Part 65 (1/2)
Richard Ba.s.sett mounted his horse and rode over to Wheeler, for he could no longer wheedle the man of law over to Highmore, and I will very briefly state why.
1st. About three years ago an old lady, one of his few clients, left him three thousand pounds, just reward of a very little law and a vast deal of gossip.
2d. The head solicitor of the place got old and wanted a partner.
Wheeler bought himself in, and thenceforth took his share of a good business, and by his energy enlarged it, though he never could found one for himself.
3d. He married a wife.
4th. She was a pretty woman, and blessed with jealousy of a just and impartial nature: she was equally jealous of women, men, books, business--anything that took her husband from her.
No more sleeping out at Highmore; no more protracted potations; no more bachelor tricks for Wheeler. He still valued his old client and welcomed him; but the venue was changed, so to speak.
Richard Ba.s.sett was kept waiting in the outer office; but when he did get in he easily prevailed on Wheeler to send the next client or two to his partner, and give him a full hearing.
Then he opened his business. ”Well,” said he, ”I've seen him at last!”
”Seen him? seen whom?”
”The boy they have set up to rob my boy of the estate. I've seen him, Wheeler, seen him close; and HE'S AS BLACK AS MY HAT.”
CHAPTER x.x.xIV.
WHEELER, instead of being thunder-stricken, said quietly, ”Oh, is he?
Well?”
”Sir Charles is lighter than I am: Lady Ba.s.sett has a skin like satin, and red hair.”
”Red! say auburn gilt. I never saw such lovely hair.”
”Well,” said Richard, impatiently, ”then the boy has eyes like sloes, and a brown skin, like an Italian, and black hair almost; it will be quite.”
”Well,” said Wheeler, ”it is not so very uncommon for a dark child to be born of fair parents, or _vice versa._ I once saw an urchin that was like neither father nor mother, but the image of his father's grandfather, that died eighty years before he was born. They used to hold him up to the portrait.”
Said Ba.s.sett, ”Will you admit that it is uncommon?”
”Not so uncommon as for a high-bred lady, living in the country, and adored by her husband, to trifle with her marriage vow, for that is what you are driving at.”
”Then we have to decide between two improbabilities: will you grant me that, Mr. Wheeler?”
”Yes.”
”Then suppose I can prove fact upon fact, and coincidence upon coincidence, all tending one way! Are you so prejudiced that nothing will convince you?”
”No. But it will take a great deal: that lady's face is full of purity, and she fought us like one who loved her husband.”
_”Fronti nulla fides:_ and as for her fighting, her infidelity was the weapon she defeated us with. Will you hear me?”
”Yes, yes; but pray stick to facts, and not conjectures.”