business
with
so
much
serious
attention
as
Lady
Cecilia
had
anticipated
—
"
I
do
not
see
that
I
should
benefit
myself
by
such
an
arrangement
.
So
long
as
the
bill
remains
in
my
possession
,
it
is
impossible
for
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
to
commence
civil
proceedings
against
me
,
because
he
knows
full
well
that
were
he
to
have
process
issued
against
me
,
I
should
that
moment
hand
him
over
to
the
officers
of
justice
.
"
"
Then
,
for
my
sake
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
said
Lady
Cecilia
,
cruelly
hurt
by
this
cold
calculation
on
the
part
of
a
man
the
slave
of
whose
passions
she
had
so
completely
been
,
—
"
for
my
sake
,
compromise
this
affair
amicably
.
"
"
A
thousand
pounds
is
a
large
sum
to
fling
into
the
street
,
my
dear
Cecilia
,
"
observed
Greenwood
.
"
And
suppose
that
by
some
accident
my
husband
should
raise
that
amount
and
pay
the
bill
—
"
"
It
never
was
my
intention
to
allow
him
to
pay
all
,
"
interrupted
Greenwood
.
"
I
imagined
that
by
threatening
him
,
I
should
obtain
five
or
six
hundred
on
account
,
and
I
should
still
hold
the
bill
for
the
balance
.
That
balance
I
would
not
receive
,
were
he
to
offer
it
,
because
by
retaining
the
bill
,
I
keep
him
in
my
power
.
"
"
Then
,
once
again
,
for
my
sake
—
for
my
sake
,
"
repeated
Lady
Cecilia
,
"
consent
to
the
proposal
made
to
you
this
evening
—
settle
the
affair
in
an
amicable
manner
.
"
"
To
oblige
you
,
my
dear
Cecilia
,
I
will
assent
to
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
's
proposal
.
Let
him
draw
up
and
sign
a
document
in
which
he
acknowledges
that
he
has
discovered
the
—
the
—
"
"
Criminal
conversation
between
his
wife
and
Mr.
George
Greenwood
,
"
said
Cecilia
:
"
we
will
not
mince
words
in
a
negotiation
of
this
kind
,
"
she
added
ironically
.
"
Precisely
,
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
,
coolly
;
"
and
that
he
has
received
full
satisfaction
for
the
same
.
In
this
manner
the
business
can
be
disposed
of
to
the
satisfaction
of
all
parties
.
"
"
To-morrow
morning
at
eleven
o'clock
I
will
call
with
that
paper
,
"
said
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
And
I
will
give
you
up
the
forged
bill
,
"
returned
the
Member
of
Parliament
.
"
And
now
,
my
dear
Cecilia
,
allow
me
to
make
an
observation
relative
to
the
answer
I
sent
you
this
evening
to
your
little
note
.
The
truth
is
,
that
representing
as
I
do
an
enlightened
and
independent
constituency
—
"
"
Pardon
me
,
"
said
Lady
Cecilia
,
rising
:
"
we
will
not
talk
of
any
other
business
until
this
most
painful
affair
be
settled
.
"
The
fair
patrician
lady
then
took
her
leave
,
and
returned
to
her
husband
,
who
awaited
Greenwood
's
decision
in
a
state
of
the
most
painful
suspense
.
Cecilia
communicated
to
him
the
particulars
of
the
interview
;
and
,
ere
he
retired
to
rest
,
the
baronet
drew
up
the
document
which
was
to
save
himself
by
the
compromise
of
his
honour
.
"
So
far
,
so
good
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
,
as
he
handed
the
paper
to
his
wife
.
"
I
have
now
a
proposal
to
make
to
you
,
Cecilia
—
and
I
have
little
doubt
that
you
will
accept
it
.
"
"
Proceed
,
"
said
Cecilia
.
"
After
the
explanation
which
has
taken
place
between
us
this
evening
,
it
is
impossible
that
we
can
ever
entertain
much
respect
for
each
other
again
.
You
know
me
to
be
a
forger
—
I
know
you
to
be
unfaithful
to
my
bed
.
If
it
suits
you
,
we
will
agree
to
live
together
beneath
the
same
roof
as
hitherto
—
to
have
our
separate
apartments
—
to
maintain
an
appearance
of
enjoying
domestic
tranquillity
—
and
each
to
follow
his
own
pursuits
without
leave
or
remonstrance
on
the
part
of
the
other
.
