CHAPTER XV.
DIPLOMACY.
About a week after the last conversation that has been related ashaving taken place at the Kanturk Hotel, Mr. Mollett junior wason his way to Castle Richmond. He had on that occasion stated hisintention of making such a journey with the view of "freshening theold gentleman up a bit;" and although his father did all in his powerto prevent the journey, going so far on one occasion as to swear thatif it was made he would throw over the game altogether, neverthelessAby persevered.
"You may leave the boards whenever you like, governor," said Aby. "Iknow quite enough of the part to carry on the play."
"You think you do," said the father in his anger; "but you'll findyourself in the dark yet before you've done."
And then again he expostulated in a different tone. "You'll ruin itall, Aby; you will indeed; you don't know all the circumstances;indeed you don't."
"Don't I?" said Aby. "Then I'll not be long learning them."
The father did what he could; but he had no means of keeping his sonat home, and so Aby went. Aby doubtless entertained an idea that hisfather was deficient in pluck for the management of so difficulta matter, and that he could supply what his father wanted. So hedressed himself in his best, and having hired a gig and a man who heflattered himself would look like a private servant, he started fromCork, and drove himself to Castle Richmond.
He had on different occasions been down in the neighbourhood,prowling about like a thief in the night, picking up informationas he called it, and seeing how the land lay; but he had never yetpresented himself to any one within the precincts of the CastleRichmond demesne. His present intention was to drive up to the frontdoor, and ask at once for Sir Thomas Fitzgerald, sending in his cardif need be, on which were printed the words:--
MR. ABRAHAM MOLLETT, Junior.
With the additional words, "Piccadilly, London," written in theleft-hand lower corner.
"I'll take the bull by the horns," said he to himself. "It's betterto make the spoon at once, even if we do run some small chance ofspoiling the horn." And that he might be well enabled to carry outhis purpose with reference to this bull, he lifted his flask tohis mouth as soon as he had passed through the great demesne gate,and took a long pull at it. "There's nothing like a little jumpingpowder," he said, speaking to himself again, and then he drove boldlyup the avenue.
He had not yet come in sight of the house when he met two gentlemenwalking on the road. They, as he approached, stood a little on oneside, not only so as to allow him to pass, but to watch him as he didso. They were Mr. Somers and Herbert Fitzgerald.
"It is the younger of those two men. I'm nearly certain of it,"said Somers as the gig approached. "I saw him as he walked by me inKanturk Street, and I don't think I can mistake the horrid impudenceof his face. I beg your pardon, sir,"--and now he addressed Mollettin the gig--"but are you going up to the house?"
"Yes, sir; that's my notion just at present. Any commands that way?"
"This is Mr. Fitzgerald--Mr. Herbert Fitzgerald; and I am Mr. Somers,the agent. Can we do anything for you?"
Aby Mollett raised his hat, and the two gentlemen touched theirs."Thank'ee, sir," said Aby; "but I believe my business must be withthe worthy baro-nett himself; more particularly as I 'appen to knowthat he's at home."
"My father is not very well," said Herbert, "and I do not think thathe will be able to see you."
"I'll take the liberty of hasking and of sending in my card," saidAby; and he gave his horse a flick as intending thus to cut short theconversation. But Mr. Somers had put his hand upon the bridle, andthe beast was contented to stand still.
"If you'll have the kindness to wait a moment," said Mr. Somers; andhe put on a look of severity, which he well knew how to assume, andwhich somewhat cowed poor Aby. "You have been down here before, Ithink," continued Mr. Somers.
"What, at Castle Richmond? No, I haven't. And if I had, what's thatto you if Sir Thomas chooses to see me? I hain't hintruding, Isuppose."
"You've been down at Kanturk before--once or twice; for I have seenyou."
"And supposing I've been there ten or twelve times,--what is there inthat?" said Aby.
Mr. Somers still held the horse's head, and stood a momentconsidering.
"I'll thank you to let go my 'oss," said Aby raising his whip andshaking the reins.
"What do you say your name is?" asked Mr. Somers.
"I didn't say my name was anything yet. I hain't ashamed of it,however, nor hasn't hany cause to be. That's my name, and if you'llsend my card in to Sir Thomas, with my compliments, and say thathi've three words to say to him very particular; why hi'll be obligedto you." And then Mr. Mollett handed Mr. Somers his card.
