CHAPTER CXXI.

MR. HATFIELD.

In the meantime Sir John Lascelles had repaired to the library in the

Earl of Ellingham’s mansion; and there he found, as he had anticipated,

his friend Mr. Hatfield--_late_ Tom Rain.

This individual was now in his fiftieth year; and he was much changed

by time as well as by art. He still possessed the fine teeth which

caused the beholder to forget the somewhat coarse thickness of the

lips;--but the laugh that came from those lips, when he was in a happy

mood, was more subdued and quiet than when the reader first made his

acquaintance many years previously to the present date. Though never

inclined to corpulency, he had nevertheless become thinner: yet his

form was still upright, muscular, and well-knit. In his calm moments,

especially when he was alone, a slight shade of melancholy appeared

upon his countenance;--and he even sighed at times as he thought upon

the past

These were the changes which the lapse of years had effected in regard

to him; and the appliances of art rendered it still more difficult to

recognise in the Mr. Hatfield of 1846 the rollicking Tom Rain of 1827.

For his hair and whiskers were dyed a very dark hue; and his attire was

a plain suit of black.

Was he happy? Yes--to a certain extent, in spite of the shade

of melancholy and the occasional sighs. His was a disposition

originally so gay and joyous, that it could not be completely

subdued--only mellowed down. Years of rigorous integrity--boundless

charity--never-failing philanthropy--and innumerable good deeds, had

established in his mind a confidence that the errors of his early

life were fully expiated;--and so complacently could he look upon the

present, that he no longer reproached himself for the past.

This was the usual tenour of his mind: but, as we have already hinted,

there were now and then moody intervals in which thought became

painful. These were, however, of no frequent occurrence;--and, thus--on

the whole--we may assert that Mr. Hatfield _was_ happy.

The conduct of Lady Georgiana towards him, from the moment of their

union, had been of an affectionate and touching nature. She studied

to enact the part of the tender wife--the sincere friend--and the

amiable woman: and she succeeded fully. Espousing him at first solely

on account of their child, she soon began to like her husband--next to

admire him--eventually to love him. She found him to be possessed of

numerous good qualities--noble and generous feelings--and sentiments

far more refined than she could possibly have anticipated. The terms on

which he lived with her, therefore, aided in insuring his happiness;

and the fine principles as well as handsome appearance of their son,

were a source of profound delight to them both.

Mr. de Medina had died possessed of great wealth--one half of which

was bequeathed to Mr. Hatfield. This amount, joined to Lady Hatfield’s

fortune, rendered them very wealthy; and their riches were almost

doubled by the demise of Sir Ralph Walsingham, Georgiana’s uncle, who

left them all his fine estates. Thus their income might be calculated

at thirty thousand a-year; and no inconsiderable portion of this

splendid revenue was devoted to humane and charitable purposes.

When Sir John Lascelles entered the library, as above stated, Mr.

Hatfield hastened to welcome him with all the affectionate assiduity

of a son receiving a visit from a kind and venerable parent; and the

worthy physician evidently experienced a greater elasticity of feeling

towards Mr. Hatfield than to any other friend whom he possessed on

earth. The one never could forget that he owed his life to the science

of the doctor: the other looked on Hatfield as a person whom he had

actually restored to the world, and as a living proof of the triumph

which had crowned long years of research in respect to a particular

study.

“My dear friend,” said Sir John Lascelles, when they were both seated,

“I have just witnessed a spectacle that I must candidly admit to have

been very gratifying. The English are a most generous-hearted people,

and are quick also in the appreciation of sterling merit. The Earl’s

name was just now coupled with the shouts of applause that welcomed the

Prince of Montoni.”

“I am rejoiced to hear these tidings,” observed Mr. Hatfield. “Indeed,

it struck me, as the sounds of the myriad voices reached my ears in the

seclusion of this room, remote though it be from the apartment whence

you have just come,--it struck me, I say, that I heard my brother’s

name mentioned. For nineteen years has Arthur now struggled in the

interests of the middle and industrious classes: session after session

has he passed in review the miseries and the wrongs endured by the sons

and daughters of toil;--and what has he experienced from the several

Administrations which have succeeded each other during that period?

