Tales and Novels Volume VII Part 20

"My Dear Mother,

"I am shocked by your story of Kate Robinson. I agree with you in rejoicing that Caroline had sufficient penetration to see the faults of Buckhurst Falconer's character, and steadiness enough, notwithstanding his agreeable talents, never to give him any encouragement. I agree with you, also, that it was fortunate that her last letter to him was written and sent before this affair came to her knowledge. It was much better that she should abide by her objection to his general principles than to have had explanations and discussions on a subject into which she could not enter with propriety.

"I will, as you desire, keep Buckhurst's secret. Indeed, in a worldly point of view, it behoves him that it should be carefully kept, because Bishop Clay, the prelate, who gave him his present living, though he tolerates gormandizing to excess, is extremely strict with his clergy _in other matters_; and, as I once heard Buckhurst say,

'Compounds for sins he is inclin'd to, By d.a.m.ning those he has no mind to.'"

"Buckhurst had, I believe, hopes that Caroline would have relented, in consequence of his last overture; he was thrown into despair by her answer, containing, as he told me, such a calm and civil repet.i.tion of her refusal--that he swears he will never trouble her again. For a fortnight after, he protests he was ready to hang himself. About that time, I suppose, when he heard of Kate Robinson's death, he shut himself up in his rooms for several days--said he was not well, and could not see any body. When he came out again, he looked wretchedly ill, and unhappy: I pitied him--I felt the truth of what Rosamond said, 'that there is such a mixture of good and bad in his character, as makes me change my opinion of him every half hour.'

"He has just done me an essential service. He learnt the other day from one of his sisters the secret reason why Lord Oldborough was displeased with G.o.dfrey, and why G.o.dfrey was despatched to the West Indies.--Lord Oldborough had been told, either by Cunningham, or by one of his sisters, that G.o.dfrey made love to Miss Hauton, and that when he came to town ostensibly on some regimental business, and was pleading for a brother officer, his concealed motive was to break off the marriage of his lords.h.i.+p's niece. Buckhurst had been at the opera in the same box with Miss Hauton and with my brother G.o.dfrey one night. G.o.dfrey's conduct had been misrepresented, and as soon as Buckhurst found that Lord Oldborough had been deceived, he was determined that he should know the truth; or, at least, that he should know that my brother was not to blame. G.o.dfrey never mentioned the subject to me; but, from what I can understand, the lady showed him _distinguished attention_. How Buckhurst Falconer managed to _right_ my brother in Lord Oldborough's opinion without _involving_ the young lady, I do not know.--He said that he had fortunately had an opportunity one evening at his father's, when he was playing at chess with Lord Oldborough, of speaking to him on that subject, when none of his family was watching him. He told me that Lord Oldborough desires to see me, and has appointed his hour to-morrow morning. Now, Rosamond, my dear, set your imagination to work; I must go and draw a _replication_, which will keep mine fast bound.

"Yours truly,

"Alfred Percy."

At the appointed hour, Alfred waited upon the minister, and was received graciously. Not one word of G.o.dfrey, however, or of any thing leading to that subject. Lord Oldborough spoke to Alfred as to the son of his old friend. He began by lamenting the misfortunes which had deprived Mr.

Percy of that estate and station to which he had done honour. His lords.h.i.+p went on to say that he was sorry that Mr. Percy's love of retirement, or pride of independence, precluded all idea of seeing him in parliament; but he hoped that Mr. Percy's sons were, in this extravagant notion of independence, and in this _only_, unlike their father.

With all due deference, Alfred took the liberty of replying to the word _extravagant_, and endeavoured to explain that his father's ideas of independence did not go beyond just bounds: Lord Oldborough, contrary to his usual custom when he met with any thing like contradiction, did not look displeased; on the contrary, he complimented Alfred on his being a good advocate. Alfred was going to _fall into a commonplace_, about a good cause; but from that he was happily saved by Lord Oldborough's changing the conversation.

He took up a pamphlet which lay upon his table. It was Cunningham Falconer's, that is to say, the pamphlet which was published in Cunningham's name, and for which he was mean enough to take the credit from the poor starving genius in the garret. Lord Oldborough turned over the leaves. "Here is a pa.s.sage that was quoted yesterday at dinner at Commissioner Falconer's, but I don't think that any of the company, or the commissioner himself, though he is, or was, a reading man, could recollect to what author it alludes."

