Excepting the two dingy-looking, dust-covered parlors, which served
as office and dining-room, the only portion of Mr. Basset's dwelling
untenanted by lodgers was the attics. The large brass plate that adorned
the hall door, setting forth in conspicuous letters, “Anthony Basset,
Attorney,” gave indeed a most inadequate notion of the mixed population
within, whose respectability, in the inverse ratio of their height
from the ground, went on growing beautifully less, till it found its
culminating point in the host himself, on whose venerable head the light
streamed from a cobweb-covered pane in the roof. The stairs were dark
and narrow; the walls covered with a dull-colored old wainscot, that
flapped and banged with every foot that came and went; while the windows
were defended by strong iron railings, as if anything inside them could
possibly demand such means of protection.
I followed Mr. Basset as he led the way up these apparently interminable
stairs, till at length the decreasing head room betokened that we were
near the slates. Mumbling a half apology for the locale, he introduced
me into a long, low attic, where a settle bed of the humblest
pretensions and a single rush-bottomed chair supporting a basin were
the only articles of furniture. Something like the drop curtain of a
strolling theatre closed up the distance; but this I could only perceive
imperfectly by the dim twilight of a dip candle, and in my state of
fatigue and weariness, I had little inclination to explore further.
Wishing me a good night, and promising that I should be called betimes
next morning, Mr. Basset took his leave; while I, overcome by a long day
of care and anxiety, threw myself on the bed, and slept far more soundly
than I could have believed it were possible for me to do under the roof
of Anthony Basset.
The sun was streaming in a rich flood of yellow light through a small
skylight, and playing its merry gambols on the floor, when I awoke. The
birds, too, were singing; and the hum of the street noises, mellowed by
distance, broke not unpleasantly on the ear. It did not take me long to
remember where I was, and why. The conversation of the evening before
recurred at once to my mind; and hope, stronger than ever before I felt
it, filled my heart. It was clear Basset could place little value on
such services as mine; and if I could only contrive to make it his
interest to part with me, he would not hesitate about it. I resolved
that, whatever price he put upon my freedom, if in my power I should
pay it. My next plan was to find out, through some of the persons in
correspondence with France, the means of reaching that country, in whose
military service I longed to enroll myself. Had I but the papers of my
poor friend Charles de Meudon, there had been little difficulty in this;
but unfortunately they were seized by Major Barton on the day of his
death, and I had never seen them since.
While I revolved these thoughts within myself I heard the merry notes of
a girl's voice, singing apparently in the very room with me. I started
up and looked about me, and now perceived that what seemed so like a
drop curtain' the night before was nothing more or less than a very
large patchwork quilt, suspended on a line across the entire attic, from
the other side of which came the sounds in question. It was clear, both
from the melody and the voice, that she could not be a servant; and
somewhat curious to know more of my fair neighbor, I rose gently, and
slipping on my clothes, approached the boundary of my territory with
noiseless step.
A kind of whistling noise interrupted every now and then the lady's
song, and an occasional outbreak of impatience would burst forth in the
middle of the “Arrah, will you marry me, dear Alley Croker?” by some
malediction on a “black knot” or a broken string. I peeped over the
“drop,” and beheld the figure of a young, plump, and pretty girl, busily
engaged in lacing her stays,--an occupation which accounted equally
for the noise of the rushing staylace and the bit of peevishness I had
heard. I quite forgot how inadvisable was the indulgence of my curiosity
in my admiration of my fair neighbor, whose buxom figure, not the less
attractive for the shortness of her drapery, showed itself to peculiar
advantage as she bent to one side and the other in her efforts to fasten
the impracticable bodice. A mass of rich brown hair, on which the sun
was playing, fell over her neck and on her shoulders, and half concealed
her round, well-turned arms as they plied their busy task.
[Illustration: Peeping Tom 166]
“Well, ain't my heart broke with you, entirely?” exclaimed she, as a
stubborn knot stopped all further progress.
