by Fanny Burney
CHAPTER XXXII
This resolution once made known, not an instant was allowed to retract,or even to deliberate: to let it reach Miss Arbe was to put it intoexecution. That lady appeared now in her chosen element. She suggestedall that was to be attempted; she directed all that was to be done. Acommittee of ladies was formed, nominally for consultation, but, infact, only for applause; since whoever ventured to start the smallestobjection to an idea of Miss Arbe's, was overpowered with conceitedinsinuations of the incompetency of her judgment for deciding upon suchmatters; or, if any one, yet bolder, presumed to hint at some newarrangement, Miss Arbe looked either sick or angry, and declared thatshe could not possibly continue to offer her poor advice, if it wereeternally to be contested. This annihilated rather than subduedinterference; for the whole party was of opinion, that nothing less thanutter ruin to the project could ensue from her defection.
This helpless submission to ignorant dominion, so common in allcommittees where the leaders have no deeper science than the led,impeded not the progress of the preparations. Concentrated, or arbitrarygovernment may be least just, but it is most effective. Unlimited in herpowers, uncontrouled in their exertion, Miss Arbe saved as much time bythe rapidity, as contention by the despotism of her proceedings.
All seemed executed as soon as planned. The rooms were fitted up; themusic was selected for the performance; the uniform for the lady-artistswas fixed upon; all succeeded, all flourished,--save, only, thesubscription for the concert!
But this, the essential point, neither her authority nor her influencewas sufficiently potent to accelerate. Nothing is so quick as thegeneral circulation of money, yet nothing requires more address thanturning it into new channels. Curiosity was amply awakened for oneevening's entertainment; but the subscription, which amounted to tenguineas, was for three nights in the week. The scheme had no interestadequate to the expence either of time or of money thus demanded; exceptfor matrons who had young ladies, or young ladies who had talents todisplay. And even these, in the uncertainty of individual success, weremore anxious to see the sum raised from others, than alert to advance itthemselves.
This slackness of generosity, and dearth of spirit, however offensive tothe pride, rather animated than dampt the courage of Miss Arbe. She saw,she said, that the enterprize was arduous; but its difficulties, and notthe design, should be vanquished. Her preparations, therefore, werecontinued with unabated confidence, and, within a week, all theperformers were summoned to a rehearsal.
Ellis was called upon with the rest; for in the name of Miss Ellis, andfor the sake and the benefit of Miss Ellis, all the orders were given,all the measures were taken, and all the money was to be raised: yet inno one point had Ellis been consulted; and she would hardly have knownthat a scheme which owed to her its name, character, and even existence,was in agitation, but from the diligence with which Miss Arbe orderedthe restoration of the harp; and from the leisure which that lady nowfound, in the midst of her hurries, for resuming her lessons.
Ellis, from the time that she had agreed to this scheme, devoted herselfcompletely to musical studies; and the melodious sounds drawn forth fromher harp, in playing the exquisite compositions of the great masters,with whose works her taste, industry, and talents had enriched hermemory, softened her sorrows, and soothed her solitude. Her vocalpowers, also, she cultivated with equal assiduity; and she arrived atthe house of Miss Sycamore, where the first rehearsal was to be held,calmly prepared to combat every internal obstacle to exertion, and tostrive, with her best ability, to obtain the consideration which shedesired, from the satisfaction, rather than solely from the indulgenceof her auditors.
But the serenity given, at least assumed, by this resolution, wassuddenly shaken through a communication made to her by Mr Giles Arbe,who was watching for her upon the staircase, that fifty pounds had beendeposited, for her use, with his cousin, Miss Arbe, by Lady AuroraGranville.
Intelligence so important, and so touching, filled her with emotion. Whyhad not Miss Arbe transmitted to her a donation so seasonable, and somuch in unison with her wishes? Instantly, and without scruple, sheresolved to accept it; to adopt some private plan of maintenance, and torelinquish the concert-enterprise altogether.
