PART III.—CHAPTER XLI. MR HINDMARCH'S LAWYER.

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

PART lII.— CHAPTER XLI. MR HINDMARCH'S LAWYER.

George Manners went home from Mr Portland's office greatly annoyed. He was hot- tempered and disliked opposition, and though he struggled manfully enough against these failings, he could not help being iv a rage with Mr Luke Hindmarch, and through a sleepless night a hundred times determined to break off his connection with him. But then that •confouuded deed' always rose iv his way. The * sharp young man ' had forseen that in the course of event* he might disagree with Mr George Manners, and he had thus secured time to mako what he called ' judicious arrangements ;' and so George found himself bound at least fora year 10 his partner, and unable to t«uch his capital ; both which unpleasant facts had, as we have seen, been very plainly pointed out to him by Mr Portland. 1 Yet I will go,' he always finished his mental cogitations with. For one thing, he was not going to knock under to Mr Luke flindmarch ; for another, he had made up his mind, and knew it was right. l And it would be making a fool of myself,' he concluded with, ' not to go now— after parting with them all.' Under these circumstances, and peeing no other way out of his difficulties, he resolved to take the old lawyer's advice and borrow a small sum of Sir Hugh, though he did this with the greatest possible distaste. There were naturally many reasons for this feeling; one of which was that Hugh was generous as regards money. 'He wont refuse me,' thought George, frowning and biting his lips ; ' but if it was not for poor Amy's sake I would not do it.' Ho did do it, however ; writing a full and leusrthoned account of the circumstances to his cousin, and before he went down to his office the next day he finished and posted his letter. In the meantime his partner had not been idle. ' And where is our fine gentleman off to uovv,' he had thought, when after their discussion of the previous morning George had hastily left their place of business. ' t wouldu't wonder if he's gone to old Portland, ' aud to satisfy himsuit on tiiib point, about a quarter of au hour after wauls Mi Hindmarch strolled out, aud found that he required some article which ho could procure iv a shop which commanded an entire view of Mr Portland's oilices, and in a few minutes he was rewarded for his trouble by seeing George leave them. •If he's gone to a lawyer I'll go too at once, 1 decided Mr Hiud,nutrch, and he

was retracing his steps for that purpose when by chance he saw Mr Mounsey on the opposite side of the street. 4 1 may as well consult him as another,' thought Mr Himlmaroh ; 'though he's a stuok-npold fool enough, but they know all the swells, and he may be useful ; for though Mr Luke Hindmareh affected to despise ' the swells,' the ' purse-proud old sinners,' &c, of his vocabulary, he was secretly ambitious to get into society ; and one of his grudges against George was that he 'hadn't pushed him.' ' Six years we've been partners, and I've never been in*ide his father's door ; no one would believe it,' the sharp young man had often reflected ; so .he crossed over the street now and addressed Mr Mounsey by way of getting into his. ' Ah, Hindmareh,' aaid Mr Mouusey, patronisingly, holding out the two usual fat fingers ; c fine day, fine day ; how nre things on the Quay ?— steady, eh ? Well, well, up and down, down aud up ; it's the way of the world.' 1 1 want to consult you, Mr JMonntey,' said Hiudmarch. I Oh !' answered Mr Mounsey, in a different tone ; ' step into my office, then, my dear fellow ; as I always say, there should only be four ears present when you talk to a lawyer, h*» ha, ha ; and there are many.' Mr Hindmareh accordingly 'stepped into ' Mr Mounseys office, and in a few minutes poured into that gentleman's ears all his partner's wrong against him. I 1 came to you,' sir,' he concluded diplomatically, ' because I know Jyon are a respectable gentleman ; and that you will give me the advice that you really think best— not like some of your profession do, which I could name ; no indeed !' Mr Mounsey waved his hand deprccatingly. ' I consider, sir, that Manners has a motive, a hidden motive,' went on Mr Hindmareh ; ' and I uaturally should like to know that motive. Can you enlighten me!' 'Mr Hindmareh," began Mr Mounsey. 