day.
"
"
No
—
he
is
still
a
defaulter
,
"
returned
the
young
nobleman
,
laughing
.
"
And
likely
to
continue
so
,
I
'm
afraid
,
"
added
Egerton
.
"
But
where
is
that
estate
of
yours
,
old
fellow
?
"
"
Oh
!
down
in
the
country
—
—
"
"
Yes
—
I
dare
say
it
is
.
But
where
?
"
"
Why
—
in
Somersetshire
,
to
be
sure
.
I
thought
you
knew
that
,
"
cried
Dunstable
,
not
altogether
relishing
either
the
queries
themselves
or
the
manner
in
which
they
were
put
.
"
That
makes
seven
hundred
I
owe
you
,
Harborough
,
"
said
Egerton
.
"
Do
pass
the
wine
,
Chichester
.
Five
's
the
main
.
Let
me
see
—
what
were
we
talking
about
?
Oh
!
I
recollect
—
Dunstable
's
estate
.
And
so
it
's
in
Somersetshire
?
Beautiful
county
!
What
is
the
name
of
the
estate
,
my
dear
fellow
?
"
"
My
own
name
—
Dunstable
Manor
,
"
was
the
reply
;
but
the
nobleman
began
to
cast
suspicious
glances
towards
his
friend
.
"
Dunstable
Manor
—
eh
?
What
a
sweet
pretty
name
!
"
ejaculated
Egerton
.
"
And
yet
it
is
very
strange
—
I
know
Somersetshire
as
well
as
any
one
can
know
a
county
;
but
I
do
not
recollect
Dunstable
Manor
.
How
foolish
I
must
be
to
forget
such
a
thing
as
that
.
"
With
these
words
,
he
rose
from
the
table
and
took
down
a
large
volume
from
the
book-case
.
"
What
are
you
going
to
do
?
"
inquired
Dunstable
,
now
feeling
particularly
uneasy
.
"
Only
refreshing
my
memory
by
a
reference
to
this
Gazetteer
,
"
answered
Egerton
,
as
he
deliberately
turned
over
the
pages
of
the
book
.
"
Oh
!
come
—
none
of
this
nonsense
!
"
exclaimed
Dunstable
,
snatching
the
volume
from
Egerton
's
hands
.
"
Who
ever
thinks
of
reading
before
company
?
"
"
It
would
be
rude
,
I
admit
,
"
said
Egerton
,
recovering
the
volume
from
the
other
's
grasp
,
"
were
we
not
such
very
particular
and
intimate
friends
—
so
intimate
indeed
,
that
we
have
one
purse
in
common
between
us
all
five
,
and
that
purse
happens
to
be
the
one
which
I
have
the
honour
to
carry
in
my
pocket
.
"
"
Egerton
,
what
is
the
matter
with
you
?
"
demanded
Lord
Dunstable
,
who
was
now
convinced
that
something
was
wrong
.
"
Matter
!
nothing
at
all
,
my
dear
boy
,
"
answered
the
young
man
,
as
he
continued
to
turn
the
leaves
of
the
volume
.
"
Here
it
is
—
Somersetshire
—
a
very
detailed
account
—
not
even
the
smallest
farm
omitted
.
But
how
is
this
?
Why
—
Dunstable
Manor
is
not
here
!
"
"
Not
there
!
"
cried
the
nobleman
,
blushing
up
to
his
very
hair
.
"
No
—
indeed
it
is
not
!
"
rejoined
Egerton
.
"
Now
really
this
is
a
great
piece
of
negligence
on
the
part
of
the
compiler
of
the
work
;
and
if
I
were
you
,
Dunstable
,
I
would
bring
an
action
against
him
for
damages
.
Because
,
only
conceive
how
awkward
this
would
make
you
appear
before
persons
of
suspicious
dispositions
.
Well
—
upon
my
honour
,
as
the
baronet
says
—
this
coincidence
is
almost
as
extraordinary
as
that
of
the
pawnbroker
in
Brick
Lane
.
"
While
Egerton
was
thus
speaking
,
his
four
friends
exchanged
significant
glances
which
seemed
to
ask
each
other
what
all
this
could
possibly
mean
.
"
Yes
—
suspicious
people
would
be
inclined
to
imagine
that
the
Dunstable
estate
was
in
the
clouds
rather
than
in
Somersetshire
,
"
proceeded
Egerton
,
who
did
not
appear
to
notice
the
confusion
of
his
guests
.
"
But
the
world
is
so
very
ill-natured
!
Would
you
believe
that
there
are
persons
so
lamentably
scandalous
as
to
declare
that
our
friend
Chichester
is
no
more
an
Honourable
than
I
am
,
and
that
he
really
is
the
son
of
the
pawnbroker
in
Brick
Lane
?
"
"
The
villains
!
"
cried
Chichester
,
starting
from
his
seat
:
"
who
are
those
persons
that
dare
—
—
"
"
Wait
one
moment
!
"
exclaimed
Egerton
:
"
it
is
my
duty
as
a
sincere
friend
to
tell
you
each
and
all
what
I
have
heard
.
Those
same
scandalous
and
ill-natured
people
exceed
all
bounds
of
propriety
;
for
they
actually
assert
that
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
has
for
years
been
known
as
a
profligate
adventurer
—
—
"
"
By
God
,
Mr.
Egerton
!
"
cried
the
baronet
:
"
I
—
—
"
"
And
they
affirm
in
quite
as
positive
a
manner
,
"
continued
the
young
man
,
heedless
of
this
interruption
,
"
that
you
,
Dunstable
,
and
you
too
,
Cholmondeley
,
are
nothing
more
nor
less
than
ruined
gamesters
.
"
"
Egerton
,
"
exclaimed
the
Colonel
,
foaming
with
indignation
,
"
this
is
carrying
a
joke
too
far
.
"
"
A
great
deal
too
far
,
"
added
Dunstable
.
"
It
really
is
no
joke
at
all
,
my
lord
and
gentlemen
,
"
said
the
young
man
,
now
speaking
in
a
tone
expressive
of
the
deepest
disgust
:
"
for
every
word
I
have
uttered
is
firmly
believed
by
myself
!
"
"
By
you
!
"
cried
the
four
adventurers
,
speaking
as
it
were
in
one
breath
.
"
Yes
—
and
by
all
the
world
,
"
exclaimed
Egerton
,
rising
from
his
seat
,
and
casting
indignant
glances
upon
his
guests
.
"
This
is
too
much
!
"
said
Cholmondeley
;
and
,
unable
to
restrain
his
passion
,
he
rushed
upon
the
young
man
,
seized
him
by
the
collar
,
and
would
have
inflicted
a
severe
chastisement
on
him
had
not
assistance
been
at
hand
.
But
the
door
communicating
with
the
dining-room
was
suddenly
thrown
open
,
and
the
individual
who
now
made
his
appearance
,
threw
himself
upon
Cholmondeley
,
tore
him
away
from
his
hold
upon
Albert
Egerton
,
and
actually
hurled
him
to
the
opposite
side
of
the
apartment
.
"
The
Prince
of
Montoni
!
"
ejaculated
Harborough
,
as
he
rushed
towards
the
door
,
with
Chichester
close
at
his
heels
.
But
the
Prince
hastened
to
intercept
them
;
and
,
leaning
his
back
against
the
door
,
he
exclaimed
,
"
No
one
passes
hence
,
at
present
.
Mr.
Egerton
,
secure
those
dice
.
"
Dunstable
darted
towards
that
part
of
the
table
where
the
dice
lay
;
but
Egerton
had
already
obtained
possession
of
them
.
Richard
in
the
meantime
locked
the
door
,
and
put
the
key
in
his
pocket
.
"
Be
he
a
king
,
"
cried
Cholmondeley
,
who
had
caught
the
words
uttered
by
the
baronet
,
"
he
shall
suffer
for
his
conduct
to
me
;
"
—
and
the
Colonel
advanced
in
a
menacing
manner
towards
the
Prince
.
"
Beware
,
sir
,
how
you
place
a
finger
on
me
!
