CHAPTER XXIV.
WHICH ACCOUNTS PERHAPS FOR CHAPTER XXIII.
The information regarding the affairs of the Claveringfamily, which Major Pendennis had acquired through Strong, and by hisown personal interference as the friend of the house, was such asalmost made the old gentleman pause in any plans which he might haveonce entertained for his nephew's benefit. To bestow upon Arthur awife with two such fathers-in-law as the two worthies whom theguileless and unfortunate Lady Clavering had drawn in her marriageventures, was to benefit no man. And though the one, in a manner,neutralized the other, and the appearance of Amory or Altamont inpublic would be the signal for his instantaneous withdrawal andcondign punishment--for the fugitive convict had cut down the officerin charge of him--and a rope would be inevitably his end, if he cameagain under British authorities; yet, no guardian would like to securefor his ward a wife, whose parent was to be got rid of in such a way;and the old gentleman's notion always had been that Altamont, with thegallows before his eyes, would assuredly avoid recognition; while, atthe same time, by holding the threat of his discovery over Clavering,the latter, who would lose every thing by Amory's appearance, would bea slave in the hands of the person who knew so fatal a secret.
But if the Begum paid Clavering's debts many times more, her wealthwould be expended altogether upon this irreclaimable reprobate: andher heirs, whoever they might be, would succeed but to an emptiedtreasury; and Miss Amory, instead of bringing her husband a goodincome and a seat in Parliament, would bring to that individual herperson only, and her pedigree with that lamentable note of _sus percoll_ at the name of the last male of her line.
There was, however, to the old schemer revolving these things in hismind, another course yet open; the which will appear to the reader whomay take the trouble to peruse a conversation, which presently ensued,between Major Pendennis and the honorable baronet, the member forClavering.
When a man, under pecuniary difficulties, disappears from among hisusual friends and equals--dives out of sight, as it were, from theflock of birds in which he is accustomed to sail, it is wonderful atwhat strange and distant nooks he comes up again for breath. I haveknown a Pall Mall lounger and Rotten Row buck, of no inconsiderablefashion, vanish from among his comrades of the Clubs and the Park, andbe discovered, very happy and affable, at an eighteenpenny ordinary inBillingsgate: another gentleman, of great learning and wit, when outrunning the constables (were I to say he was a literary man, somecritics would vow that I intended to insult the literary profession),once sent me his address at a little public-house called the "Foxunder the Hill," down a most darksome and cavernous archway in theStrand. Such a man, under such misfortunes, may have a house, but heis never in his house; and has an address where letters may be left;but only simpletons go with the hopes of seeing him. Only a few of thefaithful know where he is to be found, and have the clew to hishiding-place. So, after the disputes with his wife, and themisfortunes consequent thereon, to find Sir Francis Clavering at homewas impossible. "Ever since I hast him for my book, which is fourteenpound, he don't come home till three o'clock, and purtends to beasleep when I bring his water of a mornin', and dodges hout when I'mdown stairs," Mr. Lightfoot remarked to his friend Morgan; andannounced that he should go down to my Lady, and be butler there, andmarry his old woman. In like manner, after his altercations withStrong, the baronet did not come near him, and fled to other haunts,out of the reach of the chevalier's reproaches; out of the reach ofconscience, if possible, which many of us try to dodge and leavebehind us by changes of scenes and other fugitive stratagems.
So, though the elder Pendennis, having his own ulterior object, wasbent upon seeing Pen's country neighbor and representative inParliament, it took the major no inconsiderable trouble and timebefore he could get him into such a confidential state andconversation, as were necessary for the ends which the major had inview. For since the major had been called in as family friend, and hadcognizance of Clavering's affairs, conjugal and pecuniary, the baronetavoided him: as he always avoided all his lawyers and agents whenthere was an account to be rendered, or an affair of business to bediscussed between them; and never kept any appointment but when itsobject was the raising of money. Thus, previous to catching this mostshy and timorous bird, the major made more than one futile attempt tohold him; on one day it was a most innocent-looking invitation todinner at Greenwich, to meet a few friends; the baronet accepted,suspected something, and did not come; leaving the major (who indeedproposed to represent in himself the body of friends) to eat hiswhitebait done: on another occasion the major wrote and asked forten minutes' talk, and the baronet instantly acknowledged the note,and made the appointment at four o'clock the next day at Bays's_precisely_ (he carefully underlined the "precisely"); but though fouro'clock came, as in the course of time and destiny it could not dootherwise, no Clavering made his appearance. Indeed, if he hadborrowed twenty pounds of Pendennis, he could not have been moretimid, or desirous of avoiding the major; and the latter found that itwas one thing to seek a man, and another to find him.
