CHAPTER XV. THE KNIGHT'S NOTIONS OF FINANCE
Heffernan's calculations were all correct, and the Knight accepted LordCastlereagh's invitation, simply because rumor attributed to him analliance with the Government "It is a pity," said he, laughing, "so muchgood calumny should have so little to feed upon; so here goes to give itsomething."
Darcy had as little time as inclination to waste on the topic, as thewhole interval was occupied in law business with Gleeson, who arrivedeach morning with a chariot full of parchments, and almost worried theKnight to death by reciting deeds and indentures, to one word of whichthroughout he could not pay the least attention. He affected to listen,however, as he saw how much Gleeson desired it, and he wrote his nameeverywhere and to everything he was asked.
"By Jove!" cried he, at last, "I could have run through the whole estatewith less fatigue of mind or body than it has cost me to keep a hold ofit."
Through all the arrangements, there was but one point on which he feltanxious, and the same question recurred at every moment, "This cannotcompromise Lionel in any way?--this will lead to no future charge uponthe estate after my death?" Indeed, he would not consent to any planwhich in the slightest degree affected his son's interests, beingdetermined that whatever his extravagances, the penalty should end withhimself.
While these matters were progressing, old Hickman studiously avoidedmeeting the Knight; a sense of his discomfiture at the abbey--a facthe supposed must have reached Darcy's ears--and the conviction that hislong-cherished game to obtain the property was seen through, abashed theold man, and led him to affect illness when the Knight called.
A pleasant letter which the post had brought from Lionel routed everyother consideration from Darcy's mind. His son was coming over to seehim, and bringing three or four of his brother officers to have a peepat "the West," and a few days' hunting with the Knight's pack. Everyline of this letter glowed with buoyancy and high spirits; schemes foramusement alternating with the anticipated amazement of his Englishfriends at the style of living they were to witness at Gwynne Abbey.
"We shall have but eight days with you, my leave from the Prince willgo no further," wrote he; "but I know well how much may be done inthat short space. Above all, secure Daly; I wish our fellows to see himparticularly. I do not ask about the stable, because I know the horsesare always in condition; but let Dan give the black horse plenty of workevery day; and if the brown mare we got from Mulloch can be ridden byany one, she must have a saddle on her now. We hope to have four days'hunting; and let the woodcocks take care of themselves in the intervals,for we are bent on massacre."
The postscript was brief, but it surprised Darcy more than all the rest.
"Only think of my spending four days last week down in Essex with aworthy kinsman of my mother's, Lord Netherby: a splendid place, gloriousshooting, and the best greyhounds I ever saw run. He understandseverything but horses; but I have taken on me to enlighten him a little,and have sent down four grays from Guildfords' yesterday,--better thanany we have in the Prince's stables; he is a fine fellow, though Idid n't like him at first; a great courtier in his way, but _au fond_warm-hearted and generous. Keep my secret from my mother, but he intendscoming over with us. Adieu! dear father. Look to Forester, don't lethim run away before we arrive. Cut Dublin and its confounded politics.Netherby says the ministers have an immense majority,--the less reasonfor swelling or decreasing it.
"Yours ever,
"Lionel Darcy."
"And so our trusty and well-beloved cousin of Netherby is coming tovisit us," said the Knight, musing. "Well, Lionel, I confess myself halfof your mind. I did not like him at first: the better impression is yetto come. In any case, let us receive him suitably; and, fortunately,here's Gleeson to help the arrangement--Well, Gleeson, I hope mattersare making some progress. Are we to see the last of these parchmentssoon? Here's a letter from my son. Read it, and you 'll see I must getback to 'the West' at once."
Gleeson perused the letter, and when he had finished, returned it intothe Knight's hand without speaking.
"Can we conclude this week?" asked Darcy.
"There are several points yet, sir, of great difficulty. Some I havealready submitted for counsel's opinion; one in particular, as regardsthe serving the notice of repayment: there would appear to be a doubt onthis head."
"There can be none in reality," said Darcy, hastily. "I have Hickman'sletter, in his own handwriting, averring his readiness to release themortgage at any day."
"Is the document witnessed, and on a stamp?" asked Gleeson, cautiously.
"Of course it is not. Those are scarcely the forms of a note between twoprivate gentlemen."
"It might be of use in equity, no doubt," muttered Gleeson, "or beforea jury; but we have no time for these considerations now. TheAttorney-General thinks--"
"Never mind the Attorney-General. Have we the money to repay? Well, doesHickman refuse to accept it?"
"He has not been asked as yet, sir," said Gleeson, whose businessnotions were not a little ruffled by this abrupt mode of procedure.
"And, in Heaven's name, Gleeson! why pester yourself and me withovercoming obstacles that may never arise? Wait on Hickman atonce,--to-day. Tell him we are prepared, and desirous of paying offthese incumbrances. If he objects, hear his objection."
"He will refer me to his solicitor, sir,--Mr. Kennedy, of HumeStreet,--a very respectable man, no higher in the profession, but I mayremark, in confidence, one who has no objection to a suit in equity or atrial at bar. It is not money Hickman wants, sir. He is perfectlysatisfied with his security."
"What the devil is it, then? He's not Shylock, is he?" said Darcy,laughing.
"Not very unlike, perhaps, sir; but in the present instance, it is yourinfluence with the Government he desires."
"But I have none, Gleeson,--actually none. No man knows that better thanyou do. I could not make a gauger or a tide-waiter to-morrow."
"But you might, sir,--you might make a peer of the realm if you wishedit. Hickman knows this; and whatever scruples _you_ might have inadopting the necessary steps, _his_ conscience could never recognizethem as worthy a moment's consideration."
"This is a topic I 'll scarcely discuss with him," said the Knight,proudly. "I never, so far as I know, promised to pay a percentage in myprinciples as well as in my gold. Mr. Hickman has a fair claim on theone; on the other, neither he nor any other man shall make an unjustdemand. I am not of Christie Ford's mind," added he, laughingly."He says, Gleeson, that if the English are bent on taking away _our_Parliament, the only revenge we have left is to spoil _their_ peerage.This is but a sorry theme to joke upon, after all; and, to come back,what say you to trying my plan? I am to meet the old fellow at dinner,on Wednesday next, at Lord Castlereagh's."
"Indeed, sir!" said Gleeson, with a mixture of surprise and agitationgreatly disproportioned to the intelligence.
"Yes. Why does that astonish you? The Secretary is too shrewd to neglectsuch men as these; they are the rising influences of Ireland."
Gleeson muttered a half assent; but evidently too much occupied with hisown reflections to pay due attention to the Knight's remark, continuedto himself, "on Wednesday!" then added aloud, "On Monday he is to be inKildare. He told me he would remain there to receive his rents, and onWednesday return to town. I believe, sir, there may be good counsel inyour words. I 'll try on Monday. I 'll follow him down to Kildare, andas the papers relative to the abbey property are all in readiness, I'llendeavor to conclude that at once. So you are to meet at dinner?"
"That same dinner-party seems to puzzle you," said the Knight, smiling.
"No, not at all, sir," replied Gleeson, hurriedly. "You were desirousof getting home next week to meet Mr. Lionel--Captain Darcy I must callhim; if this arrangement can be made, there will be no difficultyin your return. But of course you will not leave town before it iscompleted."
The Knight pledged himself to be guided by his man of business in allrespects; but when they parted, he could not co
nceal from himself thatGleeson's agitated and troubled manner, so very unlike his usual calmdeportment, boded difficulties and embarrassments which to his own eyeswere invisible.