"
cried
Richard
.
"
Approach
another
step
nearer
,
and
I
will
lay
you
at
my
feet
!
"
The
Colonel
muttered
something
to
himself
,
and
retreated
towards
the
folding-doors
communicating
with
the
dining-room
;
but
there
his
way
was
interrupted
by
the
presence
of
two
stout
men
in
plain
clothes
and
two
of
Richard
's
servants
in
handsome
liveries
.
"
Let
no
one
pass
,
Whittingham
,
"
said
the
Prince
,
"
until
our
present
business
be
accomplished
.
"
"
No
,
my
lord
,
"
answered
the
old
butler
,
who
was
one
of
the
stout
men
in
plain
clothes
:
then
,
having
given
the
same
instructions
to
the
two
servants
in
livery
,
Whittingham
exclaimed
in
a
loud
tone
,
"
And
mind
,
my
men
,
that
you
on
no
account
let
them
sneaking
willains
Scarborough
and
Axminster
defect
their
escape
!
"
"
My
lord
,
what
means
this
conduct
on
your
part
?
"
demanded
Dunstable
of
the
Prince
.
"
By
what
authority
do
you
detain
us
here
as
prisoners
?
"
"
Yes
—
by
what
authority
?
"
echoed
Cholmondeley
,
again
stepping
forward
.
"
By
that
authority
which
gives
every
honest
man
a
right
to
expose
unprincipled
adventurers
who
are
leagued
to
plunder
and
rob
an
inexperienced
youth
,
"
answered
Richard
,
in
a
stern
tone
.
"
Mr.
Egerton
,
give
me
those
dice
.
"
This
request
was
immediately
complied
with
;
and
the
other
stout
man
in
plain
clothes
now
stepped
forward
from
the
dining-room
.
To
the
infinite
dismay
of
Harborough
and
Chichester
,
they
immediately
recognised
Pocock
,
who
did
not
,
however
,
take
any
notice
of
them
:
but
producing
a
very
fine
saw
from
his
pocket
,
he
set
to
work
to
cut
in
halves
one
of
the
dice
which
Richard
handed
to
him
.
The
four
adventurers
now
turned
pale
as
death
,
and
exchanged
glances
of
alarm
and
dismay
.
"
Behold
,
Mr.
Egerton
,
"
said
the
Prince
,
after
examining
the
die
that
had
been
sawed
in
halves
,
"
how
your
false
friends
have
been
enabled
to
plunder
you
.
Heaven
be
thanked
that
I
am
entirely
ignorant
of
the
disgraceful
details
of
gamesters
'
frauds
;
but
a
child
might
understand
for
what
purpose
this
die
has
been
thus
prepared
.
"
"
Loaded
,
your
Highness
,
is
the
technical
term
,
observed
Pocock
.
"
That
scoundrel
there
,
"
pointing
to
Chichester
,
"
once
told
me
all
about
them
things
,
at
the
time
I
was
leagued
with
him
and
his
baronet
friend
.
"
"
I
hope
your
Highness
will
not
make
this
affair
public
,
"
said
Lord
Dunstable
,
his
manner
having
changed
to
the
most
cringing
meekness
.
"
Egerton
—
you
cannot
wish
to
ruin
me
altogether
?
"
"
Would
you
not
have
ruined
me
?
"
inquired
the
young
man
,
bitterly
.
"
Oh
!
what
a
blessed
day
it
is
for
me
to
be
a
high-witness
of
the
disposure
of
them
scoundrels
Marlborough
and
Winchester
!
"
ejaculated
the
old
butler
,
rubbing
his
hands
joyfully
together
.
"
Send
'
em
to
Newgate
,
my
lord
—
send
'
em
to
Newgate
—
and
then
let
'
em
be
disported
to
the
spinal
settlements
,
my
lord
!
"
"
Pray
have
mercy
upon
me
—
for
the
sake
of
my
father
and
mother
!
"
said
Dunstable
,
whose
entire
manner
expressed
the
most
profound
alarm
.
"
Your
Highness
is
known
to
possess
a
good
heart
—
—
"
"
It
is
not
to
me
that
you
must
address
yourself
,
"
interrupted
Markham
,
in
a
severe
tone
.
"
Appeal
to
this
young
man
whom
you
have
basely
defrauded
of
large
sums
—
upon
whom
you
have
been
preying
for
weeks
past
—
and
whom
you
have
tutored
in
the
ways
that
lead
to
destruction
:
—
appeal
to
him
,
I
say
—
and
not
to
me
.
"
"
I
am
entirely
in
the
hands
of
your
Highness
,
"
observed
Egerton
,
with
a
grateful
glance
towards
the
Prince
.
"
Then
we
will
spare
these
men
,
bad
and
unprincipled
though
they
be
,
"
exclaimed
Richard
:
"
we
will
spare
them
—
not
for
their
own
sakes
,
Egerton
—
but
for
yours
.
Were
it
known
,
through
the
medium
of
the
details
of
a
public
prosecution
,
that
you
have
been
so
intimately
connected
with
a
gang
of
cheats
and
depredators
,
your
character
would
be
irretrievably
lost
;
for
the
world
is
not
generous
enough
to
pause
and
reflect
that
you
were
only
a
victim
.
Therefore
,
as
you
are
determined
to
retrieve
the
past
,
it
will
be
prudent
to
forego
any
criminal
proceedings
against
those
who
have
made
you
their
dupe
.
"
"
Your
Highness
has
spoken
harshly
—
very
harshly
,
"
said
Lord
Dunstable
;
"
and
yet
I
feel
I
have
deserved
all
that
vituperation
.
But
this
leniency
with
which
your
lordship
has
treated
me
—
and
your
forbearance
,
Egerton
—
will
not
have
been
ineffectual
.
I
now
see
the
fearful
brink
upon
which
I
stood
—
and
I
shudder
;
for
had
you
resolved
to
drag
me
before
a
tribunal
of
justice
,
I
would
have
avoided
that
last
disgrace
by
means
of
suicide
.
"
The
young
nobleman
spoke
with
a
feeling
and
an
evident
sincerity
that
touched
both
our
hero
and
Egerton
;
but
Cholmondeley
turned
away
in
disgust
from
his
penitent
friend
,
and
Harborough
exchanged
a
contemptuous
look
with
Chichester
.
"
Lord
Dunstable
,
"
said
Markham
,
in
an
impressive
tone
,
"
your
conduct
has
been
bad
—
very
bad
;
but
much
of
its
blackness
is
already
wiped
away
by
this
manifestation
of
regret
and
contrition
.
Do
not
allow
that
spark
of
good
feeling
to
be
extinguished
—
or
destruction
must
await
you
.
And
above
all
,
I
conjure
you
to
avoid
the
companionship
of
such
men
as
those
who
have
even
now
by
their
manner
scoffed
at
your
expressions
of
repentance
.
"
"
Farewell
,
my
lord
,
"
returned
the
young
nobleman
,
tears
trickling
down
his
cheeks
:
"
the
events
of
this
evening
will
never
be
forgotten
by
me
.
Egerton
,
take
this
pocket-book
:
it
contains
the
greater
portion
of
the
last
sum
of
money
that
I
borrowed
of
you
;
and
I
shall
never
know
peace
of
mind
,
until
I
have
restored
all
of
which
I
have
been
instrumental
in
plundering
you
.
"
With
these
words
,
Dunstable
bowed
profoundly
to
the
Prince
,
and
hurried
from
the
room
,
without
casting
a
single
glance
upon
his
late
confederates
in
iniquity
.
"
My
lord
,
is
n't
Newgate
to
become
more
familiarly
acquainted
with
them
scrape-graces
Aldborough
and
Winchester
?
"
asked
the
old
butler
,
as
soon
as
Dunstable
had
disappeared
from
the
room
.
"
Were
it
not
that
I
had
promised
this
honest
and
grateful
man
,
"
said
the
Prince
,
turning
towards
the
engraver
,
"
that
no
criminal
proceedings
should
be
instituted
on
the
document
that
he
obtained
from
you
,
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
and
from
you
also
,
Mr.
