The adventures of harry richmond

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byGeorgeMeredith
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Title:TheAdventuresofHarryRichmond,Complete
Author:GeorgeMeredith
ReleaseDate:October13,2006[EBook#4452]
LastUpdated:February26,2018
Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKHARRYRICHMOND***

ProducedbyDavidWidger


THEADVENTURESOFHARRY
RICHMOND


ByGeorgeMeredith

CONTENTS
CHAPTERI.IAMASUBJECTOFCONTENTION
CHAPTERII.ANADVENTUREONMYOWNACCOUNT
CHAPTERIII.DIPWELLFARM
CHAPTERIV.IHAVEATASTEOFGRANDEUR
CHAPTERV.IMAKEADEARFRIEND

CHAPTERVI.ATALEOFAGOOSE
CHAPTERVII.AFREELIFEONTHEROAD
CHAPTERVIII.JANETILCHESTER
CHAPTERIX.ANEVENINGWITHCAPTAINBULSTED
CHAPTERX.ANEXPEDITION
CHAPTER XI. THE GREAT FOG AND THE FIRE AT
MIDNIGHT
CHAPTER XII. WE FIND OURSELVES BOUND ON A
VOYAGE


CHAPTER XIII. WE CONDUCT SEVERAL LEARNED
ARGUMENTSWITHTHECAPTAINOFTHEPRISCILLA
CHAPTERXIV.IMEETOLDFRIENDS
CHAPTER XV. WE ARE ACCOSTED BY A BEAUTIFUL
LITTLELADYINTHEFOREST
CHAPTERXVI.THESTATUEONTHEPROMONTORY
CHAPTER XVII. MY FATHER BREATHES, MOVES, AND
SPEAKS
CHAPTERXVIII.WEPASSADELIGHTFULEVENING,AND
IHAVEAMORNINGVISION
CHAPTERXIX.OURRETURNHOMEWARD
CHAPTER XX. NEWS OF A FRESH CONQUEST OF MY
FATHER'S
CHAPTERXXI.APROMENADEINBATH
CHAPTERXXII.CONCLUSIONOFTHEBATHEPISODE
CHAPTERXXIII.MYTWENTY-FIRSTBIRTHDAY
CHAPTERXXIV.IMEETTHEPRINCESS
CHAPTERXXV.ONBOARDAYACHT
CHAPTER XXVI. IN VIEW OF THE HOHENZOLLERN'S

BIRTHPLACE
CHAPTERXXVII.THETIMEOFROSES
CHAPTERXXVIII.OTTILIA


CHAPTER XXIX. AN EVENING WITH DR. JULIUS VON
KARSTEG
CHAPTERXXX.ASUMMERSTORM,ANDLOVE
CHAPTERXXXI.PRINCESSOTTILIA'SLETTER
CHAPTERXXXII. AN INTERVIEW WITH PRINCE ERNEST
ANDAMEETINGWITHPRINCEOTTO
CHAPTERXXXIII.WHATCAMEOFASHILLING
CHAPTERXXXIV. I GAIN A PERCEPTION OF PRINCELY
STATE
CHAPTER XXXV. THE SCENE IN THE LAKE-PALACE
LIBRARY
CHAPTERXXXVI.HOMEWARDANDHOMEAGAIN
CHAPTERXXXVII.JANETRENOUNCESME
CHAPTERXXXVIII.MYBANKERS'BOOK
CHAPTER XXXIX. I SEE MY FATHER TAKING THE TIDE
ANDAMCARRIEDONITMYSELF
CHAPTER XL. MY FATHER'S MEETING WITH MY
GRANDFATHER
CHAPTERXLI.COMMENCEMENTOFTHESPLENDOURS
ANDPERPLEXITIESOFMYFATHER'SGRAND
CHAPTER XLII. THE MARQUIS OF EDBURY AND HIS
PUPPET
CHAPTER XLIII. I BECOME ONE OF THE CHOSEN OF
THENATION

CHAPTER XLIV. MY FATHER IS MIRACULOUSLY
RELIEVEDBYFORTUNE
CHAPTERXLV.WITHINANINCHOFMYLIFE
CHAPTERXLVI.AMONGGIPSYWOMEN
CHAPTER XLVII. MY FATHER ACTS THE CHARMER
AGAIN
CHAPTERXLVIII.THEPRINCESSENTRAPPED
CHAPTER XLIX. WHICH FORESHADOWS A GENERAL
GATHERING
CHAPTERL.WEAREALLINMYFATHER'SNET
CHAPTER LI. AN ENCOUNTER SHOWING MY FATHER'S
GENIUSINASTRONGLIGHT
CHAPTER LII. STRANGE REVELATIONS, AND MY
GRANDFATHERHASHISLASTOUTBURST
CHAPTER LIII. THE HEIRESS PROVES THAT SHE
INHERITSTHEFEUDANDIGODRIFTING
CHAPTERLIV.MYRETURNTOENGLAND
CHAPTERLV.IMEETMYFIRSTPLAYFELLOWANDTAKE
MYPUNISHMENT
CHAPTERLVI.CONCLUSION


CHAPTERI.IAMASUBJECTOFCONTENTION
One midnight of a winter month the sleepers in Riversley Grange were
awakened by a ringing of the outer bell and blows upon the great hall-doors.
SquireBelthamwasmasterthere:theothermembersofthehouseholdwere,his
daughter Dorothy Beltham; a married daughter Mrs. Richmond; Benjamin
Sewis, an old half-caste butler; various domestic servants; and a little boy,
christened Harry Lepel Richmond, the squire's grandson. Riversley Grange lay