This idea was enforced by all her feelings. Her original dislike to thescheme augmented into terrour, upon her entrance into the apartmentdestined for its opening execution, when she perceived her own harpplaced in the most conspicuous part of the upper end of the room, whichwas arranged for an orchestra: while the numerous forms with which thefloor was nearly covered, shewed her by how many auditors she wasdestined to be judged, and by how many spectators to be examined. Struckand affrighted, her new hope of deliverance was doubly welcomed, and shelooked eagerly round for Miss Arbe, to realize it without delay.
Miss Arbe, however, was so encircled, that there seemed little chance ofobtaining her attention. The situation of Ellis was awkward and painful;for while the offences by which she had so lately been wounded, made hermost want encouragement, the suspicions which she had excited seemed todistance all her acquaintance. No mistress of the house deigned toreceive, or notice her; and though, as a thing of course, she wouldherself have approached any other than Miss Sycamore, there was alively, yet hardy insolence in that young lady, which she had notcourage to encounter.
The company, at large, was divided into groups, to the matron part ofwhich Miss Arbe was dictatorially haranguing, with very apparentself-applause. The younger sets were engaged in busy whispering trios orquartettos, in corners, or at the several windows.
Embarrassed, irresolute, Ellis stopt nearly upon her entrance, vainlyseeking some kind eye to invite her on; but how advance, where no oneaddressed, or seemed to know her? Ah! ye proud, ye rich, ye high!thought she, why will you make your power, your wealth, your state, thusrepulsive to all who cannot share them? How small a portion ofattention, of time, of condescension, would make your honours, yourluxuries, your enjoyments, the consolation, not the oppression, of yourinferiours, or dependants?
While thus, sorrowingly, if not indignantly, looking round, and seeingherself unnoticed, if not avoided, even by those whose favour, whosekindness, whose rising friendship, had most eminently distinguished her,since the commencement of her professional career, she recollected thestories of her disguises, and of her surreptitious name, which werespread abroad: her justice, then, felt appeased; and she ceased toresent, though she could not to grieve, at the mortification which sheexperienced.
Catching, nevertheless, the eye of Selina, she ventured to courtesy andsmile; but neither courtesy nor smile was returned: Selina looked away,and looked confused; but rapidly continued her prattling, though withoutseeming to know herself what she was uttering, to Miss Arramede.
Ellis, disconcerted, then proceeded, with no other interruption than an'Ah ha! are you there, The Ellis?' from Miss Crawley; and an 'Oh ho! howdo do, The Ellis?' from Miss Di.
At the sound, however, of her name, Lady Barbara Frankland, startingfrom a little group, of which she had been the orator, exclaimed,'Ellis?--Is Miss Ellis come?' And, skipping to the place where Ellis wasseated, expressed the most lively pleasure at her sight, mixt with muchaffectionate regret at their long separation.
This was a kindness the most reviving to Ellis, who was now approached,also, by Lady Kendover; and, while respectfully courtesying to a coldsalutation from that lady, one of her hands was suddenly seized, andwarmly pressed by Selina.
Excited by the example of Lady Kendover, various ladies, who, frommeeting Ellis at the houses of her several scholars, had been struckwith her merit, and had conceived a regard for her person, flockedtowards her, as if she had now first entered the room. Yet the notice ofLady Kendover was merely a civil vehicle, to draw from her attractionsthe young and partial Lady Barbara.
Miss Arbe no sooner saw her thus surrounded, than, alertly advancing,and assuming the character and state of a patroness, she complacentlybowed around her, saying, 'How kind you all are to my _Protegee_!'
Miss Sycamore ended this scene, by calling upon one of the young ladiesto open the rehearsal.
She called, however, in vain; every one declared herself too muchfrightened to take the lead; and those whose eager eyes rolledincessantly round the room, in search of admirers; and whose littlelaughs, animated gestures, and smiling refusals, invited solicitation,were the most eloquent in talking of their timidity, and delaying theirexhibition; each being of opinion that the nearer she could place herperformance to the conclusion, the nearer she should approach to thepost of honour.