Before the close of that day in which Strong's patron had given thechevalier the benefit of so many blessings before his face and cursesbehind his back, Sir Francis Clavering who had pledged his word andhis oath to his wife's advisers to draw or accept no more bills ofexchange, and to be content with the allowance which his victimizedwife still awarded him, had managed to sign his respectable name to apiece of stamped paper, which the baronet's friend, Mr. Moss Abrams,had carried off, promising to have the bill "done" by a party withwhose intimacy Mr. Abrams was favored. And it chanced that Strongheard of this transaction at the place where the writings had beendrawn--in the back parlor, namely, of Mr. Santiago's cigar-shop,where the chevalier was constantly in the habit of spending an hour inthe evening.
"He is at his old work again," Mr. Santiago told his customer. "He andMoss Abrams were in my parlor. Moss sent out my boy for a stamp. Itmust have been a bill for fifty pound. I heard the baronet tell Mossto date it two months back. He will pretend that it is an old bill,and that he forgot it when he came to a settlement with his wife theother day. I daresay they will give him some more money now he isclear." A man who has the habit of putting his unlucky name to"promises to pay" at six months, has the satisfaction of knowing, too,that his affairs are known and canvassed, and his signature handedround among the very worst knaves and rogues of London.
Mr. Santiago's shop was close by St. James's-street and Bury-street,where we have had the honor of visiting our friend Major Pendennis inhis lodgings. The major was walking daintily toward his apartment, asStrong, burning with wrath and redolent of Havanna, strode along thesame pavement opposite to him.
"Confound these young men: how they poison every thing with theirsmoke," thought the major. "Here comes a fellow with mustaches and acigar. Every fellow who smokes and wears mustaches is a low fellow.Oh! it's Mr. Strong--I hope you are well, Mr. Strong?" and the oldgentleman, making a dignified bow to the chevalier, was about to passinto his house; directing toward the lock of the door, with tremblinghand, the polished door-key.
We have said, that, at the long and weary disputes and conferencesregarding the payment of Sir Francis Clavering's last debts, Strongand Pendennis had both been present as friends and advisers of thebaronet's unlucky family. Strong stopped and held out his hand to hisbrother negotiator, and old Pendennis put out toward him a couple ofungracious fingers.
"What is your good news?" said Major Pendennis, patronizing the otherstill farther, and condescending to address to him an observation, forold Pendennis had kept such good company all his life, that he vaguelyimagined he honored common men by speaking to them. "Still in town,Mr. Strong? I hope I see you well."
"My news is bad news, sir," Strong answered; "it concerns our friendsat Tunbridge Wells, and I should like to talk to you about it.Clavering is at his old tricks again, Major Pendennis."
"Indeed! Pray do me the favor to come into my lodging," cried themajor with awakened interest; and th
e pair entered and took possessionof his drawing-room. Here seated, Strong unburdened himself of hisindignation to the major, and spoke at large of Clavering'srecklessness and treachery. "No promises will bind him sir," he said."You remember when we met, sir, with my lady's lawyer, how he wouldn'tbe satisfied with giving his honor, but wanted to take his oath on hisknees to his wife, and rang the bell for a Bible, and swore perditionon his soul if he ever would give another bill. He has been signingone this very day, sir: and will sign as many more as you please forready money: and will deceive any body, his wife or his child, or hisold friend, who has backed him a hundred times. Why, there's a bill ofhis and mine will be due next week--"
"I thought we had paid all--"
"Not that one," Strong said, blushing. "He asked me not to mention it,and--and--I had half the money for that, major. And they will be downon me. But I don't care for it; I'm used to it. It's Lady Claveringthat riles me. It's a shame that that good-natured woman, who has paidhim out of jail a score of times, should be ruined by hisheartlessness. A parcel of bill-stealers, boxers, any rascals, get hismoney; and he don't scruple to throw an honest fellow over. Would youbelieve it, sir, he took money of Altamont--you know whom I mean."
