Part 63 (1/2)
He did not continue, but said with a soft voice, ”Do you think, Lord L'Estrange, that the contemplation of the mode of life pursued by others can reconcile a man to his own, if he had before thought it needed a reconciler?” Harley looked pleased, for the question was ironical; and if there was a thing in the world be abhorred, it was flattery.
”Recollect your Lucretius, Mr. Leslie, the Suave mare, etc., 'pleasant from the cliff to see the mariners tossed on the ocean.' Faith, I think that sight reconciles one to the cliff, though, before, one might have been teased by the splash from the spray, and deafened by the scream of the sea-gulls. But I leave you, Audley. Strange that I have heard no more of my soldier! Remember I have your promise when I come to claim it. Good-by, Mr. Leslie, I hope that Burley's article will be worth the check.”
Lord L'Estrange mounted his horse, which was still at the door, and rode through the Park. But he was no longer now unknown by sight. Bows and nods saluted him on every side.
”Alas, I am found out, then,” said he to himself. ”That terrible d.u.c.h.ess of Knaresborough, too--I must fly my country.” He pushed his horse into a canter, and was soon out of the Park. As he dismounted at his father's sequestered house, you would have hardly supposed him the same whimsical, fantastic, but deep and subtle humourist that delighted in perplexing the material Audley, for his expressive face was unutterably serious. But the moment he came into the presence of his parents, the countenance was again lighted and cheerful. It brightened the whole room like suns.h.i.+ne.
CHAPTER XI.
”Mr. Leslie,” said Egerton, when Harley had left the library, ”you did not act with your usual discretion in touching upon matters connected with politics in the presence of a third party.”
”I feel that already, sir; my excuse is, that I held Lord L'Estrange to be your most intimate friend.”
”A public man, Mr. Leslie, would ill serve his country if he were not especially reserved towards his private friends--when they do not belong to his party.”
”But pardon me my ignorance. Lord Lansmere is so well known to be one of your supporters, that I fancied his son must share his sentiments, and be in your confidence.”
Egerton's brows slightly contracted, and gave a stern expression to a countenance always firm and decided. He however answered in a mild tone,
”At the entrance into political life, Mr. Leslie, there is nothing in which a young man of your talents should be more on his guard than thinking for himself; he will nearly always think wrong. And I believe that is one reason why young men of talent disappoint their friends, and remain so long out of office.”
A haughty flush pa.s.sed over Randal's brow, and faded away quickly; he bowed in silence.
Egerton resumed, as if in explanation, and even in kindly apology,
”Look at Lord L'Estrange himself. What young man could come into life with brighter auspices? Rank, wealth, high animal spirits (a great advantage those same spirits, Mr. Leslie), courage, self-possession, scholars.h.i.+p as brilliant perhaps as your own; and now see how his life is wasted! Why? He always thought fit to think for himself. He could never be broken into harness, and never will be. The state coach, Mr.
Leslie, requires that all the horses should pull together.”
”With submission, sir,” answered Randal, ”I should think that there were other reasons why Lord L'Estrange, whatever be his talents--and of these you must be indeed an adequate judge--would never do anything in public life.”
”Ay, and what?” said Egerton, quickly.
”First,” said Randal, shrewdly, ”private life has done too much for him.
What could public life give to one who needs nothing? Born at the top of the social ladder, why should he put himself voluntarily at the last step, for the sake of climbing up again? And secondly, Lord L'Estrange seems to me a man in whose organization sentiment usurps too large a share for practical existence.”
”You have a keen eye,” said Audley, with some admiration,--”keen for one so young. Poor Harley!”
Mr. Egerton's last words were said to himself. He resumed quickly,
”There is something on my mind, my young friend. Let us be frank with each other. I placed before you fairly the advantages and disadvantages of the choice I gave you. To take your degree with such honours as no doubt you would have won, to obtain your fellows.h.i.+p, to go to the Bar, with those credentials in favour of your talents,--this was one career.
To come at once into public life, to profit by my experience, avail yourself of my interest, to take the chances of rise or fall with a party,--this was another. You chose the last. But in so doing, there was a consideration which might weigh with you, and on which, in stating your reasons for your option, you were silent.”
”What is that, sir?”
”You might have counted on my fortune, should the chances of party fail you: speak, and without shame if so; it would be natural in a young man, who comes from the elder branch of the House whose heiress was my wife.”
”You wound me, Mr. Egerton,” said Randal, turning away.