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for her love and watchfulness over the boy。 His
conscience smote him that he had borrowed Briggs's money
and aided in deceiving her。 They talked about little
Rawdon a long time； for Becky only came home to dress
and go out to dinnerand then he went off uneasily to
drink tea with Lady Jane； and tell her of what had
happened； and how little Rawdon went off like a trump； and
how he was to wear a gown and little knee…breeches； and
how young Blackball； Jack Blackball's son； of the old
regiment； had taken him in charge and promised to be
kind to him。
In the course of a week； young Blackball had
constituted little Rawdon his fag； shoe…black； and breakfast
toaster； initiated him into the mysteries of the Latin
Grammar； and thrashed him three or four times； but not
severely。 The little chap's good…natured honest face won
his way for him。 He only got that degree of beating which
was； no doubt； good for him； and as for blacking shoes；
toasting bread； and fagging in general； were these offices
not deemed to be necessary parts of every young English
gentleman's education？
Our business does not lie with the second generation
and Master Rawdon's life at school； otherwise the present
tale might be carried to any indefinite length。 The Colonel
went to see his son a short time afterwards and found
the lad sufficiently well and happy； grinning and laughing
in his little black gown and little breeches。
His father sagaciously tipped Blackball； his master； a
sovereign； and secured that young gentleman's good…will
towards his fag。 As a protege of the great Lord Steyne；
the nephew of a County member； and son of a Colonel
and C。B。； whose name appeared in some of the most
fashionable parties in the Morning Post； perhaps the
school authorities were disposed not to look unkindly on
the child。 He had plenty of pocket…money； which he
spent in treating his comrades royally to raspberry tarts；
and he was often allowed to come home on Saturdays
to his father； who always made a jubilee of that day。
When free； Rawdon would take him to the play； or send
him thither with the footman； and on Sundays he went to
church with Briggs and Lady Jane and his cousins。
Rawdon marvelled over his stories about school； and
fights； and fagging。 Before long； he knew the names of all
the masters and the principal boys as well as little
Rawdon himself。 He invited little Rawdon's crony from
school； and made both the children sick with pastry； and
oysters； and porter after the play。 He tried to look knowing
over the Latin grammar when little Rawdon showed
him what part of that work he was 〃in。〃 〃Stick to it； my
boy；〃 he said to him with much gravity； 〃there's nothing
like a good classical education！ Nothing！〃
Becky's contempt for her husband grew greater every
day。 〃Do what you likedine where you pleasego and
have ginger…beer and sawdust at Astley's； or psalm…
singing with Lady Janeonly don't expect me to busy
myself with the boy。 I have your interests to attend to；
as you can't attend to them yourself。 I should like to
know where you would have been now； and in what sort
of a position in society； if I had not looked after you。〃
Indeed； nobody wanted poor old Rawdon at the parties
whither Becky used to go。 She was often asked without
him now。 She talked about great people as if she had the
fee…simple of May Fair； and when the Court went into
mourning； she always wore black。
Little Rawdon being disposed of； Lord Steyne； who
took such a parental interest in the affairs of this amiable
poor family； thought that their expenses might be very
advantageously curtailed by the departure of Miss Briggs；
and that Becky was quite clever enough to take the
management of her own house。 It has been narrated in a
former chapter how the benevolent nobleman had given
his protegee money。to pay off her little debt to Miss
Briggs； who however still remained behind with her
friends； whence my lord came to the painful conclusion
that Mrs。 Crawley had made some other use of the
money confided to her than that for which her generous
patron had given the loan。 However； Lord Steyne was
not so rude as to impart his suspicions upon this head to
Mrs。 Becky； whose feelings might be hurt by any
controversy on the money…question； and who might have a
thousand painful reasons for disposing otherwise of his
lordship's generous loan。 But he determined to satisfy
himself of the real state of the case； and instituted the
necessary inquiries in a most cautious and delicate
manner。
In the first place he took an early opportunity of
pumping Miss Briggs。 That was not a difficult operation。
A very little encouragement would set that worthy woman
to talk volubly and pour out all within her。 And one day
when Mrs。 Rawdon had gone out to drive （as Mr。 Fiche；
his lordship's confidential servant； easily learned at the
livery stables where the Crawleys kept their carriage and
horses； or rather； where the livery…man kept a carriage
and horses for Mr。 and Mrs。 Crawley）my lord dropped
in upon the Curzon Street houseasked Briggs for a cup
of coffeetold her that he had good accounts of the little
boy at schooland in five minutes found out from her
that Mrs。 Rawdon had given her nothing except a black
silk gown； for which Miss Briggs was immensely grateful。
He laughed within himself at this artless story。 For the
truth is； our dear friend Rebecca had given him a most
circumstantial narration of Briggs's delight at receiving
her moneyeleven hundred and twenty…five pounds
and in what securities she had invested it； and what a
pang Becky herself felt in being obliged to pay away such
a delightful sum of money。 〃Who knows；〃 the dear
woman may have thought within herself； 〃perhaps he
may give me a little more？〃 My lord； however； made no
such proposal to the little schemervery likely thinking
that he had been sufficiently generous already。
He had the curiosity； then； to ask Miss Briggs about
the state of her private affairsand she told his lordship
candidly what her position washow Miss Crawley had
left her a legacyhow her relatives had had part of it
how Colonel Crawley had put out another portion； for
which she had the best security and interestand how
Mr。 and Mrs。 Rawdon had kindly busied themselves with
Sir Pitt； who was to dispose of the remainder most
advantageously for her； when he had time。 My lord asked
how much the Colonel had already invested for her； and
Miss Briggs at once and truly told him that the sum was
six hundred and odd pounds。
But as soon as she had told her story； the voluble
Briggs repented of her frankness and besought my lord
not to tell Mr。 Crawley of the confessions which she had
made。 〃The Colonel was so kindMr。 Crawley might
be offended and pay back the money； for which she
could get no such good interest anywhere else。〃 Lord
Steyne； laughing； promised he never would divulge their
conversation； and when he and Miss Briggs parted he
laughed still more。
〃What an accomplished little devil it is！〃 thought he。
〃What a splendid actress and manager！ She had almost
got a second supply out of me the other day； with her
coaxing ways。 She beats all the women I have ever