Lord Oldborough pointed to the pa.s.sage: "_Thus the fame of heroes is at last neglected by their wors.h.i.+ppers, and left to the care of the birds of heaven, or abandoned to the serpents of the earth._"

Alfred fortunately recollected that this alluded to a description in Arrian of the island of Achilles, the present Isle of Serpents, where there is that temple of the hero, of which, as the historian says, "the care is left to the birds alone, who every morning repair to the sea, wet their wings, and sprinkle the temple, afterwards sweeping with their plumage its sacred pavement."

Lord Oldborough smiled, and said, "The author--the reputed author of this pamphlet, sir, is obliged to you for throwing light upon a pa.s.sage which he could not himself elucidate."

This speech of Lord Oldborough's alluded to something that had pa.s.sed at a dinner at Lord Skreene's, the day before Cunningham had set out on his emba.s.sy. Cunningham had been _posed_ by this pa.s.sage, for which Secretary Cope, who hated him, had maliciously complimented him, and besought him to explain it. Secretary Cope, who was a poet, made an epigram on Cunningham the diplomatist. The lines we do not remember. The points of it were, that Cunningham was so complete a diplomatist, that he would not commit himself by giving up his authority, even for a quotation, and that when he knew the author of an excellent thing, he, with admirable good faith, _kept it to himself_. This epigram remained at the time a profound secret to Lord Oldborough. Whilst Cunningham was going with a prosperous gale, it was not heard of; but it worked round, according to the manoeuvres of courts, just by the time the tide of favour began to ebb. Lord Oldborough, dissatisfied with one of Cunningham's despatches, was heard to say, as he folded it up, "_A slovenly performance_!"

Then, at the happy moment, stepped in the rival Secretary Cope, and put into his lords.h.i.+p's hands the epigram and the anecdote.

All this the reader is to take as a note explanatory upon Lord Oldborough's last speech to Alfred, and now to go on with the conversation--at the word _elucidate_.

"I suspect," continued his lords.h.i.+p, "that Mr. Alfred Percy knows more of this pamphlet altogether than the reputed author ever did."

Alfred felt himself change colour, and the genius in the garret rushed upon his mind; at the same instant he recollected that he was not at liberty to name Mr. Temple, and that he must not betray Cunningham.

Alfred answered that it was not surprising he should know the pamphlet well, as he probably admired it more, and had read it oftener, than the author himself had ever done.

"Very well parried, young gentleman. You will not allow, then, that you had any hand in writing it?"

"No, my lord," said Alfred, "I had none whatever; I never saw it till it was published."

"I have not a right, in politeness, to press the question. Permit me, however, to say, that it is a performance of which any man might be proud."

"I should, my lord, be proud--very proud, if I had written it; but I am incapable of a.s.suming a merit that is not mine, and I trust the manner in which I now disclaim it does not appear like the affected modesty of an author who wishes to have that believed which he denies. I hope I convince your lords.h.i.+p of the truth."

"I cannot have any doubt of what you a.s.sert in this serious manner, sir.

May I ask if you can tell me the name of the real author?"

"Excuse me, my lord--I cannot. I have answered your lords.h.i.+p with perfect openness, as far as I am concerned."

"Sir," said Lord Oldborough, "I confess that I began this conversation with the prepossession that you were equal to a performance of which I think highly, but you have succeeded in convincing me that I was mistaken--that you are not equal--but superior to it."

Upon this compliment, Alfred, as he thought the force of politeness could no farther go, rose, bowed, and prepared to retire.

"Are you in a hurry to leave me, Mr. Percy?"

"Quite the contrary, but I was afraid of encroaching upon your lords.h.i.+p's goodness; I know that your time is most valuable, and that your lords.h.i.+p has so much business of importance."

"Perhaps Mr. Alfred Percy may a.s.sist me in saving time hereafter."

Alfred sat down again, as his lords.h.i.+p's eye desired it.--Lord Oldborough remained for a few moments silent, leaning upon his arm on the table, deep in thought.