"Mollett!" said Mr. Somers very unceremoniously. "Mollett, Mollett.Do you know the name, Herbert?"
Herbert said that he did not.
"It's about business I suppose?" asked Mr. Somers.
"Yes," said Aby; "private business; very particular."
"The same that brought your father here;" and Mr. Somers again lookedinto his face with a close scrutiny.
Aby was abashed, and for a moment or two he did not answer. "Well,then; it is the same business," he said at last. "And I'll thank youto let me go on. I'm not used to be stopped in this way."
"You can follow us up to the house," said Mr. Somers to him. "Comehere, Herbert." And then they walked along the road in such a waythat Aby was forced to allow his horse to walk after them.
"These are the men who are doing it," said Mr. Somers in a whisper tohis companion. "Whatever is in the wind, whatever may be the cause ofyour father's trouble, they are concerned in it. They are probablygetting money from him in some way."
"Do you think so?"
"I do. We must not force ourselves upon your father's confidence, butwe must endeavour to save him from this misery. Do you go in to himwith this card. Do not show it to him too suddenly; and then find outwhether he really wishes to see the man. I will stay about the place;for it may be possible that a magistrate will be wanted, and in sucha matter you had better not act."
They were now at the hall-door, and Somers, turning to Mollett, toldhim that Mr. Herbert Fitzgerald would carry the card to his father.And then he added, seeing that Mollett was going to come down, "Youhad better stay in the gig till Mr. Fitzgerald comes back; just sitwhere you are; you'll get an answer all in good time."
Sir Thomas was crouching over the fire in his study when his sonentered, with his eyes fixed upon a letter which he held in his hand,and which, when he saw Herbert, he closed up and put away.
"Father," said Herbert, in a cheerful every-day voice, as though hehad nothing special to communicate, "there is a man in a gig outthere. He says he wants to see you."
"A man in a gig!" and Herbert could see that his father had alreadybegun to tremble. But every sound made him tremble now.
"Yes; a man in a gig. What is it he says his name is? I have his cardhere. A young man."
"Oh, a young man?" said Sir Thomas.
"Yes, here it is. Abraham Mollett. I can't say that your friend seemsto be very respectable, in spite of his gig," and Herbert handed thecard to his father.
The son purposely looked away as he mentioned the name, as his greatanxiety was not to occasion distress. But he felt that the sound ofthe word had been terrible in his father's ears. Sir Thomas had risenfrom his chair; but he now sat down again, or rather fell into it.But nevertheless he took the card, and said that he would see theman.
"A young man do you say, Herbert?"
"Yes, father, a young man. And, father, if you are not well, tell mewhat the business is and let me see him."
But Sir Thomas persisted, shaking his head, and saying that he wouldsee the man himself.
"Somers is out there. Will you let him do it?"
"No. I wonder, Herbert, that you can tease me so. Let the man be sentin here. But, oh, Herbert--Herbert--!"
The young man rushed round and kneeled at his father's knee. "What isit, fat
her? Why will you not tell me? I know you have some grief, andcannot you trust me? Do you not know that you can trust me?"
"My poor boy, my poor boy!"
"What is it, father? If this man here is concerned in it, let me seehim."
"No, no, no."
"Or at any rate let me be with you when he is here. Let me share yourtrouble if I can do nothing to cure it."
"Herbert, my darling, leave me and send him in. If it be necessarythat you should bear this calamity, it will come upon you soonenough."
"But I am afraid of this man--for your sake, father."
"He will do me no harm; let him come to me. But, Herbert, say nothingto Somers about this. Somers has not seen the man; has he?"
"Yes; we both spoke to him together as he drove up the avenue."
"And what did he say? Did he say anything?"
"Nothing but that he wanted to see you, and then he gave his card toMr. Somers. Mr. Somers wished to save you from the annoyance."
"Why should it annoy me to see any man? Let Mr. Somers mind hisown business. Surely I can have business of my own without hisinterference." With this Herbert left his father, and returned to thehall-door to usher in Mr. Mollett junior.
"Well?" said Mr. Somers, who was standing by the hall fire, and whojoined Herbert at the front door.
"My father will see the man."
