Into Kent by Stanley Michael Hurd

Author:Stanley Michael Hurd [Hurd, Stanley Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stanley M. Hurd
Published: 2013-12-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Darcy spent the next day in college, renewing acquaintance with some of the Fellows he had known when he was up, but aside from two hours wandering dispiritedly through the Bodleian in search of inspiration, he did not pursue the topic which had brought him thither. In his quarters in the afternoon, however, Pender came again to visit, bringing with him a student named William Ackerman; Mr. Ackerman was currently at the top of his class and set to graduate in May. Pender presented him as a very worthy candidate for a position, should Darcy happen to have one, or know of one. After Mr. Ackerman, whom Darcy found a very pleasing young scholar, had left, Pender staid behind for a word with Darcy.

“Well, Darcy, what do you make of the lad?”

“He seems very able—brilliant, in fact. I am sure I can find something for him.”

“Excellent,” Pender beamed. He looked at Darcy a moment. “Truthfully, that was not the only reason I wished for you to meet him.”

Darcy looked the question, and Pender continued: “His history is most illuminating: his parents were drunkards; they died in a spunging house when he was but a child.”

“Indeed? Amazing.”

“Yes. The rector in his parish took pity on the boy and brought him up at his expense. But when he discovered the lad’s abilities—the boy had taught himself to read before going to the rector, and was keeping the parish books at twelve—he contacted us; I found the boy a sponsor, and here we are.”

“A fascinating story, but I had no real need to hear it; his abilities speak for themselves.”

“They do indeed: that is the point, my boy.” Pender looked expectantly at Darcy.

“Ah, another facet of our debate,” said Darcy. “That brilliance is to be made useful, no matter where found.”

The older gentleman shrugged. “Can you deny it? As you said, his abilities speak for themselves—and who would gainsay them?”

“I know, Pender, and I should be the very last person to deny Miss B…Elizabeth’s worth, but still, her connexions…”

“Actually, Darcy, I was thinking about that, as well: a repellent mother-in-law would do wonders for your reputation, you know; as it is, your life is just a little too golden to suit the feelings of most people, and some disobliging relations would make you a much more approachable figure amongst your acquaintance.”

“An embarrassing mother-in-law would improve my reputation, is that what you are saying? Fascinating, Pender—truly: a superb and novel thesis. But, at any rate, I am not afraid for my reputation; it is the lady I fear for most.”

“So your deepest concern is for how she might fare as your wife? Darcy, do you really think the lady would object to the match on the grounds that she would have a difficult life?” Darcy made no answer; when one looked at it from that angle, it did seem to make less sense.

“Are you certain this has nothing to do with you?” his friend queried. “After all, you, too, would be called on to excuse your choice of wife.

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