The next impression on his mind was undoubtedly6 a natural and reasonable speculation7 on the effect of this bereavement8 on his fortunes. Lord Monmouth had more than once assured Coningsby that he had provided for him as became a near relative to whom he was attached, and in a manner which ought to satisfy the wants and wishes of an English gentleman. The allowance which Lord Monmouth had made him, as considerable as usually accorded to the eldest9 sons of wealthy peers, might justify10 him in estimating his future patrimony11 as extremely ample. He was aware, indeed, that at a subsequent period his grandfather had projected for him fortunes of a still more elevated character. He looked to Coningsby as the future representative of an ancient barony, and had been purchasing territory with the view of supporting the title. But Coningsby did not by any means firmly reckon on these views being realised. He had a suspicion that in thwarting12 the wishes of his grandfather in not becoming a candidate for Darlford, he had at the moment arrested arrangements which, from the tone of Lord Monmouth’s communication, he believed were then in progress for that purpose; and he thought it improbable, with his knowledge of his grandfather’s habits, that Lord Monmouth had found either time or inclination13 to resume before his decease the completion of these plans. Indeed there was a period when, in adopting the course which he pursued with respect to Darlford, Coningsby was well aware that he perilled14 more than the large fortune which was to accompany the barony. Had not a separation between Lord Monmouth and his wife taken place simultaneously15 with Coningsby’s difference with his grandfather, he was conscious that the consequences might have been even altogether fatal to his prospects16; but the absence of her evil influence at such a conjuncture, its permanent removal, indeed, from the scene, coupled with his fortunate though not formal reconciliation17 with Lord Monmouth, had long ago banished18 from his memory all those apprehensions19 to which he had felt it impossible at the time to shut his eyes. Before he left town for Scotland he had made a farewell visit to his grandfather, who, though not as cordial as in old days, had been gracious; and Coningsby, during his excursion to the moors20, and his various visits to the country, had continued at intervals21 to write to his grandfather, as had been for some years his custom. On the whole, with an indefinite feeling which, in spite of many a rational effort, did nevertheless haunt his mind, that this great and sudden event might exercise a vast and beneficial influence on his worldly position, Coningsby could not but feel some consolation22 in the affliction which he sincerely experienced, in the hope that he might at all events now offer to Edith a home worthy23 of her charms, her virtues24, and her love.
Although he had not seen her since their hurried yet sweet reconciliation in the gardens of Lady Everingham, Coningsby was never long without indirect intelligence of the incidents of her life; and the correspondence between Lady Everingham and Henry Sydney, while they were at the moors, had apprised25 him that Lord Beaumanoir’s suit had terminated unsuccessfully almost immediately after his brother had quitted London.
It was late in the evening when Coningsby arrived in town: he called at once on Lord Eskdale, who was one of Lord Monmouth’s executors; and he persuaded Coningsby, whom he saw depressed26, to dine with him alone.
‘You should not be seen at a club,’ said the good-natured peer; ‘and I remember myself in old days what was the wealth of an Albanian larder27.’
Lord Eskdale, at dinner, talked frankly28 of the disposition29 of Lord Monmouth’s property. He spoke30 as a matter of course that Coningsby was his grandfather’s principal heir.
‘I don’t know whether you will be happier with a large fortune?’ said Lord Eskdale. ‘It is a troublesome thing: nobody is satisfied with what you do with it; very often not yourself. To maintain an equable expenditure31; not to spend too much on one thing, too little on another, is an art. There must be a harmony, a keeping, in disbursement32, which very few men have. Great wealth wearies. The thing to have is about ten thousand a year, and the world to think you have only five. There is some enjoyment then; one is let alone. But the instant you have a large fortune, duties commence. And then impudent33 fellows borrow your money; and if you ask them for it again, they go about town saying you are a screw.’
Lord Monmouth had died suddenly at his Richmond villa34, which latterly he never quitted, at a little supper, with no persons near him but those who were amusing. He suddenly found he could not lift his glass to his lips, and being extremely polite, waited a few minutes before he asked Clotilde, who was singing a sparkling drinking-song, to do him that service. When, in accordance with his request, she reached him, it was too late. The ladies shrieked35, being frightened: at first they were in despair, but, after reflection, they evinced some intention of plundering36 the house. Villebecque, who was absent at the moment, arrived in time; and everybody became orderly and broken-hearted.