"And have you learned who he is?"
"I have learned nothing but this--that Sir Thomas does not wish thatwe should inquire. Now, Mr. Mollett, Sir Thomas will see you; so youcan come down. Make haste now, and remember that you are not to staylong, for my father is ill." And then leading Aby through the halland along a passage, he introduced him into Sir Thomas's room.
"And Herbert--" said the father; whereupon Herbert again turnedround. His father was endeavouring to stand, but supporting himselfby the back of his chair. "Do not disturb me for half an hour; butcome to me then, and knock at the door. This gentleman will have doneby that time."
"If we do not put a stop to this, your father will be in a mad-houseor on his death-bed before long." So spoke Mr. Somers in a low,solemn whisper when Herbert again joined him at the hall-door.
"Sit down, sir; sit down," said Sir Thomas, endeavouring to be civiland to seem at his ease at the same time. Aby was himself so muchbewildered for the moment, that he hardly perceived the embarrassmentunder which the baronet was labouring.
Aby sat down, in the way usual to such men in such places, on thecorner of his chair, and put his hat on the ground between his feet.Then he took out his handkerchief and blew his nose, and after thathe expressed an opinion that he was in the presence of Sir ThomasFitzgerald.
"And you are Mr. Abraham Mollett," said Sir Thomas.
"Yes, Sir Thomas, that's my name. I believe, Sir Thomas, that youhave the pleasure of some slight acquaintance with my father, Mr.Matthew Mollett?"
What a pleasure under such circumstances! Sir Thomas, however, noddedhis head, and Aby went on.
"Well, now, Sir Thomas, business is business; and my father, 'e ain'ta good man of business. A gen'leman like you, Sir Thomas, has seenthat with 'alf an eye, I know." And then he waited a moment for ananswer; but as he got none he proceeded.
"My governor's one of the best of fellows going, but 'e ain't sharpand decisive. Sharp's the word now a days, Sir Thomas; ain't it?" andhe spoke this in a manner so suited to the doctrine which he intendedto inculcate, that the poor old gentleman almost jumped up in hischair.
And Aby, seeing this, seated himself more comfortably in his own. Theawe which the gilt bindings of the books and the thorough comfort ofthe room had at first inspired was already beginning to fade away. Hehad come there to bully, and though his courage had failed him for amoment under the stern eye of Mr. Somers, it quickly returned to himnow that he was able to see how weak was his actual victim.
"Sharp's the word, Sir Thomas; and my governor, 'e ain't sharp--notsharp as he ought to be in such a matter as this. This is what Icalls a real bit of cheese. Now it's no good going on piddling andpeddling in such a case as this; is it now, Sir Thomas?"
Sir Thomas muttered something, but it was no more than a groan.
"Not the least use," continued Aby. "Now the question, as I takes it,is this. There's your son there as fetched me in 'ere; a fine younggen'leman 'e is, as ever I saw; I will say that. Well, now; who's tohave this 'ere property when you walk the plank--as walk it you mustsome day, in course? Is it to be this son of yours, or is it to bethis other Fitzgerald of 'Appy 'Ouse? Now, if you ask me, I'm all foryour son, though maybe he mayn't be all right as regards the dam."
There was certainly some truth in what Aby had said with reference tohis father. Mr. Mollett senior had never debated the matter in termssharp and decisive as these were. Think who they were of whom thisbrute was talking to that wretched gentleman; the wife of his bosom,than whom no wife was ever more dearly prized; the son of his love,the centre of all his hopes, the heir of his wealth--if that mightstill be so. And yet he listened to such words as these, and did notcall in his servants to turn the speaker of them out of his doors.
"I've no wish for that 'Appy 'Ouse man, Sir Thomas; not the least.And as for your good lady, she's nothing to me one way or theother--whatever she may be to my governor--" and here there fella spasm upon the poor man's heart, which nearly brought him fromthe chair to the ground; but, nevertheless, he still containedhimself--"my governor's former lady, my own mother," continued Aby,"whom I never see'd, she'd gone to kingdom come, you know, beforethat time, Sir Thomas. There hain't no doubt about that. So yousee--" and hereupon he dropped his voice from the tone which he hadhitherto been using to an absolute whisper, and drawing his chairclose to that of the baronet, and putting his hands upon his knees,brought his mouth close to his companion's ear--"So you see," hesaid, "when that youngster was born, Lady F. was Mrs. M.--wasn't she?and for the matter of that, Lady F. is Mrs. M. to this very hour.That's the real chat; ain't it, Sir Thomas? My stepmother, you know.The governor could take her away with him to-morrow if he chose,according to the law of the land--couldn't he now?"