in a rich watered hollow of the Hampshire heath-country; a lonely circle of
enclosedbrookandpasture,withinviewofsomeofitsdependentfarms,butout
of hail of them or any dwelling except the stables and the head-gardener's
cottage. Traditions of audacious highwaymen, together with the gloomy
surroundingfir-scenery,keptitalivetofearsofsolitudeandthenight;andthere
wasthatinthedeterminedviolenceoftheknocksandrepeatedbell-pealswhich
assuredallthosewhohadeverlistenedintheservants'halltoprognostications
of a possible night attack, that the robbers had come at last most awfully. A
crowd of maids gathered along the upper corridor of the main body of the
building:twoorthreefootmenhunglowerdown,boldinattitude.Suddenlythe
noiseended,andsoonafterthevoiceofoldSewiscommandedthemtoscatter
away to their beds; whereupon the footmen took agile leaps to the post of
danger, while the women, in whose bosoms intense curiosity now supplanted
terror, proceeded to a vacant room overlooking the front entrance, and spied
fromthewindow.
MeanwhileSewisstoodbyhismaster'sbedside.Thesquirewasahunter,of
theoldsort:ahardrider,deepdrinker,andheavyslumberer.Beforeventuringto
shake his arm Sewis struck a light and flashed it over the squire's eyelids to
make the task of rousing him easier. At the first touch the squire sprang up,
swearing by his Lord Harry he had just dreamed of fire, and muttering of
buckets.
'Sewis!you'retheman,areyou:wherehasitbrokenout?'
'No,sir;nofire,'saidSewis;'youbecool,sir.'
'Cool, sir! confound it, Sewis, haven't I heard a whole town of steeples at
work?Idon'tsleepsothickbutIcanhear,youdog!Fellowcomeshere,gives
meastart,tellsmetobecool;whatthedeuce!nobodyhurt,then?allright!'
Thesquirehadfallenbackonhispillowandwasrelapsingtosleep.


Sewis spoke impressively: 'There's a gentleman downstairs; a gentleman

downstairs,sir.Hehascomeratherlate.'
'Gentleman downstairs come rather late.' The squire recapitulated the
intelligencetopossessitthoroughly.'Ratherlate,eh?Oh!Shovehimintoabed,
andgivehimhotbrandyandwater,andbehangedtohim!'
Sewishadtheofficeoftemperingaseverelydistastefulannouncementtothe
squire.
Heresumed:'Thegentlemandoesn'ttalkofstaying.Thatisnothisbusiness.It
'sratherlateforhimtoarrive.'
'Ratherlate!'roaredthesquire.'Why,what'sito'clock?'
Reachingahandtothewatchoverhishead,hecaughtsightoftheunearthly
hour.'Aquartertotwo?Gentlemandownstairs?Can'tbethatinfernalapothecary
whobroke'sengagementtodinewithmelastnight?ByGeorge,ifitisI'llsouse
him; I'll drench him from head to heel as though the rascal 'd been drawn
throughtheduck-pond.Twoo'clockinthemorning?Why,theman'sdrunk.Tell
him I'm a magistrate, and I'll commit him, deuce take him; give him fourteen
days for a sot; another fourteen for impudence. I've given a month 'fore now.
Comes to me, a Justice of the peace!—man 's mad! Tell him he's in peril of a
lunaticasylum.Anddoesn'ttalkofstaying?Lifthimouto'thehouseonthetop
o'yourboot,Sewis,andsayit'smine;you'vemyleave.'
Sewis withdrew a step from the bedside. At a safe distance he fronted his
mastersteadily;almostadmonishingly.'It'sMr.Richmond,sir,'hesaid.
'Mr....' The squire checked his breath. That was a name never uttered at the
Grange. 'The scoundrel?' he inquired harshly, half in a tone of one assuring
himself,andhisrigiddroppedjawshut.
Thefacthadtobedeniedoraffirmedinstantly,andSewiswassilent.
Graspinghisbedclothesinalump,thesquirecried:
'Downstairs?downstairs,Sewis?You'veadmittedhimintomyhouse?'
'No,sir.'
'Youhave!'
'Heisnotinthehouse,sir.'

'Youhave!Howdidyouspeaktohim,then?'
'Outofmywindow,sir.'
'Whatplacehereisthescoundrelsoilingnow?'
'Heisonthedoorstepoutsidethehouse.'


'Outside,ishe?andthedoor'slocked?'
'Yes,sir.'
'Lethimrotthere!'
Bythistimethemidnightvisitor'spatiencehadbecomeexhausted.Arenewal
of his clamour for immediate attention fell on the squire's ear, amazing him to
stupefactionatsuchchallengeinginsolence.
'Hand me my breeches,' he called to Sewis; 'I can't think brisk out of my
breeches.'
Sewis held the garment ready. The squire jumped from the bed, fuming
speechlessly, chafing at gaiters and braces, cravat and coat, and allowed his
buttons to be fitted neatly on his calves; the hammering at the hall-door and
plucking at the bell going on without intermission. He wore the aspect of one
who assumes a forced composure under the infliction of outrages on his
character in a Court of Law, where he must of necessity listen and lock his
boilingreplieswithinhisindignantbosom.
'Now, Sewis, now my horsewhip,' he remarked, as if it had been a simple
adjunctofhisequipment.
'Yourhat,sir?'
'Myhorsewhip,Isaid.'
'Yourhatisinthehall,'Sewisobservedgravely.
'Iaskedyouformyhorsewhip.'
'Thatisnottobefoundanywhere,'saidSewis.
Thesquirewasdivertedfromhisobjurgationsagainstthispieceofservitorial
defiance by his daughter Dorothy's timid appeal for permission to come in.

Sewis left the room. Presently the squire descended, fully clad, and breathing
sharply from his nostrils. Servants were warned off out of hearing; none but
Sewisstoodby.
The squire himself unbolted the door, and threw it open to the limit of the
chain.
'Who'sthere?'hedemanded.
Aresponsefollowedpromptlyfromoutside:'ItakeyoutobeMr.HarryLepel
Beltham. Correct me if I err. Accept my apologies for disturbing you at a late
hourofthenight,Ipray.'
'Yourname?'
'IsplainAugustusFitz-GeorgeRoyRichmondatthismoment,Mr.Beltham.


You will recognize me better by opening your door entirely: voices are
deceptive.Youwerebornagentleman,Mr.Beltham,andwillnotreducemeto
request you to behave like one. I am now in the position, as it were, of
addressing a badger in his den. It is on both sides unsatisfactory. It reflects
egregiousdiscredituponyou,thehouseholder.'
ThesquirehastilybadeSewisseethatthepassagestothesleepingapartments
werebarred,andflungthegreatchainloose.Hewasactingunderstrongcontrol
ofhistemper.
It was a quiet grey night, and as the doors flew open, a largely-built man,
dressed in a high-collared great-coat and fashionable hat of the time, stood
clearly defined to view. He carried a light cane, with the point of the silver
handle against his under lip. There was nothing formidable in his appearance,
and his manner was affectedly affable. He lifted his hat as soon as he found
himselffacetofacewiththesquire,disclosingapartiallybaldhead,thoughhis
whiskeringwasluxuriant,andarobustconditionofmanhoodwasindicatedby
hiserectattitudeandtheimmenseswellofhisfurredgreat-coatatthechest.His
featureswereexceedinglyfrankandcheerful.Fromhissuperiorheight,hewas

