In Mr. Wyville's house, in the library or study, sat Mr. Hamerton. He had been writing for hours. On the table beside him lay a heap of documents, with large red seals, like title-deeds; and in another heap lay a number of letters, addressed and stamped.
Mr. Wyville entered, and they talked for some minutes in a serious vein. It was evident that Mr. Hamerton was engaged in some more important business than usual, and that he had advised with Mr. Wyville during its progress.
Lord Somers called, as usual, on his way to the Department; and shortly afterwards Sheridan arrived. Mr. Hamerton continued to write, and a cursory conversation began, the gentlemen glancing at the morning papers.
An exclamation from Lord Somers broke the commonplace.
"Hello! What the deuce! Why, Hamerton, this must be your place. Are you going to sell Broadwood?"
"Yes," said Hamerton, and he went on with his writing.
"The whole estate and manor house?" asked the peer, in plain astonishment.
"The whole thing," said Hamerton, in the same prosaic tone. Will Sheridan took the paper and read the advertisement: Magnificent and historic demesne and manor house of Broadwood—400 acres of rich land—entire village of Broadwood—valuable church living—antique furniture, pictures, armour, &c.—in a word, the entire surroundings of an English aristocrat of the first standing, advertised in the daily papers to be sold by auction, not as a whole, but in lots.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Lord Somers. "Why not sell the right to one purchaser?"
"Because he couldn't buy it," answered the stolid Hamerton, who was in a mood for apophthegms.
"What! You want too much money for it?"
"No, I do not."
"Come, come, Hamerton, this is unkind. Your place is close to mine, and I am naturally interested, independent of my sincere interest in your affairs."
"Well, you spoke of buying the right. Now, Somers, no one man could buy or hold the right to so much land as Broadwood in this populous an poverty-stricken country— yes, poverty stricken: there are only a few rich people. Eighty out of every hundred are miserably poor. The best a rich man could do would be to buy the title-deeds; but the abstract right of ownership would remain with the farmers who tilled the land."
"I don't understand you," said Lord Somers.
"I propose to sell the deeds to the men who already hold the land by right."
"You will break up Broadwood and sell it to your farmers?"
"I will."
Lord Somers was seriously affected by this extraordinary announcement; but he knew Hamerton too well to remonstrate or argue.
Mr. Wyville, looking across his paper, observed both speakers, and listened to the conversation, evidently pleased.
"You will be no nearer to your republican idea when this is done," said Lord Somers, at length; "you will have sold the land, but the money it brings has not been earned by you."
"Quite true," answered Hamerton.
"Why keep it, then?"
"I shall not keep it."
"Why, Hamerton—what do you mean? What will you do with it?"
"I shall invest it in schools and a library for the people of that section 'for ever' as the lawyers say. Mr. Wyville and I have been looking at the matter, and we think this money will establish a school with three technical branches—chemistry, engineering, and agriculture."
"And you— will you teach in the schools for a living?"
"Oh no; I am going to Australia."
"To Australia!" said Lord Somers and Sheridan in a breath. Then Sheridan asked—
"Are you going to settle there?"
"Yes; I am tired of Europe. I shall never return here."
"I am glad," cried Sheridan, starting up and seizing Hamerton's hand. "Australia is going to send out the largest-hearted men that ever owned the earth. You will be at home there. You will breathe freely in its splendid air. Oh, I am proud to see such men turn by nature to the magnificent South!"
Mr. Wyville had approached the table with a look of intense pleasure. He laid his hand almost caressingly on Will Sheridan's shoulder. As they were placed, these three men Wyville, Sheridan, and Hamerton—they formed a remarkable group.
"You are dangerous company," said Lord Somers, looking at them with admiration. "You almost tempt me to follow you, or go with you, to Australia. When do you sail?"
"Mr. Sheridan and I will sail on the convict ship in three weeks," said Mr. Wyville. "Mr. Hamerton will take my steam yacht, and follow when he has settled his plans—perhaps a week later."
"I am dumbfounded," said Lord Somers. "I cannot speak on this new thing. I only foresee that I shall be very lonely, indeed, in London when you have gone."
After some further conversation on this point, Mr. Wyville changed the subject.
"You have engaged a captain for the convict ship?" he said to Lord Somers.
"Yes; Captain Rogers, late of the P. & O. Company's service."
"You were not aware that I wished to engage him for my yacht?" said Wyville.
"No; I should be sorry to take him from you. But his articles are signed now, and good commanders for such a service are not easily found."
"If I find you a suitable captain, and guarantee his command, will you oblige me by cancelling Captain Rogers's commission?
"Certainly—if you give him, instead, the command of your steamer."
"Thank you; that is my intention."
"But have you found another captain for the convict ship?" asked Lord Somers.
"Yes—I have been looking into the matter with the view of saving you further trouble. I have settled on a man who is classed as a first-rate master mariner and commander, and who is now in London, disengaged."
"I shall make a note of it," said Lord Somers, taking out his pocket-book. "What is his name?"
"Draper," said Mr. Wyville; "Captain Samuel Draper."
That will do," said the Secretary. "I shall have new articles made out. Will you see to it that he is engaged at once, and sent to the ship at Portland?"
"Certainly. I shall attend to it to-day."
Mr. Hamerton and Sheridan, who had been talking together at the other end of the room, now approached, and the conversation became general. Soon after, Lord Somers said "Good-morning," and proceeded to his Department.