Newton Forster

by Frederick Marryat

  Chapter L

  "Hopes, of all passions, most befriend us here; Joy has her tears, and Transport has her death: Hope, like a cordial, innocent, tho' strong, Man's heart at once inspirits and serenes; Nor makes him pay his wisdom for his joys, 'Tis all our present state can safely bear: Health to the frame and vigour to the mind, And to the modest eye, chastised delight, Like the fair summer evening, mild and sweet, 'Tis man's full cup--his paradise below."

  YOUNG.

  With what feelings of delight did Newton Forster walk the deck of the_Windsor Castle_, as she scudded before a fine breeze across the Bay ofBiscay! His happiness in anticipation was so great, that at times hetrembled lest the cup should be dashed from his lips; and at the same timethat he thanked God for blessings received, he offered up his prayer thathis prospects might not be blighted by disappointment. How happy did hefeel when he escorted Isabel on deck, and walked with her during the finesummer evenings, communicating those hopes and fears, recurring to thepast, or anticipating the future, till midnight warned them of the rapiditywith which time had flown away! The pirate vessel, which had been manned bythe crew of the neutral and part of the ship's company of the _WindsorCastle_, under charge of the fourth mate, sailed round and round them,until at last the Channel was entered, and favoured with a westerly breeze,the _Windsor Castle_ and her prize anchored in the Downs. Here Mrs Enderbyand Isabel quitted the ship, and Newton received orders to proceed round tothe river. Before the _Windsor Castle_ had anchored, the newspapers wereput into his hands containing a report of the two actions, and he had thegratification of acknowledging that his countrymen were not niggardly inthe encomiums upon his meritorious conduct.

  Newton presented himself to the Court of Directors, who confirmed his rank,and promised him the command of the first ship which was brought forward,with flattering commendations for his gallantry in protecting property ofso much value. Newton took his leave of the august _Leaden-all_ board, andhastened to his uncle's house. The door was opened by a servant who did notknow him: Newton passed him, and ran up to the drawing-room, where he foundAmber in company with William Aveleyn, who was reading to her the despatchcontaining the account of the action with Surcoeuf.

  Amber _sprang_ into his arms. She had grown into a tall girl of nearlyfifteen, budding into womanhood and beauty: promising perfection, althoughnot yet attained to it. William Aveleyn was also nearly half a foot taller;and a blush which suffused his handsome face at being surprised alone withAmber, intimated that the feelings of a man were superseding those ofboyhood.

  "Where is my mother?" inquired Newton.

  "She is not at home, dear Newton," replied Amber; "she walked out with yourfather. They are both well."

  "And my uncle?"

  "Quite well, and most anxious to see you. He talks of nobody but you, andof nothing but your actions, which we were just reading about when you camein. Pray, _Captain_ Newton, may I inquire after your French friends? Whathas become of them?"

  "They are at Sablonniere's hotel, Miss Amber; they have obtained theirparole at the Alien-office."

  The conversation was interrupted by the return of Newton's father andmother, and shortly afterwards Mr John Forster made his appearance. Afterthe first greetings and congratulations were over--

  "Well, Newton," observed Nicholas, "so you beat off a pirate, I hear."

  "No, my dear father, we boarded one."

  "Ah! very true; I recollect--and you killed Surcoeuf."

  "No, father, only beat him off."

  "So it was; I recollect now. Brother John, isn't it almost dinner time?"

  "Yes, brother Nicholas, it is; and I'm not sorry for it. Mr WilliamAveleyn, perhaps you'd like to wash your hands? A lad's paws are never theworse for a little clean water."

  William Aveleyn blushed: his dignity was hurt: but he had lately been veryintimate at Mr Forster's, and he therefore walked out to comply with therecommendation.

  "Well, brother Nicholas, what have you been doing all day?"

  "Doing all day, brother? really, I don't exactly know. My dear," saidNicholas, turning to his wife, "what have I been doing all day?"

  "To the best of my recollection," replied Mrs Forster, smiling, "you havebeen asking when dinner would be ready."

  "Uncle Nicholas," said Amber, "you promised to buy me a skein of bluesilk."

  "Did I, my dear? Well, so I did, I declare. I'm very sorry--dear me, Iforgot, I did buy it. I passed by a shop where the windows were full of it,and it brought it to my mind, and I did buy it. It cost--what was it, itcost?"

  "Oh! I know what it cost," replied Amber. "I gave you threepence to pay forit. Where is it?"

  "If I recollect, it cost seven shillings and sixpence," replied Nicholas,pulling out, not a skein of blue silk, but a yard of blue sarsenet.

  "Now, papa, do look here! Uncle Nicholas, I never will give you acommission again. Is it not provoking? I have seven shillings and sixpenceto pay for a yard of blue sarsenet, which I do not want. Uncle Nicholas,you really are very stupid."