1 this is a very painful affair ; painful that you and my young friend Manners should have any disagreement after hay. ing been many years engaged together in — well, I may say successful commerce, but I hope to be able to adjust it. But I agree with you, there must be a motive ; still, if the agreement is as you state, he has not a leg to stand upon— not a single leg ' IMy very words to him,' interrupted Mr Hindmareh. ' Not half a leg !' continued Mr Mounsey, with vehemencp, displeased at the interruption ; * but I adviso you to conciliate him — certainly to conciliate him. I will, in the meantime, see my respected friend, Mr Portland ; and we together will adjust it. Yea, Mr Hindmarch, you may bo assured that we will adjust it ; you may consider, my good sir, the matter, I may say, already adjusted. But j we must take a few days— don't hurry it, i my good sir ; and in the meantime I would ' say conciliate— decidedly conciliate.' Armed with this advice, Mr Hindmirch returned to his office determined to conciliate his partner, but found he had no partner there to conciliate ; for George was too angry again to encounter him so soon, and never returned to the Quay the whole day ; so he was obliged to delay the fulfilment of his good intentions. He spent the afternoon therefore in writing a sharp letter or two to Cuth- | bertson. in Spain ; reminding Cuthberteon unpleasantly that his eye was upon | him ; his mental eye at present, but that his re^l eye was coming ; information which Cuth bertson received with some very strong expressions, and certain wishes that his eyes might soon meet with what he, Cuthbertson, considered their due. Mr Mounsey having adjusted some other cases to his own satisfaction, after his interview with Mr Hindmarch, returned as usual to his mansion in Wind* sor-street to dinner ; but before partaking even of that meal, had confided to " mamma " the extraordinary determination of Mr George Manners to leave England — information which Mrs Mounsey received with the greatest curiosity and interest. But it chanced that Mr Peel, in his position of acknowledged lover, was dining with them that day, therefore she was obliged to restrain her conjectures and surmises until after he was gone. In the middle of the night, however, she awoke Mr Mounsey f 'Mr Mounsey,' she said, ' are you awake ?' ' Yes, lam now, mamma— l am now,' answered Mr Mounsey, in an injured tone. I 1 have found it out !' said Mrs Mounsey, triumphantly—' it has flashed on me all at once.' 'What is it, my dear?' asked Mr Mounsey, timidly, for he did not like mamma to find everything out. 'George Manners is going abroad— and for what reason V went on Mrs Mounsey. ' He is going to do what be is ashamed to do here— he is going to marry that girl ; mark my words, he is going to marry the governess.' 1 Impossible ! mamma— impossible !' ' You will see, 1 said Mrs Mounsey, and she relapsed into silence, and refused to discuss the subject any further ; and on reflection Mr Mounsey came to the conclusion that she was very likely right, and thougnt it his duty to send a clerk for 'young Hindmarch,' his new client, the first thing in the morning, and hint something of the kind te him. ' I knew it,' said Luke Hindmarch — * I knew it — I said there was a motive. Increase our profits, indeed ! — that's all jaw. I consider his conduct ungrateful, Mr Mounsey — yes, ungrateful ; deceiving me so; threatening me with such treachery as it were. What's the young woman like ?" ' Pretty,' said Mr Mounsey, sinking his voice, for the remembrance of ' mamma' was never entirely absent from his mmd — 'yes ' decidedly pretty — and I ahould say good style too, he added, with the air of a connoisseur, for he felt he could impose on Luke Hindmarch. 1 But they didn't think this at home,' ho continued ; ' but'tlien ladies you know — ladies don't always see these little things with your eyes ;' and he put on the air of a rake. ' No,' answered Luke, too much absorbed with his wrong to notice Mr Mounseys byplay ; ' aud you think, you really think he means to get married ?' • Mrs Mounsey thinks so, and there may be something in it. It was remarkable, certainly, very remarkable, he leaving our house as she did with him But I will see him in the course of the day, ami sound him a little ; and then I will see Mr Portland, and we will endeavour to arrange it. Yes, we must certainly arrange it, for he lias not a leg to stand on — not a leg.' When Ueorge arrived at the office Mr Hindmarch received him very agreeably. 'Well, you made yourself scarce yesterday,' he said. ' But I want to see you,' lie continued, shutting the door of their private oifice, * for I hope after all, Miinueis, we're not bad friends?' ' Oli no,' answered George, coolly. 'I think if you only look at the thing sensible ' ' Hindmarch,' said George, interrupting him without much ceremony, ' I don't w.uit to discuss it at present. My plans are incomplete, and I should rather say nothing till they are arranged.' ' Your arrangements, your plans, cried Mr Hindmarch, forgetting his lawyer's

