human
He looks very outlandish. Is he a foreigner, too?
gpt
No, not exactly. However, he knows all about Frank's embarrassments; and--
human
Embarrassments! what, the debt he paid for that woman? How did he raise the money?
gpt
I don't know, answered Randal;
human
Baron Levy! interrupted the Squire.
gpt
Levy, Levy--I have heard of a Levy who has nearly ruined my neighbor, Thornhill--a money-lender. Zounds! is that the man who knows my son's affairs? I'll soon learn, sir.
human
Stop, stop; if you really insist upon learning more about Frank's debts, you must not appeal to Baron Levy directly, and as Frank's father; he will not answer you. But if I present you to him as a mere acquaintance of mine, and turn the conversation, as if carelessly, upon Frank--why, since, in the London world, such matters are never kept secret except from the parents of young men--I have no doubt he will talk out openly.
gpt
Manage it as you will,
human
A friend of mine from the country, Baron.
gpt
By-the-by, said Randal, pressing significantly upon Levy's arm,
human
I have some experience in such matters, and I hold it a duty to assist the parents and relations of young men who, from want of reflection, often ruin themselves for life. I hope the young gentleman in question is not in the hands of the Jews?
gpt
Christians are as fond of good interest for their money as ever the Jews can be.
human
Granted, but they have not always so much money to lend. The first thing, sir (addressing the Squire)--the first thing for you to do is to buy up such of your relation's bills and notes of hand as may be in the market. No doubt we can get them a bargain, unless the young man is heir to some property that may soon be his in the course of nature.
gpt
Not soon--heaven forbid! His father is still a young man--a fine healthy man, leaning heavily on Levy's arm;
human
Post-obits on sound security cost more to buy up, however healthy the obstructing relative may be.
gpt
I should hope that there are not many sons who can calculate, in cold blood, on the death of their fathers.
human
Ha, ha--he is young, our friend, Randal; eh, sir?
gpt
Well, I am not more scrupulous than others, I dare say: and I have often been pinched hard for money, but I would go barefoot rather than give security upon a father's grave! I can imagine nothing more likely to destroy natural feeling, nor to instill ingratitude and treachery into the whole character, than to press the hand of a parent, and calculate when that hand may be dust--than to sit down with strangers and reduce his life to the measure of an insurance table--than to feel difficulties gathering round one, and mutter in fashionable slang, 'But it will be all well if the governor would but die.' And he who has accustomed himself to the relief of post-obits must gradually harden his mind to all this.
human
But, continued Randal, altering the tone of his voice,
gpt
I think that our young friend of whom we were talking just now, Levy, before this gentleman joined us, has the same opinion as myself on this head. He may accept bills, but he would never sign post-obits.
human
Pooh! the young fellow we are talking of? Nonsense. He would not be so foolish as to give five times the percentage he otherwise might. Not sign post-obits! Of course he has signed one.
gpt
Hist--you mistake, you mistake.
human
Were you speaking of Frank Hazeldean?
gpt
My dear sir, excuse me; I never mention names before strangers.
human
Strangers again! Man, I am the boy's father! Speak out, sir,
gpt
Gently; you hurt me, sir; but I excuse your feelings. Randal, you are to blame for leading me into this indiscretion; but I beg to assure Mr. Hazeldean, that though his son has been a little extravagant--
human
Owing chiefly to the arts of an abandoned woman.
gpt
Of an abandoned woman; still he has shown more prudence than you would suppose; and this very post-obit is a proof of it. A simple act of that kind has enabled him to pay off bills that were running on till they would have ruined even the Hazeldean estate; whereas a charge on the reversion of the Casino--
human
He has done it then? He has signed a post-obit?
gpt
No, no; Levy must be wrong.
human
My dear Leslie, a man of Mr. Hazeldean's time of life can not have your romantic boyish notions. He must allow that Frank has acted in this like a lad of sense--very good head for business has my young friend Frank! And the best thing Mr. Hazeldean can do is quietly to buy up the post-obit, and thus he will place his son henceforth in his own power.
