CHAPTER XXIII.
Exactly three days after the arrival of Mr. Peter Tims at Emberton, and the discovery of his uncle's murder, the Right Honorable the Earl of Ashborough was sitting at his breakfast-table, in his house of Parmouth Hall, in the county of ----. It was a rainy morning, and over the whole face of the country there was a dim sort of ground-glass haze, winch cut off all the far prospect from view, leaving even those objects that were near, nothing but an indistinct aspect of drippingness, not at all consolatory to those who had laid out their expeditions for the day. Though a very regular man in his habits, Lord Ashborough had a notion that fires were made to warm people, and that people might very well be cold in the beginning of October, so that, in addition to the glossy damask, and the splendid china, and the burnished silver, and all those other things, which, as we have before observed, make an English breakfast something far superior to any other meal eaten in any other place in the world, there was the bright and blazing fire in the polished grate, setting itself up in eternal opposition to the rain without.
At one end of the table sat the earl, with his whole person in high preservation, just as it came from the hands of his valet. At the other end sat Maria Beauchamp, his niece, in all the full blow of youth and beauty, fashion and good taste. By the side of Miss Beauchamp sat two gentlemen, the Honorable Colonel ----, and Mr. ----, whose names are not worth the trouble of writing, as I never intend to mention them again. Suffice it that they were guests of Lord Ashborough's; the first being a gentleman who, the noble lord thought, would do very well for his niece, and the second a gentleman who thought the noble lord's niece would do very well for him. Maria differed from both; and, in short, thought very little of the two personages at all; though the one poured a continual stream of idleness into her ear, which amused her, and the other made love by being profoundly silent, which amused her as much.
"Either we have breakfasted early, or the post is late," said Lord Ashborough; and one of the other gentlemen was replying something quite as significant, when a servant brought in the post-bag, and delivered it formally into his lordship's hands. Lord Ashborough immediately distributed the letters and newspapers; and as breakfast was by this time nearly over, and the after humdrum commencing, each gentleman put his letters in his pocket, and opened his newspaper.
"Hum!--Hum!" said the colonel, running his eye over the columns--"Hum! Horrid murder! We will keep that for a _bonne bouche_, I think. What are funds!"
"Hum!--Hum!" said Mr. ----, "Hum--Horrid murder!--Hum!--'Pon my honor, colonel, the Draper has won the match against the Grand Signor!"
"Ha!" said Lord Ashborough, "Ha! the French, I see, have persuaded the English that they have not the slightest intention of keeping possession of Algiers--and the English believe them. Let us see what will be the case this time three years--Ha!--Horrid murder! Good God!--his throat cut from ear to ear!--Let us see--Coroner's inquest--Willful murder against--Why, Maria, here is a cousin of ours been committing murder!--He will be hung to a certainty, my love; and you will be obliged all the winter to wear deep mourning for his offenses."
"And pray, sir, who is the gentleman?" demanded Miss Beauchamp. "You know I have so many cousins, and uncles, and such distant relations, that I can not be expected to remember them all, even when one of them commits a murder."
"Oh! it is very possible so careless a young lady may have forgot him!" replied Lord Ashborough, somewhat piqued at the tone of her answer; "but you have seen him within this month--it is Captain William Delaware--the son of the man at Emberton, who has been cutting the throat of an old miser at--at--at--a place called Ryebury--I think it is."
Miss Beauchamp turned very pale, but, without reply, raised the coffee-cup toward her lips. Ere it reached them, however, it dropped from her hand, and dashed some of the china to pieces by its fall, while the young lady herself sank back, fainting, in her chair, much to the horror and consternation of every one present.
Lord Ashborough started up, and advanced to his niece's assistance; Mr. ---- kneeled by her side, and supported her head; while Colonel ----, who was a tall stiff man, rose up, like the geni coming out of the copper vessel--that is to say, by degrees--and rang the bell.
Miss Beauchamp was conveyed speedily to her own room; and the excellent colonel exclaimed, "Why, Ashborough, this murder which your cousin has committed, seems to affect Miss Beauchamp more than yourself!"
"I had forgot," replied Lord Ashborough, "that she and her brother were almost brought up with those Delawares in their childhood. As to myself, the matter does not affect me at all, colonel--I always thought that some catastrophe of the kind would take place. The father--who was both at school and at college with me--was always one of those violent, ruthless, unprincipled men, on whose conduct you could never calculate; and as he was generally in scrapes and difficulties, you know, temptation might assail him at any moment. The son seemed, from the little I have ever seen of him, a boy of the same disposition. Heaven knows," he added, with an air of modest candor, "I acted in as liberal a manner as possible toward them! It was only the other day that I accepted a mere trifle, in lieu of an annuity of two thousand a year, which I held, payable on their estates."