Chichester
,
I
should
consider
myself
bound
,
in
justice
to
myself
and
as
a
duty
owing
to
society
,
to
expose
in
a
public
tribunal
the
black
artifices
by
which
you
once
inveigled
me
into
your
toils
.
But
for
his
sake
—
for
the
sake
alike
of
his
personal
security
and
of
the
good
character
which
he
now
enjoys
—
I
must
leave
your
punishment
to
your
own
consciences
.
And
,
though
scoffing
smiles
may
now
mark
the
little
weight
which
my
prediction
carries
with
it
in
respect
to
you
,
yet
rest
assured
that
the
time
will
come
when
your
misdeeds
shall
be
visited
with
those
penalties
which
it
may
seem
wise
to
a
just
heaven
to
inflict
.
"
Having
uttered
these
words
,
the
Prince
turned
away
,
with
undisguised
aversion
,
from
the
two
villains
whom
he
had
so
impressively
and
solemnly
addressed
.
They
slunk
out
of
the
apartment
,
with
chap-fallen
countenances
,
while
Whittingham
followed
them
to
the
door
of
the
dining-room
,
through
which
they
passed
,
and
conveyed
to
them
the
satisfactory
intelligence
that
"
if
it
had
impended
on
him
,
they
should
have
been
confided
with
strong
letters
of
commendation
to
the
governor
of
Newgate
.
"
As
soon
as
they
had
departed
,
Colonel
Cholmondeley
inquired
in
an
insolent
tone
whether
the
Prince
had
any
thing
to
say
to
him
;
but
finding
that
Markham
turned
his
back
contemptuously
upon
him
,
he
swaggered
out
of
the
room
,
muttering
something
about
"
satisfaction
in
another
manner
.
"
Early
the
next
morning
,
Mrs.
Bustard
received
the
following
letter
:
—
"
King
Square
,
Goswell
Road
.
"
Faithful
to
the
promise
which
I
made
to
you
the
day
before
yesterday
,
my
dear
aunt
,
I
have
quitted
the
West
End
,
and
am
once
more
located
in
a
quiet
neighbourhood
.
Thanks
to
the
kind
interference
of
that
most
amiable
and
excellent
nobleman
the
Prince
of
Montoni
,
and
to
the
encouragement
given
me
by
your
forgiveness
of
the
deception
which
I
so
shamefully
practised
upon
you
,
I
have
been
completely
awakened
to
the
errors
of
my
late
mode
of
life
.
I
shall
pledge
myself
to
nothing
now
:
my
future
conduct
will
prove
to
you
how
effectually
wise
counsels
and
past
experience
have
changed
my
habits
,
my
inclinations
,
and
my
ideas
.
One
thing
,
however
,
I
may
state
on
the
present
occasion
:
namely
,
that
I
am
convinced
there
is
no
character
so
truly
dangerous
and
so
thoroughly
unprincipled
as
the
one
who
delights
in
the
name
of
'
the
man
about
town
.
'
"
I
must
also
declare
that
I
yesterday
handled
the
dice-box
for
the
last
time
.
Much
as
I
loathed
the
idea
,
after
the
dread
warnings
which
I
received
from
the
lips
of
the
Prince
,
I
nevertheless
consented
to
play
a
last
game
—
and
it
shall
remain
the
last
!
But
,
start
not
,
dear
aunt
—
I
did
so
by
the
desire
of
the
Prince
,
and
that
I
might
induce
one
of
my
false
friends
to
produce
the
dice
which
he
always
carried
about
with
him
.
The
result
was
as
the
Prince
had
anticipated
:
those
dice
were
so
prepared
that
it
was
no
wonder
if
their
owner
was
constantly
a
winner
.
And
had
not
the
Prince
known
my
repentance
to
be
sincere
,
he
would
not
for
a
moment
have
permitted
me
to
touch
those
dice
again
—
even
though
it
were
to
accomplish
an
aim
that
might
the
more
effectually
expose
the
men
by
whom
I
was
surrounded
!
"
To
the
Prince
my
unbounded
gratitude
is
due
.
He
has
saved
me
from
utter
ruin
,
and
has
advised
me
how
to
employ
the
remainder
of
my
fortune
so
as
to
recover
by
my
industry
what
I
have
lost
by
my
folly
.
It
appears
that
his
august
father-in-law
,
the
sovereign
of
Castelcicala
,
—
and
who
has
set
so
good
an
example
to
the
Italian
States
by
giving
a
Constitution
and
a
national
representation
to
his
own
country
,
—
has
established
a
line
of
steam-packets
between
London
and
Montoni
;
and
it
is
my
intention
to
trade
between
the
two
capitals
.
But
the
details
of
this
project
I
will
explain
to
you
to-morrow
,
when
I
shall
have
the
pleasure
of
calling
upon
you
.
"
Your
affectionate
Nephew
,
ALBERT
EGERTON
.
"
CHAPTER
CCLI
.
THE
OBSTINATE
PATIENT
.
It
was
about
a
week
after
the
exposure
which
had
taken
place
in
Stratton
Street
,
that
the
following
events
occurred
at
the
splendid
mansion
of
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
.
Although
the
time-piece
upon
the
mantel
of
this
nobleman
's
bed-room
had
only
just
proclaimed
the
hour
of
three
in
the
afternoon
,
yet
the
curtains
were
drawn
close
over
the
windows
,
and
the
chamber
was
rendered
as
dark
as
possible
.
In
that
apartment
,
too
,
there
was
a
profound
silence
—
broken
only
by
the
low
but
irregular
breathing
of
some
one
who
slept
in
the
bed
.
By
the
side
of
the
couch
sate
two
elderly
men
,
dressed
in
black
,
and
who
maintained
a
strict
taciturnity
—
doubtless
for
fear
of
awakening
the
sleeper
.
On
a
small
table
between
them
were
various
bottles
containing
medicines
.
The
bed
stood
upon
a
sort
of
dais
,
or
raised
portion
of
the
floor
,
this
platform
being
attained
by
two
steps
.
High
over
the
couch
was
a
canopy
of
velvet
and
gold
,
surmounted
by
the
coronet
of
a
Marquis
,
and
from
whence
the
rich
satin
curtains
,
of
dark
purple
,
flowed
over
that
voluptuous
bed
.
The
room
itself
was
furnished
in
the
most
luxurious
manner
.
The
rosewood
tables
were
inlaid
with
mother
of
pearl
:
the
chairs
were
of
antique
form
,
with
high
backs
carved
in
the
most
exquisite
manner
;
—
the
mirrors
were
large
,
the
pictures
numerous
,
and
all
set
in
magnificent
frames
;
—
and
the
toilette-table
was
of
the
most
elegant
and
costly
description
.
And
yet
he
,
for
whom
all
this
gorgeousness
and
splendour
had
been
devised
,
—
he
,
whose
wealth
had
converted
the
entire
mansion
into
a
palace
that
would
have
even
delighted
the
proudest
Sultan
that
ever
sate
on
an
oriental
throne
,
—
this
man
,
for
whom
earth
had
such
delights
—
the
world
so
many
enjoyments
,
—
this
man
—
the
Marquis
of
Holmesford
—
was
about
to
succumb
to
the
power
of
the
Angel
of
Death
.
Oh
!
what
a
mockery
was
it
to
behold
,
—
when
the
window-curtains
were
drawn
back
,
upon
the
Marquis
awaking
from
his
uneasy
slumber
,
—
what
a
mockery
was
it
to
behold
that
truly
imperial
magnificence
surrounding
the
couch
whereon
lay
a
thin
,
weak
,
haggard
,
and
attenuated
old
man
,
in
whose
eyes
was
already
seen
that
stony
glare
which
marks
the
last
looks
of
dissolving
nature
!
The
nobleman
awoke
,
and
turned
round
towards
his
physicians
,
who
watched
at
the
bed-side
.
One
of
them
rose
and
drew
back
the
window-curtains
as
noiselessly
as
possible
;
and
then
the
pure
light
of
a
lovely
day
streamed
into
the
apartment
.
