Part 23 (1/2)
And to whom did she write, think you?
To Richard Ba.s.sett.
CHAPTER XI.
”MR. Ba.s.sETT--I am sure both yourself and my husband will suffer in public estimation, unless some friend comes between you, and this unhappy lawsuit is given up.
”Do not think me blind nor presumptuous; Sir Charles, when he wrote that letter, had reason to believe you had done him a deep injury by unfair means. Many will share that opinion if this cause is tried. You are his cousin, and his heir at law. I dread to see an unhappy feud inflamed by a public trial. Is there no personal sacrifice by which I can compensate the affront you have received, without compromising Sir Charles Ba.s.sett's veracity, who is the soul of honor?
”I am, yours obediently,
”BELLA Ba.s.sETT.”
She posted this letter, and Richard Ba.s.sett had no sooner received it than he mounted his horse and rode to Wheeler's with it.
That worthy's eyes sparkled. ”Capital!” said he. ”We must draw her on, and write an answer that will read well in court.”
He concocted an epistle just the opposite of what Richard Ba.s.sett, left to himself, would have written. Ba.s.sett copied, and sent it as his own.
”LADY Ba.s.sETT--I thank you for writing to me at this moment, when I am weighed down by slander. Your own character stands so high that you would not deign to write to me if you believed the abuse that has been lavished on me. With you I deplore this family feud. It is not of my seeking; and as for this lawsuit, it is one in which the plaintiff is really the defendant. Sir Charles has written a defamatory letter, which has closed every house in this county to his victim. If, as I now feel sure, you disapprove the libel, pray persuade him to retract it.
The rest our lawyers can settle,
”Yours very respectfully,
”RICHARD Ba.s.sETT.”
When Lady Ba.s.sett read this, she saw she had an adroit opponent. Yet she wrote again:
”MR. Ba.s.sETT--There are limits to my influence with Sir Charles. I have no power to make him say one word against his convictions.
”But my lawyer tells me you seek pecuniary compensation for an affront.
I offer you, out of my own means, which are ample, that which you seek--offer it freely and heartily; and I honestly think you had better receive it from me than expose yourself to the risks and mortifications of a public trial.
”I am, yours obediently,
”BELLA Ba.s.sETT.”
”LADY Ba.s.sETT--You have fallen into a very natural error. It is true I sue Sir Charles Ba.s.sett for money; but that is only because the law allows me my remedy in no other form. What really brings me into court is the defense of my injured honor. How do you meet me? You say, virtually, 'Never mind your character: here is money.' Permit me to decline it on such terms.
”A public insult cannot be cured in private.