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The Two Lawyers: A Novel

Chapter VII

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Chapter VII.

Frank daily became more in love with Clara, and so far he had never been able to get Hobart to speak on the subject of his courtship. However, one day, some time after the events already narrated, he decided to come to the point with him without further delay, as the suspense was becoming too heavy a load, and he accordingly called upon Hobart, and found him at his office.

After the usual friendly greeting between them, Frank said: "Hobart, no doubt you have long since observed that I have become very much attached to your sister, Miss Hobart. You are doubtless also aware that I have made proposals to her, which she has taken time to consider, and I have on several occasions been about to address you on the subject, but something has always occurred to put the matter off. To-day I decided to see you and hear from you, as your sister's guardian, if you had any objections to my paying my addresses."

During the time Frank had been speaking a fixed expression had pervaded Hobart's face, which was sternness itself; and after Frank had ceased, it was some seconds before Hobart's gaze was taken off some object on the table. At last, he no doubt having decided what to say, with the mysterious expression of face, answered as follows:—

"Mr Perryman, your proposal has both made me pleased and sorry—pleased at the honour you do both my sister and myself, and sorry that I cannot at once say to you 'go in, Frank, and win.' This of course," he continued, "requires some explanation, which is due to you, and you shall have it. You are aware that my present practice is a very precarious one, in fact the little I have at times done for you is the principal part of it. Now, page 50Clara and myself from our childhood have been very much attached to each other, hence our coming here together. Further, I must tell you that before the death of our father he made me promise one thing—it was an absurd promise, I admit, but Clara thinks otherwise, hence the difficulty. That promise was that if ever we left our native place I should in no case advise or even allow Clara to enter into matrimony unless I had first decided to settle down myself, so that we should always be near to each other in time of any of the little difficulties this world is full of—that we might give to each other any assistance and advice we could."

"A most praiseworthy resolve," said Frank, delighted as he thought at the small difficulty in his way.

"I don't know so much about that," said Hobart, "but I am rather peculiar in my endeavour to carry out the wishes of my parents, in fact I always was. Now I must, Mr Perryman, to be honest with you, tell you that Clara has told me of your very generous proposal, and asked my advice how to act. I told her I certainly thought she would do well to consider your proposal favourably; but she replied, 'Will you settle here yourself, John?' I of course did not know if I could find a sufficient living here, so I replied that I should were I to see my way clear to do so, but not otherwise. Clara, Mr Perryman, is one of those girls who would as soon think of doing anything rather than break a promise, especially if made to some one deceased, and before she answered me I knew well, although I wished otherwise, what her answer would be. 'John,' she replied, 'I would sooner never marry, no matter under what circumstances, even were we to go on together poor if need be, rather than break the promise made to our dear father.' She said, Mr Perryman, much more than this, and what she said convinced me she would be very loth to leave here now; but in justice to her I think I should not repeat it."

"Not by any means, my dear Hobart, your resolve and your page 51sister's does you both credit; but I think there are many ways of getting over the difficulty. So, with your permission, I will leave the matter now as it stands, and to-morrow I will speak to you, and then perhaps you may change your mind about whether it will suit you to settle here; so, until to-morrow, Hobart, adieu."

As soon as Frank left the office John Hobart rose, and taking from his pocket a coin, he tossed it in the air, saying before it fell to the ground, heads I win, and sure enough when the coin dropped it proved to be a head. "Ah, my lucky star is now in the ascendant, not long now to wait; but still I must be careful, he must not see too much of Clara yet.' Women are not to be relied on too much. No, as he is to come to-morrow I will take every care that to-day at least I guard my secret of success. Oh, man, man, man, what a fool you make of yourself when there is a woman in the case."

John Hobart now seemed highly satisfied with what he had done, and, taking his hat, left the office, and was soon home again; and, as he had said, he took good care for that day at least that Frank Perryman should not see Clara alone.

"And what do you think of Miss Hobart?" asked Maud of Louisa Branscombe, a few days after the first visit paid by that young lady to the Perrymans.

"I like her," answered Louie, "much better than I like her brother, and yet I have no reason for disliking the man further than I had a dream about him and Frank the evening after I first saw him."