"Yes, sir," said he, "I certainly have, as you say, much business upon my hands. But _that_ is not the difficulty; with hands and heads business is easily arranged and expedited. I have hands and heads enough at my command. Talents of all sorts can be obtained for their price, but that which is above all price, integrity, cannot--there's the difficulty--there is my difficulty. I have not a single man about me whom I can trust--many who understand my views, but none who feel them--'_Des ames de boue et de fange!_' Wretches who care not if the throne and the country perish, if their little interests--Young gentleman," said he, recollecting himself, and turning to Alfred, "I feel as if I were speaking to a part of your father when I am speaking to you."

Alfred felt this, and Lord Oldborough saw that he felt it strongly.

"_Then_, my dear sir," said he, "you understand me--I see we understand and shall suit one another. I am in want of a secretary to supply the place of Mr. Cunningham Falconer. Mr. Drakelow is going to Constantinople; but he shall first initiate his successor in the business of his office--a routine, which little minds would make great minds believe is a mystery above ordinary comprehension. But, sir, I have no doubt that you will be expert in a very short time in the technical part--in the routine of office; and if it suits your views, in one word, I should be happy to have you for my private secretary. Take time to consider, if you do not wish to give an answer immediately; but I beg that you will consult no one but yourself--not even your father.

And as soon as your mind is made up, let me know your decision."

After returning thanks to the minister, who had, by this time, risen to a prodigious height in Alfred's opinion; after having reiterated his thanks with a warmth which was not displeasing, he retired. The account of his feelings on this occasion is given with much _truth_ in his own letter, from which we extract the pa.s.sage:

"I believe I felt a little like Gil Blas after his first visit at court.

Vapours of ambition certainly mounted into my head, and made me a little giddy; that night I did not sleep quite so well as usual. The bar and the court, Lord Oldborough and my special pleader, were continually before my eyes balancing in my imagination all the _pros_ and _cons_.

I fatigued myself, but could neither rest nor decide. Seven years of famine at the bar--horrible! but then independence and liberty of conscience--and in time, success--the certain reward of industry--well-earned wealth--perhaps honours--why not the highest professional honours? The life of a party-man and a politician, agreed by all who have tried, even by this very Lord Oldborough himself, agreed to be an unhappy life--obliged to live with people I despise--might be tempted, like others, to do things for which I should despise myself--subject to caprice--at best, my fortune quite dependent on my patron's continuance in power--power and favour uncertain.

"It was long before I got my pros and cons even into this rude preparation for comparison, and longer still before the logical process of giving to each good and evil its just value, and drawing clear deductions from distinct premises, could be accomplished. However, in four-and-twenty hours I solved the problem.

"I waited upon Lord Oldborough to tell him my conclusion. With professions of grat.i.tude, respect, and attachment, more sincere, I fancy, than those he usually hears, I began; and ended by telling him, in the best manner I could, that I thought my trade was more honest than his, and that, hard as a lawyer's life was, I preferred it to a politician's.--You don't suspect me of saying all this--no, I was not quite so brutal; but, perhaps, it was implied by my declining the honour of the secretarys.h.i.+p, and preferring to abide by my profession. Lord Oldborough looked--or my vanity fancied that he looked--disappointed.

After a pause of silent displeasure, he said, 'Well, sir, upon the whole I believe you have decided wisely. I am sorry that you cannot serve me, and that I cannot serve you in the manner which I had proposed. Yours is a profession in which ministerial support can be of little use, but in which talents, perseverance, and integrity, are secure, sooner or later, of success. I have, therefore, only to wish you opportunity: and if any means in my power should occur of accelerating that opportunity, you may depend upon it, sir.' said his lords.h.i.+p, holding out his hand to me, 'I shall not forget you--even if you were not the son of my old friend, you have made an interest for yourself in my mind.'

"Thus satisfactorily we parted--no--just as I reached the door, his lords.h.i.+p added, 'Your brother, Captain Percy--have you heard from him lately?'

"'Yes, my lord, from Plymouth, where they were driven back by contrary winds.'

"'Ha!--he was well, I hope?'

"'Very well, I thank your lords.h.i.+p.'

"'That's well--he is a temperate man, I think. So he will stand the climate of the West Indies--and, probably, it will not be necessary for his majesty's service that he should remain there long.'

"I bowed--was again retiring and was again recalled.

"'There was a major in your brother's regiment about whom Captain Percy spoke to me--Major--'

"'Gascoigne, I believe, my lord.'