Exactly three days after the arrival of Mr. Peter Tims at Emberton,
and the discovery of his uncle's murder, the Right Honorable the Earl
of Ashborough was sitting at his breakfast-table, in his house of
Parmouth Hall, in the county of ----. It was a rainy morning, and over
the whole face of the country there was a dim sort of ground-glass
haze, winch cut off all the far prospect from view, leaving even those
objects that were near, nothing but an indistinct aspect of
drippingness, not at all consolatory to those who had laid out their
expeditions for the day. Though a very regular man in his habits, Lord
Ashborough had a notion that fires were made to warm people, and that
people might very well be cold in the beginning of October, so that,
in addition to the glossy damask, and the splendid china, and the
burnished silver, and all those other things, which, as we have before
observed, make an English breakfast something far superior to any
other meal eaten in any other place in the world, there was the bright
and blazing fire in the polished grate, setting itself up in eternal
opposition to the rain without.
At one end of the table sat the earl, with his whole person in high
preservation, just as it came from the hands of his valet. At the
other end sat Maria Beauchamp, his niece, in all the full blow of
youth and beauty, fashion and good taste. By the side of Miss
Beauchamp sat two gentlemen, the Honorable Colonel ----, and
Mr. ----, whose names are not worth the trouble of writing, as I never
intend to mention them again. Suffice it that they were guests of Lord
Ashborough's; the first being a gentleman who, the noble lord thought,
would do very well for his niece, and the second a gentleman who
thought the noble lord's niece would do very well for him. Maria
differed from both; and, in short, thought very little of the two
personages at all; though the one poured a continual stream of
idleness into her ear, which amused her, and the other made love by
being profoundly silent, which amused her as much.
"Either we have breakfasted early, or the post is late," said Lord
Ashborough; and one of the other gentlemen was replying something
quite as significant, when a servant brought in the post-bag, and
delivered it formally into his lordship's hands. Lord Ashborough
immediately distributed the letters and newspapers; and as breakfast
was by this time nearly over, and the after humdrum commencing, each
gentleman put his letters in his pocket, and opened his newspaper.
"Hum!--Hum!" said the colonel, running his eye over the
columns--"Hum! Horrid murder! We will keep that for a _bonne bouche_,
I think. What are funds!"
"Hum!--Hum!" said Mr. ----, "Hum--Horrid murder!--Hum!--'Pon my honor,
colonel, the Draper has won the match against the Grand Signor!"
"Ha!" said Lord Ashborough, "Ha! the French, I see, have persuaded the
English that they have not the slightest intention of keeping
possession of Algiers--and the English believe them. Let us see what
will be the case this time three years--Ha!--Horrid murder! Good
God!--his throat cut from ear to ear!--Let us see--Coroner's
inquest--Willful murder against--Why, Maria, here is a cousin of ours
been committing murder!--He will be hung to a certainty, my love; and
you will be obliged all the winter to wear deep mourning for his
offenses."
"And pray, sir, who is the gentleman?" demanded Miss Beauchamp. "You
know I have so many cousins, and uncles, and such distant relations,
that I can not be expected to remember them all, even when one of them
commits a murder."
"Oh! it is very possible so careless a young lady may have forgot
him!" replied Lord Ashborough, somewhat piqued at the tone of her
answer; "but you have seen him within this month--it is Captain
William Delaware--the son of the man at Emberton, who has been cutting
the throat of an old miser at--at--at--a place called Ryebury--I think
it is."
Miss Beauchamp turned very pale, but, without reply, raised the
coffee-cup toward her lips. Ere it reached them, however, it dropped
from her hand, and dashed some of the china to pieces by its fall,
while the young lady herself sank back, fainting, in her chair, much
to the horror and consternation of every one present.
Lord Ashborough started up, and advanced to his niece's assistance;
Mr. ---- kneeled by her side, and supported her head; while
Colonel ----, who was a tall stiff man, rose up, like the geni coming
out of the copper vessel--that is to say, by degrees--and rang the
bell.
Miss Beauchamp was conveyed speedily to her own room; and the
excellent colonel exclaimed, "Why, Ashborough, this murder which your
cousin has committed, seems to affect Miss Beauchamp more than
yourself!"
"I had forgot," replied Lord Ashborough, "that she and her brother
were almost brought up with those Delawares in their childhood. As to
myself, the matter does not affect me at all, colonel--I always
thought that some catastrophe of the kind would take place. The
father--who was both at school and at college with me--was always one
of those violent, ruthless, unprincipled men, on whose conduct you
could never calculate; and as he was generally in scrapes and
difficulties, you know, temptation might assail him at any moment. The
son seemed, from the little I have ever seen of him, a boy of the same
disposition. Heaven knows," he added, with an air of modest candor, "I
acted in as liberal a manner as possible toward them! It was only the
other day that I accepted a mere trifle, in lieu of an annuity of two
thousand a year, which I held, payable on their estates."
