hadplaced
his
package
.
"
But
might
I
be
so
formiliar
as
to
inquire
into
the
insignification
of
that
bundle
of
shirts
and
ankerchers
.
"
"
Whittingham
,
I
implore
you
to
ask
me
no
questions
:
I
am
in
a
hurry
—
and
—
—
"
"
Master
Richard
,
Master
Richard
,
"
cried
the
butler
,
shaking
his
head
gravely
,
"
I
'm
very
much
afeerd
that
somethink
preposterious
is
going
to
incur
.
I
could
not
remain
a
entire
stranger
to
all
that
has
transpirated
this
day
;
and
now
I
know
what
it
is
,
"
he
added
,
slapping
his
right
hand
smartly
upon
his
thigh
;
"
your
brother
's
a-going
to
amputate
it
!
"
"
To
what
?
"
"
To
cut
it
,
then
,
if
you
reprehend
that
better
.
But
it
sha
n't
be
done
,
Master
Richard
—
it
sha
n't
be
done
!
'
"
Whittingham
—
—
"
"
That
's
my
nomenklitter
,
Master
Richard
,
"
said
the
old
man
,
doggedly
;
"
and
it
was
one
of
the
fust
you
ever
learned
to
pernounce
.
Behold
ye
,
Master
Richard
,
I
have
a
right
to
speak
—
for
I
have
knowed
you
both
from
your
cradles
—
and
loved
you
too
!
Who
was
it
,
when
you
come
into
this
subluminary
spear
—
who
was
it
as
nussed
you
—
and
—
—
"
"
Good
Whittingham
,
I
know
all
that
,
and
—
—
"
"
I
have
no
overdue
curiosity
to
satisfy
,
Master
Richard
,
"
observed
the
butler
;
"
but
my
soul
's
inflicted
to
think
that
you
and
Master
Eugene
could
n't
make
a
friend
of
old
Whittingham
.
I
feel
it
here
,
Master
Richard
—
here
,
in
my
buzzim
!
"
—
and
the
worthy
old
domestic
dealt
himself
a
tremendous
blow
upon
the
chest
as
he
uttered
these
words
.
"
I
must
leave
you
now
,
Whittingham
;
and
I
desire
you
to
remain
here
until
my
return
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
Do
you
hear
,
Whittingham
?
"
"
Yes
,
Master
Richard
;
but
I
do
n't
choose
to
do
as
you
would
wish
in
this
here
instance
.
I
shall
foller
you
.
"
"
What
,
Whittingham
?
"
"
I
shall
foller
you
,
sir
.
"
"
Well
—
you
can
do
that
,
"
said
Richard
,
suddenly
remembering
that
his
brother
had
in
nowise
cautioned
him
against
such
an
intervention
as
this
;
"
and
pray
God
it
may
lead
to
some
good
.
"
"
Ah
!
now
I
see
that
I
am
raly
wanted
,
"
said
the
butler
,
a
smile
of
satisfaction
playing
upon
his
rubicund
countenance
.
Richard
now
led
the
way
from
the
apartment
,
the
butler
following
him
in
a
stately
manner
.
They
descended
the
stairs
,
crossed
the
garden
,
and
entered
the
path
which
led
to
the
top
of
the
hill
.
"
Two
trees
,
I
suppose
?
"
said
the
old
domestic
inquiringly
.
"
Yes
—
he
is
there
!
"
answered
Richard
;
"
but
the
reminiscence
of
the
times
when
we
planted
those
saplings
has
failed
to
induce
him
to
abandon
a
desperate
resolution
.
"
"
Ah
!
he
ai
n't
got
Master
Richard
's
heart
—
I
always
knowed
that
,
"
mused
the
old
man
half
audibly
as
he
trudged
along
.
"
There
are
them
two
lads
—
fine
tall
youths
—
both
black
hair
,
and
intelligible
black
eyes
—
admirably
formed
—
straight
as
arrows
—
and
yet
so
diversified
in
disposition
!
"
Richard
and
the
butler
now
reached
the
top
of
the
hill
.
Eugene
was
seated
upon
the
bench
in
a
deep
reverie
;
and
it
was
not
until
his
brother
and
the
faithful
old
domestic
stood
before
him
,
that
he
awoke
from
that
fit
of
abstraction
.
"
What
!
Is
that
you
,
Whittingham
?
"
he
exclaimed
,
the
moment
he
recognised
the
butler
.
"
Richard
,
I
did
not
think
you
would
have
done
this
.
"
"
It
was
n't
Master
Richard
's
fault
,
sir
,
"
said
Whittingham
;
"
I
was
rayther
too
wide
awake
not
to
smell
what
was
a-going
on
by
virtue
of
my
factory
nerves
;
and
so
—
—
"
"
My
dear
Whittingham
,
"
hastily
interrupted
Eugene
,
"
I
know
that
you
are
a
faithful
servant
to
my
father
,
and
very
much
attached
to
us
:
on
that
very
account
,
pray
do
not
interfere
!
"
"
Interfere
!
"
ejaculated
Whittingham
,
thoroughly
amazed
at
being
thus
addressed
,
while
a
tear
started
into
his
eye
:
"
not
interfere
Master
Eugene
?
Well
,
I
'm
—
I
'm
—
I
'm
—
regularly
flabbergasted
!
"
"
My
mind
is
made
up
,
"
said
Eugene
,
"
and
no
persuasion
shall
alter
its
decision
.
I
am
my
own
master
—
my
father
's
conduct
has
emancipated
me
from
all
deference
to
parental
authority
.
Richard
,
you
have
brought
my
things
?
We
must
now
say
adieu
.
"
"
My
dearest
brother
—
—
"
"
Master
Eugene
—
—
"
"
Whither
are
you
going
?
"
"
I
am
on
the
road
to
fame
and
fortune
!
"
"
Alas
!
"
said
Richard
mournfully
,
"
you
may
perhaps
find
that
this
world
is
not
so
fruitful
in
resources
as
you
now
imagine
.
"
"
All
remonstrances
—
all
objections
are
vain
,
"
interrupted
Eugene
impatiently
.
"
We
must
say
adieu
!
But
one
word
more
,
"
he
added
,
after
an
instant
's
pause
,
as
a
sudden
thought
seemed
to
strike
him
;
"
you
doubt
the
possibility
of
my
success
in
life
,
and
I
feel
confident
of
it
.
Do
you
pursue
your
career
under
the
auspices
of
that
parent
in
whose
wisdom
you
so
blindly
repose
:
I
will
follow
mine
,
dependent
only
on
mine
own
resources
.
This
is
the
10th
of
July
,
1831
;
twelve
years
hence
,
on
the
10th
of
July
,
1843
,
we
will
meet
again
upon
this
very
spot
,
between
the
two
trees
,
if
they
be
still
standing
.
