“It’s very odd,” said Hatton to his companion Morley, “you can’t get coffee anywhere.”
Morley who had supposed that coffee was about the commonest article of consumption in Mowbray, looked a little surprised; but at this moment Hatton’s servant entered with a mysterious yet somewhat triumphant7 air, and ushering8 in a travelling biggin of their own fuming9 like one of the springs of Geyser.
“Now try that,” said Hatton to Morley, as the servant poured him out a cup; “you won’t find that so bad.”
“Quite quiet I believe, Sir; but a great many people in the streets. All the mills are stopped.”
“Well, this is a strange business,” said Hatton when they were once more alone. “You had no idea of it when I met you on Saturday?”
“None; on the contrary, I felt convinced that there were no elements of general disturbance12 in this district. I thought from the first that the movement would be confined to Lancashire and would easily be arrested; but the feebleness of the government, the want of decision, perhaps the want of means, have permitted a flame to spread the extinction13 of which will not soon be witnessed.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Whenever the mining population is disturbed the disorder14 is obstinate15. On the whole they endure less physical suffering than most of the working classes, their wages being considerable; and they are so brutalized that they are more difficult to operate on than our reading and thinking population of the factories. But when they do stir there is always violence and a determined17 course. When I heard of their insurrection on Saturday I was prepared for great disturbances18 in their district, but that they should suddenly resolve to invade another country as it were, the seat of another class of labour, and where the hardships however severe are not of their own kind, is to me amazing, and convinces me that there is some political head behind the scenes, and that this move, however unintentional on the part of the miners themselves, is part of some comprehensive scheme which, by widening the scene of action and combining several counties and classes of labour in the broil19, must inevitably20 embarrass and perhaps paralyse the Government.”
“There is a good deal in what you say,” said Hatton, taking a strawberry with a rather absent air, and then he added, “You remember a conversation we once had, the eve of my departure from Mowbray in ‘39?”
“I do,” said Morley reddening.
“The miners were not so ready then,” said Hatton.
“They were not,” said Morley speaking with some confusion.
“Well they are here now,” said Hatton.
“They are,” said Morley thoughtfully, but more collected.
“You saw them enter yesterday?” said Hatton. “I was sorry I missed it, but I was taking a walk with the Gerards up Dale to see the cottage where they once lived, and which they used to talk of so much! Was it a strong body?”
“I should say about two thousand men, and as far as bludgeons and iron staves go, armed.”
“A formidable force with no military to encounter them.”
“Irresistible, especially with a favourable21 population.”
“You think the people were not grieved to see them?”
“Certainly. Left alone they might have remained quiet; but they only wanted the spark. We have a number of young men here who have for a long time been murmuring against our inaction and what they call want of spirit. The Lancashire strike set them all agog22; and had any popular leader, Gerard for example or Warner, resolved to move, they were ready.”
“The times are critical,” said Hatton wheeling his arm-chair from the table and resting his feet on the empty fire-place. “Lord de Mowbray had no idea of all this. I was with him on my way here, and found him quite tranquil23. I suppose the invasion of yesterday has opened his eyes a little.”
“What can he do?” said Morley. “It is useless to apply to the Government. They have no force to spare. Look at Lancashire; a few dragoons and rifles hurried about from place to place and harassed24 by night service; always arriving too late, and generally attacking the wrong point, some diversion from the main scheme. Now we had a week ago some of the 17th Lancers here. They have been marched into Lancashire. Had they remained the invasion would never have occurred.”
“You haven’t a soldier at hand?”
“Not a man; they have actually sent for a party of 73d from Ireland to guard us. Mowbray may be burnt before they land.”
“And the castle too,” said Hatton quietly. “These are indeed critical times Mr Morley. I was thinking when walking with our friend Gerard yesterday, and hearing him and his charming daughter dilate25 upon the beauties of the residence which they had forfeited26, I was thinking what a strange thing life is, and that the fact of a box of papers belonging to him being in the possession of another person who only lives close by, for we were walking through Mowbray woods—”
But at this moment a waiter entered and said there was one without who wished to speak with Mr Morley.
“Let him come up,” said Hatton, “he will give us some news perhaps.”