The
other
medical
attendant
took
the
nobleman
's
hand
,
felt
his
pulse
,
and
inquired
in
a
low
whisper
"
how
his
lordship
felt
now
?
"
"
Just
the
same
—
or
may
be
a
little
worse
,
"
answered
the
Marquis
,
in
a
hollow
but
feeble
tone
.
"
And
yet
it
is
impossible
that
I
should
be
in
any
real
danger
!
Oh
!
no
—
I
was
only
taken
ill
last
night
;
and
men
do
not
—
do
not
—
die
,
"
he
added
,
pronouncing
the
fatal
word
with
a
most
painful
effort
,
"
upon
so
slight
a
warning
.
"
"
Your
lordship
is
far
from
well
—
very
far
from
well
,
"
said
the
physician
,
emphatically
;
"
and
it
is
my
duty
to
assure
you
of
that
fact
.
"
"
But
you
—
you
do
not
think
,
doctor
,
"
stammered
the
Marquis
,
"
that
I
am
in
any
—
any
real
—
real
danger
?
"
And
as
he
spoke
,
his
glassy
eyes
were
for
a
few
moments
lighted
up
with
the
evanescent
fire
of
intense
excitement
—
the
agitation
of
a
suspense
ineffably
painful
.
"
My
lord
,
"
answered
the
physician
,
in
a
solemn
tone
,
"
if
you
have
any
affairs
of
a
worldly
nature
to
settle
—
—
"
"
No
—
no
:
it
ca
n't
be
!
You
are
deceiving
me
!
"
almost
shrieked
the
old
nobleman
,
starting
up
wildly
to
a
sitting
posture
:
"
do
you
mean
to
offend
—
to
insult
me
when
I
am
a
little
indisposed
?
For
I
am
convinced
that
this
is
only
a
trifling
indisposition
—
a
passing
illness
.
"
"
My
dear
Marquis
,
"
said
the
second
physician
,
advancing
towards
the
bed
,
"
my
colleague
performs
but
his
duty
—
painful
though
it
be
—
when
he
assures
you
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
yes
—
I
understand
you
,
"
again
interrupted
the
nobleman
,
catching
at
a
straw
:
"
you
do
right
to
prepare
me
for
the
worst
!
But
mine
is
not
an
extreme
case
—
is
it
?
Oh
!
no
—
I
am
certain
it
cannot
be
!
You
are
both
clever
men
—
well
versed
in
all
the
mysteries
of
your
profession
—
and
you
can
soon
restore
me
to
health
.
There
!
I
will
give
you
each
a
cheque
for
five
thousand
pounds
the
day
that
you
tell
me
that
I
may
get
up
again
!
"
And
once
more
did
he
contemplate
them
with
eager
—
anxious
glances
,
expressive
alike
of
feverish
hope
and
tremendous
terror
.
"
Speak
—
speak
!
"
he
cried
:
"
answer
me
!
Five
thousand
pounds
for
each
of
you
,
the
day
that
I
leave
this
bed
!
"
"
Were
your
lordship
to
offer
us
all
your
fortune
,
"
answered
the
elder
physician
—
he
who
had
first
spoken
,
—
"
we
could
not
do
more
for
you
than
we
are
now
doing
.
And
if
you
excite
yourself
thus
—
—
"
"
Excite
myself
,
indeed
!
"
ejaculated
the
Marquis
,
attempting
a
laugh
—
which
,
however
,
rather
resembled
a
death-rattle
that
seemed
to
shake
his
crazy
old
frame
even
to
the
very
vital
foundations
:
"
is
it
not
enough
to
make
me
excited
,
when
you
are
so
foolish
as
to
joke
with
me
about
my
being
in
danger
—
although
you
know
that
I
must
recover
soon
?
Do
n't
you
know
that
,
doctor
?
—
tell
me
dear
doctor
—
shall
I
not
be
well
in
a
few
days
—
or
at
all
events
a
few
weeks
?
Come
—
reassure
me
:
say
that
you
only
spoke
in
jest
!
Danger
,
indeed
!
Why
,
doctor
,
I
possess
a
constitution
of
iron
!
"
And
,
thus
speaking
,
the
Marquis
fell
back
upon
his
pillow
,
in
a
state
of
extreme
exhaustion
.
The
younger
physician
forced
him
to
swallow
some
medicine
;
and
for
a
few
minutes
he
lay
panting
and
moaning
as
if
the
chords
of
existence
were
snapping
rapidly
one
after
the
other
.
At
length
he
turned
again
towards
his
medical
attendants
.
"
Well
,
I
do
believe
that
I
am
rather
worse
than
I
just
now
fancied
myself
to
be
,
"
he
said
,
in
a
very
faint
and
feeble
tone
:
"
but
still
I
am
sure
of
getting
better
soon
.
That
medicine
has
already
done
me
good
.
Three
or
four
bottles
of
it
—
and
I
shall
be
quite
well
.
Ah
!
my
dear
friends
,
you
are
profoundly
skilled
in
all
the
secrets
of
the
human
frame
;
and
with
two
such
physicians
as
you
,
it
would
be
impossible
to
—
to
—
die
so
soon
!
"
"
Pray
,
my
lord
,
do
not
excite
yourself
,
"
observed
the
elder
medical
attendant
.
"
Repose
and
rest
often
prove
more
efficacious
than
drugs
and
potions
.
"
"
Well
—
well
—
I
will
be
quiet
—
I
will
tranquillise
myself
,
"
said
the
Marquis
.
"
But
you
must
not
frighten
me
any
more
—
you
must
not
talk
to
me
about
settling
my
worldly
affairs
—
just
as
if
I
were
indeed
about
to
die
,
"
he
added
,
with
a
ghastly
attempt
to
smile
away
that
expression
of
profound
terror
which
he
felt
to
be
imprinted
on
his
countenance
.
"
No
—
no
:
it
is
too
ridiculous
to
put
such
ideas
into
one
's
head
!
Why
—
how
old
do
you
take
me
to
be
,
doctor
?
"
"
My
lord
,
you
afflict
me
greatly
by
this
style
of
discourse
,
"
said
the
elder
physician
,
who
was
thus
appealed
to
.
"
Most
solemnly
do
I
adjure
your
lordship
to
compose
your
mind
to
that
state
in
which
every
Christian
should
be
prepared
for
the
worst
.
"
"
Doctor
—
doctor
,
you
cannot
be
serious
!
"
again
half
shrieked
the
affrighted
nobleman
.
"
What
!
am
I
indeed
so
very
ill
?
No
—
no
:
consider
the
strength
of
my
constitution
—
remember
how
able
I
am
to
procure
by
my
wealth
every
means
that
may
conduce
to
my
recovery
—
think
of
what
you
yourself
can
do
for
me
—
—
"
"
My
lord
,
"
said
the
physician
,
solemnly
,
"
we
will
exert
all
human
efforts
to
save
you
:
but
the
result
is
with
God
!
"
The
Marquis
uttered
a
hollow
groan
,
and
,
closing
his
eyes
,
appeared
to
be
suddenly
wrapt
in
profound
meditation
.
The
scene
which
we
have
just
described
,
was
a
most
painful
one
—
even
to
those
two
physicians
whose
experience
in
such
matters
was
so
extensive
.
There
was
something
peculiarly
horrible
in
that
old
man
of
shattered
health
and
exhausted
vigour
,
boasting
of
the
strength
of
a
constitution
ruined
by
a
long
career
of
debauchery
,
—
boasting
,
too
,
even
against
his
own
internal
convictions
!
But
,
like
all
men
who
fear
to
die
,
the
Marquis
would
not
admit
in
words
what
his
soul
had
acknowledged
to
itself
.
He
seemed
to
feel
as
if
there
were
a
possibility
of
staving
off
the
approach
of
death
,
merely
by
reiterating
a
disbelief
that
the
destroyer
was
advancing
at
all
.
