Hopes of all passions, most befriend us here;
Joy has her tears and Transport has her death:
Hope, like a cordial, innocent, tho' strong.
Man's heart at once inspirits and serenes;
Nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys.
'Tis all our present state can safely bear:
Health to the frame and vigor to the mind,
And to the modest eye, chastised delight,
Like the fair summer evening, mild and sweet,
'Tis man's full cup--his paradise below.
YOUNG.
With what feelings of delight did Newton Forster walk the deck of the
Windsor Castle, as she scudded before a fine breeze across the Bay of
Biscay! His happiness in anticipation was so great, that at times he
trembled lest the cup should be dashed from his lips; and at the same
time that he thanked God for blessings received, he offered up his
prayer that his prospects might not be blighted by disappointment. How
happy did he feel when he escorted Isabel on deck, and walked with her
during the fine summer evenings, communicating those hopes and fears,
recurring to the past, or anticipating the future, till midnight warned
them of the rapidity with which time had flown away! The pirate vessel,
which had been manned by the crew of the neutral and part of the ship's
company of the Windsor Castle, under charge of the fourth-mate, sailed
round and round them, until at last the Channel was entered, and,
favoured with a westerly breeze, the Windsor Castle and her prize
anchored in the Downs. Here Mrs Enderby and Isabel quitted the ship,
and Newton received orders to proceed round to the river. Before the
Windsor Castle had anchored, the newspapers were put into his hands
containing a report of the two actions, and he had the gratification of
acknowledging that his countrymen were not niggardly in the encomiums
upon his meritorious conduct.
Newton presented himself to the Court of Directors, who confirmed his
rank, and promised him the command of the first ship which was brought
forward, with flattering commendations for his gallantry in protecting
property of so much value. Newton took his heave of the august
_Leaden-hall_ board, and hastened to his uncle's house. The door was
opened by a servant who did not know him: Newton passed him, and ran up
to the drawing-room, where he found Amber in company with William
Aveleyn, who was reading to her the despatch containing the account of
the action with Surcoeuf.
Amber _sprung_ into his arms. She had grown into a tall girl of nearly
fifteen, budding into womanhood and beauty; promising perfection,
although not yet attained to it. William Aveleyn was also nearly half a
foot taller; and a blush which suffused his handsome face at being
surprised alone with Amber, intimated that the feelings of a man were
superseding those of boyhood.
"Where is my mother?" inquired Newton.
"She is not at home, dear Newton," replied Amber; "she walked out with
your father. They are both well."
"And my uncle?"
"Quite well, and most anxious to see you. He talks of nobody but you,
and of nothing but your actions, which we were just reading about when
you came in. Pray _Captain_ Newton, may I inquire after your French
friends? What has become of them?"
"They are at Sablonniere's hotel. Miss Amber; they have obtained their
parole at the Alien-office."
The conversation was interrupted by the return of Newton's father and
mother, and shortly afterward Mr John Forster made his appearance.
After the first greeting and congratulations were over--
"Well, Newton," observed Nicholas, "so you beat off a pirate, I hear."
"No, my dear father, we boarded one."
"Ah! very true; I recollect--and you killed Surcoeuf."
"No, father, only beat him off."
"So it was; I recollect now.--Brother John, isn't it almost
dinner-time?"
"Yes, brother Nicholas, it is; and I'm not sorry for it. Mr William
Aveleyn, perhaps you'd like to wash your hands? A lad's paws are never
the worse for a little clean water."
William Aveleyn blushed: his dignity was hurt: but he had lately been
very intimate at Mr Forster's, and he therefore walked out to comply
with the recommendation.
"Well, brother Nicholas, what have you been doing all day?"
"Doing all day, brother? really, I don't exactly know. My dear," said
Nicholas, turning to his wife, "what have I been doing all day?"
"To the best of my recollection," replied Mrs Forster, smiling, "you
have been asking when dinner would be ready."
"Uncle Nicholas," said Amber, "you promised to buy me a skein of blue
silk."
"Did I, my dear? Well, so I did, I declare. I'm very sorry--dear me, I
forgot, I did buy it. I passed by a shop where the windows were full of
it, and it brought it to my mind, and I did buy it. It cost--what was
it, it cost?"
"Oh! I know what it cost," replied Amber. "I gave you three-pence to
pay for it. Where is it?"
"If I recollect, it cost seven shillings and six-pence," replied
Nicholas, pulling out, not a skein of blue silk, but a yard of blue
sarsenet.
"Now, papa, do look here! Uncle Nicholas, I never will give you a
commission again. Is it not provoking? I have seven shillings and
six-pence to pay for a yard of blue sarsenet, which I do not want.
Uncle Nicholas, you really are very stupid."
