Baron Levy did not execute his threat of calling on Egerton the next
morning. Perhaps he shrank from again meeting the flash of those
indignant eyes. And indeed Egerton was too busied all the forenoon to
see any one not upon public affairs, except Harley, who hastened to
console or cheer him. When the House met, it was announced that the
ministers had resigned, only holding their offices till their successors
were appointed. But already there was some reaction in their favour;
and when it became generally known that the new administration was to be
formed of men few indeed of whom had ever before held office, the common
superstition in the public mind that government is like a trade, in
which a regular apprenticeship must be served, began to prevail; and the
talk at the clubs was that the new men could not stand; that the former
ministry, with some modification, would be back in a month. Perhaps that
too might be a reason why Baron Levy thought it prudent not prematurely
to offer vindictive condolences to Mr. Egerton. Randal spent part of his
morning in inquiries as to what gentlemen in his situation meant to do
with regard to their places; he heard with great satisfaction that very
few intended to volunteer retirement from their desks. As Randal himself
had observed to Egerton, “Their country before their party!”
Randal’s place was of great moment to him; its duties were easy, its
salary amply sufficient for his wants, and defrayed such expenses as
were bestowed on the education of Oliver and his sister. For I am bound
to do justice to this young man,--indifferent as he was towards his
species in general, the ties of family were strong with him; and he
stinted himself in many temptations most alluring to his age, in the
endeavour to raise the dull honest Oliver and the loose-haired pretty
Juliet somewhat more to his own level of culture and refinement. Men
essentially griping and unscrupulous often do make the care for their
family an apology for their sins against the world. Even Richard III.,
if the chroniclers are to be trusted, excused the murder of his nephews
by his passionate affection for his son. With the loss of that place,
Randal lost all means of support, save what Audley could give him; and
if Audley were in truth ruined? Moreover, Randal had already established
at the office a reputation for ability and industry. It was a career
in which, if he abstained from party politics, he might rise to a fair
station and to a considerable income. Therefore, much contented with
what he learned as to the general determination of his fellow officials,
a determination warranted by ordinary precedent in such cases, Randal
dined at a club with good relish, and much Christian resignation for
the reverse of his patron, and then walked to Grosvenor Square, on
the chance of finding Audley within. Learning that he was so, from the
porter who opened the door, Randal entered the library. Three gentlemen
were seated there with Egerton: one of the three was Lord L’Estrange;
the other two were members of the really defunct, though nominally still
existing, Government. He was about to withdraw from intruding on this
conclave, when Egerton said to him gently, “Come in, Leslie; I was just
speaking about yourself.”
“About me, sir?”
“Yes; about you and the place you hold. I had asked Sir ---- [pointing
to a fellow minister] whether I might not, with propriety, request your
chief to leave some note of his opinion of your talents, which I know is
high, and which might serve you with his successor.”
“Oh, sir, at such a time to think of me!” exclaimed Randal, and he was
genuinely touched.
“But,” resumed Audley, with his usual dryness, “Sir ----, to my
surprise, thinks that it would better become you that you should resign.
Unless his reasons, which he has not yet stated, are very strong, such
would not be my advice.”
“My reasons,” said Sir ----, with official formality, “are simply these:
I have a nephew in a similar situation; he will resign, as a matter
of course. Every one in the public offices whose relations and near
connections hold high appointments in the Government will do so. I do
not think Mr. Leslie will like to feel himself a solitary exception.”
“Mr. Leslie is no relation of mine,--not even a near connection,”
answered Egerton.
“But his name is so associated with your own: he has resided so long in
your house, is so well known in society (and don’t think I compliment
when I add, that we hope so well of him), that I can’t think it worth
his while to keep this paltry place, which incapacitates him too from a
seat in parliament.”
Sir ---- was one of those terribly rich men, to whom all considerations
of mere bread and cheese are paltry. But I must add that he supposed
Egerton to be still wealthier than himself, and sure to provide
handsomely for Randal, whom Sir ---- rather liked than not; and for
Randal’s own sake, Sir ---- thought it would lower him in the estimation
of Egerton himself, despite that gentleman’s advocacy, if he did not
follow the example of his avowed and notorious patron.