enabledtolookdownquiteroyallyonthemanwhosereposehehaddisturbed.
Thefollowingconversationpassedbetweenthem.
'Younowbeholdwhoitis,Mr.Beltham,thatacknowledgestothemisfortune
of arousing you at an unseemly hour—unbetimes, as our gossips in mother
Saxon might say—and with profound regret, sir, though my habit is to take it
lightly.'
'Haveyouanyaccompliceslurkingabouthere?'
'Iamalone.'
'What'syourbusiness?'
'Ihavenobusiness.'
'You have no business to be here, no. I ask you what 's the object of your
visit?'
'Permitmefirsttospeakofthecauseofmyprotractedarrival,sir.Theridicule
of casting it on the post-boys will strike you, Mr. Beltham, as it does me.
Nevertheless,Imustdoit;Ihavenoresource.Owingtoarascalofthegenus,
incontinent in liquor, I have this night walked seven miles from Ewling. My
complaintagainsthimisnotonmyownaccount.'
'Whatbroughtyouhereatall?'
'Canyouaskme?'


'Iaskyouwhatbroughtyoutomyhouseatall?'
'True,ImighthavesleptatEwling.'
'Whydidn'tyou?'
'For the reason, Mr. Beltham, which brought me here originally. I could not
wait-notasingleminute.Sofaradvancedtotheneighbourhood,Iwouldnotbe
retarded, and I came on. I crave your excuses for the hour of my arrival. The
grounds for my coming at all you will very well understand, and you will
applaud me when I declare to you that I come to her penitent; to exculpate
myself, certainly, but despising self-justification. I love my wife, Mr. Beltham.

Yes;hearmeout,sir.Icanpointtomyunhappystar,andsay,blamethatmore
thanme.Thatstarofmybirthandmostdisastrousfortunesshouldpleadonmy
behalftoyou;tomywifeatleastitwill.'
'You'vecometoseemydaughterMarian,haveyou?'
'Mywife,sir.'
'Youdon'tcrossmythresholdwhileIlive.'
'Youcompelhertocomeouttome?'
'Shestayswheresheis,poorwretch,tillthegravetakesher.You'vedoneyour
worst;beoff.'
'Mr.Beltham,Iamnottoberestrainedfromthesightofmywife.'
'Scamp!'
'BynoscurrilousepithetsfromamanIamboundtorespectwillIbedeterred
orexasperated.'
'Damnedscamp,Isay!'Thesquirehavingexplodedhiswrathgaveitfreeway.
'I'vestoppedmytongueallthiswhilebeforeascoundrel'dcorkscrewthebestbottledtemperrightorleft,gowhereyouwilloneendo'theworldtotheother,
byGod!Andhere'sascoundrelstinksofvillany,andI'veproclaimedhim'ware
mygatesasacommontrespasser,anddeserveshangingifeverrookdidnailed
hardandfasttomybarndoors!comeshereformydaughter,whenhegotherby
stealing her, scenting his carcase, and talking 'bout his birth, singing what not
sorto'foreignmewin'stuff,andshefoundhimoutaliarandabeast,byGod!
Andsheturnedhome.Mydoorsareopentomyfleshandblood.Andhereshe
halts,Isay,'gainstthelaw,ifthelaw'sagainstme.She'scrazed:you'vemadeher
mad;sheknowsnoneofus,notevenherboy.Beoff;you'vedoneyourworst;
the light's gone clean out in her; and hear me, you Richmond, or Roy, or
whatever you call yourself, I tell you I thank the Lord she has lost her senses.
Seeherornot,you'venoholdonher,andseeheryoushan'twhileIgobythe


nameofaman.'
Mr.Richmondsucceededinpreservinganairofseriousdeliberationunderthe

torrentofthistremendousoutburst,whichwasmarkedbyscarceapauseinthe
delivery.
Hesaid,'Mywifederanged!Imightpresumeittootrulyaninheriteddisease.
Doyoutriflewithme,sir?Herreasonunseated!andcanyoupretendtotheright
of dividing us? If this be as you say—Oh! ten thousand times the stronger my
claim, my absolute claim, to cherish her. Make way for me, Mr. Beltham. I
solicithumblytheholiestprivilegesorrowcancraveofhumanity.Mywife!my
wife!Makewayforme,sir.'
Hisfigurewasbenttoadvance.ThesquireshoutedanordertoSewistorun
roundtothestablesandslipthedogsloose.
'Isityourfinaldecision?'Mr.Richmondasked.
'Damnyourfinewords!Yes,itis.Ikeepmyflockclearofafoulsheep.'
'Mr.Beltham,Iimploreyou,bemerciful.Isubmittoanyconditions:onlylet
meseeher.Iwillwalktheparktillmorning,butsaythataninterviewshallbe
granted in the morning. Frankly, sir, it is not my intention to employ force: I
throwmyselfutterlyonyourmercy.Ilovethewoman;Ihavemuchtorepentof.
Iseeher,andIgo;butonceImustseeher.SofarIalsospeakpositively.'
'Speakaspositivelyasyoulike,'saidthesquire.
'By the laws of nature and the laws of man, Marian Richmond is mine to
supportandcomfort,andnonecanhinderme,Mr.Beltham;none,ifIresolveto
takehertomyself.'
'Can'tthey!'saidthesquire.
'Acursebeonhim,heaven'slightningsdescendonhim,whokeepshusband
fromwifeincalamity!'
Thesquirewhistledforhisdogs.
Asifwoundedtothequickbythiscold-bloodedaction,Mr.Richmondstood
tohisfullestheight.
'Nor,sir,onmyapplicationduringto-morrow'sdaylightshallIseeher?'
'Nor, sir, on your application'—the squire drawled in uncontrollable
mimicking contempt of the other's florid forms of speech, ending in his own

style,—'no,youwon't.'
'Youclaimapaternalrighttorefuseme:mywifeisyourchild.Good.Iwish
toseemyson.'


