第18章

"To cheat that poor helpless man, and those tender innocent children!-- you can't think so, sir; I should be a disgrace to human nature if I did.But what boots all my energy and perseverance? What though I place my friends' money, my family's money, my own money--my hopes, wishes, desires, ambitions--all upon this enterprise?You young men will not doso.You, whom I treat with love and confidence as my children, make no return to me.When I toil, you remain still; when I struggle, you look on.Say the word at once,--you doubt me! O heavens, that this should be the reward of all my care and love for you!"Here Mr.Brough was so affected that he actually burst into tears, and I confess I saw in its true light the negligence of which I had been guilty.

"Sir," says I, "I am very--very sorry: it was a matter of delicacy, rather than otherwise, which induced me not to speak to my aunt about the West Diddlesex.""Delicacy, my dear dear boy--as if there can be any delicacy about making your aunt's fortune! Say indifference to me, say ingratitude, say folly,--but don't say delicacy--no, no, not delicacy.Be honest, my boy, and call things by their right names- -always do.""It WAS folly and ingratitude, Mr.Brough," says I: "I see it all now; and I'll write to my aunt this very post.""You had better do no such thing," says Brough, bitterly: "the stocks are at ninety, and Mrs.Hoggarty can get three per cent.for her money.""I WILL write, sir,--upon my word and honour, I will write.""Well, as your honour is passed, you must, I suppose; for never break your word--no, not in a trifle, Titmarsh.Send me up the letter when you have done, and I'll frank it--upon my word and honour I will," says Mr.Brough, laughing, and holding out his hand to me.

I took it, and he pressed mine very kindly--"You may as well sit down here," says he, as he kept hold of it; "there is plenty of paper."And so I sat down and mended a beautiful pen, and began and wrote, "Independent West Diddlesex Association, June 1822," and "My dear Aunt," in the best manner possible.Then I paused a little, thinking what I should next say; for I have always found that difficulty about letters.The date and My dear So-and-so one writes off immediately--it is the next part which is hard; and I put my pen in my mouth, flung myself back in my chair, and began to think about it.

"Bah!" said Brough, "are you going to be about this letter all day, my good fellow? Listen to me, and I'll dictate to you in a moment." So he began:-"My Dear Aunt,--Since my return from Somersetshire, I am very happy indeed to tell you that I have so pleased the managing director of our Association and the Board, that they have been good enough to appoint me third clerk--""Sir!" says I.

"Write what I say.Mr.Roundhand, as has been agreed by the board yesterday, quits the clerk's desk and takes the title of secretary and actuary.Mr.Highmore takes his place; Mr.Abednego follows him; and I place you as third clerk--as"third clerk (write), with a salary of a hundred and fifty pounds per annum.This news will, I know, gratify my dear mother and you, who have been a second mother to me all my life.

"When I was last at home, I remember you consulted me as to the best mode of laying out a sum of money which was lying useless in your banker's hands.I have since lost no opportunity of gaining what information I could: and situated here as I am, in the very midst of affairs, I believe, although very young, I am as good a person to apply to as many others of greater age and standing.

"I frequently thought of mentioning to you our Association, but feelings of delicacy prevented me from doing so.I did not wish that anyone should suppose that a shadow of self-interest could move me in any way.

"But I believe, without any sort of doubt, that the West Diddlesex Association offers the best security that you can expect for your capital, and, at the same time, the highest interest you can anywhere procure.

"The situation of the Company, as I have it from THE VERY BEST AUTHORITY (underline that), is as follows:-"The subscribed and bona fide capital is FIVE MILLIONS STERLING.

"The body of directors you know.Suffice it to say that the managing director is John Brough, Esq., of the firm of Brough and Hoff, a Member of Parliament, and a man as well known as Mr.Rothschild in the City of London.His private fortune, I know for a fact, amounts to half a million; and the last dividends paid to the shareholders of the I.W.D.Associationamounted to 6.125 per cent.per annum."

[That I know was the dividend declared by us.]

"Although the shares in the market are at a very great premium, it is the privilege of the four first clerks to dispose of a certain number, 5,000L.each at par; and if you, my dearest aunt, would wish for 2,500L.worth, I hope you will allow me to oblige you by offering you so much of my new privileges.

"Let me hear from you immediately upon the subject, as I have already an offer for the whole amount of my shares at market price.""But I haven't, sir," says I.

"You have, sir.I will take the shares; but I want YOU.I want as many respectable persons in the Company as I can bring.I want you because I like you, and I don't mind telling you that I have views of my own as well; for I am an honest man and say openly what I mean, and I'll tell you WHY I want you.I can't, by the regulations of the Company, have more than a certain number of votes, but if your aunt takes shares, I expect--I don't mind owning it--that she will vote with me.NOW do you understand me? My object is to be all in all with the Company; and if I be, I will make it the most glorious enterprise that ever was conducted in the City of London."So I signed the letter and left it with Mr.B.to frank.