“You see, Leslie,” said Egerton, checking Randal’s meditated reply,
“that nothing can be said against your honour if you stay where you are;
it is a mere question of expediency; I will judge that for you; keep
your place.”
Unhappily the other member of the Government, who had hitherto been
silent, was a literary man. Unhappily, while this talk had proceeded, he
had placed his hand upon Randal Leslie’s celebrated pamphlet, which lay
on the library table; and, turning over the leaves, the whole spirit and
matter of that masterly composition in defence of the administration
(a composition steeped in all the essence of party) recurred to his too
faithful recollection. He, too, liked Randal; he did more,--he admired
the author of that striking and effective pamphlet. And therefore,
rousing himself from the sublime indifference he had before felt for the
fate of a subaltern, he said, with a bland and complimentary smile, “No;
the writer of this most able publication is no ordinary placeman. His
opinions here are too vigorously stated; this fine irony on the very
person who in all probability will be the chief in his office has
excited too lively an attention to allow him the sedet eternumque
sedebit on an official stool. Ha, ha! this is so good! Read it,
L’Estrange. What say you?” Harley glanced over the page pointed out
to him. The original was in one of Burley’s broad, coarse, but telling
burlesques, strained fine through Randal’s more polished satire. It
was capital. Harley smiled, and lifted his eyes to Randal. The unlucky
plagiarist’s face was flushed,--the beads stood on his brow. Harley was
a good hater; he loved too warmly not to err on the opposite side; but
he was one of those men who forget hate when its object is distressed
and humbled. He put down the pamphlet and said, “I am no politician;
but Egerton is so well known to be fastidious and over-scrupulous in
all points of official etiquette, that Mr. Leslie cannot follow a safer
counsellor.”
“Read that yourself, Egerton,” said Sir ----; and he pushed the pamphlet
to Audley.
Now Egerton had a dim recollection that that pamphlet was unlucky;
but he had skimmed over its contents hastily, and at that moment had
forgotten all about it. He took up the too famous work with a reluctant
hand, but he read attentively the passages pointed out to him, and then
said gravely and sadly,
“Mr. Leslie, I retract my advice. I believe Sir ---- is right,--that the
nobleman here so keenly satirized will be the chief in your office. I
doubt whether he will not compel your dismissal; at all events, he
could scarcely be expected to promote your advancement. Under the
circumstances, I fear you have no option as a--” Egerton paused a
moment, and, with a sigh that seemed to settle the question, concluded
with--“as a gentleman.”
Never did Jack Cade, never did Wat Tyler, feel a more deadly hate to
that word “gentleman” than the well-born Leslie felt then; but he bowed
his head, and answered with his usual presence of mind,
“You utter my own sentiment.”
“You think we are right, Harley?” asked Egerton, with an irresolution
that surprised all present.
“I think,” answered Harley, with a compassion for Randal that was almost
over-generous, and yet with an equivoque on the words, despite the
compassion,--“I think whoever has served Audley Egerton never yet has
been a loser by it; and if Mr. Leslie wrote this pamphlet, he must have
well served Audley Egerton. If he undergoes the penalty, we may safely
trust to Egerton for the compensation.”
“My compensation has long since been made,” answered Randal, with grace;
“and that Mr. Egerton could thus have cared for my fortunes, at an hour
so occupied, is a thought of pride which--”
“Enough, Leslie! enough!” interrupted Egerton, rising and pressing his
protege’s hand. “See me before you go to bed.”
Then the two other ministers rose also and shook hands with Leslie, and
told him he had done the right thing, and that they hoped soon to see
him in parliament; and hinted, smilingly, that the next administration
did not promise to be very long-lived; and one asked him to dinner,
and the other to spend a week at his country-seat. And amidst these
congratulations at the stroke that left him penniless, the distinguished
pamphleteer left the room. How he cursed big John Burley!