havenot
also
suffered
—
that
I
do
not
at
present
suffer
?
"
"
Oh
!
yes
—
you
have
—
you
do
,
"
answered
the
nobleman
,
pressing
her
hand
with
warm
affection
.
"
When
we
were
happy
in
each
other
's
society
,
Diana
,
"
he
continued
,
"
I
never
spoke
to
you
of
love
:
indeed
,
I
experienced
for
you
nothing
more
than
a
fervent
friendship
and
profound
admiration
.
But
since
I
have
ceased
to
see
you
—
during
the
interval
of
our
separation
—
I
found
that
you
were
necessary
to
me
,
—
that
I
could
not
be
altogether
happy
without
you
,
—
that
your
conversation
had
charms
which
delighted
me
,
—
and
that
your
attachment
was
something
on
which
I
could
ponder
with
infinite
pleasure
.
My
feelings
have
warmed
towards
you
;
and
I
—
I
,
the
Earl
of
Warrington
—
experience
for
you
a
feeling
which
,
if
not
so
romantic
and
enthusiastic
as
my
first
affection
,
is
not
the
less
honourable
and
sincere
.
"
"
Ah
!
my
lord
,
"
said
Diana
,
in
a
tremulous
tone
,
"
why
raise
the
cup
of
happiness
to
my
lips
,
when
a
stern
fatality
must
dash
it
so
cruelly
away
?
"
"
No
,
Diana
—
it
shall
not
be
thus
dashed
away
,
"
answered
the
Earl
,
emphatically
.
"
I
am
rich
—
I
am
my
own
master
:
not
a
living
soul
has
a
right
to
control
or
question
my
conduct
.
The
joy
which
I
anticipated
at
this
meeting
shall
not
be
altogether
destroyed
.
Here
,
Diana
—
here
I
offer
you
my
hand
;
and
on
your
brow
—
scarred
,
blemished
by
an
accident
though
it
be
—
that
hand
shall
place
a
coronet
!
"
"
My
lord
,
this
honour
—
this
goodness
is
too
much
,
"
said
Diana
,
in
a
tone
of
deep
emotion
.
"
Remember
that
I
am
no
longer
possessed
of
those
charms
which
once
attracted
you
;
and
now
that
they
are
gone
—
gone
for
ever
—
I
may
speak
of
what
they
were
without
vanity
!
Remember
,
I
say
,
that
you
will
ever
have
before
you
a
countenance
seared
as
with
a
red-hot
iron
,
—
a
countenance
on
which
you
will
scarcely
be
able
to
look
without
loathing
in
spite
of
all
the
love
which
your
generous
heart
may
entertain
for
me
!
Remember
that
when
I
deck
myself
in
the
garments
befitting
the
rank
to
which
you
seek
to
elevate
me
,
that
splendour
would
be
a
hideous
mockery
—
like
the
fairest
flowers
twining
round
the
revolting
countenance
of
a
corpse
on
which
the
hand
of
decay
has
already
placed
its
mark
!
Remember
,
in
a
word
,
that
you
will
be
ashamed
of
her
whom
,
in
a
moment
of
generous
enthusiasm
,
you
offer
to
reward
for
so
much
suffering
—
suffering
which
originated
in
no
fault
of
yours
:
—
remember
all
this
,
my
lord
—
and
pause
—
reflect
—
I
implore
you
to
consider
well
the
step
you
are
taking
!
"
"
Diana
,
I
am
not
a
child
that
I
do
not
know
my
own
mind
,
"
answered
the
Earl
:
"
moreover
,
I
have
the
character
of
firmness
:
and
I
shall
never
repent
the
proposal
I
now
make
you
—
provided
you
yourself
do
not
give
me
cause
by
your
conduct
.
"
"
And
on
that
head
—
—
"
"
I
have
every
confidence
—
the
deepest
conviction
,
Diana
,
"
interrupted
the
Earl
,
warmly
.
"
Your
wishes
,
then
,
are
my
commands
—
and
I
obey
,
"
returned
Diana
,
her
voice
thrilling
with
tones
expressive
of
ineffable
joy
.
"
But
shall
we
not
ratify
our
engagement
with
one
kiss
?
"
And
as
she
spoke
she
slowly
drew
the
black
veil
from
her
countenance
.
The
nobleman
's
heart
palpitated
,
as
she
did
so
,
with
emotions
of
the
most
painful
suspense
—
even
of
alarm
:
he
felt
like
a
man
who
in
another
instant
must
know
the
worst
.
The
veil
dropped
.
"
Heavens
!
Diana
,
"
exclaimed
the
Earl
,
starting
with
surprise
and
indescribable
delight
.
For
instead
of
a
countenance
seared
and
marked
,
he
beheld
a
pure
and
spotless
face
glowing
with
a
beauty
which
,
even
in
her
loveliest
moments
,
had
never
seemed
to
invest
her
before
.
Not
a
scar
—
not
a
trace
of
the
accident
was
visible
.
Her
pouting
lips
were
like
the
rose
moistened
with
dew
:
her
high
,
pale
forehead
was
pure
as
marble
;
and
her
cheeks
were
suffused
in
blushes
which
seemed
to
be
born
beneath
the
clustering
ringlets
of
her
dark
brown
hair
.
"
Ah
!
Diana
,
"
exclaimed
the
Earl
,
as
he
drew
her
to
his
breast
,
"
how
can
I
punish
thee
for
this
cheat
!
"
"
You
will
pardon
me
,
"
she
murmured
,
as
she
clasped
her
warm
white
arms
around
his
neck
,
and
imprinted
a
delicious
kiss
upon
his
lips
,
while
her
eyes
were
filled
with
a
voluptuous
languor
,
—
"
you
will
pardon
me
when
you
know
my
motives
.
But
can
you
not
divine
them
?
"
"
You
wished
to
put
my
affection
to
the
test
,
Diana
,
"
said
the
Earl
.
"
Yes
—
I
must
forgive
you
—
for
you
are
beautiful
—
you
are
adorable
—
and
I
love
you
!
"
"
And
if
the
sincerest
and
most
devoted
attachment
on
my
part
can
reward
you
for
all
your
past
goodness
,
and
for
the
honours
which
you
now
propose
to
shower
upon
me
,
then
shall
I
not
fail
to
testify
my
gratitude
,
"
exclaimed
Diana
.
These
vows
were
sealed
with
innumerable
kisses
.
At
length
the
Earl
rose
to
depart
.
"
Three
days
hence
,
"
he
said
,
"
my
carriage
will
be
sent
to
fetch
you
to
the
church
where
our
hands
shall
be
united
.
"
"
And
our
hearts
—
for
ever
,
"
returned
Diana
.
The
nobleman
embraced
her
once
more
,
and
took
his
leave
.
But
he
did
not
immediately
quit
the
house
:
he
had
business
with
Mr.
Wentworth
to
transact
.
We
know
not
the
precise
sum
that
this
generous
peer
presented
to
the
surgeon
:
this
,
however
,
we
can
assure
our
readers
,
that
he
kept
his
word
to
the
very
letter
—
for
Mr.
Wentworth
became
rich
in
one
day
.
"
If
you
succeed
in
restoring
her
to
me
,
"
had
the
Earl
said
,
when
he
first
entrusted
Diana
to
the
surgeon
's
care
,
"
in
that
perfection
of
beauty
which
invested
her
when
I
took
leave
of
her
yesterday
—
without
a
mark
,
without
a
scar
,
—
your
fortune
shall
be
my
care
,
and
you
will
have
no
need
to
entertain
anxiety
relative
to
the
future
,
with
the
Earl
of
Warrington
as
your
patron
.
"
Such
were
the
nobleman
's
words
upon
that
occasion
;
and
,
on
the
present
,
he
amply
fulfilled
his
promise
.
Three
days
after
,
Diana
became
the
Countess
of
Warrington
.
The
happy
news
were
thus
communicated
by
the
bride
to
her
sincerest
and
best
friend
:
—
Grosvenor
Square
March
22nd
,
1840
To
Her
Serene
Highness
the
Grand
Duchess
of
Castelcicala
.
