“If my client permits it, and you desire it, I can have no objection,” replied Diggs, readily, yet with a certain uneasiness; “but I am grieved to think such a degrading course should be necessary to support a character which ought to be above all suspicion.”
“Circumstances seem to render it necessary,” said the miser. “And it must be as satisfactory to my nephew, as it will be agreeable to myself, that his character should be cleared from these aspersions.”
“Undoubtedly,” replied Philip; “and I will not rest till I have so cleared it.”
“And to reduce the charges to a distinct form,” said Abel, sternly, “I declare you, Philip Frewin, to be a ruined spendthrift and debauchee, seeking, under the disguise of a wretched miser, to delude your uncle into giving you his daughter. I charge you, also, Mr. Diggs, with assisting him in the cheat. As a professional man, you well know what the consequences of your fraudulent conduct will be.”
“Aware that I have nothing to fear, I deride your threat,” said Diggs, boldly.
“And so do I,” added Philip, with a quavering laugh.
“May I hope, then, that you will suspend all further negotiations respecting your daughter’s marriage till you are fully satisfied on these points, Mr. Scarve?” said Abel.
“I will,” replied the miser.
“Mr. Beechcroft may appear very disinterested in this matter,” said Philip; “but in my opinion the main object of his interference is to obtain my cousin’s hand for his nephew.”
“So far from that being the case,” said Abel, “I would as soon consent to her union with yourself, as with him.
“Hum!” exclaimed the attorney.
“Don’t alarm yourself on that score, nephew,” said the miser. “Make good your own case, and Hilda is yours. But come what may, depend upon it, she shall never be the wife of Randulph Crew with my consent, or with a farthing of mine.”
“Or of mine,” subjoined Abel.
As these words were uttered, the side door opened, and Hilda entered, followed by Mrs. Clinton.
“Ah!” exclaimed the miser, darting an angry look at her. “What do you want here? — who let you out of your room?”
“Jacob unlocked the door, and informed me that Mr. Beechcroft was below,” she replied; “and I therefore came down to see him.”
“I trust I have opened your father’s eyes to the trick attempted to be practised upon him,” said Abel. “He has promised not to proceed in the matter till a satisfactory explanation is given him respecting your cousin’s affairs. And as I know that can never be done, the match is virtually at an end.”
“If it were not so,” replied Hilda, “it would make no difference with me, for I here declare, before you, that even if my cousin should prove to be what he represents himself, I will never wed him.”
“After such a declaration, young man, is it possible you can desire to prosecute the match?” said Abel.
“Is my cousin in earnest?” asked Philip.
“You could scarcely doubt it,” she replied. “But if you require a reiterated assurance, take it.”
“Then, sir, if Hilda retains these opinions,” said Philip, to his uncle, “there is an end of the affair.”
“How so?” cried the miser. “You have my concurrence. Hilda will not dare to disobey me — to brave my displeasure.”
“I will not take her on those terms,” replied Philip. “I will have her by her own free consent, or not at all.”
“Ah! you are more scrupulous than you were yesterday,” observed the miser suspiciously. “You shrink from your bargain. There is some truth in what Mr. Beechcroft has stated.”
“Take care, sir,” observed Mr. Diggs to Philip. “Your motives will be misconstrued.”
“I care not,” replied Philip. “I should be worse than Mr. Beechcroft represents me, to pursue a match when the lady expresses so decided an opinion against it. I therefore beg to resign all pretensions to her hand.”
“Nephew!” exclaimed the miser, in surprise.
“I am grateful for the good opinion you have entertained of me, uncle,” pursued Philip; “and though I thus deprive myself of all chance of becoming your son-in-law, I will take care that you are fully satisfied of my title to that honour. Mr. Diggs shall wait upon you with the deeds.”
“You are hasty, Philip—”
“Not so, uncle. I wish you good morning.” And he was about to depart, when the door was again opened by Jacob, admitting Cordwell Firebras and Randulph. It would be difficult to say whether the new-comers, or those to whom they were introduced, were the most surprised. Amid the confusion, however, Randulph contrived to approach Hilda.