Onthatpointthesquirewasequallydecided.'Youcan't.He'sasleep.'
'Iinsist.'
'Nonsense:Itellyouhe'sa-bedandasleep.'
'Irepeat,Iinsist.'
'Whentheboy'sfastasleep,man!'
'Theboyismyfleshandblood.Youhavespokenforyourdaughter—Ispeak
formyson.Iwillseehim,thoughIhavetobatteratyourdoorstillsunrise.'
SomeminuteslatertheboywastakenoutofhisbedbyhisauntDorothy,who
dressed him by the dark window-light, crying bitterly, while she said, 'Hush,
hush!'andfastenedonhissmallgarmentsbetweentenderhuggingsofhisbody
and kissings of his cheeks. He was told that he had nothing to be afraid of. A
gentlemanwantedtoseehim:nothingmore.Whetherthegentlemanwasagood
gentleman, and not a robber, he could not learn but his aunt Dorothy, having
wrappedhimwarminshawlandcomforter,andtremblinglytiedhishat-strings
underhischin,assuredhim,withconvulsivecaresses,thatitwouldsoonbeover,
and he would soon be lying again snug and happy in his dear little bed. She
handedhimtoSewisonthestairs,keepinghisfingersforaninstanttokissthem:
afterwhich,oldSewis,thelordofthepantry,whereallsweetthingswerestored,
depositedhimonthefloorofthehall,andhefoundhimselffacingthemanof
the night. It appeared to him that the stranger was of enormous size, like the
giantsoffairybooks:forashestoodalittleoutofthedoorwaytherewasapeep
ofnightskyandtreesbehindhim,andthetreeslookedverymuchsmaller,and
hardlyanyskywastobeseenexceptoverhisshoulders.
Thesquireseizedoneoftheboy'shandstopresenthimandretainhimatthe
same time: but the stranger plucked him from his grandfather's hold, and

swinging him high, exclaimed, 'Here he is! This is Harry Richmond. He has
grownagrenadier.'
'Kissthelittlechapandbacktobedwithhim,'growledthesquire.
Theboywasheartilykissedandaskedifhehadforgottenhispapa.Hereplied
thathehadnopapa:hehadamamaandagrandpapa.Thestrangergaveadeep
groan.
'You see what you have done; you have cut me off from my own,' he said
terriblytothesquire;buttriedimmediatelytosoothetheurchinwithnurserytalk
andthepatsontheshoulderwhichencouragealittleboytogrowfastandtall.
'Fouryearsofseparation,'heresumed,'andmysontaughttothinkthathehasno
father.Byheavens!itisinfamous,itisacurstpieceofinhumanity.Mr.Beltham,


ifIdonotseemywife,Icarryoffmyson.'
'Youmayasktillyou'rehoarse,youshallneverseeherinthishousewhileI
amheretocommand,'saidthesquire.
'Very well; then Harry Richmond changes homes. I take him. The affair is
concluded.'
'Youtakehimfromhismother?'thesquiresangout.
'You swear to me she has lost her wits; she cannot suffer. I can. I shall not
expect from you, Mr. Beltham, the minutest particle of comprehension of a
father'sfeelings.Youareearthy;youareananimal.'
Thesquiresawthathewasabouttolifttheboy,andsaid,'Stop,nevermind
that.Stop,lookatthecase.Youcancallagainto-morrow,andyoucanseeme
andtalkitover.'
'ShallIseemywife?'
'No,youshan't.'
'Youremainfaithfultoyourword,sir,doyou?'
'Ido.'
'ThenIdosimilarly.'

'What!Stop!Nottotakeachildlikethatoutofacomfortablehouseatnightin
Winter,man?'
'Oh,thenightistemperateandwarm;heshallnotremaininahousewherehis
fatherisdishonoured.'
'Stop!notabitofit,'criedthesquire.'Noonespeaksofyou.Igiveyoumy
word,you'renevermentionedbyman,womanorchildinthehouse.'
'Silenceconcerningafatherinsinuatesdishonour,Mr.Beltham.'
'Damnyourfinespeeches,andkeepyourblackguardlyhandsoffthatboy,'the
squire thundered. 'Mind, if you take him, he goes for good. He doesn't get a
pennyfrommeifyouhavethebringingofhimup.You'vedoneforhim,ifyou
decide that way. He may stand here a beggar in a stolen coat like you, and I
won'townhim.Here,Harry,cometome;cometoyourgrandad.'
Mr.Richmondcaughttheboyjustwhenhewasturningtorun.
'Thatgentleman,'hesaid,pointingtothesquire,'isyourgrandpapa.Iamyour
papa.Youmustlearnatanycosttoknowandloveyourpapa.IfIcallforyoutomorrowornextdaytheywillhaveplayedtrickswithHarryRichmond,andhid
him.Mr.Beltham,Irequestyou,forthefinaltime,toaccordmeyourpromise
observe, I accept your promise—that I shall, at my demand, to-morrow or the


nextday,obtainaninterviewwithmywife.'
Thesquirecoughedoutanemphatic'Never!'andfortifieditwithanoathashe
repeatedituponafullerbreath.
'Sir, I will condescend to entreat you to grant this permission,' said Mr.
Richmond,urgently.
'No, never: I won't!' rejoined the squire, red in the face from a fit of angry
coughing.'Iwon't;butstop,putdownthatboy;listentome,youRichmond!I'll
tellyouwhatI'lldo.I'll—ifyouswearonaBible,likeacadgerbeforeabench
of magistrates, you'll never show your face within a circuit o' ten miles
hereabouts,andwon'ttroubletheboyifyoumeethim,ormydaughterorme,or
anyoneofus-harkye,I'lldothis:letgotheboy,andI'llgiveyefivehundred—

I'llgiveyeachequeonmybankerforathousandpounds;and,harkmeout,you
dothis,youswear,asIsaid,ontheservants'Bible,inthepresenceofmybutler
andme,“StrikeyoudeadasAnaniasandt'otheroneifyoudon'tkeeptoit,”do
thatnow,here,onthespot,andI'llengagetoseeyoupaidfiftypoundsayear
intothebargain.Stop!andI'llpayyour debts undertwoorthreehundred.For
God'ssake,letgotheboy!Youshallhavefiftyguineasonaccountthisminute.
Let go the boy! And your son—there, I call him your son—your son, Harry
Richmond,shallinheritfromme;heshallhaveRiversleyandthebestpartofmy
property, if not every bit of it. Is it a bargain? Will you swear? Don't, and the
boy'sabeggar,he'sastrangerhereasmuchasyou.Takehim,andbytheLord,
you ruin him. There now, never mind, stay, down with him. He's got a cold
already;oughttobeinhisbed;lettheboydown!'
'Youoffermemoney,'Mr.Richmondanswered.
'Thatisoneoftheindignitiesbelongingtoaconnectionwithamanlikeyou.
You would have me sell my son. To see my afflicted wife I would forfeit my
heart'syearningsformyson;yourmoney,sir,Itosstothewinds;andIamunder
thenecessityofinformingyouthatIdespiseandloatheyou.Ishrinkfromthe
thoughtofexposingmysontoyourbesottedselfishexample.Theboyismine;I
havehim,andheshalltraversethewildernesswithme.Byheaven!hisdestinyis
brilliant.Heshallbehailedforwhatheis,therightfulclaimantofaplaceamong
theproudestintheland;andmarkme,Mr.Beltham,obstinatesensualoldman
thatyouare!Itaketheboy,andIconsecratemylifetothedutyofestablishing
him in his proper rank and station, and there, if you live and I live, you shall
beholdhimandbowyourgrovellingpig'sheadtotheearth,andbemoantheday,
byheaven!whenyou,—acommoncountrysquire,amanofnoorigin,acreature
with whose blood we have mixed ours—and he is stone-blind to the honour
conferredonhim—whenyouinyourbesottedstupiditythreatenedtodisinherit


