CHAPTER XX.—PAVED WITH GOLD.
It was not probable that Mr Hadleigh would object to his son being endowed with a fortune by a wealthy uncle, whatever might be his feelings towards the donor. He would no doubt have been ready with congratulations if the endowment had come from any other quarter. As the case stood, Philip anticipated some difficulty in reconciling him to the arrangement, unless he should succeed in making the two men forget and forgive that old feud. However, there would be time enough to consider these details after the consultation with the solicitors.
He found Mr Hawkins and Mr Jackson together in the senior partner’s room—a rare circumstance for any client to find them so, for acting separately, they might cancel or amend opinions after private conference without loss of prestige. On the present occasion Philip’s affairs had been the subject of discussion.
‘Let me offer you my best congratulations, sir,’ said Mr Hawkins, a thin, grave-looking old gentleman in speckless black broadcloth, and with gold-mounted glasses on his prominent nose.
‘Accept the same from me, Mr Hadleigh,’ interjected Jackson. He was a sharp gentleman of middle age, with small mutton-chop whiskers, and dressed in the latest City fashion—for there is a City fashion, designed apparently to combine the elegance of the west end with a suggestion of superhuman ‘cuteness.’
‘Thank you, both. I must be a lucky fellow when you say so.’
‘In the course of my experience,’ said Mr Hawkins solemnly, ‘I have never known a young man start in life under such favourable auspices. We wish you success, and we believe you will find it difficult to fail.’
‘It is wonderful what a fool can do,’ said Philip, laughing; ‘but I will try not to fail. At present, I am a little in the dark as to the terms of the proposed arrangement, and Mr Shield referred me to you for the particulars.’
‘The particulars are simple,’ the lawyer proceeded slowly, as he turned over a number of papers on which various notes were written. ‘In the first place, I have great—very great—pleasure in informing you that a sum of fifty thousand pounds has been paid into your credit at the Universal Bank; and a second sum of the same amount will be at your command whenever you may have occasion for it, provided Mr Shield is satisfied with the manner in which you have disposed of the first sum.’
‘This is scarcely the kind of arrangement I expected. I had a notion that it was to be a partnership,’ said Philip.