human
Yes, he said, when I had concluded,
gpt
I was aware that doubts had been cast on the genuineness of the trunk. But under the circumstances it was considered advisable to allow the matter to stand as it was. There were insuperable difficulties in the way of an investigation and a certain identification. But the legs were all right. And I hope to show you to-morrow, in the kirk, a very handsome tablet against the wall, recording the name and the date of decease of my great-uncle, and some very laudatory words on his character, beside an appropriate text from the Screeptures.
human
Now, however, that the facts are known, you will, of course, take steps for the translation of the half of Captain Alister to your family vault.
gpt
I foresee considerable difficulties in the way, he replied.
human
The authorities at Bayonne might raise objections to the exhuming of the remains in the grave marked by the tombstone of Captain O'Hooligan. They might very reasonably say: 'What the hang has Mr. Fergus McAlister to do with the body of Captain O'Hooligan?' We must consult the family of that officer in Ireland.
gpt
But, said I,
human
I'll just take a wash of whisky to clear my thoughts. Will you have some?
gpt
Thank you; I am enjoying your old and excellent port.
human
remained silent a few minutes longer, then lifted his head and said:
gpt
I don't see that I am called upon to transport those legs.
human
No, I answered;
gpt
I am afraid it will be seriously expensive. My good sir, the property is not now worth what it was in Captain Alister's time. Land has gone down in value, and rents have been seriously reduced. Besides, farmers are now more exacting than formerly; they will not put up with the byres that served their fathers. Then my son in the army is a great expense to me, and my second son is not yet earning his livelihood, and my daughters have not yet found suitors, so that I shall have to leave them something on which to live; besides --he drew a long breath--
human
I want to build on to the house a billiard-room.
gpt
I do not think, protested I,
human
What do you mean by serious?
gpt
I think that these relics of humanity might be transported to Auchimachie in a hogshead of cognac, much as the others were.
human
What is the price of cognac down there?
gpt
Well, I replied,
human
That's a long price. But one star?
gpt
I cannot say; I never bought that. Possibly three francs and a half.
human
And how many bottles to a cask?
gpt
I am not sure, something over two hundred litres.
human
Two hundred three shillings, mused Mr. Fergus; and then looking up,
gpt
You must remember, said I,
human
I said three or four, but I believe it was only twice or thrice.
gpt
It hardly comports with the family honour to suffer it.
human
I think, replied Mr. Fergus,
gpt
Just so.
human
For my part, judging from my personal experience, said the laird,
gpt
Then, said I,
human
Captain Alister's trunk lies in a foreign land.
gpt
But not, replied he,
human
You, however, have the trunk of a Roman Catholic in your family vault.
gpt
It is so, according to what you say. But there are a score of McAlisters there, all staunch Presbyterians, and if it came to an argument among them--I won't say he would not have a leg to stand on, as he hasn't those anyhow, but he would find himself just nowhere.
human
Shall we join the ladies? As to what you have said, sir, and have recommended, I assure you that I will give it my most serious consideration.
gpt
It is not possible, Julia. I cannot conceive how the idea of attending the county ball can have entered your head after what has happened. Poor young Hattersley's dreadful death suffices to stop that.
human
But, aunt, Mr. Hattersley is no relation of ours.
gpt
No relation--but you know that the poor fellow would not have shot himself if it had not been for you.
human
Oh, Aunt Elizabeth, how can you say so, when the verdict was that he committed suicide when in an unsound condition of mind? How could I help his blowing out his brains, when those brains were deranged?
gpt
Julia, do not talk like this. If he did go off his head, it was you who upset him by first drawing him on, leading him to believe that you liked him, and then throwing him over so soon as the Hon. James Lawlor appeared on the _tapis_. Consider: what will people say if you go to the assembly?
human
What will they say if I do not go? They will immediately set it down to my caring deeply for James Hattersley, and they will think that there was some sort of engagement.
gpt
They are not likely to suppose that. But really, Julia, you were for a while all smiles and encouragement. Tell me, now, did Mr. Hattersley propose to you?
human
Well--yes, he did, and I refused him.
gpt
And then he went and shot himself in despair. Julia, you cannot with any face go to the ball.
human
Nobody knows that he proposed. And precisely because I do go everyone will conclude that he did not propose. I do not wish it to be supposed that he did.
gpt
His family, of course, must have been aware. They will see your name among those present at the assembly.
human
Aunt, they are in too great trouble to look at the paper to see who were at the dance.
gpt
His terrible death lies at your door. How you can have the heart, Julia----
human
I don't see it. Of course, I feel it. I am awfully sorry, and awfully sorry for his father, the admiral. I cannot set him up again. I wish that when I rejected him he had gone and done as did Joe Pomeroy, marry one of his landlady's daughters.
gpt
There, Julia, is another of your delinquencies. You lured on young Pomeroy till he proposed, then you refused him, and in a fit of vexation and mortified vanity he married a girl greatly beneath him in social position. If the _ménage_ prove a failure you will have it on your conscience that you have wrecked his life and perhaps hers as well.
human
I cannot throw myself away as a charity to save this man or that from doing a foolish thing.
gpt
What I complain of, Julia, is that you encouraged young Mr. Pomeroy till Mr. Hattersley appeared, whom you thought more eligible, and then you tossed him aside; and you did precisely the same with James Hattersley as soon as you came to know Mr. Lawlor. After all, Julia, I am not so sure that Mr. Pomeroy has not chosen the better part. The girl, I dare say, is simple, fresh, and affectionate.
human
Your implication is not complimentary, Aunt Elizabeth.
gpt
My dear, I have no patience with the young lady of the present day, who is shallow, self-willed, and indifferent to the feelings and happiness of others, who craves for excitement and pleasure, and desires nothing that is useful and good. Where now will you see a girl like Viola's sister, who let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, feed on her damask cheek? Nowadays a girl lays herself at the feet of a man if she likes him, turns herself inside-out to let him and all the world read her heart.
human
I have no relish to be like Viola's sister, and have my story--a blank. I never grovelled at the feet of Joe Pomeroy or James Hattersley.
gpt
No, but you led each to consider himself the favoured one till he proposed, and then you refused him. It was like smiling at a man and then stabbing him to the heart.
human
Well--I don't want people to think that James Hattersley cared for me--I certainly never cared for him--nor that he proposed; so I shall go to the ball.