First Performed at the Royal Olympic Theatre, (under the management of Mr. Horace Wigan) on Saturday, March 4th, 1865, a New and Original Play, in Five Acts, by Tom Taylor Esq., called
SETTLING DAY, A STORY OF THE TIME.
The New Scenery by Mr. HAWES CRAVEN. The Dresses by Mr. S. MAY and Mrs. LEWIS.
The Properties by Mr. LIGHTFOOT. The Machinery by Mr. CHAPMAN.
The whole Produced under the Direction of Mr. HORACE WIGAN.
Time : THE PRESENT DAY.
Scene : LONDON and the SUBURBS.
Well, but I can't tell one gent missus is at home and another she ain't.
It ain't our business, Glover, to make messages fit; them's my orders.
Just like his impudence—Mr. Harrington ain't half as free, and he's twice as welcome.
Oh, Mrs. Markland's maid, I think.
Yes, sir.
en attendant—Miss Hargreave
will do.
he've
come in hisself. I'll ask in the other.
Miss Hargreave's compliments, sir, and she's particularly engaged too.
You know that's a crammer, you little—
Sir!
Oh, very well, Mrs. Captain Grand. Here, take this to your mistress, and say
I'm in the drawingroom
Yes, they can generally give as good as they get.
Ah, I prefer things quiet,
Elegant house Markland's got here,
Waiting for Markland ?
No.
I thought you might be; he used to have no end of fellows always waiting for him before his marriage ; since then he has been so awfully spoony on his wife he seems to have cut the shop altogether.
The shop ?
The bank, I mean. Well, I don't wonder: both Mrs. Markland and her sister are
girls to knock a fellow over—rather. I've just sent them in a bone for the
opera. Miss Hargreave's wild about " Faust" and Patti.
I've a stall for the Thursdays and Saturdays.
Ah, not for Tuesdays ? Sorry I can't offer you a place, but four's one too many.
I quite agree with you.
Missus's compliments,
And she's particularly sorry she can't have the pleasure of seeing you this
morning,
Upon my word that's coolish—
Perhaps Mrs. Markland agrees with you that four's one too many.
Yes—shall you ?
I hardly know. I've so many engagements.
Oh, Mr. Harrington, Florry will be so delighted—not Mr. Markland, though—he was talking of driving to Veitch's to secure this new beauty; he had set his heart on having it at Florry's party to-night. You know it's her birthday.
Yes, a bride's birthday should be marked with flowers.
Especially so happy a bride as Florry : only two-and-twenty, and the world lying before her in the triple sunshine of youth, love, and prosperity ! May she have many birthdays as bright as this.
Why, Miss Hargreave, you talk like a matron instead of a young lady of nineteen.
Nineteen ! why I was one-and-twenty last
I wish I had known of it.
An old woman may be excused for keeping these anniversaries in the background.
An old woman ?
Yes, I'm my own mistress now, and I feel so grave and steady.
Why one would fancy you were the chaperone, and Mrs. Markland under your wing.
Oh, Florry's not half such a woman of business as I am. I understand accounts and trusts and separate uses. I even think I could draw my own dividends.
Now you're joking—I hope you're joking.
Joking ? Is a woman who can draw her own dividends such an appalling phenomenon ?
Well, you see I've a notion, somehow, a woman has no business to know anything about money —except how to spend it, of course.
I hope, when you marry, your wife won't make you change your
theory.
My wife! Ah, Miss Hargreave, if I only durst—I've caught the honeymoon fever in this house— the sight of Markland's happiness is enough to make any bachelor throw himself right——
Into the Thames ?
No, into matrimony; seriously, Miss Hargreave, can you conceive a happier man than your brother-in-law—born to wealth, respect out of doors, and affection within, the present all sunshine, the future all promise ! What has he done to deserve it ?
He had the good luck to be born heir to an old established bank business, and the good taste to fall in love with my sister.
Oh, Miss Hargreave, if I could follow his example!
What, you fall in love with Florry, too ?
No, but with ——
I tell you, Florry, I daren't keep them waiting any longer,
Then I dare, and I'm absolute to-day ! You're my prisoner,
Look here, Harrington, this is what you'll come to some day.
I hope so, heartily. I'm quite ready.
Oh, Mr. Harrington, if you knew the trouble I've had to secure this truant. I've caught him flying, between a directorate and a deputation, and dragged him here in triumph to see the beautiful gardenia you've brought me.
It's too bad, Harrington, forestalling one in this way.
Serves you right, sir, for forgetting your wife's birthday presents to attend to your business.
Why, you unreasonable little woman, I haven't given a day to the bank since we were married.
No, but you're going to ; and what right have you to make appointments here, where your only business ought to be spoiling me ?
I appeal to you, Harrington, if I haven't done that piece of business handsomely. I've been six months about it, but I've done it.
No, no, no; if ever there was an ill-used wife I am one.
Prove it.
In the first place, I'm never contradicted—I appeal to Belle, if he don't let me have my own way in everything.
He's incorrigible.
I plead guilty, but I'll never do it again.
And then I'm not allowed to have any little whims and fancies; am I, Belle ?
No ; your husband in the most cruel way insists on anticipating them all.
I'll say no to everything you propose for the next month.
But worse than all, I've a rival.
A rival!
The deuce you have !
Yes, an old love. Her initials are L. S. D. I thought the connection was broken off, but he's going back to her. He'll spend more of his time on L. S. D. now than he does on poor P. M.
Dream ! he calls our married life a dream—I said I was cruelly treated.
And could anything but a dream be so delightful ?
They will shine all the brighter for a sombre background of business. But I promise to lock up L. S. D. in the bank parlour. Let's hope she won't get through the keyhole.
Amen ! But do you know, Harry, I sometimes have such a wicked wish.
You!
Yes, I sometimes wish that we could be ——
Be what ?
Just a little ruined!
Because then I fancy I might show you the real good of a wife. As it is I seem little better than a spoiled child to be dressed up and made much of. I'm no earthly use—what can I do ?
Be happy, my darling, and make me happy in that happiness. Bring that bright
and trustful face to welcome me when I return worn and weary from my day's work
at the gold diggings. If you only knew what strength, what comfort I shall find
in it. But don't pray for ruin even in jest,
Molesworth!
And I'm a great bird-tamer—my prisoners are so fond of me.
I should think so.
You'll find us in the conservatory, Florry.
Let me see—well, yes; prisoner may be allowed to see his attorney.
Excuse my breaking in on you here, but the fact is I'm kept so busy with other people's affairs I find it difficult to get a moment for my own.
Pretty much my case, now I'm going back into harness. I've a deputation
waiting for me in the breakfast room. It's about the vacant seat for
Cashiobury. They insist on having a monied man, and flatter
Don't have anything to say to them. I can get it done for you at half the
money. Egad ! I'm just in time it seems,
Does that mean Whig or Tory ?
Oh, the constituency is not particular about the colour of your ribbons, so that it sees the colour of your money. It's the snuggest, quietest, most eligible thing, in a small way, in the Parliamentary market; constituency under four hundred, and only fifty stand out for cash. Hookham's got the seat in his pocket— say the word, I'll send you down, and he'll return you, like a good bill, duly stamped and lettered M.P.
You're very kind. This is the third borough I've had offered me this week; I hear people talk about the difficulty of getting a seat—my difficulty's to keep out of one.
Ah, you're the sort of man a British constituency fastens on.
Yes, your deputation leech especially. Translated into their tongue, a man of the right sort, means a man who will spend money. They've a stupid notion all bankers are rich.
As if all were gold that glitters,
Yes.
I've received £40,000 of his money—the proceeds of a paid-off mortgage. I want to have it ready for him. I thought of leaving it with you for the present at call.
You must ask Meiklam. I've been a sleeping partner for the last six months. I should think we've quite as much in our hands as we know what to do with in the present state of the market. Hadn't you better buy exchequer bills or consols ?
What! in the face of the heavy fall ? I'd rather leave the money in your hands till I pay it over, so if you'll give me a lift as far as Lincoln's Inn; I must look in there, and you can take me to the bank at once.
But this deputation—I ought to see them.
Throw them over. Closeborough's decidedly a better investment—only half the price, and the seat's as safe as your own bank.
I'm an attorney—all my communications are privileged.
You ! a married man, with a grey head and a grown up family, to tempt my husband with a seat in parliament, and before we've been six months married!
I admit it's not fair to the constituency.
Not fair to the constituency ! Is it fair to his wife, sir ? Now he's come back to work, business will rob me of him all day, and you would have politics take him from me all night! Every British wife who loves her husband is bound to hate the House of Commons.
For the first six months of matrimony : after that, a good many come to agree with their husbands, that the House is the most agreeable club in London.
Yes, that's what comes of late hours, unlimited command of latch-keys, and
male gossip in the smokingroom. Oh, I've studied the constitution of my
country—I know what goes on inside Mr. Barry's pie-crust. They pretend to make
laws, but they're really laying their heads together against their poor
unoffending wives. I say the House of Commons will be a bane to society,
until
And what a pleasant berth the prime minister's would be, trying to keep his supporters' wives in good humour, instead of their lords and masters.