"What a suspicious little donkey you are, Louie, just because you dreamt of Hobart and Frank. I suppose you thought that Frank was a child, and he a bogie, and of course Frank got frightened and ran away."

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"Maud, how you do run on. I dreamt a very disagreeable dream, and I can't help thinking there is something in it; for Frank seems to be always with them."

"Oh, little green eye, jealous. Tell me now what you did dream, and let me judge too."

"I am not jealous, for I have no right to be so; but I am sure I always feel deeply interested in your welfare, and if I do seem foolish in doing so I am sorry, for I cannot help it."

"You are not foolish, Louie, I know. In fact, I am but joking all the time, and you are in earnest. But tell me, Louie, what did you dream, for I am interested in such things, and believe in them."

"Well, you know, Maud, it is doubtless all folly, but I will tell you. I thought I saw Frank and Mr Hobart walking along a beautiful field side by side, and suddenly I thought I saw the latter assume the form of a tremendous snake, and Frank then tried to get away, but the more he tried the more he seemed to be fascinated by the snake. Then I fancied I saw the snake at last gradually coil around Frank until he was perfectly powerless. I then thought I could endure it no longer, and rushing up to them I lifted a stick to strike, and just then the snake dropped, and Frank stood over it as if he had mastered it. I then awoke with a fright, and since then whenever I see Mr Hobart I think of the snake."

"It is certainly a most peculiar dream, Louie, and perhaps we may see some reason to look at Mr Hobart differently to what we have done so far. Frank seems to be much attached to Miss Hobart, considering we have only known them six months."

Louie, at Maud's mention of Frank's attachment, changed colour, but she said nothing.

"I rather like Clara Hobart," went on Maud, "I think she is quite unlike her brother, and she is also much more serious for her age than most girls one meets."

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"Yes, I think so also; in fact I rather like her myself, and if it were not for her brother, I feel I should like her much more."

"It is very unlike you, dear Louie, to allow prejudice to carry you so far."

"I know and repent it at the same time; but I cannot overcome the feeling, try as I may."

"Hullo, chatterboxes!" exclaims Frank, from the other end of the room, for be has entered and heard part of their conversation, unobserved by them.

"Why, Frank," said Maud, "what in the world brings you home so soon. Tell us all about it, for there must be a reason."

"Very well, little one, as you wish to know I will, and then you must tell me your opinion of what I have done."

"Go on then," says Maud, "and do not keep us in suspense. If you about to be married, Frank, we are most anxious to know to whom, so that we may sympathise with her, for she will deserve our pity."

Frank and Maud both laughed at this joke, but Louie only said: "Oh, Maud, how can you talk so on such a serious subject?"

"Well," said Frank, after their mirth had subsided, "I will tell you. I am married, but not the married you think of, but to a partner. In fact, to enlighten you, John Hobart and I are now in business together."

This announcement seemed to fall very heavily on the ears of both his listeners. Neither of them spoke, but each turned and gave the other a look full of significance, for now their previous conversation about the dream occurred to both of them.

"Why, Louie and Maud, how silent you are; not a word even to wish me luck in my new venture."

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"I am sure we both wish you every success," said Maud, "but your news is so unexpected that it took us by surprise. Of course, Frank, the arrangement will suit you, or you would have not done it.

"Oh, yes, the advantage is mutual, Hobart, not having a sufficient practice of his own gladly, accepts, and I get the benefit of his experience, and each is satisfied."

Louie now rose, and excusing herself, left the room.

"Frank," asked Maud, as soon as Miss Branscombe was out of hearing, "Do you observe any alteration in Louie lately?"

"No, I cannot say I do, and yet now I remember she does not seem to be as jolly as she used to be."

"That is what I notice, too, but I do not know of any reason for it, and I am getting rather uneasy about her. She is such a good, kind girl, I hate to see her otherwise than happy."

"I will, after what you have told me, Maud, observe things more closely; and, in fact, the first time an opportunity occurs, I will speak to her on the subject. I must leave you again, but I shall soon have finished what little more I have to do, and then I will return."