LordGraves
committed
suicide
;
and
the
improper
connexion
existing
between
the
Duke
of
Cumberland
and
Lady
Graves
was
notorious
.
"
"
I
well
remember
,
"
said
the
duchess
,
"
that
the
conduct
of
the
Duke
and
Lady
Graves
was
far
from
prudent
,
to
say
the
least
of
it
,
after
that
melancholy
event
.
Scarcely
were
the
remains
of
the
self-slain
nobleman
cold
in
the
tomb
,
ere
his
widow
and
her
illustrious
lover
were
seen
driving
about
together
in
the
neighbourhood
of
Hampton
Court
,
where
Lady
Graves
had
apartments
.
"
"
True
,
"
exclaimed
the
duchess
.
"
But
we
have
travelled
a
long
way
from
our
first
topic
—
the
Royal
Marriage
Act
.
We
were
speaking
of
its
pernicious
effects
in
respect
to
the
family
of
George
the
Third
.
And
that
was
a
fine
family
,
too
!
My
deceased
mother
often
expatiated
—
and
her
secret
papers
dwell
at
length
—
upon
the
charms
of
the
princesses
.
Alas
!
how
sorrowfully
were
they
situated
!
In
the
bloom
of
youth
—
in
the
glow
of
health
—
with
warm
temperaments
and
ardent
imaginations
,
which
received
encouragement
from
the
voluptuous
indolence
of
their
lives
—
they
were
denied
the
privileges
of
the
meanest
peasant
girl
in
the
realm
:
—
they
were
unable
to
form
matrimonial
connexions
where
their
inclinations
prompted
them
.
The
consequences
were
those
which
might
have
been
anticipated
:
the
honour
of
the
princesses
became
sacrificed
to
illicit
passion
—
passion
which
was
still
natural
,
although
illicit
!
Those
amours
were
productive
of
issue
;
but
the
offspring
of
none
has
created
any
sensation
in
the
world
,
save
in
the
instance
of
Captain
Garth
,
the
son
of
the
Princess
Sophia
.
Relative
to
the
mysterious
birth
of
that
individual
,
the
secret
papers
left
by
my
mother
—
and
the
existence
of
which
is
even
unknown
to
my
husband
—
contain
some
strange
,
some
startling
facts
.
Conceive
the
embarrassment
—
the
perilous
nature
of
the
situation
in
which
the
princess
was
suddenly
involved
—
when
,
during
a
journey
from
London
to
some
fashionable
watering-place
,
she
found
herself
overtaken
with
the
pangs
of
premature
maternity
—
she
,
who
up
to
that
moment
had
managed
to
conceal
her
condition
even
from
the
attendants
upon
her
person
!
Then
imagine
this
princess
—
a
daughter
of
the
sovereign
of
the
realm
—
compelled
to
put
up
at
a
miserable
road-side
inn
—
forced
to
make
a
confidant
of
her
lady
in
attendance
,
and
obliged
also
to
entrust
her
secret
to
the
surgeon
of
the
village
where
her
child
was
born
!
But
you
shall
read
the
narrative
,
with
all
its
details
,
in
my
private
papers
.
"
"
What
opinion
has
your
ladyship
formed
relative
to
the
circumstances
which
led
to
the
Bill
of
Pains
and
Penalties
instituted
against
Queen
Caroline
,
the
spouse
of
George
the
Fourth
?
"
inquired
the
duchess
.
"
I
firmly
believe
that
most
unfortunate
and
most
persecuted
princess
to
have
been
completely
innocent
,
"
answered
the
countess
,
with
solemn
emphasis
.
"
From
the
first
she
was
hateful
to
her
husband
.
When
the
Earl
of
Malmsbury
,
who
was
sent
to
Germany
to
escort
the
Princess
to
England
,
arrived
with
her
in
London
,
the
Prince
of
Wales
repaired
instantly
to
pay
his
respects
to
his
intended
bride
.
But
scarcely
had
he
set
eyes
on
her
when
he
conceived
a
feeling
of
ineffable
dislike
;
and
,
turning
towards
the
Earl
,
he
said
,
'
Harris
,
[
27
]
a
glass
of
brandy
—
I
am
ill
!
'
Your
grace
has
heard
of
love
at
first
sight
:
here
was
hatred
at
first
sight
.
Every
thing
attending
that
marriage
was
inauspicious
:
for
if
the
Princess
had
the
misfortune
to
make
an
unfavourable
impression
on
the
Prince
,
his
Royal
Highness
wantonly
wounded
her
feelings
by
grossly
manifesting
his
dislike
towards
her
on
all
occasions
.
On
the
bridal
night
he
drank
so
deeply
that
he
fell
on
a
sofa
in
the
nuptial
chamber
,
and
there
slept
with
his
clothes
on
.
But
to
pass
over
many
years
,
let
us
come
to
the
circumstances
which
led
to
the
memorable
trial
of
Queen
Caroline
.
During
her
continental
travels
,
Baron
Bergami
was
presented
to
her
.
He
was
a
man
of
honourable
character
,
good
family
,
but
ruined
fortunes
.
His
condition
excited
the
compassion
of
the
generous-hearted
Caroline
;
and
she
gave
him
a
situation
in
her
household
.
His
conversation
was
fascinating
;
and
he
was
frequently
her
companion
inside
the
travelling
chariot
.
Perhaps
an
English
lady
would
have
acted
with
more
prudence
;
but
your
grace
will
remember
that
there
is
a
wide
distinction
between
our
manners
and
customs
and
those
of
the
Continent
.
We
see
improprieties
in
actions
which
foreigners
view
as
harmless
courtesies
or
innocent
proofs
of
friendly
interest
.
We
also
seem
ready
to
meet
suspicions
of
evil
half-way
:
foreigners
,
with
more
generous
frankness
and
candour
,
say
,
'
Evil
be
to
him
who
evil
thinks
.
'
But
the
marriage
was
hateful
to
King
George
the
Fourth
;
and
he
was
determined
to
dissolve
it
.
He
was
resolved
to
sacrifice
his
wife
to
his
aversions
.
She
was
to
be
made
a
victim
.
Then
commenced
that
atrocious
subornation
of
perjured
witnesses
which
gave
a
colour
to
the
proceedings
against
the
unfortunate
Queen
.
Her
slightest
levities
were
tortured
into
proofs
of
guilt
:
her
generosity
towards
Bergami
was
branded
as
an
illicit
passion
.
The
witnesses
made
statements
which
proved
how
well
they
had
been
tutored
:
they
over-acted
their
parts
;
and
,
in
their
zeal
to
serve
a
master
who
paid
them
for
their
perjury
,
they
deposed
to
more
than
they
could
possibly
have
known
,
even
if
the
main
accusation
had
been
true
.
The
nation
was
indignant
—
for
the
people
,
your
grace
,
are
possessed
of
much
chivalry
and
noble
generosity
of
character
.
Then
,
too
,
rose
the
portentous
voices
of
Denman
and
Brougham
,
calling
upon
the
hidden
accuser
to
come
forth
and
confront
his
victim
.
Oh
!
it
was
a
vile
proceeding
;
and
I
,
as
a
woman
—
as
a
wife
,
feel
my
blood
boiling
in
my
veins
when
I
think
of
all
the
foul
wrongs
which
were
heaped
upon
the
most
injured
of
my
sex
!
"
"
That
trial
,
"
said
the
duchess
,
who
was
naturally
of
a
more
cautious
disposition
than
her
companion
,
—
"
that
trial
was
certainly
a
dark
blot
on
the
page
which
records
the
annals
of
George
the
Fourth
's
reign
.
"
"
Say
rather
,
your
grace
,
"
exclaimed
the
countess
,
"
the
blackest
of
the
innumerable
black
deeds
which
characterised
his
existence
.
Before
the
accusation
in
respect
to
Bergami
was
ever
thought
of
,
a
charge
was
concocted
against
that
injured
lady
,
and
commissioners
were
appointed
to
investigate
it
.
Thus
,
your
grace
perceives
,
her
bad
husband
was
determined
to
ruin
her
.