Now remember, if you dare, to aid and abet my husband in getting into parliament I shall let down my back hair, go distracted, and haunt Lincoln's Inn Fields in a black bombazine and a poke bonnet to lay my broken heart every morning at your door.
They say a good many attorneys' doors are paved with that sort of thing already ; but I'm a family solicitor; we don't break hearts in our branch of the profession—but I musn't keep your husband waiting.
Mrs. Vernon !
She asked if you were at home, ma'am.
What a bore ! I suppose I must see her—say I'm at home,
I never saw your conservatory in such beauty.
I'm so glad you admire it.
And you haven't felt the change from honey lunacy to the sober realities of
married life too great a contrast ?
Oh, there has been no change as yet.
Then it will be all the worse when it does come. I suppose he's returned to work now ?
Yes, and I'm so sorry.
Ah, my dear, trust an old woman, one who has seen something of the world. Thank your stars you've married a man of business.
What, to be separated from him all day long, and to know that when he's away his head is full—not of me—but of horrid money matters !
Keeps him out of mischief, my dear. Men will be men! Wives are all very well, but they mustn't expect to fill up all a man's thoughts. Besides, he can't afford to neglect business: the bank must be looked after —with their enormous transactions there's a constant risk.
But you don't suppose my husband has any cause for anxiety ? I should be wretched if I thought so : as it is, I often wish he would give up the bank.
What would become of his pretty house, his pretty grounds, and his pretty wife, and her pretty dresses, and carriages, and horses if he did ? Instead of wishing him to give up money, making you ought to learn to like it.
Oh, I never could do that.
I thought as you do once, but I've changedTimes is the City Article, and
the drive I most enjoy is to my broker's.
Oh, Mrs. Vernon, now you're joking with me.
Fact, I assure you. A woman at my time of life must have an object. I've been disappointed in my hopes of settling my poor child : I don't care for books; I've no turn for religion, so I've taken to speculation; you can't think how amusing it is.
But isn't it wrong for a woman to know anything about such matters ?
So the men say: they want to keep the money-making to themselves, like their clubs and cigars, and Greenwich dinners.
I always fancied the city the dullest place, and money-making the dreariest drudgery.
Dull ? Dreary ? You little goose ! 'Tis life in its very essence—all the
excitement of passion without its punishment, and all the delight of gambling
stripped of its disreputableness.
No, no, my love, that would never do; very great ladies and very proper ladies go into the city, but they never tell. Not a word to your husband or your sister, or anybody else, promise me.
Of course I will! There, solemnly!
I've a call or two to make ; get your things on and I'll be back for you by the time you're ready.
I shan't be ten minutes; it will be such an adventure, and I promised to pick
Harry up at the bank
You sly little puss ! Au revoir then. Kindest regards to your
husband.
After all Harry must be right: she does seem very fond of me: I was wrong to distrust her.
Now, Florry, kiss me, and call me a good boy.
Not till I know why.
I've thrown over the Cashiobury deputation, the very thing you asked me to do.
Because I asked you ?
Oh, you unbelieving woman ! What but your wish would have induced me to refuse the offer of a safe seat ?
The offer of a safer seat, at half the money. Ah, didn't I say the warder had her eye on you, and her ear too ? But it's no use. I've opened Mr. Molesworth's eyes to his own guilt. He'll look out for another victim, won't you, Mr. Molesworth ? Now there's your ward, Mr. Harrington.
Pooh, he's too young. Then he hasn't that sheet anchor of the British legislator—a wife.
But he soon will have, if I've eyes in my head. Oh, Harry, I'm so happy, do you know—but no, it's Belle's secret. Do go and offer Harrington the seat, Mr. Molesworth, you'll find him in the conservatory.
Silly fellow ! What, for calling on us ?
No, that's sensible, but I'm very angry with him.
Angry.
He's been dabbling on the Stock Exchange, and what's worse he's burnt his fingers severely.
Let him thank his stars for that.
What, for losing several hundred pounds ?
Better lose seven thousand in his first venture, than win ten times the
money. Losing may disgust and deter, but winning is honey on the edge of the
poisoned cup. The sweetness once tasted, let who will warn against the
bitterness, the death that lies at the bottom.
Ah, it's easy lo advise.
But your advice is backed up by practice.
And pray who sets me the example, sir ?
Oh, the foolish lad knows my way.
Yes, that you're the most dreadful bear. If you had seen his alarm when you
were announced. I left him in the conservatory with Belle. We'll pounce on him,
the old bear and the young—what ?
Monkey!
Bless her bright face, it is something worth living for to feel and minister to such happiness.
A gent, sir, won't give his name, says he comes by appointment.
Oh, dear yes, you did. My name is Rocket; I'm an old friend of your
partner's; this is the first time I've had the pleasure of seeing you,
but we are no strangers.
I really don't remember ———
Oh, I remember now, Mr. Rocket, the companies' promoter, one of those daring pioneers on the frontiers of speculation, who go out with a project for their pick, and the wide world of noodledom for their gold diggings.
Ha, ha! together, and what are they—the force that
re-moulds the world!
And occasionally bursts its boilers in the process.
Yes, accidents will happen, but we ought to congratulate ourselves, my dear sir—
On escaping the smash ?
Or having lived to see the triumph of the miracle-working power of co-operative capital.
Yes, associated capital is a great force, though some of you projectors seem to think that, in fact, as on paper, hundreds may be turned into millions merely by the addition of noughts.
Ha, ha, it's the order of nature. What ia mankind but a joint stock company of mites —
Yes, my own appointment,—by letter, yesterday afternoon. I sent a commissionaire with it to the bank—you didn't get it ?
Then it must have been late, or perhaps, the fellow didn't deliver it. I must
send to the barracks to inquire. These irregularities, if repeated, will be
fatal to the corps. By the way, I was the first to suggest a company for the
employment of our wounded soldiers,— unluckily that was before we had any
wounded soldiers to employ. Then came the war and the wounded soldiers,
and, as usual, somebody else snapped up my idea. It's been my fate to be robbed
of my ideas. The perambulator, sir, was my idea, but while I was organising a
great international perambulator company, an outsider stepped in with an
inferior article and run me off the road. Ah, sir, I ought to have gone down to
posterity in my own perambulator, and children yet unborn should have blessed my
name. However, as I was saying, I made an appointment with you. Here I am and
here you are, and now my dear sir,
Well, this is the coolest hand !
I know it, my dear sir, I blush for it, but I must do it. I've a mission—a
sacred mission to bring together mind and money. If mind is forced to intrude
Mr. Rocket, do you take me for what in City slang is called a guinea-pig, one of those easy-going gentlemen who sell their names for a director's fee and a director's patronage?
Quite the reverse, my dear sir,—now don't be hasty,
Literally setting the Thames on fire ? But how's London to manage without the river ?
Ah, there comes in my supplementary scheme —"The Grand Thames Valley Surface
Drainage
Ecod, there's something in that ?
It would be only keeping the old boy out of his bed for a week or two—and we might have it made, in interval. But seriously, Mr. Rocket, you seem to forget that I am a banker; my business is safe investment not rash adventure—I have a horror of speculation.
My dear sir, don't disclaim one of the finest attributes of our nature!
No, if I did take to blowing bubbles, they should be soap, not
speculation ones. Allow me to wish you a good morning.
You abuse speculation—when your house has been backing up the Great
Rocky-mountain Trunk line so heavily ? You have backed it, haven't you
?
Really, Mr. Rocket, I'm not aware our house owes you an account of its investments.
Oh, I merely repeat what's whispered in the City.
The persons who repeat such whispers are as bad as those who originate them.
Why, you see Rocky-mountain Trunks are at a discount; and in these cases
people will ask who's likely to be hard hit.
I withdraw my observation. But I certainly fancied from what I heard in Warnford Court yesterday, that Markland and Meiklam had no objection to a leetle snug speculation.
You'll be sorry for this, Mr. Markland, and when the Great Metropolitan Cold
Water Heating and Oxygenated Respiration Company is in its blaze of triumph,
you'll regret this morning's work. It'll be too late then, Mr. Markland.
At last! I couldn't have controlled my boot five minutes longer. The impudent
charlatan, to mix my name up with questionable speculations! I must take
measures to trace these reports home. I've returned just in time,
Mr. Meiklam, sir.
Show him in directly. Meiklam must know of these rumours. He should have warned me they were afloat. He has had carte blanche, almost, since my marriage. However, I assume the reins after to-day.
Feverish ? No, only a little excited.
Excited ! That's not business like.
I've just had a fellow here—a promoter— Rocket.
And he has dared, on the strength of some idle gossip, to mix our name up with questionable speculations. I couldn't contradict him as explicitly as I should have liked to do.
So you got into a passion,
It was foolish, I admit I suppose, my father's grave did utter forth a voice ?
Ah, your excellent father—what would he have thought of these days of limited liability and unlimited speculation! He was caution personified.
Say integrity.
The most upright of men, and the most punctual of bankers. What would he have thought if anyone had told him of his son taking half a year's honeymoon instead of returning to the bank like a short bill, one month after date.
