CHAPTER XL.—(Continued.)

Waikato Times, Volume 2188, Issue XXVII, 17 July 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XL.— (Continued.)

When Georsre Manners therefore made up his mind to leavr> Enirlanri, he thoucht very little about Mr Hindmarch. 'We must have another cleik, aucl then Mr Hindmarch can manayr'V he had decided ; and on the morning of his return to Oldcastle, after changing his dress^ at his lodging-*, he walked down to their office on the quay, and was received^ there by his partner with his usual objectionable and jerky familiarity. I Well, MaiineTS, back at hist,' he said ; • I thought you had stopped away for good this tune. That old fellow who thinks himself such a m\oll, lawyer Moun*ey, has b?en in half a dozen tinier to ask after you since you "have been away.' • Hum,' *aid George. * I hope you have left them nil salubrious at home ?' continued Mr Hindmarch — ' the Vicar, your sisters, and Sir Hugh ?' 4 All quite well, thank", Hindmarch,' answered George, shortly, and then he betran opening his letters. Mr Hindmarch was sharp-featured, as well a« sharp ; he had a sharp no-»e, charp little eye*, and a bharp chin, and a very high forehead, round which clustered . scores of little wiry, nubnra curls. But these were the only hairy thing worth mentioning about his face, for whiskers ho had nonw ; and hi« chin, if it intended to represent a beard (and it gave you that idea), was a miserable failure, for only here and there was it adorned with a «crubby, little bunch of hair ; but he was proud of it on the whole, and once said to George, "as you have nojbeard,' with an air of friendly condolence. His figure al*o was sharp, thin and sharp— and perhaps bis teeth were too, for his tongue most certainly was. I 1 have something to say to you, Hindmarch,' said George, coolly folding his letters. 'Will you shut the door, as it is of importance ?' 4 It's about Black ?' said Mr Hindmarch, nervou-ly obeying him. • 1 bad a hint, confound him ! Hang him ! we're in for good two hundred pounds.' 1 Well, but it isn't about Black.' 1 Not Taylor ? It can't be Taylor ?' gasped Mr Hindraarch. I thought Taylor safe for •' . • It's not Taylor,' said George, interrupting without much ceremony— 'it's nobody, so don't alarm yourself ; but I'm thinking of leaving Ehsrland.' •Now, Manners, I call that cool. You know we agrees I had to have the next spell. I've not had a day but the three at the races for months— l call that cool ; it'a my turn for a holiday, and I think if one of us has to go this fall it ought to be me. 1 • You don't understand what I mean,' answered George ; 'what I intend is, to leave England for good,' ITo leave England for good ! What the deuce, then— leave the firm, d'ye mean ? It's too bad, I think. Manners— too bad ;' and Mr Hindmarch became inaudible from excitement. 'My good fellow, what is there bad in it?' said George, quietly. *I think, for the benefit of the firm— yes, decidedly lor the benefit of the firm— we might establish a branch at St. Petersburg, and I propose to manage that branch ; and I think, if you will look at it sensibly for a few minutes, you will come to the conclusion that there is nothing very much out of the way in the idea.' 'Where ia the capital to come from r «aid Mr Hindmarch, sharply. * Why, out of the business, of course ! replied George. p * It can't be done, sir, it can't be done __it would ruin us ; and all the profits hare gone, as you know, to pay that confounded debt to your governor. 'My share, you mean, Mr Hmdmarcn —not yours. I know nothing about your share.' , ' But yon remember a proposal 1 made, Manners— a proposal last New Year— that we should both invest another thousand pounds, which you declined ?' 1 You know my reason.' < Exactly. You wanted to pay off your •governor. I confess I did not see the force •of it. I confess I think I had some claim to be considered in the disposal of profits -conjointly made, but I didn't object.' « If I remember you did.' « I expressed my opinion Manners, that •was all. I certainly expressed my opinion, $at what of that ? I had a right with my

.jwn partner to cxpross ray opinion, hadn't I, as to money conjointly made ? Rut, I didn't object. Well then I of course t<>ok my share and invested it ' 4 Tn Spanish mines,' said George, with a smile, •In SpanMi mines,' answered Mr Hindmarch, with dignity; 'bur,' he added, nervously and with somo reason, 'it is a ribky speculation— a risky speculation I'm afraid ' * I think so,' said Goorgo, shortly. 1 Therefore you see, "Manners, I am natunillr anxious — more than anxious, when I hear you talk of taking money out of the business — out of an established, solvent business, as you know ours to be here— to begin a speculation — a wild speculation, as I call you scheme,' * But I hope largely to increase our profits.' 1 Ay, hope — hope's ea««y had. But to realise, sir — to realise hope, that's the ticket ; audl'll be hanged if I can understand your motive.' 4 My motive is simple profit,' 4 But it mayn't be profit ? and we hayen'tthe capital. What would a couple of thousands even be among the great puns out yonder ? No, it's best to be safe — safe's my motto.' 