And there was accordingly shown up a young man who had been a member of the Convention in ‘39 with Morley, afterwards of the Secret Council with Gerard, the same young man who had been the first arrested on the night that Sybil was made a prisoner, having left the scene of their deliberations for a moment in order to fetch her some water. He too had been tried, convicted, and imprisoned27, though for a shorter time than Gerard; and he was the Chartist Apostle who had gone and resided at Wodgate, preached the faith to the barbarians28, converted them, and was thus the primary cause of the present invasion of Mowbray.
“Ah! Field,” said Morley, “is it you?”
“You are surprised to see me;” and then the young man looked at Hatton.
“A friend,” said Morley; “speak as you like.”
“Our great man, the leader and liberator29 of the people,” said Field with a smile, “who has carried all before him, and who I verily believe will carry all before him, for Providence30 has given him those superhuman energies which can alone emancipate31 a race, wishes to confer with you on the state of this town and neighbourhood. It has been represented to him that no one is more knowing and experienced than yourself in this respect; besides as the head of our most influential32 organ in the Press, it is in every way expedient33 that you should see him. He is at this moment below giving instructions and receiving reports of the stoppage of all the country works, but if you like I will bring him up here, we shall be less disturbed.”
“By all means,” said Hatton who seemed to apprehend34 that Morley would make some difficulties. “By all means.”
“Stop;” said Morley, “have you seen Gerard?”
“No,” said Field. “I wrote to him some time back, but his reply was not encouraging. I thought his spirit was perhaps broken.”
“You know that he is here?”
“I concluded so, but we have not seen him; though to be sure, we have seen so many, and done so much since our arrival yesterday, it is not wonderful. By the bye, who is this blackcoat you have here, this St Lys? We took possession of the church yesterday on our arrival, for it’s a sort of thing that pleases the miners and colliers wonderfully, and I always humour them. This St Lys preached us such a sermon that I was almost afraid at one time the game would be spoiled. Our great man was alarmingly taken by it, was saying his prayers all day and had nearly marched back again: had it not been for the excellence35 of the rum and water at our quarters, the champion of the Charter would have proved a pious36 recreant37.”
“St Lys will trouble you,” said Morley. “Alas! for poor human nature, when violence can only be arrested by superstition38.”
“Come don’t you preach,” said the Chartist. “The Charter is a thing the people can understand, especially when they are masters of the country; but as for moral force, I should like to know how I could have marched from Wodgate to Mowbray with that on my banner.”
“Wodgate,” said Morley, “that’s a queer place.”
“Wodgate,” said Hatton, “what Wodgate is that?”
At this moment a great noise sounded without the room, the door was banged, there seemed a scuttling39, some harsh high tones, the deprecatory voices of many waiters. The door was banged again and this time flew open, while exclaiming in an insolent40 coarse voice, “Don’t tell me of your private rooms; who is master here I should like to know?” there entered a very thickset man, rather under the middle size, with a brutal16 and grimy countenance41, wearing the unbuttoned coat of a police serjeant conquered in fight, a cocked hat, with a white plume42, which was also a trophy43 of war, a pair of leather breeches and topped boots, which from their antiquity44 had the appearance of being his authentic45 property. This was the leader and liberator of the people of England. He carried in his hand a large hammer which he had never parted with during the whole of the insurrection; and stopping when he had entered the room, and surveying its inmates46 with an air at once stupid and arrogant47, recognizing Field the Chartist, he halloed out, “I tell you I want him. He’s my Lord Chancellor48 and Prime Minister, my head and principal Doggy; I can’t go on without him. Well, what do you think,” he said advancing to Field, “here’s a pretty go! They won’t stop the works at the big country mill you were talking of. They won’t, won’t they? Is my word the law of the land or is it not? Have I given my commands that all labour shall cease till the Queen sends me a message that the Charter is established, and is a man who has a mill, to shut his gates upon my forces, and pump upon my people with engines? There shall be fire for this water;” and so saying the Liberator sent his hammer with such force upon the table, that the plate and porcelain49 and accumulated luxuries of Mr Hatton’s breakfast perilously50 vibrated.
“We will enquire into this and we will take the necessary steps,” said the Liberator, looking round with an air of pompous51 stupidity, and then taking up some peaches, he began devouring52 them with considerable zest53.
“Would the Liberator like to take some breakfast?” said Mr Hatton.
The Liberator looked at his host with a glance of senseless intimidation54, and then as if not condescending55 to communicate directly with ordinary men, he uttered in a more subdued56 tone to the Chartist these words, “Glass of ale.”
