Love's Loyalty

Front matter

VOL. II. a BY THE SAME AUTHOR. ELSIE GREY: A Tale of Truth. Crown 8vo, cloth, 5s. GRIFFITH FARRAN OKEDEN & WELSH NEWBERY HOUSE, CHARING CROSS ROAD LONDON AND SYDNEY BY CECIL CLARKE AUTHOR OF 'ELSIE GREY,' 'ULRICA,' 'THE LITTLE ALPINE FOX DOG,' 'WHEN ALL WAS YOUNG,' 'GREAT-HEART AND HIS LITTLE FRIENDS,' ETC. All-conquering Love! Who ohall withstand thee when, armed with Heaven's might, thou knockest at man's conscience-gate. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON GRIFFITH FARRAN OKEDEN & WELSH NEWBERY HOUSE, CHARING CROSS ROAD AND SYDNEY The Rights of Translation and of Reproduction are reserved. CONTENTS. ■0-

Chapter I. Born In The Bone

WHATEVER may have been Henry Wodehouse's failings, and they were, it must be frankly owned, many and varied, no one could accuse him of a want of faith in his own powers to benefit mankind, through (as he put it so neatly) ' the wholesome channels of journalism.' He was also blessed with a sanguine temperament, which, in due course, en abled him to shake off the vexations consequent upon the disastrous failure of the ' Pilot,' when he at once began to look round after some similar outlet for his talents. As we know, he had felt deeply the cruel asper sions cast upon the conduct of affairs in that his latest, and best beloved, venture. But he was not a man to allow any private feelings of mortifica tion to stand in the way of service towards his fellow-men. Why should a clique of chicken hearted investors, led — as he had once told Mr Rushworth, when in a sadly mocking and irreverent mood — by an ' officious sky-pilot,' try to baulk the VOL. II. A CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII. PAGE

218 UNDER A CLOUD.

CHAPTER VIII.

228 ' FOR EVER AND EVER ? '

CHAPTER IX.

260 SAVED.

CHAPTER X.

. 297 UNION. LOVE'S LOYALTY.

CHAPTER I. BORN IN THE BONE.

Whatever may have been Henry Wodehouse's failings, and they were, it must be frankly owned, many and varied, no one could accuse him of a want of faith in his own powers to benefit mankind, through (as he put it so neatly) ' the wholesome channels of journalism.' He was also blessed with a sanguine temperament, which, in due course, en abled him to shake off the vexations consequent upon the disastrous failure of the ' Pilot,' when he at once began to look round after some similar outlet for his talents. As we know, he had felt deeply the cruel asper sions cast upon the conduct of affairs in that his latest, and best beloved, venture. But he was not a man to allow any private feelings of mortifica tion to stand in the way of service towards his fellow-men. Why should a clique of chicken hearted investors, led — as he had once told Mr Rushworth, when in a sadly mocking and irreverent mood — by an ' officious sky-pilot,' try to baulk the VOL. II.

A enlightenment of thousands? These people must be taught a broader lesson of charity, from the spectacle of his own unselfish devotion to the good cause. What were their paltry losses com pared with the ruin of his ambitions ? Had not he as serious a stake in the concern as they — not, it is true, in hard cash, but none the less important for all that? The intellect of this indomitable promoter was obviously wasted upon so censorious hair-splitting a crew as these grasping creditors and accountants, who were picking every vestige of meat from the defunct 'Pilot's' bones, with quite a wolfish disregard to the claims of the real owners of the carcase. Here was one more instance, in his own experience, how individual enterprise was rewarded. No, he would wash his hands of the whole business, and leave the vultures to squabble over the spoil to their hearts' content.