That
charge
accused
her
of
having
been
delivered
of
a
male
child
at
her
abode
at
Blackheath
;
and
the
affair
certainly
appeared
suspicious
at
first
.
But
how
triumphantly
was
it
met
?
how
readily
was
it
refuted
?
how
easily
was
it
explained
!
The
injured
lady
had
taken
a
fancy
to
the
infant
of
poor
but
respectable
people
named
Archer
,
living
in
that
neighbourhood
;
and
she
had
undertaken
to
adopt
and
provide
for
the
boy
.
The
unfortunate
Princess
felt
the
necessity
of
loving
something
—
since
her
own
child
was
taken
from
her
.
Thus
was
her
goodness
towards
William
Archer
converted
into
a
weapon
wherewithal
to
assail
her
in
the
most
tender
point
.
Her
husband
's
agents
circulated
the
most
odious
calumnies
concerning
her
,
and
even
improperly
coupled
her
name
with
that
of
Sir
Sydney
Smith
,
the
hero
of
Acre
.
But
the
Archer
story
fell
to
the
ground
;
and
the
Bergami
scandal
was
subsequently
propagated
with
a
zeal
which
evinced
the
determination
of
George
the
Fourth
to
ruin
Caroline
of
Brunswick
.
"
[
28
]
There
was
a
pause
in
the
conversation
.
The
duchess
,
who
was
possessed
of
a
strong
inclination
for
the
mysterious
or
scandalous
narratives
connected
with
the
family
of
George
the
Third
,
was
so
impressed
by
the
vehemence
and
confident
emphasis
with
which
her
companion
had
denounced
the
profligacy
of
George
the
Fourth
,
that
a
species
of
awe
—
an
undefined
alarm
came
over
her
:
—
it
suddenly
appeared
as
if
it
were
a
sacrilege
thus
to
canvass
the
character
of
that
deceased
monarch
within
the
very
palace
where
he
himself
had
dwelt
;
—
and
she
hesitated
to
make
any
remark
or
ask
any
question
that
might
lead
to
a
continuation
of
the
same
topic
.
On
her
side
,
the
countess
—
who
was
much
older
than
the
duchess
,
and
more
deeply
initiated
in
the
mysteries
of
Courts
—
had
become
plunged
into
a
deep
reverie
;
for
she
possessed
a
generous
mind
,
and
never
could
ponder
upon
the
wrongs
of
the
murdered
Queen
Caroline
without
experiencing
the
most
profound
indignation
and
sorrow
.
[
29
]
The
reader
may
probably
deem
it
somewhat
extraordinary
that
ladies
attached
to
the
Court
should
thus
freely
discuss
the
most
private
affairs
,
and
canvass
the
characters
of
deceased
members
of
the
Royal
Family
.
But
we
can
positively
assert
that
nowhere
are
scandal
and
tittle-tattle
more
extensively
indulged
in
,
than
amongst
the
members
of
that
circle
of
courtiers
and
female
sycophants
who
crowd
about
the
sovereign
.
[
30
]
The
conversation
of
the
duchess
and
countess
was
not
renewed
on
the
present
occasion
;
for
while
they
were
yet
plunged
each
in
the
depths
of
her
own
particular
meditations
,
the
regal
train
entered
the
Ball
Room
.
And
all
this
while
Henry
Holford
remained
concealed
beneath
the
sofa
!
Victoria
leant
upon
the
arm
of
her
consort
;
and
the
illustrious
party
was
preceded
by
the
Lord
Chamberlain
and
the
Lord
Steward
.
The
Queen
and
the
Prince
proceeded
to
the
reserved
seats
which
were
slightly
elevated
in
a
recess
,
and
were
covered
with
white
satin
embroidered
in
silver
.
Then
the
magnificent
Ball-Room
presented
a
truly
fairy
spectacle
.
Plumes
were
waving
,
diamonds
were
sparkling
,
bright
eyes
were
glancing
,
and
music
floated
on
the
air
.
The
spacious
apartment
was
crowded
with
nobles
and
gentlemen
in
gorgeous
uniforms
or
court-dresses
;
and
with
ladies
in
the
most
elegant
attire
that
French
fashions
could
suggest
or
French
milliners
achieve
.
All
those
striking
or
attractive
figures
,
and
all
the
splendours
of
their
appearance
,
were
multiplied
by
the
brilliant
mirrors
to
an
illimitable
extent
.
The
orchestra
extended
across
one
end
of
the
Ball-Room
;
and
the
musicians
had
entered
by
a
side-door
almost
at
the
same
moment
that
the
royal
procession
made
its
appearance
.
In
the
rooms
adjoining
,
the
Corps
of
Gentlemen-at-arms
and
the
Yeomen
of
the
Guard
were
on
duty
;
and
in
the
hall
the
band
of
the
Royal
Regiment
of
Horse
Guards
was
in
attendance
.
The
Queen
and
the
Prince
danced
in
the
first
quadrille
;
and
afterwards
they
indulged
in
their
favourite
waltz
—
the
Frohsinn
mein
Ziel
.
At
the
termination
of
each
dance
the
royal
party
passed
into
the
Picture
Gallery
,
where
they
promenaded
amidst
a
wilderness
of
flowers
and
aromatic
shrubs
.
Then
indeed
the
odour-breathing
exotics
—
the
whispering
leaves
—
the
light
of
the
pendent
lamps
,
mellowed
so
as
to
give
full
effect
to
the
portraits
of
those
who
were
once
famous
or
once
beautiful
—
the
ribboned
or
gartered
nobles
—
the
blaze
of
female
loveliness
—
the
streams
of
melody
—
the
presence
of
all
possible
elements
of
splendour
,
harmony
,
and
pleasure
,
combined
to
render
the
whole
scene
one
of
enchantment
,
and
seemed
to
realize
the
most
glowing
and
brilliant
visions
which
oriental
writers
ever
shadowed
forth
!
The
dancing
was
renewed
in
the
Ball-Room
:
and
as
the
beauteous
ladies
of
the
court
swam
and
turned
in
graceful
mazes
,
it
appeared
as
if
the
art
had
become
elevated
into
the
harmony
of
motion
.
Dancing
there
was
something
more
than
mechanical
:
it
was
a
true
,
a
worthy
,
and
a
legitimate
sister
of
poetry
and
music
.
At
twelve
o'clock
the
doors
of
the
supper-room
were
thrown
open
;
and
in
that
gorgeous
banqueting-hall
the
crimson
draperies
,
the
service
of
gold
,
and
the
massive
table
ornaments
were
lighted
up
by
Chinese
lanterns
and
silver
candelabra
of
exquisite
workmanship
.
A
splendid
row
of
gold
cups
was
laid
on
each
side
of
the
table
.
On
the
right
of
each
plate
stood
a
decanter
of
water
,
a
finger-glass
half
filled
with
tepid
water
,
a
champagne
glass
,
a
tumbler
,
and
three
wine-glasses
.
Numerous
servants
in
magnificent
liveries
were
in
attendance
.
No
one
asked
for
any
thing
:
the
servants
offered
the
various
dishes
,
of
which
the
guests
partook
or
which
they
rejected
according
to
their
taste
.
No
healths
were
drunk
during
the
Queen
's
presence
;
nor
was
the
ceremony
of
taking
wine
with
each
other
observed
—
not
even
on
the
part
of
the
gentleman
with
the
lady
whom
he
had
handed
into
the
room
.
The
domestics
whose
especial
duty
it
was
to
serve
the
wine
,
never
filled
a
glass
until
it
was
quite
empty
;
nor
did
any
guest
ask
for
wine
,
but
,
when
the
servant
approached
him
,
merely
stated
the
kind
of
wine
he
chose
.
After
sitting
for
about
an
hour
,
the
Queen
rose
,
and
was
conducted
to
the
Yellow
Drawing-Room
by
Prince
Albert
,
the
guests
all
rising
as
the
royal
couple
retired
.
Then
the
servants
filled
the
glasses
,
and
the
Lord
Steward
said
,
"
The
Queen
!
"
The
health
was
drunk
standing
,
in
silence
,
and
with
a
gentle
inclination
of
the
head
.