The body had been removed to Monmouth House, where it had been embalmed37 and laid in state. The funeral was not numerously attended. There was nobody in town; some distinguished38 connections, however, came up from the country, though it was a period inconvenient39 for such movements. After the funeral, the will was to be read in the principal saloon of Monmouth House, one of those gorgeous apartments that had excited the boyish wonder of Coningsby on his first visit to that paternal40 roof, and now hung in black, adorned41 with the escutcheon of the deceased peer.
The testamentary dispositions42 of the late lord were still unknown, though the names of his executors had been announced by his family solicitor43, in whose custody44 the will and codicils46 had always remained. The executors under the will were Lord Eskdale, Mr. Ormsby, and Mr. Rigby. By a subsequent appointment Sidonia had been added. All these individuals were now present. Coningsby, who had been chief mourner, stood on the right hand of the solicitor, who sat at the end of a long table, round which, in groups, were ranged all who had attended the funeral, including several of the superior members of the household, among them M. Villebecque.
The solicitor rose and explained that though Lord Monmouth had been in the habit of very frequently adding codicils to his will, the original will, however changed or modified, had never been revoked47; it was therefore necessary to commence by reading that instrument. So saying, he sat down, and breaking the seals of a large packet, he produced the will of Philip Augustus, Marquess of Monmouth, which had been retained in his custody since its execution.
By this will, of the date of 1829, the sum of 10,000l. was left to Coningsby, then unknown to his grandfather; the same sum to Mr. Rigby. There was a great number of legacies48, none of superior amount, most of them of less: these were chiefly left to old male companions, and women in various countries. There was an almost inconceivable number of small annuities49 to faithful servants, decayed actors, and obscure foreigners. The residue50 of his personal estate was left to four gentlemen, three of whom had quitted this world before the legator; the bequests51, therefore, had lapsed52. The fourth residuary legatee, in whom, according to the terms of the will, all would have consequently centred, was Mr. Rigby.
There followed several codicils which did not materially affect the previous disposition; one of them leaving a legacy53 of 20,000l. to the Princess Colonna; until they arrived at the latter part of the year 1832, when a codicil45 increased the 10,000l. left under the will to Coningsby to 50,000l..
After Coningsby’s visit to the Castle in 1836 a very important change occurred in the disposition of Lord Monmouth’s estate. The legacy of 50,000l. in his favour was revoked, and the same sum left to the Princess Lucretia. A similar amount was bequeathed to Mr. Rigby; and Coningsby was left sole residuary legatee.
The marriage led to a considerable modification54. An estate of about nine thousand a year, which Lord Monmouth had himself purchased, and was therefore in his own disposition, was left to Coningsby. The legacy to Mr. Rigby was reduced to 20,000l., and the whole of his residue left to his issue by Lady Monmouth. In case he died without issue, the estate bequeathed to Coningsby to be taken into account, and the residue then to be divided equally between Lady Monmouth and his grandson. It was under this instrument that Sidonia had been appointed an executor and to whom Lord Monmouth left, among others, the celebrated55 picture of the Holy Family by Murillo, as his friend had often admired it. To Lord Eskdale he left all his female miniatures, and to Mr. Ormsby his rare and splendid collection of French novels, and all his wines, except his Tokay, which he left, with his library, to Sir Robert Peel; though this legacy was afterwards revoked, in consequence of Sir Robert’s conduct about the Irish corporations.
The solicitor paused and begged permission to send for a glass of water. While this was arranging there was a murmur56 at the lower part of the room, but little disposition to conversation among those in the vicinity of the lawyer. Coningsby was silent, his brow a little knit. Mr. Rigby was pale and restless, but said nothing. Mr. Ormsby took a pinch of snuff, and offered his box to Lord Eskdale, who was next to him. They exchanged glances, and made some observation about the weather. Sidonia stood apart, with his arms folded. He had not, of course attended the funeral, nor had he as yet exchanged any recognition with Coningsby.
‘Now, gentlemen,’ said the solicitor, ‘if you please, I will proceed.’
They came to the year 1839, the year Coningsby was at Hellingsley. This appeared to be a critical period in the fortunes of Lady Monmouth; while Coningsby’s reached to the culminating point. Mr. Rigby was reduced to his original legacy under the will of 10,000l.; a sum of equal amount was bequeathed to Armand Villebecque, in acknowledgment of faithful services; all the dispositions in favour of Lady Monmouth were revoked, and she was limited to her moderate jointure of 3,000l. per annum, under the marriage settlement; while everything, without reserve, was left absolutely to Coningsby.
