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Page 71
"I have been a long journey."
"Ah! Where have you been? Eh?"
"To Italy."
The sick man flushed crimson, and his large, thin hands quivered
slightly. Julius noted the change in him with some alarm; for, though it
was not perhaps actually necessary to have the squire's signature to
Harry's relinquishment, it would be more satisfactory to obtain it. He
knew that neither Mrs. Sandal nor Charlotte would dispute Harry's deed;
but he wished not only to possess Seat-Sandal, but also the good-will
of the neighborhood, and for this purpose he must show a clear, clean
right to the succession. He had explained the matter to Sophia, and been
annoyed at her want of enthusiasm. She feared that any discussion
relating to Harry might seriously excite and injure her father, and she
could not bring herself to advise it. But the disapproval only made
Julius more determined to carry out his own views; and therefore, when
the squire asked, "Where have you been?" he told him the truth; and oh,
how cruel the truth can sometimes be!
"I have been to Italy."
"To see"--
"Harry? Yes."
Then, without waiting to inform himself as to whether the squire wished
the conversation dropped or continued, he added, "He was in a miserable
condition,--destitute, with a dying wife and child."
"Child! Eh? What?"
"Yes, a son; a little chap, nothing but skin and bone and black
eyes,--an Italian Sandal."
The squire was silent a few minutes; then he asked in a slow,
constrained voice, "What did you do?"
"Harry sent for me in order that we might discuss a certain proposal he
wished to make me. I have accepted it--reluctantly accepted it; but
really it appeared the only way to help him to any purpose."
"What did Harry want? Eh? What?"
"He wanted to go to America, and begin a new life, and found a new house
there; and, as he had determined never under any circumstances to visit
Sandal-Side again, he asked me to give him the money necessary for
emigration."
"Did you?"
"Yes, I did."
"For what? What equivalent could he give you?"
"He had nothing to give me but his right of succession. I bought it for
ten thousand pounds. A sum of money like that ought to give him a good
start in America. I think, upon the whole, he was very wise."
"Harry Sandal sold my home and estate over my head, while I was still
alive, without a word to me! God have mercy!"
"Uncle, he never thought of it in that light, I am sure."
"That is what he did; sold it without a thought as to what his mother's
or sister's wishes might be. Sold it away from his own child. My God!
The man is an immeasurable scoundrel; and, Julius Sandal, you are
another."
"Sir?"
"Leave me. I am still master of Sandal. Leave me. Leave my house. Do not
enter it again until my dead body has passed the gates."
"It will be right for you first to sign this paper."
"What paper? Eh? What?"
"The deed of Harry's relinquishment. He has my money. I look to your
honor to secure me."
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