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But, the next day, Colonel Hauton appeared as usual. Buckhurst rode, drove, and jested with him as before; and the whole transaction was, on his part, forgotten. A month afterwards the rector of Chipping-Friars actually died Commissioner Falconer despatched an express to Buckhurst, who stood beside his bed, with the news, the instant he opened his eyes in the morning.
Any thing and every thing were indefinite, unsatisfactory terms; and the commissioner, bold in dealing with the timid temper of the colonel, though he had been cautious with the determined character of the uncle, pressed his point named the living of Chipping-Friars showed how well he would be satisfied, and how well he could represent matters, if the promise were given; and at the same time made it understood how loudly he could complain, and how disgraceful his complaints might prove to the Oldborough family, if his son were treated with ingratitude.
And if my genius were not for the military line, there's nothing I should relish better than the living of Chipping-Friars, I'm sure. The only thing that I see against it is, that that paralytic incumbent may live many a year: but, then, you get your debts paid now by only going into orders, and that's a great point. But if it goes against your conscience you know best if you can't, you can't."
I will answer for it, he will never go through with it and then he is to change his profession again! and all the expense and all the trouble is to fall on me! and I am to provide for him at last! In all probability, by the time Buckhurst knows his own mind, the paralytic incumbent will be dead, and the living of Chipping-Friars given away.
The colonel particularly dreaded that he should be suspected of want of spirit, and that his uncle should have the transaction laid before him in this improper point of view. He pondered for a few moments, and the promise for the living of Chipping-Friars was given. The commissioner, secure of this, next returned to the point with his son, and absolutely insisted upon his going into orders.
To this sudden pang of conscience and feeling succeeded the idea of the reproaches which his father would pour upon him the recollection of his debts, and the impossibility of paying them his destitute, hopeless condition anger against the new rector of Chipping-Friars, and against his cold, malicious patron, returned with increased force upon his mind.
The glasses were filled instantly, all but Buckhurst Falconer's, who, of course, thought he should not drink his own health. "Mr. Sloak, I have the pleasure to drink your health; Mr. Sloak, rector of Chipping-Friars," cried the patron, raising his voice. "Buckhurst," added he, with a malicious smile, "you do not fill your glass." Buckhurst sat aghast. "Colonel, is this a jest?"
"What! not know that the living of Chipping-Friars is in the gift of Colonel Hauton and the present incumbent has had one paralytic stroke already. There's a prospect for you, Buckhurst!" "To be frank with you, sir, I have no taste for the church." "No taste for nine hundred a year, Buckhurst? No desire for fortune, Mr. Philosopher?"
Buckhurst's friends and acquaintance now flocked to congratulate him, and, by dinner-time, he had, in imagination, disposed of the second year's tithes, and looked out for a curate to do the duty of Chipping-Friars.
Buckhurst Falconer to become a clergyman?" The commissioner, affecting to sympathize in this indignation, declared that he was so angry with his son that he would not see him. All the time, however, he comforted himself with the hope that his son would, in a few months, be in possession of the long-expected living of Chipping-Friars, as the old incumbent was now speechless.
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