Tom Burke Of Ours, Volume I

by Charles James Lever

  CHAPTER XVI. THE BAIL.

  Six o'clock, seven, and even eight struck; and yet no one came. Themonotonous tread of the sentry on guard at the Castle gate and theoccasional challenge to some passing stranger were the only sounds Iheard above the distant hum of the city, which grew fainter gradually asevening fell. At last I heard the sound of a key moving in a lock, thebang of a door, and then came the noise of many voices as the footstepsmounted the stairs, amid which Bubbleton's was pre-eminently loud. Theparty entered the room next to where I sat, and from the tones I couldcollect that Major Barton and Mr. Cooke were of the number. Anotherthere was, too, whose voice was not absolutely new or strange to myears, though I could not possibly charge my memory where I had heard itbefore.

  While I was thus musing, the door opened noiselessly, and Bubbletonentering without a word, closed it behind him, and approached me ontiptoe.

  "All right, my boy; they're doing the needful outside; ready in tenminutes: never was such a piece of fortune; found out a glorious fellow;heard of him from Hicks the money-lender; he'll go security to anyamount; knows your family well; knew your father, grandfather, Ibelieve; delighted to meet you; says he 'd rather see you than fiftypounds."

  "Who is he, for Heaven's sake?" said I, impatiently; for it was anew thing to me to receive anything like kindness on the score of myfather's memory.

  "Eh! who is he? He 's a kind of a bill-broking, mortgaging,bail-giving, devilish good sort of fellow. I 've a notion he 'd do a bitof something at three months."

  "But his name? what 's he called?"

  "His name is,--let me see,--his name is--But who cares for his name?He can write it, I suppose, on a stamp, my boy; that 's the mark. Blessyour heart, I only spoil a stamp when I put my autograph across it;it would be worth prime cost till then. What a glorious thing isyouth,--unfledged, unblemished youth,--to possess a name new to theJews, a reputation against which no one has 'protested' I Tom Burke, myboy, I envy you. Now, when I write George Frederick Augustus Bubbletonon any bill, warrant, or quittance, straightway there 's a grin aroundthe circle,--a kind of a damned impertinent sort of a half-civil smile,as though to say 'nulla bona,' payable nowhere. But hold! that was atap at the door. Oh, they want us."

  So saying, the captain opened the door and introduced me.

  "I say, Tom," cried he, "come here, and thank our kind friend,Mr.--Mr.--"

  "Mr. Basset!" said I, starting back, as my eyes beheld the pale,sarcastic features of the worthy attorney, who stood at the table,conversing in a low tone with the Under-Secretary.

  "Eh I what 's the matter?" whispered Bubbleton as he saw my color comeand go, and perceived that I leaned on a chair for support. "What thedevil 's wrong now?"

  "You 've betrayed me to my greatest enemy," said I, in a low, distinctvoice.

  "Eh! what? Why, you seem to have nothing but foes in the world. Confoundit, that's always my luck; my infernal good-nature is everlastinglymaking a wrong plunge."

  "In that case, if I understand the matter aright, the bail isunnecessary," said Mr. Cooke, addressing Basset, who never turned hishead to the part of the room where we stood.

  "No, sir; it is not necessary. While the law assists me to resumemy guardianship of this young gentleman, I am answerable for hisappearance."

  "The indentures are quite correct," said Barton, as he laid the paperson the table, "as I believe Mr. Basset's statement to be also."

  "No bail necessary," interrupted Bubbleton, rubbing his handspleasantly; "so much the better. Wish them good evening, Tom, my hearty;we shall be back in time for supper. You wouldn't take an oyster, Mr.Cooke?"

  "I thank you very much, but I am unfortunately engaged."

  "Not so fast, captain, I beg you," said Basset, with a most servile butmalignant expression in his features. "The habits I would inculcate tomy apprentice are not exactly consistent with mess parties and barracksuppers."

  "Apprentice! apprentice!" said Bubbleton, starting as if stung by awasp. "Eh! you 're surely not--not the--the--"

  "Yes, sir; there's the indenture, signed and sealed, if you are desirousto satisfy yourself. The young gentleman himself will not deny hisfather's instructions concerning him."

  I hung down my head, abashed and ashamed. The tears started to my eyes;I turned away to wipe them, and feared to face the others again. I sawthat Bubbleton, my only friend, believed I had practised some deceit onhim; and how to explain, without disclosing what I dare not.

  There was a bustle in the room; a sound of voices; the noise of feetdescending the stairs; and when I again looked round, they were allgone save Basset, who was leisurely collecting his papers together andfastening them with a string. I turned my eyes everywhere, to see ifBubbleton had not remained. But no; he had left me like the rest, and Iwas alone with the man I most dreaded and disliked of all the world.

  "Well, sir," said Basset, as he thrust the papers into the pocket of hisgreatcoat, "I'm ready now."

  "Where to, sir?" replied I, sternly, as he moved to leave the room;for without thinking of how and why I was to succeed in it, a vagueresolution of defiance flitted through my mind.