There was no piddling or peddling about this at any rate. Old Mollettin discussing the matter with his victim had done so by hints andinuendos, through long windings, by signs and the dropping of a fewdark words. He had never once mentioned in full terms the name ofLady Fitzgerald; had never absolutely stated that he did possess orever had possessed a wife. It had been sufficient for him to imbueSir Thomas with the knowledge that his son Herbert was in greatdanger as to his heritage. Doubtless the two had understood eachother; but the absolute naked horror of the surmised facts had beenkept delicately out of sight. But such delicacy was not to Aby'staste. Sharp, short, and decisive; that was his motto. No "longaeambages" for him. The whip was in his hand, as he thought, and hecould best master the team by using it.
And yet Sir Thomas lived and bore it. As he sat there half stupefied,numbed as it were by the intensity of his grief, he wondered at hisown power of endurance. "She is Mrs. M., you know; ain't she now?" Hecould sit there and hear that, and yet live through it. So much hecould do, and did do; but as for speaking, that was beyond him.
Young Mollett thought that this "freshening up of the old gentleman"seemed to answer; so he continued. "Yes, Sir Thomas, your son's myfavourite, I tell you fairly. But then, you know, if I backs thefavourite, in course I likes to win upon him. How is it to be, now?"and then he paused for an answer, which, however, was notforthcoming.
"You see you haven't been dealing quite on the square with thegovernor. You two is, has it were, in a boat together. We'll callthat boat the Lady F., or the Mrs. M., which ever you like;"--andthen Aby laughed, for the conceit pleased him--"but the hearnings ofthat boat should be divided hequally. Ain't that about the ticket?heh, Sir Thomas? Come, don't be down on your luck. A little quiettalkee-talkee between you and me'll soon put this small matter on aright footing."
"What is it you want? tell me at once," at last groaned the poor man.
"Well now, that's something like; and I'll tell you what we want.There are only two of us you know, the governor and I; and verylonely we are, for it's a sad thing for a man to have the wife of hisbosom taken from him."
Then there was a groan which struck even Aby's ear; but Sir Thomaswas still alive and listening, and so he went on.
"This property here, Sir Thomas, is a good twelve thousand a year. Iknow hall about it as though I'd been 'andling it myself for the lastten years. And a great deal of cutting there is in twelve thousanda year. You've 'ad your whack out of it, and now we wants to havehourn. That's Henglish, hain't it?"
"Did your father send you here, Mr. Mollett?"
"Never you mind who sent me, Sir Thomas. Perhaps he did, and perhapshe didn't. Perhaps I came without hany sending. Perhaps I'm morehup to this sort of work than he is. At any rate, I've got the partpretty well by 'eart--you see that, don't you? Well, hour hultimatumabout the business is this. Forty thousand pounds paid down on thenail, half to the governor, and half to your 'umble servant, beforethe end of this year; a couple of thousand more in hand for theyear's hexpenses--and--and--a couple of hundred or so now at oncebefore I leave you; for to tell the truth we're run huncommonly dryjust at the present moment." And then Aby drew his breath and pausedfor an answer.
Poor Sir Thomas was now almost broken down. His head swam round andround, and he felt that he was in a whirlpool from which there was noescape. He had heard the sum named, and knew that he had no power ofraising it. His interest in the estate was but for his life, and thatlife was now all but run out. He had already begun to feel that hisson must be sacrificed, but he had struggled and endured in orderthat he might save his wife. But what could he do now? What furtherstruggle could he make? His present most eager desire was that thathorrid man should be removed from his hearing and his eyesight.
But Aby had not yet done: he had hitherto omitted to mention one notinconsiderable portion of the amicable arrangement which, accordingto him, would have the effect of once more placing the two familiescomfortably on their feet. "There's one other pint, Sir Thomas," hecontinued, "and hif I can bring you and your good lady to my way ofthinking on that, why, we may all be comfortable for all that is comeand gone. You've a daughter Hemmeline."