I'm afraid I've thrown a great deal on your shoulders.
Particularly as you were moving about so much, and in such out-of-the-way
places. It was impossible to keep you even informed of operations, much less to
consult you about them. But youth will be youth. I made allowances.
I must make up for it now by working double tides. I'm glad you've called :
you can give me a bird's eye view of the last six months' operations, as we
drive into town,
I thought it was as well to see you, as some little explanation might be necessary, which had better take place here than in the bank parlour.
Quite right. It would never do to expose my ignorance before old Scratchell.
Exactly, and then if there should be any item of information not
quite so pleasant as the rest—you see you are so excitable.
You have no bad news, I hope ?
Bad news is a relative term. In such times as we have had you could hardly expect our money matters to go on as smoothly as your honeymoon.
Don't beat about the bush. Let me know the worst. Though I could have wished you had chosen any day but this for bad news. It's my wife's birthday.
Ah! it is settling day for the foreign account too, unluckily.
And likely to be a bad settlement for the bulls, Molesworth tells me. Happily we have not much to do with that.
Excuse me. We have a good deal more to do with it than I could wish.
What do you mean ? You've not been operating on your own account ?
Oh dear no, but I thought it expedient in the exercise of the discretion you left me—and trusting to the best private information—to try and recoup ourselves by winnings in foreign stock, for some rather heavy losses in foreign shares.
Shares, stocks! Speak out—you've been speculating and losing by your speculations.
Only when I was unfortunate in our investments. Wildman and Waters, the great contractors for foreign lines, opened a heavy account with us soon after you left. Their references were first-rate, their transactions enormous. Unluckily their capital wasn't quite on the scale of their transactions. They found it difficult to meet some heavy bills, owing to the unsettled state of the American market. They applied to me for temporary assistance——
And you gave it!
I was always of a confiding turn, and they offered ten per cent, for the accommodation. The difficulty recurred—of course I couldn't think of losing our first advances, so I extended their credit.
Good heavens! Then Rocket may have spoken the truth.
I shouldn't think it likely.
He said these men are desperately involved.
Unfortunately that is true.
And their credit with us ?
What is the total of our liabilities on their paper ?
About £250,000!
Excluding the odd hundreds; that's about it.
How came it you never told me this ?
How could I, when you would go to such out-of- the-way places ?
Why it will swallow nearly every farthing of my private fortune!
Unfortunately I have not that resource. Of coarse, the house couldn't submit to such a loss, so after an unsuccessful venture or two in the produce-market—that produce-market is so unprincipled—I tried foreign stocks.
When was this ?
Two accounts ago. Both settlements were against us, so I continued.
Why did you not tell me the worst after the first account ?
I hoped the next account would make the worst better—but it hasn't. I couldn't in justice to the house allow matters to remain in such an unsatisfactory position.
In fact you knew, that now I was returning to business, an explanation could no longer be evaded.
That is a disagreeable way of putting it.
It is the truth. The amount of your last losses depends on to-day's Settlement.
Yes: we must see our brokers at once. The account closes at 12. It's nearly that now.
I dare say ; the world is so censorious, and my daily walk was a reproach to many.
They said you were one of those masked depredators who make piety their picklock, and cant their chloroform. I did not believe them. I have been too credulous, and I see now I may have to atone terribly for my too ready trust. May heaven forgive you if, as I sadly fear, you have brought ruin on me and mine!
Ruin! Surely I needn't impress upon you the immense difference between insolvency and ruin.
I can't see it.
That's just what I complain of. Insolvency is not being able to pay—ruin is being known not to be able. That, I am happy to say, we are as far from as ever. If you would only put a good face on things ! Confidence, my dear Markland—confidence is the soul of bnsiness!
What you would call confidence I should call lying.
It doesn't make things better to give them ugly names. So order your brougham, and on our way to the City I'll explain to you a little operation of my own, which I hope may set us straight yet.
Hush ! my wife!—not a word before her.
Good morning, Mr. Meiklam.
It's just as well: she would have spiked my guns. I have an appointment with the youngster, and when I do get within lecturing range—but come, Markland, I shall be late at Lincoln's Inn.
Very sorry, but here's my partner laid hands on me.
Oh, I wouldn't for worlds——
Not the least consequence—drop me at the first cab-stand.
But you're going out, darling ?
Yes, Mrs. Vernon has promised to take me a drive.
That's right. Be very happy till I return. Come.
Good-bye, Mrs. Markland; you have a perfect paradise here.
Minus the serpent, I hope.
Harry!
Till you come back ! I don't want any protector when you are
here.
rather an unchristian sentiment.
I don't like the feel of that man's hand, it is like touching an earth worm—I'm certain he's a hypocrite, yet my husband trusts him. Dear Harry ! he looked pale and anxious. I hope Mr. Meiklam hasn't been worrying him.
Now darling, ready ? Oh, yes, that is quite a lovely bonnet too!
I'm so glad you like it.
Then you say "no" definitely, Mr. Fermor ?
Decidedly—good morning,
How are Buffalo and Lake Hurons ?
Last business done at five, sir.
We've an order for sixty when they touch four three-eights,
He hadn't come when I looked in last.
Meiklam senior ? There it is, sir.
Got any money ?
How much ?
Three—till to-morrow.
Cheque, Mr. Martin!
Mr. Fermor.
Not so near Capel-court, at all events; I seldom get even so far as Garraway's.
must go up with
this fine harvest weather.
No thank you, these are not times to put up with 3½ per cent., even at 88. I've called by appointment with my ward, Harrington, to see about settling for him, silly fellow; I wish he'd kept as clear of the Stock Exchange as I have.
Boys will be boys—they must pay for their experience,
And gambling grows respectable, I suppose, when it's called business.
Gambling! Oh, don't say that, Mr. Molesworth. Whatever Laxton's may be, mine is quite an investing connection.
Mr. Fermor ?
Walk into my private room, sir. Times for a moment 'till
Laxton comes in—I've sent over to the house for him.
Don't mind me.
Mr. Laxton within ?
No, sir.
Then I want to see Mr. Fermor.
He's engaged, sir; if you'll wait a moment.
Very unlucky, my minutes are half-crowns. If you'd just let these
prospectuses lie about,
Rocket, my dear sir; you know,
Ah, I understand: I don't do that style of business, sir.
That style of business, my dear sir! That is, not the ordinary bubble company scheme business—of course you do not, or I should not have come to you, I promise you: but the style of business which I have the honour to introduce to you is not that style of business. First and foremost here is the New Patent Traction Company, for applying the immense latent powers of the Trinidad oil wells to the acceleration of British traffic. I've the banker's name and the solicitor's still open. Of the solicitor's berth I mean to give you the refusal.
That you can have at once.
The name ? Thank you.
No, the refusal.
I see, Markland and Meiklam.
Reputed A 1—reputed—but you will observe I have struck my pen through the name.
So I see—I'll thank you to do as much for mine. I suppose, like me, they gave you a refusal.
No, sir, I gave them one. The bank that is associated with any company of mine must be, like Caesar's wife, above suspicion. Now M. and M., between ourselves are—in the language of the City—fishy.
Take care, sir, or you may be exposing yourself to an action of defamation.
Pooh, my dear sir, I'm obliged to be familiar with everything that is shaky in the money world.
I can easily understand that.
And do you mean to tell me that a bank which is mixed up with one of the most desperate concerns in the market—Rocky-mountain Grand Trunks —
Why you don't mean to say that Markland and Meiklam have to do with that bankrupt speculation ?
If you're interested in their solvency, make inquiries, my dear sir, satisfy
yourself, only don't mention my name,
With the greatest ease—if it were worth my while.
It shall be.
Confidence respected, of course ?
Naturally, — a privileged communication. When and where will you meet me with proofs ?
At your office at three.
Mr. Fermor says he's engaged, sir.
Mr. Laxton ?
He'll be in directly, sir.
Here's my scapegrace—not a word to him of this till his money's safe. So, sir
You have, sir, but I can charge for that. What you can't pay me for is the anxiety, the pain you have given me by your folly—your gambling.
Gambling, sir?
Yes, sir, gambling. When you risk your money on a chance you can't control, I don't see that it matters much whether it's on the turn of a die, or the see-saw of a time-bargain.
Well, but, sir, you always said you wished I had some business—I wasn't brought up to any. Time-bargains wanted no training. Lots of fellows I knew were going in for them, so I went in too. I thought it was rather the steady thing than not.
And you've lost £700 !
No end of fellows at the club have made lots of money at this work.
Did you ask about the losers ?
has money, and wants occupation, suppose I provided
him with light and remunerative employment as a director of my companies—fee a
guinea a meeting,—entre nous, no difficulty about qualification—I think
I've a seat or two still open, on the Hydrostatic Plank.
Thank you; at present he's only gulling himself—as one of your directors, he might be gulling the public.