"
I
steal
a
few
minutes
from
a
busy
day
,
my
dearest
Eliza
,
—
for
by
that
dear
and
familiar
name
you
permit
me
to
call
you
,
—
to
inform
you
that
I
have
this
morning
united
my
destinies
with
those
of
the
Earl
of
Warrington
.
In
a
former
letter
I
acquainted
you
with
the
dreadful
accident
which
menaced
me
with
horrible
scars
and
marks
for
life
:
—
you
will
be
pleased
to
know
that
the
skill
and
unwearied
attention
of
my
medical
attendant
have
succeeded
in
completely
restoring
me
to
my
former
appearance
—
so
that
not
a
trace
of
the
injury
remains
upon
my
person
.
The
Earl
of
Warrington
has
elevated
me
to
the
proud
position
of
his
wife
:
the
remainder
of
my
existence
shall
be
devoted
to
the
study
of
his
happiness
.
"
I
regret
to
perceive
by
your
letters
,
dearest
Eliza
,
that
you
are
not
altogether
happy
.
You
say
that
the
Grand
Duke
loves
you
;
but
his
temper
is
arbitrary
—
his
disposition
despotic
.
And
yet
he
is
amiable
and
gentle
in
his
bearing
towards
you
.
Study
to
solace
yourself
with
this
conviction
.
He
has
elevated
you
to
a
rank
amongst
the
reigning
princesses
of
Europe
;
and
as
you
have
embraced
the
honours
,
so
must
you
endure
some
few
of
the
political
alarms
and
annoyances
which
are
invariably
attached
to
so
proud
a
position
.
You
tremble
lest
the
conduct
of
the
Grand
Duke
,
in
alienating
from
him
those
who
are
considered
his
best
friends
,
should
endanger
his
crown
.
Are
you
convinced
that
those
persons
are
indeed
his
friends
!
Of
course
I
know
not
—
I
cannot
determine
:
I
would
only
counsel
you
,
my
dearest
friend
,
not
to
form
hasty
conclusions
relative
to
the
policy
of
his
Serene
Highness
.
"
I
perceive
by
the
English
newspapers
,
that
there
are
numerous
Castelcicalan
refugees
in
this
country
.
Amongst
them
are
General
Grachia
and
Colonel
Morosino
,
both
of
whom
,
I
believe
,
occupied
high
offices
in
their
native
land
.
They
,
however
,
appear
,
so
far
as
I
can
learn
,
to
be
dwelling
tranquilly
in
London
—
no
doubt
awaiting
the
happy
moment
when
it
shall
please
your
illustrious
husband
to
recall
them
from
exile
.
"
His
Highness
Alberto
of
Castelcicala
—
(
for
you
are
aware
that
the
Earl
of
Warrington
communicated
to
me
some
time
ago
the
real
rank
and
name
of
Count
Alteroni
)
—
continues
to
reside
at
his
villa
near
Richmond
.
This
much
I
glean
from
the
public
journals
;
but
doubtless
you
are
well
acquainted
with
all
these
facts
,
inasmuch
as
your
government
has
a
representative
at
the
English
court
.
"
Adieu
for
the
present
,
dearest
Eliza
:
—
I
knew
not
,
when
I
sate
down
,
that
I
should
have
been
enabled
to
write
so
long
a
letter
.
But
I
must
now
change
my
dress
;
for
the
carriage
will
be
here
shortly
to
convey
me
to
Warrington
Park
,
where
we
are
to
pass
the
honeymoon
.
"
Ever
your
sincere
friend
,
"
DIANA
.
"
Such
are
the
strange
phases
which
this
world
presents
to
our
view
!
That
same
Fortune
,
who
,
in
a
moment
of
caprice
,
had
raised
an
obscure
English
lady
to
a
ducal
throne
,
placed
,
when
in
a
similar
mood
,
a
coronet
upon
the
brow
of
another
who
had
long
filled
a
most
equivocal
position
in
society
.
CHAPTER
CLXXI
.
MR.
GREENWOOD
'S
DINNER-PARTY
.
Some
few
days
after
the
events
just
related
,
Mr.
G
.
M
.
Greenwood
,
M.P.
,
entertained
several
gentlemen
at
dinner
at
his
residence
in
Spring
Gardens
.
The
banquet
was
served
up
at
seven
precisely
:
—
Mr
.
Greenwood
had
gradually
made
his
dinner
hour
later
as
he
had
risen
in
the
world
;
and
he
was
determined
that
if
ever
he
became
a
baronet
,
he
would
never
have
that
repast
put
on
table
till
half-past
eight
o'clock
.
On
the
present
occasion
,
as
we
ere
now
observed
,
the
guests
were
conducted
to
the
dining-room
at
seven
.
The
thick
curtains
were
drawn
over
the
windows
:
the
apartment
was
a
blaze
of
light
.
The
table
groaned
beneath
the
massive
plate
:
the
banquet
was
choice
and
luxurious
in
the
highest
degree
.
On
Mr.
Greenwood
's
right
sate
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
—
a
nobleman
of
sixty-three
years
of
age
,
of
immense
wealth
,
and
notorious
for
the
unbounded
licentiousness
of
his
mode
of
life
.
His
conversation
,
when
his
heart
was
somewhat
warmed
with
wine
,
bore
ample
testimony
to
the
profligacy
of
his
morals
:
seductions
were
his
boast
;
and
he
frequently
indulged
in
obscene
anecdotes
or
expressions
which
even
called
a
blush
to
the
cheeks
of
his
least
fastidious
male
acquaintances
.
On
Mr.
Greenwood
's
left
was
Sir
T
.
M
.
B
.
Muzzlehem
,
Bart
.
,
M.P.
,
and
Whipper-in
to
the
Tory
party
.
Next
to
the
two
guests
already
described
,
sate
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
,
Bart
.
,
and
the
Honourable
Major
Smilax
Dapper
—
the
latter
of
whom
had
recently
acquired
a
grade
in
the
service
by
purchase
.
Mr.
James
Tomlinson
,
Mr.
Sheriff
Popkins
,
Mr.
Alderman
Sniff
,
Mr.
Bubble
,
Mr.
Chouse
,
and
Mr.
Twitchem
(
a
solicitor
)
completed
the
party
.
Now
this
company
,
the
reader
will
perceive
,
was
somewhat
a
mixed
one
:
the
aristocracy
of
the
West
End
,
the
civic
authority
,
and
the
members
of
the
financial
and
legal
spheres
,
were
assembled
on
the
present
occasion
.
The
fact
is
,
gentle
reader
,
that
this
was
a
"
business
dinner
;
"
and
that
you
may
be
no
longer
kept
in
suspense
,
we
will
at
once
inform
you
that
when
the
cloth
was
drawn
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
in
a
brief
speech
,
proposed
"
Success
to
the
Algiers
,
Oran
,
and
Morocco
Railway
.
"
The
toast
was
drunk
with
great
applause
.
"
With
your
permission
,
my
lord
and
gentlemen
,
"
said
Mr.
Twitchem
,
the
solicitor
,
"
I
will
read
the
Prospectus
.
"
"
Yeth
,
wead
the
pwothpeckthuth
,
by
all
meanth
,
"
exclaimed
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
.
"
Strike
me
—
but
I
'm
anxious
to
hear
that
,
"
cried
the
Honourable
Major
Dapper
.
The
solicitor
then
drew
a
bundle
of
papers
from
his
pocket
,
and
in
a
business-like
manner
read
the
contents
of
one
which
he
extracted
from
the
parcel
:
—
"
ALGIERS
,
ORAN
,
AND
MOROCCO
GREAT
DESERT
RAILWAY
.
"
(
Provisionally
Registered
Pursuant
to
Act
.
)
"
Capital
£
1
,
600
,
000
,
in
80
,
000
shares
,
of
£
20
each
.
"
Deposit
£
3
2s
.
per
Share
.
"
COMMITTEE
OF
DIRECTION
.
"
The
Most
Honourable
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
,
G
.
C
.
B
.
,
Chairman
.
"
George
M
.
Greenwood
,
Esq.
,
M.P.
,
Deputy
Chairman
.
"
Sir
T
.
M
.
B
.
Muzzlehem
,
Bart
.
,
M.P.
"
James
Tomlinson
,
Esq.