Remember
the
appointment
:
we
will
then
compare
notes
relative
to
our
success
in
life
!
"
The
moment
he
had
uttered
these
words
,
Eugene
hastily
embraced
his
brother
,
who
struggled
in
vain
to
retain
him
;
and
,
having
wrung
the
hand
of
the
old
butler
,
who
was
now
sobbing
like
a
child
,
the
discarded
son
threw
his
little
bundle
over
his
shoulder
,
and
hurried
away
from
the
spot
.
So
precipitately
did
he
descend
the
hill
in
the
direction
leading
away
from
the
mansion
,
and
towards
the
multitudinous
metropolis
at
a
little
distance
,
that
he
was
out
of
sight
before
his
brother
or
Whittingham
even
thought
of
pursuing
him
.
They
lingered
for
some
time
upon
the
summit
of
the
hill
,
without
exchanging
a
word
;
and
then
,
maintaining
the
same
silence
,
slowly
retraced
their
steps
towards
the
mansion
.
CHAPTER
V.
ELIGIBLE
ACQUAINTANCES
.
FOUR
years
passed
away
.
During
that
interval
no
tidings
of
the
discarded
son
reached
the
disconsolate
father
and
unhappy
brother
;
and
all
the
exertions
of
the
former
to
discover
some
trace
of
the
fugitive
were
fruitless
.
Vainly
did
he
lavish
considerable
sums
upon
that
object
:
uselessly
did
he
despatch
emissaries
to
all
the
great
manufacturing
towns
of
England
,
as
well
as
to
the
principal
capitals
of
Europe
,
to
endeavour
to
procure
some
information
of
him
whom
he
would
have
received
as
the
prodigal
son
,
and
to
welcome
whose
return
he
would
have
"
killed
the
fatted
calf
:
"
—
all
his
measures
to
discover
his
son
's
retreat
were
unavailing
.
At
length
,
after
a
lapse
of
four
years
,
he
sank
into
the
tomb
—
the
victim
of
a
broken
heart
!
A
few
days
previous
to
his
death
,
he
made
a
will
in
favour
of
his
remaining
son
,
the
guardianship
of
whom
he
intrusted
to
a
Mr.
Monroe
,
who
was
an
opulent
City
merchant
,
and
an
old
and
sincere
friend
.
Thus
,
at
the
age
of
nineteen
,
Richard
found
himself
his
own
master
,
with
a
handsome
allowance
to
meet
his
present
wants
,
and
with
a
large
fortune
in
the
perspective
of
two
years
more
.
Mr.
Monroe
,
feeling
the
utmost
confidence
in
the
young
man
's
discretion
and
steadiness
,
permitted
him
to
reside
in
the
old
family
mansion
,
and
interfered
with
him
and
his
pursuits
as
little
as
possible
.
The
ancient
abode
of
the
family
of
Markham
was
a
spacious
and
commodious
building
,
but
of
heavy
and
sombre
appearance
.
This
gloomy
aspect
of
the
architecture
was
increased
by
the
venerable
trees
that
formed
a
dense
rampart
of
verdure
around
the
edifice
.
The
grounds
belonging
to
the
house
were
not
extensive
,
but
were
tastefully
laid
out
;
and
within
the
enclosure
over
which
the
dominion
of
Richard
Markham
extended
,
was
the
green
hill
surmounted
by
the
two
ash
trees
.
From
the
summit
of
that
eminence
the
mighty
metropolis
might
be
seen
in
all
its
vastitude
—
that
metropolis
whose
one
single
heart
was
agitated
with
so
many
myriads
of
conflicting
passions
,
warring
interests
,
and
opposite
feelings
.
Perhaps
a
dozen
pages
of
laboured
description
will
not
afford
the
reader
a
better
idea
of
the
characters
and
dispositions
of
the
two
brothers
than
that
which
has
already
been
conveyed
by
their
conversation
and
conduct
detailed
in
the
preceding
chapter
.
Eugene
was
all
selfishness
and
egotism
,
Richard
all
generosity
and
frankness
:
the
former
deceitful
,
astute
,
and
crafty
;
the
latter
honourable
even
to
a
fault
.
With
Eugene
,
for
the
present
,
we
have
little
to
do
;
the
course
of
our
narrative
follows
the
fortunes
of
Richard
Markham
.
The
disposition
of
this
young
man
was
somewhat
reserved
,
although
by
no
means
misanthropical
nor
melancholy
.
That
characteristic
resulted
only
from
the
domesticated
nature
of
his
habits
.
He
was
attached
to
literary
pursuits
,
and
frequently
passed
entire
hours
together
in
his
study
,
poring
over
works
of
a
scientific
and
instructive
nature
.
When
he
stirred
abroad
for
the
purpose
of
air
and
exercise
,
he
preferred
a
long
ramble
upon
foot
,
amongst
the
fields
in
the
vicinity
of
his
dwelling
,
to
a
parade
of
himself
and
his
fine
horse
amid
the
busy
haunts
of
wealth
and
fashion
at
the
West
End
of
London
.
It
was
,
nevertheless
,
upon
a
beautiful
afternoon
in
the
month
of
August
,
1835
,
that
Richard
appeared
amongst
the
loungers
in
Hyde
Park
.
He
was
on
foot
,
and
attired
in
deep
mourning
;
but
his
handsome
countenance
,
symmetrical
form
,
and
thoroughly
genteel
and
unassuming
air
attracted
attention
.
Parliament
had
been
prorogued
a
fortnight
before
;
and
all
London
was
said
to
be
"
out
of
town
.
"
Albeit
,
it
was
evident
that
a
considerable
portion
of
London
was
"
in
town
,
"
for
there
were
many
gorgeous
equipages
rolling
along
"
the
drive
,
"
and
the
enclosure
was
pretty
well
sprinkled
with
well-dressed
groups
and
dotted
with
solitary
fashionable
gentlemen
upon
foot
.
From
the
carriages
that
rolled
past
many
bright
eyes
were
for
a
moment
turned
upon
Richard
;
and
in
these
equipages
there
were
not
wanting
young
female
bosoms
which
heaved
at
the
contrast
afforded
by
that
tall
and
elegant
youth
,
so
full
of
vigour
and
health
,
and
whose
countenance
beamed
with
intelligence
,
and
the
old
,
emaciated
,
and
semi-childish
husbands
seated
by
their
sides
,
and
whose
wealth
had
purchased
their
hands
,
but
never
succeeded
in
obtaining
their
hearts
.
Richard
,
wearied
with
his
walk
,
seated
himself
upon
a
bench
,
and
contemplated
with
some
interest
the
moving
pageantry
before
him
.