Gulling? Oh, sir, there are few gulls have
And lost, as he's been doing ?
coup d'oeil—the sanguine temperament—that had
me a rash speculator, turned in the channel of promotion, produced the brilliant
inventor, the energetic fosterer of great ideas, the influential medium between
floating capital and industrial enterprise whom you see before you. Avoid
speculation, my young friend, and invest your money in well-considered
undertakings. Here are a few of mine to choose from,
Mr. Rocket, if this young gentleman is bent on going to the dogs, at least allow him to find his own way to the kennel.
Ah, Mr. Fermor! Ten minutes, my dear sir. Good morning
Now does that fellow really believe in himself, or only wish to make us
believe in him ? Of all the knotty points I come across, there's none so
difficult as to determine, in these cases, the exact proportions of knave and
fool,
Well, but look here, Franky, the Nobbler can't stand up to him for six rounds.
I bet you a hat on the event.
Done with you, sir. Ah, Harrington.
Thank you, I've called about this gentleman's account: good morning, Mr. Meiklam.
Quite gives us a touch of the respectable, sir, to have you among
us.
Speak for yourself, Franky. Give me Mr. Harrington's account, Martin, and
Mr. Frank Meiklam, Martin. The old boy's got an account here, too,
and I don't want any mistake.
Your transactions seem extensive, young gentleman, for a bank clerk.
Clerk ? Oh, I'm like the Emperor of the French, the nephew of my uncle. I mean to be a partner one of these days if I find it worth my while, so, till the old boy proposes it, I do a little private business on my own account—in the City Punting Club as I call it. Jack here's my coxswain, to steer me well on the flats.
Steer you clear of them, I suppose you mean ?
No, no, sir, in Capel Court punting a good shallow flat is the very thing we look out for—a green soft place to shoot stock that won't float; that's our little game, sir.
He's too wide awake to ask questions. He treats me with confidence, and takes it out in affection.
Fishy!
And here you are, Mr. Franky, three hundred to the good.
Not bad for a fortnight's work in fancy lots, eh, Mr. Molesworth ? Keeps a
fellow in gloves. Ah, Harrington, my boy, you should let me tool you
through the market.
Thank you, he's going to leave the punting club.
If he can't handle his pole better, it's just as well.
Let me give you a bit of advice.
You won't charge six-and-eightpence for it ?
No!
And you won't expect me to take it ?
I'm afraid not.
Then you may give it me.
You'd better leave the punting club too.
I say, Jack!
Mercy on us! This boy takes my breath away! I feel like a fossil in a cutting, with the express dashing by
Of course, I mean to pull up when I've made a pot—marry and come the respectable dodge.
Yes, I don't think she'll have a bad bargain—I've the party in my eye. She's a friend of yours, by-the-bye, and if you like to be one of my references to character——
I never commit myself——
Not that I think Miss Hargreave will want references.
Oh, Jack's tiled. By the way, you know Miss Hargreave ?
Yes, and for that reason I must insist on her name not being made so free with in a place like this.
my hands as in
yours, I should think,
Name, sir ?
How this city mud sticks—merely walking across the pavement—yet one gets one's boots soiled!
Hardly worth while being so particular about your boots, when your hands——
If you'd told me you were coming, you might have brought me.
So I might, but I had no idea when you called at Putney—
And you, no doubt, for a customer. We have both kept our secret. I had fancied the etiquette was for the brokers to come to the bank parlours.
As a general rule, but there are exceptions.
Indeed.
Oh, I'm so sorry! Ah, Mr. Molesworth, the House of Commons is the true arena
for the British capitalist. If I had had Markland's early advantages—but I'm a
self-made man!
The world gives you full credit for it, Meiklam.
I'll try and look in. Good morning. Come, George,
deux temps, this morning,
Ah, young man, may you learn to employ your season of youth more profitably!
Amen to your little sermon, Mr. Meiklam there's nothing like preaching by example.
We're alone now.
So we were all the drive from Putney. I was most explicit, but I couldn't get a word out of you; it was almost offensive.
Can't you guess why I was silent ?
I hope at least your thoughts were profitably employed.
I was silent, for fear I should speak my mind.
Isn't that just what partners owe to each other ?
Shall I speak now ?
If it would be any comfort to you.
I felt all the while as a lost soul might feel by the side of his destroyer.
All this half year since my marriage—while I was caressing my happiness at
home—you, in your desperate haste to be rich, were sowing the seeds of ruin
broadcast—you flung good money after bad, till every legitimate resource was
exhausted, and now you have crowned your work! Your last wild ventures yonder—
Resent it! Is it not true—true, every word ? What was the position of the bank, when I raised you from cashier to partner, as my father had raised you from clerk to cashier ? You found the firm rich, honoured, honourable. What will the world call it to-morrow ?
It will float, my dear sir, depend upon it, it will float. I only want my corks in the shape of six weighty directors.
Now, gentlemen ?
Ah, Mr. Meiklam—Mr. Markland!
Hadn't you better make it even money, Mr. Rocket ? Have a florin.
Thank you, perhaps I had. douceur—say twenty per chair—
Poor devil, he's to be pitied!
Here we are at last. Mr. Laxton ?
In his room, ma'am.
Take my card.
My brain's in a whirl. Such narrow streets —such a crush of traffic—such dingy windows—and such jostling crowds—and all apparently in such a hurry!
Yes, my dear, they can't afford to dawdle. Some are trying to catch Time by the forelock, and you know he won't stop for any man, and others to catch Mammon by the tail, and he's a very slippery customer.
Surely it can't be very wholesome to breathe this air every day.
It's apt to give people a very dangerous
Mr. Laxton will see you in a moment, ma'am.
Times and peep from behind it at all
that goes on.
Oh, pray don't be long! I begin to feel, somehow, as if I had done wrong in coming.
Pooh, pooh!
By Jove! Mrs. Markland!
Mr. Meiklam!
Well, this is an unexpected pleasure,
Yes, I came with—
Oh, it's no one you know, I think.
Oh, then you didn't come with Markland ?
My husband—oh, no!
Then you were not aware—I mean he's not aware—that you are here ?
But I have no secret, Mr. Meiklam.
Of course if a lady likes to do a little speculation out of her pin money——
Pray understand, Mr. Meiklam, that I am here for nothing of the kind,
By the way, allow me to wish you many happy Returns of the day.
You see I know it's your birthday—though you forgot to send me a card for the fête.
Now you've trusted me with your secret you put me on the footing of a friend at once.
Mr. Meiklam, that's the second time you've used the word secret; be good
enough not to repeat it—I have no secret to conceal from my husband—if I had, I
should not choose you for my confidant.
Thank you! good morning. But before I go, I think, as you are here on the sly—
At least you have a protector very near at hand —your husband is in that
room.
Harry in that room! Perhaps he won't like my coming here without telling
him—I know so little about these things—then my promise to Mrs. Vernon! How I
wish she would come, and we might slip away at once. How annoying that young Mr.
Meiklam should have
He is not alone!
If you please, Mr. Meiklam. It's a large sum, and runs over three accounts, as you're aware.
I hope we have not inconvenienced you. Good morning, Mr. Fermor—our cheque shall be to hand before you close for the day.
I thank you, Mr. Meiklam. leetle fidgetty.
Unpleasant reports arising out of your connection with that unlucky American contract—not that I ever gave any belief to them.
Of course not—pray contradict anything of the kind. Our good name, Mr.
Fermor—I am speaking for Mr. Markland as well as for myself—is to us a pearl of
And serve him right too. But I've my fortnight's balance sheet to make up—I'm
sure you'll excuse me, gentlemen.
Now, sir, is the farce played out ? Is it time to take off our masks and face the truth, although the truth be ruin?
What do you mean by this dreadful language ?
Even your ingenuity cannot longer make head against our desperate circumstances. The last fortnight's mad game has gone against you—the stakes must be paid to-day. Where are we to find the means ?
And all this excitement for a paltry forty thousand pounds!
In our position it might as well be ten times forty, from what you have yourself shown me. We cannot raise this money: it is impossible.
Oh, my young friend, remember Napoleon, and erase that feeble word from your vocabulary. Leave me to find the funds.
On one condition.
You'll allow me a margin of ten percent, above the bank rate ?
That you raise them by means that will not involve our—my honor. If
I must sink it shall be with an unstained flag still flying over the wreck as I
go down.
What a beautiful sentiment for a winding up meeting!
Yet to bring ruin home with me! To bid that grim guest sit down between me
and my young wife, by the fireside that has been so bright, in her presence that
is so loving and so trustful, and, till it comes, to have to keep the terrible
secret even from her
Ruin—he said ruin! Ruin! and I, in my senseless security, wished for it, only
this morning! I did not think what it meant then—I seem to understand it now—the
black shadow falling on our happy home, and darkening our lives that seemed all
sunshine. No more sun for us now!
Now dear, I've had a most successful settlement, and I mean to indulge myself
with a new dress, so come,
A most satisfactory balance-sheet,—if all the bills entered to credit were
good, and so long as the bad debts are kept out of this highly indiscreet
record, douceur at
Christmas, but here,
It's about Mr. Frank, Mr. Meiklam, though it's hardly my business, perhaps ——
Speak out, Scratchell: truth is a duty we owe to ourselves, even if we did not owe it to our employers.