HarryRichmond.'

Thedoorslammedviolentlyonsuchfurtherspeechashehadinhimtoutter.
Heseemedatfirstastonished;butfindingtheterrifiedboyabouttosob,hedrew
aprettyboxfromoneofhispocketsandthrustadelicioussweetmeatbetween
thewhimperinglips.Then,aftersomemomentsofirresolution,duringwhichhe
struckhischestsoundinglyandgazeddown,talkedalternatelytohimselfandthe
boy,andcasthiseyesalongthewindowsofthehouse,heatlastdroppedonone
kneeandswaddledtheboyinthefoldsoftheshawl.Raisinghiminabusinesslikeway,hesettledhimonanarmandsteppedbrisklyacrossgravel-walkand
lawn,likeahorsetowhoseneckasmarttouchofthewhiphasbeenapplied.
The soft mild night had a moon behind it somewhere; and here and there a
light-blue space of sky showed small rayless stars; the breeze smelt fresh of
roots and heath. It was more a May-night than one of February. So strange an
aspect had all these quiet hill-lines and larch and fir-tree tops in the half-dark
stillness, that the boy's terrors were overlaid and almost subdued by his
wonderment;hehadneverbeforebeenoutinthenight,andhemusthavefeared
tocryinit,forhis sobswerenotloud.Onariseofthepark-roadwhereafirplantationbegan,heheardhisnamecalledfaintlyfromthehousebyawoman's
voicethatheknewtobehisauntDorothy's.Itcameafterhimonlyonce:'Harry
Richmond';buthewassoonoutofhearing,beyondthepark,amongthehollows
thatrundippingformilesbesidethegreathighroadtowardLondon.Sometimes
hisfatherwhistledtohim,orheldhimhighandnoddedasalutationtohim,as
though they had just discovered one another; and his perpetual accessibility to
theinfluencesofspicysugarplums,notwithstandinghisgrief,causedhisfather
toprognosticatehopefullyofhisfuturewisdom.So,whenobedienttocommand
he had given his father a kiss, the boy fell asleep on his shoulder, ceasing to
knowthathewasawanderinginfant:and,ifIrememberrightly,hedreamedhe
was in a ship of cinnamon-wood upon a sea that rolled mighty, but smooth
immensebroadwaves,andtorethingfromthingwithoutasoundorahurt.


CHAPTERII.ANADVENTUREONMYOWN
ACCOUNT

Thatnightstandsupwithoutanycleartracesaboutitornearit,likethebrazen
castleofromanceroundwhichthesea-tideflows.Myfathermusthaveborneme
miles along the road; he must have procured food for me; I have an idea of
feelingadampforeheadanddrinkingnewmilk,andby-and-byhearingaroarof
voices or vehicles, and seeing a dog that went alone through crowded streets
withoutamaster,doingashepleased,andstoppingeveryotherdoghemet.He
tookhisturning,andmyfatherandItookours.Wewereinahousethat,tomy
senses,hadthesmellofdarkcorners,inastreetwhereallthehouse-doorswere
paintedblack,andshutwithabang.Italianorgan-menandmilk-menparadedthe
street regularly, and made it sound hollow to their music. Milk, and no cows
anywhere;numbersofpeople,andnoacquaintancesamongthem;mythoughts
wereoccupiedbythesingularityofsuchthings.
My father could soon make me forget that I was transplanted; he could act
dog, tame rabbit, fox, pony, and a whole nursery collection alive, but he was
sometimes absent for days, and I was not of a temper to be on friendly terms
withthosewhowereunabletocaptivatemyimaginationashehaddone.When
hewasathomeIrodehimallroundtheroomandupstairstobed,Ilashedhim
withawhiptillhefrightenedme,sorealwashisbarking;ifIsaid'Menagerie'he
becameacaravanofwildbeasts;Iundidabuttonofhiswaistcoat,anditwasa
lion that made a spring, roaring at me; I pulled his coat-tails and off I went
tuggingatanoldbearthatswungahindlegasheturned,inthequeerestway,
and then sat up and beating his breast sent out a mew-moan. Our room was
richertomethanalltheGrangewhiletheseperformancesweregoingforward.
Hismonkeywasalmostaswonderfulashisbear,onlyhewastoobigforit,and
wasobligedtoaimatrealityinhisrepresentationofthisanimalbymeansofa
number of breakages; a defect that brought our landlady on the scene. The
enchantmentofmyfather'scompanionshipcausedmetosufferproportionately
inhisabsence.Duringthatperiodofsolitude,mynursemaidhadtoordermeto
play, and I would stumble about and squat in the middle of the floor, struck
suddenly by the marvel of the difference between my present and my other

home.MyfatherenteredintoarrangementswithaPunchandJudymanforhim
topaymeregularmorningvisitsoppositeourwindow;yethereagainhisgenius