At this moment the cord, on which through inadvertence I had leaned
somewhat too heavily, gave way, and down came the curtain with a squash
to the floor. She sprang back with a bound, and, while a slight but
momentary blush flushed her cheek, stared at me half angrily, and then
cried out,--“Well, I hope you like me?”
“Yes, that I do,” said I, readily;--“and who wouldn't that saw you?”
Whether it was the naivete of my confession, or my youth, or both, I
can't well say, but she laughed heartily at my speech, and threw herself
into a chair to indulge her mirth.
“So we were neighbors, it seems,” said I.
“And if we were,” said she, roguishly, “I think it's a very
unceremonious way you 've opened the acquaintance.”
“You forget, apparently, I haven't left my own territory.”
“Well, I 'm sure I wish you would, if you 're any good at a black knot;
my heart and my nails are both broke with one here.”
I didn't wait for any more formal invitation, but stepped at once over
the frontier; while she, rising from the chair, turned her back towards
me, as with her finger she directed me to the most chaotic assemblage of
knots, twists, loops, and entanglements I ever beheld.
“And you're Burke, I suppose,” cried she, as I commenced my labors.
“Yes; I'm Burke.”
“Well, I hope you 're done with wildness by this time. Uncle Tony tells
fine tales of your doings.”
“Uncle Tony! So you 're Mr. Basset's niece? Is that--”
“You did n't take me for his wife, I hope?” said she, again bursting out
into laughter.
“In truth, I never thought so well of him as to suppose it.”
“Well, well, I 'm sure it 's little I expected you to look so mild and
so quiet. But you need n't pinch me, for all that. Is n't your name
Tom?”
“Yes; I hope you 'll always call me so.”
“Maybe I will. Is n't that done yet? And there 's the milk bell. Uncle
will be in a nice passion if I 'm not down soon. Cut it,--cut it at
once.”
“Now do be patient for a minute or two; it's all right if you stay
quiet. I 'll try my teeth on it.”
“Yes; but you needn't try your lips too,” said she, tartly.
“Why, it 's the only plan to get your fingers out of the way. I 'm sure
I never was so puzzled in all my life.”
“Nothing like practice, my boy,--nothing,” cried a merry voice from the
door behind me, half choked with laughing; while a muttered anathema, in
a deeper tone, followed. I looked back, and there stood Bubbleton, his
face florid with laughter, endeavoring to hold back Mr. Basset, whose
angry look and flashing eye there was no mistaking.
“Mr. Burke,--Burke, I say! Nelly, what does this mean? How came this
young gentleman--”
“As to that,” said I, interrupting him, and my blood somewhat chafed by
his manner, “this piece of trumpery tumbled down when I leaned my arm on
it. I had no idea--”
“No, no; to be sure not,” broke in Bubbleton, in an ecstasy. “The thing
was delicious; such a bit of stage effect. She was there, as it might
be, combing her hair, and all that sort of thing; Tom was here, raving
about absence and eternal separation. You are an angry father, or
uncle,--all the same; and I 'm Count Neitztachenitz, the old friend and
brother officer of Tom's father. Now, let Miss Nelly--But where is she?
Why, she's gone! Eh, and Basset? Basset! Why, he 's gone! Come, Tom,
don't you go too. I say, my boy, devilish well got up that. You ought
to have had a white satin doublet and hose, slashed with pale
cherry-colored ribbons to match, small hat looped, aigrette and white
plume. She was perfect; her leg and foot were three certain rounds of
applause from the pit and gallery.”
“What nonsense!” said I, angrily; “we weren't playing a comedy.”
“Were n't you, though? Well, I 'm deuced sorry for it, that 's all; but
it did look confoundedly like an undress rehearsal.”
“Come, come, no foolery, I beg. I'm here in a very sad plight, and this
piece of nonsense may not make matters any better. Listen to me, if you
can, patiently for five minutes, and give me your advice.”