He's sadly irregular in his attendance—out now—
Spare me the revolting details! My own nephew, brought up with Christian privileges, and under my own eyes! Send him to me when he comes in, Scratchell. By the way, Scratchell, any heavy payments in this morning ?
Yes, sir, £40,000 trust money of young Harrington's to Mr. Molesworth's account, not half an hour ago.
I, Mr. Meiklam ? I only alluded to your being heavily engaged with Wildman and Waters. It would give me pleasure to deny any report to the disadvantage of an old friend.
An old friend!
We were flogged through the propria quoe maribus together—and you
know I advanced all the funds for our first joint speculation.
And what of that, sir ? It failed.
But somehow you came safe out of the mess. Not that I blame
you for that—but I was able to help you then, and I want help
sadly now.
Pshaw, the old story !
NO ! I've a lot of things coming out, excellent things, some of them really likely to float, and if they do, safe to bring me home handsomely.
You may spare this moonshine with me.
No, really, matters never were so bright with me—in prospect. But you know
the labour it takes to start a thing, and, en attendant, I'm actually
in want of a few pounds,—it seems ridiculous, but it's a fact. Mrs. Rocket and
two of the babes are down in the scarlet fever, poor things, and when I ran home
to look after 'em just now, I found a note from the landlord threatening to put
an execution in the house. I've offered him scrip in the Hydrostatic Plank, when
it comes out,—but he doesn't see it.
And I don't see it either. Mr. Rocket, you have already made several attacks on my purse. I trust it will never be closed against the really deserving poor, but if you want assistance you had better go to some firm that is not mixed up with Wildman and Waters.
Once for all, sir, I have nothing for you !
A threat! Go away, sir, go away !
But I've something to say to Mr. Molesworth,
True, I promised to make it worth your while
Ah, ha, beef-tea and brandy ad libitum— powder for the little fireworks!
Sorry to see that leech has fastened on you, my dear sir. A loose, unprincipled man, Mr. Molesworth. I have reason to think,—it's hardly worth mentioning, perhaps—that he has been talking rather freely of our house.
Well, he did drop some hints that made me rather uncomfortable.
I am happy to have the means of setting you at your ease. I was just looking
through the books. Here are our balance-sheets—
I see, I see, quite regular ! Egad, you may be proud of showing such a balance, Mr. Meiklam.
I have always made it a principle to debit ourselves to the uttermost farthing; it's a duty one owes to one's conscience.
To say nothing of the commissioners. Well, this is most satisfactory, so I'll
just draw a cheque for Laxton's account against that foolish fellow, Harrington.
What, a stock-jobbing debt—ah, this is very sad, very sad—the young men of
the day,
A worldly old man, but I think I've nipped his suspicions in the bud.
Where I had the unexpected pleasure of seeing yon, sir—at Capel Court. It's very instructive down there, sir, don't you think so ?
If you go on in this way, young man, what do you expect to come to ?
A partnership!
A partnership ?
Unless you marry and take to continuing the line of the Meiklams on your own hook. I suppose you'll prefer keeping the business in the family.
What! admit into the house a young man of your loose life and unsettled opinions!
Oh, as for my loose life I can soon screw that up when I've an object in going steady; and as for my "unsettled opinions" I've an opinion quite settled that "money makes the man, " which I take it is about the best bankers' catechism going.
A scoffer, too! Oh, what appeal can I make to this hardened heart!
Anything but "preachee preachee," uncle : that won't do me any good. Treat me as the costermongers do their donkeys, tie a carrot to the end of the pole : say "If you're steady for four mouths, six months, a-year, you shall have a junior partnership," and then see what a model young man I'll be.
Unhappy boy—impunity has made you bold, and you've been going downwards, downwards—
Take care, sir, even my patience has its limits, and my power to protect you has been strained to the utmost. The means for your profligate expenditure, sir— how are they accounted for ?
Well, sir, it used to be billiards and a little book-making, but I'm in a far better line now—time bargains. I've won £300 the last account, sir; I don't mind telling you, because then you'll understand, if I do go the pace, it's not out of the till.
A messenger from Mr. Markland.
Say I'll see him.
I wonder if the old boy knows I see through him ? He's lived on hypocrisy so
long that perhaps it's really a comfort to him. When he comes the extra
religious, I'm sure he always has some particularly sharp practice in his eye.
He'll find I'm a match for him. Here's a set of duplicate keys I had made after
his. What a flat to fall asleep after dinner, with me in the room! I've a
curiosity about the contents of that little green book the old boy's so sweet
on. I saw where he put it—so here goes,
Meiklam not here! is hard! A fortune so laboriously reared! A firm so long respected —and
all kicked down by one whom my father raised from nothing. I must share the
blame, as I shall share the punishment.
On second thoughts I determined to be the bearer of my own bad news. I have failed.
would go about it. You are not the man
for an emergency.
When the emergency is to be met by fair means, yes; when by foul ones, no!
We won't bandy words. You have brought bad news; I have good news for you in return. I've found the money.
Where ?
Molesworth has paid in £40,000 in the course of the morning. Just when you were flying in the face of Providence ! It should be a lesson to you!
And you mean to appropriate this payment ?
Appropriate, my dear sir ? Bankers' deposits are not ear-marked; it can be replaced as easily as taken.
How?
Out of the next customer's deposits to the same amount.
I will not be a partner in such rascality.
Unfortunately you are a partner already, and the world will saddle
you with a joint responsibility for our operations.
True, true !
Besides, this little cloud will soon blow over, if you will leave me to raise the wind.
Tempter! And the reaping of the whirlwind ?
Metaphors prove nothing. But I've taken your leave for granted. I've transferred that £40,000 to my private account.
Robber!
Robber and hypocrite !
Go on! and when you've done abusing me, we'll come back to business.
Good morning, Mr. Markland, Mr. Molesworth would be particularly glad to see and speak with you.
Ah, my dear sir, two visits in one morning! We are highly favoured.
Thank you. Ah, Markland, I've taken the liberty of bringing in a friend of mine.
I know Mr. Meiklam is always glad to see his old schoolfellow.
You may remember, my dear Markland, I ordered that £40,000 to be paid in this morning ?
Yes, against my advice, you remember.
True, you said you would rather not have the responsibility of such a heavy amount on call. Perhaps you've changed your mind ?
No, I'm more of that mind than ever. If you want to oblige me, Molesworth, you can't show it more than by drawing out this money.
Here's a cheque-book,—draw at once.
Don't be in a hurry. Large interest means risky investment. My young friend here has the rashness of his years. Take an older man's advice, Mr. Molesworth, and leave your money where it is.
Take it out, I say, and do not listen to his cautious counsels.
I don't mind mentioning it now—but you're aware of some disagreeable reports affecting your firm ?
Yes, yes!
And in the face of these reports I should have felt a delicacy in drawing out the money.
Oh, I waive that! I insist on your drawing it out—I will not he indebted even
to your delicacy.
Oh, make your mind easy, Mr. Meiklam has satisfied me already that there was no foundation for these city scandals.
Yes, by showing me your balance-sheet, and last income-tax receipt. My friend here has given me the choice of so many splendid investments, that the only difficulty is which to take.
You see, gentlemen, Mr. Molesworth at least is not blind to his own interests.
There's one friend rescued at least.
And to save your exaggerated susceptibilities you have precipitated, perhaps, the downfall of the firm! Why did you urge him to do this ?
Because I prefer ruin to dishonour.
Oh, that was your reason. Then listen to me; if ruin comes, dishonour will
come with it, even as it is. I showed him a balance-sheet, but I did not show
him the balance-sheet.
More villainy—I knew nothing of this.
Have you treated me in a way to invite confidence ? But will the world believe in your ignorance ? Hardly, my dear sir.
Meiklam, have a care—do not trifle with the misery you have wrought
My dear young friend, I am full of commiseration for both of you. But you see
we can't afford to
I know now you have no conscience, but have you no fear of the law ? Do you not see if what we have done be rash, reckless, wicked—that this would be criminal ?
Come what may, I will not consent to this new infamy. I have been weak, but my conscience is still pure. Even if the law's award and the world's opinion cover my name with infamy, I shall know my own hands are clean, and my Florry,—she at least will believe me when I tell her so.
Mrs. Markland and Mrs. Vernon are at the private door, sir.
Then I will go to them,
A capital idea, my plugging the keyhole. By Jove, this is what I call payment
for peeping!
Neither my sister nor Markland here—our appointment was for three, sharp : so much for business punctuality, Mr. Laxton !
I wished particularly to see Mr. Meiklam, but I can't wait. It was lucky I
met you, Miss Hargreave) you can give this to Mrs. Markland.
Her portemonnaie—how comes this in your hands ?
She left it in our office this morning.
My sister in your office ?
Oh, under excellent escort—Mrs. Vernon's. We've a great many ladies among our
clients, you know.
My sister in the city—I had heard of Mrs. Vernon speculating, but Florry—
Oh, here is Belle to the minute—everybody knows what a woman of business she
is. I should enjoy staying with you so much, but I've a hundred things to do, so
I must run away,
How I hate honey-varnish!