"Indeed? of that singular man, who I think came tipsy once to SirFrancis's house?" Major Pendennis said, with impenetrable countenance."Who _is_ Altamont, Mr. Strong?"
"I am sure I don't know, if you don't know," the chevalier answered,with a look of surprise and suspicion.
"To tell you frankly," said the major, "I have my suspicions. Isuppose--mind, I only suppose--that in our friend Clavering's life--who, between you and me, Captain Strong, we must own is about as loosea fish as any in my acquaintance--there are, no doubt, some queersecrets and stories which he would not like to have known: none of uswould. And very likely this fellow, who calls himself Altamont, knowssome story against Clavering, and has some hold on him, and gets moneyout of him on the strength of his information. I know some of the bestmen of the best families in England who are paying through the nose inthat way. But their private affairs are no business of mine, Mr.Strong; and it is not to be supposed that because I go and dine witha man, I pry into his secrets, or am answerable for all his pastlife. And so with our friend Clavering, I am most interested for hiswife's sake, and her daughter's, who is a most charming creature: andwhen her ladyship asked me, I looked into her affairs, and tried toset them straight; and shall do so again, you understand, to the hestof my humble power and ability, if I can make myself useful. And if Iam called upon--you understand, if I am called upon--and--by-the-way,this Mr. Altamont, Mr. Strong? How is this Mr. Altamont? I believe youare acquainted with him. Is he in town?"
"I don't know that I am called upon to know where he is, MajorPendennis," said Strong, rising and taking up his hat in dudgeon, forthe major's patronizing manner and impertinence of caution offendedthe honest gentleman not a little.
Pendennis's manner altered at once from a tone of hauteur to one ofknowing good-humor. "Ah, Captain Strong, you are cautious too, I see;and quite right, my good sir, quite right. We don't know what earswalls may have, sir, or to whom we may be talking; and as a man of theworld, and an old soldier--an old and distinguished soldier, I havebeen told, Captain Strong--you know very well that there is no use inthrowing away your fire; you may have your ideas, and I may put twoand two together and have mine. But there are things which don'tconcern him that many a man had better not know, eh, captain? andwhich I, for one, won't know until I have reason for knowing them: andthat I believe is your maxim too. With regard to our friend thebaronet, I think with you, it would be most advisable that he shouldbe checked in his imprudent courses; and most strongly reprehend anyman's departure from his word, or any conduct of his which can giveany pain to his family, or cause them annoyance in any way. That is myfull and frank opinion, and I am sure it is yours."
"Certainly," said Mr. Strong, drily.
"I am delighted to hear it; delighted, that an old brother soldiershould agree with me so fully. And I am exceedingly glad of the luckymeeting which has procured me the good fortune of your visit. Goodevening. Thank you. Morgan, show the door to Captain Strong."
And Strong, preceded by Morgan, took his leave of Major Pendennis; thechevalier not a little puzzled at the old fellow's prudence; and thevalet, to say the truth, to the full as much perplexed at his master'sreticence. For Mr. Morgan, in his capacity of accomplished valet,moved here and there in a house as silent as a shadow; and, as it sohappened, during the latter part of his master's conversation with hisvisitor, had been standing very close to the door, and had overheardnot a little of the talk between, the two gentlemen, and a great dealmore than he could understand.
"Who is that Altamont? know any thing about him and Strong?" Mr.Morgan asked of Mr. Lightfoot, on the next convenient occasion whenthey met at the Club.
"Strong's his man of business, draws the governor's bills, andindosses 'em, and does his odd jobs and that; and I supposeAltamont's in it too," Mr. Lightfoot replied. "That kite-flying, youknow, Mr. M. always takes two or three on 'em to set the paper going.Altamont put the pot on at the Derby, and won a good bit of money. Iwish the governor could get some somewhere, and I could get mybook paid up."