“I fear,” he said— “indeed I know I must have lowered myself in your opinion by my conduct yesterday. But though it may be no exculpation, permit me to state that the situation in which you perceived me was the result of accident.”
“No apologies are necessary to me, sir!” said Hilda, haughtily and distantly. “It cannot be other than matter of indifference to me who are your associates.”
“Yet hear my explanation,” pursued the young man. “The lady you saw me with was committed to my care by — as I live, by the very person who stands there, except that he was differently dressed at the time.”
“I never saw you before, sir,” said Philip, “never!”
“I am satisfied that is the person!” cried Randulph, “I would swear to his voice.”
“After this, sir, can you longer question the cheat attempted to be played upon you?” said Abel to the miser.
“If he does doubt it,” said Firebras, “I will open his eyes.”
“It is plain I am tricked by some of you, and trifled with by all,” cried the miser, angrily. “I would my house were rid of you!”
“You shall be rid of me, at all events, uncle,” said Philip. “Again I wish you good morning. Come, sir,” he added, to the attorney. And they left the house together.
“I am glad he is gone,” said Firebras. “Mr. Scarve, I have the pleasure to tell you your nephew is a consummate rascal, and it is well you are rid of him. Mr. Abel Beechcroft, I did not expect to meet you here, but your presence is singularly opportune.”
“For what, sir?” demanded Abel, coldly.
“Why, to come to some arrangement respecting a matter in which the happiness of your nephew is materially concerned,” replied Firebras. “I hope, sir, if these young people,” pointing to Randulph and Hilda, “can understand each other, you will throw no obstacle in the way. And you, friend Scarve,” he added, turning to the miser, “I counsel you to place this young man in the position of your nephew. He will make her a far better husband, and—” he whispered a few words in the miser’s ear.
“The condition, I presume, which you annex to the union is, that my nephew should join the Jacobite cause, Mr. Firebras,” demanded Abel.
Firebras made no reply.
“Is it not so, Randulph?” pursued Abel, sternly.
“Uncle,” replied Randulph, rushing towards him, and flinging himself on his knee before him, “I love Hilda passionately, and would sacrifice my life for her!”
“But not, I hope, your honour,” replied Abel, coldly. “Recollect to whom you owe allegiance. Maintain your loyalty unsullied, or I discard you.”
“Be not too hasty, sir,” cried Randulph; “more than my life hangs on your breath!”
“Randulph Crew,” said the miser, “I have suffered things to proceed thus far without interruption, because I have been taken by surprise. But no importunities of your’s, your uncle’s, or Mr. Firebras’s, shall prevail upon me to consent to your union with my daughter. And I positively interdict you from seeing her again!”
“And I lay the same injunction upon you,” said Abel.
“Hilda!” exclaimed the young man, looking at her— “Hilda!” But she averted her gaze.
“Come with me,” cried Abel, authoritatively. And, heaving a deep sigh, Randulph followed his uncle out of the room.
> “Hilda,” said Cordwell Firebras, as soon as they were left alone— “you have lost a true lover — you, Mr. Scarve, have lost a good son-in-law — and I and the Jacobite cause have lost an excellent partisan.”
* * *
BOOK II. — TRUSSELL BEECHCROFT
CHAPTER I.
Trussell’s Appearance after His Debauch — He Proceeds with Randulph to Lady Brabazon’s — The Party Go to Marylebone Gardens.
Neither Randulph nor his uncle felt disposed for conversation during their walk to Lambeth, whither they proceeded on quitting the miser’s habitation; and, in fact, Abel thought it desirable to let the events that had just occurred work their own effect on his nephew’s mind, without any assistance from him. Half an hour saw them home, and Mr. Jukes looked from one to the other, as if anxious to learn why they returned together; but he received no information. They found Trussell in the breakfast-room, reclining in an easy-chair, sipping a cup of cold green tea, to tranquillise his nerves, and reading the fashionable movements and intelligence in a morning paper, by the aid of a pair of spectacles, which he hastily took off on hearing their approach. He had on a loose brocade dressing-gown, a crimson silk night-cap, slippers down at the heel, and ungartered hose hanging loosely about his legs. Altogether, he had a very rakish and dissolute appearance. His eyes were red and inflamed, and his face flushed with the previous night’s debauch. An open note lay beside him on the table, with a coronet on the seal. He looked up with an air of fashionable languor as his brother and nephew entered the room, and asked, yawningly, where they had been, but receiving no answer, jumped up, and repeated the inquiry with real interest.
