Is it not a pity, Louisa, that so much courage and ability should be
perverted to such vile ends? The man, by means of the wealth he had so
rapidly collected in this manner, had secured more than one spy among
the Bow-street runners. This we learned from Peggy's brother; and it is
confirmed by the event; for he has forsaken all his former haunts, and
it is conjectured is either gone off for the continent, or, which is
more probable, is lying concealed till he can discover how far he is
in danger. He was constantly provided with disguises, has been to sea,
and is intimately acquainted with the manners of the vulgar; so that,
were any strict search made, he would not easily be caught. But he need
not fear; his supposed enemy takes no delight in blood; and this he
will probably soon learn, and soon again be upon the town.
You wonder, no doubt, how Frank should recognise a man who, attempting
to rob us on a dark night, had stationed himself at the head of the
carriage. Had he seen no more of him, he would have been in little
danger of detection. But, on one of the visits which Frank made to
Webb, the brother of Peggy, he had met him on the stairs. Mr. Mac Fane
as he descended was opposite the window on the landing place, and his
face was full in the light; while Frank could scarcely be seen by him,
being then several steps below him. His countenance is a remarkable
one; it has a deep scar above the left eye; and Frank, suspecting him
to be the accomplice of the man he was going to visit, had fixed it in
his memory.
Frank has since been talking very seriously with this brother of Peggy;
and appears to have convinced him that his present profession is as
much that of a thief as his former. However, in this short space of
time, without understanding the vile arts of a gambler, he has
collected between two and three hundred pounds. Such is the folly with
which money is squandered at these places. While Mr. Mac Fane is
absent, he thinks himself in no danger; and should he return, he has
been promised the protection of our family, which he thinks a
sufficient guarantee; being rather afraid of him as a desperado than as
an accuser. Webb has therefore agreed to take a shop, and exercise his
trade as a master. He is a man of quick intellects; and,
notwithstanding all that he has done, has many good propensities. As a
proof of these, his poor sister, the kind Peggy, has infinite affection
for him; and is sure now that he will do well.
Sir Arthur and Edward have both been very sincere and hearty in their
thanks to Frank: to which he answers, and answers truly, it was a
stroke rather of good fortune than of foresight. But he has gained
himself a character; and they are partly of opinion, that every thing
must prosper which he undertakes. Aunt Wenbourne too overflows in his
praise. Edward is her favourite; and Frank stands now almost as high on
her list as he was but a little while ago the reverse; for Edward is
continually talking of him to her, and every word he says is orthodox.
But opinions like these are too light, too full of prejudice, too
mutable to be of much value.
Clifton kept away all the evening; however, after hearing the whole
story, he was obliged to acknowledge that, let his other qualities be
what they would, he could not have been so successful as Frank in this
affair; because he could have known nothing of Mr. Mac Fane. But he did
not forget that this was an accident, unforeseen at the time when Frank
was trusted.
My constant rule, of equanimity of temper, has restored him to his
wonted good-humour. But I perceive he regrets the possibility of any
man equalling him in the esteem of those whose friendship he
cultivates. Alas! Why does he not rather seek to surpass them, than to
envy their virtues?
He says he will propose an eulogium on Frank, and give a prize himself
to the French Academy; for he finds he will never get sufficiently
praised in England. He never knew so eternal a theme for panegyric. In
fine, it is evident, in despite of his efforts to conceal it, that his
jealousy increases: and I suspect he feels this last decision against
him more sensibly than any preceding circumstance.