A Son of Perdition: An Occult Romance — David Hume — John Shaqi
A Son of Perdition: An Occult Romance
David Hume · en
Having settled that Alice should go to London in that singularly short
and abrupt conversation, Enistor refused to discuss the matter further.
He ran up to town himself within the next four days, not so much to
appear at his sister's funeral, which he duly attended, as to get the
promised thousand pounds. He did not meet Montrose, since he purposely
kept out of the young man's way, in spite of Cane's suggestion that
there should be a meeting. Enistor, instructed by his master, decided
that it would be best to let Montrose fall in love with Alice, and
approach him in the character of a proposed son-in-law. Of course the
Squire had no doubt but what the affections of the young people would be
engaged as Narvaez predicted. The fulfilment of the prophecy concerning
the loss of the money had considerably strengthened his faith in the
Spaniard's powers.
With Cane the Squire got on much better, as he was anxious to
obliterate, for obvious reasons, the bad impression he had made on the
little man. Enistor pretended that he had only acted as he had done to
see if Cane was honest, and professed himself quite willing to be
content with his scanty inheritance. Whether the solicitor believed him
or not it was impossible to say, but he feigned a belief and behaved
with extraordinary civility to Enistor. Cane even went so far as to pay
the thousand pounds out of his private account, so that the Squire
should not have to wait for the winding up of Lady Staunton's estate. By
the acceptance of this money, it was tacitly understood that Enistor
would not contest the will, and Cane drew a long breath of relief when
the receipt was given. There certainly was no chance that the second
will could be upset, but the lawyer did not wish for any public action
to be taken, lest mention should be made of the visit to Tremore. For
even though that visit had been authorised by the dead woman, the vague
threat of the Squire might come out in open court. Cane was quite
innocent of wishing to destroy the will, and could deny the possible
assertion on oath. But he knew well that however guiltless a man may be,
there are always those who quote the "No smoke without fire" proverb.
Therefore Cane was sincerely glad to have the matter settled without
dispute, and for that very reason had given Enistor a cheque on his
private account. When the Squire departed, the little man felt that all
danger was at an end.