Shesatecommonlywithherfather，whowasveryproudofherwit，andheardthetalkofmanyofhiswildcompanions——oftenbutill-suitedforagirltohear。Butsheneverhadbeenagirl，shesaid；shehadbeenawomansinceshewaseightyearsold。Oh，whydidMissPinkertonletsuchadangerousbirdintohercage？
　　Thefactis，theoldladybelievedRebeccatobethemeekestcreatureintheworld，soadmirably，ontheoccasionswhenherfatherbroughthertoChiswick，usedRebeccatoperformthepartoftheingenue；andonlyayearbeforethearrangementbywhichRebeccahadbeenadmittedintoherhouse，andwhenRebeccawassixteenyearsold，MissPinkertonmajestically，andwithalittlespeech，madeherapresentofadoll——whichwas，bytheway，theconfiscatedpropertyofMissSwindle，discoveredsurreptitiouslynursingitinschool-hours。Howthefatheranddaughterlaughedastheytrudgedhometogetheraftertheeveningpartyitwasontheoccasionofthespeeches，whenalltheprofessorswereinvitedandhowMissPinkertonwouldhaveragedhadsheseenthecaricatureofherselfwhichthelittlemimic，Rebecca，managedtomakeoutofherdoll。Beckyusedtogothroughdialogueswithit；itformedthedelightofNewmanStreet，GerrardStreet，andtheArtists’quarter：
　　andtheyoungpainters，whentheycametotaketheirgin-
　　and-waterwiththeirlazy，dissolute，clever，jovialsenior，usedregularlytoaskRebeccaifMissPinkertonwasathome：shewasaswellknowntothem，poorsoul！asMr。LawrenceorPresidentWest。OnceRebeccahadthehonourtopassafewdaysatChiswick；afterwhichshebroughtbackJemima，anderectedanotherdollasMissJemmy：forthoughthathonestcreaturehadmadeandgivenherjellyandcakeenoughforthreechildren，andaseven-shillingpieceatparting，thegirl’ssenseofridiculewasfarstrongerthanhergratitude，andshesacrificedMissJemmyquiteaspitilesslyashersister。
　　Thecatastrophecame，andshewasbroughttotheMallastoherhome。Therigidformalityoftheplacesuffocatedher：theprayersandthemeals，thelessonsandthewalks，whichwerearrangedwithaconventualregularity，oppressedheralmostbeyondendurance；andshelookedbacktothefreedomandthebeggaryoftheoldstudioinSohowithsomuchregret，thateverybody，herselfincluded，fanciedshewasconsumedwithgriefforherfather。Shehadalittleroominthegarret，wherethemaidsheardherwalkingandsobbingatnight；butitwaswithrage，andnotwithgrief。Shehadnotbeenmuchofadissembler，untilnowherlonelinesstaughthertofeign。Shehadnevermingledinthesocietyofwomen：
　　herfather，reprobateashewas，wasamanoftalent；hisconversationwasathousandtimesmoreagreeabletoherthanthetalkofsuchofherownsexasshenowencountered。
　　Thepompousvanityoftheoldschoolmistress，thefoolishgood-humourofhersister，thesillychatandscandaloftheeldergirls，andthefrigidcorrectnessofthegovernessesequallyannoyedher；andshehadnosoftmaternalheart，thisunluckygirl，otherwisetheprattleandtalkoftheyoungerchildren，withwhosecareshewaschieflyintrusted，mighthavesoothedandinterestedher；butshelivedamongthemtwoyears，andnotonewassorrythatshewentaway。Thegentletender-
　　heartedAmeliaSedleywastheonlypersontowhomshecouldattachherselfintheleast；andwhocouldhelpattachingherselftoAmelia？
