Rebecca listened to Delia's history with the greatest astonishment and commiseration, but candidly advised her that having nothing to lose she could not do better under existing circumstances than endeavour to make the most of what fortune had thrown in her way. "If," said she,
"you can make up your mind to submit to the embraces of the old brute, you'll find him liberal enough, for his wealth is boundless and, after all, it is but the idea; for I can assure you," she added, laughingly,
"that with him a little coaxing goes a very great way; play your cards, therefore, as well as you can, and if you succeed in making him your dupe, why it's no more than he deserves. And so farewell; for should he come while I am here all would be destroyed." They embraced and parted.
On the afternoon Mr. B. arrived according to promise and remained with Delia until the evening was far advanced, during which time he did not venture on the most trifling liberty but contented himself with pressing her hand occasionally during the conversation and kissing her lips at parting; this conduct he pursued for more than a week, when grown somewhat bolder he would, in a gentle manner, force her to sit upon his knee, and as he pretended to discover some still greater resemblance to his (imaginary) daughter, make that a pretext for repeating his kisses more frequently and with greater fervour.
Delia having in the meantime seriously reflected on her present friendless situation, and seeing no other mode of escaping from a life of infamy, the bare contemplation of which filled her mind with horror, and secretly determined of two evils to choose the least and submit to the wishes of her antiquated admirer with the best possible grace.
When therefore upon one evening in particular she perceived by the increased sparkling of his eyes and the nervous trembling of his limbs that he had made up his mind to bring things to a crisis (with which intent he was, in his most insinuating manner, endeavouring to prevail on her to take an additional quantity of wine, while his own glass was frequently passed untouched), she resolved to humour his whim and accordingly assumed the greatest hilarity, laughing at his jokes and at intervals even returning his caresses, drinking freely of the wine which he continued to press upon her the more quickly as her excitement increased. This she found it absolutely necessary to do, in order to conceal the disgust she in reality experienced during the scene which it now became plain was to ensue that very evening. Her plan succeeded, her brain began to reel, her head sank upon his shoulder and in a state of unconsciousness he bore her to her chamber and quickly followed.
The day was dawning as she awoke to a full sense of her degradation and the tears she shed were neither feigned or hypothetical, although her tempter, believing that they flowed from a different cause, begged her to moderate her grief and be consoled. He pretended to regret the indiscretion he had been guilty of, which he declared would never have happened had not his nature been completely changed from the effects of the wine he had taken, and that his remorse was equal to her own. He then endeavoured to soothe her by the consideration of how much better it really was that the error had been committed with a man of years and experience like himself than with a vain young coxcomb, who having gratified his vanity at the expense of her peace would leave her in despair and wretchedness, while he, on the contrary, would never forsake her; his life should be passed in one continued endeavour to make her forget her sorrows, trusting to time and her own feelings for a repetition of the great reward that he had in the present instance so ungenerously wrested from her; his protestations were mingled with caresses and he ultimately succeeded not only in obtaining forgiveness for the past but in exhorting from her a promise that while she accepted from him the protection of a father, she would not, at all times, withhold from him the rights and privileges of a husband.
The result of this arrangement was her removal to comfortable apartments at Islington, for which he paid one guinea and a half per week; he generally saw her once a week, leaving her on the following morning with a sum of money more than sufficient to cover all her necessary expenses until his next visit. This intimacy had now continued for nearly two years, and such was her precise situation at the commencement of our acquaintance.
She assured me that she had but few friends, notwithstanding she had been so long away from home; in fact, with the exception of Rebecca, who had some months back left the house of her reputed father under the protection of a young ensign who had since forsaken her, she was on visiting terms with no one; and it was at the invitation of that young lady that she had attended the ball on the previous evening, and at her lodgings she had changed her dress, both going and returning.
Having finished her narrative, she continued with an affectionate smile, "And now, sir, you perceive that young as I am, I have experienced none of the joys, but an abundance of the bitterness, of love. It's true that for a time I certainly did admire the fine figure and external appearance of my first ravisher, but although forced from necessity to share his home and suffer his caresses, the memory of the unmanly advantage he had taken to deprive me of my innocence made him almost hateful to me. How little did I imagine two days ago that I was about to become myself a suitor; yet such is the fact, and I boldly confess that at the very moment when my delighted ears were charmed with the sweetness of your voice, my heart first felt the power of love and owned you for its master. Do not despise me for this folly; I own that I am quite unworthy and have, therefore, shown myself to you without disguise. Think of me as you will; for from this moment I am all your own."
