At The Sign Of The Eagle - Gilbert Parker
"Don't!" she said. "You are much more charming as you are."
They passed into the drawing-room.
"Are these things to be told?" she asked, with a little suggestion in her
voice.
"I can trust your discretion."
"Even in such circumstances?" she asked. She paused, with a motion of her
fan back towards the room they had left.
"You have taught him a lesson, Lady Lawless. It is rough on him; but he
needs it."
"I hope he will do nothing rash," she said.
"Perhaps he'll write some poetry, and refuse to consider his natural
appetite."
"Will you go and see him now?" she asked. "Immediately. Good night, Lady
Lawless." His big hand swallowed hers in a firm, friendly clasp, and he
shook it once or twice before he parted from her. He met Sir Duke Lawless
in the doorway. They greeted cheerfully, and then Lawless came up to his
wife.
"Well, my dear," he said, with an amused look in his face, "well, what
news?"
She lifted her eyebrows at him.
"Something has happened, Molly, I can see it in your face."
She was very brief. "Gracia Raglan has been conquered; the young man from
Boston has been foolish; and Mr. Vandewaters has lost millions."
"Eh? That's awkward," said Sir Duke.
"Which?" asked his wife.
Vandewaters found Mr. Pride in his bedroom, a waif of melancholy. He drew
a chair up, lighted a cigar, eyed the young man from head to foot, and
then said: "Pride, have you got any backbone? If you have, brace up. You
are ruined. That's about as mild as I can put it."
"You know all?"--said the young man helplessly, his hands clasped between
his knees in aesthetic agony.
"Yes; I know more than you do, as you will find out. You're a nice sort
of man, to come into a man's house, in a strange land, and make love to
his wife. Now, what do you think of yourself? You're a nice
representative of the American, aren't you?"
"I--I didn't mean any harm--I--couldn't help it," replied the stricken
boy.
"O, for God's sake, drop that bib-and-tucker twaddle! Couldn't help it!
Every scoundrel, too weak to face the consequences of his sin, says he
couldn't help it. So help me, Joseph, I'd like to thrash you. Couldn't
help it! Now, sit up in your chair, take this cigar, drink this glass of
whiskey I'm pouring for you, and make up your mind that you're going to
be a man and not a nincompoop--sit still! Don't fly up. I mean what I
say. I've got business to talk to you. And make up your mind that, for
once, you have got to take life seriously."
"What right have you to speak to me like this?" demanded the young man
with an attempt at dignity. Vandewaters laughed loudly.
"Right? Great Scott! The right of a man who thinks a damned sight more of
your reputation than you do yourself, and of your fortune than you would
ever have wits to do. I am the best friend you've got, and not the less
your friend because I feel like breaking your ribs. Now, enough of that.
This is what I have to say, Pride: to-night you and I are beggars. You
understand? Beggars. Out in the cold world, out in the street. Now, what
do you think of that?"
The shock to Mr. Pride was great. Mr. Vandewaters had exaggerated the
disaster; but he had done it with a purpose. The youth gasped "My God!"
and dropped his glass. Vandewaters picked it up, and regarded him a
moment in silence. Then he began to explain their financial position. He
did not explain the one bold stroke which he was playing to redeem their
fortunes: if possible. When he had finished the story, he said, "I guess
that's a bit more serious than the little affair in the library half an
hour ago?"
He rose to his feet. "Look here, Pride, be a man. You've never tried it
yet. Let me teach you how to face the world without a dollar; how to make
a fortune. Then, when you've made it, you'll get what you've never had
yet--the pleasure of spending money dug out of your own wits."
He carried conviction into a mind not yet all destroyed by effeminacy and
indulgence of the emotions. Something of the iron of his own brain got
into the brain of the young man, who came to his feet trembling a little,
and said: "I don't mind it so much, if you only stick to me,
Vandewaters."
A smile flickered about the corners of Vandewaters's mouth.
"Take a little more whiskey," he said; "then get into bed, and go to
sleep. No nonsense, remember; go to sleep. To-morrow morning we will
talk. And see here, my boy,"--he caught him by both arms and fastened his
eyes,--"you have had a lesson: learn it backwards. Good night."
Next morning Mr. Vandewaters was early in the grounds. He chatted with
the gardener, and discussed the merits of the horses with the groom,
apparently at peace with the world. Yet he was watching vigilantly the
carriage-drive from the public-road. Just before breakfast-time a
telegraph messenger appeared. Vandewaters was standing with Sir Duke
Lawless when the message was handed to him. He read it, put it into his
pocket, and went on talking. Presently he said: "My agent is coming from
town this morning, Sir Duke. I may have to leave to-night." Then he
turned, and went to his room.
Lady Lawless had heard his last words.
"What about your ranche in Colorado, Duke?"
"About as sure, I fancy, as your millionaire for Gracia."
Miss Raglan did not appear at breakfast with the rest. Neither did Mr.
Pride, who slept late that morning. About ten o'clock Mr. Vandewaters's
agent arrived. About twelve o'clock Mr. Vandewaters saw Miss Raglan
sitting alone in the library. He was evidently looking for her. He came
up to her quietly, and put a piece of paper in her lap.
"What is this?" she asked, a little startled.
"A thousand for your hospital," was the meaning reply.
She flushed, and came to her feet.
"I have won," he said.
And then he reached out and took both her hands.
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
But I don't think it is worth doing twice
He wishes to be rude to some one, and is disappointed
I--couldn't help it
Interfere with people who had a trade and didn't understand it
Lose their heads, and be so absurdly earnest
Scoundrel, too weak to face the consequences of his sin