　　Thehappinessthesuperioradvantagesoftheyoungwomenroundabouther，gaveRebeccainexpressiblepangsofenvy。”Whatairsthatgirlgivesherself，becausesheisanEarl’sgrand-daughter。”shesaidofone。”HowtheycringeandbowtothatCreole，becauseofherhundredthousandpounds！Iamathousandtimesclevererandmorecharmingthanthatcreature，forallherwealth。
　　IamaswellbredastheEarl’sgrand-daughter，forallherfinepedigree；andyeteveryonepassesmebyhere。Andyet，whenIwasatmyfather’s，didnotthemengiveuptheirgayestballsandpartiesinordertopasstheeveningwithme？”Shedeterminedatanyratetogetfreefromtheprisoninwhichshefoundherself，andnowbegantoactforherself，andforthefirsttimetomakeconnectedplansforthefuture。
　　Shetookadvantage，therefore，ofthemeansofstudytheplaceofferedher；andasshewasalreadyamusicianandagoodlinguist，shespeedilywentthroughthelittlecourseofstudywhichwasconsiderednecessaryforladiesinthosedays。Hermusicshepractisedincessantly，andoneday，whenthegirlswereout，andshehadremainedathome，shewasoverheardtoplayapiecesowellthatMinervathought，wisely，shecouldspareherselftheexpenseofamasterforthejuniors，andintimatedtoMissSharpthatshewastoinstructtheminmusicforthefuture。
　　Thegirlrefused；andforthefirsttime，andtotheastonishmentofthemajesticmistressoftheschool。”I
　　amheretospeakFrenchwiththechildren。”Rebeccasaidabruptly，“nottoteachthemmusic，andsavemoneyforyou。Givememoney，andIwillteachthem。”
　　Minervawasobligedtoyield，and，ofcourse，dislikedherfromthatday。”Forfive-and-thirtyyears。”shesaid，andwithgreatjustice，“Ineverhaveseentheindividualwhohasdaredinmyownhousetoquestionmyauthority。Ihavenourishedaviperinmybosom。”
　　“Aviper——afiddlestick。”saidMissSharptotheoldlady，almostfaintingwithastonishment。”YoutookmebecauseIwasuseful。Thereisnoquestionofgratitudebetweenus。Ihatethisplace，andwanttoleaveit。I
　　willdonothingherebutwhatIamobligedtodo。”
　　ItwasinvainthattheoldladyaskedherifshewasawareshewasspeakingtoMissPinkerton？Rebeccalaughedinherface，withahorridsarcasticdemoniacallaughter，thatalmostsenttheschoolmistressintofits。
　　“Givemeasumofmoney。”saidthegirl，“andgetridofme——or，ifyoulikebetter，getmeagoodplaceasgovernessinanobleman’sfamily——youcandosoifyouplease。”Andintheirfurtherdisputesshealwaysreturnedtothispoint，“Getmeasituation——wehateeachother，andIamreadytogo。”
　　WorthyMissPinkerton，althoughshehadaRomannoseandaturban，andwasastallasagrenadier，andhadbeenuptothistimeanirresistibleprincess，hadnowillorstrengthlikethatofherlittleapprentice，andinvaindidbattleagainsther，andtriedtooveraweher。
　　Attemptingoncetoscoldherinpublic，Rebeccahituponthebefore-mentionedplanofansweringherinFrench，whichquiteroutedtheoldwoman。Inordertomaintainauthorityinherschool，itbecamenecessarytoremovethisrebel，thismonster，thisserpent，thisfirebrand；andhearingaboutthistimethatSirPittCrawley’sfamilywasinwantofagoverness，sheactuallyrecommendedMissSharpforthesituation，firebrandandserpentasshewas。”Icannot，certainly。”shesaid，“findfaultwithMissSharp’sconduct，excepttomyself；andmustallowthathertalentsandaccomplishmentsareofahighorder。
　　Asfarastheheadgoes，atleast，shedoescredittotheeducationalsystempursuedatmyestablishment。’’