He
was
thus
occupied
when
he
was
suddenly
accosted
by
a
stranger
,
who
seated
himself
by
his
side
in
an
easy
manner
,
and
addressed
some
common-place
observation
to
him
.
This
individual
was
a
man
of
about
two-and-thirty
,
elegantly
attired
,
agreeable
in
his
manners
,
and
prepossessing
in
appearance
.
Under
this
superficial
tegument
of
gentility
a
quicker
eye
than
Richard
Markham
's
would
have
detected
a
certain
swagger
in
his
gait
and
a
kind
of
dashing
recklessness
about
him
which
produced
an
admirable
effect
upon
the
vulgar
or
the
inexperienced
,
but
which
were
not
calculated
to
inspire
immediate
confidence
in
the
thorough
man
of
the
world
.
Richard
was
,
however
,
all
frankness
and
honour
himself
,
and
he
did
not
scruple
to
return
such
an
answer
to
the
stranger
's
remark
as
was
calculated
to
encourage
farther
conversation
.
"
I
see
the
count
is
abroad
again
,
"
observed
the
stranger
,
following
with
his
eyes
one
of
the
horsemen
in
"
the
drive
.
"
"
Poor
fellow
!
he
has
been
playing
at
hide-and-seek
for
a
long
time
.
"
"
Indeed
!
and
wherefore
?
"
exclaimed
Richard
.
"
What
!
are
you
a
stranger
in
London
,
sir
?
"
cried
the
well-dressed
gentleman
,
transferring
his
eyes
from
the
horseman
to
Markham
's
countenance
,
on
which
they
were
fixed
with
an
expression
of
surprise
and
interest
.
"
Very
nearly
so
,
although
a
resident
in
its
immediate
vicinity
all
my
life
;
"
and
,
with
the
natural
ingenuousness
of
youth
,
Richard
immediately
communicated
his
entire
history
,
from
beginning
to
end
,
to
his
new
acquaintance
.
Of
a
surety
there
was
not
much
to
relate
;
but
the
stranger
succeeded
in
finding
out
who
the
young
man
was
,
under
what
circumstances
he
was
now
living
,
and
the
amount
of
his
present
and
future
resources
.
"
Of
course
you
mean
to
see
life
?
"
said
the
stranger
.
"
Certainly
.
I
have
already
studied
the
great
world
by
the
means
of
books
.
"
"
But
of
course
you
know
that
there
is
nothing
like
experience
.
"
"
I
can
understand
how
experience
is
necessary
to
a
man
who
is
anxious
to
make
a
fortune
,
but
not
to
him
who
has
already
got
one
.
"
"
Oh
,
decidedly
!
It
is
frequently
more
difficult
to
keep
a
fortune
than
it
was
to
obtain
one
.
"
"
How
—
if
I
do
not
speculate
?
"
"
No
;
but
others
will
speculate
upon
you
.
"
"
I
really
cannot
comprehend
you
.
As
I
do
not
wish
to
increase
my
means
,
having
enough
,
I
shall
neither
speculate
with
my
own
nor
allow
people
to
speculate
with
it
for
me
;
and
thus
I
can
run
no
risk
of
losing
what
I
possess
.
"
The
stranger
gazed
half
incredulously
upon
Markham
for
a
minute
;
and
then
his
countenance
expressed
a
species
of
sneer
.
"
You
have
never
played
?
"
"
Played
!
at
—
—
?
"
"
At
cards
;
for
money
,
I
mean
.
"
"
Oh
!
never
!
"
"
So
much
the
better
:
never
do
.
Unless
,
"
added
the
stranger
,
"
it
is
entirely
amongst
friends
and
men
of
honour
.
But
will
you
avail
yourself
of
my
humble
vehicle
,
and
take
one
turn
round
'
the
Drive
?
'
"
The
stranger
pointed
as
he
spoke
to
a
very
handsome
phaeton
and
pair
at
a
little
distance
,
and
attended
by
a
dapper-looking
servant
in
light
blue
livery
with
silver
lace
.
"
Might
I
have
the
honour
of
being
acquainted
with
the
name
of
a
gentleman
who
exhibits
so
much
kindness
—
—
"
"
My
dear
sir
,
I
must
really
apologise
for
my
sin
of
omission
.
You
confided
your
own
circumstances
so
frankly
to
me
that
I
cannot
do
otherwise
than
show
you
equal
confidence
in
return
.
Besides
,
amongst
men
of
honour
,
"
he
continued
,
laying
particular
stress
upon
a
word
which
is
only
so
frequently
used
to
be
abused
,
"
such
communications
,
you
know
,
are
necessary
.
I
do
not
like
that
system
of
familiarity
based
upon
no
tenable
grounds
,
which
is
now
becoming
so
prevalent
in
London
.
For
instance
,
nothing
is
more
common
than
for
one
gentleman
to
meet
another
in
Bond-street
,
or
the
Park
,
or
in
Burlington
Arcade
,
for
example
's
sake
,
and
for
the
one
to
say
to
the
other
—
'
My
dear
friend
,
how
are
you
?
'
—
'
Quite
well
,
old
fellow
,
thank
you
;
but
,
by-the-by
,
I
really
forget
your
name
!
'
However
,
"
added
the
fashionable
gentleman
with
a
smile
,
"
here
is
my
card
.
My
town-quarters
are
Long
's
Hotel
,
my
country
seat
is
in
Berkshire
,
and
my
shooting-box
is
in
Scotland
,
at
all
of
which
I
shall
be
most
happy
to
see
you
.
"
Richard
,
who
was
not
only
highly
satisfied
with
the
candour
and
openness
of
his
new
friend
,
but
also
very
much
pleased
and
amused
with
him
,
returned
suitable
acknowledgments
for
this
kind
invitation
;
and
,
glancing
his
eyes
over
the
card
which
had
been
placed
in
his
hands
,
perceived
that
he
was
conversing
with
the
Honourable
Arthur
Chichester
.
As
they
were
moving
towards
the
phaeton
,
a
gentleman
,
elegantly
attired
,
of
about
the
middle
age
,
and
particularly
fascinating
in
his
manners
,
accosted
Mr.
Chichester
.
"
Ah
!
who
would
have
thought
of
meeting
you
here
—
when
London
is
actually
empty
,
and
I
am
ashamed
of
being
yet
left
in
it
?
Our
mutual
friend
the
duke
assured
me
that
you
were
gone
to
Italy
!
"
"
The
duke
always
has
some
joke
at
my
expense
,
"
returned
Mr.
Chichester
.
"
He
was
once
the
cause
of
a
very
lovely
girl
committing
suicide
.
She
was
the
only
one
I
ever
loved
;
and
he
one
day
declared
in
her
presence
that
I
had
just
embarked
for
America
.
