CHAPTER LXIX. In which the Major neither yields his Money nor his Life
Early next morning Pendennis's shutters were opened by Morgan, whoappeared as usual, with a face perfectly grave and respectful, bearingwith him the old gentleman's clothes, cans of water, and elaboratetoilet requisites.
"It's you, is it?" said the old fellow from his bed. "I shan't take youback again, you understand."
"I ave not the least wish to be took back agin, Major Pendennis," Mr.Morgan said, with grave dignity, "nor to serve you nor hany man. But asI wish you to be comftable as long as you stay in my house, I came upto do what's nessary." And once more, and for the last time, Mr. JamesMorgan laid out the silver dressing-case, and strapped the shiningrazor.
These offices concluded, he addressed himself to the Major with anindescribable solemnity, and said: "Thinkin' that you would most likelybe in want of a respectable pusson, until you suited yourself, I spoketo a young man last night, who is 'ere."
"Indeed," said the warrior in the tent-bed.
"He ave lived in the fust famlies, and I can wouch for hisrespectability."
"You are monstrous polite," grinned the old Major. And the truth is,that after the occurrences of the previous evening, Morgan had gone outto his own Club at the Wheel of Fortune, and there finding Frosch, acourier and valet just returned from a foreign tour with young LordCubley, and for the present disposable, had represented to Mr. Frosch,that he, Morgan, had "a devil of a blow hup with his own Gov'nor, andwas goin' to retire from the business haltogether, and that if Froschwanted a tempory job, he might probbly have it by applying in BuryStreet."
"You are very polite," said the Major, "and your recommendation, I amsure, will have every weight."
Morgan blushed; he felt his master was 'a-chaffin' of him.' "The manhave awaited on you before, sir," he said with great dignity. "Lord Dela Pole, sir, gave him to his nephew young Lord Cubley, and he have beenwith him on his foring tour, and not wishing to go to Fitzurse Castle,which Frosch's chest is delicate, and he cannot bear the cold inScotland, he is free to serve you or not, as you choose."
"I repeat, sir, that you are exceedingly polite," said the Major. Comein, Frosch--you will do very well--Mr. Morgan, will you have the greatkindness to----"
"I shall show him what is nessary, sir, and what is customry for you towish to ave done. Will you please to take breakfast 'ere or at the Club,Major Pendennis?"
"With your kind permission, I will breakfast here, and afterwards wewill make our little arrangements."
"If you please, sir."
"Will you now oblige me by leaving the room?"
Morgan withdrew; the excessive politeness of his ex-employer made himalmost as angry as the Major's bitterest words. And whilst the oldgentleman is making his mysterious toilet, we will also modestly retire.
After breakfast, Major Pendennis and his new aide-de-camp occupiedthemselves in preparing for their departure. The establishment of theold bachelor was not very complicated. He encumbered himself with nouseless wardrobe. A bible (his mother's), a road book, Pen's novel (calfelegant), and the Duke of Wellington's Despatches, with a few prints,maps, and portraits of that illustrious general, and of varioussovereigns and consorts of this country, and of the General under whomMajor Pendennis had served in India, formed his literary and artisticalcollection: he was always ready to march at a few hours' notice, andthe cases in which he had brought his property into his lodgings somefifteen years before, were still in the lofts amply sufficient toreceive all his goods. These, the young woman who did the work of thehouse, and who was known by the name of Betty to her mistress, andof "Slavey" to Mr. Morgan, brought down from their resting-place, andobediently dusted and cleaned under the eyes of the terrible Morgan. Hisdemeanour was guarded and solemn; he had spoken no word as yet to Mrs.Brixham respecting his threats of the past night, but he looked as if hewould execute them, and the poor widow tremblingly awaited her fate.
Old Pendennis, armed with his cane, superintended the package of hisgoods and chattels, under the hands of Mr. Frosch, and the Slavey burnedsuch of his papers as he did not care to keep; flung open doors andclosets until they were all empty; and now all boxes and chests wereclosed, except his desk, which was ready to receive the final accountsof Mr. Morgan.
That individual now made his appearance, and brought his books. "As Iwish to speak to you in privick, peraps you will ave the kindness torequest Frosch to step downstairs," he said, on entering.
"Bring a couple of cabs, Frosch, if you please--and wait downstairsuntil I ring for you," said the Major. Morgan saw Frosch downstairs,watched him go along the street upon his errand, and produced his booksand accounts, which were simple and very easily settled.