"Do you think my lady would pay his debts again?" Morgan asked "Findout that for me, Lightfoot, and I'll make it worth your while my boy."
Major Pendennis had often said with a laugh, that his valet Morgan wasa much richer man than himself: and, indeed, by a long course ofcareful speculation, this wary and silent attendant had been amassinga considerable sum of money, during the years which he had passed inthe major's service, where he had made the acquaintance of many othervalets of distinction, from whom he had learned the affairs of theirprincipals. When Mr. Arthur came into his property, but not untilthen, Morgan had surprised the young gentleman, by saying that he hada little sum of money, some fifty or a hundred pound, which he wantedto lay out to advantage; perhaps the gentlemen in the Temple, knowingabout affairs and business and that, could help a poor fellow to agood investment? Morgan would be very much obliged to Mr. Arthur, mostgrateful and obliged indeed, if Arthur could tell him of one. WhenArthur laughingly replied, that he knew nothing about money matters,and knew no earthly way of helping Morgan, the latter, with the utmostsimplicity, was very grateful, very grateful indeed, to Mr. Arthur,and if Mr. Arthur _should_ want a little money before his rents waspaid perhaps he would kindly remember that his uncle's old andfaithful servant had some as he would like to put out: and be mostproud if he could be useful anyways to any of the family.
The Prince of Fairoaks, who was tolerably prudent and had no need ofready money, would as soon have thought of borrowing from his uncle'sservant as of stealing the valet's pocket-handkerchief, and was on thepoint of making some haughty reply to Morgan's offer, but was checkedby the humor of the transaction. Morgan a capitalist! Morgan offeringto lend to him! The joke was excellent. On the other hand, the manmight be quite innocent, and the proposal of money a simple offer ofgood-will. So Arthur withheld the sarcasm that was rising to his lips,and contented himself by declining Mr. Morgan's kind proposal. Hementioned the matter to his uncle, however, and congratulated thelatter on having such a treasure in his service.
It was then that the major said that he believed Morgan had beengetting devilish rich for a devilish long time; in fact he had boughtthe house in Bury-street, in which his master was a lodger; and hadactually made a considerable sum of money, from his acquaintance withthe Clavering family and his knowledge obtained through his masterthat the Begum would pay all her husband's debts, by buying up as manyof the baronet's acceptances as he could raise money to purchase. Ofthese transactions the major, however, knew no more than most gentlemendo of their servants, who live with us all our days and arestrangers to us, so strong custom is, and so pitiless the distinctionbetween class and class.
"So he offered to lend you money, did he?" the elder Pendennisremarked to his nephew. "He's a dev'lish sly fellow, and
a dev'lishrich fellow; and there's many a nobleman would like to have such avalet in his service, and borrow from him too. And he ain't a bitchanged, Monsieur Morgan. He does his work just as well as ever--he'salways ready to my bell--steals about the room like a cat--he's sodev'lishly attached to me, Morgan!"
On the day of Strong's visit, the major bethought him of Pen's story,and that Morgan might help him, and rallied the valet regarding hiswealth with that free and insolent way which so high-placed agentleman might be disposed to adopt toward so unfortunate a creature.
"I hear that you have got some money to invest, Morgan," said themajor.
It's Mr. Arthur has been telling, hang him, thought the valet.
"I'm glad my place is such a good one."
"Thank you, sir--I've no reason to complain of my place, nor of mymaster," replied Morgan, demurely.
"You're a good fellow: and I believe you are attached to me; and I'mglad you get on well. And I hope you'll be prudent, and not be takinga public-house or that kind of thing."
A public-house, thought Morgan--me in a public-house!--the oldfool!--Dammy, if I was ten years younger I'd set in Parlyment before Idied, that I would. "No, thank you kindly, sir. I don't think of thepublic line, sir. And I've got my little savings pretty well putout, sir."
"You do a little in the discounting way, eh, Morgan?"