Poor
thing
!
she
went
straight
up
to
her
room
,
and
—
—
"
"
And
!
"
echoed
Richard
.
"
Took
poison
!
"
added
Mr.
Chichester
,
turning
away
his
head
for
a
moment
,
and
drawing
an
elegant
cambric
handkerchief
across
his
eyes
.
"
Good
heavens
!
"
ejaculated
Markham
.
"
Let
me
not
trouble
you
with
my
private
afflictions
.
Sir
Rupert
,
allow
me
to
introduce
my
friend
Mr.
Markham
:
—
Mr
.
Markham
,
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
"
The
two
gentlemen
bowed
,
and
the
introduction
was
effected
.
"
Whither
are
you
bound
?
"
inquired
Sir
Rupert
.
"
We
were
thinking
of
an
hour
's
drive
,
"
leisurely
replied
Mr.
Chichester
;
"
and
it
was
then
my
intention
to
have
asked
my
friend
Mr.
Markham
to
dine
with
me
at
Long
's
.
Will
you
join
us
,
Sir
Rupert
?
"
"
Upon
my
honour
,
nothing
would
give
me
greater
pleasure
;
but
I
am
engaged
to
meet
the
duke
at
Tattersall
's
;
and
I
am
then
under
a
solemn
promise
to
dine
and
pass
the
evening
with
Diana
.
"
"
Always
gallant
—
always
attentive
to
the
ladies
!
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Chichester
.
"
You
know
,
my
dear
fellow
,
that
Diana
is
so
amiable
,
so
talented
,
so
fascinating
,
so
accomplished
,
and
so
bewitching
,
that
I
can
refuse
her
nothing
.
It
is
true
her
wants
and
whims
are
somewhat
expensive
at
times
;
but
—
—
"
"
Harborough
,
I
am
surprised
at
you
!
What
!
complain
of
the
fantasies
of
the
most
beautiful
woman
in
London
—
if
not
in
England
—
you
a
man
of
seven
thousand
a
year
,
and
who
at
the
death
of
an
uncle
—
—
"
"
Upon
my
honour
I
begrudge
her
nothing
!
"
interrupted
Sir
Rupert
,
complacently
stroking
his
chin
with
his
elegantly-gloved
hand
.
"
But
,
by
the
way
,
if
you
will
honour
me
and
Diana
with
your
company
this
evening
—
and
if
Mr.
Markham
will
also
condescend
—
—
"
"
With
much
pleasure
,
"
said
Mr.
Chichester
;
"
and
I
am
sure
that
my
friend
Mr.
Markham
will
avail
himself
of
this
opportunity
of
forming
the
acquaintance
of
the
most
beautiful
and
fascinating
woman
in
England
.
"
Richard
bowed
:
he
dared
not
attempt
an
excuse
.
He
had
heard
himself
dubbed
the
friend
of
the
Honourable
Mr.
Arthur
Chichester
;
his
ears
had
caught
an
intimation
of
a
dinner
at
Long
's
,
which
he
knew
by
report
to
be
the
headquarters
of
that
section
of
the
fashionable
world
that
consists
of
single
young
gentlemen
;
and
he
now
found
himself
suddenly
engaged
to
pass
the
evening
with
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
and
a
lady
of
whom
all
he
knew
was
that
her
name
was
Diana
,
and
that
she
was
the
most
beautiful
and
fascinating
creature
in
England
.
Truly
,
all
this
was
enough
to
dazzle
him
;
and
he
accordingly
resigned
himself
to
Mr.
Arthur
Chichester
's
good
will
and
pleasure
.
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
now
remembered
"
that
he
must
not
keep
the
duke
waiting
;
"
and
having
kissed
the
tip
of
his
lemon-coloured
glove
to
Mr.
Chichester
,
and
made
a
semi-ceremonious
,
semi-gracious
bow
to
Markham
—
that
kind
of
bow
whose
formality
is
attempered
by
the
blandness
of
the
smile
accompanying
it
—
he
hastened
away
.
It
may
be
,
however
,
mentioned
as
a
singular
circumstance
,
and
as
a
proof
of
how
little
he
cared
about
keeping
"
the
duke
"
waiting
,
that
,
instead
of
proceeding
towards
Tattersall
's
,
he
departed
in
the
direction
of
Oxford-street
.
This
little
incident
was
,
however
,
unnoticed
by
Richard
—
for
the
simple
reason
,
that
at
this
epoch
of
his
life
he
did
not
know
where
Tattersall
's
was
.
"
What
do
you
think
of
my
friend
the
baronet
?
"
inquired
Mr.
Chichester
,
as
they
rolled
leisurely
along
"
the
Drive
"
in
the
elegant
phaeton
.
"
I
am
quite
delighted
with
him
,
"
answered
Richard
;
"
and
if
her
ladyship
be
only
as
agreeable
as
her
husband
—
—
"
"
Excuse
me
,
but
you
must
not
call
her
'
her
ladyship
.
'
Address
her
and
speak
of
her
simply
as
Mrs.
Arlington
.
"
"
I
am
really
at
a
loss
to
comprehend
—
—
"
"
My
dear
friend
,
"
said
Chichester
,
sinking
his
voice
,
although
there
was
no
danger
of
being
overheard
,
"
Diana
is
not
the
wife
of
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
The
baronet
is
unmarried
;
and
this
lady
—
—
"
"
Is
his
mistress
,
"
added
Markham
hastily
.
"
In
that
case
I
most
certainly
shall
not
accept
the
kind
invitation
I
received
for
this
evening
.
"
"
Nonsense
,
my
dear
friend
!
You
must
adapt
your
behaviour
to
the
customs
of
the
sphere
in
which
you
move
.
You
belong
to
the
aristocracy
—
like
me
—
and
like
the
baronet
!
In
the
upper
class
,
even
supposing
you
have
a
wife
,
she
is
only
an
encumbrance
.
Nothing
is
so
characteristic
of
want
of
gentility
as
to
marry
early
;
and
as
for
children
,
pah
!
they
are
the
very
essence
of
vulgarity
!
Then
,
of
course
,
every
man
of
fashion
in
London
has
his
mistress
,
even
though
he
only
keeps
her
for
the
sake
of
his
friends
.
This
is
quite
allowable
amongst
the
aristocracy
.
Remember
,
I
am
not
advocating
the
cause
of
immorality
:
I
would
not
have
every
butcher
,
and
tea-dealer
,
and
linen-draper
do
the
same
.
God
forbid
!
Then
it
would
,
indeed
,
be
the
height
of
depravity
!
"
"
Since
it
is
the
fashion
,
and
you
assure
me
that
there
is
nothing
wrong
in
this
connexion
between
the
baronet
and
Mrs.