"
Sylvester
Popkins
,
Esq.
,
Sheriff
of
London
.
"
Percival
Peter
Sniff
,
Esq.
,
Alderman
.
"
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
,
Bart
.
"
The
Honourable
Major
Smilax
Dapper
.
"
Charles
Cecil
Bubble
,
Esq.
"
Robert
James
Baring
Chouse
,
Esq.
"
This
Railway
is
intended
to
connect
the
great
cities
of
Algiers
and
Morocco
,
passing
close
to
the
populous
and
flourishing
town
of
Oran
.
It
will
thus
be
the
means
of
transit
for
passengers
and
traffic
over
a
most
important
section
of
the
Great
Desert
,
which
,
though
placed
in
maps
in
a
more
southernly
latitude
,
nevertheless
extends
to
the
District
through
which
this
Line
is
to
pass
.
"
The
French
government
has
willingly
accorded
its
countenance
to
the
proposed
scheme
;
and
the
Governor-General
of
Algeria
has
expressed
his
sincere
wish
that
it
may
be
carried
into
effect
.
"
The
Morocco
government
(
one
of
the
most
enlightened
in
Africa
)
has
also
assented
to
the
enterprise
;
and
the
Emperor
,
the
better
to
manifest
the
favour
with
which
he
views
the
project
,
ordered
his
Prime
Minister
to
be
soundly
bastinadoed
for
daring
to
question
its
practicability
.
This
proof
of
the
imperial
wisdom
has
filled
the
Committee
and
friends
of
the
enterprise
with
the
most
sanguine
hopes
.
"
The
support
of
the
principal
tribes
,
and
other
influential
parties
in
Algeria
and
Morocco
,
has
been
secured
.
"
The
Emperor
of
Morocco
,
on
one
side
,
and
his
Excellency
the
Governor-General
of
Algeria
,
on
the
other
,
have
signified
their
readiness
to
grant
a
strong
armed
force
to
protect
the
engineers
and
operatives
,
when
laying
down
the
rails
,
from
being
devoured
by
wild
beasts
,
or
molested
by
predatory
tribes
.
"
The
ex-Emir
of
Mascara
,
Abd-el-Kadir
,
has
entered
into
a
bond
not
to
interfere
with
the
works
while
in
progress
,
nor
to
molest
those
who
may
travel
by
the
Line
when
it
shall
be
opened
;
and
,
in
order
to
secure
this
important
concession
on
the
part
of
the
ex-Emir
,
the
Committee
have
agreed
to
make
that
Prince
an
annual
present
of
clothes
,
linen
,
tobacco
,
and
ardent
spirit
.
"
It
is
with
the
greatest
satisfaction
that
the
Committee
of
Direction
is
enabled
to
announce
these
brilliant
prospects
;
and
the
Committee
beg
to
state
that
application
for
the
allotment
of
Shares
must
be
made
without
delay
to
James
Tomlinson
,
Esq.
,
Stockbroker
,
Tokenhouse
Yard
.
"
By
order
of
the
Board
,
"
SHARPLY
TWITCHEM
,
Secretary
.
"
"
On
my
thoul
,
there
never
wath
any
thing
better
—
conthith
,
bwief
,
ekthplithit
,
and
attwactive
!
"
cried
Sir
Cherry
.
"
Sure
to
take
—
as
certain
as
I
'm
in
Her
Majesty
's
service
—
strike
me
!
"
exclaimed
Major
Dapper
.
"
I
think
you
ought
to
have
thrown
in
something
about
African
beauties
,
"
observed
the
Marquis
:
"
they
are
particularly
stout
,
you
know
,
being
all
fed
on
a
preparation
of
rice
called
couscousou
.
I
really
think
I
must
pay
a
visit
to
those
parts
next
spring
.
"
"
I
will
undertake
to
get
one
of
the
members
of
the
government
to
introduce
a
favourable
mention
of
the
project
into
his
speech
to-morrow
night
,
in
the
House
,
"
said
Sir
T
.
M
.
B
.
Muzzlehem
:
"
but
you
must
send
him
a
hundred
shares
the
first
thing
in
the
morning
.
"
"
That
shall
be
done
,
"
answered
Mr.
Twitchem
.
"
Well
,
my
lord
and
gentlemen
,
"
observed
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
I
think
that
this
little
business
looks
uncommonly
well
.
The
project
is
no
doubt
feasible
—
I
mean
,
the
shares
are
certain
to
go
off
well
.
Mr.
Bubble
and
Mr.
Chouse
will
undertake
to
raise
them
in
public
estimation
,
by
the
reports
they
will
circulate
in
Capel
Court
.
Of
course
,
my
lord
and
gentlemen
,
when
they
are
at
a
good
premium
,
we
shall
all
sell
;
and
if
we
do
not
realise
twenty
or
thirty
thousand
pounds
each
—
each
,
mark
me
—
then
shall
you
be
at
liberty
to
say
that
the
free
and
independent
electors
of
Rottenborough
have
chosen
as
their
representative
a
dolt
and
an
idiot
in
the
person
of
your
humble
servant
.
"
"
Whatever
Mr.
Greenwood
undertakes
is
certain
to
turn
to
gold
,
"
observed
Mr.
Bubble
.
"
Ca
n't
be
otherwise
,
"
said
Mr.
Chouse
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
's
name
stands
so
well
in
the
City
,
"
added
Mr.
Sheriff
Popkins
.
"
And
his
lordship
's
countenance
to
the
enterprise
is
a
tower
of
strength
,
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Alderman
Sniff
.
"
I
have
already
had
many
inquiries
concerning
the
project
,
"
said
Mr.
Tomlinson
.
"
Yes
—
Chouse
and
I
took
care
to
circulate
reports
in
the
City
that
such
a
scheme
was
in
contemplation
,
"
observed
Bubble
.
"
Gentlemen
,
I
think
that
all
difficulties
have
been
provided
against
in
this
Prospectus
,
"
cried
Mr.
Twitchem
:
—
"
the
predatory
tribes
,
Abd-el-Kadir
,
and
the
wild
beasts
.
"
"
Nothing
could
be
better
,
"
answered
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
Take
care
that
the
Prospectus
be
sent
as
an
advertisement
to
every
London
journal
,
and
the
leading
provincial
ones
.
You
know
that
I
am
a
shareholder
in
one
of
the
London
newspapers
;
and
I
can
promise
you
that
it
will
not
fail
to
cry
up
our
enterprise
.
In
fact
,
my
lord
and
gentlemen
,
"
added
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
I
have
at
this
moment
in
my
pocket
a
copy
of
a
leading
article
—
that
will
appear
in
that
paper
,
the
day
after
to-morrow
.
"
"
My
gwathioth
!
—
do
read
it
,
Greenwood
,
"
cried
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
.
"
Yes
:
I
'd
give
the
world
to
hear
it
—
smite
me
!
"
ejaculated
Major
Dapper
.
Mr.
Greenwood
glanced
complacently
around
,
and
then
drew
forth
a
printed
slip
,
the
contents
of
which
were
as
follow
:
—
"
In
our
opposition
to
those
multifarious
railway
projects
which
are
starting
up
on
all
sides
,
as
if
some
Cadmus
had
been
sowing
bubbles
in
our
financial
soil
,
we
have
only
been
swayed
by
our
fears
lest
such
a
number
of
schemes
,
which
never
can
obtain
the
sanction
of
Parliament
,
should
injure
the
credit
,
and
impair
the
monetary
prosperity
of
the
country
.
It
must
not
,
however
,
be
supposed
that
we
are
inimical
to
those
undertakings
which
are
based
upon
fair
,
intelligible
,
and
reasonable
grounds
.
There
are
many
talented
,
honourable
,
and
wealthy
individuals
engaged
in
speculations
of
this
nature
;
and
,
their
motives
being
beyond
suspicion
,
no
one
of
common
sense
can
for
a
moment
suppose
that
we
include
their
projects
amongst
the
airy
nothings
against
which
we
are
compelled
to
put
the
public
on
their
guard
.
