CHAPTER XLIX.

SIR FELIX MAKES HIMSELF READY.

Sir Felix, when he promised to meet Ruby at the Music Hall on the

Tuesday, was under an engagement to start with Marie Melmotte for New

York on the Thursday following, and to go down to Liverpool on the

Wednesday. There was no reason, he thought, why he should not enjoy

himself to the last, and he would say a parting word to poor little

Ruby. The details of his journey were settled between him and Marie,

with no inconsiderable assistance from Didon, in the garden of

Grosvenor Square, on the previous Sunday,--where the lovers had

again met during the hours of morning service. Sir Felix had been

astonished at the completion of the preparations which had been made.

"Mind you go by the 5 P.M. train," Marie said. "That will take you

into Liverpool at 10.15. There's an hotel at the railway-station.

Didon has got our tickets under the names of Madame and Mademoiselle

Racine. We are to have one cabin between us. You must get yours

to-morrow. She has found out that there is plenty of room."

"I'll be all right."

"Pray don't miss the train that afternoon. Somebody would be sure

to suspect something if we were seen together in the same train. We

leave at 7 A.M. I shan't go to bed all night, so as to be sure to be

in time. Robert,--he's the man,--will start a little earlier in the

cab with my heavy box. What do you think is in it?"

"Clothes," suggested Felix.

"Yes, but what clothes?--my wedding dresses. Think of that! What a

job to get them and nobody to know anything about it except Didon and

Madame Craik at the shop in Mount Street! They haven't come yet, but

I shall be there whether they come or not. And I shall have all my

jewels. I'm not going to leave them behind. They'll go off in our

cab. We can get the things out behind the house into the mews. Then

Didon and I follow in another cab. Nobody ever is up before near

nine, and I don't think we shall be interrupted."

"If the servants were to hear."

"I don't think they'd tell. But if I was to be brought back again,

I should only tell papa that it was no good. He can't prevent me

marrying."

"Won't your mother find out?"

"She never looks after anything. I don't think she'd tell if she

knew. Papa leads her such a life! Felix! I hope you won't be like

that."--And she looked up into his face, and thought that it would be

impossible that he should be.

"I'm all right," said Felix, feeling very uncomfortable at the time.

This great effort of his life was drawing very near. There had been

a pleasurable excitement in talking of running away with the great

heiress of the day, but now that the deed had to be executed,--and

executed after so novel and stupendous a fashion, he almost wished

that he had not undertaken it. It must have been much nicer when men

ran away with their heiresses only as far as Gretna Green. And even

Goldsheiner with Lady Julia had nothing of a job in comparison with

this which he was expected to perform. And then if they should be

wrong about the girl's fortune! He almost repented. He did repent,

but he had not the courage to recede. "How about money though?" he

said hoarsely.

"You have got some?"

"I have just the two hundred pounds which your father paid me, and

not a shilling more. I don't see why he should keep my money, and not

let me have it back."

"Look here," said Marie, and she put her hand into her pocket.

"I told you I thought I could get some. There is a cheque for two

hundred and fifty pounds. I had money of my own enough for the

tickets."

"And whose is this?" said Felix, taking the bit of paper with much

trepidation.

"It is papa's cheque. Mamma gets ever so many of them to carry on the

house and pay for things. But she gets so muddled about it that she

doesn't know what she pays and what she doesn't." Felix looked at the

cheque and saw that it was payable to House or Bearer, and that it

was signed by Augustus Melmotte. "If you take it to the bank you'll

get the money," said Marie. "Or shall I send Didon, and give you the

money on board the ship?"