To finish these difficulties, Miss Arbe desired Ellis to sing and play.
Ellis, whose hopes were all alive, that she might spare herself thishazardous experiment, demanded a previous conference; but Miss Arbe wasdeaf and blind to whatever interfered with the vivacity of herproceedings; and Ellis, not daring, without more certain authority thanthat of Mr Giles Arbe, to proclaim her intended change of measures, wasforced to give way; though with an unwillingness so palpable, that sheinspired general pity.
Mr Scope himself would have handed her to the orchestra, but that heapprehended such a step might be deemed an action of gallantry, and assuch affect the public opinion of his morals; and Mr Giles Arbe wouldhave been enchanted to have shewn her his high regard, but that thepossibility of so doing, occurred to him only when the opportunity waspast. Sir Marmaduke Crawley, however, studiously devoted to the arts,set apart, alike, the rumours which, at one time, raised Ellis to alevel with the rest of the company, and, at another, sunk her beneaththeir domestics; and, simply considering her claim to good breeding andattention, as an elegant artist, courteously offered her his hand.
Somewhat comforted by this little mark of respect, Ellis accepted itwith so much grace, and crossed the apartment with an air sodistinguished, that the urbanity of Sir Marmaduke soon raised an almostgeneral envy of his office.
Every one now was attentive: singing charms universally: no art, noaccomplishment has such resistless attraction: it catches alike allconditions, all ages, and all dispositions: it subdues even those whosesouls are least susceptible either to intellectual or mental harmony.
Foremost in the throng of listeners came Lady Barbara Frankland,attended by Selina; unopposed either by Lady Kendover or Mrs Maple;those ladies not being less desirous that their nieces should reap everyadvantage from Ellis, than that Ellis should reap none in return.
But Ellis was seized with a faint panic that disordered her whole frame;terrour took from her fingers their elasticity, and robbed her mind andfancy of those powers, which, when free from alarm, gave grace andmeaning to her performance: and, what to herself she had played with ataste and an expression, that the first masters would most haveadmired, because best have understood, had now neither mark, spirit, norcorrectness: while her voice was almost too low to be heard, and quitetoo feeble and tremulous to give pleasure.
The assembly at large was now divided between sneerers and pitiers. Thefirst insinuated, that Ellis thought it fine and lady-like to affectbeing frightened; the second saw, and compassionated, in her failure,the natural effect of distressed modesty, mingled with wounded pride.
Nevertheless, her fervent, but indiscriminating juvenile admirer, LadyBarbara, echoed by Selina, enthusiastically exclaimed, 'How delightfullyshe plays and sings! How adorably!'
Miss Arbe, well aware that fear alone had thus 'unstrung the lyre' ofEllis, secretly exulted, that the _Diletanti_ would possess her name andservices for their institution, without her superiority. The MissCrawleys were laughing so immoderately, at Mr Giles Arbe's requestingthem to be quiet, that they did not find out that the rehearsal wasbegun: and the rest of the ladies had seized the moment of performance,for communicating to one another innumerable little secrets, which neverso aptly occur as upon such occasions; Miss Sycamore excepted, who, witha cold and cutting sneer, uttered a malicious 'bravissima!'
Inexpressibly hurt and chagrined, Ellis precipitately quitted theorchestra; and, addressing Miss Arbe, said, 'Alas, Madam, I am unequalto this business! I must relinquish it altogether! And,--if I have notbeen misinformed, Lady Aurora Granville--'
Miss Arbe, reddening, and looking much displeased, repeated, 'LadyAurora?--who has been talking to you about Lady Aurora?'