In
a
few
minutes
afterwards
the
gentlemen
conducted
the
ladies
into
the
Yellow
Drawing-Room
,
where
coffee
and
liqueurs
were
served
.
The
harp
,
piano
,
and
songs
by
some
of
the
ladies
,
occupied
another
hour
;
at
the
expiration
of
which
the
guests
took
their
departure
.
Holford
had
now
been
concealed
nearly
five
hours
beneath
the
sofa
in
the
ball-room
;
and
he
was
cramped
,
stiff
,
and
wearied
.
During
that
interval
he
had
experienced
a
variety
of
emotions
:
—
wonder
at
the
strange
revelations
which
he
had
heard
from
the
lips
of
the
countess
,
—
ineffable
delight
in
contemplating
the
person
of
his
sovereign
,
—
envy
at
the
exalted
prosperity
of
Prince
Albert
,
—
thrilling
excitement
at
the
fairy-like
aspect
of
the
enchanting
dance
,
—
sensations
of
unknown
rapture
occasioned
by
the
soft
strains
of
the
music
,
—
and
boundless
disgust
for
his
own
humble
,
obscure
,
and
almost
serf-like
condition
.
During
those
intervals
when
the
royal
party
and
the
guests
were
promenading
in
the
Picture-Gallery
or
were
engaged
in
the
supper-apartment
and
the
drawing-room
,
Holford
longed
to
escape
from
his
hiding-place
and
retreat
to
the
lumber-closet
where
he
was
in
the
habit
of
concealing
himself
on
the
occasion
of
his
visits
to
the
palace
;
but
there
were
too
many
persons
about
to
render
such
a
step
safe
.
It
was
not
,
therefore
,
until
a
very
late
hour
,
—
or
rather
an
early
one
in
the
morning
,
—
that
he
was
able
to
enter
the
supper-room
and
help
himself
to
some
of
the
dainties
left
upon
the
board
;
having
done
which
,
he
retreated
to
his
nook
in
the
most
retired
part
of
the
palace
.
CHAPTER
CXCIV
.
THE
ROYAL
BREAKFAST
.
Holford
did
not
immediately
close
his
eyes
in
slumber
.
Although
his
education
had
been
miserably
neglected
,
he
possessed
good
natural
abilities
;
and
his
reflections
at
times
were
of
a
far
more
philosophical
nature
than
could
have
been
anticipated
.
The
gorgeous
scenes
which
he
had
just
witnessed
now
led
him
to
meditate
upon
the
horrible
contrasts
which
existed
elsewhere
,
not
only
in
the
great
metropolis
,
but
throughout
the
United
Kingdom
,
—
and
many
,
very
many
of
which
he
himself
had
seen
with
his
own
eyes
,
and
felt
with
his
own
experience
.
At
that
moment
when
festivity
was
highest
,
and
pleasure
was
most
exciting
in
the
regal
halls
,
there
were
mothers
in
naked
attics
,
dark
cellars
,
or
even
houseless
in
the
open
streets
,
—
mothers
who
pressed
their
famished
little
ones
to
their
bosoms
,
and
wondered
whether
a
mouthful
of
food
would
ever
pass
their
lips
again
.
While
the
royal
table
groaned
beneath
the
weight
of
golden
vessels
and
the
choicest
luxuries
which
earth
's
fruitfulness
,
heaven
's
bounty
,
or
man
's
ingenuity
could
supply
,
—
while
the
raciest
produce
of
fertile
vineyards
sparkled
in
the
crystal
cups
,
—
at
that
same
period
,
how
many
thousands
of
that
exalted
lady
's
subjects
moistened
their
sorry
crust
with
tears
wrung
from
them
by
the
consciousness
of
ill-requited
toil
and
the
pinching
gripe
of
bitter
poverty
!
Delicious
music
here
,
and
the
cries
of
starving
children
there
;
—
silver
candelabra
pouring
forth
a
flood
of
lustre
in
a
gorgeous
saloon
,
and
a
flickering
rushlight
making
visible
the
naked
and
damp-stained
walls
of
a
wretched
garret
;
—
silks
and
satins
,
rags
and
nudity
;
—
luxurious
and
pampered
indolence
;
crushing
and
ill-paid
labour
;
—
homage
and
reverence
,
ill-treatment
and
oppression
;
—
the
gratification
of
every
whim
,
the
absence
of
every
necessary
;
—
not
a
care
for
to-morrow
here
,
not
a
hope
for
to-morrow
there
;
—
a
certainty
of
a
renewal
of
this
day
's
plenty
,
a
total
ignorance
whence
the
next
day
's
bread
can
come
;
—
mirth
and
laughter
,
moans
and
sorrowing
;
—
a
palace
for
life
on
one
hand
,
and
an
anxiety
lest
even
the
wretched
hovel
may
not
be
changed
for
a
workhouse
to-morrow
;
—
these
are
the
appalling
contrasts
which
our
social
sphere
presents
to
view
!
Of
all
this
Holford
thought
as
he
lay
concealed
in
the
lumber-room
of
the
royal
dwelling
.
But
at
length
sleep
overtook
him
.
It
was
still
dark
when
he
awoke
.
At
first
he
thought
that
he
must
have
slumbered
for
many
hours
—
that
a
day
had
passed
,
and
that
another
night
had
come
;
—
but
he
felt
too
little
refreshed
to
remain
many
instants
in
that
opinion
.
Moreover
,
as
he
watched
the
window
,
he
observed
a
faint
,
faint
gleam
of
light
—
or
rather
a
mitigation
of
the
intenseness
of
the
gloom
without
—
slowly
appearing
;
and
he
knew
that
the
dawn
was
at
hand
.
He
was
nearly
frozen
in
that
cheerless
room
where
he
had
slept
:
his
teeth
chattered
—
his
limbs
were
benumbed
.
He
longed
for
some
new
excitement
to
elevate
his
drooping
spirits
,
and
thus
impart
physical
warmth
to
his
frame
.
Suddenly
a
thought
struck
him
:
he
would
penetrate
into
the
royal
breakfast-room
!
He
knew
that
the
Queen
and
Prince
Albert
frequently
partook
of
the
morning
meal
together
;
and
he
longed
to
listen
to
their
conversation
when
thus
tête-a-tête
.
Scarcely
had
he
conceived
this
project
when
he
resolved
to
execute
it
.
The
interior
of
the
palace
—
even
to
its
most
private
apartments
and
chambers
—
was
as
we
have
before
stated
,
perfectly
familiar
to
him
.
Stealing
from
the
place
where
he
had
slept
,
he
proceeded
with
marvellous
caution
to
the
point
of
his
present
destination
;
and
in
about
ten
minutes
he
reached
the
breakfast-room
in
safety
.
The
twilight
of
morning
had
now
penetrated
through
the
windows
of
this
apartment
;
for
the
heavy
curtains
were
drawn
aside
,
a
cheerful
fire
burnt
in
the
grate
,
and
the
table
was
already
spread
.
A
friendly
sofa
became
Holford
's
hiding-place
.
Shortly
after
eight
o'clock
a
domestic
entered
with
the
morning
Ministerial
paper
,
which
he
laid
upon
the
table
,
and
then
withdrew
.
Five
minutes
elapsed
,
when
the
door
was
thrown
open
,
and
the
Queen
entered
,
attended
by
two
ladies
.
These
were
almost
immediately
dismissed
;
and
Victoria
seated
herself
near
the
fire
,
to
read
the
journal
.
But
scarcely
had
she
opened
it
,
ere
Prince
Albert
made
his
appearance
,
followed
by
a
gentleman
in
waiting
,
who
humbly
saluted
her
Majesty
and
retired
.
Servants
immediately
afterwards
entered
,
and
placed
upon
the
table
the
materials
for
a
sumptuous
breakfast
,
having
performed
which
duty
they
immediately
left
the
room
.
The
Queen
and
her
consort
were
now
alone
—
or
at
least
,
supposed
themselves
to
be
so
;
and
their
conversation
soon
flowed
without
restraint
.
