THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE LANDLORD OF 'THE SUK' % Hoiw-I. BY WILLIAM GILBERT, AITTHOK OF " MAETHA," "SHIELET HALL ASTLUM," &C., &C. IN THEEE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: K. BENTLET & SON, NEW BUELINGTON STREET. 1871. The right of Trauslution is reserved. V'l THE LANDLOED OF "THE SUN." CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTOEY. IN all novels in wliicli tlie interest mainly depends on the adventures of the hero, the opening chapters are generally not only the most difficult for the author to write, but also the most uninteresting of the whole. To allow the reader to form a just idea of the hero's character, it is necessary to give at least some few details of his childhood ; for as " the boy is father to the man," the peculiarities and idiosyncracies of his early life will more or less be traceable through his career when grown up to man's estate. Now, to interest the novel- reader with the adventures of boyhood is in itself a work of so much difficulty that few ever succeed in it, and in the present instance the task is more difficult than usual. Were the scenes of our narrative placed in the middle or higher positions in society, certain family episodes of an interesting desjsription might be VOL. I. SL'-I'AV)'^? B . ENGIJSH 2 The Landlord of " Jle San:' introduced, so as to compensate tlie reader for the duller matter connected with the history of the boy. Unfortunately, however, our hero's station in life was not in that respectable grade of society best calculated to excite the sympathies of the reader, and the episodes connected with his family were of the most commonplace and uninteresting description. Again, on the other hand, our hero, although his boyhood was passed in a low neighbourhood, was not in a sufficiently poverty-stricken or degraded position to give to his adventures any of the Jack Sheppard school of interest, or to allow the author to arrest the attention of the reader by vivid descriptions of the crimes, sufferings, privations, or virtues of the lowest stratum in society. The indulgence and patience of the reader are therefore claimed for the first few chapters, possessing as they do hardly any interesting details in the life of our hero, and which will not appear to indicate the many exciting adventures it w^as afterwards his lot to meet with. The father of Christian Brandon occupied the humble position of messenger in a public oflBce, and the hero of our narrative was his only son. But the official position of Walter Brandon was not his only means of support ; he was also the proprietor of a small chandler's Introductory . 3 or general shop, situated in one of the narrow streets which intersect one another in so com- phcated a manner in that unsavoury locahty known as the Mint, in Southwark. Although the ostensible duties of Walter Brandon ap- peared to be of the easiest possible description, he was at the same time a man of very active energetic habits. He was, moreover, somewhat of an ambitious temperament, though it should be clearly understood this weakness, or virtue, as the reader may please to consider it, was not elicited for his own aggrandisement, but for that of his son, whom he loved as the apple of his eye. To procure the means of giving this boy a sound education for his position in life, and to start him fairly in the world, Walter Brandon, although his salary at the ofi&ce was fully sufiBcient for the maintenance of himself, his wife, and child, had determined to increase his means, and thereby the opportu- nity of forwarding the interests of his son, by keeping a small shop. Brandon's wife was also well adapted to make her husband a fitting helpmeet in a work of the kind. In fact, it is doubtful whether Brandon by himself would have succeeded in such a speculation, even if he had had the whole of his time at his disposal, instead of being occupied, as he was, at the office the best hours B 2 4 The Landlord of " The Sun" of the day. Brandon, in proportion to Ms means, was naturally of a somewhat liberal dis- position, and therefore hardly by nature adapted to calculate the petty returns arising from his trade, nor to take into consideration that even a farthing profit on a penny article sold over the counter represented a clear dividend of 25 per cent. Mrs. Brandon, on the contrary, was admirably adapted for it. She could add farthing to farthing, and penny to penny, till they had reached to a pound, and would then invest it (somewhat against the law in that case made and provided) in the savings-bank in her own name. Brandon, as his capital in- creased, would willingly have started out into a more respectable line of business, but in this, as well as in all other circumstances connected with the shop, he was overruled by his wife. Yet it must not be imagined that Brandon's share in the duties of the business was by any means a sinecure. On the contrary, he had thrown on him, possibly, the most difficult por- tion to perform — that of making the pur- chases. Being naturally an intelligent fellow, he soon acquired the habit of detecting good articles of merchandise from bad, and having, in proportion to the business conducted at the shop an ample capital, he had the means of making his purchases in the best market, which Introductory. 5 lie always did witli judgment and discretion. One subject, and one alone, caused any dif- ference of opinion on money-matters between husband and wife, and that was tlie amount to be expended on little Christian's education. Brandon, when his son was about eight years of age, proposed sending him to a small day- school kept by an assistant-minister of the Surrey Chapel in the Blackfriars Road. Mrs. Brandon, on the contrary, argued that there were several excellent charity-schools in the neighbourhood to which the boy might be sent, and where he would be as well instructed as in the school proposed by her husband. Brandon still held to his original idea with great tenacity, and his wife as pertinaciously kept to her own, although in this instance she did not exhibit that open opposition she was accustomed to show to any proposition of her husband which did not meet with her approbation. It must not, however, be supposed that this "unusual delicacy on her part arose from any respect she had for the superior judgment of her husband on a subject connected with education. The fact was, that Mr. and Mrs. Brandon were, and had been for many years, members of the Surrey Chapel, and they had both frequently " sat under" the minister who kept the day-school to which Brandon wished 6 The Landlord of " The Sun." to send his boy. Now Mrs. BrandoD, before lier husband proposed it, had frequently ex- pressed herself in terms of high admiration of the same minister, always speaking of him, not only as a very godly man and an able preacher, but one of great learning as well. She had also had the advantages of his private acquaint- ance, and he would frequently look in on pass- ing and have a few minutes' conversation with her — an honour which pleased Mrs. Brandon greatly, even though it might possibly for the moment interfere with her duties in the shop. When, however, her husband proposed sending the child to the said minister's school, which would have caused a diminution in her savingfs, she began to entertain great doubts as to the soundness of her favourite minister's doctrines. Hitherto her religious views had been eminently antagonistic to those of the Church of England, but she appeared now to look upon them in a far more liberal manner than formerly. This increased liberality of opinion on the part of Mrs. Brandon was first noticed when her husband urged as an objection to the St. Saviour's Charity School, that the boys in it were brought up in the tenets of the Church of England. Turning sharply round on him, she asked who it was that had taught him that there were not as pious men, and men as Introductory. 7 secure of salvation, in the Church of England as out of it ; and although she had been born and bred a Dissenter, she was, thank God, too free from prejudice to imagine that piety, learning, and virtue could not be acquired in a school conducted on the principles of the Estab- lished Church, and superintended, if not taught, by its ministers. So warmly, in fact, did she maintain her arguments, that her husband, though greatly astonished (for, hitherto, res- pect for the Established Church had not been one of his wife's peculiarities), gave up for the moment the discussion, and contented himself to the best of his abilities in giving his son what little instruction he could in the evening after the duties of the day were over. Although Brandon, for the sake of preserving peace in his home, had for the moment given up the idea of sending his son immediately to the school, he did not attempt to disguise from himself that he and his wife would be at issue on the subject. He was as determined that his son should not have the stigma of " charity boy " cast on him, as his wife was that the moderate expense requisite to send him to the minister's school should be avoided. From time to time he broke ground on the subject, but Mrs. Brandon maintained her point with so much pertinacity, that her husband, for the 8 The Landlord of " The Sim." sake of peace and quietness, as he termed it, generally, after a short discussion, dropped the subject. Mrs. Brandon, on her part, finding her husband as inflexible to her arguments as she was to his, determined to change her tactics, and by a little female cajolery to make him give up a point which she found it impossible to do by fair argument. She now dropped, or rather concealed to a certain extent, the natural acerbity of her temper, and tried every little art which housewives of her grade in society are apt to use to please their husbands. If poor Brandon had any weakness, it was his love for a nice comfortable supper after the fatigues of the day were over, and Mrs. Brandon, who before her marriage had been cook in a gentleman's family, now employed her utmost skill in preparing secundum artem something for supper which she knew would please her husband ; and on more than one occasion a considerable reduction was made of the balance in the till in her preparations for the evening meal. Finding her husband pleased with these proofs of attention on her part, Mrs. Brandon would from time to time deplore the inactive life their son Christian was leading. " It was a pity," she said, " that a boy of his age was not occupied, especially in such a neighbourhood as theirs, surrounded as they Introductory. 9 were witli bad characters, and with, wliose children she had too much reason to fear her son might in time become acquainted, although she did all in her power to prevent his mixing with them." Brandon, on these occasions, used sorrow- fully to admit the truth of his wife's arguments, but, dreading a family dispute, he generally took the first opportunity of changing the sub- ject. To say that Mrs. Brandon had in any way induced her husband to look with any sort of favour on her desire to send Christian to the Charity School, would be to admit too much ; at the same time it is not improbable she might in the end have gained her own way, had not her want of discretion tempted her to go too far. One evening after supper, Mrs. Brandon, thinking her husband in a favourable state of mind, broached the subject of the Charity School. Brandon listened to her silently, without either assentino^ to her ars^uments or attempting to disprove them. Taking his silence as a proof that he was at last being convinced, Mrs. Brandon went further, and brought forward the one argument she had so long held in reserve, hoping completely to deprive her husband of the power of any further opposition. 10 The Landlord of " The Sun." "My dear," she said to Mm, '• I have had a hint given me to-day, which if I find to be true (as I have no doubt I shall) I think you will admit without further hesitation that the best thing we can do is to send Christian to the St. Saviour's Charity School ?" Mrs. Brandon here stopped short for a mo- ment, expecting her husband wonld inquire to what she alluded. Brandon, however, re- mained silent, merely gazing in his wife's face, as if waiting for her to proceed. " I very much suspect, my dear," she con- tinued, after a few moments' silence, " that not only would you be able to send Christian to the school without payment, but it might be the source of a considerable saving to ns as well." Brandon merely opened his eyes wider than before, and gazed at his wife with an ex- pression of great surprise. Mrs. Brandon was greatly irritated at her husband's behaviour, and would willingly have remarked somewhat severely on it ; but on second thoughts she per- ceived the necessity of restraining her temper, and said slowly and emphatically, though at the same time with much cajolery in her tone : " I have been told, my dear, that if applica- tion were made by a certain gentleman in your office, we could get Christian admitted as one of the boys on the establishment !" Introductory. 11 " And of what advantage, or what saving, would that be ?" inquired Brandon, speaking now for the first time. " Why his dress would be found him, of course," replied Mrs. Brandon. " And do you suppose," cried Brandon, starting from his seat, and in a voice almost inarticulate by fury, — " and do you suppose for a moment that I would allow my son to wear the dress of a charity boy ? You ought to be ashamed of yourself to propose such a thing ! Saving is all very well, but I will not have it pushed to meanness in my house — at any rate in a case where the respectabihty of ray son is likely to suffer from it." Mrs. Brandon attempted to reply in terms as energetic as those employed by her husband, but Brandon, though generally of a quiet dis- position, was now thoroughly aroused. He assured his wife that the next morning, without fail, he would call upon the minister and make arrangfements for his son to become one of his pupils, and he warned her that it would be utterly useless on her part to attempt to offer any opposition. He was determined on the subject, and would have his own way. It must not be imagined that although her husband's anger had reduced Mrs. Brandon to silence, she was by any means convinced. Still, 12 The Landlord of " The Sun:' she knew Brandon's temper too well to irritate liim by further opposition at the moment. Though by nature quiet and peaceable, he was, like many other men of similar disposition, determined to obstinacy when his temper was thoroughly aroused. Mrs. Brandon, therefore, said no more on the subject that night; hoping that possibly her husband's temper would be somewhat calmer the next morning, and in that case she would agj'ain continue her attack. She was, however, doomed to be disappointed. The next morning, at breakfast, after Brandon had pursued his meal in strict taciturnity for some time, he turned suddenly round to his son Christian, who was sitting beside him, and told him to put on his shoes and cap, as he wanted to take him out. Mrs. Brandon, who had hitherto been as silent as her husband, and had worn a somewhat cool dignified de- meanour, now became greatly alarmed. Chang- ing her manner, and assuming great kindness in her tone, she said : *' My dear, you had better not take Christian out this morning. Our clock is nearly ten minutes too slow ; besides, if you have any time to spare, I wanted you to buy some things we are out of for the shop." " I can do that as I come home," was Brandon's reply. " Christian, do as I tell you. Introductorv. 13 Put on your shoes and cap, and come witli me." Mrs. Brandon, as a last resource, now said : " If you are determined to take him out you must wait longer then, for I won't have him leave the place without his hands and face being" washed. I should be ashamed of his being seen in such a dirty condition." And then, seizing the boy by his hand, she dragged him out of the room, and took him upstairs for the purpose of performing the required ablutions. In this she occupied a con- siderable space of time, far more than was necessary, hoping, by the delay, to tire out her husband. But here she was mistaken. Brandon sat patiently waiting till his boy was ready ; and then, taking him by the hand, he hurried with him out of the shop, either insensible or indifferent to the angry glances which his wife cast on him as he went. Half an hour after- wards. Christian was admitted as a pupil in the school. Although Mrs. Brandon had suffered a de- feat, she afterwards made considerable efforts to regain the ground she had lost. The a/p- petissant suppers she had for some time pro- vided for her husband now no longer appeared ; while, on the contrary, the evening meal she set before him was not only of the plainest description, but very scanty in quantity. For 14 The Landlord of " The Sun." some time Brandon put up with his wife's tyranny with perfect equanimity ; justly attri- buting it to annoyance at her defeat, and hop- ing that in time she would come to a better frame of mind. Mrs. Brandon, however, had no intention of doing anything of the kind until she had forced her husband to complain of her behaviour, calculating that it would give her a pretext for again opening the subject of the increased expense caused by Christian's education. It is true Brandon had had his own way in sending Christian to the school, yet Mrs. Brandon had great hopes she would be able, after the first quarter, to take him from it again. She succeeded in making her husband complain of the suppers, but decidedly failed in forcing him to remove their son from the school. One evening, when the supper had been more than usually scanty, Brandon ven- tured to complain. " I know perfectly well," his wife replied, " that neither your suppers nor breakfasts are now what they used to be, but we can't afford better. The cost of Christian's schooling is more than I can manage, if we are to live in the way we used to do before he went to school; besides, the profits of the shop are daily getting less. I never knew business so bad*." Introductory. 15 " Indeed," said Brandon ; " then it is time for me to interfere. To-morrow evening I will look into the accounts, and see how things are going on ; and if I find them as bad as you state, I will sell the goodwill of the business, and give it up altogether." This was by no means what Mrs. Brandon had calculated on ; and she told her husband that, although business had fallen off, she did not for a moment mean to say that it did not return a profit. She herself had been so worried in her mind, lately, that she hardly knew how things stood ; but she would exam- ine into them more particularly the next day, and, if she found they could afford it, their housekeeping should be conducted on a more liberal scale. Finding it quite impossible to induce her husband to change his resolution, Mrs. Brandon (to use her own phraseology) resolved to make the best of a bad bargain. If, through the minister's agency, she was put to a greater expense than she liked, she determined in return to obtain from him as much as possible, to indemnify her for the loss she had sustained. She now omitted no opportunity of attending the chapel, so far, at least, as it did not inter- fere with her business. In the evening she was especially punctual ; and she took her son 16 The Landlord of " The Siinr with her, leaving Brandon to mind the shop during her absence. This certainly had the effect of brinGrinof the minister back into her good graces ; and the result was that, in the end, she dropped all further opposition about the school, never alluding to it in conversation, till at last the only symptom of her defeat which she ever allowed to appear was a long- drawn sigh whenever the minister's quarterly account for Christian's instruction was sent in for payment. It must, in justice to Mrs. Brandon, be admitted that the expense of Christian's educa- tion formed a serious item in their expenditure ; for it should be borne in mind that the income of the worthy couple, even when the profits of the shop were brought into consideration, was of a very limited description ; and their expenses would now be further increased by the neces- sity of employing some one to do the duties in the business which had hitherto been performed by little Christian. Mrs. Brandon, by dint of years of rigid economy, had contrived to set apart in the savings-bank a somewhat round sum ; but, with all her love for her son, she never for one moment dreamt of applying any of it to the expenses of his education. Mrs. Brandon was labouring under the idea that her husband was totally ignorant of her habit of Introductory. 17 secreting money. Brandon was, however, per- fectly aware of her habit, although to avoid matrimonial disputes, and also possibly with the intention of not forcing his wife to the per- petration of a series of falsehoods (which he was aware she would commit in denying the fact), did not, even in the present instance, call upon her to refund any portion of her accu- mulations. He knew perfectly well that the law would empower him to obtain the money from the savings-bank had he pleased ; but he also knew that every shilhng he succeeded in obtaining would cost his wife as much pain as if he had drawn a drop of blood from her heart. But if the expenses attending Christian's education were great in proportion to the means of his parents, it could not be denied that the child was well worthy of it. He was naturally affectionate, obedient, and intelligent, besides possessing great powers of perseverance. He was tenderly attached to both his father and mother, although in the case of the latter it rather arose from his naturally affectionate dis- position than from any excessive amount of love or indulgence his mother lavished on him. That she loved the boy is certain; but she had a grim austere way with her, which in a child less amiable than Christian might possibly have had the effect of estranging him from her. VOL. I. 18 The Landlord of " The 8u7i.'' Even during the diseases of childhood, al- thoiio-h she attended him with unceasing care, she had with her a certain harsh dis- agreeable manner, not calculated to elicit a child's affection. When she administered to him the medicine prescribed by the apothecary who attended him, and the child showed any symptoms of repugnance at its nauseous taste, she would sternly insist on its being swallowed, rather as a moral duty he was under to obey her, than that his health would receive benefit by following her directions. When in health, and as soon as he was old enough to be of any use to her, Mrs. Brandon employed him in the business, with the intention, as she said, of inculcating in him habits of industry, besides keeping him from associating with the disreputable boys who swarmed in the neigh- bourhood. She thus obviated the necessity of hired help, which would not only have been an additional outlay, but would have contri- buted greatly to disturb her peace of mind and comfort ; for being of a suspicious disposition, every moment she was obliged to quit the shop would have been one of intense anxiety to her, lest she might be robbed of a penny during her absence. Notwithstanding these unamiable attributes, little Christian loved his mother. Every httle Introductory. 19 caress or present she made him (the latter, by the way, of exceedingly rare occurrence) he re- ceived with gratitude ; and they increased, if possible, the love he already bore her. Nor were these rare effusions of love on the part of his mother solely elicited by her child's amiable qualities, for he possessed others generally much estimated in maternal eyes. Christian was eminently handsome. His complexion was fair, his eyes large and of a deep blue colour, his features delicate, though not effeminate, his brow broad and high, and his hair a bright auburn, while the expression of his face was open, candid and resolute. Although still hardly emerged from early childhood, he was, for his age, tall and well-made, and his form gave promise (which it afterwards kept) of his becoming a powerful and handsome man. Of the love existing between Brandon and his son little need be said. He was always kind and indulgent to him ; and although Christian's love for his father might have been less demonstrative than that for his mother (that is to say, when the good lady would allow him to exhibit it), it was fully as deep. In- deed, Brandon used to boast that his boy, with occasional exceptions on account of his health, had never caused him a moment's uneasiness. CHAPTER II. CxIDEON HAROOURT. AT tlie time when Christian Brandon joined the minister's school, although he was nearly nine years of age, his education was hardly more advanced than the sons of respectable parents in the humble walks of life usually are at seven. All the instruction he had received had been given him by his father, in the evening, after the duties of the office were over. Ill-educated himself, he was little adapted to teach others. The only instruction he had been able to give his son was to teach him to read, which he could do with fluency ; a little writing, in which he was not more advanced than a child of six or seven years of age would have been ; and some rude idea of arithmetic, which had been somewhat slightly improved by the experience he had gained in the shop. Keenly sensitive by nature, it may easily be imagined how severely his pride was mortified at finding himself so far behind other boys of his own age ; and this was again increased by Gideon Har court. 21 his master, deceived by his size and intelligent countenance, having placed him at first in a class with others older than himself, and after- wards, on finding how much his education had been neglected, transferring him to one where the boys were not only younger than himself, but the most backward in the school. Even in the lowest class poor Christian for some time remained among those who pro- gressed most slowly. Nor was this either from want of application or intelligence on his part. As before stated, he had no lack of either ability or application. His apparent dullness arose solely from anxiety to please, and a dread of not succeeding — the two creating in him such a state of nervous excitement that he found it an impossibility to apply his mind with sufficient vigour to the task which had been set before him. And as time passed on, this feeling rather increased than diminished. The usher of the school, under whose immediate care Christian was placed, judging from the intelligent expression of his countenance, erroneously imagined that his tardiness in learning arose from inattention, and, after remonstrating with him for some time, at length reported him to the minister. The latter spoke very severely to him, and threat- ened to complain to his parents if ho 22 The Landlord of " The Sun. j> did not become more diligent. Though this threat had the effect of stimulating Christian to greater exertion, it had also the effect of rendering him still more nervous, and, in consequence, his lessons were even more unsatisfactory than before. At last the minis- ter's patience fairly gave way ; and one day, after morning studies were over, he told Chris- tian not to leave the schoolroom till he had learnt a task in English grammar which had been set him by the usher ; and he also told him, that if he failed to repeat it correctly, he would that evening call on his father and com- plain of his conduct. The other boys now quitted the schoolroom, and Christian was left in it alone, to learn the task which had been given him. The silence of the room by no means contributed to smooth the difficulties in the boy's way ; on the con- trary, the threat of the minister to call on his parents haunted him so pertinaciously, that he was unable, in spite of all his efforts, to retain three consecutive lines in his memory. At last he fell into a state of despair, and, closing his book, he buried his face in his hands, and gave way to an uncontrollable flood of tears. The more he thought on the minister's threat, the greater became his grief, till at length he fairly wept aloud. Not that he dreaded the effects Gideon Har court. 23 of his father's anger, but lie felt ashamed that he should know how dull he was, and how little credit he seemed likely to do him. In this frame of mind he continued till it wanted but a quarter of an hour to the time for the reassembling of the pupils for afternoon studies, when the door of the schoolroom opened, and Gideon Harcourt, the senior pupil, entered. So absorbed was Christian in his sorrow, that he did not notice the entrance of his fellow-pupil, nor was he aware of his presence for some moments afterwards, when Gideon, placing his hand on his shoulder, asked him the cause of his tears. " I have been kept in to learn my grammar lesson, and I am not able to do it," replied Christian, sobbing. " And why not ?" said Gideon, kindly. " It surely cannot be so difiicult as all that." " I don't know why, but I can't learn it. The other boys do, but I'm too stupid, I sup- pose ; and I can't help it." " Too stupid !" said Gideon, as he took a seat by Christian's side; "too stupid! That's all nonsense. Come, show me your lesson, and let me see if I can't explain it to you, and then perhaps it will help you to learn it." There was a sympathetic tone in Gideon's voice which had a most soothing effect on the sensitive mind of Christian. The few words 24 The Landlord of " The 8mir uttered by Gideon, uninteresting and common- place as they were, had given him more en- couragement than all the threats and persua- sions of the masters, and opening his book, he showed him the task he had in vain been en- deavouring to learn. Gideon, when he saw it, looked at his fellow-pupil with surprise, for it was merely a page in Murray's Grammar, and that in one of the easiest portions at the com- mencement. He made no remark, however, but read it over to Christian, explaining it to him as he went. When he had done this he questioned him, and found he understood it perfectly. He now made Christian learn it sentence by sentence, and join them together. This the boy did with a facility which astonished both himself and his instructor. Again and again they went over the lesson, each time Christian remembering it better than before, till at last Gideon considered him perfect in it, and told him to close the book till school begun, and then just to read it once before repeating it to the master, and to try and say it off with- out fear or doubt. Christian followed the advice of his friend, who remained beside him till the minister had taken his seat at the desk. Casting his eye once more over the lesson. Christian took it up, and repeated it without missing a word. Gideon Har court. 25 When lie had finished it, the minister said to him : " I see, Brandon, you can learn if you please, and rapidly too. As you have said your task in a perfectly satisfactory manner, I will of course keep my word with you, and not complain to your father, as I should certainly have done had you failed. But now let it be clearly understood, ' A bird that can sing, and won't sing, must be made to sing.' I find you can learn if you please, and you must learn. If you do not, I shall first complain to your parents ; and if that has no good effect, I must send you from the school, as I will not have an idle boy here to serve as a bad example for the others. Now go back to your seat, and be a better boy for the future." Poor Christian, as he quitted his master, cast an imploring glace on Gideon, who answered it with one of encouragement. And it had its eff'ect on Christian, for his lessons that afternoon were performed in so faultless a manner as to astonish both himself and the usher. True, from time to time he had a little encouragement from Gideon, who, from being the eldest boy in the school, had more license given him than the others, and even occasion- ally did duty for the usher when the latter was absent for a holiday or some other cause ; and 26 The Landlord of " The Sunr he now and tlien whispered a word of advice, or explained a difficult point to his young friend. When Christian arrived home that evening, he was questioned as to the cause of his non- appearance in the middle of the day. He can- didly told his father the truth, who readily forgave him. Not so, however, his mother. She had wanted him to run on some errand for her, and in consequence of his absence had been obliged to induce a neighbour's boy for a penny to execute the commission — a circum- stance which had since rankled in her mind. Her ill-humour at length passed off, and Chris- tian that evening laid his head on his pillow in a happier frame of mind than he had done since he had joined the school. The kindness shown to him by Gideon Har- court had a singular effect on the sensitive mind of Christian Brandon. So great was it, indeed, as almost to induce belief in the power mesmerists, electro-biologists, and other char- latans inform us one being will hold over an- other, and which to human science is at pre- sent inexplicable. Although as a general rule the minister and his assistants were most kind to the pupils confided to their care, and not only stimulated them to persevere, but encouraged them in their studies, their good offices had produced no effect on the bewildered mind of Gideon Har court. 27 Christian ; while a few words spoken in sym- pathy by another individual, with whom Chris- tian had previously been but little in com- munication, had great influence with him ; and this was the more remarkable, as, at first sight, there appeared nothing in common be- tween the two. Gideon, as before stated, was the eldest boy in the school, Christian among the youngest; in fact, there were no fewer than some five or six years' difference in their ages — a very material distinction at their time of life. Youths of sixteen or seventeen are generally most desirous of establishing a wide difference between themselves and the younger pupils in a school, as if fearing their claims to coming manhood might be delayed were it thought they were on terms of intimacy with boys younger than themselves. Again, this weakness was predominant in the mind of Gideon Harcourt, and he was in the habit of keeping himself aloof from the younger pupils, unless (he being a very good-natured fellow) it was under the pretext of assisting them in their tasks, or of arranging the little disputes which took place between them. He carefully avoided mixing in their games, lest he should lose something of the manly dignity he imagined himself to possess. Again, Gideon was a remarkably intelligent lad, and his edu- 28 The Landlord of " The Sun." cation had been puslied by the minister — him- self a man of learning — far beyond what the generality of the scholars who attended the school were desirous of acquiring, most of them being sons of small tradesmen, or of employes in the different manufactories in the neio^hbour- hood. Christian, on the contrary, had gener- ally been considered as a remarkably dull boy, and but little calculated to excite the s^niipathies of so intelligent a lad as Harcourt. The change which had come over the mind of Christian Brandon the day he had formed Gideon's acquaintance did not afterwards re- lapse. He appeared to have imbibed from his new friend an amount of confidence in his own abilities which he had never before possessed. He no louQ-er feared the lessons given him to learn, but attacked them resolutely, and generally succeeded in mastering them, If, as occasionally happened, he was somewhat puzzled, he had but to beckon to his friend Gideon to release him from his difficulty, which the latter was always willing to do. In a short time Christian's natural intellio^ence beo-an to de- velope itself, and he was not only removed from the class in which the majority of the pupils were younger than himself, but was put into another where some were even older ; and so rapid was his progress that he was soon at Gideon Harcourt. 29 tlie head of that class, and his parents had the satisfiictiou of frequeutly hearing that a more diligent, intelhgeut, or obedient lad than their son was not to be found in the school. The vear following; Christian's admission into the school his friend Gideon Harcourt quitted it. During the twelve months they had been together their intimacy had gradually increased. Gideon would frequently accompany his young friend home after school hours, or call on him during the evening, and explain to him, when necessary, the lessons set him to learn for the following day. On these occasions Gideon always received a most hospitable welcome from Mrs. Brandon, who, contrary to her usual habits, used to invite him to tea, and the invitation was the more often repeated in consequence of Gideon's refusal to accept the proffered hospi- tahty. To say the truth, Mrs. Brandon was not a little flattered at the connection. The fact is that Gideon's aunt, Mrs. Matthews, had been long known by sight to Mrs. Brandon as a regular attendant at the Surrey Chapel, and she had often wished to become acquainted with her. But, alas ! a great gulf existed between the social position of herself and Mrs. Matthews. Mrs. Brandon was only the keeper of a very small chandler's or general shop in a somewhat disreputable neighbourhood in tlie 30 The Landlord of " Tlie Sun:' Borongli, while Gideon's aunt not only lived in a good house in Nelson Square, but was, more- over, reputed to be a lady of considerable wealth though of somewhat penurious habits — the generally threadbare state of her nephew's clothes giving no indifferent proof of the latter accusation. Mrs. Brandon was also not unknown by sight to Mrs. Matthews, from having seen her for so many years in the congregration of the Surrey Chapel ; and she had also noticed the handsome curly-headed boy by whom she was generally accompanied. Still, not a word or sign of recognition for years ever passed between them, till one summer's evening, when leaving the chapel, Mrs. Matthews saw her nephew go up to Christian and shake hands with him, and also talk for some moments with his mother. At supper that night Mrs. Matthews asked her nephew who the person was with whom he had been speaking when he left the chapel, and Gideon told her that the boy was one of the pupils at the school, and the woman who accompanied him was his mother. On his aunt inquiring as to their position in life, Gideon replied, without hesitation, that they were in humble circumstances, the father holding an inferior post, and the mother keeping a small shop in the Mint. For some time Mrs. Gideon Harcourt. 31 Matthews remained silent, turning over in lier mind tlie advisability of Gideon continuing the ac- quaintance, but even after mature consideration she saw no objection to it. Shrewd, cunning, and by long experience an excellent judge of human nature, she rightly calculated that an industrious man whose wife assisted him by keeping a shop, and who had only one son, was not likely to lead her nephew into any expense. A sort of sympathetic feeling, somewhat re- semblino; that which existed between Gideon Harcourt and Christian Brandon, had sprung up between the aunt of one and the mother of the other. And the sympathy beween the two matrons, all things considered, seemed more natural than that between the two boys, wiith whom there was no similarity in appearauice. Gideon was a remarkably tall lad of his a^>;e, and had almost a manly look about him ; whilb* Christian, though well-grown, was, both in form, mind, and manner, a thorough boy. Gideon's thoughts, as was natural to his age and peculiar temperament, were frequently em- ployed on subjects connected with man's estate, while the mind and thoughts of Christian were that of a child. Between the two matrons, how- ever, there existed both in mind and person, a strong similarity. In their age there was certainly a discrepancy of several years, Mrs. Matthews 32 The Landlord of " The Sun." being the elder, but at their time ofhfe it made comparatively little difference in their appear- ance. In person, both were tall and angular ; in mind, both were shrewd, mean, and vindic- tive. In fact had they been in the same station in life (the reader must remember that the different grades in society are as rigidly marked and maintained, or perhaps more so among the bourgeoisie of Southwark as in Belgravia), Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. Brandon might have passed for sisters. The following Sunday, on leaving chapel, Gideon Harcourt again spoke to Christian and his mother, and Mrs. Matthews condescend- ingly broke the ice and spoke to Mrs. Brandon. Of course Christian was made the excuse for commencing the conversation. ■" So I understand," she said to Mrs. Bran- firon, *' your son and my nephew are school- fellows ? I hope he is a good boy, and diligent at his lessons." " He is a very good boy, ma'am, I am happy to say," replied Mrs. Brandon, highly gratified by Mrs. Matthews having addressed her. " He is a very good boy, and I have his master's word for it as well, who always speaks highly of him." "So I have heard from my nephew Well, when his holidays commence, and you do not Gideon Harcourt. 33 want him at home, I hope you will let him come sometimes and sit with GideoD. and on fine evenings they can take a walk together." Then bowing graciously to Mrs. Brandon, and shaking hands with Christian, Mrs. Matthews quitted her new acquaintance, and took her nephew's arm to return home. Although Gideon had conceived a strong friendship for Christian, the tone of his aunt's remarks to Mrs. Brandon, and the manner in which she had given Christian the invitation to visit him, and occasionally take a walk, galled him exceedingly. Yet his anger was against his aunt, and not in the least against his young companion. It appeared to him that she had given the invitation in a peculiarly loud tone of voice, speaking of Christian in such a way as evidently to lead the bystanders to think there was but little difference in their age. Gideon considered himself a man, and Christian a mere child, and he imagined it was done to annoy him ; in fact, " his aunt was always doing something to disparage him in the eyes of others, and it was time he should put a stop to it." True, he was utterly dependent on the bounty of his aunt, a fact he had well learnt by heart ; for Mrs. Matthews was in the habit not only of impressing it on his memory every time he gave her the slightest offence, but of telling VOL. I. D 34 The Landlord of " The Sun.'' him that if he did not treat her with greater respect she should be under the necessity of ordering him to leave the house. Certainly he was her sister's child, she would add; but if she had taken him in and fostered him out of love for his mother, it was incumbent on him to show her implicit respect and obedience. During his childhood, poor Gideon used to receive these remarks with due submission, and would express, and sincerely too, his repentance for any offence he might have given — adding, truly enough, that he did not do so intention- ally. As he grew older, however, and his reasoning faculties became stronger, he began to feel annoyed at his aunt's thus incessantly reminding him of his destitute condition, and the amount of oblisration he was under to her. Without denying this obligation, he began to entertain a spirit of independence, and with it the desire to acquire by his own exertions the means of maintaining himself; and this was possibly increased by a latent wish to release himself from the thraldom he was under to his aunt. So strong did his wish for independence become that at last he resolved to speak to her on the subject. But it was long after he had formed the idea before he could summon up sufficient courage to make the attempt. Not that Gideon was by any means of a timid dis- Gideon Harcourt. 35 position ; on the contrary, he was naturally a very resolute lad, but submission to and dread of his aunt had become chronic in him. He felt in her presence something of the same instinct that induces the lion in the cage of a travelling showman to permit the keeper to enter it, when he would tear a stranger to pieces. The beast had been subject to his keeper's ill-treat- ment ever since he was a cub, and to submit passively had become a habit. In like manner Gideon, though naturally of a good-natured and forgiving disposition, would have courage- ously rebelled at any despotism or ill-treatment offered him by others. Although, on the particular evening in ques- tion, Mrs. Matthews had not intended the slightest affront to her nephew, but rather had given the invitation to Christian Brandon to visit him with even a kind feeling (a frame of mind somewhat unusual to her), it certainly had a result far different from what she had intended. It happened that the sermon that evening had been rather of an uninteresting description, and Gideon, unable to fix his at- tention on it, had suffered his mind to dwell on his dependent position, and his wish to relieve himself from it. The more he thought over the subject the more he became absorbed in it — indeed, so much so that the sermon had D 2 36 The Landlord of " The Sun." ended and the terminating prayer commenced before lie was aware of it, though his mind was speedily called to the fact by a nudge from his aunt's somewhat sharp elbow, as well as a o-lance of indio-nation at his inattention. The behaviour of his aunt was also noticed by a voung lady who sat in the same pew, and who could not repress a smile on the occasion. Now, although there was in her manner no- thing supercilious, or intended to annoy, it grated most irritatingly on the feelings of a lad just entering his seventeenth year, when the mind is particularly sensitive about appearing ridiculous in female eyes. Gideon, who had noticed the damsel's smile, felt greatly annoyed at it, as he had lately attempted, by more than usual attention to his Sunday toilet, to make himself acceptable in her eyes, and now to find himself made an object of ridicule by his aunt, pained him exceedingly. In fact, so keenly did he feel his assumed humiliation, that in all pro- bability it increased the anger he felt at his aunt's considering him a fitting companion for a boy of Christian Brandon's age. During their short walk home, Gideon's irritability of mind seemed to affect his whole person, and he started off at so rapid a pace that his aunt remonstrated severely with him on his indifference to her convenience. This Gideon Harconrt. 37 again added to Gideon's ill-liumour, for Lis aunt's voice, naturally loud and shrill, was heard by several of those around them, among whom he remarked the young lady who sat in the same pew with them, and whose behaviour had unintentionally caused him so much annoy- ance. Blushing deeply — a fact he was pain- fully aware of — he slackened his pace, and no further conversation passed between the aunt and nephew on their way home. When at supper, an expression of ill-humour was plainly discernible on the faces both of Mrs. Matthews and her nephew. Gideon was by no means surprised to notice it in his aunt, for he was well used to it. With Mrs. Matthews the case was different, and she viewed the expression on her nephew's countenance with very angry feelings, and this was further increased by the innate conviction that that evening, at any rate, she had given him no intentional offence. During their meal she made no remark on the subject, but as soon as the servant had cleared the table, and closed the door after her, she commenced by saying : " Gideon, do you know what the text was this evening?" " I don't remember," replied Gideon, sullenly. "I imagined as much," said his aunt. "I was exceedingly displeased, sir, to notice the 38 The Landlord of " The Smir little attention you paid to the excellent dis- course of the minister this evenins"." Expecting he would make some reply, she remained a short time silent; but as Gideon said nothing, she continued : " It was exceedingly painful to me to notice your behaviour, and I request it may not occur agam." " I was not aware that my behaviour differed in any way from what it usually is ; and, in- deed, if I did not pay much attention to the sermon, it arose from the fact that I heard little in it worth listening to." " What do you mean, sir, by that remark?" said his aunt, in an angry tone. " I never heard a better sermon in my hfe ; and understand me, as long as you remain in my house, I insist on your conducting yourself in a more reverent manner, and not disgracing me in the way you did this evening." " And I request that you will not again behave as you did to me this evening," said Gideon, firing up — " making me ridiculous be- fore everybody !" Mrs. Matthews was mute for some moments, so utterly aghast was she at this insubordina- tion on the part of her nephew, who was generally so submissive to her. Then, gazing at him with an expression of great indignation Gideon Harcourt. 39 on her counteiiance, sLe said, " God forgive you ! You are a very wicked boy." Gideon, for the moment, had been somewhat frightened at his own audacity, but the unfor- tunate word "boy" again roused his courage. " I am no boy !" he said, indignantly. " I am now nearly seventeen years of age, and will be treated like a boy no longer !" "It's a fortunate thing that it has pleased God to take your poor mother," said Mrs. Matthews ; " she has been spared this pang, at any rate." " My mother would never have wished me to be treated like a boy at my age," said Gideen. " If you are displeased with the treatment you receive at my hands," said his aunt, " you can leave my house as soon as you please." " You have told me so fifty times," replied Gideon, who, now his anger was thoroughly aroused, spoke with great determination. " You have told me so fifty times ; but where am I to go ? I have neither acquaintance nor friend to assist me." " That is a subject for your consideration," said his aunt. " All I say is, that if you are discontented here, you may go as soon as you please, and the sooner the better, seeing how ungrateful you are." 40 The Landlord of " The Sim.'' " Give me some money then," said Gideon, "and I will go to-morrow." " Give you some money ! And pray, sir, what money have I of yours ?" Had Gideon seen more of the world, and been of a suspicious temperament, the state of anxious excitement his aunt was in at the moment might have aroused the idea in his mind that he had touched on an unpleasant subject ; but thinking it was only one of her ordinary ebullitions of temper, he replied : "Yes; how do you think I can go without a shilling in my pocket ? I only want enough to last me for a few days, till I can obtain some employment ; and if I fail," he continued, the tears starting^ to his eves, " I will enlist as a soldier, sooner than be a burden to you any longer. Better that than be continually twitted with the obligations I am under to you." His aunt's mind seemed somewhat relieved by the lad's answer, and she said : "You are a very silly ungrateful boy, man as you think yourself. Who do you imagine will employ you without a character or a reference ? Be a soldier if you please, but you will soon have enough of that. And remember this, if you do enlist as a soldier, I will not advance one shilling to buy you off, bitterly as you may repent your behaviour. But I will talk no Gideon Harcourt. 