You
will
never
interfere
with
me
—
I
will
never
interfere
with
you
.
If
you
hear
that
I
have
a
mistress
,
you
will
take
no
notice
of
it
:
if
I
know
that
you
have
a
lover
,
I
shall
be
equally
blind
and
dumb
.
Does
this
please
you
?
"
"
Perfectly
,
"
answered
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
Shall
we
commit
this
compact
to
writing
?
"
"
Oh
!
with
much
pleasure
,
"
returned
Sir
Rupert
.
"
I
will
draw
up
two
agreements
,
embodying
the
conditions
of
our
compact
,
immediately
.
You
can
retain
one
;
and
I
will
keep
the
other
.
"
The
baronet
set
to
work
,
and
,
in
a
most
business-like
manner
,
wrote
out
the
compact
.
He
then
read
it
to
Lady
Cecilia
,
who
signified
her
approval
of
its
terms
.
A
counterpart
was
written
;
and
the
husband
and
wife
signed
the
papers
that
released
them
from
all
the
moral
obligations
of
their
marriage-vows
!
They
then
retired
to
their
separate
apartments
,
better
pleased
with
each
other
,
perhaps
,
than
they
had
been
for
a
long
—
long
time
.
The
reader
need
scarcely
be
informed
that
Lady
Cecilia
said
nothing
to
her
husband
relative
to
the
mysterious
letter
containing
the
Bank
note
for
a
thousand
pounds
.
On
the
following
morning
Lady
Cecilia
repaired
to
the
abode
of
Mr.
Greenwood
.
When
she
arrived
in
Spring
Gardens
,
she
found
the
street
completely
blocked
up
with
a
train
of
charity
children
—
boys
and
girls
,
marshalled
by
the
parish
beadle
,
and
accompanied
by
the
schoolmaster
and
schoolmistress
.
The
girls
were
attired
in
their
light
blue
dresses
,
plain
straw
bonnets
,
white
collars
,
and
pepper-and-salt
coloured
cloaks
;
and
their
arms
,
red
with
the
cold
,
were
only
half
covered
with
their
coarse
mittens
.
The
boys
wore
their
muffin
caps
,
short
coats
,
and
knee-breeches
;
and
each
was
embellished
with
a
large
tin
plate
,
or
species
of
medal
,
affixed
like
a
badge
of
honour
,
to
the
breast
.
Their
meagre
countenances
,
their
thin
arms
,
and
lanky
legs
,
did
not
speak
much
in
favour
of
the
quantity
of
food
which
constituted
their
diurnal
meals
.
Lady
Cecilia
was
conducted
to
the
drawing-room
by
the
Italian
valet
,
who
informed
her
that
Mr.
Greenwood
would
wait
upon
her
the
moment
he
had
dismissed
the
charity
children
.
Lafleur
,
in
the
mean
time
threw
open
the
door
of
the
mansion
,
and
admitted
the
procession
into
the
spacious
hall
,
after
having
kept
the
poor
creatures
shivering
in
the
cold
for
nearly
a
quarter
of
an
hour
.
The
beadle
took
his
station
upon
the
steps
,
with
awful
dignity
,
and
watched
the
boys
and
girls
as
they
defiled
past
him
in
military
order
into
the
hall
.
It
was
very
evident
from
the
timid
glances
which
the
little
scholars
cast
towards
the
countenance
of
this
functionary
,
that
they
believed
him
to
be
one
of
the
most
important
personages
on
the
face
of
the
earth
;
and
perhaps
they
were
even
perplexed
to
decide
,
in
their
own
minds
,
whether
the
parish
beadle
whom
they
saw
before
them
,
or
Mr.
Greenwood
,
M
.
P.
,
whom
they
were
about
to
see
,
was
the
greater
man
of
the
two
.
At
length
the
procession
had
entirely
cleared
the
threshold
of
the
mansion
,
and
then
only
did
the
beadle
enter
.
He
doffed
his
enormous
cocked
hat
out
of
respect
to
the
owner
of
the
dwelling
in
which
he
now
found
himself
,
and
made
his
long
staff
ring
upon
the
marble
pavement
of
the
hall
with
a
din
that
electrified
the
children
and
called
looks
of
solemn
importance
to
the
countenances
of
the
schoolmaster
and
mistress
.
