Roderick and Lord West.
RODERICK
I insist upon being allowed to appear before His Majesty and clear myself of the imputations against me, to point out my services to the government, and to ask when the reward, that had been promised me, the title held by my ancestors, is again to be revived in my person.
There is a sleepy coolness in the fat Lord West. He hears Roderick with half-shut eyes. When he finishes his violent speech, which he has made striding about the room, Lord West opens one eye, smiles, and says:
LORD WEST
(gently)
Have you done, Mr. Cosgrove?
RODERICK
Yes!
LORD WEST
Well, Mr. Cosgrove, I'll answer you point by point. The King is exceedingly averse to make peers, as you know. Your claim, as you call them, have been laid before him, and His Majesty's gracious reply was, that you were the most impudent man in his dominions, and merited a halter, rather than a coronet. As for withdrawing your support from us, you are perfectly welcome to carry yourself whithersoever you please. And, now, as I have a great deal of occupation, perhaps you will do me the favor to retire, or tell me if there is anything else in the world in which I can oblige you.
So saying, Lord West raises his hand lazily to the bell, and bows Roderick out.
Roderick and his accountant going over the bills which he has heaped on the table.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The news of His Majesty's disregard were not long in getting around, and, in a very short time, all the bills came down upon me together -all the bills I had been contracting for the years of my marriage. I won't cite their amount; it was frightful. I was bound up in an inextricable toil of bills and debts, or mortgages and insurances, and all the horrible evils attendant upon them.
Roderick walking alone.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Was it my own want of style, or my want of a fortune? I know not. Now I was arrived at the height of my ambition, but both my skill and my luck seemed to be deserting me. Everything I touched, crumbled in my hands; every speculation I had, failed; every agent I trusted, deceived me. My income was saddled with hundreds of annuities, and thousands of lawyers' charges, and I felt the net drawing closer and closer around me, and no means to extricate myself from its toils. All my schemes had turned out failures.
Roderick at the gaming table.
RODERICK (V.O.)
My wife's moody despondency made my house and home not over-pleasant; hence, I was driven a good deal abroad, where as play was the fashion in every club, tavern, and assembly, I, of course, was obliged to resume my old habit, and to commence as an amateur those games at which I was once unrivaled in Europe.
Roderick loses a large amount of money.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I had a run of ill-luck at play, and was forced to meet my losses by the most shameful sacrifices to the money-lenders, and was compelled to borrow largely upon my wife's annuities, ensuring her ladyship's life, which was the condition for every loan against her property.
Roderick and the broker.
BROKER
Your wife's life is as well known among the insurance societies in London, as any woman in Christendom, and, I'm sorry to say there is not one of them willing to place another policy against her ladyship's life. One of them even had the impudence to suggest that your treatment of the Countess did not render her life worth a year's purchase.
Roderick buying a horse.
RODERICK (V.O.)
In the midst of my difficulties, I promised to buy a little horse for my dear little Patrick, which was to be a present for his eighth birthday, that was now coming on. I may have had my faults, but no man shall dare to say of me that I was not a good and tender father.
Roderick admires the horse.
RODERICK (V.O.)
It was a beautiful little animal, and stood me in a good sum. I never regarded money for that dear child.
The horse kicks off one of the horse-boys who tries to ride him.
RODERICK (V.O.)
But the horse was a bit wild, and he kicked off one of the horse-boys who rode him at first, and broke the lad's leg.
Roderick riding the horse. The horse-boy lies in the back of a wagon.
RODERICK (V.O.)
But he was a beautiful animal and would make a fine horse for Patrick after he had a bit of breaking-in.
Roderick dismounts and gives the horse to one of the horse-boys.
RODERICK
Timmy, take the injured lad to see the doctor, and then bring the horse to Doolan's farm, and tell him to break him in thoroughly. Tell him it's for little Patrick, and that I'll be over to see him next week.
HORSE-BOY
Yes, sir.
RODERICK
One more thing, and listen well, I don't want little Patrick to know where the horse is being kept. It's going to be surprise for his birthday.
Patrick rushes out to greet his father.
PATRICK
Hello, papa!