defeatedhiskindintentions;forhappeningoncetostandbymysideduringthe
progressoftheshow,hemadeitsovividtomebywhathesaidanddid,thatI
sawnofuninitwithouthim:IusedtodreadtheheraldingcrowofPunchifhe
wasaway,andcarednolongerforwoodenheadsbeingknockedeversohard.
OnSundayswewalkedtothecathedral,andthiswasadaywithadelightof
itsownforme.HewasneverawayontheSunday.Bothofusattiredinourbest,
wewalkedalongthestreetshandinhand;myfatherledmebeforethecathedral
monuments, talking in a low tone of British victories, and commending the
heroestomyundividedattention.Iunderstoodveryearlythatitwasmydutyto
imitate them. While we remained in the cathedral he talked of glory and Old
England,anddroppedhisvoiceinthemiddleofamurmuredchanttointroduce
Nelson'snameorsomeothergreatman'sandthisrecurredregularly.'Whatare
wefornow?'hewouldaskmeasweleftourhouse.Ihadtodecidewhetherwe
tookaherooranauthor,whichIsoonlearnttodowithcapriciousresolution.We
wereoneSundayforShakespeare;anotherforNelsonorPitt.'Nelson,papa,'was
mymostfrequentrejoinder,andheneverdissented,butturnedhisstepstoward
Nelson'scathedraldome,anduncoveredhisheadthere,andsaid:'Nelson,then,
to-day';andwewentstraighttohismonumenttoperformtheactofhomage.I
chose Nelson in preference to the others because near bed-time in the evening
myfathertoldmestoriesofourherooftheday,andneitherPittnorShakespeare
lost an eye, or an arm, or fought with a huge white bear on the ice to make
himselfinteresting.Inamedthemoccasionallyoutofcompassion,andtoplease
myfather,whosaidthattheyoughttohaveaturn.Theywere,hetoldme,inthe
habitofpayinghimavisit,wheneverIhadparticularlyneglectedthem,tolearn
the grounds for my disregard of their claims, and they urged him to intercede
withme,andimpartedmanyoftheirunpublishedadventures,sothatIshouldbe

temptedtogivethemachanceonthefollowingSunday.
'GreatWill,'myfathercalledShakespeare,and'SlenderBilly,'Pitt.Thescene
whereGreatWill killed thedeer,dragging Falstaffallover theparkafterit by
thelightofBardolph'snose,uponwhichtheyputanextinguisheriftheyheard
anyofthekeepers,andsolefteverybodygropingaboutandcatchingthewrong
person, was the most wonderful mixture of fun and tears. Great Will was
extremelyyouthful,buteverybodyintheparkcalledhim,'FatherWilliam';and
whenhewantedtoknowwhichwaythedeerhadgone,KingLear(orelsemy
memorydeceivesme)punned,andLadyMacbethwavedahandkerchiefforitto
besteepedinthebloodofthedeer;Shylockorderedonepoundofthecarcase;
Hamlet(thefactwasimpressedonme)offeredhimathree-leggedstool;anda
number of kings and knights and ladies lit their torches from Bardolph; and


away they flew, distracting the keepers and leaving Will and his troop to the
deer.Thatpoorthingdiedfromadifferentweaponateachrecital,thoughalways
withaflowofbloodandasuccessfuldashofhisantlersintoFalstaff;andtohear
Falstaffbellow!ButitwasmournfultohearhowsorryGreatWillwasoverthe
animal he had slain. He spoke like music. I found it pathetic in spite of my
knowing that the whole scene was lighted up by Bardolph's nose. When I was
justburstingoutcrying—forthedeer'stonguewaslollingoutandquickpantings
were at his side; he had little ones at home—Great Will remembered his
engagement to sell Shylock a pound of the carcase; determined that no Jew
shouldeatofit,hebethoughthimthatFalstaffcouldwellspareapound,andhe
saidtheJewwouldnotseethedifference:Falstaffonlygotoffbyhardrunning
androaringoutthatheknewhisuncleanlifewouldmakehimtastelikeporkand
thuslettheJewintothetrick.
My father related all this with such a veritable matter-of-fact air, and such
liveliness—hesoundedthechaseanditscries,andshowedKingLeartottering,
andHamletstandingdark,andthevastsubstanceofFalstaff—thatIfollowedthe

incidents excitedly, and really saw them, which was better than understanding
them.IrequiredsomehelpfromhimtoseethatHamlet'sofferofathree-legged
stool at a feverish moment of the chase, was laughable. He taught me what to
think of it by pitching Great Will's voice high, and Hamlet's very low. By
degreesIgotsomeunconsciousknowledgeofthecharactersofShakespeare.
Thereneverwassofascinatingafatherasmineforaboyanythingundereight
ortenyearsold.HecouldguessonSaturdaywhetherIshouldnameWilliamPitt
on the Sunday; for, on those occasions, 'Slender Billy,' as I hope I am not
irreverent in calling him, made up for the dulness of his high career with a
raspberry-jam tart, for which, my father told me solemnly, the illustrious
Ministerhadinhisdayapassion.IfInamedhim,myfatherwouldsay,'W.P.,
otherwise S. B., was born in the year so-and-so; now,' and he went to the
cupboard,'inthenameofPolitics,takethisandmeditateuponhim.'Theshops
beingallshutonSunday,hecertainlyboughtit,anticipatingmeunerringly,on
the Saturday, and, as soon as the tart appeared, we both shouted. I fancy I
rememberhisrepeatingacouplet,
'BillyPitttookacakeandaraspberryjam,
WhenheheardtheyhadtakenSeringapatam.'

Atanyrate,therumourofhishavingdoneso,atperiodsofstrongexcitement,
ledtotheinexplicabledisplayofforesightonmyfather'spart.
MymeditationsuponPittwere,underthisinfluence,favourabletothepostof
a Prime Minister, but it was merely appetite that induced me to choose him; I


never could imagine a grandeur in his office, notwithstanding my father's
eloquent talk of ruling a realm, shepherding a people, hurling British
thunderbolts. The day's discipline was, that its selected hero should reign the
undisputedmonarchofit,sowhenIwasforPitt,Ihadmytartasheusedtohave
it, and no story, for he had none, and I think my idea of the ruler of a realm

