Part 59 (1/2)
”The trouble is that I may not be able to keep on doing so. If Robert's capable of judging on such a matter, I'm afraid you'll have to be patient with me and make allowance for my wasted years.”
”Don't be flippant. It isn't becoming,” Mrs. Fenwood rebuked him. ”You have begun well, and it would be a grief to all of us if you relapsed again.”
Mrs. Olcott came to his rescue and soon afterward they went in to dinner. Andrew was quiet during the meal, though he felt content. The strain he had long borne had told on him, and a mild reaction, which brought a sense of fatigue, had set in. He wanted to rest and he had not finished with Leonard yet.
It was a calm, warm evening, and though a few shaded candles threw a soft light over the table, the windows were wide open and the smoky red of the dying sunset gleamed above the shadowy hills. Wannop was in a boisterous mood and Hilda abetted him, apparently to Robert's irritation. Ethel talked to Murray, who seemed gravely interested; Mrs. Olcott was patiently listening to Mrs. Fenwood; Gertrude now and then made furtive attempts to check her husband. Andrew looked on with languid satisfaction, and joined in only when it was necessary.
Presently, to his annoyance, Wannop filled his gla.s.s and got up.
”You have all heard what happened in London yesterday,” he said. ”Now that we are here together and those who have joined us are our host's good friends, it seems opportune to wish a long and useful career to the Head of the House.”
They rose with lifted gla.s.ses, and Andrew felt a thrill as he read the good-will in their faces and knew his victory over his relatives'
prejudices was complete. The toast they drank with hearty sincerity was, in a sense, an act of homage--a recognition of his authority.
Instead of bearing with and trying to guide him, they would henceforward follow where he led. There was a moment's silence after they sat down, and then he thanked them awkwardly.
As they left the table Mrs. Fenwood remarked to Hilda, who was nearest her.
”It's your brother's rightful place, but he was a long time claiming it; and, after all, I don't see what Leonard can have done that he should be deposed.”
”That lies between him and Andrew,” Hilda replied. ”I think he's the only one who knows and he will never tell.”
”I'm afraid I haven't appreciated Andrew as he deserves,” Mrs. Fenwood observed with a thoughtful air.
The remainder of the evening pa.s.sed pleasantly, and the next day Andrew received a telegram, requesting him to call on Leonard at the Company's offices. He declined to do so, feeling that if Leonard wished to make terms, he must come to him; and he smiled when another message stated that his brother-in-law would arrive that evening. It was getting dark when Leonard reached Ghyllside and was shown into the library, where Andrew was waiting for him.
”If you will let your man keep the horse ready I could catch the new night train back from the junction,” he said. ”That would, perhaps, suit both of us best.”
”As you wish,” responded Andrew.
Leonard laid some papers on the table.
”You made me an offer a little while ago.”
”Which you refused,” said Andrew.
”I did; things have changed since then.”
”They have. Though I told the secretary to take care that only a very brief notice of the meeting was sent to the papers, news of what took place has, no doubt, leaked out. It was impossible to prevent this from happening, and it must have had some effect in the city. You are afraid it will damage your prestige and weaken your position.”
”I'm not prepared to admit that altogether.”
”It can't be denied. You no longer command public confidence as you did. You'll find it has been rudely shaken.”
”We'll let that subject drop. I must remind you that your father's will and the partners.h.i.+p deed prevent your getting rid of me unless I'm willing to go.”
Andrew regarded him with amus.e.m.e.nt.
”I can't deny it, but I think you will be willing. However, I'd better say that I don't wish to take an undue advantage of the situation.
What do you propose?”