　　Andsotheschoolmistressreconciledtherecommendationtoherconscience，andtheindentureswerecancelled，andtheapprenticewasfree。Thebattleheredescribedinafewlines，ofcourse，lastedforsomemonths。AndasMissSedley，beingnowinherseventeenthyear，wasabouttoleaveschool，andhadafriendshipforMissSharp“’tistheonlypointinAmelia’sbehaviour。”saidMinerva，“whichhasnotbeensatisfactorytohermistress“，MissSharpwasinvitedbyherfriendtopassaweekwithherathome，beforesheentereduponherdutiesasgovernessinaprivatefamily。
　　Thustheworldbeganforthesetwoyoungladies。ForAmeliaitwasquiteanew，fresh，brilliantworld，withallthebloomuponit。ItwasnotquiteanewoneforRebecca——indeed，ifthetruthmustbetoldwithrespecttotheCrispaffair，thetart-womanhintedtosomebody，whotookanaffidavitofthefacttosomebodyelse，thattherewasagreatdealmorethanwasmadepublicregardingMr。CrispandMissSharp，andthathisletterwasinanswertoanotherletter。Butwhocantellyoutherealtruthofthematter？Atallevents，ifRebeccawasnotbeginningtheworld，shewasbeginningitoveragain。
　　BythetimetheyoungladiesreachedKensingtonturnpike，Ameliahadnotforgottenhercompanions，buthaddriedhertears，andhadblushedverymuchandbeendelightedatayoungofficeroftheLifeGuards，whospiedherashewasridingby，andsaid，“Ademfinegal，egad！”andbeforethecarriagearrivedinRussellSquare，agreatdealofconversationhadtakenplaceabouttheDrawing-room，andwhetherornotyoungladiesworepowderaswellashoopswhenpresented，andwhethershewastohavethathonour：totheLordMayor’sballsheknewshewastogo。Andwhenatlengthhomewasreached，MissAmeliaSedleyskippedoutonSambo’sarm，ashappyandashandsomeagirlasanyinthewholebigcityofLondon。Bothheandcoachmanagreedonthispoint，andsodidherfatherandmother，andsodideveryoneoftheservantsinthehouse，astheystoodbobbing，andcurtseying，andsmiling，inthehalltowelcometheiryoungmistress。
　　YoumaybesurethatsheshowedRebeccaovereveryroomofthehouse，andeverythingineveryoneofherdrawers；andherbooks，andherpiano，andherdresses，andallhernecklaces，brooches，laces，andgimcracks。
　　SheinsisteduponRebeccaacceptingthewhitecornelianandtheturquoiserings，andasweetspriggedmuslin，whichwastoosmallforhernow，thoughitwouldfitherfriendtoanicety；andshedeterminedinherhearttoaskhermother’spermissiontopresentherwhiteCashmereshawltoherfriend。Couldshenotspareit？andhadnotherbrotherJosephjustbroughthertwofromIndia？
　　WhenRebeccasawthetwomagnificentCashmereshawlswhichJosephSedleyhadbroughthometohissister，shesaid，withperfecttruth，“thatitmustbedelightfultohaveabrother。”andeasilygotthepityofthetender-heartedAmeliaforbeingaloneintheworld，anorphanwithoutfriendsorkindred。
　　“Notalone。”saidAmelia；“youknow，Rebecca，Ishallalwaysbeyourfriend，andloveyouasasister——indeedIwill。”
　　“Ah，buttohaveparents，asyouhave——kind，rich，affectionateparents，whogiveyoueverythingyou-askfor；andtheirlove，whichismorepreciousthanall！
　　Mypoorpapacouldgivemenothing，andIhadbuttwofrocksinalltheworld！Andthen，tohaveabrother，adearbrother！Oh，howyoumustlovehim！”
　　Amelialaughed。
　　“What！don’tyoulovehim？you，whosayyouloveeverybody？”~；
　　“Yes，ofcourse，Ido——only——“
　　“Onlywhat？”
　　“OnlyJosephdoesn’tseemtocaremuchwhetherI