The
extension
of
railways
is
internally
connected
with
the
progress
of
civilisation
;
and
when
we
behold
the
principle
applied
to
distant
and
semi-barbarian
countries
—
as
in
the
case
,
for
instance
,
of
that
truly
grand
and
promising
enterprise
,
the
Algiers
,
Oran
,
and
Morocco
Great
Desert
Railway
—
we
feel
proud
that
England
should
have
the
honour
of
taking
the
initiative
in
thus
propagating
beyond
its
own
limits
the
elements
of
civilisation
,
and
the
germs
of
humanising
influences
.
At
the
same
time
we
shall
continue
our
strenuous
opposition
to
all
railway
schemes
which
we
consider
to
be
mere
bubbles
blown
from
the
pipes
of
intriguants
and
adventurers
;
and
we
shall
never
pause
until
in
those
pipes
we
put
an
effectual
stopper
.
"
"
Thuper-ekthellent
—
glowiouth
—
majethtic
—
athtounding
!
"
ejaculated
Sir
Cherry
,
quite
in
raptures
.
"
You
perceive
how
beautifully
—
how
delicately
the
puff
is
insinuated
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
That
article
will
have
an
astonishing
effect
.
"
"
No
doubt
of
it
,
"
observed
the
Marquis
.
"
You
might
have
contrived
to
introduce
something
relative
to
the
Emperor
of
Morocco
's
ladies
.
Why
not
state
that
the
Moorish
terminus
will
command
a
view
of
the
gardens
of
the
imperial
harem
,
where
those
divine
creatures
—
each
of
seventeen
stone
weight
—
are
wont
to
ramble
in
a
voluptuous
undress
?
"
"
No
—
no
,
my
lord
;
that
would
never
do
!
"
cried
Greenwood
,
with
a
smile
.
"
And
now
,
my
lord
and
gentlemen
,
we
perfectly
understand
each
other
.
Each
takes
as
many
shares
as
he
pleases
.
When
they
reach
a
high
premium
,
each
may
sell
as
he
thinks
fit
.
Then
,
when
we
have
realized
our
profits
,
we
will
inform
the
shareholders
that
insuperable
difficulties
prevent
the
carrying
out
of
the
project
,
—
that
Abd-el-Kadir
,
for
instance
,
has
violated
his
agreement
and
declared
against
the
scheme
,
—
that
the
Committee
of
Direction
will
therefore
retain
a
sum
sufficient
to
defray
the
expenses
already
incurred
,
and
that
the
remaining
capital
paid
up
shall
be
returned
to
the
shareholders
.
"
"
That
is
exactly
what
,
I
believe
,
we
all
understand
,
"
observed
Mr.
Twitchem
.
"
For
my
part
,
"
said
Lord
Holmesford
,
"
I
only
embark
in
the
enterprise
to
oblige
my
friend
Greenwood
;
and
therefore
I
am
agreeable
to
any
thing
that
he
proposes
.
"
Matters
being
thus
amicably
arranged
,
the
company
passed
the
remainder
of
the
evening
in
the
conviviality
of
the
table
.
At
eleven
o'clock
the
guests
all
retired
,
with
the
exception
of
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
.
"
Now
,
friend
Greenwood
,
"
said
this
nobleman
,
"
you
will
keep
your
engagement
with
me
?
"
"
Yes
,
my
lord
:
I
am
prepared
to
accompany
you
.
"
"
Let
us
depart
at
once
,
then
,
"
added
the
Marquis
,
rising
from
his
chair
:
"
my
carriage
has
been
waiting
some
time
;
and
I
long
to
introduce
you
to
the
voluptuous
mysteries
of
Holmesford
House
.
"
CHAPTER
CLXXII
.
THE
MYSTERIES
OF
HOLMESFORD
HOUSE
.
The
Marquis
and
Mr.
Greenwood
alighted
at
the
door
of
Holmesford
House
—
one
of
the
most
splendid
palaces
of
the
aristocracy
at
the
West
End
.
The
Marquis
conducted
his
visitor
into
a
large
ante-room
at
the
right
hand
of
the
spacious
hall
.
The
table
in
the
middle
of
the
apartment
was
covered
with
the
most
luxurious
fruits
,
nosegays
of
flowers
,
preserves
,
sweetmeats
,
and
delicious
wines
.
From
this
room
three
doors
afforded
communication
elsewhere
.
One
opened
into
the
hall
,
and
had
afforded
them
ingress
:
the
other
,
on
the
opposite
side
,
belonged
to
a
corridor
,
with
which
were
connected
the
baths
;
and
the
third
,
at
the
bottom
,
communicated
with
a
vast
saloon
,
of
which
we
shall
have
more
to
say
very
shortly
.
The
Marquis
said
to
the
servant
who
conducted
him
and
Mr.
Greenwood
to
the
ante-room
,
"
You
may
retire
;
and
let
them
ring
the
bell
when
all
is
ready
.
"
The
domestic
withdrew
.
The
Marquis
motioned
Greenwood
to
seat
himself
at
the
table
;
and
,
filling
two
coloured
glasses
with
real
Johannisberg
,
he
said
,
"
We
must
endeavour
to
while
away
half
an
hour
;
and
then
I
can
promise
you
a
pleasing
entertainment
.
"
The
nobleman
and
the
member
of
Parliament
quaffed
the
delicious
wine
,
and
indulged
in
discourse
upon
the
most
voluptuous
subjects
.
"
For
my
part
,
"
said
the
Marquis
,
"
I
study
how
to
enjoy
life
.
I
possess
an
immense
fortune
,
and
do
not
scruple
to
spend
it
upon
all
the
pleasures
I
can
fancy
,
or
which
suggest
themselves
to
me
.
I
am
not
such
an
idiot
as
to
imagine
that
I
possess
the
vigour
or
natural
warmth
which
characterised
my
youth
;
and
therefore
I
have
become
an
Epicurean
in
my
recreations
.
I
invent
and
devise
the
means
of
inflaming
my
passions
;
and
then
—
then
I
am
young
once
more
.
You
will
presently
behold
something
truly
oriental
in
the
refinements
on
voluptuousness
which
I
have
conceived
to
produce
an
artificial
effect
on
the
temperament
when
nature
is
languid
and
weak
.
"
Your
lordship
is
right
to
fan
the
flame
that
burns
dimly
,
"
observed
Greenwood
,
who
,
unprincipled
as
he
was
,
could
not
,
however
,
avoid
a
feeling
of
disgust
when
he
heard
that
old
voluptuary
,
with
one
foot
in
the
grave
,
thus
shamelessly
express
himself
.
"
Wine
and
women
,
my
dear
Greenwood
,
"
continued
the
Marquis
,
"
are
the
only
earthly
enjoyments
worth
living
for
.
I
hope
to
die
,
with
my
head
pillowed
on
the
naked
—
heaving
bosom
of
beauty
,
and
with
a
glass
of
sparkling
champagne
in
my
hand
.
"
"
Your
lordship
would
then
even
defy
the
pangs
of
the
grim
monster
who
spares
no
one
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
I
have
lived
a
joyous
life
,
my
dear
friend
;
and
when
death
comes
,
I
can
say
that
no
mortal
man
—
not
even
Solomon
,
with
his
thousand
wives
and
concubines
—
nor
any
eastern
Sultan
,
who
had
congregated
the
fairest
flowers
of
Georgia
,
Circassia
,
and
Armenia
in
his
harem
,
—
had
more
deeply
drunk
than
I
of
the
pleasures
of
love
.
"
Just
as
the
aged
voluptuary
uttered
these
words
,
a
silver
bell
that
hung
in
the
apartment
was
agitated
gently
by
a
wire
which
communicated
with
the
adjoining
saloon
.
"
Now
all
is
in
readiness
!
"
exclaimed
the
Marquis
:
"
follow
me
.
"
The
nobleman
opened
the
door
leading
into
the
saloon
,
which
he
entered
,
accompanied
by
Greenwood
.
He
then
closed
the
door
behind
him
.
The
saloon
was
involved
in
total
obscurity
;
the
blackest
darkness
reigned
there
,
unbroken
by
a
ray
.
"
Give
me
your
hand
,
"
said
the
Marquis
.
Greenwood
complied
;
and
the
nobleman
led
him
to
a
sofa
at
a
short
distance
from
the
door
by
which
they
had
entered
.
