Newton Forster; Or, The Merchant Service

by Frederick Marryat

  VOLUME THREE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

  Hopes of all passions, most befriend us here; Joy has her tears and Transport has her death: Hope, like a cordial, innocent, tho' strong. Man's heart at once inspirits and serenes; Nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys. 'Tis all our present state can safely bear: Health to the frame and vigor to the mind, And to the modest eye, chastised delight, Like the fair summer evening, mild and sweet, 'Tis man's full cup--his paradise below. YOUNG.

  With what feelings of delight did Newton Forster walk the deck of theWindsor Castle, as she scudded before a fine breeze across the Bay ofBiscay! His happiness in anticipation was so great, that at times hetrembled lest the cup should be dashed from his lips; and at the sametime that he thanked God for blessings received, he offered up hisprayer that his prospects might not be blighted by disappointment. Howhappy did he feel when he escorted Isabel on deck, and walked with herduring the fine summer evenings, communicating those hopes and fears,recurring to the past, or anticipating the future, till midnight warnedthem of the rapidity with which time had flown away! The pirate vessel,which had been manned by the crew of the neutral and part of the ship'scompany of the Windsor Castle, under charge of the fourth-mate, sailedround and round them, until at last the Channel was entered, and,favoured with a westerly breeze, the Windsor Castle and her prizeanchored in the Downs. Here Mrs Enderby and Isabel quitted the ship,and Newton received orders to proceed round to the river. Before theWindsor Castle had anchored, the newspapers were put into his handscontaining a report of the two actions, and he had the gratification ofacknowledging that his countrymen were not niggardly in the encomiumsupon his meritorious conduct.

  Newton presented himself to the Court of Directors, who confirmed hisrank, and promised him the command of the first ship which was broughtforward, with flattering commendations for his gallantry in protectingproperty of so much value. Newton took his heave of the august_Leaden-hall_ board, and hastened to his uncle's house. The door wasopened by a servant who did not know him: Newton passed him, and ran upto the drawing-room, where he found Amber in company with WilliamAveleyn, who was reading to her the despatch containing the account ofthe action with Surcoeuf.

  Amber _sprung_ into his arms. She had grown into a tall girl of nearlyfifteen, budding into womanhood and beauty; promising perfection,although not yet attained to it. William Aveleyn was also nearly half afoot taller; and a blush which suffused his handsome face at beingsurprised alone with Amber, intimated that the feelings of a man weresuperseding those of boyhood.

  "Where is my mother?" inquired Newton.

  "She is not at home, dear Newton," replied Amber; "she walked out withyour father. They are both well."

  "And my uncle?"

  "Quite well, and most anxious to see you. He talks of nobody but you,and of nothing but your actions, which we were just reading about whenyou came in. Pray _Captain_ Newton, may I inquire after your Frenchfriends? What has become of them?"

  "They are at Sablonniere's hotel. Miss Amber; they have obtained theirparole at the Alien-office."

  The conversation was interrupted by the return of Newton's father andmother, and shortly afterward Mr John Forster made his appearance.After the first greeting and congratulations were over--

  "Well, Newton," observed Nicholas, "so you beat off a pirate, I hear."

  "No, my dear father, we boarded one."

  "Ah! very true; I recollect--and you killed Surcoeuf."

  "No, father, only beat him off."

  "So it was; I recollect now.--Brother John, isn't it almostdinner-time?"

  "Yes, brother Nicholas, it is; and I'm not sorry for it. Mr WilliamAveleyn, perhaps you'd like to wash your hands? A lad's paws are neverthe worse for a little clean water."

  William Aveleyn blushed: his dignity was hurt: but he had lately beenvery intimate at Mr Forster's, and he therefore walked out to complywith the recommendation.

  "Well, brother Nicholas, what have you been doing all day?"

  "Doing all day, brother? really, I don't exactly know. My dear," saidNicholas, turning to his wife, "what have I been doing all day?"

  "To the best of my recollection," replied Mrs Forster, smiling, "youhave been asking when dinner would be ready."

  "Uncle Nicholas," said Amber, "you promised to buy me a skein of bluesilk."

  "Did I, my dear? Well, so I did, I declare. I'm very sorry--dear me, Iforgot, I did buy it. I passed by a shop where the windows were full ofit, and it brought it to my mind, and I did buy it. It cost--what wasit, it cost?"

  "Oh! I know what it cost," replied Amber. "I gave you three-pence topay for it. Where is it?"

  "If I recollect, it cost seven shillings and six-pence," repliedNicholas, pulling out, not a skein of blue silk, but a yard of bluesarsenet.

  "Now, papa, do look here! Uncle Nicholas, I never will give you acommission again. Is it not provoking? I have seven shillings andsix-pence to pay for a yard of blue sarsenet, which I do not want.Uncle Nicholas, you really are very stupid."