"And now, sir," said he, having pocketed the cheque which hisex-employer gave him, and signed his name to his book with a flourish,"and now that accounts is closed between us, sir," he said, "I porposeto speak to you as one man to another"--(Morgan liked the sound of hisown voice; and, as an individual, indulged in public speaking wheneverhe could get an opportunity, at the Club, or the housekeeper'sroom)--"and I must tell you, that I'm in possession of certinginfamation."
"And may I inquire of what nature, pray?" asked the Major.
"It's valuble information, Major Pendennis, as you know very well. Iknow of a marriage as is no marriage--of a honourable Baronet as is nomore married than I am; and which his wife is married to somebody else,as you know too, sir."
Pendennis at once understood all. "Ha! this accounts for your behaviour.You have been listening at the door, sir, I suppose," said the Major,looking very haughty; "I forgot to look at the keyhole when I went tothat public-house, or I might have suspected what sort of a person wasbehind it."
"I may have my schemes as you may have yours, I suppose," answeredMorgan. "I may get my information, and I may act on that information,and I may find that information valuble as anybody else may. A poorservant may have a bit of luck as well as a gentleman, mayn't he? Don'tyou be putting on your aughty looks, sir, and comin' the aristocrat overme. That's all gammon with me. I'm an Englishman, I am, and as good asyou."
"To what the devil does this tend, sir? and how does the secret whichyou have surprised concern me, I should like to know?" asked MajorPendennis, with great majesty.
"How does it concern me, indeed! how grand we are! How does it concernmy nephew, I wonder? How does it concern my nephew's seat in Parlyment:and to subornation of bigamy? How does it concern that? What, are you tobe the only man to have a secret, and to trade on it? Why shouldn't I gohalves, Major Pendennis? I've found it out too. Look here! I ain't goin'to be unreasonable with you. Make it worth my while, and I'll keep thething close. Let Mr. Arthur take his seat, and his rich wife, if youlike; I don't want to marry her. But I will have my share, as sure as myname's James Morgan. And if I don't----"
"And if you don't, sir--what?" Pendennis asked.
"If I don't, I split, and tell all. I smash Clavering, and have himand his wife up for bigamy--so help me, I will! I smash young Hopeful'smarriage, and I show up you and him as makin' use of this secret, inorder to squeeze a seat in Parlyment out of Sir Francis, and a fortuneout of his wife."
"Mr. Pendennis knows no more of this business than the babe unborn,sir," cried the Major, aghast. "No more than Lady Clavering, than MissAmory does."
"Tell that to the marines, Major," replied the valet; "that cock won'tfight with me."
"Do you doubt my word, you villain?"
"No bad language. I don't care one twopence'a'p'ny whether your word'strue or not. I tell you, I intend this to be a nice little annuity tome, Major: for I have every one of you; and I ain't such a fool as tolet you go. I should say that you might make it five hundred a year tome among you, easy. Pay me down the first quarter now and I'm as mum asa mouse. Just give a note for one twenty-five. There's your cheque-bookon your desk."
"And there's this too, you villain," cried the old gentleman. In thedesk to which the valet pointed was a little double-barr
elledpistol, which had belonged to Pendennis's old patron; the Indiancommander-in-chief, and which had accompanied him in many a campaign."One more word, you scoundrel and I'll shoot you, like a mad dog.Stop--by Jove, I'll do it now. You'll assault me, will you? You'llstrike at an old man, will you, you lying coward? Kneel down and sayyour prayers, sir, for by the Lord you shall die."
The Major's face glared with rage at his adversary, who looked terrifiedbefore him for a moment, and at the next, with a shriek of "Murder!"sprang towards the open window, under which a policeman happened to beon his beat. "Murder! Police!" bellowed Mr. Morgan.
To his surprise, Major Pendennis wheeled away the table and walked tothe other window, which was also open. He beckoned the policeman. "Comeup here, policeman," he said, and then went and placed himself againstthe door.
"You miserable sneak," he said to Morgan; "the pistol hasn't been loadedthese fifteen years, as you would have known very well, if you had notbeen such a coward. That policeman is coming, and I will have him up,and have your trunks searched; I have reason to believe that you are athief, sir. I know you are. I'll swear to the things."
"You gave 'em to me--you gave 'em to me!" cried Morgan.
The Major laughed. "We'll see," he said; and the guilty valetremembered some fine lawn-fronted shirts--a certain gold-headed cane--anopera-glass, which he had forgotten to bring down, and of which he hadassumed the use along with certain articles of his master's clothes,which the old dandy neither wore nor asked for.