Ellis would have declined giving her authority; but Miss Arbe, withoutscruple, named Mr Giles. 'That tiresome old creature,' she cried, 'isalways doing some mischief. He's my cousin, to be sure; and he's a verygood sort of man, and all that; but I don't believe it's possible for anold soul to be more troublesome. As to this little sum of LordMelbury's--'
'Lord Melbury's?' repeated Ellis, much agitated, 'If it be LordMelbury's, I have, indeed, no claim to make! But I had hoped LadyAurora--'
'Well, well, Lady Aurora, if you will. It's Lady Aurora, to be sure, whosends it for you; but still--'
'She has, indeed, then, sent it for me?' cried Ellis, rapturously;'sweet, amiable Lady Aurora!--Oh! when will the hour come--'
She checked her speech; but could not check the brilliant colour, thebrightened countenance, which indicated the gay ideas that internallyconsoled her recent mortification.
'And why, Madam,' she soon more composedly, yet with spirit, added,'might I not be indulged with the knowledge of her ladyship's goodnessto me? Why is Mr Giles Arbe to be blamed for so natural a communication?Had it, happily, reached me sooner, it might have spared me the distressand disgrace of this morning?'
She then earnestly requested to receive what was so kindly meant for hersuccour, upon milder terms than such as did violence to her disposition,and were utterly unfitting to her melancholy situation.
Somewhat embarrassed, and extremely piqued, Miss Arbe made no reply buta fretful 'Pish!'
'Lady Aurora,' continued Ellis, 'is so eminently good, so feelinglydelicate, that if any one would have the charity to name my petition toher ladyship, she would surely consent to let me change the destinationof what she so generously assigns to me.'
Her eyes here glanced anxiously towards Lady Barbara; who, unable toresist their appeal, sprang from Lady Kendover, into the little circlethat was now curiously forming around Ellis; eagerly saying, 'MissEllis, 'tis to me that Lady Aurora wrote that sweet letter, about thefifty pounds; and I'll send for it to shew you this moment.'
'Do, little lady, do!' cried Mr Giles, smiling and nodding, 'you are thesweetest little soul amongst them all!'
Laughing and delighted, she was dancing away; but Lady Kendover, gentlystopping her, said, 'You are too young, yet, my dear, to be aware of theimpropriety of making private letters public.'
'Well, then, at least, Miss Ellis,' she cried, 'I will tell you that oneparagraph, for I have read it so often and often that I have got it byheart, it's so very beautiful! "You will entreat Miss Arbe, my dear LadyBarbara, since she is so good as to take the direction of thisconcert-enterprize, to employ this little loan to the best advantage forMiss Ellis, and the most to her satisfaction. Loan I call it, for MissEllis, I know, will pay it, if not in money, at least in a thousandsweetnesses, of a thousand times more value."'
Ellis, touched with unspeakable pleasure, was forced to put her handbefore her eyes.
'"Don't let her consult Miss Ellis about its acceptance. Miss Ellis willdecline every thing that is personal; and every thing that is personalis what I most wish to present to her. I beg Miss Arbe will try to findout what she most requires, and endeavour to supply it unnamed.
'"Oh! could I but discover what would sooth, would console her! Howoften I think of her! How I love to recollect her enchanting talents,and to dwell upon every hour that I passed in her endearing society! Whydid not Lady Kendover know her at that time? She could not, then, mydear Lady Barbara, have wished you a sweeter companion. Even Mrs Howelwas nearly as much captivated by her elegance and manners, as I was, andmust ever remain, by her interesting qualities, and touchingsensibility. O be kind to her, Lady Barbara! for my sake be kind to her:I am quite, quite unhappy that I have no power to be so myself!"'
; Tears now rolled in resistless streams down the cheeks of Ellis, thoughfrom such heartfelt delight, that her eyes, swimming in liquid lustre,shone but more brightly.
Nevertheless, the respect which such a panegyric might have excited inthe assembly at large, was nearly lost through the rapidity with whichit was uttered by the eager Lady Barbara; and nothing short of thefascinated attention, and quick consciousness given by deep personalinterest, could have made it completely intelligible even to Ellis: butto the sounds we wish to hear the heart beats responsive: it seizes themalmost unpronounced.