　　lovehimornot。Hegavemetwofingerstoshakewhenhearrivedaftertenyears’absence！Heisverykindandgood，buthescarcelyeverspeakstome；Ithinkheloveshispipeagreatdealbetterthanhis“——buthereAmeliacheckedherself，forwhyshouldshespeakillofherbrother？“Hewasverykindtomeasachild。”sheadded；“Iwasbutfiveyearsoldwhenhewentaway。”
　　“Isn’theveryrich？”saidRebecca。”TheysayallIndiannabobsareenormouslyrich。”
　　“Ibelievehehasaverylargeincome。”
　　“Andisyoursister-in-lawaniceprettywoman？”
　　“La！Josephisnotmarried。”saidAmelia，laughingagain。
　　PerhapsshehadmentionedthefactalreadytoRebecca，butthatyoungladydidnotappeartohaverememberedit；indeed，vowedandprotestedthatsheexpectedtoseeanumberofAmelia’snephewsandnieces。ShewasquitedisappointedthatMr。Sedleywasnotmarried；shewassureAmeliahadsaidhewas，andshedotedsoonlittlechildren。
　　“IthinkyoumusthavehadenoughofthematChiswick。”saidAmelia，ratherwonderingatthesuddentendernessonherfriend’spart；andindeedinlaterdaysMissSharpwouldneverhavecommittedherselfsofarastoadvanceopinions，theuntruthofwhichwouldhavebeensoeasilydetected。Butwemustrememberthatsheisbutnineteenasyet，unusedtotheartofdeceiving，poorinnocentcreature！andmakingherownexperienceinherownperson。Themeaningoftheaboveseriesofqueries，astranslatedintheheartofthisingeniousyoungwoman，wassimplythis：“IfMr。JosephSedleyisrichandunmarried，whyshouldInotmarryhim？Ihaveonlyafortnight，tobesure，butthereisnoharmintrying。”Andshedeterminedwithinherselftomakethislaudableattempt。SheredoubledhercaressestoAmelia；
　　shekissedthewhitecorneliannecklaceassheputiton；andvowedshewouldnever，neverpartwithit。Whenthedinner-bellrangshewentdownstairswithherarmroundherfriend’swaist，asisthehabitofyoungladies。
　　Shewassoagitatedatthedrawing-roomdoor，thatshecouldhardlyfindcouragetoenter。”Feelmyheart，howitbeats，dear！”saidshetoherfriend。
　　“No，itdoesn’t。”saidAmelia。”Comein，don’tbefrightened。Papawon’tdoyouanyharm。”
　　CHAPTERIII
　　RebeccaIsinPresenceoftheEnemyAVERYstout，puffyman，inbuckskinsandHessianboots，withseveralimmenseneckclothsthatrosealmosttohisnose，witharedstripedwaistcoatandanapplegreencoatwithsteelbuttonsalmostaslargeascrownpiecesitwasthemorningcostumeofadandyorbloodofthosedayswasreadingthepaperbythefirewhenthetwogirlsentered，andbouncedoffhisarm-chair，andblushedexcessively，andhidhisentirefacealmostinhisneckclothsatthisapparition。
　　“It’sonlyyoursister，Joseph。”saidAmelia，laughingandshakingthetwofingerswhichheheldout。”I’vecomehomeFORGOOD，youknow；andthisismyfriend，MissSharp，whomyouhaveheardmemention。”
　　“No，never，uponmyword。”saidtheheadundertheneckcloth，shakingverymuch——“thatis，yes——whatabominablycoldweather，Miss“——andherewithhefelltopokingthefirewithallhismight，althoughitwasinthemiddleofJune。
　　“He’sveryhandsome。”whisperedRebeccatoAmelia，ratherloud。
　　“Doyouthinkso？”saidthelatter。”I’lltellhim。”
　　“Darling！notforworlds。”saidMissSharp，startingbackastimidasafawn。Shehadpreviouslymadearespectfulvirgin-likecurtseytothegentleman，andhermodesteyesgazedsoperseveringlyonthecarpetthatitwasawonderhowsheshouldhavefoundanopportunitytoseehim。
　　“Thankyouforthebeautifulshawls，brother。”saidAmeliatothefirepoker。”Aretheynotbeautiful，Rebecca？”
　　“Oheavenly！”saidMissSharp，andhereyeswentfromthecarpetstraighttothechandelier。