With this rough advice the conference ended, and Mr. Coventry went home thoroughly shaken in his purpose, and indeed not a little anxious on his own account. Suppose he had been overheard! his offer to Cole was an offense within reach of the criminal law. What a mysterious labyrinth was this Trade confederacy, into which he had put his foot so rashly, and shown his game, like a novice, to the subtle and crafty Grotait. He now collected all his powers, not to injure Little, but to slip out of his own blunder.
He seized this opportunity to carry out a coup he had long meditated: he went round to a dozen timber-merchants, and contracted with them for the sale of every tree, old or young, on his estate; and, while the trees were falling like grain, and the agents on both sides measuring the fallen, he vanished entirely from Hillsborough and Bollinghope.
Dr. Amboyne's influenza was obstinate, and it was nearly a fortnight before he was strong enough to go to Cairnhope; but at last Mrs.
Little received a line from him, to say he was just starting, and would come straight to her on his return: perhaps she would give him a cup of tea.
This letter came very opportunely. Bolt had never shown his face again; and Henry had given up all hopes of working his patents, and had said more than once he should have to cross the water and sell them.
As for Mrs. Little, she had for some time maintained a politic silence. But now she prepared for the doctor's visit as follows:
"So, then, you have no more hopes from the invincible Mr. Bolt?"
"None whatever. He must have left the town in disgust."
"He is a wise man. I want you to imitate his example. Henry, my dear, what is the great object of your life at present? Is it not to marry Grace Carden?"
"You know it is."
"Then take her from my hands. Why do you look so astonished? Have you forgotten my little boast?" Then, in a very different tone, "You will love your poor mother still, when you are married? You will say, 'I owe her my wife,' will you not?"
Henry was so puzzled he could not reply even to this touching appeal, made with eyes full of tears at the thought of parting with him.
Mrs. Little proceeded to explain: "Let me begin at the beginning.
Dr. Amboyne has shown me I was more to blame than your uncle, was.
Would you believe it? although he refused your poor father the trust-money, he went that moment to get L2000 of his own, and lend it to us. Oh, Henry, when Dr Amboyne told me that, and opened my eyes, I could have thrown myself at poor Guy's feet. I have been the most to blame in our unhappy quarrel; and I have sent Dr.
Amboyne to say so. Now, Henry, my brother will forgive me, the doctor says; and, oh, my heart yearns to be reconciled. You will not stand in my way, dearest?"
"Not likely. Why, I am under obligations to him, for my part."
"Yes, but Dr. Amboyne says dear Guy is deeply mortified by your refusal to be his heir. For my sake, for your own sake, and for Grace Carden's sake; change your mind now."
"What, go into his house, and wait for dead men's shoes! Find myself some day wishing in my heart that noble old fellow would die!
Such a life turns a man's stomach even to think of it."
"No, no. Dr. Amboyne says that Mr. Bayne can conduct your business here, and hand you a little income, without your meddling."
"That is true."
"And, as for your patents, gentlemen can sell them to traders, or lease them out. My brother would make a settlement on Grace and you--she is his goddaughter--now that is all Mr. Carden demands.
Then you could marry, and, on your small present income, make a little tour together; and dispose of your patents in other places."
"I could do great things with them in the United States."
"That is a long way."
"Why, it is only twelve days."
"Well, marry first," said the politic mother.
Henry flushed all over. "Ah!" said he, "you tempt me. Heaven seems to open its gates as you speak. But you can not be in earnest; he made it an express condition I should drop my father's name, and take his. Disown my poor dead father? No, no, no!"