In
a
few
moments
a
side
door
opened
,
and
Mr.
Greenwood
appeared
.
The
beadle
struck
his
stick
upon
the
hall
floor
once
more
;
and
the
children
,
duly
tutored
to
obey
the
signal
,
saluted
the
great
man
,
the
girls
with
low
curtseys
,
and
the
boys
by
doffing
their
muffin
caps
,
bobbing
their
heads
forward
,
and
kicking
back
their
left
legs
.
"
Well
,
Mr.
Muffles
,
"
said
the
Member
of
Parliament
to
the
beadle
,
with
one
of
his
usual
affable
smiles
;
"
brought
your
little
family
—
eh
?
"
"
These
children
,
sir
,
"
responded
Muffles
in
a
self-sufficient
and
important
tone
,
glancing
at
the
same
time
in
a
patronising
manner
upon
the
groups
of
juveniles
around
—
"
these
children
,
sir
,
has
come
,
as
in
dooty
bounden
,
to
hoffer
up
the
hincense
of
their
most
gratefullest
thanks
to
you
,
sir
,
as
their
kind
paytron
which
supplied
'
em
with
pea-soup
,
blankets
,
and
religious
tracts
,
to
keep
their
bodies
and
souls
both
warm
and
comfortable
,
as
one
may
say
.
"
"
I
am
delighted
,
Mr.
Muffles
,
"
replied
the
Member
of
Parliament
,
in
a
most
condescending
manner
,
"
to
receive
this
little
mark
of
gratitude
on
the
part
of
those
for
whom
I
entertain
a
deep
interest
,
and
I
am
the
more
pleased
because
this
visit
on
their
part
was
quite
spontaneous
,
and
on
mine
totally
unlooked
for
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
did
not
think
it
necessary
to
state
his
knowledge
that
the
whole
affair
had
been
got
up
by
Lafleur
,
in
obedience
to
his
own
commands
.
"
Representing
as
I
do
,
"
continued
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
an
enlightened
,
independent
,
and
important
constituency
,
I
cannot
do
otherwise
than
feel
interested
in
the
welfare
of
the
rising
generation
;
and
when
I
glance
upon
the
happy
countenances
of
these
dear
children
,
I
thank
God
for
having
given
me
the
means
to
contribute
my
mite
towards
the
maintenance
of
the
schools
of
the
parish
wherein
I
have
the
honour
to
reside
.
"
Mr.
Muffles
'
stick
was
here
rapped
upon
the
floor
with
tremendous
violence
;
and
the
boys
and
girls
immediately
burst
forth
into
shrill
cries
of
"
Hear
!
hear
!
"
When
silence
was
once
more
restored
,
the
beadle
in
due
form
presented
the
schoolmaster
and
schoolmistress
to
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
This
gen'leman
,
sir
,
"
said
the
parish
functionary
,
"
is
Mr.
Twiggs
,
the
parochial
perceptor
—
as
worthy
a
man
,
sir
,
as
ever
broke
bread
.
He
's
bin
in
his
present
sitivation
thirteen
year
come
Janivary
—
"
"
Febivary
,
Mr.
Muffles
,
"
said
the
schoolmaster
,
mildly
correcting
the
beadle
.
"
Oh
!
Febivary
,
be
it
,
Mr.
Twiggs
?
"
exclaimed
the
parish
authority
.
"
And
this
,
sir
,
is
Mrs.
Twiggs
,
a
lady
well
known
for
her
excellent
qualities
in
teaching
them
blessed
young
gals
,
and
taking
care
o
'
their
linen
.
"
"
Delighted
to
see
your
scholars
looking
so
well
,
Mr.
Twiggs
,
"
said
Greenwood
,
bowing
to
the
master
:
"
quite
charmed
,
Mrs.
Twiggs
,
to
behold
the
healthy
and
neat
appearance
of
your
girls
,
"
he
added
,
bowing
to
the
mistress
.
"
Would
you
be
kind
enough
,
sir
,
"
said
Mr.
Twiggs
,
in
a
meek
and
fawning
tone
,
"
to
question
any
of
them
lads
on
any
pint
of
edication
?
