When Harley was gone, Egerton sunk back on his chair, as if in extreme
physical or mental exhaustion, all the lines of his countenance relaxed
and jaded.
"To go back to that place--there--there--where--Courage, courage! what is
another pang?"
He rose with an effort, and folding his arms tightly across his breast,
paced slowly to and fro the large, mournful, solitary room. Gradually
his countenance assumed its usual cold and austere composure,--the secret
eye, the guarded lip, the haughty, collected front. The man of the world
was himself once more.
"Now to gain time, and to baffle the usurer," murmured Egerton, with that
low tone of easy scorn, which bespoke consciousness of superior power and
the familiar mastery over hostile natures. He rang the bell: the servant
entered.
"Is Baron Levy still waiting?"
"Yes, sir."
"Admit him." Levy entered.
"I beg your pardon, Levy," said the ex-minister, "for having so long
detained you. I am now at your commands."
"My dear fellow," returned the baron, "no apologies between friends so
old as we are; and I fear that my business is not so agreeable as to make
you impatient to discuss it."
EGERTON (with perfect composure).--"I am to conclude, then, that you wish
to bring our accounts to a close. Whenever you will, Levy."
THE BARON (disconcerted and surprised).--"Peste! /mon cher/, you take
things coolly. But if our accounts are closed, I fear you will have but
little to live upon."
EGERTON.--"I can continue to live on the salary of a Cabinet Minister."
BARON.--"Possibly; but you are no longer a Cabinet Minister."
EGERTON.--"You have never found me deceived--in a political prediction.
Within twelve months (should life be spared to me) I shall be in office
again. If the same to you, I would rather wait till then formally and
amicably to resign to you my lands and this house. If you grant that
reprieve, our connection can thus close without the eclat and noise which
may be invidious to you, as it would be disagreeable to me. But if that
delay be inconvenient, I will appoint a lawyer to examine your accounts,
and adjust my liabilities."
THE BARON (soliloquizing).--"I don't like this. A lawyer! That may be
awkward."
EGERTON (observing the baron, with a curl on his lip). "Well, Levy, how
shall it be?"
THE BARON.--"You know, my dear fellow, it is not my character to be hard
on any one, least of all upon an old friend. And if you really think
there is a chance of your return to office, which you apprehend that an
/esclandre/ as to your affairs at present might damage, why, let us see
if we can conciliate matters. But, first, /mon cher/, in order to become
a minister, you must at least have a seat in parliament; and pardon me
the question, how the deuce are you to find one?"
EGERTON.--"It is found."
THE BARON.--"Ah, I forgot the L5,000 you last borrowed."
EGERTON.--"NO; I reserve that sum for another purpose."
THE BARON (with a forced laugh).--"Perhaps to defend yourself against the
actions you apprehend from me?"
EGERTON.--"You are mistaken. But to soothe your suspicions I will tell
you plainly, that finding any sum I might have insured on my life would
be liable to debts preincurred, and (as you will be my sole creditor)
might thus at my death pass back to you; and doubting whether, indeed,
any office would accept my insurance, I appropriate that sum to the
relief of my conscience. I intend to bestow it, while yet in life, upon
my late wife's kinsman, Randal Leslie. And it is solely the wish to do
what I consider an act of justice, that has prevailed with me to accept a
favour from the hands of Harley L'Estrange, and to become again the
member for Lansmere."
THE BARON.--"Ha!--Lansmere! You will stand for Lansmere?"
EGERTON (wincing).--"I propose to do so."
THE BARON.--"I believe you will be opposed, subjected to even a sharp
contest. Perhaps you may lose your election."
EGERTON.--"If so, I resign myself, and you can foreclose on my estates."
THE BARON (his brow clearing).--"Look you, Egerton, I shall be too happy
to do you a favour."
EGERTON (with stateliness).--"Favour! No, Baron Levy, I ask from you
no favour. Dismiss all thought of rendering me one. It is but a
consideration of business on both sides. If you think it better that we
shall at once settle our accounts, my lawyer shall investigate them. If
you agree to the delay I request, my lawyer shall give you no trouble;
and all that I have, except hope and character, pass to your hands
without a struggle."
THE BARON.--"Inflexible and ungracious, favour or not--put it as you
will--I accede, provided, first, that you allow me to draw up a fresh
deed, which will accomplish your part of the compact; and secondly, that
we saddle the proposed delay with the condition that you do not lose your
election."
EGERTON.--"Agreed. Have you anything further to say?"
THE BARON.--"Nothing, except that, if you require more money, I am still
at your service."
EGERTON.--"I thank you. No; I shall take the occasion of my retirement
from office to reduce my establishment. I have calculated already, and
provided for the expenditure I need, up to the date I have specified, and
I shall have no occasion to touch the L5,000 that I still retain."
"Your young friend, Mr. Leslie, ought to be very grateful to you," said
the baron, rising. "I have met him in the world,--a lad of much promise
and talent. You should try and get him also into parliament."
EGERTON (thoughtfully).--"You are a good judge of the practical abilities
and merits of men, as regards worldly success. Do you really think
Randal Leslie calculated for public life--for a parliamentary career?"
THE BARON.--"Indeed I do."
EGERTON (speaking more to himself than Levy).---"Parliament without
fortune,--'t is a sharp trial; still he is prudent, abstemious,
energetic, persevering; and at the onset, under my auspices and advice,
he might establish a position beyond his years."
THE BARON. "It strikes me that we might possibly get him into the next
parliament; or, as that is not likely to last long, at all events, into
the parliament to follow,--not for one of the boroughs which will be
swept away, but for a permanent seat, and without expense."
EGERTON.--"Ay,--and how?"
THE BARON.---"Give me a few days to consider. An idea has occurred to
me. I will call again if I find it practicable. Good-day to you,
Egerton, and success to your election for Lansmere."