41 more with you on the subject. Take your candle and go to bed, and you may think your- self fortunate that I do not turn you out of my house to-night, as you richly deserve, and which I shall most probably do to-morrow. Once more, sir," she continued, seeing Gideon was about to speak, " take your light and go to bed. I will not hear a word more from you, ungrateful wretch that you are !" Indio-Dant as Gideon felt at his aunt's tone and manner, and anxious as he was to reply, the force of habit was so strong within him that he mechanically prepared to obey her. Rising from his seat, he took the rushlight fixed in a small lantern, which the servant, according to custom, had brought in and placed on the little side-table, and prepared to light it at the solitary candle which illumined the room — for, as before stated, Mrs. Matthews's habits of economy were of the most rigid description. From the manner the rushlight had been fixed in the lantern, Gideon had great difiiculty in lighting it, which was further increased by the knowledge that his aunt's impatient gaze was on him at the time. He became more nervous, and his hand began to tremble, his aunt's im- patience increasing the while, which she showed by tapping her foot spasmodically on the floor, each succeeding tap being louder than the 42 The Landlord of " The Sun:' former. At last she could support tlie delay no longer, and, rising from her chair, she seized the candle from his hand, and, with a steadi- ness which contrasted singularly with the trembling nervousness exhibited by her nephew, she lighted the rushlight, and then, turning sharply round, said to him : " There, sir, take your lantern and begone ! I am glad to see by your agitation that your conscience is not utterly hardened, and that you are not yet lost to all sense of shame. Now go at once, and if you expect to remain another day under my roof, let me find you to-morrow morning in a very different frame of mind to what I have seen you in to-night." Gideon — whether from prudence, or cowed by his aunt's behaviour, or ashamed of the nervous trepidation he had exhibited — made no further remark, but hastily quitted the room A strong change came over the spirits of both aunt and nephew during the night. Gideon, as soon as his temper begun somewhat to cool down — a fact which had been greatly accelerated by the knowledge of his undignified behaviour when lighting the lantern — began calmly to think over the events of the evening. On mature consideration, he could not disguise from him- self that on this occasion he had possibly been Gideon Harcourt. 43 more to blame than his aunt. He now besfan to see, and even to admit, that she was not alto- gether to blame for calling his attention to the termination of the sermon ; and he was further obliged to own to himself, that his anger was occasioned more by the ridiculous appearance he imagined he made in the eyes of the young lady who sat inthepew with them, than from any other cause. Finding he had no reasonable ground for anger against his aunt for her behaviour on that point, he next thought over the indignity she had practised on him, in putting the child Christian Brandon on a level with him in com- panionship. But even here, after reflecting coolly on the matter, he was not only obliged to admit that his aunt could have had no inten- tion to annoy him, and that he ought not to have imagined it, but that she had positively acted with a kindness of feeling most unusual to her. The more Gideon reflected on these matters, the less objectionable appeared the behaviour of his aunt, and the more so his own, till at last he was forced to admit that he had that evening been entirely in the wrong. Gideon was of too honourable a mind to attempt to defend himself when his conscience told him he had been in error, and before he went to sleep he had fully determined the next morning, at 44 The Landlord of " The Sun. J) breakfast, to apologize to his aunt for his ill- behaviour. Mrs. Matthews, after she had sought her bed, was scarcely less disturbed in mind than her nephew. The lad had that evening shown an amount of determination which had fairly astonished her. Accustomed as she had hitherto been to the most perfect and unreasoning sub- mission on his part, his conduct surprised her the more, as, on reflection, she could see that she had given him no real cause for offence ; nor could she perceive anything in her own conduct to excite his anger. Although deeply enraged with him, her natural shrewdness pointed out to her that Gideon's manifestation of anger, without sufficient provocation, was an unmistakable sign of growing independence ; and this led her to the conclusion (and sorely against her will) that she must adopt a different policy towards him, in case she determined to keep him in the house with her. It is but justice to Mrs. Matthews to admit that her taunts to Gideon of his utter depen- dence on her, and her desire that he should quit her house and be no further expense to her, were used rather as instruments of mental torture or punishment, when she had any real or fancied cause of displeasure, than from any wish that he should obey her. And it must Gideon Har court. 45 also be admitted that she had hitherto practised with success this pecuhar system of annoyance ; so the reader may easily imagine how great had been her surprise that evening at hearing her nephew propose to leave the house, and release her from any further obligation to main- tain him. Now Mrs. Matthews loved her nephew as much as it was possible for her to love any- thing on earth — which after all, perhaps, was saying but little. She seemed to divide all her better feehngs between religion and love for her nephew, the latter possibly ranking the higher in her thoug-hts of the two. She had reasons of her own for knowing that Gideon's board cost her nothing; while her seats in the chapel, and her contributions to the various excellent chari- ties connected with it (and to which, from very shame she was obliged to contribute), occasioned her, from time to time, considerable annoyance. However, in a sister-spirit with Mrs. Brandon, she considered that if she contributed to the support of the chapel, she had a right to obtain from it as much as possible in return, and she therefore never missed any of the services, thereby gaining credit from the worthy minister for far more piety than she really deserved. Occasionally, during her reflections, when her natural avarice got the ascendant, she began to entertain the question whether it would not be 46 The Landlord of " The Sun." as well to allow Gideon to enlist as a soldier, and tlius save the cost of his maintenance in clothing; but her better feelings — assisted pos- sibly by the force of habit in having the society of the lad for so many years — conquered, and before falling asleep she had determined, that in case Gideon should the next mornins: show any signs of penitence she would accept them, though with simulated reluctance, and then attempt to meet his views in putting him out in the world, though it should be done in such a manner as to cause her the least possible expense. w CHAPTER III. GIDEON HAECOURT's FIRST START IN LIFE, ,m / HEN Gideon and his aunt met at break- fast the next morning, for some time they both preserved a strict silence, each fur- tively glancing in the other's face, to judge, if possible, of the frame of mind its owner was in. In this respect Mrs. Matthews had certainly the best of the contest. Her naturally stern expression of features had, through years, be- come habitual. Nor could she greatly alter it, even when she smiled or laughed — so rigid were the muscles of her face. Gideon was therefore unable to judge what might be her frame of mind ; while Mrs. Matthews, with inward satis- faction, easily detected, by the ingenuous expres- sion of her nephew's countenance, that his ill- humour of the evening before had vanished, and that she had every reason to expect he was about to offer her his submission. In this she was not mistaken, for before their meal was half over, Gideon said to her, in a calm tone of voice, and with evident sincerity : 48 The LamUord of " The Simr " T am very sorry, aunt, for my behaviour to you last night. I thought over my conduct when in bed. I can now easily perceive you ^ave me no cause for offence, and it was very wrong on my part to behave to you in the manner I did. I hope you will forgive me." Mrs. Matthews was at first rather inclined to make some objection, and to tell Gideon he was perfectly at liberty to leave the house, if he pleased ; but the better feelings of the woman predominated, as, looking into the handsome face of her nepliew, she saw a tear gathering in his eye. " Gideon," she said, after a moment's reflec- tion, and with considerable candour in her tone, " T am very pleased to find you have regainedyour senses. I will not further allude to your conduct last evening, than by saying you did me an injus- tice in imagining I was indifferent to your pros- pects, or your wish to become independent. My desire has always been that you should be edu- cated for the ministry of our own religious deno- mination, although your poor mother was, I am sorry to say, strongly attached to the errors of the Church of England. It is for that reason I have kept you at school, and intend doing so for some time longer, when I hope you will be sufficiently advanced to be attached to some congregation yourself." Gideon'' s First Start in Life. 49 The expression of submissioD on Gideon's face now changed to one almost of alarm. " But, aunt," lie said, *' you have never spoken to me before on the matter ; I surely ought to have some voice in it ?" " I really do think," said Mrs. Matthews, " that I ought to be the sole judge as to what is best for you. A boy of your age has no right to judge for himself." Gideon swallowed the word "boy" as he best could, and merely replied : " But, aunt, I feel no vocation for the ministry, though I hold it in great respect. Surely it would not be right to become a minister of religion withont the heart being fully engaged in it ?" Mrs. Matthews gazed at her nephew with great surprise, for Gideon had spoken in a remarkably firm and decided tone of voice. Fearing a re- petition of the scene of the evening before, she said to him, mildly enough it must be admitted : "And what better profession can you have than that of the ministry ?" " None, aunt, I admit. At the same time I am fully convinced I am not adapted for it, and I have too much conscience to become a minister when I do not feel a love for the vocation." " But, Gideon, that love may come ?" " No, aunt — not with me. I feel certain of VOL. I. E 50 The Landlord of " The Sun" ■ the truth of what I say, and must positively decline to entertain the subject further. Of course I am in your hands, and must leave the house if you order it, even if I have no better alternative than becoming a soldier. But I hope you will reconsider the matter. Any other profession or occupation you may decide upon I will gratefully accept without objection or remark, but I cannot conscientiously enter the ministry, so do not ask me." Mrs. Matthews was silent for some moments, evidently at a loss what to say. At first she felt strongly tempted to insist on having her own way, but her nephew had spoken so de- cidedly that she easily perceived there was no probabihty of his changing his mind. Again, there was an amount of respect in his manner which had a considerable effect on her. She appeared to reflect over the matter for some minutes, and then said : " Gideon, I will come to no decision about it at present ; my mind is too much agitated. Go now to your school, and I promise you that during the day I will give the subject my serious consideration, and when we meet in the even- ing I will tell you the conclusion I have arrived at. Now, go — and let there be peace between us." So saying, she rose from her chair and presented her cheek to her nephew, who kissed GideorCs First Start in Life. 51 it respectfully, and immediately afterwards left the house. For more than an hour after Gideon's de- parture, his aunt remained seated in her well- worn easy-chair, turning over in her mind the conversation she had had with her nephew. She was willing to assist him, if she could do so without expense to herself. Nor was the idea of his earning money — no matter of how small an amount — without charms for her, although she would be disappointed not to see him in the ministry. Even if he earned no- thino" at the commencement, she would no longer have his school expenses to pay, and that in itself would be a considerable saving. Then, again, if he earned anything, even but a few shillings a week, she would insist on receiving a portion of it — to encourage him, as she pretended, in habits of independence, and not to be beholden to anybody. But to whom could she apply to assist her in finding him occupation ? She had but very few acquaint- ances, and none of them, as far as she could see, had any patronage. Altogether she found the question a very difficult one, and what step to take in it she could not decide. Mrs. Matthews continued to think over the subject without being able to come to any satisfactory conclusion, when her meditations E 2 52 The Landlord of " The San:' were disturbed bv a double-knock at the street- door, and immediately afterwards her maid- servant announced, " Mr. Desbrow." The new-comer was a man about forty years of age, rather above the middle height, well-made, and with a shrewd intelligent expression of counte- nance. His hair and eyes were dark — the latter particularly piercings — bis nose aquiline, his mouth good, his teeth (which he showed almost affectedly when speaking) beautifully white and regular. Altogether he might have been called handsome, had it not been for a heavy under-jaw, which considerably marred the good effect his other features produced. His dress was neat and gentlemanly in the extreme, and his whole appearance, with the exception of the defect alluded to, prepossess- ing. He had been managing-clerk for several years to a highly respectable firm of solicitors, who had occasionally been employed by Mrs. Matthews ; but had lately started on his own account, taking with him several of his late employers' clients, whose good opinions he had contrived to gain — and among them Mrs. Matthews. The business he had called about was the first she had entrusted to his management. It was an affair of very little importance — merely the renewal of the lease of one of her houses, Gideon's First Start in Life. 53 and he had called for her signature. To her expression of regret that he had not sent the deed by one of his clerks, instead of taking the trouble to come himself, Mr. Desbrow replied that he did so without any inconvenience. Al- though his offices were in Ely Place, he had a bachelor's house in Clapham, where he resided ; and he came up to business every morning in the stage-coach, and it occupied but little of his time in calling on his way. He now unfolded the lease, and Mrs. Matthews affixed her sio-nature to it. He was in the act of folding it up again, when the idea struck her to consult him about finding some employment for Gideon. She told him she had a nephew, a very clever lad, whom she wished to place out in the world ; and she wanted some one to advise her in the matter, as she had but few friends to whom she could apply. " My dear madam," repUed Mr. Desbrow, " I will readily assist you in any way in ray power. What do you intend making of him ?" " It is precisely on that point that I am at a loss," said Mrs. Matthews. " 1 wished to bring him up for the ministry, but, though otherwise a good lad enough, he appears to have no love for the vocation." " I am sorry to hear it," said Mr. Desbrow. " Were I in his place, I should have been de- 54 The Landlord of " The San." lighted had the opportunity been offered me, irrespective of my wish to oblige an esteemed relative." " I much regret the decision he has arrived at," remarked Mrs. Matthews, " as it would have been a great happiness to me to have seen him in the pulpit. But," she continued, " it is no use my annoying myself about it; he has made up his mind, and there is no chance of his altering it." " And what are his wishes as to his future occupation ?" inquired the solicitor. " He says he has no choice in the matter- All he wants is employment, and is willing to accept any I may approve of." " So far, so good," said Mr. Desbrow. " What would he say to the law ?" " I have no doubt it would suit him exactly," replied Mrs. Matthews. " I do not at present know anyone who wants an articled clerk," said Mr. Desbrow, after a moment's consideration. " To oblige you I would take him myself, although as yet I have hardly an opening for him. He would of course have to pay for the stamp, which would be a hundred pounds, and " " Oh ! he has not a shilling in the world," broke in Mrs. Matthews, with great decision in her tone. " No ; what he wants is some em- Gideon's First Start in Life. 55 ployment where lie could commence at a small salary, to be increased as lie became more useful." A slight look of disappointment for a moment was apparent on Mr. Desbrow's face, but the next it vanished. " I do not at present know anyone wanting a lad of the kind ; but should I hear of any vacancy in a respectable office (for, of course, I would not advise his accepting employment except with a firm of known respectability), I will inform you. I will commence inquiries to- day, so that no time may be lost." Mrs. Matthews thanked the solicitor for his promise, adding that she hoped it would not be long before he heard of something to suit her nephew ; and after a little further conver- sation on general matters, Mr. Desbrow took his leave. Mrs. Matthews, after supper that evening, informed Gideon of Mr. Desbrow's visit — omit- ting, however, all mention of the nature of the business he had transacted with her, as she appeared to have an insuperable objection to letting her nephew have even the slightest in- sight into her private affairs. She told him of the promise Mr. Desbrow had given to find him, if possible, some employment in a respect- able solicitor's office. As Gideon listened, his 56 The Landlord of " The Sun." eyes brightened up with animation, and he ex- claimed : " And did he think he should soon succeed, aunt ?" '* He told me, on the contrary, that at pre- sent he knew of no one likely to want a junior clerk, but that as soon as he heard of a vacancy he would bear you in mind. And now, Gideon," she continued, " I hope you will admit that you did me an injustice when you considered I was indifferent to your wishes. I assure you " (and this she evidently said with most perfect sincerity), " that had I thought you would have objected to enter the ministry, you should have left school long before this. But do not be too much elated with the pros- pect before you. In the first place, it would be silly ; and in the next, you may meet with disappointment." " You don't think Mr. Desbrow will fail to keep his word — do you, aunt ?" " No, my dear ; I did not allude to that. I meant that when he has succeeded in obtaininsr employment for you, it is more than probable you will find there is a great deal to do, and very Httle remuneration for it. But of that I am talking in the dark. At the same time, if my memory serves me correctly, he said some- thing about the salary, at any rate at first, being very small ; so do not be disappointed if Gideoris First Start in Life. 57 it does not come up to your expectations." The remainder of the evening was passed by Gideon and his aunt in comparative silence. The lad, however, was so excited at the news he had heard, that he found it almost impos- sible to remain for a couple of minutes in the same position — sometimes rising from his chair and pacing to and fro in the room, and then seating himself as^ain. At last his aunt said to him : " I wish, Gideon, you could contrive to remain quiet for five minutes together. You wear out the carpet, besides irritating my nerves. Now sit down and keep still, if you can." Gideon obeyed his aunt, and sat quietly in his chair for some minutes — then suddenly started up and said : " Aunt, it is impossible; T can't keep still. Let me go to bed, for I shall only annoy you, and that without intend- ing it, if I remain any longer." His aunt bestowed on him a grim smile and nod of acquiescence, and Gideon, after wishing her " Good-night," left the room. The next morning, shortly after Gideon had gone to school, to the great surprise of Mrs. Matthews, Mr. Desbrow was ushered into her presence. After the first ceremony of saluta- tion was over — and it may be remarked that the solicitor was most punctilious and deferen- tial to his client — he said to her : " I daresay, 58 The Landlord o/" The Sunr Mrs. Matthews, you are surprised to see me again so soon. I should not have troubled you about any affairs of my own. It is respecting your nephew, in whom I am sure you take great interest, that I have called. On arriving at my office yesterday, after my interview with you, I immediately inquired of my senior clerk if he knew of any opening for a youth, as I much wished to find a situation for a protege of one of my clients. I thought it better not to mention the relationship between you until I had taken your instructions on that point." "You were quite right," said Mrs. Matthews. " I think with strangers there is no need to go into family affairs. Of course in your own case it is different, as there is but Httle use in attempting to keep a secret from one's own private solicitor." " And I may say, in justice to our profession, that family secrets are generally kept inviolate by us. But to proceed with the object of my visit. My clerk told me he knew of no vacancy at present, but he had heard that the junior clerk in my own office intended throwing up his appointment next week, his friends having procured for him a more lucrative one. I im- mediately called the young gentleman into my private room, and ascertained from him that the information of my clerk was correct. Now, Gideon's First Start in Life. 69 if you would like your nepliew to take his place, it is perfectly at your service, assuming (as I have no doubt is the case) that he is an intel- ligent well-conducted lad." " That I can safely say," said Mrs. Matthews. " I am fully persuaded his conduct will be all you can wish. But I am really very much obliged to you for your kindness, Mr. Desbrow." " Not at all, my dear madam — not at all. But there are some other matters to be spoken of. At first, of course, he will be but of little use to me — in my profession not at all — so that at the commencement his salary will be almost nominal ; in fact, it will only be eight shillings a week. As he gets on, and becomes more useful, of course that sum will be increased. I am really ashamed to offer such a trifle, but I can assure you it is even more than is usually paid at the commencement to a lad of the kind." " I am perfectly satisfied with it, and the more so that he will be under your care. When shall he commence his duties ?" " Well, T should like to make his acquaint- ance at once, but he need not begin his duties before next Monday. He will then have an opportunity of being put into the way of the office by the young lad who is on the point of leaving. By-tbe-bye, I suppose there will be 60 The Landlord of « The Sun." no objection to its being known in my oflBce that he is your nephew ?" ''I am afraid it will be no use objecting to it," replied Mrs. Matthews ; " it would be sure to ooze out in some way. But, Mr. Desbrow," she continued, with something like an expres- sion of alarm on her countenance, " of course my nephew will not, in your office, be allowed to spy into my private affairs ?" " Certainly not. He will hear nothing from me, and there is no other means of his obtaining information on the subject. And then, ao^ain," continued the solicitor lausfhinof, " I should not, even were I inclined, be able to give him much information. Almost all your papers and deeds are with Thornbury & Potts, your old solicitors ; and as they were principally interested for you in Chancery mat- ters, while I had the manag^ement of their common-law business, T know little about the matter myself. But, joking apart, I assure you that you need not fear my discretion." Mr. Desbrow now took his leave, after ar- ranging that Gideon should call on him, which he did that afternoon. The solicitor received him jn a very friendly manner, and the follow- ing Monday he entered on his duties at the office. On his return home the next Saturday, his aunt asked him if he had received his salary. Gideon's First Start in Life. 61 He told lier that he had, when she said to him : " Gideon, you have hitherto been a great expense to me, without my getting any- thing in return. I do not say this to hurt your feehugs — nay more, I did it wilHngly, out of love for your poor mother. But, now you are able to earn money by your own exertions, it is only fair you should contribute to your support. I do not wish to be hard on you, but it is better for us to begin as we intend to go on. What I propose is, that you should pay me, for your board and lodging, one half your earnings, and the rest you can retain for pocket-money and clothes." Gideon, without hesitation, agreed to the bargain, and paid his aunt half the amount he had just received ; and everything being now placed on what both seemed to think an agree-" able footing, things went on between aunt and nephew with perfect smoothness and regularity. Although Gideon had now quitted the minis- ter's school, he still continued his intimacy with young Christian Brandon. They were possibly even more intimate than before, for the only barrier to their former friendship when schoolfellows had now been removed. Gideon, as a clerk in a lawyer's ofiice, considered he might be as intimate as he pleased with Chris- tian, without in any way injuring his newly 62 The Landlord of '* The Sunr acquired manly position, which he imagined could hardly be the case as long as they were schoolboys together. He would now frequent- ly, in the evening, when the duties of the day were over, leave his aunt's house, and, calling at Mrs. Brandon's, assist Christian in the les- sons he had to prepare for the morrow. On these occasions he always received a warm wel- come from Mrs. Brandon, who considered it no little compliment that a young man whose aunt lived in Nelson Square, should be on terms of intimacy with her son. As they be- came better acquainted, Christian would from time to time ask Gideon what duties he had to perform in his office. He would then listen with profound attention, and even admiration, to the serious business entrusted to his friend ; although it must be admitted that Gideon's share in it rarely exceeded the copying-out (as he wrote a fine legal hand) some of the most unimportant papers required in the case, what- ever it might be. Mrs. Brandon, too, who at first had a more moderate estimation of Gideon's legal abilities than her son, began in time to hold them in greater respect, and she would frequently con- sult him upon different knotty points in con- nection with the business of her shop — such, for example, as whether she had any legal Gideon s First Start in Life. 63 claim on the wholesale firm of whom she bought her butter aud cheese, for sending an article inferior to sample, and other questions of the same description. The acquaintance, also, between Mrs. Brandon and Mrs. Matthews had increased in intimacy, although the line of social demarcation between Nelson Square and the Mint was always fully maintained by the latter lady, and admitted by the former. Un- less in very bad weather, they frequently con- versed after evening service in the yard of the Surrey Chapel. Mrs. Matthews would occa- sionally go so far as to invite Mrs. Brandon to accompany her home. This condescension was, however, but of rare occurrence, and, in fact, seldom accepted when offered. Mrs. Matthews, in o-eneral, maintained with so much coolness and rigidity of manner the difference of their position in life, that it grated so much on the feelings of her guest, as to make her consider the honour not worth the unpleasantness it occasioned her. With Christian it was different, and fre- quently in the evenings he would viiait Gideon at his aunt's house. Mrs. Matthews would then abandon the reserve she was accustomed to show to his mother — whether from good- feeling towards the boy, or from considering him hardly capable of entertaining the question 64 The Landlord of '' The Sun:' of precedence, it would be difficult to say. On the whole, she treated him with kindness, and Christian, who was of a most grateful disposi- tion, began to hold her in high estimation. Notwithstanding the absence of his friend Gideon from the school. Christian contrived to hold his place in the class. He improved rapidly, and frequent and complimentary were the reports Mrs. Brandon received, from the minister conducting the school, of the progress her son was making in his studies. CHAPTER IV. CHRISTIAN Brandon's first start in life. HAYING- now fairly introduced to the reader two of our principal characters, we will hurry somewhat rapidly over the events of the next six or seven years, rather than dwell too long on the uninteresting details of their boy- hood. Gideon continued to work steadily in the ofl&ce of Mr. Desbrow, giving that gentleman perfect satisfaction. This, however, was rather to be judged fi^om the gradual increase in Gi- deon's salary, than from any lavish commenda- tions on the part of his employer. Very few and slight communications ever took place between them. As stated in the last chapter, Gideon was placed under the orders of the head-clerk ; and his duties principally consisted in copying documents placed before him by that gentleman, or performing (still under his instructions) some of the outdoor duties connected with a thriving solicitor's office. Mr. Desbrow's visits to Nelson Square were, VOL. I. p 66 The Landlord of " The Sun »j it should be stated, of comparatively rare oc- currence, as Mrs. Matthews did not by any means encouraQ:e them — inasmuch as she had for the remainder of the day, after his departure, visions of the figures 6s. 8d. floating before her mind's eye, greatly disturbing the equanimity of her temper. Occasionally she would enter- tain the question whether she ought not to debit these sums to Gideon, and claim tliem from the moiety of his week's salary (for what- ever advance Mr. Desbrow had made to Gideon's weekly stipend his aunt continued to receive the half) ; but after giving the subject serious consideration, she could not disguise from her- self that Mr. Desbrow' s visits were connected with her own private affairs, and the commen- dations he bestowed on her nephew were simply mentioned in the course of conversation. Find- ing she could not, by any sophistry of her own, make a claim against Gideon for any portion of the expense attendant on Mr. Desbrow' s visits, she gave up the idea — possibly consoling herself with the knowledge that the moiety she then received of her nephew's salary (which had risen to a pound a week), not only compensated her for the very modest expense he put her to, but left a margin of profit in her favour. A few words are now requisite to introduce Mr. Desbrow, the sohcitor, more particularly Christian's First Start in Life. 67 to the reader, inasmuch as he is destined to play no inconsiderable part in our drama. Of his personal appearance we have already given a short description in the previous chapter. Mr. Desbrow entered life in much the same posi- tion that Gideon had done — that of junior clerk in a solicitor's office. His father had been a res- pectable Dissenting minister in a country town ; and as the receipts arising from the congregation of his chapel were of the most moderate descrip- tion, he added to his exchequer by keeping a small shop for the sale of linendrapery, paper, pens, and suchlike heterogeneous matters as fre- quently formed the stock-in-trade of a shop- keeper in out-of-the-way small country towns. It should be understood, however, that when the Rev. Mr. Desbrow accepted the invitation of his flock to become their pastor, he occupied himself solely in the duties of his clerical pro- fession, his income being then sufficient for his modest wants. He afterwards took unto him- self a wife, and before the end of the following year she presented him with a son, who was called Thomas, after his father, and who in due time became the solicitor whom we have intro- duced to the reader. The third year after the reverend gentleman's marriage his wife pre- sented him with twins, both girls. The birth of his firstborn had been a source of unmingled F 2 68 The Landlord of " The Sun:' joy to him, but as much could hardly be said with truth respecting the twins. That he loved his wife and his offspring dearly it was true — still, he could not shut his mind to the fact that they would considerably add to the expenses of liousekeeping. The evening after the birth of the twins, when the Rev. Thomas Desbrow had retired to his small sitting-room, to determine what text to take for the next Sunday's discourse, and the manner in which he should treat it, he found it exceedingly difficult to fix his mind on the task. As he sat there, with his Bible open on his knee, he attempted to select text after text without being able to decide on any — so vividly did the increased difficulties occasioned by the unex- pected addition to his family come before him. At last, annoyed with himself for allowing his worldly affairs to enter his mind when engaged on holier subjects, he closed the Bible, and placing it on a table beside him, took a book at hazard from one of the shelves, and, opening it mechanically, commenced reading. By degrees he became greatly absorbed in its contents. The particular chapter he was read- ing dwelt on the lives of the clergy at the early period of the Christian Church. One paragraph in particular riveted his attention in an extra- ordinary manner. It spake of the difficulties Christian'' s First Start in Life. 69 attending tlie teaching of the Gospel in those days, and the small reward the ministers of re- lio'ion received for their labours. In fact, so inadequate was it to their wants, that the bishops insisted on their clergy practising some trade or mechanical calling ; thereby not only to re- lieve them from the painful task of applying to their flocks for greater contributions than they found it convenient to give, but at the same time to fulfil one of the first commands of the Almighty — that man should earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Having finished the paragraph, the reverend gentleman attempted to continue his reading, but found it impossible. Had what he had just read been sent to him as an especial message from Heaven, it could hardly have made a greater impression on his imagination. He almost accepted it as a direction to him to main- tain his family by some personal exertions of his own. Closing the book, he determined to read no more that evening, but endeavour, after he had prayed to the Almighty for guidance on the subject, to think over the steps he should take as coolly as possible. The next morning he had fully resolved on the course he would adopt. His wife had lately been left by a deceased relative the sum of two hundred pounds ; and as he had heard 70 Tlie Landlord of " The Sim:' that tlie principal shopkeeper in the little town was obliged to retire from business on account of ill-health, he resolved to inquire what sum he would take for his goodwill and stock ; and if he found it within his means, to propose the subject to his wife, as soon as she had suffi- ciently recovered to entertain the question. The same day he called on the shopkeeper, and after a little conversation on general matters, broached the subject of the sale of the business. To his great satisfaction, he found that so anxious was he to leave the town, that he was willing to take one hundred pounds for the stock-in-trade and goodwill of his shop. Hav- ing obtained the shopkeeper's promise to allow the matter to stand over for a few days, the reverend gentleman in due time consulted with his wife, who without hesitation entered into his views ; and in a few weeks afterwards they were installed in the business. Although the profits of the shop, even in addition to the receipts of his chapel, were sufficient, with strict economy, to pay the expenses of housekeeping, they left no surplus beyond it. Still the worthy man and his wife contrived to hold a very respectable position in the neighbourhood, and were much liked by all with whom they came in contact. Little Thomas and the twins throve apace. Christiaiis First Start in Life. 71 and were intelligeDt healthy children. The instruction of the boy was undertaken by his father, who gave his son a really good educa- tion. He learned rapidly, and showed con- siderable intelligence. When about fifteen years of age, his father found a situation for him in the oflS.ce of a solicitor of the town, who was clerk to the magistrates. In the evening, when his oflB.ce-duties were over, Mr. Desbrow would further attend to the education of his son, so that he might be able to start in the world with credit to himself and his instructor. Youno^ Thomas remained in the solicitor's ofl&ce till he was about nineteen years of age, giving considerable satisfaction to his employers. At that time he had the misfortune to lose his father and one of his sisters by typhus-fever, and the following year his mother also died. There now only remained Thomas Desbrow and one of his sisters. The latter attempted to manage the shop, but hardly succeeded, and a year afterwards she accepted an ofifer of mar- riage from a young man who was about to start for Canada. The stock and goodwill of the shop were sold, and the proceeds divided between Thomas and his sister, who shortly afterwards left England for the New World. Thomas Desbrow was now possessed of nearly one hundred pounds of his own, and 72 The Landlord of " The Sun:' being without incumbrance, and of a naturally ambitious temperament, lie resolved to start for tlie metropolis, and there attempt to make his way in the world. His employers allowed him to depart without any expressions of regret, although they could neither deny his ability nor his energy. In point of fact, there was but little sympathy between them. Young Desbrow never felt any attachment to his em- ployers, though scrupulously attending to their interests ; and his employers, while admitting the excellent manner in which his services were performed, bore him no goodwill in return. As a matter of justice, they gave him a strong letter of recommendation to the house in London whose agents they were. On his arrival he was received with courtesy, and told that, although at the moment the firm were not in want of assistance, he could take a desk in their office for the time, and if a vacancy occurred in their staff they should be happy to offer it to him ; or if they heard of any em- ployment likely to suit him, they would use every efi*ort in their power to obtain it for him. A few months afterwards a vacancy occurred on their own staff, which Thomas Desbrow readily accepted. In this office he remained for more than ten years, giving perfect satis- Christianas First Start in Life. 73 faction to his employers, yet acquiring little of their good-feeling in return. In fact, hardly anyone seemed to like him ; and this was the more singular, as he was strictly attentive to his duties, and gentlemanly and courteous to all. By degrees he rose to the position of managing-clerk of the common-law department, and it was while holding that appointment that he became acquainted with Mrs. Matthews, havino^ had t6 conduct some uninterestino; law- business on her behalf. If Thomas Desbrow had been unable to secure the sympathies and good-feeling of his employers, it was hardly the case among their clients. Many of them, on the contrary, ap- peared to take a great fkncy to him, and, when they visited the office, seemed to prefer con- sul tins; him on their affairs rather than either of the partners — a fact which in itself might, to a certain degree, explain the little love they seemed to bear him. By a singular coincidence, and one most difficult to account for, the class of clients who appeared to have the greatest reliance in Thomas Desbrow were publicans, the firm he had left being at the time solicitors for one of the largest porter-brewers in Lon- don. Why the publicans who had business with these solicitors should have taken Thomas Desbrow into their favour it would be difficult 74 The Landlord of " The Siin.'' to say, for in disposition and behaviour lie appeared to Lave but little in common with them. In his manners, habits, and conversa- tion, he was rather staid than otherwise ; and religion was with him a favourite topic of con- versation. He went but little into society, and led, when away from the office, a somewhat retired life — never inviting anyone to his lodg- ings, and, in return, but rarely accepting the invitations his publican friends favoured him with. Mr. Desbrow was about thirty years of age when he left his employers. He then took an office in Ely Place, Holborn, and started in practice on his own account. Although it could not be detected that he had attempted in any manner whatever to withdraw clients from the office of his employers, or had canvassed for their patronage, many of them, and especially the publicans, gave him their business. Before two years were over since commencing practice, affairs flourished so well with Mr. Desbrow that he took a house of somewhat handsome preten- sions in Clapham. This he furnished in great good taste, and gave up his lodgings in town to reside in his new abode, leaving it, as he told Mrs. Matthews, early in the morning, to attend to the duties of his office, and returning to it again in the evening. Christian'' 8 First Start in Life. 75 His neighbours iu Clapham knew but little of him, and certainly nothing to his prejudice. With those whose acquaintance he made (and they were principally his companions on the stagecoach) he was generally reserved, although he could occasionally speak on subjects which in- terested him with great propriety. He had sit- tings in the Rev. Mr. 's Dissenting chapel, which he attended with regularity, and subscribed with great liberality to all the charities con- nected with it. With the inhabitants of the neighbourhood he made but few acquaintances — not that he lacked opportunity, as may be judged from the fact that he was a handsome bachelor, highly respectable, even pious and meritorious in his conduct, and possessed of a large and lucrative practice. All must admit that the qualifications we have mentioned would, in a neighbourhood thickly studded with mar- riageable young ladies, render their possessor a welcome visitor in many houses of respectability. To return to Christian Brandon. He con- tinued in the same school till he was more than fourteen years of age, making considerable progress in his studies. He could then write a good schoolboy hand, was expert in arithmetic, and had an elementary knowledge of history. He was the pride of his father ; but, though his mother loved him tenderly she began frequently *?