We have seen how one of George's grandfathers (Mr.
Osborne), in his easy chair in Russell Square, daily grew more violent and moody, and how his daughter, with her fine carriage, and her fine horses, and her name on half the public charity-lists of the town, was a lonely, miserable, persecuted old maid.She thought again and again of the beautiful little boy, her brother's son, whom she had seen.She longed to be allowed to drive in the fine carriage to the house in which he lived, and she used to look out day after day as she took her solitary drive in the park, in hopes that she might see him.Her sister, the banker's lady, occasionally condescended to pay her old home and companion a visit in Russell Square.She brought a couple of sickly children attended by a prim nurse, and in a faint genteel giggling tone cackled to her sister about her fine acquaintance, and how her little Frederick was the image of Lord Claud Lollypop and her sweet Maria had been noticed by the Baroness as they were driving in their donkey-chaise at Roehampton.She urged her to make her papa do something for the darlings.
Frederick she had determined should go into the Guards;and if they made an elder son of him (and Mr.Bullock was positively ruining and pinching himself to death to buy land), how was the darling girl to be provided for?
"I expect YOU, dear," Mrs.Bullock would say, "for of course my share of our Papa's property must go to the head of the house, you know.Dear Rhoda McMull will disengage the whole of the Castletoddy property as soon as poor dear Lord Castletoddy dies, who is quite epileptic; and little Macduff McMull will be Viscount Castletoddy.Both the Mr.Bludyers of Mincing Lane have settled their fortunes on Fanny Bludyer's little boy.My darling Frederick must positively be an eldest son; and--and do ask Papa to bring us back his account in Lombard Street, will you, dear? It doesn't look well, his going to Stumpy and Rowdy's." After which kind of speeches, in which fashion and the main chance were blended together, and after a kiss, which was like the contact of an oyster--Mrs.Frederick Bullock would gather her starched nurslings and simper back into her carriage.
Every visit which this leader of ton paid to her family was more unlucky for her.Her father paid more money into Stumpy and Rowdy's.Her patronage became more and more insufferable.The poor widow in the little cottage at Brompton, guarding her treasure there, little knew how eagerly some people coveted it.
On that night when Jane Osborne had told her father that she had seen his grandson, the old man had made her no reply, but he had shown no anger--and had bade her good-night on going himself to his room in rather a kindly voice.And he must have meditated on what she said and have made some inquiries of the Dobbin family regarding her visit, for a fortnight after it took place, he asked her where was her little French watch and chain she used to wear?
"I bought it with my money, sir," she said in a great fright.
"Go and order another like it, or a better if you can get it," said the old gentleman and lapsed again into silence.
Of late the Misses Dobbin more than once repeated their entreaties to Amelia, to allow George to visit them.
His aunt had shown her inclination; perhaps his grandfather himself, they hinted, might be disposed to be reconciled to him.Surely, Amelia could not refuse such advantageous chances for the boy.Nor could she, but she acceded to their overtures with a very heavy and suspicious heart, was always uneasy during the child's absence from her, and welcomed him back as if he was rescued out of some danger.He brought back money and toys, at which the widow looked with alarm and jealousy;she asked him always if he had seen any gentleman--"Only old Sir William, who drove him about in the four-wheeled chaise, and Mr.Dobbin, who arrived on the beautiful bay horse in the afternoon--in the green coat and pink neck-cloth, with the gold-headed whip, who promised to show him the Tower of London and take him out with the Surrey hounds." At last, he said, "There was an old gentleman, with thick eyebrows, and a broad hat, and large chain and seals." He came one day as the coachman was lunging Georgy round the lawn on the gray pony."He looked at me very much.He shook very much.I said 'My name is Norval' after dinner.My aunt began to cry.She is always crying." Such was George's report on that night.
Then Amelia knew that the boy had seen his grandfather; and looked out feverishly for a proposal which she was sure would follow, and which came, in fact, in a few days afterwards.Mr.Osborne formally offered to take the boy and make him heir to the fortune which he had intended that his father should inherit.He would make Mrs.George Osborne an allowance, such as to assure her a decent competency.If Mrs.George Osborne proposed to marry again, as Mr.O.heard was her intention, he would not withdraw that allowance.But it must be understood that the child would live entirely with his grandfather in Russell Square, or at whatever other place Mr.O.should select, and that he would be occasionally permitted to see Mrs.George Osborne at her own residence.This message was brought or read to her in a letter one day, when her mother was from home and her father absent as usual in the City.
She was never seen angry but twice or thrice in her life, and it was in one of these moods that Mr.Osborne's attorney had the fortune to behold her.She rose up trembling and flushing very much as soon as, after reading the letter, Mr.Poe handed it to her, and she tore the paper into a hundred fragments, which she trod on."Imarry again! I take money to part from my child! Who dares insult me by proposing such a thing? Tell Mr.
Osborne it is a cowardly letter, sir--a cowardly letter--I will not answer it.I wish you good morning, sir--and she bowed me out of the room like a tragedy Queen,"said the lawyer who told the story.