Henry decided to make the Continent his permanent abode. Men were, perhaps, less discriminating over there in their dealings ; the law kindlier in its operations. In the opinion of many of his companions at Circe's Crib, and similar haunts, England no longer offered the attractions it did as a happy hunting-ground for the bold financier. Even his daughters, from some in explicable cause, sailed to appreciate the soundness of his advice in respect of their investments, which might have been quadrupled ere now had they but listened to reason. Alas, he feared they must have inherited much of their regretable obstinacy from his misguided Celia.who, poor soul, was always so prone to seek the aid of others, when she had a doting husband only too willing to advise her. For ex ample his heart quite ached to think what chances those two had lost of making their fortunes — and his own — during the recent boom in mines, when shares so long quoted at ridiculously low figures had, as Henry prophesied they would, at last attracted the notice they deserved, bringing recompense to the knowing ones, with, if possible, increased patronage of the Crib.

In a convivial sense, he had certainly benefited by the operations of his associates, who, in newly-acquired affluence, were generous to a fault in their treatings. But, after al], the delights of ex cess are only transitory. To so practised an imbiber, it took a deal of drinking before his cares were drowned in the proverbial waters of oblivion. The enjoyment of practising his caustic rejoinders upon his former ally, the versatile Rushworth, was also denied him ; for that worthy, finding neither English nor Parisian attractions to his taste, had started off to the Cape in disgust, without even the gratification of first squaring matters with his implacable enemies the accountants. How anybody could fail to appreciate Paris as a residence, passed Henry's comprehension altogether. The frequent visits he had paid, in his capacity of managing-director, to that alluring capital, had convinced him that it was, above all, the place for enlightened people to dwell in.

For his part, he had contrived to get through an amount of dissipa tion there which less hardened mortals would scarcely have survived. What was more commendable, he never sailed to put in an appearance at the ' Pilot's ' offices at the usual hour, as spruce and unruffled as if nothing exceptional had occurred overnight. The fact is. Henry was equally an epicure in vice as well as virtue, taking care to eat and drink the very best of everything his entertainer's purse could supply. Indeed, he carried to perfection the art of living upon other people, with that more consummate accomplishment of never letting his friends consider themselves other than his debtors after they rose from the festive board. Was he not, when in the vein, the cheeriest of companions, gifted with a glib, if somewhat acid, humour and flow of racy anecdote — attractions fully cancelling any vulgar indebtedness in the matter of dinner bills?

Owing, also, to a master-stroke of foresight, when first introducing the ' Pilot ' to the notice of certain religious supporters, he had secured unanimous election to one of the most respectable, exclusive clubs in London, which, consequently, made him free of another, though more worldly, place in Paris. As the avowed object of the ' Ecclesiastical ' was ' to maintain the Protestant Reformed Faith, whilst upholding the principles of the Constitution throughout England and Europe,' surely, had the committee searched the wide world over, no better man than Henry Wodehouse could have been found to assist their views. Yet — will it be credited ? — when their organ got into pecuniary difficulties, these same men who were so eager for his admission, clamoured as loudly for his immediate withdrawal.

They soon found, however, to their sorrow, how much easier it is to elect a member than to get rid of him. Henry held on to his privileges with a tenacity beyond all praise. What was the use of belonging to an influential club if it did not admit you into the best circles everywhere ? he justly argued. Once having decided to quit London for an in definite period, it did not take Henry long to carry out his intention. Fortunately for his peace of mind, it was part of his philosophy never to allow such mundane trifles as liabilities to worry him. He had, in all emergencies, been accustomed to act with promptitude; the adroit manner in which he slipped off abroad, without flurry or previous announcement, not excepted. As to leave-takings, they were his especial abominations. If it had not been so, he might often have found his movements seriously hampered through the presence of friends, who appeared to only fully appreciate him when his departure became imminent.

It is true he wrote another touching appeal to his children, entreating them to reconsider their heartless conduct, asking for a small sum of ready money, on loan. But beyond a formal acknowledgment from that beggarly lawyer, through whom all overtures had still to be made, nothing resulted. So Henry had no choice but to hurriedly pack up his somewhat extravagant wardrobe — he was particular in respect to dress — and depart, carrying his abhorrence of parting scenes so far as not even to bid good-bye to his landlady. He did, however, airily inform the drudge who helped the cabman downstairs with the neatly-appointed luggage, that she might expect him back before long. She might, though the number of Mr Wodehouse's pieces suggested the contrary. These were his parting words : ' My best remembrances to Mrs Pybus, Susan.