"
"
Perhaps
I
might
as
well
,
Mr.
Twiggs
,
"
returned
Greenwood
;
"
in
case
I
should
ever
have
to
allude
to
the
subject
in
the
House
of
Commons
.
"
The
mere
idea
of
any
mention
of
the
parochial
school
being
made
in
Parliament
,
produced
such
an
impression
upon
the
beadle
that
he
banged
his
staff
most
earnestly
on
the
hall
floor
;
and
the
children
,
taking
it
for
a
signal
which
they
had
been
previously
tutored
to
observe
,
again
yelled
forth
"
Hear
!
Hear
!
"
"
Silence
!
"
thundered
Mr.
Muffles
;
and
the
vociferations
instantly
ceased
.
"
Now
,
my
boy
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
,
addressing
the
one
who
stood
nearest
to
him
,
"
I
will
ask
you
a
question
or
two
.
What
is
your
name
?
"
"
Jem
Blister
,
sir
,
"
was
the
prompt
reply
.
"
James
Blister
—
eh
?
Well
—
who
gave
you
that
name
?
"
"
Father
and
mother
,
please
,
sir
.
"
"
Blister
,
for
shame
!
"
ejaculated
Mr.
Muffles
,
with
a
terrific
frown
:
then
,
by
way
of
prompting
the
lad
,
he
said
,
"
My
Godfathers
and
—
"
"
My
Godfathers
and
Godmother
in
my
baptism
,
"
hastily
cried
the
boy
,
catching
at
the
hint
;
and
after
a
pause
,
he
added
,
"
I
mean
an
outward
and
visible
sign
of
an
inward
—
"
"
Blister
,
I
am
raly
ashamed
of
you
!
"
again
exclaimed
Mr.
Twiggs
.
"
Stand
back
,
sir
;
and
let
the
boy
behind
you
stand
for'ard
.
"
Another
urchin
stepped
forth
from
the
rank
,
and
stood
,
blushing
up
to
his
very
hair
,
and
fumbling
about
with
his
cap
,
in
the
presence
of
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
My
good
boy
,
"
said
the
Member
of
Parliament
,
condescendingly
patting
him
upon
the
head
,
"
what
is
your
name
?
"
"
M
.
or
N
.
as
the
case
may
be
,
please
,
sir
,
"
replied
the
boy
.
"
I
should
observe
,
sir
,
"
said
the
schoolmaster
,
"
that
this
lad
only
began
his
Catechism
yesterday
.
"
"
Oh
very
well
,
Mr.
Twiggs
,
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
:
"
that
accounts
for
his
answer
!
I
will
ask
him
something
else
,
then
.
My
good
lad
,
who
was
Adam
?
"
"
The
fust
man
,
sir
.
"
"
Very
good
,
my
boy
.
And
who
was
Eve
?
"
"
The
fust
'
ooman
,
sir
.
"
"
Very
good
indeed
,
"
repeated
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
Now
tell
me
what
is
the
capital
of
England
?
"
"
This
boy
is
not
in
geography
,
sir
,
"
said
Mr.
Twiggs
.
"
He
's
jest
begun
cyphering
.
"
"
Oh
very
good
.
Can
you
say
your
multiplication
table
,
my
boy
?
"
"
Twice
one
's
two
;
twice
two
's
three
;
twice
three
's
eight
;
twice
four
's
ten
;
twice
five
's
fourteen
—
"
The
boy
was
rattling
on
at
a
furious
pace
,
when
the
ominous
voice
of
Mr.
Twiggs
ejaculated
,
"
Garlick
,
I
am
ashamed
of
you
!
"
And
Master
Garlick
began
to
cry
most
piteously
.
"
Come
,
it
is
not
so
bad
,
though
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
,
by
way
of
soothing
the
discomfited
schoolmaster
and
restoring
the
abashed
beadle
to
confidence
;
"
he
evidently
knows
his
Bible
very
well
—
and
that
is
the
essential
.
"
The
Member
of
Parliament
then
delivered
himself
of
a
long
harangue
in
favour
of
a
sound
religious
education
and
in
praise
of
virtue
;
and
thus
ended
the
solemn
farce
.
