For a few moments all sat silent. They all felt the truth, the undeniable truth of Theodoor’s words, though his concluding sentence had most deeply wounded their patriotic pride. At length van Beneden started up from his seat, and going up to Verstork he took his hand and pressed it cordially.
“I thank you,” said he in a tone of deep emotion, “I thank you heartily for the insight you have given me into the fatal effects of opium. I am but a young lawyer and have, as yet, had no opportunity of appearing as counsel in any case connected with the traffic. I have read much about the abuse of the drug, and I learned much last night under the Wariengien tree on the green at Kaligaweh; but your manly and vigorous words have awakened my conscience, and here, in the presence of you all, I solemnly promise that I will, on the very first opportunity that may present itself, make the very best use I can of what your experience has taught me.”
“Hurrah!” cried Leendert Grashuis. “William, your excellent speech has thus had not only a practical, but it will have an immediate effect. Aye, my friends, I say an immediate effect; for I have a proposition to make to you—”
“Out with it!” they cried, “let us hear it.”
“Yesterday, we all but witnessed the Amokh which took place at Kaligaweh; this morning we were within a few minutes of witnessing another and no less terrible crime. It is not my intention to analyse the feelings to which these scenes have given rise in our hearts—the father a manslayer, and the daughter dishonoured. Both these events, however, are intimately and immediately connected with the infamous system of opium-farming. We have heard the testimony of our superior officer. In the name of all assembled here, I thank him for his noble sentiments; and now my friends let us not be behind him in generosity. Dalima and her father must have an advocate in the trial which awaits them, and that advocate we have found. Both the accused parties will, in our friend August van Beneden, find a defender who will take up their cause with zeal and ability. Methinks, I can hear his maiden speech—it will be a splendid one.”
“Thank you, Leendert,” said van Beneden with much emotion, “I can assure my friends that they have not misjudged me.”
“Aye, aye,” continued Grashuis, “I know that well; but we all of us intend to participate in the good work, do we not?”
“By all means!” was the general cry.
“Well then, listen to me, for now I come to the proposal I have to make. In this case there can be no question of offering our friend van Beneden any honorarium—that would deprive his labour of love of its chief merit. But in carrying on this defence many expenses will necessarily be incurred and many fees will have to be paid in advance. We all know that Dame Justice is in India an expensive—a most expensive hussy. Well then, let us all join hands and undertake to find the funds that may be required—then August will be able to carry on both cases in the most effectual and vigorous manner.”
“Agreed, agreed!” they all exclaimed. “Now, August, do your best!”