Although he went to the party in question, Sir Pitt quitted it very

early, and his wife, too, was very glad to come away. Becky hardly so

much as spoke to him or noticed her sister-in-law. Pitt Crawley

declared her behaviour was monstrously indecorous, reprobated in strong

terms the habit of play-acting and fancy dressing as highly unbecoming

a British female, and after the charades were over, took his brother

Rawdon severely to task for appearing himself and allowing his wife to

join in such improper exhibitions.

Rawdon said she should not join in any more such amusements--but

indeed, and perhaps from hints from his elder brother and sister, he

had already become a very watchful and exemplary domestic character. He

left off his clubs and billiards. He never left home. He took Becky

out to drive; he went laboriously with her to all her parties. Whenever

my Lord Steyne called, he was sure to find the Colonel. And when Becky

proposed to go out without her husband, or received invitations for

herself, he peremptorily ordered her to refuse them: and there was that

in the gentleman's manner which enforced obedience. Little Becky, to

do her justice, was charmed with Rawdon's gallantry. If he was surly,

she never was. Whether friends were present or absent, she had always a

kind smile for him and was attentive to his pleasure and comfort. It

was the early days of their marriage over again: the same good humour,

prevenances, merriment, and artless confidence and regard. "How much

pleasanter it is," she would say, "to have you by my side in the

carriage than that foolish old Briggs! Let us always go on so, dear

Rawdon. How nice it would be, and how happy we should always be, if we

had but the money!" He fell asleep after dinner in his chair; he did

not see the face opposite to him, haggard, weary, and terrible; it

lighted up with fresh candid smiles when he woke. It kissed him gaily.

He wondered that he had ever had suspicions. No, he never had

suspicions; all those dumb doubts and surly misgivings which had been

gathering on his mind were mere idle jealousies. She was fond of him;

she always had been. As for her shining in society, it was no fault of

hers; she was formed to shine there. Was there any woman who could

talk, or sing, or do anything like her? If she would but like the boy!

Rawdon thought. But the mother and son never could be brought together.

And it was while Rawdon's mind was agitated with these doubts and

perplexities that the incident occurred which was mentioned in the last

chapter, and the unfortunate Colonel found himself a prisoner away from

home.




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