It is a tolerably large const.i.tuency. My father, it is true, has considerable interest in it, but only what is called the legitimate influence of property. At all events, it is more secure than a contest for a larger town, more dignified than a seat for a smaller. Hesitating still? Even my mother entreats me to say how she desires you to renew that connection."
"Harley," again exclaimed Egerton; and fixing upon his friend"s earnest face eyes which, when softened by emotion, were strangely beautiful in their expression,--"Harley, if you could but read my heart at this moment, you would--you would--" His voice faltered, and he fairly bent his proud head upon Harley"s shoulder; grasping the hand he had caught nervously, clingingly, "Oh, Harley, if I ever lose your love, your friendship, nothing else is left to me in the world."
"Audley, my dear, dear Audley, is it you who speak to me thus? You, my school friend, my life"s confidant,--you?"
"I am grown very weak and foolish," said Egerton, trying to smile. "I do not know myself. I, too, whom you have so often called "Stoic,"
and likened to the Iron Man in the poem which you used to read by the riverside at Eton."
"But even then, my Audley, I knew that a warm human heart (do what you would to keep it down) beat strong under the iron ribs. And I often marvel now, to think you have gone through life so free from the wilder pa.s.sions. Happier so!"
Egerton, who had turned his face from his friend"s gaze, remained silent for a few moments; and he then sought to divert the conversation, and roused himself to ask Harley how he had succeeded in his views upon Beatrice, and his watch on the count.
"With regard to Peschiera," answered Harley, "I think we must have overrated the danger we apprehended, and that his wagers were but an idle boast. He has remained quiet enough, and seems devoted to play. His sister has shut her doors both on myself and my young a.s.sociate during the last few days. I almost fear that in spite of very sage warnings of mine, she must have turned his poet"s head, and that either he has met with some scornful rebuff to incautious admiration or that, he himself has grown aware of peril, and declines to face it; for he is very much embarra.s.sed when I speak to him respecting her. But if the count is not formidable, why, his sister is not needed; and I hope yet to get justice for my Italian friend through the ordinary channels. I have secured an ally in a young Austrian prince, who is now in London, and who has promised to back, with all his influence, a memorial I shall transmit to Vienna.--a propos, my dear Audley, now that you have a little breathing-time, you must fix an hour for me to present to you my young poet, the son of her sister. At moments the expression of his face is so like hers."
"Ay, ay," answered Egerton, quickly, "I will see him as you wish, but later. I have not yet that breathing-time you speak of; but you say he has prospered; and, with your friendship, he is secure from fortune. I rejoice to think so."
"And your own protege, this Vandal Leslie, whom you forbid me to dislike--hard task!--what has he decided?"
"To adhere to my fate. Harley, if it please Heaven that I do not live to return to power, and provide adequately for that young man, do not forget that he clung to me in my fall."
"If he still cling to you faithfully, I will never forget it. I will forget only all that now makes me doubt him. But you talk of not living, Audley! Pooh! your frame is that of a predestined octogenarian."
"Nay," answered Audley, "I was but uttering one of those vague generalities which are common upon all mortal lips. And now farewell,--I must see this baron."
"Not yet, until you have promised to consent to my proposal, and be once more member for Lansmere. Tut! don"t shake your head. I cannot be denied. I claim your promise in right of our friendship, and shall be seriously hurt if you even pause to reflect on it."
"Well, well, I know not how to refuse you, Harley; but you have not been to Lansmere yourself since--since that sad event. You must not revive the old wound,--you must not go; and--and, I own it, Harley, the remembrance of it pains even me. I would rather not go to Lansmere."
"Ah, my friend, this is an excess of sympathy, and I cannot listen to it. I begin even to blame my own weakness, and to feel that we have no right to make ourselves the soft slaves of the past."
"You do appear to me of late to have changed," cried Egerton, suddenly, and with a brightening aspect. "Do tell me that you are happy in the contemplation of your new ties,--that I shall live to see you once more restored to your former self."
"All I can answer, Audley," said L"Estrange, with a thoughtful brow, "is, that you are right in one thing,--I am changed; and I am struggling to gain strength for duty and for honour. Adieu! I shall tell my father that you accede to our wishes."
CHAPTER VI.
When Harley was gone, Egerton sunk back on his chair, as if in extreme physical or mental exhaustion, all the lines of his countenance relaxed and jaded.