"Well, my dear, I suppose I am. I heard William Aveleyn say the same,
when I came into the room this morning, because--let me see--"
"You heard him say nothing, uncle," interrupted Amber, colouring.
"Yes, I recollect now--how stupid I was to come in when I was not
wanted!"
"Humph!" said John Forster; and dinner was announced.
Since the recognition of Mrs Forster by her husband, she had presided
at her brother-in-law's table. The dinner provided was excellent, and
was done ample justice to by all parties, especially Nicholas, whose
appetite appeared to increase from idleness. Since Newton had left
England he had remained a pensioner upon his brother; and, by dint of
constant exertion on the part of Mrs Forster, had been drilled out of
his propensity of interfering with either the watch or the spectacles.
This was all that was required by Mr John Forster; and Nicholas walked
up and down the house, like a tame cat, minding nobody, and nobody
paying any attention to him.
After dinner the ladies retired, and shortly afterwards William Aveleyn
quitted the room.
Newton thought this to be a good opportunity to acquaint his uncle with
his attachment to Miss Revel, and the favourable result. Mr John
Forster heard him without interruption.
"Very nice girl, I dare say, nephew, but you are too young to marry.
You can't marry and go to sea. Follow your profession, Newton;
speculate in opium--I'll find the means."
"I trust, sir, that I never should speculate in marrying; but, had I
acted on that plan, this would prove the best speculation of the two.
Miss Revel has a very large fortune."
"So much the worse: a man should never be indebted to his wife for his
money--they never forget it. I'd rather you had fallen in love with a
girl without a shilling."
"Well, sir, when I first fell in love she had not a six-pence."
"Humph!--well, nephew, that may be very true; but, as I said before,
follow your profession."
"Marriage will not prevent my so doing, uncle. Most captains of
Indiamen are married, men."
"More fools they! leaving their wives at home, to be flattered and
fooled by the Lord knows who. A wife, nephew--is a woman."
"I hope that mine will be one, sir," replied Newton,--laughing.
"Nephew, once for all, I don't approve of your marrying now--that's
understood. It's my wish that you follow your profession. I'll be
candid with you; I have left you the heir to most of my fortune; but--I
can alter my will. If you marry this girl I shall do so."
"Alter your will, brother?" said Nicholas, who had been attentive to the
conversation.--"Why, who have you to leave your money to, except to
Newton?"
"To hospitals--to pay off the national debt--to any thing. Perhaps I
may leave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for a
slice."
"But, brother," replied Nicholas, "will that be just, to leave all your
money away from the family?"
"Just, yes, brother Nicholas, quite just. A man's will is his _will_.
If he makes it so as to satisfy the wishes or expectations of others, it
is no longer _his will_, but theirs. Nephew, as I said before, if you
marry against my consent, I shall alter my will."
"I am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; but
I am affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce me
not to fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happiness
depends. I have no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, I have
incurred a large debt of gratitude, from your kind protection. Any
thing else you would require of me--"
"Humph! that's always the case; any thing else except what is requested.
Brother Nicholas, do me the favour to go up stairs; I wish to speak
with my nephew alone."
"Well, brother John, certainly, if you wish it--if you and Newton have
secrets;" and Nicholas rose from his chair.
"Surely, sir," observed Newton, not pleased at the abrupt dismissal of
his father, "we can have no secrets to which my father may not be a
party."
"Yes, but I have, nephew. Your father is my brother, and I take the
liberty with my brother, if you like that better--not with your father."
In the mean time Nicholas had stalked out of the room.
"Nephew," continued Mr John Forster, as the door closed, "I have stated
to you my wish that you should not marry this young woman; and I will
now explain my reasons. The girl left in my charge by my brother Edward
has become the same to me as a daughter. I intend that you shall make
three or four voyages as captain of an India-man; then you shall marry
her, and become the heir to my whole fortune. Now you understand me.
May I ask, what are your objections?"
"None, sir, but what I have already stated--my attachment and engagement
to another person."
"Is that all?"
"Is it not enough?"
"It appears that this young woman has entered into an engagement on
board ship, without consulting her friends."
"She has no father, sir. She is of age, and independent."
"You have done the same."
"I grant it, sir; but even were I inclined, could I, in honour or
honesty, retract?"
"Humph!"
"Perhaps, sir, if you were acquainted with the young lady you might not
be so averse to the match."
"Perhaps, if I saw with your eyes, I might not; but that is not likely
to be the case. Old men are a little blind and a little obstinate.
After toiling through life to amass a fortune, they wish to have their
own way of disposing of it. It is the only return they can receive for
their labour. However, nephew, you will act as you please. As I said
before, if you marry against my consent, I shall alter my will. Now,
empty the bottle, and we'll go up stairs."