Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
Mr. Greenwood had not made her wait many moments when he
entered the drawing-room.
Lady Cecilia rose, and hastening towards him said, "Oh!
Mr. Greenwood, what can you think of me after the imprudent step I have taken
in coming alone and unattended ?"
"I can only think, Lady Cecilia," said Greenwood,
handing her to a seat, and taking a chair near her, "that you have done me
an honour, the extent of which I can fully appreciate."
"But why insist upon this visit to you? why could you
not have called upon me?" inquired the lady impatiently.
"Your ladyship wishes to consult with me upon financial
affairs: and every capitalist
receives
visits, and does not
pay
them, when they refer to business
only."
"Thank you for this apology for my conduct. I fancied
that I was guilty of every great imprudence; you have reassured me upon that
head;" - and a smile played upon the fair patrician's lips.
"In what manner can I be of service to your ladyship?
You perceive that I will save you the trouble of even introducing a
disagreeable subject."
"Well, Mr. Greenwood," said Lady Cecilia, with
that easy familiarity which is always shown towards those who are confidants in
cases of pecuniary embarrassment,- "you are well aware of Sir Rupert's
unfortunate situation; and of course his position is also mine. We are
literally without the means of paying the common weekly bills of the house, and
the servants' wages. I have quarrelled with my mother; and my father will not
advance another sixpence."
"Your ladyship is well aware that Sir Rupert Harborough
has no security to offer; and if he had, I would scarcely advance money to
him -since I know that your ladyship seldom profits by any funds which he
may possess."
"Oh! that is true, Mr. Greenwood!" ejaculated Lady
Cecilia. emphatically. "Would you believe it - even my very diamonds
are gone? Sir Rupert has made away with them!"
"In plain terms he pawned them."
"He did:- but that is such a horrid avowal to make!
When one thinks that it is generally supposed that the poor alone have recourse
to such means, and that we in the upper class do not even know what is meant by
a pawnbroker's - Oh! how false is that idea! how erroneous is that
impression!"
"It is, indeed," said Greenwood. "The jewels
of half the high-born ladies in London have been deposited at different times
in the hands of the very pawnbroker where yours were.''
Lady Cecilia stared at Mr. Greenwood in profound
astonishment: then, as a sudden idea seemed to flash across her brain, she
added, "But Sir Rupert must have told you of this?"
"He did."
"Do you know," continued the lady, "that I
have actually lost the receipts or duplicates - or whatever you call them -
which the pawnbroker gave when Harborough sent the diamonds by a trusty servant
of ours."
"Those duplicates Sir Rupert Harborough handed over to
me," said Greenwood. "I lent him a hundred pounds upon them yesterday
morning!"
"Oh! how ungrateful he is - how unworthy of one
particle of affection!" exclaimed Lady Cecilia.
"He knew how distressed - literally distressed I was
for ready money ; and he never offered me a guinea!"
"Are you so distressed as that?" inquired Mr.
Greenwood, drawing his chair closer to that of his fair visitor.
"Why should I conceal any thing from you, when I come to consult you upon
my embarrassments?" said Lady Cecilia, tears starting into her eyes.
"I am literally disgraced! I cannot go to court, nor appear at any grand
reunion
, for the want of my jewels; and
I am indebted to old Lady Marlborough to the amount of two hundred pounds which
she lent me. Yesterday she wrote for the sixth time for the money, and actually
observed in her letter that she considered my conduct unlady-like in the
extreme. If I do not pay her this day, I shall be ruined - exposed - ashamed to
show my face in any society whatever!"
"You would therefore make any sacrifice to relieve
yourself from these embarrassments?" said Greenwood interrogatively.
"Oh! any sacrifice! To obtain about eight hundred or a
thousand pounds, to redeem my jewels and pay my most pressing debts - Lady
Marlborough's, for instance - I would do any thing!"
"You would make any sacrifice? You would do any thing,
Lady Cecilia?" repeated Greenwood emphatically. "That is saying a
great deal; and an impertinent coxcomb - like me, for instance - might perhaps
construe your words literally, and be most presumptuous in his demands.
