“Is the property large?” inquired Mr De
Benyon.
“Not very large,” replied I; “but
still a very handsome property, I am told.”
The reader may surmise that the property referred to
was my own pretty self. “May I ask you
a few particulars relative to the present earl and
his brothers?”
“Most certainly, sir,” replied Mr De Benyon;
“any information I can give you will be at your
service. The Earl has four brothers. The
eldest Maurice.”
“Is he married?”
“Yes, and has two children. The next is
William.”
“Is he married?”
“No; nor has he ever been. He is a general
in the army. The third is myself, Henry.”
“You are married, I believe, sir?”
“Yes, with a large family.”
“May I request you will proceed, sir?”
“Arthur is the fourth brother. He is lately
married, and has two children.”
“Sir, I feel much obliged to you; it is a curious
and intricate affair. As I am here, I may as
well ask one question, although not of great consequence.
The earl is married, I perceive, by the peerage, but
I do not find that he has any children.”
“On the contrary, he has two—and
prospects of more. May I now request the particulars
connected with this property?”
“The exact particulars, sir, I cannot well tell
you, as I am not acquainted with them myself; but
the property in question, I rather think, depends
upon a name. May I venture to ask the names
of all your children?”
Mr De Benyon gave me a list seriatim, which
I put down with great gravity.
“Of course, there is no doubt of your second
brother not being married. I believe we ought
to have a certificate. Do you know his address?”
“He has been in the East Indies for many years.
He returned home on furlough, and has now just sailed
again for Calcutta.”
“That is unfortunate; we must forward a letter
through the India Board. May I also be favoured
with your address, as in all probability it may be
advisable?”
Mr De Benyon gave me his address. I rose, promised
to give him all the particulars as soon as they were
known to me, bowed, and made my exit. To one
who was in his sober senses, there certainly was not
any important information gained; but to me, it was
evident that the Mr De Benyon who was a general in
the army was to be interrogated, and I had almost
made up my mind to set off for Calcutta.
I affront an Irish gentleman,
and make a handsome apology, which
is accepted.
Before I had gained my own room, I informed Mr Cophagus,
who had just returned from a visit to his maiden aunt’s
house, of what had passed.
“Can’t see anything in it, Japhet—wild
goose chase?—who told you?—oh!
Pleggit’s men—sad liars—De
Benyon not name, depend upon it—all stuff,
and so on.”
