I lingered about the orchestra until the conclusion of the first part and then, with feelings that I will not attempt to describe, sneaked into the refreshment room, where I was quickly followed by my two disappointed fair ones.
I was most agreeably surprised at the friendly warmth with which they both received me; by this I at once perceived that my apology had been perfectly satisfactory, and could I have retired at that moment all would have been well; but such was not to be, for while I was speaking my fair tormentor, from whom I foolishly imagined I had escaped for the present, having witnessed my departure from the concert room, now approached us, bearing in her hand a glass of smoking negus which she had procured from the waiter for my especial benefit; in vain did I attempt, by sundry winks and divers significant grimaces; to put her on her guard; she either did not, or would not, understand me.
On she came, smiling gaily, and handing me the glass, exclaimed,
"Come, my dear, I'm sure you stand in need of something after so much exertion."
Scarcely conscious of what I was doing, I put it to my lips and again returned it to her, when she continued, "Are these ladies friends of yours?"
I slightly bowed my head.
"Then why behave so ungallantly! Ladies, I'm sure you'll excuse his inattention-he seems quite bewildered — but no doubt it's entirely owing to the fatigue-do me the honour of partaking-"
And she pressed the glass upon Emma, who, thus taken by surprise and not prepared to offer an excuse, condescended to sip the beverage which she then presented to her companion, who, after darting at me a glance of the most withering contempt, disdainfully pushed back the hand that bore the glass, overturning in her fury the greater, portion of its contents over the dress of Emma and in a voice almost inarticulate with anger, said, "Come, let us be going; I'm sure we are not wanted here; and you, sir, shall be made to remember this insult."
With these words, and eyes flashing fury, she took the arm of her friend and quitted the room.
"Well, I'm sure," exclaimed the astonished Delia, "what airs! But it's a good riddance whoever she may be; and how you look; why should you care for the insolence of a mean-looking little baggage like that?
Come love, drink again and rouse yourself, or the company will perceive your confusion."
I took the goblet, unconsciously swallowed the whole of its contents, and in a few minutes became sufficiently composed to re-enter the public room, having previously cautioned Delia to be more guarded in her conduct, or at all events not to give vent to her feelings in the audible manner she had previously done.
I was not a moment too soon, for the symphony to my next song had commenced as I entered. I mounted the stage and got through my task-not at all to my own satisfaction, although from their continued applause I have reason to believe that I had been successful in my endeavour to conceal my trepidation from the audience. Delia declared that I had never sung better; but I fear she was a very partial critic and one whose judgment could not be relied on.
I was now rapidly regaining my self-possession when the door opened and Bessy, who by this time I had fancied was more than half way on her return home, with an expression of wildness in her bright black eyes advanced towards where I was sitting and in a low, trembling voice murmured, "Mr. -, I wish to speak a word or two in private; will you allow me that honour?"
"With the greatest pleasure," I replied, and with faltering steps and throbbing heart I followed her from the room.
The concert room was divided from the bar of the tavern by a long, arched hall or passage, paved and covered with matting to prevent the echo of footsteps from interrupting the music. I had continued to follow the indignant lady until we had traversed half the extent of this passage, when she turned suddenly round and fixing her glaring eyes full upon my face, exclaimed, "Now, sir, what am I to understand from the base and unmanly treatment I have experienced from you this evening?"
I affected the greatest astonishment and added that in fact I was about to make a similar enquiry of her, for I could plainly perceive that something had ruffled her temper previous to her favouring me with her company; and I really considered that respect for my public reputation might have induced her to choose some other time and place to vent her ill-humour upon me instead of making me, as she had done, an object of contempt before strangers.
"Indeed, sir!" she replied, "and so you are villain enough to add insult to injury! But you will find that I am not the easy fool you seem to think me. Pray, sir, who is the odious hussy for whom you have thought proper to outrage my feelings so cruelly as you have done tonight?"
I attempted to take her hand, which she scornfully withdrew, as with a feigned laugh I answered, "And is it possible that poor Delia has been the innocent cause of pain to one I love so tenderly-you have heard me speak of cousin Deelie, my uncle William's daughter, this is the very girl. I met her by sheer accident and with much difficulty prevailed upon her to accompany me hither for the express purpose of introducing her to you-I did not believe you could have been so silly-come, call Mrs. S. and let us return; I shall be happy to see you better acquainted."
The angry blood mounted to her cheeks, as she loudly exclaimed, "And dare you insult the memory of your respectable parents by falsely declaring their relationship to a strumpet-shame on you; and I suppose that trumpery about your neck belongs to her?"
She had observed the brooch and handkerchief I have before spoken of.
"It's no use to deny it; I see guilt in your face!"
"I don't understand you when you speak of guilt, nor do I attempt to deny that not having time sufficient to return home my cousin was kind enough to oblige me with the loan-"
I was proceeding when, with the fury of an enraged tigress, she sprung upon me, tore the valuable brooch from my breast with a portion of the shirt itself and trampled it beneath her feet, threatening to return to the concert room and serve the vile owner in the same way; the splendid handkerchief was rent into a half a dozen pieces and the brooch shared a similar fate; nor was I rescued from her grasp until she had torn a tolerable handful of hair from my head. I was at length indebted for my liberty to Emma, who had been waiting for her at the end of the passage and, alarmed at the scuffle, now hastened to the rescue.
"For God's sake," cried she, "consider where you are; come home if you are wise; why continue to expose yourself; think of your child; let me persuade you, there's a dear, come."
Bessy suffered herself to be led from the spot. I ran before them, called a coach, and assisted in handing them in. As I was giving the necessary instructions to the coachman, to my utter astonishment Bessy seized my arm, burst into tears, and kissing my hand sank back in her seat as the horses started. The next moment I felt myself seized from behind; I turned and encountered Delia, who the moment she beheld my disordered appearance, exclaimed, "What has happened, tell me, are you hurt-but never mind, I know it all, it's that gipsy-looking vixen's work, but let her look to herself, if I don't serve her out my name's not Delia L-s!"
I endeavoured to soothe her, assuring her that it was nothing but a slight misunderstanding that would speedily be rectified; and while she returned for her shawl, etc., I succeeded in gathering up the fragments of her property. The handkerchief was past recovery, but as to the brooch, the stones being uninjured, a few shillings paid to a jeweller soon restored it to its pristine beauty.
The attentive kindness of Delia, contrasted with the violent indignation of her rival, determined me, and I resolved to conform myself entirely to the will of the former. The disordered state of my apparel was such as to render a return to the public room out of the question, and in a short time we were again set down at Islington where, having supped, she insisted on my retiring at once to bed, and seizing a candle led the way to the adjoining chamber.