Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
as I am compelled to return to
Spring Gardens, to meet a deputation from the Rottenborough Agricultural
Society, at one o'clock precisely - and I never keep such people waiting more
than an hour!"
"That is considerate on your part," said the
stock-broker.
"Don't you think it is? But I did not came here for the
sole purpose of chatting. The fact is, a gentleman with whom I am acquainted
wants a stock-broker for a very delicate and important business - for a
business," added Greenwood, sinking his voice to a whisper, "which
requires a man who will be content to put five hundred pounds into his pocket
for the service that will be required of him, and perform that service
blindfold, as it were."
"I will do nothing to compromise my safety," said
Tomlinson.
"You will not be required to do so," answered
Greenwood. "However, the gentleman I allude to will call upon you in the
course of the day, I dare say; and he will then explain to you the service he
has to demand at your hands."
"What is the name of your friend?" inquired
Tomlinson.
"Mr. Chichester - Arthur Chichester," was the
reply.
"Chichester - Chichester," said the stock-broker,
musing; "surely I have heard you mention that name before? Ah! now I
remember! Did you not complain to me a few days ago that he had been making
mischief between you and a certain Sir Rupert Harborough?"
"I did," answered Greenwood; "and I certainly
had good cause for anger against this same Arthur Chichester. But I had become
his confidant and adviser in a certain affair a few weeks before I discovered
that he had acquainted Sir Rupert Harborough with circumstances which he had
better have kept to himself; and I am therefore compelled to continue my
assistance and counsel to him until the affair alluded to be brought to a
successful termination. Besides, as Sir Rupert and I have settled our little
differences, there is no use in bearing malice, especially when something is to
be gained by forbearance."
"I thought you would make that admission," said
Tomlinson, laughing. "Well, I shall see your friend, and if, with safety,
I can earn five hundred pounds, certainly, in my position, I cannot afford to
lose such an opportunity."
"That is speaking like a reasonable man," observed
Greenwood. "Never stick at trifles. What should I be now, if I had
hesitated at every step I took? Should I possess a hundred thousand pounds, in
good securities ? should I be enabled to gratify every wish, caprice, or
desire, whose object money can accomplish? should I be the representative of
one of the most independent and intelligent constituencies in England ? Ah, my
dear fellow, think of me and my position when you hesitate; and always
make money after the well-authorised system -
honestly
, if you can;
but, at all events, make money
."
With these words, Mr. Greenwood took his departure.
"Yes," mused Tomlinson, when he was alone once
more, "that man is right! Make money, honestly, if you can; but, at all
events, make money. That is the burden of his song; why should it not be the
chorus of mine? When I look around me, I see every one making money upon the
same plan. Sheriff Popkins does not hesitate to lend his name to a bubble; and
Alderman Sniff concocts one! And they are men of reputation - holding important
offices - appearing at Court - wielding power - exercising influence. This is
indeed a wide field for contemplation. Why, Greenwood, in his bold, dashing
manner, gains more in a day than I, in my miserable, droning fashion, earn in a
month. To be afraid to touch the gold that is thrown in one's way in this
wonderful city, is to be a coward - a very coward. Yes - I see it all!
Greenwood is right. Make money - honestly, if you can; but, at all events, make
money!"
Mr. Tomlinson's soliloquy had arrived at this very pleasing
conclusion, just as the door of his office opened, and a clerk entered to
acquaint his master that a gentleman of the name of Chichester desired to speak
to him.
"Show Mr. Chichester in," said Tomlinson.
Mr. Chichester was dressed in his usually fashionable
manner; and his gait had lost nothing of the care-nothing-for-anybody kind of
swagger which characterised him when he was first introduced to the reader.
Having thrown himself listlessly upon a chair, he said,
"I presume our mutual friend Greenwood has mentioned my name to you, Mr.
Tomlinson?"
"He has. I was prepared for your visit."
"But not for its object, perhaps ?"said
Chichester.
"I am as yet ignorant on that head," was the
reply.
"Mr. Greenwood then told you nothing —"
"Nothing, save an intimation that my services were
required in a certain delicate and important matter, and that five hundred
pounds would be my remuneration."
"Perfectly correct," answered Mr. Chichester.
