_Anna Wenbourne St. Ives to Louisa Clifton_
_London, Grosvenor-Street_
Have I been unjust to the brother of my friend? Or had my words the
power over him to turn him from a guilty purpose?--Well; rather, ay
infinitely rather let me be a false accuser than he culpable! He seeks
me no more, offers not to molest me, and I hope has forgotten me; at
least has seen the error of endeavouring to accomplish a purpose so
criminal by means so base. I expected storms, but a sweet calm has
succeeded that seems to portend tranquillity and happiness.
With respect to me and Frank, our union appears to be hastening to a
conclusion. Sir Arthur, impelled forward by his hopes and fears,
proceeds though reluctantly to act contrary to the wishes of my
arrogant uncle. Mrs. Wenbourne is dissatisfied; but her opposition is
feeble, for Edward is reconciled to the match; having no other motive
but the acquisition of a sum of money for his consent to dock the
entail; and of the manner in which this sum will be squandered we have
already had sufficient proof.
I understand Lord Fitz-Allen affects to credit a report of a very
ridiculous, though as some would think it of a very injurious nature;
which is that there was a collusion between Frank Henley and Mac Fane
respecting my brother's gambling affair. The circumstances necessary to
render this probable are so violent as immediately to expose its
absurdity, and to make it matter of amazement how such an assertion
could be invented, or circulated.
What could be Frank's motive?--My wise uncle has his answer
ready--'That of imposing upon the family in order to marry me.'
And what Mac Fane's? 'A bribe' is a short phrase, and soon said.
I imagine it to be some dream of my uncle's, who has an aptitude for
this kind of invention; and who having once put a few incidents
together that seem to agree, persuades himself with great facility that
the fable he has created is fact. Petty calumny like this is wholly
incapable of moving Frank Henley.
The restless crafty Abimelech has prevailed on Sir Arthur to go down
with him to Wenbourne-Hill. He well knows how much his own power will
be increased by the old habits of Sir Arthur, and the ease with which
they can be revived by this his interested abettor. Not but I am well
convinced, when once every thing shall be settled, and he have no
longer any thing to fear from the opposition of Sir Arthur, he will be
as little a friend to improving as any of us. Various hints which have
dropped from him would have proved this to Sir Arthur, had he not been
blind enough to suppose that, he being a baronet, honest Aby is bound
ever to remain his most obedient slave and steward; forgetting the
proofs he has received that Abimelech at present is more inclined to
command than to obey; and that when he parts with money he must have
what he calls the whys and the wherefores.
His confidence in Frank however is now so entire that he has entrusted
the transaction of certain money business to him, necessary on the
present occasion, which he came up purposely to negotiate himself, but
which he is now convinced can be done full as prudently and safely by
his son. But a few months ago, Frank tells me, he petitioned this
father in vain for thirty pounds, who now commits thousands to his
keeping.
Not but it is from a conviction that there is no propensity in Frank to
waste one of those guineas of which he is so enamoured. Without the
least love of money, Frank is a rigid economist. The father indulges no
false wants because it would be expensive; the son has none to indulge.
Habits which in the one are the fruits of avarice, in the other are the
offspring of wisdom.
Abimelech has some confused suspicion that Frank acts from higher
motives than himself, and such as he does not understand; but still he
hopes they are all founded on his own favourite basis, the love of
hoarding. Nor can he very well persuade himself that this love is not
the grand mover with all men of sense, among whom he now ranks his son
high.
But ah, Louisa, how different are the views of this worthy, this
heavenly-gifted son! He is anxiously studious to discover how he may
apply the wealth that may revert to him most to benefit that society
from which it first sprang. The best application of riches is one of
our frequent themes; because it will be one of our first duties. The
diffusion of knowledge, or more properly of truth, is the one great
good to which wealth, genius, and existence ought all to be applied.
This noble purpose gives birth to felicity which is in itself grand,
inexhaustible, and eternal.
How ineffable is the bliss of having discovered a friend like Frank
Henley, who will not only pursue this best of purposes himself, but
will through life conduct me in the same path, will aid my efforts to
promote the great work, and, by a combination of those powers we happen
to possess, will add energy to effort, and perhaps render it fifty fold
more pervading and effective!
Husband and wife, parent and child are ties which at present claim, or
rather extort a part of our attention. But oh how poor how
insignificant are they, when compared to the claims of eternal justice;
which bind man to man in equal and impartial benevolence over the face
of the whole earth, and render the wandering Arab, who is in need of
aid or instruction from me, as truly my brother as the one my mother
gave me.
I seem now but beginning the journey of life; and to have found a
companion, guide, and consoler like Frank Henley is surely no common
felicity! May the fates grant my Louisa just such another!