Tom Burke Of Ours, Volume I

by Charles James Lever

  CHAPTER XVII. MR. BASSET'S DWELLING

  Excepting the two dingy-looking, dust-covered parlors, which servedas office and dining-room, the only portion of Mr. Basset's dwellinguntenanted by lodgers was the attics. The large brass plate that adornedthe hall door, setting forth in conspicuous letters, "Anthony Basset,Attorney," gave indeed a most inadequate notion of the mixed populationwithin, whose respectability, in the inverse ratio of their heightfrom the ground, went on growing beautifully less, till it found itsculminating point in the host himself, on whose venerable head the lightstreamed from a cobweb-covered pane in the roof. The stairs were darkand narrow; the walls covered with a dull-colored old wainscot, thatflapped and banged with every foot that came and went; while the windowswere defended by strong iron railings, as if anything inside them couldpossibly demand such means of protection.

  I followed Mr. Basset as he led the way up these apparently interminablestairs, till at length the decreasing head room betokened that we werenear the slates. Mumbling a half apology for the locale, he introducedme into a long, low attic, where a settle bed of the humblestpretensions and a single rush-bottomed chair supporting a basin werethe only articles of furniture. Something like the drop curtain of astrolling theatre closed up the distance; but this I could only perceiveimperfectly by the dim twilight of a dip candle, and in my state offatigue and weariness, I had little inclination to explore further.Wishing me a good night, and promising that I should be called betimesnext morning, Mr. Basset took his leave; while I, overcome by a long dayof care and anxiety, threw myself on the bed, and slept far more soundlythan I could have believed it were possible for me to do under the roofof Anthony Basset.

  The sun was streaming in a rich flood of yellow light through a smallskylight, and playing its merry gambols on the floor, when I awoke. Thebirds, too, were singing; and the hum of the street noises, mellowed bydistance, broke not unpleasantly on the ear. It did not take me long toremember where I was, and why. The conversation of the evening beforerecurred at once to my mind; and hope, stronger than ever before I feltit, filled my heart. It was clear Basset could place little value onsuch services as mine; and if I could only contrive to make it hisinterest to part with me, he would not hesitate about it. I resolvedthat, whatever price he put upon my freedom, if in my power I shouldpay it. My next plan was to find out, through some of the persons incorrespondence with France, the means of reaching that country, in whosemilitary service I longed to enroll myself. Had I but the papers of mypoor friend Charles de Meudon, there had been little difficulty in this;but unfortunately they were seized by Major Barton on the day of hisdeath, and I had never seen them since.

  While I revolved these thoughts within myself I heard the merry notes ofa girl's voice, singing apparently in the very room with me. I startedup and looked about me, and now perceived that what seemed so like adrop curtain' the night before was nothing more or less than a verylarge patchwork quilt, suspended on a line across the entire attic, fromthe other side of which came the sounds in question. It was clear, bothfrom the melody and the voice, that she could not be a servant; andsomewhat curious to know more of my fair neighbor, I rose gently, andslipping on my clothes, approached the boundary of my territory withnoiseless step.

  A kind of whistling noise interrupted every now and then the lady'ssong, and an occasional outbreak of impatience would burst forth in themiddle of the "Arrah, will you marry me, dear Alley Croker?" by somemalediction on a "black knot" or a broken string. I peeped over the"drop," and beheld the figure of a young, plump, and pretty girl, busilyengaged in lacing her stays,--an occupation which accounted equallyfor the noise of the rushing staylace and the bit of peevishness I hadheard. I quite forgot how inadvisable was the indulgence of my curiosityin my admiration of my fair neighbor, whose buxom figure, not the lessattractive for the shortness of her drapery, showed itself to peculiaradvantage as she bent to one side and the other in her efforts to fastenthe impracticable bodice. A mass of rich brown hair, on which the sunwas playing, fell over her neck and on her shoulders, and half concealedher round, well-turned arms as they plied their busy task.