I took him by the arm as I spoke, and leading him from the room,--where
I saw that everything was only suggesting some piece of scenic
effect,--and in as few words as I could command, explained how I was
circumstanced; omitting, of course, any detail of my political bias,
and only stated so much of my desire as implied my wish to be free of my
contract with Basset, and at liberty to dispose of myself as I liked in
future.
“I see,” cried Bubbleton, as I finished; “the old fox has this five
hundred pounds of yours.”
“No, I didn't say that; I only mean--”
“Well, well, it 's all the same. If he has n't, you know he ought.”
“No; that 's not essential either.”
“No matter, he would if he could; it just comes to the same thing, and
you only wish to get clear out of his hands at any cost. Is n't that
it?”
“Exactly; you have it all perfectly.”
“Bless your heart, boy, there 's nothing easier; if I were in your
place, should arrange the affair in less than a week. I 'd have
fits,--strong fits,--and burn all the papers in the office during the
paroxysm. I 'd make a pile of deeds, leases, bonds, and settlements in
the backyard.”
“I don't fancy your plan would be so successful as you flatter
yourself,” said a dry, husky voice behind; “there 's rather a stringent
law for refractory apprentices, as Mr. Burke may learn.” We turned
round, and there stood Mr. Basset, with a grin of most diabolical
malignity in his by no means pleasant features. “At the same time,”
continued he, “your suggestions are of infinite value, and shall be duly
appreciated in the King's Bench.”
“Eh,--King's Bench! Lord bless you, don't speak of it. Mere trifles,--I
just threw them out as good hints; I had fifty far better to come. There
's the young lady, now. To be sure, he has started that notion himself,
so I must not pretend it was mine. But Miss Nelly, I think, Tom--”
“Mr. Basset is well aware,” interrupted I, “that I am only desirous to
be free and untrammelled; that whatever little means I may derive from
my family, I 'm willing to surrender all, short of actual beggary, to
attain this object,--that I intend quitting Ireland at once. If, then,
he consent to enter into an arrangement with me, let it be at once,
and on the spot. I have no desire, I have no power, to force him by a
threat, in case of refusal; but I hope he will make so much of amends
to one of whose present desolation and poverty he is not altogether
innocent.”
“There, there; that's devilish well said. The whole thing is all clear
before me. So come along, Basset; you and I will settle all this. Have
you got a private room where we can have five minutes' chat together?
Tom, wait for me here.”
Before either of us could consent or oppose his arrangement, he had
taken Basset's arm, and led him downstairs; while I, in a flurry of
opposing and conflicting resolves, sat down to think over my fortunes.
Tired at length with waiting, and half suspecting that my volatile
friend had forgotten me and all my concerns, I descended to the parlor
in hopes to hear something of the pending negotiation. At the head of
a long, narrow table sat my fair acquaintance, Miss Nelly, her hair
braided very modestly at each aide of her pretty face, which had now
assumed an almost Quakerish propriety of expression. She was busily
engaged in distributing tea to three pale, red-eyed, emaciated men,
whose spongy-looking, threadbare garments bespoke to be attorney's
clerks, A small imp, a kind of embryo practitioner, knelt before the
fire in the act of toasting bread, but followed with his sharp piercing
eyes every stir in the apartment and seemed to watch with malicious
pleasure the wry faces around, whenever any undue dilution of the bohea,
or any curtailment of the blue milk, pressed heavily on the guests.
These were not exactly the circumstances to renew my acquaintance with
my fair neighbor, had I been so minded; so having declined her offer of
breakfast, I leaned moodily on the chimneypiece, my anxiety to know
my fate becoming each instant more painful. Meanwhile not a word was
spoken,--a sad, moody silence, unbroken save by the sounds of eating,
pervaded all, when suddenly the door of the front parlor was flung open,
and Bubbleton's pleasant voice was heard as he talked away unceasingly;
in an instant he entered, followed by Basset, over whose hard
countenance a shade of better nature seemed to pass.
