When the demise took place, her husband was in London attending to some of his innumerable schemes, and busy with his endless lawyers.He had found time, nevertheless, to call often in Park Lane, and to despatch many notes to Rebecca, entreating her, enjoining her, commanding her to return to her young pupils in the country, who were now utterly without companionship during their mother's illness.But Miss Crawley would not hear of her departure; for though there was no lady of fashion in London who would desert her friends more complacently as soon as she was tired of their society, and though few tired of them sooner, yet as long as her engoument lasted her attachment was prodigious, and she clung still with the greatest energy to Rebecca.
The news of Lady Crawley's death provoked no more grief or comment than might have been expected in Miss Crawley's family circle."I suppose I must put off my party for the 3rd," Miss Crawley said; and added, after a pause, "I hope my brother will have the decency not to marry again." "What a confounded rage Pitt will be in if he does," Rawdon remarked, with his usual regard for his elder brother.Rebecca said nothing.She seemed by far the gravest and most impressed of the family.She left the room before Rawdon went away that day; but they met by chance below, as he was going away after taking leave, and had a parley together.
On the morrow, as Rebecca was gazing from the window, she startled Miss Crawley, who was placidly occupied with a French novel, by crying out in an alarmed tone, "Here's Sir Pitt, Ma'am!" and the Baronet's knock followed this announcement.
"My dear, I can't see him.I won't see him.Tell Bowls not at home, or go downstairs and say I'm too ill to receive any one.My nerves really won't bear my brother at this moment," cried out Miss Crawley, and resumed the novel.
"She's too ill to see you, sir," Rebecca said, tripping down to Sir Pitt, who was preparing to ascend.
"So much the better," Sir Pitt answered."I want to see YOU, Miss Becky.Come along a me into the parlour,"and they entered that apartment together.
"I wawnt you back at Queen's Crawley, Miss," the baronet said, fixing his eyes upon her, and taking off his black gloves and his hat with its great crape hat-band.
His eyes had such a strange look, and fixed upon her so steadfastly, that Rebecca Sharp began almost to tremble.
"I hope to come soon," she said in a low voice, "as soon as Miss Crawley is better--and return to--to the dear children.""You've said so these three months, Becky," replied Sir Pitt, "and still you go hanging on to my sister, who'll fling you off like an old shoe, when she's wore you out.
I tell you I want you.I'm going back to the Vuneral.
Will you come back? Yes or no?"
"I daren't--I don't think--it would be right--to be alone--with you, sir," Becky said, seemingly in great agitation.
"I say agin, I want you," Sir Pitt said, thumping the table."I can't git on without you.I didn't see what it was till you went away.The house all goes wrong.It's not the same place.All my accounts has got muddled agin.
You MUST come back.Do come back.Dear Becky, do come.""Come--as what, sir?" Rebecca gasped out.
"Come as Lady Crawley, if you like," the Baronet said, grasping his crape hat."There! will that zatusfy you?
Come back and be my wife.Your vit vor't.Birth be hanged.You're as good a lady as ever I see.You've got more brains in your little vinger than any baronet's wife in the county.Will you come? Yes or no?""Oh, Sir Pitt!" Rebecca said, very much moved.
"Say yes, Becky," Sir Pitt continued."I'm an old man, but a good'n.I'm good for twenty years.I'll make you happy, zee if I don't.You shall do what you like; spend what you like; and 'ave it all your own way.I'll make you a zettlement.I'll do everything reglar.Look year!"and the old man fell down on his knees and leered at her like a satyr.
Rebecca started back a picture of consternation.In the course of this history we have never seen her lose her presence of mind; but she did now, and wept some of the most genuine tears that ever fell from her eyes.
"Oh, Sir Pitt!" she said."Oh, sir--I--I'm married ALREADY."