Arlington
—
at
least
,
that
the
usages
of
high
life
admit
it
—
I
will
not
advance
any
farther
scruples
,
"
said
Richard
;
although
he
had
a
slight
suspicion
,
like
the
ringing
of
far-distant
bells
in
the
ears
,
that
the
doctrine
which
his
companion
had
just
propounded
was
not
based
upon
the
most
tenable
grounds
.
It
was
now
half-past
six
o'clock
in
the
evening
;
and
,
one
after
the
other
,
the
splendid
equipages
and
gay
horsemen
withdrew
in
somewhat
rapid
succession
.
The
weather
was
nevertheless
still
exquisitely
fine
;
indeed
,
it
was
the
most
enchanting
portion
of
the
entire
day
.
The
sky
was
of
a
soft
and
serene
azure
,
upon
which
appeared
here
and
there
thin
vapours
of
snowy
white
,
motionless
and
still
;
for
not
a
breath
of
wind
stirred
the
leaf
upon
the
tree
.
Never
did
Naples
,
nor
Albano
,
nor
Sorrentum
,
boast
a
more
beautiful
horizon
;
and
as
the
sun
sank
towards
the
western
verge
,
he
bathed
all
that
the
eye
could
embrace
—
earth
and
sky
,
dwelling
and
grove
,
garden
and
field
—
in
a
glorious
flood
of
golden
light
.
At
seven
o'clock
Mr.
Chichester
and
his
new
acquaintance
sat
down
to
dinner
in
the
coffee-room
at
Long
's
Hotel
.
The
turtle
was
unexceptionable
;
the
iced
punch
faultless
.
Then
came
the
succulent
neck
of
venison
,
and
the
prime
Madeira
.
The
dinner
passed
off
pleasantly
enough
;
and
Richard
was
more
and
more
captivated
with
his
friend
.
He
was
,
however
,
somewhat
astonished
at
the
vast
quantities
of
wine
which
the
Honourable
Mr.
Chichester
swallowed
,
apparently
without
the
slightest
inconvenience
to
himself
.
Mr.
Chichester
diverted
him
with
amusing
anecdotes
,
lively
sallies
,
and
extraordinary
narratives
;
and
Richard
found
that
his
new
friend
had
not
only
travelled
all
over
Europe
,
but
was
actually
the
bosom
friend
of
some
of
the
most
powerful
of
its
sovereigns
.
These
statements
,
moreover
,
rather
appeared
to
slip
forth
in
the
course
of
conversation
,
than
to
be
made
purposely
;
and
thus
they
were
stamped
with
an
additional
air
of
truth
and
importance
.
At
about
half-past
nine
the
Honourable
Mr.
Chichester
proposed
to
adjourn
to
the
lodgings
of
Mrs.
Arlington
.
Richard
,
who
had
been
induced
by
the
example
of
his
friend
and
by
the
excitement
of
an
interesting
conversation
,
to
imbibe
more
wine
than
he
was
accustomed
to
take
,
was
now
delighted
with
the
prospect
of
passing
an
agreeable
evening
;
and
he
readily
acceded
to
Mr.
Chichester
's
proposal
.
Mrs.
Arlington
occupied
splendidly
furnished
apartments
on
the
first
and
second
floors
over
a
music-shop
in
Bond-street
:
thither
,
therefore
,
did
the
two
gentlemen
repair
on
foot
;
and
in
a
short
time
they
were
introduced
into
the
drawing-room
where
the
baronet
and
his
fair
companion
were
seated
.
CHAPTER
VI
.
MRS.
ARLINGTON
.
THE
Honourable
Mr.
Arthur
Chichester
had
not
exaggerated
his
description
of
the
beauty
of
the
Enchantress
—
for
so
she
was
called
by
the
male
portion
of
her
admirers
.
Indeed
,
she
was
of
exquisite
loveliness
.
Her
dark-brown
hair
was
arranged
en
bandeaux
,
and
parted
over
a
forehead
polished
as
marble
.
Her
eyes
were
large
,
and
of
that
soft
dark
melting
blue
which
seems
to
form
a
heaven
of
promises
and
bliss
to
gladden
the
beholder
.
She
was
not
above
the
middle
height
of
woman
;
but
her
form
was
modelled
to
the
most
exquisite
and
voluptuous
symmetry
.
Her
figure
reminded
the
spectator
of
the
body
of
the
wasp
,
so
taper
was
the
waist
,
and
so
exuberant
was
the
swell
of
the
bust
.
Her
mouth
was
small
and
pouting
;
but
,
when
she
smiled
,
the
parting
roses
of
the
lips
displayed
a
set
of
teeth
white
as
the
pearls
of
the
East
.
Her
hand
would
have
made
the
envy
of
a
queen
.
And
yet
,
above
all
these
charms
,
a
certain
something
which
could
not
be
exactly
denominated
boldness
nor
effrontery
,
but
which
was
the
very
reverse
of
extreme
reserve
,
immediately
struck
Richard
Markham
.
He
could
not
define
the
fault
he
had
to
find
with
this
beautiful
woman
;
and
still
there
was
something
in
her
manners
which
seemed
to
proclaim
that
she
did
not
possess
the
tranquillity
and
ease
of
a
wife
.
She
appeared
to
be
constantly
aiming
at
the
display
of
the
accomplishments
of
her
mind
,
or
the
graces
of
her
attitudes
.
She
seemed
to
court
admiration
by
every
word
and
every
motion
;
and
to
keep
alive
in
the
mind
of
the
baronet
the
passion
with
which
she
had
inspired
him
.
She
possessed
not
that
confidence
and
contented
reliance
upon
the
idea
of
unalienable
affections
which
characterise
the
wife
.
She
seemed
to
be
well
aware
that
no
legal
nor
religious
ties
connected
the
baronet
to
her
;
and
she
,
therefore
,
kept
her
imagination
perpetually
upon
the
rack
to
weave
new
artificial
bonds
to
cast
around
him
.
And
,
as
if
each
action
or
each
word
of
the
baronet
severed
those
bonds
of
silk
and
wreathed
flowers
,
she
found
,
Penelope-like
,
that
at
short
intervals
her
labours
were
to
be
achieved
over
again
.
This
constant
state
of
mental
anxiety
and
excitement
imparted
a
corresponding
restlessness
to
her
body
;
and
those
frequent
changes
of
attitude
,
which
were
originally
intended
to
develop
the
graces
of
her
person
,
or
allow
her
lover
's
eye
to
catch
short
glimpses
of
her
heaving
bosom
of
snow
,
became
now
a
settled
habit
.
Nevertheless
,
she
was
a
lovely
and
fascinating
woman
,
and
one
for
whom
a
young
heart
would
undertake
a
thousand
sacrifices
.