“Don’t ask, brother,” replied Abel, significantly— “Let it suffice that all is now right.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” replied Trussell, “though I don’t know what has been wrong. I’ve just received a note from Lady Brabazon, Randulph, inviting us to accompany her to Marylebone Gardens this afternoon. You know we are engaged to dine with Sir Bulkeley Price.”
“Go to the gardens, by all means,” said uncle Abel, kindly— “it will serve to distract your thoughts.”
“I ventured to answer for you, Randulph,” pursued Trussell, “because there is a fete there to-day, and you are sure to be much amused. You’ll find Marylebone very different from the Folly — ha! ha!”
“Only folly under a different name, and in a richer garb — that’s all,” laughed Abel.
“I’ll now go and dress,” said Trussell. “Lady Brab has sent us a subscription-ticket,” he added, pointing to a silver medal, about the size of a modern ivory opera-ticket, or “bone,” stamped with designs in bold bas-relief, numbered, and inscribed “Marylebone — Admit Two,” with the date, 1744.
Abel took up the ticket, glanced at it, and laid it down with a smile. Randulph made an excuse for retiring to his own room, and on reaching it, threw himself into a chair to indulge his reflections; and, bitter and crushing they were: till within the last hour, when he fully believed he had lost her for ever, he had not known the extent of his passion for Hilda. Now he felt — as all who have loved deeply have felt on some such occasion — that his existence had become a blank to him, and that he should never be entirely happy again. Again and again he reproached himself for his folly in respect to Kitty Conway; and he almost resolved, like Uncle Abel, to forswear a sex that occasioned him so much torment. A tap at the door aroused him from his meditations, and Mr. Jukes entering, informed him that his uncle Trussell was ready, and waiting for him. Randulph said he would be down in a moment; and, making some slight change in his attire, which he scarcely thought suitable to the gay scene he was about to join, descended, and found his uncle in the hall, fully equipped in a snuff-coloured velvet coat, laced ruffles, diamond buckles, a well powdered bag-wig, and a silver hilted sword. Trussell appeared rather impatient, and declared they were behind time; and he proceeded at a rapid pace to the stairs near Lambeth Palace, where he called a boat, directing the waterman to row as quickly as he could to Whitehall Stairs — the nearest point to Pall Mall, where Lady Brabazon’s magnificent house was situated. As soon as they were gone, Abel summoned Mr. Jukes, and having partaken of a biscuit and a glass of wine, ordered the butler to prepare to attend him to Marylebone Gardens. Mr. Jukes, who was well enough pleased by the proposed expedition, made as little delay as was consistent with his dignity; and having delivered full instructions to the under-servant respecting dinner, presented himself in a well-powdered bob-major wig, a well-brushed brown coat, white waistcoat, and black velvets; and what with his round rosy face, his swag paunch, and shapeless legs, looked the model of a well-considered, well-fed, and most respectable servant. Attended by the butler, Abel proceeded to Lambeth Stairs, where, as luck would have it, the ferryboat chanced to be crossing at the moment. Accordingly they got into it, and in a few minutes were transported, together with a crowd of passengers of both sexes, and no less than six horses, in safety to the opposite side of the river. At the corner of Abingdon-street they found a coach, which Abel instantly engaged, and got into it, while Mr. Jukes with some difficulty clambered up the box. They then drove along the Horseferry Road, passed at the back of Buckingham House, and proceeded along Hyde Park to their destination.