  "To my house, sir; or to Newgate, if you prefer it. Don't mistake,young gentleman, for a moment, the position you occupy; you owe yourliberation at this moment not to any merits of your own. Your connectionwith the disaffected and rebellious body is well known: my interest withthe Government is your only protection. Again, sir, let me add, thatI have no peculiar desire for your company in my family; neither thehabits nor the opinions you have acquired will suit those you 'll meetthere."

  "Why, then, have you interfered with me?" said I, passionately. "Whynot have left me to my fate? Be it what it might, it would have been notless acceptable, I assure you, than to become an inmate of your house."

  "That question were very easily answered," said he, interrupting me.

  "Then, why not do so?"

  "Come, come, sir; these are not the terms which are to subsist betweenus, nor is this the place to discuss our difference. Follow me."

  He led the way downstairs as he spoke, and, taking my arm within his,turned into the street. Without a word on either side, we proceeded downParliament Street, and crossing Essex Bridge, followed the quays forsome time; then turning into Stafford Street, we arrived at a house,when having taken a latchkey from his pocket. Basset opened the door andushered me in, muttering half aloud as he turned the key in the lock,and fastened the bolt, "Safe at last!" We turned from the narrow hallinto a small parlor, which, from its dingy furniture of writing-desk andstools, I guessed to serve as an office. Here my companion lit a candlefrom the embers of the fire, and having carefully closed the door, hemotioned me to a seat.

  "I have already told you, sir, that I am not in the least covetous ofyour company in my house; circumstances which I may or may notexplain hereafter have led me to rescue you from the disgrace you musteventually have brought upon your family."

  "Hold, sir; I have none, save a brother--"

  "Well, sir; and your brother's feelings are, I trust, not to beslightingly treated--a young gentleman whose position and prospects areof the very highest order."

  "You are his agent, I perceive Mr. Basset," said I, with a significantsmile.

  "I am, sir," replied he, with a deep flush that mounted even to hisforehead.

  "Then let me save you all further trouble on my account," said I,calmly. "My brother's indifference to me or my fate has long sinceabsolved me from any regret I might feel for the consequences which myactions might induce on his fortunes. His own conduct must stamp him,as mine must me. I choose to judge for myself; and not even Mr.Basset shall decide for me, although I am well aware his powers ofdiscrimination have had the double advantage of experience on both sidesof the question."

  As I said this, his face became almost livid, and his white lipsquivered with passion. He knew not before that I was acquainted withhis history, nor that I knew of his having sold to the Governmentinformation which brought his schoolfellow and benefactor
to thescaffold.

  "Come, come," continued I, gaining courage, as I saw the effect my wordsproduced, "it is not your interest to injure me, however it may be yourwish. Is there no arrangement we can come to, mutually advantageous? Weshall be but sorry companions. I ought to have some property under mygrandfather's will."

  "There is, I believe, five hundred pounds," said Basset, with a slowdistinctness, as if not rejecting the turn the conversation had taken.

  "Well, then, what will you take to cancel that indenture? You don't seta very high value on my services, I suppose?"

  "You forget, I perceive," said he, "that I am answerable for your futureappearance if called on."

  "There was no bail-bond drawn out, no sum mentioned, if I mistake not,Mr. Basset."

  "Very true, sir; very true; but I pledged myself to the law adviser,--mycharacter is responsible."

  "Well, well, let me have two hundred pounds; bum that cursedindenture--"

  "Two hundred pounds! Do you fancy, then, that you are in the possessionof this legacy? Why, it never may, in all likelihood it never will, beyours; it's only payable on your attaining your majority."

  "Give me one hundred pounds, then,--give me fifty; let me only be free,at liberty, and not absolutely a beggar on the streets."

  Basset leaned his head on the chimney, and seemed sunk in reflection;while I, wound up to the highest pitch of excitement, trod up and downthe room, pouring forth from time to time short and broken sentences,declaratory of my desire to surrender all that I might chance to inheritby every casualty in life, to my last guinea, only let there be noconstraint on my actions, no attempt to control my personal liberty.

  "I see," cried I, passionately,--"I see what hampers you. You fear I maycompromise my family! It is my brother's fair fame you are thinking of.But away with all dread on that score. I 'll leave Ireland; I have longsince determined on that."

  "Indeed!" said Basset, slowly, as he turned round his head, and lookedme full in the face.

  "Would you go to America, then?"

  "To America? No,--to France! That shall be the land of my adoption, asit is this moment of all my heart's longings."

  His eyes sparkled, and a gleam of pleasure shot across his coldfeatures, as if he caught a glow of the enthusiasm that lit up mine.

  "Come," cried he, "I 'll think of this. Give me till tomorrow, and ifyou 'll pledge yourself to leave Ireland within a week--"

  "I 'll pledge myself to nothing of the kind," replied I, fiercely. "Itis to be free,--free in thought as in act,--that I would barter all myprospects with you. There must be but one compact between us,--it mustbegin and end here. Take a night if you will to think it over, andto-morrow morning--"

  "Well, then, to-morrow morning be it," said he, with more of animationin his tone; "and now to supper!"

  "To bed, rather," said I, "if I may speak my mind; for rest is what Inow stand most in need of."