The arrangement was happily completed, and for a few days the coach of
Mr. Jarvis bore about the titled dame, until one unlucky day the
merchant, who still went on 'change when any great bargain in the stocks
was to be made, arrived at his own door suddenly, to procure a
calculation he had made on the leaf of his prayer-book the last Sunday
during sermon. This he obtained after some search. In his haste he drove
to his broker's in the carriage of his wife, to save time, it happening
to be in waiting at the moment, and the distance not great. Mr. Jarvis
forgot to order the man to return, and for an hour the vehicle stood in
one of the most public places in the city. The consequence was, that
when Mr. Jarvis undertook to examine into his gains, with the account
rendered of the transaction by his broker, he was astonished to read,
"Sir Timothy Jarvis, Bart., in account with John Smith, Dr." Sir Timothy
examined the account in as many different ways as Mr. Benfield had
examined the marriage of Denbigh, before he would believe his eyes; and
when assured of the fact, he immediately caught up his hat, and went to
find the man who had dared to insult him, as it were, in defiance of the
formality of business. He had not proceeded one square in the city
before he met a friend, who spoke to him by the title; an explanation of
the mistake followed, and the quasi baronet proceeded to his stables.
Here by actual examination he detected the fraud. An explanation with
his consort followed; and the painter's brush soon effaced the emblem of
dignity from the panels of the coach. All this was easy but with his
waggish companions on 'Change and in the city (where, notwithstanding
his wife's fashionable propensities, he loved to resort) he was Sir
Timothy still.
Mr. Jarvis, though a man of much modesty, was one of great decision, and
he determined to have the laugh on his side. A newly purchased borough
of his sent up an address flaming with patriotism, and it was presented
by his own hands. The merchant seldom kneeled to his Creator, but on
this occasion he humbled himself dutifully before his prince, and left
the presence with a legal right to the appellation which his old
companions had affixed to him sarcastically.
The rapture of Lady Jarvis may be more easily imagined than faithfully
described, the Christian name of her husband alone throwing any alloy
into the enjoyment of her elevation: but by a license of speech she
ordered, and addressed in her own practice, the softer and more familiar
appellation of Sir Timo. Two servants were discharged the first week,
because, unused to titles, they had addressed her as mistress; and her
son, the captain, then at a watering-place, was made acquainted by
express with the joyful intelligence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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