human
William, said he, with his rich, deep voice,
gpt
No, no, Audley; I am more selfish than you think me. I have come--I have come to ask your advice--no, not exactly that--your opinion. But you are busy--?
human
Sit down, William. Old days were coming over me when you entered; days earlier still return now--days, too, that leave no shadow when their suns are set.
gpt
You would ask my opinion? What on? Some public matter--some Parliamentary bill that may affect your property?
human
Am I such a mean miser as that? Property--property? What does property matter, when a man is struck down at his own hearth? Property, indeed! But you have no child--happy brother!
gpt
Ay, ay; as you say, I am a happy man; childless! Has your son displeased you? I have heard him spoken of well, too.
human
Don't talk of him. Whether his conduct be good or ill is my affair, resumed the poor father with a testy voice--jealous alike of Audley's praise or blame of his rebellious son. Then he rose a moment, and made a strong gulp as if for air; and laying his broad brown hand on his brother's shoulder, said,
gpt
Randal Leslie tells me you are wise--a consummate man of the world. No doubt you are so. And Parson Dale tells me that he is sure you have warm feelings--which I take to be a strange thing for one who has lived so long in London, and has no wife and no child--a widower, and a Member of Parliament--for a commercial city, too. Never smile; it is no smiling matter with me. You know a foreign woman, called Negra or Negro--not a blackymoor, though, by any means--at least on the outside of her. Is she such a woman as a plain country gentleman would like his only son to marry--ay or no?
human
No, indeed, answered Audley, gravely,
gpt
Nothing; you have said enough,
human
William, said the statesman,
gpt
Happier! Why, all things have prospered with you; and you are rich enough now; and--you shake your head. Brother, is it possible! do you want money? Pooh, not accept money from your mother's son!--stuff.
human
Nay, said he,
gpt
I have enough for myself; but since you seek and speak with me thus affectionately, I will ask you one favor. Should I die before I can provide for my wife's kinsman, Randal Leslie, as I could wish, will you see to his fortunes, so far as you can, without injury to others--to your own son?
human
My son! He _is_ provided for. He has the Casino estate--much good may it do him. You have touched on the very matter that brought me here. This boy, Randal Leslie, seems a praiseworthy lad, and has Hazeldean blood in his veins. You have taken him up because he is connected with your late wife. Why should not I take him up, too, when his grandmother was a Hazeldean? I wanted to ask you what you meant to do for him; for if you did not mean to provide for him, why I will, as in duty bound. So your request comes at the right time; I think of altering my will. I can put him into the entail, besides a handsome legacy. You are sure he is a good lad--and it will please you too, Audley?
gpt
But not at the expense of your son. And stay, William--as to this foolish marriage with Madame di Negra, who told you Frank meant to take such a step?
human
He told me himself; but it is no matter. Randal and I both did all we could to dissuade him; and Randal advised me to come to you.
gpt
He has acted generously, then, our kinsman Randal--I am glad to hear it --said Audley, his brow somewhat clearing.
human
I have no influence with this lady; but at least, I can counsel her. Do not consider the marriage fixed because a young man desires it. Youth is ever hot and rash.
gpt
Your youth never was, retorted the Squire, bluntly.
human
You married well enough, I'm sure. I will say one thing for you: you have been, to my taste, a bad politician--beg pardon--but you were always a gentleman. You would never have disgraced your family and married a--
gpt
Hush! interrupted Egerton, gently.
human
Do not make matters worse than they are. Madame di Negra is of high birth in her own country; and if scandal--
gpt
Scandal! cried the Squire, shrinking and turning pale.
human
Are you speaking of the wife of a Hazeldean? At least, she shall never sit by the hearth at which now sits his mother; and whatever I may do for Frank, her children shall not succeed. No mongrel cross-breed shall kennel in English Hazeldean. Much obliged to you, Audley, for your good feeling--glad to have seen you; and harkye, you startled me by that shake of your head, when I spoke of your wealth; and, from what you say about Randal's prospects, I guess that you London gentlemen are not so thrifty as we are. You _shall_ let me speak. I say again, that I have some thousands quite at your service. And though you are not a Hazeldean, still you are my mother's son; and now that I am about to alter my will, I can as well scratch in the name of Egerton as that of Leslie. Cheer up, cheer up; you are younger than I am, and you have no child; so you will live longer than I shall.
gpt
My dear brother, answered Audley,