The
great
man
bowed
and
withdrew
:
the
beadle
rapped
his
staff
upon
the
floor
;
Lafleur
opened
the
door
;
and
the
procession
filed
slowly
out
of
the
mansion
.
Mr.
Greenwood
,
having
thus
gone
through
a
ceremony
an
account
of
which
was
to
appear
in
the
papers
on
the
following
morning
,
hurried
up
to
the
drawing-room
where
Lady
Cecilia
awaited
him
.
"
My
dear
Cecilia
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
as
he
entered
the
room
,
"
a
thousand
pardons
for
keeping
you
;
but
the
fact
is
that
the
position
in
which
an
intelligent
and
independent
constituency
has
placed
me
,
entails
upon
me
duties
—
"
"
A
truce
to
that
absurdity
with
me
,
"
interrupted
the
baronet
's
wife
,
in
a
more
peremptory
tone
than
Mr.
Greenwood
had
ever
yet
heard
her
use
.
"
I
am
come
according
to
appointment
to
settle
a
most
unpleasant
business
.
Here
is
my
husband
's
acknowledgment
,
drawn
up
as
you
desired
:
please
to
deliver
up
to
me
the
bill
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
ran
his
eye
over
the
document
,
and
appeared
satisfied
.
He
then
drew
forth
the
bill
from
his
pocket-book
,
and
handed
it
to
Lady
Cecilia
.
There
was
a
flush
upon
the
lady
's
delicately
pale
countenance
;
and
her
eyes
sparkled
with
unusual
vivacity
.
She
was
dressed
in
a
very
neat
,
but
plain
and
simple
manner
;
and
Mr.
Greenwood
fancied
that
she
had
never
seemed
so
interesting
before
.
As
he
delivered
the
bill
into
her
keeping
,
he
took
her
hand
and
endeavoured
to
convey
it
to
his
lips
.
She
drew
back
with
an
air
of
offended
dignity
,
which
would
have
well
become
a
lady
that
had
never
surrendered
herself
to
the
pleasures
of
an
illicit
love
.
"
No
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
she
said
,
in
a
firm
,
and
even
haughty
tone
:
"
all
that
is
ended
between
you
and
me
.
You
are
a
heartless
man
,
who
cannot
appreciate
the
warmth
with
which
a
confiding
woman
yields
herself
up
to
you
;
—
you
have
treated
me
—
the
daughter
of
a
peer
—
like
a
pensioned
mistress
.
But
let
that
now
pass
:
—
I
have
made
you
acquainted
with
the
nature
of
my
thoughts
—
and
I
am
satisfied
.
"
"
I
am
at
a
loss
to
understand
how
I
should
have
deserved
these
harsh
words
,
Cecilia
,
"
replied
Greenwood
,
with
a
somewhat
supercilious
smile
;
"
but
perhaps
my
inability
to
supply
you
with
the
means
of
gratifying
your
extravagances
has
given
you
offence
.
"
"
Your
cool
indifference
of
late
has
indeed
given
me
a
bitter
lesson
,
"
said
Lady
Cecilia
.
"
And
yet
I
manifested
every
disposition
to
serve
you
,
madam
,
"
rejoined
Greenwood
haughtily
,
"
when
I
consented
to
compromise
your
husband
's
felony
.
"
"
Yes
—
you
generously
abandoned
your
claim
to
a
thousand
pounds
,
"
exclaimed
Cecilia
,
with
cutting
irony
,
"
in
order
to
hush
up
an
intrigue
with
the
wife
of
the
man
whom
you
had
inveigled
into
your
net
.
But
think
not
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
that
I
attempt
to
justify
my
husband
's
conduct
:
I
know
him
to
be
a
heartless
—
a
bad
—
an
unprincipled
man
;
—
and
yet
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
I
do
not
conceive
that
you
would
shine
the
more
resplendently
by
being
placed
in
contrast
with
him
.
One
word
more
.
Had
you
refused
to
deliver
up
that
bill
,
I
was
prepared
to
pay
it
.
Some
unknown
friend
had
heard
of
this
transaction
—
heaven
alone
knows
how
;
and
that
friend
forwarded
last
evening
the
means
wherewith
to
liquidate
this
debt
.