Mind you say how sorry I was to be obliged to go without the pleasure of saying good-bye ; tell her, also, I will remit the trifling balance of her account — promptly. But tides and tidal trains, my dear, wait for no man, as you may not have learnt yet. There are a few odds and ends on the toilet-table. Pray accept them, with my blessing. No, I will not love's loyaltv. leave my address ; thank you for suggesting the pre caution, all the same. Chatham-Dover, main line, cabman.' The mere thought of a trip abroad always put Henry in good spirits. He waved his hand quite festively to the girl, who had already decided that this was quite the ' pleasantest-spoken gent' of her acquaintance. The few cast-off neckties and gloves with which, from time to time, Mr Wodehouse rewarded her services in place of coin, found their way to the young man she kept company with, surrounded by quite a halo of romantic associations. ' It wasn't for the likes of her, of course, to argue with gentle folks,' Susan reasoned with herself as she watched the cab drive away with this genteel lodger, but she did think as how missus had been ' a bit rough ' on him when she made those persistent applications for rent, which seemed to vex the gentleman so.

But missus' views and her own differed so widely on many points — for example, as to the precise duration of a ' Sunday-evening-out ' — that one disagreement, more or less, could be of little moment. If Henry felt gay at only the prospect of change, how thoroughly happy must he have been when he found himself being driven once more through the streets of Paris, in the greyness of early morn ing. It was creditable to him that he could thus so easily throw off his worries. For it must be remembered how often he had been the sport of an evil fate, passing through adversities which would have tried stronger men than he. But it was his constant aim to rise above circumstances ; nobody could say where was the limit to his soaring. Even the sight of the familiar kiosks acted as a fillip in this direction.

Already, in his mind's eye, he saw a larger and more influential journal rising from the ashes of the ' Pilot,' and selling there in its thousands, trumpeting his doctiines 'throughout the length and breath of Europe.' If he could only find someone who would really trust him, he would work the newspaper himself, free from the drag of a lot of fussy shareholders. There must be plenty of rich people about with capital at command, which might as well — nay, much better — be employed in such a beneficial speculation. That very day he would begin his disinterested search after them. What delightful reminiscences poured in upon the man as he glided over the asphalt of the Boulevards. There, at his elbow, was the noted Frontin's into whose cellar he had dived so often when bent upon nocturnal amusement combined with business.

Except for the gay ladies seated at the reeking tables, this might have been the Crib itself trans ported to the Continent, with all its adjuncts of inferior tobacco, choice oaths, and poisonous drinks. Nor was the male society to be found in this stuffy saloon more select. For down those fateful steps passed sharpers, thieves, viveurs innumerable, to re appear fuddled and dishevelled when the morning light was struggling for mastery with the gas lamps. Henry remembered with pride how many a time he had come up smiling from those brilliant shades the wisest and most sober in a bibulous company of revellers. How he had laughed in his sleeve to see his boon companions stagger homewards under the kindly guidance of their painted charmers, when he, all the while, was so cool and steady. What fools they were ; how his earnings over the dice-box paid a well-deserved and substantial compliment to his own superior astuteness.

Yes, those were rollicking days, of a truth. They would come round again, sure enough, after a few visits to the Bourse. He knew plenty of outsiders there, who had the ear of their luckier brethren inside the official, yet exclusive, ' Basket,' where those excitable idiots yelled themselves hoarse over their bargains. When Henry looked down upon that exhilarating scene from the gallery, he longed to be one of them, if only to be admitted on the floor of that Temple of Plungers. The tortures of Tantalus were trifling compared with this restricted glimpse into Paradise. These French beggars certainly beat his own countrymen hollow in their unquenchable thirst for gambling. In other respects their habits might leave much to be desired, but such a quality atoned for all shortcomings. Narrow-minded people had been known to denounce this spirit of enterprise, going so far as to assert that some operators took advantage of their proclivities.