Revived, re-animated, enchanted, Ellis now, with grace, with modesty,yet with firmness, renewed her request to Miss Arbe; who, assuming alively air, though palpably provoked and embarrassed, answered, thatMiss Ellis did not at all understand her own interest; and declared thatshe had taken the affair in hand herself, merely to regulate it to thebest advantage; adding, 'You shall see, now, the surprise I had preparedfor you, if that blabbing old cousin of mine had not told you everything before hand.'
Then, in a tone of perfectly restored self-complacency, she produced apacket, and, with a parading look, that said, See what I bestow uponyou! ostentatiously spread its contents upon a table.
'Now,' she cried, 'Miss Ellis, I hope I shall have the good fortune toplease you! see what a beautiful gown I have bought you!'
The gown was a sarcenet of a bright rose-colour; but its hue, though themost vivid, was pale to the cheeks of Ellis, as she repeated, 'A gown,Madam? Permit me to ask--for what purpose?'
'For what purpose?--To sing at our concert, you know! It's just thething you want the most in the world. How could you possibly do withoutit, you know, when you come to appear before us all in public?'
While Ellis hesitated what to reply, to a measure which, thus conducted,and thus announced, seemed to her unequivocally impertinent, the packetitself was surrounded by an eager tribe of females, and five or sixvoices broke forth at once, with remarks, or animadversions, upon thesilk.
'How vastly pretty it is!' cried Miss Arramede, addressing herselfcourteously to Miss Arbe.
'Yes, pretty enough, for what it is meant for,' answered Miss Sycamore;glancing her eyes superciliously towards Ellis.
'Pray, Miss Arbe, what did you give a yard for it,' demanded Miss Bydel;'and how much will the body-lining come to? I hope you know of a cheapmantua-maker?'
'Bless me, how fine you are going to make The Ellis!' cried MissCrawley: 'why I shall take her for a rose!'
'Why then The Ellis will be The rose!' said Miss Di; 'but I shouldsooner take her for my wax-doll, when she's all so pinky winky.'
'Why then The Ellis will be The doll!' cried Miss Crawley.
The two sisters now seated, or rather threw themselves upon a sofa, torecover from the excessive laughter with which they were seized at theirown pleasantry; and which was exalted nearly to extacy, by the widestare, and uplifted hands, of Mr Giles Arbe.
'It's horridly provoking one can't wear that colour one's self,' saidMiss Arramede, 'for it's monstrously pretty.'
'Pretty?' repeated Miss Brinville: 'I hope, Miss Arramede, you don'twish to wear such a frightful vulgar thing, because it's pretty?'
'Well, I think it's vastly well,' said Miss Sycamore, yawning; 'so don'tabuse it. As our uniform is fixed to be white, with violet-ornaments, itwas my thought to beg Miss Arbe would order something of this shewy sortfor Miss Ellis; to distinguish us _Diletanti_ from the artists.'
It was not Ellis alone who felt the contemptuous haughtiness of thisspeech; the men all dropt their eyes; and Lady Barbara expressivelyexclaimed, 'Miss Ellis can't help looking as beautiful and as elegant asan angel, let her dress how she will!'
All obstacles being now removed for continuing the rehearsal, thewilling Lady-artists flocked around Miss Arbe; and songs were sung, andlessons upon the piano forte, or harp, were played; with a readiness ofcompliance, taken, by the fair performers, for facility of execution;and with a delight in themselves that elevated their spirits to rapture;since it was the criterion whence they calculated the pleasure that theyimparted to others.
The pieces which they had severally selected were so long, and thecompliments which the whole company united to pour forth after everyperformance, were so much longer, that the day was nearly closing, whenEllis was summoned to finish the act.
Ellis, who had spent this interval first in curious, next in civil, andlastly in forced attention, rose now with diminished timidity, to obeythe call. It was not that she thought better of the scheme, but that itappeared to her less formidable; her original determination, therefore,to make her best exertions, returned with more effect, and she executeda little prelude with precision and brilliancy; and then accompaniedherself in a slow and plaintive air, with a delicacy, skill, andexpression, at once touching and masterly.