"My God, Mr. Greenwood - what do you mean?"
exclaimed the lady, a slight flush appearing up her cheeks. "My case is so
very desperate - I have no security to offer at present - and yet I require
money, - money I must have! Tell me to throw myself into the Thames a year
hence, so that I have money to-day, and I would willingly subscribe to the
contract. I could even sell myself to the Evil One, like Dr. Faustus - I am so
bewildered - so truly wretched!"
"Since you have verged into the regions of romance, and
mentioned improbabilities, or impossibilities," said Mr. Greenwood,
"suppose another strange case; - suppose that a man threw himself at your
feet - declared his love - sought yours in return - and proffered you his
fortune as a proof of the sincerity of his heart?"
"Such generous and noble-minded lovers are not so
easily found now-a-days," returned Lady Cecilia "but, if I must
respond to your question, I am
almost inclined to think that I
should not prove very cruel to the tender swain who would present himself in so
truly romantic a manner."
Greenwood caught hold of Lady Cecilia's hand, fell at her
feet, and presented her with the purple morocco case containing the diamonds.
"Heavens!" she exclaimed, half inclined to suppose
that this proceeding was a mere jest, - "what do you mean, Mr. Greenwood?
Surely you were not supposing a case in which you yourself were to be the
principal actor?"
"Permit me to lay my heart and fortune at your
feet!" said Greenwood. "Nay - you cannot repulse me now: you accepted
the alternative; your own words have rendered me thus bold, thus
presumptuous!"
"Ah! Mr. Greenwood," exclaimed the fair patrician
lady, abandoning her left hand to this bold admirer, and receiving the case of
diamonds with the right; "you have spread a snare for me - and I have
fallen into the tangled meshes!"
"You can have no compunction - you can entertain no
remorse in transferring your affections from a man who neglects you, to one who
will study your happiness in every way."
"But - merciful heavens! you would not have me leave my
husband altogether? Oh! I could not bear the
éclat
of an elopement: no - never - never!"
"Nor would I counsel such a proceeding," said
Greenwood, who was himself astonished at the ease with which he had obtained
this victory: "you must sustain appearances in society; but when we
can
meet - and when we are together - oh! then we can be to each other
as if we alone existed in the world - as if we could indulge in all the joys
and sweets of love without fear and without peril!"
"Yes - I will be yours upon these terms - I will be
yours!" murmured Cecilia. "And - remember - you must be faithful
towards me; and you must never forget the sacrifice I make and the risk I run
in thus responding to your attachment! But - above all things - do not think
ill of me - do not despise me! I want something to love - and some one to love
me;- and you sympathise with my distress - you feel for my unhappiness - you
offer me your consolations: oh! yes - it is you whom I must love - and you will
love me!"
"Forever," answered the libertine; and he caught
that frail but beauteous lady in his arms.
* * * * * *
An hour elapsed: Lady Cecilia
had taken her departure, richer in purse but poorer in honour ;- and Greenwood
had returned to his study.
The flush of triumph was upon
his brow; and the smile of satisfaction was upon his lip.
Lafleur entered the room.
"While you were engaged,
sir," said the valet, "Sir Rupert Harborough called. He was most
anxious to see you. I assured him that you were not at home. He said he would
call again in an hour."
"You can then admit
him."
The valet bowed and withdrew.
Mr. Greenwood then wrote
several letters connected with the various schemes which he had in hand. His
occupation was interrupted by the entrance of Sir Rupert Harborough.
With what ease and assurance -
with what unblushing confidence did the libertine receive the man whose wife he
had drawn into the snares of infamy and dishonour!
"You really must excuse
my perseverance in seeing you this day," said Sir Rupert, who perceived
Greenwood's attire that he had not been out of the house that morning;
"but I am in such a mess of difficulties and embarrassments, I really know
not which way to turn."
"I was particularly
engaged when you called just now," said Greenwood; "and you are aware
that one a valet always answers '
Not at home
' in such cases."
"Oh! deuce take
ceremony," exclaimed Sir Rupert. "See if you can do any thing to
assist me. Lord Tremordyn has literally cut me; and Lady Tremordyn is as stingy
as the devil. Besides, she and Lady Cecilia have quarrelled; and so there is no
hope in that quarter."
