'MY DEAR SON,--'I have just had a severe attack of my old and almost forgotten enemy,the gout.This I regard as a good sign;the doctors telling me that it is the safest development of peccant humours;and Ithink my chest is less tormenting and oppressed than I have known it for some years.My chief reason for writing to you now,as I do it not without difficulty,is to let you know my pleasure in certain matters,in which I suspect some shameful,and,indeed,infatuated neglect on your part,"quem perdere vult deus prius dementat:"how comes it that you have neglected to write to Lady Emily or any of that family?the understood relation subsisting between you is one of extreme delicacy,and which calls for marked and courteous,nay,devoted attention upon your side.Lord --is already offended;beware what you do;for as you will find,if this match be lost by your fault or folly,by --I will cut you off with a shilling.
I am not in the habit of using threats when I do not mean to fulfil them,and that you well know;however I do not think you have much real cause for alarm in this case.Lady Emily,who,by the way,looks if possible more charming than ever,is anything but hard-hearted,at least when YOU solicit;but do as I desire,and lose no time in making what excuse you may,and let me hear from you when you can fix a time to join me and your mother here.
'Your sincere well-wisher and father,'RICHARD O'MARA.'
In this letter was inclosed a smaller one,directed to Dwyer,and containing a cheque for twelve pounds,with the following words:
'Make use of the enclosed,and let me hear if Richard is upon any wild scheme at present:I am uneasy about him,and not without reason;report to me speedily the result of your vigilance.
'R.O'MARA.'
Dwyer just glanced through this brief,but not unwelcome,epistle;and deposited it and its contents in the secret recesses of his breeches pocket,and then fixed his eyes upon the face of his companion,who sat opposite,utterly absorbed in the perusal of his father's letter,which he read again and again,pausing and muttering between whiles,and apparently lost in no very pleasing reflections.At length he very abruptly exclaimed:
'A delicate epistle,truly--and a politic --would that my tongue had been burned through before I assented to that doubly-cursed contract.Why,I am not pledged yet--I am not;there is neither writing,nor troth,nor word of honour,passed between us.My father has no right to pledge me,even though I told him I liked the girl,and would wish the match.'Tis not enough that my father offers her my heart and hand;he has no right to do it;a delicate woman would not accept professions made by proxy.Lady Emily!Lady Emily!with all the tawdry frippery,and finery of dress and demeanour--compare HER with--Pshaw!Ridiculous!How blind,how idiotic I have been.'
He relapsed into moody reflections,which Dwyer did not care to disturb,and some ten minutes might have passed before he spoke again.When he did,it was in the calm tone of one who has irrevocably resolved upon some decided and important act.
'Dwyer,'he said,rising and approaching that person,'whatever god or demon told you,even before my own heart knew it,that I loved Ellen Heathcote,spoke truth.
I love her madly--I never dreamed till now how fervently,how irrevocably,I am hers--how dead to me all other interests are.Dwyer,I know something of your disposition,and you no doubt think it strange that I should tell to you,of all persons,SUCH a secret;but whatever be your faults,I think you are attached to our family.I am satisfied you will not betray me.I know--'
'Pardon me,'said Dwyer,'if I say that great professions of confidence too frequently mark distrust.I have no possible motive to induce me to betray you;on the contrary,I would gladly assist and direct whatever plans you may have formed.
Command me as you please;I have said enough.'
'I will not doubt you,Dwyer,'said O'Mara;'I have taken my resolution--Ihave,I think,firmness to act up to it.To marry Ellen Heathcote,situated as I am,were madness;to propose anything else were worse,were villainy not to be named.
I will leave the country to-morrow,cost what pain it may,for England.I will at once break off the proposed alliance with Lady Emily,and will wait until I am my own master,to open my heart to Ellen.
My father may say and do what he likes;
but his passion will not last.He will forgive me;and even were he to disinherit me,as he threatens,there is some property which must descend to me,which his will cannot affect.He cannot ruin my interests;he SHALL NOT ruin my happiness.
Dwyer,give me pen and ink;I will write this moment.'
This bold plan of proceeding for many reasons appeared inexpedient to Dwyer,and he determined not to consent to its adoption without a struggle.
'I commend your prudence,'said he,'in determining to remove yourself from the fascinating influence which has so long bound you here;but beware of offending your father.Colonel O'Mara is not a man to forgive an act of deliberate disobedience,and surely you are not mad enough to ruin yourself with him by offering an out-rageous insult to Lady Emily and to her family in her person;therefore you must not break off the understood contract which subsists between you by any formal act--hear me out patiently.You must let Lady Emily perceive,as you easily may,without rudeness or even coldness of manner,that she is perfectly indifferent to you;and when she understands this to be the case,it she possesses either delicacy or spirit,she will herself break off the engagement.
Make what delay it is possible to effect; it is very possible that your father,who cannot,in all probability,live many months,may not live as many days if harassed and excited by such scenes as your breaking off your engagement must produce.'
'Dwyer,'said O'Mara,'I will hear you out--proceed.'