"Scamps!" said the colonel, walking toward the window. "One never makes any thing of scamps. When one has any poor relations, and I suppose every one has some--the best way is to cut them at once--one never makes any thing of scamps!"
"Mr. Tims, my lord, waiting in the library," said a servant, entering, just as the colonel concluded his sensible, comprehensive, and charitable observation.
"Not the ghost of the murdered man, I hope!" cried Mr. ----, who had been reading the report of the coroner's inquest.
"No; but the body of his nephew, I suppose," replied Lord Ashborough. "You had better try the billiard-room, gentlemen, as the day is so bad;" and he proceeded to the library, where he was awaited by Mr. Peter Tims, dressed in what the newspapers call a suit of decent mourning, with a countenance made to match, according to the tailor's term.
Lord Ashborough nodded, and Mr. Tims bowed low as they met; and the peer, letting himself sink into an easy chair, began the conversation by saying, "I suppose, Mr. Tims, I must condole with you on your uncle's death?"
"I have much need of condolence on many accounts, my lord," replied the lawyer; "but I have one happiness, which is, that while your lordship is pleased to condole with your humble servant, he has an opportunity of congratulating you."
"Why indeed, things seem to have turned out luckily," replied Lord Ashborough; "but I am not yet half informed of what has occurred--all I know is from a brief account in the newspapers."
"If your lordship is at liberty," said the lawyer, "I will explain the whole;" and he forthwith set to work, and recounted all the principal events which had happened since he last left Lord Ashborough; contriving, however, to take almost as much credit to himself for all that had happened, as if he had cut his uncle's throat himself, on purpose to ruin the family of Sir Sidney Delaware.
Lord Ashborough listened, and smiled with triumph, as Mr. Tims, pandering to his malignity, dwelt upon the agony of Sir Sidney Delaware, and the pain and shame of his gallant son--upon the inevitable ruin that must overtake their whole race--and upon the probable consequences to the unfortunate baronet's health. The smile, however, soon faded away; and, strange to say, that though hatred to Sir Sidney Delaware had been the predominant passion of Lord Ashborough's existence, though the knowledge that he was leading a life of comparative poverty had been one of his greatest pleasures; and the hope of ruining him utterly an object that the earl had never lost sight of--yet now that it was all accomplished--that it was done--that he was trodden under his feet, and presented to his eyes heartbroken and desolate, ruined and disgraced, the joy passed away in that evanescent smile of triumph--the delight lasted but a moment, and left a vacancy in his desires.
Why it was so, we can not be called upon to prove. It is a fact in the heart's natural history, and that is all that we have to do with it. It might be, indeed, that Othello's occupation was gone; and that Lord Ashborough, in accomplishing his purpose, had dried up a source of thought and gratification. It might be, that he was like Bruce at the fountains of the Nile--that all which had lured him on, through a dangerous and intricate way, was obtained; and that he had nothing to lead him farther, or to guide him back. It might be that, as usual, conscience took advantage of the sudden lassitude of satiety to smite the heart for the very gratifications that were palling upon the appetite.
"Well, Mr. Tims! Well!" he said at length. "All this is very fortunate. But, pray, may I ask how is it that you lay claim to so much subject of condolence? If I have understood you right, your uncle's death could be no matter of very inconsolable grief to you--though, doubtless, you might have preferred another manner."
"No, my lord, no!" replied Mr. Tims. "It is not that at all. He was an old man--a very old man--one would have thought that death had forgot him--and, to tell the truth, it was, perhaps, as well for him to die a quick as a lingering death; and I hear, when the carotid artery is cut, as it was in his case, a man can not suffer above a second or two. But, as I was saying, my lord, it was not either of his death or of the manner that I was thinking, but the murderer must have carried away full twelve thousand pounds in money, besides the sum destined to pay your lordship's note--"
"Which, by the way, I hope you have paid into the hands of my banker?" interrupted Lord Ashborough, whose first thought was, of course, of himself.
"Why, not yet, my lord--not yet," replied the attorney; "the law has yet to decide to whom it belongs, my lord."
"How, sir!" cried Lord Ashborough, reddening; "to whom can it belong but to me? Was it not paid to you on my account?"