& The Landlord of " The Smi^ to object to the expense of his education — for, as she got older, the natural avarice of her disposition seemed to increase with her years. " What is the use," she would argue with her husband, " in keeping Christian longer at school P Every time we see his master he gives us a good account of him, and has done so regularly for years past. He must now surely know enough to get his own living, and why should he not do so ? Besides, although he is little more than fourteen years of age, he is as tall and strong as most boys a couple of years older. I call it a sinful throwing-away of money. We cannot afford to go on in this manner ; and if you did your duty as a father, you would endeavour to find some respectable situation for him, instead of allowing his time to be wasted at school." To this Brandon would reply, that Christian would be all the better for a few years' more schooling ; at any rate he would not allow him to be removed for the present, and it was there- fore no use her putting herself in an ill-humour on the subject. Mrs. Brandon knew her husband too well to press the matter further, for, though habitually a remarkably quiet good-natured man, there were certain points on which, if he had once made up his mind, nothing could move him — and Christian's education was one. She Christian' a First Start in Life. 77 therefore contented herself with occasionally grumbling, which her husband put up with very placidly ; and whenever the subject was mooted between them, it generally terminated by both parties remaining of the same opinion as before they began. When Christian had completed his fifteenth year, a circumstance took place which made a great change in his prospects. One evening his father, when returning from his office, was seized with paralysis, and was brought home in an utterly helpless condition. He was with great difficulty carried upstairs and placed upon his bed, and a surgeon was immediately sent for. For some days Brandon remained in an uncon- scious state, but by degrees he partially re- covered his mental faculties. Still he was unable to move hand or foot, or to utter an articulate word. His first sign of returning consciousness was at the sight of his son. He had been ordered by the surgeon who attended him to be kept strictly quiet, and everything that might disturb his mind was to be avoided. Christian, who loved his father tenderly, used from time to time stealthily to enter the room with his shoes off, so as to make as little noise as possible. On these occasions his father's eyes would turn towards him, though without showing any signs of recognition. One day, 78 The Landlord of *' The Sun.'' however, about a week after his father had been attacked, Christian entered the room and stood by his bedside. Presently the big tears began to chase each other down the lad's face at the sight of the helpless condition his father was in. Suddenly an expression of consciousness became visible on poor Brandon's countenance, and he gazed on his son with intense affection, the tears gathering the while in his eyes. No ill-effects followed the temporary excitement ; on the contrary, Brandon began from that day slowly to recover. It was fully three months before he was able to leave his room. During this time the directors of the office where he was employed behaved to him with great kindness and consideration, and continued him his full salary. At last Brandon, contrary to the opinion of the surgeon who attended him, considered his health sufficiently re-established to resume his usual duties. On presenting himself at his office, however, it was plainly apparent to all that he was no longer fit for the appointment he had held with credit to himself for so many years. They treated him with great indulgence, giving him but little to do. Brandon, perceiving this, exerted himself more than was necessary, in order to show that he had perfectly recovered, and the result was that he was again thrown on Christian's First Start in Life. 79 a bed of sickness. Finding there was no cliance of their old servant being ever again able to resume his duties in a proper and efficient manner, the directors discharged him, allowing him an annuity for the remainder of his life equal to one-half of his salary. This serious diminution in their revenue had a most prejudicial effect on the temper of Mrs. Brandon. She loudly insisted that her son should leave school and obtain a situation, and this she did perhaps the more vigorously, from the comparative inability of her husband to reply to her. She now, without asking Bran- don's permission, took Christian from school, thereby saving any further expense for his education. She looked around her to find some employment for him by which he could earn money, but this she was unable to accomplish, although she applied to all the wholesale firms with whom she was in the habit of dealinof. Disappointed in her effbrts, she turned her ill- humour on her son, whom she accused of lazi- ness in not sufficiently exerting himself to find employment. Poor Christian felt bitterly his mother's invectives, to which he submitted as patiently as he could. One evening, however, after she had grossly insulted him, he paid a visit to his friend Gideon Harcourt, who easily perceived from the redness of his eyes that he 80 The Landlord of " The Sun." had been crying. On inquiring the cause, Christian for the first time explained to him the unhappy hfe he led at home, caused by his mother's behaviour, and added how pleased he should be to find some employment, no matter how small the remuneration might be. Gideon said nothing at the time, being unwil- ling to raise Christian's hopes should he not succeed ; but he resolved the next day to speak to his friend the senior clerk on the subject, and ask him to exert himself to find, if possible, some appointment for Christian. Now, between Mr. Morgan, the senior clerk in Mr. Desbrow's office, and Gideon there existed great good-feeling, elicited on Mr. Mor- gan's part by Gideon's steady application to his duties, and on Gideon's from a double reason. In the first place, Mr. Morgan showed great courtesy towards his subordinate ; and in the next, he frequently invited him to his house in Kentish Town, where Gideon passed some of the happiest hours of his life while a clerk in Mr. Desbrow's oflice. Mr. Moro-an was a middle-aged married man, with a family of children. The affairs of his household were principally conducted by his eldest daughter, a very pretty girl, about eighteen years of age ; Mrs. Morgan being herself a great invalid, and incapable of undergoing exertion, either mental Christianas First Start in Life. 81 or bodily. Fortunately, it would have been impossible to have found a person better adapted to perform the duties than her daugh- ter Kate, who not only acted the housekeeper to admiration, but played the part of governess to the younger children, of whom there were three — -the eldest being five years younger than her instructress. Mr. Morgan had also a son about sixteen years of age, who was em- ployed in a merchant's office, but who resided with his family. The friendship of the Mor- gans was, indeed, a godsend to poor Grideon, whose aunt — partly from her love of seclusion, and partly from the natural parsimony of her habits — refused to keep any society. On Gideon's arrival at his office the day follo^dng his conversation with Christian, Mr. Morgan was too much occupied to allow him to mention the subject to him. When the duties of the day were over, to his great satisfaction, Mr. Morgan invited Gideon to return with him to Kentish Town, and spend the evening with his family. Gideon joyfully accepted the invitation, and on their way he broached the subject of Christian's wish for employment. Mr. Morgan paid little attention to it at the time, possibly being absorbed in his occupations of the past day; but in the evening, after tea, he brought up the subject VOL. I. G 82 The Landlord of " The Snnr again, and made several inquiries respecting Christian. Kate and ber brother and younger sisters seemed interested in the conversation, and joined Grideon in pressing their father to find, if possible, some occupation for the hand- some young fellow — for Gideon had spoken of his friend in terms of high admiration. Mr. Morgan promised he would do all in his power to assist Christian, and as he had a very exten- sive acquaintance among men of business, he thought it very probable that his inquiries might be attended with success. Gideon was so overjoyed at the sanguine manner in which Mr. Morgan had spoken of being able to obtain employment for Christian, that it was with difficulty he could refrain the next day from running round to the Mint before going to his office, to convey to his young friend the good news. On mature considera- tion, however, he resolved to postpone speak- ing on the subject till Mr. Morgan had heard of some appointment likely to be eligible. This, fortunately, occurred in a few days. One of the proprietors of a large distillery in the Borough, for whom Mr. Desbrow acted as soli- citor, called at the office on some business con- nected with the firm. Mr. Desbrow was absent at the time, but was expected back shortly. The gentleman, who had determined to wait, had Christian's First Start in Life. 83 some conversation on indifferent subjects with Mr. Morgan. Knowing that he had a large circle of acquaintance, Mr. Morgan inquired whether he knew of anyone who had an open- ing in his house for an intelligent well- educated lad, about sixteen or seventeen years of ag-e, and in whom he was much interested. The gentleman replied that he did not at that moment know of anyone. " But," he added, " to tell you the truth, we have some idea in our own firm of taking such a lad as you mention into the counting-house. I will speak to my partners on the subject, and give you an answer in a few days." The answer came as promised, and, to Mr. Morgan's satisfaction and Gideon's joy, it was a favourable one. The note which conveyed the intelligence merely stated that if the lad spoken of by Mr. Morgan would call at the distillery the next day, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, he could see one of the partners ; and if he was found eligible, he had no doubt he would be employed by them. Mr. Morgan gave the note to Gideon, and told him to take it to his young friend, and tell him to brush himself up as smartly as possible, and keep the appointment ; adding that the partners in the firm, though strict disciplinarians, were very liberal and kind-hearted men, and that G 2 8-i The Landlord of " The Sun:' there was little doubt, if Christian conducted himself well, he would rise rapidly, and in time obtain a lucrative employment. The same evening, before returning home, Gideon called upon Christian, whom he had not seen for some days. He found his young friend very low-spirited, and Mrs. Brandon evidently in an ill-humour — so much so, in fact, that, contrary to her usual custom, she received Gideon very coldly. The intelligence he brought, however, wonderfully improved her temper, and she even spoke to her husband and Christian with great kindness. Her tongue ran on for some time with great volubility, and she asked her husband, in a tone of triumph, whether her policy had not been right after all, and how much Christian might have gained had he followed it sooner. Brandon at first attempted to show her that it was very possible that had Christian been younger, he would hardly have been able to obtain a situation in the counting-house of a firm so respectable; but, of course, she was not to be convinced, and Brandon, happy at the prospect in store for his son, allowed his wife to enjoy her triumph without any molestation or interference on his part. Great indeed was the state of excitement Mrs. Brandon was in during the whole of the Christianas First Start in Life. 85 next morning. She examined minutely the dress Christian was to wear (and which, by- the-bye, was somewhat threadbare, as for more than a year past she had refused to buy him any new clothes, under the plea that she could not afford it), and otherwise attended to his appearance. When at last he was in readiness, a remarkably good-looking lad he seemed, and the more so as his eye was now lit up with excitement at the prospect before him of making his first start in the world. Armed with the note which Mr. Morgan had received the day before. Christian, at the ap- pointed hour, presented himself at the counting- house of the distillery. Shortly afterwards he had an interview with one of the partners in his private room, who, possibly attracted by his prepossessing appearance, received him most kindly. After some ordinary questions, during which Christian contrived to regain his equanimity (for he had felt rather timid at first), the gentleman said to him : " Well, my lad, I must, of course, make some inquiries respecting you before we de- fiuitely decide to take you into our counting- house, and these, as far as your respectability is concerned, I have no doubt will prove quite satisfactory. As to your capabilities for the post, I shall leave Mr. Washbourne, our senior 86 The Landlord of " The Simr clerk, to be the judge. Come with me now into the counting-house, and I will introduce you to him. If he gives a good account of you, we will then talk about salary and other matters." Christian was then conducted into the count- ing-house and introduced to Mr. Washbourne, who, placing him on a seat by his side, gave him a long row of figures to add up, which he did. correctly. He then set before him a letter to copy, which Christian, notwithstanding some natural trepidation at the moment, did in a most creditable manner. Being perfectly satis- fied as to his capabilities, Mr. Washbourne took him into the partner's private room, and showing him the letter Christian had copied, that gentleman highly complimented him on the manner it was done, and said he thought he was perfectly adapted for the situation. " And now, Brandon," he continued, " I told you I should make some further inquiries respecting you ; but if you do not hear to the contrary, you may enter on your duties next Monday. Your salary at the commencement will be ten shillings a week ; but understand me, when I say ' at the commencement,' I mean it to the letter; for if 1 find you diligent and industrious, as I trust I shall do, it will soon be advanced. Now, if you are satisfied Christianas First Start in Life. 87 with these arrangements, you can go, and, as I said before, unless you hear to the contrary, let me see you here on Monday morning." Christian, when he entered his mother's house after the interview with the senior jDartner at the distillery, certainly appeared to be taller than when he had left it an hour before, and, as his mother remarked, he looked more like a man. On the question of salary both his parents were fully satisfied, and an arrangement was entered into somewhat similar to that which had taken place between Gideon and his aunt when first he received his appoint- ment as junior clerk in Mr. Dasbrow's ofiice — that he was to pay one-half of his salary to his mother for his board and lodo^ins*, an arrano^e- ment which perfectly satisfied the good woman. In fact, so great was her state of contentment, that she offered to advance Christian the money to purchase a new suit of clothes, that he might be able to make a gentlemanly appear- ance at the counting-house, though under the solemn condition that he should pay her two shilHngs a week out of his moiety of his earn- ings until the sum she advanced was liquidated. CHAPTER V. IN WHICH BOTH CHKISTIAN AND GIDEON FALL IN LOVE. CHRISTIAN, not having heard to the con- trary, presented himself, as agreed, the following Monday at the distillery, and, having had assigned him in the counting-house a seat and desk, he entered regularly on his duties. These were, of course, for some time of the most elementary description, but he performed them in a perfectly satisfactory manner. The head-clerk took him especially into favour, in- asmuch as Christian, when by practice he had lost that nervous trepidation which somewhat oppressed him at the commencement, was found to be possessed of those inestimable accomplish- ments in a well-conducted house of business — an excellent handwriting and unimpeachable orthography. The result was that, before he had been in his appointment a month, the let- ter-book was placed under his especial manage- ment, for in those days the present copying- Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 89 press was hardly in use. Although the duty was somewhat of a mechanical description, Christian took as much pains with it as if it had been of the most interestino- character. Not a blot was there in it, nor a single erasure. In his other duties he showed great alacrity and willingness, and in a very short time won the good opinion of all. He was, moreover, well pleased with his occupation, though perhaps he might have preferred rather more of the outdoor duty. This Mr. Wash- bourne, with good sense, refused to allow him, their customers being almost entirely composed of publicans, and he justly considered that the atmosphere of a publichouse was not desirable for a boy of Christian's age. Brandon and his wife were both perfectly content with their son, though his mother, after he had been in his employment a few weeks, somewhat vexed him by frequently asking when his salary was to be raised, as the sum she re- ceived for his board did not cover the expenses he put her to. One day, after Christian had been four months in the distillery, she went so far as to insist on his applying to his employers for an increase of pay. Brandon, on this occa- sion, relieved his son from the onus of replying to his mother. " Woman !" he said to her, in a tone of great indignation, *' is your griping 90 The Landlord of " The Sun." meanness so great that you would run tlie chance of making an enemy of tlie best friend your son lias in the world, in order that you may be able to save a shilling or so more a week ? You ought to be ashamed to think of such a thing !" " I don't care," said the greedy woman. " I say, as clever a lad as he is " (patting Christian on the head, in a cajoling manner), " is worth a great deal more than he receives, and he would do quite right to ask for it." " Now, listen to me," said Brandon, rising with difficulty from his seat. " If I hear that Christian does anything of the kind, I will call at the distillery myself, and tell the partners it was no fault of the lad that he made the demand, but that of his grasping avaricious mother, who obliged him to do it. So, Christian," he continued, addressing his son, " if you don't wish to appear ridiculous in the office, don't follow your mother's advice; for, as I am a man of my word — and both of you know that — I'll keep my promise, if I have to crawl to the dis- tillery on TDj hands and knees. Now, you under- stand me, both of you — so do as you like." Christian, although he did not obey his mother, had the satisfaction, after he had been about six months in his appointment, of receiv- ing an increase of two shillings a week. Al- though Mrs. Brandon expressed her opinion Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 91 that it was very shabby of the firm not to give a greater increase, the extra shilhng she received had the effect for some time of calming her ill- humour. When Christian had first received his appoint- ment he despatched a well-written letter to Mr. Morgan, thanking him for the successful exer- tions he had made on his behalf, and concluded by sayiug that, if it would not be occupying too much of his valuable time, he should like to call and thank him personally. Mr. Morgan, in reply, wrote that it gave him much pleasure to find that he had succeeded in getting the ap- pointment, and that, as his time was too much occupied at the office, he should be happy to see him at his house in Kentish Town, if he would accompany his friend, Mr. Harcourt, some evening when he paid them a visit. Christian was delighted at the invitation, and the same day called on Gideon, who proposed that they should go the next evening ; adding, that he was sure Christian would pass a very pleasant one, as Mr. Morgan and his family were most hospitable people, and his eldest daughter a very agreeable and handsome girl. Christian, though anxious to accept the invita- tion, begged to defer their visit for a few days. On his friend inquiring the cause. Christian at first coloured very deeply, and then acknow- 92 The Landlord of " The Sun." ledged that lie did not wish to go till the tailoi' had sent home his new suit of clothes, as those lie had on were rather shabby. Gideon readily accepted the excuse, and the following Saturday, the new clothes having been sent home, they resolved to pay their visit that evening. To do Christian only justice, he looked re- markably well in his new clothes. When his mother had offered to advance the money for them, he had the good sense to go to a tailor of respectabihty, and one somewhat in vogue at the time. The result was, that he really looked a very attractive young fellow, and, although in years still a boy, he was remarkably well-grown for his age, and might easily have passed for two or three years older. When the two friends arrived at Kentish Town (Mr. Morgan having been informed of their intended visit), they found tea prepared for them. Christian was introduced in due form to all the family. Mr. Morgan received him with much honhomie, and his wife, with her son and daughters, in a very friendly manner. Although Christian had resolutely determined to play the "man on the occasion, it must be admitted that the hoy predominated. His knowledge of female society was limited in the extreme, and the consciousness that the eyes of ladies were upon him made him ex- Cliristian and Gideon fall in Love. 93 ceedingly nervous, bringing up a deep blush on his countenance, of which he was painfully aware. This caused him so much trepidation as to make him exceedingly awkward with his teacup, sorely to the annoyance of Mrs. Morgan, who was of a fractious nervous temperament, and who, during their meal, was in great fear for her carpet. To say the truth, Christian hardly recovered himself the whole of the evening ; he felt out of his element, for, with the exception of Mrs. Matthews, he had never been in the society of anyone above the rank of a maidservant. Nor did the kindness of Mr. Morgan reassure him, and when he left the house that evening, he did so with the un- pleasant conviction that he had created but a very unfavourable impression. On his arrival at home, his mother easily noticed the look of disappointment on his face ; nor could she, in spite of all her endeavours, obtain from him any succinct description of the manner he had passed his evening. At last, feehno" annoyed at his mother's persistent in- quiries, he somewhat abruptly bade her " Good- night," and sought his bed. For many months afterwards Christian and Gideon rarely met, the duties of the former terminating at a much later hour than Gideon's. Christian, also, was rather ashamed of his 94 27^6 Landlord of " The SunJ' behaviour at Mr. Morgan's, and lie somewhat avoided his friend — without, however, any ill- feehng existing between them. Gideon still continued his visits to Mr. Morgan's house. Unknown to himself, although by no means to the object of his admiration, he had fallen desperately in love with Kate Morgan. Nor was he without good excuse, for a more amiable or loveable girl it would have been difficult to meet with. She was exactly the kind of person calculated to attract the affec- tions of as steady and good a young man as Gideon Harcourt. In person, without being absolutely beautiful, she was eminently pre- possessing. She was somewhat above the middle height, remarkably well-made, though possibly a little inclining to emhonpoint. Her complexion was fair and beautifully clear, her features delicate and well-formed, her eyes large and of a clear blue, her mouth small, and her teeth white and regular. Her fore- head was, perhaps, a trifle too broad for the Medicean Venus ideal of beauty, and her hair luxurious and a beautiful auburn colour. But possibly the principal charm about her, in Gideon's opinion, was the amiable and in- genuous expression of her countenance ; iu seemed to convey the idea that she was not only incapable of untruthfulness herself, but Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 95 that she could hardly comprehend its existence in others. Naturally prudent, Gideon could not disguise from himself his utter inability to keep a wife, and he readily admitted how unjust it would be on his part to engage the affections of the con- fiding girl. On more than one occasion he formed the resolution of not visiting so fre- quently at the house, and had even attempted to put his resolution into practice. One time he managed to stay away for more than a week, but all in vain ! — he found that his love for Kate, instead of diminishing, positively in- creased. Each day it became stronger than on the day before, and on the morrow greater still. At last he fairly gave up the attempt. He had risen one morning with the full reso- lution that, cost him what it might, he would not succumb ; but that evening found him on his road to Kentish Town. Before he arrived at the house, he had endeavoured to persuade himself that his visit was solely to inquire after Mrs. Morgan's health, as her husband had in- formed him, in the morning, that she had been suffering for some days past from a severe cold. The expression of satisfaction, however, which he beheld in Kate's eyes on seeing him, fairly drove from his mind the excuse he had formed ; and it was not till after the tea-things were 96 The Landlord of " The Sun." removed, tliat lie remembered Mrs. Morgan bad been more than usually indisposed. Before the evening was over, not only had his good resolve entirely vanished, but he had (perhaps unconsciously) determined that no difficulties or dangers should separate him from the object of his affections, if she consented to recipro- cate his love. Gideon, on his return home that evening, fully resolved that on his next visit to Kentish Town he would, if possible, tell Kate Morgan the state of his heart ; but he said not a word on the subject. He tried to persuade himself that, during the evening, lie had not found a convenient opportunity; but this was hardly the case. Kate and he had been left alone for some time, but he had not sufficient courage to make the declaration, though he mentally argued that it arose solely from fear they might be disturbed by some one entering the room. On his next visit, it is true, he had no opportunity, as they were not alone for a moment ; but on the third he was more fortu- nate. When he arrived, he found that Mr. Morgan had gone that evening to visit a sick relative, and that his son had taken the younger children for a walk. Mrs. Morgan was in her room, and Kate alone in the parlour. Whether or no Kate had any suspicion of Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 97 his visit, and had taken more pains than usual with her toilet, or whether it was solely the effect of Gideon's imagination, it is impossible to say ; but she had never appeared so lovely in his eyes as she did that evening. As he gazed upon her his timidity vanished, and he candidly, though with great feeling, told her the affection he had for her, and hoped she would return it. Kate, hke a prudent and modest young girl, of course demurred, but so artificially, that Gideon, though a novice, was rather encouraged by it than otherwise. He argued his cause so persuasively, that Kate's objections became fainter, till at last, after giving him a glance of as pure love as it was possible for a mortal to bestow, she placed her hand in his, and said softly : " Yes, but do not tell anybody." How far Kate and Gideon kept their secret from the family it would be difficult to say. Perhaps, after all, they merely thought the young couple looked at each other with great good-feeling — nothing more. Mr. Morgan was too much occupied in his professional duties to be very alert on the subject, and probably his knowledge of the very limited resources of Gideon (for his salary at the time was only twenty-five shillings a week, with but slender prospect of advancement), precluding him VOL. 1. H 98 The Landlord of " The Sun:' from the possibility of maintaining a wife, drove the idea of an attachment between the young people out of his head Mrs. Morgan was so much taken up with her own physical infirmities that she did not pay attention to the subject, while the son occasionally positively joked his sister on the folly of not setting her cap at such a good-looking young fellow as Gideon Harcourt. Christian still continued in the distiller}^ at- tentive to his duties, and much liked by his employers. When he was about twenty years of age his father died, to Christian's great grief, for he had much, loved him. His behaviour to his mother after his father's death was of the most exemplary description. He continued to reside with her, and assisted her in the business as far as his other avocations would allow him ; keeping her account-book, making her purchases in the cheapest market, advising her in any lit- tle diflSculties, and submitting with great pa- tience to her avarice and ill-temper. The next few years passed over Christian's head with little worthy of notice. He conti- nued in the same firm, and at last rose to the position of collecting-clerk. His income in this capacity was quite sufiicient to enable him to maintain a wife, and he began seriously to think of wedlock. Although he was naturally of a Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 99 most affectionate disposition when once fairly attached, he was by no means of a susceptible nature, and he had reached his twentv-third year without ever having been once deeply in love. However, the blind god at last claimed him as a devotee. Possibly it may be thought that his blindness in this respect was to a great degree proved by Christian's choice — certainly if the matter were regarded from a mere worldly point of view. Christian was a remarkably handsome and even gentlemanly-looking young* fellow, and the object of his affections was cer- tainly inferior to him in position, occupying, as she did, the humble position of a housemaid in the family of the chief clerk, who resided in a private house attached to the distillery. It must be admitted she was a very pretty girl, and of unblemished character. It was some time after Christian had fallen in love with her, that he made her a bond fide offer of marriage, and it need hardly be said that Martha showed but little hesitation in accepting him. But a far more difficult task than that of obtaining Mar- tha's consent Christian had yet to perform — that of obtaining his mother's. True, it may be said that, at his time of life, there would be but little difficulty in his marrying without it ; but poor Martha had something of a proud in- dependent spirit, and she assured Christian she H 2 100 The Landlord of " The Sunr would never marry him without his mother's consent, as she had too much pride to enter any family where she might be looked down upon. To please Martha, Christian promised he would speak to his mother that evening, at the same time premising that he might have some difficulty with her — not from any feeling of pride on her part, but that she might object to lose his society, and the more so as she would have much trouble in minding the business without him. To this Martha urged that she was perfectly aware that Mrs. Brandon had two rooms in her house more than she occu- pied, and that she and Christian might take them, and all live comfortably together. Christian, although he promised he would bring the subject that evening before his mother, was not very sanguine as to the result. He knew too well her suspicious selfish temper, and he much feared she would object to the proposition. So displeasing he considered the subject of his marrying would be, that he had not even told his mother of his acquaintance with Martha. He clearly saw, however, that something must be done, and, half-ashamed of his irresolution, he determined to delay no longer, but to bring the subject at once before her. The same even- ing, after fully maturing his plans, he, shortly before retiring to bed, commenced operations. Cliristian and Gideon fall in Love. 101 *' I have been thinldng, mother," he said, " that I shall marry. I have found a young woman who will make me an excellent wife, and I am sure you will like her very much." " Can't you wait till I'm dead ? You needn't be in such a hurry to get rid of me ; I daresay I shall not live long," was the unpromising reply. " But, dear mother," said Christian, "I have no wish or intention to leave you. I should bring my wife to live here, and we would pay vou for the two rooms overhead, and she could help you in the shop." This he said to pacify her, for such an ar- rauD^ement would have been to the old woman's pecuniary advantage. But Christian was again doomed to be disappointed. " Help me in the shop, indeed !" she exclaimed. " I didn't know that I needed help. I'm not such a cripple as that, thank God !" " I only said so to please you, mother, think- ing you might like some one to help you." " Yes, it would be very handy, no doubt," she said, sarcastically ; " and if she didn't help me, she could help herself." This attack on Martha's integrity was more than Christian could put up with. A violent quarrel — the first, on his part at least, since his father's death — took place between them and they separated for the night without the 102 The Landlord of " The Sun." slightest attempt at reconciliation on either side. Christian slept little that night. A vague feeling hung over him that he had behaved un- kindly to his aged parent, and been wanting in the respect due to her. As morning advanced the feeling increased, till at last he determined, before leaving the house, to do all in his power to pacify her, and, if he succeeded, again to bring on the subject of his contemplated mar- riage. When they were at breakfast, he found his mother in perfect good-humour. She made not one angry or sarcastic remark when she saw him — an omission very unusual with her when anything had occurred to ruffle her temper — but at the same time he could easily perceive there was something brooding in her mind. After wishing her " Good-morning," Christian told her he much regretted if he had said anything to offend her the evening before. She merely replied that she never bore malice against anyone, though this was said in a sharp querulous tone of voice, which strangely belied the words she uttered. He then brought on again, as delicately as he could, the subject of his marriage. He assured his mother that if she only knew the girl he was attached to, she would be sure to like her. " She has," he continued, " been well and economically brought up, and will make as good a wife as Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 103 an}'- girl in London. May I bring her to see you?" " No, not yet," his mother repKed ; " I don't know who she is. Let me know where she lives, and then I will inquire about her myself. I always like to judge of people from my own findino' out." Christian immediately gave her every par- ticular in his power, to one only of which did she seem to make any objection : the girl, she said, was nothing but a common servant, after all. (It may here be remembered that Mrs. Brandon herself had been a servant when her husband first fell in love with her.) Mrs. Brandon did not, however, follow up her re- mark by any other of an unpleasant nature ; on the contrary, she seemed to treat her son with more than usual affection, and he began to entertain favourable ideas of the result, and started off to the business of the day with much lighter spirits than he had anticipated he should do after his conversation with his mother the evening before. After arriving at the distillery he took an early opportunity of seeing Martha. He told her he had spoken to his mother on the subject of their marriage, and he was in great hopes that all would pass off pleasantly for both parties. Poor Martha was in a flutter of ex- 104 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun^ citement at this intelligence. In the few ad- ventures of interest in the life of a friendless servant-girlj there is none of more anxious im- portance, or that creates greater agitation in her mind, than the prospect of being intro- duced to the mother of her "young man;" and Martha was no exception to the rule. Her mistress that day was fairly puzzled to discover " what had come over the girl." Her work, generally faultless, was done in a most careless manner. Dusters, brushes, pans, and in fact the whole housemaid's battery, seemed to have been left purposely in all sorts of sites the least adapted for their use. Portions of the furniture, hitherto remarkable for their lustre, were now covered with dust; and, in fact, everything in Martha's department — in house- wifely phraseology — seemed going to sixes and sevens. At last the patience of her mistress could hold out no longer, and she rang the bell for the purpose of giving her servant a good scold- ing ; but Martha did not answer it. Mrs. Washbourne rang a second time, but still Martha did not make her appearance. Her mistress, now thoroughly angry, commenced a search for her; and her anger was by no means diminished when she found Martha, quietly seated on a bed in the servants' room, Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 105 making up a cap as coolly as if tliere was no- thing left for her to do that day, and she had determined to give herself a holiday. Martha was rapidly made aware of the opinion of her mistress of such behaviour, who terminated her remarks by insisting on the girl's going to work and doing her duty more efficiently, or she would certainly receive a month's warning, Martha placed her cap in a sort of nondescript bonnet-box, and then again went to her work. Still things did not go on flourishingly by any means, and poor Martha began to find herself greatly in need of consola- tion. By one of those inexplicable combina- tions of probabilities which occur only to lovers, she had hardly become aware of the fact, when Christian met her accidentally in a sort of back court from the dwelling-house to the distillery. Here her lover's conversation had a far more soothing effect upon her than all the good advice contained in her mistress's lecture. The pair continued talking together in the most confidential manner for some minutes. Chris- tian's part of it, after Martha had been consoled consisting principally in answering her ques- tions as to what sort of a woman her future mother-in-law was, and whether she was sure to receive her kindly. At first Christian was sorely puzzled what answer to make her ; but 106 The Landlord of " TJie Sun." after a little consideration, deeming it impossi- ble for his mother to see the pretty, neat, and srood sfirl, who at that moment stood beside him (and close beside him, too), without being as much pleased with her as he was himself, he gave his description of the probable reception she would receive from the old woman. He certainly qualified his statement by saying he would speak more on the subject to Mrs. Bran- don that evening, and that if Martha would ask for her holiday the next day, he would in- troduce her to his mother. Their conversation was shortly afterwards put a stop to by Martha hearing her mistress's bell, and after a most cordial adieu the lovers parted. The duties of the day over, Christian started for home. On his road he turned over in his mind in what way it would be most politic for him to address his mother, so as to prepare her for the introduction the next day. By the time he had mentally arranged all things in a satis- factory manner, he arrived at home, when to his great surprise he found his mother absent. She had left the shop in charge of a httle girl, a neighbour's child, who occasionally as- sisted her. Christian attempted to get from the child some intelligence about his mother ; but beyond the fact that she had left the house about half-an-hour before, saying she expected Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 107 to be soon back, lie could obtain no further in- formation. Christian was naturally much an- noyed at the circumstance, but regret seemed useless, and he was obliged to wait patiently till his mother's return. He attempted to eat, but all sense of appetite was lost in his anxiety. Without being able to explain the sensation, he felt that some misfortune was hanging over him, but of what kind it was impossible to say. It was late at night when Mrs. Brandon re- turned. As she entered the house she cast an anxious glance on her sou, but said nothing, beyond asking him, in her usual cajoling tone, whether he had had his supper comfortably. One thing especially struck him as singular. His mother kept the neighbour's child with her till it was quite bed-time, and immediately after the girl had left, retired to her bedroom with- out saying one word to him. The next morning she rose at so late an hour that any conversation between them was impossible ; so Christian was obliged to leave without any idea as to the man- ner Martha's introduction was to be arranged, and, with something like fear and trembling, he determined to leave the whole affair to chance. Immediately after Christian's arrival at the distillery the senior partner sent for him into his private room, and there informed him that, for the first time since he had been in their 108 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun:' emplo^^ment, be had reason to be discontented with his conduct. He had been informed, on indisputable authority, that a clandestine cor- respondence of a disreputable character had been carried on between him and Mrs. Washbourne's servant. The girl had already had notice to leave the house, and he insisted that, in case Christian expected to remain in their employ- ment, he would pledge his word not to attempt to renew the acquaintance with her. For some moments surprise and indignation deprived Christian of the power to reply. He soon recovered himself, however, and then, with much determination in his tone, requested the name of the individual who had given rise to so foul a slander. " I do not consider myself at liberty to tell you without permission to do so," was the reply. " Then, sir," said Christian, firmly but res- pectfully, " I must leave your employment, much as it will pain me, for I maintain that a grosser falsehood was never uttered than that any im- propriety ever occurred between me and Mrs. Washbourne's servant." Christian's independence of tone and manner somewhat surprised and even alarmed Mr. Thurstan, the gentleman with whom he was conversing. Both himself and the other part- ners in the business had great respect for Christian and Gideon fall in Love. 109 Christian's integrity and ability, and it would cause them much annoyance should he quitthem. After a moment's consideration he said : " I refused to give you the name of my in- formant, Brandon, solely out of consideration for you. If you insist on knowing it I am ready to tell you ; but if the accusation is false, take my advice and do not ask it." " Pardon me, sir," said Christian firmly ; " but I must either know the name of your in- formant, or quit your service." " Well then," said Mr. Thurstan, " if you will know, it was your own mother." Christian was thunderstruck at the informa- tion. At first he was upon the point of expressing his disbelief, but on a moment's consideration the singular behaviour of his mother the pre- vious evening told him the strong probability of the truth. He endeavoured to speak, but his voice faltered, his eyes filled with tears, and, without saying a word, he hurriedly turned away and left the counting-house. In the after- noon, thanks to the kind ofiices of the cook, Christian had an opportunity of seeing Martha. She met her lover somewhat angrily at first, and it was with difficulty he could get her to talk reasonably on the subject. "No, Christian," she said — "we'd better part. I know I should never be happy with that 110 The Landlord of " Tke Sun." motlier of yours ; and I'll never marry any one to bring ill-blood into the family. She's a hor- rid story-telling old woman ! She's attempted to take away my character, and no thanks to her she hasn't succeeded." " But, Martha," said Christian, " hear reason. I'm sure I shall be able to make it up between you and my mother." "Make it up between us!" said Martha. " Make it up between us, indeed ! What have I done to offend her, and how has she treated me ? Thank God !" she continued, " I had five years' good character in my last place, and my last mistress, I'm sure, will give me another when she knows how I've been treated. Oh, Christian ! your mother is a wicked woman, and has behaved to me shamefully ! No fault of her's that Vve not been turned into the street like a bad girl." Martha, like most of her class, was in the habit of putting but little restraint upon her tongue when her anger was fairly aroused, and strong and forcible indeed were the expressions she made use of against Mrs. Brandon. Christian attempted to pacify her, but with little success ; and the conversation at last ended by the girl, who had commenced it sorrowfully, and almost with tears in her eyes, getting into a towering passion. Christian and Gideon fall in Love. Ill It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Christian when he returned, home that eveniuo-. Ansfry as he was at the treatment Martha had received at her hands, his mother's behaviour, when they met, almost pleaded for her. There was a guilty downcast look on her face that told him some sense of shame was still left in the selfish old woman. Her sycophantic manner when addressing him almost shocked him. The habitual veneration in which he had been accustomed to hold his parents, made her abject fawning manner intensely painful to him, and he determined to abstain from speaking of her infamous behaviour till the next morning. When the next morning came, however, she did not leave her room till it was time for Christian to go to the distillery, and therefore he had no opportunity of mentioning the subject. On arriving at the counting-house, he attempted to see Martha; but was terribly disappointed when her fellow-servant told him she had left the house the evening before, and refused to give any address — saying, however, that in the course of the day Christian should receive a letter from her, explaining her reasons for the step she had taken. On few occasions has the postman's knock been more anxiously expected than it was by Christian that day. Evening approached, but 112 The Landlord of " The Sim. >5 still no letter arrived. It was now time for him to return home, but he remembered there was still another post-delivery. He waited in the street till it was due, when, to his great relief, the postman put a letter into his hand ; — it was from Martha. Taking it to the nearest gas-lamp, he read its contents. Martha's letter was short, and not unkindly worded, but strictly to the point. In it she told her lover, that as it was impossible any friendship could ever exist between her and his mother after the latter's cruel behaviour, she declined marrying him, although she had no objection to admit she was still strongly attached to him. She knew that Christian was very fond of his mother, and she did not blame him for it ; but if she married him there would be family quarrels, and it was better they should part than that such should occur. She would not give her address ; but as she was sure he would still feel interested in her, she begged to tell him that she had already seen her old mistress, who had received her kindly, and promised to give her another character, so that she would have no difficulty in getting a new place. She concluded her letter by saying, that although she would not let him know her address, she should always look upon him as a friend, and trusted, in return, he would bear her no ill-feeling. ChristiaM and Gideon fall in Love. 113 Poor Braudon was thunderstruck at the con- tents of Martha's letter. With a slow pace and heavy heart he continued his path homewards. He arrived at so late an hour, that his mother, who really loved him, had become se- riously anxious on his accounto He entered into no conversation with her, but sat silently down to his supper. It was in vain that he tried to eat — all appetite had gone. Presently he threw dawn his knife and fork, and, covering his face with his hands, gave way to a violent flood of tears. This continued so long, that at last his mother was obliged to interfere, and she be^s-ed him to moderate his grief. Hearing her voice, he took his hand from his face, and, looking at her through his tears, exclaimed : "Mother — mother ! you have almost broken my heart !" " She only wanted my money," was his mother's reply. VOL. I. CHAPTER VI. CHEISTIAN Brandon's second love-affair. CHRISTIAN Brandon still continued to hold his appointment in the distillery ; it was many months, however, before he quite recovered from the sorrow the loss of Martha had occa- sioned him. Still, his duties were well per- formed, and he continued— and deservedly — to be held in high estimation by his employers. He still resided with his mother, who, since her unjustifiable and wicked behaviour, had greatly changed her manner towards him. She was now attentive to his every wish, and did all in her power to please him — at the same time, however, receiving regularly the liberal com- pensation he made her for the board and lodging she afforded him. Things continued in this manner till the ensuing winter, when Mrs. Brandon was attacked with a violent in- flammation of the lungs, which terminated in her death. Christian behaved to her, in her last moments, with all the respect and attention due Christianas Second Love Affair. 115 from a child to a parent, though it could hardly be said he grieved for his mother as bitterly as he had done for his father. Christian received leave of absence for some days from his employers. After the funeral he searched for a will, and at last discovered one concealed in an old cupboard. To his great surprise, he found the will had been prepared by Mr. Desbrow, and he at first felt some little annoyance that his friend Gideon had never mentioned the circumstance to him. This, how- ever, vanished after a little consideration, as doubtless his mother had given Mr. Desbrow the commission to draw up the will under a pledge of secrecy, and it would have been a breach of professional etiquette, as well as hon- our, for Gideon to have disclosed it. By her will (which was dated some weeks after her cruel behaviour to Martha) she left everything she possessed absolutely to her son. He not only found that, by dint of incessant parsimony, she had contrived to invest four hundred pounds in the Funds, but on searching through the house, he discovered, in different drawers and hiding-places, some sixty to eighty pounds more. After the sale of the furniture and stock, Chris- tian found, when the expenses and liabilities were paid, including Mr. Desbrow's bill of costs (who acted for him in the matter), that he had 1 2 116 The Landlord of " The Sun. j> inherited fully five hundred pounds by his mother's death. Christian now took a respectable apartment, and his first step was to discover Martha — the only impediment to their union being removed- This, however, gave him no little trouble, so well had the determined girl contrived to con- ceal her address. At length, by dint of persever- ance, he succeeded — but only to be again dis- appointed. He found that, three weeks before he had ascertained her whereabouts, she had become the wife of a sergeant in the police, quartered in a distant part of the metropolis. This news was a cruel blow to Christian, and it was rendered still more severe, as it wounded both his love and vanity. In the first place, he was sincerely attached to the girl ; and in the next he had believed it to be impossible for her to love another while he was still single. It need hardly be said that, if Christian Brandon had wished, he would have had but little difficulty in finding a damsel willing to supply Martha's place in his aff'ections. In personal appearance he was almost gentlemanly, and re- markably good-looking. His features were de- cidedly handsome, and the general expression of his face combined gentleness and good-nature, mingled with great intelligence, and these quali- fications were further enhanced by a singularly Christianas Second Love Affair. 117 sweet-toned voice and pleasing address. If it should appear that these qualifications were of a somewhat effeminate description, the fault was more than compensated by the manly sym- metry of his form. He was fully six feet high, his chest of great breadth, and his limbs exqui- sitely knit together. Altogether his frame ex- hibited great strength and agility, without the slightest suspicion of heaviness. Judging from his general appearance, he might have stood to an artist as the model for a gladiator, had not the gentle good-humoured expression of his countenance somewhat destroyed the effect. After he had recovered a little from his dis- appointment, occasioned by Martha's marriage, he determined to trace out for himself a course of life, and then follow it inflexibly. He was by no means ambitious — the position he wished to attain being simply that of a respectable trades- man, and he resolved, if possible, to become one. Before deciding what branch of commerce he would take up, he determined to look coolly around him, till he had found some business in which he would be likely to succeed with his moderate capital. He well knew that the sum left him by his mother, in addition to four hun- dred pounds of his own savings, would not go far in any trade where there was much danger of competition. After giving the subject great 118 The Landlord of " The Sim:' consideration, he came to the conclusion that he was more hkelj to succeed as the proprietor of a well-conducted publichouse than in any other way of business. Again, from the position he held in the distillery, he had a good oppor- tunity of knowing the character and profits of a business of the kind before he purchased the goodwill, and he would therefore be httle likely to be deceived in the matter. He was, more- over, eminently well calculated for such an oc- cupation — being honest, courteous, and good- natured, and exactly the class of man hkely to bring respectable customers to the house, and to secure their patronage after he had done so. Before consulting his employers on the sub- ject, he could not disguise from himself, that to succeed in such a business it would be neces- sary for him to secure a fitting helpmeet — one whom he could love, and who would faithfully stand by him in the battle of life. But Chris- tian had great difficulty in finding a wife to his choice. Not that many, and highly respecta- ble, girls would have objected to fill such a position, had he proposed to them, but, as before stated, he was somewhat difficult to please. Perhaps, also, the image of Martha still dwelt too forcibly on his mind to allow him to conceive any strong aff'ection for another, and Christian Brandon was not of a disposition Christianas Second Love Affair. 119 to marry anyone he did not sincerely love. Then, again, it became a difficult question with him to determine in what class of life he could find a girl adapted to become his wife. He had but few acquaintances, and although, with his appearance and manners, he might without difficulty have introduced himself into the lower middle-class of society, the young ladies he would meet with there would hardly like to become the wife of a pubhcan, and cer- tainly not of one who would require her assist- ance, either directly or indirectly, in the busi- ness. He knew perfectly well that any respect- able maidservant would have no objection to un- dertake such a duty, but Christian, with his accession of fortune, had become rather more elevated in his way of thinking, and he soon dismissed the idea from his mind. The fact is, he was certainly difficult to please. Most young men form an ideal image in their own minds of the woman they would like to marry, but marvellously few ever find the model. With Christian, however, it was different, for he ultimately succeeded in finding the original of the ideal portrait he had painted. When Christian lost his mother, and found, as before stated, that Mr. Desbrow had drawn up her will, he employed that gentleman to settle her affairs. Since her death he had re- 120 The Landlord of " The Simr ceived an accession of trust in the employment he held ; and as the collection of doubtful debts was part of his new duties, he had frequent oc- casion to call at Mr. Desbrow's office (who was the solicitor of the firm), and he thus became, if not on friendly terms with that gentleman, at least on the footing of an acquaintance. One morning Christian, on going his rounds, had to call at a house where the landlord was con- siderably in debt to the firm he represented. To his great surprise he found the house closed, and a van at the door, in which the goods were being removed. He inquired for the landlord, but was told he had left the house some days before ; and being unable to gain any other in- formation, he hurried back to the distillery for further instructions. On informing Mr. Thurstan of the circum- stance, he requested him to call immediately on Mr. Desbrow and place the affair in his hands. When Christian reached Mr. Desbrow's office, he found he had not been there that morning, though why neither Mr. Morgan nor Gideon could tell. On hearing the business Christian was enoT'ao^ed in, the former advised him im- mediately to start off to Mr. Desbrow's private house. at Clapham, and if possible to see him, as Mr. Morgan hardly knew what steps to take in the matter, the landlord of the house in Christianas Second Love Affair. 