Chetwynd Calverley. Ainsworth William Harrison

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ listen!” she murmured.

      “First, with regard to Chetwynd. I do not exactly know how he is circumstanced, but I fear he is in debt. He has always been extravagant. I think it will be best to continue the allowance I have hitherto made him, of six hundred a year, for the present; and if he marries, or reforms, let him have thirty thousand pounds.”

      “It shall be done exactly as you enjoin,” said his wife, earnestly.

      “Beyond the sum I have settled on you, Teresa,” continued the old man, “I estimate my property at sixty thousand pounds. Of this one half is to go to Chetwynd, provided he reforms; the other half to Mildred, on her marriage, provided she marries with your consent. This house, with the plate, pictures, books, furniture, carriages, and horses, and all the lands attached to it, are yours – for life.”

      “Oh! you are too good to me!” she exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears.

      “I have now told you all!” he said. “I leave you mistress of everything; and; since you know my wishes, I am sure you will act up to them.”

      “I will! I will!” she ejaculated, in broken accents.

      “Enough! I shall now die content!”

      He then closed his eyes, and his lips slightly moved, as if in prayer.

      Teresa constrained her emotion by a strong effort; and, for a few minutes, perfect silence prevailed.

      The door was then softly opened by an elderly manservant, out of livery, who came to inform his master that Mr. Carteret had returned.

      “Show him up at once, Norris,” said Mr. Calverley, opening his eyes.

      “His clerk is with him,” said the butler.

      “Show the clerk up as well,” rejoined the old gentleman.

      “Shall I withdraw?” asked Mrs. Calverley, as the butler retired.

      “Perhaps you had better, my dear, till the will is signed,” replied her husband.

      Mrs. Calverley remained till the attorney appeared, and having exchanged a word in a low tone with him, left the room.

      IV. FATHER AND SON

      Tall and thin, and very business-like in manner, was Mr. Carteret. Sitting down quietly beside the old gentleman, and taking the will from his clerk, he proceed to read it.

      Though conducted with due deliberation, the ceremony did not occupy many minutes, and when the attorney had finished reading the document, Mr. Calverley declared himself perfectly satisfied.

      “All you have to do is to sign it, sir,” said the attorney.

      Accordingly, a small table was placed beside the invalid’s chair, and the will was duly executed and attested.

      “Pray call in my wife,” said Mr. Calverley, as soon as this was done.

      When Mrs. Calverley re-appeared, she was informed by her husband that the will was executed.

      “Yes; the business is done, madam,” observed Mr. Carteret, with a very singular expression of countenance.

      “Shall I leave the document with you, sir?”

      “No; take charge of it,” replied Mr. Calverley.

      “Well, perhaps, it will be best with me,” observed the attorney, glancing at the lady as he spoke.

      He was in the act of tying up the instrument preparatory to consigning it to his clerk, when the door opened, and Chetwynd and his sister came in.

      The old gentleman looked greatly startled by the unexpected appearance of his son, and did not, for a few moments, recover his composure.

      Scarcely knowing what might ensue, Mrs. Calverley stepped between them.

      “I was not aware of your return, Chetwynd,” said Mr. Calverley, as soon as he was able to speak.

      “I have only just come back sir,” replied his son, regarding him steadfastly. “I hope I have arrived in time to prevent you from doing an act of injustice to me and my sister?”

      “You will have much to answer for, Chetwynd, if you agitate your father at this moment,” interposed Mrs. Calverley. “You see what a critical state he is in!”

      “I cannot help it, madam,” rejoined the young man. “I must and will speak to him while he is able to listen to me. Pray, don’t go, I beg of you, Mr. Carteret,” he continued, to the attorney, who was preparing to follow his clerk out of the room. “It is proper you should hear what I have to say. I have reason to believe, sir,” he added, to his father, “that you have left your entire property to your wife, and have made my sister and myself entirely dependent on her. If this is really the case, I entreat you to alter your determination – ”

      “I don’t understand why you permit yourself to talk to me thus, Chetwynd,” interrupted the old gentleman, his anger supplying him with strength. “At all events, I shall not tolerate it. Even supposing it were as you state, I have a perfect right to bequeath my property as I see fit, and you have not proved yourself such a dutiful son as to merit consideration on my part. Wait till the fitting season, and you will learn what I have done.”

      “No, sir; I won’t wait till your ears are deaf to my prayers! I will speak while you are able to listen to me. I may have given you some offence, but do not carry your resentment to the grave. Bethink you that whatever you do now will be irreparable.”

      “I cannot bear this!” cried the old man. “Take him away! He distracts me!”

      “Mr. Chetwynd,” said Carteret, “I am extremely reluctant to interfere; but your presence certainly disturbs your father very much. Let me beg you to retire!”

      The young man showed no disposition to comply.

      “Perhaps, Chetwynd, when I have spoken,” said Mr. Calverley, trying to calm himself, “you will either go or keep silence. I have done what, on mature consideration, and with the prospect of death before me, I deem best for you and your sister; and I am certain my wishes will be most faithfully carried out.”

      “What you say, sir, seems to intimate that you have placed us entirely in the hands of your wife,” cried his son. “Why should you compel us to bow to her will and pleasure?”

      “Because she will take care of you,” rejoined the old man; “and, though you are two-and-twenty, you have not come to years of discretion.”

      “That is your opinion, sir. But, granting it to be correct, does it apply to my sister?”

      “Your sister makes no complaint,” said his father, looking affectionately at her. “She knows I have done all that is right. She is in good hands.”

      “Yes, I am quite sure of that, papa!” cried Mildred. “Pray don’t think about me!”

      “Chetwynd,” she added to him, in a low tone, “I wouldn’t have brought you here had I imagined you would make this terrible scene!”

      “I really must interfere to prevent the continuance of a discussion which I am aware can lead to no beneficial СКАЧАТЬ