"Are you disposed to aid me on the proposed terms ? "
"I must first learn the nature of the business in which
my interference is needed."
"And if you should then decline?"
"You shall have my solemn assurance that what you
confide to me remains buried in my own bosom."
"That is what I call a proper understanding,"
exclaimed Chichester. "You must know, then, that some three months ago I
wooed, and won, a widow lady, not very ugly, certainly, but whose principal
attraction consisted of the sum of sixteen thousand pounds in the three and a
half per cents. She was five and twenty years of age, and possessed of a sweet
little house in the neighbourhood of the Cambridge Heath gate. I met her one
evening in July or August last at a party at my father's house - when I was
doing the amiable to the old gentleman in order to sound his pockets; and my
father whispered to me that I ought to make up to Mrs. Higgins. Certainly the
name was not very aristocratic; but then her Christian name was Viola; and I
thought that Viola Chichester would be pretty enough. I accordingly flirted
with the widow on that occasion, and we seemed tolerably pleased with each
other. I called next day - and every now and then, when I had time; but I,
really, scarcely entertained serious thoughts of making her an offer, until one
day when I was desperately hard up, and I saw my friend Harborough involved in
such difficulties that we could not do any good together. So I got into an
omnibus in Bishopsgate Street, went down to Cambridge Heath, called upon Mrs.
Higgins, and then and there offered her my heart and hand. She accepted me. We
had a pleasant little chat about money matters: she stated that her late
husband, a wealthy builder, had left her sixteen thousand pounds; and, of
course, I could not make
myself out a pauper. Besides, she
knew that my father was tolerably well off. I assured her that I was possessed
of a few thousands, and that the old gentleman allowed me three hundred a-year
into the bargain. She stipulated that all her own money should be settled upon
herself. I demurred to this proposal; but she was obstinate; and I then
discovered that Mrs. Viola Higgins had a very determined will and a very
positive temper of her own. I thought to myself, '
Here is a charming widow
who throws herself into my arms, and who possesses a decent fortune; it would
be madness to neglect so golden an opportunity of enriching myself. Besides
,'
I reasoned, '
when once we are married, it will be very easy for me to
wheedle the affectionate creature out of any money that I may require.
'
Well, I consented to the settlement of all her property upon herself; and in
due course we were married. I did not mention the matter to any of my West-End
friends, because I did not like to invite them to the wedding - I was afraid
their offhand manners would alarm the bride, and give her an unfavourable
opinion with regard to myself. So the business was kept very snug and quiet;
and we passed the honey-moon at my wife's sister and brother-in-law's, very
decent people in their way, and dwelling at Stratford-le-Bow. On our return to
London, I thought it time to break the ice in respect to my own pecuniary
situation. The truth was, that I had not a penny-piece of my own, and that my
father had long since withdrawn his support, in consequence of the immense
drains I had made upon his purse. I was moreover encumbered with debts; and
some of my tradesmen had found me out and began to call at the house at
Cambridge Heath. They even used menaces. My position was truly critical. I did
not marry the widow merely with a view to take her out for a walk, sit by the
fire-aide chatting, or read a book while she worked. I wanted money, - money to
pay my debts, - money to enjoy myself with. Accordingly I broke the ice by very
candidly avowing that I had not a shilling. I, however, swore that her beauty
and accomplishments had alone induced me thus to deceive her. But - oh! the
vixen! She flew into such a passion that I thought she would tear my eyes out.
She raved and wept - and wept and raved - and then reproached and taunted, -
until I wished one of us at the devil, and scarcely cared which went there. The
scene ended in Viola's falling into a fit of hysterics; and she was compelled
to go to bed. I was most assiduous to her; and my attentions evidently softened
her. In a few hours she grow calm, and then said, '
Arthur, you have deceived
me grossly; but I can forgive you. I do not regret the loss of the wealth end
income which you led me to believe were yours; I am only sorry that you should
have thought it necessary to practise such a measure to induce me to marry you.
But let what is past be forgotten. The income derived from my property is
sufficient for us; and, if you will be kind and good to me, this deception
shall never more trouble our happiness
.'"
"I think Mrs. Chichester spoke like a generous,
sensible, and noble-hearted woman," observed Tomlinson, who was
nevertheless, at a loss to conceive how all these details could be connected
with the service which Mr. Chichester required at his bands.