"Beg pardon, my lord! Beg pardon!" replied Mr. Tims. "But whichever way it goes, your lordship can not be a loser. If it be proved, as it can be proved, that the money was stolen from my uncle, the payment to you, of course, is null, and the money belongs to me, as sole heir of the late Mr. Tims of Ryebury. But then, my lord--hear me, my lord, I beg--the whole transaction with Sir Sidney Delaware is null also, and you will be able to recover at common law!"
Lord Ashborough's face again lighted up, and it is very possible that the thought of pursuing his game still farther, and hunting it to the death, might add not a little to his placability. "We must have counsel's opinion as to the best means to be employed," he said. "This young ruffian, you tell me, has escaped, and of course the prosecution must drop, unless he can be apprehended."
"Oh, no, my lord, no!" answered Mr. Tims. "That does not follow at all. There are, indeed, various modes of proceeding, on which it would be advisable to consult some common-law barrister; but, in the mean time, the money is quite secure--so much so, indeed, that if your lordship likes it to be paid into your banker's--"
"Why, Mr. Tims," said Lord Ashborough, thoughtfully, "I think it might be as well, you know."
"Well, my lord, I am quite ready to do so," answered the lawyer, "on your making over to me your claims against Sir Sidney Delaware, and his estate of Emberton."
Lord Ashborough started. "No, no!" he cried. "No!--at all events, we will speak of that hereafter. Can not a bill of outlawry be pursued against this young man--and ought he not to be dismissed from his majesty's service? I have a great mind to return to town and see about the whole business, Mr. Tims. I dare say I can get rid of these two men who are staying here, by the day after to-morrow; and, in the mean time, you had better go back to Emberton, and urge the pursuit as actively as possible. It is not probable that he can have got out of the country so soon. Why do you not send for officers from Bow-street?"
"They are already on the scent, my lord," replied the man of law; "and I doubt not that they will catch him ere he gets far. Murder is a crime which all civilized nations will agree in punishing; and as to the money, my lord--"
"Oh, I doubt not it is safe--I doubt not it is safe!" replied Lord Ashborough. "When I come to town, we must take counsel as to the best method of recovering it, as speedily as possible, from Sir Sidney Delaware."
"Oh, it is quite safe, depend on it," answered Mr. Tims. "I was only going to say, that I am likely to be the only loser in this business; as the twelve thousand pounds are, I am afraid, lost forever."
"I hope not, Mr. Tims, I hope not!" replied the earl: "and if they be, we must endeavor to make it up to you some other way. I do not, of course, mean to say that I can take upon me to pay the money, as you see I am likely to be a loser by the whole transaction myself."
"I think not, my lord, indeed," replied the lawyer. "Beg your lordship's pardon; but I think you are likely to be a great gainer."
"How so, sir?" demanded the peer, with open eyes. "I gain nothing, and lose at least the law expenses."
"Why, my lord," replied the lawyer, "I think, in default of issue-male on the part of Sir Sidney Delaware, you stand next in the entail; now, if we can convict this young man who has committed the murder, you, of course, succeed."
"Ay, but suppose we can not catch him," cried the earl, his face brightening at the thoughts of the reversion.
"Perhaps we can do without, my lord," answered Mr. Tims. "I am much mistaken if, upon due cause, the law, deprived of the power of dealing real death, will not pronounce a criminal legally dead; and I think that, were I certain I should not be a loser, I could bring forward a sufficient case to insure that result."
"Mr. Tims," said Lord Ashborough, solemnly, laying his hand with a dignified gesture upon a book that lay before him--"Mr. Tims, I can assure you, that no one who wishes me well shall ever lose a farthing by me. I think you must know the fine--I might say the fastidious--sense of honor which I entertain, and I promise you upon my word, that if you succeed in carrying through the very just and reasonable design you propose, and establish me as heir of entail to the Emberton property, I will make you full compensation for whatever loss you may have sustained in the course of this business."
"Say no more, my lord! Say no more!" replied Mr. Tims; "we will find means either to catch and hang him at once, or to cut him off from performing any legal act; and in the mean time--as life is always uncertain--I will, with your lordship's permission, draw up a little document for your lordship to sign, purporting that you will, on your succession to the Emberton estate, indemnify me for the losses I have sustained by the robbery of my uncle's house."
Already Lord Ashborough began to repent of his liberal promise, and to consider whether he could not have done quite as well without the agency of Mr. Tims; but, as it appeared that the chief proofs of Captain Delaware's guilt were in the lawyer's hands, he thought it better to adhere strictly to his engagement, and therefore signified his assent.