Policeman X entered; followed by the seared Mrs. Brixham and hermaid-of-all-work, who had been at the door and found some difficulty inclosing it against the street amateurs, who wished to see the row. TheMajor began instantly to speak.
"I have had occasion to discharge this drunken scoundrel," he said."Both last night and this morning he insulted and assaulted me. I am anold man and took up a pistol. You see it is not loaded, and this cowardcried out before he was hurt. I am glad you are come. I was charginghim with taking my property, and desired to examine his trunks and hisroom."
"The velvet cloak you ain't worn these three years, nor the weskits, andI thought I might take the shirts, and I--I take my hoath I intendedto put back the hopera-glass," roared Morgan, writhing with rage andterror.
"The man acknowledges that he is a thief," the Major said, calmly. "Hehas been in my service for years, and I have treated him with everykindness and confidence. We will go upstairs and examine his trunks."
In those trunks Mr. Morgan had things which he would fain keep frompublic eyes. Mr. Morgan, the bill-discounter, gave goods as well asmoney to his customers. He provided young spendthrifts with snuff boxesand pins and jewels and pictures and cigars, and of a very doubtfulquality those cigars and jewels and pictures were. Their display at apolice-office, the discovery of his occult profession, and the exposureof the Major's property, which he had appropriated, indeed, rather thanstolen,--would not have added to the reputation of Mr. Morgan. He lookeda piteous image of terror and discomfiture.
"He'll smash me, will he?" thought the Major. "I'll crush him now, andfinish with him."
But he paused. He looked at poor Mrs. Brixham's scared face; and hethought for a moment to himself that the man brought to bay and inprison might make disclosures which had best be kept secret, and that itwas best not to deal too fiercely with a desperate man.
"Stop," he said, "policeman. I'll speak with this man by himself."
"Do you give Mr. Morgan in charge?" said the policeman.
"I have brought no charge as yet," the Major said, with a significantlook at his man.
"Thank you, sir," whispered Morgan, very low.
"Go outside the door, and wait there, policeman, if you please.--Now,Morgan, you have played one game with me, and you have not had the bestof it, my good man. No, begad, you've not had the best of it, though youhad the best hand; and you've got to pay, too, now, you scoundrel."
"Yes, sir," said the man.
"I've only found out, within the last week, the game which you have beendriving, you villain. Young De Boots, of the Blues, recognised youas the man who came to barracks, and did business one-third in money,one-third in eau-de-Cologne, and one-third in French prints, youconfounded demure old sinner! I didn't miss anything, or care a strawwhat you'd taken, you booby; but I took the shot, and it hit--hit thebull's-eye, begad. Dammy, six, I'm an old campaigner."
"What do you want with me, sir?"
"I'll tell you. Your bills, I suppose, you keep about you in that dem'dgreat leather pocket-book, don't you? You'll burn Mrs. Brixham's bill?"
"Sir, I ain't a-goin' to part with my property," growled the man.
"You lent her sixty pounds five years ago. She and that poor devil of aninsurance clerk, her son, have paid you fifty pounds a year ever since;and you have got a bill of sale of her furniture, and her note of handfor a hundred and fifty pounds. She told me so last night. By Jove, sir,you've bled that poor woman enough."
"I won't give it up," said Morgan; "If I do I'm----"
"Policeman!" cried the Major.
"You shall have the bill," said Morgan. "You're not going to take moneyof me, and you a gentleman?"
"I shall want you directly," said the Major to X, who here entered, andwho again withdrew.
"No, my good sir," the old gentleman continued; "I have not any desireto have further pecuniary transactions with you; but we will draw out alittle paper, which you will have the kindness to sign. No, stop!--youshall write it: you have improved immensely in writing of late, andhave now a very good hand. You shall sit down and write, if youplease--there, at that table--so--let me see--we may as well have thedate. Write 'Bury Street, St. James's, October 21, 18--.'"
And Mr. Morgan wrote as he was instructed, and as the pitiless old Majorcontinued:--
"'I, James Morgan, having come in extreme poverty into the service ofArthur Pendennis, Esquire, of Bury Street, St. James's, a Major in herMajesty's service, acknowledge that I received liberal wages and boardwages from my employer, during fifteen years.'--You can't object tothat, I am sure," said the Major.
"During fifteen years," wrote Morgan.
