TheLetteronthePincushionHowtheyweremarriedisnotoftheslightestconsequencetoanybody。WhatistohinderaCaptainwhoisamajor，andayoungladywhoisofage，frompurchasingalicence，andunitingthemselvesatanychurchinthistown？Whoneedstobetold，thatifawomanhasawillshewillassuredlyfindaway？——Mybeliefisthatoneday，whenMissSharphadgonetopasstheforenoonwithherdearfriendMissAmeliaSedleyinRussellSquare，aladyverylikehermighthavebeenseenenteringachurchintheCity，incompanywithagentlemanwithdyedmustachios，who，afteraquarterofanhour’sinterval，escortedherbacktothehackney-coachinwaiting，andthatthiswasaquietbridalparty。
　　Andwhoonearth，afterthedailyexperiencewehave，canquestiontheprobabilityofagentlemanmarryinganybody？Howmanyofthewiseandlearnedhavemarriedtheircooks？DidnotLordEldonhimself，themostprudentofmen，makearunawaymatch？WerenotAchillesandAjaxbothinlovewiththeirservantmaids？
　　Andarewetoexpectaheavydragoonwithstrongdesiresandsmallbrains，whohadnevercontrolledapassioninhislife，tobecomeprudentallofasudden，andtorefusetopayanypriceforanindulgencetowhichhehadamind？Ifpeopleonlymadeprudentmarriages，whatastoptopopulationtherewouldbe！
　　Itseemstome，formypart，thatMr。Rawdon’smarriagewasoneofthehonestestactionswhichweshallhavetorecordinanyportionofthatgentleman’sbiographywhichhastodowiththepresenthistory。Noonewillsayitisunmanlytobecaptivatedbyawoman，or，beingcaptivated，tomarryher；andtheadmiration，thedelight，thepassion，thewonder，theunboundedconfidence，andfranticadorationwithwhich，bydegrees，thisbigwarriorgottoregardthelittleRebecca，werefeelingswhichtheladiesatleastwillpronouncewerenotaltogetherdiscreditabletohim。Whenshesang，everynotethrilledinhisdullsoul，andtingledthroughhishugeframe。Whenshespoke，hebroughtalltheforceofhisbrainstolistenandwonder。
　　Ifshewasjocular，heusedtorevolveherjokesinhismind，andexplodeoverthemhalfanhourafterwardsinthestreet，tothesurpriseofthegroominthetilburybyhisside，orthecomraderidingwithhiminRottenRow。
　　Herwordswereoraclestohim，hersmallestactionsmarkedbyaninfalliblegraceandwisdom。”Howshesings，——howshepaints。”thoughthe。”HowsherodethatkickingmareatQueen’sCrawley！”Andhewouldsaytoherinconfidentialmoments，“ByJove，Beck，you’refittobeCommander-in-Chief，orArchbishopofCanterbury，byJove。”Ishiscasearareone？anddon’tweseeeverydayintheworldmanyanhonestHerculesattheapron-stringsofOmphale，andgreatwhiskeredSamsonsprostrateinDelilah’slap？
　　When，then，Beckytoldhimthatthegreatcrisiswasnear，andthetimeforactionhadarrived，Rawdonexpressedhimselfasreadytoactunderherorders，ashewouldbetochargewithhistroopatthecommandofhiscolonel。TherewasnoneedforhimtoputhisletterintothethirdvolumeofPorteus。RebeccaeasilyfoundameanstogetridofBriggs，hercompanion，andmetherfaithfulfriendin“theusualplace“onthenextday。Shehadthoughtovermattersatnight，andcommunicatedtoRawdontheresultofherdeterminations。Heagreed，ofcourse，toeverything；wasquitesurethatitwasallright：thatwhatsheproposedwasbest；thatMissCrawleywouldinfalliblyrelent，or“comeround。”ashesaid，afteratime。HadRebecca’sresolutionsbeenentirelydifferent，hewouldhavefollowedthemasimplicitly。”Youhaveheadenoughforbothofus，Beck。”saidhe。”You’resuretogetusoutofthescrape。Ineversawyourequal，andI’vemetwithsomeclippersinmytimetoo。”Andwiththissimpleconfessionoffaith，thelove-strickendragoonlefthertoexecutehispartoftheprojectwhichshehadformedforthepair。