This concluded the first act; and the first act was so long, that it wasunanimously agreed, that some new regulations must be adopted, beforethe second and third could be rehearsed.
Every piece which had followed the opening performance, or, rather,failure, of Ellis, had been crowned with plaudits. Every hand hadclapped every movement; every mouth had burst forth with exclamations ofpraise: Ellis alone was heard in silence; for Ellis was unprotected,unsustained, unknown. Her situation was mysterious, and seemed open attimes, to the most alarming suspicions; though the unequivocalregularity and propriety of her conduct, snatched her from any positivecalumny. Yet neither this, nor the most striking talents, could havebrought her forward, even for exhibition, into such an assembly, but forthe active influence of Miss Arbe; who, shrewd, adroit, and vigilant,never lost an opportunity to serve herself, while seeming to serveothers.
The fortune of this young lady was nearly as limited as her ambition andvanity were extensive; she found, therefore, nothing so commodious, asto repay the solid advantages which she enjoyed, gratuitously, fromvarious artists, by patronage; and she saw, in the present case, anabsolute necessity, either to relinquish her useful and elegantmistress, as an unknown adventurer, not proper to be presented to peopleof fashion; or to obviate the singular obstacles to supporting her, bymaking them become a party themselves in the cause of her _protegee_,through the personal interest of a subscription for their ownamusement.
Nevertheless, Ellis, after a performance which, if fairly heard, andimpartially judged, must have given that warm delight that excites'spirit-stirring praise,' was heard in silence; though had a singlevoice been raised in her favour, nearly every voice would have joined inchorus. But her patroness was otherwise engaged, and Lady Barbara wasgone; no one, therefore, deemed it prudent to begin. Neglect is stillmore contagious than admiration: it is more natural, perhaps, to man,from requiring less trouble, less candour, less discernment, and lessgenerosity. The _Diletanti_, also, already reciprocally fatigued, wereperfectly disposed to be as parsimonious to all without their own line,as they were prodigal to all within it, of those sweet draughts offlattery, which they had so liberally interchanged with one another.
Miss Arbe considered her own musical debts to be cancelled, from themoment that she had introduced her _protegee_ into this assembly. Shewas wholly, therefore, indifferent to what might give her support, ormortification; and had taken the time of her performance, to demand ageneral consultation, whether the first harmonic meeting should be heldin the apartment of Lady Arramede, which was the most magnificent; or inthat of Miss Sycamore, which, though superb, was the least considerableamongst the select subscribers.
This was a point of high importance, and of animated discussion. Thelarger apartment would best excite the expectations of the public, andopen the business in the highest style; but the smaller would be themost crowded;--there would not be room to stir a step;--scarcely a soulcould get a seat;--some of the company must stand upon the stairs;--'Ocharming!'--'O delightful!'--was echoed from mouth to mouth; and themotion in favour of Miss Sycamore was adopted by acclamation.
Ellis now, perceiving that the party was breaking up, advanced to Miss
Arbe, and earnestly requested to be heard; but Miss Arbe, looking as ifshe did not know, and was too busy to enquire what this meant, protestedherself quite bewildered with the variety of matters which she had toarrange; and, shaking hands with Miss Sycamore, was hurrying away, whenthe words 'Must I address myself, then, Madam, to Lady Aurora!' startledher, and she impatiently answered, 'By no means! Lady Aurora has put themoney into my hands, and I have disposed of it to the very bestadvantage.'
'Disposed of it----I hope not!--I hope--I trust--that, knowing thegenerous wishes of Lady Aurora to indulge, as well as to relieve me, youhave not disposed of so considerable a sum, without permitting me firstto state to you, how and in what manner her ladyship's benevolence maymost effectually be answered?'