Felix thought over the matter very anxiously. If he did go on the

journey he would much prefer to have the money in his own pocket. He

liked the feeling of having money in his pocket. Perhaps if Didon

were entrusted with the cheque she also would like the feeling. But

then might it not be possible that if he presented the cheque himself

he might be arrested for stealing Melmotte's money? "I think Didon

had better get the money," he said, "and bring it to me to-morrow,

at four o'clock in the afternoon, to the club." If the money did

not come he would not go down to Liverpool, nor would he be at the

expense of his ticket for New York. "You see," he said, "I'm so much

in the City that they might know me at the bank." To this arrangement

Marie assented and took back the cheque. "And then I'll come on board

on Thursday morning," he said, "without looking for you."

"Oh dear, yes;--without looking for us. And don't know us even till

we are out at sea. Won't it be fun when we shall be walking about on

the deck and not speaking to one another! And, Felix;--what do you

think? Didon has found out that there is to be an American clergyman

on board. I wonder whether he'd marry us."

"Of course he will."

"Won't that be jolly? I wish it was all done. Then, directly it's

done, and when we get to New York, we'll telegraph and write to papa,

and we'll be ever so penitent and good; won't we? Of course he'll

make the best of it."

"But he's so savage; isn't he?"

"When there's anything to get;--or just at the moment. But I don't

think he minds afterwards. He's always for making the best of

everything;--misfortunes and all. Things go wrong so often that if he

was to go on thinking of them always they'd be too many for anybody.

It'll be all right in a month's time. I wonder how Lord Nidderdale

will look when he hears that we've gone off. I should so like to see

him. He never can say that I've behaved bad to him. We were engaged,

but it was he broke it. Do you know, Felix, that though we were

engaged to be married, and everybody knew it, he never once kissed

me!" Felix at this moment almost wished that he had never done so. As

to what the other man had done, he cared nothing at all.

Then they parted with the understanding that they were not to see

each other again till they met on board the boat. All arrangements

were made. But Felix was determined that he would not stir in the

matter unless Didon brought him the full sum of £250; and he almost

thought, and indeed hoped, that she would not. Either she would be

suspected at the bank and apprehended, or she would run off with the

money on her own account when she got it;--or the cheque would have

been missed and the payment stopped. Some accident would occur, and

then he would be able to recede from his undertaking. He would do

nothing till after Monday afternoon.

Should he tell his mother that he was going? His mother had clearly

recommended him to run away with the girl, and must therefore approve

of the measure. His mother would understand how great would be the

expense of such a trip, and might perhaps add something to his stock

of money. He determined that he would tell his mother;--that is, if

Didon should bring him full change for the cheque.

He walked into the Beargarden exactly at four o'clock on the Monday,

and there he found Didon standing in the hall. His heart sank within

him as he saw her. Now must he certainly go to New York. She made him

a little curtsey, and without a word handed him an envelope, soft and

fat with rich enclosures. He bade her wait a moment, and going into a

little waiting-room counted the notes. The money was all there;--the

full sum of £250. He must certainly go to New York. "C'est tout en

règle?" said Didon in a whisper as he returned to the hall. Sir Felix

nodded his head, and Didon took her departure.

Yes; he must go now. He had Melmotte's money in his pocket, and was

therefore bound to run away with Melmotte's daughter. It was a great

trouble to him as he reflected that Melmotte had more of his money

than he had of Melmotte's. And now how should he dispose of his time

before he went? Gambling was too dangerous. Even he felt that. Where

would he be were he to lose his ready money? He would dine that night

at the club, and in the evening go up to his mother. On the Tuesday

he would take his place for New York in the City, and would spend the

evening with Ruby at the Music Hall. On the Wednesday, he would start

for Liverpool,--according to his instructions. He felt annoyed that

he had been so fully instructed. But should the affair turn out well

nobody would know that. All the fellows would give him credit for the

audacity with which he had carried off the heiress to America.

At ten o'clock he found his mother and Hetta in Welbeck

Street--"What; Felix?" exclaimed Lady Carbury.

"You're surprised; are you not?" Then he threw himself into a chair.

"Mother," he said, "would you mind coming into the other room?" Lady

Carbury of course went with him. "I've got something to tell you," he

said.