121 question being himself a client of Mr. Desbrow. Without a moment's hesitation Christian started off to Clapham, and with but little difficulty succeeded in finding Mr. Desbrow' s house. The door was opened by a maidservant, and Christian also saw standing in the passage a young lady who particularly attracted his at- tention. She was exceedingly pretty, though somewhat pale — her complexion brunette, her mouth well-formed, and, like Christian, she had a beautiful set of teeth. Her figure was good, and she was tall and slim, without being too thin. Altogether she presented a most pleasing appearance, and Christian was so struck with it, that at the moment he was puzzled whom to address — the young lady herself, or the servant. With true feminine facility of perception, the young lady saw the impression she had made, and seemed by no means dis- pleased with it. To Christian's inquiry whether Mr. Desbrow was at home, she replied that he was not, as he had been obliged to go to Croydon that morning, but that she expected him back in the afternoon. The few words she had uttered increased the pleasing impression she had already made on Christian. Little as she said, he easily detected that she possessed that soft sweet voice, which Lear tells us, and truly too, is so excellent a 122 The Landlord of " The Simr thing in woman. Christian was so well pleased with it, that he strongly wished to hear more of itj or he seemed duller than usual in catch- ing her meaning. Good-breeding at last told him to go, and he did so, promising to call again at four o'clock that afternoon. Christian was more than punctual to his appointment, for it wanted fully a quarter of an hour to the time when he returned to the house. If the young lady had much pleased him in the morniucr, it was little to the effect she produced in the afternoon. Though very simply attired, she looked in every respect a lady, and Christian thought he had never seen a woman whose appearance he admired so much. He remained for some minutes in con- versation with her in the parlour, and had already made some steps towards acquaintance- ship, when Mr. Desbrow returned. He seemed considerably surprised at seeing Christian, but received him in a very friendly manner, and listened with great attention to the business he had come upon. After making a few notes, Mr. Desbrow allowed Christian to depart, say- ing the affair should be put in hand the next morning. Little sleep came to Christian that night, so pertinaciously did the image of the handsome girl he had seen in the daytime haunt him. Christian's Second Love Affair. 123 The next morning the favourable impression she had made by no means diminished ; in fact, Christian, possibly without being aware of it, was really desperately in love. A strong and very natural wish came over him to see her again, but how to form an excuse for calling at the house puzzled him extremely. Mr. Des- brow was one of those cool reserved men who, though affable enough in conversation, evidently wished to draw a marked line between his business connections and his private friends. He remembered having been told by Gideon, that during the many years Mr. Morgan had been in the office, Mr. Desbrow had never once invited him to visit at his house. The day passed over, and the next followed ; but so far was the impression the girl had made on Christian's imagination from fading away, that it seemed to become stronger and stronger. At length he determined that, cost what it might, he would see her again, if he could but frame some decent excuse for calling at the house. Good fortune kindly presented one to him that day. Intelligence in the distillery had been received that morning of the where- abouts of the defaulting publican, and Christian was sent to Mr. Desbrow' s office to put him in possession of the fact. On reaching Ely Place, he found that Mr. 124 The Landlord of " The Sun:' Desbrow bad not arrived, and, without saying a word as to the object of his visit, Christian quitted the office and immediately started off for Clapham, very possibly passing Mr. Des- brow on the road. He found the young lady at home, who naturally seemed greatly sur- prised to see him. There was no displeasure, however, in her surprise. Christian conversed with her for some time, and a well-developed acquaintanceship sprang up between them, to which the damsel seemed nothing loth. The next day and the following one Christian again called at Clapham, somewhat to the neglect of his own duties, and on each occasion the in- timacy between him and the young lady became greater. In conversation with her, she told him that her father had kept an inn in the village in which Mr. Desbrow had served his clerkship, and that the families had always been intimate ; that although she was quite a child when Mr. Desbrow left the town, the intimacy continued till her father's death. He had been a widower for more than two years, during which time, young as she was, she had taken part in the management of the business. On her father's death he had proved to be hopelessly insolvent, and the creditors seized all he had possessed. She would have been destitute indeed, she said, but for the kind- Christicm's Second Love Affair. 125 ness of Mr. Desbrow, wlio placed her in a school till she was old enough to accept an appointment as nursery-governess in a respect- able family. Christian was now desperately in love. His prudence taught him, as well, that he had found the person just suited to make him a good wife. With his peculiar temperament he could hardly have done better, for, although she was poor, and he might perhaps have married some one for money, he wished to make love his primary object, and felt he could never love anyone so well as the handsome girl with whom he had so lately become ac- quainted. After Christian had called several times in the afternoon at Mr. Desbrow's private resi- dence, and on each occasion had an interview with the young lady, he at last summoned up sufficient courage to propose to her in due form, and after some little demur on her part she accepted, him. Christian asked her whether he should inform Mr. Desbrow of their proposed union, or whether she would do so — to which she replied that it would be better to leave the affair in her hands, as she had not hitherto mentioned Christian's repeated calls ; and although Mr. Desbrow was, as a general rule, of an amiable temper, he could on occasion 126 The Landlord of " The Sun" express himself in strong terras, if lie thought any slight had been offered him. She would be able to bring it about by degrees, she said, and thus ward off any angry feeling on his part ; whereas coming from Christian, it would be more abrupt, and therefore more likely to excite his displeasure. At the same time, she advised him to abstain from visitino- at the house till he heard from her again. A few days afterwards Christian received a letter from her, saying she had spoken to Mr. Desbrow on the subject. '' At first," she wrote, " he showed considerable displeasure, telling me that, from our relative positions, I ought not to have accepted an offer of marriage without consulting him. He considered him- self, he said, in the light of my guardian ; and it was exceedingly ungrateful of me, and un- complimentary as well, to entertain an offer of the kind without his approbation. How did I know, he asked, that the person to whom I had engaged myself was a man of respectability — that nothing was more necessary for the future happiness of a young girl than that the man she was likely to marry should be of good reputation, as well as possessed of the means to support her ? I endeavoured to persuade him I was perfectly convinced on both points, but he said 1 had not sufficient experience of Christianas Second Love Affair. 1 27 tlie world, and that he ought to have been consulted. "He did not deny that you possessed the confidence of your employers, or that you were a respectable man ; but between the public and outdoorlife of a man and his private character, he said, there was frequently great discrepancy. Doubtless, he added, you were honest, but that did not prove you to be either pious or moral, and these qualifications ought to have been inquired into before I had accepted you. I told him that, much as I regretted having off'ended him, my mind was made up on the subject, and nothing would induce me to alter it. He then said that, although he had no legal power to prevent me, he had a right to state who should visit at his house, and re- quested me to tell you not to come here again. What am I to do. Christian ? I have no wish to break ofi" with you — on the contrary, you know I love you dearly. At the same time, he is certainly master in his own house. Write to me soon, dear, and tell me what to do, for I am thoroughly miserable." Christian, in reply, admitted that Mr. Des- brow was quite justified in refusing to admit him as a visitor at his house. He thought it would be better if he called at the office, and, candidly telling Mr. Desbrow the truth, invite 128 The Landlord of " The Sunr him to make any inquiries he pleased respect- ing his private life. " I quite agree with you," he concluded, " that it is as well we should be on friendly terms with him if possible. We are, however, perfectly independent of him, should he attempt to show any unnecessary opposition. I will take an opportunity, if pos- sible, of calhng on him to-morrow, and imme- diately after our interview I will write and inform you of the result." The next day Christian put his determina- tion into execution, and, calling at Mr. Des- brow's office, was fortunate enough to find him within. He received Christian coolly, but civilly, and begged him to take a seat in the client's chair. " You have heard," said Christian, deter- mining to break ground at once, " that I have made an offer of marriage to Miss Sarah Gor- don, and that she has accepted me. Now, although, Mr. Desbrow, we are both of suffi- cient age to act independently of anyone, we should regret doing anything you might con- sider disrespectful to you on our part. Sarah tells me that you have known her since she was a child, and were well acquainted with her family and connections ; and that, after her father's death, you kindly, for some time, offered her an asylum in your own house, when Christian s Second Love Affair. 129 otherwise she would have been destitute. She tells me also, that you consider she has acted rashly iu accepting an offer without first know- ing my means of supporting her, and my private character for morality and piety. My means, I admit, are very small. You know I inherited from my mother five hundred pounds, and I have managed to save nearly four hun- dred pounds more. On the other points, I invite you to make any inquiries, you please, being fully satisfied that the answers you may receive will not be unfavourable." Mr. Desbrow remained silent for a few mo- ments, and then said, calmly and deliberately : " Mr. Brandon, I unhesitatingly admit I was much displeased at hearing you had been a visitor, at my house without ray permission, and I was also vexed that Sarah should have accepted an offer of marriage without consult- ing me — who stand in place of her guardian — on the subject. But I also candidly admit that my anger is greatly, if not altogether, abated. I can now form an excuse for a young fellow iu love breaking through the bounds of eti- quette, and visiting at a house without permis- sion from its owner. I have also, since my conversation with Sarah, made inquiries re- specting your private character, and it is but jus- tice to say that I am perfectly satisfied with the VOL. I. ' K 130 The Landlord of « The Sun." result. I should of course like to know, though I don't say I have the slightest right to inquire, what your future prospects are. Do you intend to keep your appointment at the distillery ?" "No, I do not," said Christian. "My idea is to look out for some respectable house — half tavern, half publichouse — and purchase the lease, as I am fully convinced of my capability to conduct a business of the kind." Again Mr. Desbrow was silent for a few minutes, evidently deeply absorbed in thought, but at last said : — " It is true I should have liked to see Sarah in some other position than mistress of a publichouse, however respectably it may be conducted, but I must admit she is not without some experience. For more than two years, after her mother's death, she assisted in the domestic arrangements of the inn at X , although a mere child at the time. All things considered, I should not, even if I had the power, attempt to offer any impediment to your union. On the contrary, if I can assist your views in any manner, I will do it. One thing, however, I must candidly admit — and that is, I do not like your calling at my private residence. If you and Sarah can make any arrangement between yourselves where you can meet, I have not the shghtest objection. 1 understand that an elder sister of hers, whose Ckristian^s Second Love Affair. 131 husband is in business somewhere down in the West of England, is Hkely to come up to London in the course of a week or so. If she does, I should advise that the better plan would be for her to take lodo-ino^s somewhere near you, and Sarah could reside with her during the time she remains in town. This arrangement seems the best that could be adopted, all things taken into consideration, as Sarah would then be under the care of a protectress, and your courtship could be car- ried on with the propriety which should be observed on such occasions." After his interview with Mr. Desbrow, Chris- tian's first occupation was to write to Sarah and inform her of all that had taken place, and he offered to procure apartments in London ready for her sister when she should arrive. In reply, Sarah informed him that slie was much pleased at the news contained in his letter, and also that she had just heard from her sister, stating that she would arrive in London the following morning, and requesting her to provide apartments —but that duty she would now leave to Christian. This he wil- lingly undertook, but, as chance would have it, the only apartments he could find at all likely to suit were within a few yards of his own lodgings. The next day the sister arrived, K 2 132 The Landlord of " The San:' as expected, and Sarali, quitting Mr. Des- brow's house, took up her abode with her. Hardly a day now passed without the young couple meeting, and their courtship passed off smoothly enough. A singular change, how- ever — without in any manner w^hatever dimin- ishing her love for Christian — seemed to come over the behaviour of his affianced bride. At first her manners had been frank, open, and to a certain degree hvely ; but they were rather those of a sfirl flattered with the attention of a handsome young fellow, than showing any in- tensity of affection. For some time after she had taken up her abode at her sister's, she preserved the frank open manner she had done on the first days of their acquaintance ; but by degrees she appeared to become exceed- ingly low-spirited, and that without any assignable cause. There was certainly no repugnance on her part to the match — on the contrary, her love seemed to increase each time she saw her lover. Yet with all that, there was occasionally an unmistakable melancholy about her, which mystified both her sister and Christian. One evening, when her sister had quitted the house to make some purchases in the neighbourhood, she left the lovers sitting to- gether on the sofa. Their conversation, when Christian's Second Love Affair. 133 her sister liad first gone, turned on their future prospects in life, and the exertions Christian had made to find the lease and goodwill of some tavern sufl&cieutly eligible for them to take. Afterwards their tone became more lover-like and less matter-of-fact, especially on Christian's part. During a pause in their conversation, Sarah heaved a deep sigh, and by way of consohng her, Christian passed his arm round her waist and drew her closer to his side. She leant her head on his shoulder, and they remained quietly till the shades of evening had fairly closed in. At last Christian attempted to raise Sarah's head nearer to his own, when, to his great surprise, he found his coat wet with her tears^ for she had been for some time silently weeping. Now thoroughly alarmed, he inquired the cause of her distress ; but Sarah, instead of answering, only flung her arms round his neck, and wept with even greater effusion than before. Again and again did Christian attempt to get some explanation, but all in vain; and she continued to sob on, pressing her arms more tightly around him the while. Presently her sister returned, and immediately asked what ailed her; but Sarah merely said it was nothing more than lowness of spirits — she had felt low-spirited all the day, and could not account for it. Nothing had 134 The Landlord of " The Sun. 5> been clone to displease her — on tlie contrary, everyone was kind to her, and Christian was " the best man that ever lived." Lights were now brought in, and her sister looked at Sarah earnestly for some time, as if doubtful that she had told the truth. She however, with perfect equanimity, sustained her scrutinising gaze, and the evening passed over more satisfactorily. Sarah, contrary to her usual custom, appeared in high spirits, although her sister had little difficulty in per- ceiving that these were forced. After Christian's departure, she again, endeavoured to obtain from Sarah some explanation respecting her tears. "Now, my dear!" she said, "do tell me what has happened to make you unhappy ? Has Christian done anything to offend you ?" " Nothing whatever," was her reply ; " why do you ask?" " Because you seem so thoroughly unhappy, and I could easily detect your gaiety during supper-time was all artificial and forced. Tell me, dear Sally ! — for I am nearly old enough to be your mother — has anything occurred to make you object to this match ? If so, take my advice, and break it off at once. A thousand times better remain an old-maid, and get your bread by needle-work, than marry a man you Christian^ s Second Love Affair. 135 don't love ; and to tell you candidly, from what I liave seen of your behaviour this evening, I suspect you don't love Christian Brandon." " I don't love Christian Brandon !" ex- claimed Sarah, clenching her hands, and gazing at her sister with almost supernatural intensity — " I don't love Christian Brandon ! I tell you, I almost worship the ground he treads on ! Do, for Heaven's sake, Charlotte, get all that nonsense out of your head ! Why, bless me, are you never low-spirited yourself without being able to account for it ? I am, often enough, I know. Now, Charlotte, don't worry me any more about it," she continued, nervously and anxiously. " I tell you there's nothing the matter, and I don't want you to interfere." So saying she rose from her chair, and pre- pared to leave the room. Arrived at the door she suddenly stopped, and turning round to her sister, gazed at her attentively. Then, her eyes filling with tears, she advanced towards her and kissed her affectionately. " Charlotte," she said to her, " don't be angry with me for speaking unkindly to you; I did not mean it. I feel dreadfully nervous and irritable. Now promise me, like a dear old soul as you are, that if ever you see me low-spirited again, you will never speak to me 136 The Landlord of " The Sun:' about it, for it only makes me worse. Good- night ; and once more, don't be angry with me." Then kissing her sister, she left the room. Charlotte, however, was by no means re- assured by her sister's behaviour. Still, she knew that, although habitually calm and amiable, Sarah could, when aroused, be very determined. She clearly saw it would be use- less to speak to her again on the subject, though she did not like the idea of her sister marrying anyone against her inclination. She sat quietly in the chair, thinking over the matter for some time ; and at length came to the conclusion that she would herself call on Mr. Desbrow the next morning, and, after mentioning to him her sister's behaviour, take his advice on the subject. CHAPTER VII. KETEOSPECTIVE. BEFORE continuing the history of Christian Brandon, we must, for a few pages, de- tain the reader with a short account of events which have taken place between our hero and his friend Gideon Harcourt, after the tea-party at the house of Mr. Morgan in Kentish Town — or perhaps, more especially, after Gideon had obtained from Kate Morgan an avowal of the interest she felt for him. Since Christian had parted from Gideon on the abovenamed evening, little communication had passed be- tween them, and on the few occasions on which they saw each other, their meeting was per- fectly accidental. It must not, however, be imagined that the slightest ill-feeling, animosity, or jealousy existed between them ; on the con- trary, the same friendship they had felt for each other since their first acquaintance, when pupils at the school of the minister of the Surrey Chapel, remained as warm as ever. 138 The Landlord of " The Sunr The temporary estrangement — if sucli it might be called— arose from several causes. The commencement was possibly more the fault of Christian than of Gideon, for after their parting, on tlieir return from Kentish Town on the evening they had taken tea to- gether at Mr. Morgan's house, Christian, for some time, laboured under the unpleasant idea that from his bashfulness, and the awkwardness of his manner, he had made himself appear supremely ridiculous, not only in the eyes of the Morgan family, but — what was perhaps more painful to him — in the opinion of his friend Gideon. By degrees, however, the feel- ing vanished ; and for some few years after- wards, the cause of their rarely meeting was rather to be attributed to the enero-etic and in- defatigable manner they laboured at their re- spective employments, than from anything else. Afterwards another element arose which made Christian purposely avoid meeting his friend — the ill-success of his love-affair with Martha. Not that he had the slightest reason to be ashamed of his share in the transaction — for, as the reader is aware, he had behaved through- out in a most honourable manner — but the natural aversion which a young man of Chris- tian's sensitive temperament w^ould have in allowing a friend — and one whom he admired Betrospective. 139 as mucli as Christian did Gideon Harcourfc — to be aware of his ill-success. It is true that at the time of Christian's mother's death the two friends met somewhat more frequently. Mr. Desbrow having, as Mrs. Brandon's legal adviser, the duty of transacting the law-business connected with her will, and Christian being her sole legatee, his visits to Mr. Desbrow's office were frequent at the time. On these occasions he used to meet Gideon on terms of the most perfect friendship and good-feeling, though, beyond the con- gratulations which Gideon bestowed on him on his somewhat unexpected accession to so much money, little conversation of a private nature took place between them. After the winding- up of the affairs connected with the will was fully completed, their separation became even more marked than before, though now, per- haps, Gideon was more to blame than Christian for the estrangement. For about two or three years after Gideon's entrance into Mr. Desbrow's office, the current of his life ran on smoothly enough. During the whole of the time he had remained with his aunt, Mrs. Matthews, in Nelson Square, and no event worthy of remark had taken place be- tween them. True, the old lady had become somewhat more infirm, and her avarice had 140 The Landlord of " The Sun.'' certainly increased with her age. Although, from the periodical augmentations which had been made in her nephew's salary, the moiety of which she continued to exact, she was far more than compensated for the very moderate expense he put her to, she was incessantly throwing out hints that he ought to be more liberal, and that, as now his income had so much increased, he ought to make her a larger allowance than the half of his weekly stipend. Gideon was, however, deaf to all her hints, or avoided replying to them ; but one day, the old lady, somewhat irritated at his refusal to understand her inuendoes, told him plainly that the sum she received not only did not compen- sate her for his expenses, but that he was in honour bound to increase it, in order in some measure to recoup her for his board and educa- tion during childhood. But the old lady dis- covered she had no longer in Gideon the obedient submissive lad she had formerly been accustomed to control with so much despotism and severity. He replied to her remark by telhng her that he considered the proportion of his salary he paid to her was more than suflBcient for the accom- modation he received, and that he certainly should not think of increasing it. He more- over told her, that if she was discontented with the amount he paid, or considered herself a Retrospective. 141 loser by it, to say so candidly, as he should not have the slightest difficulty in making other arrangements. As to the obligations he was under to her for the expenses he had put her to during his childhood, he unhesitatingly ad- mitted them, and if, by good fortune, he should be able to rise in the world, one of his first en- deavours would be to put by periodically a sum of money to compensate her, but that it was too much for her to expect him to do so from the very limited salary of a junior clerk in a solicitor's office. Mrs. Matthews, although greatly astonished at the independence of her nephew's tonie and •manner, turned round sharply to answer him in the same way ; but noticing the resolution stamped on his countenance, so different from what she had hitherto been accustomed to, she contented herself by making some remarks, in a grumbling tone, about the wickedness and ingratitude existing in the world, and giving out certain religious hints of the punishment which might be expected in the next by those who had failed to fulfil their pecuniary obliga- tions, either moral or legal, in this — though frequently, she said with marked emphasis, the punishment was inflicted on both. A gloomy and almost angry coldness now continued to exist between aunt and nephew ; 142 The Landlord of " The Sunr in fact, beyond the ordinary salutations morn- ing and evening, tlioy seldom exchanged a word. Indeed, there would have been but little opportunity for any lengthened conver- sation ; Mrs. Matthews, from her increasino* infirmities, rarely leaving her bedroom before it was time for Gideon to go to his ofiice, while he seldom returned till the evening was some- what advanced. Frequently the idea entered the old lady's mind to inquire of Gideon in what manner he passed his evenings, as she was perfectly aware that at least two or three hours must have elapsed between the time the duties of the office were over and his return to Nelson Square. Actuated, however, by a sort of sullen pride, as well as feeling it would be derogatory on her part to take any open in- terest in the movements of her disobedient nephew, she determined to remain silent on the subject. The manner Gideon passed his evenings might have been accounted for most circum- stantially. His love for Kate Morgan seemed to increase rather than diminish, and every evening — or, at any rate, several evenings a week — he spent in her society. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Morgan, nor in fact any of the family, could now shut their eyes to the state of the case — that Gideon was in love with Kate, and Retrospective. 143 that liis attentions were by no means disagree- able to the damsel herself. Mrs. Morgan treated the matter in her usual apathetic man- ner, or rather seemed to encourage the afifection evidently existing between the young couple than otherwise. Not so Mr. Moro-an. Al- though somewhat late in perceiving it, the tardiness did not arise from any indifference to his daughter's happiness, but that his incessant attention to his duties closed his eyes in a certain degree to what was passing at home. As soon, however, as he was more at liberty, and became accustomed to his new business occupations, he detected that a very warm feeling: existed between his daughter Kate and Gideon ; and he resolved, when an opportunity should offer, to speak to the young fellow on the subject. This shortly afterwards occurred. With considerable tact Mr. Morgan introduced the conversation — at first remotely dwelling on the pleasure he had in seeing Gideon at his house, but that he was afraid his (Gideon's) aunt might think he visited there too frequently, thereby neglecting her and his home. Gideon, in reply, said that his aunt took but little interest in what he did, and that he should be much pleased if Mr. Morgan would allow him to visit in the manner he had hitherto been accustomed to do. To this, greatly to Gideon's 144 The Landlord of " The Siuir surprise and chagrin, Mr. Morgan returned a somewhat cool answer, and they walked on together for some distance in silence. At last Gideon could support the state of suspense he was in no longer, and he candidly told Mr. Morgan the story of his affection for his daughter Kate, and the hope that he would be allowed to continue his visits. Mr. Morgan rephed, in a tone of great kind- ness, that he felt flattered at the proposition, but, at the same time, Gideon must bear in mind that he had no means to support a wife, and that he personally could give him but little aid; for, although he was managing-clerk to Mr. Desbrow, his salary was httle more than sufficient for the maintenance of himself and family. " No — Gideon, my boy," he continued, " do not think me unkind if I say the question ought not to be entertained further. I shall always be happy to receive you as a friend, come when you will, but you had better not at present cherish any matrimonial projects. Kate is a good and affectionate girl, and I am sure would make you an excellent wife ; but, as I said before, matrimony, even with the severest economy, brings with it heavy ex- penses, which you, with your moderate income, would be unable to meet. It will be time enough for you to think of the subject when Retrospective. 145 your prospects are brighter. I will speak to Kate myself, and if you only take a reason- able view of the matter, I am sure she will do the same." Poor Gideon, unable to combat Mr. Morgan's arguments, ruefully assented to their truth, and promised to follow his advice to the best of his ability ; holding in reserve the permission Mr. Morgan had held out to him, that, should his prospects ever appear brighter, he would allow him to reopen the subject. To this Mr. Morgan fully agreed, and the conversation shortly afterwards ended. Conscientiously did Gideon attempt to keep his promise, and, by way of making it easier, for some time he visited Mr. Morgan's house but once a week. Poor Kate, after her father had spoken to her on the subject, attempted to assist Gideon, and always addressed him in a very friendly manner, but nothing more. This continued for some time, and with apparent success, though flimsy indeed was the veil the young couple threw over their real feelings. Each, with the most perfect facility, read the other's heart, and, notwithstanding their as- sumed coldness, each loved the other as dearly as ever. They carried on the deception for some time with the most barefaced hypocrisy on both sides : but at last the real truth broke VOL. I. L 146 The Landlord of " The Sun:' out, in spite of all their poor efforts at conceal- ment. One evening when tea was over, and they were left to themselves, they remained for more than half an hour without a word or a glance passing between them. Suddenly Gideon cast his gaze on Kate, and found her eyes filled with tears. Acting under an impulse which he was unable to withstand, and which set all his cooler judgment at defiance, he rose from his seat, and, without uttering a word, took her hand. Kate did not withdraw it, but burst into an uncontrollable flood of tears. Gideon now seated himself by her side, and a few minutes afterwards all their prudent re- solves had vanished, their promises were thrown to the winds, and fresh ones entered into between them. They solemnly agreed that in the sight of God they were betrothed, and, no matter what length of time should elapse, they would for the future consider themselves as indissolubly engaged to each other. Although the young couple, by every means in their power, endeavoured to conceal from the family the new engagement they had entered into, they occasionally gave sufficient indices to give rise to a suspicion that the attachment had again burst out in its full force, notwithstanding their attempts to con- ceal it from the eyes of others. There is no Retrospective. 147 doubt Mr. Morgan would have noticed it, and very probably did, but a circumstance occurred to him about the time, of so much importance, that it mio:ht in some deo^ree have drawn his attention away from what was passing at home. The junior partner in the firm of Thornbury & Potts, solicitors of the highest respecta- bility — in whose office Mr. Desbrow had entered on his arrival in London, and where he had remained till he started in business on his own account, and whom Mrs. Matthews also formerly employed as her professional ad- visers — died suddenly, and Mr. Thornbury, the senior partner, a man of fortune, who had latterly paid but little attention to the business, finding the fatigue of transacting it singlehanded more than was convenient to him, determined to take another partner. In procuring a suitable gentleman he had but little difficulty, but his new partner, although ta- lented and energetic, was still young in the profession ; and it was agreed between them that they would engage a managing-clerk to take the general superintendence of the busi- ness — one on whose ability and integrity they could rely — and, by way of securing his ser- vices for a continuance, they resolved to offer him a most liberal salary. Of course they had many applicants for the appointment, and L 2 148 The Landlord of " The Sun:* amon<^ tliem was Mr. Morgan, who was at last selected. Up to the present time Mr. Morgan had said nothing on the subject to Mr. Desbrow ; in fact, lie considered his chances of success in obtaining the appointment so small, that he thought it hardly worth while to mention the matter to him, judging that possibly it might disturb the good relationship which had existed between himself and his employer. All being arranged, however, with the new firm, he one morning, when Mr. Desbrow arrived at the office, requested a few minutes' conversation with him. On entering Mr. Desbrow's private room, he informed him that he had acccDted the appointment of managing-clerk to a highly respectable firm, and as in the course of a short time he should be oblig^ed to enter on his new duties, he thought it right not to delay giving Mr. Desbrow the information, that he might at his convenience make arrangements in the office for the future manao-ement of his department. For some moments Mr. Desbrow was silent, though the expression of his coun- tenance, which he was habitually able to con- trol with singular facility, showed that he was greatly annoyed at Mr. Morgan's communica- tion. At last he broke silence : — " I think, Mr. Morgan," he said, " you have hardly Retrospective. 149 treated me with common fairness. In the first place, I have invariably endeavoured to behave to you with courtesy and consideration; and in the next, although I considered your salary ample, I would readily have made some addi- tion to it, had you informed me you thought it insufficient. Why then should you have made arrangements to quit me in this abrupt manner ?" " Mr. Desbrow," replied Mr. Morgan, calmly, " I am perfectly ready to admit that I have always received at your hands great kindness and consideration. My sole reason for quitting you is that the salary now offered me — and with every probability of continuance — is more than double that which I receive from you ; and had I wished for an increase from you, I should neither have had the courage to ask, nor would you have granted, one-half the amount I am about to receive." " I am quite willing to admit I should not have granted it," said Mr. Desbrow. " But, may I ask, what firm is able to off"er you such liberal terms, and what are the duties you are expected to undertake in their office?" *' The appointment is general manager and confidential clerk to Messrs. Thornbury & Potts," replied Mr. Morgan. An unmistakeable appearance of anger and 150 The Landlord of " TJie Sanr vexation passed across Mr. Desbrow's face wlien he heard the name of the firm. Quickly recovering his self-possession, however, he rose from his chair, and, with great blandness in his tone, said : " All things considered, Mr. Morgan, I admit I should have acted exactly as you have done, had I been in your position. Let me congra- tulate you on your appointment !" And then, shaking Mr. Morgan warmly by the hand, the interview terraiuated. Although Mr. Desbrow appeared fully satis- fied with Mr. Morgan's explanation, when they separated, the intelligence caused him the greatest uneasiness. He could not disguise from himself that some years before, when common-law clerk in the firm of Thornbury & Potts, he had quitted them far more abruptly, taking with him no inconsiderable portion of their connection, and he fully, and reasonably, feared Mr. Morgan might do the same. Again, it would be no easy matter, at a short notice, to supply Mr. Morgan's place in the ofl&ce. True, there was no lack of gentlemen perfectly competent to undertake the duties, and at a salary considerably less than that he paid to Mr. Morgan ; still, the energy, talent, and unflinching integrity he displayed could not be surpassed, and even if equalled, Mr. Desbrow Retrospective . 151 could not be certain of tlie fact until long and watcliful experience had proved it. Then, again, another danger started up before him. He was aware that a strong intimacy, or rather friendship, existed between Mr. Morgan and Gideon Harcourt, and he greatly feared the probability of the former finding a situation for Gideon in the office of Messrs. Thornburv & Potts, and this was the more likely as the young fellow had been accustomed principally to act under Mr. Morgan's instructions. Gideon Harcourt, through his attention and ability to his duties, was now exceedingly useful in the office — so much so, in fact, that when Mr. Morgan was absent, either attending some case in the country, or engaged in some lengthened trial in town, Gideon had shown himself per- fectly competent to perform his duties ; and if he had had but a few more years' experience, would have been fully able to occupy the posi- tion soon to be vacated by Mr. Morgan. For more than half an hour Mr. Desbrow remained alone in his office, dehberating what steps he should take. At last he determined to increase Gideon's salary to two pounds a week, under the pretext that it was a reward for his great attention to his duties — at the same time resolving to engage an elderly law- clerk, with whom he had some acquaintance, 152 The Landlord of " The Sim." and who was in want of employment, at a low salary, ostensibly to fill Mr. Morgan's post, while in reality the principal duties would be performed by Gideon. Having determined on this arrangement, the business of the day passed on in the ordinary manner till a short time before the ofi&ce closed, when Mr. Desbrow sent for Gideon into his private room, and told him that, in consequence of the satisfactory manner in which he had performed his duties, and the energy and ability he had shown, he had de- termined to place more important matters in his hands, and that his income for the future Avould be raised to two pounds a week. Poor Gideon was so delighted at the intelli- gence, that for some time he was unable to thank Mr. Desbrow for his liberality ; and when he did so, his heart was so full that it was with difficulty he could make himself intelli- gible. Mr. Desbrow, however, easily read his meaning, and, with great tact, relieved the young man from the embarrassing position he was in, by assuring him he had much pleasure in making the addition he did to his salary ; and he even went so far as to hint, that if Gideon continued to perform his duties in the irreproachable manner he had hitherto done, he might in time expect a still further increase to his income. Betrospective. 153 When office hours were over, Gideon accom- panied Mr. Morgan to Kentish Town. For some time httle conversation passed between them, but as soon as they began to get clear of the more crowded streets, Gideon said : " Don't you congratulate me upon my good fortune, Mr. Morgan ?" '•' I shall be very happy to congratulate you upon any good fortune which may have befallen you ; but to what do you particularly allude ?" " Mr. Desbrow has increased my salary to two pounds a week, and raised me a step in the office." " Well, I sincerely congratulate you, but I must frankly admit you somewhat surprise me. When did Mr. Desbrow speak to you on the subject ?" "A few minutes before I left the office." Mr. Morgan remained a little time silent, and then, bursting into a laugh, said : — " Well, he appears determined not to lose you, at any rate, and in this he shows his good taste. But I, in my turn, have some news to tell you. I am about to leave Mr. Desbrow's office, having accepted the management of Messrs. Thornbury & Potts's business. You seem astonished, my dear fellow," continued Mr. Morgan, noticing an expression of surprise on his young friend's countenance, " and possi- 154 The Landlord of " Tlie Sun." bly tliink I am not makinfr a change for the better. However, that is not altogether the case. I like Mr. Desbrow's office very well, but as my salary will be more than double in my new appointment, of course I did not hesitate to accept it. But, Gideon, my boy, keep where you are. I know that the manag- ino--clerk Mr. Desbrow intends engaging, al- though a very worthy fellow, is too aged and feeble long to occupy the post, and you may step into it when he vacates it ; so you may at last be able to obtain what you have so long been looking for, and which you richly deserve — a fair start in life." Gideon, as Mr. Morgan uttered these words, looked anxiously in his face, but the old law- yer's clerk was too wary to allow him to read his thoughts ; at the same time, Gideon felt fully persuaded that his friend's words con- cealed an allusion to the possibihty of his mar- riao-e with Kate. He had the good sense, however, to make no remark on the subject, and the two friends continued to converse amicably together on their futui^e prospects, till they had reached Mr. Morgan's house. Ar- rived at home, neither spoke of their good fortune until the tea-things had been removed, and then Mr. Morgan, for the first time, in- formed his wife, daughter, and son of his in- Retrospective. 155 teDtion to enter tlie office of Messrs. Thornbury & Potts — merely adding that be did so princi- pally in consequence of tlie considerable increase it would make to his salary, without naming any definite sum — and Gideon afterwards told them of the stroke of o-ood fortune he had that day received. All were, of course, de- lighted with the intelligence. Kate's behaviour, however, offered some singular peculiarities at the time. Apparently irresistibly, she had fixed her gaze for a moment on Gideon, and as suddenly turned it from him again, and looked with intense earnestness into the fire. Although she resolutely endeavoured to conceal all emo- tion, an acute observer could have perceived that the intelligence had given rise to a multi- tude of ideas which were flocking through her brain. Gideon, on his part, by no means attempted to conceal the state of satisfaction he was in, but chatted incessantly, addressing his remarks frequently to Kate — who, however, answered him only in monosyllables ; while Mr. Morgan sat by in his easy chair, and, under the pretext of great fatigue, entered but rarely into the conversation, though possibly he was at the time keenly watching the behaviour of the young couple. It was somewhat late in the evening before Gideon quitted the Morgan 15G TJie Landlord of " The Sun:' family, and when he left the house, Kate accom- panied him to the door — a civility she had not offered him since the time it was agreed be- tween them that their engagement should be kept a secret. Whether they thought that the time was now approaching when their en- gagement need not be kept a secret, it is impossible to say ; but their leave-taking that night, though none of the longest, was certainly longer than would have come within the rules of propriety, had they not been formally en- gaged to each other. When Gideon arrived at his aunt's house in Nelson Square, to his great surprise he found the old lady sitting up for him, as for some months past she had been accustomed to seek her bed at a very early hour in the evening. When he entered the room and saluted her, she received him rather coolly and sternly, but not uncivilly. To her inquiry as to the manner in which he had passed his evening, he told her he had taken tea with the family of Mr. Morgan, managing-clerk to Mr. Desbrow. " You appear to be always there," she said, somewhat snappishly. " I think it would become you much better if you occasionally passed your evening in chapel, instead of incessantly gadding up there to Kentish Town. But now," she con- tinued, abruptly changing the conversation. Uetrospcctive. 157 » " I wish to speak to you upon anotlner subject. Have you beard from Mr. Desbrow whether he intends making any increase in your salary ? If not, I must insist upon your giving me more than the half of what you now receive. I am not sufficiently compensated for the expense you put me to, even taking into consideration that your dinners are now paid for out of your own pocket." " Aunt," replied Gideon, " I was about to speak to you on the same subject, and tell you that to-day Mr. Desbrow has promised to make a considerable increase in my income — one which will enable me to maintain myself without being any burden upon you. If, therefore, you have no objection, I will propose that I leave the house next week — at the same time hoping that I shall not incur your displeasure by so doing, which would grieve me exceed- ingly.". For some moments the old lady was dumb with astonishment at her nephew's proposition. But, the first shock over, the effect it had seemed to produce was rather that of sharpening her wits, and bracing up her nerves for a quarrel, than any other. Presently, evading Gideon's direct proposition, she said to him : " And what alteration has Mr. Desbrow made in your salary ?" 158 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun:' " He has increased it, aunt, to two pounds a week," " And you, ungrateful wretch that you are !" said Mrs. Matthews, sternly, to him, " now that you are capable of paying me with ease for the full expense you put me to, as well as allow me something more to indemnify me for the heav}^ outlay I incurred for you in your childhood — you deliberately propose to quit my roof, instead of being a solace and comfort to me in my old age. Oh ! it's a fortunate thing it pleased Providence to take your poor mother, for what would have been her feelings had she witnessed the disgraceful behaviour of her son ?" " Aunt," said Gideon, calmly, " let there be no illwill between us, though, if any should arise, it shall be solely on your part, for I will not say one word to offend you more than is sufficient to explain my meaning. I am now nearly twenty-five years of age, and I wish to settle myself in life. 1 have formed an attach- ment for an amiable young lady, who has ac- cepted me, and I am determined to marry her. It is to reside near her, so as to be able to make arrangements for my future housekeeping, and from no want of affection or respect for you, that I propose quitting your roof." " And, pray, who may this young lady be ?" Retrospective. 159 asked Mrs. Matthews, lier shrewdness increas- ing in proportion with her anger — which last, however, she made strenuous efforts to con- ceal. " She is the daughter of Mr. Morgan, the head-clerk in Mr. Desbrow's office, with whose family I have been now for some years intimate, so that I have had abundant opportunities of knowing her character and disposition." " Has she any property of her own ?" " Not a shilling," replied Gideon. " And you, who in common honesty are over- head-and-ears in debt to me, propose marrying a girl who, according to your own showing, is little better than a beggar !" " I am sorry, aunt, you choose to put it in that offensive light ; but it will in no way alter my determination." Mrs. Matthews remained silent for some mo- ments, and then said : " And what is the opinion of the girl's father as to this precious match ?" " Well," replied Gideon, somewhat sheep- ishly, " to tell the truth he has not yet given his positive consent ; but, at the same time, I have no fear as to the result." A dense silence now ensued between the aunt and nephew, which lasted perhaps for half an hour, when Mrs. Matthews, turning sharply 160 The Landlord of " The Sun jj round on Gideon, said, " What are you wait- incr for ?" " 1 thought, aunt, you might wish to say something more to me.'" " Something more to you !" said Mrs. Mat- thews, glancing at her nephew in a most vin- dictive manner. " Something more to you, indeed ! No, sir ! 1 have heard from you this evening enough to hist me for my hfe ; and, for my own part, I do not wish to address a word to you again. Now, take your candle and go to bed." The next morning Gideon had left the house for his oflBce before his aunt had quitted her room — a matter which gave him no chagrin, as he was thoroughly indignant at the treat- ment he had received from her the evening be- fore. He was resolved he would offer her neither apology nor excuse, nor make any overtures towards reconciliation, but to keep steadily to the course he had decided on. Although Mrs. Matthews had not quitted her room at the time of her nephew's departure, she was thoroughly prepared to do so — indeed, she had been dressed for some time previously, but wished to avoid meeting Gideon. As soon as she heard the door close after him, she de- scended to the sitting-room, and, opening her writing-desk, wrote a short note to Mr. Des- BetrospecUoe. 161 brow, requestiDg liim, as a particular favour, to call on her at his earliest convenience, as she had something of the greatest importance she wished privately to consult him upon. She then told her maid to seek for a messenger to take it to the office, and one who was unknown to Gideon, so that, in case he might be there at the time, he would not be aware that the letter came from her. Three hours after the latter had been des- patched, Mr. Desbrow arrived at the house in Nelson Square, and was forthwith ushered into the presence of Mrs. Matthews. She received him with great civility, and requested he would take a seat by her. ** You perceive, my dear madam," said Mr. Desbrow, with great blandness in his tone and manner, " that I have lost no time in obeying your summons. Of what use can I be to you ?" " Mr. Desbrow," she replied, " I wish par- ticularly to consult you about my nephew, and his behaviour at your office. Are you content with him ?" " Perfectly so, my dear madam," replied Mr. Desbrow. " In fact, only yesterday I greatly increased his income. He is intelligent, regular in his duties, and of strict integrity and veracity in every respect." " I am almost sorry to hear you speak of him VOL. I. M 162 The Landlord of " The Sun jj in that manner, as I am afraid what I am ^oing to propose may put you to some inconvenience, if you accede to it. My nephew has behaved to me in a most infamous and dishonest manner, and I am determined never to speak to him again. As it was through my intercession he obtained employment in your office, T now earnestly re- quest that, as soon as you can find a substi- tute, you will dismiss him." " You perfectly astonish me," said Mr. Des- brow. " I will not, of course, be so indiscreet as to ask you any questions ; but, at the same time, let me advise you to reflect well before you proceed to extremities against him." " I am not acting without due consideration in the matter," said Mrs. Matthews, coolly and pointedly, " and of course I have not the slightest right to attempt to control you in any Avay ; but it is better that we should clearly understand each other. Hitherto I have myself transacted the whole of my affairs, except those directly connected with the law, and I flatter myself I am no indifl'erent woman of business " (Mr. Desbrow bowed politely as she made this remark) . " But I am now getting an old woman, and, feeling the infirmities of age coming upon me, I have determined to place the whole of my affairs for the future in your hands. This I snould hardly like to do when I remember that Betrospecfive. 