During an important professional visit to Ireland, Mr. Giles had made the acquaintance of Miss Apollonia Smylie, the niece of an Irish peer; and, though the lady was much admired and courted, had succeeded, after a time, in inducing her to become the partner of his life.
Mrs. Giles, or, as she described herself, Mrs. Putney Giles, taking advantage of a second and territorial9 Christian10 name of her husband, was a showy woman; decidedly handsome, unquestionably accomplished11, and gifted with energy and enthusiasm which far exceeded even her physical advantages. Her principal mission was to destroy the papacy and to secure Italian unity12. Her lesser13 impulses were to become acquainted with the aristocracy, and to be herself surrounded by celebrities14. Having a fine house in Tyburnia, almost as showy as herself, and a husband who was never so happy as when gratifying her wishes, she did not find it difficult in a considerable degree to pursue and even accomplish her objects. The Putney Giles gave a great many dinners, and Mrs. Putney received her world frequently, if not periodically. As they entertained with profusion15, her well-lighted saloons were considerably16 attended. These assemblies were never dull; the materials not being ordinary, often startling, sometimes even brilliant, occasionally rather heterogeneous17. For, though being a violent Protestant, and of extreme conservative opinions, her antipapal antipathies18 and her Italian predilections19 frequently involved her with acquaintances not so distinguished as she deemed herself for devotion to the cause of order and orthodoxy. It was rumored20 that the brooding brow of Mazzini had been observed in her rooms, and there was no sort of question that she had thrown herself in ecstatic idolatry at the feet of the hero of Caprera.
On the morning of the day on which he intended to visit Cardinal21 Grandison, Mr. Giles, in his chambers22 at Lincoln’s Inn, was suddenly apprised23, by a clerk, that an interview with him was sought by a client no less distinguished than Lothair.
Although Mr. Giles sat opposite two rows of tin boxes, each of which was numbered, and duly inscribed24 with the name of Lothair and that of the particular estate to which it referred, Mr. Giles, though he had had occasional communications with his client, was personally unacquainted with him. He viewed, therefore, with no ordinary curiosity the young man who was ushered25 into his room; a shapely youth slightly above the middle height; of simple, but distinguished mien26, with a countenance27 naturally pale, though somewhat bronzed by a life of air and exercise, and a profusion of dark-auburn hair.
And for what could Lothair be calling on Mr. Giles?
It seems that one of Lothair’s intimate companions had got into a scrape, and under these circumstances had what is styled “made a friend” of Lothair; that is to say, confided28 to him his trouble, and asked his advice, with a view, when given, of its being followed by an offer of assistance.
Lothair, though inexperienced, and very ingenuous29, was not devoid30 of a certain instinctive31 perception of men and, things, which rendered it difficult for him to be an easy prey32. His natural disposition33, and his comparatively solitary34 education, had made him a keen observer, and he was one who meditated35 over his observations. But he was naturally generous and sensible of kindness; and this was a favorite companion—next to Bertram, his most intimate.
Lothair was quite happy in the opportunity of soothing36 a perturbed37 spirit whose society had been to him a source of so much gratification.
It was not until Lothair had promised to extricate38 his friend from his whelming difficulties, that, upon examination, he found the act on his part was not so simple and so easy as he had assumed it to be. His guardians40 had apportioned41 to him an allowance in every sense adequate to his position; and there was no doubt, had he wished to exceed it for any legitimate42 purpose, not the slightest difficulty on their part would have been experienced.
Such a conjuncture had never occurred. Lothair was profuse43, but he was not prodigal44. He gratified all his fancies, but they were not ignoble45 ones; and he was not only sentimentally46, but systematically47, charitable. He had a great number of fine horses, and he had just paid for an expensive yacht. In a word, he spent a great deal of money, and until he called at his bankers to learn what sums were at his disposition he was not aware that he had overdrawn48 his account.
This was rather awkward. Lothair wanted a considerable sum, and he wanted it at once. Irrespective of the consequent delay, he shrunk from any communication with his guardians. From his uncle he had become, almost insensibly, estranged49, and with his other guardian39 he had never had the slightest communication. Under these circumstances he recalled the name of the solicitor2 of the trustees, between whom and himself there had been occasional correspondence; and, being of a somewhat impetuous disposition, he rode off at once from his hotel to Lincoln’s Inn.
Mr. Giles listened to the narrative50 with unbroken interest and unswerving patience, with his eyes fixed51 on his client, and occasionally giving a sympathetic nod.
“And so,” concluded Lothair, “I thought I would come to you.”