"Yes, sir, a very little--I--I beg your pardon, sir--might I be sofree as to ask a question--"
"Speak on, my good fellow," the elder said, graciously.
"About Sir Francis Clavering's paper, sir? Do you think he's anylonger any good, sir? Will my lady pay on 'em, any more, sir?"
"What, you've done something in that business already?"
"Yes, sir, a little," replied Morgan, dropping down his eyes. "And Idon't mind owning, sir, and I hope I may take the liberty of saying,sir, that a little more would make me very comfortable if it turnedout as well as the last."
"Why, how much have you netted by him, in Gad's name?" asked themajor.
"I've done a good bit, sir, at it: that I own, sir. Having someinformation, and made acquaintance with the fam'ly through yourkindness, I put on the pot, sir."
"You did what?"
"I laid my money on, sir--I got all I could, and borrowed, and boughtSir Francis's bills; many of 'em had his name, and the gentleman's asis just gone out, Edward Strong, Esquire, sir: and of course I know ofthe blow hup and shindy as is took place in Grosvenor-place, sir:and as I may as well make my money as another, I'd be _very_ muchobleeged to you if you'd tell me whether my lady will come downany more."
Although Major Pendennis was as much surprised at this intelligenceregarding his servant, as if he had heard that Morgan was a disguisedmarquis, about to throw off his mask and assume his seat in the Houseof Peers; and although he was of course indignant at the audacity ofthe fellow who had dared to grow rich under his nose, and without hiscognizance; yet he had a natural admiration for every man whorepresented money and success, and found himself respecting Morgan,and being rather afraid of that worthy, as the truth began todawn upon him.
"Well, Morgan," said he, "I mustn't ask how rich you are; and thericher the better for your sake, I'm sure. And if I could give you anyinformation that could serve you, I would speedily help you. Butfrankly, if Lady Clavering asks me whether she shall pay any more ofSir Francis's debts, I shall advise and I hope she won't, though Ifear she will--and that is all I know. And so you are aware that SirFrancis is beginning again in his--eh--reckless and imprudent course?"
"At his old games, sir--can't prevent that gentleman. He will do it."
"Mr. Strong was saying that a Mr. Moss Abrams was the holder of one ofSir Francis Covering's notes. Do you know any thing of this Mr.Abrams, or the amount of the bill?"
"Don't know the bill--know Abrams quite well, sir."
"I wish you would find out about it for me. And I wish you would findout where I can see Sir Francis Clavering, Morgan."
And Morgan said, "thank you, sir, yes, sir, I will, sir;" and retiredfrom the room, as he had entered it, with his usual stealthy respectand quiet humility; leaving the major to muse and wonder over what hehad just heard.
The next morning the valet informed Major Pendennis that he had seenMr. Abrams; what was the amount of the bill that gentleman wasdesirous to negotiate; and that the baronet would be sure to be in theback parlor of the Wheel of Fortune Tavern that day at one o'clock.
To this appointment Sir Francis Clavering was punctual, and as at oneo'clock he sat in the parlor of the tavern in question, surrounded byspittoons, Windsor chairs, cheerful prints of boxers, trotting horses,and pedestrians, and the lingering of last night's tobacco fumes--asthe descendant of an ancient line sate in this delectable place,accommodated with an old copy of Bell's Life in London, much blottedwith beer, the polite Major Pendennis walked into the apartment.
"So it's you, old boy?" asked the baronet, thinking that Mr. MossAbrams had arrived with the money.
"How do you do, Sir Francis Clavering? I wanted to see you, andfollowed you here," said the major, at sight of whom the other'scountenance fell. Now that he had his opponent before him, the majorwas determined to make a brisk and sudden attack upon him, and wentinto action at once. "I know," he continued, "who is the exceedinglydisreputable person for whom you took me, Clavering; and the errandwhich brought you here."
"It ain't your business, is it?" asked the baronet, with a sulky anddeprecatory look. "Why are you following me about and taking thecommand, and meddling in my affairs, Major Pendennis? I've never done_you_ any harm, have I? I've never had _your_ money. And I don'tchoose to be dodged about in this way, and domineered over. I don'tchoose it, and I won't have it. If Lady Clavering has any proposal tomake to me, let it be done in the regular way, and through thelawyers. I'd rather not have you."