advice, and flying into a passion, and all his little curls flying up in pympathy. ' Am I your partner or not, Mr Manners ? answer me that.' 'Of course you are. What folly— don't you hear I am not going to discuss it at present. 1 Oh, I am not going to discuss it, am I not ? I am everything here, am I not Mr Manners? — That's your opinion, is it, air? but I know your motivo—l suspect your motive — and others do too, air ;' and having said this, Mr Hindmarch bounced out of the office in a rage, He left George in one too, and his good temper was not increased during the morning with a visit which he received from Mr Hiridmarch's layer. 1 Ah, Manners ! and how , is my friend Manners ? said Mr Mounsey , drooping in about luncheon time, and holding out the two fingers. I Very well,' answered George, ' and I hope Mrs Mounsey and Mis* Clayton are too?' I 1 hear no complaint! \ but then, you see, there's the excitement of the wed* ding preparations to keep them up, I think women require a little excitement,' added Mr Mounsey, contemplative, putting his head a little to one side. * I daresay,' answered George, with a laugh. ' It's certainly a most desirable match/ went on Mr Mounsey-*-' most desirable. As I tell Laura, ha, ha, ha. ! it* a match and a catch too — ha, ha, ha 1 a catch and , a match.' ' I have been intending to call to offer my congratulations/ said George. 1 We have been expecting you — daily, I may say, expecting you. Mamma said she expected you. aud when my better* half says anything you know she means it. Yes, I may say Mrs Mounsey means it.' 'I hope so.' 1 Laura is looking a little pale — a little anxious ; so we are hurrying on the affair. These things are better got over at once, I mamma says, and therefore we expect it will take place soon ; yes, I may say very soon. ' 'Well, I congratulate Miss Clayton.' * Do. and come aud dine with us, my j good fellow— for I want a word with you. will you come to-day ? 'Not to-day, thank you; but if you have anything to any ' ' Well, you see, Hindmarch — our friend Hindmarch — a very rising, steady young man, I think — Hindinarcli called on me yesterday.' Well ?' ' Ami it seems there has been — well, some little disagreement, about you leaving England— about you talking of settling in ' *Mr Mounaey,' said George, quietly, but very tirmly, ' will you allow me to say one word ? I declined to discuss this subject with Mr Hiudmarch this morning, and I now decline to dfceuss it with you. When my plans are settled it will bo thnu enough to quarrel with them, in th» meantime ' Oh, \ery well, Mr Manners — very well, said Mr Mounsey, rising. 'Just on you please, sir, just as you please. I come to you as a friend — came lie c 'ooking on you as such ; but if tins is the tipirit you take my friendly intcrerence in, very well— but of course ii that case I shall do my best — yes, certainly do my best, for my client Mr Hindtnatch.' ' Certainly, in case of any dispute arising, ' answered George, shortly ; and Mr Mounsey, with a very red face, walked hastily out of the office, leaving George seriously to contemplate his position ; wuich in the event of Sir Hugh refusing him assistance, he foresaw would be anything but an agreeable one, Ihe next morning, however, relieved his anxiety on this point ; for the early post brought him a letter from his cousin, placing at once double the amount which he had asked lor at his disposal, ' You are a gojd boy, George, I believe,' wrote the eccentric baronet, * and I won't baulk you ia your wia'i of running out of the way of the woman you'ie in love with ; though my way (deuce take my folly !) would have been to run into it. Go then, my dear fellow, and prosper ; oheat the greasy Muscovite if, you can ; and if you can't — Well, we must just bow to circumstances. lam coming- through Oldoastle at the » nl of th"- we 3k, and will look you up ; and till then, d >ar old good fellow, good-bye,' H.M. Thin letter naturally gave George great satisfaction, for it materi»r>y altered his position ; and before th) day was over he had settled his plans for the future in his own mind, and only waited foi* Mr Portland's approval before he communicated them to his partner. 