Thus
,
though
his
mind
was
filled
with
the
most
appalling
apprehensions
,
he
nevertheless
clung
—
he
knew
not
how
nor
wherefore
—
to
a
hope
that
his
physicians
might
be
deceived
—
that
they
had
exaggerated
his
danger
—
that
their
skill
was
potent
enough
to
wrestle
with
the
dissolution
of
nature
—
in
a
word
,
that
it
was
quite
possible
for
him
to
recover
.
And
,
if
he
feared
to
die
,
it
was
not
precisely
because
he
dreaded
the
idea
of
being
suddenly
plunged
into
eternity
;
for
he
had
been
a
sceptic
all
his
life
,
and
was
by
no
means
convinced
that
there
was
any
future
state
at
all
.
But
his
mind
shrank
from
the
thought
of
death
as
from
a
revolting
spectacle
;
and
moreover
the
world
had
so
many
charms
—
such
boundless
attractions
for
him
—
that
he
could
not
endure
the
prospect
of
being
called
away
from
those
delicious
scenes
for
ever
!
He
remained
for
nearly
a
quarter
of
an
hour
buried
in
the
most
profound
meditation
.
"
My
worthy
friends
,
"
he
at
length
said
,
opening
his
glassy
eyes
once
more
,
and
turning
towards
his
physicians
,
"
I
am
now
prepared
to
hear
without
excitement
any
thing
you
may
deem
it
advisable
or
proper
to
communicate
.
In
one
word
,
is
my
state
really
one
of
great
peril
?
"
"
Your
lordship
now
speaks
as
becomes
a
man
of
strong
mind
,
"
answered
the
elder
physician
;
"
and
in
this
altered
mood
you
will
receive
with
due
tranquillity
the
sad
announcement
which
I
am
bound
to
make
.
"
"
And
that
announcement
?
"
said
the
Marquis
,
hastily
.
"
Is
that
your
lordship
's
recovery
is
in
the
hands
of
heaven
,
"
replied
the
physician
,
solemnly
:
"
for
no
human
agency
can
enable
you
to
quit
that
bed
in
health
again
.
"
"
And
this
is
your
serious
conviction
?
"
said
the
Marquis
,
grasping
the
bed-clothes
tightly
with
both
his
hands
,
as
if
to
restrain
an
explosion
of
his
agonising
feelings
.
"
My
duty
towards
your
lordship
compels
me
to
answer
in
the
affirmative
,
"
returned
the
physician
.
A
pause
of
some
minutes
ensued
:
the
Marquis
could
not
trust
himself
to
speak
.
Silence
was
for
a
time
the
only
safeguard
against
a
relapse
into
those
wildly-expressed
doubts
,
adjurations
,
and
frantic
wanderings
which
had
ere
now
denoted
the
real
condition
of
his
mind
.
"
It
is
then
decided
—
and
I
must
prepare
for
death
!
"
he
at
length
said
,
in
a
low
and
measured
tone
.
"
With
a
candour
equal
to
that
which
you
have
already
shown
,
doctor
,
tell
me
how
long
I
may
hope
yet
to
live
?
"
"
Do
not
press
me
,
my
lord
,
on
that
head
—
—
"
"
Nay
:
now
you
are
yourself
adopting
the
very
means
to
excite
me
,
"
interrupted
the
Marquis
,
angrily
.
"
I
am
nerved
to
hear
the
worst
:
but
I
wish
that
the
worst
may
be
communicated
to
me
.
Speak
,
doctor
—
speak
fearlessly
—
and
say
how
long
I
may
expect
yet
to
live
?
"
The
two
physicians
consulted
each
other
with
a
rapid
interchange
of
glances
;
and
both
thereby
intimating
an
affirmative
,
the
elder
one
said
,
"
Your
lordship
might
probably
survive
four-and-twenty
hours
.
"
"
Four-and-twenty
hours
!
"
repeated
the
Marquis
,
the
bed
actually
shaking
with
the
cold
shudder
that
passed
through
his
frame
at
this
appalling
announcement
:
"
four-and-twenty
hours
!
"
he
said
a
second
time
:
"
that
is
a
very
short
reprieve
,
indeed
!
Has
your
skill
no
means
,
doctor
,
of
prolonging
my
existence
for
a
few
days
—
for
a
few
hours
,
even
,
longer
than
the
amount
which
you
have
named
?
"
"
There
is
no
hope
of
accomplishing
such
a
result
,
my
lord
,
"
was
the
reply
.
"
No
hope
!
"
murmured
the
Marquis
:
then
after
another
short
pause
,
he
said
in
a
tone
which
it
cost
him
a
dreadful
effort
to
render
firm
,
"
Have
the
kindness
to
direct
that
my
solicitor
may
be
sent
for
without
delay
.
"
This
desire
was
immediately
complied
with
;
and
as
the
lawyer
lived
in
the
neighbourhood
,
scarcely
half
an
hour
elapsed
ere
he
was
ushered
into
the
presence
of
the
Marquis
.
The
physicians
were
desired
to
remain
in
the
room
;
and
the
solicitor
,
seating
himself
by
the
nobleman
's
directions
at
the
table
near
the
bed
,
prepared
his
writing
materials
.
The
Marquis
of
Holmesford
then
gave
instructions
relative
to
the
disposal
of
his
property
;
and
the
lawyer
drew
up
the
will
in
due
form
.
Having
detailed
various
bequests
and
legacies
,
and
disposed
of
the
great
bulk
of
his
fortune
,
the
Marquis
,
who
spoke
in
a
firm
and
distinct
tone
of
voice
,
addressed
the
lawyer
in
the
following
manner
:
—
"
And
now
,
sir
,
have
the
kindness
to
insert
the
words
which
I
am
about
to
dictate
to
you
:
—
'
Also
I
will
and
bequeathe
to
Katherine
Bazzano
,
half-sister
of
his
Highness
Richard
,
Prince
of
Montoni
,
the
sum
of
fifty
thousand
pounds
,
as
a
proof
of
the
sincere
contrition
and
deep
regret
which
I
experience
on
account
of
certain
proceedings
on
my
part
,
whereby
the
mother
of
the
said
Katherine
Bazzano
endured
grievous
wrong
and
great
affliction
,
although
perfectly
innocent
of
any
evil
thought
or
deed
in
respect
to
her
husband
,
the
deceased
father
of
the
above-mentioned
Richard
Prince
of
Montoni
.
'
—
Have
you
written
to
my
dictation
?
"
"
I
have
followed
your
lordship
as
accurately
as
the
introduction
of
a
few
necessary
legal
technicalities
into
that
last
clause
would
permit
,
"
was
the
solicitor
's
reply
.
"
Then
naught
now
remains
for
me
but
to
sign
the
will
,
"
said
the
Marquis
;
and
he
sate
up
in
the
bed
,
apparently
with
but
little
exertion
.
He
affixed
his
name
with
a
firm
hand
to
the
document
,
and
requested
the
physicians
to
witness
it
.
The
ceremony
was
then
completed
;
and
the
solicitor
took
his
departure
.
So
soon
as
he
had
left
the
room
,
the
Marquis
addressed
himself
to
the
physicians
in
these
terms
:
—
"
My
good
friends
,
the
ordeal
which
I
most
dreaded
has
been
accomplished
;
and
I
feel
as
if
a
considerable
weight
were
taken
off
my
mind
.
What
I
now
require
is
that
you
give
me
some
powerful
medicament
or
a
strong
cordial
,
that
will
endow
me
with
sufficient
energy
to
rise
from
this
bed
and
proceed
—
alone
and
unattended
—
to
another
room
in
the
house
,
—
a
room
which
I
must
visit
—
or
I
should
not
die
in
peace
!
And
as
a
reward
for
this
last
service
,
I
desire
you
to
divide
equally
between
you
the
amount
which
you
will
find
in
yonder
writing-desk
.
That
sum
consists
of
a
few
thousands
,
and
will
,
I
hope
,
amply
repay
the
kindness
which
I
now
expect
at
your
hands
.
"
"
While
I
thank
your
lordship
for
this
instance
of
your
bounty
towards
me
and
my
colleague
,
"
said
the
elder
physician
,
"
I
am
convinced
that
I
express
his
feelings
as
well
as
my
own
,
in
stating
that
we
cannot
possibly
allow
you
to
quit
your
couch
.
