Isaac took no further notice of the robbery, and nothing more was
heard of the thief. Mr Jones's attempts at pacification were tolerably
successful, and the greater number of Isaac's tenants remained in their
cottages on the old terms. At the end of three weeks, Herbert paid
Isaac a visit, and received from him the five hundred pounds, for which
he gave a receipt, which our hero deposited in his box.
Isaac had wondered several times about young Ashton, and whether Angela
had seen or heard anything of him; so he asked Herbert about him.
'He left London,' he answered, 'immediately after he heard of Angela's
engagement with you; and the ball we were going to was given up.'
'Poor young man!' exclaimed Isaac compassionately.
'Depend upon it he envies you your success,' said Herbert. 'And now
what are you going to do with yourself all the time between this and
the wedding?' he asked.
'I have these alterations in the court to see after; and I want to have
matters straight for Jones, as I shall put the management of things in
his hands when I go away for good. But get over your preparations as
fast as you can, Herbert, for I shall be glad to be settled; and unless
you want me for anything, I will stay here until I go up to London for
the--the wedding.' Isaac brought the last word out with a jerk.
Herbert promised to make all possible haste, and said he would write to
Isaac in the course of a week or so. This latter promise he fulfilled
by sending Isaac word that he knew of a very desirable house at
Brixton; but it could only be obtained by the purchase of the lease. He
requested Isaac to let him know by return of post or the chance would
be lost, and it was such a bargain. He had spent the greater part of
the five hundred pounds on the furniture, which it was desirable to
get into its place soon. Angela had been to see the house, and was
delighted with it. To purchase the lease and fixtures, two hundred
pounds more would be required, and if Isaac liked to close with the
bargain, that day fortnight would be time enough for the money. While
on the subject of money, he would ask Isaac to lend him a hundred
pounds for Angela to make the necessary preparations for her marriage.
This he asked on the strength of a remark that Isaac had once made as
to his entire confidence in him.
Poor Isaac felt with many a twinge, that he was somehow getting
involved. But he felt that it would be over soon, and that when he and
Angela were married, and he was in possession of her jointure, he would
make up for all this great expenditure by a little judicious saving; so
he wrote to Herbert to strike the bargain, and said the three hundred
pounds should be ready for him in a week or ten days.
When Herbert came for the money, his sister accompanied him. She told
Isaac that it was such a delightful house, and that she was sure they
would be so happy there. She also told him how deeply she appreciated
his confidence in her brother and herself; and made on the whole so
great an impression upon Isaac, that for once his heart was really
touched. Before his visitors returned to town that evening, it was
decided that that day month should be the happy one. On their way to
the station the lovers were alone for a few minutes, when Isaac asked
about having the banns published.
'Oh, I shouldn't like that a bit,' said Angela gaily. 'How should you
like to hear me called spinster in church? No, no; Herbert must get a
license; you need not bother about that.'
To Isaac it was a matter of so little moment, that what suited her
suited him.