By
accident
Richard
was
seated
next
to
Mrs.
Arlington
upon
the
sofa
.
He
soon
perceived
that
she
was
,
indeed
,
as
accomplished
as
the
baronet
had
represented
her
to
be
;
and
her
critical
opinions
upon
the
current
literature
,
dramatic
novelties
,
and
new
music
of
the
day
were
delivered
with
judgment
and
good
taste
.
Richard
could
not
help
glancing
from
time
to
time
in
admiration
at
her
beautiful
countenance
,
animated
as
it
now
was
with
the
excitement
of
the
topics
of
discourse
;
and
whenever
her
large
blue
eyes
met
his
,
a
deep
blush
suffused
his
countenance
,
and
he
knew
not
what
he
said
or
did
.
"
Well
,
what
shall
we
do
to
amuse
ourselves
?
"
said
Chichester
,
at
the
expiration
of
about
an
hour
,
during
which
coffee
had
been
handed
round
.
"
Upon
my
honour
,
"
exclaimed
the
baronet
,
"
I
am
perfectly
indifferent
.
What
say
you
to
a
game
of
whist
or
écarté
?
"
"
Just
as
you
choose
,
"
said
Chichester
carelessly
.
At
this
moment
the
door
opened
,
and
a
roguish-looking
little
tiger
—
a
lad
of
about
fourteen
,
in
a
chocolate-coloured
livery
,
with
three
rows
of
bright-crested
buttons
down
his
Prussian
jacket
—
entered
to
announce
another
guest
.
A
short
,
stout
,
vulgar-looking
man
,
about
forty
years
of
age
,
with
a
blue
coat
and
brass
buttons
,
buff
waistcoat
,
and
grey
trousers
,
entered
the
room
.
"
Holloa
,
old
chap
,
how
are
you
?
"
he
exclaimed
in
a
tone
of
most
ineffable
vulgarity
.
"
Harborough
,
how
are
you
?
Chichester
,
my
tulip
,
how
goes
it
?
"
The
baronet
hastened
to
receive
this
extraordinary
visitor
,
and
,
as
he
shook
hands
with
him
,
whispered
something
in
his
ear
.
The
stranger
immediately
turned
towards
Richard
,
to
whom
he
was
introduced
by
the
name
of
Mr.
Augustus
Talbot
.
This
gentleman
and
the
baronet
then
conversed
together
for
a
few
moments
;
and
Chichester
,
drawing
near
Markham
,
seized
the
opportunity
of
observing
,
"
Talbot
is
an
excellent
fellow
—
a
regular
John
Bull
—
not
over
polished
,
but
enormously
rich
and
well
connected
.
You
will
see
that
he
is
not
more
cultivated
in
mind
than
in
manners
;
but
he
would
go
to
the
devil
to
do
any
one
a
service
;
and
,
somehow
or
another
,
you
ca
n't
help
liking
the
fellow
when
once
you
know
him
.
"
"
Any
friend
of
yours
or
of
the
baronet
's
will
be
agreeable
to
me
,
"
said
Richard
;
"
and
,
provided
he
is
a
man
of
honour
,
a
little
roughness
of
manner
should
be
readily
overlooked
.
"
"
You
speak
like
a
man
of
the
world
,
and
as
a
man
of
honour
yourself
,
"
said
Mr.
Chichester
.
Meantime
the
baronet
and
Mr.
Talbot
had
seated
themselves
,
and
the
Honourable
Mr.
Chichester
returned
to
his
own
chair
.
The
conversation
then
became
general
.
"
I
did
n't
know
that
you
were
in
town
,
Talbot
,
"
said
Mr.
Chichester
.
"
And
I
forgot
to
mention
it
,
"
observed
the
baronet
.
"
Or
rather
,
"
said
the
lady
,
"
you
meditated
a
little
surprise
for
your
friend
Mr.
Chichester
.
"
"
I
hope
you
've
been
well
,
ma'am
,
since
I
saw
you
last
—
that
is
the
day
before
yesterday
,
"
said
Mr.
Talbot
.
"
You
was
complaining
then
of
a
slight
cold
,
and
I
recommended
a
treacle-posset
and
a
stocking
tied
round
the
throat
.
"
"
My
dear
Talbot
,
take
some
liqueur
,
"
cried
the
baronet
,
rising
hastily
,
and
purposely
knocking
down
his
chair
to
drown
the
remainder
of
Mr.
Talbot
's
observation
.
"
But
I
dare
say
you
did
n't
follow
my
advice
,
ma'am
,
"
pursued
Mr.
Talbot
,
with
the
most
imperturbable
gravity
.
"
For
my
part
I
am
suffering
dreadful
with
a
bad
foot
.
I
'll
tell
you
how
it
were
,
ma'am
.
I
've
got
a
nasty
soft
corn
on
my
little
toe
;
and
so
what
must
I
do
,
but
yesterday
morning
I
takes
my
razor
,
sharpens
it
upon
the
paytent
strap
,
and
goes
for
to
cut
off
master
corn
.
But
instead
of
cutting
the
corn
,
I
nearly
sliced
my
toe
off
;
and
—
—
"
"
By
the
way
,
Diana
,
has
the
young
gentleman
called
yet
,
whom
we
met
the
other
evening
at
the
Opera
?
"
said
the
baronet
,
abruptly
interrupting
this
vulgar
tirade
.
"
Do
you
mean
the
effeminate
youth
whom
we
dubbed
the
Handsome
Unknown
?
"
said
the
Enchantress
.
"
Yes
:
he
who
was
so
very
mysterious
,
but
who
seemed
so
excessively
anxious
to
form
our
acquaintance
.
"
"
He
promised
to
call
some
evening
this
week
,
"
answered
Diana
,
"
and
play
a
game
of
écarté
.
He
told
me
that
he
was
invincible
at
écarté
.
"
"
Talking
of
écarté
,
let
us
play
a
game
,
"
ejaculated
Mr.
Chichester
,
who
was
sitting
upon
thorns
lest
Mr.
Talbot
should
commence
his
vulgarities
again
.
"
Well
,
I
'll
take
a
hand
with
pleasure
,
"
said
this
individual
:
then
turning
towards
Diana
,
he
added
,
"
I
will
tell
you
the
rest
of
the
adventure
about
the
soft
corn
another
time
,
ma'am
.
"
"
What
a
nuisance
this
is
!
"
whispered
Chichester
to
the
baronet
.
"
The
young
fellow
does
stare
so
.
"
"
You
must
give
him
some
explanation
or
another
,
"
hastily
replied
the
baronet
;
"
or
I
'll
tell
Diana
to
say
something
presently
that
will
smooth
down
matters
.
