No More Learning

13
" I hope, Emma," replied Mrs,
. Cleveland, looking very grave, . ". your
father thought you too young to be ini^
tiated into a vice destructive of princi?
pie, piety, and virtue. "
<<<< Dear Ma'am! " said Emma, <<,have
you forgot how pld I am? for I assure
you I have presided at the card tables at
least a year and a quarter. "
Mrs. Cleveland. listed up. her eyes in
astonishment, and, after explaining the
nature ot Sunday schools, again inquired
if they were. inclined to. accompany her.
<<' You are very' polite, Ma'am,"
"'said Emma, looking rather embarrassed;
" but as I cannot; suppose wo. shall de-
rive much entertainment from hearing a.
"parcel of dirty children read and say
their catechism,. we will postpone our.
visit, if you please,. until country air, ru-
. a rat.
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? PRIDE SUBDUED
ral occupations, and your example, have
given us a relish for such amusements. "
Mrs. Cleveland made no reply'to this
sarcastic speech; but, ordering the foot-
man to have tea ready against her return,
she put on her cloak, and walked to-
wards the school house. The slight spe-
cimen she had received-of her nieces
. dispositions was not calculated to im-
press her with a savourable idea of them ;
but when she reflected upon their being
the children of one of the most amiable
women in the world, she attributed
their little sailings to an improper mode
of education, and was forming a thou-
sand schemes to counteract its baneful
influence.
She made her visit to the Sunday
school as short as possible, and the even-
ing was passed in hearing an account of
their
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? BY ADVERSITY. 15
theirmanner of spending their time in
Grosvenor Square. Without appear-
ing to endeavour to find out their natu-
ral propensities, Mrs. Cleveland was at
the greatest pains to make the discovery,
and soon perceived that a love of gran-
deur, show, and distinction, werethelead-
ing features in Emma's character; but
that Eliza's heart seemed more likely to
be attracted by interesting than glaring ob-
jects, though she appeared to have . no
objection either to show or magnifi-
cence.
Upon taking leave of his daughters,
Mr. Fitzhenry had presented each with
a five hundred pound note. for. clothes
and pocket money, with a promise of
making them ample remittances, if they
were not sent for to India.
Mrs. Cleveland's fortune was a very
large one; and though she had . hitherto
c 2 lived
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? 1&. . PRIDE SUBDUED
lived materially within it, yet upon ths
arrival of her nieces she thought it
right to alter her plan os oeconomy*;
an extra man-servant was hired, a new
carriage bespoke, and a sarmer's . daugh-;
ter engaged as waiting-maid to the. Miss
Fitzhenrys. i/'K
Mrs. Cleveland was passionately forfd
of music,. and played both . with. taste
and execution upon the piano and harp*
and was much disappointed at the tame
style. in which the young ladies per-
formed upon th^ose instruments, as she
knew they had received instruction from
the first masters. Some days they re-
fused touching the instrument at all,
and at others would not play more than a.
quarter of. an hour at a time. Mrs,
Cleveland at sirst suffered them to in-
dulge in a listless inactivity; but finding
their indoient habits rather increase than
. dirm*
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? BY ADVERSITY.
diministi, she informed them it was her
wish that they should devote their morn-
ings to improvement; and as she was
very well versed in history, geography,
Italian, and French, she would be their
instructress in any of 'those branches,
and. read such authors with them as she
thought most edifying.
" Dear Ma'am," said Emma, with a
great deal of pertness in her tone of
voice, " I am sure . my. sather. never in-
tended to depute you our governess, and
indeed we were so thoroughly informed by
Madam Lemoine, that there is very little
left for us to learn. "
" I am very happy to hear it," re-
plied Mrs. Cleveland; >>>>then there is a
great deal for you to Use, and that would
be terrible, after so much pains have
been taken with you: but do, my dear,
walk into the library, and fetch the first
c 3 volume
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? 1. 8" PRlbE SUBDUE! *.
<<. . . j. . --
volume of Metastasio; he is a savour. ,
he author of mine, and. I wilh to hear
yon read him. "
" I hate Italian," said Emma, ff and
Eliza reads it better than I do. ; so
fetch the book, Eliza. "
" If you read it iilT" replied Mrs.