Could any thing be more unchristianlike? Henry would like to make those detractors have just one day's ex perience of the worries of a lively market, say when a war scare was on. Then they might judge if profits were not fairly earned. Of course there always would be flats in the world — the French called them by the quaint name of gogos — and in Mr Wodehouse's opinion it was a perfectly legitimate performance to play upon them, as a judgment for their gullibility. Of what use otherwise were the anxious calculations of years? Certainly brains should be well paid for. He did not propose selling his own too cheaply ; that would be the most culpable of weaknesses. Projectors were, at anyrate, entitled to this recognition on the part of the public. Little fish are proverbially sweet. On this prin ciple, our friend preferred angling for gudgeons, who bit freer, and were less troublesome on the hook.

Henry's most successful baskets had always been made amongst the smaller fry of the investing world — results directly opposed to the magnitude of his inspirations, which, one might have fancied, would not have been satisfied with such easy victories. Hence it was that the glimpses he got of the many huge banking-houses gave him but scant delight. Rather, they reminded him of sundry vexatious visits when engaged in bolstering up the affairs of the ' Pilot,' notably in connection with bifs, which, although properly drawn and accepted, had, oddly enough, not been met at maturity with that readiness one might have expected. Naturally — it is often the case with gentlemen who live by their wits — the visitor put up at one of the cosiest hotel in the capital. Presumably, also, he paid his bills there, or offered some satisfactory equivalent.

For, even at that early hour, he was received with the customary smiling obeisance which French caterers cultivate to such perfection. Alas, so ready a welcome had not been his everywhere. In the dark hours of the ' Pilot's ' adversity, many owners of the well-puffed establishments had meanly declined to harbour him longer, because contracts made for advertisements had, as they contended, been violated. The fact is, Henry had a pet hotel column, which he took under his special charge. Into this he would at times lure some unsuspecting host, where, under cover of apparently gratuitous display, he unconsciously acted as decoy-duck for other opposition inns the paper was anxious to secure. In order that the obligation might not be all on one side, Henry ran up a contra for his own board and lodging, an arrangement which, besides soon palling upon his host, created feelings of resentment on the part of the shareholders.

Things reaching this recriminative stage, the managing-director was per force obliged to move on elsewhere, when he not unfrequently fell back upon his trump card, some newly-started ' high-class pension, conducted by the widow of a distinguished military officer, whom cir cumstances,' etc. There, on the strength of personal appearance and agreeable manners, he was always sure of a welcome. He could also reduce his ex penses to a minimum by wheedling the proprietress into putting him on the free list for meals, as a set off for keeping her guests diverted during those, to her, anxious periods. Anybody connected with the press was such an attraction in a mixed gathering. Writers were always so chatty and full of anecdote, invalua' le qualities when a tableful of people, capti ously disposed as to viands, was considered.

How shocked that widow and her boarders would have been had they suspected that Henry's nights were spent in some of the prettiest hells of Paris. How his enlivening gossip— duly pruned, of course, to suit the susceptibilities of his audience — was for the mo.-t part picked up at the bars of those many English taverns which grace certain parts of the city. But on that visit our traveller need not fall back upon quarters in which his talents found such restricted scope. For the young men who kept the Hotel des Trois Hemispheres believed (at pre sent) strongly in this persuasive journalist, who had conclusively proved to them that continued fidelity to the columns of the 'Pilot' was the only sure road to fortune. What if the newspaper had stopped its issue for a while ? It was to blossom forth shortly in all the pride of matured opinions, new heading, and type.

If messieurs only stuck faithfully to it, there was no limit to the patronage which might not be expected. They might even have to enlarge their premises, or be able to carry out the dream of their lives by migrating to the spacious avenue adjoining ; no amount of affluence was too much to expect as the result of a standing two-inch advertisement, for which the scale of charges was so ludicrously disproportionate. That was the line of argument Henry proposed to take in case those enterprising youths proved refractory, or showed signs of jibbing from the former liberal spirited terms arranged with their lamented uncle. As a matter of fact, custom had already resulted from the nephews' association with the ' Pilot.' For one of its canvassers had stayed there a whole week, commissioned to crack up the paper on every available opportunity, whilst enjoined not to disclose his identity, under pain of instant dis missal : if that wasn't being bound body and soul to his employers, the unfortunate touter did not know what slavery was.