Miss Arbe, evidently more disturbed though more civil, lowered her tone;and, taking Ellis apart, gently assured her, that the whole had beenapplied exclusively for her profit, in music, elegant desks, the hire ofinstruments, and innumerable things, requisite for opening the concertupon a grand scale; as well as for the prettiest gown in the world,which, she was sure, would become her of all things.
Ellis, with undisguised astonishment, asked by what arrangement it couldjustly be settled, that the expences of a subscription-concert should bedrawn from the bounty of one lady; that lady absent, and avowedlysending her subscription merely for the service of an individual of thesett?
'That's the very thing!' cried Miss Arbe, with vivacity: 'her ladyship'ssending it for that one performer, has induced me to make this veryarrangement; for, to tell you the truth, if Lady Aurora had not been soconsiderate for you, the whole scheme must have been demolished; and ifso, poor Miss Ellis! what would become of you, you know?'
Then, with a volubility that shewed, at once, her fear of expostulation,and her haste to have done, she sought to explain that, without thenecessary preparations, there could be no concert; without a concertMiss Ellis could not be known; without being known, how could sheprocure any more scholars? and without procuring scholars, how avoidbeing reduced again to the same pitiable state, as that from which MissArbe had had the pleasure to extricate her? And, in short, to savefurther loss of time, she owned that it was too late to make any change,as the whole fifty pounds was entirely spent.
It was not, now, chagrin alone, nor disappointment, nor anxiety, thatthe speaking features of Ellis exhibited; indignation had a strongportion of their expression; but Miss Arbe awaited not the remonstrancethat they announced: more courteous, while more embarrassed, she tookEllis by the hand, and caressingly said, 'Lady Aurora knows--for I havewritten to her ladyship myself,--that every smiling is laid out for yourbenefit;--only we must have a beginning, you know,--so you won'tdistress poor Lady Aurora, by seeming discontented, after all that shehas done for you? It would be cruel, you know, to distress her.'
With all its selfishness, Ellis felt the truth of this observation withrespect to Lady Aurora, as forcibly as its injustice with regard toherself. She sighed from helplessness how to seek any redress; and MissArbe, still fawningly holding her hand, added, 'But you don't think tosteal away without giving us another air?--Miss Sycamore!--SirMarmaduke!--Sir Lyell! pray help me to persuade Miss Ellis to favour uswith one more air.'
Disgusted and fatigued, Ellis would silently have retired; but thesignal being given by Miss Arbe, all that remained of the assemblyprofessed themselves to be dying for another piece; and Ellis, pressedto comply with an eagerness that turned solicitation into persecution,was led, once more, by Sir Marmaduke, to the orchestra.
Here, her melancholy and distressed feelings again marred herperformance; she scarcely knew what she played, nor how she sung; herexecution lost its brilliancy, and her expression its refinedexcellence: but Miss Arbe, conscious of the cause, and alarmed lest anyappeal to Lady Aurora should sully her own character of patroness,hoped, by the seductive bribery of flattery, to stifle complaint. Shewas the first, therefore, to applaud; and her example animated allaround, except the supercilious Miss Sycamore, and the jealous MissBrinville, whom envy rendered inveterate. 'How exquisite!'--'Howsweet!'--'How incomparable!'--'What taste!'--'What sounds!'--'Whatexpression!'--now accompanied almost every bar of the wavering,incorrect performance; though not even an encouraging buzz ofapprobation, had cheered the exertions of the same performer during theelegant and nearly finished piece, by which it had been preceded. Thepublic at large is generally just, because too enormous to beindividually canvassed; but private circles are almost universallybiassed by partial or prejudiced influence.
Miss Arbe chose now to conclude, that every objection was obviated; andEllis strove vainly to obtain a moment's further attention, from thefrivolous flutter, and fancied perplexities, of busy self-consequence.The party broke up: the company dispersed; and the poor, unconsidered,unaided _protegee_, dejectedly left the house, at the same moment thatit was quitted triumphantly, by her vain, superficial, unprotectingpatroness.