Ale was instantly ordered for the Liberator, who after a copious57 draught58 assumed a less menacing air, and smacking59 his lips, pushed aside the dishes, and sate60 down on the table swinging his legs.
“This is my friend of whom I spoke61 and whom you wished to see, Sir,” said the Chartist, “the most distinguished62 advocate of popular rights we possess, the editor of the Mowbray Phalanx, Mr Morley.”
Morley slightly advanced, he caught the Liberator’s eye, who scrutinized63 him with extreme earnestness, and then jumping from the table shouted; “Why this is the muff that called on me in Hell-house Yard three years ago.”
“I had that honour,” said Morley quietly.
“Honour be hanged,” said the Bishop64, “you know something about somebody; I couldn’t squeeze you then, but by G— I will have it out of you now. Now, cut it short; have you seen him, and where does he live?”
“I came then to gain information, not to give it,” said Morley. “I had a friend who wished much to see this gentleman—”
“He ayn’t no gentleman,” said the Bishop; “he’s my brother: but I tell you what, I’ll do something for him now. I’m cock of the walk you see, and that’s a sort of thing that don’t come twice in a man’s life. One should feel for one’s flesh and blood, and if I find him out I’ll make his fortune, or my name is not Simon Hatton.”
The creator and counsellor of peers started in his chair and turned pale. A look was interchanged between him and Morley which revealed their mutual65 thoughts, and the great antiquary—looking at the Liberator with a glance of blended terror and disgust—walked away to the window.
“Suppose you put an advertisement in your paper,” continued the Bishop. “I know a traveller who lost his keys at the Yard and got them back again by those same means. Go on advertising66 till you find him, and my prime minister and principal doggy here shall give you an order on the town council for your expenses.”
Morley bowed his thanks in silence.
The Bishop continued—“What’s the name of the man who has got the big mill here, about three mile off, who won’t stop his works and ducked my men this morning with his engines. I’ll have fire I say for that water—do you hear that Master Newspaper—I’ll have fire for that water before I am many hours older.”
“The Liberator means Trafford,” said the Chartist.
“I’ll Trafford him,” said the Liberator and he struck the table with his hammer. “He ducks my messenger does he? I tell you I’ll have fire for that water,” and he looked around him as if he courted some remonstrance67 in order that he might crush it.
“A man with a big mill humane!” exclaimed the Bishop; “with two or three thousand slaves working under the same roof, and he doing nothing but eating their vitals. I’ll have no big mills where I’m main master. Let him look to it. Here goes,” and he jumped off the table. “Before an hour I’ll pay this same Trafford a visit and I’ll see whether he’ll duck me. Come on my prime Doggy,” and nodding to the Chartist to follow him, the Liberator left the room.
Hatton turned his head from the window, and advanced quickly to Morley. “To business, friend Morley. This savage69 can-not be quiet for a moment; he exists only in destruction and rapine. If it were not Trafford’s mill it would be something else. I am sorry for the Traffords; they have old blood in their veins70. Before sunset their settlement will be razed71 to the ground. Can we prevent it? And why not attack the castle instead of the mill?”
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1
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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conserved
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| v.保护，保藏，保存( conserve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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ushering
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的现在分词 ) | |
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fuming
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| 愤怒( fume的现在分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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10
enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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12
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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15
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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16
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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18
disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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19
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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21
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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agog
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| adj.兴奋的，有强烈兴趣的； adv.渴望地 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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24
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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25
dilate
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| vt.使膨胀，使扩大 | |
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26
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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29
liberator
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| 解放者 | |
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30
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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emancipate
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| v.解放，解除 | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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36
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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38
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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39
scuttling
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| n.船底穿孔，打开通海阀（沉船用）v.使船沉没( scuttle的现在分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
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40
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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41
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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43
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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44
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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45
authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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46
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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47
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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48
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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49
porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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50
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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51
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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52
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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53
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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54
intimidation
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| n.恐吓，威胁 | |
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55
condescending
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| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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56
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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57
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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58
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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59
smacking
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| 活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的 | |
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60
sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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61
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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62
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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63
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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65
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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66
advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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67
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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68
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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69
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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70
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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razed
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| v.彻底摧毁，将…夷为平地( raze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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