163 one of the principal clerks in your office lias not only behaved to rae with the most infamous ingratitude and dishonesty, but against whom I bear the most unflinchino; angler." " I will do everything in my power to please you, Mrs. Matthews," said Mr. Desbrow — not, however, having the slightest intention of dis- missing Gideon, who was far too valuable to lose — " but there requires some little tact and consideration before acting on your suggestion." " How so ?" asked Mrs. Matthews. " Why, the fact is, your nephew is on the strictest terms of intimacy with Mr, Morgan, who acts as head-clerk in my office, but who is about to leave me, having accepted the ap- pointment of managing-clerk to Messrs. Thorn- bury & Potts, your former solicitors, where he Avill be all-in-all sufficient. Now, if I dismiss your nephew from my office, the probabilities are that Mr. Morgan will get him immediate employment under him with Messrs. Thorn- bury & Potts, who, as you know, still hold the whole of the papers connected with the Chancery suits you were engaged in some twenty-three years ago. Although I am ready to inform your nephew that I have no further need of his services, would you less object to his remaining with me, or entering into the office of Messrs. Thornbury & Potts ? It is a question for your M 2 164 The Landlord of " The Svnr coDsideration, but I should like to have your answer without delay on the subject." It should be clearly understood that Mr. Desbrow's remark was merely invented, at the spur of the moment, to serve him as an ex- cuse for keeping the old lady from insisting on the immediate dismissal of Gideon — although, as before stated, Mr. Desbrow had not the slightest intention of parting with him. He knew perfectly well the extreme aversion Mrs. Matthews had to anyone investigating, or be- coming acquainted with, her private affairs ; and he rightly judged that, much as she wished to see her nephew dismissed, she would rather he remained in his present appointment for a short time longer, than run the risk of his obtaining another in the office of Messrs. Thorn- bury & Potts. " T am ready to admit," she continued, after a pause of some minutes, " that your objection to dismissing my nephew at the present mo- ment seems to be a valid one. I should strongly object to his interfering in, or in any manner becoming acquainted with, my affairs. But why should my papers remain with Messrs. Thornbury & Potts ? They are not at the pre- sent moment my professional advisers, and what right have they to hold them ? I wish you would take possession of them, and either Retrospectioe. 165 keep them yourself, or return them to me to put with my other papers, and when you have done this we can again take up the question of my nephew." " I do not know of any reason why I should not obtain possession of them," said Mr. Desbrow ; " but, as I said before, I know nothing whatever of the transactions they allude to, which not only took place before I entered as a clerk in their office, but which, I understand, related solely to Chancery pro- ceedings, while my duties were entirely con- nected with Common Law. However, if you will sign a written authority — which I will now draw up for you — I will write to Messrs. Thornbury & Potts, stating that I am au- thorised by you to demand from them all the law-papers connected with your affairs at pre- sent in their possession." Mrs. Matthews readily agreed to the pro- position ; and the document having been drawn up by Mr. Desbrow, and daly signed by Mrs. Matthews, the conversation turned on Mr. Morgan and his family. Mr. Desbrow, how- ever, knew but little about them, as he never interfered with the domestic arrangements of the gentlemen in his office. He was greatly surprised to hear that Gideon was about to marry Mr. Morgan's daughter; in fact, he 166 The Landlord of " The 81111.'' was not even aware he liad a daughter. Al- together the information she received from Mr. Desbrow was of a somewhat unsatisfactory description ; and Mr. Desbrow shortly after- wards took his leave, promising the old lady that he would immediately communicate with Messrs. Thornbury & Potts, and let her know the result as soon as he should receive their reply. In the course of a few days their answer came; but, so far from being satisfactory to Mrs. Matthews, it aroused in her mind a feel- ing of strong anger, not unmixed with con- siderable uneasiness. It was to the effect that, on looking over the law-papers alluded to, they not only found them to relate to divers Chancery suits, but that more than one trustee was interested in the proceedings ; and without their consent, they considered themselves justified in retaining the papers in their own custody. w CHAPTER VIII. GIDEON MARETED. HEN Sarah Gordon and lier sister met at breakfast, the morning after the foi mer's attack of low spirits narrated in a pre- vious chapter, not a word passed between them on the subject. Nevertheless, it was easy to perceive that the minds of both were preoccu- pied, and each was instinctively aware that her sister's thoughts were dwelling on the same subject as her own. At last the silence became oppressive, and each, in her turn, attempted to force a conversation on some indifferent matter which suggested itself at the moment. Seeing, however, it was useless, the attempt was given up, and a silence as profound as that they had observed at the commencement of their break- fast again continued to hang over them. Their meal finished, Charlotte, without any remark to her sister, rose from the table and left the room, but shortly afterwards entered it again, dressed, to leave the house. 168 Tlie Landlord of " 77^.6 Sunr "Where are you going, dear ?" asked Sarah. • Charlotte hesitated for a moment, as if searching for some excuse ; but finding none, and her countenance beginning to redden under the gaze of her sister, she thought it better to tell the truth. " I am going to call on Mr. Desbrow," she said ; and then, as if to turn Sarah's thouo-hts from the real object of her visit, she added, " I wish to consult him about a little business of my own." "Is that all, Charlotte?" said her sister, significantly. " Yes dear," was Charlotte's reply, her honest countenance colouring up as red as a peony at the untruth she had uttered. " Charlotte, your face is more truthful than your tongue this morning," said Sarah. " Come, now, let me know the whole truth ; for I shall be sure to learn it, sooner or later." " Well, then, my dear," said her sister, summoning up courage, " I tell you candidly, it was also my intention to speak about you ; for I am very uneasy on your account." " In the first place, Charlotte, I know no reason why you should be uneasy about me. There is nothing the matter with me whatever, either in mind or body; and, supposing there had been, what interest can it possibly be to Gideon Married. 1G9 Mr. Desbrow, or what right has he to interfere in the matter ?" " Every right, clear," said Charlotte. " He has been to you in the place of a parent. When, after our father's death, you were left a helpless girl, almost without a friend (for I, being in Canada at the time, could not assist you), he took you under his charge, and has behaved with the greatest kindness to you ever since, as you yourself have frequently admitted in your letters to me on the subject. Is it not perfectly natural, then, that I, the only relative you have in the world, should apply to him for advice at the present moment, when I am so anxious about you ?" " But now, Charlotte," said Sarah, " let us speak reasonably on the subject What cause have you to be anxious about me?" " That which I told you of yesterday evening — your frequent lowness of spirits," replied Charlotte. " But what has Mr. Desbrow to do with that ? He cannot cure them, even if I allowed him to speak to me on the subject — so why trouble him about me ?" " I tell you, Sarah," said her sister, " I strongly suspect you are about to marry a man whom you do not love ; and Mr. Desbrow, who has always acted as your guardian, and 170 The Landlord of " The Sun." to whom you owe every respect, might, if my surmise be a right one, have sufficient influence with you to induce you to break off the match." "I do not love Christian Brandon!" said Sarah, slowly, and laying a stress on each word as she uttered it — " not love Christian Brandon ! Why, as I told you last night, I worship the very ground he treads upon. What right have you to interfere in the matter? Although you are ten years older than I am, you shall not control me !" "I have no wish to control you, Sarah," said her sister, mildly. " I am sorry for what I said, Charlotte, and did not mean it. You are a very good kind sister, I know ; but, after all, this affair is mine, and not yours. I know," she continued earnestly, and looking in Charlotte's face, " that when you have made up your mind on a subject, it is no easy matter to turn you from it, and, in spite of my request, you may still speak to Mr. Desbrow. But mark my words — if you do, and he comes here to talk to me on the matter, I will not see him ; and I am of as determined a character as yourself. Do not, therefore, give him any useless trouble. I would lose my right hand rather than lose Christian's love, or be separated from him, though" (and then she added in an undertone. Gideon Married. 171 the tears gatlieriag in her eyes) " I would rather have lost it than ever to have seen him." Then placing her hand before her eyes, she commenced weeping. " Sarah," said her sister, kindly, after having attempted to console her, " what am I to understand by your behaviour ? You make me almost as miserable as yourself!" " Do not disturb yourself about it," said Sarah, hurriedly wiping her eyes. " I admit I have not been very well lately, and that has caused my lowness of spirits. If I could get a few days in the country, no doubt I should soon be better. Will you come with me ? I am sure Christian will let me go." " Well, dear," replied Charlotte, kissing her, " we will talk the matter over when I return. All will depend upon my interview with Mr. Desbrow, concerning the business I told you about. But do not be alarmed, dear," she continued, noticing an expression of anxiety on her sister's countenance ; " I will not speak to him about you, further than asking his opinion of the probable success in life of Chris- tian Brandon, and whether, in a worldly point of view, he considers the match a prudent and safe one. You surely cannot object to that ?" " Certainly not — if you wish it. At the 172 The Landlord of " The Sunr same time, the less said about me the better I shall be pleased. Now, dear, go at once, and be back again as soon as jou can, for I shall count the minutes till you return." Although Charlotte faithfully kept her word not to mention to Mr. Desbrow the frequent attacks of melancholy her sister laboured under, the subject caused her great uneasiness, and this, perhaps, was still further increased by her sister's extraordinary behaviour at the termination of their conversation. She felt fully convinced there was something Sarah concealed, but what that might be she could not form even a remote idea. Devoutly she hoped that the lowness of spirits might be occasioned by some slight indisposition. In that case, evidently the best plan which could be adopted to cure her would be what she had herself suggested — change of air and scene for a few days. At last she determined, if, on her return, she found her sister of the same opinion, she would write to a friend living in Kent, some ten or twelve miles from London, to receive them, as the distance would not preclude Christian from occasionally visit- ing them. Her interview with Mr. Desbrow on her own business passed off satisfactorily enough, and she then asked him if he were ac- quainted with Christian Brandon, and whether Gideon Married. 17 o lie thought the marriage would be a good one for her sister. " As far as Brandon is concerned," said Mr. Desbrow, " although personally I know but little of bim, I have every reason to entertain for him the highest opinion. I have known him by sight, and occasionally meeting him on business-matters, for the last ten or twelve years — in fact, since he first entered as a lad in the distillery where he is now employed. Not only has the firm been perfectly satisfied with him, but he has gradually risen in their employment, till for the past three or four years he has been occupied as their collecting-clerk — a situation of considerable trust, and which he has filled with the most perfect integrity. Added to that, I have good reason to know he was an excellent son, and is likely, therefore, to make a good husband." " All that is very satisfactory," said Char- lotte, " but are his means sufficient to maintain my sister ? And, again, I hardly like the idea of his keeping a tavern, as he now proposes. I would myself much prefer any other sort of business." " With most men," said Mr. Desbrow, " I should fully agree with you ; but I think there is less danger with him. Christian Brandon is exceedingly temperate, good-natured, and 174 The Landlord of " The 8unr honest, and altogether adapted to manage a first-class business of that description. I will tell you, however, though perhaps you may have heard it before, that his capital is not sufficient to allow him to embark in any other line of business in which there is likely to be much competition. In fact, it is so small — scarcely exceeding nine hundred pounds — that I hardly think he will be able to purchase the lease of any respectable house with it. But that remains to be seen. He is very sanguine himself, and knows more on the subject than I do. As to the advisability of the match, all things considered, in a worldly point of view, I do not think your sister could have done better than accept him." Charlotte warmly thanked Mr. Desbrow for the opinion he had given, and afterwards made her way back to the lodging, where her sister was anxiously expecting her. As soon as she had somewhat recovered from the fatigue of her walk, Sarah said to her : " Now, dear, tell me candidly all that has taken place — at any rate as far as I am concerned." *' As I promised you," replied Charlotte, "I did not mention to Mr. Desbrow the attack of low spirits you are subject to, but merely questioned him as to his knowledge of Christian Brandon, and his opinion of the match you Gideon Married. 175 are about to form — which, as your elder sister, I corisidered myself entitled to do. He spoke in a very straightforward manner. He said that although Christian's prospects were not very brilliant, there was every probability of his success in life, and, in a worldly point of view, he did not consider the match by any means a bad one. Of Christian he expressed himself in the highest terms, stating that he believed him to be a most honest worthy fellow, and one on whose integrity and steadiness he had the fullest reliance. And now, dear, I think I have told you all." Sarah Gordon made no remark when her sister had finished, but remained for some time apparently absorbed in deep thought. Then suddenly placing her arm round Charlotte's neck, and kissing her, she thanked her for the interest she had taken in her. " And now, dear Charlotte," she continued, " tell me can- didly what you think of the idea of our going into the country for a week ? I am sure it would do my health good, and I should be much benefited in spirits." " I am perfectly ready to do so, my dear," replied Charlotte ; " and, if you hke, we will start to-morrow morning. At any rate, we will talk the matter over when Christian comes this evening." 176 The Landlord o/" The Sun:' This being agreed on, the conversation on the subject dropped In the evening, Christian Brandon paid his expected visit to his be- trothed, and appeared in high spirits. He told her that he had ever}^ reason to beheve he had met with a house likely to suit him, though, unfortunately, he had not been able to ascertain the terms they desired for the lease and good- will. " I called on Mr. Desbrow this afternoon," he continued, " to speak to him on the subject, and to ask, in case they should require any proofs as to my respectabihty, whether I might refer to him — my own firm having given me permission to use their name. He received me in a most friendly manner, and told me he should be very happy to assist me in any way he could, and that I might make what use of his name I pleased. He is really a very good fellow, and a warm friend, and the more I see him the more I like him. But I met with a curious circumstance on leaving the office." " What was that ?" asked Sarah. " During my last two or three visits," re- phed Christian, "I had not seen my old friend Gideon Harcourt. This caused me no surprise, as I imagined he was in all probability engaged in some law-business. To-day, how- ever, as I left Ely Place, I saw him. Our Gideon Married. 177 meeting was a very friendly one, as you may believe ; and we chatted together for some few minutes, when I remarked I had not seen him latterly, when I called at the office. ' No wonder,' he said, ' for I have left Mr. Des- brow's some twelve or fifteen months since.' ' Are you not friendly with him ?' I then inquired. ' Perfectly so,' he said ; ' indeed, we are on the best of terms, but circumstances have been brought about — thanks to that amiable old aunt of mine in Nelson Square ! — which obliged me to leave the office. This I did with some regret, for I have always re- ceived from Mr. Desbrow the most liberal and gentlemanly treatment. When I left him, we not only parted on good terms, but he made me a present of this ring' (showing me a very handsome one on his finger), 'to keep as a remembrance of his good feeling to- wards me, and his high satisfaction at my behaviour during the time I had been in his office.' I then asked where he now was, and he replied in the same office as his father-in-law, Mr. Morgan, where he held as good an ap- pointment as he did with Mr. Desbrow." " Why, you don't mean to say he is married !" exclaimed Sarah. " That is precisely the question I put to him," said Christian. " ' Married,' he replied; VOL. I. N 178 The Landlord of " The Saii:' ' yes, and a father in tlie bargain. I was mar- ried about six months after the affairs con- nected vvitli your mother's will were wound up, to Kate Morofan, the daughter of the confi- dential and managing-clerk to the firm I am now with. But I cannot stay longer talking with you at present. There is my address, and you must come some evening and have tea with us, when I will introduce you to my wife, and my son and lieir. I can assure you, Kate and I have often talked of you, wondering whether you were married, and what you were doing. But now,' he continued, ' when will you come ? Have you anything to do to-morrow evening ? — if not, be with us about seven o'clock, and we shall be delighted to see you.' I promised him I would go, and if you have no objection, Sarah, I will keep my word, as I should like to see what sort of a life he is leading." " And did you tell your friend that you were going to be married ?" inquired Charlotte. " Well," said Christian, looking rather sheepish, " I did not. You see I had no time." " He seemed to find time to say a great deal to you," continued Charlotte. " But no matter — he will hear all about it to-morrow night." Christian now asked what Sarah and her sister had been doing with themselves all the Gideon Married. 179 day, and heard that, with the exception of Charlotte's visit to Mr. Desbrow, neither of them had quitted the house. They then told him of the intended visit to the country, and their reason for going. Christian, of course, could offer no objection, and promised that he would pay them a visit on the Sunday, spend- ing the two evenings which must elapse in the interim as he best could. " In all probability," he continued, " I shall be able to give you, by then, some more definite information as to the house I have seen, and the probability of my becoming the proprietor." The following morning Sarah Gordon and her sister started off for the country, and in the evening, as agreed, Christian Brandon paid a visit to his friend Gideon. He found him living in a neat six-roomed house in the neio-hbourhood of Kentish Town, which was well-furnished, and had every appearance of comfort about it. He was introduced to Mrs. Harcourt, who received him in a most friendly manner. On his inquiring whether she re- membered him, and his unfortunate clumsy behaviour on the evening he drank tea at her house, some eight or ten years before, she replied, laughing, that she remembered it very well, although she should hardly have known him again. Nor was this much to be wondered N 2 180 The Landlord of " The Sun." at, foi" there was no trace of the awkward though fine-looking boy he then was, to be seen in the athletic, well-made, and gentle- manly young fellow who now stood before her. Ahhouofh Christian's ambition rose no higher than to be the proprietor of a respectable tavern, his personal appearance might have been envied by many in a very aristocratic position in society. " And now, Mr. Brandon," said Mrs. Har- court, " tell us candidly, are you not mar- ried ?" " No, I am not." " Nor going to be ?" " That may be a somewhat indiscreet ques- tion," said Gideon. " Not at all," said Christian. " I am not only going to be married, but very shortly too. My future wife is at present in the country ; but as soon as she returns, which will be in about a week, I shall have much pleasure in introducing her to you. Nothing would please me more than that, for the future, an intimacy should exist between us, though I am not certain you will like to visit us when we are married and settled." *' And why not ?" inquired Mrs. Harcourt, in a tone of surprise. " Because," said Christian, " I intend keep- Gideon Married. 181 ing a tavern ; and although you may be sure it will be a most respectable one, there are, I know, some people who object to visit at a house of the kind." " You do both me and my wife a great in- justice, if you imagine we should be actuated by such a feeling," said Gideon, " No, Chris- tian ! we have been friends since we were boys together, and I hope we shall continue so. It will give us both pleasure to be on terms of intimacy with you and your wife," Mrs. Harcourt was now called out of the room, to superintend the ceremony of putting her little son to bed, and the conversation between Gideon and his friend turned on the different occurrences which had befallen them since Gideon had left his aunt's house in Nelson Square. The first portion of the dispute be- tween him and Mrs. Matthews, as well as her application to Mr. Desbrow to dismiss her nephew from his ofiice ; her consent to allow him to stay longer, in consequence of her ob- jection to his entering the office where Mr. Morgan was ; her application, through Mr. Desbrow, for the law papers connected with some early Chancery suits, and the refusal of Messrs. Thornbury & Potts to dehver them up, have already been brought before the reader. Gideon now told his friend that, for some little 1^2 The Landlord of " The Sun." time after he had quitted his aunt's house (which he did the week following their quarrel), she remained in a sort of apathetic state, with the exception that her indignation against him seemed to increase daily. The leases and securities which she had promised to place in Mr. Desbrow's hands, she still retained in her own possession, not liking them to be sent to the office while Gideon was engaged there, lest they might come under his eye ; and, of all persons living, her nephew was the one she had the most objection to becoming acquainted with any of her affairs. It is more than probable she would have •withdrawn the promise she had made to Mr. Desbrow, that he for the future should have the manao^ement of the whole of her affairs ; but the increased strain on her temper, which she had kept up for so long a time, at last brought on an attack of paralysis of the right side and arm ; and although, after the first severity had somewhat abated, it did not present any symptoms of immediate danger, she was phy- sically precluded from keeping her accounts, writing her letters or receipts, or in any way conducting her own affairs. Finding now she had no alternative, she resolved again to apply to Mr. Desbrow, and offer to place her affairs entirely in his hands, under the express "ison- Gideon Married. 18') dition tliat lier nephew should be dismissed from his office In vain did Mr. Desbrow form excuse after excuse, to moUify the inveterate hatred of the old woman. She would, how- ever, hear of no alternative, and Mr. Desbrow beg:an to be somewhat embarrassed as to what course to pursue, and at last resolved to con- sult Gideon on the subject. Now Gideon, for some time, had entertained the idea of quitting Mr. Desbrow's office, and enterinof the same in which Mr. Moro^an held his appointment as confidential clerk; indeed, a situation, equal in emolument to that he received from Mr. Desbrow, had already been offered to him, and sundry circumstances rendered the offer particularly tempting. One evening, when he and Mr. Morgan were walking home together, the latter said to Gideon : " Of course you have heard that your aunt has made an application, through Mr. Desbrow, for the papers connected with some old Chan- cery suits in which she was engaged, to be de- livered up to her. I examined those papers, to see what they might be, when I found that cer- tain trustees were mixed up in those suits ; and as I had no opportunity of knowing whether they were alive or dead, till that fact could be ascertained to a certainty, of course we should not be justified in parting with them, as their 184 The Landlord of " The Sun." consent might be required for our doing so. I have since been making some inquiries as to their whereabouts, though without much suc- cess. T intend, however, at my leisure (un- fortunately, at this moment we are exceedingly busy, without any apparent probability of our becoming less so), to go deeply into the matter, and I strongly suspect it is possible the old lady, your aunt, has not acted towards you in an hon- ourable manner, and that you may not be al- together uninterested in the matter. All this is very vague, and no conclusion can be arrived at now, so, do not allow anything I have said to raise hopes in your bosom which in the end may never be realised." On more than one occasion the behaviour of Mrs. Matthews on money-matters had appeared inexplicable to Gideon, and the more he reflected on the subject, after quitting her house, the more unsatisfactory did it appear. Still, there was not a single proof he could take hold of, and he endeavoured to drive the subject as much as possible from his mind. The conver- sation he had had with Mr. Morgan now gave him an intense desire to know more, but he had no alternative but patience ; and this ap- peared all the more necessary, as he was now about to ask Mr. Morgan to allow his marriage with Kate to take place at an early date, Mr. Gideon Married. 185 Morgan having already given his sanction to the union. He listened to his request with great kindness, and promised to assist them to a very considerable extent in furnishing a house, and shortly afterwards the marriage was so- lemnised. It was one morning, a few weeks after the marriage, that Mr. Desbrow carried out his resolution of speaking to Gideon, and it hap- pened the more opportunely, as a few days before Mr. Morgan had told him there would shortly be a vacancy for a common-law clerk in their ofi&ce, and that the salary was equal to what Gideon was then receiving ; and he sub- mitted to him whether, in case there was no prospect of preferment in Mr. Desbrow' s office, he would like to accept it. Gideon would readily have done so had he not thought it might annoy Mr. Desbrow, for whom he enter- tained the highest respect. But now, when Gideon was requested to enter Mr. Desbrow's private room, and heard of the vindictive be- haviour of his aunt, and Mr. Desbrow's embar- rassment on the occasion, he was quite disposed to meet his aunt's views. " Mr. Desbrow," he said, after having heard that gentleman's communication, " I should not have thought of quitting you, less on account of not perhaps finding another post 186 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun:' where the salary would be equal to what I now receive, than my unwillingness to do so after the great courtesy and kindness I have ex- perienced at your hands. Now, pray, let me beg of you to act in such a manner as will be most conducive to your own interests. From what I know of my aunt's affairs, I am fully convinced it will throw a great deal of lucra- tive business in your hands, and I am fortunately provided with an appointment the moment I leave your office." " I am very much pleased to hear of your appointment," said Mr. Desbrow, " and will accept your resignation. In doing so, however, believe me I am perfectly satisfied with the manner you have performed your duties, and I hope the most cordial good-feeling will continue to exist between us." " The next week," concluded Gideon, " I quitted Mr. Desbrow's office, and entered that in which my father-in-law is employed, where I have remained ever since." " And did you clear up any mysteries con- nected with your aunt's transactions ?" inquired Christian. "Up to the present time none whatever, at least in a satisfactory manner. I am fully per- suaded there has been some grossly unfair play, though, from the absence of some either lost or Gideon Married. 187 mislaid papers, I am unable to say of what description. It is my intention, however, dur- ing the long vacation to go more deeply into the matter, and I trust I shall be able to clear it up, either one way or the other." The entrance of Mrs. Harcourt into the room put an end for the moment to the con- versation which had been carried on during her absence. Having taken her seat, she said to Christian : " Now, as I daresay Gideon has been giving you a description of the events which led to our marriage, as well as our present prospects, I think, Mr. Brandon, yon should in your turn give us some information respecting the young- lady you are about to marry." " I will do it with pleasure," said Christian ; " but let me premise that her history and antecedents are simple and unromantic in the extreme. Her father kept a small inn in the village where Mr. Desbrow served his time as clerk to a solicitor. He was well acquainted with the family, and the strongest intimacy had existed between his father and Sarah's. During the time Mr. Desbrow was residing in the village, he knew but little of Sarah Gordon, she being then comparative!}'" a child. He knew her sister Charlotte, who is some ten years older, and who, shortly before Mr. Gor- 188 The Landlord of " The Simr don's death, married a gentleman who had some relatives in Canada, and largely employed in the timber trade. Her husband, havino- an appointment offered him in the firm, quitted England with his wife, and proceeded thither. Charlotte had less objection to this arrange- ment, as a sister of Mr. Desbrow, with whom she was acquainted, was settled in the neigh- bourhood, and thus, on her arrival in Canada, she would not be without a female friend. About three years after quitting England, Mr. Gordon died suddenly. He had the reputation of being a man of some small property, but at his death his affairs were found to be hopelessly insolvent. In fact, since the death of his wife, which occurred about five years previously, the business of the house had gradually dwindled away. True, he had been assisted by his two daughters, but after the elder one's marriage, Sarah was too young (although she exerted herself to the utmost) to exercise much control over the business. " At the time of Mr. Gordon's death an execution was put into the house, and every- thing sold off to pay the creditors, leaving poor Sarah utterly destitute. One of the neighbours, knowing the intimacy which had existed be- tween the two families, wrote up to inform Mr. Desbrow of the event, and the destitute con- Gideon Married. 189 dition tlie poor girl was in, and without delay he immediately left London for X , but, unfortunately, found that nothing could be saved from the w^reck. He now determined, if possible, to assist Sarah in getting some re- spectable situation, but in conversation with her he found that her education had been much neglected. With great liberality he offered to place her at a good school, and to defray the expenses of her education out of his own pocket, but with the understandina; that if she had the opportunity of reimbursing him she was to do so. " Sarah remained at school three years, making considerable progress, and afterwards she accepted the appointment of teacher in the same establishment, which she held for two years. Her salary was, however, so miserably small that Mr. Desbrow thought she would do better if she came up to London, and it was shortly after her arrival that I met her acci- dentally at his house, just in time to save her from accepting another situation which had been offered her. I have now given you," continued Christian, "a fair sketch of her history, in which you will see there is nothing either re- markable or interesting. She is at present under the care of her sister, who, with her hus- band, has returned to Europe, and they are now 190 The Landlord of " The Sun:' livinp; in the West of England — the husband acting as agent to the firm in Canada ; but there is every probability they will soon return to America. Of my future wife's personal ap- pearance and qualifications, I hope you will soon have an opportunity of judging for yourselves, and therefore I shall say nothing aboufc them." The conversation now turned on the habi- tually kind behaviour of Mr. Desbrow. " Few people," said Gideon, " would imagine, under his reserved calm appearance and cautious manner, how warm a heart he has. During the time I have been in his office, I heard of many little good actions he did, of which he never spoke, and evidently imagined were un- known to anyone but himself." Christian had also much to say in Mr. Des- brow's favour, and it was pretty much on subjects connected with his affairs that the conversation during the remainder of the even- ing was carried on. When Christian rose to take his leave, it was agreed between them that he should let them know as soon as his future bride and her sister returned from tlio country, and that Gideon and his wife were to take tea with them, when he hoped a long friendship would be commenced between them. On the following Sunday Christian paid a visit to Sarah Gordon and her sister, at their Gideon Married. 191 friend's house in Kent, and found his betrothed much benefited in health by her few days' sojourn in the country. He had but Kttle news to give them respecting the house he was in treaty for, the proprietor being at the time in very bad health, and quite unable to attend to business-matters. He hoped, however, to have some definite reply in the course of the next week. " I am most anxious about it," he said; " as when once I am settled with a house, I trust there need be no further delay to our union, but until that is done all remains indefinite." " Still," said Charlotte, " when once you have determined on the house, will there not be a great deal to do before you are able to enter it?" " Not if I obtain the one I am in treaty for," replied Christian. " It is handsomely fitted up, and all the trade appointments are in excellent condition. The private dweUing portion of the house must be re-furnished, it is true, as the late proprietor intends to take his own furni- ture away. With regard to the billiard and private sitting-rooms, as well as the club-room (and there is a good one), the furniture is included in the money I shall have to pay for the lease." "And now, Christian, we want to know all 192 The Landlord of " The Sun:' about your visit to Mr. Harcourt, and what sort of a person bis wife is ?" said Sarah. Christian then gave them a succinct account of the evening spent with his friend, and the principal portion of the conversation which took place, as well as a most flattering descrip- tion of Mrs. Harcourt, whom he characterised as one of the most agreeable women he had ever met with. " But upon that subject," he continued, " you will soon have an opportunity of judging for yourselves, as they have promised to take tea with us the day after you return to town. I am sure you will like them both very well ; they are nice unaffected people, and I trust we shall continue good friends ; and this is Gideon's wish as well as my own." Both Sarah and her sister expressed the pleasure they would have in making their acquaintance, and the conversation then turned on other matters, till it was time for Christian to return to London. CHAPTER IX. CHEISTIAN MARRIED. DURING tlie few days whicli elapsed till Sarah Gordon and her sister returned to town, Christian employed himself in selecting a suitable house. This, however, he found to be no easy matter ; for, although many were offered him, each seemed to contain some almost insuperable objection — the one he had set his mind upon presenting, perhaps, greater difficulties than any other, the price asked for the lease and good-will being far in excess of the capital he possessed, and he was reluctantly obliged to give up the idea. As before stated, his capital scarcely exceeded nine hundred pounds, and the amount required would not be less than fifteen hundred. Even at this price, however, it was by far the cheapest, in pro- portion to the profits it would yield, to any he had yet met with ; for the business was an old- estabhshed one, and the connection highly re- spectable. He knew he could without difiiculty VOL. I. o 194 The Landlord of " The Sun.'' obtain money by way of loan from tlie brewers, but, from the experience lie had already had in business, he also knew perfectly well he would be placing himself in their power, and would no longer be a free agent in conducting his own affairs. The price of the lease of the next most eligible house that was offered him would hardly exceed the capital he possessed. It was well-built, commodious, and handsomely fitted up, but, being in a new neighbourhood, the returns (certainly at first) would be very small. As a set-off against this, however, not only were the houses around rapidly filling with re- spectable tenants, but, as the locality was a favourite one, there appeared little doubt that those in course of erection would soon find occupants. After all, he calculated, if the im- mediate returns were not large, it was more than probable that, in time, a good and lucrative connection might be secured for the house ; and, should he be inclined to leave it, no doubt a far higher price might be obtained for the lease than what he had paid for it. On making further inquiries, Christian found that there were certain stipulations in the lease which appeared to him somewhat onerous, as well as others which he did not clearly under- stand. Before, therefore, coming to any Christian Married. 195 decision on the subject, be resolved to consult his friend Mr. Desbrow, and ascertain if he considered the objections of a serious nature, and whether he approved of the conditions of the lease. Having made a note to this effect, he called at Mr. Desbrow' s office, to talk over the matter, but found him absent. He left word that he would call the next day, about noon, when he hoped Mr. Desbrow would be able to see him, or make an early appointment, as the business he wished to consult him upon was of great importance, and he wished to do so as speedily as possible. The clerk told him that in all probability, Mr. Desbrow would be in during the latter part of the day, if he liked to call again ; but Christian declined doing so, and adhered to his original proposition of calling the next morning. The reason Christian did not wish to call on Mr. Desbrow again that afternoon, was that, as Sarah Gordon and her sister were to arrive home in the evening, he naturally wished to be in readiness to meet them, and reached their lodgings some little time before they came. Though somewhat impatient, he passed the time as best he could, and at last had the satisfaction of hearing them enter the house. After the first ebullition of feeling at their meeting was over. Christian with joy, noticed the flush of 2 196 lliG Landlord of " The Sunr health on the face of his betrothed, showing that, short as had been her sojourn in the country, it had been attended with excellent effects. Her spirits also seemed to have recovered their former elasticity, and she talked and chatted with great animation. Possibly an astute ob- server might have imagined that her gaiety was rather more than natural, but Christian was too happy to be hypercritical on the sub- ject, and on his part conversed quite as fluently as his betrothed. After the first inquiries as to the events of their little journey and sojourn in the country were over, Charlotte asked Christian whether he had heard anything more about the terms of the house he desired to take. In reply, Christian told her that he had, but unfortunately, the price asked for it, although by no means in excess of its real value, was more than he could afford to give, and he had determined not to commence business without having sufficient capital to do it easily, as he had a violent aversion, if he could help it, to running into debt. The only persons to whom he thought he could apply were his brewers, and he certainly should not wish to be in their power, as, in case any mis- understanding arose between them, they could call their money in at a short notice, and thereby possibly ruin him. Christian Married. 197 Both Sarah and her sister corDphmented him highly on his prudence, and then inquired whether he had heard of any other opening hkely to suit him. Christian told them he had, but that the prospects of the house were not so brilliant as the one he had set his heart on ; and he then explained to them more fully the particulars of the one he was going to consult Mr. Desbrow about on the following day. They both listened with great attention, and then agreed that it would be far more prudent to take the one in question, than run any risk of crippling himself for want of sufiicient capital to carry on the business. Tea was now brought in, and a very sociable meal it was. When over, Charlotte, beginning to imagine herself c^e trop in the room, was on the point of leaving the lovers together, some- what perhaps against the conventional rules of propriety, when the wheels of a cab were heard driving up to the door, and Christian, who was sitting at the window, exclaimed : " Why, here is Mr. Desbrow ! What possibly can have induced him to call on us ?" Sarah, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa, here turned round, and cast an inquisi- tive and somewhat angry glance at her sister, which Charlotte met with the most perfect composure. Presently the street-door was 198 The Landlord of " The Sunr opened, and Mr. Desbrow's footsteps heard on the stairs. Sarah then, casting a second indio-nant plance at her sister, rose from her seat, and hurriedly left the room, which a moment afterwards Mr. Desbrow entered. Christian and Charlotte received him with great friendliness; and after a few short common- place expressions had passed between them, Mr. Desbrow inquired after the health of his ward, as he called her. In reply, Charlotte told him that she had been in the country for nearly a week, for the benefit of her health, and had only just returned to London. Her sister, she said, was feeling fatigued with her journey, and had a few minutes before left the room, but no doubt she would return directly she heard of Mr. Desbrow's arrival. Charlotte was about to summon her, when Mr. Desbrow said : " Oh, pray do not disturb her. I am very happy to hear she has derived benefit by her trip into the country. Now do not disturb her," he continued, as Charlotte was about to call her sister. " I have called solely on a little matter of business with Mr. Brandon, and am rather in a hurry. I will, however, take the opportunity of coming again, when I hope to find her at home and in good health." "Well," said Charlotte, "I think I had Christian Married. 199 better leave you then, so that you may talk over your affairs together." " Oh, don't go," said Christian ; " I have nothing to say but what you are perfectly wel- come to hear." Charlotte persisted, however, in going ; and said she would tell her sister of Mr. Des- brow's arrival, but he again begged she might not be disturbed. No sooner were Mr. Desbrow and Christian left together, than the former, who appeared to be in remarkably good spirits, said laughing : " I am sadly afraid I have interrupted you, and no doubt my visit was very ill-timed, though I am not altogether without excuse for it. I understand, Mr. Brandon, you called at my oflS.ce to-day, wishing to make an ap- pointment with me to-morrow, as the business you wanted to see me upon was urgent. Now, it unfortunately happens that I am obliged to leave town early to-morrow morning, and shall not return till the day afterwards, and then, possibly, at a late hour in the afternoon. I thought, therefore, it would be better to see you this evening, and give you the information you require, without obliging you to wait till my return. I called first at your lodgings, and was there informed that you were not at home, but that most probably I should find you here. 200 The Landlord of " The 81111." Now, tell me in what way can I serve you ?" " You are very kind," said Christian, " to take so much trouble ; but the truth is, I did wish to see you very particularly. I have seen a house that I think will suit me, but there are certain clauses in the lease which I did not clearly understand, so I thought I would ask if you considered they presented any insupera- ble objections." " Did you make a note of them ?" " I did," said Christian, drawing a paper from his pocket, " and here they are." Mr. Desbrow glanced Ms eye rapidly over the paper, and said he saw nothing whatever objectionable in the clauses. " But surely," he continued, " this is not the house you were speaking to me about the other day; have you given up all intention of taking that one ?" " I have," replied Christian, " although I would willingly have done so, had T the means ; but the sum they require for it is far in excess of the little capital I have. I daresay I could obtain the difference from the brewers, but I have no wish to put myself in their power." "I compHment you on your prudence," said Mr. Desbrow. " But now let me hear the par- ticulars of the case. What is the full amount they require for the lease and good-will ?" Christian Married. 201 " Fifteen hundred pounds," said Christian ; " and it will require at least two hundred more to furnish the dwelling-house respectably, and leave me a little over to go on with. You know I have only about nine hundred pounds of my own." • " The difference is a serious one," said Mr. Desbrow. " But where is the house?" " It is ' The Sun,' in Street." " That is singular," remarked Mr. Desbrow. " I was concerned with a person who sold the lease to the last proprietor. . I know the house well, and a capital one it is. At the same time, you rather surprise me in stating they would take so small a sum for it. Unless the business has much fallen off, it is one of the greatest bargains I ever knew. Why does the present proprietor part with it ?" "From ill-health," replied Christian. " As he is a man of some property, and not dependent on his business, he is determined to push the sale even to a lower price than the house is worth, and, with his wife, to retire somewhere on the coast of Devonshire. He admits, however, that the business has somewhat fallen off of late, not from the opposition of any other house in the neig-hbourhood, but from ill-health on his part preventing him giving it the atten- tion it required." 202 The Landlord of '' The Sunr "All that seems very fair," said Mr. Des- brow; " but still, there are one or two tliiDgs which should be taken into consideration, which in my opinion open the question, whether it would not be better for you to borrow some money, and take that house instead of the other you were speaking of. The rent is re- markably low for the locality ; and suppose we say that you borrowed seven hundred pounds, and consider the interest you paid for it as merely an addition to the rent, you would still have the house on very reasonable terms. You would manage very badly indeed if you did not, out of the profits, contrive to put by a couple of hundred a year towards the redemp- tion of the orimnal debt." "All that I am perfectly ready to admit," said Christian. " But of whom could I borrow the seven hundred pounds, unless of the brewers ? I know no one who would lend me the money." "Not so fast," said Mr. Desbrow. "Al- though 1 have not the money myself, a client of mine has about that sum, which he wishes to invest in a mortgage for five years, at 5 per cent, interest. The interest must, how- ever, be paid regularly, or he would foreclose. I do not know whether he has yet found an investment for his money, but if not, would Christian Married. 