"
The
cards
were
produced
,
and
Mr.
Talbot
and
the
Honourable
Mr.
Chichester
sat
down
to
play
.
Sir
Rupert
backed
the
former
,
and
considerable
sums
in
gold
and
notes
were
placed
upon
the
table
.
Presently
the
lady
turned
towards
Richard
,
and
said
with
a
smile
,
"
Are
you
fond
of
écarté
?
"
"
I
must
venture
a
guinea
upon
Mr.
Chichester
.
Sir
Rupert
is
betting
against
him
;
and
I
love
to
oppose
Sir
Rupert
at
cards
.
You
will
see
how
I
shall
tease
him
presently
.
"
With
these
words
the
Enchantress
rose
and
seated
herself
near
Mr.
Chichester
.
Of
course
Markham
did
the
same
;
and
in
a
very
short
time
he
was
induced
by
the
lady
to
follow
her
example
,
and
back
the
same
side
which
she
supported
.
Mr.
Chichester
,
however
,
had
a
continued
run
of
ill
luck
,
and
lost
every
rubber
.
Richard
was
thus
the
loser
of
about
thirty
sovereigns
;
but
he
was
somewhat
consoled
by
having
so
fair
a
companion
in
his
bad
fortune
.
He
would
have
suffered
himself
to
be
persuaded
by
her
to
persist
in
backing
Mr.
Chichester
,
as
she
positively
assured
him
that
the
luck
must
change
,
had
not
that
gentleman
himself
suddenly
risen
,
thrown
down
the
cards
,
and
declared
that
he
would
play
no
more
.
"
Would
you
,
ma'am
,
like
to
take
Mr.
Chichester
's
place
?
"
said
Mr.
Talbot
.
Mr.
Chichester
shook
his
head
to
the
baronet
,
and
the
baronet
did
the
same
to
Diana
,
and
Diana
accordingly
declined
.
The
card-table
was
therefore
abandoned
;
and
Mrs.
Arlington
,
at
the
request
of
Sir
Rupert
,
seated
herself
at
the
piano
.
Without
any
affectation
she
sang
and
accompanied
herself
upon
the
instrument
in
a
manner
that
quite
ravished
the
heart
of
Richard
Markham
.
Suddenly
the
entire
house
echoed
with
the
din
of
the
front-door
knocker
,
and
almost
simultaneously
the
bell
was
rung
with
violence
.
In
a
few
moments
the
young
tiger
announced
Mr.
Walter
Sydney
.
He
was
a
youth
apparently
not
more
than
nineteen
or
twenty
,
of
middle
height
,
and
very
slim
.
He
wore
a
tight
blue
military
frock
coat
buttoned
up
to
the
throat
;
ample
black
kerseymere
trousers
,
which
did
not
,
however
,
conceal
the
fact
that
he
was
the
least
thing
knock-kneed
,
and
a
hat
with
tolerably
broad
brims
.
His
feet
and
hands
were
small
to
a
fault
.
His
long
light
chestnut
hair
flowed
in
luxuriant
undulations
over
the
collar
of
his
coat
,
even
upon
his
shoulders
,
and
gave
him
a
peculiarly
feminine
appearance
.
His
delicate
complexion
,
upon
the
pure
red
and
white
of
which
the
dark
dyes
of
no
beard
had
yet
infringed
,
wore
a
deep
blush
as
he
entered
the
room
.
"
Mr.
Sydney
,
you
are
welcome
,
"
said
Mrs.
Arlington
,
in
a
manner
calculated
to
reassure
the
bashful
youth
.
"
It
was
but
an
hour
ago
that
we
were
talking
of
you
,
and
wondering
why
we
had
not
received
the
pleasure
of
a
visit
.
"
"
Madam
,
you
are
too
kind
,
"
replied
Mr.
Sydney
,
in
a
tone
which
sounded
upon
the
ear
like
a
silver
bell
—
so
soft
and
beautiful
was
its
cadence
.
"
I
am
afraid
that
I
am
intruding
:
I
had
hoped
to
find
you
alone
—
I
mean
yourself
and
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
—
and
I
perceive
that
you
have
company
—
—
"
He
stammered
—
became
confounded
with
excuses
—
and
then
glanced
at
his
attire
,
as
much
as
to
intimate
that
he
was
in
a
walking
dress
.
Both
the
baronet
and
Diana
hastened
to
welcome
him
in
such
a
manner
as
to
speedily
place
him
upon
comfortable
terms
with
himself
once
more
;
and
he
was
then
introduced
to
Mr.
Chichester
,
Mr.
Talbot
,
and
Mr.
Markham
.
The
moment
the
name
of
Markham
was
mentioned
,
the
youthful
visitor
started
perceptibly
,
and
then
fixed
his
intelligent
hazel
eyes
upon
the
countenance
of
Richard
with
an
expression
of
the
most
profound
interest
mingled
with
surprise
.
Mr.
Chichester
made
an
observation
at
the
same
moment
,
and
Sydney
immediately
afterwards
entered
with
ease
and
apparent
pleasure
into
a
conversation
which
turned
upon
the
most
popular
topics
of
the
day
.
Richard
was
astonished
at
the
extreme
modesty
,
propriety
,
and
good
sense
with
which
that
effeminate
and
bashful
youth
expressed
himself
;
and
even
the
baronet
,
who
was
in
reality
well
informed
,
listened
to
his
interesting
visitor
with
attention
and
admiration
.
Still
there
was
a
species
of
extreme
delicacy
in
his
tastes
,
as
evidenced
by
his
remarks
,
which
bordered
at
times
upon
a
fastidiousness
,
if
not
an
inexperience
actually
puerile
or
feminine
.
At
half-past
eleven
supper
was
served
up
,
and
the
party
sat
down
to
that
most
welcome
and
sociable
of
all
meals
.
It
was
truly
diverting
to
behold
the
manner
in
which
Mr.
Talbot
fell
,
tooth
and
nail
,
upon
the
delicacies
which
he
heaped
upon
his
plate
;
and
his
applications
to
the
wine-bottle
were
to
correspond
.
At
one
time
he
expressed
his
regret
that
it
was
too
vulgar
to
drink
half-and-half
;
and
on
another
he
vented
his
national
prejudices
against
those
who
maintained
that
Perigord
pies
were
preferable
to
rump
steaks
,
or
that
claret
was
more
exquisite
than
port
or
sherry
.
Once
,
when
,
it
would
appear
,
Mr.
Chichester
kicked
him
under
the
table
,
he
roared
out
a
request
that
his
soft
corn
might
be
remembered
;
and
as
his
friends
were
by
no
means
anxious
for
a
second
edition
of
that
interesting
narrative
—
especially
before
Mr.