"'In which time, by my own care and prudence,'" the dictator resumed,"'I have managed to amass sufficient money to purchase the house inwhich my master resides, and, besides, to effect other savings. Amongstother persons from whom I have had money, I may mention my presenttenant, Mrs. Brixham, who, in consideration of sixty pounds advancedby me five years since, has paid back to me the sum of two hundred andfifty pounds sterling, besides giving me a note of hand for one hundredand twenty pounds, which I restore to her at the desire of my latemaster, Major Arthur Pendennis, and therewith free her furniture, ofwhich I had a bill of sale.'--Have you written?"
"I think if this pistol was loaded, I'd blow your brains out," saidMorgan.
"No, you wouldn't. You have too great a respect for your valuablelife, my good man," the Major answered. "Let us go on and begin a newsentence.
"'And having, in return for my master's kindness, stolen his propertyfrom him, which I acknowledge to be now upstairs in my trunks; andhaving uttered falsehoods regarding his and other honourable families, Ido hereby, in consideration of his clemency to me, express my regret foruttering these falsehoods, and for stealing his property; and declarethat I am not worthy of belief, and that I hope'--yes, begad--'that Ihope to amend for the future. Signed, James Morgan.'"
"I'm d----d if I sign it," said Morgan.
"My good man, it will happen to you, whether you sign or no, begad,"said the old fellow, chuckling at his own wit "There, I shall not usethis, you understand, unless--unless I am compelled to do so. Mrs.Brixham, and our friend the policeman, will witness it, I dare say,without reading it: and I will give the old lady back her note of hand,and say, which you will confirm, that she and you are quits. I seethere is Frosch come back with the cab for my trunks; I shall go to anhotel.--You may come in now, policeman; Mr. Morgan and I have arrangedour little dispute. If Mrs. Brixham will sign t
his paper, and you,policeman, will do so, I shall be very much obliged to you both. Mrs.Brixham, you and your worthy landlord, Mr. Morgan, are quits. I wish youjoy of him. Let Frosch come and pack the rest of the things."
Frosch, aided by the Slavey, under the calm superintendence of Mr.Morgan, carried Major Pendennis's boxes to the cabs in waiting; andMrs. Brixham, when her persecutor was not by, came and asked a Heaven'sblessing upon the Major, her preserver, and the best and quietest andkindest of lodgers. And having given her a finger to shake, which thehumble lady received with a curtsey, and over which she was readyto make a speech full of tears, the Major cut short that valedictoryoration, and walked out of the house to the hotel in Jermyn Street,which was not many steps from Morgan's door.
That individual, looking forth from the parlour-window, dischargedanything but blessings at his parting guest; but the stout old boy couldafford not to be frightened at Mr. Morgan, and flung him a look of greatcontempt and humour as he strutted away with his cane.
Major Pendennis had not quitted his house of Bury Street many hours, andMr. Morgan was enjoying his otium in a dignified manner, surveyingthe evening fog, and smoking a cigar, on the door-steps, when ArthurPendennis, Esq., the hero of this history, made his appearance at thewell-known door.
"My uncle out, I suppose, Morgan?" he said to the functionary; knowingfull well that to smoke was treason, in the presence of the Major.
"Major Pendennis is hout, sir," said Morgan, with gravity, bowing, butnot touching the elegant cap which he wore. "Major Pendennis have leftthis ouse to-day, sir, and I have no longer the honour of being in hisservice, sir."
"Indeed, and where is he?"
"I believe he ave taken tempory lodgings at Cox's otel, in JumminStreet," said Mr. Morgan; and added, after a pause, "Are you in townfor some time, pray, sir? Are you in Chambers? I should like to havethe honour of waiting on you there: and would be thankful if you wouldfavour me with a quarter of an hour."
"Do you want my uncle to take you back?" asked Arthur, insolent andgood-natured.
"I want no such thing; I'd see him----" The man glared at him for aminute, but he stopped. "No, sir, thank you," he said in a softervoice; "it's only with you that I wish to speak, on some business whichconcerns you; and perhaps you would favour me by walking into my house."
"If it is but for a minute or two, I will listen to you, Morgan,"said Arthur; and thought to himself, "I suppose the fellow wants meto patronise him;" and he entered the house. A card was already in thefront windows, proclaiming that apartments were to be let; and havingintroduced Mr. Pendennis into the dining-room, and offered him a chair,Mr. Morgan took one himself, and proceeded to convey some information tohim, of which the reader has already had cognisance.
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