The
excitement
might
prove
almost
immediately
fatal
.
"
"
I
have
no
time
to
waste
in
hearing
or
answering
objections
,
"
said
the
Marquis
,
his
glazing
eyes
lighting
up
with
the
fever
of
impatience
,
and
a
hectic
flush
appearing
on
his
sallow
,
sunken
,
withered
cheeks
.
"
Do
what
I
request
—
or
leave
me
this
moment
:
give
me
such
a
cordial
as
you
may
think
suitable
to
the
purpose
—
or
my
valet
will
supply
me
with
a
bumper
of
champagne
.
"
"
My
dear
Marquis
—
—
"
"
My
lord
—
my
lord
—
—
"
"
In
one
word
,
do
as
I
desire
—
or
leave
me
,
"
exclaimed
the
nobleman
,
cutting
short
the
ejaculations
of
the
two
physicians
by
an
imperious
wave
of
his
skeleton-like
hand
:
"
there
shall
be
no
other
master
save
myself
in
this
house
,
until
the
breath
be
out
of
my
body
.
"
The
physicians
essayed
farther
remonstrances
—
but
in
vain
.
The
Marquis
grew
fearfully
irritated
with
their
opposition
,
and
then
fell
back
so
exhausted
upon
his
pillow
,
that
the
medical
attendants
were
compelled
to
administer
as
a
restorative
the
cordial
which
he
had
demanded
as
an
artificial
stimulant
a
few
minutes
previously
.
The
effect
of
the
cordial
was
really
surprising
:
that
old
man
,
whom
its
influence
had
just
snatched
—
but
snatched
only
for
a
time
—
from
the
out-stretched
arms
of
death
,
sate
up
in
his
bed
,
smiled
,
and
seemed
to
bid
defiance
to
the
destroying
angel
.
"
You
must
humour
me
now
,
my
friends
,
"
he
said
,
in
a
jocose
manner
,
which
contrasted
awfully
with
the
inevitable
peril
of
his
condition
:
"
go
to
the
writing-desk
in
yonder
corner
,
and
let
me
be
assured
you
have
possessed
yourselves
of
that
token
of
my
good
feeling
which
I
bequeathe
to
you
.
"
The
physicians
,
rather
to
please
their
obstinate
patient
than
to
gratify
any
avaricious
longing
on
their
part
,
did
as
they
were
desired
:
but
,
scarcely
had
they
opened
the
desk
,
where
they
observed
a
bundle
of
Bank-notes
,
when
a
low
chuckle
met
their
ears
.
They
turned
and
beheld
the
Marquis
,
clad
in
a
long
dressing-gown
and
with
slippers
on
his
feet
,
hurrying
out
of
the
room
by
a
small
door
near
the
foot
of
his
bed
.
To
hasten
after
him
was
their
first
and
most
natural
impulse
;
but
the
key
was
turned
on
the
other
side
ere
they
even
reached
the
door
.
Without
losing
a
moment
,
they
hastened
from
the
room
by
a
door
at
the
opposite
extremity
;
but
in
the
adjoining
passage
they
were
met
by
the
nobleman
's
principal
valet
.
"
Gentlemen
,
"
said
the
domestic
,
"
his
lordship
desires
me
to
inform
you
that
he
has
no
farther
need
of
your
services
.
"
"
But
,
my
good
fellow
,
"
exclaimed
the
younger
physician
,
"
your
master
is
dying
—
he
cannot
live
another
day
;
and
this
excitement
—
this
rash
proceeding
—
—
"
"
Is
sheer
madness
!
"
added
the
senior
medical
attendant
.
"
Whither
has
your
master
gone
?
"
The
valet
whispered
a
few
words
to
the
physicians
:
they
understood
him
full
well
,
and
exchanged
looks
of
mingled
disgust
and
horror
.
"
The
unnatural
excitement
of
this
proceeding
,
"
at
length
observed
the
elder
physician
,
"
will
kill
the
Marquis
within
an
hour
!
"
CHAPTER
CCLII
.
DEATH
OF
THE
MARQUIS
OF
HOLMESFORD
.
We
have
described
at
great
length
,
in
a
former
portion
of
our
narrative
,
the
voluptuous
attractions
of
that
department
of
Holmesford
House
which
may
very
properly
be
denominated
"
the
harem
.
"
The
reader
doubtless
remembers
the
vast
and
lofty
room
which
we
depicted
as
being
furnished
in
the
most
luxurious
oriental
style
,
and
which
was
embellished
with
pictures
representing
licentious
scenes
from
the
mythology
of
the
ancients
.
To
that
apartment
we
must
now
once
more
direct
attention
.
Grouped
together
upon
two
ottomans
drawn
close
to
each
other
,
five
beautiful
women
were
conversing
in
a
tone
so
low
that
it
almost
sank
to
a
whisper
;
while
their
charming
countenances
wore
an
expression
of
mingled
suspense
and
sorrow
.
They
were
all
in
deshabillée
,
though
it
was
now
past
four
o'clock
in
the
afternoon
.
This
negligence
,
however
,
extended
only
to
their
attire
;
for
each
of
those
lovely
creatures
had
bathed
her
beauteous
form
in
a
perfumed
bath
,
and
had
arranged
her
hair
in
the
manner
best
calculated
to
set
off
its
luxuriance
to
advantage
and
at
the
same
time
to
enhance
the
charms
of
that
countenance
which
it
enclosed
.
But
farther
than
this
the
toilette
of
those
five
fascinating
girls
had
not
progressed
;
and
the
loose
morning-wrappers
which
they
wore
,
left
revealed
all
the
glowing
beauties
of
each
voluptuous
bust
.
There
was
the
Scotch
charmer
,
with
her
brilliant
complexion
,
her
auburn
hair
,
and
her
red
cherry
lips
:
—
there
was
the
English
girl
—
the
pride
of
Lancashire
—
with
her
brown
hair
,
and
her
robust
but
exquisitely
modelled
proportions
:
—
and
next
to
her
,
on
the
same
ottoman
,
sate
the
Irish
beauty
,
whose
sparkling
black
eyes
denoted
all
the
fervour
of
sensuality
.
On
the
sofa
facing
these
three
women
,
sate
the
French
wanton
,
her
taper
fingers
playing
with
the
gold
chain
which
,
in
the
true
spirit
of
coquetry
,
she
had
thrown
negligently
round
her
neck
,
and
the
massive
links
of
which
made
not
the
least
indentation
upon
the
plump
fullness
of
her
bosom
.
By
her
side
was
the
Spanish
houri
,
her
long
black
ringlets
flowing
on
the
white
drapery
which
set
off
her
transparent
olive
skin
to
such
exquisite
advantage
.
This
group
formed
an
assemblage
of
charms
which
would
have
raised
palpitations
and
excited
mysterious
fires
in
the
heart
of
the
most
heaven-devoted
anchorite
that
ever
vowed
a
life
of
virgin-purity
.
And
the
picture
was
the
more
fascinating
—
the
more
dangerous
,
inasmuch
as
its
voluptuousness
was
altogether
unstudied
at
this
moment
,
and
those
beauteous
creatures
noticed
not
,
in
their
sisterly
confidence
towards
each
other
,
that
their
glowing
and
half-naked
forms
were
thus
displayed
almost
as
it
might
have
seemed
in
a
spirit
of
competition
and
rivalry
.
But
what
is
the
topic
of
their
discourse
?
and
wherefore
has
a
shade
of
melancholy
displaced
those
joyous
smiles
that
were
wont
to
play
upon
lips
of
coral
opening
above
teeth
of
pearls
?
Let
us
hear
them
converse
.
"
This
illness
is
the
more
unfortunate
for
us
,
"
said
the
Scotch
girl
,
"
because
it
arrived
so
suddenly
.
"
"
And
before
the
Marquis
had
made
his
will
,
"
added
the
French-woman
.