"Ahem!" exclaimed that gentleman, who did not seem
to relish the remark particularly well. "However, all that fine feeling
was mere outward show with my wife," he continued; "for she was
inexorable in her refusal to sell out or mortgage any of her funded property for
my use. I told her that I had debts. '
Give a list to my solicitor
,' she
said, '
and he shall compromise with your creditors
.' I assured her that
I could make a better bargain with them myself. She would not believe me. I
then declared point-blank that I did not mean to remain tied to her
apron-strings; that she must at least settle half the property upon me; that I
desired to keep a horse and cab, and introduce my friends to my wife; and that
I was resolved we should live as people of property ought to live. It was then
that she showed her inveterate obstinacy, and manifested the worst shades of an
infamous temper. She agreed to allow me one hundred a-year for my clothes and
pocket-money, but would not give me any control over her property. As for
horses, cabs, and West End friends, she ridiculed the idea. I prayed,
threatened, and reasoned by turns: she was as immoveable as Mount Atlas.
Several days were passed in perpetual arguments upon the subject; but the more
I prayed, threatened, and reasoned, the more obstinate she grew. One morning we
had a desperate quarrel. I swore that I would be revenged - that I would extort
from her by violence or other means, what she refused to yield to argument.
Nothing, however, could move her; she said that she would not ruin herself to
gratify my extravagances. This was nearly a month ago. I bounced out of the
house, and hurried up to the West End of the town, as fast as I could go, to
nee and consult my friend Sir Rupert Harborough. But, as I was on my way
thither - for I actually had not even money in my pocket to pay a cab - I
accidentally met Greenwood. He saw that I was annoyed and vexed, and inquired
the reason. I told him all. He reflected for some moments, and then said, '
Do
not consult Harborough in this matter. He cannot assist you. There is only one
course to adopt with such a woman as this. You must put her under restraint
.'
I told him that nothing would please me better; but that I should have all her
friends upon me if I threw her into a lunatic asylum; and that I was, moreover,
without the means to take a single step. Greenwood and I went into a tavern,
and discussed the business over a bottle of wine. He then laid down a certain
plan, made certain stipulations respecting remuneration for himself, and
offered to back me in carrying the matter to the extreme. Of course I assented
to all he proposed. The whole affair was managed in such a manner as —"
"As none but Greenwood could manage it," observed
Tomlinson.
"Exactly," returned Chichester. "Indeed, he is
a thorough man of business! He procured two surgeons to call at separate times,
at the house at Cambridge Heath, ostensibly to see me. I took care to be at
home. They also saw my wife; and the result was that they granted the
certificates I required."
"Certificates of an unsound state of mind ?"
inquired Tomlinson.
"Certificates of an unsound state of mind,"
repeated Chichester, affirmatively. "Greenwood managed it all - keeping
himself, however, entirely in the back-ground. He found the surgeons - provided
me with money to fee them - and then recommended to me a keeper of a lunatic
asylum, who is not over particular. These proceedings occupied two or three
days, during which I was on my very best behaviour with my wife; but if ever I
hinted to her the propriety of
acceding to my wishes in respect to the disposal of her property, she cut me
short by the assurance that her decision was irrevocable. I really wished to
avoid extreme measures; but with such a disobedient, self-willed, obstinate
woman, leniency was an impossibility. Accordingly, I one evening allured her,
during a walk, into the immediate vicinity of the lunatic asylum : the streets
were lonely and deserted ; and it was already dark. The keeper of the mad-house
had been prepared for the execution of the project that evening; and he was at
his post. As we slowly passed by his house, he sprang forward from some recess
or dark nook, and fixed a plaster over my wife's mouth. Thus not a cry could
escape her lips. At the same moment we seized her, and conveyed her into the
asylum."
"That was three weeks ago?" inquired Tomlinson.
Chichester nodded an assent.
"And she has not come to her senses yet ?"
"She has at length," was the answer. "I
received a letter yesterday from the keeper of the asylum, stating that her
spirit is broken, and that she is now ready to obey her husband in all things.
The keeper wrote to me a few days ago to state that his
mode of cure