Shopping.
Nothing else ?
You must have been inconvenienced by the want of your purse.
My purse!
Hush—not a word of my having been there to my husband. Oh, Belle, I implore you.
I thought you had no secrets.
I have one now, a terrible one.
Florry, you frighten me. You have not been led into speculation by Mrs. Vernon ?
No ! no!
Then why this anxiety to conceal your visit to Laxton and Fermor's from your husband ?
It is because any question about that might lead to more questioning—questioning I cannot face.
Florry! you have said too much not to speak out now. Was it anything fatal to your happiness as a wife?
Oh, no, he loves me as well as ever.
Nor to his honour as a man ?
No, thank heaven!
These safe, what can there be so terrible ?
What I must not reveal, and yet if I am condemned to keep it to myself!—I have not the strength to wear that iron mask !
Florry, we were one in infancy: we have shared all the joys and sorrows of childhood, must we be less near to each other now we are women. Can you not trust me ?
Oh what a blessed relief it would be to open my heart to you!
All the comfort that a sister's love and counsel can give, I would give you. But why not first seek your husband's ?
I dare not—my secret is—
Ruin—merciful heaven! Ruin, over him that seemed so prosperous !
A debt of £40,000 to Laxton and Fermor must be paid to-day—it is impossible to raise the money.
But is there no means, no resource ? Men in their position have so many.
I have one hope, my own fortune, but I must have my trustees' consent. Hush !
Welcome, both, on your first visit to the bank parlour—its rather dingy.
I call it a delightful old room!
I hope you enjoyed your drive.
Yes,
But you are looking pale ?
I'm a little tired, dear—shopping always gives me a headache.
Take care, remember you have a great deal before you.
Yes, I know I have.
The dinner first, and the fête afterwards ; we must all be very gay to-night, if we never mean to be gay again.
You look fagged and worn, too.
Yes, it's my first day in harness. There has been a heavy arrear to make up.
How I wish I could help you. But I suppose a banker's wife mustn't know anything about bank affairs.
Better she should not. How long would home be home if the secrets of the prison house were brought into it ?
I thought we had agreed to have no secrets?
None of our own, but you forget bank secrets are my partner's as well as mine.
And these grim old gentlemen look as if whole generations of money-mysteries were locked up under their waistcoats. Oh, if these walls could speak !
They have ears, but no tongues, happily.
But we didn't come to pry into the horrors of the bank parlour—we've a secret of our own, you know, Harry.
Yes, and you want my judgment—I'm at your service.
Mayn't I come ?
Oh, dear no; she's to be kept quite in the dark, isn't she Harry ?
Yes, stay here till we return, darling : you won't be dull?
Oh, no, I shall manage to amuse myself— but don't be long, Harry.
Shall I stay with you, and leave Belle to manage her surprise alone ?
No, no, I shall be all the better for a few minutes to myself. Go, dear,
Come, Belle.
The moment I can remedy this unaccountable accident to the strong room door you may rely on having your cheque.
Thank you; delay is death to us, and it would not look well for you.
Now, my man,
Perfectly.
I may trust your discretion ?
Implicitly,
You are one of the trustees under my marriage settlement ?
Yes, with an excellent colleague, Mr. Molesworth. You are well protected.
What is the amount of my fortune ?
About fifty thousand pounds, more or less.
I want that money put at my husband's disposal.
Mrs. Markland!
I know that the firm is in difficulties—don't ask me how—that to meet these requires the immediate command of a large sum—I wish that sum advanced out of my fortune.
Out of your fortune ! Are you aware, my dear madam, what the law would call us if we consented to do this?
What ?
Fraudulent trustees, madam. Why we should be personally responsible for every penny of the money.
Oh, but my consent surely would bear you harmless. What business can a wife have with a fortune when her husband has debts requiring to be paid ?
Bless your innocent heart! Pay his debts out of your private fortune ! there never was such a thing heard of.
Then it's time there should be. Oh, Mr. Meiklam, you have much to answer for in all this.
Me, my dear madam! Nay, I cannot allow
No matter, I do not want to reproach you, I only want you to do this for me, and use your influence to get the consent of Mr. Molesworth.
My dear child, I admire your fine sense of probity, it is quite consonant to my own feelings. But Mr. Molesworth cannot be expected to take the same high view of the matter as you and I.
Take care, my dear madam, or you might really bring on the firm the ruin you are now imagining. No, no,—this is a temporary difficulty—quite an everyday affair in tight times. Next birthday, we will laugh over your fears together.
Oh, my husband does not think so.
Good heavens ! you haven't breathed a syllable of your fears to him ?
No, but I have read his face.
I've no curiosity, have I ?
Let us hope there is no blue chamber to tempt it. Is your headache better ?
Yes, I'm quite well now.
Sure ? Let me look at you.
Well, Belle, your report ?
Not encouraging.
You must get home, darling, in time to lie down before dinner; you'll need all your strength and spirits for to-night—I'll put you in the carriage.
Won't you come home with us ?
If you'll wait a few minutes: I've still some business to settle.
I can't wait, I've no end of shopping still to do, so I'll be independent of
you both and take a cab.
Time presses—we must have the money. If Laxton and Fermor go, we go with
them,
Happy fellow, what a wife!
And what a fate you have made for her !
Again this sinful despondency! I've inquired the market price of these securities—they're A 1.
Will you tell me another way to raise the money ?
I know of none ; but I would not soil my conscience with this breach of trust.
Then you prefer a stoppage ?
A thousand times.
With the consequences of exposure ?
Promise me at least not to resort to these securities—till all other means have been tried.
Willingly, but if the worst comes to the worst—
The round of wrong—crime to avert dishonour !
I will take the responsibility—I have sources of strength you know nothing of.
Mrs. Markland is waiting.
I will join her.
Scratchell, ask the messenger to call me a Hansom, and let Mr. Markland has this note to-night.
I'll take it to Putney myself—Mrs. Markland has been kind enough to invite me
to the fête.
Yonder goes Florry.
Oh, she's very well engaged, depend on it.
She exerts herself so to make everyone happy ; she has quite a gift that way.
Ah, some people can make others happy, without exerting themselves; at least I know one who can.
Who ?
You ! You've made me supremely happy, without in the least exerting yourself.
Oh, but galloping is a very great exertion, and I'm dreadfully tired.
Pray sit down,
Ah, Miss Hargreave, I've been looking for you everywhere. Will you give me
the pleasure of this deux temps ?
I am engaged.
No. 5 then ?
I am engaged for the next eight, and I must see if I survive them before I engage myself deeper.
At least let me take the chance of survivorship for the ninth,
Thank you.
I'll send her to you.
Not the least trouble,
I'm quite rested now.
For pity's sake, give me a moment. Miss Hargreave. I was saying, when that fellow interrupted us, that it depends on you, whether we were to call each other partners, not for the next waltz or galop, but for life!
Mr, Harrington ! that question is too serious to be asked or answered in a ball-room!
When may I ask it ?
When you are calmer, and I less disposed to prize my own freedom, and to think sadly of married life.
You think sadly of married life, with your sister's happiness always
before you.
May not even happiness have its lessons ? And what does it teach so much as distrust of what we are, still more of what we seem to others. Besides, I am very independent; I like to be mistress of my own acts, my own money.
Pray don't let that horrid word be mentioned between us.
And yet, as the world goes, what is there on which the happiness of marriage depends more ?
I don't want to go as the world goes. I think women should know nothing about money, except how to spend it.
So you told me this morning, and I hoped your wife wouldn't hold the same theory. Were I your wife, we should not agree upon that point.
Then, let us drop the subject. The next thing will be to claim for women the right, not merely to talk about money, but to manage it.
Their own, I think, they ought; and I think if we had more power of the purse many households would be happier for it!
Of course a woman's fortune should be settled on herself.
That would not satisfy me.
What more could you want ?
The right to dispose of it absolutely.
No married woman ever has that. Miss Hargreave, it startles me to hear you talk so.
I see it does, and I'm sorry for it.
If there is one thing that seems to me unnatural in a woman it is this anxiety for independence, and in money matters above all.
I should grieve to lose your good opinion—I feel I must make a large demand on my husband's confidence.
At least let it come after marriage. But this kind of preliminary stipulation has an odious air of mistrust.
Mistrust!
I hoped that matters had reached that point
If you think so, there is no step taken that cannot be retraced,
You need not remind me of that,
I see my partner for number three in search of me.
Have I been blind all this time, or am I dreaming now ? Is this cold bargainer for her rights the girl I have loved so truly !
Ah, Mr. Harrington, Cecilia is sighing for her partner—poor dear, she is so impulsive—what a contrast to Miss Hargreave ! Now that is a woman of business in the best sense of the word.
Is there a good sense of the word as applied to women ?
What ? You don't think so ? Entre nous, no more do I—but I thought
in your relations with Miss Hargreave I mustn't breathe anything of the
kind.
There is nothing in my relations with Miss Hargreave to require you to modify your opinions, Mrs. Vernon.