203 you like to accept it on those terms ?" " Yes," said Christian, " most wilhngly ; and I hardly know how to express my gratitude to you, Mr. Desbrow, for your kindness to me in the matter." Mr. Desbrow burst into a loud fit of laugh- ing. " My dear sir," he said, " what do you mean by my kindness to you in the matter? All I am doing is nothing but a most common- place businesslike transaction. Do not imagine, for one moment, that I have no intention of sending you in my bill of costs for the trouble I shall have, though I trust you will not quarrel or be discontented with the amount. In the first place, an exorbitant bill would be against my principles, and beyond that, I have too much wish to secure you as a client, to run the risk of disgusting you at the commence- ment of our acquaintance. At the same time, I will not disguise from you the fact, that I do feel some satisfaction in having found a good investment for one client, and able to oblige another friend while doing so. I may further state," he continued, " that should the client I allude to not have, at the present moment, the money at his disposal, I have little doubt I shall be able to find you another; so, if you choose to take the house, you may see the proprietor and settle the preliminaries as soon 20-i The Landlord of " The Sun:' as you- please. If you will call on mo the clay after to-morrow, about noou, we will then go further into the matter." Mr. Desbrow now rose to depart. " Pray do not go," said Christian, " till you have seen Sarah, for I am sure she will be very vexed at missing you." " You are very kind," said the lawyer, " but do not trouble her. Give her my kind regards, and tell her I shall do myself the pleasure of seeing her very shortly. Now, good-bye, Mr. Brandon, and let me see you the day after to- morrow." After Charlotte had quitted the room, on Mr. Desbrow commencing to speak to Christian on business-matters, she sought her sister, who at first received her in a very angry manner. " I am sure, Charlotte," she said, " in spite of all you told me, that you did mention to Mr. Desbrow my lowness of spirits, and that he called in consequence." " My dear," said Charlotte to her, very calmly, *' do not irritate yourself without any cause. Not only has Mr. Desbrow merely called to see Christian on some business-matter, but he requested me to tell you on no account to trouble yourself to come down, as he in- tended stopping but a very short time, and Christian Married. 205 would scarcely be able to speak to you if you did." Sarah seemed somewhat annoyed with her own petulance, and then asked her sister if she knew upon what" business Mr. Desbrow had called. Charlotte was unable to give her the information she required, and, moreover, told her that she did not herself intend returning to the sitting-room, fearing she might inter- rupt the conversation. The two sisters then sat talking together till they heard Mr. Desbrow leave the house, when they both went down- stairs to Christian. Sarah had contrived to erase all trace of her momentary ill-humour from her face before meeting her lover, and they all chatted together on indifferent subjects for some little time, when Sarah suddenly asked Christian what business Mr. Desbrow had called about. " The more I see of that man," replied Christian, " the better I like him. A warmer or more hearty a friend I never met with in my life. I called on him and made an appoint- ment for to-morrow, to consult him respecting the lease of the house I told you of; but as he will be out of town, he thought he would save me the trouble of calling uselessly, and very kindly came to see me this evening, instead. In course of conversation he asked me why I 206 The Landlord of " The Sun." gave up the idea of taking ' The Sun,' as I appeared to have set my heart upon it, and I told him that I should require seven hundred pounds more capital than I possessed. He then immediately offered to raise the sum, at 5 per cent, interest, on mortgage of the lease, which I need not say I most gratefully ac- cepted." " But why should you borrow the money of him, Christian ?" asked Sarah, rather angrily. *' 1 thought you objected to being in debt." " True, Sarah, I did," replied Christian ; " but, at the same time, the terms are so ad- vantageous that I could not refuse them." " Still," continued Sarah, in the same tone, " I should have preferred the small house rather than be under an obligation to anyone." " My dear girl," said Christian, putting his arm round her, " these are business-matters which you do not understand. Now, don't be angry with me, for I know well what I am doing ; and, besides that, the affair is as good as completed, so there is no use saying anything more about it." Sarah, although she made no further remark, appeared discontented and moody ; but upon Charlotte, who, rightly judging that a tiff would take place between them, leaving the room. Christian again passed his arm round his Christian Married. 207 betrothed, and she, a few moments afterwards, laid her head on his shoulder, and for the re- mainder of the time they appeared the happiest of mortals. The following evening Gideon Harcourt and his wife came, as agreed, to the lodgings. Sarah, at Christian's particular request, made herself as attractive as possible, and evidently took great pains to please Mrs. Harcourt, for whom in a very short time, she began to enter- tain great good-feeling. Nor was this unreci- procated on Mrs. Harcourt's part. Although generally calm and undemonstrative almost to a fault, few people could make themselves more attractive or engaging than Sarah, if she pleased. The evening passed in conversation about their different affairs and prospects in life. Christian told his friend that he had almost secured — in fact, he might say, quite secured — an excellent house of lousiness, to which he hoped shortly to remove. His prospects, he said, were of the brightest, and he had no doubt he should do extremely well. He then narrated the hand- some behaviour of Mr. Desbrow on the oc- casion, and Gideon told him he was not at all surprised to hear it, from similar acts of kindness and good feeling he had shown on other occasions. After some warm compliments on Mr. Desbrow' s behaviour had passed be- 208 The Landlord of " The Sun.'' tween tlie two friends, Gideon asked Sarah whether she would not be very glad when she was the mistress of her own house. "Certainly," she replied; "who can doubt it?" " I think," said Christian, " few people ever had better prospects to commence life with than we have. I am fully convinced that in a short time I shall be able to understand the business thoroughly; and although, of course, Sarah will not take the slightest open part in its man- agement, yet she will assist me in keeping the books, and other little duties of the kind. I have no doubt, with such a helpmeet, I shall rapidly get on, and, in time, become the pro- prietor of a very different sort of establishment." " But, Christian," said Sarah, " you surely are not thinking of leaving the business already ? Remember, ' a rolling stone gathers no moss,' and you have a heavy debt to pay off." «« Very true, my dear," said Christian, "but I have no intention of playing the part of a rolling stone ; nor should I dream of quitting ' The Sun ' till I have paid off every farthing I borrowed on it, and collected a good deal of moss from it besides, and then I should look out for a more respectable kind of business. I daresay," he continued, laughing, and ad- dressing Mrs. Harcourt, "you consider me Christian Married. 209 very ambitiouSj if such a term might be applied in any way to a man in the humble position of a tavern-keeper ; but, however, I admit my weakness, and I hope you will not ridicule it." " Indeed, Mr. Brandon, I have no right to speak on the subject," replied Mrs. Har- court, " for mj husband is inclined to in- dulge in hopes a good deal more visionary, perhaps, than yours. Whcit do you think? He says that some day he expects to become a member of the Bar, and then he is fully con- vinced he shall be able to work his way up in the world, which I consider a very visionary piece of ambition on his part." " Stop— stop !" said Gideon ; " do not go on so fast, my dear. Remember, I only said that I should entertain ideas of the kind if I find my aunt is in possession of any sum of money belonging to me ; and if that is the case, I certainly should, if possible, carry out my wishes." " Have you heard anything more on that subject ?" asked Christian. " Nothing whatever," rephed Gideon ; " nor shall I have time to make further inquiries for some months to come. And really, Kate," he continued, " I am rather angry with you for having mentioned the subject, which I admit appears ridiculous enough in one point of view ; VOL. 1. P 210 The LamUord of " The Sun:' but it is getting late, and we have a long way to go before we reach home, so the sooner you put on your bonnet and shawl the better." It would be useless detaining the reader with the details of the little difficulties and impedi- ments which occurred before Christian had the sum of money he required, and the house com- pletely transferred to him. It was, however, at last satisfactorily accomplished, and he now found himself regularly engaged in the battle of life. Of the house itself, the more he ex- amined it the better it pleased him. As the sign is a somewhat common one, it might be wrong to indicate the exact locality in which the house was situated ; and to avoid the pos- sibility of wounding the feelings of any, it would, perhaps, be better to state that it was situated in a respectable though densely- crowded neighbourhood, without any other establishment of the kind being in such close proxiuiity as to occasion any rivalry between them. The house was at the angle of a leading thoroughfare, the business portion being in front, with an entrance at the side ; and at the extremity of the building was a private door, by which Sarah and her friends could leave the house with as much privacy as they pleased. The trade-fittings, in every respect, were in a satisfactory condition ; while the private apart- Christian Married. 211 ments in the rear were commodious in the ex- treme, and so situated that Sarah would be able, during her husband's absence, to keep a watch over all that transpired without being seen. In learning the details of the business, Chris- tian was assisted by a retired publican— a Mr. Thornton, who initiated him into the mysteries of the trade, and, in fact, was to reside in the house till after the wedding was over, which was to take place as soon as the furnishing had been completed ; nor did Mr. Thornton relinquish his management till the bride and bridegroom returned from their honeymoon. The business of furnishing went on rapidly and successfully — so much so, that two months after the lease and house had been assigned to Christian, the weddino^-dav was fixed. The courtship likewise progressed favourably, the affection o*f the young couple appearing to increase daily ; but to give anything like a des- cription of their loves would be a difficult, if not an impossible, task. In all novels there appears to be a conventional manner in writing of affairs of the kind, according to the different stations in life of the lovers ; and an equally conventional phraseology has been invented, which, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, is utterly unnatural. In the courtship of an p 2 212 The Landlord of " The Sun:' interesting curate and an amiable young lady, the conversations which take place between them, though perhaps somewhat vapid, are generally a melange of love and piety. In the courtship of an officer in the army and a somewhat fast young lady, the lover is generally curt and haughty, if not rude, to others, while docile and affectionate to his ladylove ; while, on her part, she is scarcely less vapid than the beloved of the curate. Aristocratic love-affairs are generally tame in the extreme, though frequent- ly held up as examples which it would be utterly impossible for any not in the " upper ten thou- sand" to imitate. For the lower ranks of society — and among the working-classes in particular — a phraseology has been invented by novel-writers, and passes current as genuine among novel-readers, which has not the slightest similarity to that in use, as any person ac- quainted with the humbler classes will admit. In what manner, then, will it be possible to place before the reader, in an interesting point of view, the courtship between the young tavern-keeper and the object of his affections r To do so according to the received conventional model, he should speak most ungrammatically, whereas the English of our hero was exceed- ingly pure and good. Nor is it possible to find anything romantic in their evening walks in Christian Married. 213 tlie neiglibourliood of Blackfriars E-oad or the New Cut, or even wlien occasionally extended to Kenninofton Common or the Brixton E-oad. In fact, all surrounding' tliem was common- place and unromantic in the extreme, and yet, with all these disadvantages, a handsomer or more attractive young couple it would have been difficult to find. Many were the persons they met in their evening walks, who, after having passed them, would turn round to cast a glance of admiration at Sarah's slim graceful figure, and the strong agile form of her lover. It would have been difficult to imagine any- thing more pure or ardent than was their love. Sarah's almost amounted to adoration, and Christian seemed to worship the beautiful girl who had consented to join her lot with his. The wedding-day was fast approaching, and the dresses and paraphernalia for the occasion were purchased. The wedding itself was to be an exceedingly quiet one, the only persons invited to attend being Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt and Mr. Desbrow. The latter, however, in a very kind letter, regretted it would be impossible for him to be present, inasmuch as about that time he should have occasion to leave London for a fortnight. He wished the young couple every happiness, which he had no doubt, from what he knew of both, would bo their lot. 214 The Landlord of " TJie Sun:' Christian expressed himself greatly chagrined at Mr. Desbrow being unable to join the wed- ding-party, as also did Charlotte ; but Sarah seemed too much occupied, at the time, with some conversation she was having with the milliner about her wedding-dress to take much interest in what they were saying. At length the wedding-day arrived, and Christian, the happiest of men, after having paid particular attention to his toilet, betook himself to the church, there to await the arrival of the bride and her party. After a short delay, Sarah, accompanied by her sister, and attended by a younger sister of Mrs. Harcourt, who acted as bridesmaid, entered the church, and they were soon after joined by Gideon and his wife. Christian met her when she arrived, and after the preliminary ceremonies were gone through, the whole party placed themselves before the altar. The service was performed in a proper and edifying manner, and when over, and they proceeded to leave the church, they found that a considerable crowd had col- lected to see them depart, and loud and com- plimentary were the remarks made on the beauty of the bride. On reaching the lodgiugs, where breakfast had been prepared, they re- mained for, perhaps, a couple of hours; the ouly thing worthy of notice duriug the time Christian Married. 215 was the total absence of the speeches generally made on such occasions, though, perhaps, no wedding had ever taken place where the sym- pathies of the guests were more warmly enlisted in favour of the married couple than the pre- sent. At last the coach was brought to the door, and, after an affectionate leave-taking of their kind friends. Christian and his bride started on their wedding-trip. M CHAPTER X. A CLOUD ON CHKISTIAN's HAPPINESS. E/ THORNTON, in whose charge Chris- tian had left his house of business during his wedding trip, entered on his duties with great alacrity and earnestness, hoping by the end of the month, when Christian should re- turn, to present him with such a report of what had occurred during his absence as should fully satisfy him of the excellent capabilities of the business, and the bargain he had made in purchasing it at the price he had paid for it. He had formed, in his own mind, some idea of what would be the total of the month's profits, and the pleasure he should have in handing them over to Christian. His duties, however, termi- nated far sooner than he had anticipated. On the afternoon of the third day after Christian's departure, to his great surprise, a cab drew up with Christian and his wife inside, and their luggage on the roof. When the door was opened, Mrs. Brandon hurried to the private A Cloud on Ghristian^s Haiipiness. 217 entrance, wbile Christian with the lu^fQ-aofe en- tered by the front one. When Mr. Tliornton came forward to meet Christian, the latter accosted him in a somewhat abrupt though by no means uncivil manner. Perhaps it was rather the expression of anger on his countenance than the words he uttered. Mr. Thornton attributed his apparent coolness to an altercation which had taken place between Christian and the cabman, in which, it is but justice to say, the former was to blame. After a few commonplace observations, during which Christian appeared greatly preoccupied, he and his friend entered the private sitting-room at the back of the building, where they found Mrs. Brandon, seated on the sofa, with her bonnet and shawl by her side, and wearing a countenance scarcelv less disturbed than her husband's. Although somewhat surprised at the behaviour of both Christian and his wife, Mr. Thornton had the good sense to make no remark, but expressed his pleasure at seeing her. Then, turning to Christian, he said : " But, Brandon, what is the reason your stay in the country has been so short ? Surely you could not have doubted the interest I took in your business, for I am by no means the man to neglect any commission I have under- taken ?" 218 TJie Landlord of " The Sun:' "My dear fellow," said Cliristiari, with a sort of forced honliomie in his manner, " pray do not imagine anything of the kind. I am sure you would look after my interest quite as keenly as, if not more so than, your own. The fact is, that while in the country I received some very unpleasant intelligence connected with legal matters, and as I was hardl}^ man of business enough to take the management of it myself, after a little deliberation I determined to come up to town and consult Mr. Desbrow. You may easily imagine I should not have en- joyed my stay at the seaside with a matter of such importance hanging over me at the time." Mr. Thornton perfectly agreed with Chris- tian, and he then, turning to Mrs. Brandon, asked her how she liked the idea of returning so soon to town, and taking upon herself the fatigue and anxieties of housekeeping. " Oh," she replied, with something of forced gaiety in her tone, " I like the idea immensely. To tell you the truth, the two or three days we were absent, I was continually wishing I was back again in London, that I might com- mence my new duties." " And now, Brandon," said Mr. Thoraton, " let me give you some idea of what has taken place in your absence, and what I think of your future prospects in this house. I may as A Cloud on Christianas Happiness, 219 well do so at once, as, now you have returned to town, you will take the management your- self; and I shall not be altogether sorry to go to my own lodgings, as my wife has been rather ailing, and I should like to be at home. When I first took the management of this house, the returns went on increasing, each day being better than the former; but during the time you have been in the country, trade seems to have taken a fresh start, and the returns have increased in a wonderful manner. I think your prospects certainly are of the most brilliant. I shall now leave you, but to-morrow morning I will return, and hand you over the moneys I have taken. But, before I go, 1 wish you would add up the schedule I have made of each day's returns, and see whether your total corresponds with mine." So saying, he handed a paper to Christian, in which the whole was carefully drawn out. " As you are beginning to talk of business," said Mrs. Brandon, " I will leave you for the present; but before I go, let me beg of you, Mr. Thornton, at any rate to remain till tea is over; for I want to have some conversation with you respecting the house, that is to say, as far as my duties are concerned, and I shall feel aggrieved if you do not oblige me. Now, promise you will stay with us." 220 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun." Mr. Thornton, after a moment's hesitation, promised to accede to her request, and Mrs. Brandon then left the room. No sooner had she gone than Mr. Thornton seated himself beside Christian on the sofa, to audit with him the accounts he had prepared. Although Mr. Thornton explained them lucidly enough, Chris- tian evidently had great diflSculty in under- standing them, and at last, when he admitted that they were correct, it was rather to con- ceal his inability than from his really compre- hending the question. "When he came to the addition he was even more inapt, his mind evidently being so preoccupied that it was im- possible for him to add up the figures correctly. At length Mr. Thornton said to him : " I tell you what it is, Brandon — that law- business of yours is running in your head, and you are paying no attention to the subject before you. I will place the paper on the side-table, and perhaps in the evening you can look over it yourself. But now come in front, and let me explain to you the system I have adopted for the carrying-on of the business, which I think works well, but which of course you can alter in any way you please." The two friends conversed together till Mrs. Brandon sent to tell them tea was ready, when they joined her in the private sittiug-room. A Cloud on Christian'' s Happiness. 221 Sbe now appeared to have recovered from lier fatigue, and was looking remarkably well, but still with an anxious expression on her countenance. During their meal she chatted incessantly with Mr. Thornton, asking him an immense variety of questions respecting the different people in the neighbourhood, the character of the ser- vants in the house, and other matters — all of which would be uninteresting to the reader. But, while talking with an excess of volubility, it mio'ht have been remarked that, in the mul- titude of questions she put to Mr. Thornton, she very frequently seemed to pay but little attention to his answers. This, however, he did not appear to notice, and they continued their conversation till it was time for him to leave. For some time after he had quitted the room, accompanied by Christian, who re- mained superintending the business, Mrs. Brandon was left in the parlour by herself. At last, apparently tired of being alone, she went upstairs to her bedroom. Her husband met her at the foot of the stairs, and merely said to her : " Have you seen that the front room on the second-floor has been prepared for me ?" '• I have," she said, continuing her way up- stairs, and Christian then returned to the business portion of the premises. 222 The Landlord of " The Siui jj When the house was closed, and the gas put out, Christian returned to the sitting-room, and, throwing himself in an easy-chair, remained for some moments motionless. Suddenly his eye fell on the balance-sheet which had been drawn up by Mr. Thornton, and placed aside for him to look over. He now took a pencil from his pocket, and commenced adding up the short row of figures prepared for him. Short, however, as it was, he attempted to go over it several times ; but before he had reached the top, his mind evidently reverted to some other subject, and he was obhged to recommence. Over and over again he made the attempt to add up that small column, and every time with- out success. At last, cursing the paper, he threw it from him on the floor, and again seating himself in the easy- chair, soon fell into a deep current of thought. Judging from the frequent and long-drawn sighs which escaped from his breast, the nature of his meditations must have been painful in the extreme. Then, again, he would appear to sink almost into a state of unconsciousness, the only proof to the contrary being the careworn sorrow- ful expression on his countenance. In this manner hour after hour passed — still Christian remained motionless in his chair. At length, apparently unknown to himself, the big tears A Cloud on Christian's Hapjnness. 223 gathered in his eye, and continued for some time to roll down his face, until his attention was called to the fact by a drop falling on his hand. This had almost an electrical effect on him. Dashing the tears away with his hand, he rose from his chair, and gazed angrily around him. Then again he appeared on the point of resuming his seat, but suddenly stopped, and, seizing a light, in a hurried manner left the room, and in a short time returned, carrying in his hand a tumbler more than half filled with brandy, a portion of which he swallowed, and then placed the re- mainder on a little table by his side. The spirit seemed to have a most restorative effect upon his mind, but when he woke up to the realities of life, the expression on his counte- nance was of a most angry description. This state of feeling he seemed rather to encourage than otherwise, and in this he was greatly assisted by his application to the glass of spirits. At last it was completely emptied, and Christian, then starting from his chair, and with most intense fury painted on his countenance, shook his fist at some imaginary adversary, and, hurriedly quitting the parlour, sought his own room. The next morning husband and wife did not meet at breakfast ; she, pleading indisposition, (C 224 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun." had remained m her bedroom. Early in the forenoon Mr, Thornton called, and he and Christian again went over the accounts which had been prepared the day before. And now, Brandon," said Mr. Thornton, I will take my leave of you, and may every success in life attend you and your excellent wife !" " Thank you, Mr. Thornton, for your good wishes," said Mrs. Brandoii, who entered the room at that moment. " If ever I want a friend I shall apply to you." " And you will not apply in vain, I can assure you," said Mr. Thornton. " But now, Brandon, can I be of any further use to you? " Well, I am much obliged to you, my dear fellow ; but T don't think so, unless you could look in for a moment this afternoon, as I am going out." " I will do so, if I possibly can," said Mr. Thornton. " What time do you go ?" "About two o'clock," replied Christian. " I am afraid that will be rather early for me. At any rate I will be here by three," and Mr. Thornton then left the room. During the morning not a word passed be- tween Christian and his wife. This, however, might certainly have been accounted for to a A Cloud on Christianas Uappiness. 225 considerable extent, both being occupied in their several duties. Shortly before two o'clock, Christian went up to his room, and after dressing himself with a certain degree of care, left the house — his wife, from the parlour- window, watching him intently, to see which road he took. No sooner was he out of sieht than she hurried to her own room, and shortly afterwards returned to the parlour equipped for walking. Then, ringing the bell for her maid, she told her, if anyone should call and want her, or if Mr. Brandon returned, to say she had gone to her sister's, but that she should be back to tea. Mrs. Brandon now left the house by the private door, but a few minutes afterwards a knock was heard at it, and, to the servant's great surprise, her mistress re-entered the house, and hurried into the parlour. " Have you left anything behind you, ma'am ?" asked the servant. " No — nothing," said Mrs. Brandon, rather sharply. The girl, somewhat surprised at the irrita- bility of manner her mistress displayed, looked in her face, and noticing that she appeared pale, asked if she were not well, and whether she should get her anything. " No — nothing, thank you," was the reply. VOL. I. Q 226 The Landlord of " The Sun:' " Now leave me, there's a good girl ; I shall be better presently." No sooner had the sers^ant left the room, than Mrs. Brandon, throwing off her bonnet, flung herself on the sofa, where she remained for some time almost as immovable as a statue. Then, suddenly springing on her feet, she exclaimed : " My God, what shall I do ! — what shall I do ! where can I look for advice or consolation ! I dare not speak to Charlotte, or she would spurn me from her, and treat me as an outcast. And yet there is no other of whom I can ask advice. What am I to do ? Oh, how I wish I were dead !" she continued, wringing her hands. " Were it not for the sin of taking my own life, I would kill myself before an hour is over ; but live in this un- happy manner I cannot, and am determined I will not, come what may of it !" An abundant flow of tears now came to Mrs. Brandon's relief, and she continued sobbing for some time. Afterwards, hearing Mr. Thornton enter the house, and not wishing him to perceive that she had been crying, she ascended to her own room, and remained there until the evening. It was somewhat late in the afternoon when Christian returned, and when he did he remained chatting with Mr. Thornton for some time. In fact, Christian, A Cloud on Christian'' s Happiness. .227 who appeared sullen and irritable to all others, had evidently taken him into great favour. " I suppose," said Mr. Thornton to hiin, when they had entered the sitting-room, " you have been to your solicitor's this afternoon, about the business which called you up to town. I hope it is going on satisfactorily." " Thank you," said Christian, somewhat gloomily ; "I am sorry I have nothing very favourable to report upon it. I shall hear, I expect, some more news in the course of a few days. However, let us hope for the best, and that all will terminate well." Mrs. Brandon now joined them, her eyes somewhat swollen with weeping, though, thanks to evening setting in, it was not noticed by Mr. Thornton. "Your husband tells me," said Mr. Thorn- ton, " that he has been to his sohcitor's this afternoon, but did not receive any favourable intelligence respecting his lawsuit, though ho expects something more on the subject in a few days. I suppose you are as anxious about it as he is ?" " Yes, certainly — oh, of course I am," stam- mered out Mrs. Brandon. Poor Mr. Thornton's remark, though uttered in perfect innocence, seemed to have produced a most unfavourable impression on both hus- Q 2 228 The Landlord of " The Siinr band and wife. Mrs. Brandon cast a c^lance of unmistakable terror on her husband, while Christian, on his part, seemed to be exceed- ingly annoyed. Fancying Mr. Thornton noticed the perturbation he was in, he merely said to him : " Thornton, my dear fellow, I always like to beo-in as I mean to q:o on. Of course I should never interfere in any manner whatever with the duties of the house, and I have not the shghtest intention of allowing my wife to in- , terfere in my business-matters. Understand me, however," he continued — assuming a gaiety which was evidently far from natural — " I say this with the most perfect good-feeling, only I don't want Mrs. Brandon to think she is to mix herself up in my business affairs in any manner whatever." " Oh, of course not," said Mrs. Brandon ; " I should not wish for anything of the kind, my dear. The duties I have to perform, I find, are quite enough for me, and I do not care to increase them by having further anxie- ties." And here she lauofhed so artificiallv that Mr. Thornton easily perceived it was not genume. The sullen expression on the faces of both husband and wife still continuing, excited the attention of Mr. Thornton. He could not A Cloud on Christianas Uaioiyiness. 229 divest himself of tlie idea that there was some ill-feehng existing between them, and he felt considerable sorrow at the discovery. He glanced from one to the other for some mo- ments with an anxious and curious expression, while the knowledge that he was scrutinising them narrowly increased their ill-humour, and the three sat for some time with hardly any conversation passing between them. At last the silence became insupportable, and Mrs. Brandon, hastily rising from her chair, said : '' I am sure, Mr. Thornton, you must be hungry; let me get you, some refreshment." "Thank you," said Mr'." Thornton; "I am very much obliged to you, but I have already dined. But now, if I can be of no further use to you, I will take my leave." Both Christian and his wife would willingly have said something civil in reply, but unfor- tunately, their minds were so preoccupied that neither could conjure up a single sentence. They shook hands with Mr. Thornton, however, when he left, and both Christian and his wife evidently felt it a relief when he had gone,' notwithstanding the heavy obligations they were under to him. But Mr. Thornton was not the only person who had noticed the coolness existing between Mr. and Mrs. Brandon. Almost every servant 230 The Landlord of " The Sim:' employed in the establishment had done so, and had already begun to pass their remarks very freely on the subject, although they succeeded in concealing their suspicions from their master and mistress. In consequence of this discovery, the element of disorganisation had, even on this the second day that Christian had exercised his functions as landlord of " The Sun," begun to make its appearance in the establishment. The barman and cellarman both noticed, and commented on, the extraordinary frame of mind of their employer, and others in the house did the same. Sometimes he would follow them, and inspect them in their duties in a manner almost offensive, while at others he seemed utterly indifferent to anything they were doing. The two maidservants were not less acute in their observations on their mistress. At times, though but rarely, she would show consider- able petulance in speaking of their duties, but they could easily perceive that at others she was totally oblivious to what was passing around her. They also noticed that at dinner, after Mr. Thornton had quitted them, not a word passed between husband and wife, and they rightly concluded that some serious mis- understanding had occurred. This was com- municated to the male officials of the house, who, in their turn, informed the female ser- A Cloud on Ghridian^s Happiness. 231 vants of tlieir own experience on the subject. Of course, as early as their second day of residence in town, no direct breach of discipline or impropriety occurred. Still, it was a " house divided against itself," and unless some for- tunate circumstance took place to put things on a better footing, there was too much reason to believe the results mio-ht be of a disastrous description. The second evening Mrs. Brandon retired to her room at an early hour, and her husband, after the house was closed, seated himself for some time in solitude in the parlour. He did not, however, remain there as long as on the previous evening. Finding his accession of low spirits beginning, and remembering the salutary effects the brandy had produced on him the evening before, at a very early hour he applied to it for consolation. On this occasion the spirit had not the same effect on him as then, although the quantity he consumed was perhaps laro-er. It seemed rather to have the effect of raising a reckless frame of mind. He attempted to reflect on his present position, but he did so in a lazy and indifferent mood. He seemed to feel a sort of apathy for all things, and this increased as he drank on, till at last it reached to such an extent, that had he been told, the following morning, an execution would be put in the house for rent, and his goods and lease 232 The Landlord of " The Simr sold, it would hardly have caused him any sur- prise or uneasiness. His glass empty, he now sought his bedroom, and, dressed as he was, threw himself on the bed, and a few minutes afterwards was fast asleep. The next three days followed without any- thing particularly worthy of remark. Husband and wife met but rarely, and then no conversa- tion passed between them. Even at their din- ner (the only meal at which they met), absolute silence was maintained on both sides. At the same time a marked difference was perceptible on the faces of the unhappy couple. On Chris- tian's was an expression of stern sullen anger, which he evidently tried to subdue, but which, in spite of his efforts, seemed to threaten that an ebullition of violent passion might the next moment burst out. The expression on the face of his wife, however, was that of deep melan- choly, and frequently she was seen in tears. Christian, during the day, was occupied in his business, but his supervision of it seemed to lack that continuous interest which a young tradesman generally shows to his affairs when he first starts in life. As before stated, after his arrival, he would occasionally watch, almost in a vexatious manner, the behaviour of those employed in his service, and if anything met his disapprobation, he would express himself in A Cloud on Christianas Hcq^inness. 233 very strong language. At other times lie would seat himself in his parlour with the newspaper before him, or else sit moodily watching the fire for hours together. Neither husband nor wife seemed to have the slightest inclina- tion to utter a word. The supervision Chris- tian gave to his servants by no means increased their efficiency, while the neglect he afterwards showed allowed them far too great an amount of latitude, of which they took full advantage. Even during the few days which had elapsed since the departure of Mr. Thornton, a visible deterioration had taken place in the manage- ment and business of the house. On the afternoon of the fourth day Mr. Des- brow called. He was received by Christian (who evidently had been expecting him) with great warmth, and conducted by him into the parlour. As soon as the door was closed, Mr. Desbrow, on whose countenance was stamped an expression of deep sorrow, began the con- versation : " My dear friend," he said, " I much regret to tell you that what I imagined your unjusti- fiable suspicions concerning your wife, which you imparted to me the day after your arrival, have turned out, to a considerable extent, to be but too true. The day after you had left me I commenced, as I promised, to make inquiries on 234 The Landlord of " The Sun. jj the subject, though for some time with but httle effect. At last I discovered that, during the time your wife was at the school in which I had placed her (she was then, I should say, a mere child, being scarcely more than sixteen years of age), she fell a victim, I understand, to the arts of the French master of the establishment — a plausible, handsome, worthless fellow, who ought never to have been employed in a capacity of the kind, and the result was that Sarah became a mother." " But were you never informed of the fact ?" asked Christian. " Never !" said Mr. Desbrow, with some- thing like indignation in his tone — " never !" *' And how was it concealed ?" " The mistress, after she had discovered the truth," replied Mr. Desbrow, " immediately dismissed the French master; and, partly to avoid the scandal which she feared might attach itself to her school, partly, perhaps, actuated by a feeling of humanity towards Sarah herself, took lodgingfs for her at a town some little distance from her house, where she remained until the child was born, which died about a week after its birth. As soon as Sarah had recovered, the schoolmistress again sent for her, and she resumed her studies." Poor Christian now placed his hands before A Cloud on Christian's Happiness. 235 Ms face, and wept bitterly, yet made no remark. '' Nay, my dear fellow," said Mr. Desbrow, in a tone of kindness, " do not grieve in that manner. Unfortunately it cannot be helped, and, angry as I am with her (and I need hardly tell you, had I been informed of the circumstance, you should have been made aware of it before she was finally engaged to you), it must be admitted that her conduct since has been perfectly irreproachable. Nor do I say this without due consideration, for I have made strict inquiries of those with whom she has been acquainted, and have received most favour- able answers from all. But now, tell me, does she know you have spoken to me on the subject ?" " She does not," said Christian. " I have had no conversation with her whatever. My mind at the present moment is too unsettled to trace out any positive plans for the future, be^^ond that I will never speak to her again." " But remember," said Mr. Desbrow, "you will have great difficulty in releasing yourself from her. I hardly know even whether you will succeed, and if you did, the proceedings would be both expensive and derogatory. Of course, if it is your settled determination not to live with her, it is not for me to offer any opposition.' )> 236 The Landlord of " The Sun:' " To avoid scandal," said Christian, '^I will allow her to remain in my house for some time longer, on condition that a thorough separation takes place between us ; and, as I said before, as soon as my mind becomes somewhat clearer, I will decide upon what steps I shall take for the future. But," he continued, turning sharply round on Mr, Desbrow, " can you not advise me on the subject ?" " Candidly, Brandon, I would not attempt to do so until you have yourself positively made up your mind. Then, so indignant am I with her for her behaviour, I will assist you in carrying out any plan you may decide on." " But I tell you," said Christian, " on the main point I have already decided : I will no longer live with her, although I wish the separ- ation to be effected with as little scandal as possible." " Still," said Mr. Desbrow, slowly and em- phatically, and looking fixedly at Christian while he spoke — " though, mark me, I do not "wish to offer any advice — I have frequently noticed in circumstances of the kind (for, un- fortunately, such irregularities are far more common than you imagine), that by subsequent good behaviour on the part of the wife, her prenuptial fault is often overlooked." " Do you imagine, sir," said Christian to A Cloud on Ghristian^s Happiness. 237 him, sternly, " that it would be so in my case ? If you do, you know but little of me. No," he continued, tears gathering in his eyes as he spoke ; " before I married her, no man ever loved woman more faithfully or ardently than I loved her. I would willingly, and without the slightest hesitation, have laid down my life rather than any ill should have befallen her. In so high estimation did I hold her, that when reflecting on my married life, it appeared to me that whatever fatisrues or anxieties I miofht experience in the duties of my calling, they would be as completely absorbed or obliterated in her society as if they had never occurred. And what is the result ? I find she has de- ceived me in the grossest manner, and from that one fact I should never be able to place the slightest reliance on anything she ever said or did. Now, instead of seeking for con- solation or happiness in her society, on the rare occasions I meet with her, her presence is a very curse to me ; for it not only tells me the infamous deception she has practised upon me, but at the same time taunts me with my folly in having drawn the pictures of future happiness which I did, and which have ended in nothing but bitter disappointment. No, Mr. Desbrow, there is not the slightest proba- bility of our living together as husband and 238 The Landlord of " The Sun." wife. I would sooner liaug myself to the door- post than that such a thing should take place ! And now, having heard ray fixed determina- tion, let me again implore you to advise me what steps to take in the matter, so that the separation may be effected, in the quietest possible manner." Mr. Desbrow remained for some moments silent, as if in deep thought, and then said to Christian : " I may assume, then, that your determination to separate from your wife is inflexible ?" " Perfectly so," said Christian. " Well, then," said Mr. Desbrow, " as I am certain you would wish to do her reputation no injury, I should say that, after a short time, under the plea of ill-health or some other ex- cuse, she had better quit your house and re- side in the country, and then after a time the question of a final separation might be enter- tained." " But should she object to it," asked Christian, " have I the power to insist on it ?" " Certainly not," replied Mr. Desbrow. " The only way that it could be done would be to get some mutual friend to speak to her on the subject, and by degrees to get her to enter- tain it." A Gloud on Christianas Happiness. 239 "Would you kindly undertake tliat task?" said Christian. " Frankly, I would rather not," replied Mr. Desbrow. " Then," said Christian, " I know of no one else to whom I could apply. If I appeal to her sister, it is more than probable she might advise Sarah — my wife I mean, for I will never call her by that name again — to set me at defiance, and remain where she is, and perhaps she may even have been a party to the deception herself." " On that point," said Mr. Desbrow, "I am fully persuaded she knows nothing about it, though I hardly think she would be the person to apply to." " To whom, then, can I apply but to your- self ?" said Christian. " I can speak to no other without informing him of my own dis- honour." "Stop, Brandon," said Mr. Desbrow; "dis- honour is hardly the word to be applied to you. That you have been deceived is perfectly true, but through no fault of your own, and every- one who knows anything of the circumstances of the case must sympathise with you. If, however, you have so strong an aversion to make a confidant of any other person, painful as the commission would be to me, I would 240 The Landlord of " The Sunr undertake it for you, though you would greatly oblige me by relieving me from it." "Nay," said Christian ; "after having said so much, pray do not waver. And it appears to me that the sooner she is put in possession of my intentions the better, as then we shall be able, for the time that she remains here, to carry on the affairs of the house with less ap- pearance to the servants of open hostility than is the case at present. She is at home now, and if you will allow me I will send for her, and then leave you to speak to her. I am sure she would pay more attention to you than to any other person. ISTow, let me call her." So saying, he rose from his chair and rang the bell, and a moment afterwards the servant appeared. " Is your mistress in her bedroom ?" Chris- tian inquired, " She is, sir." " Tell her, then, that Mr. Desbrow is here, and wishes to have some conversation with her, as soon as she can conveniently see him." The servant left the room, and shortly re- turned again, and said to Christian : "I gave your message to my mistress, sir, and she told me to tell the gentleman she intended to re- main in her room all the day, and could not see him." A Cloud on Christian s Hcqjpiness. 241 " But you surely could not have given her my inessao;e ?" said Christian. " Oh yes, sir, I did ; and I also said that you wanted her to come down as well, but she merely repeated her answer, and told me to leave the room." "Very well," said Christian, " that will do." Then, turning to Mr. Desbrow, his countenance inflamed with passion, he said : " I am afraid the task you have been kind enough to take upon yourself will be a somewhat difl&cult one." '• Possibly it may," said Mr. Desbrow, calmly, '" but you must not hurry matters with her. No doubt she is now aware that I know the whole of the circumstances, and is ashamed to see me, and that is natural enough. How- ever, I will call occasionally at the house, and possibly I may meet her ; and if once I can enter into conversation with her, I will try what I can do to carry out your views. But now, good-bye, my dear friend, for I think I can do nothing more for you at present. Should you at any time wish to see me, either call or drop me a line, and I shall always be at your service." VOL. I. K CHAPTER XI. christian's singular behaviour to his wife. DURING the next fortniglit Mr. Desbrow called several times at " The Sun," for the purpose of obtaining an interview with Mrs. Brandon, but without success. When the maidservant took the message, " that he wished to speak to her," she invariably sent back a civil answer, declining the meeting on the plea of indisposition, or of being par- ticularly engaged. So great seemed her dread of meeting him, that she requested her servant to ask the barman, and other persons emplo^^ed in the business portion of the house, to give notice whenever they saw him enter, so that she might have an opportunity of escaping to her bedroom should she be in the parlour at the time. In the meanwhile Christian became each day more anxious that some definite ar- rangement should be arrived at. One day he entered the house just as Mr. Desbrow was Christianas Behaviour to his Wife. 243 leaving it, and he invited hira to accompany liim to the parlour. When they were alone, Christian asked if he had yet succeeded in obtaining an interview with Mrs. Brandon. Mr. Desbrow replied that he had not, and that he thought it would be better, perhaps, not to make any further attempt for the pre- sent. " At the same time," he continued, " I think her conduct very unreasonable. She might be perfectly assured, from the kindness I have invariably shown her, that, deeply as I grieve at her fault, she would receive no re- proach from me, but, on the contrary, that I would do everything I could to serve her." " But I trust, Mr. Desbrow," said Christian, " you will make another attempt. I am very sorry you should have received such treatment from her. T have not interfered in any way, as I dreaded speaking to her on the subject, lest my temper should give way; but I will abstain no longer. When we meet at dinner to-day, I will bring the matter before her, and insist on her allowing you an interview, espe- cially as you desire it on my behalf" " Well," said Mr. Desbrow, " I shall have much pleasure in attending any appointment she may make. At the same time, you will easily believe it is unpleasant for me to be call- ing continually without being able to obtain an R 2 244 The Landlord of " The Sunr interview with lier ; and tlie more so as I have seen certain signs of intelhgence pass between the persons in your employ, at the constant refusals I receive." "I will, as I said before, speak to her to-day, and insist on her naming a time to see you, if you will call again." This being agreed, Mr, Desbrow left the house. When Christian and his wife met at dinner that day, the habitual moody silence which reigned at their meals was for some time observed between them, and continued till Mrs. Brandon rose to leave the room. Christian then hastily said to her, with considerable anger in his tone : "Stop, one moment; I wish to speak to you. I have requested my friend Mr Desbrow to see you, about an arrangement I wish entered into, and which, if carried out, will be better for both of us. He tells me that, al- though he has called frequently, you have in- variably refused to see him. Now, I request this may no longer be the case. All I require is that you should have one interview with hira, and I think he would make such a proposition as you would not fail to accept." " If you have any proposal to make," said Sarah, " why not speak to me yourself? — why employ Mr. Desbrow ?" Ghristian^s Behaviour to his Wife. 245 " Because I do not choose to have any com- munication with you, or speak or reason with you, OD any subject whatever, and that you know perfectly well. Mr. Desbrow, on the con- trary, would act as a friend to us both, and a satisfactory arrangement might be arrived at." " But [ will not see Mr. Desbrow," said Sarah, now using more determination in her tone than she had hitherto shown ; " and I hope you will not press me to do so, as it will oblige me to do what would cause me great pain." "And what is that?" " Positively to refuse to obey you. I will allow no third person to interfere in my affairs, no matter whether man or woman," " But I insist on being obeyed !" said Chris- tian, now getting into a violent passion. " I shall write to Mr. Desbrow, naming some day for him to call, and you must see him when he comes." " And what will be the result of my refusal, which he will certainly receive ?" said Sarah. *' It is better that we come to some definite understanding on the subject, at any rate as far as Mr. Desbrow is concerned." " What would be the result ?" said Christian, in a voice almost inarticulate with passion. 