"To go back to that place--there--there--where--Courage, courage! what is another pang?"
He rose with an effort, and folding his arms tightly across his breast, paced slowly to and fro the large, mournful, solitary room. Gradually his countenance a.s.sumed its usual cold and austere composure,--the secret eye, the guarded lip, the haughty, collected front. The man of the world was himself once more.
"Now to gain time, and to baffle the usurer," murmured Egerton, with that low tone of easy scorn, which bespoke consciousness of superior power and the familiar mastery over hostile natures. He rang the bell: the servant entered.
"Is Baron Levy still waiting?"
"Yes, sir."
"Admit him." Levy entered.
"I beg your pardon, Levy," said the ex-minister, "for having so long detained you. I am now at your commands."
"My dear fellow," returned the baron, "no apologies between friends so old as we are; and I fear that my business is not so agreeable as to make you impatient to discuss it."
EGERTON (with perfect composure).--"I am to conclude, then, that you wish to bring our accounts to a close. Whenever you will, Levy."
THE BARON (disconcerted and surprised).--"Peste! mon cher, you take things coolly. But if our accounts are closed, I fear you will have but little to live upon."
EGERTON.--"I can continue to live on the salary of a Cabinet Minister."
BARON.--"Possibly; but you are no longer a Cabinet Minister."
EGERTON.--"You have never found me deceived--in a political prediction.
Within twelve months (should life be spared to me) I shall be in office again. If the same to you, I would rather wait till then formally and amicably to resign to you my lands and this house. If you grant that reprieve, our connection can thus close without the eclat and noise which may be invidious to you, as it would be disagreeable to me. But if that delay be inconvenient, I will appoint a lawyer to examine your accounts, and adjust my liabilities."
THE BARON (soliloquizing).--"I don"t like this. A lawyer! That may be awkward."
EGERTON (observing the baron, with a curl on his lip). "Well, Levy, how shall it be?"
THE BARON.--"You know, my dear fellow, it is not my character to be hard on any one, least of all upon an old friend. And if you really think there is a chance of your return to office, which you apprehend that an esclandre as to your affairs at present might damage, why, let us see if we can conciliate matters. But, first, mon cher, in order to become a minister, you must at least have a seat in parliament; and pardon me the question, how the deuce are you to find one?"
EGERTON.--"It is found."
THE BARON.--"Ah, I forgot the L5,000 you last borrowed."
EGERTON.--"NO; I reserve that sum for another purpose."
THE BARON (with a forced laugh).--"Perhaps to defend yourself against the actions you apprehend from me?"
EGERTON.--"You are mistaken. But to soothe your suspicions I will tell you plainly, that finding any sum I might have insured on my life would be liable to debts preincurred, and (as you will be my sole creditor) might thus at my death pa.s.s back to you; and doubting whether, indeed, any office would accept my insurance, I appropriate that sum to the relief of my conscience. I intend to bestow it, while yet in life, upon my late wife"s kinsman, Randal Leslie. And it is solely the wish to do what I consider an act of justice, that has prevailed with me to accept a favour from the hands of Harley L"Estrange, and to become again the member for Lansmere."
THE BARON.--"Ha!--Lansmere! You will stand for Lansmere?"
EGERTON (wincing).--"I propose to do so."
THE BARON.--"I believe you will be opposed, subjected to even a sharp contest. Perhaps you may lose your election."
EGERTON.--"If so, I resign myself, and you can foreclose on my estates."
THE BARON (his brow clearing).--"Look you, Egerton, I shall be too happy to do you a favour."
EGERTON (with stateliness).--"Favour! No, Baron Levy, I ask from you no favour. Dismiss all thought of rendering me one. It is but a consideration of business on both sides. If you think it better that we shall at once settle our accounts, my lawyer shall investigate them. If you agree to the delay I request, my lawyer shall give you no trouble; and all that I have, except hope and character, pa.s.s to your hands without a struggle."
THE BARON.--"Inflexible and ungracious, favour or not--put it as you will--I accede, provided, first, that you allow me to draw up a fresh deed, which will accomplish your part of the compact; and secondly, that we saddle the proposed delay with the condition that you do not lose your election."
EGERTON.--"Agreed. Have you anything further to say?"