Though Whigs and Tories have held the reins of power in their turns,

the treatment received by my brother has been uniformly the same. The

most strenuous opposition to all his grand proposals has been offered;

and when some trifling point has been conceded, ’twas as if a boon were

conferred instead of an act of justice done. But although Arthur has

thus failed in inducing the Government to adopt large and comprehensive

measures for the relief, benefit, and elevation of the industrious

classes, he has at least succeeded in giving such an impetus to Liberal

sentiments out of doors--beyond the walls of the Senate-house--that

he has taught millions to think, who never thought before, upon

their political condition. Though baffled in the Legislative

Assembly--though thwarted by the old school of aristocracy, and the

supporters of those vile abuses which are summed up in the phrase

‘_the landed interest_’--though opposed with unmitigated hostility by

the worshippers of ‘_the wisdom of our ancestors_,’--nevertheless,

Arthur has returned undaunted to the charge. Never disheartened--never

cast down--always courageous in the People’s Cause, he has fearlessly

exposed the rottenness of our antiquated institutions, and mercilessly

torn away the veil from our worn-out systems. The millions recognise

and appreciate his conscientious--his unwearied strivings in their

behalf; and they adore him as their champion. Unassuming--honest--and

free from all selfishness as he is, it must nevertheless have been a

proud moment for my brother when he heard his name associated ere now

with that of the illustrious Prince who achieved the liberation of

Castelcicala beneath the walls of Montoni.”

“The gratitude of the industrious classes is the most welcome reward

that a well-intentioned and a true patriot can possibly experience,”

observed Sir John Lascelles. “The Earl certainly seemed pleased with

the high but merited compliment thus paid to him--although not for

one minute did he seek it, when he appeared at the balcony; for I

noticed that he rather endeavoured to conceal himself behind the

window-curtain. But speaking of the Prince--he is a very handsome young

man.”

“The Castelcicalans absolutely worship him,” said Mr. Hatfield; “and

they look upon him as in every way fitted to succeed the Grand Duke

Alberto, whenever death shall snatch away that great and enlightened

sovereign from the throne.”

“It was in the Castelcicalan capital that poor Jacob Smith breathed his

last--was it not?” enquired the physician.

“Yes--in the suburbs of Montoni,” answered Mr. Hatfield. “As you are

well aware, the poor youth never recovered the shock which he sustained

on learning that he owed his being to that dreadful man--Benjamin

Bones; and the horrible way in which that remorseless wretch died,

augmented the weight of the fearful blow caused by that discovery.

Jacob scarcely ever rallied--scarcely ever held up his head afterwards:

the only gleam of happiness which he knew was afforded by the good

tidings that we received relative to the Bunces--and even that was

insufficient to sustain his drooping spirit. He languished away--for

six years he pined in sorrow, accessible to no consolation that

travelling, change of scenery, or our attentions could impart. It was

several years before the Great Revolution, which, conducted by Richard

Markham, gave freedom to Castelcicala and raised up that hero to a

princely rank,--it was some years before this glorious era, that Jacob

Smith--for he always retained that name--breathed his last. We buried

him in a picturesque cemetery on the banks of the river Ferretti; and a

cross--according to the custom of that Catholic country--was placed to

mark his last home.”

“Poor fellow!” exclaimed the doctor. “He was always sickly--and

the discovery of his hideous parentage was too much for so weak a

constitution. And now let us turn to another subject:--have you

received the letters which you expected concerning the various

individuals----”

“I know to whom you allude,” interrupted Mr. Hatfield; “and I have now

before me,” he added, glancing at several letters, “the correspondence

relating to those persons. Timothy Splint still remains the occupant

of a fine farm in the backwoods of the United States; and the last

nineteen years of his existence have proved the sincere penitence

which he feels for the crimes of his earlier days. He possesses a

competency--if not positive wealth. By his marriage with the daughter

of a neighbouring settler, he has a numerous family; and he brings up

his children in the ways of morality and virtue. Indeed, I am well

aware _that he has lived to bless the period when he went through the

ordeal of the subterranean dungeon_.”