"I really cannot assist
you any farther - at present," observed Greenwood. "In a short time I
shall be enabled to let you into a good thing, as I told you a little while
ago! but for the moment —"
"Come, Greenwood,"
interrupted the baronet; "do not refuse me. I will give you a
post-obit
on the old lord: he is sure to leave me something
handsome at his death."
"Yes - but he may settle
it upon your wife in such a manner that you will not be able to touch it."
"Suppose that Lady
Cecilia will join me in the security?"
"Insufficient still.
Lord Tremordyn may bequeath her ladyship merely a life interest, without power
to touch the capital."
"Well - what the devil
can I do? " exclaimed the baronet, almost distracted. "Point out some
means - lay down some plan - do any thing you like - but don't refuse some
assistance."
Mr. Greenwood reflected for
some minutes; and this time his thoughtful manner was not affected. It struck
him that be might effect a certain arrangement in this instance by which he
might get the baronet completely in his power, and lay out some money at an
enormous interest at the same time.
"You see," said Mr.
Greenwood, "you have not an atom of security to offer me."
"None - none,"
answered Sir Rupert: "I know of none - if you will not have the
post-obit
."
"The only means I can
think of for the moment," pursued Mr. Greenwood, "is this:- Get me
Lord Tremordyn's acceptance to a bill of fifteen hundred pounds at three
months, and I will lend you a thousand upon it without an instant's
delay."
"Lord Tremordyn's
acceptance! Are you mad, Greenwood?"
"No - perfectly sane and
serious. Of course I shall not call upon him to ask
if it be his acceptance
- neither shall I put the bill into
circulation. It will be in my desk until it is due; and then - if you cannot
pay it —"
"What then?" said
the baronet, in a subdued tone, as if he breathed with difficulty.
"Why - you must get it
renewed, that's all!" replied Mr. Greenwood.
"I understand you - I
understand you," exclaimed Sir Rupert Harborough: "it shall be done!
When can I see you again?"
"I shall not stir out
for another hour."
"Then I shall return
this afternoon."
And the baronet departed to
forge the name of Lord Tremordyn to a bill of exchange for fifteen hundred
pounds.
"I shall hold him in
iron chains," said Greenwood to himself, when he was again alone.
"This bill will hang constantly over his head. Should he detect my
intrigue with his wife, he will not dare open his mouth; and when I am tired of
that amour and care no more for the beautiful Cecilia, I can obtain payment of
the entire amount, with interest from Lord Tremordyn himself; for his lordship
will
never allow his
son-in-law to be ruined and lost for fifteen or sixteen hundred pounds."
Again the study door opened;
and again did Lafleur make his appearance.
"A person, sir, who
declines to give his name," said the valet, "solicits an interview
for a few minutes."
"What sort of a looking
person is he?"
"Very pale and sallow;
about the middle height; genteel in appearance; respectably clad; and I should
say about forty years of age."
"I do not recollect such
a person. Show him up."
Lafleur withdrew, and
presently introduced Stephens.
For a few moments Greenwood
surveyed him in a manner as if he were trying to recollect to whom that pale
and altered countenance belonged; for although Stephens had made considerable
improvement in his attire, thanks to the contents of Eliza's purse, he still
retained upon his features the traces of great suffering, mental and bodily.
"You do not know
me?" he said, with a sickly smile.
"Stephens! is it
possible?" exclaimed Greenwood, in an accent of the most profound
surprise.
"Yes - it is I! No
wonder that you did not immediately recognise me: were I not fearfully altered
I should not dare thus to venture abroad by daylight."
"Ah! I understand. You
have escaped?"
"I have returned from
transportation. That is the exact truth. Had it not been for an angel in human
shape, I should have died last night of starvation. That generous being who
relieved me was Eliza Sydney."
"Eliza Sydney!"
cried Greenwood. "She received you with kindness?"
"She gave me food, and
money to obtain clothes and lodging. She moreover promised to supply me with
the means to reach America. I am to return to her this evening, and receive a
certain sum for that purpose."
"And she told you that I
was residing here?" said Greenwood inquiringly.