246 The Landlord of " 11 te Sun. j> " That you will positively drive me to turn you out of the house !" " Do so," said Sarah, calmly ; " I would prefer it of the two. No, Christian," she cou- tiuued, bursting into tears ; " although it is my wish to submit to you, iu most things, as implicitly and humbly as it is possible for a human being to do, there are certain points on which I am determined, and on which no power shall change me. One of these is, that I will not allow Mr. Desbrow to interefere between us." So saying, and hastily wiping the tears from her eyes, she left the parlour, and, disregarding her husband's angrily expressed order to come back, she rushed upstairs into her bedroom, nor did she leave it again during the day. Christian's anger, after his wife had left him, was so great, that he found it impossible to bring his mind to bear upon any subject, and fearing that he might be looked upon with curiosity by the persons in his employ, and dreading their ridicule, he seized his hat and hurriedly left the house. Without objects, he wandered for some hours about the streets, till evening fairly closed in, and then returned home. He now attempted to employ himself in his business, but with very little efficiency. Still he kept on till business hours were over. Then, taking a bottle of brandy and a glass, lie entered the par- Christian s Behaviour to liis Wife. 247 lour, and, seating himself in his easy-chair, began to reflect over his position, with the wish, if possible, to decide on some definite course of action. But he was now fairly puzzled what to do. He was already sufficiently acquainted with his wife's temper to know that, if she had definitely made up her miud upon a subject, it was useless to attempt to make her alter it. And yet, what further steps could he take ? He did not wish the scandal of an open rupture, and there appeared no alternative unless he allowed her to remain with him in the house. He now applied, as unfortunately he was rapidly getting into the habit of doing, to the spirit-bottle to inspire him. It answered his appeal, certainly, but in a vague and unsatis- factory manner. One moment it advised him to secretly dispose of the lease and goodwill of his business, and escape with the amount it realized to some foreign country ; but as the action of the spirit he had swallowed began to diminish, a powerful objection to such a course presented itself. Indignant as he was at the deception practised on him by his wife, his better feelings revolted at the idea of leaving her utterly destitute. He remained in doubt on the subject for some time, and then made a second application to the bottle. The spirit he swallowed had the effect of again raising his anger 248 The Landlord of " The Simr against his wife, and lie resolved to carry out the idea of sellino^ his business and leavins^ Eno^- land. He now began to reflect in what manner it could be done, when, this time, an insuperable objection presented itself to him : the lease of the house was held by Mr. Desbrow, as se- curity for the money which had been advanced on it, and it was impossible to dispose of it without that gentleman's consent, which he was perfectly well aware he would never be able to obtain. Then, again, other ideas passed through his mind, all of which — even in his then half-drunken state — after a moment's consideration, he perceived to be impractic- able. He now attempted to drown all thoughts on the subject by drinking, and so fully succeeded, that at last, seated in his chair as he was, he fell into a heavy slumber, from which he did not awake till the next morning. His cellar- man, who slept in the house, had arisen for the purpose of commencing his daily duties, and in passing the parlour-door, which was partially open, saw his master, with the half-emptied brandy-bottle and the glass by his side, utterly unconscious. The man — who had too much experience in cases of the kind not to be per- fectly aware of the cause of his master's con- dition — advanced towards him, and, gently Christian'' s Behaviour to his Wife. 249 sliakiDg Lira by the shoulder, asked if he did not thiDk he had better go to bed. It was some moments before Christian could recover his senses sufficiently to realise the position he was in. At length he somewhat succeeded, and told the man that, in conse- quence of the fatigue he had experienced the day before, he had fallen asleep in his chair. " Ah yes, sir, I see," said the cellarman ; "but don't you think you had better let me help you upstairs ?" " Certainly not," said Brandon angrily ; " why should you help me ? I can go well enough by myself — can't I ?" and he rose from his seat, for the purpose of leaving the room. His legs, however, tottered under him, and he was oblio^ed to hold the back of a chair to keep himself from falling. When he had some- what recovered himself, he still refused to re- ceive the man's assistance, and, staggering out of the room, made for the staircase. The man, knowing full well how useless it would be to argue with his master in such a state, left him to himself; and Christian con- tinued stumbling upstairs, till he had reached the landing-place opening into his own room, when he laid himself down on the floor, and there re- mained till the maidservant, who was passing, 250 The Landlord of " Tlie Sim:' saw liira. Slie aroused him, and Cliristian made another attempt to reach his bed-room, which he managed to do, and flinging himself on the bed, was soon fast asleep. It may easily be imagined that the disgrace- ful conduct of the master of the house was soon known to the whole of the servants, and fully commented upon, although, of course, no men- tion was made of it to him. As for Christian, it was some days before he fairly recovered from the effects of his drunken fit. Durino; the time his wife and he occasionally met, but no conversation passed between them, nor was the subject of Mr. Desbrow's visit again alluded to. In fact, a singular change seemed about taking place in Christian's temper and manner of thinking. The high state of nervous irritability he had been in appeared to subside, and a sullen sort of apathy, with occasional bursts of ill-temper, supplied its place. This, probably, might be accounted for from the fact, that as soon as he had recovered from the state of intoxica- tion in which he was discovered by the cellar- man, he determined that it should never occur again; but, by way of compensating himself for the privation, he resolved to drink secretly and with moderation, and, wishing to keep the knowledge of the practice fron his servants, he placed some spirits, in a closet, in his room, of Christian s Beliaviom- to Ids Wife. 251 wliicli lie continually drank, tliougli a very small portion at a time. Christian now began to show great indiffer- ence to everything that was going on around him. Although he treated his wife with the same cold reserved manner, he did not seem to entertain the idea of separation. Mrs. Brandon, on her part, behaved to her husband with quiet submission, never thrusting her con- versation on him ; and while, from careless- ness, her husband's business was daily getting into a disorganised state, the domestic duties, under her own superintendence, were carried on in a most efficient manner. In this way things went on, till at last they seemed to have settled down into a chronic state, which neither husband nor wife appeared inclined to disturb. It was nearly a month after Christian's mar- riage when his wife's sister called at " The Sun," to inquire when the newly-married couple were expected home, as, from not hav- ing heard from them, she had become some- what uneasy on their behalf. On asking the maidservant, who opened the door, when she expected her master and mistress to arrive in London, to her great surprise, she heard they had been home more than three weeks. On inquiring whether they were then in the house, the servant told her that Mr. Brandon was 252 The Landlord of " The Sun J5 absent for the moment, but she thought that Mrs. Brandon was at home. Charlotte was then ushered into the parlour, and the girl inquired her name, that she might take it to her mistress. " Merely tell her," was Charlotte's reply, " that I am her sister, and should much like to see her." The girl remained motionless a moment, and then said, " Oh, ma'am, how pleased I am you have come ! I wish you'd been here a fortnight ago." " Why ?" inquired Charlotte, in a tone of alarm. "Your mistress is not ill, is she ?" " Oh no, ma'am, not worth mentioning ; and perhaps it's not my duty to speak on the subject at all," replied the girl. " But she appears so dreadfully unhappy — it quite goes to my heart to see her. She seems to have no one whom she can speak to, or give her any advice, or soothe her in her sorrow." " Has anything happened to her, then ?" said Charlotte, now greatly terrified. "No, ma'am; but things don't go on at all comfortably between her and master. I'd rather not say anything further ; and you had better see her, and judge for yourself. I will run up and say you are here, and no doubt she'll come down directly." Christianas Behaviour to his Wife. 253 The servant then left the room ; and a few- moments afterwards Sarah hurriedly rushed down stands, and, entering the parlour, flung herself into her sister's arms. After kissino; her affectionately, she laid her face on her bosom, and burst into tears. It was some time before Charlotte could manage to obtain any control over her sister ; but at last she led her to the sofa, though Sarah continued to sob convulsively. When she appeared somewhat calmer, Charlotte implored her to tell her wdiat had occurred to cause her so much sorrow, and whether she could not lielp her in any way. "No, Charlotte," replied Sarah, evading her sister's question ; " you cannot help me in any way, nor can anyone else. Would to Heaven I had taken your advice and never married !" " Sarah," said Charlotte, " I felt convinced at the time that vou did not love that man, and I find I am not mistaken." "Not love him !" exclaimed Sarah, with considerable animation. " I tell you that I loved him as dearly as it was possible for woman to love man, and I love him as dearly now. I would willingly sacrifice my life to save his, or to insure his happiness ; and it may probably come to that, after all." How is it possible, Sarah, I can under- C( 254 The Landlord of " The Sun:' stand when you speak in sucli a contradictory manner ?" " No, Charlotte," said Sarah, turning round, and again throwing her arms round her sister's neck ; " nor can anyone else, and I hope to God no one ever will know the cause of my sorrow ! But let us say no more about it, for it can do no good ; so, like a good dear crea- ture, don't speak of it again. Now, come upstairs, and take off your bonnet and shawl, and spend the evening with me. You don't know how great a charity it will be. If Bran- don comes in — and I expect him presently — • take no notice if he beliaves rather coldly to me. Put up with it, dear, for my sake, and I will ever bless you for your kindness. Come with me, now, to my room, and tell me all you have been doing since we parted. Do not think it unkind that I did not write to tell you we had arrived in London ; but I did not like you to see me unhappy." When Christian returned home, he found Charlotte seated in the parlour with his wife. At first he seemed undetermined what sort of a reception to give her, and looked at her for a moment in a hesitating and suspicious manner. Charlotte, however, being a strong-minded woman, and possessing great nerve, had already fixed upon the line of conduct she CJwistian^s Behaviour to his Wife. 255 should adopt towards him ; and when he entered the room, she advanced towards him, and, taking his hand, presented her cheek, which, after a moment's hesitation, he kissed, — and yet seemed hardly conscious of what he was doing. Charlotte then inquired after his health, and expressed her pleasure at seeing him. Brandon stammered out some unintelli- gible remark, and then, offering Charlotte a chair, took another himself. A dead silence for some moments ensued, and a feeling of embarrassment pervaded all three. Charlotte was the first to recover herself. With a perfectly composed expression on her countenance, she asked Christian how he liked the business he had entered into, and whether it answered his expectations. Christian, who seemed thankful to her for relieving him from the oppression he was labouring under, replied, with great civility both in tone and manner, that he liked his business well, and, as far as he had seen had every reason to be content with it. Charlotte, noticing the good impression she had made, re- solved not to let the conversation drop ; and she continued to ask Christian other questions connected with the trade — such as, whether it was not very fatiguing, and if it did not require constant superintendence — whether he had any 256 The Landlord of " The Sunr difficulty with liis customers, and such hke in- quiries, all of which Christian answered with great willingness, and even seemed for the moment to forget his habitual sullenness. When Charlotte had exhausted all her ques- tions, she asked Christian to show her over the premises, as she had no idea in what way a business of the kind was conducted. Chris- tian, who for the moment was hardly able to suppress a smile at what he considered Char- lotte's feminine curiosity, immediately granted her request, and showed her over the different departments for carrying on the business of the house, explaining them to her, and answer- ing with great readiness the innumerable ques- tions she put to him, almost seeming to take a pleasure in doing so. In all this Charlotte played her part admirably, pretending to take the greatest interest in subjects which certainly were totally indifferent if not repulsive to her. Returned to the sitting-room, they found tea prepared for them, and Sarah seated at the table. Christian seemed for a moment puzzled how to act. He had not taken tea with his wife since the evening of their arrival, and he now appeared afraid that by joining in the meal with them, she might think it a step on his part towards reconciliation. He stood for a moment, as if in doubt what to do, when he Christian s Behaviour to his Wife. 257 remembered that on tlie evening of his arrival lie had, in company with Mr. Thornton, taken tea with his wife, and, accepting it as a pre- cedent, without further remark seated himself at the table in his easy-chair. Charlotte, who had noticed his irresolution, determined again to arrest his attention, and did so by teUing her sister how much she had been interested in all she had seen, although she feared she must have taken up too much of Christian's time. This of course he denied, and expressed the pleasure he had had in answering all her questions, when Sarah, profiting by his atten- tion being engaged, offered him a cup of tea, which he took mechanically, thanking her for it, and continued his remarks to her sister. Charlotte talked on incessantly, and by degrees contrived to bring Sarah partially into the con- versation. She asked her if she succeeded to her own satisfaction in managing her portion of the duties of the house, and was assured, in reply, that she did so without any difficulty. The two sisters for some moments carried on the conversation, Christian at first abstaining from making the slightest remark on any of his wife's answers ; but in a little time he now and then did so, and without any apparent anger in his tone or manner. At last the time arrived for Charlotte VOL. I. s 258 The Landlord of " Tlie Sun:' to return home, and Christian, in an unusual spirit of gallantry, volunteered to escort her. With many thanks she declined the offer, stating that she felt fatigued, and intended to take a cab. She now left the room with Sarah, for the purpose of preparing herself to leave the house. When the sisters found themselves alone, Sarah said : " Oh, Charlotte dear ! you cannot think how grateful I feel to you for your behaviour this evening, and how happy you have made me. The power you have over Christian is wonder- ful, and I almost feel in hopes that if you come to see us frequently, you possibly might be the means of making peace between us, or, if not, to assist in arranging matters, so that my hus- band and I may go on somewhat more comfort- ably together. Now promise me, dear, that you will come again very soon." " I would willingly do so," said Charlotte, " but I am afraid your husband will think I am unwarrantably interfering in his affairs, and I should strongly object to give him cause to imagine anything of the kind." " Do not be afraid of that," said Sarah. " I know he entertains a very great respect for you, and you will be able to do more with him than all the world besides. Tell me, dear, what day you will^come again." Christian s Behaviour to his Wife. 259 This, however, Cliarlotte could not do, but promised that her sister should see her again in the course of a few days, and they then joined Brandon below, where they found a cab waiting to convey Charlotte home. Brandon conducted his sister-in-law to it, and then re- turned to the house. He did not, however, again enter the parlour, where his wife had re- mained, evidently hoping that she should see him again that evening ; but he kept in the business part of the house till it was time to close for the night. The next day Brandon studiously avoided meeting Sarah, evidently undecided in what manner he should address, or how answer her, in case she put any question to him. As the day wore on he became more anxious and nervous on the subject, till it was near their accustomed dinner-hour, at which meal, as before stated, the husband and wife had hitherto been in the habit of meeting. At last the ser- vant informed him that the dinner was on the table. He gazed at her for a moment, as if not clearly understanding her, and she repeated her words. He then made a momentary effort to determine what he should do, and abruptly said to the girl : " Tell your mistress I shall not dine at home to-day. I am going out, and may not return till evening." s 2 260 The Landlord of " The Sim:' How and where Christian passed the re- mainder of the day it woidd be difficult to say, but certainly when he returned home he was more than three parts intoxicated. The bar- man and others in the business easily perceived the state their employer was in, and com- municated it to the girl who was accustomed to wait on Mrs. Brandon. Now, Christian was one of those men on whom the effects of drink has a most prejudicial effect, arousing all their evil passions, and causing outbreaks of temper. The servant-girl, fearing this, informed her mistress of his state, who immediately and prudently went into her own room, and locked the door after her. Nor was this done one moment too soon, for Brandon, on seeing the girl, asked in an angry tone of voice where her mistress was, and desired her to say he wished to speak to her immediately. The girl, seeing the temper he was in, replied that her mistress was ill and had gone to bed, and she dared not disturb her. Brandon then, finding it ne- cessary to vent his ill-humour on some one, commenced abusing the girl in a most violent manner, who put up with it, however, with the greatest equanimity. At length, notwith- standing his drunken condition, he began to suspect he was behaving in a derogatory man- ner, and leaving the girl, he entered the sitting- Christian'' s Behaviour to his Wife. 261 room, wliere he remained till the business of the day was over. The next day, when Christian met the ser- vant-girl, he had the good sense to apologise to her for the language he had made use of the previous evening, which she, in her turn, readily excused ; adding, with more candour than tact, that she saw the state he was in, and that evidently he did not know what he was about. This remark made a deep impres- sion on Christian. He knew full well that the other servants were all aware of the condition he was in, and he felt annoyed with himself at his unworthy behaviour. That day he even felt more dread at meeting his wife than the day before, being certain that she knew of his dispute with the maidservant. He felt he could not meet her without appearing in a derogatory position, and yet he did not like the idea of again dining-out, as it would seem like an ad- mission that he had done wrong. While undecided as to what course he should pursue. Christian found that his wife's sister had called, and he now made no further diffi- culty. He received Charlotte in a very friendly manner, and asked her to remain to dinner with them. She at first replied that she could not, as she had merely called in consequence of being near the house, and intended to 2C2 The Landlord of " The Sunr return home. Christian, however, pressed her so earnestly, that at length she consented. So great a relief was Charlotte's presence to Christian, and so pleased was he to see her, that on several occasions durinc: the afternoon he seemed, in his good-humour, to forget the anger he felt towards his wife, and more than once joined in the conversation passing between her and Charlotte. On these occasions a look of intelligence would pass from Sarah to her sister, as if wishing her to notice the power her presence had over Christian, and the good results which might follow if she continued her kind offices. After dinner Christian was ob- liged to leave them, but at tea-time he rejoined them again, and remained quietly at home for the rest of the evening, which passed more satisfactorily than any other since their return to town. About a month or five weeks after they had returned to London, Gideon and his wife called to pay their wedding-visit. Fortunately for Christian, he was absent at the time, nor did he return till after their departure. Of all men living, perhaps Gideon was the one whom Christian most dreaded to meet : in fact, for some time past, he had been in a state of con- tinued terror lest his friend should call with his wife for the conventional wedding-visit. He Christianas Behaviour to his Wife. 263 knew Gideon entertained for bim more than friendship, indeed almost the affection of a brother, and that his comphments and con- gratulations would be of the warmest descrip- tion. He anticipated Gideon would express hopes that he and Sarah might live happily together for many years, and the pleasure it would afford himself and his wife that their friendship should remain close and uninter- rupted. He had often attempted to frame in his mind what answer he should make to Gideon when they met. Christian knew per- fectly well that were he to show the slightest coolness to Sarah during their visit, it would be remarked, if not by Gideon, certainly by his wife, and he dreaded the animadversions they might make on it after leaving the house. Yet, to show Sarah the kindness and courtesy which a young married man habitually exhibits towards his wife, when receiving with her the wedding-visits of their friends, might very possibly awaken in her mind the idea that a reconciliation mis^ht be at last effected — an idea he had no wish to inculcate, as he still continued firm in his resolution that, cost what it might, a separation should eventually take place between them. Gideon Harcourt and his wife, on their visit, were received by Mrs. Brandon, who expressed 264 The Landlord of " The Sun." great pleasure in seeing them, and her regret that Christian was absent at the time. Hoping he might soon return, she endeavoured to pro- long their visit as much as possible, and con- versed with them on every conceivable subject. She felt somewhat puzzled, for the moment, what reply to make to Mrs. Harcourt's inquiry as to how long they had returned from their honeymoon. After a slight hesitation, she said : " Why, the fact is, we have been home some time." Then, seeing Mrs. Harcourt upon the point of expressing her surprise, she con- tinued : "I would willingly, as you may imagine, have remained away much longer ; but Mr. Brandon became so nervous about the business, and anxious to return, that at last I made no further objection." " Well, no matter," said Gideon ; " since you are returned, I hope we shall meet very frequently. And now, tell me when you will come and spend an evening with us. Name your own day, so you can have no excuse, and pray bring your sister with you, for she is a great favourite of ours." " I would willingly come any day," said Sarah ; " but remember, I am not my own mistress now, and have a ' lord and master ' to consult." " Very proper indeed/' said Gideon. " I am Christianas Beliaviour to his Wife. 265 very glad to hear that Christian has you already in such good training, but tell him to let me know what day you will come. Remember, we give you the choice of the whole week. Tell your husband, also, that I want particularly to see him, as I have some news respecting my own affairs which I am sure he will be pleased to hear. But now we must put a stop to our long visit, for we have many things to do to- day; and you must remember, my wife has some one at home in whom she takes a great interest, and of whose welfare, during her absence, she is exceedingly anxious." Gideon and his wife then took leave of Mrs. Brandon, the former saying, as they were leaving the room : " Tell Christian to write to me to-night, and name a day for coming to us next week, and I will arrange my business- matters in such a manner that I shall be certain to meet him." When Christian arrived at home in the even- ing, Sarah sent a message to him, to say she wished to speak to him in the parlour. Though greatly surprised at receiving a communication of the kind, he put on a somewhat cold stern expression, and on seeing his wife, asked what she required of him. " I wish to tell you," replied Sarah, " that while you were out to-day, Mr. and Mrs. Har- 266 TJie Landlord of " TJie Sun:' court called on us. They waited a long time, hoping you would return, but as you did not they were obliged to leave. When they went away they gave me a message for you, that they hoped to see us next week to spend an evening with them ; and, that there might be no reason for forming an excuse, they wished us to fix our own day. Will you write to them, or shall I ?" "You had better write," said Christian, after a moment's reflection. " Tell them you will go, but that I am so occupied at present on different business-matters, it will be impossible for me to do so." " But that would hardly be civil," said Sarah ; " for Mr. Harcourt expressly told me to say he wished particularly to see you. He said he had some news to tell you, respecting his own private affairs, which he was sure you would hear with great satisfaction. I think," she continued, " if you object to go with me, you had better go by yourself." Christian remained for some moments evi- dently puzzled what answer to make, when Sarah said : " Oh ! I forgot to tell you that they ex- pressly hoped Charlotte would accompany us. Perhaps you two had better go together ; I can easily plead indisposition, and remain at home." Cliristian^s Behaviour to his Wife. 267 "No; if Charlotte has been invited," said ChristiaD, " I have no objection for us all to go together — that is to say, if you and your sister cannot go by yourselves." " I should positively object to that," said Sarah, determinedly. " Well, then," said Christian, " name Wed- nesday next, and, in case you do not see your sister before that time, write and ask her to hold herself in readiness to accompany us; and if she does so, she will do me a great favour." Sarah promised she would attend to it, and the conversation between them ended. CHAPTER XII. A SURPKISE. CHARLOTTE willingly accepted Mrs. Har- coiirt's invitation, and on the appointed Wednesday arrived at " The Sun " to accompany Brandon and his wife to Kentish Town. Bran- don, however, from some real or pretended cause •was unable to escort them ; but he promised that without fail he would join them in the course of the evening, and conduct them home. Sarah looked somewhat inquisitively in his face, as if to ascertain from its expression whether he really intended doing so, when her husband, who instinctively understood her, angrily told her he was not in the habit of making promises and then breaking them, and that he would certainly be with them as early in the evening as he could. It was at a late hour before Christian fulfilled his promise, though, to do him justice, when he did arrive, he behaved in an exceedingly amiable and friendly manner. In the course of the evening he said to Gideon : " I am sorry, Harcourt, to have been so late A Surprise. 269 this evening, but I was detained on business matters which I could not postpone. I must candidly tell you though, that I should not have come at all had I not been anxious to know what piece of good fortune has befallen you, for I heard you had something to tell me res- pecting your own prospects that I should be glad to hear. "Well, Brandon," said his friend, "I told you I had good reason to suspect my amiable aunt in Nelson Square had not behaved honour- ably to me, and I now know that my suspicions were just. Although it is our busy time, I have contrived after office hours were over to make a short search among the old law papers connected with our family, which my aunt wished to place in Mr Desbrow's hands, but without success, as our firm, finding that other parties were interested in the matter, refused to give them up. Well, for some time I gained nothing by my trouble, but at last I hit upon a document which tended to prove in the clearest manner that two freehold houses in the Boroug^h, at present let at one hundred a year each, really belong to me, and of these she has been receiv- ing the rents as her own. As far as I have gone I believe my title to be indisputable, and am now oulv in doubt whether I shall at once take proceedings against her, or remain quiet 270 The Landlord of « The Sun." till I have gone further in my researches, for I strongly suspect there is a good deal more pro- perty belonging to me, which she keeps in her own possession." "You astonish me!" exclaimed Brandon. " Why, that old woman must be worth a mint of money ! From the very quiet manner in which she hves, I should have thought her in- come had been very small." " So would most people," said Harcourt. " I myself had not the most remote idea she was as wealthy as I find she is, although I knew perfectly well her income was a very good one. She was always very secret about her affairs, and I had not the most distant knowledge of what she possessed, beyond that she had a good many houses which she managed herself Whenever any person called to see her on business, if I happened to be at home, I was invariably sent out of the room, so jealous was she (and I can now understand her objection) that I should gain the slightest insight into her affixirs. She is now, I hear, suffering from partial paralysis, and has doubtless been obhged to place no in- considerable portion of her business in Mr. Desbrow's hands." " Could not he give you some information on the subject r" inquired Christian ; " you are a great favourite of his," A Surprise. 271 " That lie could assist me considerably there is no doubt," said Gideon ; " but warm as his friendship may be for me, he is far too honour- able a man to divulge the private affairs of a client entrusted to him. No, no ; I will work the affair out myself, and I have strong hopes of success." " Does your husband still nourish hopes of becoming a member of the bar ?" inquired Sarah of Mrs. Harcourt. " Oh, yes," she said, " he is as warm about it as ever." " Perfectly true, my dear," said Gideon to his wife, " and now I will tell you more. I have already mentioned the subject to our senior partner, who complimented me on my deter- mination, and told me that they were so pleased with my conduct during the time I had been with them, that if I were called to the bar they would assist my views in every way they could consistent with the welfare of their clients. So you see, I have one good firm to fall back upon, at any rate." " Well," said Christian, " I most sincerely wish you success, if you do make the trial. Remember, however, the old story of the dog crossing the brook with a bone in his mouth, and seeing a dog with a larger bone than his own in the water." 272 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun:' " No danger of tliat," said Gideon. *' You may depend upon it I am not a man to quit the substance for the shadow. Rely upon it I shall not give up my present appointment till I find I have sufficient in hand to maintain myself, my wife, and child, during the time I am pur- suing my studies at the bar. Then to carry out my idea will be legitimate enough. And now, Brandon, let me congratulate you on the satisfactory results which I hear have attended your business operations, and most heartily I wish they may continue to succeed." Mr. and Mrs. Brandon and Charlotte remain- ed with their friends till a somewhat late hour, when they returned home. During the whole of the time Christian had behaved with great courtesy to his wife, so much so that the most acute observer could not have o-uessed that the sliofhtest ill-feelino- existed between them. On their way home he even spoke to Sarah on topics connected with their conversation during the evening with so much kindness, that hopes began to rise in her breast that a more happy time than she had lately enjoyed might possibly at no distant date be in store for her. A change, apparently for the better, took place in Christian Brandon's conduct, almost immediately after the evening spent witli the Harcourts, and for the next two months there A Surprise. 273 was little to be noticed objectionable in him. It must not, however, be imagined that he showed any wish for a reconciliation with his wife, but he treated her with more civility when they met than he had been accustomed to do since their return to London. When he was with her in the company of friends or strangers, he would enter freely into any subject she might be conversing upon. Nay, more; he would frequently address remarks to her, treat- ing her replies with great respect. He never advanced, however, beyond the conventional courtesy a man is accustomed to show his wife, and on more intimate points he remained as cool with her as ever. He still kept his own room, on the second floor, leaving her in sole possession of the one on the first, nor did they meet, with very rare exceptions, till dinner time. Charlotte was a frequent and very welcome visitor with both husband and wife. Indeed her arrival seemed a pleasure to both, nor did Christian on any occasion seek to leave the house when she was in it. Gideon and his wife also paid them a visit, and the evening passed off in a very agreeable manner. But while slight symptoms of amelioration in the behaviour of Christian were hailed with great satisfaction, both by his wife and her VOL. I. T 274 The Landlord of " The Sun:' sister, he was on the other hand, secretly but rapidly acquiring two terrible vices — drinking and gambUng. He had, however, sufficient discretion to keep his drinking habits somewhat concealed from those in his own employ, though to do so he was obliged greatly to neglect his own business, and that too at a time when it especially required his supervision. He had formed the acquaintance of the landlord of a notorious sporting house, and in his society Christian used to spend a considerable portion of his evenings. Although, by a strong effort of his own sound common sense, there might have been a possibility of his curing himself of the vice of drinking, there was unfortunately a far more doubtful probability of his reforma- tion as a gambler. He had been induced to bet on several horse races (a list of all the races about to be run being kept at his friend's house for the benefit of his customers), and, as is too frequently the case in the commencement of a gambler's career, he came off a winner in most. He was now encouraged to increase his stakes, and even to attend some of the races which were held near London ; but a run of ill luck set in against him and he lost considerably. He attempted to regain what he had lost, determining, like a good many others, that if he were fortunate he would abstain from betting A Surprise. 275 for tlie future. To a certain extent lie succeeded in winning, but still there was a balance against him, and he continued betting, though now much more moderately, to make up the loss, but without being able to do so. And now mysterious conversations were held between Sarah and her sister; the latter's visits to " The Sun" having become almost a daily occurrence. One day, after they had been closeted together for some time, they left the house for the purpose of shopping, and shortly after their return a large brown-paper parcel arrived, which on being opened was found to contain divers kinds of linen drapery, some of peculiar fineness. The sisters then proceeded to talk over the contents of the package with great animation for more than half-an-hour, examining: the texture of the different articles it contained, and deliberating in what manner they ought to be made up, without apparently coming to any satisfactory conclusion. " I tell you what it is, my dear," said Char- lotte at last ; " it is no use worrying ourselves over it, as we have plenty of time before us. Let us put the things by now, and to-night I will speak to the landlady of our house, whose sister is the head shopwoman of a fashionable baby-linen warehouse at the West-end. If I ask her, I am sure she will get me some of the T 2 276 The Landlord of " The Siinr best patterns, and we can then set to work at our leisure." Their purchases were now carefully placed in a drawer, and Mrs. Brandon and her sister descended from the bedroom (where the con- sultation had taken place) to join Christian in the sitting-room. As usual, the latter ex- pressed himself pleased to see Charlotte, and the evening was spent agreeably to all. It may here be said that no mention was made before Christian of the purchases which had been made in the morning. If Charlotte had reckoned without her hostess in saying she was certain she could obtain, through her landlady, some good pat- terns of baby-linen, she was not disappointed. Two days afterwards she arrived at " The Sun," and brought with her divers models of caps, extraordinary little shirts, baby's long robes and night-gowns, and in fact every article necessary for a well-appointed layette. And now really began the work of cutting out ac- cording to the patterns, — an occupation which required so much time that they did not leave their room till the shades of evening had set in. Then, putting the work away till a future opportunity, they returned to the sitting-room. Brandon, however, was not there as they had expected. He had remained for more than an A Surprise. 277 hour waiting for them, and as they did not come down, had left home to pass the evening with his friend the landlord of the sporting house. It was late in the evening before he returned ; and when he did so it was not diflQ- cult to perceive that he had been drinking pretty freely. On entering the house he made no inquiry after his wife or her sister. The latter had left more than an hour, and Sarah had al- ready retired to her chamber. After having attended to the closing of the house, Christian entered the parlour, and, throwing himself into his easy-chair, began to think as coolly as he could over the events of the evening. He remembered having made several bets — and some of them to a consider- able amount — with persons with whom he was but little acquainted, and in fact, excited by drink, he would have gone further had not a friendly hint been given him by his friend the landlord to be cautious what he was about. He now found himself placed iu that awkward predicament, that if he won there might be a strong probability that he would never receive his money ; while on the other hand, if he lost, as an honest man himself he could not do other- wise than pay the amount. He next began to curse his folly in having made these bets after drinking, for he could easily perceive that to 278 The Landlord oj " The Sun:' be successful in any game of probabilities re- quires a very cool bead. The mischief, how- ever, was done. He would call the next after- noon on his friend the landlord and inquire into the character of the men with whom he had betted, and also ask if he could remember the amounts, as on looking over the notes he had taken he found them to be so obscure and ill written he could not himself understand them. The following morning Christian was even more annoyed with his betting transactions than on the previous evening, and he resolved to lose as little time as possible in seeing his friend, to ascertain more clearly what his posi- tion was. He remained at home during: the morning to superintend his business, and in the afternoon left home to call upon the land- lord of the sporting house. His wife kept in her room busily employed with her needle, and later in the day was joined by Charlotte, who as usual came to assist her. The sisters worked on steadilv, and with a rapidity which promised that all necessary pre- parations for the expected confinement would be ready in the course of a month or six weeks. Christian called on his friend, but not finding him at home had to wait till somewhat late in the afternoon before he returned. On tellinsf him the object of his visit, Christian found, to A Surjprise. 279 his intense annoyance, that he had made bets to the amount of between two and three hundred pounds with some men from whom (unless they made a very successful book upon the forthcoming races) it would be impossible to obtain as many shillings. " But never mind, Brandon," said his friend, " you must in future make your bets more care- fully. Stop and dine with me to-day ; dinner will be ready in less than an hour. Two or three friends will join us who are as well acquainted with turf matters as any men in England, and from whom very possibly you may obtain some valuable information. We shall be a very snug little party. I've nothing much to tempt you, only some salmon, rump steak, and oyster sauce ; but, on the other hand, I'll give you as excellent a glass of port or sherry as ever you tasted in your life." Christian accepted the invitation, and in due time the friends arrived. They were of the turf — turfy. They were men, shrewd and in- telligent enough, who would gain money fairly if they could, and if not, by any means which presented itself to them. They were of that class who boast that "honesty is the best policy," — mentally making the reservation that if they were in error, and any policy more pro- fitable should present itself to them, they would 280 The Landlord o/" The Sun." certainly adopt it. Tlie dinner passed off plea- santly enough, and tlie conversation was in- teresting and lively — to those at least who were adepts or enthusiasts in horse-racing. Christian that eveninof betted but little, but he and his new acquaintances, with the landlord, agreed to hire a trap and attend the races at X , which were to be held the folio win «• week, and where they had no doubt they should spend a pleasant and comfortable day together. Sarah had now to take into consideration how to accomplish the task of letting her hus- band know for what purpose she had lately been so occupied with her needle. In most cases a young wife would have been but too happy to make a confidant of her husband under the circumstances of the kind, but with poor Sarah it was a very delicate and difficult question. Earnestly as she wished to do so, she dreaded the effect it might have on him. Al- though in general he was quiet and subdued in the house, his temper — as is too frequently the case with persons when contracting the habit of drinking — even when sober, was exceedingly capricious, and he would occasionally give way to great outbursts of passion. This, added to her unhappy position, necessitated great caution and tact in bringing the matter under his no- tice. Day after day she resolved upon some A Surprise. 281 fresh plan to be put into execution upon tlie morrow, but wlien the morrow came she found some objection to it. In this manner she pro- crastinated till the day after the races, already alluded to, thinking that as the amusement Brandon would have had might put him into a good temper, it would be the best opportunity to break ground. She determined first to call his attention to the work she was occupied with, and then, if she could induce him to ask a question, a conversation might ensue which would enable her to put him in possession of the real state of the case. Sarah had hitherto performed all her needle- work in her own room, but on the day men- tioned, shortly before dinner, she took with her into the sitting-room an unfinished baby's robe. Having placed herself in such a position as to claim her husband's attention when he entered the room, she continued working as- siduously till he made his appearance. For a moment she pretended not to be aware of his presence, and then, raising her eyes to his face, told him the unqualified untruth that she did not know the dinner was so nearly ready. She rose from her chair, with the baby's robe still in her hand, so that he could not escape seeing it, and folding it carefully up, placed it on the sofa, and then took her seat at the table. She 282 The Landlord of " The Sun:' was, however, doomed to be disappointed ; her husband made no inquiry as to the work she was engaged with. Hardly a word of conver- sation passed between them during their meal, althoug:h Christian was neither sullen nor ill- tempered ; but he appeared greatly preoccupied, and to wear more of an anxious than a moody expression of countenance. As soon as dinner was over he rose from the table, and taking his hat, left the house, without saying a word as to where he was going or when he should re- turn. The table was now cleared, and poor Sarah, with a sigh, taking up the little robe, com- menced working as before. She was shortly afterwards joined by her sister, who, in her turn, sought some other article from the bed- room, and sat down to work with Sarah. It was late in the evening when Brandon returned, and Charlotte was on the point of leaving when he entered the parlour. He accosted her in the usual friendly manner, and asked how she had been employing her time during the evening. For all reply, Charlotte showed him the baby's cap she had been making, and asked him whether he did not think her a very clever needlewoman. Christian took the cap in his hand, and pretended to examine it minutely. He com- A Surprise. 283 plimented her higlily on her efficiency, altliougli of the merits of the work of course he knew nothing. He was on the point of returning the little cap to her, when his eye fell on the baby's robe his wife had in her hand. For a moment he looked bewildered, first at one and then at the other, then, turning deadly pale, he fixed a long and anxious glance on his wife. He now seemed on the point of fainting, and sunk rather than seated himself in a chair. So strange and overpowering was the efiect the idea of Sarah's pregnancy had on him, that the two sisters regarded him with intense and anxious interest. Even Charlotte, generally so ready with excuses to attract his attention, was now as speechless as her sister, who had let the work drop from her hand and remained motionless as a statue, dreading what turn her husband's temper might take as soon as he had recovered his self-possession. Fortunately, as far as his temper was con- cerned, her alarm was groundless, for after remaining perfectly silent for some minutes he rose from his chair, and leaving the room proceeded to the front of the house. Here, however, so powerful a sensation of faintness came over him that he was determined to seek the open air to recover himself. The night being cold, he soon felt refreshed ; but dreading 284 Tlie Landlord of " The Sim." to return home, he bent his steps towards the sporting house, and this he did the more readily as he had formed in the daytime a wish to have an interview with the landlord. It must not be imagined that Christian Bran- don was of so dull a temperament, that on ordinary occasions he would not have under- stood the hint thrown out to him by his wife, when she so ostentatiously placed before his eyes the baby's robe ; but his mind was occupied at the time on a subject which caused him so much anxiety as to considerably lessen his powers of observation. He had been a heavy loser at the races the day before, indeed, to such an extent that it required all his mental energies to discover a plan by which his losses could be met. He was already getting into debt to his brewer and distiller, and now those debts would be heavily increased unless he could devise some means of raisina: sufficient money to pay them, and — as it is assumed debts of honour must be paid prior to all others — his losses besides. His first idea was to appeal to Mr. Desbrow, and ask if he could extend his mortgage on the house, but so great was his dread of that gentleman's displeasure and the indignation so respectable a man would show, when he heard that the money had been lost by gambling, that he gave up the idea. A Surprise. 