And flinging her arms around my neck she pressed her open mouth to mine with such enduring fervency that I was, for a time, completely deprived of breath; and gently forcing myself from her embrace affected to treat the whole affair as one of commonplace compliment, so frequently adopted by females of a certain class; and as I believe few men are less prone to vanity than myself, I attributed her present conduct to the influence of the potent liquor we had been imbibing; I therefore laughingly thanked her for her good opinion of me, and glancing at the clock observed that as it was growing somewhat late; she must, therefore, excuse me for the present as I had to dress for the evening's concert; to which she answered, "No, no, indeed, we part not so; I have made up my mind that you shall at least take tea with me; a coach will in a few moments convey us to my residence and we can then adjourn to the concert together."
I now began to feel my situation anything but pleasant. I had promised to escort both Bessy and Emma to the very place where my beautiful plague now promised to accompany me; I therefore stammered out an excuse-that I was sorry I could not have the pleasure of her company upon that occasion as I had no power to introduce anyone without a ticket, all of which had been previously disposed of. Judge of my consternation when I found that for this contingency she had previously provided, as she exclaimed, producing a ticket from her bosom. "I saw the programme this morning, and not expecting the pleasure of meeting you purchased a ticket there and then; I would not miss the hearing of that charming serenade for ten times the amount."
What was to be done? I could never willingly give pain or disappointment to a female; how could I do so now- to one so lovely, and who thought so highly of me as she had professed to do. But then again, how to dispose of Bessy and her companion, who were doubtless even at that moment in momentary expectation of my arrival.
But as something must be done, and that quickly, "Well, my dear," said I, "I will just step to my lodgings which are close at hand, make a slight alteration in my dress, and return to you here."
But this, to my increased mortification, she would by no means listen to; she was determined to accompany me. In vain I told her that my landlady was a most particular person, and that I dared not think of taking a female there and subjecting her to insult. At length it was agreed that she should wait for me at the end of the street, from whence she could command a view of my door. "But mind," she cried as I left her (glancing at her watch), "only five minutes; if you stay an instant longer I shall knock at the door and inquire for you."
This was a pretty fix, for I felt perfectly satisfied that my lady would be as good as her word and I must extricate myself in the best way I could.
I therefore hastened home, sought my expecting Bessy, and expressed my regret at having to deny myself the pleasure of accompanying her to the concert that evening, urging as an excuse that I had found it impossible to obtain a copy of one of the songs in the programme, for which purpose I had been to almost every music seller in London, but in vain; that as a last resource I was then going to the extreme end of the town, from whence I could not possibly return home previous to the performance, but begged that she would not allow this trifling disappointment to interfere with her arrangements for the evening, as I should expect to have the happiness of meeting her and Mrs. S. on my arrival.
She accepted my apology, and without entering my own apartment I left the house, but just in time to prevent the threatened call of my new acquaintance, whom I met coming down the street with the intention, as she afterwards told me, of knocking at my door. With a significant glance, which she appeared to understand, I crossed the road while she continued to follow me, but on the opposite side of the way. Having gained the main road she overtook me, and hailing a coach from the first stand we were in a short time set down at the cosy lodgings of my fair importunate, in W- Row, Islington.
Here, then, behold me seated at an amply furnished tea table; the refreshing beverage was quickly prepared by her own fair hands and the conversation that passed during the meal was such as the most prudent of her sex might have listened to without the slightest impropriety.
But still I was ill at ease, for although far from insensible to the beauty of the charming girl who was exerting her every faculty to give me pleasure, my thoughts were faithful to my Bessy still and I was racking my brain for some excuse by which I might escape the honour of my present companion's society, for this evening at least. I began by expressing my dislike of the promised entertainment-the place in which it was held-and the purpose for which it was got up; I even assured her that if she would give up all thoughts of attending this sadly conducted affair that I would call upon her on the following Tuesday for the purpose of escorting her to one infinitely superior in every respect; but vain was all my reasoning. She was determined to go-her mind was made up-and nothing human should, or could, prevent her.