They
both
seated
themselves
on
the
voluptuous
cushions
.
For
some
moments
a
solemn
silence
prevailed
.
At
length
that
almost
painful
stillness
was
broken
by
the
soft
notes
of
a
delicious
melody
,
which
,
coming
from
the
farther
end
of
the
apartment
,
stole
,
with
a
species
of
enchanting
influence
,
upon
the
ear
.
Gentle
and
low
was
that
sweet
music
when
it
began
;
but
by
degrees
it
grew
louder
—
though
still
soft
and
ravishing
in
the
extreme
.
Then
a
chorus
of
charming
female
voices
suddenly
burst
forth
;
and
the
union
of
that
vocal
and
instrumental
perfection
produced
an
effect
thrilling
—
intoxicating
—
joyous
,
beyond
description
.
The
melody
created
in
the
mind
of
Greenwood
an
anxious
desire
to
behold
those
unseen
choristers
whose
voices
were
so
harmonious
,
so
delightful
.
The
dulcet
,
metallic
sounds
agitated
the
senses
with
feelings
of
pleasure
,
and
made
the
heart
beat
with
vague
hopes
and
expectations
.
For
nearly
twenty
minutes
did
that
delicious
concert
last
.
Love
was
the
subject
of
the
song
,
—
Love
,
not
considered
as
an
infant
boy
,
nor
as
a
merciless
tyrant
,
—
but
Love
depicted
as
the
personification
of
every
thing
voluptuous
,
blissful
,
and
enchanting
,
—
Love
,
the
representative
of
all
the
joys
which
earth
in
reality
possesses
,
or
which
the
warmest
imagination
could
possibly
conceive
,
—
Love
apart
from
the
refinements
of
sentiment
,
and
contemplated
only
as
the
paradise
of
sensualities
.
And
never
did
sweeter
voices
warble
the
fervid
language
of
passion
through
the
medium
of
a
more
enchanting
poesy
!
Twenty
minutes
,
we
said
,
passed
with
wonderful
rapidity
while
that
inspiring
concert
lasted
.
But
even
then
the
melody
did
not
cease
suddenly
.
It
gradually
grew
fainter
and
fainter
—
dying
away
,
as
it
were
,
in
expiring
sounds
of
silver
harmony
,
as
if
yielding
to
the
voluptuous
enhancement
of
its
own
magic
influence
.
And
now
,
just
as
the
last
murmur
floated
to
the
ears
of
the
raptured
listeners
,
a
bell
tinkled
at
a
distance
;
and
in
an
instant
—
as
if
by
magic
—
the
spacious
saloon
was
lighted
up
with
a
brilliancy
which
produced
a
sensation
like
an
electric
shock
.
At
the
same
time
,
the
music
struck
up
in
thrilling
sounds
once
more
;
and
a
bevy
of
lovely
creatures
,
whom
the
glare
suddenly
revealed
upon
a
stage
at
the
farther
end
of
the
apartment
,
became
all
life
and
activity
in
a
voluptuous
dance
.
Three
chandeliers
of
transparent
crystal
had
suddenly
vomited
forth
jets
of
flame
;
and
round
the
walls
the
illumination
had
sprung
into
existence
,
with
simultaneous
suddenness
,
from
innumerable
silver
sconces
.
A
glance
around
showed
Greenwood
that
he
was
in
a
vast
and
lofty
apartment
,
furnished
with
luxurious
ottomans
in
the
oriental
style
;
and
with
tables
groaning
beneath
immense
vases
filled
with
the
choicest
flowers
.
The
walls
were
covered
with
magnificent
pictures
,
representing
the
most
voluptuous
scenes
of
the
heathen
mythology
and
of
ancient
history
.
The
figures
in
those
paintings
were
as
large
as
life
;
and
no
prudery
had
restrained
the
artist
's
pencil
in
the
delineation
of
the
luxuriant
subjects
which
he
had
chosen
.
There
was
Lucretia
,
struggling
—
vainly
struggling
with
the
ardent
Tarquin
,
—
her
drapery
torn
by
his
rude
hands
away
from
her
lovely
form
,
which
the
brutal
violence
of
his
mad
passion
had
rendered
weak
,
supple
,
and
yielding
.
There
was
Helen
,
reclining
in
more
than
semi-nudity
on
the
couch
to
which
her
languishing
and
wanton
looks
invited
the
enamoured
Phrygian
youth
,
who
was
hastily
laying
aside
his
armour
after
a
combat
with
the
Greeks
.
There
was
Messalina
—
that
imperial
harlot
,
whose
passions
were
so
insatiable
and
whose
crimes
were
so
enormous
,
—
issuing
from
a
bath
to
join
her
lover
,
who
impatiently
awaited
her
beneath
a
canopy
in
a
recess
,
and
which
was
surmounted
by
the
Roman
diadem
.
Then
there
were
pictures
representing
the
various
amours
of
Jupiter
,
—
Leda
,
Latona
,
Semele
,
and
Europa
—
the
mistresses
of
the
god
—
all
drawn
in
the
most
exciting
attitudes
,
and
endowed
with
the
most
luscious
beauties
.
But
if
those
creations
of
art
were
sufficient
to
inflame
the
passions
of
even
that
age
when
the
blood
seems
frozen
in
the
veins
,
how
powerful
must
have
been
the
effect
produced
by
those
living
,
breathing
,
moving
houris
who
were
now
engaged
in
a
rapid
and
exciting
dance
to
the
most
ravishing
music
.
They
wore
six
in
number
,
and
all
dressed
alike
,
in
a
drapery
so
light
and
gauzy
that
it
was
all
but
transparent
,
and
so
scanty
that
it
afforded
no
scope
for
the
sweet
romancing
of
fancy
,
and
left
but
little
need
for
guesses
.
But
if
their
attire
were
thus
uniform
,
their
style
of
beauty
was
altogether
different
.
We
must
,
however
,
permit
the
Marquis
to
describe
them
to
Greenwood
—
which
he
did
in
whispers
.
"
That
fair
girl
on
the
right
,
"
he
said
,
"
with
the
brilliant
complexion
,
auburn
hair
,
and
red
cherry
lips
,
is
from
the
north
—
a
charming
specimen
of
Scotch
beauty
.
Mark
how
taper
is
her
waist
,
and
yet
how
ample
her
bust
!
She
is
only
nineteen
,
and
has
been
in
my
house
for
the
last
three
years
.
Her
voice
is
charming
;
and
she
sings
some
of
her
native
airs
with
exquisite
taste
.
The
one
next
to
her
,
with
the
brown
hair
,
and
who
is
somewhat
stout
in
form
,
though
,
as
you
perceive
,
not
the
less
active
on
that
account
,
is
an
English
girl
—
a
beauty
of
Lancashire
.
She
is
twenty-two
,
and
appeared
four
years
ago
on
the
stage
.
From
thence
she
passed
into
the
keeping
of
a
bishop
,
who
took
lodgings
for
her
in
great
Russell
Street
,
Bloomsbury
.
The
Right
Reverend
Prelate
one
evening
invited
me
to
sup
there
;
and
three
days
afterwards
she
removed
to
my
house
.
"
"
Not
with
the
consent
of
the
bishop
,
I
should
imagine
?
"
observed
Greenwood
,
laughing
.
"
Oh
!
no
—
no
,
"
returned
the
Marquis
,
chuckling
and
coughing
at
the
same
time
.
"
The
one
who
is
next
to
her
—
the
third
from
the
left
,
I
mean
—
is
an
Irish
girl
.
Look
how
beautifully
she
is
made
.
What
vigorous
,
strong
,
and
yet
elegantly
formed
limbs
!
And
what
elasticity
—
what
airy
lightness
in
the
dance
!
Did
you
observe
that
pirouette
?
How
the
drapery
spread
out
from
her
waist
like
a
circular
fan
!
Is
she
not
a
charming
creature
?
"
"
She
is
,
indeed
!
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
Tall
,
elegant
,
and
graceful
.
"
"
And
her
tongue
is
just
tipped
with
enough
of
the
Irish
accent
—
I
cannot
call
it
brogue
in
so
sweet
a
being
—
to
render
her
conversation
peculiarly
interesting
.
