Volume I Part 18 (1/2)
”Why don't you try the army?” said Mr. Ringgan, with a look of interest.
”There is not a cause worth fighting for,” said the young man, his brow changing again. ”It is only to add weight to the oppressor's hand, or throw away life in the vain endeavour to avert it. I will do neither.”
”But all the world is open before such a young man as you,”
said Mr. Ringgan.
”A large world,” said Mr. Carleton, with his former mixture of expression, ? ”but there isn't much in it.”
”Politics?” said Mr. Ringgan.
”It is to lose oneself in a seething-pot, where the sc.u.m is the most apparent thing.”
”But there is society?” said Rossitur.
”Nothing better or more n.o.ble than the succession of motes that flit through a sunbeam into oblivion.”
”Well, why not, then, sit down quietly on one's estates and enjoy them, one who has enough?”
”And be a worm in the heart of an apple.”
”Well, then,” said Rossitur, laughing, though not knowing exactly how far he might venture, ”there is nothing left for you, as I don't suppose you would take to any of the learned professions, but to strike out some new path for yourself ?
hit upon some grand invention for benefiting the human race and distinguis.h.i.+ng your own name at once.”
But while he spoke, his companion's face had gone back to its usual look of imperturbable coolness; the dark eye was even haughtily unmoved, till it met Fleda's inquiring and somewhat anxious glance. He smiled.
”The nearest approach I ever made to that,” said he, ”was when I went chestnuting the other day. Can't you find some more work for me, Fairy?”
Taking Fleda's hand with his wonted graceful lightness of manner, he walked on with her, leaving the other two to follow together.
”You would like to know, perhaps, ”observed Mr. Rossitur, in rather a low tone, ”that Mr. Carleton is an Englishman.”
”Ay, ay?” said Mr. Ringgan. ”An Englishman, is he? Well, Sir, what is it that I would like to know?”
”_That_,” said Rossitur. ”I would have told you before if I could. I supposed you might not choose to speak quite so freely, perhaps, on American affairs before him.”
”I haven't two ways of speaking, Sir, on anything,” said the old gentleman, a little dryly. ”Is your friend very tender on that chapter?”
”O, not that I know of at all,” said Rossitur; ”but you know there is a great deal of feeling still among the English about it ? they have never forgiven us heartily for whipping them; and I know Carleton is related to the n.o.bility, and all that, you know; so I thought ?”
”Ah, well!” said the old gentleman ? ”we don't know much about n.o.bility and such gimcracks in this country. I'm not much of a courtier. I am pretty much accustomed to speak my mind as I think it. He's wealthy, I suppose?”
”He's more than that, Sir. Enormous estates! He's the finest fellow in the world ? one of the first young men in England.”
”You have been there yourself, and know?” said Mr. Ringgan, glancing at his companion.
”If I have not, Sir, others have told me that do.”
”Ah, well,” said Mr. Ringgan, placidly; ”we sha'n't quarrel, I guess. What did he come out here for ? eh?”
”Only to amuse himself. They are going back again in a few weeks, and I intend accompanying them to join my mother in Paris. Will my little cousin be of the party?”
They were sauntering along towards the house. A loud calling of her name the minute before, had summoned Fleda thither at the top of her speed; and Mr. Carleton turned to repeat the same question.