But
such
an
empire
—
such
a
despotism
does
the
habitual
etiquette
of
Courts
establish
over
the
natural
freedom
of
the
human
mind
,
that
even
the
best
and
most
tender
feelings
of
the
heart
are
to
a
certain
extent
subdued
and
oppressed
by
that
chilling
influence
.
The
royal
pair
were
affectionate
to
each
other
:
still
their
tenderness
was
not
of
that
lively
,
unembarrassed
,
free
,
and
cordial
nature
which
subsists
at
the
domestic
hearth
elsewhere
.
There
seemed
to
be
a
barrier
between
the
frank
and
open
interchange
of
their
thoughts
;
and
even
though
that
barrier
were
no
thicker
than
gauze
,
still
it
existed
.
Their
words
were
to
some
degree
measured
—
scarcely
perceptibly
so
,
it
is
true
—
nevertheless
,
the
fact
was
apparent
in
the
least
,
least
degree
;
and
the
effect
was
also
in
the
least
,
least
degree
unpleasant
.
The
Queen
was
authoritative
in
the
enunciation
of
her
opinion
upon
any
subject
;
and
if
the
Prince
differed
from
her
,
he
expressed
himself
with
restraint
.
In
fact
,
he
did
not
feel
himself
his
wife
's
equal
.
Could
a
listener
,
who
did
not
see
them
as
they
spoke
,
have
deadened
his
ear
to
those
intonations
of
their
voices
which
marked
their
respective
sex
,
and
have
judged
only
by
their
words
,
he
would
have
thought
that
the
Queen
was
the
husband
,
and
the
Prince
the
wife
.
The
Prince
appeared
to
be
very
amiable
,
very
intelligent
;
but
totally
inexperienced
in
the
ways
of
the
world
.
The
Queen
exhibited
much
natural
ability
and
an
elegant
taste
:
nevertheless
,
she
also
seemed
lamentably
ignorant
of
the
every-day
incidents
of
life
.
We
mean
that
the
royal
pair
manifested
a
reluctance
to
believe
in
those
melancholy
occurrences
which
characterize
the
condition
of
the
industrious
millions
.
This
was
not
the
result
of
indifference
,
but
of
sheer
ignorance
.
Indeed
,
it
would
necessarily
seem
difficult
for
those
who
were
so
surrounded
by
every
luxury
,
to
conceive
that
such
a
fearful
contrast
as
literal
starvation
could
possibly
exist
.
But
let
us
hear
that
illustrious
pair
converse
:
their
language
will
to
some
extent
serve
as
an
index
to
their
minds
.
"
Melbourne
informed
me
last
evening
,
"
said
the
Queen
,
"
that
he
trembles
for
the
safety
of
his
Cabinet
during
the
approaching
session
.
The
Carlton
Club
is
particularly
active
;
and
the
Conservative
party
has
acquired
great
strength
during
the
recess
.
"
"
What
would
be
the
consequence
of
a
Ministerial
defeat
?
"
inquired
Prince
Albert
.
"
A
dissolution
,
of
course
,
"
answered
the
Queen
.
"
I
must
candidly
confess
that
I
should
regret
to
see
the
Conservative
party
succeed
to
power
.
All
the
principal
lords
and
ladies
of
our
household
would
be
immediately
changed
.
The
Whigs
,
however
,
have
certainly
grown
unpopular
;
and
there
appears
to
be
some
distress
in
the
country
.
The
very
first
article
on
which
my
eyes
rested
when
I
took
up
this
newspaper
ere
now
,
is
headed
'
Dreadful
Suicide
through
Extreme
Destitution
.
'
Beneath
,
in
the
same
column
,
is
an
article
entitled
'
Infanticide
,
and
Suicide
of
the
Murderess
,
through
Literal
Starvation
.
'
The
next
column
contains
a
long
narrative
which
I
have
not
had
time
to
read
,
but
which
is
headed
'
Suicide
through
Dread
of
the
Workhouse
.
'
On
this
page
,
"
continued
the
Queen
,
turning
the
paper
upon
the
table
,
"
there
is
an
article
entitled
'
Death
from
Starvation
;
'
another
headed
'
Dreadful
Condition
of
the
Spitalfields
'
Weavers
;
'
a
third
called
'
Starving
State
of
the
Paisley
Mechanics
;
'
a
fourth
entitled
'
Awful
Distress
in
the
Manufacturing
Districts
;
'
and
I
perceive
numerous
short
paragraphs
all
announcing
similar
calamities
.
"
"
The
English
papers
are
always
full
of
such
accounts
,
"
observed
the
Prince
.
"
And
yet
I
would
have
you
know
that
England
is
the
richest
,
most
prosperous
,
and
happiest
country
on
the
face
of
the
earth
,
"
returned
the
Queen
,
somewhat
impatiently
.
"
You
must
not
take
these
accounts
literally
as
you
read
them
.
My
Ministers
assure
me
that
they
are
greatly
exaggerated
.
It
appears
—
as
the
matter
has
been
explained
to
me
—
that
the
persons
who
furnish
these
narratives
are
remunerated
according
to
quantity
;
and
they
therefore
amplify
the
details
as
much
as
possible
.
"
"
Still
those
accounts
must
be
,
to
a
certain
extent
,
based
on
truth
?
"
said
Prince
Albert
,
half
inquiringly
.
"
Not
nearly
so
much
as
you
imagine
.
My
Ministers
have
satisfied
me
on
that
head
;
and
they
must
know
better
than
you
.
Take
,
for
instance
,
the
article
headed
'
Dreadful
Condition
of
the
Spitalfields
'
Weavers
.
'
You
may
there
read
that
the
weavers
are
in
an
actual
state
of
starvation
.
This
is
only
newspaper
metaphor
:
the
writer
means
his
readers
to
understand
that
the
weavers
are
not
so
well
off
as
they
would
wish
to
be
.
Perhaps
they
have
not
meat
every
day
—
perhaps
only
three
or
four
times
a
week
:
but
they
assuredly
have
plenty
of
bread
and
potatoes
—
because
bread
and
potatoes
are
so
cheap
!
"
"
I
thought
that
you
intended
to
discountenance
the
importation
of
foreign
silks
,
by
ordering
all
the
ladies
of
the
Court
to
wear
dresses
of
English
material
?
"
observed
Prince
Albert
,
after
a
pause
.
"
Such
was
my
intention
,
"
answered
the
Queen
;
"
but
the
ladies
about
me
dropped
so
many
hints
on
the
subject
,
that
I
was
compelled
to
rescind
the
command
.
I
must
confess
that
I
was
not
sorry
to
find
an
excuse
for
so
doing
;
for
I
greatly
prefer
French
silks
and
French
dressmakers
.
But
let
me
make
an
observation
upon
this
article
which
is
headed
'
Suicide
through
Dread
of
the
Workhouse
.
'
I
spoke
to
the
Secretary
of
State
a
few
days
ago
upon
the
subject
of
workhouses
;
and
he
assured
me
that
they
are
very
comfortable
places
.
He
declared
that
the
people
do
not
know
when
they
are
well
off
,
and
that
they
require
to
be
managed
like
refractory
children
.
He
quite
convinced
me
that
all
he
said
was
perfectly
correct
;
and
I
really
begin
to
think
that
the
people
are
very
obstinate
,
dissatisfied
,
and
insolent
.
"
"
They
are
most
enthusiastic
in
their
demonstrations
towards
their
sovereign
,
"
remarked
the
Prince
.
"
And
naturally
so
,
"
exclaimed
Victoria
.
"
Am
I
not
their
Queen
?
are
they
not
my
subjects
?
do
I
not
rule
over
them
?
All
the
happiness
,
prosperity
,
and
enjoyments
which
they
possess
emanate
from
the
throne
.
They
would
be
very
ungrateful
if
they
did
not
reverence
—
nay
,
adore
their
sovereign
.
"
"
Oh
,
of
course
!
"
said
Prince
Albert
.
"
In
Germany
,
any
individual
who
exhibits
the
least
coldness
towards
his
sovereign
is
immediately
marked
as
a
traitor
.
"
"
And
in
this
country
the
Home
Secretary
keeps
a
list
of
disaffected
persons
,
"
observed
the
Queen
;
"
but
,
thank
God
!
their
number
is
very
limited
—
at
least
,
so
I
am
assured
.