285 The only person of whom he felt he could make a confidant was his friend Botcherly, the landlord of the sporting house. He was a good- natured, plausible sort of a fellow, that any one in want of advice would be tempted to consult. Christian remembered that he was acquainted with more than one moneyed man on the turf who was in the habit of lendino- money, at somewhat heavy interest, to those in want of a temporary advance on whose re- spectability he could rely. Christian's mind was that evening too confused to allow him to enter fully into the case with Botcherly ; but he made him understand enough of it to be aware he was in want of a temporary loan of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds. " Oh ! my dear fellow," replied Botcherly, " don't bother yourself about a trifle of that kind. I'd let you have the money myself, willingly, but I'm rather hard up just at present. However, call here to-morrow afternoon, be- tween three and four o'clock, and we'll go together to a friend of mine, at the West-end, who, on my recommendation, will, I am sure, do the needful for you ; in fact, if he wants a second name to the bill, rather than you should be inconvenienced I will put mine." Brandon warmly thanked his friend for his 286 The Landlord of " The Sun." kindness, and promised to be with him at the time appointed, and then, in spite of all Botcherly's entreaties to remain longer, he re- turned home. The next day Christian obtained from the bill discounter the money he required, though at an exorbitant interest. This, however, placed his mind at ease on pecuniary matters for the next three months, and for a short time he superintended his business with tolerable regu- larity. Sarah made a point at every opportunity of letting him see the articles of baby linen she was employed on, hoping to induce him some day to speak on the subject, but in vain. Their sight seemed to cause him extreme repugnance ; but h9 said nothing, and showed his dislike by frequently leaving the room. He ceased alto- gether for some weeks from gambling, but unfortunately not from drinking. This latter vice, since he had arrived at the knowledge of the interesting condition Sarah was in, had evidently increased with him, and he was fre- quently seen in a state of inebriation in his own house. Both his wife and her sister noticed it and deeply lamented it. Still, notwithstanding his fits of passion, they were not, either when sober or otherwise, directed towards Sarah ; in fact, it might almost be imagined from the apathy he showed her, apart from his dislike A Surprise. 287 to see the baby clotbes, that she was com- paratively indifferent to him. One evening Sarah and her sister were in the parlour, occupied as usual with the little articles of clothing, when Christian, evidently with the idea of avoiding their sight, placed his easy- chair with his back partially turned from them. He had remained for more than an hour in a sort of half dreamy state, apparently not paying the slightest attention to the subject they were speaking about. This ran entirely on the baby linen, and they began to pass in review the different articles they had already completed. " Well, Sarah," said her sister, evidently imagining Christian to be asleep, " I suppose you won't be sorry when the whole is com- pleted, and the things put to their proper uses ?" " To tell you candidly the truth, dear, I shall not," was Sarah's reply. "It will be a great blessing to me to have something I can teach to love me." She had scarcely uttered the words when Christian, who had apparently remained uncon- scious of everything passing around him, sud- denly sprang from his chair, and with a countenance almost indicative of his being possessed with a demon, seized the poker from the hearth, and made a fearful blow with it at 288 The Landlord of " The Sun:' Ms wife's head. Fortunately, Charlotte, seeing the blow coming, raised her arm, and the poker fell obliquely by Sarah's side. Christian raised the weapon a second time, but the screams of the women soon brought several persons from the front of the house to their assistance, and the weapon was wrenched from his hands while Sarah and her sister contrived to escape. In vain did Charlotte ask her sister to leave the house and accompany her to her lodgings ; she could not persuade her, and the result was that Charlotte resolved to pass the night with her, fearing she might be murdered if left alone. Christian, in the meantime, having partially recovered from his temporary unreasonable burst of passion, threw himself into his easy-chair, totally indifferent to the remarks which were made to him on his brutal conduct, and more than one person threatened they would the next day give notice to the police of his treatment to his wife. Still Brandon made no reply, but sat sullenly in his chair, in the same position as before the outrageous attack on Sarah. The next day when Christian made his ap- pearance there was a deep expression of shame on his countenance, nor did he take offence at the scowling and indignant looks his servants cast at him. The barman even spoke to him about his conduct. A Surprise. 289 " I tell you what it is, sir; I'm willing to go whenever you please, for I feel almost dis- graced by being in the house of such a man as you are ; but if I do remain here, and you ever attempt to ill-treat your missus again, I'll just collar you and hand you over to the police. If I'm not strong enough to do it myself there'll be plenty of others to help me. You're pretty ■well known about here, I can tell you." On any ordinary occasion it is very possible Brandon, who was as strong as a giant, would have knocked down the barman for half the provocation he had given, but that " conscience "which makes cowards of us all " was at the moment dominant in him, and he merely muttered that he was very sorry for what had taken place and he would take good care it should not occur ao-ain. '' Better not, if I'm in the house," muttered the barman. Sarah that morning kept her room, and Charlotte, finding Brandon quiet, determined, without speaking to her sister on the subject, to call on Mr. Desbrow and inform him what had taken place. It is possible she might not have taken a step of the kind, knowing how averse her sister was to Mr. Desbrow interfer- ing in her affairs, but she had been haunted during the night by the idea that Christian was VOL. I. U (I 290 The Landlord of " The SunJ' not in his rioflit mind — no unreasonable con- elusion for her to have arrived at, when she remembered the apparently causeless and fero- cious attack he had made upon his wife. She found Mr. Desbrow at home, and narrated what had taken place. I am truly grieved to hear it," he said, but I hardly know what to advise. I will not disguise from you that I have been exceedingly discontented with Mr. Brandon's behaviour, and if he continues in the same course he has been following for some time past, he will leave both himself and his wife without a shilling in the world. In the course of my practice many things come before me that frequently give me a far greater insight into what is passing around me than people generally imagine. And it is so in Mr. Brandon's case. I hear that for some months past he has been indulging in a reckless career of drinking and gambling. He is inti- mate with several of the worst blacklegs on the turf, and more — he has been a considerable loser. Several times I have intended to remon- strate with him on the subject, for notwith- standing the little courtesy I received from your sister when her husband requested me to interfere with her, I should be exceedingly sorry to see Mr Brandon ruined. From what you tell me of him, and ft^om my own experience, my respect A Surprise . 291 for liim lias considerably diminished. Although I do not like interfering I will make an effort tliis afternoon. I will call on him and have some serious conversation with him, and point out the dangerous position he is already in, and what may occur if a very decided reformation does not take place in his conduct." " If you would," said Charlotte, " you will be doing me a great favour. At the same time, as I wish to be on terms of intimacy with my sister during my stay in England, you will greatly oblige me by introducing my name during the conversation as little as possible." Mr. Desbrow assured her she had nothino: to fear from any want of discretion on his part, and Charlotte, after again thanking him, left the house. The solicitor, the same afternoon, true to his word, called on Christian. Though much sur- prised at his visit. Christian attempted to receive him with great cordiality, which was returned by Mr. Desbrow with such stern coolness as clearly proved he was aware of all that had taken place. As soon as they had entered the private room, Mr. Desbrow said to him in a tone which almost made him tremble : " Not only do I hear, Mr. Brandon, that for some time past you have indulged in the habit of gambling, and to such an extent as to make u 2 292 The Landlord of " The Smir considerable inroads on your capital — and here let rae remark that the interest on your mort- gage is somewhat in arrears — but that also your treatment of your wife is systematically brutal and unmanly, and as a climax to your usual conduct towards her, you yesterday even- ing made so ferocious an assault on her that had it not been for the intervention of her sister you miglit have had to answer for your conduct at the bar of the Old Bailey." And here Mr. Desbrow stopped for Christian to speak. " With respect to the mortgage, sir, I am very sorry, but I thought as a friend you would allow it to stand over a little." " Never use the word ' friend ' in connection with me again, sir," said Mr. Desbrow, sternly, " and remember, next week I expect the money to be paid. But now to the immediate object of my visit. I have, and always have had, a very great esteem for your wife, who is a very estimable and amiable young woman, and as the sole friend she has had in the world since the death of her father, I consider myself justi- fied in befriending her. Let me hear again, sir," he continued, shaking his fist in Brandon's face, " of the slightest brutality or ill-treatment of any description offered to her, and I not only assure you I will see that the law affords her A Surprise. 293 protection, but I will send you forth from tins house as destitute as a besfg^ar in the streets. Now, sir, everyone who knows me will tell you that I am a man of my word, so beware that you give no cause for my interference again." ** I am sure, sir," said Christian humbly, "I am deeply penitent for what took place yester- day evening. With regard to the interest on the mortgage, you shall have it punctually paid to you next week." " Let it be so then," said Mr. Desbrow. " And remember this, that 1 will take such steps for the future that everything which occurs in this house shall be as well known to me as to yourself, and any indignity you may offer to your wife you shall heartily repent." So saying, and without listening to the apologies and excuses Christian was uttering with great earnestness, he left the house. Mr. Desbrow's visit effected a marvellous change for the better in the behaviour of Chris- tain Brandon towards his wife, but unfortu- nately little or none on his drinking or gambling- propensities. Whenever he met his wife, either alone or in company with her sister, he treated her with civility, frequently addressed her, yet always in a cold reserved tone, which showed his ill-feeling towards her had in no manner abated. Even when under the influence of 294 The Lanalord of " The Smir spirits, or after its subsidence, when liis temper was perhaps more dangerous and uncertain than when under the direct stimulus of drink, he never exhibited to her the sho-htest harshness or incivility, while to others he was quarrelsome and overbearinsT in the extreme. Nor did he confine his ill humour solely to those in his own establishment. He had frequent quarrels with the best and most respectable of his cus- tomers, tradesmen in the neighbourhood, whom he succeeded in driving from his house, while their void was filled with others of a less reputable description. Several very disgraceful riots which had taken place in his house had been brought under the notice of the police, and many charges were brought against him for allowing card-sharping and gambling. He received repeated warnings to conduct his house in a more respectable manner. He still continued on terms of inti- macy with his friend Botcherly, and had accom- panied him to several of the races, on all of which he had betted very heavily, without being on the whole, a winner at any. His losses, on the contrary, added to the enormous interest he was obliged to pay on the money he had borrowed, began, in spite of the consolation he derived from drink, to weigh very heavily on his spirits, and in his sober moments he became A Surprise. 295 subject to fits of great depression which he took but httle trouble to conceaL One evening, after he had had during the day an unpleasant interview with the bill broker, he was seated in his chair by the fire, and Sarah, with whom he now frequently passed the even- ing, was sitting on the sofa before him, employed with her needle. A dead silence had reigned be- tween them for perhaps half-an-hour. Christian evidently labouring under great depression of spirits. At last Sarah, who from time to time had been watching her husband, saw the tears gathering in his eye, and shortly afterwards, covering his face with his hands, he burst into an uncontrollable fit of weeping. Forgetting for the moment all other circumstances, at the sight of her husband's tears Sarah threw her needlework on the sofa, and advancing to Chris- tian, placed her hand kindly on his shoulder. " My dear husband," she said, the tears flowing the while down her own cheeks, " do not weep so bitterly, for it goes to my heart to see you." " Husband ?" exclaimed Christian, raising his eyes and looking at her sternly for a moment ; " when did I authorize you to call me by that name i " Nay, dear, say what you please, be as angry with me as you like, but for Heaven's sake do 296 The Landlord of " The Sim:' not be so downhearted. You cannot think how it grieves me." " It would be difficult when a man is more than half ruined," replied Christian, " to be otherwise than downhearted." " But what has ruined you ?" said Sarah, somewhat astonished. "You," said Christian indignantly, "you! No man ever began the world who intended more conscientiously to work his way forward honourably and industriously than I did, till I found I had married a woman who had deceived me." " Christian," said Sarah, " blame me as much as you please, and I deserve it, but still I am not so bad as you imagine. Although I admit I am greatly in fault, yet you have not grieved over the deception I practised on you more bitterly than I have. Before our marriage I determined over and over again to tell you everything candidly and openly, but the more I knew of you the more I loved you, and I became afraid lest, when you knew all, you might leave me, I now see how wrong I was. I do not ask you to forgive me, and am perfectly ready to obey you as a servant if you please, if your circumstances compel you to remove to another house ; only do not drive me from you or behave unkindly to me, at any rate till after A Surprise. 297 the birth of my poor baby. Then do as you please." "And even on that pomt," said Christian, " what terrible doubts you have given rise to ! You have deceived me before; may you not have deceived me in this instance ?" " Christian," said Sarah, slowly and emphati- cally, " listen to one remark I have to make. You know I am a woman of determination when once I make up my mind. Ever give a doubt on that point again, and as surely as there is a Heaven above us, so surely will I destroy mvself. No ! I have sinned once, but that was when I was quite a child. From that time to this no woman's conduct could have been purer than mine. Make any inquiries into my behaviour you please, and you will find it is correct; or if you want any information re- specting it I will answer you with perfect truthfulness." Christian remained in doubt for some mo- ments, and then said : " Where is now the fruit of your miscon- duct ?" "He is under the care of his father, who at first would have sent him to the workhouse, had I not threatened to expose him to the world if he did so, and he has now been placed at a school." 298 The Landlord of " TJie Sun." " And who was tlie father ?" Sarah looked at her husband for a moment, as if summoning up courage to answer, and then said : " Mr. Desbrow !" For an instant Christian seemed perfectly be- wildered at what he heard. Then starting from his chair, and with an expression of fury on his countenance rather resembling that of a demon than a man, he raised his fist, and with one blow on his wife's temple, stronger than that required to fell an ox, stretched her sense- less on the floor. In falling, Sarah overthrew a small table on which there were some tea-things, and the noise brought several persons to the room. Among these was the barman, who, seeing the condition Sarah was in and the infuriated glance on Brandon's countenance, judged what had taken place. Seizing his em- ployer by the throat, he said to him : " I told you some time ago, if ever you struck your wife, and I was in the house, I would give you in charge of the police, and I will do so now." Without replying, Brandon struck the bar- man a blow scarcely less terrible than the one he had inflicted on his wife. Several persons now interfered and dragged him out of the room, while others went to seek for the police. A A Surprise. 299 surgeon was also fetched to attend to Mrs. Brandon, who, still in .a senseless condition, had, with the assistance of her maid-servant and a bystander, been placed on the sofa. Brandon in the meantime fought desperately with those who held him till the policeman arrived, and then, by a violent effort releasing himself from them, made a desperate assault on the policeman. He was soon, however, over- powered, and, still struggling violently, was conducted to the police station, where, the charges of assault being entered against him, he was locked up in one of the cells. CHAPTER XIII. A SEPARATION. SO desperate was Brandon's fury that even the dark solitude of the pohce cell in which he remained during the whole of the night (for the inspector on duty at the station, imagining the possibility of his insanity, thought it prudent not to place him with the other prisoners), had not the least effect of calming him, and the next morning found him with the same angry feelings towards his wife as on the previous day. One by one different episodes which had taken place in connection with Mr. Desbrow came before him, in all of which he judged Sarah to have been a party to the deception practised on him. What tended perhaps more than anything else to keep up his fury was the bitter sarcasm and ridicule concealed in Mr. Desbrow's conduct, and of which he (Christian) had been the object. He had looked upon the man as one of the most honourable he had ever met with. He would have accepted his word A Sepiration. 301 with scarcely less doubt tlian Holy Writ itself, so upright did he consider him. Before his marriage he had consulted him on the future prospects of his married life, and had followed his advice implicitly in all things ; and yet, at the very time, the man whom he so much respected was palming off on him his cast-off mistress, and laughing in his sleeve at the folly of the fool who so implicitly trusted him. Then again he brought to his mind the time when after his marriage he had reason to believe he had been deceived in the previous character of his wife, and remembered how he had implored Mr. Desbrow to discover the truth for him, and the hypocritical and false answer which the villain had given him. But terrible as his annoyance was at this reminiscence, it was further augmented by the fact that he had im- plored him to arrange a separation with Sarah, and the remark of Mr. Desbrow that whatever had been her faults before marriage, it would be unjust to turn her away without making an ample allowance for her maintenance. Had the idea been carried out, he felt convinced, that not only would Sarah again have be- come the mistress of Mr. Desbrow, but that it was the latter's intention to make him (Chris- tian) the means of supporting her. So terribly did the sense of injury weigh on 302 Tlie Landlord of " The Sim:' Christian's mind, that he was totally unable to give his wife credit for the many mitigating cir- cumstances which might have been brought for- ward in her behalf had he reflected coolly on the subject. He might have remembered that when first he made Sarah's acquaintance she had but a day or two before returned from a situation she had filled as nursery governess in the country, and that almost immediately afterwards she had quitted Mr. Desbrow's house to reside with her sister. That not only during the time of the courtship had Sarah steadily refused on any account to meet Mr. Desbrow, but she had also expressed great discontent at the idea of his finding her future husband the loan on mortg:a2:e which enabled him to become the landlord of " The Sun." Again, after their marriage, whenever Mr. Desbrow had called at the house, Sarah persisted in her refusal to meet him, and that in direct opposition to the command of her husband. Another subject which came to his mind and added greatly to his annoyance was the pecuniary obligation he was under to him or to his client, and his total inability to release himself from its horrible thraldom. This distressing train of thought continued to pass through Christian's mind till he received a summons to attend before the magistrate. A Separation. 303 When placed in the dock, and after the charge of assault on the barman and policeman had been read over, the inspector told the magistrate he beheved there would be another and far more serious charge brought against the pri- soner, but unfortunately at that moment they were unable to do so — that of a murderous assault on his wife, which was rendered the more infamous as she was in an advanced state of pregnancy. A surgeon who had been called in to attend her was present, who would show that the wife was still too unwell, from the shock she had received, to attend before the court. The magistrate then asked the surgeon if he considered the wife to be in any danger ; to which he replied that he could not at pre- sent say, as the blow she had received might bring on premature confinement ; but in a few days he should be able to give a better opinion on the subject. The magistrate then inquired whether she had been wounded in any manner, and was told by the surgeon that she had received a fearful blow on the temple and was otherwise bruised. To his question as to whether the bruise on the temple might have been caused by a direct blow, or by falling and striidng her head against some article of furniture, the surgeon replied that it was somewhat difficult 304 The Landlord of " The Sun:'' to say. His opinion, lie added, was, that slie had received the blow before falling, but that, although she was now perfectly conscious, she refused to answer any questions he put to her. *' No, nor she won't either," said the barman, who attended to prove the assault committed on himself. " I know her too well for that; she's a deal too fond of the brute. But I believe we shall be able to bring it home to him for all that." " Are you in his employment ?" asked the magistrate. " I am, your worship, I'm sorry to say," replied the man, " for I feel it a disgrace to be so. And this isn't the first time he's ill-treated her. He tried to murder her one evening some months since." " Do you think," said the magistrate, ad- dressing the surgeon, " that in a few days you will be better able to state whether you consider your patient in any danger from the wounds she has received ?" " I do, your worship." "Then I shall adjourn the case till this day week," said the magistrate, " when I request the whole of you will be in attendance. Re- move the prisoner." During the week which elapsed before the examination took place Christian's fury had A Separation. 305 considerably abated, thougli without in any manner cbanging his ill-feehng against his wife. Still, now that he had been kept from drinking, he could not but deeply regret the cowardly and unmanly assault he had been guilty of. So great was the shame he felt, that he dreaded more his re-appearance before the public than the severe punishment he felt would be awarded him. The day for re-examination at last ar- rived, and Christian was again placed in the dock. For a moment he cast down his eyes, as if ashamed to meet the glances of those assembled in court, but by degrees his anxiety to know whether his wife were present somewhat overcame the feeling, and he looked stealthily around him. But although he saw the surgeon, the barman, and the policeman whom he had assaulted, Sarah was nowhere to be seen. A feeling of intense anxiety now came over him, caused by the idea that his wife might still be suffering from the effects of his ill-treatment. He had not, however, long to be in doubt. The inspector on duty informed the magistrate that the surgeon who was present would explain to him that his patient was out of danger, but that she positively refused to appear against her husband or give the slightest information as to the treatment she had received from him. " If I sent an officer to request her atteudance, VOL. 1. X 306 The Landlord of " The Sun:' do _you not tliink she would come ?" asked the magistrate. "I do not beheve it would be of the least use," said the inspector. " I have seen her myself, and I believe nothing will change her determination. But the doctor will be better able to speak on the point than I am." " And I am fully convinced, your worship," said the surgeon, " that you will do no good in sending for her. She appears to be a woman of great determination. I have, for professional reasons, endeavoured to get the particulars from her of the manner in which she received the blow ; but without any success. She positively refused to answer a word on the subject." " Well, if that is the case, and you consider her out of danger, we will go on with the cases of assault on the barman and the policeman." These were gone into and, in the clearest manner, proved. The magistrate then asked Christian if he had any defence to make, and receiving a reply in the negative, he told him that he appeared to be a brutal, ruffianly fellow, and that he was extremely sorry his wife would not appear against him, when he would certainly have sent the case for trial. As it was, he had been proved guilty of two most unprovoked assaults, and he felt it his duty to incapacitate him for some time from repeating them. He A Sejmration. 307 then sentenced liim to six months' imprison- ment with hard labour. Durino- his incarceration Christian Brandon had ample time to think over his late ill conduct, as well as to determine what course he should adopt on being liberated from prison. Although his anger at the deception of his wife, in keeping secret from him her liaison with Mr. Desbrow, and thereby allowing him to be placed in the degrading position of considering her paramour as Ws friend and confidant, still haunted him, he could not relieve himself from the feeling of horror and shame which hung over him when he thought of his brutal behaviour. True, at the moment, the fearful rage he was in at the disclosure she had so abruptly made had driven him into a state of raving madness ; and that was again increased by the spirit he had that evening swallowed, which, although less than usual, was sufi&cient to augment any morbid or excited action of the brain arising from other causes ; still, the disgrace he had incurred, and which, to do him justice, he felt keenly, was too deep for any excuse he could frame to palliate. To come to any definite conclusion as to the course he should adopt on his liberation was difficult indeed. If he returned to his house, could he again take the management of the X 2 308 The Landlord of " The Simr business, with the stigma of his crime and its punishment still fresh upon him ? Again, he was in doub^ as to what had taken place during his absence. ' Was his wife still in the house, and if so, how should he meet her ? Then he was in anxiety as to the result of her confine- ment, which must long since have been over. On his first entrance into the prison, he had begged as a particular favour of the governor that no visitors should be allowed to see him, as he felt too much shame and abhorrence at the remembrance of his crime and the des^rada- tion of his prison dress to hold an interview with anyone. The request was a useless one, as during the whole time of his incarceration not a person came to inquire after him. As the term of his imprisonment approached its end, however, he began to feel greatly annoyed that no one had been to see him, as he miofht then have learnt what had taken place at home during his absence. Again, another terrible suofffestion occurred to him — that possibly the child Sarah had been confined of might be dead; and if so, might he not in justice be considered its murderer ? This idea was the more painful, as upon mature reflection he had no reason to believe that the child was not his own, especially when he remembered the determined manner Sarah had exhibited. A Separation, 309 both before and after bar marriage, not to meet Mr. Desbrow. The idea that he mis'ht have killed his own child now bewin to haunt him with terrible pertinacity, which seemed to in- crease in intensity the nearer the term of his imprisonment approached its expiration. At last the morning arrived, and Christian, after divesting himself of his prison dress and putting on the clothes he wore at the time of his arrest, left the gaol. For some time he wandered on as if irresolute what course he should pursue, apparently his only desire being to leave the prison walls as far behind him as possible. This feeling at length subsided, and he stopped to consider whether he should at once proceed home or seek a lodging at some distance from it, where he might ascertain at his leisure what had taken place during his absence. Strongly as he felt inclined to adopt the latter course, his dread of meeting his wife or any of his old associates or servants at " The Sun," was less in proportion than his anxiety to know the truth ; and at last he deter- mined that he would at once proceed home, cost what it might. While still under a feeling of dread his pace was at first slow and deliberate in the extreme, but in proportion as he arrived nearer to his house he seemed to come within a centre of 310 Tlie Landlord of " The Sun." attraction, and his steps quickened till at last they nearly amounted to a run. " The Sun " was reached at length, but no sooner had Christian cast his eyes on it than his feet seemed riveted to the ground with as- tonishment. Not only did the house appear hermetically closed, but on the shutters were the remains of bills which indicated that a sale by auction had taken place on the premises. When a little recovered, he looked at the upper windows to discover if the house were inhabited, but not a soul was to be seen. He now resolved to apply at the private door, and see if any one was at that time on the premises. After ringing two or three times he heard* a footstep approach, and the door, which had been closely barred, was opened by a decent- looking woman. Christian was upon the point of entering, when she said to him : " I can't let you in ; I don't know who you are." " I am the landlord of the house," said Christian, " and I have a right to come in." " My orders, and those of my husband, are, not to let anyone come in," said the woman. And who is your husband ?" asked Christian. He is a policeman, and we have been put in charge of the house with strict orders not to admit anyone." A iSeimration. 311 " Nonsense," said Christian, " I tell you I am the owner of the house, and I have a right to come in." " Then," said the woman, " I must call my husband, who is just lying down on the bed below. Here, John !" she called out, " come upstairs as fast as you can, for here's a person will come into the house, although I've told him we've strict orders not to allow anyone to set foot in it." A moment afterwards a man's footstep was heard approaching, and Christian, fearing that perhaps it might be one of the policemen of the beat to whom he was known, told the woman it was no matter, he would not attempt to enter against her inclination. At the same time he wanted a little information which she might give him. At that moment her husband made his ap- pearance, who immediately recognised Chris- tian, and said to him civilly enough : " I am very sorry, Mr. Brandon, we can't allow you to enter the house, but our orders are very strict." " Well then," replied Christian, " will you give me a little information ? You can have no objection to do that. Can you tell me what has become of those who were living in the house ?" 312 The Landlord of " The Sun:' " I haven't the most remote idea, sn%" said he. " They moved out about a month or six weeks after that unfortunate affair, and about a fortniglit later there was a sale in the house." " Do you know by whose orders ?" inquired Christian. " That I don't, sir," said the man. " The fact is, another policeman and his wife were at first placed on the premises, and they remained here four months before I came in ; and by whom the sale was ordered I know nothing." " Can you give me any idea where I could obtain the information ?" said Christian. " I can't tell at all, sir," said the man ; " unless perhaps it might be the auctioneer who sold the goods, and whose name I think you'll find on the bills which are still posted on the front shutters. Perhaps he might be able to tell you, but I don't know of anybody else who could." Christian thanked the policeman for his ad- vice, and having ascertained the name of the auctioneer determined at once to go to his office. He found him at home, and Christian, w^th rather a downcast look, explained the object of his visit. " I am very sorry, sir," said the auctioneer, '' but I can give you no information upon the subject. The fact is, I received my authority A Separation. 313 for the sale of tlie goods from Mr. Desbrow, the solicitor, in Ely Place." " Can you inform me where the parties who lived in the house are gone ?" " I would, with pleasure, sir, if I could," was the repl^^ ; " but I know nothing whatever of the circumstances of the case. Perhaps you had better apply to Mr. Desbrow himself. You will find him a very respectable and honoura- ble gentleman, who, I am sure, will readily give you every information in his power." Christian muttered some thanks to the auc- tioneer, but so powerful an effect had the mention of Mr. Desbrow's name on him that he was obliged to hurry out of the house into the street as quickly as possible, lest the auc- tioneer might notice the altered expression of his countenance. At first he felt a strong in- clination to follow the advice given him, and go immediately to Mr. Desbrow's office, but he had not proceeded many hundred yards when he prudently began to doubt his own powers of resisting the provocation the bare sight of that man would occasion him, and he knew not what desperate act he might commit. He now wandered listlessly about the streets, trying to determine what next step he should take, but nothing satisfactory could be arrived at. He resolved at last to seek a lodging, and after- 314 The Landlord of " The Sun:' wards, with a cooler brain than he then pos- sessed, to decide on some course to follow. He was deliberating where he should take up his quarters, when he remembered that near the spot was the publichouse belonging to a man he had frequently met at his friend Botch- erly's, and in an evil hour he determined to apply to him for a lodging. The man received him in a very friendly manner, and told him he much regretted the course things had taken, which he had heard mentioned, and hoped that now they would turn out better than was imagined. Any ad- vice or assistance he could render he should be most happy to give him. If during his trouble he would like to stay a week or so at his house, he would, if he required it, be willing to give him credit for board and lodging during that time. Christian, however, on his arrest, had nearly fifteen pounds in his pocket, which had been returned to him on leaving the prison, and thanking the man for his offer, told him he was not in want of money — a piece of informa- tion which seemed to take a weight off the landlord's mind. Christian in a short time was fairly installed in his friend's house. It was now getting late in the day, and he ordered some dinner, re- solving afterwards to think over what course A Separation. 315 he could adopt to gain information respecting his wife, and what steps he should take to re- cover possession of " The Sun." Unfortu- nately, after dinner, Christian did not reflect over the matter with the cool brain necessary to come to a just conclusion. He called to his aid a glass of brandy-and-water, which had considerable effect in raising his spirits, the more so perhaps as he had been deprived of the use of any stimulants during the whole time he had been in prison. Under its influence, he resolved the next day to call on Mr. Desbrow, and have a clear understanding with him, cost what it might. He would endeavour, if pos- sible, to restrain his temper in his presence, and even if he could not, he argued that the satisfaction he should feel in giving him a good sound thrashing would almost be equivalent to any punishment he might receive for it. A second glass of brandy-and-water confirmed him in his resolution, but the third and fourth had the effect of obliterating from his brain everything he had decided on, and he fell into a heavy sleep, from which he was at last awakened by the landlord. Christian now ordered brandy-and-water for both, and the two conversed together on sub- jects which had taken place during Christian's incarceration, and the different fortunes which 316 Tlie Landlord of " Tlie Sun:' had befallen the friends they nsed to meet at the sporting house. The spirits which Chris- tian had swallowed had the effect of brinofing: back to his mind many circumstances which had taken place at Botcherly's and the races in which he had been interested, and they con- tinued talking together on subjects of the kind, continually ordering their glasses to be re- plenished, till Christian at last was obliged to be assisted to his bed in a state of almost help- less intoxication. The next morning, when he left his room, there was an expression of deep shame stamped on his countenance, and he was suffering at the time severely from head- ache. The first person he saw on entering the bar parlour was the landlord. On inquir- ing of Christian how he had slept, the latter told him he was suffering from a violent head- ache. " A hair of the dog that bit you, my dear fellow," said the landlord, "is the proper remedy for that. Come, let me pour you out a glass of rum, and you'll soon find your head- ache disappear." Christian for a moment hesitated, but at length followed the advice of his friend, and then left the house to take a stroll through the street, for the purpose of refreshing himself before breakfast. During his meal he began A Separation. 317 to consider what steps he should take to find the whereabouts of his wife. He knew per- fectly well the person who could give him the best information would be Charlotte, but he felt too much ashamed of his conduct to Sarah to meet her. Could he not obtain the informa- tion from her by some indirect means ? He now remembered that when Charlotte arrived in London it was the landlady of the lodgings where he was himself living who had found the apartments for her, and that she had told him she was an intimate friend of the person who kept them. The idea now struck him that if he called on his old landlady he might through her means obtain from the mistress of the other house indirect information of what had become of Sarah. This plan, on further consideration, appeared exceedingly feasible, and he resolved without an hour's delay to put it into execution. He now proceeded to the house at which he formerly resided on the Surrey side of the water, and found the landlady at home. To his great satisfaction he perceived from her friendly reception that she had heard nothing of his behaviour and subsequent punishment. After a little conversation on ordinary subjects, he invented a tale of some plausibiUty, stating that he had had a violent dispute with his 318 HiG Landlord of " TJie Sun:' sister-in-law, wlio was lodging at lier friend's house. " These family disputes," he said, " were exceedingly repugnant to him, and the more so in the present instance as his wife sided with her sister. What he wished to ascertain was, whether, if he called on her, his sister- in-law would receive him in a friendly manner. That was pretty well all he wanted to know, except, just for curiosity's sake, whether she had seen his wife lately, as he believed the two were in constant communication." " I assure you, sir, you are labouring under a great mistake," said the landlady. " Why, to my certain knowledge, your wife's sister left Ensfland for Canada some months ago. " Oh, you are in error," said Christian. " You can't know the person I mean. I allude to Mrs. Jordan." " I knew Mrs. Jordan very well, sir," said the landlady, *' and have seen and talked with her several times. I assure you I am quite right in what I say." " Well, you really astonish me," said Christian, this time truthfully enough ; and he then continued, "why my wife should have concealed the fact from me I really don't know. It was very wrong of her, cer- tainly." A Separation. 319 " Oil, little disputes of the kind will happen in all families," said the landlady. " Your's is not the only one, that you may be sure of." " At the same time," said Christian, notic- ing an expression of surprise on the woman's countenance, although from the words she had uttered she appeared to treat it as a trifling matter, " I was wrong, it appears, after all. I thought my wife might not have told me the truth when she said she had no communication with her sister ; but I find I was in error, after all. Well, I am very sorry to have troubled you," he continued, taking up his hat hurriedly, evidently wishing to leave the house as quickly as possible, lest he might be asked any unplea- sant questions. " Grood-bye. I shall call and see you again the first time I am this side of the water." Then, shaking the good woman by the hand, he left the house. Christian now returned home, or rather to the public-house where ]ie had taken up his lodofins:, and remained there for the rest of the day, being somewhat chary of being seen abroad lest he should meet anv of his old asso- ciates. He attempted now to devise some other plan of action, but without success. lie was afraid to apply to Gideon Ilarcourt, who very probably was in possession of the whole facts of 320 The Landlord of " The Sun." the case. No, the idea could not be enter- tained, Harcourt, of all men living, Christian most dreaded to meet. That day the landlord and Christian dined together, and during their meal the former inquired of him what he intended to do about "The Sun." " It is a pity," he said, " that such a capital house should be lying idle. You bought the lease of it, did you not ?" "Yes," replied Christian, "but there was a mortgage on it to nearly a third of its value, which has now been foreclosed." " Well," said the landlord, " but the lease of the premises must be worth far more than that. How did you stand with your brewer and dis- tiller?" " I did not owe very much to either of them," said Christian. " But the fact is I was so distressed in my mind before that uu- fortunate affair, I hardly knew what I was about. Still, the stock-in-trade and the furni- ture which has been sold must have realized much more than would have paid them. Then you see I had some betting transactions still unsettled, and which I wish to wipe off as soou as possible. However, at a rough guess I should say, if the lease of my house could be sold at the price I gave for it, I should A Separation. 321 still have a good four or five hundred pounds coming to rae." " Then why, in the name of fortune, don't you stir about it?" said the landlord. "You must know perfectly well that all the time you are idle the lawyers are eating up your pro- perty. Take my advice and lose no time, but set to work at once. I know I would, if it was my case. Now promise me you'll do so to- morrow." Christian, who could not deny the reason- ableness or cogency of the landlord's remarks, promised he would follow his advice, and the conversation then turned on horse-racing and cognate subjects of no interest to the reader. The idea of again obtaining possession of " The Sun " not only haunted Christian's ima- gination long after he had retired to rest, but mixed itself up with his slumbers. In his dreams he imagined himself again the landlord of " The Sun " and superintending the busi- ness. Although he was perfectly aware the barman had been instrumental in getting him arrested for the assault on his wife, he appeared to bear him no ill-will ; while the man, who seemed to have forgotten all that had taken place, behaved to him with great respect. Divers of his old and most respectable cus- tomers, who had long since abstained from VOL. I. Y 322 TJiG Landlord of " The Sun:' frequenting "The Sun," in consequence of its landlord's drunken and violent habits, called in to see him, and without in the most remote way alluding to the incarceration he had under- gone, accosted him in the most friendly manner, expressing their great satisfaction in "meeting him again. Indeed, had he just escaped from a dangerous fit of illness, or returned to his homo after a long journey, they could not have met him in a more cordial man- ner. A change now came over his dream. He had been talking for some time before the bar with two of his old friends, when he invited them into his sitting-room to sup with him. They accepted the invitation, and on entering the room, to his great surprise. Christian found his wife and Mr. Desbrow seated at a table, apparently in deep conversation, so much so, in fact, that they did not notice his entrance. The sight of his enemy had such an effect on Christian that he attacked him with the fury of a tiger, and, seizing him by the throat, threw him on the ground. Suddenly Christian awoke, but so great had been the effect the imaginary sight of Mr. Desbrow had on him that he found his brow covered with heavy drops of perspiration, and that he was suffering from a nervous and most A Sejmration. 323 distressing trembling of the riglit hand, which he had great difficulty in subduing. He re- mained for some time awake, reflecting on the dream which had caused him so much excite- ment, when the idea suddenly crossed his mind whether Sarah, after the seizure and sale of the goods, might not have taken refuge in Mr. Desbrow's house and be there at the present moment. Although he felt no jealousy at the supposition, and it would be absurd to say he had any afiection now for the woman he formerly had loved so fondly (and without love jealousy cannot exist), he felt keenly the indignity such a proceeding would cast on him. He now resolved that the next morning he would visit Mr. Desbrow's house at Clapham, to ascertain whether Sarah was there, and, if not, to try and obtain some intelligence re- specting her. He remained awake for some hours longer, endeavouring to decide in what manner he would conduct his visit, so as to gain the most certain information, but without any definite result, and he then fell into a disturbed slumber, in which Mr. Desbrow again appeared before him, though now in no way in con- nection with any of the events which had taken place either at " The Sun " or before his marriage. Y 2 324 The Landlord of " The Sim." Daylight at last awoke Christian from liis slumbers and the painful dreams which accom- panied them. He now rose from his bed, determining that, as soon as he had break- fasted, he would start off for Clapham, and at once relieve his mind of the doubts which so cruelly oppressed it. When he had descended to the ground-floor he found the servants were not yet up. He now determined to stroll about the streets for an hour, in hopes the early morning air might have the effect of cooling his fevered brain. It did him but little good, however, and after an hour's walk he returned home, scarcely more refreshed than when he had left the house. His breakfast over, he started off on foot for Clapham, pre- ferring it to riding, as it gave him more opportunity to consider the position he was in and the steps he should take on arriving. After grave consultation, he at last decided to proceed at once to Mr. Desbrow's house and inquire if any lady was living there. He also resolved that if he met Mr. Desbrow he would contain his passion, at least so far as to commit no assault on him, though he would not hesitate to expose his villauy, if not to the world, at least to the members of his own household. This he felt he could do the more effectually, as he knew Mr. Desbrow affected A Separation. 325 in his general behaviour a highly moral and even a sanctimonious demeanour. Arrived at the house, the door was opened to him by a respectable-looking middle-aged woman, who had the appearance of a house- keeper. "Is your mistress at home?" asked Chris- tian. " My mistress ?" said the woman, evidently surprised at the inquiry ; " there is no lady living here.*' " But this is Mr. Desbrow's, is it not ?" " Yes, sir, but Mr. Desbrow isn't married." " I was told the contrary," said Christian. *' Has any lady been on a visit here, then ?" he continued, " as that might have caused the mistake?" " None whatever," said the woman. " I've been here for more than twelve months, and during that time, though occasionally ladies may call who are connected with the chapel, and the different charities Mr. Desbrow sub- scribes to, I can safely say that no lady has at any one time remained in the house for more than half-an-hour." " That is certainly very strange !" said Christian, appearing to meditate, but really only trying to gain time. " I have received then some very imperfect iutbrmatiou. Is 326 The Landlord of " The Sun.'' there any other Mr. Desbrow living about here?" "Not that I know of," said the housekeeper, *' nor do I think there is, or I should have heard of it. But here comes the postman, he'll be able to inform you." The inquiry was made of the postman, who, however, knew no other person of the name. " Can I see Mr. Desbrow himself?" inquired Christian. " Perhaps he may help me to clear up the matter." " My master left home before seven o'clock this morning," said the housekeeper, " as he wished to catch, one of the early trains into the country; but he left word he should be back this evening. Will you leave your name, sir?" *' No, it's no use my doing that, but he will hear from me in a few days. I am sorry to have troubled you. Good morning." Christian, after he had left the house, made several inquiries in the neighbourhood re- specting Mr. Desbrow, but no intelligence could he obtain to throw the slightest light on the object of his visit. Many of the tradesmen he spoke to knew Mr. Desbrow, either per- sonally or by reputation, and all concurred in speaking of him wilh the highest respect. A Separation. 327 One, a grocer, said ho much regretted Mr. Desbrow had ever chosen the law as a pro- fession. He knew him well, as sitting with him under the same minister, and he fully believed there was not a more pious God- fearing man in the whole congregation. END OP THE FIRST VOLUME. 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