presented him to me as a sort of shadow about a pastrycook's shop. But I
surprised people by speaking of him. I made remarks to our landlady which
causedhertothrowupherhandsandexclaimthatIwasastonishing.Shewould
always add a mysterious word or two in the hearing of my nursemaid or any
friendofherswholookedintomyroomtoseeme.Aftermyfatherhadgotme
forwardwithinstructionsonthepiano,andexercisesinearlyEnglishhistoryand
thebookofthePeerage,Ibecamethewonderofthehouse.Iwasputupona
stooltoplay'InmyCottagenearaWood,'or'CherryRipe,'andthen,toshowthe
range of my accomplishments, I was asked, 'And who married the Dowager
Duchess of Dewlap?' and I answered, 'John Gregg Wetherall, Esquire, and
disgracedthefamily.'ThentheyaskedmehowIaccountedforherbehaviour.
'ItwasbecausetheDukemarriedadairymaid,'Ireplied,alwaystossingupmy
chin at that. My father had concocted the questions and prepared me for the
responses,buttheeffectwasstriking,bothuponhisvisitorsandthelandlady's.
Graduallymyeargrewaccustomedtoherinvariablewhisperontheseoccasions.
'BloodRile,'shesaid;andherfriendsallsaid'No!'liketherunofafingerdown
afiddlestring.
A gentleman of his acquaintance called on him one evening to take him out
for a walk. My father happened to be playing with me when this gentleman
enteredourroom:andhejumpedupfromhishandsandknees,andabusedhim
forintrudingonhisprivacy,butafterwardsheintroducedhimtomeasShylock's
great-great-great-grandson, and said that Shylock was satisfied with a pound,
andhisdescendantwantedtwohundredpounds,orelseallhisbody:andthis,he
said, came of the emigration of the family from Venice to England. My father
onlyseemedangry,forhewentoffwithShylock'sverygreatgrandsonarm-inarm,exclaiming,'TotheRialto!'WhenItoldMrs.Waddyaboutthevisitor,she
said,'Oh,dear!oh,dear!thenI'mafraidyoursweetpapawon'treturnverysoon,
myprettypet.'Wewaitedanumberofdays,untilMrs.Waddyreceivedaletter
fromhim.Shecamefull-dressedintomyroom,requestingmetogivehertwenty
kissesforpapa,andIlookedonwhileshearrangedherbluebonnetattheglass.
Thebonnetwouldnotfixinitsplace.Atlastshesankdowncryinginachair,

andwasallbrownsilk,andsaidthathowtoappearbeforeaparcelofdreadful
men, and perhaps a live duke into the bargain, was more than she knew, and


more than could be expected of a lone widow woman. 'Not for worlds!' she
answeredmypetitiontoaccompanyher.Shewouldnot,shesaid,havemegoto
mypapathereforanythingonearth;mypapawouldperishatthesightofme;I
was not even to wish to go. And then she exclaimed, 'Oh, the blessed child's
poorpapa!'andthatpeoplewerecrueltohim,andwouldnevertakeintoaccount
hislovelytemper,andthateverybodywashisenemy,whenheoughttobesitting
withthehighestintheland.Ihadrealizedtheextremityofmyforlornstateona
Sundaythatpassedemptyofmyfather,whichfeltlikehishavinggoneforever.
My nursemaid came in to assist in settling Mrs. Waddy's bonnet above the six
crispcurls,andwhiletheywereaboutitIsatquiet,pluckingnowandthenatthe
brownsilk,partlytobegtogowithit,partlyinjealousyandloveatthethought
ofitsseeinghimfromwhomIwassoawfullyseparated.Mrs.Waddytookfresh
kisses off my lips, assuring me that my father would have them in twenty
minutes, and I was to sit and count the time. My nursemaid let her out. I
pretendedtobeabsorbedincounting,tillIsawMrs.Waddypassbythewindow.
My heart gave a leap of pain. I found the street-door open and no one in the
passage,andIranout,thinkingthatMrs.Waddywouldbeobligedtotakemeif
shediscoveredmebyhersideinthestreet.
I was by no means disconcerted at not seeing her immediately. Running on
fromonestreettoanother,Itooktheturningswithunhesitatingboldness,asifI
hadadestinationinview.ImusthavebeenoutnearanhourbeforeIunderstood
thatMrs.Waddyhadeludedme;soIresolvedtoenjoytheshop-windowswith
theluxuriousfreedomofonewhosespeculationsonthosegloriousthingsallup
forshowarenolongerdistractedbytherunoftimeandanursemaid.Littlemore
thanaglancewasenough,nowthatIknewIcouldstayaslongasIliked.IfI
stoppedatall,itwasrathertoexhibitthebravadooflibertythantodistinguish

anyparticularshopwithmypreference:allwereequallybeautiful;sowerethe
carriages; so were the people. Ladies frequently turned to look at me, perhaps
becauseIhadnocoveringonmyhead;buttheydidnotinterestmeintheleast.I
shouldhavebeenwillingtoaskthemoranyonewherethePeeragelived,only
mymindwasquitefull,andIdidnotcare.Ifeltsurethatagreatdealofwalking
wouldultimatelybringmetoSt.Paul'sorWestminsterAbbey;toanythingelseI
wasindifferent.
Toward sunset my frame was struck as with an arrow by the sensations of
hungeronpassingacook's-shop.Ifalteredalong,hopingtoreachasecondone,
withoutknowingwhyIhaddraggedmylimbsfromthefirst.Therewasaboyin
raggedbreeches,notallerthanmyself,standingtiptoebythewindowofavery
largeandbrilliantpastry-cook's.Hepersuadedmetogointotheshopandaskfor


acake.Ithoughtitperfectlynaturaltodoso,beinghungry;butwhenIreached
the counter and felt the size of the shop, I was abashed, and had to repeat the
natureofmypetitiontwicetotheyoungwomanpresidingthere.
'Giveyouacake,littleboy?'shesaid.'Wedon'tgivecakes,wesellthem.'
'BecauseIamhungry,'saidI,pursuingmyrequest.
Anotheryoungwomancame,laughingandshakinglotsofringlets.
'Don'tyouseehe'snotacommonboy?hedoesn'twhine,'sheremarked,and
handedmeastalebun,saying,'Here,MasterCharles,andyouneedn'tsaythank
you.'
'MynameisHarryRichmond,andIthankyouverymuch,'Ireplied.
Iheardhersay,asIwentout,'Youcanseehe'sagentleman'sson.'Theragged
boywasawaitingmeeagerly.'Gemini!you'realuckyone,'hecried;'here,come
along,curly-poll.'IbelievethatImeanttosharethebunwithhim,butofcourse
he could not be aware of my beneficent intentions: so he treated me as he
thought I was for treating him, and making one snatch at the bun, ran off
crammingitintohismouth.Istoodlookingatanyhand.Ilearntinthatinstant

