The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

——— THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 71 necessary, tO pay any more compliments to the memory of the “exemplary Christian’’ and “ model father,’”? whom they had so loudly praised before the last will and testament had been read. For several weeks Phillip visited but little, and many observed that his grief must be “really genuine,” or he would have appeared in company long before. oy Many members of polite society called at his residence and left their cards, and among them not a few intriguing ambitious mothers, who had rather suddenly discovered the vast importance of Mr. Philip Redgill, and of the unbounded friendship which they had “always” entertained for that A interesting, good-looking” young man. Sir Andrew, it must be confessed, was not behind any of the “polite” circle in frequently calling upon ‘‘}iis young friend,” and giving him fatherly advice, Yet he could not help grimly smiling at the “insiduous attempts,” as he termed it, of the many inquisitive, and industrious matrons, who were continually inviting the young man to sojourn with them for a few days, in order to “drive away his deep-seated melancholy,” and “make love to their caughters,” perhaps might have been added. At least, Sir Andrew imagined so, and did not fail to inform his wife and daughter, who threw up their hands and eyes in holy horror at the “ world- liness and unscrupulousness of certain parties !” The true reason for Phillip’s non-appearance in society arose, not so much from “ genuine grief,” or ‘deep-rooted melancholy,” at what all termed “the sad and lamentable bereavement,”’ as from anxiety to ascertain the true state of his father’s affairs. In truth, he so much chafed under his confinement in the old house, and seemed so tremulous, that he never visited his father’s apartments without a thrill of horrible excitement, and would often jump out of bed at night, as if suddenly alarmed by dreadful apparitions. He daily imbibed large draughts of brandy, and this resort seemed to cheer him. But the practice grew upon him hourly, so that the brandy lost much of its customary effect, and he accordingly drank deeply to sustain his drooping spirits. Not being one of the executors himself, he knew but little of his father’s indebtedness ; but when he questioned old Moss, the money-lending Jew, on one occasion, regarding that point, the old Israelite said that “he would plainly tell him,” and remarked very solemnly— “ When ail debts are paid, your father’s estates are not worth cne penny! He was generally con- sidered to be worth more than he really was. He sustained many losses, and kept afloat on credit! If the ‘ Racehorse’ and ‘Eclipse’ safely arrive, there will be a little something for you, perhaps, when the cargoes are sold; but if they do not, there will not be a penny to spare, But, worse than all, many of us creditors, Phillip, will have to bite our fingers |” It is unnecessary to say that this piece of confi- dential information surprised the young man con- siderably. But not so much as might have been expected; for, irom a careful study of his father’s books, he had arrived at something like the same conclusion himself, “ Well, there’s no help for it,” thought he, drink- ing deeply of the brandy, “It will be a month, at least, before lawyer Sloman and the executors can present a balance sheet—I’ll marry Sir Andrew’s daughter, Fanny !” Phillip’s first visit toSir Andrew after the funeral was of the most interesting nature. The mother, “ my lady,” embraced him as a son. Sir Andrew shook him cordially by the hand, and sheartily welcomed him once more beneath his roof. But both parents soon vacated the apartment in favor of their daughter, whose rustling silk could plainly he heard approaching upon the stairs. The meeting between the affianced was solemn and tender. Fanny struck a captivating attitude upon enter- ing the room, tottered slightly towards the sofa, holding a handkerchief to conceal her tears ! Phillip rushed forward to break her fall, clasped her round the waist, kissed her with great gallantry, and, amid many ejaculations of “ Phillip, dear !” and “Fanny, my beloved!” the couple passed several hours in delightful child’s play. Fanny’s irresistible toilet, made up as it was for the most part of paints, flowers, false hair, puff combs, hoops, and silk, played so powerfully upon the sensitive and innocent heart of Phillip Redgill, that as he gazed upon her bewitchingly enamelled features—as her fair head leaned lovingly and con- fidingly upon his manly breast, he determined to allow of little delay in marrying. And this resolution he whispered fondly into the not unwilling ear of his loved one, who blushed and sighed, and put her lace-worked handkerchief to her eyes, and appeared absorbed in deep emotion and crimson confusion. When® consulted upon this matter that same evening in his library, Sir Andrew sat in his easy chair with much affected state, and played with his watch-chain and keys in a smiling, self-complacent manner. “J couldn’t entertain any such project for the present; at least, not for one year, out of respect to Mr. Kedgill, senior’s, memory, by which time you will have fully wound up your affairs, and perhaps think more seriously upon the point, Phillip.” The coldiess and calculation of old Sir Andrew simply had the effect of redoubling the ardour of the lovers, who sighed and condoled together on the proverbial “cruelty of parents” with much melo- dramatic tenderness. Fauny did not confess it to her lover, but told “mamma” in confidence that she thought three months would be sufficiently long to postpone the event, | ‘For, who knows what may happen, mamma dear ? I can’t get such achance as dear Phillip every day. He is young, handsome, rich, and much courted. Who knows what might happen in twelve months ?” Phillip, on the other hand, had his own motives for hastening the marriage, and sought every oppor- tunity to visit and make love ta:his affianced. His eloquence and importunities were so impres- sive that he found the fair Fanny daily yielding to his arguments. And, knowing that she possessed a great vein of romance in her disposition, he played upon it so effectually that she finally consented to a clandestine marriage, ; “We can easily procure a ‘licence’ and get married a few miles out in the country without the old’folks knowing anything about it, and thea we can avow the act whenever we see that your cruel father will relent.” In accordance with this plan Phillip procured a marriage licence. Fanny met him,,and, after two hours’ ride, they alighted at a small country town, and were privately married. Ccomiclboooks. conn