"Well, then," I exclaimed, rising from my chair, "be it so; in an hour I shall meet you there; but you must for that time excuse me, at all events, for," I added, laughing, "you were so very hard upon me, and allowed me such a very short time for preparation at home that, in order to prevent any unpleasant altercation, you may perceive that I have not even made the contemplated alteration in my dress requisite for the duties of the evening. I will do so with all possible promptitude and rejoin you at the rooms."
"And so you still wish to leave me," she replied, "but your excuse is a bad one and can easily be rectified. Only place yourself in my hands for a few minutes and I will undertake that even you shall be satisfied with your appearance without taking the unnecessary trouble of going so far."
And placing her hands upon my shoulders she gently forced me back into the chair I had quitted, patted me playfully upon the cheek, pressed her lips to mine, and left the room.
I must here observe that the effects of the liquor she had taken during the afternoon had entirely disappeared; this was doubtlessly owing, in a great measure, to the strong and truly excellent tea which had followed; at all events she was now as calm and collected as the most fastidious puritan could have desired.
Having re-entered the apartment she proceeded to fold, in the neatest manner, a light-blue satin handkerchief which she fitted upon me in such a form as to give it the appearance of a handsome underwaistcoat, and in the frill of my shirt she placed a magnificent brooch, shaped like a small branch, the leaves of which were formed of emeralds, the fruit by minute diamonds; having completed her task evidently to her own entire satisfaction, she held a toilet glass before me that I might witness the effect of her handiwork, saying as she did so, "There, my love, were you going to sing before the king himself your dress would not disgrace the royal party. And now, my dear, if you'll endeavour to amuse yourself for a few minutes by looking over my little library," pointing to a well-filled bookcase, "I shall then be ready to accompany you."
I did as she desired; and when she returned to the room I absolutely stared with astonishment at the change she had undergone in so short a time; she was attired in a handsome dress of violet-coloured crepe, over white satin, richly embroidered, with a magnificent border in wreaths of silver vine; the sleeves were looped up with silver cordage, supported by eagles of the same material; a topaz necklace graced her swan-like neck, bracelets of gold encircled her well-turned arms, and her headdress was a wreath of snow-white roses; the effect was truly electrical, for, "She looked a goddess, and she moved a queen!"
I must confess that as I gazed upon the lovely object before me a feeling of vanity came over me for a moment, sufficiently powerful to banish even the image of Bessy from my heart, and I eagerly saluted the proffered lips and, for the first time, pressed her closely to my enchanted bosom.
Having procured a coach, we proceeded to our destination, which, as we approached, how shall I describe the emotions which agitated me; for the momentary transport over, I had leisure to reflect upon the probable events about to ensue! How could I account to my confiding Bessy for the appearance of my majestic companion-how could I perform my public duties under the influence of her reproachful glance-ere I had time to determine, the coach stopped and, with feelings more resembling those of a condemned criminal on his way to execution than of a man in the act of escorting a charming woman to a pleasure party, I entered the assembly.
One glance satisfied me that my party had not yet arrived, and for a moment I breathed more freely-probably offended at my apparent slight they will not come- and for once in my life I absolutely rejoiced at the absence of Bessy. But my pleasure was of short duration for, in the midst of my first song, I had the mortification of beholding Bessy and Emma conducted to their seats by the obsequious director.
My efforts were rewarded by an unanimous encore, in the loud call for which, to my unspeakable confusion, the excited Delia vied with the most vociferous gentleman present; by this indecorous conduct she became the object of universal observation-every eye was fixed upon her-the female portion of the audience regarded her with astonishment and the gentlemen, while they could not conceal their admiration of her beauty, expressed to each other in audible whispers that they were not greatly at variance in their opinions as to the character of the lovely but incautious girl before them.
I lingered about the orchestra until the conclusion of the first part and then, with feelings that I will not attempt to describe, sneaked into the refreshment room, where I was quickly followed by my two disappointed fair ones.