"I am not come from Lady Clavering," the major said, "but of my ownaccord, to try and remonstrate with you, Clavering, and see if you canbe kept from ruin. It is but a month ago that you swore on your honor,and wanted to get a Bible to strengthen the oath, that you wouldaccept no more bills, but content yourself with the allowance whichLady Clavering gives you. All your debts were paid with that proviso,and you have broken it; this Mr. Abrams has a bill of yours forsixty pounds."
"It's an old bill. I take my solemn oath it's an old bill," shriekedout the baronet.
"You drew it yesterday, and you dated three months back purposely. ByGad, Clavering, you sicken me with lies, I can't help telling you so.I've no patience with you, by Gad. You cheat every body, yourselfincluded. I've seen a deal of the world, but I never met your equal athumbugging. It's my belief you had rather lie than not."
"Have you come here, you old, old beast, to tempt me to--to pitch intoyou, and--and knock your old head off?" said the baronet, with apoisonous look of hatred at the major.
"What, sir?" shouted out the old major, rising to his feet andclasping his cane, and looking so fiercely, that the baronet's toneinstantly changed toward him.
"No, no," said Clavering piteously, "I beg your pardon. I didn't meanto be angry, or say any thing unkind, only you're so damned harsh tome, Major Pendennis. What is it you want of me? Why have you beenhunting me so? Do _you_ want money out of me too? By Jove, you knowI've not got a shilling,"--and so Clavering, according to his custom,passed from a curse into a whimper.
Major Pendennis saw from the other's tone, that Clavering knew hissecret was in the major's hands.
"I've no errand from any body, or no design upon you," Pendennis said,"but an endeavor, if it's not too late, to save you and your familyfrom utter ruin, through the infernal recklessness of your courses. Iknew your secret--"
"I didn't know it when I married her; upon my oath I didn't know ittill the d--d scoundrel came back and told me himself; and it's themisery about that which makes me so reckless, Pendennis; indeed itis;" the baronet cried, clasping his hands.
"I knew your secret from the very first day when I saw Amory comedrunk into your dining
-room in Grosvenor-place. I never forget faces.I remember that fellow in Sidney a convict, and he remembers me. Iknow his trial, the date of his marriage, and of his reported death inthe bush. I could swear to him. And I know that you are no moremarried to Lady Clavering than I am. I've kept your secret wellenough, for I've not told a single soul that I know it--not your wife,not yourself till now."
"Poor Lady C., it would cut her up dreadfully," whimpered Sir Francis;"and it wasn't my fault, major; you know it wasn't."
"Rather than allow you to go on ruining her as you do, I _will_ tellher, Clavering, and tell all the world too; that is what I swear Iwill do, unless I can come to some terms with you, and put some curbon your infernal folly. By play, debt, and extravagance of all kind,you've got through half your wife's fortune, and that of herlegitimate heirs, mind--her legitimate heirs. Here it must stop. Youcan't live together. You're not fit to live in a great house likeClavering; and before three years more were over would not leave ashilling to carry on. I've settled what must be done. You shall havesix hundred a year; you shall go abroad and live on that. You mustgive up Parliament, and get on as well as you can. If you refuse, Igive you my word I'll make the real state of things known to-morrow;I'll swear to Amory, who, when identified, will go back to the countryfrom whence he came, and will rid the widow of you and himselftogether. And so that boy of yours loses at once all title to oldSnell's property, and it goes to your wife's daughter. Ain't I makingmyself pretty clearly understood?"
"You wouldn't be so cruel to that poor boy, would you, Pendennis?"asked the father, pleading piteously; "hang it, think about him. He'sa nice boy: though he's dev'lish wild, I own--he's dev'lish wild."
"It's you who are cruel to him," said the old moralist. "Why, sir,you'll ruin him yourself inevitably in three years."
"Yes, but perhaps I won't have such dev'lish bad luck, you know; theluck must turn: and I'll reform, by Gad, I'll reform. And if you wereto split on me, it would cut up my wife so; you know it would, mostinfernally."