Clev. cland gravely, " there is the
greater neceslky for your reading it often;
besides, my dear Emma^ I am always
obeyed by every part of my samily--and,
surely, a girl of fifteen would not think
of disputing a rule that's positive. "
Emma walked into the library, fetched
the book, and began reading; but her
tone was so monotonous, her accents so
misapplied, and her pronunciation so
improper, that Mrs. Cleveland could
not bear to hear her proceed; and, tak-
ing the book. from her hand, said--" I
am much obliged to you, my dear, for
, at-
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? B. y ADVERSITY. 10
i . . . . . ^_ -gr
_ at - . '-- '--
attempting to amuse me, and am sorry
tij Cay what may appear discouraging;
but certainly Madam Lemoinc was per-
fectly ignorant of the Italian language,
I happen to be very fond of it, and had
one of the first masters ; and if you will
take the trouble of attending to my pro-
nunciation, you will easily djfcover the
imperfection of your own. "
" I am much obliged, Ma'am,. by
your kind attention said Emma, but
as I really have no passion for know-
ledge, and happen to possess so large a
. fortune as to. render it unnecessary for
me to lake the trouble of attending to
those accomplishments which girls in
less elevated stations are taught to consider
neceff'aryt I must beg leave to . decline
your . offered hjlruilion. "
Mrs. Cleveland could hardly credit
the evidence of her fenses while she list-
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? 20
PRIDE SUBDUED
ened to her niece's improper manner of
replying to her friendly proposal, and
before she could express her disapproba-
tion the footman entered, and delivered
into her hands the following letter:
" MY DEAR SISTER,
" Tortured by remorse, and over-
whelmed by despair, how shall I ac-
quaint you with the dreadful intelligence
that sooner or later must reach your
knowledge!
" I cannot with prolixity prepare you
for being acquainted with my calamity,
but must briefly inform you, that / am
ruinedl Oh, my children \ how will
you bear to hear the horrid truth ! fos-
tered in luxury, encouraged in expense,
how will you be enabled to sustain this
satal blow, which levels you with the
needy, the unfortunate, and the beg-
gar!
" I saw
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? BY ADVERSITY.
2I
" I saw the precipice on which I
tottered, and yet had not resolution to
avoid its brink! My motive for accept-
ing the East India employment proceed-
ed from a knowledge of my. embarrassed
affairs. I fold my estates with a view of
placing their produce in the funds, that
in . cafe of my death my girls might re-
ceive their fortunes without trouble or in-
convenience, and this morning's fun
few me the master of sixty thousand
pounds; a sum which many people
would have thought immense. : but to me,
who had squandered three times fts v>.
lue at the gaming-table, it appeared lit-
tle better than poverty. In an evil hour
I resorted to the spot from which I had
dated my former misfortunes, and' there,
a^asl completed them.
" " I have sent in a resignation of tny
Jiidia post, and shall hide my head in
som$
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? 22
PRIDE SUBDUED
some obscure corner of the globe, and
end my days in poverty and repentance!
" Do not attempt writing to me, for
I am not in a frame of mind to support
pity, or submit to censure. Protect my
children for their dear mother's sake,
and teach them to abhor a practice which,
has for ever destroyed the peace of their
unhappy sather,
" Adolphus Fitzhenry. "
The Fitzhenry arms attracted Eliza's
attention, and the changes in Mrs.
Cleveland's countenance while she was
perusing the letter called forth her fears.
<<<< Is my sather ill, Ma'am r" she ex-
claimed; " or what can he have said to
occasion you to appear so agitated ? "
" Your sather is quite well, my love,"
replied Mrs. Cleveland: at the same
time^ bursting into a flood of tears, she
u. t:red
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? iY ADVERSITY. 1 23
uttered in a low tone of voice--" Poor
girls ! Poor girls! "
Emma and Eliza overheard the ex-
pression, and, looking at each other with
curiosity and astonishment, seemed each
afraid of requesting an explanation.
The sentiments which Emma had ex-
pressed just before the arrival of the satal
letter, convinced Mrs. Cleveland that
the loss or fortune would, in her opinion,
be the greatest of all earthly calamities ;
and the little satissaction they had both
testified in a life of quiet and rationality
at once proved their passion for dissipa-
tion, gaiety, and expense.
Had there been a probability of their
feeling happy in their altered mode of
life, Mrs. Cleveland would never have
repined at their sather's misfortunes, but
would rather have rejoiced in being en-
abled to prove her alfectfon, and con-
1 vince
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? 24 PRIDE SUBDUED
vince them of her friendship; but the
idea of daily beholding their dissatissac-
tion, and hearing them pine after lest
pleasures, was an evil she looked forward
to with dread and apprehension, and she
resolved to adopt a plan which at that
moment struck her as being ftkely to re-
concile them to their future residence.
