The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain Part 89

"Stop a moment. Of course it is unnecessary to say, I should hope, that this union between you and Miss Gourlay cannot proceed."

Dunroe, who felt at once that if he allowed his father to suppose that he persisted in it, the latter would immediately disclose his position to the baronet, now replied:

"No, my lord, I have no great ambition for any kind of alliance with Sir Thomas Gourlay. I never liked him personally, and I am sufficiently a man of spirit, I trust, not to urge a marriage with a girl who--who--cannot appreciate--" He paused, not knowing exactly how to fill up the sentence.

"Who has no relish for it," added his father, "and can't appreciate your virtues, you mean to say."

"What I mean to say, my lord, is, that where there is no great share of affection on either side, there can be but little prospect of happiness."

"Then you give up the match?"

"I give up the match, my lord, without a moment's hesitation. You may rest a.s.sured of that."

"Because," added his father, "if I found that you persisted in it, and attempted to enter the family, and impose yourself on this admirable girl, as that which you are not, I would consider it my duty to acquaint Sir Thomas Gourlay with the unfortunate discovery which has been made.

Before you go I will thank you to read that letter for me. It comes, I think, from the Lord Chancellor. My sight is very feeble to-day, and perhaps it may require a speedy answer."

Dunroe opened the letter, which informed Lord Cullamore, that it had afforded him, the Lord Chancellor, much satisfaction to promote Periwinkle Crackenfudge, Esq., to the magistracy of the county of ------, understanding, as he did, from the communication "of Sir Thomas Gourlay, enclosed in his lords.h.i.+p's letter, that he (Crackenfudge) was, by his many virtues, good sense, discretion, humanity, and general esteem among all cla.s.ses, as well as by his popularity in the country, a person in every way fitted to discharge the important duties of such an appointment.

"I feel my mind at ease," said the amiable old n.o.bleman, "in aiding such an admirable country gentleman as this Crackenfudge must be, to a seat on the bench; for, after all, Dunroe, it is only by the contemplation of a good action that we can be happy. You may go."

Some few days pa.s.sed, when Dunroe, having read the papers, the contents of which he did not wish Norton to see, returned them to his father in sullen silence, and then rang his bell, and sent for his worthy a.s.sociate, that he might avail himself of his better judgment.

"Norton," said he, "it is all up with us."

"How is that, my lord?"

"Those papers, that M'Bride says he lost, are in the hands of our enemies."

"Don't believe it, my lord.' I saw the fellow yesterday, and he told me that he destroyed them in a drunken fit, for which he says he is ready to cut his throat."

"But I have read the opinion of my father's counsel," replied his lords.h.i.+p, "and they say we have no defence. Now you know what a lawyer is: if there were but a hair-breadth chance, they would never make an admission that might keep a good fat case from getting into their hands.

No; it is all up with us. The confounded old fool above had everything laid before them, and such is the upshot. What is to be done?"

"Marriage, without loss of time--marriage, before your disaster reaches the ears of the Black Baronet."

"Yes, but there is a difficulty. If the venerable old n.o.bleman should hear of it, he'd let the cat out of the bag, and leave me in the lurch, in addition to the penalty of a three hours' lecture upon honor.

Everything, however, is admirably arranged _quoad_ the marriage. We have got a special license for the purpose of meeting our peculiar case, so that the marriage can be private; that is to say, can take place in the lady's own house. Do you think though, that M'Bride has actually destroyed the papers?"

"The drunken ruffian! certainly. He gave me great insolence a couple of days ago."

"Why so?"

"Because I didn't hand him over a hundred pounds for his journey and the theft of the registry."

"And how much did you give him, pray?"

"A fifty pound note, after having paid his expenses, which was quite enough for him. However, as I did not wish to make the scoundrel our enemy, I have promised him something more, so that I've come on good terms with him again. He is a slippery customer."

"Did you get the bills cashed yet?"

"No, my lord; I am going about it now; but I tell you beforehand, that I will have some difficulty in doing it. I hope to manage it, however; and for that reason I must bid you good-by."

"The first thing to do, then, is to settle that ugly business about the mare. By no means must we let it come to trial."

"Very well, my lord, be it so."

Norton, after leaving his dupe to meditate upon the circ.u.mstances in which he found himself, began to reflect as he went along, that he himself was necessarily involved in the ruin of his friend and patron.

"I have the cards, however, in my own hands," thought he, "and M'Bride's advice was a good one. He having destroyed the other doc.u.ments, it follows that this registry, which I have safe and snug, will be just what his lords.h.i.+p's enemies will leap at. Of course they are humbugging the old peer about the other papers, and, as I know, it is devilish easy to humbug the young one. My agency is gone to the winds; but I think the registry will stand me instead. It ought, in a case like this, to be well worth five thousand; at least, I shall ask this sum--not saying but I will take less. Here goes then for an interview with Birney, who has the character of being a shrewd fellow--honorable, they say--but then, is he not an attorney? Yes, Birney, have at you, my boy;" and having come to this virtuous conclusion, he directed his steps to that gentleman's office, whom he found engaged at his desk.

"Mr. Birney, I presume," with a very fas.h.i.+onable bow.

"Yes, sir," said Birney, "that is my name."

"Haw! If I don't mistake, Mr. Birney," with a very English accent, which no one could adopt, when he pleased, with more success than our Kerry boy--"if I don't mistake, we both made a journey to France very recently?"

"That may be, sir," replied Birney, "but I am not aware of it."

"But I am, though," tipping Birney the London c.o.c.kney.

"Well, sir," said Birney, very coolly, "and what follows from that?"

"Why haw--haw--I don't exactly know at present; but I think a good dee-al may follow from it."

"As how, sir?"

"I believe you were over there on matters connected with Lord Cullamore's family--haw?"

"Sir," replied Birney, "you are a perfect stranger to me--I haven't the honor of knowing you. If you are coming to me on anything connected with my professional services, I will thank you to state it."

"Haw!--My name is Norton, a friend of Lord Dunroe's."

"Well, Mr. Norton, if you will have the goodness to mention the business which causes me the honor of your visit, I will thank you; but I beg to a.s.sure you, that I am not a man to be pumped either by Lord Dunroe or any of his friends. You compel me to speak very plainly, sir."

"Haw! Very good--very good indeed! but the truth his, I've given Dunroe hup."

"Well, sir, and how is that my affair? What interest can I feel in your quarrels? Personally I know very little of Lord Dunroe, and of you, sir, nothing."

"Haw! but everything 'as a beginning, Mr. Birney."

"At this rate of going, I fear we shall be a long time ending, Mr.

Norton."

"Well," replied Norton, "I believe you are right; the sooner we understand each other, the better."

"Certainly, sir," replied Birney; "I think so, if you have any business of importance with me."

"Well, I rayther think you will find it important--that is, to your own interests. You are an attorney, Mr. Birney, and I think you will admit that every man in this world, as it goes, ought to look to 'is own interests."