by Fanny Burney
CHAPTER XXXIV
The _Diletanti_, in a short time, thought themselves perfect, yet thedestined concert was not opened; the fifty pounds, which had been sentfor Ellis, had been lavished improvidently, in ornamental preparations;and the funds otherwise raised, were inadequate for paying the littleband, which was engaged to give effect in the orchestra.
Severely as Ellis dreaded the hour of exhibition, a delay that, in itsobvious consequences, could only render it more necessary, gave her nosatisfaction.
A new subject for conjecture and reflexion speedily ensued: the visitsof Miss Arbe, hitherto wearisome and oppressive, alike from theirfrequency and their selfishness, suddenly, and without any reasonassigned, or any visible motive, ceased.
The relief which, in other circumstances, this defection might havegiven to her spirits, she was now incapable of enjoying; for though MissArbe rather abused than fulfilled the functions of a patroness, Ellisimmediately experienced, that even the most superficial protection of alady of fashion, could not, without danger, be withdrawn from theindigent and unsupported. Miss Matson began wondering, with a suspiciousair, what was become of Miss Arbe; the young work-women, when Ellispassed them, spared even the civility of a little inclination of thehead; and the maid of the house was sure to be engaged, on the very fewoccasions on which Ellis demanded her assistance.
Some days elapsed thus, in doubt and uneasiness, not even broken into bya summons to a rehearsal: another visit, then, from Mr Giles Arbe,explained the cause of this sudden desertion. He brought a manuscriptair, which Miss Arbe desired that Ellis would copy, and, immediately,though unintentionally, divulged, that his cousin had met with thenewly-arrived professor at Miss Brinville's, and had instantlytransferred to him the enthusiasm of her favour.
Ellis but too easily comprehended, that the ruin of her credit andconsequence in private families, would follow the uselessness of herservices to her patroness. The prosecution, therefore, of theconcert-scheme, which she had so much disliked in its origin, became nowher own desire, because her sole resource.
The next morning, while she was busy in copying the MS., the customarysound of the carriage and voice of Miss Arbe, struck her ears, andstruck them, for the first time, with pleasure.
'I have not,' cried that lady, 'a moment to stay; but I have somethingof the greatest importance to tell you, and you have not an instant tolose in getting yourself ready. What do you think? You are to sing, nextweek, at Mr Vinstreigle's benefit!'
'I, Madam!'
'Yes! for you must know, my dear Miss Ellis, he has asked it of mehimself! So you see what a compliment that is! I am quite charmed tobring you such news. So be sure to be ready with one of your very best_scenas_.'
She was then, with a lively air, decamping; but Ellis gently, yetpositively, declined performing at any concert open to the public atlarge.
'Pho, pho! don't begin all those scruples again, pray! It must be so, Iassure you. I'll tell you how the matter stands. Our funds are not yetrich enough for beginning our own snug scrip-concert, without risk ofbeing stopt short the first or second night. And that, you know, wouldraise the laugh against us all horridly. I mean against us _Diletanti_.So that, if we don't hit upon some new measure, I am afraid we shall allgo to town before the concert can open. And that, you know, would quiteruin you, poor Miss Ellis! which would really give me great concern. SoI consulted with Sir Marmaduke Crawley; and he said that you ought, byall means, to sing once or twice in public, to make yourself known; forthat would raise the subscription directly; especially as it would soonbe spread that you are a _protegee_ of mine. So, you see, we must eithertake this method, or give the thing quite up; which will be your utterdestruction, I am sorry to say. So now decide quick, for there is not asecond to spare.'
Ellis was alarmed, yet persisted in her negative.
Piqued and offended, Miss Arbe hurried away; declaring aloud, in passingthrough the shop, that people who were so determined to be their ownenemies, might take care of themselves: that, for her part, she shoulddo nothing more in the affair; and only wished that Miss Ellis mightfind better means for paying her debts, and procuring herself a handsomemaintenance.
However shocked by this petulant indelicacy, Ellis saw not without themost serious concern, that the patronage of Miss Arbe was clearly at anend. Personal interest which, it was equally clear, had excited it, nowran in another channel; for if, by flattery or good offices, she couldobtain gratis, the instructions of an eminent professor, what could shewant with Ellis, whom she had never sought, nor known, nor considered,but as a musical preceptress? And yet, far from elevating as was suchpatronage, its extinction menaced the most dangerous effects.
With little or no ceremony, Miss Matson, the next morning, came into herroom, and begged leave to enquire when their small account could besettled. And, while Ellis hesitated how to answer, added, that thereason of her desiring a reply as quickly as possible, was an interviewthat she had just had with the other creditors, the preceding evening;because she could not but let them know what had passed with Miss Arbe.'For, after what I heard the lady say, Miss Ellis, as she went throughmy shop, I thought it right to follow her, and ask what she meant; as itwas entirely upon her account my giving you credit. And Miss Arbereplied to me, in so many words, "Miss Ellis can pay you All, if shepleases: she has the means in her own power: apply to her, therefore, inwhatever way you think proper; for you may do her a great service by alittle severity: but, for my part, remember, I take no furtherresponsibility." So upon this, I talked it all over with your othercreditors; and we came to a determination to bring the matter toimmediate issue.'
Seized with terror, Ellis now hastily took, from a locked drawer, thelittle packet of Harleigh, and, breaking the seal, was precipitatelyresolving to discharge every account directly; when other conflictingemotions, as quick as those which had excited, checked her firstimpulse; and, casting down, with a trembling hand, the packet, O let methink!--she internally cried;--surrounded with perils of every sort, letme think, at least, before I incur new dangers!