[Illustration: May Good Digestion Wait on Appetite 171]
“In that case,” cried the captain, “I'm your man, not that I 'm anything
of a performer at breakfast or dinner; supper 's rather my forte,--an
odor of a broiled bone at three in the morning, a herring smeared with
chetna and grilled with brandy, two hundred of small oysters, a few hot
ones to close with, a glass of seltzer dashed with hollands for health,
and, then any number you like of glasses, of hot brandy and water
afterwards for pleasure.”
While Bubbleton ran on in this fashion, he had broken about half a
dozen eggs into the slop basin, and seasoning the mess with pepper
and vinegar, was busily engaged in illustrating the moderation of his
morning appetite.
“Try a thing like this, Tom,” cried he, not defining how it was to be
effected under the circumstances; while he added in a whisper, “your
affair's all right.”
These few words brought courage to my heart; and I ventured to begin the
breakfast that had lain untasted before me.
“I think, Mr. Burke,” said Basset, as soon as he recovered from the
surprise Bubbleton's mode of breakfasting had excited,--“I think and
trust that all has been arranged to your satisfaction.” Then turning
to the clerks, who ate away without even lifting their heads,--“Mr.
Muggridge, you will be late at the Masters' Office; Jones, take that
parcel to Hennet; Kit, carry my bag up to the Courts.”
Miss Nelly did not wait for the part destined for her, but with a demure
face rose from the table and left the room; giving me, however, one sly
glance as she passed my chair that I remembered for many a day after.
“You 'll excuse me, gentlemen, if I am pressed for time this morning; a
very particular case comes on in the Common Pleas.”
“Never speak of it, my dear fellow,” said Bubbleton, who had just
addressed himself to a round of spiced beef; “business has its calls
just as pleasure has,--ay, and appetite too. That would make an
excellent bit of supper, with some mulled port, after a few rubbers of
shorts.”
Basset paid little attention to this speech, but turning to me,
continued:
“You mentioned your intention of leaving Ireland, I think. Might I
ask where you have decided on,--from where? Is it possible that your
brother--”
“My brother's anxieties on my account, Mr. Basset, can scarcely be very
poignant, and deserve no particular respect or attention at my hands.
I suppose that this morning has concluded all necessary intercourse
between us; and if you have satisfied my friend Captain Bubbleton--”
“Perfectly, perfectly. Another cup of tea, if you please. Yes, nothing
could be more gratifying than Mr. Basset's conduct; you are merely
to sign the receipt for the legacy, and he hands you over one hundred
pounds. Isn't that it?”
“Yes, quite correct; my bill for one hundred at three months.”
“That's what I mean. But surely you're not done breakfast; why, Tom,
you 've eaten nothing. I have been picking away this half hour, just to
encourage you a bit. Well, well! I lunch in Stephen's Green at three; so
here goes.”
Mr. Basset now took from his pocket-book some papers, which, having
glanced his eye over, he handed to me.
“This is a kind of acknowledgment, Mr. Burke, for the receipt of a
legacy to which you could be only entitled on attaining your majority.
Here are your indentures to me; and this is my acceptance for one
hundred pounds.”
“I am content,” said I, eagerly, as I seized the pen. The thought of
my liberty alone filled my mind, and I cared little for the conditions
provided I secured that.
Basset proffered his hand. I was in no humor to reject anything that
even simulated cordiality; I shook it heartily. Bubbleton followed
my example, and having pledged himself to see more of his pleasant
acquaintance, thrust his arm through mine and bustled out; adding, in a
tone loud enough to be overheard,--
“Made a capital fight of it; told him you were a Defender, a United
Irishman, a Peep-o'-day Boy, and all that sort of thing. Devilish glad
to get rid of you, even on Miss Nelly's account.”
And so he rattled away without ceasing, until we found ourselves at the
George's Street Barracks, my preoccupation of mind preventing my even
having remarked what way we came.