第101章

SundayAftertheBattleThemansionofSirPittCrawley，inGreatGauntStreet，wasjustbeginningtodressitselffortheday，asRawdon，inhiseveningcostume，whichhehadnowworntwodays，passedbythescaredfemalewhowasscouringthestepsandenteredintohisbrother’sstudy。LadyJane，inhermorning-gown，wasupandabovestairsinthenurserysuperintendingthetoilettesofherchildrenandlisteningtothemorningprayerswhichthelittlecreaturesperformedatherknee。Everymorningsheandtheyperformedthisdutyprivately，andbeforethepublicceremonialatwhichSirPittpresidedandatwhichallthepeopleofthehouseholdwereexpectedtoassemble。

RawdonsatdowninthestudybeforetheBaronet’stable，setoutwiththeorderlybluebooksandtheletters，theneatlydocketedbillsandsymmetricalpamphlets，thelockedaccount-books，desks，anddispatchboxes，theBible，theQuarterlyReview，andtheCourtGuide，whichallstoodasifonparadeawaitingtheinspectionoftheirchief。

Abookoffamilysermons，oneofwhichSirPittwasinthehabitofadministeringtohisfamilyonSundaymornings，layreadyonthestudytable，andawaitinghisjudiciousselection。Andbythesermon-bookwastheObservernewspaper，dampandneatlyfolded，andforSirPitt’sownprivateuse。Hisgentlemanalonetooktheopportunityofperusingthenewspaperbeforehelaiditbyhismaster’sdesk。Beforehehadbroughtitintothestudythatmorning，hehadreadinthejournalaflamingaccountof“FestivitiesatGauntHouse。”withthenamesofallthedistinguishedpersonagesinvitedbythoMarquisofSteynetomeethisRoyalHighness。Havingmadecommentsuponthisentertainmenttothehousekeeperandhernieceastheyweretakingearlyteaandhotbutteredtoastintheformerlady’sapartment，andwonderedhowtheRawdingCrawleyscouldgiton，thevalethaddampedandfoldedthepaperoncemore，sothatitlookedquitefreshandinnocentagainstthearrivalofthemasterofthehouse。

PoorRawdontookupthepaperandbegantotryandreadituntilhisbrothershouldarrive。Buttheprintfellblankuponhiseyes，andhedidnotknowintheleastwhathewasreading。TheGovernmentnewsandappointments(whichSirPittasapublicmanwasboundtoperuse，otherwisehewouldbynomeanspermittheintroductionofSundaypapersintohishousehold)，thetheatricalcriticisms，thefightforahundredpoundsasidebetweentheBarkingButcherandtheTutburyPet，theGauntHousechronicleitself，whichcontainedamostcomplimentarythoughguardedaccountofthefamouscharadesofwhichMrs。Beckyhadbeentheheroine——allthesepassedasinahazebeforeRawdon，ashesatwaitingthearrivalofthechiefofthefamily。

Punctually，astheshrill-tonedbelloftheblackmarblestudyclockbegantochimenine，SirPittmadehisappearance，fresh，neat，smuglyshaved，withawaxycleanface，andstiffshirtcollar，hisscantyhaircombedandoiled，trimminghisnailsashedescendedthestairsmajestically，inastarchedcravatandagreyflanneldressing-gown——arealoldEnglishgentleman，inaword——

amodelofneatnessandeverypropriety。HestartedwhenhesawpoorRawdoninhisstudyintumbledclothes，withblood-shoteyes，andhishairoverhisface。Hethoughthisbrotherwasnotsober，andhadbeenoutallnightonsomeorgy。”Goodgracious，Rawdon。”hesaid，withablankface，“whatbringsyouhereatthistimeofthemorning？Whyain’tyouathome？”

“Home。”saidRawdonwithawildlaugh。”Don’tbefrightened，Pitt。I’mnotdrunk。Shutthedoor；Iwanttospeaktoyou。”

Pittclosedthedoorandcameuptothetable，wherehesatdownintheotherarm-chair——thatoneplacedforthereceptionofthesteward，agent，orconfidentialvisitorwhocametotransactbusinesswiththeBaronet——

andtrimmedhisnailsmorevehementlythanever。

“Pitt，it’salloverwithme。”theColonelsaidafterapause。”I’mdone。”

“Ialwayssaiditwouldcometothis。”theBaronetcriedpeevishly，andbeatingatunewithhisclean-

trimmednails。”Iwarnedyouathousandtimes。Ican’thelpyouanymore。Everyshillingofmymoneyistiedup。EventhehundredpoundsthatJanetookyoulastnightwerepromisedtomylawyerto-morrowmorning，andthewantofitwillputmetogreatinconvenience。

Idon’tmeantosaythatIwon’tassistyouultimately。

Butasforpayingyourcreditorsinfull，Imi