“You prophesied that he would!” exclaimed Sir John Lascelles.

“Yes--those were the very words which you used when speaking of him to

me nineteen years ago. I recollect them perfectly;--for age has not

impaired my memory, thank heaven!”

“I now come to Joshua Pedler,” resumed Mr. Hatfield, “You will

remember, my dear doctor, that this man and his wife Matilda were

appointed to the charge of the Eddystone Light-house. There they

remained for six or seven years--as indeed I wrote to you to this

effect a long time ago----”

“Yes--and then you sent them out as emigrants to Canada,” interrupted

Sir John Lascelles; “and they continued to do well. What say your last

accounts concerning them?”

“They are still happy--contented--and prosperous,” answered Mr.

Hatfield. “Their shop at Quebec thrives admirably; and they have

managed to put by several hundred pounds. Pedler says that the sweetest

bread he has ever eaten in his life, has been that which he has earned

by his honest toils. I have reason to feel convinced, moreover, that he

is kind and good towards his wife, and that his only regret is their

not having any children.”

“And the Bunces are still living in St. Peter’s-Port, after having

acquired a competency in the Island of Sark?” enquired the physician.

“Yes--they are still in the capital of Guernsey,” was the response.

“Bunce tells me in his letter that his wife’s health does not improve;

in fact, she doubtless received a cruel shock when she heard of the

death of Jacob Smith--for it had been her hope that he might some day

take up his abode with her and her husband--a hope which she however

nourished in secret.”

“Bunce himself has never learnt the real parentage of Jacob, I

believe?” said the physician. “Indeed, I remember you told me the other

day that his wife, always bearing in mind the injunctions you conveyed

to her through Mrs. Harding, had retained as a profound secret her

former illicit connexion with Benjamin Bones.”

“Yes--it was useless to make a revelation which would only have

troubled their domestic peace,” said Mr. Hatfield. “Harding divined the

hope that the woman had formed relative to Jacob--and in his letters he

communicated his ideas to me. But even if death had spared Jacob, he

would not have quitted me--no, not though it were to dwell with his own

mother!”

“And Jeffreys?” asked the physician: “what of him?”

“He is well pleased that he removed last summer from Hackney to

Liverpool. The money he had saved during a period of eighteen years

at his shop in the London suburb, enabled him to take a very handsome

establishment in the great commercial town in the north; and he is

carrying on a large and flourishing business.”

“Thus, in every instance, save that of Old Death, have you succeeded in

reclaiming those wicked people whose reform you took in hand,” said Sir

John Lascelles. “Tidmarsh died tranquilly in his bed in the Island of

Alderney--and the others still exist, worthy members of society.”

With these words the physician rose and took his leave; and almost

immediately after he had quitted the library, the Earl of Ellingham

entered, closing the door behind him with the caution of one who has

some important or mysterious communication to make.

“Arthur, you have evil tidings for me?” exclaimed Mr. Hatfield,

advancing towards his noble half-brother.

“Nay--they can scarcely be called evil, Thomas,” was the reply: “and

yet--’twould perhaps have been better----”

“Speak! Keep me not in suspense,” interrupted the other.

“Charles--your son----”

“Ah! he has discovered his parentage!” cried Hatfield. “Yes--I am sure

that this is the circumstance which you came to communicate;”--and he

walked twice up and down the room in an agitated manner: then, suddenly

turning towards his brother, he said, “How did this occur, Arthur?”

The Earl related the incident just as it had taken place, not

forgetting the short but impressive dialogue which he had with his own

daughter, Lady Frances, respecting the sudden and accidental revelation

of the secret of Charles Hatfield’s birth.

“After all, I am not sorry that this has so happened,” observed the

nobleman’s half-brother. “Sooner or later the truth must have been

confided to my son--my dear son;--and since the secret may still be

preserved in respect to the world and to those whom we would not wish

to become acquainted with it----”

“Sir John Lascelles himself does not even suspect it,” interrupted

Arthur. “It is known but to our immediate family--and Georgiana’s

honour is as safe as ever it was. The breath of scandal cannot reach

it.”

