Page:Once a Week Volume 5.djvu/25

15 A STORY OF REAL LIFE.

CHAPTER III.

LORD BIDEFORD became so much interested in the progress of the work which Fenwick Towers had undertaken for him, that soon after it was commenced his lordship expressed a strong desire that it should be written at Brook Street, in order, as he graciously explained, that it might have the advantage of his personal superintendence. Fenwick found it necessary therefore to spend the greater part of his time at the earl's house. It was now autumn; but his lordship was prevented from leaving town for Thorpe Castle by the continued illness of the countess, who had been confined to her room for some weeks. Hardly a day passed without his coming to the library and gravely offering his assistance to Fenwick. On one occassion only did the young man apply to him for some information respecting a certain republic; but his lordship made no attempt to supply it, and showed plainly enough by his manner that he was considerably displeased at finding Fenwick disposed to accept any assistance from him.

One morning when Lord Bideford was in ijie library with Fenwick, a servant brought in the card of Mr. Poole.

"Really, this is a very — hum — inconvenient time for an interview with me, as I am just going out with Lady Beatrice," said the earl. " Tell him what I say, and inform him that I have only leisure for five minutes' conversation. If he particularly desires to see me, show him in here."

Despite this intimation, the attorney made his appearance. He was a tall thin man of gentlemanlike manners, and had too many men of rank among his clients to feel any special awe in the presence of a nobleman. The earl had somehow became conscious of this, and marked his disapproval of it by assuming more than his usual stateliness when receiving him.

"Glad to see you, Mr. Poole, but I am obliged to beg of you not to detain me long," said the peer, bowing stiffly. "If you wish to speak to me about the new leases, I think you had better — hum — refer the matter to my agent."

"It is a much more important business which has induced me to call upon your lordship," replied Mr. Poole, glancing at Fenwick.

"But is it absolutely necessary that I should be consulted about it to-day? To-morrow afternoon I shall be more at leisure."

"I leave town to-morrow for a week or two, and am therefore anxious to avail myself of this opportunity to enter upon a subject which claims your immediate attention."

Lord Bideford was by no means certain that it was not the lawyer's duty to defer his visit to the country, rather than occasion such a client the slightest inconvenience.

"It is very difficult to imagine that you can have anything so—— " His lordship, not being able to find a suitable word to express his meaning, left the sentence unfinished, in accordance with his habit under such circumstances.

"I wish to communicate some intelligence that has reached me respecting Sir Charles Pennington; but as we are not alone I hesitate to do so." "Allow me to say, Mr. Poole, that I don't desire to hear anything more of that — hum — misguided young man's affairs. You told me on a former occasion that he was upon the eve of bankruptcy, and now I suppose you have brought me the news that he has been taken to prison, or something of that kind. It's exactly what I anticipated —exactly."

"No such thing has yet taken place that I am aware of. Indeed it is almost unnecessary to assure you that I should not have thought it my duty to seek an interview merely to make a communication of that nature."

Fenwick rose from the table at which he was writing and left the room.

"Now that I have an opportunity of speaking to your lordship in private," continued Mr. Poole, " I may explain that there is every reason to believe that Sir Charles really intends to dispute your right to the title which you bear." "Well, sir, let him dispute it," said the earl, haughtily. "His father was — hum!— insane enough to do so, and you know with what result. A revival of this rumour reached me some weeks ago; but it gave me no concern. In fact, my firm impression is that it has been put into circulation merely for the purpose of annoying me. I regard such a proceeding with the — yes, with the contempt it merits." "I recollect perfectly the point upon which the Pennington case failed. It is with very great regret I have to inform you that Sir Charles has succeeded in obtaining proof of the Pontifex marriage." Lord Bideford stared at the attorney, and