4 Are Spanish mines so, do you think ?' Mr Hind march's faoe turned red, and then broke out all of a sudden in small beads of perspiration. 4 You'vo not heard anything ?' he said, quickly. * You're no heard anything new ?' 4 No nothing particular.' 'They're risky — very risky — I think vb.at, suid Mr Hindinarch, musingly, 4 very rlsky y That fellow Cuthbertson made out a oonfoundly diffotont story when I invested, to the one he tells now ; and to be straightforward with you, Manner*, as I hope I always am, I should like a run out to Spain to see how things really are. I was going to mention it when you began this conversation.' ' It would be awkward for you to go just now, for any timo at leatst.' * I want a two months' spell, to be straightforward with you ; a two months' spell would do it. I don't like Cuthbertson's ways, that's the truth. I think he's I tricky, confouudedly tricky ;' and Mr Hindmarch's forehead burst out into little beads of perspiration a second time. 4 It't very awkward,' .said George. 4 Give up the idea, my dear fellow — srive up the idea, that's the ticket. Let's have something t>nfe at any rate, for the Spanish mines ' ' Are not. I always told you so,' said George. ' It's a venture — a dangerous venture now, I'll admit. But Cuthbeitson with his smooth tongue — well, it's no use dis cubing it, but. 3-011 spo the position ? You soe we could not withdraw at present ; in a year or so, if things go on well, we can think of it.' 4 But I want ' George began, and then ho checked hirn.sdf, He was about to .say 'leave England at once ;' but he remembered Mr Hmdmansh miibt not know his real motive. ' I ant about determined on this, rlmdnnueh,' ho iiddud. 'Bui what riyht have you, Maunprs?' said Mr ilindnvjrch, staiting up iv a rage, while every one of fclie scoies of little curls on his he id teemed to start up too — ' what right have you to be determinel on it !J! J D > you remember our agreement, sir? Neither to withdiaw capital — neither, without mutual consent!' And I don't give my consent. I won't give my consent, that's just about it — I won't. 'You needn't let the clerks hear you,' i;iid Geuige, frowning and biting bib lip*. 'I don't mean to be violent or anything else, Manners. I don't wish to be unpleasant, but you -see the position ; you remember the agreement — ami whore have you a leg to stand on ? I say, alicre ?' George wns seriously annoyed. He did in fact, sec the positiou — did reinfmber the agreement, which up to this time he had almost forgotten ; but he was also very determined. 4 Wh will talk of it some other time,' he said, abruptly, and took up his hat and walked out of tho office. He bad mide up hid mind to consult tho old family solicitor who had recommended a useful man to him as a partner. The old family solicitor was glad to see his friend Mr George Manners, and held out a thin, white, aristocratic hand to welcome him. 4 And the Vicar ?' aaid he, with his urbane smile ; 'my old friend tho Vicar — fishing still, Mr George, fishing still ? Ah !' what a constitutiou th it man has — what a constitution.' Mr John Portland, the family soli* citor, was a very rich man ; he was also a very clever man. He remembered the day when he would not have engaged Mr Mounsey as a third-rate clerk in his office ; he remembered the day when all the new people who now bustled against him in the streets, or nearly rode over him in their carriages, 4 making the cros»ings dangerous,' he would say with his calm smile, were very small people indeed. He belonged to another class and another generation. His father, an old Northumbrian squire, had had many sons ; and John, the clever one, the wit of the family, chose to be a solicitor, and for nearly half-a-century had been one, and was one still. A clever, long-headed, thoughtful, satirical, white-haired old gentleman was John Portland, and he had not gone with the times ; he whs too rich, in fact, to mind how the times went ; but men who went with tho times, bustling, speechifying lawyers— men given to sharp practices and short accounts felt very queer when their quiet colleague addressed them in opposition on any subject, with — ' as my friend Mr Mounsey was saying, or my friend Mr Jonen,' and with a keen aoalping knife laid bare in a few minutes the fallacies of Mr Mouusoy or Mr Jones ; he was a better lawyer than them all — cleverer, and more profound ; and few of them cared to quarrel or arguo with John Portland. 4 1 have come to ask your advice,' said George ; and Mr Portland nodded, sat back in his chair; and bhut his eyes while George told his story ; and when he had finished it he opened them. 4Mr George,' lie said quietly, 4 1 conclude you have some motive for leaving En eland? 1 George blushed at ones all over his brown face. 4 1 think,' he said, ' I could increase our business*, our profits, by living at St. Petersburg; but that fellow Hindinarch won't see it.' 4Mr George,' said tho lawyer, acrain shutting his eyes, 'that fellow Hindmarch is not heie; in your motive very pressing for leaving England ?' 4 Yes,' answered George, abruptly. 4 1 thought so,' said Mr Portland, 4 for Mr George — you'll excuse an old friend — it blinds you to the justice of the case.' 4 1 dou't sco that,' replied George, sharply. Mr Portland merely leant back once more in his chair, 'legally; have I no right to do what I like with my own share of our invested capital ?' Mr Poitland quietly rang a hand-bell at his side, and a, gentlemanly, darkhaired young lium came into the mom. 4Mr Norman,' said Mr Portland, ' will you have the goodness to ask Mr Bell for the agreement of partnership between Mr Manners and Mr Hindinarch ? The date will be— let me see ' 4 1861,' said George. 4 Preoisely ; will you desire Mr B?ll to bring it in ?' and then, as the gentlemauly young man vanished, Mr Portlaud continued-— ' And, Sir Hugh, what's