  "Well, my dear, I suppose I am. I heard William Aveleyn say the same, whenI came into the room this morning, because--let me see--"

  "You heard him say nothing, uncle," interrupted Amber, colouring.

  "Yes, I recollect now--how stupid I was to come in when I was not wanted!"

  "Humph!" said John Forster; and dinner was announced.

  Since the recognition of Mrs Forster by her husband, she had presided ather brother-in-law's table. The dinner provided was excellent, and was doneample justice to by all parties, especially Nicholas, whose appetiteappeared to increase from idleness. Since Newton had left England he hadremained a pensioner upon his brother; and, by dint of constant exertion onthe part of Mrs Forster, had been drilled out of his propensity ofinterfering with either the watch or the spectacles. This was all that wasrequired by Mr John Forster; and Nicholas walked up and down the house,like a tame cat, minding nobody, and nobody paying any attention to him.

  After dinner the ladies retired, and shortly afterwards William Aveleynquitted the room.

  Newton thought this to be a good opportunity to acquaint his uncle with hisattachment to Miss Revel, and the favourable result. Mr John Forster heardhim without interruption.

  "Very nice girl, I daresay, nephew, but you are too young to marry. Youcan't marry and go to sea. Follow your profession, Newton; speculate inopium--I'll find the means."

  "I trust, sir, that I should never speculate in marrying: but, had I actedon that plan, this would prove the best speculation of the two. Miss Revelhas a very large fortune."

  "So much the worse: a man should never be indebted to his wife for hismoney--they never forget it. I'd rather you had fallen in love with a girlwithout a shilling."

  "Well, sir, when I first fell in love she had not a sixpence."

  "Humph!--well, nephew, that may be very true; but, as I said before, followyour profession."

  "Marriage will not prevent my so doing, uncle. Most captains of Indiamenare married men."

  "More fools they! leaving their wives at home to be flattered and fooled bythe Lord knows who. A wife, nephew is--a woman."

  "I hope that mine will be one, sir," replied Newton, laughing.

  "Nephew, once for all, I don't approve of your marrying now---that'sunderstood. It's my wish that you follow your profession. I'll be candidwith you; I have left you the heir to most of my fortune; but--I can altermy will. If you marry this girl I shall do so."

  "Alter your will, brother?" said Nicholas, who had been attentive to theconversation. "Why, who have you to leave your money to, except to Newton?"

  "To hospitals--to pay off the national debt--to anything. Perhaps I mayleave it all to that little girl, who already has come in for a slice."

  "But, brother," replied Nicholas, "will that be just, to leave all yourmoney away from your family?"

  "Just! yes, brother Nicholas, quite just. A man's will is his _will_. If hemakes it so as to satisfy the wishes or expectat
ions of others, it is nolonger _his will_, but theirs. Nephew, as I said before, if you marryagainst my consent, I shall alter my will."

  "I am sorry, sir, very sorry, that you should be displeased with me; but Iam affianced to this lady, and no worldly consideration will induce me notto fulfil an engagement upon which, indeed, my future happiness depends. Ihave no claim upon you, sir; on the contrary, I have incurred a large debtof gratitude, from your kind protection. Anything else you would require ofme--"

  "Humph! that's always the case; anything else except what is requested.Brother Nicholas, do me the favour to go upstairs; I wish to speak with mynephew alone."

  "Well, brother John, certainly, if you wish it--if you and Newton havesecrets;" and Nicholas rose from his chair.

  "Surely, sir," observed Newton, not pleased at the abrupt dismissal of hisfather, "we can have no secrets to which my father may not be a party."

  "Yes, but I have, nephew. Your father is my brother, and I take the libertywith my brother, if you like that better--not with your father."

  In the meantime Nicholas had stalked out of the room.

  "Nephew," continued Mr John Forster, as the door closed, "I have stated toyou my wish that you should not marry this young woman; and I will nowexplain my reasons. The girl left in my charge by my brother Edward hasbecome the same to me as a daughter. I intend that you shall make three orfour voyages as captain of an Indiaman; then you shall marry her, andbecome the heir to my whole fortune. Now you understand me. May I ask whatare your objections?"

  "None, sir, but what I have already stated--my attachment and engagement toanother person."

  "Is that all?"

  "Is it not enough?"

  "It appears that this young woman has entered into an engagement on boardship, without consulting her friends."

  "She has no father, sir. She is of age, and independent."

  "You have done the same."

  "I grant it, sir; but even were I inclined, could I, in honour or honesty,retract?"

  "Humph!"

  "Perhaps, sir, if you were acquainted with the young lady you might not beaverse to the match."

  "Perhaps, if I saw with your eyes, I might not; but that is not likely tobe the case. Old men are a little blind and a little obstinate. Aftertoiling through life to amass a fortune, they wish to have their own way ofdisposing of it. It is the only return they can receive for their labour.However, nephew, you will act as you please. As I said before, if you marryagainst my consent, I shall alter my will. Now, empty the bottle, and we'llgo upstairs."