Here
is
the
letter
which
contained
a
Bank-note
for
a
thousand
pounds
:
it
fell
into
my
hands
,
and
my
husband
knows
naught
concerning
it
;
—
can
you
say
whose
writing
that
is
?
"
Greenwood
glanced
hastily
at
the
letter
,
and
exclaimed
,
"
Yes
—
I
know
that
writing
well
:
Mrs.
Arlington
is
your
husband
's
generous
friend
!
"
"
Mrs.
Arlington
!
"
exclaimed
Cecilia
:
"
Oh
!
—
now
I
recollect
that
rumour
points
to
that
woman
as
having
once
been
my
husband
's
mistress
.
"
"
The
same
,
"
said
Greenwood
,
struck
by
this
noble
act
on
the
part
of
the
fair
one
whom
he
himself
had
first
seduced
from
the
paths
of
virtue
.
"
It
would
now
be
difficult
to
decide
,
"
observed
Cecilia
,
in
a
tone
of
profound
contempt
,
"
which
has
acted
the
more
noble
part
—
the
late
mistress
of
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
or
the
late
lover
of
his
wife
.
"
Greenwood
only
answered
with
a
satirical
curl
of
the
lip
.
Lady
Cecilia
rose
from
her
seat
,
bowed
coldly
to
the
capitalist
,
and
withdrew
.
Thus
terminated
the
amours
of
the
man
of
the
world
and
the
lady
of
fashion
—
ending
,
as
such
illicit
loves
usually
do
,
in
a
quarrel
.
But
the
reader
must
not
suppose
that
the
same
sentiments
of
pride
which
had
thus
induced
Lady
Cecilia
to
break
off
abruptly
a
connexion
which
her
paramour
had
been
for
some
time
dissolving
by
degrees
,
influenced
her
in
the
use
to
which
she
appropriated
the
handsome
sum
supplied
for
an
especial
purpose
by
Mrs.
Arlington
.
The
lady
knew
no
compunction
in
this
respect
,
and
she
therefore
devoted
the
thousand
pounds
so
generously
forwarded
by
her
husband
's
late
mistress
,
to
her
own
wants
!
*
*
*
*
*
The
Italian
valet
had
overheard
the
entire
conversation
between
Lady
Cecilia
Harborough
and
Mr.
Greenwood
,
which
we
have
just
described
.
In
the
course
of
the
day
the
whole
details
of
that
interview
were
communicated
to
Mrs.
Arlington
,
who
thus
learnt
that
Lady
Cecilia
had
intercepted
the
money
intended
for
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
and
had
settled
the
forged
bill
without
being
compelled
to
disburse
it
.
CHAPTER
XCVII
.
ANOTHER
NEW
YEAR
'S
DAY
.
IT
was
the
1st
of
January
,
1840.
The
tide
of
Time
rolls
on
with
the
same
unvarying
steadiness
of
motion
,
wearing
off
the
asperities
of
barbarism
,
as
the
great
flood
of
ocean
smooths
the
sharp
edges
of
rugged
rocks
.
But
as
the
seasons
glide
away
,
vainly
may
we
endeavour
to
throw
a
veil
upon
the
past
;
—
vainly
do
we
lament
,
when
Winter
comes
,
that
our
Spring-dreams
should
be
faded
and
gone
,
too
beautiful
to
endure
;
—
vainly
,
vainly
do
we
pray
that
the
waves
of
a
Lethean
sea
may
overwhelm
the
memories
of
those
years
when
Time
cast
flowers
from
his
brow
,
and
diamonds
from
his
wing
!
Time
looks
down
upon
the
world
from
the
heights
of
the
Pyramids
of
Egypt
;
and
,
as
he
surveys
the
myriad
cities
of
the
universe
swarming
with
life
,
—
marks
the
mighty
armies
of
all
states
,
ready
to
exterminate
and
kill
,
—
views
the
navies
of
great
powers
riding
over
every
sea
,
—
as
he
beholds
all
these
.
Time
chuckles
,
for
he
knows
that
they
are
his
own
!
For
the
day
must
come
when
the
Pyramids
themselves
,
the
all
but
immortal
children
of
antiquity
,
shall
totter
and
fall
;
and
Time
shall
triumph
over
even
these
.
The
strongest
edifices
crumble
into
dust
,
and
the
power
of
the
mightiest
nations
fritters
into
shreds
,
beneath
the
hand
of
Time
.