But being a needy man, with a family, he accepted his position, nobly act ing the part of disinterested stranger — it must in justice be added — to the letter. It is scarcely necessary to say from whose fertile brain this and similar plans emanated. After Henry had freshened himself up a bit, and taken just one dram to ward off the danger of a possible chill during his journey — his was a valuable life ; it behoved him, in the interest of thousands, to be careful of himself — he strolled leisurely down to the Place de la Bourse. After all, he thought, these Frenchmen were in many respects very sen sible fellows. Here they were in the liveliest spirits, positively itching for speculation, with the day still young, before their English and American visitors had even begun to stuff themselves with their heavy breakfasts.

Just a cup of coffee, with a roll, then out they bundled to their offices, or, better still, to spend an exciting morning under the well-known facade. There was some sense in getting up early with the chance of turning over a pile of francs before noon. Henry admired this typical feature of their characters immensely, it so entirely confirmed his oft-expressed opinion that those who 'got on' to the market the soonest were the ones to be envied. That morning, however, he could only afford a hurried glance at the crowd of boursiers and their gogos, who intermingled about the massive pillars of the Ex change. Business called him, by appointment, into an opposite corner, where, on the fourth floor, dwelt a wire-puller likely enough to help him in his efforts to establish a worthy successor to the ' Pilot,' and introduce him to those capitalists who were to have the honour of assisting in so praiseworthy an attempt.

Few firms could boast of so interesting a collection of clients as did Messrs Fortescue Jones & Co. Only those who have had experience of certain dark phases of life in a great city can realise into what compro mising straits its silent vices may lead alike the greenhorn or the knave. A fine opening always exists, in consequence, for a money-lender and general adjuster of difficulties, who can combine the useful qualifications of discretion and shrewdness with an exhaustive knowledge of those many loopholes of the law through which escape is opened to the embarrassed. All these advantages Mr Jones — the Co., like a good many others, only existed in name — possessed to the full. Indeed, as a receptacle for secrets, his brain might well have rivalled old Tulkinghorne's. Most of the business which found its way into Fortescue's den was decidedly shady ; but that was not his fault, rather of those who brought it there.

His own dealings with his fellow men were quite above-board, as he was not bashful in mentioning. People ought not, therefore, to have begrudged him his worldly prosperity. If his clients thought fit to confide in him, and he successfully extricated them from folly or improvidence, it was but just that he should be well rewarded for his services. It was clearly unfair to accuse Mr Jones of taking advantage of those who, driven into a corner, were ready to mortgage their very souls to him rather than face an exposure. It was equally ungenerous to rake up the gentleman's antecedents. What if he had been struck off the rolls of his native town owing to some ridiculous squeamishness on the part of the Court of Chancery ? He could easily have cleared himself with a little more of that desirable commodity — time.

Trust funds were, of course, awkward things to tamper with. But to speak of misappropriation and Fortescue Jones in the same breath was too grievous a calumny. The worst that could be laid at his door was a want of prudence in his investments, and the best of us are liable to mistakes of that kind. At anyrate, even if his ostracism were, as some alleged, well deserved, nobody could rob him of that invaluable stock of legal knowledge which, as a sharp practitioner in a busy place, he had duly acquired, and now retained for his benefit. Nor was it altogether courteous to infer that, because he drove close bargains, the money-lender had no heart. How could that be, when he was a liberal supporter of so many Parisian hospitals and charities ? Slander could surely go no further, when it whispered that this was only done to throw dust in the eyes of the authorities ; that he even owed the decoration in his buttonhole to a consummate mastery over the arts of cajolery.

Such disgraceful libels deserved to be shown up for the public good. It would have been quite in Mr Jones's old line to have worked his own case, won the day too, had any of his detractors compromised themselves on paper. As may be imagined, Henry Wodehouse had a great admiration for this individual, who, with the millstone of a tarnished reputation round his neck, had yet managed to place himself upon a pedestal of such unassailable respectability. It was for this reason, that whilst inwardly cursing the fad which induced the ex-solicitor to dwell so near the sky, he adjusted his most conciliatory smile as he mounted the stairs. ' My very dear sir, it seems ages since we met— how are you?' were the first words of greeting. ' You look as well as ever. Crossed last night, I suppose?' ' Yes ; a deuced rough time we had of it.

