The Disowned — Complete. Эдвард Бульвер-Литтон

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        CLARENCE LINDEN, ESQ., DR.

                           TO Mr. MORRIS BROWN.

                                      l. s. d.

        To Six Pots of French Mustard.........  1 4 0

        To Three Superfine Holland Shirts, with Cambric Bosoms,

         Complete................ 4 1 0

        To Two Pots of Superior French Pomatum......  0 10 0

        To a Tobacco Canister of enamelled Tin, with a finely

         Executed Head of the Pretender; slight flaw in the same. 0 12 6

        To a German Pipe, second hand, as good as new, belonging

         to the late Lady Waddilove.......... 1 18 0

        To Four Pair of Black Silk Hose, ditto, belonging to her

         Ladyship’s Husband............. 2 8 0

        To Two Superfine Embossed Gold Watch Seals, with a

         Classical Motto and Device to each, namely, Mouse Trap,

         and “Prenez Garde,” to one, and “Who the devil can this

         be from?” [One would not have thought these ingenious

         devices had been of so ancient a date as the year 17—.]

         to the other............... 1 1 0

        To a remarkably fine Antique Ring, having the head of a

         Monkey................. 0 16 6

        A ditto, with blue stones........... 0 12 6

        A ditto, with green ditto........... 0 12 6

        A Stuffed Green Parrot, a remarkable favourite of the late

         Lady W................. 2 2 0

                                     ————

         Sum Total...............  15 18 0

         Deduction for Ready Money..........  0 13 6

                                     ————

                                     15 4 6

         Mr. Brown’s Profits for Brokerage........ 1 10 0

                                     ————

         Sum Total............... 16 14 6

        Received of Clarence Linden, Esq., this  day of  17—.

      It would have been no unamusing study to watch the expression of Clarence’s face as it lengthened over each article until he had reached the final conclusion. He then carefully folded up the paper, restored it to Mr. Brown, with a low bow, and said, “Excuse me, sir, I will not take advantage of your generosity; keep your parrot and other treasures for some more worthy person. I cannot accept of what you are pleased to term your very valuable presents!”

      “Oh, very well, very well,” said Mr. Brown, pocketing the paper, and seeming perfectly unconcerned at the termination of his proposals; “perhaps I can serve you in some other way?”

      “In none, I thank you,” replied Linden.

      “Just consider, sir!—you will want lodgings; I can find them for you cheaper than you can yourself; or perhaps you would prefer going into a nice, quiet, genteel family where you can have both board and lodging, and be treated in every way as the pet child of the master?”

      A thought crossed Linden’s mind. He was going to stay in town some time; he was ignorant of its ways; he had neither friends nor relations, at least none whom he could visit and consult; moreover, hotels, he knew, were expensive; lodgings, though cheaper, might, if tolerably comfortable, greatly exceed the sum prudence would allow him to expend would not this plan proposed by Mr. Brown, of going into a “nice quiet genteel family,” he the most advisable one he could adopt? The generous benefactor of the late and ever-to-be-remembered Lady Waddilove perceived his advantage, and making the most of Clarence’s hesitation, continued,—

      “I know of a charming little abode, sir, situated in the suburbs of London, quite rus in urbe, as the scholars say; you can have a delightful little back parlour, looking out upon the garden, and all to yourself, I dare say.”

      “And pray, Mr. Brown,” interrupted Linden, “what price do you think would be demanded for such enviable accommodation? If you offer me them as ‘a present,’ I shall have nothing to say to them.”

      “Oh, sir,” answered Mr. Brown, “the price will be a trifle,—a mere trifle; but I will inquire, and let you know the exact sum in the course of the day: all they want is a respectable gentlemanlike lodger; and I am sure so near a relation of Mrs. Minden will upon my recommendation be received with avidity. Then you won’t have any of these valuable articles, sir? You’ll repent it, sir; take my word for it—hem!

      “Since,” replied Clarence, dryly, “your word appears of so much more value than your articles, pardon me, if I prefer taking the former instead of the latter.”

      Mr. Brown forced a smile,—“Well, sir, very well, very well indeed. You will not go out before two o’clock? and at that time I shall call upon you respecting the commission you have favoured me with.”

      “I will await you,” said Clarence; and he bowed Mr. Brown out of the room.

      “Now, really,” said Linden to himself, as he paced the narrow limits of his apartment, “I do not see what better plan I can pursue; but let me well consider what is my ultimate object. A high step in the world’s ladder! how is this to be obtained? First, by the regular method of professions; but what profession should I adopt? The Church is incompatible with my object, the army and navy with my means. Next come the irregular methods of adventure and enterprise, such as marriage with a fortune,”—here he paused and looked at the glass,—“the speculation of a political pamphlet, or an ode to the minister; attendance on some dying miser of my own name, without a relation in the world; or, in short, any other mode of making money that may decently offer itself. Now, situated as I am, without a friend in this great city, I might as well purchase my experience at as cheap a rate and in as brief a time as possible, nor do I see any plan of doing so more promising than that proposed by Mr. Brown.”

      These and such like reflections, joined to the inspiriting pages of the “Newgate Calendar” and “The Covent Garden Magazine,” two works which Clarence dragged from their concealment under a black tea-tray, afforded him ample occupation till the hour of two, punctual to which time СКАЧАТЬ