Mortomley's Estate, Vol. III (of 3)

tner that perfect gentleman Mr. Swanland, his doubts must have been dispelled

ud of his junior, had his principles per

land, which produced its effect on even the

to question the decision of a Vice-Chancellor,

e present to look into his heart, and see if falsehood could there find a resting-place, he, at least, posed him

brother had gone into liquidation, he would not have turned t

emselves to decide as to the share to which each was entitled, was put on the boards there, and acted day after day, and with a like re

atisfy either creditor or debt

ansaction. Nevertheless, the villa residences of both gentlemen bore no evidence of poverty; on the contrary-though had either partner taken the trouble to visit the houses of those who were so ill-advised as to go into liquidation instead

utterly indifferent to the ruin of his clie

he new law throws a fearful amount of power into the hands of any one who likes to use it for his own advantage, and plac

d all; but if he thinks this creditor has been hardly done by, or that the debtor is a poor devil,

?le, and please nobody, than run the risk

l a flattering tale and get the ear of the assemblage, Mr

the state of affairs, so far as his information went,

came the flow of Mr. Sw

o was the position of his creditors, but Mr. Swanland was pleased to inform the meeting

ing a large profit could be realized by carrying on the works. There were

ors into his confidence; but, said Mr. Swanland with a touching humility that

bulk of the audience, "but whether it has proved for the best or not in the past, at all

ted "he hadn't given anything up

tement too perfectly t

ted his friends and creditors at an earlier stage of his embarrassments, but even as matters stood, it afforded him, Mr. Swanland, much

meeting a statement of Mr. Mortomley's liab

s policy at this period to cove

business under proper supervision; from the leasing of Homewood and its grounds to a suitable and responsible tenant; from the sale of t

t slurs a difficult passage in a new piece of music, the knowing ones amongst the creditors pricked up their ears,

or five shillings in the pound, I say let us all agree to take whatever the estate can pay, and give the bankrupt his discharge. Then if he is honest he can begin again and pay us a

e with rage, and more than one non-fluent creditor cleared his throat and wetted his lips preparatory to

was broken

t evil day (for England) when he first landed at Folkestone, "but might I make bold to inquire how la

lose totally if we can get anything out of the fire. To the majority of people, this liquidation business is as a new toy. Creditors are delighted with it at first. We have

Kleinwort, Mr. Gibbons, and a host of other

editors was convened. Forde had spoken, and Kleinwort had spoken, and a few other people besides, who amongst them virtually arranged the programme of his business futu

e from attending the meeting, was the opportunity it afforded him of bemoaning his own hard fort

ention of the trustee, who was always able to silence him with some calm and plausible answer,-the indignant creditor had spoken aloud and "given them a piece of his mind straight out,"-while, so f

own matters for hisself," and who generally tells the assembled company that all he wants is his money-and his money he will have-that the large c

ng gentleman, and hoped he would get through his trouble all right, had readily agreed to everything Mr. Benning's managing clerk proposed in Mr. Mort

nanimity amongst the creditors. Kleinwort backing him up with a re

money. If I get not mine, you get not yours; but look how big is mine beside

were popularly supposed to be placed on a higher pinnacle of power than that occupied

any shape chafed a temper by no means angelic, induced t

minedly to oppose; the last individual illustrating his remarks with a candour which, if some people in the City did not fear the strong lights of

sessed by the various candidates mentioned, and the assemblage was almost restored to good humour when his plain speaking culminated in a direct at

Bankruptcy Court, which he may still live to wish I had done. I hate hole-and-corner work, and all this management of a man's assets and debts

orde was beginning, when

much language. He thinks he is on the floor of your House of Commons, o

Benning, as a peal of laugh

y statement of accounts dished up at a meeting of creditors such as this; if you refuse to back me up, and are afraid to fight for the recove

by Rupert Halling, who, slipping his arm through

one in this matter; that my uncle's estate could

decent sort of Bankruptcy Act. Tell your uncle I bear him no malice, and that I shall be glad to know he has got out of this affair better than I expect. It was not for the sake of the money I spoke, but

lies safe are those who let their cre

manipulating the estate, that your uncle has let his

n up everything he had o

wanland. I should like to meet that congregation of asses," and he pointed back towards the Cann

I want to hear the res

mised Dolly to see her husband-who was at that moment under the same roof with his creditors, ready to answer any inquiry they might see fit to put-safe home, and he meant to fu

anland had been able to complete the arrangeme

ne which had not been delivered before the final crash, was thus enabled to take out much more than the value of his money, in helping to undermine the Homewood works, and keep Mortomley himself out of the trade; that friendly cr

de any subject in dispute. That one excepted questio

entleman, however, who wished to serve Mr. Mortomley, and Mr. Gibbons, and Mr. Leigh, and a few others, having taken counsel together, a rider was, with much difficulty, appended to the proceedings in the shape of a resolution to the effect that if the committee failed to agree on the subject of the dischar

f the Mortomley's Estate, and could, the moment he left that room, snap his fingers at all the credulous folks there assembled, Mr. Forde included in that number-Mr. Forde, who expected to sway him as he had swayed other

r, he was destine

Mortomley's address, and warned him that if he did succeed in obtaining the bank

wood, but they were r

am but the agent for the creditors, you will please r

do you mean?" in

rice," was the reply; "and your articles are n

said Mr. Forde in his loftiest manner. "You

e reply. Mr. Swanland, in his hours of elegant leisure, had occasionally met literar

nglish," asked Mr

She said, 'I made you, proud prelate, and by -- I will unmake you!' I say, 'You bro

a sincerity and vigour the Virgi

had netted, he found h

urces of all their own idols and found them really of very little avail, "Would to God! I had left the management of Mortoml

ce himself in the hands of a man who is a gentleman, even if he

even a cad; but the cad waits his opportunity and throws ov

s, and therein, situated as h

erto always managed to bring those trustees who were simple e

Company as so mentally short-sighted that he could only see to

recipice, at another across a country intersected by deep ravines and dangerous gulleys, and any man who had fully realised the peril of his position must either

his position, or the position

case he confided to a few chosen friends the fact that, if he were to walk out of the place, the directors would have to close the wharf-gates within

ate would be with him hand-and-glove, and when he found Mr. Swanland was not inclined to be hand-and-glove with

ger-mine-and the little lady and the sick man, had you spoke pleasant, would have gone on trying hard to do their best for another year at least calculation. Those thousands, Forde dear friend, those thousands! Oh! it does break mine heart to call to mind they were so near and are

ld his tongue if he could not u

in your charming English, stay, that was a roarer, so short of mercantile breath when you dug your spurs in and flogged him with your heavy whip he dropped down

to drive a fellow mad!" exp

will not listen to warning now, but the bad day may be nearer at hand than you think, when you will say to me, 'You had reaso

s in this Mortomley affair now. One good thing is the b

while you can," was the reply, "for

mean?" aske

ay colour-maker for while there is money to lose and to spend; but you, even you my good Forde, mu

o underst

hose works, of which you know

uld," was the c

so well the Wharf Vedast. It is not many who could bring such talents as you. Swanland has them not most surely, and so I say the Col

n enormous profit,"

e who do will see," answered Kleinwort, with philo

I hope to mercy nothing is going to happen to him." And at the bare idea, self-suggested, the manager turned pal

n that let Kleinwort's faults be what they might, they

would not keep the misfortune secret from me," were the assurances with which he res

t. Bah! The easement will come sooner than I intended, but it is a wise man can read the signs of the weather. That new director would spoil our little game if I stopped it not