Ah, how misinformed I've been—I thought it was all settled—but as it isn't I can only say I'm glad of it. A character such as your's would never have done with a cold, calculating, ambitious nature like hers. An old woman may be excused for saying that you are a prize worth any girl's ambition, especially a girl who has a keen eye for money.
Mrs. Vernon, though I have no right to defend Miss Hargreave, still such an imputation—
Oh dear, no imputation whatever—but one must draw one's inferences you know.
Shall we look for Cecilia ? Ah, there is a child of nature—I can hardly trust
her to spend even her own allowance; such a dear,
Mr. Meiklam, I have only to repeat what I have said already—I will not listen to another word on the subject.
Two negatives are equivalent to an affirmative, you know—you've said "no" twice, mayn't I construe it into "yes ? "
This becomes very like a persecution, sir.
Forgive me, it is my love makes me so urgent —I tell you again, I have—at least, I shall have—your sister's and brother's sanction.
And even if you had their sanction, sir—but you must excuse me if I still think this impossible.
Will you believe it if you hear it from their own mouths—then stay here till
I can bring them to you.
This assurance is intolerable; I only disliked him till to-night, now I hate him. There's George with Mrs. Vernon, I shall fare hardly between them, I'm afraid, now—there was a time when he would have defended me against the claws she carries under her velvet.
So sad, Belle—and yet Harrington has just left you ? Ah, this is what I feared—the shadow of my secret is upon you already.
Yes.
And not even his attentions can lighten it.
Yes, I think I do, and worse perhaps.
Oh, I pray not.
Florry, in future you must not couple Harrington's name with mine as you did just now.
What do you mean? He loves you, you know he loves you, he has told me so.
Not now—he has found that we do not understand each other on a very serious
subject—money. He thinks me mercenary—let him think so, I will not stoop to
justify myself—I see him coming this way, I cannot meet him.
But I must! Think her mercenary! The man who thinks that must answer his belief to me. How miserable he looks. Oh, is my happiness to be like the poison tree—blighting all that comes under its shadow !
Here comes my husband—let us stand up in this quadrille, we can talk then
without being noticed.
A most successful ball; I've been at a great many brilliant things this season and I've seen nothing in better style—lots of flowers, plenty of light, and no end of pretty women.
Three of the four wheels a ball should run on, the fourth being plenty of white soup, very hot, and champagne, very cold—you'll find both in the supper-room.
Thank you, I'm a dancing man.
Yonder are the dancing-rooms, don't let me detain you.
You're very kind, but I wanted a few minutes conversation. Mr. Markland, you know all about me—
I'm not conceited, but I know I've a head on my shoulders—I've long admired
Miss Hargreave, and
I've heard you out, sir, by some effort of patience. But I find considerable difficulty in giving you an answer.
Oh, take your time about it.
I'm afraid the more time I take about it, the more difficult the task will be. Are you aware, when you venture to make this proposal, that you only hold your place in the bank on sufferance—that had you been called to account as strictly as other clerks would have been, your irregularities might have had more serious consequences even than dismissal ? Yet you, who I am astonished to see here, even as a guest—
Here's your wife's invitation—
You dare ask me to sanction your addresses to my sister-in-law ? I won't say "leave my house," but I should think you would hardly like to stay in it after what I have said to you.
But you haven't answered my question. Will you sanction my addresses to Miss Hargreave—in two words?
In one word. No !
Ah, I'm sorry for that; I'm quite aware the lady is her own mistress, but I understand she has determined not to marry without your approval, I don't intend to leave this house till I have it.
Sir!
If your only objection is one of character, I don't think that ought to stand in the way between you and me.
What do you mean by this insolence ?
That if I have been looseish, you have been dishonest—that if I'm a bit of a rip, it rests with me to prove you a thief.
A thief!
Yes, keeping fraudulent books may be simple roguery, but appropriating securities is decidedly thieving, and punishable by statute with transportation.
So I should have thought. But you began the game of disagreeable truths, and I'm only following suit. I heard every word that passed in the bankparlour, this afternoon, between you and my venerable relative. I have but to speak to consign you to the infamy of the felon's dock—the felon's sentence—the felon's jacket.
And the price of your silence ?
Is merely your sanction of my addresses to your sister-in-law, including, of course, the discountenancing of all rivals.
And do you think I will consent to this infamous bargain ?
I think its about the best thing you can do. I'm very fond of her. I don't mind if half her fortune's settled on herself.
This is intolerable!
Not so bad as the Old Bailey dock, and Pentonville to follow.
At least you will leave me some time for reflection.
Oh, any time in reason; bat I should like an answer to-night.
Miserable man that I am; his evidence would be my doom. But what proof is
there that Meiklam has already appropriated these securities? He promised only
to resort to them, when all else failed. He may have found other resources. No,
I will not believe it, without better proof than this villain's
assertion.
Well, Scratchell, I hope you are amused.
A most magnificent entertainment, Mr. Markland, magnificent! Quite dazzling—in fact, it has dazzled me. I ought to have given you this note of Mr. Meiklam's when I arrived, but really what with the rooms, and the lights, and the flowers, and the ladies—I've got a partner waiting for me now.
Don't disappoint her, pray.
Harry, I am so grieved; there has been a serious misunderstanding between Belle and Harrington.
Indeed—what about ?
The root of all mischief—money. He has proposed to her.
Proposed to Belle!
You don't disapprove, I hope ?
No, he is everything I could wish her husband, but just now there are reasons why I should wish him not to press his offer.
I saw Mr. Frank Meiklam with you just now. Has he anything to do with this hesitation—I know he is himself an admirer of Belle's.
He has asked me to sanction his addresses to her.
You have refused, of course ?
No, not refused, exactly.
But not sanctioned, surely ? Oh, Harry, consider—a man with his manners, habits, and character —
You cannot think worse of him than I do, but I can't quarrel with him at this moment; in fact, Florry, he is in possession of a secret which I dare not reveal even to you.
Suppose I know this terrible secret already?
Heaven forbid!
Do not say so. You do not know how strong I am—how much love can bear—how much love can comfort.
Do not keep me on the rack! Speak out. What do you know ?
I was in your broker's office by accident this morning—the difficulties of the firm; it was terrible to know and not speak—but I felt it was for you to decide whether I might be trusted with such a secret.
Mr. Markland, will you come and play showman to your beautiful pictures ? We are a set of perfect ignoramuses, and beg to be enlightened.
That way, ladies; I am at your service,
It is for him to own that he has misjudged me.
There is obstinacy in the pride that will not condescend to its own justification. For a miserable question of money would you risk the happiness of your life?
What if the happiness of two lives should hang on this miserable question.
Belle, you amaze me, this persistence is unworthy of you—unbecoming—almost unwomanly.
One cannot alter one's nature at one-and twenty.
Miss Hargreave, your sister insists upon it that I have misunderstood you—that an explanation —
I am ready to hear it.
Pardon me I have nothing to explain.
Nor have I.
I am sorry for it; I thought you had felt on reflection that the moment I was offering you my heart was ill-chosen for stipulations about money.
I knew your prejudice against women who think of such things.
Because when they do, in my eyes, they cease to be women.
This is folly—Belle and you are playing with each other's hearts like children, at the risk of breaking them; I will not allow it. I know, Mr. Harrington, so far from being interested ——
Florry, I am here to speak and act for myself ; Mr. Harrington has not misunderstood my anxiety to keep my fortune under my own control——
But it is right he should know why I did so, because I had already found employment for my money—
An admirable woman of business!
Which I could not alter, and which I knew trustees under a marriage settlement would not approve.
No doubt they object to speculative investments.
But, Belle, these are not considerations for such a moment.
You must allow me to be the best judge of that.
You hear !
Be warned in time, he is deeply wounded— for pity's sake do not trifle thus with his feelings.
Trifle!
I cannot believe that you would seriously sacrifice his affection to your fortune.
Harrington may misjudge me, but I should be safe from your
reproaches, Florry.
Can she be indeed the selfish calculator, Harrington thinks? Oh, no! I cannot
have been so mistaken in a sister.
What, still sulking ? As if life had not solid
His sanction ?
I refuse it.
Don't be too hasty,
I have forgotten nothing: let them hear, I am sick of concealment: I have weighed the alternative—my misery against hers—I accept my own—and not only do I refuse my sanction, but I warn her——
Liar !
Look at him!
Coward! You shall answer this to me.
When and where and as you please—after I have given my evidence. You should thank me for bringing him to
book—it is your securities they have appropriated, he and my worthy uncle
together.
Florry, what does this mean ? your husband does not speak. Is it all a horrible dream ?
deux temps; Mr.
Scratchell, let me introduce you to a partner, I won't have you standing out.
Mr. Fermor, you are bound to set an example to your juniors,
Now we are alone. Husband, you heard what that man said ?
I heard.
You did not give the lie to his atrocious words ?
I shall have to bear their weight before the world.
What do you mean ?
In the eyes of the world and of the law, I shall be held all he called me.
Oh, no, no !