I was most agreeably surprised at the friendly warmth with which they both received me; by this I at once perceived that my apology had been perfectly satisfactory, and could I have retired at that moment all would have been well; but such was not to be, for while I was speaking my fair tormentor, from whom I foolishly imagined I had escaped for the present, having witnessed my departure from the concert room, now approached us, bearing in her hand a glass of smoking negus which she had procured from the waiter for my especial benefit; in vain did I attempt, by sundry winks and divers significant grimaces; to put her on her guard; she either did not, or would not, understand me.
On she came, smiling gaily, and handing me the glass, exclaimed,
"Come, my dear, I'm sure you stand in need of something after so much exertion."
Scarcely conscious of what I was doing, I put it to my lips and again returned it to her, when she continued, "Are these ladies friends of yours?"
I slightly bowed my head.
"Then why behave so ungallantly! Ladies, I'm sure you'll excuse his inattention-he seems quite bewildered — but no doubt it's entirely owing to the fatigue-do me the honour of partaking-"
And she pressed the glass upon Emma, who, thus taken by surprise and not prepared to offer an excuse, condescended to sip the beverage which she then presented to her companion, who, after darting at me a glance of the most withering contempt, disdainfully pushed back the hand that bore the glass, overturning in her fury the greater, portion of its contents over the dress of Emma and in a voice almost inarticulate with anger, said, "Come, let us be going; I'm sure we are not wanted here; and you, sir, shall be made to remember this insult."
With these words, and eyes flashing fury, she took the arm of her friend and quitted the room.
"Well, I'm sure," exclaimed the astonished Delia, "what airs! But it's a good riddance whoever she may be; and how you look; why should you care for the insolence of a mean-looking little baggage like that?
Come love, drink again and rouse yourself, or the company will perceive your confusion."
I took the goblet, unconsciously swallowed the whole of its contents, and in a few minutes became sufficiently composed to re-enter the public room, having previously cautioned Delia to be more guarded in her conduct, or at all events not to give vent to her feelings in the audible manner she had previously done.
I was not a moment too soon, for the symphony to my next song had commenced as I entered. I mounted the stage and got through my task-not at all to my own satisfaction, although from their continued applause I have reason to believe that I had been successful in my endeavour to conceal my trepidation from the audience. Delia declared that I had never sung better; but I fear she was a very partial critic and one whose judgment could not be relied on.
I was now rapidly regaining my self-possession when the door opened and Bessy, who by this time I had fancied was more than half way on her return home, with an expression of wildness in her bright black eyes advanced towards where I was sitting and in a low, trembling voice murmured, "Mr. -, I wish to speak a word or two in private; will you allow me that honour?"
"With the greatest pleasure," I replied, and with faltering steps and throbbing heart I followed her from the room.
The concert room was divided from the bar of the tavern by a long, arched hall or passage, paved and covered with matting to prevent the echo of footsteps from interrupting the music. I had continued to follow the indignant lady until we had traversed half the extent of this passage, when she turned suddenly round and fixing her glaring eyes full upon my face, exclaimed, "Now, sir, what am I to understand from the base and unmanly treatment I have experienced from you this evening?"
I affected the greatest astonishment and added that in fact I was about to make a similar enquiry of her, for I could plainly perceive that something had ruffled her temper previous to her favouring me with her company; and I really considered that respect for my public reputation might have induced her to choose some other time and place to vent her ill-humour upon me instead of making me, as she had done, an object of contempt before strangers.
"Indeed, sir!" she replied, "and so you are villain enough to add insult to injury! But you will find that I am not the easy fool you seem to think me. Pray, sir, who is the odious hussy for whom you have thought proper to outrage my feelings so cruelly as you have done tonight?"
I attempted to take her hand, which she scornfully withdrew, as with a feigned laugh I answered, "And is it possible that poor Delia has been the innocent cause of pain to one I love so tenderly-you have heard me speak of cousin Deelie, my uncle William's daughter, this is the very girl. I met her by sheer accident and with much difficulty prevailed upon her to accompany me hither for the express purpose of introducing her to you-I did not believe you could have been so silly-come, call Mrs. S. and let us return; I shall be happy to see you better acquainted."