Pelham — Complete
Page 57
CHAPTER LVII.
While I seemed only intent upon pleasure, I locked in my heart theconsciousness and vanity of power; in the levity of the lip, I disguisedthe knowledge and the workings of the brain; and I looked, as with agifted eye, upon the mysteries of the hidden depths, while I seemedto float an idler with the herd only upon the surface of the stream.--Falkland.
As I walked home, revolving the scene I had witnessed, the words ofTyrrell came into my recollection--viz. that the cause of Glanville'sdislike to him had arisen in Tyrrell's greater success in some youthfulliaison. In this account I could not see much probability. In the firstplace, the cause was not sufficient to produce such an effect; and,in the second, there was little likelihood that the young and richGlanville, possessed of the most various accomplishments, and the mostremarkable personal beauty, should be supplanted by a needy spendthrift(as Tyrrell at that time was), of coarse manners, and unpolished mind;with a person not, indeed, unprepossessing, but somewhat touched bytime, and never more comparable to Glanville's than that of the Satyr toHyperion.
While I was meditating over a mystery which excited my curiosity morepowerfully than anything, not relating to himself, ought ever to occupythe attention of a wise man, I was accosted by Vincent: the differencein our politics had of late much dissevered us, and when he took myarm, and drew me up Bond-street, I was somewhat surprised at hiscondescension.
"Listen to me, Pelham," he said; "once more I offer you a settlementin our colony. There will be great changes soon: trust me, so radicala party as that you have adopted can never come in: our's, on thecontrary, is no less moderate than liberal. This is the last time ofasking; for I know you will soon have exposed your opinions in publicmore openly than you have yet done, and then it will be too late. Atpresent I hold, with Hudibras, and the ancients, that it is--
"'More honourable far, servare Civem than slay an adversary.'"
"Alas, Vincent," said I, "I am marked out for slaughter, for you cannotconvince me by words, and so, I suppose, you must conquer me by blows.Adieu, this is my way to Lord Dawton's: where are you going?"
"To mount my horse, and join the parca juventus," said Vincent, with alaugh at his own witticism, as we shook hands, and parted.
I grieve much, my beloved reader, that I cannot unfold to thee all theparticulars of my political intrigue. I am, by the very share which fellto my lot, bound over to the strictest secrecy, as to its nature, andthe characters of the chief agents in its execution. Suffice it to say,that the greater part of my time was, though furtively, employed in asort of home diplomacy, gratifying alike to the activity of my tastes,and the vanity of my mind; and there were moments when I ventured tograsp in my imagination the highest honours of the state, and the mostlucrative offices of power. I had filled Dawton, and his coadjutors,with an exaggerated opinion of my abilities; but I knew well how tosustain it. I rose by candle-light, and consumed, in the intensestapplication, the hours which every other individual of our party wastedin enervating slumbers, from the hesternal dissipation or debauch. Wasthere a question in political economy debated, mine was the readiestand the clearest reply. Did a period in our constitution becomeinvestigated, it was I to whom the duty of expositor was referred.From Madame D'Anville, with whom (though lost as a lover) I constantlycorresponded as a friend, I obtained the earliest and most accuratedetail of the prospects and manoeuvres of the court in which her lifewas spent, and in whose more secret offices her husband was employed.I spared no means of extending my knowledge of every the minutest pointwhich could add to the reputation I enjoyed. I made myself acquaintedwith the individual interests and exact circumstances of all whom it wasour object to intimidate or to gain. It was I who brought to the Housethe younger and idler members, whom no more nominally powerful agentcould allure from the ball-room or the gaming-house.
In short, while, by the dignity of my birth, and the independent hauteurof my bearing, I preserved the rank of an equal amongst the highest ofthe set, I did not scruple to take upon myself the labour and activityof the most subordinate. Dawton declared me his right hand; and, thoughI knew myself rather his head than his hand, I pretended to feel proudof the appellation. In truth, I only waited for my entree into theHouse, to fix my eye and grasp upon the very situation that noblemancoveted for himself.
Meanwhile, it was my pleasure to wear in society the coxcombical andeccentric costume of character I had first adopted, and to cultivate thearts which won from women the smile which cheered and encouraged me inmy graver contest with men. It was only to Ellen Glanville, that I laidaside an affectation, which I knew was little likely to attract a tasteso refined and unadulterated as her's. I discovered in her a mind which,while it charmed me by its tenderness and freshness, elevated me byits loftiness of thought. She was, at heart, perhaps, as ambitious asmyself; but while my aspirations were concealed by affectation, her'swere softened by her timidity, and purified by her religion. There weremoments when I opened myself to her, and caught a new spirit from herlook of sympathy and enthusiasm.
"Yes," thought I, "I do long for honours, but it is that I may ask herto share and ennoble them." In fine, I loved as other men loved--and Ifancied a perfection in her, and vowed an emulation in myself, which itwas reserved for Time to ratify or deride.
Where did I leave myself? as the Irishman said--on my road to LordDawton's. I was lucky enough to find that personage at home; he waswriting at a table covered with pamphlets and books of reference.
"Hush! Pelham," said his lordship, who is a quiet, grave, meditativelittle man, always ruminating on a very small cud--"hush! or do obligeme by looking over this history, to find out the date of the Council ofPisa."
"That will do, my young friend," said his lordship, after I hadfurnished him with the information he required--"I wish to Heaven, Icould finish this pamphlet by to-morrow: it is intended as an answerto--. But I am so perplexed with business, that--"
"Perhaps," said I, "if you will pardon my interrupting you, I can throwyour observations together--make your Sibylline leaves into a book. Yourlordship will find the matter, and I will not spare the trouble."
Lord Dawton was profuse in his thanks; he explained the subject, andleft the arrangement wholly to me. He could not presume to dictate. Ipromised him, if he lent me the necessary books, to finish the pamphletagainst the following evening.
"And now," said Lord Dawton--"that we have settled this affair--whatnews from France?"--
"I wish," sighed Lord Dawton, as we were calculating our forces, "thatwe could gain over Lord Guloseton."
"What, the facetious epicure?" said I.
"The same," answered Dawton: "we want him as a dinner-giver; and,besides, he has four votes in the Lower House."
"Well," said I, "he is indolent and independent--it is not impossible."
"Do you know him?" answered Dawton.
"No:" said I.
Dawton sighed.--"And young A--?" said the statesman, after a pause.
"Has an expensive mistress, and races. Your lordship might be sure ofhim, were you in power, and sure not to have him while you are out ofit."
"And B.?" rejoined Dawton.
VOLUME V.