"Yes. I thought that you
might be enabled to assist me in my object of commencing the world anew in
another quarter of the globe. I shall arrive there with but little money and no
friends ;- perhaps you can procure me letters of introduction to merchants in
New York."
"I think I can assist
you," said Greenwood, musing upon a scheme which he was revolving in his
mind, and which was as yet only a few minutes old: "yes - I think I can.
But, would it not be better for you to take out a few hundred pounds in your
pocket? How can you begin any business in the States without capital?"
"Show me the way to
procure those few hundreds," said Stephens, "and I would hold myself
ever your debtor."
"And perhaps you would
not be very particular as to the way in which you obtained such a sum?"
demanded Greenwood, surveying the returned convict in a peculiar manner.
"My condition is too
desperate to allow me to stick at trifles," answered Stephens, not
shrinking from a glance which seemed to penetrate into his soul.
"We understand each
other," said Greenwood. "I have money - and you want money: you are a
returned transport, and in my power. I can serve and save you; or I can ruin
and crush you forever."
"You speak candidly, at
all events," observed Stephens, somewhat bitterly. "Try promises
first; and should they fail, essay threats."
"I merely wished you to
comprehend your true position with regard to me," said Greenwood, coolly.
"And now I understand it
but too well. You require of me some service of a certain nature - no matter
what: in a word, I agree to the bargain."
"The business regards
Eliza Sydney," proceeded Greenwood.
"Eliza Sydney!"
exclaimed Stephens, in dismay.
"Yes; I love her - and
she detests me. I must therefore gratify two passions at the same moment
- vengeance and desire."
"Impossible!" cried
Stephens. "You can never accomplish your schemes through my agency!"
"Very good:" and Mr.
Greenwood moved towards the bell.
"What would you do?"
demanded Stephens, in alarm.
"Summon my servants to
hand a returned convict over to justice," answered Greenwood, coolly.
"Villain! you could not
do it!"
"I will do it:" and
Greenwood placed his hand upon the bell-rope.
"Oh! no - no - that must
not be!" exclaimed Stephens. "Speak - I will do your bidding."
Mr. Greenwood returned to his
seat.
"I must possess Eliza
Sydney - and you must be the instrument," he said in his usual calm and
measured tone. "You are to return to her this evening?"
"I am. But I implore you
—"
"Silence! This evening I
am engaged - and tomorrow evening also. The day after to-morrow I shall be at
liberty. You will invent some excuse which will enable you to postpone your
departure; and you will contrive to pass the evening after tomorrow with Eliza
Sydney. Can you do this?"
"I can, no doubt: but,
again, I beg —"
"No more of this
nonsense! You will adopt some means to get her faithful servant Louisa out of
the way; and you will open the front-door of the villa to me at midnight on the
evening appointed."
"You never can effect
your purpose!" cried Stephens emphatically. "Were you to introduce
yourself to her chamber, she would sooner die herself, or slay you, than submit
to your purpose!"
"
She must sleep -
sleep profoundly
!" said Greenwood, sinking his voice almost to a
whisper, and regarding his companion in a significant manner.
"My God! what an
atrocity!" ejaculated Stephens, with horror depicted upon his countenance.
"Perhaps you prefer a
return to the horrors of transportation, - the miseries of Norfolk
Island?" said Greenwood satirically.
"No - death,
sooner!" cried Stephens, striking the palm of his right hand against his
forehead.
Greenwood approached him, and
whispered for some time in his ear. Stephens listened in silence and when the
libertine had done, he signified a reluctant assent by means of a slight nod.
"You understand how you
are to act?" said Greenwood aloud.
"Perfectly,"
answered Stephens.
He then took his departure.
Scarcely had he left the house
when Sir Rupert Harborough returned.
The baronet was deadly pale,
and trembled violently. Greenwood affected not to observe his emotions, but
received the bill of exchange which the baronet handed to him, with as much
coolness as if
he were
concluding a perfectly legitimate transaction.
Having read the document, he
handed a pen to the baronet to endorse it.
Sir Rupert affixed his name at
the back of the forged instrument with a species of desperate resolution.
Mr. Greenwood consigned the
bill to his desk, and then wrote a cheque for a thousand pounds, which he
handed to the baronet.