Rachel, on the other hand, felt calmly magnanimous in the completion of
a veritable sacrifice, for those books had afforded her much enjoyment,
and she would much like to have possessed many of those that would be
tossed aside at a cheap rate. But the constant small expenses entailed
by the first setting on foot such an establishment as the F. U. E. E.
were a heavy drain on her private purse, as she insisted on all
accounts being brought to her, and then could not bear that these small
nondescript matters should be charged upon the general fund, which
having already paid the first half-year's rent in advance, and furnished
the house, must be recruited by some extraordinary supply before she
could build. The thing could not be done at all but by rigid economy,
and she was ready to exercise it, and happy in so doing. And the
Colonel? She thought the pain of her resolution was passing. After all,
it was not so dreadful as people would have one believe, it was no
such wrench as novels described to make up one's mind to prefer a
systematically useful life to an agreeable man.
Mr. Mauleverer came, with a good report of the children's progress, and
talking quite enthusiastically of Lovedy's sweetness and intelligence.
Perhaps she would turn out a superior artist, now that chill penury no
longer repressed her noble rage, and he further brought a small demand
for drawing materials and blocks for engraving, to the amount of five
pounds, which Rachel defrayed from the general fund, but sighed over its
diminution.
"If I could only make the Barnaby bargain available," she said; "it is
cruel to have it tied up to mere apprenticeships, which in the present
state of things are absolutely useless, or worse."
"Can nothing be done?"
"You shall hear. Dame Rachel Curtis, in 1605, just when this place was
taking up lace-making, an art learnt, I believe, from some poor nuns
that were turned out of St. Mary's, at Avoncester, thought she did
an immense benefit to the place by buying the bit of land known as
Burnaby's Bargain, and making the rents go yearly to apprentice two poor
girls born of honest parents. The rent is fourteen pounds, and so the
fees are so small that only the small lace-makers here will accept
them. I cannot get the girls apprenticed to anything better in the towns
except for a much larger premium."
"Do I understand you that such a premium is at present to be bestowed?"
"No, not till next June. The two victims for this year have been
sacrificed. But perhaps another time it might be possible to bind them
to you as a wood engraver or printer!" cried Rachel, joyfully.
"I should be most happy. But who would be the persons concerned?"