Page:Duty and Inclination 1.pdf/297

Rh He had consequently remained some time inactive, for want of instruments, in an affair of more delicacy than difficulty. Fortunately at this time a written communication, purporting to be from the two principal creditors of De Brooke, containing an exaggerated statement of their dues, was forwarded to Sir Aubrey, accompanied with an intimation threatening, in default of a speedy adjustment, an exposure of their grievances through the medium of the public journals. Such a message, to the haughty temper of the knight, was intolerably galling, and irritated him afresh against De Brooke. But the menaced appeal to the public, while it stung his pride, bade defiance to silent contempt. There was therefore no alternative but a compromise; for which Sir Aubrey, disdaining an immediate communication with the claimants, referred them to De Brooke, as the party best fitted for the discussion of their claims, and the most interested in the result,—intimating, however, that on an equitable accommodation being made, and a fair estimate of their total claim being presented, with the mutual sanction of either party, they might expect satisfaction. Thus modified in practice, but unmitigated in principle, were the counsels of Sir Aubrey respecting his unhappy son.

Encouraged by the result of their manœuvre,