　　ItconsistedsimplyinthehiringofquietlodgingsatBrompton，orintheneighbourhoodofthebarracks，forCaptainandMrs。Crawley。ForRebeccahaddetermined，andveryprudently，wethink，tofly。Rawdonwasonlytoohappyatherresolve；hehadbeenentreatinghertotakethismeasureanytimeforweekspast。Heprancedofftoengagethelodgingswithalltheimpetuosityoflove。Heagreedtopaytwoguineasaweeksoreadily，thatthelandladyregrettedshehadaskedhimsolittle。
　　Heorderedinapiano，andhalfanursery-housefullofflowers：andaheapofgoodthings。Asforshawls，kidgloves，silkstockings，goldFrenchwatches，braceletsandperfumery，hesenttheminwiththeprofusionofblindloveandunboundedcredit。Andhavingrelievedhismindbythisoutpouringofgenerosity，hewentanddinednervouslyattheclub，waitinguntilthegreatmomentofhislifeshouldcome。
　　Theoccurrencesofthepreviousday；theadmirableconductofRebeccainrefusinganoffersoadvantageoustoher，thesecretunhappinesspreyinguponher，thesweetnessandsilencewithwhichsheboreheraffliction，madeMissCrawleymuchmoretenderthanusual。Aneventofthisnature，amarriage，orarefusal，oraproposal，thrillsthroughawholehouseholdofwomen，andsetsalltheirhystericalsympathiesatwork。Asanobserverofhumannature，IregularlyfrequentSt。George’s，HanoverSquare，duringthegenteelmarriageseason；andthoughIhaveneverseenthebridegroom’smalefriendsgivewaytotears，orthebeadlesandofficiatingclergyanywayaffected，yetitisnotatalluncommontoseewomenwhoarenotintheleastconcernedintheoperationsgoingon——oldladieswhoarelongpastmarrying，stoutmiddle-agedfemaleswithplentyofsonsanddaughters，letaloneprettyyoungcreaturesinpinkbonnets，whoareontheirpromotion，andmaynaturallytakeaninterestintheceremony——Isayitisquitecommontoseethewomenpresentpiping，sobbing，sniffling；hidingtheirlittlefacesintheirlittleuselesspocket-handkerchiefs；
　　andheaving，oldandyoung，withemotion。Whenmyfriend，thefashionableJohnPimlico，marriedthelovelyLadyBelgraviaGreenParker，theexcitementwassogeneralthateventhelittlesnuffyoldpew-openerwholetmeintotheseatwasintears。Andwherefore？Iinquiredofmyownsoul：shewasnotgoingtobemarried。
　　MissCrawleyandBriggsinaword，aftertheaffairofSirPitt，indulgedintheutmostluxuryofsentiment，andRebeccabecameanobjectofthemosttenderinteresttothem。InherabsenceMissCrawleysolacedherselfwiththemostsentimentalofthenovelsinherlibrary。LittleSharp，withhersecretgriefs，wastheheroineoftheday。
　　ThatnightRebeccasangmoresweetlyandtalkedmorepleasantlythanshehadeverbeenheardtodoinParkLane。ShetwinedherselfroundtheheartofMissCrawley。