The
glories
of
Sesostris
are
now
a
vague
dream
—
the
domination
of
Greece
and
Rome
has
become
an
uncertain
vision
:
the
heroes
of
the
Crusades
have
long
since
mouldered
in
the
earth
;
—
the
crescent
of
the
Ottomans
menaces
Christendom
no
more
:
the
armadas
of
Spain
are
extinct
;
—
the
thrones
that
Napoleon
raised
are
cast
down
:
of
the
millions
that
he
led
to
conquest
,
during
his
meteor-like
career
,
what
numbers
have
left
this
busy
scene
for
ever
and
how
varied
are
the
climes
in
which
they
have
found
their
graves
!
Oh
,
Time
!
what
is
there
that
can
strive
with
thee
—
thou
that
art
the
expression
of
the
infinite
existence
of
God
himself
!
Alas
!
if
Time
were
a
spirit
endowed
with
intellect
to
comprehend
,
and
feelings
to
sympathise
,
how
would
he
sorrow
over
the
woes
of
that
human
existence
,
which
has
now
occupied
nearly
sixty
centuries
!
Year
after
year
rolls
away
;
and
yet
how
slowly
does
civilization
accomplish
its
task
of
improving
the
condition
of
the
sons
and
daughters
of
toil
.
For
in
the
present
day
,
as
it
was
in
the
olden
time
,
the
millions
labour
to
support
the
few
;
and
the
few
continue
to
monopolize
the
choicest
fruits
of
the
earth
.
The
rights
of
labour
are
denied
;
and
the
privileges
of
birth
and
wealth
are
dominant
.
And
ever
,
when
the
millions
,
bowed
down
by
cares
,
and
crushed
with
incessant
hardships
,
raise
the
voice
of
anguish
to
their
taskmasters
,
the
cry
is
,
"
Toil
!
toil
"
And
when
the
poor
labourer
,
with
the
sweat
standing
in
large
drops
upon
his
brow
,
points
to
his
half-starved
wife
and
little
ones
,
and
demands
the
increase
of
his
wages
which
will
enable
him
to
feed
them
adequately
,
and
clothe
them
comfortably
,
the
only
response
that
meets
his
ears
is
still
,
"
Toil
!
toil
!
"
And
when
the
mechanic
,
pale
and
emaciated
,
droops
over
his
loom
,
and
in
a
faint
tone
beseeches
that
his
miserable
pittance
may
be
turned
into
a
fair
remuneration
for
that
hard
and
unceasing
work
which
builds
up
the
fortunes
of
his
employer
,
the
answer
to
his
pathetic
prayer
is
,
"
Toil
!
toil
!
"
And
when
the
miner
,
who
spends
his
best
days
in
the
bowels
of
the
earth
,
hewing
the
hard
mineral
in
dark
subterranean
caves
at
the
peril
of
his
life
,
and
in
positions
which
cramp
his
limbs
,
contract
his
chest
,
and
early
prostrate
his
energies
beyond
relief
,
—
when
he
exalts
his
voice
from
those
hideous
depths
,
and
demands
the
settlement
of
labour
's
rights
upon
a
just
basis
,
the
only
echo
to
his
petition
is
,
"
Toil
!
toil
!
"
Yes
—
it
is
ever
"
Toil
!
toil
!
"
for
the
millions
,
while
the
few
repose
on
downy
couches
,
feed
upon
the
luxuries
of
the
land
and
water
,
and
move
from
place
to
place
in
sumptuous
equipages
!
It
was
the
1st
of
January
,
1840.
Another
New
Year
's
Day
—
commemorated
with
feasting
by
those
who
had
no
reason
to
repine
,
but
marked
as
the
opening
of
another
weary
epoch
of
care
and
sorrow
by
those
who
had
nothing
for
which
to
be
grateful
,
either
to
heaven
or
to
man
!
The
first
day
of
January
,
1840
,
was
inclement
and
severe
.
The
air
was
piercing
cold
,
and
the
rain
fell
in
torrents
.
The
streets
of
the
great
metropolis
were
swept
by
a
wintery
wind
that
chased
the
poor
houseless
wanderers
beneath
the
coverings
of
arches
and
doorways
,
and
sent
the
shivering
mendicants
to
implore
an
asylum
at
the
workhouse
.