"Good news?" she asked, clasping her hands together. From his manner

she thought that it was good news. Money had in some way come into

his hands,--or at any rate a prospect of money.

"That's as may be," he said, and then he paused.

"Don't keep me in suspense, Felix."

"The long and the short of it is that I'm going to take Marie off."

"Oh, Felix."

"You said you thought it was the right thing to do;--and therefore

I'm going to do it. The worst of it is that one wants such a lot of

money for this kind of thing."

"But when?"

"Immediately. I wouldn't tell you till I had arranged everything.

I've had it in my mind for the last fortnight."

"And how is it to be? Oh, Felix, I hope it may succeed."

"It was your own idea, you know. We're going to;--where do you

think?"

"How can I think?--Boulogne."

"You say that just because Goldsheiner went there. That wouldn't have

done at all for us. We're going to--New York."

"To New York! But when will you be married?"

"There will be a clergyman on board. It's all fixed. I wouldn't go

without telling you."

"Oh; I wish you hadn't told me."

"Come now;--that's kind. You don't mean to say it wasn't you that put

me up to it. I've got to get my things ready."

"Of course, if you tell me that you are going on a journey, I will

have your clothes got ready for you. When do you start?"

"Wednesday afternoon."

"For New York! We must get some things ready-made. Oh, Felix, how

will it be if he does not forgive her?" He attempted to laugh. "When

I spoke of such a thing as possible he had not sworn then that he

would never give her a shilling."

"They always say that."

"You are going to risk it?"

"I am going to take your advice." This was dreadful to the poor

mother. "There is money settled on her."

"Settled on whom?"

"On Marie;--money which he can't get back again."

"How much?"

"She doesn't know;--but a great deal; enough for them all to live

upon if things went amiss with them."

"But that's only a form, Felix. That money can't be her own, to give

to her husband."

"Melmotte will find that it is, unless he comes to terms. That's the

pull we've got over him. Marie knows what she's about. She's a great

deal sharper than any one would take her to be. What can you do for

me about money, mother?"

"I have none, Felix."

"I thought you'd be sure to help me, as you wanted me so much to do

it."

"That's not true, Felix. I didn't want you to do it. Oh, I am so

sorry that that word ever passed my mouth! I have no money. There

isn't £20 at the bank altogether."

"They would let you overdraw for £50 or £60."

"I will not do it. I will not starve myself and Hetta. You had

ever so much money only lately. I will get some things for you,

and pay for them as I can if you cannot pay for them after your

marriage;--but I have not money to give you."

"That's a blue look out," said he, turning himself in his

chair,--"just when £60 or £70 might make a fellow for life! You could

borrow it from your friend Broune."

"I will do no such thing, Felix. £50 or £60 would make very little

difference in the expense of such a trip as this. I suppose you have

some money?"

"Some;--yes, some. But I'm so short that any little thing would help

me." Before the evening was over she absolutely did give him a cheque

for £30, although she had spoken the truth in saying that she had not

so much at her banker's.

After this he went back to his club, although he himself understood

the danger. He could not bear the idea of going to bed quietly at

home at half-past ten. He got into a cab, and was very soon up in the

card-room. He found nobody there, and went to the smoking-room, where

Dolly Longestaffe and Miles Grendall were sitting silently together,

with pipes in their mouths. "Here's Carbury," said Dolly, waking

suddenly into life. "Now we can have a game at three-handed loo."

"Thank ye; not for me," said Sir Felix. "I hate three-handed loo."

"Dummy," suggested Dolly.

"I don't think I'll play to-night, old fellow. I hate three fellows

sticking down together." Miles sat silent, smoking his pipe,

conscious of the baronet's dislike to play with him. "By-the-bye,

Grendall,--look here." And Sir Felix in his most friendly tone

whispered into his enemy's ear a petition that some of the I. O. U.'s

might be converted into cash.