what thieving was, and begging, and hunger, for I would have perished rather
than have asked for another cake, and as I yearned for it in absolute want of
food,theboy'sungeneroustreatmentofmecamedowninacloudonmyreason.
I found myself being led through the crush of people, by an old gentleman, to
whomImusthaverelatedanextraordinaryrigmarole.Heshookhishead,saying
thatIwasunintelligible;butthequestionsheputtome,'WhyhadInohatonin
theopenstreet?—Wheredidmymotherlive?—WhatwasIdoingoutalonein
London?'weresomanyincitementstoautobiographicalcompositiontoaninfant
mind,andItumbledoutmyhistoryafresheachtimethathespoke.Heledme
intoasquare,stoopinghisheadtolistenallthewhile;butwhenIperceivedthat
wehadquittedtheregionofshopsImademyselfquiteintelligiblebystopping
short and crying: 'I am so hungry.' He nodded and said, 'It 's no use crossexamininganemptystomach.You'lldomethefavourtodinewithme,mylittle
man.We'lltalkoveryouraffairsby-and-by.'
My alarm at having left the savoury street of shops was not soothed until I
found myself sitting at table with him, and a nice young lady, and an old one
whoworeacap,andmadeloudremarksonmygarmentsandeverythingIdid.I
wasintroducedtothemasthelittleboydroppedfromthesky.Theoldgentleman
would not allow me to be questioned before I had eaten. It was a memorable
feast.Ihadsoup,fish,meat,andpastry,and,forthefirsttimeinmylife,aglass
ofwine.HowtheylaughedtoseemeblinkandcoughafterIhadswallowedhalf


the glass like water. At once my tongue was unloosed. I seemed to rise right
above the roofs of London, beneath which I had been but a wandering atom a
fewminutesago.Italkedofmywonderfulfather,andGreatWill,andPitt,and
thePeerage.Iamazedthemwithmyknowledge.WhenIfinishedalongrecital
ofGreatWill'schaseofthedeer,bysayingthatIdidnotcareaboutpolitics(I
meant, in my own mind, that Pitt was dull in comparison), they laughed
enormously,asifIhadfiredthemoff.'Doyouknowwhatyouare,sir?'saidthe
oldgentleman;hehadfrowningeyebrowsandamerrymouth'you'reacomical

character.'
Ifeltinterestedinhim,andaskedhimwhathewas.Heinformedmethathe
wasalawyer,andreadytobepantaloontomyclown,ifIwouldengagehim.
'AreyouinthePeerage?'saidI.
'Notyet,'hereplied.
'Well,then,'saidI,'Iknownothingaboutyou.'
Theyoungladyscreamedwithlaughter.'Oh,youfunnylittleboy;youkilling
littlecreature!'shesaid,andcomingroundtome,liftedmeoutofmychair,and
wantedtoknowifIknewhowtokiss.
'Oh,yes;I'vebeentaughtthat,'saidI,givingthesalutewithoutwaitingforthe
invitation;'but,'Iadded,'Idon'tcareaboutitmuch.'
She was indignant, and told me she was going to be offended, so I let her
understandthatIlikedbeingkissedandplayedwithinthemorningbeforeIwas
up,andifshewouldcometomyhouseeversoearly,shewouldfindmelying
nextthewallandreadyforher.
'Andwholiesoutside?'sheasked.
'That'smypapa,'Iwasbeginningtosay,butbrokethewordswithasob,forI
seemedtobeseparatedfromhimnowbytheseaitself.
They petted me tenderly. My story was extracted by alternate leading
questionsfromtheoldgentlemanandtimelycaressesfromtheladies.Icouldtell
them everything except the name of the street where I lived. My midnight
excursion from the house of my grandfather excited them chiefly; also my
havingamotheralivewhoperpetuallyfannedherfaceandworeaball-dressand
awreath;thingsthatIrememberedofmymother.Theladiesobservedthatitwas
clearIwasaromanticchild.Inoticedthattheoldgentlemansaid'Humph,'very
often, and his eyebrows were like a rook's nest in a tree when I spoke of my
fatherwalkingawaywithShylock'sdescendantandnotsincereturningtome.A
bigbookwasfetchedoutofhislibrary,inwhichhereadmygrandfather'sname.

Iheardhimmentionitaloud.Ihadbeenplacedonastoolbesideatea-traynear
thefire,andthereIsawtheoldredhouseofRiversley,andmymotherdressedin
white,andmyauntDorothy;andtheyallcomplainedthatIhadceasedtolove
them,andmustgotobed,towhichIhadnoobjection.Somebodycarriedmeup
andundressedme,andpromisedmeagreatgameofkissinginthemorning.
ThenextdayinthestrangehouseIheardthattheoldgentlemanhadsentone
ofhisclerksdowntomygrandfatheratRiversley,andcommunicatedwiththe
constables in London; and, by-and-by, Mrs. Waddy arrived, having likewise
visited those authorities, one of whom supported her claims upon me. But the
oldgentlemanwishedtokeepmeuntilhismessengerreturnedfromRiversley.
He made all sorts of pretexts. In the end, he insisted on seeing my father, and
Mrs. Waddy, after much hesitation, and even weeping, furnished the address:
upon hearing which, spoken aside to him, he said, 'I thought so.' Mrs. Waddy
entreatedhimtoberespectfultomyfather,whowas,shedeclared,hissuperior,
and,beggingeverybody'spardonpresent,thesuperiorofusall,throughnosinof
hisown,thatcausedhimtobesounfortunate;andarealChristianandpattern,in
spite of outsides, though as true a gentleman as ever walked, and by rights
should be amongst the highest. She repeated 'amongst the highest' reprovingly,
withtheearsofbarleyinherbluebonnetshaking,andherhandsclaspedtightin
her lap. Old Mr. Bannerbridge (that was the old gentleman's name) came back
verylatefromhisvisittomyfather,solatethathesaiditwouldbecrueltolet
me go out in the street after my bed-time. Mrs. Waddy consented to my
remaining,ontheconditionofmybeingsurrenderedtoheratnineo'clock,and
nolater,thefollowingmorning.
IwasassuredbyMr.Bannerbridgethatmyfather'shealthandappetitewere
excellent;hegavemeanumberofunsatisfyingmessages,alltherestconcerning
his interview he whispered to his daughter and his sister, Miss Bannerbridge,
whosaidtheyhopedtheywouldhavenewsfromHampshireveryearly,sothat
the poor child might be taken away by the friends of his infancy. I could
understandthatmyfatherwasdisapprovedofbythem,andthatIwasakindof

shuttlecockflyingbetweentwobattledores;butwhytheypitiedmeIcouldnot
understand. There was a great battle about me when Mrs. Waddy appeared
punctualtoherappointedhour.Thevictorywashers,andI,herprize,passeda
wholedayindifferentconveyances,thelastofwhichlandedusmilesawayfrom
London, at the gates of an old drooping, mossed and streaked farmhouse, that
waslikeawall-flowerincolour.