Part 16 (1/2)

Jessie seemed certainly inclined to grace, that the blue eyes said before the lips could express it. He sprang up full of pa.s.sionate joy, and the pardon was confirmed in every point, indeed, no necessary formalities were omitted.

Half an hour later the two entered Frida's room, where Sandow still sat with his daughter. Gustave had drawn Jessie's hand within his arm, and now solemnly led her to his brother.

”Frank,” said he, ”in your inconsiderate plan was one sensible idea--indeed a very sensible one--yes, my little Frida, do not make such astonished eyes at your uncle and your future aunt--these are things which you do not understand; with our mutual penetration we have discovered that one sensible idea, and now introduce ourselves to you as an engaged couple.”

CHAPTER XII.

It was the next morning. After breakfast the two brothers had withdrawn to the study of the elder one, and were alone there. Sandow sat at the writing-table; on his countenance lay an expression which for long years had never dwelt there, a s.h.i.+mmer of the happiness of former days, but his brow was still clouded as he spoke to his brother, who leant against the window opposite to him.

”Then you will really forsake me and carry Jessie off to Germany? I hoped that when Clifford's daughter should belong to you, you would also become his successor in business, and thus fulfil his dearest wish. You need not on that account give up your pen altogether, the real weight of business will rest as before on my shoulders. Our press is mightier and more influential than yours, here you would find a freer and wider field than in our native land. Consider it!”

”It requires no consideration,” said Gustave with decision. ”I can only give my whole interest and energy to one occupation. Merchant and _litterateur_; that won't do! Were the intellectual horizon here ten times as wide, every chord of my heart is bound to my home, I can only there work and create. And then we should never do as partners. For a few weeks I could wear the mask of a subordinate and be silent to all, for on Frida's account I wished to prevent a breach. But now Frank! I must tell you plainly that your business practice, your whole system, would render it impossible for us ever to get on together. It led you to a close union with Jenkins--in that lies your condemnation.”

Sandow did not spring up, as at such a declaration he would certainly have done before, but his brow took a deeper shade.

”You look at things from one point of view and I from another. Your calling gives you perfect liberty in act and thought, I stand amidst all kinds of antagonistic interest, and cannot always choose my means.

I wish”--he paused a moment, and then overcoming himself continued--”I wish I had not entered on this partners.h.i.+p with Jenkins. But it has happened, and I cannot extricate myself.”

”Can you really not? Is there no way out of it?”

”I have told you that hundreds of thousands are invested in this affair, and run the risk of losing all if it does not succeed, or if I withdraw from it.”

”But you must withdraw whatever the loss may be!”

Sandow looked at him as if he did not believe his ears.

”At the risk of such a loss? Are you serious? Have you any idea of what such a sum means? I have done what I could, I have made the attempt to separate from Jenkins, to my injury--for he has become more obstinate in consequence. In his last letter he asked with ill-concealed suspicion, if I really required my money, since I appeared so anxious to withdraw my capital. He seems to suspect losses on my side, perhaps doubts my credit, and for a merchant that is the most dangerous thing that can happen. I must enter upon the thing with redoubled energy if I would repair such an imprudence.”

”Yesterday I gave you your child,” said Gustave earnestly, ”and I believe that in her you have won more than you will lose here. For Frida's sake I hoped you would withdraw from a speculation which hinders you from meeting your daughter's eyes.”

Sandow turned quickly away, but his voice had the old harsh sound as he replied--

”Just for Frida's sake! Shall I impoverish my newly-found child? Shall I rob her of the half of her fortune?”

”She will have enough in the other half, and I do not believe that the whole will bring a blessing, when it is retained at such a price.”

”Silence! You understand nothing about it. A retreat at any risk, such as you suggest is an impossibility, so not another word on the subject!

Naturally, I release you from your promise, for, knowing you as I do now, I am sure that you have never written the articles.”

”The first is long since ready,” replied Gustave coldly. ”It will certainly be also the last, one such will suffice. I intended showing you the MSS. to-day. Here it is.”

He drew some pages of writing from his pocket, and offered them to his brother, who took them hesitatingly, and looked questioning and doubtfully at him.

”Read,” said Gustave simply.

Sandow began to read, at first slowly, but with, ever-increasing haste. He turned over the leaves with a trembling hand, and glanced over them. His face grew darker, and breaking off in the midst he threw the ma.n.u.script violently on the table.

”Are you out of your mind! You have written, you will publish that! It is terrible what you there expose to the world!”