Eliza at length had courage to entreat
her aunt to explain the cause of her
anxiety : and if they could not remove
it, to let them have the satisfaction of
sharing it.
" Share it, indeed, my dear girl i"
said Mrs. Cleveland . " would to Hea-
ven I could exempt you. from that mis-
fortune ! for heavy as it salls upon me,
you are still more affected by its weight. "
" Gracious Heaven \" exclaimed Em-
ma, " what can have happened ! I be-
seech you, Aunt, ease me. "of this sus-
pense!
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? 25
pense ! surely," she continued, in a voice
scarcely articulate, " my sather has not
materially injured his fortune at the gam-
. ing table ? ". -- Mrs. Cleveland shook her
head with replying. " Gh, dreadful!
she continued : " but, dear madam, th<<
estates . '--surely the estates are left for
Eliza and myself? "--Another shake of
Mrs. Cleveland's head' convinced. her
that hope was without foundation; and,
unable to sustain the weight of such ah
unexpected misfortune, she gave a vio-
lent scream, and went into a strong hys-
teric.
In that situation she was conveyed to
her room, and, as soon as she recovered,
Mrs. Cleveland attempted to reconcile
her to her misfortunes by those argu-
ments which religion suggested, and rea-
son approved \ and after having in vain
endeavoured to convince her that none
r> but
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? 26 PRIDE SUBDUED
but the wicked were completely unhappy,
she retired to her own apartments to re-
flect upon the scheme she was resolved
to adopt.
When the dinner hour arrived, both
Emma and Eliza requested to be excused
attending, and a roast chicken was sent
into their own room. Mrs. Cleveland
ordered tea up' stairs, and was happy to
observe that her nieces countenances ap-
peared more cheerful and resigned than.
she had ventured to hope or expect. As
a prelude to the intelligence she pur-
posed to convey, she began expatiating
upon the uncertainty of sublunary en-
joyments, and the folly of placing hap-
piness upon worldly pleasures :--" For
my own part," said she, " I had in-
dulged the hope of spending my days in
this peacesul retirement, and, by contri-
buting all in my power to the relief of
* . others
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? BY ADVERSITY. 27
others wants, insure to myself a portion
of internal felicity : but the scene is now
changed, and my fortune demands a dif-
ferent mode of life. Your sather's im-
prudence has involved me in difficulties,
and I purpose retiring to some cheap
spot, where, upon a trifling income, I
may still have the satissaction of being
useful to my fellow-creatures. "
Mrs Cleveland might have proceeded,
without interruption, for hours in the
fame strain, so petrified were they with
astonistiment? and so shocked at sinding
that their sather's imprudence had in-
jured the only person from whom they
had a right to expect either friendship,
affection, or support.
Mrs. Cleveland then proceeded to in-
form them, that she had long wished to
make an excursion into Wales, but from
Want of society she had delayed it ;
p 2 " and
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? i8 PRIDE SUBDUED
/
"and now," said she, "prudence, in-
stead of pleasure, will compel me to gra-
tify my inclinations ; for I intend tak-
ing up my residence in that cheap quarter
of the World. I shall offer my house to
Lady Luton, who^s going to put Castle
Luton into a thorough repair, and has
only deferred it until she could meet with
a residence in the neighbourhood. "
Again (he entreated them to support
thei. r misfortunes with fortitude and re-
signation, assuring them that happiness
had its feat in the mind, and depended
much less upon outward circumstances
than people were apt to imagine.
Ln less than a fortnight every thing
was arranged for their Welsli excursion,
and, at the request of her nieces, Mrs.
Cleveland consented to take the name of
Owen, to prevent the possibility of any
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? BY ADVERSITY. 29
person discovering the real situation of
their asfairs. ; . .
Just at the time of Mrs. Cleveland's
quitting the Vale, a putrid fever broke
out amongst Lady Luton's servants ;
three of them died, and the rest vrent
home for change of air after their reco-
very. This circumstance induced her
friend to entreat she would make use of
her's, and Emma and Eliza imagined
they were hired by her Ladyship. The
singularity of travelling in a post chaise
I seemed likely to create great surprise to
Mrs. Cleveland's neighbours and ser-
vants, and, to prevent conjecture, she
said she was going to pass six months at
one of Mr. Fitzhenry's country feats,
and should neither want carriage nor ser-
vants. . . . . .
Nothing material occurred during the
journey, and at the expiration of the
D 3 fourth
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? 3(R) PRJDE SUBDUED!
fourth day they arrived at Barmouth in
good health and tolerable spirits.