  Peeping Tom 166]

  "Well, ain't my heart broke with you, entirely?" exclaimed she, as astubborn knot stopped all further progress.

  At this moment the cord, on which through inadvertence I had leanedsomewhat too heavily, gave way, and down came the curtain with a squashto the floor. She sprang back with a bound, and, while a slight butmomentary blush flushed her cheek, stared at me half angrily, and thencried out,--"Well, I hope you like me?"

  "Yes, that I do," said I, readily;--"and who wouldn't that saw you?"

  Whether it was the naivete of my confession, or my youth, or both, Ican't well say, but she laughed heartily at my speech, and threw herselfinto a chair to indulge her mirth.

  "So we were neighbors, it seems," said I.

  "And if we were," said she, roguishly, "I think it's a veryunceremonious way you 've opened the acquaintance."

  "You forget, apparently, I haven't left my own territory."

  "Well, I 'm sure I wish you would, if you 're any good at a black knot;my heart and my nails are both broke with one here."

  I didn't wait for any more formal invitation, but stepped at once overthe frontier; while she, rising from the chair, turned her back towardsme, as with her finger she directed me to the most chaotic assemblage ofknots, twists, loops, and entanglements I ever beheld.

  "And you're Burke, I suppose," cried she, as I commenced my labors.

  "Yes; I'm Burke."

  "Well, I hope you 're done with wildness by this time. Uncle Tony tellsfine tales of your doings."

  "Uncle Tony! So you 're Mr. Basset's niece? Is that--"

  "You did n't take me for his wife, I hope?" said she, again bursting outinto laughter.

  "In truth, I never thought so well of him as to suppose it."

  "Well, well, I 'm sure it 's little I expected you to look so mild andso quiet. But you need n't pinch me, for all that. Is n't your nameTom?"

  "Yes; I hope you 'll always call me so."

  "Maybe I will. Is n't that done yet? And there 's the milk bell. Unclewill be in a nice passion if I 'm not down soon. Cut it,--cut it atonce."

  "Now do be patient for a minute or two; it's all right if you stayquiet. I 'll try my teeth on it."

  "Yes; but you needn't try your lips too," said she, tartly.

  "Why, it 's the only plan to get your fingers out of the way. I 'm sureI never was so puzzled in all my life."

  "Nothing like practice, my boy,--nothing," cried a merry voice from thedoor behind me, half choked with laughing; while a muttered anathema, ina deeper tone, followed. I looked back, and there stood Bubbleton, hisface florid with laughter, endeavoring to hold back Mr. Basset, whoseangry look and flashing eye there was no mistaking.

  "Mr. Burke,--Burke, I say! Nelly, what does this mean? How came thisyoung gentleman--"

  "As to that," said I, interrupting him, and my blood somewhat chafed byhis manner, "this piece of trumpery tumbled down when I leaned my arm onit. I had no idea--"

  "No, no; to be sure not," broke in Bubbleton, in an ecstasy. "The thingwas delicious; such a bit of stage effect. She was there, as it mightbe, combing her hair, and all that sort of thing; Tom was here, ravingabout absence and eternal separation. You are an angry father, oruncle,--all the same; and I 'm Count Neitztachenitz, the old friend andbrother officer of Tom's father. Now, let Miss Nelly--But where is she?Why, she's gone! Eh, and Basset? Basset! Why, he 's gone! Come, Tom,don't you go too. I say, my boy, devilish well got up that. You oughtto have had a white satin doublet and hose, slashed with palecherry-colored ribbons to match, small hat looped, aigrette and whiteplume. She was perfect; her leg and foot were three certain rounds ofapplause from the pit and gallery."

  "What nonsense!" said I, angrily; "we weren't playing a comedy."

  "Were n't you, though? Well, I 'm deuced sorry for it, that 's all; butit did look confoundedly like an undress rehe
arsal."

  "Come, come, no foolery, I beg. I'm here in a very sad plight, and thispiece of nonsense may not make matters any better. Listen to me, if youcan, patiently for five minutes, and give me your advice."

