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 _éclat_ 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 of 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 £5000 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 pre-incurred, 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 favor 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 coloring).--"Look you, Egerton, I shall be too
happy to do you a favor."
EGERTON (with stateliness).--"Favor! No, Baron Levy, I ask from
you no favor. 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, favor 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 any thing 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 owe no man aught except yourself.
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 £5000 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--'tis 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."