I have been the tool of a villain. I must take the consequences. Yes, Florry, Markland, the fraudulent banker, the appropriator of his client's securities, will be the nine days wonder of the police reports, the mark of the finger of public scorn, the butt for the cruel pity, or contemptuous cynicism, for the very guests that crowd these rooms. Oh, where shall I find strength to face all this?
In the calm of your own conscience, in the faithfulness of my love.
Can you answer even for that ?
Aye, if you can look me in the face, and with your hand in mine, thus,
And if I refused the test ?
But you will not, I know you will not.
The wife who is to stand alone against the
He will not give me the assurance I ask. He appeals to my love, my love
alone, as if he could seek in that the stay his own conscience cannot give him.
Can it be that he has trusted Meiklam so far that the step from embarrassment to
crime became inevitable ? Let me face the worst—were it even so, could I, in the
face of the world's scorn, take his hand and say, "I will cling the closer,
because all turn from you: now that respect and honour, and fair fame are gone,
my love shall be to you all in all. Yes, if I know my own heart, I have the
strength, and if the awful need come, I will prove it. Husband, dearest, I ask
no test, I impose no condition—innocent or guilty, I am still your own.
Alone at last—face to face with my shame! Till to-day, honourable and
happy—to-night so miserable —to-morrow, oh, what will to-morrow bring with it—
detection, exposure, infamy—and my wife—ah, there is the intolerable burden, to
blight this young life, which I have linked to my own, when I should have
blessed it. To crush the trustful heart I have cherished till every pang I feel
will strike through it like a knife,
Why should it not bury my shame with its other pollutions, and bear me down,
a wreck of the great city, to the merciful waters of forgetfulness ?
Harry dear!
Too late!
I discovered you had played truant—I'm so glad I've found you: you must not stay here by the river: the damps are dangerous : besides, you will be missed in the house. Come back with me.
Back to the mirth and music yonder ? Florry, I cannot. The darkness and silence of the night cool my brain! Go you back and leave me here.
Is my place among that mirth and music when you are in suffering and sorrow ?
Never mind me; your absence will be observed —go, it is my wish.
No, please.
Go, Florry, it is my order.
Dearest, you have not been used to speak so to me. You are unhappy—my place is near you; you dread the world's reproach, you must not doubt my sympathy; you fear the desertion of your friends, then double, triple, tenfold need of the presence of your wife.
Heaven bless you for this comfort!
You laid a burden on me when you left me: you bade me prove myself if I had strength to bear it— dearest, I have strength; I ask no question about your temptation or your fall—I only know that you are unhappy, and that I love you more, if that be possible, than I did before this cloud darkened our lives; there is only one thing I cannot bear, that you should not be strong enough to face the consequences of your act, be they what they may. Despair is cowardly. I could not bear to think my Harry a coward; despair is doubt of Heaven's mercy, and we know how great and free that is despair shuts the door on repentance and makes reparation impossible, and our work henceforth must be to repent and to atone.
Oh, what is men's boasted strength to the calm courage of a loving woman. Florry, you make a man of me again. I will not crown the weakness of my sin by the baser weakness, that to escape man's justice flies in the face of Heaven.
That's like your own dear self—let the world frown in condemnation or scorn, you can turn from it to my face, and there you shall never read anything but love.
Heaven forgive my desperate thoughts! I will expiate my sin by endurance now, in hopes the day may come when I shall expiate it by reparation.
Belle with him!
I guessed you had gone out to think over the situation—I have been thinking it over too : I have been too hasty.
I thought you could not be quite without mercy.
You only did me justice. Mr. Markland, all that passed at the bank to-day remains a secret between us.
Is it possible ?
I dare scarce believe it, but if this be true, oh, how I will pray for you, and bless you.
A bride in hand is worth two blessings in the bush ! Don't thank me, thank your sister, Mrs. Frank Meiklam that is to be.
Belle!
You have consented to become his wife ?
Why what do you suppose I had changed my mind for ? Yes, we have agreed to make each other happy, I ask no settlements, nor does she—there's only one condition, I'm to have a junior partnership.
If you join the firm, I leave it.
Who talks of forfeiting happiness ? I have accepted Mr. Meiklam of my own free will.
Belle, this is mistaken self-devotion—for us, the bitterness of this hour over, we can face the worst together—but to know that your happiness, as well as my husband's good name were in his power
He commits himself by joining the firm.
To buy his silence by your misery.
Misery, why we have so many tastes in common——
Belle, you amaze me.
Can it be my sister who talks thus ?
Besides, he leaves me mistress of my fortune.
Unrestrictedly,
Still thinking of money ?
That's what I like in her, she's a thorough woman of business.
You promised not to marry without my sanction —I refuse it.
It was an inconsiderate promise, and does not bind me in reason or in law.
Belle, for the love that was once between us——
It is too late, I have made up my mind.
Hey, hallo! Mr. Markland! al fresco ? I should
apologize for this rather abrupt intrusion on your fête—in the first place,
without a card, in the second place, without a tail-coat; but I hope——
Your business here, Mr. Rocket ?
That's the tone I like: prompt, and to the point! I come as herald, harbinger, feathered Mercury, agent in advance—whatever you like that goes express pace, and brings good news
Rocket, hey! where are you ? Do you want to break my neck ?
There's Mr. Molesworth—not quite so fast as the Rocket. I'll throw a light on
the situation. The man who meets me will always meet with his match.
At last!
You wished me that this morning,
But not with half such reason,
Beaten on all my line.
At least I shall be spared the infamy of a criminal charge! But ruin is still imminent.
Yes, this very hasty act of Mr. Molesworth's will bring down Laxton and Fermor by the run, and we shall be involved in the crash.
No, I must tell you now. They hold my note of hand for your debt.
Yours! How did you know ?
I told her. Then when you left us at the Bank——
The transfer department was closed, so I gave my note of hand and the Stock is to be transferred to-morrow.
Stop, stop, Miss Hargreave, we did agree there were to be no settlements, but it seems you had nothing substantial to settle.
And you nothing substantial to disclose. There has been a failure of consideration on both sides. As a woman of business, I fancy that annuls the contract.
Her fortune first and herself afterwards. And this is the heart we dared suspect. Bless you, Belle. But why did you not tell me what you contemplated ?
Because I knew that neither he nor you would have consented to what you were sure to call a sacrifice, but what I, as a woman of business, knew was a capital investment. I shall get five per cent, for my money, they only give me three and a half in the funds, you know.
And you can forgive my hastiness, my distrust ?
If you can forgive my knowing at least this much about money, that it is never so well ventured as in aid of those we love.
But this is too desperate a venture. I cannot avail myself of it.
My dear sir, you are not so elastic as your own resources. To-night's mail
has brought a large
Then there is still hope; but what further confidence can there be between me and this man ?
Ah, if there had been but more confidence ere this!
I'm afraid the house of Markland and Meiklam must disappear from the banker's list.
So old established a firm, and so respectable!
Now that you have consented to withdraw from it.
Yes, I am prepared to sacrifice my prospects.
Including the Old Bailey dock. Of course you will take with you your precious nephew here ?
Thank you; I'm perfectly ready to retire from the bank; but I distinctly
decline anything like solidarity with my venerable uncle,
Unhappy boy! Now he is left to himself, what will become of him ?
I have written off my debt now, Mr. Meiklam. I'd not have anything to say to
you, sir,
You'll still take my money. Harry, will you not?
Ah, Molesworth, what a lesson in self-sacrifice this noble girl has read us all.
Sacrifice! Mr. Molesworth knows a great deal better than that.
I know if I could slip thirty years off my back, and Mrs. Molesworth—
Hold hard, sir. I think you'd better not go any further. You hear, sir—Belle still presses her offer.
You do not suppose I can accept it ?
Perhaps you'll be kinder to me, though I've two requests to make. First, this dear girl's hand—and then a partnership. I shall be sure to make ducks and drakes of my money, if its left in my own hands.
You forget, sir, you will have me to look after it—there'll be one at least in the firm who will be wide awake.
With good handling the house will right itself yet. Its not Markland and Meiklam now.
Mr. Molesworth, I'm a worm. I'm aware I'm a worm, and I hope I feel as a worm should; but even the worm will turn, Mr. Molesworth.
Turn, by all means—towards the entrance-gate yonder, but don't forget your undertaking goes beyond retirement from the firm. He has bound himself to leave this country.
Yes, thank Heaven, in the new world there is an opening for piety and principle.
Oh, you're too smart for the Yankees.
There's Australia.
What a comfort to think you'll have to pay your own passage money. But wherever he goes, I wish the land of his adoption joy of him.
Some men might call this ruin, but I have faith— and these are the moments when faith sustains one. My faith teaches me to forgive you—yes, I forgive all!
My young friend, don't you think you'd better get up a cab for your venerable uncle ?
Eh ? ah! no! I don't see it.
With Harrington's capital in the business, this contract debt lightened, and dishonour averted, there is hope before me still. Oh, how I will toil to make it good. I know my weakness now ; I will use the knowledge when the tempter suggests the first step, though it be but a hair's breadth, from the straight way of truth and honour.
Amen, my dearest; chastened by this suffering, and strong in this resolve, we
may look forward—