"Then do you mean really to say there are such fish?" said the admiral.
"We think so."
"Well, I'm d----d! I have heard all sorts of yarns about what fellows have seen in one ocean and another; but this does beat them all to nothing."
"It is monstrous," exclaimed Charles.
There was a pause of some few moments' duration, and then Mr. Marchdale said, in a low voice,--
"Perhaps I ought not to propose any course of action until you, Henry, have yourself done so; but even at the risk of being presumptuous, I will say that I am firmly of opinion you ought to leave the Hall."
"I am inclined to think so, too," said Henry.
"But the creditors?" interposed Charles.
"I think they might be consulted on the matter beforehand," added Marchdale, "when no doubt they would acquiesce in an arrangement which could do them no harm."
"Certainly, no harm," said Henry, "for I cannot take the estate with me, as they well know."
"Precisely. If you do not like to sell it, you can let it."
"To whom?"
"Why, under the existing circumstances, it is not likely you would get any tenant for it than the one who has offered himself."
"Sir Francis Varney?"
"Yes. It seems to be a great object with him to live here, and it appears to me, that notwithstanding all that has occurred, it is most decidedly the best policy to let him."
Nobody could really deny the reasonableness of this advice, although it seemed strange, and was repugnant to the feelings of them all, as they heard it. There was a pause of some seconds' duration, and then Henry said,--
"It does, indeed, seem singular, to surrender one's house to such a being."
"Especially," said Charles, "after what has occurred."
"True."
"Well," said Mr. Marchdale, "if any better plan of proceeding, taking the whole case into consideration, can be devised, I shall be most happy."
"Will you consent to put off all proceedings for three days?" said Charles Holland, suddenly.
"Have you any plan, my dear sir?" said Mr. Marchdale.
"I have, but it is one which I would rather say nothing about for the present."
"I have no objection," said Henry, "I do not know that three days can make any difference in the state of affairs. Let it be so, if you wish, Charles."
"Then I am satisfied," said Charles. "I cannot but feel that, situated as I am regarding Flora, this is almost more my affair than even yours, Henry."
"I cannot see that," said Henry. "Why should you take upon yourself more of the responsibility of these affairs than I, Charles? You induce in my mind a suspicion that you have some desperate project in your imagination, which by such a proposition you would seek to reconcile me to."
Charles was silent, and Henry then added,--
"Now, Charles, I am quite convinced that what I have hinted at is the fact. You have conceived some scheme which you fancy would be much opposed by us?"
"I will not deny that I have," said Charles. "It is one, however, which you must allow me for the present to keep locked in my own breast."
"Why will you not trust us?"
"For two reasons."
"Indeed!"
"The one is, that I have not yet thoroughly determined upon the course I project; and the other is, that it is one in which I am not justified in involving any one else."
"Charles, Charles," said Henry, despondingly; "only consider for a moment into what new misery you may plunge poor Flora, who is, Heaven knows, already sufficiently afflicted, by attempting an enterprise which even we, who are your friends, may unwittingly cross you in the performance of."
"This is one in which I fear no such result. It cannot so happen. Do not urge me."
"Can't you say at once what you think of doing?" said the old admiral. "What do you mean by turning your sails in all sorts of directions so oddly? You sneak, why don't you be what do you call it--explicit?"
"I cannot, uncle."
"What, are you tongue-tied?"
"All here know well," said Charles, "that if I do not unfold my mind fully, it is not that I fear to trust any one present, but from some other most special reason."
"Charles, I forbear to urge you further," said Henry, "and only implore you to be careful."
At this moment the room door opened, and George Bannerworth, accompanied by Mr. Chillingworth, came in.