"Scamps!" said the colonel, walking toward the window. "One never
makes any thing of scamps. When one has any poor relations, and I
suppose every one has some--the best way is to cut them at once--one
never makes any thing of scamps!"
"Mr. Tims, my lord, waiting in the library," said a servant, entering,
just as the colonel concluded his sensible, comprehensive, and
charitable observation.
"Not the ghost of the murdered man, I hope!" cried Mr. ----, who had
been reading the report of the coroner's inquest.
"No; but the body of his nephew, I suppose," replied Lord Ashborough.
"You had better try the billiard-room, gentlemen, as the day is so
bad;" and he proceeded to the library, where he was awaited by Mr.
Peter Tims, dressed in what the newspapers call a suit of decent
mourning, with a countenance made to match, according to the tailor's
term.
Lord Ashborough nodded, and Mr. Tims bowed low as they met; and the
peer, letting himself sink into an easy chair, began the conversation
by saying, "I suppose, Mr. Tims, I must condole with you on your
uncle's death?"
"I have much need of condolence on many accounts, my lord," replied
the lawyer; "but I have one happiness, which is, that while your
lordship is pleased to condole with your humble servant, he has an
opportunity of congratulating you."
"Why indeed, things seem to have turned out luckily," replied Lord
Ashborough; "but I am not yet half informed of what has occurred--all
I know is from a brief account in the newspapers."
"If your lordship is at liberty," said the lawyer, "I will explain the
whole;" and he forthwith set to work, and recounted all the principal
events which had happened since he last left Lord Ashborough;
contriving, however, to take almost as much credit to himself for all
that had happened, as if he had cut his uncle's throat himself, on
purpose to ruin the family of Sir Sidney Delaware.
Lord Ashborough listened, and smiled with triumph, as Mr. Tims,
pandering to his malignity, dwelt upon the agony of Sir Sidney
Delaware, and the pain and shame of his gallant son--upon the
inevitable ruin that must overtake their whole race--and upon the
probable consequences to the unfortunate baronet's health. The smile,
however, soon faded away; and, strange to say, that though hatred to
Sir Sidney Delaware had been the predominant passion of Lord
Ashborough's existence, though the knowledge that he was leading a
life of comparative poverty had been one of his greatest pleasures;
and the hope of ruining him utterly an object that the earl had never
lost sight of--yet now that it was all accomplished--that it was
done--that he was trodden under his feet, and presented to his eyes
heartbroken and desolate, ruined and disgraced, the joy passed away in
that evanescent smile of triumph--the delight lasted but a moment, and
left a vacancy in his desires.
Why it was so, we can not be called upon to prove. It is a fact in the
heart's natural history, and that is all that we have to do with it.
It might be, indeed, that Othello's occupation was gone; and that Lord
Ashborough, in accomplishing his purpose, had dried up a source of
thought and gratification. It might be, that he was like Bruce at the
fountains of the Nile--that all which had lured him on, through a
dangerous and intricate way, was obtained; and that he had nothing to
lead him farther, or to guide him back. It might be that, as usual,
conscience took advantage of the sudden lassitude of satiety to smite
the heart for the very gratifications that were palling upon the
appetite.
"Well, Mr. Tims! Well!" he said at length. "All this is very
fortunate. But, pray, may I ask how is it that you lay claim to so
much subject of condolence? If I have understood you right, your
uncle's death could be no matter of very inconsolable grief to
you--though, doubtless, you might have preferred another manner."
"No, my lord, no!" replied Mr. Tims. "It is not that at all. He was an
old man--a very old man--one would have thought that death had forgot
him--and, to tell the truth, it was, perhaps, as well for him to die a
quick as a lingering death; and I hear, when the carotid artery is
cut, as it was in his case, a man can not suffer above a second or
two. But, as I was saying, my lord, it was not either of his death or
of the manner that I was thinking, but the murderer must have carried
away full twelve thousand pounds in money, besides the sum destined to
pay your lordship's note--"
"Which, by the way, I hope you have paid into the hands of my banker?"
interrupted Lord Ashborough, whose first thought was, of course, of
himself.
"Why, not yet, my lord--not yet," replied the attorney; "the law has
yet to decide to whom it belongs, my lord."
"How, sir!" cried Lord Ashborough, reddening; "to whom can it belong
but to me? Was it not paid to you on my account?"