Meanwhile, Trussell and Randulph having arrived at Lady’s Brabazon’s, were ushered into a magnificently-furnished drawing-room, where they found Beau Villiers, Sir Singleton Spinke, Clementina, and her ladyship; by the latter of whom they were very graciously received. Whenever Lady Brabazon, indeed — mature coquette as she was — was determined to please, she seldom failed in accomplishing her purpose; and she directed her artillery with such tact and skill on the present occasion that Randulph, armed as he conceived himself against such attacks, was not quite proof against her. It was quite evident, whether her feelings were interested or not in the conquest, that she was determined to captivate the young man. This was so apparent, that a slight feeling of jealousy was roused in the breast of the beau, and he somewhat abruptly intimated his intention of giving up a drive to Richmond, which he had meditated, and of accompanying them, instead, to Marylebone Gardens. This change of plan was not altogether to her ladyship’s taste; but she affected to be delighted with him.
“By-the-bye, Mr. Crew,” said she to Randulph, “you must attend my Drum to-morrow night. I have asked the new beauty whom Villiers has discovered — I mean old Mr. Scarve, the miser’s daughter. She’s perfectly charming, Villiers says — but I forget; I need not describe her, for you have seen her. As I live, I have called a blush to your cheeks! Ha! ha! don’t you envy him his power of blushing, Villiers? Mr. Trussell Beechcroft, I suspect your nephew is in love with Miss Scarve. See how he crimsons at the mention of her name.”
“Your ladyship forgets that my nephew is but newly imported from the country,” replied Trussell. “He is not accustomed to the raillery of persons of your ladyship’s wit.”
“There’s something more than bashfulness in his confusion,” replied Lady Brabazon. “Mr. Crew is smitten by Miss Scarve — let him deny it if he can. And so for that matter is Villiers.”
“I’ faith, am I,” replied the beau; “and if her father will give her fifty thousand pounds, which I know he can do, I will make her a present of my name and person.”
“You don’t think it necessary to ask the young lady’s consent?” said Randulph, scarcely able to conceal his displeasure.
“Assuredly not,” replied the beau, with a self-sufficient smile, which Randulph thought perfectly intolerable— “I fancy I’m pretty certain of that.”
“You see you’ve no chance, Mr. Crew,” laughed Lady Brabazon,— “your only resource is to get some other fair dame or damsel to take compassion on you.”
“Your ladyship, for example,” said the beau, in a sarcastic and significant whisper: “but the young man doesn’t seem disposed to take the hint.”
Randulph’s thoughts, indeed, were elsewhere at the moment.
“Well, I suspect Mi
ss Scarve won’t turn out half so beautiful as Mr. Villiers represents her,” said Clementina, who couldn’t hear to hear any other beauty spoken of except her own,— “I’ve generally been disappointed in the objects of his admiration, and make no doubt she will be like the rest of them — very common-place and very vulgar.”
“She is neither one nor the other,” said Randulph, with some vivacity.
“Didn’t I tell you he was in love with her!” cried Lady Brabazon, screaming with laughter, to shew her brilliant teeth. “She has refused him, and that accounts for his dejection.”
Randulph’s cheeks literally burnt with shame.
“Egad! Lady Brab, I believe you have hit the right nail on the head this time,” whispered Sir Singleton Spinke.
“Your ladyship is a little too hard on my nephew,” interposed Trussell. “Spare him, I entreat of you.”
“Indeed, I sha’n’t,” replied Lady Brabazon: “he must learn to take such matters with indifference.”
“Well, I hope we shall have an opportunity of seeing this fair creature,” said Sir Singleton,— “but I fear her father won’t let her come. I’m told he watches her like a green dragon.”
“I’ve asked him to bring her,” said Lady Brabazon, “and I know he won’t refuse me. Shall I confess it to you, Mr. Crew?” she added, laying her small white hand on his arm, “I’ve an admirer in this miser, whose heart is supposed to be fixed on his gold. Is not that a triumph?”
“A glorious one!” laughed Trussell; “but I don’t wonder at any conquest on the part of your ladyship.”
“If Mr. Scarve should propose, I advise your ladyship to accept him,” said the beau.
“In that case, it won’t do for you to make an offer to his daughter, Villiers,” rejoined Lady Brabazon; “for I shall require him to settle all his property on me.”
“Then I must get beforehand with you,” said the beau, “for I’m resolved to have her.”
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 304