My
Ministers
are
constantly
informing
me
of
the
proofs
of
loyalty
and
devotion
which
the
people
manifest
towards
me
.
If
this
were
a
Roman
Catholic
nation
,
they
would
no
doubt
place
my
image
next
to
the
Virgin
in
their
chapels
;
and
if
it
were
an
idolatrous
country
,
my
effigy
would
assuredly
stand
amongst
the
gods
and
goddesses
.
It
is
very
pleasant
,
Albert
,
to
be
so
much
loved
by
my
subjects
—
to
be
positively
worshipped
by
them
.
"
The
Prince
replied
with
a
compliment
which
it
is
not
worth
while
to
record
.
The
Queen
smiled
,
and
continued
:
—
"
You
remember
the
paragraph
which
the
Secretary
of
State
pointed
out
a
few
days
ago
:
it
was
in
the
Morning
Post
,
if
you
recollect
.
That
journal
—
which
,
by
the
bye
,
circulates
entirely
amongst
the
upper
servants
of
the
aristocracy
,
and
nowhere
else
—
declared
'
that
so
great
is
the
devotion
of
my
loyal
,
subjects
that
,
were
such
a
sacrifice
necessary
,
they
would
joyfully
throw
themselves
beneath
the
wheels
of
my
state-carriage
,
even
as
the
Indians
cast
themselves
under
the
car
of
Juggernaut
.
'
[
31
]
I
never
in
my
life
saw
but
that
one
number
of
the
Post
:
its
circulation
,
I
am
told
,
is
confined
entirely
to
the
servants
of
the
aristocracy
;
still
it
seems
in
that
instance
to
express
the
sentiments
of
the
entire
nation
.
You
smile
,
Albert
?
"
"
I
was
only
thinking
whether
the
paragraph
to
which
you
have
alluded
,
was
another
specimen
of
newspaper
metaphor
,
"
answered
the
Prince
,
with
some
degree
of
hesitation
.
"
Not
at
all
,
"
returned
the
Queen
,
quickly
;
"
the
Editor
wrote
precisely
as
he
thought
.
He
must
know
the
real
sentiments
of
the
people
,
since
he
is
a
man
of
the
people
himself
.
I
have
been
assured
that
he
was
once
the
head-butler
in
a
nobleman
's
family
:
hence
his
success
in
conducting
a
daily
newspaper
exclusively
devoted
to
the
interests
and
capacities
of
upper-servants
.
"
"
I
thought
that
English
Editors
were
generally
a
better
class
of
men
?
"
observed
the
Prince
.
"
So
they
are
for
the
most
part
,
"
replied
the
Queen
:
"
graduates
at
the
Universities
—
barristers
—
and
highly
accomplished
gentlemen
.
But
in
the
case
of
the
Morning
Post
there
seems
to
be
an
exception
.
We
were
,
however
,
conversing
upon
the
distress
in
the
country
—
for
there
certainly
is
some
little
distress
here
and
there
;
although
the
idea
of
people
actually
dying
of
starvation
in
a
Christian
land
is
of
course
absurd
.
I
am
really
bewildered
,
at
times
,
with
the
reasons
of
,
and
the
remedies
proposed
for
,
that
distress
.
If
I
ask
the
Home
Secretary
,
he
declares
that
the
people
are
too
obstinate
to
understand
what
comfortable
places
the
workhouses
are
;
—
if
I
ask
the
Colonial
Secretary
,
he
assures
me
that
the
people
are
most
wilfully
blind
to
the
blessings
of
emigration
:
if
I
ask
the
Foreign
Secretary
,
he
labours
to
convince
me
that
the
distracted
state
of
the
East
reacts
upon
this
country
;
and
if
I
ask
the
Bishop
of
London
he
expresses
his
conviction
that
the
people
require
more
churches
.
"
"
For
my
part
,
I
do
not
like
to
interfere
in
these
matters
,
"
said
the
Prince
;
"
and
therefore
I
never
ask
any
questions
concerning
them
.
"
"
And
you
act
rightly
,
Albert
,
for
you
certainly
know
nothing
of
English
politics
.
I
observe
by
the
newspapers
that
the
country
praises
your
forbearance
in
this
respect
.
You
are
a
Field-Marshal
,
and
Chief
Judge
of
the
Stannaries
Court
—
and
—
—
"
"
And
a
Knight
of
the
Garter
,
"
added
the
Prince
.
"
Yes
—
and
a
Learned
Doctor
of
Laws
,
"
continued
the
Queen
:
"
any
thing
else
?
"
"
Several
things
—
but
I
really
forget
them
all
now
,
"
returned
the
Prince
.
"
Never
mind
,
"
exclaimed
the
Queen
.
"
I
intend
to
obtain
for
you
higher
distinctions
yet
.
I
do
not
like
the
mere
title
of
Prince
,
and
the
style
of
Royal
Highness
:
you
shall
be
King-Consort
and
Your
Majesty
.
Then
,
when
a
vacancy
occurs
,
you
must
be
appointed
Commander-in-Chief
.
"
"
I
feel
deeply
grateful
for
your
kind
intentions
,
"
returned
the
Prince
,
with
a
smile
;
"
but
you
are
well
aware
that
I
am
totally
ignorant
of
every
thing
connected
with
the
army
.
"
"
That
is
of
no
consequence
in
England
,
"
replied
the
Queen
.
"
You
will
have
subordinates
to
do
your
duty
.
I
must
speak
to
Melbourne
about
all
this
.
And
now
,
as
I
intend
to
take
these
steps
in
your
behalf
,
pray
be
a
little
more
cautious
relative
to
your
private
amusements
;
and
let
me
hear
of
no
more
burying
of
dogs
with
funeral
honours
.
That
little
affair
of
the
interment
of
Eos
at
Windsor
has
attracted
the
notice
of
the
press
,
I
understand
.
It
was
indiscreet
.
"
"
If
I
adapt
my
conduct
entirely
according
to
the
English
notions
,
"
returned
the
Prince
,
"
I
should
be
compelled
to
give
up
those
battues
to
which
I
am
so
devotedly
attached
.
"
"
We
must
consult
Melbourne
on
that
head
,
"
observed
the
Queen
.
The
royal
pair
then
conversed
upon
a
variety
of
topics
which
would
afford
little
interest
to
the
reader
;
and
shortly
after
nine
her
Majesty
withdrew
.
Prince
Albert
remained
in
the
room
to
read
the
newspaper
.
Henry
Holford
had
listened
with
almost
breathless
attention
to
the
conversation
which
we
have
recorded
.
The
Prince
had
drawn
his
chair
more
closely
to
the
fire
,
after
the
Queen
left
the
room
;
and
he
was
now
sitting
within
a
couple
of
yards
of
the
sofa
beneath
which
Holford
lay
concealed
.
The
pot-boy
gently
drew
aside
the
drapery
which
hung
from
the
framework
of
the
sofa
to
the
floor
,
and
gazed
long
and
intently
on
the
Prince
.
His
look
was
one
in
which
envy
,
animosity
,
and
admiration
were
strangely
blended
.
He
thought
within
himself
,
"
Why
are
you
so
exalted
,
and
I
so
abased
?
And
yet
your
graceful
person
—
your
intelligent
countenance
—
your
handsome
features
,
seem
to
fit
you
for
such
an
elevated
position
.
Nevertheless
,
if
I
had
had
your
advantages
of
education
—
—
"
The
meditations
of
the
presumptuous
youth
were
suddenly
and
most
disagreeably
checked
:
—
the
Prince
abruptly
threw
aside
the
paper
,
and
his
eyes
fell
on
the
human
countenance
that
was
gazing
up
at
him
from
beneath
the
sofa
.
His
Royal
Highness
uttered
an
exclamation
of
surprise
—
not
altogether
unmingled
with
alarm
;
and
his
first
impulse
was
to
stretch
out
his
hand
towards
the
bell-rope
.
But
,
yielding
to
a
second
thought
,
he
advanced
to
the
sofa
,
exclaiming
,
"
Come
forth
—
whoever
you
may
be
.
