Cajolements, coaxings, smiles, tears could not satisfy Sir Pitt, and he had something very like a quarrel with his once admired Becky.He spoke of the honour of the family, the unsullied reputation of the Crawleys;expressed himself in indignant tones about her receiving those young Frenchmen--those wild young men of fashion, my Lord Steyne himself, whose carriage was always at her door, who passed hours daily in her company, and whose constant presence made the world talk about her.As the head of the house he implored her to be more prudent.Society was already speaking lightly of her.Lord Steyne, though a nobleman of the greatest station and talents, was a man whose attentions would compromise any woman; he besought, he implored, he commanded his sister-in-law to be watchful in her intercourse with that nobleman.
Becky promised anything and everything Pitt wanted;but Lord Steyne came to her house as often as ever, and Sir Pitt's anger increased.I wonder was Lady Jane angry or pleased that her husband at last found fault with his favourite Rebecca? Lord Steyne's visits continuing, his own ceased, and his wife was for refusing all further intercourse with that nobleman and declining the invitation to the charade-night which the marchioness sent to her; but Sir Pitt thought it was necessary to accept it, as his Royal Highness would be there.
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.