"
Yes
,
"
observed
the
English
beauty
,
—
"
it
was
only
yesterday
afternoon
that
he
assured
us
he
should
not
fail
to
take
good
care
of
us
all
whenever
he
did
make
his
will
.
"
"
And
now
he
will
die
intestate
,
as
the
lawyers
say
,
"
murmured
the
Scotch
girl
;
"
and
we
shall
be
sent
forth
into
the
world
without
resources
.
"
"
Oh
!
how
shocking
to
think
of
!
"
cried
the
Spaniard
.
"
I
am
sure
I
should
die
if
I
were
forced
to
quit
this
charming
place
.
"
"
Nay
—
now
you
talk
too
absurdly
,
my
dear
friend
,
"
interposed
the
French
charmer
;
"
for
,
beautiful
as
we
all
are
,
we
need
not
be
apprehensive
of
the
future
.
"
"
After
all
,
the
Marquis
may
make
his
will
,
"
said
the
English
girl
.
"
Or
recover
,
"
added
the
Irish
beauty
.
"
And
for
my
part
,
I
would
sooner
that
he
should
do
that
than
be
snatched
away
from
us
so
suddenly
;
for
,
old
as
he
is
,
the
Marquis
is
very
agreeable
—
very
amiable
.
"
"
From
what
our
maids
told
us
just
now
,
"
remarked
the
Scotch
girl
,
"
there
does
not
appear
to
be
any
chance
of
his
lordship
's
recovery
.
Besides
,
he
is
much
older
than
he
ever
chose
to
admit
to
us
;
and
his
life
has
been
a
long
career
of
pleasure
and
enjoyment
.
"
"
Alas
!
poor
old
nobleman
,
"
said
the
Irish
beauty
,
Kathleen
;
"
his
often-expressed
wish
does
not
appear
destined
to
be
fulfilled
!
How
frequently
has
he
declared
that
he
should
die
contented
if
surrounded
by
ourselves
,
and
with
a
goblet
of
champagne
at
his
lips
!
"
Scarcely
were
these
words
uttered
,
when
the
door
of
the
apartment
opened
abruptly
;
and
the
Marquis
made
his
appearance
.
The
five
women
started
from
their
seats
,
uttering
exclamations
of
joy
.
The
Marquis
bolted
the
door
with
great
caution
,
and
then
advanced
towards
his
ladies
with
a
smile
upon
his
haggard
,
pale
,
and
death-like
countenance
.
Indeed
,
it
was
with
the
greatest
difficulty
that
the
young
women
could
restrain
a
murmur
of
surprise
—
almost
of
disgust
—
when
,
as
he
drew
nearer
towards
them
,
they
beheld
the
fearful
ravages
which
a
few
hours
'
illness
had
made
upon
his
face
.
The
extent
of
those
inroads
was
moreover
enhanced
by
the
absence
of
his
false
teeth
,
which
he
had
not
time
to
fix
in
his
mouth
ere
he
escaped
from
the
thraldom
of
his
physicians
:
so
that
the
thinness
of
his
cheeks
was
rendered
almost
skeleton-like
by
the
sinking
in
of
his
mouth
.
The
superb
dressing-gown
seemed
a
mockery
of
the
shrivelled
and
wasted
form
which
it
loosely
wrapped
;
and
as
the
old
nobleman
staggered
towards
his
mistresses
,
whose
first
ebullition
of
joy
at
his
appearance
was
so
suddenly
shocked
by
the
ghastly
hideousness
of
his
aspect
,
they
had
not
strength
nor
presence
of
mind
to
hasten
to
meet
him
.
Kathleen
was
the
first
to
conquer
her
aversion
and
dismay
;
and
she
caught
the
Marquis
in
her
arms
just
at
the
instant
when
,
overcome
by
the
exertions
of
the
last
few
minutes
,
he
was
about
to
sink
beneath
the
weight
of
sheer
exhaustion
.
Then
the
other
women
crowded
forward
to
lend
their
aid
;
and
the
old
nobleman
was
placed
upon
one
of
the
luxurious
ottomans
.
He
closed
his
eyes
,
and
seemed
to
breathe
with
great
difficulty
.
"
Oh
!
my
God
—
he
is
dying
!
"
exclaimed
Kathleen
:
"
ring
for
aid
—
for
the
physicians
—
—
"
"
No
—
no
!
"
murmured
the
Marquis
,
in
a
faint
tone
;
and
,
opening
his
eyes
once
more
,
he
gazed
around
him
—
vacantly
at
first
,
then
more
steadily
,
—
until
he
seemed
to
recover
visual
strength
sufficient
to
distinguish
the
charming
countenances
that
were
fixed
upon
him
with
mournful
interest
;
"
no
,
my
dear
girls
,
"
he
continued
,
his
voice
becoming
a
trifle
more
powerful
;
"
the
doors
of
this
room
must
not
be
opened
again
so
long
as
the
breath
remains
in
my
body
—
for
I
am
come
,
"
he
added
with
a
smile
the
ghastliness
of
which
all
his
efforts
could
not
subdue
,
—
"
I
am
come
to
die
amongst
you
!
"
"
To
die
—
here
—
amongst
us
!
"
ejaculated
all
the
women
(
save
Kathleen
)
,
shrinking
back
in
terror
and
dismay
.
"
Yes
,
my
dear
girls
,
"
returned
the
Marquis
:
"
and
thus
will
my
hope
and
my
prophecy
be
fulfilled
.
But
let
us
not
trifle
away
the
little
time
that
remains
to
me
.
Kathleen
,
my
charmer
—
I
am
faint
—
my
spirit
seems
to
be
sinking
:
—
give
me
wine
!
"
"
Wine
,
my
lord
?
"
she
repeated
,
in
a
tone
of
kind
remonstrance
.
"
Yes
—
wine
—
delicious
,
sparkling
wine
!
"
cried
the
nobleman
,
raising
himself
partially
up
on
the
cushions
of
the
sofa
.
"
Delay
not
—
give
me
champagne
!
"
The
French
and
Spanish
girls
hastened
to
a
splendid
buffet
near
the
stage
at
the
end
of
the
room
,
and
speedily
returned
to
the
vicinity
of
the
ottoman
,
bearing
between
them
a
massive
silver
salver
laden
with
bottles
and
glasses
.
The
wine
was
poured
forth
:
the
Marquis
desired
Kathleen
to
steady
his
hand
as
he
conveyed
the
nectar
to
his
lips
;
and
he
drained
the
glass
of
its
contents
.
A
hectic
tinge
appeared
upon
his
cheeks
;
his
eyes
were
animated
with
a
partial
fire
;
and
he
even
seemed
happy
,
as
he
commanded
his
ladies
to
drink
bumpers
of
champagne
all
round
.
"
Consider
that
I
am
going
on
a
long
journey
,
my
dear
girls
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
with
a
smile
;
"
and
do
not
let
our
parting
be
sorrowful
.
Kathleen
,
my
sweet
one
,
come
nearer
:
there
—
place
yourself
so
that
I
may
recline
my
head
on
your
bosom
—
and
now
throw
that
warm
,
plump
,
naked
arm
over
my
shoulder
.
Oh
!
this
is
paradise
!
"
And
for
a
few
minutes
the
hoary
voluptuary
,
whose
licentious
passions
were
dominant
even
in
death
,
closed
his
eyes
and
seemed
to
enjoy
with
intense
gratification
all
the
luxury
of
his
position
.
It
was
a
painful
and
disgusting
sight
to
behold
the
shrivelled
,
haggard
,
and
attenuated
countenance
of
the
dying
sensualist
,
pressing
upon
that
full
and
alabaster
globe
so
warm
with
health
,
life
,
and
glowing
passions
;
—
painful
and
disgusting
,
too
,
to
see
that
thin
,
emaciated
,
and
worn-out
frame
reclining
in
the
arms
of
a
lovely
girl
in
the
vigour
and
strength
of
youth
:
—
hideous
—
hideous
to
view
that
contiguity
of
a
sapless
,
withered
trunk
and
a
robust
and
verdant
tree
!
