Promotion had come to Clarence in the natural course
of seniority, and a small sum, due to him on his
coming of age, was invested in the house of business,
so that the two brothers could take between them
all the Robsons’ available rooms. Clarence’s
post was one of considerable trust; but there were
no tokens of special favour, except that Mr. Frith
was more civil to my father than usual, and when
he heard of the arrangement about the lodgings, he
snarled out, ‘Hm! Law student indeed!
Don’t let him spoil his brother!’
Which was so far an expression of gratitude that it
showed that he considered that there was something
to be spoilt. Mr. Castleford, however, showed
real satisfaction in the purchase of a share in the
concern for Clarence. His own eldest son inherited
a good deal of his mother’s Irish nature, and
was evidently unfit to be anything but a soldier,
and the next was so young that he was glad to have
a promising and trustworthy young man, from whom
a possible joint head of the firm might be manufactured.
CHAPTER XXVII—PETER’S THUNDERBOLT
If you can separate yourself and your misdemeanours
you are welcome to the house; if not, an it would
please you to take leave of her, she is very willing
to bid you farewell.’
Twelfth Night.
In the early summer of 1833, we had the opportunity
of borrowing a friend’s house in Portman Square
for six weeks, and we were allowed to take Ellen
with us for introduction to the Admiral and other old
friends, while we were to make acquaintance with
her connections— the family of Sir Horace
Lester, M.P.
We were very civil; but there were a good many polite
struggles for the exclusive possession of Ellen,
whom both parties viewed as their individual right;
and her unselfish good-humour and brightness must
have carried her over more worries than we guessed
at the time.
She had stayed with the Lesters before, but in schoolroom
days. They were indolent and uninterested,
and had never shown her any of the permanent wonders
of London, despising these as only fit for country
cousins, whereas we had grown up to think of them with
intelligent affection. To me, however, much
was as new as to Ellen. Country life had done
so much for me that I could venture on what I had
never attempted before. The Admiral said it was
getting away from doctors and their experiments,
but I had also done with the afflictions of attempts
at growth in wrong directions. Old friends
did not know me, and more than once, as I sat in the
carriage, addressed me for one of my brothers—a
compliment which, Griff said, turned my head.
Happily I was too much accustomed to my own appearance,
and people were too kind, for me to have much shyness
on that score. Our small dinner parties were
great enjoyment to me, and the two girls were very
happy in their little gaieties.
Copyrights
Chantry House from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
