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510 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
Sister's wedding present : and surely they would rather work than
purchase a few hours' more ease with that poor widow's mite.
Who talked and was afraid of poverty ? Philip, with his two
newspapers, averred that he had enough; more than enough ; could
save ; could put by. It was at this time that Ridley, the Academician,
painted that sweet picture, No. 1976—of course you remember
it — "Portrait of a Lady." He became romantically
attached to the second-floor lodger; would have no noisy parties
in his rooms, or smoking, lest it should annoy her. Would Mrs.
Firmin desire to give entertainments of her own ? His studio and
sitting-room were at her orders. He fetched and carried. He
brought presents, and theatre-boxes. He was her slave of slaves.
And she gave him back in return for all this romantic adoration a
condescending shake of a soft little hand, and a kind look from a
pair of soft eyes, with which the painter was fain to be content.
Low of stature, and of misshapen form, J. J. thought himself naturally
outcast from marriage and love, and looked in with longing
eyes at the paradise which he was forbidden to enter. And Mr.
Philip sat within this Palace of Delight; and lolled at his ease,
and took his pleasure, and Charlotte ministered to him. And once
in a way, my lord sent out a crumb of kindness, or a little cup of
comfort, to the outcast at the gate who blessed his benefactress,
and my lord his benefactor, and was thankful. Charlotte had not
twopence: but she had a little court. It was the fashion for
Philip's friends to come and bow before her. Very fine gentlemen
who had known him at college, and forgot him, or, sooth to say,
thought him rough and overbearing, now suddenly remembered himand
his young wife had quite fashionable assemblies at her five
o'clock tea-table. All men liked her, and Miss Sowerby of course
says Mrs. Firmin was a good-natured, quite harmless little woman,
rather pretty, and—you know, my dear—such as men like. Look
you, if I like cold veal, dear Sowerby, it is that my tastes are
simple. A fine tough old dry camel, no doubt, is a much nobler
and more sagacious animal—and perhaps you think a double hump
is quite a delicacy.
Yes : Mrs. Philip was a success. She had scarce any female
friends as yet, being too poor to go into the world : but she had
Mrs. Pendennis, and dear little Mrs. Brandon, and Mrs. Mugford,
whose celebrated trap repeatedly brought delicacies for the bride
from Hampstead, whose chaise was once or twice a week at Philip's
door, and who was very much exercised and impressed by the fine
company whom she met in Mrs. Firmin's apartments. "Lord
Thingambury's card ! what next, Brandon, upon my word ? Lady
Slowby at home ? well, I never, Mrs. B.!" In such artless phrases