"What!" said Sir Thomas, turning upon him; for there was still somuch of life left in him that he could turn upon his foe when heheard his daughter's name thus polluted.
"Has lovely a gal to my way of thinking as my heyes ever rested on;and I'm not haccounted a bad judge of such cattle, I can tell you,Sir Thomas."
"That will do, that will do," said Sir Thomas, attempting to rise,but still holding on by the back of his chair. "You can go now, sir;I cannot hear more from you."
"Go!"
"Yes, sir; go."
"I know a trick worth two of that, Sir Thomas. If you like to giveme your daughter Hemmeline for my wife, whatever her fortin's to be,I'll take it as part of my half of the forty thousand pounds. Therenow." And then Aby again waited for a reply.
But now there came a knock at the door, and following quick upon theknock Herbert entered the room. "Well, father," said the son.
"Herbert!"
"Yes, father;" and he went round and supported his father on his arm.
"Herbert, will you tell that man to go?"
"Come, sir, you have disturbed my father enough; will you have thekindness to leave him now?"
"I may chance to disturb him more, and you too, sir, if you treat mein that way. Let go my arm, sir. Am I to have any answer from you,Sir Thomas?"
But Sir Thomas could make no further attempt at speaking. He was nowonce more seated in his chair, holding his son's hand, and when heagain heard Mollett's voice he merely made a sign for him to go.
"You see the state my father is in, Mr. Mollett," said Herbert; "I donot know what is the nature of your business, but whatever it may be,you must leave him now." And he made a slight attempt to push thevisitor towards the door.
"You'd better take care what you're doing, Mr. Fitzgerald," saidMollett. "By ---- you had! If you anger me, I might say a word thatI couldn't unsay again, which would put you into queer street, I cantell you."
"Don't quarrel with him, my boy; pray don't quarrel with him, but lethim leave me," said Sir Thomas.
"Mr. Mollett, you see my father's state; you must be aware that it isimperative that he should be left alone."
"I don't know nothing about that, young gen'leman; business isbusiness, and I hain't got hany answer to my proposals. Sir Thomas,do you say 'Yes' to them proposals." But Sir Thomas was still dumb."To all but the last? Come," continued Aby, "that was put in quite asmuch for your good as it was for mine." But not a word came from thebaronet.
"Then I shan't stir," said Aby, again seating himself.
"Then I shall have the servants in," said Herbert, "and a magistratewho is in the hall;" and he put his hand towards the handle of thebell.
"Well, as the old gen'leman's hill, I'll go now and come again. Butlook you here, Sir Thomas, you have got my proposals, and if I don'tget an answer to them in three days' time,--why you'll hear from mein another way, that's all. And so will her ladyship." And with thisthreat Mr. Abraham Mollett allowed himself to be conducted throughthe passage into the hall, and from thence to his gig.
"See that he drives away; see that he goes," said Herbert to Mr.Somers, who was still staying about the place.
"Oh, I'll drive away fast enough," said Aby, as he stepped into thegig, "and come back fast enough too," he muttered to himself. In themean time Herbert had run back to his father's room.
"Has he gone?" murmured Sir Thomas.
"Yes, he has gone. There; you can hear the wheels of his gig on thegravel."
"Oh, my boy, my poor boy!"
"What is it, father? Why do you not tell me? Why do you allow suchmen as that to come and harass you, when a word would keep them fromyou? Father, good cannot come of it."
"No, Herbert, no; good will not come of it. There is no good to comeat all."
"Then why will you not tell us?"
"You will know it all soon enough. But Herbert, do not say a word toyour mother. Not a word as you value my love. Let us save her whilewe can. You promise me that."
Herbert gave him the required promise.
"Look here," and he took up the letter which he had before crumpledin his hand. "Mr. Prendergast will be here next week. I shall telleverything to him."
Soon afterwards Sir Thomas went to his bed, and there by his bedsidehis wife sat for the rest of the evening. But he said no word to herof his sorrow.
"Mr. Prendergast is coming here," said Herbert to Mr. Somers.
"I am glad of it, though I do not know him," said Mr. Somers. "For,my dear boy, it is necessary that there should be some one here."