CHAPTER XXXVIII

DE COURCY PRECEPTS AND DE COURCY PRACTICE

There is a mode of novel-writing which used to be much in vogue, but which has now gone out of fashion.  It is, nevertheless, one which is very expressive when in good hands, and which enables the author to tell his story, or some portion of his story, with more natural trust than any other, I mean that of familiar letters.  I trust I shall be excused if I attempt it as regards this one chapter; though, it may be, that I shall break down and fall into the commonplace narrative, even before the one chapter be completed.  The correspondents are the Lady Amelia De Courcy and Miss Gresham.  I, of course, give precedence to the higher rank, but the first epistle originated with the latter-named young lady.  Let me hope that they will explain themselves.

’Miss Gresham to Lady Amelia de Courcy

’Greshamsbury House, June 185-

’My dearest Amelia,

’I wish to consult you on a subject which, as you will perceive, is of a most momentous nature.  You know how much reliance I place in your judgement and knowledge of what is proper, and, therefore, I write to you before speaking to any other living person on the subject:  not even to mamma; for, although her judgement is good too, she has so many cares and troubles, that it is natural that it should be a little warped when the interests of her children are involved.  Now that it is all over, I feel that it may possibly have been so in the case of Mr Moffat.

’You are aware that Mr Mortimer Gazebee is now staying here, and that he has been here for nearly two months.  He is engaged in managing poor papa’s affairs, and mamma, who likes him very much, says that he is a most excellent man of business.  Of course, you know that he is a junior partner in the very old firm of Gumption, Gazebee, and Gazebee, who, I understand, do not undertake any business at all, except what comes to them from peers, or commoners of the very highest class.

’I soon perceived, dearest Amelia, that Mr Gazebee paid me more than ordinary attention, and I immediately became very guarded in my manner.  I certainly liked Mr Gazebee from the first.  His manners are quite excellent, his conduct to mamma is charming, and, as regards myself, I must say that there has been nothing in his behaviour of which even you could complain.  He has never attempted the slightest familiarity, and I will do him the justice to say, that, though he has been very attentive, he has also been very respectful.

’I must confess that, for the last three weeks, I have thought that he meant something.  I might, perhaps, have done more to repel him; or I might have consulted you earlier as to the propriety of keeping altogether out of his way.  But you know, Amelia, how often these things lead to nothing, and though I thought all along that Mr Gazebee was in earnest, I hardly liked to say anything about it even to you till I was quite certain.  If you had advised me, you know, to accept his offer, and if, after that, he had never made it, I should have felt so foolish.