  I took him by the arm as I spoke, and leading him from the room,--whereI saw that everything was only suggesting some piece of sceniceffect,--and in as few words as I could command, explained how I wascircumstanced; omitting, of course, any detail of my political bias,and only stated so much of my desire as implied my wish to be free of mycontract with Basset, and at liberty to dispose of myself as I liked infuture.

  "I see," cried Bubbleton, as I finished; "the old fox has this fivehundred pounds of yours."

  "No, I didn't say that; I only mean--"

  "Well, well, it 's all the same. If he has n't, you know he ought."

  "No; that 's not essential either."

  "No matter, he would if he could; it just comes to the same thing, andyou only wish to get clear out of his hands at any cost. Is n't thatit?"

  "Exactly; you have it all perfectly."

  "Bless your heart, boy, there 's nothing easier; if I were in yourplace, should arrange the affair in less than a week. I 'd havefits,--strong fits,--and burn all the papers in the office during theparoxysm. I 'd make a pile of deeds, leases, bonds, and settlements inthe backyard."

  "I don't fancy your plan would be so successful as you flatteryourself," said a dry, husky voice behind; "there 's rather a stringentlaw for refractory apprentices, as Mr. Burke may learn." We turnedround, and there stood Mr. Basset, with a grin of most diabolicalmalignity in his by no means pleasant features. "At the same time,"continued he, "your suggestions are of infinite value, and shall be dulyappreciated in the King's Bench."

  "Eh,--King's Bench! Lord bless you, don't speak of it. Mere trifles,--Ijust threw them out as good hints; I had fifty far better to come. There's the young lady, now. To be sure, he has started that notion himself,so I must not pretend it was mine. But Miss Nelly, I think, Tom--"

  "Mr. Basset is well aware," interrupted I, "that I am only desirous tobe free and untrammelled; that whatever little means I may derive frommy family, I 'm willing to surrender all, short of actual beggary, toattain this object,--that I intend quitting Ireland at once. If, then,he consent to enter into an arrangement with me, let it be at once,and on the spot. I have no desire, I have no power, to force him by athreat, in case of refusal; but I hope he will make so much of amendsto one of whose present desolation and poverty he is not altogetherinnocent."

  "There, there; that's devilish well said. The whole thing is all clearbefore me. So come along, Basset; you and I will settle all this. Haveyou got a private room where we can have five minutes' chat together?Tom, wait for me here."

  Before either of us could consent or oppose his arrangement, he hadtaken Basset's arm, and led him downstairs; while I, in a flurry ofopposing and conflicting resolves, sat down to think over my fortunes.

  Tired at length with waiting, and half suspecting that my volatilefriend had forgotten me and all my concerns, I descended to the parlorin hopes to hear something of the pending negotiation. At the head ofa long, narrow table sat my fair acquaintance, Miss Nelly, her hairbraided very modestly at each aide of her pretty face, which had nowassumed an almost Quakerish propriety of expression. She was busilyengaged in distributing tea to three pale, red-eyed, emaciated men,whose spongy-looking, threadbare garments bespoke to be attorney'sclerks, A small imp, a kind of embryo practitioner, knelt before thefire in the act of toasting bread, but followed with his sharp piercingeyes every stir in the apartment and seemed to watch with maliciouspleasure the wry faces around, whenever any undue dilution of the bohea,or any curtailment of the blue milk, pressed heavily on the guests.These were not exactly the circumstances to renew my acquaintance withmy fair neighbor, had I been so minded; so having declined her offer ofbreakfast, I leaned moodily on the chimneypiece, my anxiety to knowmy fate becoming each instant more painful. Meanwhile not a word wasspoken,--a sad, moody silence, unbroken save by the sounds of eating,pervaded all, when suddenly the door of the front parlor was flung open,and Bubbleton's pleasant voice was heard as he talked away unceasingly;in an instant he entered, followed by Basset, over whose hardcountenance a shade of better nature seemed to pass.

