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Updated: May 25, 2025
"Exactly; and seeks isolation, and is a prey to morbid distraction and reverie: but has no palpable illusions, has he?" "Not that I know of," said Mr. Hardie. "Well, but," objected Jane, "did not he say something to you very curious the other night about Captain Dodd and fourteen thousand pounds?" Mr. Hardie's blood ran cold. "No," he stammered, "not that I remember."
Now, in their midnight discussions, Dr. Wycherley had always handled the question of Alfred Hardie's Sanity or Insanity with a philosophical coolness the young man admired, and found it hard to emulate; but this philosophic calmness deserted him the moment Hamlet's insanity was disputed, and the harder he was pressed the angrier, the louder, the more confused the Psychological physician became; and presently he got furious, burst out of the anti-spasmodic or round-about style and called Alfred a d d ungrateful, insolent puppy, and went stamping about the room; and, finally, to the young man's horror, fell down in a fit of an epileptic character, grinding his teeth and foaming at the mouth.
While feminine pity and social reserve were holding the balance so nicely, and nonsensically, about half a split straw, one of the racing four-oars went down close under the Berkshire bank. "London!" observed Hardie's adherent. "What, are you there, old fellow?" murmured Hardie, in a faint voice. "Now, that is like a friend, a real friend, to sit by me, and not make a row. Thank you! thank you!"
"My darling, said Mrs. Dodd, trembling a little, "have you pride? have you spirit?" "I think I have." "I hope so: for you will need them both. Read that!" And she held out Mr. Hardie's letter, but turned her own head away, not to see her girl's face under the insult. JULIA took Mr. Hardie's note and read it:
He interests one in topics that are unbearable generally; politics now. I thought I abhorred them, but I find it was only those little paltry Whig and Tory squabbles that wearied me. Mr. Hardie's views are neither Whig nor Tory; they are patriotic, and sober, and large-minded. He thinks of the country. I can take some interest in what he calls politics." "And, pray, what is that?"
Hardie's portrait, and down to the coalscuttle. Bankrupt saves nothing but his honour, and the six thousand pounds or so he has stitched into his old great-coat: hands his new one to the official assignees, like an honest man." Hardie uttered something between a growl and a moan.
Henry Scudamore, a curate; Philip Hall, a linen-draper; Neil Pratt, a shoemaker; Simon Harris, a greengrocer; and a few more; but the above were all prudent, laborious men, who took a friendly glass, but seldom exceeded, until Hardie's bankruptcy drove them to the devil of drink for comfort
Many things now came to Alfred Hardie's knowledge till he began to shudder at his own father, and was troubled with dark, mysterious surmises, and wandered alone, or sat brooding and dejected. Richard Hardie's anxiety to know whether David Dodd was to live or die increased. He was now resolved to fly to the United States with his booty, and cheat his son with the rest.
Poor Susan Maxley was gone. She had died of breast-pang within a minute of his leaving her; and the last words of two faithful spouses were words of anger. All these things, and many more less tragic, but very deplorable, came to Alfred Hardie's knowledge, and galled and afflicted him deeply.
Thus rose the Hard Cash a second time from the grave. All this enabled the tenacious Alfred to carry out a deeply-cherished design. Hardie's late bank had been made into a shop; but it belonged to Mrs. Dodd. He bought it of her, and set up the bank again, with Edward as managing partner. This just suited Edward, who sadly wanted employment.
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