"
Girls
,
"
said
the
Marquis
,
at
length
opening
his
eyes
,
but
without
changing
his
position
,
"
it
is
useless
to
attempt
to
conceal
the
truth
from
you
:
you
know
that
I
am
dying
!
Well
—
no
matter
:
sooner
or
later
Death
must
come
to
all
!
My
life
has
been
a
joyous
—
a
happy
one
;
and
to
you
who
solace
me
in
my
dissolution
,
I
am
not
ungrateful
.
Anna
,
dearest
—
thrust
your
hand
into
the
pocket
of
my
dressing-gown
.
"
The
French-woman
obeyed
this
command
,
and
drew
forth
a
sealed
packet
,
addressed
to
the
five
ladies
by
their
christian
and
surnames
.
"
Open
it
,
"
said
the
Marquis
.
"
Two
months
ago
I
made
this
provision
for
you
,
my
dear
girls
—
because
,
entertaining
foolish
apprehensions
relative
to
making
my
will
,
I
felt
the
necessity
of
at
least
taking
care
of
you
.
"
While
the
nobleman
was
yet
speaking
,
Anna
had
opened
the
packet
,
whence
she
drew
forth
a
number
of
Bank-notes
.
There
were
ten
—
each
for
a
thousand
pounds
;
and
a
few
words
written
within
the
envelope
specified
that
the
amount
was
to
be
equally
divided
amongst
the
five
ladies
.
"
Oh
!
my
dear
Marquis
,
how
liberal
!
"
exclaimed
the
French
girl
,
her
countenance
becoming
radiant
with
joy
.
"
How
generous
!
"
cried
the
English
beauty
.
"
How
noble
!
"
ejaculated
the
Scotch
charmer
.
"
It
is
more
than
generous
and
noble
—
it
is
princely
!
"
said
the
Spanish
houri
.
Kathleen
simply
observed
,
"
My
dear
lord
,
I
thank
you
most
unfeignedly
for
this
kind
consideration
on
your
part
.
"
The
Marquis
made
no
reply
;
but
taking
the
delicate
white
hand
of
the
Irish
girl
,
as
he
lay
pillowed
upon
her
palpitating
breast
,
he
gently
slipped
upon
one
of
her
taper
fingers
a
ring
of
immense
value
.
He
then
squeezed
her
hand
to
enjoin
silence
;
and
this
act
was
not
perceived
by
the
other
ladies
,
who
were
too
busily
employed
in
feasting
their
eyes
upon
the
Bank-notes
to
pay
attention
to
aught
beside
.
"
Come
—
fill
the
glasses
!
"
suddenly
exclaimed
the
Marquis
,
after
a
short
pause
:
"
I
feel
that
my
strength
is
failing
me
fast
—
the
sand
of
my
life
's
hour-glass
is
running
rapidly
away
!
"
The
French
girl
—
to
whose
mind
there
was
something
peculiarly
heroical
and
romantic
in
the
conduct
of
the
Marquis
—
hastened
to
obey
the
order
which
had
been
specially
addressed
to
her
;
and
the
sparkling
juice
of
Epernay
again
moistened
the
parched
throat
of
the
dying
man
,
and
also
enhanced
the
carnation
tints
upon
the
cheeks
of
the
five
youthful
beauties
.
"
And
now
,
my
charmers
,
"
said
the
nobleman
,
addressing
himself
to
the
French
and
Spanish
women
,
"
gratify
me
by
dancing
some
pleasing
and
voluptuous
measure
,
—
while
you
,
my
loves
,
"
he
added
,
turning
his
glazing
eyes
upon
the
Scotch
and
English
girls
,
"
play
a
delicious
strain
,
—
so
that
my
spirit
may
ebb
away
amidst
the
soothing
ecstacies
of
the
blissful
scene
!
"
The
Marquis
spoke
in
a
faint
and
tremulous
voice
,
for
he
felt
himself
growing
every
moment
weaker
and
weaker
;
and
his
head
now
lay
,
heavy
and
motionless
,
upon
the
bosom
of
the
Irish
girl
,
whose
warm
and
polished
arm
was
thrown
around
him
.
The
Scotch
and
English
girls
hastened
to
place
themselves
,
the
former
before
a
splendid
harp
,
and
the
latter
at
a
pianoforte
,
the
magnificent
tones
of
which
had
never
failed
to
excite
the
admiration
of
all
who
ever
heard
them
.
Then
the
French
and
Spanish
women
commenced
a
slow
,
languishing
,
and
voluptuous
dance
,
the
evolutions
of
which
were
well
adapted
to
display
the
fine
proportions
of
their
half-naked
forms
.
A
smile
relaxed
the
features
of
the
dying
man
;
and
his
glances
followed
the
movements
of
those
foreign
girls
who
vied
with
each
other
in
assuming
the
most
lascivious
attitudes
.
By
degrees
,
that
exciting
spectacle
grew
indistinct
to
the
eyes
of
the
Marquis
;
and
the
music
no
longer
fell
upon
his
ears
in
varied
and
defined
tones
,
but
with
a
droning
monotonous
sound
.
"
Kathleen
—
Kathleen
,
"
he
murmured
,
speaking
with
the
utmost
difficulty
,
"
reach
me
the
glass
—
place
the
goblet
to
my
lips
—
it
will
revive
me
for
a
few
minutes
—
—
"
The
Irish
girl
shuddered
in
spite
of
herself
—
shuddered
involuntarily
as
she
felt
the
cheek
of
the
Marquis
grow
cold
and
clammy
against
her
bosom
.
"
Kathleen
—
dear
Kathleen
,
"
he
murmured
in
a
whisper
that
was
scarcely
audible
;
"
give
me
the
goblet
!
"
Conquering
her
repugnance
,
the
Irish
girl
,
who
possessed
a
kind
and
generous
heart
,
reached
a
glass
on
the
table
near
the
sofa
;
and
,
raising
the
nobleman
's
head
,
she
placed
the
wine
to
his
lips
.
With
a
last
—
last
expiring
effort
,
he
took
the
glass
in
his
own
hand
,
and
swallowed
a
few
drops
of
its
contents
:
—
his
eyes
were
lighted
up
again
for
a
moment
,
and
his
cheek
flushed
;
but
his
head
fell
back
heavily
upon
the
white
bosom
.
Kathleen
endeavoured
to
cry
for
aid
—
and
could
not
:
a
sensation
of
fainting
came
over
her
—
she
closed
her
eyes
—
and
a
suffocating
feeling
in
the
throat
almost
choked
her
.
But
still
the
music
continued
and
the
dance
went
on
,
for
several
minutes
more
.
All
at
once
a
shriek
emanated
from
the
lips
of
Kathleen
:
the
music
ceased
—
the
dance
was
abandoned
—
and
the
Irish
girl
's
companions
rushed
towards
the
sofa
.
Their
anticipations
were
realised
:
the
Marquis
was
no
more
!
The
hope
which
he
had
so
often
expressed
in
his
life-time
,
was
fulfilled
almost
to
the
very
letter
;
—
for
the
old
voluptuary
had
"
died
with
his
head
pillowed
on
the
naked
—
heaving
bosom
of
beauty
,
and
with
a
glass
of
sparkling
champagne
in
his
hand
!
"
CHAPTER
CCLIII
.
THE
EX-MEMBER
FOR
ROTTENBOROUGH
.
It
was
now
the
middle
of
April
,
1843.
The
morning
was
fine
,
and
the
streets
were
marked
with
the
bustle
of
men
of
business
,
clerks
,
and
others
repairing
to
their
respective
offices
,
when
Mr.
George
Montague
Greenwood
turned
from
Saint
Paul
's
Churchyard
into
Cheapside
.
He
was
attired
in
a
plain
,
and
even
somewhat
shabby
manner
:
there
was
not
a
particle
of
jewellery
about
him
;
and
a
keen
eye
might
have
discovered
,
in
the
tout
ensemble
of
his
appearance
,
that
his
toilette
had
been
arranged
with
every
endeavour
to
produce
as
good
an
effect
as
possible
.
Thus
his
neckcloth