  May Good Digestion Wait on Appetite 171]

  "In that case," cried the captain, "I'm your man, not that I 'm anythingof a performer at breakfast or dinner; supper 's rather my forte,--anodor of a broiled bone at three in the morning, a herring smeared withchetna and grilled with brandy, two hundred of small oysters, a few hotones to close with, a glass of seltzer dashed with hollands for health,and, then any number you like of glasses, of hot brandy and waterafterwards for pleasure."

  While Bubbleton ran on in this fashion, he had broken about half adozen eggs into the slop basin, and seasoning the mess with pepperand vinegar, was busily engaged in illustrating the moderation of hismorning appetite.

  "Try a thing like this, Tom," cried he, not defining how it was to beeffected under the circumstances; while he added in a whisper, "youraffair's all right."

  These few words brought courage to my heart; and I ventured to begin thebreakfast that had lain untasted before me.

  "I think, Mr. Burke," said Basset, as soon as he recovered from thesurprise Bubbleton's mode of breakfasting had excited,--"I think andtrust that all has been arranged to your satisfaction." Then turningto the clerks, who ate away without even lifting their heads,--"Mr.Muggridge, you will be late at the Masters' Office; Jones, take thatparcel to Hennet; Kit, carry my bag up to the Courts."

  Miss Nelly did not wait for the part destined for her, but with a demureface rose from the table and left the room; giving me, however, one slyglance as she passed my chair that I remembered for many a day after.

  "You 'll excuse me, gentlemen, if I am pressed for time this morning; avery particular case comes on in the Common Pleas."

  "Never speak of it, my dear fellow," said Bubbleton, who had justaddressed himself to a round of spiced beef; "business has its callsjust as pleasure has,--ay, and appetite too. That would make anexcellent bit of supper, with some mulled port, after a few rubbers ofshorts."

  Basset paid little attention to this speech, but turning to me,continued:

  "You mentioned your intention of leaving Ireland, I think. Might Iask where you have decided on,--from where? Is it possible that yourbrother--"

  "My brother's anxieties on my account, Mr. Basset, can scarcely be verypoignant, and deserve no particular respect or attention at my hands.I suppose that this morning has concluded all necessary intercoursebetween us; and if you have satisfied my friend Captain Bubbleton--"

  "Perfectly, perfectly. Another cup of tea, if you please. Yes, nothingcould be more gratifying than Mr. Basset's conduct; you are merelyto sign the receipt for the legacy, and he hands you over one hundredpounds. Isn't that it?"

  "Yes, quite correct; my bill for one hundred at three months."

  "That's what I mean. But surely you're not done breakfast; why, Tom,you 've eaten nothing. I have been picking away this half hour, just toencourage you a bit. Well, well! I lunch in Stephen's Green at three; sohere goes."

  Mr. Basset now took from his pocket-book some papers, which, havingglanced his eye over, he handed to me.

  "This is a kind of acknowledgment, Mr. Burke, for the receipt of alegacy to which you could be only entitled on attaining your majority.Here are your indentures to me; and this is my acceptance for onehundred pounds."

  "I am content," said I, eagerly, as I seized the pen. The thought ofmy liberty alone filled my mind, and I cared little for the conditionsprovided I secured that.

  Basset proffered his hand. I was in no humor to reject anything thateven simulated cordiality; I shook it heartily. Bubbleton followedmy example, and having pledged himself to see more of his pleasantacquaintance, thrust his arm through mine and bustled out; adding, in atone loud enough to be overheard,--

  "Made a capita
l fight of it; told him you were a Defender, a UnitedIrishman, a Peep-o'-day Boy, and all that sort of thing. Devilish gladto get rid of you, even on Miss Nelly's account."

  And so he rattled away without ceasing, until we found ourselves at theGeorge's Street Barracks, my preoccupation of mind preventing my evenhaving remarked what way we came.