When will they put decent boats on the night service?' ' When, indeed. You must agitate for an improve ment in your excellent journal, Mr Wodehouse. By the way, how goes it with our friend ? Circulation brisk, I hope ? ' As a matter of fact, Mr Jones had the history of the paper at his finger ends. More than once Henry or his editor had applied to him, in great distress, to help them out of some scrape with the French officials, which, for a ready-money con sideration, he had done, though it was no easy job. He knew also perfectly well that the advice he had given after the last tussle had not been followed, and that, in consequence of the shareholders' action, the inevitable crash had come. But it suited him then to feign ignorance of the catas trophe ; and he did this so naturally as to deceive Henry himself, which is paying no mean compli ment to the ex-solicitor's powers of dissimulation. ' Unfortunately, just now we are compelled to stop the issues,' the promoter explained, adding how ever gaily, 'only for a while, of course.

We shall go on presently, better than ever.' ' Dear, dear, I am much concerned. From what you have told me from time to time, I quite thought you were a power upon the Continent.' 'So we were. Shall be again very shortly — stronger than ever. That's what I've come over to talk to you about. All we want from the investing public is money and — confidence.' Fortescue Jones & Co. smiled. 'A good deal of the first, with not much of the other, I suppose. If you only knew how many people come to me with those two modest re quests. Well, we must see presently what can be done. Kindly excuse me for a few moments. Amuse yourself with to-day's " Detonator," hot from the press.' The ' Detonator ' indeed ! Henry would sooner have read the ' Guardian ' through, from cover to finish, than touch his detested rival, whose pros perity had helped so largely in his own journal's downlall.

As to extracting any amusement from its columns, his scribes had standing instructions to hold it up to contempt, as the acme of everything that was commonplace, dull, and old womanish in journalism. Why, there wasn't a smile in it from one year's end to another. Failing the distraction proposed, Henry made a tour of inspection round his friend's rooms — an in variable practice with him when left alone under similar conditions ; you see, his was such an inquir ing mind. 'The old fox certainly does the thing in style. If it wasn't for the safe, one might be at the Mirliton's : choice prints and water-colours, bric-d-bracs ad. lib., inlaid cabinets, nice soft-pile Turkey carpet. What's this ? " French Protestant Church, Neuilly." Ah, that must be the pious Fortescue's place of worship. And, by Jove ! a Bible on the mantelpiece.

I never knew he was a commissioner of oaths before — at least, not that sort of administrator of them. I wonder where he keeps his liquor? I'm as dry as a lime-kiln.' Meanwhile, Mr Jones had stepped round the corner 10 prospect, not with the faintest intention of finding a capitalist offhand for his visitor, but to prime him self as to Mr Wodehouse's exact position, whether his tale was a genuine one, and so on : he might be running away from his creditors, or fifty things. To ascertain which, he telegraphed in cipher to a Hebrew relative in Fleet Street, who knew more about newspaper affairs than many Christians. For tescue never relied upon anybody's unconfirmed statement in these delicate matters, and rightly or wrongly, he fancied Mr Wodehouse was a slippery customer. Returned from this errand, Henry began to unfold his scheme with much detail, and — considering its infancy, and his recent discomfiture — an amazing amount of belief in its success.

Mr Jones listened with great patience. He wisely wanted to hear all the promoter had to say, without expressing an opinion one way or the other until he had got his answer from Fleet Street. When his sanguine friend stopped and asked him point-blank whether he did not think there was money in it, he inquired in quite an exasperating fashion, and with a French shrug of his shoulders, — ' My dear sir, how can I tell you until you show me some figures to go by ? With men of business that is, of course, the first consideration.' ' Figures be — We'll go into them presently. Haven't I proved as plain as a pikestaff the thing can't fail, with the support I'm promised ? ' ' Well, you see, a great deal depends upon the nature of the promises made ; whether they are backed up with something more substantial.