"Beg pardon, my lord! Beg pardon!" replied Mr. Tims. "But whichever
way it goes, your lordship can not be a loser. If it be proved, as it
can be proved, that the money was stolen from my uncle, the payment to
you, of course, is null, and the money belongs to me, as sole heir of
the late Mr. Tims of Ryebury. But then, my lord--hear me, my lord, I
beg--the whole transaction with Sir Sidney Delaware is null also, and
you will be able to recover at common law!"
Lord Ashborough's face again lighted up, and it is very possible that
the thought of pursuing his game still farther, and hunting it to the
death, might add not a little to his placability. "We must have
counsel's opinion as to the best means to be employed," he said. "This
young ruffian, you tell me, has escaped, and of course the prosecution
must drop, unless he can be apprehended."
"Oh, no, my lord, no!" answered Mr. Tims. "That does not follow at
all. There are, indeed, various modes of proceeding, on which it would
be advisable to consult some common-law barrister; but, in the mean
time, the money is quite secure--so much so, indeed, that if your
lordship likes it to be paid into your banker's--"
"Why, Mr. Tims," said Lord Ashborough, thoughtfully, "I think it might
be as well, you know."
"Well, my lord, I am quite ready to do so," answered the lawyer, "on
your making over to me your claims against Sir Sidney Delaware, and
his estate of Emberton."
Lord Ashborough started. "No, no!" he cried. "No!--at all events, we
will speak of that hereafter. Can not a bill of outlawry be pursued
against this young man--and ought he not to be dismissed from his
majesty's service? I have a great mind to return to town and see about
the whole business, Mr. Tims. I dare say I can get rid of these two
men who are staying here, by the day after to-morrow; and, in the mean
time, you had better go back to Emberton, and urge the pursuit as
actively as possible. It is not probable that he can have got out of
the country so soon. Why do you not send for officers from
Bow-street?"
"They are already on the scent, my lord," replied the man of law; "and
I doubt not that they will catch him ere he gets far. Murder is a
crime which all civilized nations will agree in punishing; and as to
the money, my lord--"
"Oh, I doubt not it is safe--I doubt not it is safe!" replied Lord
Ashborough. "When I come to town, we must take counsel as to the best
method of recovering it, as speedily as possible, from Sir Sidney
Delaware."
"Oh, it is quite safe, depend on it," answered Mr. Tims. "I was only
going to say, that I am likely to be the only loser in this business;
as the twelve thousand pounds are, I am afraid, lost forever."
"I hope not, Mr. Tims, I hope not!" replied the earl: "and if they be,
we must endeavor to make it up to you some other way. I do not, of
course, mean to say that I can take upon me to pay the money, as you
see I am likely to be a loser by the whole transaction myself."
"I think not, my lord, indeed," replied the lawyer. "Beg your
lordship's pardon; but I think you are likely to be a great gainer."
"How so, sir?" demanded the peer, with open eyes. "I gain nothing, and
lose at least the law expenses."
"Why, my lord," replied the lawyer, "I think, in default of issue-male
on the part of Sir Sidney Delaware, you stand next in the entail; now,
if we can convict this young man who has committed the murder, you, of
course, succeed."
"Ay, but suppose we can not catch him," cried the earl, his face
brightening at the thoughts of the reversion.
"Perhaps we can do without, my lord," answered Mr. Tims. "I am much
mistaken if, upon due cause, the law, deprived of the power of dealing
real death, will not pronounce a criminal legally dead; and I think
that, were I certain I should not be a loser, I could bring forward a
sufficient case to insure that result."
"Mr. Tims," said Lord Ashborough, solemnly, laying his hand with a
dignified gesture upon a book that lay before him--"Mr. Tims, I
can assure you, that no one who wishes me well shall ever lose a
farthing by me. I think you must know the fine--I might say the
fastidious--sense of honor which I entertain, and I promise you upon
my word, that if you succeed in carrying through the very just and
reasonable design you propose, and establish me as heir of entail to
the Emberton property, I will make you full compensation for whatever
loss you may have sustained in the course of this business."
"Say no more, my lord! Say no more!" replied Mr. Tims; "we will find
means either to catch and hang him at once, or to cut him off from
performing any legal act; and in the mean time--as life is always
uncertain--I will, with your lordship's permission, draw up a little
document for your lordship to sign, purporting that you will, on your
succession to the Emberton estate, indemnify me for the losses I have
sustained by the robbery of my uncle's house."
Already Lord Ashborough began to repent of his liberal promise, and to
consider whether he could not have done quite as well without the
agency of Mr. Tims; but, as it appeared that the chief proofs of
Captain Delaware's guilt were in the lawyer's hands, he thought it
better to adhere strictly to his engagement, and therefore signified
his assent.