Mr. Pratt's description of the scenery
around, and the simplicity of the man-
ners of its inhabitants, was the induce-
ment for fixing upon that spot, and
Mrs. Owen (as she was then to be call-
ed) met with a" small house close to the
sea side, which she immediately hired ;
and the Miss Fitzhenrys, who had
hitherto been accustomed to live in a
house large enough for a palace, were
now inhabitants of a mere cottage, with
one maid and a boy to attend them.
The absolute poverty of the peasantry
around Barmouth asforded ample scope
for the indulgence of Mrs. Owen's be-
nevolent disposition ; and the heartfelt
gratitude which the poor creatures ex-
pressed for the slightest donation proved
at once both their worth and want.
4 With-
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? BY ADVERSITY.
Without amusement to occupy their
time, or company . to engage their at-
tention, Emma and. Eliza naturally
sought relief from those avocations they
had once despised, and reading and.
drawing became savourite amusements.
The country round Barmouth was pic-
turesque in the highest degree, and in
rambling between the rocks, or climbing
up the hills, the Park and Kensington .
gnrdeas were both forgotten. The
. winter months at length approached, and
Emma expressed her dread os the dreari-
ness and cloom which would attend the
tedious evenings ; and exprefled an earn-
ed desire for a piano forte.
<< Weli," said. M. rs. Owen, << Lwijl
examine my purse, and if I can any
way contrive it, your inclination shall
be gratisied ; but I. have this morning
promised to take ljttje Sally Burford,
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? 3. 2
PRIDE SUBDUED
the fisherman's child, whom I observed
had attracted both your's and Eliza's
notice, and file will afford you some
amusement,''
" Oh, a little angel ! " said Emma,
*c did you ever see so complete a beauty.
Aunt? "
" She is uncommonly lovely, indeed,"
replied Mrs. Owen; " but it was not
her charms that interested me: there are
seven children, and it is with the utmost
disficulty the poor man is enabled to sup-
port them, notwithstanding those who
are old enough do something towards
maintaining themselves: yet the poor
creatures are so contented with their situ-
ation, and so resigned to the decree of
Providence, that I felt it a duty to en-
deavour to relieve them J and as I per-
ceived you were partial to little Sally, \
preferred taking her to any of the others.
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? RY ADVERSITY. 3. 3
though she is so young that I believe you
. must become nurses. "
" Oh, we'll be nurses, and nurse
maids too, I assure you, Auntsaid
Eliza, " for I am quite delighted at the
idea of our having the little cherub ; and
do'let us go for it directly, that we may
begin making it some better clothes. "
Sally was immediately sent for,. and
the two nurses, with the assistance of
Mrsr Owen, had entirely completed
frock, cap, shift, and petticoat before
bed-time, and the next morning Emma
arose an hour earlier than usual, that
she might have the pleasure of dressing
her in them.
Just as the gloomy month of Novem-
ber set in, Emma was astonished one
morning at perceiving two men bringing
a large deal cafe towards the cottage, and
not a little delighted-when it was opened
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? 34. PRIDE SUBDUED
at perceiving a very nice looking new-
piano. Charmed at the sight of what
she was once indifferent to, and grateful
to her aunt for complying with her
wishes, she instantly ran to her apart-
ment to express her thanks; then, unty-
ing a large bundle of music that accom-
panied it, she sat down and played a set
of dementi's Sonatas, and upon Mrs.
Owen's entrance besought her to forgive .
her former conduct, and take the trouble
of becoming her instructress.
Mrs. Owen tenderly embraced her,
applauded the general alteration in her
manners, and instantly performed the
lesson she had just played in a style that
proved the superiority of her skill.
Music, reading, drawing, and geo-
graphy, alternately occupied their leisure
hours ; and the engaging prattle of the
little Sally was at once an antidote against
dullness,
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? BY ADVERSITY.
dullness, and a source of entertain-
ment.
Mrs. Owen'Vs kindness was not con-
sined to the Burfords only, and the pre-
valence of example induced the nieces to
become charitable.
Upon the first discovery of Mr. Fitz-
henry's ruined situation, Emma and Eliza
delivered their sive hundred pound notes
into their aunt's hands, who placed them
in the bank for their future use, promising
to allow them thirty pounds a year for
pocket-money. Small as that sum then
appeared, they found it more than suffi-
cient for all their wants ; and they were
enabled not only to show their generosity
to Sally's sather and mother, but to be
essentially kind to several other poor fa-
milies.
They had resided very near a twelve-
month in their little cottage, when Mrs.
Owen
?