And
now
mark
her
smile
!
Oh
!
the
coquette
—
what
a
roguish
look
!
Has
she
not
wickedness
in
those
sparkling
black
eyes
?
"
"
She
seems
an
especial
favourite
,
methinks
,
"
whispered
Greenwood
.
"
Yes
—
I
have
a
sneaking
preference
for
her
,
I
must
admit
,
"
answered
the
Marquis
.
"
But
I
also
like
my
little
French
girl
,
who
is
dancing
next
to
Kathleen
.
Mademoiselle
Anna
is
an
exquisite
creature
—
and
such
a
wanton
!
What
passion
is
denoted
by
her
burning
glances
!
How
graceful
are
her
movements
:
survey
her
now
—
she
beats
them
all
in
that
soft
abandonment
of
limb
which
she
just
displayed
.
Her
mother
was
a
widow
,
and
sold
the
lovely
Anna
to
a
French
Field-Marshal
,
when
she
was
only
fifteen
.
The
Field-Marshal
,
who
was
also
a
duke
and
enormously
rich
,
placed
her
in
a
magnificent
mansion
in
the
Chausseé
d'Antin
,
and
settled
a
handsome
sum
upon
her
.
But
,
at
his
death
,
she
ran
through
it
all
,
became
involved
in
debt
,
and
was
glad
to
accept
my
offers
two
years
ago
.
"
"
She
is
very
captivating
,
"
said
Greenwood
.
"
How
gracefully
she
rounds
her
dazzling
white
arms
!
"
"
And
how
well
she
throws
herself
into
the
most
voluptuous
attitudes
—
and
all
,
too
,
as
if
unstudied
!
"
returned
the
Marquis
.
"
The
beauty
next
to
her
is
a
Spaniard
.
The
white
drapery
,
in
my
opinion
,
sets
off
her
clear
,
transparent
,
olive
skin
,
to
the
utmost
advantage
.
The
blood
seems
to
boil
in
her
veins
:
she
is
all
fire
—
all
passion
.
How
brilliant
are
her
large
black
eyes
!
Behold
the
glossy
magnificence
of
her
raven
hair
!
Tall
—
straight
as
an
arrow
—
how
commanding
,
and
yet
how
graceful
is
her
form
!
And
when
she
smiles
—
now
—
you
can
perceive
the
dazzling
whiteness
of
her
teeth
.
Last
of
all
I
must
direct
your
attention
to
my
Georgian
—
"
"
A
real
Georgian
?
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
A
real
Georgian
,
"
answered
the
Marquis
;
"
and
,
as
Byron
describes
his
Katinka
,
'
white
and
red
.
'
Her
large
melting
blue
eyes
are
full
of
voluptuous
,
lazy
,
indolent
,
but
not
the
less
impassioned
love
.
Her
dark
brown
hair
is
braided
in
a
manner
to
display
its
luxuriance
,
and
yet
leave
the
entire
face
clear
for
you
to
admire
its
beauty
.
Look
at
that
fine
oval
countenance
:
how
pure
is
the
red
—
how
delicate
the
white
!
Nature
has
no
artificial
auxiliaries
there
!
And
now
when
she
casts
down
her
eyes
,
mark
how
the
long
,
silken
black
lashes
,
slightly
curling
,
repose
upon
the
white
skin
beneath
the
eyes
.
Is
not
that
a
charming
creature
?
The
symmetry
of
her
form
is
perfect
.
Her
limbs
are
stout
and
plump
;
but
how
slender
are
her
ankles
,
and
how
exquisitely
turned
her
wrists
!
Then
look
at
her
hand
.
What
beautiful
,
long
taper
fingers
!
How
sweet
are
her
movements
—
light
,
yet
languishing
at
the
same
time
!
"
"
What
is
the
name
of
that
beauty
?
"
asked
Greenwood
.
"
Malkhatoun
,
"
replied
the
Marquis
;
"
which
means
The
Full
Moon
.
That
was
the
name
of
the
wife
of
Osman
,
the
founder
of
the
Ottoman
empire
.
"
"
And
how
did
you
procure
such
a
lovely
creature
?
"
inquired
Greenwood
,
enraptured
with
the
beauty
of
the
oriental
girl
.
"
Six
months
ago
I
visited
Constantinople
,
"
answered
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
;
"
and
in
the
Slave-Market
I
beheld
that
divinity
.
Christians
are
not
allowed
to
purchase
slaves
;
but
a
convenient
native
merchant
was
found
,
who
bought
her
for
me
.
I
brought
her
to
England
;
and
she
is
well
contented
to
be
here
.
Her
own
apartment
is
fitted
up
in
an
oriental
style
;
she
has
her
Koran
,
and
worships
Alla
at
her
leisure
;
and
when
I
make
love
to
her
,
she
swears
by
the
Prophet
Mahommed
that
she
is
happy
here
.
The
romance
of
the
thing
is
quite
charming
.
"
"
Of
course
she
cannot
speak
English
?
"
said
Greenwood
interrogatively
.
"
I
beg
your
pardon
,
"
answered
the
Marquis
.
"
She
has
an
English
master
,
who
is
well
acquainted
with
Persian
,
which
she
speaks
admirably
;
and
I
can
assure
you
that
she
is
a
most
willing
pupil
.
But
of
that
you
shall
judge
for
yourself
presently
.
"
During
this
conversion
,
the
dance
proceeded
.
Nothing
could
be
more
voluptuous
than
that
spectacle
of
six
charming
creatures
,
representing
the
loveliness
of
as
many
different
countries
,
engaged
in
a
pas
de
six
in
which
each
studied
how
to
set
off
the
graces
of
her
form
to
the
utmost
advantage
.
The
genial
warmth
of
the
apartment
—
the
delicious
perfume
of
the
flowers
—
the
brilliancy
of
the
light
—
the
exciting
nature
of
the
pictures
—
and
the
enchantment
of
that
dance
in
which
six
beings
of
the
rarest
beauty
were
engaged
,
—
filled
the
mind
of
Greenwood
with
an
ecstatic
delirium
.
Not
the
rich
and
luscious
loveliness
of
Diana
Arlington
,
whom
circumstances
had
made
his
own
,
—
not
the
matured
and
exuberant
charms
of
Eliza
Sydney
,
who
had
escaped
his
snares
,
—
not
the
bewitching
beauty
of
Ellen
Monroe
,
from
whose
brow
he
had
plucked
the
diadem
of
purity
,
—
nor
the
licentious
fascinations
of
Lady
Cecilia
Harborough
,
who
sold
herself
to
him
for
his
gold
,
—
not
all
these
had
so
stirred
his
heart
,
so
inflamed
his
ardent
imagination
,
as
the
spectacle
which
he
now
beheld
.
At
length
the
dance
terminated
.
The
Marquis
then
advanced
towards
the
stage
,
accompanied
by
Greenwood
,
and
said
,
"
Many
thanks
,
young
ladies
,
for
this
entertainment
.
Allow
me
to
present
an
intimate
friend
of
mine
—
a
gentleman
whom
I
am
anxious
to
initiate
in
the
mysteries
of
Holmesford
House
.
"
Greenwood
bowed
;
the
six
beauties
returned
his
salutation
;
and
the
Marquis
then
proposed
to
adjourn
to
the
ante-room
,
where
supper
was
served
up
.
The
ladies
descended
from
the
platform
by
a
flight
of
steps
on
one
side
.
"
I
shall
give
my
arm
to
Kathleen
,
"
said
the
Marquis
.
"
Do
you
escort
whomever
you
fancy
.
There
are
no
jealousies
here
.
"
Without
hesitation
Greenwood
advanced
towards
the
charming
Malkhatoun
,
who
took
the
arm
which
he
presented
to
her
,
with
a
sweet
smile
—
as
if
of
gratitude
for
the
preference
.
As
Greenwood
thus
stepped
forward
to
meet
her
,
he
now
for
the
first
time
observed
the
orchestra
,
which
was
situated
in
a
large
recess
on
the
right
of
the
stage
,
and
had
consequently
been
unseen
by
him
from
the
place
which
he
had
originally
occupied
at
the
other
end
of
the
saloon
.