“Thanks, my dear brother--a thousand thanks for this assurance!”

exclaimed Mr. Hatfield. “And now let my son come hither to embrace me

as his father:--but, Arthur,” he added, sinking his voice to a low and

solemn tune, “let him not enquire into the motives which induced his

parents to envelop his birth in mystery. Enjoin him to forbear from any

attempt to gratify his curiosity in that respect!”

“I hope--indeed, I believe that you have no painful ordeal of such a

nature to apprehend,” replied the Earl of Ellingham; and having thus

spoken, he quitted the library.

Two minutes elapsed, during which Mr. Hatfield once more paced the

apartment in an agitated manner: for, knowing the fine spirit of

his son, he trembled lest it should be checked or even broken by the

mortifying suspicion that he was illegitimate!

“A falsehood is abhorrent to me,” he thought within himself: “and

yet--if he should question me respecting his birth--I dare not avow the

truth! I must not confess to my own son that his being resulted from

an atrocious outrage perpetrated by myself:--nor must I permit him to

suspect the honour of his mother! Silence on my part, I now perceive,

would engender such suspicion in respect to her; and she must not lose

one particle of the dignity of virtue in the eyes of her own offspring!

Alas! painful position!--and, Oh! with what foolish and short-sighted

haste did I ere now affirm that I was not sorry for the discovery which

he had made!”

At this moment the door opened, and Charles sprang forward into his

father’s arms, which were extended to receive him.

For some minutes they remained silent--each too profoundly the prey to

ineffable emotions to give utterance to a syllable.

“I am proud--I am rejoiced to be able to call you by the sacred name

of _Father_!” at length exclaimed Charles, speaking with the abrupt

loosening of the tongue which was caused by a sudden impulse. “But are

you--are you well pleased that accident should have thus revealed to

me----”

“Charles--my dear boy,” interrupted Mr. Hatfield, summoning all his

firmness to his aid, “you must be aware that weighty reasons--the

weightiest reasons--could alone have induced your mother and myself

to practise a deception towards you and the world in respect to the

degree of relationship in which you really stood with regard to us. Is

it sufficient for you to know at last that you _are_ our son?--or do

you demand of me an explanation wherefore you must still pass as our

_nephew_?”

“Oh! then Lord Ellingham spoke truly as he brought me hither just

now!” cried Charles, in a tone of vexation: then, in another moment

brightening up, he added feelingly, “But by what right do I dare to

question the conduct of parents who have ever treated me so kindly?

No--my dear father--I seek not any explanation at your hands--I am

content to obey your wishes in all things.”

“Generous youth!” exclaimed Mr. Hatfield. “Though you must pass as my

nephew, Charles, yet in all respects shall you continue to be treated

as my son! You are doubtless aware that I am rich--very rich;--and all

that your mother and myself possess is bequeathed to you.”

“One word, father--only one word!” cried Charles. “I have an ardent

longing to ask a single question--and yet I dare not--no--I cannot

tutor my lips to frame the words----”

“Speak!” said, Mr. Hatfield, emphatically: “I can almost divine the

question you hesitate to put to me.”

“Ah! my dear father--I would rather know the truth at once than remain

in suspense, a prey to a thousand wild conjectures--the truth regarding

one point--and only one!” repeated the young man, in an earnest

and imploring tone. “And imagine not,” he continued, speaking with

increased warmth and rapidity, “that I should ever look less lovingly

or less respectfully upon my dear mother--if----”

“Set that suspicion at rest, my son,” interrupted Mr. Hatfield, in a

solemn manner. “Your mother has ever been an angel of innocence and

purity! As God is my judge she has never been guilty of weakness or

frailty--no--never--never!” he added emphatically.

“And therefore no stigma is upon my birth?” asked Charles, his heart

palpitating--or rather fluttering violently, as he awaited the response.

“None!” replied his father, with an effort which was, however,

unnoticed by the young man in the excitement of his own feelings.

“God be thanked!” exclaimed he, wringing Mr. Hatfield’s hand in

gratitude for this assurance. “And now I seek to learn no more.”