this I hear about Sir Hugh ? It's a pity he's such a wild youth. My poor friend, his fattier, was a different man. I liked the jolly baronet ; an honest, plainspoken fellow, Hugh Manners. Ay, ay, many a smart run I've had with Hugh Manner* when I was young. Mr George — when I was young.' • Hugh does not hunt now.' 'So I hear, so I hear. I like the sport though, it's better, more manly to my mind than some whioh our present race of young men indulge in ; but each has his taste, you see, each his taste.' 4 And you really think,' begin George, again bent on his oase, • that Hindmarch 1 We will sep presently, Mr George,' said Mr Portland, slightly waving his white hand,' ' we will see when we read the agrepment of partner* Jrip. And your sister, Misi Adelaide, is she well ¥' • Very well, Mr Portland.' 1 A fine arirl — a very fine girl— the true Manners type ; but her aunt was handsomer. Yes, Ellenor Manners, as I remember her the year she married her cousin, was a splendid woman ; no doubt of that — a very splendid woman.' Just then another gentlemanly young man brought in a paper. • Thank you, Mr Bell, thank you. Yes, this is what we want; hum, ha — hum, ha— l thought so. If you read this clause, I think, Mr George, you will agree with Mr Hindmarch.' George read, and it was very distinctly written down that neither partner could withdraw any of the joint capital without mutual consent ; and in the event of oue of the parties wishing to dissolve that partnership, a year's notice was necessary between them before such offer need be accepted; and a flush spread over his face as he gained this information. « It is very annoying— very,' he said, laying down the paper ; ' but, 1 he added, 'I suppose in general these things are mere formalities, Mr Portland ?, ' Between gentlemen, Mr George — but our friend Mr Hindraarch ' 1 Is not one,' answered George, angrily. I ♦Heis a useful man— a very useful man, Mr Luke Hindmarch. Ido not see anything to find fault with him—considering his position.' 4 That's Just it,' said George, brusquely. 4 I'd rather have to deal with a hundred well-bred men than a snob lil-o this.' 4 He has not had your aa> .intakes.' ♦If he had wished to go,' continued George,' working himself up into a passion . 'My dear Mr Gorge, my dear Mr George,' answered Mr Portland, shaking his white head. • Well, I would not hive objected, Mr Porrlind. 1 'I understand fiorn you he does wish to go to Spain, went on the lawyer, with i courtly Mnilr, wh ; oh Georire could not help grimly returning .-it his own information being thus quietly brought home to him. 4 I wouM adviio you to conciliate him,' .•ontinu»d Mr Portland, * unless you givo up your scheme?' •I won't do tli.at, 1 answered George, dotennin-'itely. • You have a strong motive.' said Mr Portland, opening a little wider his clear, | bright eyes, undimmed still through all j those year-., and fixing them on Geoiye's face, who nodded in reply to his question. "Then a woman's in it, Mr George — a j woman's in it.' George blushed and moved uneasily. 4 They are everywhere,' said the old lawyer, looking round us if he expected they woro about the room somewhere. ' In eveiy m.iv's web of lift 1 , a woman tantrlos it — a woman tingles it.' George laughed, for h< j knew Mr Portland's experience in thi->, as in other thinsrs, was said to have been very great. •Concluding then that you have thin powerful motive,' ho went on, 'I advise you to borrow for your purpose from your kinsman Hugh, who is rich and can well spare it, to enable you without touching your present capital, or having any disagreement with your present partner,, or go out and feel your way. Don't be rash, George. Take an old man's advice, no woman's worth it. But if you see your way clear, Hindmarch is sharp, and will see his also. But concililate him, for bees sting, and a useful man may become a very unpleasant one.' 4 1 scarcely like to ask Hugh,' hesitated George. ' You know who will have it if you don't,' said Mr Portlaud, with a laugh ; and then as George ro>e to leave he onoe more held out hie* thin white hand. 1 Look in again in a day or two,' he said, ' for I shall be glad to learn how our bee behaves. But conciliate him— always conciliate. It costs nothing, especially to our inferiors ; and take my advice — don't risk losing an excellent business and a useful partner for any woman— they are not worth it Mr George— they ,are not worth it. 1