'Hugh in a gentleman— a thorough gentleman after all, then !' said Mr Port* land, after George had told him the substance of his cousin's letter. 'It is strange,' he continued musingly, ' how the sang blue tells. A man of different birth would have mado a bargain with you, Mr George ; but this young fellow opens his purse with such well-bred ease and indifference, thus we recognise at once he has never worked for or learnt the true value of money.' • And what is that, Mr Portland ?' said George, with a smile ; for it was said the 1 good old-gentlemanly vico' of avarice was one ot Mr Portland's failings, 4 Power, Mr George !' answered the lawj'er, a flush overspreading the finelylined skin of his yet handsome faco. ' A golden key opens for us every door of human ambition.' ' And often closes and deadens also, I think, some of our noblest feelings.' 'And which aro these, my young friend :' retorted Mr Portland, with the quaint smile with which for tho last forty years he had regarded his tellow men ; • which are thess f — can we decide ? 'It is, perhaps, difficult ; but we have all, I suppose, our own standard." • Which we measure to suit our own height, I fear,' replied Mr Portland. ' We judge others by our own experience, forgetting 1 that that wbioh costs one man nothing, wrings the very heartstrings of another. It was generous, we lelt just now, of young Hugh to fling down his money ro freely ; yet what does it cost him ?— -Nothing, Mr George, nothing. He gives nothing to you ho cares for ; whereas, if a prudent man, a saving man, a man who had really worked for his money, gave you half, the generosity would have been trebled ; yet you would not havo thought so. Sir Hugh has given you what he does not want ; would he, do you think, sacrifice one whim or one passion to do you service ?' ♦ I do not think he would.' 'No ! still wo think him generous # yet, I suppose, would not define' generosity as tho giving up of that which is valueless to us 'i And yet generosity is ono of the noblest feelings of our hearts, is it not, to which you alluded before?' George laughed ; * I suppose so,' he said . 4 Mr George, I have lived for seventy years,' went on Mr Portland, • and I have Hoon much of men. I have watched the mainspring round which many hearts revolve, and I have found it among a hundred different shapes and forms, yo*. always one. You guess, I suppose, wha 1 ". that one is ? Tho centre of oaoh man's world is gpltV ' Not always,' answerei George *' no, I am sure, not always.' 1 Look down into tho depths of your heart— look for tho hidden motive — the motive which we do not admit to our friends, but which nevertheless is there — and then judsre of the noblest actions of our lives. We do good and we expeot

praise for it. Is it not, think you, the love of that very praise— the fine words which tieklo our vanity that we really seek ?' 1 You arc putting our virtue at a very low estimate, at any rate.' •It is mv experience,' answered Mr Portland. • Yen, Mr George, I have never met a generous mun. I have mot a liberal one — many liberal ones—freehearted men, who flung their money to whoever asked for it, but I have never mot, and will never meet on thin side the grave, a man who out of love or friendI ship for another, gave up what was his riches.' I And women ?' said George. 4 Ah ! vre must not begin that inexhaustible subject, said the lawyer, putting up his hand deprecatingly. ' Women, my dear boy, are unaccountable creatures — utterly unaccountable. The wisest man on earth will never understand them. A ; woman will give all — will suffer disgrace, penury, every imaginary evil, for your sake, yet Trill turn round and stab you — ill-bred ones most likely with the carvingknife, They are jealous, exacting, sentimental, passionate— loving and hating in one hbur. They are a medley, Mr George—a medley ; and the less oue has to do with them the better.' 