"Of course, my lord," continued the lawyer, "you will find it
necessary to proceed against Sir Sidney Delaware immediately, either
at common law for the recovery of the sum agreed to be paid by bill,
and which can not be considered as paid, the money wherewith it was
satisfied having been stolen; or else to proceed by petition to the
Court of Chancery, in order to recover possession of the original
annuity deed, the authenticated copy of which is in my possession,
praying also that the rents of the Emberton estate may be paid into
court, till such time as judgment be pronounced."
The lawyer spoke these hard purposes in a tone of significance, which
would have been an insult to any one with whose inmost thoughts he was
not so well acquainted as he was with those of Lord Ashborough; but
the earl heard him with a meaning smile, and replied, "Why, really,
Mr. Tims, you seem inclined to be rather hard-hearted toward this Sir
Sidney Delaware."
"Your lordship would not have me very tender toward a man whose son
has murdered my only relation," replied the lawyer; "and, besides, law
has nothing to do with tenderness; and, as your lordship's agent, I am
bound to suggest what I think the best legal means of protecting your
interests."
"Certainly, certainly!" answered the earl. "Far be it from me to blame
you, my good sir. Follow which plan you judge best--both, if you
please."
"Both be it, then, my lord!" replied Mr. Tims, rubbing his hands at
the interminable prospect which the case held out, of pleas and papers
without end--an universe of parchment and a heaven of red tape. "Both
be it, then my lord! There is not the slightest reason that we should
not proceed in both courts at once to make all sure; and if, before
two months are over, Sir Sidney Delaware be not as completely beggared
as ever man was, the English law will be very much changed--that is
all that I can say--unless, indeed," he added, thoughtfully, "your
lordship's worthy nephew come to his aid--marry Miss Delaware, and
advance money to defend her father."
"No fear! No fear!" replied Lord Ashborough. "He will not marry her,
depend upon it."
"Why, my lord, I am afraid," said Mr. Tims; "that is to say, I have
heard it very strongly reported in Emberton, that he did propose to
Miss Delaware, and that she refused him, not knowing who he was. She
and her father are now staying with the lady at whose house she first
met Mr. Beauchamp; they are very likely to meet again--he to declare
his real name, and she to accept him; for you may imagine, after all
that has happened, she will be glad enough to get married at all; and
you know how romantic he is in some things, though he strives to hide
it."
"You are mistaken, Mr. Tims," said Lord Ashborough. "What has happened
will make her persist in her refusal more steadily than ever."
Though hating Sir Sidney Delaware and his whole family with the
bitterest enmity; Lord Ashborough knew them well, and understood the
principles upon which they acted--for the basest heart will sometimes,
in a great degree, appreciate a more noble one. This appreciation,
however, is never candidly admitted, even to the heart itself; and
while, from a secret conviction of the truth, it often calculates
justly the results--comprehends in a moment what will be the effect of
particular circumstances--and makes use of that knowledge for its own
selfish purposes--it is sure to attribute all good actions to base and
mean motives, even in its own secret thoughts, and to give them false
and evil names in conversation with others.
"No, no, Mr. Tims!" he said; "what has happened will make her refuse
him more steadily than ever, if she have a drop of her father's blood
in her veins. I know those Delawares well, and their cursed pride,
which they fancy to be fine feeling and generous sentiment. If it were
to save her father and her whole family from destruction, depend upon
it, she would not marry any man while she thought that her brother's
infamy was to be a part of her dowry--I might say her only dowry; for
I suppose the pittance she had from her mother has been swallowed up
long ago. No, no; all is very safe there. Maria, who has heard a good
deal about her from her brother's old tutor, let me unwittingly into
the secret, that she is her father over again in those respects; but
sting her irritable pride, and you can make her do any thing."
"Well, my lord, well," said Mr. Tims, "if your lordship be sure, I, of
course, have nothing to say. Only, I can not understand any woman
refusing a gentleman of Mr. Beauchamp's present wealth and future
expectations. I can not understand it, indeed!"
"I dare say not!" replied Lord Ashborough drily. "But, in the mean
while, Mr. Tims, I think you had better return to Emberton tonight. It
is not much above thirty miles. Proceed as earnestly as possible
against the son, and after putting matters in train there, come up and
meet me in London on Monday next."
"At the same time, my lord," said the lawyer, "I will serve all the
tenants with notice not to pay their rents to Sir Sidney Delaware;"
and this being agreed to with a smile, Lord Ashborough rejoined his
guests, and Mr. Tims proceeded to hold a serious consultation with the
housekeeper, over a cold pasty and a glass of sherry, ere he once more
set out for Emberton.