"Of course, my lord," continued the lawyer, "you will find it necessary to proceed against Sir Sidney Delaware immediately, either at common law for the recovery of the sum agreed to be paid by bill, and which can not be considered as paid, the money wherewith it was satisfied having been stolen; or else to proceed by petition to the Court of Chancery, in order to recover possession of the original annuity deed, the authenticated copy of which is in my possession, praying also that the rents of the Emberton estate may be paid into court, till such time as judgment be pronounced."
The lawyer spoke these hard purposes in a tone of significance, which would have been an insult to any one with whose inmost thoughts he was not so well acquainted as he was with those of Lord Ashborough; but the earl heard him with a meaning smile, and replied, "Why, really, Mr. Tims, you seem inclined to be rather hard-hearted toward this Sir Sidney Delaware."
"Your lordship would not have me very tender toward a man whose son has murdered my only relation," replied the lawyer; "and, besides, law has nothing to do with tenderness; and, as your lordship's agent, I am bound to suggest what I think the best legal means of protecting your interests."
"Certainly, certainly!" answered the earl. "Far be it from me to blame you, my good sir. Follow which plan you judge best--both, if you please."
"Both be it, then, my lord!" replied Mr. Tims, rubbing his hands at the interminable prospect which the case held out, of pleas and papers without end--an universe of parchment and a heaven of red tape. "Both be it, then my lord! There is not the slightest reason that we should not proceed in both courts at once to make all sure; and if, before two months are over, Sir Sidney Delaware be not as completely beggared as ever man was, the English law will be very much changed--that is all that I can say--unless, indeed," he added, thoughtfully, "your lordship's worthy nephew come to his aid--marry Miss Delaware, and advance money to defend her father."
"No fear! No fear!" replied Lord Ashborough. "He will not marry her, depend upon it."
"Why, my lord, I am afraid," said Mr. Tims; "that is to say, I have heard it very strongly reported in Emberton, that he did propose to Miss Delaware, and that she refused him, not knowing who he was. She and her father are now staying with the lady at whose house she first met Mr. Beauchamp; they are very likely to meet again--he to declare his real name, and she to accept him; for you may imagine, after all that has happened, she will be glad enough to get married at all; and you know how romantic he is in some things, though he strives to hide it."
"You are mistaken, Mr. Tims," said Lord Ashborough. "What has happened will make her persist in her refusal more steadily than ever."
Though hating Sir Sidney Delaware and his whole family with the bitterest enmity; Lord Ashborough knew them well, and understood the principles upon which they acted--for the basest heart will sometimes, in a great degree, appreciate a more noble one. This appreciation, however, is never candidly admitted, even to the heart itself; and while, from a secret conviction of the truth, it often calculates justly the results--comprehends in a moment what will be the effect of particular circumstances--and makes use of that knowledge for its own selfish purposes--it is sure to attribute all good actions to base and mean motives, even in its own secret thoughts, and to give them false and evil names in conversation with others.
"No, no, Mr. Tims!" he said; "what has happened will make her refuse him more steadily than ever, if she have a drop of her father's blood in her veins. I know those Delawares well, and their cursed pride, which they fancy to be fine feeling and generous sentiment. If it were to save her father and her whole family from destruction, depend upon it, she would not marry any man while she thought that her brother's infamy was to be a part of her dowry--I might say her only dowry; for I suppose the pittance she had from her mother has been swallowed up long ago. No, no; all is very safe there. Maria, who has heard a good deal about her from her brother's old tutor, let me unwittingly into the secret, that she is her father over again in those respects; but sting her irritable pride, and you can make her do any thing."
"Well, my lord, well," said Mr. Tims, "if your lordship be sure, I, of course, have nothing to say. Only, I can not understand any woman refusing a gentleman of Mr. Beauchamp's present wealth and future expectations. I can not understand it, indeed!"
"I dare say not!" replied Lord Ashborough drily. "But, in the mean while, Mr. Tims, I think you had better return to Emberton tonight. It is not much above thirty miles. Proceed as earnestly as possible against the son, and after putting matters in train there, come up and meet me in London on Monday next."
"At the same time, my lord," said the lawyer, "I will serve all the tenants with notice not to pay their rents to Sir Sidney Delaware;" and this being agreed to with a smile, Lord Ashborough rejoined his guests, and Mr. Tims proceeded to hold a serious consultation with the housekeeper, over a cold pasty and a glass of sherry, ere he once more set out for Emberton.