A subsequent codicil determined57 that the 10,000l. left to Mr. Rigby should be equally divided between him and Lucian Gay; but as some compensation Lord Monmouth left to the Right Honourable58 Nicholas Rigby the bust59 of that gentleman, which he had himself presented to his Lordship, and which, at his desire, had been placed in the vestibule at Coningsby Castle, from the amiable60 motive61 that after Lord Monmouth’s decease Mr. Rigby might wish, perhaps, to present it to some other friend.
Lord Eskdale and Mr. Ormsby took care not to catch the eye of Mr. Rigby. As for Coningsby, he saw nobody. He maintained, during the extraordinary situation in which he was placed, a firm demeanour; but serene62 and regulated as he appeared to the spectators, his nerves were really strung to a high pitch.
There was yet another codicil. It bore the date of June 1840, and was made at Brighton, immediately after the separation with Lady Monmouth. It was the sight of this instrument that sustained Rigby at this great emergency. He had a wild conviction that, after all, it must set all right. He felt assured that, as Lady Monmouth had already been disposed of, it must principally refer to the disinheritance of Coningsby, secured by Rigby’s well-timed and malignant63 misrepresentations of what had occurred in Lancashire during the preceding summer. And then to whom could Lord Monmouth leave his money? However he might cut and carve up his fortunes, Rigby, and especially at a moment when he had so served him, must come in for a considerable slice.
His prescient mind was right. All the dispositions in favour of ‘my grandson Harry64 Coningsby’ were revoked; and he inherited from his grandfather only the interest of the sum of 10,000l. which had been originally bequeathed to him in his orphan65 boyhood. The executors had the power of investing the principal in any way they thought proper for his advancement66 in life, provided always it was not placed in ‘the capital stock of any manufactory.’
Coningsby turned pale; he lost his abstracted look; he caught the eye of Rigby; he read the latent malice67 of that nevertheless anxious countenance68. What passed through the mind and being of Coningsby was thought and sensation enough for a year; but it was as the flash that reveals a whole country, yet ceases to be ere one can say it lightens. There was a revelation to him of an inward power that should baffle these conventional calamities69, a natural and sacred confidence in his youth and health, and knowledge and convictions. Even the recollection of Edith was not unaccompanied with some sustaining associations. At least the mightiest70 foe71 to their union was departed.
All this was the impression of an instant, simultaneous with the reading of the words of form with which the last testamentary disposition of the Marquess of Monmouth left the sum of 30,000l. to Armand Villebecque; and all the rest, residue, and remainder of his unentailed property, wheresoever and whatsoever72 it might be, amounting in value to nearly a million sterling73, was given, devised, and bequeathed to Flora74, commonly called Flora Villebecque, the step-child of the said Armand Villebecque, ‘but who is my natural daughter by Marie Estelle Matteau, an actress at the Théatre Fran?ais in the years 1811-15, by the name of Stella.’
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1
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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2
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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4
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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6
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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9
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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patrimony
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| n.世袭财产，继承物 | |
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12
thwarting
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| 阻挠( thwart的现在分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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13
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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14
perilled
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| 置…于危险中（peril的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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15
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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16
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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17
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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18
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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20
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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21
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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22
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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25
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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26
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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30
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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31
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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32
disbursement
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| n.支付，付款 | |
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33
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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34
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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35
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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37
embalmed
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| adj.用防腐药物保存（尸体）的v.保存（尸体）不腐( embalm的过去式和过去分词 )；使不被遗忘；使充满香气 | |
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38
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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40
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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41
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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42
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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44
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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45
codicil
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| n.遗嘱的附录 | |
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46
codicils
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| n.遗嘱的附件( codicil的名词复数 ) | |
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47
revoked
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| adj.[法]取消的v.撤销，取消，废除( revoke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
legacies
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| n.遗产( legacy的名词复数 )；遗留之物；遗留问题；后遗症 | |
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49
annuities
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| n.养老金；年金( annuity的名词复数 )；（每年的）养老金；年金保险；年金保险投资 | |
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50
residue
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| n.残余，剩余，残渣 | |
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51
bequests
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| n.遗赠( bequest的名词复数 )；遗产，遗赠物 | |
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52
lapsed
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| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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53
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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54
modification
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| n.修改，改进，缓和，减轻 | |
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55
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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56
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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57
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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58
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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59
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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60
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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61
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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62
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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63
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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64
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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65
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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66
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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67
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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68
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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69
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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70
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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71
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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72
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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73
sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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74
flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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