She then begged that Miss Matson would grant her a few minutes fordeliberation.
Certainly, Miss Matson said; but, instead of leaving the room, tookpossession of the sofa, and began a long harangue upon her own hardshipsin trade; Ellis, neither answering nor listening.
Presently, the door opened, and Mr Giles Arbe, in his usually easymanner, made his appearance.
'You are busy, you are busy, I see,' he cried; 'but don't disturbyourselves. I'll look for a book, and wait.'
Ellis, absorbed in painful ruminations, scarcely perceived him; and MissMatson loquaciously addressed to him her discourse upon her own affairs;too much interested in the subject herself, to mark whether or not itinterested others, till Mr Giles caught her attention, and awakened eventhat of Ellis, by saying aloud, though speaking to himself, 'Why nowhere's money enough!--Why should not all those poor people be paid?'
Ellis, turning round, saw then, that he had taken up Harleigh's packet;of which he was examining the contents, and spreading, one by one, thenotes upon a table.
She hastily ran to him, and, with an air extremely displeased, seizedthose which she could reach; and begged him instantly to deliver to herthose which were still in his hand.
Her discomposed manner brought him to the recollection of what he wasdoing; and, making abundant apologies, 'I protest,' he cried, 'I don'tknow how it happened that I should meddle with your papers, for I meantonly to take up a book! But I suppose it was because I could not findone.'
Ellis, in much confusion, re-folded the notes, and put them away.
'I am quite ashamed to have done such a thing, I assure you,' hecontinued, 'though I am happy enough at the accident, too; for I thoughtyou very poor, and I could hardly sleep, sometimes, for fretting aboutit. But I see, now, you are better off than I imagined; for there areten of those ten pound bank-notes, if I have not miscounted; and yourbills don't amount to more than two or three of them.'
Ellis
, utterly confounded, retreated to the window.
Miss Matson, who, with the widest stare, had looked first at thebank-notes, and next at the embarrassed Ellis, began now to offer themost obsequious excuses for her importunity; declaring that she shouldnever have thought of so rudely hurrying such a young lady as MissEllis, but that the other creditors, who were really in but indifferentcircumstances, were so much in want of their money, that she had notbeen able to quiet them.
And then, begging that Miss Ellis would take her own time, she went,courtesying, down stairs.
'So you have got all this money, and would not own it?' said Mr Giles,when she was gone. 'That's odd! very odd, I confess! I can't wellunderstand it; but I hope, my pretty lady, you won't turn out a rogue? Ibeg you won't do that; for it would vex me prodigiously.'
Ellis, dropping upon a chair, ejaculated, with a heavy sigh, 'What stepmust I take!'
'What?--why pay them all, to be sure! What do other people do, when theyhave got debts, and got money? I shall go and tell them to come to youdirectly, every one of them.'
Ellis, starting, supplicated his forbearance.
'And why?--why?' cried he, looking a little angry: 'Do you really wantto hide up all that money, and make those poor good people, who haveserved you at their own cost, believe that you have not gotten any?'
She assured him that the money was simply a deposit left in her hands.
This intelligence overset and disappointed him. He returned to hischair, and drawing it near the fire, gave himself up to considering whatcould be done; ejaculating from time to time, 'That's bad!--that's verybad!--being really so poor is but melancholy!--I am sorry for her, poorpretty thing!--very sorry!--But still, taking up goods one can't payfor?--Who has a right to do that?--How are trades-people to live byselling their wares gratis?--Will that feed their little ones?'
Then, turning to Ellis, who, in deep disturbance at these commentaries,had not spirits to speak; 'But why,' he cried, 'since you have gottenthis money, should not you pay these poor people with it, rather thanlet it lie dead by your side? for as to the money's not beingyours,--theirs is not yours, neither.'
'Should I raise myself, Sir, in your good opinion, by contracting a newdebt to pay an old one?'
'If you contract it with a friend to pay a stranger, Yes.--And thesenotes, I suppose, of course, belong to a friend?'
'Not to ... an enemy, certainly!--' she answered, much embarrassed; 'butis that a reason that I should betray a trust?'
'What becomes of the trust of these poor people, then, that don't knowyou, and that you don't know? Don't you betray that? Do you think thatthey would have let you take their goods, if they had not expected yourpayment?
'Oh heaven, Mr Arbe!' cried Ellis, 'How you probe--perplex--entangleme!'
'Don't vex, don't vex!' said he, kindly, 'for that will fret meprodigiously. Only, another time, when you are in want, borrow from therich, and not from the poor; for they are in want themselves. Thisfriend of yours is rich, I take for granted?'
'I ... I believe so!'
'Well, then, which is most equitable, to take openly from a rich friend,and say, "I thank you;" or to take, underhand, from a hardworkingstranger, whom you scorn to own yourself obliged to, though you don'tscruple to harass and plunder? Which, I say, is most equitable?'
Ellis shuddered, hesitated, and then said, 'The alternative, thusstated, admits of no contest! I must pay my debts--and extricate myselffrom the consequences as I can!'
'Why then you are as good as you are pretty!' cried he, delighted: 'Verygood, and very pretty, indeed! And so I thought you at first! And so Ishall think you to the end!'
He then hurried away, to give her no time to retract; nodding andtalking to himself in her praise, with abundant complacency; and saying,as he passed through the shop, 'Miss Matson, you'll be all of you paidto-morrow morning at farthest. So be sure bid all the good people come;for the lady is a person of great honour, as well as prettiness; andthere's money enough for every one of you,--and more, too.'