The
party
now
proceeded
to
the
ante-room
before
mentioned
.
There
a
magnificent
repast
was
served
up
.
They
all
seated
themselves
at
table
,
Kathleen
next
to
the
Marquis
,
and
Malkhatoun
by
the
side
of
Greenwood
.
At
first
the
conversation
languished
somewhat
,
the
ladies
being
abashed
and
reserved
in
the
presence
of
a
stranger
;
but
as
they
grew
warmed
by
degrees
with
the
generous
wine
,
their
tongues
were
unlocked
;
and
in
half
an
hour
they
rattled
and
chatted
away
as
if
they
had
never
known
restraint
.
They
laughed
and
displayed
their
beautiful
teeth
:
their
eyes
flashed
fire
,
or
became
voluptuously
melting
:
and
their
cheeks
were
animated
with
the
hues
of
the
rose
.
Even
the
fair
Mohammedan
did
not
refuse
the
sparkling
champagne
which
effervesced
so
deliciously
over
the
brim
of
the
crystal
glass
.
The
Scotch
and
Irish
girls
warbled
the
sweetest
snatches
of
song
which
Greenwood
had
ever
heard
;
and
then
the
French
damsel
rose
and
gave
admirable
imitations
of
Taglioni
's
,
Ellsler
's
,
and
Duvernay
's
respective
styles
of
dancing
—
throwing
,
however
,
into
her
movements
and
attitudes
a
wantonness
which
even
the
most
exciting
efforts
of
those
artistes
never
displayed
.
It
was
now
nearly
two
in
the
morning
;
and
Greenwood
intimated
to
the
Marquis
his
wish
to
retire
.
"
Just
as
you
please
,
"
replied
the
old
voluptuary
,
who
had
drawn
Kathleen
upon
his
knee
,
and
was
toying
with
her
as
if
they
were
unobserved
:
"
but
if
you
like
to
accept
of
a
bed
here
,
there
is
one
at
your
service
—
and
,
"
he
added
,
in
a
whisper
,
"
you
need
not
be
separated
from
Malkhatoun
.
"
"
Is
your
lordship
in
earnest
?
"
asked
Greenwood
,
also
in
a
low
tone
,
while
joy
flashed
from
his
eyes
.
"
Certainly
I
am
,
"
replied
the
Marquis
.
"
Do
you
think
that
I
brought
you
hither
merely
to
tantalize
you
?
"
Greenwood
smiled
,
and
then
redoubled
his
attentions
towards
the
charming
Georgian
,
who
returned
his
smiles
,
and
seemed
to
consider
herself
honoured
by
his
caresses
.
On
a
signal
from
the
Marquis
,
the
Scotch
,
English
,
French
,
and
Spanish
girls
withdrew
.
"
One
glass
of
wine
in
honour
of
those
houris
who
have
just
left
us
!
"
cried
the
nobleman
,
who
was
already
heated
with
frequent
potations
,
and
inflamed
by
the
contiguity
of
his
Hibernian
mistress
.
"
With
pleasure
,
"
responded
Greenwood
.
The
toast
was
drunk
;
and
then
the
Marquis
whispered
something
to
Greenwood
,
pointing
at
the
same
time
to
the
door
which
opened
into
the
bathing
rooms
.
The
member
of
Parliament
nodded
an
enraptured
assent
.
"
There
is
a
constant
supply
of
hot
water
,
kept
ready
for
use
,
"
observed
the
nobleman
.
"
Each
room
is
provided
with
a
marble
bath
;
and
vases
of
eau-de-cologne
afford
the
means
of
cooling
the
water
and
imparting
to
it
a
delicious
perfume
at
the
same
time
.
You
will
also
find
wines
,
fruits
,
and
all
species
of
delicate
refreshments
there
;
and
adjoining
each
bath-room
is
a
bed-chamber
.
With
Malkhatoun
as
your
companion
,
you
may
imagine
yourself
a
Sultan
in
the
privacy
of
his
harem
;
and
,
remember
,
that
no
soul
will
intrude
upon
you
in
that
joyous
retreat
.
"
Greenwood
presented
his
hand
to
Malkhatoun
,
and
led
her
away
in
obedience
to
the
nobleman
's
suggestion
.
The
door
by
which
they
left
the
ante-room
admitted
them
into
a
passage
dimly
lighted
with
a
single
lamp
,
and
where
several
doors
opened
into
the
bathing
apartments
.
Into
one
of
those
rooms
Greenwood
and
the
beautiful
Georgian
passed
.
Shortly
afterwards
the
Marquis
and
Kathleen
entered
another
.
Here
we
must
pause
:
we
dare
not
penetrate
farther
into
the
mysteries
of
Holmesford
House
.
CHAPTER
CLXXIII
.
THE
ADIEUX
.
Our
narrative
must
now
take
a
leap
of
several
months
.
It
was
the
middle
of
October
.
Once
more
in
the
vicinity
of
Count
Alteroni
's
mansion
near
Richmond
,
a
handsome
young
man
and
a
beautiful
dark-eyed
maiden
were
walking
together
.
Need
we
say
that
they
were
Richard
and
the
charming
Isabella
?
The
countenances
of
both
wore
an
expression
of
melancholy
;
but
that
indication
of
feeling
was
commingled
with
the
traces
of
other
emotions
.
Richard
's
eyes
beamed
with
ardour
,
and
his
lips
denoted
stern
resolution
:
Isabella
's
bewitching
features
showed
that
her
generous
soul
entertained
warm
and
profound
hope
,
even
though
the
cloud
sate
upon
her
brow
.
"
Yes
,
my
adored
one
,
"
said
Richard
,
gazing
tenderly
upon
her
,
"
it
is
decided
!
To-morrow
I
embark
on
this
expedition
.
But
I
could
not
quit
England
without
seeing
you
once
more
,
dearest
Isabella
;
and
for
two
or
three
days
have
I
vainly
wandered
in
this
neighbourhood
with
the
hope
of
meeting
you
—
alone
.
"
"
Oh
!
Richard
,
had
I
for
one
moment
divined
that
you
were
so
near
,
I
should
have
come
to
you
,
"
answered
the
Princess
;
"
and
this
you
know
well
!
If
I
have
hitherto
discouraged
clandestine
meetings
and
secret
correspondence
—
save
on
one
or
two
occasions
—
it
was
simply
because
you
should
not
have
reason
to
think
lightly
of
me
;
—
but
you
are
well
aware
,
Richard
,
that
my
heart
is
thine
—
unchangeably
thine
,
—
and
that
my
happiest
moments
are
those
I
pass
with
thee
!
"
"
I
cannot
chide
you
,
dearest
,
for
that
fine
feeling
which
has
made
you
discourage
clandestine
meetings
and
secret
correspondence
,
"
said
Richard
,
gazing
with
mingled
admiration
and
rapture
upon
the
angelic
countenance
of
Isabella
;
"
but
now
that
circumstances
are
about
to
change
,
—
now
that
I
shall
be
far
away
from
thee
,
beloved
girl
,
—
that
restriction
must
in
some
degree
be
removed
,
and
you
will
permit
me
to
write
to
you
from
time
to
time
.
"
"
It
would
be
an
absurd
affectation
and
a
ridiculous
prudery
,
were
I
to
refuse
you
,
"
replied
Isabella
.
"
Yes
,
dear
Richard
—
write
to
me
;
—
and
write
often
,
"
she
added
,
tears
starting
into
her
eyes
.
"
A
thousand
thanks
,
Isabella
,
for
this
kind
permission
—
this
proof
of
your
love
.
And
,
oh
!
to
whatever
perils
I
am
about
to
oppose
myself
face
to
face
,
—
in
whatever
dangers
I
may
be
involved
,
—
whatever
miseries
or
privations
I
may
be
destined
to
endure
,
—
the
thought
of
you
,
my
own
adored
Isabella
,
will
make
all
seem
light
!
But
I
do
not
anticipate
much
difficulty
in
the
attainment
of
our
grand
object
.
General
Grachia
,
Colonel
Morosino
,
and
the
other
chiefs
of
this
enterprise
,
have
so
well
,
so
prudently
,
so
cautiously
digested
all
the
measures
necessary
to
ensure
success
,
that
failure
is
scarcely
possible
.
