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Page 74
He was the only son, and the hope of the parents centred on him. It was
settled that he should be sent to the best schools and to a first-class
college. He had, perhaps, rather more than ordinary ability, the power
to display to the best advantage the talents and acquirements he did
possess, together with attractive manners, which, though reserved, were
pleasing. He was slight, gracefully formed, and a little above the
ordinary height. He had a dark complexion, a face thin and colorless,
with fine, large, black eyes.
When I say Augustus Myrtle sought only the intimacy of the rich and well
bred, you must not suppose he was a toady, or practised obsequiously.
Not at all. He mingled with his associates, assuming to be one of
them--their equal. True, his want of money led to desperate economical
contrivances behind the scenes, but on the stage he betrayed by no sign
that affairs did not flow as smoothly with him as with his companions.
In all this, he had in his mother great support and encouragement. Her
relations were precisely of the stamp Augustus desired to cultivate, and
this gave him many advantages. As usually happens, he found what he
sought. By the aid of the associations he had formed with so much
assiduity, to say nothing of his own personal recommendations, he
married a nice girl, the only child of a widowed lady _in the right
'set' and with sixty thousand dollars_, besides a considerable
expectancy on the mother's decease. Shortly after, he became rector of
St. Jude's, the most exclusive 'aristocratic' religious establishment in
New York.
At this present period, the Rev. Augustus Myrtle was but thirty-five,
and, from his standing and influence, he considered it no presumption to
look forward to the time when he should become bishop of the diocese.
His health was excellent, if we may except some _very_ slight
indications of weakness of the larynx, which had been the cause of his
making two excursions to Europe, each of six months' duration, which
were coupled with an appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars by his
indulgent congregation to pay expenses.
* * * * *
While Mr. Myrtle and his family were still absent, Hiram had made very
sensible progress in mastering the mysteries of the Episcopal form of
worship, and became fully versed in certain doctrinal points, embracing
all questions of what constitutes a 'church' and a proper 'succession.'
His investigations were carried on under the direction of the Rev. Mr.
Strang, a man of feeble mind (Mr. Myrtle was careful to have no one near
him unless the contrast was to his advantage), but a worthy and
conscientious person, who believed he was doing Heaven service in
bringing Hiram into the fold of the true church. Hiram was again in his
element as an object of religious interest. Before the rector had
returned, he became very impatient to see him. It was a long while since
he had been at communion, and he began to fear his hold on heaven would
be weakened by so long an absence from that sacrament. Besides, he felt
quite prepared and ready to be confirmed.
The Myrtles returned at last. In due time, Mrs. Bennett talked the whole
matter over with Mrs. Myrtle. Hiram was represented as 'a very rich
young merchant, destined to be a leading man in the city--of an ancient
and honorable New England family--very desirable in the church--a
cousin'--[here several sentences were uttered in a whisper, accompanied
by nods and signs significant, which I shall never be able to
translate]--'must secure him--ripe for it now.'
I think I forgot to say that Mrs. Myrtle and Mrs. Bennett were in the
same 'set' as young ladies, and were very intimate.
The nest day Mrs. Bennett opened the subject to Mr. Myrtle, his wife
having duly prepared him. The object was to introduce Hiram into the
church in the most effective manner. This could only be done through the
instrumentality of the reverend gentleman himself. Everything went
smoothly. Mr. Myrtle was not insensible to the value of infusing new and
fresh elements into his congregation.
'Of course,' he observed, 'this wealthy young man will take an entire
pew.' (The annual auction of rented pews was soon to come off, and Mr.
Myrtle liked marvellously to see strong competition. It spoke well for
the church.)
'He will _purchase_ a pew, if a desirable one can be had,' answered Mrs.
Bennett.
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