  "Well, my dear, I suppose I am. I heard William Aveleyn say the same,when I came into the room this morning, because--let me see--"

  "You heard him say nothing, uncle," interrupted Amber, colouring.

  "Yes, I recollect now--how stupid I was to come in when I was notwanted!"

  "Humph!" said John Forster; and dinner was announced.

  Since the recognition of Mrs Forster by her husband, she had presidedat her brother-in-law's table. The dinner provided was excellent, andwas done ample justice to by all parties, especially Nicholas, whoseappetite appeared to increase from idleness. Since Newton had leftEngland he had remained a pensioner upon his brother; and, by dint ofconstant exertion on the part of Mrs Forster, had been drilled out ofhis propensity of interfering with either the watch or the spectacles.This was all that was required by Mr John Forster; and Nicholas walkedup and down the house, like a tame cat, minding nobody, and nobodypaying any attention to him.

  After dinner the ladies retired, and shortly afterwards William Aveleynquitted the room.

  Newton thought this to be a good opportunity to acquaint his uncle withhis attachment to Miss Revel, and the favourable result. Mr JohnForster heard him without interruption.

  "Very nice girl, I dare say, nephew, but you are too young to marry.You can't marry and go to sea. Follow your profession, Newton;speculate in opium--I'll find the means."

  "I trust, sir, that I never should speculate in marrying; but, had Iacted on that plan, this would prove the best speculation of the two.Miss Revel has a very large fortune."

  "So much the worse: a man should never be indebted to his wife for hismoney--they never forget it. I'd rather you had fallen in love with agirl without a shilling."

  "Well, sir, when I first fell in love she had not a six-pence."

  "Humph!--well, nephew, that may be very true; but, as I said before,follow your profession."

  "Marriage will not prevent my so doing, uncle. Most captains ofIndiamen are married, men."

  "More fools they! leaving their wives at home, to be flattered andfooled by the Lord knows who. A wife, nephew--is a woman."

  "I hope that mine will be one, sir," replied Newton,--laughing.

  "Nephew, once for all, I don't approve of your marrying now--that'sunderstood. It's my wish that you follow your profession. I'll becandid with you; I have left you the heir to most of my fortune; but--Ican alter my will. If you marry this girl I shall do so."

  "Alter your will, brother?" said Nicholas, who had been attentive to theconversation.--"Why, who have you to leave your money to, except toNewton?"

  "To hospitals--to pay off the national debt--to any thing. Perhaps Imay leave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for aslice."

  "But, brother," replied Nicholas, "will that be just, to leave all yourmoney away from the family?"

  "Just, yes, brother Nicholas, quite just. A man's will is his _will_.If he makes it so as to satisf
y the wishes or expectations of others, itis no longer _his will_, but theirs. Nephew, as I said before, if youmarry against my consent, I shall alter my will."

  "I am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; butI am affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce menot to fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happinessdepends. I have no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, I haveincurred a large debt of gratitude, from your kind protection. Anything else you would require of me--"

  "Humph! that's always the case; any thing else except what is requested.Brother Nicholas, do me the favour to go up stairs; I wish to speakwith my nephew alone."

  "Well, brother John, certainly, if you wish it--if you and Newton havesecrets;" and Nicholas rose from his chair.

  "Surely, sir," observed Newton, not pleased at the abrupt dismissal ofhis father, "we can have no secrets to which my father may not be aparty."

  "Yes, but I have, nephew. Your father is my brother, and I take theliberty with my brother, if you like that better--not with your father."

  In the mean time Nicholas had stalked out of the room.

  "Nephew," continued Mr John Forster, as the door closed, "I have statedto you my wish that you should not marry this young woman; and I willnow explain my reasons. The girl left in my charge by my brother Edwardhas become the same to me as a daughter. I intend that you shall makethree or four voyages as captain of an India-man; then you shall marryher, and become the heir to my whole fortune. Now you understand me.May I ask, what are your objections?"

  "None, sir, but what I have already stated--my attachment and engagementto another person."

  "Is that all?"

  "Is it not enough?"

  "It appears that this young woman has entered into an engagement onboard ship, without consulting her friends."

  "She has no father, sir. She is of age, and independent."

  "You have done the same."

  "I grant it, sir; but even were I inclined, could I, in honour orhonesty, retract?"

  "Humph!"

  "Perhaps, sir, if you were acquainted with the young lady you might notbe so averse to the match."

  "Perhaps, if I saw with your eyes, I might not; but that is not likelyto be the case. Old men are a little blind and a little obstinate.After toiling through life to amass a fortune, they wish to have theirown way of disposing of it. It is the only return they can receive fortheir labour. However, nephew, you will act as you please. As I saidbefore, if you marry against my consent, I shall alter my will. Now,empty the bottle, and we'll go up stairs."