"
Then
the
miserable
pot-boy
dragged
himself
from
his
hiding-place
,
and
in
another
moment
stood
,
pale
and
trembling
,
in
the
presence
of
the
Prince
.
"
Who
are
you
?
"
demanded
his
Royal
Highness
in
a
stern
tone
:
"
what
means
this
intrusion
?
how
came
you
hither
?
"
Henry
Holford
fell
at
the
feet
of
the
Prince
,
and
confessed
that
,
urged
by
an
invincible
curiosity
,
he
had
entered
the
palace
on
the
preceding
evening
;
but
he
said
nothing
of
his
previous
visits
.
For
a
few
moments
Prince
Albert
seemed
uncertain
how
to
act
:
he
was
doubtless
hesitating
between
the
alternatives
of
handing
the
intruder
over
to
the
officers
of
justice
,
or
of
allowing
him
to
depart
unmolested
.
After
a
pause
,
he
questioned
Holford
more
closely
,
and
seemed
satisfied
by
the
youth
's
assurance
that
he
had
really
entered
the
palace
through
motives
of
curiosity
,
and
not
for
any
dishonest
purpose
.
The
Prince
accordingly
determined
to
be
merciful
.
"
I
am
willing
,
"
he
said
,
"
to
forgive
the
present
offence
;
you
shall
be
suffered
to
depart
.
But
I
warn
you
that
a
repetition
of
the
act
will
lead
to
a
severe
punishment
.
Follow
me
.
"
The
Prince
led
the
way
to
an
ante-room
where
a
domestic
was
in
waiting
.
"
Conduct
this
lad
as
privately
as
you
can
from
the
palace
,
"
said
his
Royal
Highness
.
"
Ask
him
no
questions
—
and
mention
not
the
incident
elsewhere
.
"
The
Prince
withdrew
;
and
the
lacquey
led
Henry
Holford
through
various
turnings
in
the
palace
to
the
servants
'
door
opening
into
Pimlico
.
Thus
was
the
pot-boy
ignominiously
expelled
from
the
palace
;
and
never
—
never
in
his
life
had
he
felt
more
thoroughly
degraded
—
more
profoundly
abased
—
more
contemptible
in
his
own
eyes
,
than
on
the
present
occasion
!
CHAPTER
CXCV
.
THE
ARISTOCRATIC
VILLAIN
AND
THE
LOW
MISCREANT
.
On
the
northern
side
of
the
Thames
there
is
no
continuously
direct
way
along
the
bank
for
any
great
distance
:
to
walk
,
for
instance
,
from
London
Bridge
to
Vauxhall
Bridge
,
one
would
be
compelled
to
take
many
turnings
,
and
deviate
materially
from
the
course
shaped
by
the
sinuosity
of
the
stream
.
But
on
the
southern
side
of
the
Thames
,
one
may
walk
from
the
foot
of
London
Bridge
to
that
of
Vauxhall
,
without
scarcely
losing
sight
of
the
river
.
In
this
latter
instance
,
the
way
would
lie
along
Clink
Street
,
Bankside
,
and
Holland
Street
,
to
reach
Blackfriars
Bridge
;
the
Commercial
Road
to
Waterloo
Bridge
;
the
Belvidere
Road
,
and
Pedlar
's
Acre
,
to
Westminster
Bridge
;
and
Stangate
,
the
Bishop
's
Walk
,
and
Fore
Street
,
to
reach
Vauxhall
Bridge
.
This
journey
would
not
occupy
nearly
so
much
time
as
might
be
supposed
ere
a
second
thought
was
devoted
to
the
subject
;
and
yet
how
large
a
section
of
the
diameter
of
London
would
have
been
traversed
!
A
portion
of
the
path
just
detailed
is
denominated
Pedlar
's
Acre
;
and
it
lies
between
Westminster
and
Hungerford
Bridges
.
Adjoining
the
thoroughfare
itself
is
an
acre
of
ground
,
which
is
the
property
of
the
parish
,
and
is
let
as
a
timber-yard
.
Tradition
declares
that
it
was
given
by
a
pedlar
to
the
parish
,
on
condition
that
the
picture
of
himself
and
his
dog
be
preserved
,
in
stained
glass
,
in
one
of
the
windows
of
Lambeth
church
;
and
in
support
of
this
legend
,
such
a
representation
may
indeed
be
seen
in
the
south-east
window
of
the
middle
aisle
of
the
church
just
mentioned
.
Nevertheless
,
one
of
those
antiquaries
whose
sesquipedalian
researches
are
undertaken
with
a
view
to
elucidate
matters
of
this
kind
,
—
a
valueless
labour
,
—
has
declared
that
the
land
was
bequeathed
to
the
parish
,
in
the
year
1504
,
by
some
person
totally
unknown
.
Be
the
origin
of
the
grant
and
the
name
of
the
donor
as
they
may
,
there
is
such
a
place
as
Pedlar
's
Acre
;
and
it
is
to
a
public-house
in
this
thoroughfare
that
we
must
now
request
our
readers
to
accompany
us
.
Seated
in
a
private
room
on
the
first
floor
was
a
gentlemanly-looking
man
,
of
about
six-and-thirty
years
of
age
.
His
face
was
decidedly
handsome
;
but
it
had
a
downcast
and
sinister
expression
little
calculated
to
prepossess
a
stranger
in
this
person
's
favour
.
There
was
also
a
peculiar
curl
—
more
wicked
than
haughty
—
about
his
lip
,
that
seemed
to
speak
of
strongly
concentrated
passions
:
the
deep
tones
of
his
voice
,
the
peculiar
glance
of
his
large
grey
eyes
,
and
the
occasional
contraction
of
his
brow
denoted
a
mind
resolute
in
carrying
out
any
purpose
it
might
have
formed
.
He
was
dressed
with
some
degree
of
slovenliness
;
as
if
he
had
not
leisure
to
waste
upon
the
frivolity
of
self-adornment
,
or
as
if
his
means
were
not
sufficient
to
permit
that
elegance
of
wardrobe
which
could
alone
stimulate
his
pride
in
the
embellishment
of
his
person
.
A
glass
of
steaming
punch
stood
untouched
near
him
.
It
was
six
o'clock
in
the
evening
;
and
he
was
evidently
waiting
for
some
one
.
His
patience
was
not
,
however
,
put
to
a
very
severe
test
;
for
scarcely
had
five
minutes
elapsed
after
his
arrival
,
when
the
door
opened
,
and
the
Resurrection
Man
entered
the
room
.
"
Good
evening
,
Mr.
Vernon
,
"
he
said
,
as
he
carefully
closed
the
door
behind
him
:
then
,
taking
a
seat
,
he
observed
,
"
I
hope
I
have
not
kept
you
waiting
.
"
"
Oh
!
never
mind
that
,
"
exclaimed
Vernon
,
impatiently
.
"
Have
you
any
good
news
to
communicate
?
"
"
I
am
sorry
to
say
that
I
have
not
.
I
called
this
morning
upon
the
clerk
of
the
parish
church
where
your
brother
was
married
,
and
tried
him
in
all
ways
.
"
"
And
he
refused
?
"
said
Vernon
,
with
an
angry
tone
.
"
He
refused
,
"
answered
Tidkins
.
"
He
is
timid
and
old
;
and
,
after
having
first
entertained
the
subject
,
at
length
backed
out
of
it
altogether
.
"
"
Because
you
did
not
offer
him
enough
,
"
cried
Vernon
,
savagely
:
"
because
you
did
not
show
him
gold
!
You
are
only
lukewarm
in
this
affair
:
you
are
afraid
to
risk
a
few
miserable
pounds
in
the
business
.
This
is
not
the
way
to
conduct
a
grand
project
of
such
a
nature
.
It
is
true
that
I
am
fearfully
embarrassed
for
funds
at
this
moment
;
but
if
you
had
acted
with
liberality
—
if
we
eventually
succeeded
—
you
must
be
well
aware
that
my
generosity
would
know
no
bounds
.
"
"
Mr.