'It is easy giving advice, sir,' said George, with a laugh, for Mr Portland's early partiality to the fair sex was notorious, ' Ay, ay, so it is/ he answered, laughing softly also ; ' but this I'll say for them, they would give you their riches without counting the cost — some of them at least — nay, I believe their very heart's blood/ ' And so would I mine for one/ thought George— 4 so would I mine,' and he sighed deeply. 4 Ah ! young man, young man, that sight betrayeth thee/ said Mr Portland. 4 So you're in love, are you, Mr George ? — in love ;' and the old man sighed also. Perhaps he was regretting tVmt his day for all these things was gene by for ever. ' Sir Hugh should marry, I think,' he said, presently. 'I wish be would/ answered George, heartily. ' A good wife would be the saving of him.' 4 And you, Mr Georg,e, have you any thought.* of it V 4 None, none/ answered George, hastily, and he turned away his head ; for he felt his face flush undor the lawyer's keen gaze. 4 Hum ! I am porry for that. Well, you know best, you know best. But now let us to business ; and thf?y began talking over George's future arrangements, Mr Portlaud impressing on him the importance of keeping on friendly terms with hia partner. ' The cause which drives you finni England may pass away, remember/ ho t-aid ; 'for this is a world of many changes and the fooling and oirmnWnnoGH of this your will not pro* Itably be the fouliujpt and circumstance* of next; mikl Hindmaroh is ;i useful man, and hottest, I should say, for ho knows its va'u) too well to trifle with it.' I 1 daresay.' 4 Therefore, my dear boy, I would conciliate him. And durinjf your absence I would phice some man, c»ri whom you can to a certain pxtent depend, iri your ottice, and have him there :w it wore to represent you nml your interests in the firm. Tell Hindmjirch thU quite plainly ; but it is well never to trust anyone too much. Aud if you do settle in tho irreat northern capitil, I hope you will .bo succe-sful. But I should be sorry not occasionally to »cc the son of my old friend over here. And I boliovo that I shall, for our feelings change, Mr George, our feelincrs change ; and by-and-by you will return.' 4 Perhaps,' answerel George, gloomily, and then ho rose und bid his old friend good-bye. 4 Will I live to be like him r' ho thought — 4 live to survive every yenerous passion und impulse of my soul ?' Ho found his p.irtner when he reached their office in a state of the greatest excitement. 4 I've been wnit,ing" for you, Manners/ cried Mr Hind march, as soon as he appeared. 4 Come here/ and hastily shutting the door (if their private office behind them, he went on in a hissinar whisper — • what do you think; — the Midas mine is laid in !' ' 4 What ! that was Cuthbertson'j grand golden egsr, wasn't jt ?' 4 Yes, tho scoundrel, tie infernal scoundrel !' gasped Mr Hindmirch, 4 wit,h his fifty thousand here, and his fiity thousand there! Arid now he writes io me quite ooolly to say he hasn't money to pay the men, and asks me to advance it ! But I'll be down on him ; if the e'.s law in England I'll make him account t > the la<t penny for my money. ' 4 But it will have to be law in S v am, you will have to find/ 4 That's just, it— that I.*1 .* just what I was coming to, Manners, my dear fellow, don't now make any objection — I wmt start for Spain to-night. , George was silent. 4 1 must, I really must/ said Mr Hindmarch, excitedly. 4 I won't be long. I won't stay— but I'm determined to go and see after him.' 4 How long would you think of remaining?' 4 A month at most. Yes, Manners, only a month — surely you can spare roe that? 1 4 Well, I mu»«t try, I suppose/ said George, musinarly : for he saw it was only natural that Mr Hindmarch should want to go and look after his property, however inconvenient it might be to himself. I Well, I'll stay as short a time as I can, I'll promise you that ; but I must qo — I really must go— so there's an end of it. I'll consult old Mounsey, too, and if there's law in England ' 4 Or Spain/ put in George. 4lf there's law in the world !' criod Mr Hindmarch, 'I'll have it. Cuthbertson will find that— he'll find 1 am not to be trifled with. And about that other scheme of yours, Manners, I hope ' I 1 will write to you if you are* off tonight, we have no time to discuss it now. 1 4 Very well ; and off to-ni^ht I will be ;' and off that nijjht Mr Luke Hindmarch was, and so Geoige Manner*, against his will, found hitnaelf obliged to remain in England, to await his partner's return.