It
was
evening
;
and
the
lamps
diffused
but
an
uncertain
light
in
the
great
thoroughfares
.
The
courts
and
alleys
of
the
poor
neighbourhoods
were
enveloped
in
almost
total
darkness
;
for
every
shutter
was
closed
,
and
where
there
were
no
shutters
,
blinds
were
drawn
down
,
or
rags
were
stretched
across
the
windows
,
to
expel
the
bitter
cold
.
We
must
now
request
our
readers
to
accompany
us
to
a
district
of
London
,
which
is
most
probably
altogether
unknown
to
the
aristocrat
,
even
by
name
,
and
with
which
many
of
that
class
whose
occupations
lead
them
into
an
intimate
acquaintance
with
the
metropolis
,
are
by
no
means
familiar
.
Situate
to
the
east
of
Bethnal
Green
,
—
bounded
on
the
north
by
Bonner
's
Fields
,
on
the
south
by
the
Mile
End
Road
,
and
on
the
east
by
the
Regent
's
Canal
,
—
and
intersected
by
the
line
of
the
Eastern
Counties
Railway
,
is
an
assemblage
of
narrow
streets
and
filthy
lanes
,
bearing
the
denomination
of
Globe
Town
.
When
compared
with
even
the
worst
districts
of
the
metropolis
,
—
when
placed
in
contrast
with
Saint
Giles
's
or
Saffron
Hill
,
—
Globe
Town
still
appears
a
sink
of
human
misery
which
civilisation
,
in
its
progress
,
has
forgotten
to
visit
.
The
majority
of
the
streets
are
unpaved
,
rugged
,
and
broken
.
The
individual
who
traverses
them
in
the
summer
is
blinded
by
the
dust
,
or
disgusted
by
heaps
of
putrescent
offal
,
the
rotting
remains
of
vegetables
,
and
filth
of
every
description
,
which
meet
the
eye
at
short
intervals
;
and
,
in
winter
,
he
wallows
,
knee-deep
,
in
black
mud
and
stagnant
water
.
But
even
in
the
summer
itself
,
and
in
the
very
midst
of
the
dog-days
,
there
are
swamps
of
mire
in
many
of
the
streets
of
Globe
Town
,
which
exhale
a
nauseating
and
sickly
odour
,
like
that
of
decomposing
dead
bodies
.
In
the
winter
time
Globe
Town
is
a
complete
marsh
.
Lying
low
,
in
the
vicinity
of
the
canal
,
and
on
a
naturally
swampy
soil
,
the
district
is
unhealthy
in
the
extreme
.
Nor
do
its
inhabitants
endeavour
,
by
any
efforts
of
their
own
,
to
mitigate
the
consequences
of
these
local
disadvantages
.
They
seem
,
for
the
most
part
,
to
cling
with
a
sort
of
natural
tenacity
,
to
their
rags
and
filth
.
Perhaps
it
is
the
bitterness
of
their
poverty
which
makes
them
thus
neglectful
of
the
first
duties
of
cleanliness
:
perhaps
their
pinching
indigence
reduces
them
to
a
state
of
despair
that
allows
them
no
spirit
and
no
heart
to
do
any
thing
that
may
conduce
to
their
comfort
.
Whatever
be
the
cause
,
it
is
nevertheless
a
fact
that
,
with
the
exception
of
one
or
two
streets
,
Globe
Town
is
a
district
which
necessity
alone
could
compel
a
person
of
cleanly
habits
and
domestic
propriety
to
reside
in
.
And
yet
Globe
Town
contains
streets
delighting
in
aristocratic
names
.
There
is
Grosvenor
Place
in
which
a
carriage
and
pair
would
have
some
trouble
to
turn
;
there
is
Parade
Street
,
where
a
corporal
's
guard
could
not
find
space
to
manœuvre
;
there
is
Park
Street
,
whose
most
gorgeous
embellishment
is
the
sign
of
a
mangle
;
there
is
Chester
Place
,
formed
by
two
rows
of
miserable
shops
;
and
there
are
Essex
Street
and
Digby
Street
,
where
single
men
may
obtain
lodgings
at
the
rate
of
threepence
a
night
.
How
strange
is
this
affection
for
fine