gpt
Can I see the deed with my own eyes?
human
Certainly, or how could you be induced to buy it up? But on one condition; you must not betray me to your son. And, indeed, take my advice, and don't say a word to him on the matter.
gpt
Let me see it, let me see it with my own eyes. His mother else will never believe it--nor will I.
human
I can call on you this evening.
gpt
Now--now.
human
You can spare me, Randal; and you yourself can open to Mr. Egerton the other affair, respecting Lansmere. No time should be lost, lest L'Estrange suggest a candidate.
gpt
Never mind me.--This is more important. (Aloud)--Go with Mr. Hazeldean. My dear kind friend (to the Squire), do not let this vex you so much. After all, it is what nine young men out of ten would do in the same circumstances. And it is best you should know it; you may save Frank from farther ruin, and prevent, perhaps, this very marriage.
human
We will see, exclaimed the Squire, hastily.
gpt
Now, Mr. Levy, come.
human
I am glad to see you, Leslie, said the ex-minister.
gpt
What is it I have heard? My nephew, Frank Hazeldean, proposes to marry Madame di Negra against his father's consent? How could you suffer him to entertain an idea so wild? And how never confide it to me?
human
My dear Mr. Egerton, it is only to-day that I was informed of Frank's engagement. I have already seen him, and expostulated in vain; till then, though I knew your nephew admired Madame di Negra, I could never suppose he harbored a serious intention.
gpt
I must believe you, Randal. I will myself see Madame di Negra, though I have no power, and no right, to dictate to her. I have but little time for all such private business. The dissolution of Parliament is so close at hand.
human
It is on that subject that I wished to speak to you, sir. You think of standing for Lansmere. Well, Baron Levy has suggested to me an idea that I could not, of course, even countenance, till I had spoken to you. It seems that he has some acquaintance with the state of parties in that borough! He is informed that it is not only as easy to bring in two of our side, as to carry one; but that it would make your election still more safe, not to fight single-handed against two opponents; that if canvassing for yourself alone, you could not carry a sufficient number of plumper votes; that split votes would go from you to one or other of the two adversaries; that, in a word, it is necessary to pair you with a colleague. If it really be so, you of course will learn best from your own Committee; but should they concur in the opinion Baron Levy has formed--do I presume too much on your kindness--to deem it possible that you might allow me to be the second candidate on your side? I should not say this, but that Levy told me you had some wish to see me in Parliament, among the supporters of your policy. And what other opportunity can occur? Here the cost of carrying two would be scarcely more than that of carrying one. And Levy says, the party would subscribe for my election; you, of course, would refuse all such aid for your own; and indeed, with your great name, and Lord Lansmere's interest, there can be little beyond the strict legal expenses.
gpt
I will consider. You may safely leave in my hands any matter connected with your ambition and advancement. I have before told you I hold it a duty to do all in my power for the kinsman of my late wife--for one whose career I undertook to forward--for one whom honor has compelled to share in my own political reverses.
human
You seem intimate with Baron Levy; I caution you against him--a dangerous acquaintance, first to the purse, next to the honor.
gpt
I know it, sir; and am surprised myself at the acquaintance that has grown up between us. Perhaps its cause is in his respect for yourself.
human
Tut.
gpt
Whatever it be, he contrives to obtain a singular hold over one's mind, even where, as in my case, he has no evident interest to serve. How is this? It puzzles me!
human
For his interest, it is most secured where he suffers it to be least evident; for his hold over the mind, it is easily accounted for. He ever appeals to two temptations, strong with all men--Avarice and Ambition.--Good-day.
gpt
Are you going to Madame di Negra's? Shall I not accompany you? Perhaps I may be able to back your own remonstrances.
human
No, I shall not require you.
gpt
I trust I shall hear the result of your interview? I feel so much interested in it. Poor Frank!
human
Of course, of course.
gpt
Ladies' men.