　　ShespokelightlyandlaughinglyofSirPitt’sproposal，ridiculeditasthefoolishfancyofanoldman；andhereyesfilledwithtears，andBriggs’sheartwithunutterablepangsofdefeat，asshesaidshedesirednootherlotthantoremainforeverwithherdearbenefactress。”Mydearlittlecreature。”theoldladysaid，“Idon’tintendtoletyoustirforyears，thatyoumaydependuponit。Asforgoingbacktothatodiousbrotherofmineafterwhathaspassed，itisoutofthequestion。HereyoustaywithmeandBriggs。Briggswantstogotoseeherrelationsveryoften。Briggs，youmaygowhenyoulike。Butasforyou，mydear，youmuststayandtakecareoftheoldwoman。”
　　IfRawdonCrawleyhadbeenthenandtherepresent，insteadofbeingattheclubnervouslydrinkingclaret，thepairmighthavegonedownontheirkneesbeforetheoldspinster，avowedall，andbeenforgiveninatwinkling。
　　Butthatgoodchancewasdeniedtotheyoungcouple，doubtlessinorderthatthisstorymightbewritten，inwhichnumbersoftheirwonderfuladventuresarenarrated——adventureswhichcouldneverhaveoccurredtothemiftheyhadbeenhousedandshelteredunderthecomfortableuninterestingforgivenessofMissCrawley。
　　UnderMrs。Firkin’sorders，intheParkLaneestablishment，wasayoungwomanfromHampshire，whosebusinessitwas，amongotherduties，toknockatMissSharp’sdoorwiththatjugofhotwaterwhichFirkinwouldratherhaveperishedthanhavepresentedtotheintruder。Thisgirl，bredonthefamilyestate，hadabrotherinCaptainCrawley’stroop，andifthetruthwereknown，Idaresayitwouldcomeoutthatshewasawareofcertainarrangements，whichhaveagreatdealtodowiththishistory。
　　Atanyrateshepurchasedayellowshawl，apairofgreenboots，andalightbluehatwitharedfeatherwiththreeguineaswhichRebeccagaveher，andaslittleSharpwasbynomeanstooliberalwithhermoney，nodoubtitwasforservicesrenderedthatBettyMartinwassobribed。
　　OntheseconddayafterSirPittCrawley’soffertoMissSharp，thesunroseasusual，andattheusualhourBettyMartin，theupstairsmaid，knockedatthedoorofthegoverness’sbedchamber。
　　Noanswerwasreturned，andsheknockedagain。Silencewasstilluninterrupted；andBetty，withthehotwater，openedthedoorandenteredthechamber。
　　Thelittlewhitedimitybedwasassmoothandtrimasonthedayprevious，whenBetty’sownhandshadhelpedtomakeit。Twolittletrunkswerecordedinoneendoftheroom；andonthetablebeforethewindow——onthepincushionthegreatfatpincushionlinedwithpinkinside，andtwilledlikealady’snightcap——layaletter。Ithadbeenreposingthereprobablyallnight。
　　Bettyadvancedtowardsitontiptoe，asifshewereafraidtoawakeit——lookedatit，androundtheroom，withanairofgreatwonderandsatisfaction；tookuptheletter，andgrinnedintenselyassheturneditroundandover，andfinallycarrieditintoMissBriggs’sroombelow。
　　HowcouldBettytellthattheletterwasforMissBriggs，Ishouldliketoknow？AlltheschoolingBettyhadhadwasatMrs。ButeCrawley’sSundayschool，andshecouldnomorereadwritingthanHebrew。
　　“La，MissBriggs。”thegirlexclaimed，“O，Miss，somethingmusthavehappened——there’snobodyinMissSharp’sroom；thebedain’tbeenslepin，andshe’verunaway，andleftthisletterforyou，Miss。”
　　“WHAT！”criesBriggs，droppinghercomb，thethinwispoffadedhairfallingoverhershoulders；“anelopement！
　　MissSharpafugitive！What，whatisthis？”andsheeagerlybroketheneatseal，and，astheysay，“devouredthecontents“oftheletteraddressedtoher。