Vernon
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
coolly
,
"
if
you
have
nothing
better
than
reproaches
to
offer
as
the
reward
of
my
exertions
in
your
behalf
,
we
should
do
well
to
separate
at
once
.
I
was
not
niggard
in
my
offers
to
the
clerk
:
I
spread
fifty
golden
sovereigns
before
him
—
told
him
to
take
them
,
and
promised
as
much
more
when
he
had
done
the
job
.
But
he
hesitated
—
reflected
—
and
at
length
positively
refused
altogether
.
"
"
And
you
really
believe
there
is
no
hope
in
that
quarter
?
"
said
Vernon
,
anxiously
.
"
None
.
If
the
old
clerk
would
ever
agree
to
serve
us
,
he
would
have
consented
this
morning
.
I
know
the
man
now
:
he
is
too
timid
to
suit
our
purposes
.
But
let
us
look
calmly
at
the
whole
business
,
and
devise
another
mode
of
proceeding
,
"
added
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
You
are
still
determined
,
by
some
means
or
other
,
to
get
possession
of
the
estates
of
your
elder
brother
?
"
"
My
resolution
is
even
increased
by
every
fresh
obstacle
,
"
replied
Vernon
.
"
I
have
two
powerful
objects
to
accomplish
—
revenge
and
ambition
.
Lord
Ravensworth
has
treated
me
with
a
cruelty
and
a
contempt
that
would
goad
the
most
meek
and
patient
to
study
the
means
of
vengeance
.
Our
late
father
always
intended
the
ready
money
,
of
which
he
could
dispose
,
to
come
to
me
,
because
the
estates
were
entailed
upon
my
brother
.
But
my
father
died
suddenly
,
and
intestate
;
and
my
brother
,
although
he
well
knew
our
parent
's
intentions
,
grasped
all
—
gave
me
nothing
!
No
—
I
am
wrong
,
"
added
Vernon
,
with
exceeding
bitterness
of
tone
and
manner
;
"
he
agreed
to
allow
me
five
hundred
pounds
a-year
,
as
a
recompense
for
the
loss
of
as
many
thousands
!
"
"
And
you
accepted
the
offer
?
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
I
accepted
it
as
a
beggar
receives
alms
sooner
than
starve
,
"
continued
Vernon
:
"
I
accepted
it
because
I
had
nothing
:
I
had
not
the
means
of
existence
.
But
I
accepted
it
also
as
an
instalment
of
my
just
due
—
and
not
as
a
concession
on
the
part
of
his
bounty
.
My
habits
are
naturally
extravagant
:
my
expenses
are
great
—
I
cannot
check
myself
in
that
respect
.
Thus
am
I
perpetually
obtaining
advances
from
my
brother
's
agent
;
and
now
I
have
not
another
shilling
to
receive
until
next
January
.
"
"
Nearly
a
year
!
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
But
if
you
was
to
call
on
the
agent
—
—
"
"
Absurd
!
"
ejaculated
Vernon
.
"
Have
I
not
told
you
that
my
brother
believes
me
still
to
be
in
the
East
—
still
travelling
in
Turkey
?
So
long
as
he
supposes
me
far
away
,
I
can
carry
on
my
projects
in
London
with
far
greater
security
.
In
a
word
,
it
is
much
safer
that
my
presence
in
this
country
should
remain
a
profound
secret
.
He
will
die
shortly
—
he
must
die
—
he
is
daily
,
steadily
parting
with
vitality
.
He
is
passing
out
of
existence
by
a
sure
,
a
speedy
,
and
yet
an
inexplicable
progression
of
decay
.
Of
his
death
,
then
,
I
am
sure
;
and
when
it
shall
occur
,
how
can
suspicion
attach
itself
to
me
—
since
I
am
supposed
to
be
abroad
—
far
away
?
"
"
You
are
certain
that
your
brother
is
hastening
towards
the
grave
?
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
The
great
obstacle
—
the
greatest
,
I
mean
—
will
be
thereby
removed
.
Suppose
that
Lady
Ravensworth
should
be
delivered
of
a
boy
,
would
it
not
be
equally
easy
—
—
"
"
Yes
—
it
would
be
easy
to
put
it
out
of
the
way
by
violence
,
"
was
the
rapid
reply
;
"
but
,
then
,
I
should
risk
my
neck
at
the
same
time
that
I
gained
a
fortune
.
No
—
that
will
not
do
!
I
could
not
incur
a
danger
of
so
awful
a
nature
.
The
infant
heir
to
vast
estates
would
be
jealously
protected
—
attentively
watched
—
surrounded
by
all
wise
precautions
:
—
no
—
it
were
madness
to
think
of
practising
aught
against
its
life
.
"
"
Could
not
the
same
means
by
which
—
even
though
at
a
distance
—
you
are
undermining
the
life
of
your
brother
—
—
"
"
No
—
no
,
"
replied
Vernon
,
impatiently
.
"
It
is
not
necessary
that
I
should
explain
to
you
the
precise
nature
of
the
means
by
which
I
succeed
in
effecting
Lord
Ravensworth
's
physical
decay
;
suffice
it
to
state
that
those
means
could
not
be
applied
to
a
child
.
"
"
Nevertheless
,
"
continued
the
Resurrection
Man
,
"
you
must
have
an
agent
at
Ravensworth
Park
;
for
if
—
as
I
suppose
—
your
brother
is
dying
by
means
of
slow
poison
,
there
is
some
confidential
creature
of
your
own
about
his
person
to
administer
the
drugs
.
"
"
I
have
no
agent
at
Ravensworth
;
—
I
have
no
confidential
creature
about
my
brother
's
person
;
—
and
I
have
so
combined
my
measures
that
Lord
Ravensworth
is
actually
committing
suicide
—
dying
by
his
own
hand
!
Another
time
I
will
expound
all
this
to
you
;
for
to
you
alone
have
I
communicated
my
projects
.
"
"
Have
you
not
explained
yourself
to
Greenwood
?
"
demanded
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
I
thought
you
told
me
,
the
last
time
we
met
,
that
he
knew
you
well
—
and
knew
also
that
you
are
in
England
?
"
"
I
was
acquainted
with
him
some
four
or
five
years
ago
,
when
he
was
not
so
prosperous
as
he
is
—
or
as
he
appears
to
be
—
at
present
,
"
replied
Vernon
;
"
but
having
been
abroad
since
that
time
until
my
return
last
week
,
I
had
lost
sight
of
him
—
and
had
even
forgotten
him
.
It
was
not
a
little
provoking
to
run
against
him
the
very
first
day
of
my
arrival
in
London
;
and
,
though
I
endeavoured
to
avoid
him
,
he
persisted
in
speaking
to
me
.
"
"
You
are
not
afraid
that
he
will
gossip
about
your
presence
in
London
?
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
He
promised
me
most
faithfully
to
keep
the
fact
a
profound
secret
,
"
returned
Vernon
.
"
And
will
he
not
advance
you
a
small
sum
for
your
present
purposes
?
"
demanded
Tidkins
.
"
I
called
on
him
last
evening
,
in
consequence
of
the
suggestion
contained
in
your
note
;
—
I
requested
a
loan
for
a
particular
purpose
;
—
but
he
refused
to
oblige
me
,
"
added
Vernon
,
his
brow
contracting
.
"
I
wish
that
I
had
not
so
far
humbled
myself
by
asking
him
.
"
"
No
matter
for
that
,
"
said
Tidkins
:
"
we
are
wandering
from
our
subject
.
Here
is
the
substance
of
the
whole
affair
:
—
Lord
Ravensworth
will
soon
be
gathered
to
his
fathers
,
as
they
say
:
but
in
the
meantime
Lady
Ravensworth
may
have
a
child
.
If
it
is
a
daughter
,
you
are
all
safe
;
if
it
is
a
son
you
are
all
wrong
.
I
do
n't
know
how
it
is
—
I
'm
not
superstitious
—
but
in
these
matters
,
where
a
good
fellow
like
yourself
is
within
reach
of
a
fortune
,
and
whether
you
are
to
get
it
or
not
depends
on
the
sex
of
an
expected
infant
,
—
in
such
cases
,
I
say
,
the
card
generally
does
turn
up
wrong
.