The
tyranny
of
the
Grand
Duke
and
of
his
shameless
Ministry
has
reduced
the
Castelcicalans
to
despair
.
We
have
three
fine
vessels
;
and
twelve
hundred
devoted
patriots
will
form
the
expedition
.
The
moment
we
land
,
we
shall
be
welcomed
with
enthusiasm
.
And
if
an
opportunity
should
serve
for
me
to
show
myself
worthy
of
the
confidence
that
General
Grachia
and
his
colleagues
have
placed
in
me
,
—
if
,
"
continued
Richard
,
his
handsome
countenance
now
lighted
up
with
a
glow
of
heroic
enthusiasm
,
—
"
if
the
aid
of
my
feeble
efforts
can
in
any
way
demonstrate
my
zeal
in
favour
of
the
constitutional
cause
,
be
well
assured
,
dearest
Isabella
,
that
it
is
not
an
idle
boaster
,
nor
a
braggart
coward
who
now
assures
thee
that
he
will
not
dishonour
the
service
in
which
he
has
embarked
.
"
"
Of
that
I
feel
convinced
,
Richard
,
"
exclaimed
the
Italian
lady
,
whose
soul
caught
the
enthusiasm
which
animated
her
lover
.
"
But
you
know
not
the
wild
hopes
—
the
exalted
visions
which
have
at
times
filled
my
imagination
,
since
I
heard
a
few
weeks
ago
that
you
were
one
of
the
chiefs
of
this
enterprise
,
the
preparations
for
which
were
communicated
to
my
father
.
For
you
are
doubtless
aware
that
General
Grachia
has
made
my
father
acquainted
with
his
intentions
and
projects
—
—
"
"
Which
the
Prince
discountenances
,
"
added
Richard
,
with
a
sigh
.
"
Nevertheless
,
he
is
perhaps
right
:
but
if
we
succeed
,
Isabella
—
oh
!
if
we
succeed
,
your
father
becomes
the
sovereign
of
a
great
and
enlightened
people
!
Then
—
what
hope
will
remain
for
me
?
"
"
Providence
will
not
desert
us
,
Richard
,
"
answered
Isabella
.
"
Said
I
not
ere
now
that
the
wildest
hopes
—
the
most
exalted
visions
have
dazzled
my
imagination
?
I
will
not
describe
them
to
you
,
Richard
;
but
need
I
confess
that
they
are
connected
with
yourself
?
The
dying
words
of
our
poor
friend
Mary
Anne
have
made
an
impression
upon
me
which
I
can
never
forget
.
"
"
I
can
well
divine
all
the
hopes
and
aspirations
which
her
prophetic
language
was
calculated
to
excite
,
"
returned
Markham
;
"
for
there
have
been
moments
when
I
was
weak
enough
to
yield
to
the
same
influence
myself
.
But
the
future
is
with
the
Almighty
;
and
He
must
ordain
our
happiness
or
our
misery
!
I
must
now
leave
you
,
my
beloved
Isabella
:
—
when
I
am
away
thou
wilt
think
of
me
often
?
"
"
Oh
!
Richard
,
will
you
really
depart
?
will
you
venture
on
this
expedition
,
so
fraught
with
danger
?
"
cried
Isabella
,
now
giving
way
to
her
grief
as
the
moment
of
separation
drew
nigh
.
"
I
told
you
to
hope
—
I
wished
to
console
you
;
but
it
is
I
who
require
consolation
when
about
to
say
farewell
to
you
!
Oh
!
Richard
,
if
you
knew
what
anguish
now
fills
my
heart
,
you
would
be
enabled
to
estimate
all
my
love
for
you
!
"
"
I
do
—
I
do
,
adored
Isabella
!
"
ejaculated
Markham
,
pressing
her
to
his
breast
.
"
How
devotedly
—
how
faithfully
you
have
loved
me
,
I
never
can
forget
!
When
spurned
from
your
father
's
house
—
overwhelmed
with
the
most
cruel
suspicions
,
your
love
remained
unchanged
;
and
in
many
a
bitter
,
bitter
hour
,
have
I
derived
sweet
solace
from
the
conviction
that
thy
heart
was
mine
!
Oh
!
Isabella
,
God
in
his
mercy
grant
that
I
may
return
from
this
enterprise
with
some
honour
to
myself
!
It
is
not
that
I
am
influenced
by
motives
of
selfish
ambition
;
—
it
is
that
I
may
remove
at
least
one
of
the
hundred
obstacles
which
oppose
our
union
.
And
now
adieu
,
my
angel
—
my
dearly-beloved
Isabella
:
adieu
—
adieu
!
"
"
Farewell
,
Richard
—
farewell
,
dearest
one
—
my
first
and
only
love
,
"
murmured
Isabella
,
as
she
wept
bitterly
upon
his
breast
.
Then
they
embraced
each
other
with
that
passionate
ardour
—
with
that
lingering
unwillingness
to
separate
—
with
that
profound
dread
to
tear
themselves
asunder
,
which
lovers
in
the
moment
of
parting
alone
can
know
.
"
Let
us
be
firm
,
Isabella
,
"
said
Richard
:
"
who
can
tell
what
happiness
my
share
in
this
enterprise
may
create
for
us
?
"
"
Yes
—
something
tells
me
that
it
will
be
so
,
"
answered
Isabella
;
"
and
that
hope
sustains
me
!
"
Another
embrace
—
and
they
parted
.
Yes
—
they
parted
,
—
that
handsome
young
man
and
that
charming
Italian
maiden
!
And
soon
they
waved
their
handkerchiefs
for
the
last
time
;
—
then
,
in
a
few
moments
,
they
were
lost
to
each
other
's
view
.
Richard
returned
home
to
his
house
at
Lower
Holloway
.
He
had
visited
the
farm
near
Hounslow
a
few
days
previously
,
and
had
taken
leave
of
Katherine
.
The
young
maiden
had
wept
when
her
benefactor
communicated
to
her
his
intended
absence
from
England
for
some
time
;
but
,
as
he
did
not
acquaint
her
with
the
nature
of
the
business
which
took
him
way
from
his
native
country
,
she
was
not
aware
of
the
perils
he
was
about
to
encounter
.
He
had
now
to
say
farewell
to
the
inmates
of
his
own
dwelling
.
But
towards
Mr.
Monroe
,
Ellen
,
and
the
faithful
Whittingham
he
was
less
reserved
than
he
had
been
to
Katherine
.
Vainly
had
the
old
butler
implored
"
Master
Richard
not
to
indemnify
himself
with
other
people
's
business
;
"
—
vainly
had
Mr.
Monroe
endeavoured
to
persuade
him
to
refrain
from
risking
his
life
in
the
political
dissensions
of
a
foreign
country
;
vainly
had
the
beautiful
and
generous-hearted
Ellen
,
with
a
sisterly
warmth
,
argued
on
the
same
side
.
Richard
was
determined
:
—
they
deemed
him
obstinate
—
foolish
—
almost
mad
;
but
they
knew
not
of
his
love
for
Isabella
!
"
I
must
now
make
you
acquainted
with
a
certain
portion
of
my
affairs
,
"
said
our
hero
,
addressing
Mr.
Monroe
,
"
in
order
that
you
may
manage
them
for
me
until
my
return
.
I
have
embarked
as
much
of
my
capital
as
I
could
well
spare
in
the
enterprise
on
which
I
am
about
to
set
out
:
you
will
find
in
my
strong-box
,
of
which
I
leave
you
the
key
,
a
sufficient
sum
of
money
to
answer
the
expenses
of
the
establishment
until
January
.
Should
I
not
return
by
that
time
,
you
will
find
papers
in
the
same
place
,
which
will
instruct
you
relative
to
the
moneys
that
will
then
be
due
to
me
from
the
two
respectable
individuals
who
are
my
tenants
.
Moreover
,
"
added
Richard
,
—
and
here
his
voice
faltered
,
—
"
my
will
is
in
the
strong-box
;
and
should
I
perish
in
this
undertaking
,
you
will
find
,
my
dear
friend
,
—
and
you
too
,
my