"'Pon my word, I must ask you to wait till next week," said Miles.

"It's always waiting till next week with you," said Sir Felix,

getting up and standing with his back to the fire-place. There were

other men in the room, and this was said so that every one should

hear it. "I wonder whether any fellow would buy these for five

shillings in the pound?" And he held up the scraps of paper in his

hand. He had been drinking freely before he went up to Welbeck

Street, and had taken a glass of brandy on re-entering the club.

"Don't let's have any of that kind of thing down here," said Dolly.

"If there is to be a row about cards, let it be in the card-room."

"Of course," said Miles. "I won't say a word about the matter down

here. It isn't the proper thing."

"Come up into the card-room, then," said Sir Felix, getting up from

his chair. "It seems to me that it makes no difference to you, what

room you're in. Come up, now; and Dolly Longestaffe shall come and

hear what you say." But Miles Grendall objected to this arrangement.

He was not going up into the card-room that night, as no one was

going to play. He would be there to-morrow, and then if Sir Felix

Carbury had anything to say, he could say it.

"How I do hate a row!" said Dolly. "One has to have rows with one's

own people, but there ought not to be rows at a club."

"He likes a row,--Carbury does," said Miles.

"I should like my money, if I could get it," said Sir Felix, walking

out of the room.

On the next day he went into the City, and changed his mother's

cheque. This was done after a little hesitation. The money was given

to him, but a gentleman from behind the desks begged him to remind

Lady Carbury that she was overdrawing her account. "Dear, dear;" said

Sir Felix, as he pocketed the notes, "I'm sure she was unaware of

it." Then he paid for his passage from Liverpool to New York under

the name of Walter Jones, and felt as he did so that the intrigue was

becoming very deep. This was on Tuesday. He dined again at the club,

alone, and in the evening went to the Music Hall. There he remained

from ten till nearly twelve, very angry at the non-appearance of Ruby

Ruggles. As he smoked and drank in solitude, he almost made up his

mind that he had intended to tell her of his departure for New York.

Of course he would have done no such thing. But now, should she ever

complain on that head he would have his answer ready. He had devoted

his last night in England to the purpose of telling her, and she had

broken her appointment. Everything would now be her fault. Whatever

might happen to her she could not blame him.

Having waited till he was sick of the Music Hall,--for a music hall

without ladies' society must be somewhat dull,--he went back to his

club. He was very cross, as brave as brandy could make him, and well

inclined to expose Miles Grendall if he could find an opportunity. Up

in the card-room he found all the accustomed men,--with the exception

of Miles Grendall. Nidderdale, Grasslough, Dolly, Paul Montague, and

one or two others were there. There was, at any rate, comfort in

the idea of playing without having to encounter the dead weight of

Miles Grendall. Ready money was on the table,--and there was none

of the peculiar Beargarden paper flying about. Indeed the men at the

Beargarden had become sick of paper, and there had been formed a

half-expressed resolution that the play should be somewhat lower, but

the payments punctual. The I. O. U.'s had been nearly all converted

into money,--with the assistance of Herr Vossner,--excepting those

of Miles Grendall. The resolution mentioned did not refer back to

Grendall's former indebtedness, but was intended to include a clause

that he must in future pay ready money. Nidderdale had communicated

to him the determination of the committee. "Bygones are bygones, old

fellow; but you really must stump up, you know, after this." Miles

had declared that he would "stump up." But on this occasion Miles was

absent.

At three o'clock in the morning, Sir Felix had lost over a hundred

pounds in ready money. On the following night about one he had lost a

further sum of two hundred pounds. The reader will remember that he

should at that time have been in the hotel at Liverpool.

But Sir Felix, as he played on in the almost desperate hope of

recovering the money which he so greatly needed, remembered how

Fisker had played all night, and how he had gone off from the club to

catch the early train for Liverpool, and how he had gone on to New

York without delay.