Now
if
the
child
should
be
a
boy
,
what
will
you
do
?
"
"
I
cannot
consent
to
abandon
the
plan
of
bribing
the
clerk
to
destroy
the
leaf
in
the
register
,
"
answered
Vernon
.
"
Pshaw
!
the
project
is
bad
—
I
told
you
so
all
along
.
See
how
the
matter
would
stand
,
"
continued
Tidkins
:
—
"
Lord
Ravensworth
dies
and
leaves
,
we
will
suppose
,
an
infant
heir
—
a
son
.
Then
you
suddenly
make
your
appearance
,
and
demand
proofs
of
your
brother
's
marriage
.
The
register
is
searched
—
a
leaf
is
missing
—
it
is
the
one
which
contains
the
record
of
the
union
celebrated
between
Lord
Ravensworth
and
Miss
Adeline
Enfield
!
Would
not
this
seem
very
extraordinary
?
would
it
not
create
suspicions
that
Lord
Ravensworth
may
not
have
died
fairly
?
No
—
your
project
,
Mr.
Vernon
,
will
never
do
:
It
is
baseless
—
shallow
—
childish
.
It
is
unworthy
of
you
.
If
you
persist
in
it
,
I
shall
wash
my
hands
of
the
business
:
—
if
you
will
follow
my
advice
,
you
shall
be
Lord
Ravensworth
before
you
are
a
year
older
.
"
Vernon
could
not
conceal
a
sentiment
of
admiration
for
that
man
who
thus
dexterously
reasoned
on
his
plans
,
and
thus
boldly
promised
that
consummation
to
which
he
so
fondly
aspired
.
"
Speak
,
Mr.
Tidkins
,
"
he
said
;
"
we
have
met
to
consult
on
the
necessary
course
to
be
adopted
.
"
"
Let
us
come
,
then
,
boldly
to
the
point
,
"
continued
the
Resurrection
Man
,
sinking
his
voice
to
a
whisper
:
"
rest
patiently
for
the
confinement
of
Lady
Ravensworth
,
which
,
you
have
learnt
,
is
expected
to
take
place
in
six
weeks
;
—
if
the
issue
is
a
girl
,
you
need
trouble
yourself
no
more
in
the
business
,
but
calmly
wait
till
death
does
its
work
with
Lord
Ravensworth
.
"
"
And
if
the
issue
be
a
boy
?
"
said
Vernon
,
gazing
fixedly
on
his
companion
's
countenance
.
"
It
must
be
put
out
of
the
way
,
"
answered
the
Resurrection
Man
,
in
a
low
,
but
stern
tone
;
"
and
you
may
trust
to
me
that
the
business
shall
be
done
in
such
a
manner
as
to
endanger
no
one
's
neck
.
"
"
You
think
—
you
imagine
that
it
can
be
done
—
—
"
said
Vernon
,
hesitatingly
—
but
still
with
that
kind
of
hesitation
which
is
prepared
to
yield
and
to
consent
.
"
I
do
not
speak
upon
thoughts
and
imaginings
,
"
replied
Tidkins
:
"
I
argue
on
conviction
.
Leave
the
whole
affair
to
me
.
I
have
my
plan
already
settled
—
and
,
when
the
time
comes
,
we
will
talk
more
about
it
.
For
the
present
,
"
continued
the
Resurrection
Man
,
drawing
a
bill-stamp
from
his
pocket
,
and
handing
it
to
his
companion
,
"
have
the
goodness
to
write
the
name
of
Ravensworth
at
the
bottom
of
this
blank
.
I
shall
not
use
it
until
you
are
really
Lord
Ravensworth
,
when
the
signature
will
be
your
proper
one
.
"
Vernon
cast
a
hasty
glance
over
the
bill
,
and
observed
,
"
It
is
a
five-and-twenty
shilling
stamp
.
"
"
Yes
—
to
cover
three
thousand
pounds
,
"
returned
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
That
will
not
be
too
much
for
making
you
a
peer
and
a
rich
man
.
Besides
,
I
intend
to
advance
you
a
matter
of
fifty
pounds
at
once
,
for
your
immediate
necessities
.
"
"
And
if
I
should
happen
to
fail
in
obtaining
the
title
and
estates
of
Ravensworth
,
"
said
Vernon
,
"
this
document
would
enable
you
to
immure
me
in
a
debtor
's
prison
.
"
"
Ridiculous
!
"
ejaculated
Tidkins
,
impatiently
.
"
In
that
case
your
name
would
not
be
Ravensworth
;
and
it
is
the
name
of
Ravensworth
which
I
require
to
this
bill
.
As
for
throwing
your
person
into
a
prison
,
what
good
could
that
do
me
?
A
dead
carcass
is
of
more
value
than
a
living
one
,
"
he
added
,
in
a
muttering
tone
.
Vernon
did
not
overhear
this
remark
—
or
,
if
he
did
,
he
comprehended
not
the
allusion
;
but
he
signed
the
bill
without
farther
hesitation
.
The
Resurrection
Man
consigned
it
to
his
pocket-book
,
and
then
drew
forth
a
purse
filled
with
gold
,
which
he
handed
to
his
companion
.
Vernon
received
it
with
a
stiff
and
haughty
inclination
of
the
head
:
—
his
necessities
compelled
him
to
accept
the
succour
;
but
his
naturally
proud
feelings
made
him
shrink
from
its
source
.
Having
so
far
arranged
the
matters
which
they
had
met
to
discuss
,
the
aristocratic
villain
and
the
low
miscreant
separated
.
Vernon
returned
to
his
lodging
in
Stamford
Street
;
and
the
Resurrection
Man
proceeded
into
the
Westminster
Road
,
where
he
took
a
cab
,
saying
to
the
driver
,
"
Golden
Lane
,
Saint
Luke
's
.
"
CHAPTER
CXCVI
.
THE
OLD
HAG
AND
THE
RESURRECTION
MAN
.
The
Old
Hag
,
who
has
so
frequently
figured
in
former
portions
of
our
narrative
,
had
latterly
become
more
prosperous
,
if
not
more
respectable
,
than
when
we
first
introduced
her
to
our
readers
.
From
having
been
the
occupant
of
only
one
room
in
the
house
in
the
court
leading
from
Golden
Lane
,
she
had
become
the
lessee
of
the
entire
dwelling
.
The
commencement
of
this
success
was
owing
to
her
connexion
with
Lady
Cecilia
Harborough
in
the
intrigue
of
the
"
living
statue
;
"
and
from
that
moment
affairs
seemed
to
have
taken
a
new
turn
with
her
.
At
all
events
her
"
business
"
increased
;
and
the
sphere
of
her
infamy
became
enlarged
.
She
would
have
taken
another
and
better
house
,
in
some
fashionable
quarter
,
and
re-commenced
the
avocation
of
a
first-rate
brothel-keeper
—
the
pursuit
of
the
middle
period
of
her
life
;
—
but
she
reasoned
that
she
was
known
to
a
select
few
where
she
was
—
that
the
obscurity
of
her
dwelling
was
favourable
to
many
of
the
nefarious
projects
in
which
her
aid
was
required
—
and
that
she
was
too
old
to
dream
of
forming
a
new
connexion
elsewhere
.
It
would
be
impossible
to
conceive
a
soul
more
diabolically
hardened
,
more
inveterately
depraved
,
than
that
of
this
old
hag
.
In
order
to
increase
her
resources
,
and
occupy
,
as
she
said
,
"
her
leisure
time
,
"
she
had
hired
or
bought
some
half-dozen
young
girls
,
about
ten
or
twelve
years
old
;
—
hired
or
bought
them
,
whichever
the
reader
pleases
,
of
their
parents
,
a
"
consideration
"
having
been
given
for
each
,
and
the
said
parents
comforting
themselves
with
the
idea
that
their
children
were
well
provided
for
!
These
children
of
tender
age
were
duly
initiated
by
the
old
hag
in
all
the
arts
and
pursuits
of
prostitution
.
They
were
sent
in
pairs
to
parade
Aldersgate
Street