　　DearMissBriggs[therefugeewrote]，thekindestheartintheworld，asyoursis，willpityandsympathisewithmeandexcuseme。Withtears，andprayers，andblessings，Ileavethehomewherethepoororphanhasevermetwithkindnessandaffection。Claimsevensuperiortothoseofmybenefactresscallmehence。Igotomyduty——tomyHUSBAND。Yes，Iammarried。MyhusbandCOMMANDSmetoseektheHUMBLEHOMEwhichwecallours。DearestMissBriggs，breakthenewsasyourdelicatesympathywillknowhowtodoit——tomydear，mybelovedfriendandbenefactress。Tellher，ereIwent，Ishedtearsonherdearpillow——thatpillowthatIhavesooftensoothedinsickness——thatIlongAGAINtowatch——Oh，withwhatjoyshallIreturntodearParkLane！
　　HowItremblefortheanswerwhichistoSEALMYFATE！
　　WhenSirPittdeignedtooffermehishand，anhonourofwhichmybelovedMissCrawleysaidIwasDESERVING
　　myblessingsgowithherforjudgingthepoororphanworthytobeHERSISTER！ItoldSirPittthatIwasalreadyAWIFE。Evenheforgaveme。Butmycouragefailedme，whenIshouldhavetoldhimall——thatIcouldnotbehiswife，forIWASHISDAUGHTER！Iamweddedtothebestandmostgenerousofmen——MissCrawley’sRawdonisMYRawdon。AthisCOMMANDIopenmylips，andfollowhimtoourhumblehome，asIwouldTHROUGHTHE
　　WORLD。O，myexcellentandkindfriend，intercedewithmyRawdon’sbelovedauntforhimandthepoorgirltowhomallHISNOBLERACEhaveshownsuchUNPARALLELED
　　AFFECTION。AskMissCrawleytoreceiveHERCHILDREN。I
　　cansaynomore，butblessings，blessingsonallinthedearhouseIleave，praysYouraffectionateandGRATEFUL
　　RebeccaCrawley。
　　Midnight。
　　JustasBriggshadfinishedreadingthisaffectingandinterestingdocument，whichreinstatedherinherpositionasfirstconfidanteofMissCrawley，Mrs。Firkinenteredtheroom。”Here’sMrs。ButeCrawleyjustarrivedbythemailfromHampshire，andwantssometea；willyoucomedownandmakebreakfast，Miss？”
　　AndtothesurpriseofFirkin，claspingherdressing-gownaroundher，thewispofhairfloatingdishevelledbehindher，thelittlecurl-papersstillstickinginbunchesroundherforehead，BriggssaileddowntoMrs。Butewiththeletterinherhandcontainingthewonderfulnews。
　　“Oh，Mrs。Firkin。”gaspedBetty，“sechabusiness。MissSharphaveagoneandrunawaywiththeCapting，andthey’reofftoGretneyGreen！”WewoulddevoteachaptertodescribetheemotionsofMrs。Firkin，didnotthepassionsofhermistressesoccupyourgenteelermuse。
　　WhenMrs。ButeCrawley，numbedwithmidnighttravelling，andwarmingherselfatthenewlycracklingparlourfire，heardfromMissBriggstheintelligenceoftheclandestinemarriage，shedeclareditwasquiteprovidentialthatsheshouldhavearrivedatsuchatimetoassistpoordearMissCrawleyinsupportingtheshock——thatRebeccawasanartfullittlehussyofwhomshehadalwayshadhersuspicions；andthatasforRawdonCrawley，shenevercouldaccountforhisaunt’sinfatuationregardinghim，andhadlongconsideredhimaprofligate，lost，andabandonedbeing。Andthisawfulconduct，Mrs。Butesaid，willhaveatleastthisgoodeffect，itwillopenpoordearMissCrawley’seyestotherealcharacterofthiswickedman。ThenMrs。Butehadacomfortablehottoastandtea；andastherewasavacantroominthehousenow，therewasnoneedforhertoremainattheGlosterCoffeeHousewherethePortsmouthmailhadsetherdown，andwhencesheorderedMr。Bowls’saide-de-campthefootmantobringawayhertrunks。