Meanwhile Jasper, who had been out to the stables, returned to the house and entered his father's presence. He only came in for something he had left in the library, but his father detained him.
"Stop a minute, Jasper," he said. "I want to speak to you."
"I wanted to go out," he said.
"I wish to speak to you on a matter of importance," said his father, seriously.
"Now for a blowing up," thought Jasper. "I suppose I must grin and bear it."
But this time he was mistaken.
"You are going to have company for a few days," said James Grey.
"Who is it?" asked Jasper, in surprise.
"A boy of about your own age. He is up stairs preparing for dinner at this moment."
"Is it any one I know?"
"It is not."
"What is his name?"
"He calls himself Gilbert Grey."
"Is he any relation?"
"He calls himself your cousin."
"Why do you say 'calls himself?'" inquired Jasper, in some mystification.
"Because I do not propose to admit his claim. While he is here, he will pass as a distant relative."
"I don't understand, father. Is his claim a false one?"
"Listen, Jasper, for it is fitting that you should know all, since you are quite as much interested as I am. Do you remember your Uncle John?"
"No. I was too young when he died to remember him."
"It was he that was wealthy, not I. I had a comparatively small interest in the firm, but as he died childless I succeeded naturally to his property. That made me rich, and ever since I have been possessed6 of large means. But if he had left a son, all this would have been changed. The son would have inherited the bulk of his property, and I should have received an inconsiderable legacy7. Do you follow me?"
"Yes, sir, but I don't see the force of it. My uncle left no son."
"Gilbert Grey, as he calls himself, contends that he did leave a son, and he claims to be that son."
"But it is a lie," said Jasper, hastily.
"That he may deprive us of the property."
"Why don't you kick him out of the house?" exclaimed Jasper, indignantly. "Of course he is an impostor, and deserves no better treatment."
"I will tell you why. He is very artful, and has forged a pretended confession10, and attached to it the signature of an old clerk of our house, who disappeared about the time my nephew was lost, asserting his identity with the lost boy, and charging that I employed him to kidnap the boy, in order that I might succeed to the property."
Jasper fixed11 a fierce glance upon his father. He had never loved or respected him particularly, and a suspicion entered his mind that the charge might be a true one. But, if admitted, it would reduce him to comparative poverty, and he had no intention of suffering his suspicion to appear. In this matter, at least, he and his father were in entire agreement.
"Possibly, but I don't want the matter to come to trial. There are always people, who out of sentimental13 sympathy would be led to suspect that the rich uncle was guilty of defrauding14 the poor boy."
"When did you first hear of his claim, father?"
"A short time since, during my recent visit to Cincinnati. I defied him then, and left the city without letting him know my address. But he is evidently shrewd and determined15, and he has managed, in some way which I cannot fathom16, to discover it. He has followed me up, and here he is."
"What do you mean to do?"
"I find force won't do. He is full of courage, pluck, and determination, and so is an enemy to be dreaded17. I am going to try an opposite course."
"You are not going to give up?"
"No, certainly not. I am going to pretend friendship, and having put him off his guard, to get rid of his claim as well as I can. The property I will never surrender, as long as there is a possibility of retaining it," he concluded, firmly.
"I agree with you there, father. So you have invited him to stop here?"
"Yes, and the better to carry out my designs, I want you to act in a particularly friendly manner."
"I will if I can, but I know I shall hate him."
"If you dislike him, adopt the course most likely to injure him."
"You are right, father. I will follow your advice."
"Of course, anything that I communicate to you in this matter must be kept secret for both our sakes. Have I your promise?"
"You have."
"Then come here."
"You are a good rider," he said.
"Yes, I can ride as well as any one of my age in the country," said Jasper, proudly.
"Good! Gilbert Grey says he can ride also."
"I am going to send him out to ride with you. You will ride your own horse; he shall ride—Bucephalus."
"Bucephalus, father! He is a vicious beast. I wouldn't dare to ride him myself, and I have no doubt I can ride better than he."
"I would not trust you on him, Jasper. As for Gilbert, I have no particular reason to feel concerned for his safety."
"Indeed," added Mr. Grey, "if he should be thrown off, and break his neck, I shouldn't particularly mind. It would rid us both of a dangerous enemy."
"That's so," said Jasper. "It's a capital idea! When shall we ride?"
"To-morrow morning, if it is pleasant. This afternoon you may have the carriage, and drive him round the neighborhood. Be as friendly as you can. Don't let him suspect anything from your manner."
"I won't. You can trust me for that, father."
Gilbert, unsuspicious of the wicked plot that had been entered into against him, entered the room at this moment.
"Gilbert," said his uncle, graciously, "let me introduce to you my son, Jasper. He must be near your own age. He has promised to do what he can to make your stay pleasant."
"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Grey," said Jasper, advancing with a smile, and speaking in a soft voice. "I have scarcely any companions of my own age, and I shall enjoy your society."
"Thank you," said Gilbert; "I am much obliged to you for your kind reception. I don't think we shall be strangers long."
They talked on various subjects till the bell rang for dinner. No fault could be found with Jasper's manner, which was extremely cordial; yet Gilbert, he could not tell why, was not attracted to his cousin.
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1
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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2
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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6
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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7
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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8
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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9
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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10
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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11
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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12
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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13
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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14
defrauding
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的现在分词 ) | |
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15
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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16
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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17
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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18
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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19
rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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21
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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