"To be parted from _you_," said the old major, with a sneer; "you knowshe won't live with you again."
"But why can't Lady C. live abroad, or at Bath, or at Tunbridge, or atthe doose, and I go on here?" Clavering continued. "I like being herebetter than abroad, and I like being in Parliament. It's dev'lishconvenient being in Parliament. There's very few seats like mine left;and if I gave it to 'em, I should not wonder the ministry would giveme an island to govern, or some dev'lish good thing; for you know I'ma gentleman of dev'lish good family, and have a handle to my name,and--and that sort of thing, Major Pendennis. Eh, don't you see? Don'tyou think they'd give me something dev'lish good if I was to playmy cards well? And then, you know, I'd save money, and be kept out ofthe way of the confounded hells and _rouge et noir_--and--and so I'drather not give up Parliament, please." For at one instant to hate anddefy a man, at the next to weep before him, and at the next to beperfectly confidential and friendly with him, was not an unusualprocess with our versatile-minded baronet.
"As for your seat in Parliament," the major said, with something of ablush on his cheek, and a certain tremor, which the other did not see"you must part with that, Sir Francis Clavering, to--to me."
"What! are you going into the House, Major Pendennis?"
"No--not I; but my nephew, Arthur, is a very clever fellow, and wouldmake a figure there: and when Clavering had two members, his fathermight very likely have been one; and--and I should like Arthur to bethere," the major said.
"Dammy, does _he_ know it, too?" cried out Clavering.
"Nobody knows any thing out of this room," Pendennis answered; "and ifyou do this favor for me, I hold my tongue. If not, I'm a man of myword, and will do what I have said."
"I say, major," said Sir Francis, with a peculiarly humble smile,"you--you couldn't get me my first quarter in advance, could you, likethe best of fellows? You can do any thing with Lady Clavering; and,upon my oath, I'll take up that bill of Abrams. The little damscoundrel, I know he'll do me in the business--he always does; and ifyou could do this for me, we'd see, major."
"And I think your best plan would be to go down in September toClavering to shoot, and take my nephew with you, and introduce him.Yes, that will be the best time. And we will try and manage about theadvance." (Arthur may lend him that, thought old Pendennis. Confoundhim, a seat in Parliament is worth a hundred and fifty pounds.) "And,Clavering, you understand, of course, my nephew knows nothing aboutthis business. You have a mind to retire: he is a Clavering man, and agood representative for the borough; you introduce him, and yourpeople vote for him--you see."
"When can you get me the hundred and fifty, major? When shall I comeand see you? Will you be at home this evening or to-morrow morning?Will you have any thing here? They've got some dev'lish good bittersin the bar. I often have a glass of bitters, it sets one up so."
The old major would take no refreshment; but rose and took his leaveof the baronet, who walked with him to the door of the Wheel ofFortune, and then strolled into the bar, where he took a glass of ginand bitters with the landlady there: and a gentleman connected withthe ring (who boarded at the Wheel of F.) coming in, he and SirFrancis Clavering and the landlord talked about the fights and thenews of the sporting world in general; and at length Mr. Moss Abramsarrived with the proceeds of the baronet's bill, from which his ownhandsome commission was deducted, and out of the remainder Sir Francis"stood" a dinner at Greenwich to his distinguished friend, and passedthe evening gayly at Vauxhall. Meanwhile Major Pendennis, calling acab in Piccadilly, drove to Lamb-court, Temple, where he speedily wascloseted with his nephew in deep conversation.
After their talk they parted on very good terms, and it was inconsequence of that unreported conversation, whereof the readernevertheless can pretty well guess the bearing, that Arthur expressedhimself as we have heard in the colloquy with Warrington, which isreported in the last chapter.
When a man is tempted to do a tempting thing, he can find a hundredingenious reasons for gratifying his liking; and Arthur thought verymuch that he would like to be in Parliament, and that he would like todistinguish himself there, and that he need not care much what side hetook, as there was falsehood and truth on every side. And on this andon other matters he thought he would compromise with his conscience,and that Sadduceeism was a very convenient and good-humored professionof faith.