“We are honored,” said Mr. Giles. “And, certainly, it is quite absurd that your lordship should want money, and for a worthy52 purpose, and not be able to command it. Why! the balance in the name of the trustees never was so great as at this moment; and this very day, or tomorrow at farthest, I shall pay no less than eight-and-thirty thousand pounds timber-money to the account.”
“Well, I don’t want a fifth of that,” said Lothair.
“Your lordship has an objection to apply to the trustees?” inquired Mr. Giles.
“That is the point of the whole of my statement,” said Lothair somewhat impatiently.
“And yet it is the right and regular thing,” said Mr. Giles.
“It may be right and it may be regular, but it is out of the question.”
“Then we will say no more about it. What I want to prevent,” said Mr. Giles, musingly53, “is any thing absurd happening. There is no doubt if your lordship went into the street and said you wanted ten thousand pounds, or a hundred thousand, fifty people would supply you immediately—but you would have to pay for it. Some enormous usury54! That would be bad; but the absurdity55 of the thing would be greater than the mischief56. Roundells, Giles, and Roundell could not help you in that manner. That is not our business. We are glad to find money for our clients at a legal rate of interest, and the most moderate rate feasible. But then there must be security, and the best security. But here we must not conceal57 it from ourselves, my lord, we have no security whatever. At this moment your lordship has no property. An insurance-office might do it with a policy. They might consider that they had a moral security; but still it would be absurd. There is something absurd in your lordship having to raise money. Don’t you think I could see these people,” said Mr. Giles, “and talk to them, and gain a little time? We only want a little time.”
“No,” said Lothair, in a peremptory58 tone. “I said I would do it, and it must be done, and at once. Sooner than there should be delay, I would rather go into the street, as you suggest, and ask the first man I met to lend me the money. My word has been given, and I do not care what I pay to fulfil my word.”
“We must not think of such things,” said Mr. Giles, shaking his head. “All I want your lordship to understand is the exact position. In this case we have no security. Roundells, Giles, and Roundell cannot move without security. It would be against our articles of partnership59. But Mr. Giles, as a private individual, may do what he likes. I will let your lordship have the money, and I will take no security whatever—not even a note of hand. All that I ask for is that your lordship should write me a letter, saying you have urgent need for a sum of money (mentioning amount) for an honorable purpose, in which your feelings are deeply interested—and that will do. If any thing happens to your lordship before this time next year, why, I think the trustees could hardly refuse repaying the money; and if they did, why then,” added Mr. Giles, “I suppose it will be all the same a hundred years hence.”
“You have conferred on me the greatest obligation,” said Lothair, with much earnestness. “Language cannot express what I feel. I am not too much used to kindness, and I only hope that I may live to show my sense of yours.”
“It is really no great affair, my lord,” said Mr. Giles. “I did not wish to make difficulties, but it was my duty to put the matter clearly before you. What I propose I could to do is really nothing. I could do no less; I should have felt quite absurd if your lordship had gone into the money-market.”
“I only hope,” repeated Lothair, rising and offering Mr. Giles his hand, “that life may give me some occasion to prove my gratitude60.”
“Well, my lord,” replied Mr. Giles, “if your lordship wish to repay me for any little interest I have shown in your affairs, you can do that, over and over again, and at once.”
“How so?”
“By a very great favor, by which Mrs. Giles and myself would be deeply gratified. We have a few friends who honor us by dining with us today in Hyde Park Gardens. If your lordship would add the great distinction your presence—”
“I should only be too much honored,” exclaimed Lothair: “I suppose about eight,” and he left the room; and Mr. Giles telegraphed instantly the impending61 event to Apollonia.
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1
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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solicitors
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| 初级律师( solicitor的名词复数 ) | |
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maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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territorial
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| adj.领土的，领地的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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celebrities
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| n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉 | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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antipathies
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| 反感( antipathy的名词复数 )； 引起反感的事物； 憎恶的对象； （在本性、倾向等方面的）不相容 | |
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predilections
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| n.偏爱，偏好，嗜好( predilection的名词复数 ) | |
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rumored
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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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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inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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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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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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apportioned
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| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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42
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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43
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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44
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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45
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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sentimentally
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| adv.富情感地 | |
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systematically
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| adv.有系统地 | |
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48
overdrawn
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| 透支( overdraw的过去分词 )； (overdraw的过去分词) | |
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49
estranged
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| adj.疏远的，分离的 | |
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50
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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51
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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52
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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53
musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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54
usury
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| n.高利贷 | |
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55
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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56
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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57
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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58
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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