Walter
Sydney
—
they
adopted
the
prudent
alternative
of
conveying
their
remonstrances
to
him
by
means
of
winks
instead
of
kicks
.
After
supper
Mr.
Talbot
insisted
upon
making
a
huge
bowl
of
punch
in
his
own
fashion
;
but
he
found
that
Mr.
Chichester
would
alone
aid
him
in
disposing
of
it
.
As
for
Mr.
Walter
Sydney
,
he
never
appeared
to
do
more
than
touch
the
brim
of
the
wine-glass
with
his
lips
.
In
a
short
time
Mr.
Talbot
insisted
upon
practising
his
vocal
powers
by
singing
a
hunting
song
,
and
was
deeply
indignant
with
his
friends
because
they
would
not
join
in
the
very
impressive
but
somewhat
common
chorus
of
"
Fal
de
lal
lal
,
fal
de
lal
la
.
"
It
is
impossible
to
say
what
Mr.
Talbot
would
have
done
next
;
but
,
much
to
the
horror
of
the
baronet
,
Mr.
Chichester
,
and
Diana
—
and
equally
to
the
surprise
of
Richard
Markham
and
Walter
Sydney
—
he
suddenly
lost
his
balance
,
and
fell
heavily
upon
the
floor
and
into
a
sound
sleep
simultaneously
.
"
What
a
pity
,
"
said
Mr.
Chichester
,
shaking
his
head
mournfully
,
and
glancing
down
upon
the
prostrate
gentleman
,
as
if
he
were
pronouncing
a
funeral
oration
over
his
remains
;
"
this
is
his
only
fault
—
and
,
as
it
happens
every
night
,
it
begins
materially
to
disfigure
his
character
.
Otherwise
,
he
is
an
excellent
fellow
,
and
immensely
rich
!
"
At
this
moment
the
eyes
of
Richard
caught
those
of
Walter
Sydney
.
An
ill-concealed
expression
of
superlative
contempt
and
ineffable
disgust
was
visible
upon
the
handsome
countenance
of
the
latter
;
and
the
proud
curl
of
his
lip
manifested
his
opinion
of
the
scene
he
had
just
witnessed
.
In
a
few
moments
he
rose
to
depart
.
To
Diana
he
was
only
coldly
polite
;
to
the
baronet
and
Chichester
superbly
distant
and
constrained
;
but
towards
Markham
,
as
he
took
leave
of
him
,
there
was
a
cordiality
in
his
manner
,
and
a
sincerity
in
the
desire
which
he
expressed
"
that
they
should
meet
again
,
"
which
formed
a
remarkable
contrast
with
his
behaviour
towards
the
others
.
That
night
slumber
seemed
to
evade
the
eyes
of
Richard
Markham
.
The
image
of
Mrs.
Arlington
,
and
all
that
she
had
said
,
and
the
various
graceful
and
voluptuous
attitudes
into
which
she
had
thrown
herself
,
occupied
his
imagination
.
At
times
,
however
,
his
thoughts
wandered
to
that
charming
youth
—
that
mere
boy
—
who
seemed
to
court
his
friendship
,
and
who
was
so
delicate
and
so
fragile
to
encounter
the
storms
and
vicissitudes
of
that
world
in
whose
dizzy
vortex
he
was
already
found
.
Nor
less
did
Richard
ever
and
anon
experience
a
sentiment
of
profound
surprise
that
the
elegant
and
wealthy
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
the
accomplished
and
lovely
Diana
,
and
the
fastidious
Mr.
Arthur
Chichester
,
should
tolerate
the
society
of
such
an
unmitigated
vulgarian
as
Mr.
Talbot
.
CHAPTER
VII
.
THE
BOUDOIR
.
IT
was
the
morning
after
the
events
related
in
the
last
chapter
.
The
scene
changes
to
a
beautiful
little
villa
in
the
environs
of
Upper
Clapton
.
This
charming
retreat
,
which
consisted
of
a
main
building
two
storeys
high
,
and
wings
each
containing
only
one
apartment
,
was
constructed
of
yellow
bricks
that
had
retained
their
primitive
colour
,
the
dwelling
being
too
far
from
the
metropolis
to
be
affected
by
its
smoky
exhalations
.
The
villa
stood
in
the
midst
of
a
small
garden
,
beautifully
laid
out
in
the
French
style
of
Louis
XV
.
;
and
around
it
—
interrupted
only
by
the
avenue
leading
to
the
front
door
of
the
dwelling
—
was
a
grove
of
evergreens
.
This
grove
formed
a
complete
circle
,
and
bounded
the
garden
;
and
the
entire
enclosure
was
protected
by
a
regular
paling
,
painted
white
.
This
miniature
domain
,
consisting
of
about
four
acres
,
was
one
of
the
most
beautiful
spots
in
the
neighbourhood
of
London
;
and
behind
it
—
far
as
the
eye
could
reach
—
stretched
the
green
fields
,
smiling
and
cultivated
like
those
of
Tuscany
.
In
front
of
the
villa
was
a
small
grass
plot
,
in
the
centre
of
which
was
a
basin
of
clear
and
pellucid
water
,
upon
whose
surface
floated
two
noble
swans
,
and
other
aquatic
birds
of
a
curious
species
.
Every
now
and
then
the
silence
of
the
morning
was
broken
by
the
bay
of
several
sporting-dogs
,
which
occupied
,
in
the
rear
of
the
building
,
kennels
more
cleanly
and
more
carefully
attended
upon
than
the
dwellings
of
many
millions
of
Christians
.
And
yet
the
owner
of
that
villa
wanted
not
charity
:
witness
the
poor
woman
and
two
children
who
have
just
emerged
from
the
servants
'
offices
laden
with
cold
provisions
,
and
with
a
well-filled
bundle
of
other
necessaries
.
At
the
door
of
a
stable
a
groom
was
seen
dismounting
from
the
back
of
a
thorough-bred
chestnut
mare
,
which
had
just
returned
from
an
airing
,
and
upon
which
he
cast
a
glance
of
mingled
pride
and
affection
.
The
windows
of
the
villa
were
embellished
with
flowers
in
pots
and
vases
of
curious
workmanship
;
and
outside
the
casements
of
the
chambers
upon
the
first
floor
were
suspended
cages
containing
beautiful
singing
birds
.
To
the
interior
of
one
of
those
rooms
must
we
direct
the
attention
of
the
reader
.
It
was
an
elegant
boudoir
:
and
yet
it
could
scarcely
justify
the
name
;
for
by
a
boudoir
we
understand
something
completely
feminine
,
whereas
this
contained
articles
of
male
and
female
use
and
attire
strangely
commingled
—
pell-mell
—
together
.
Upon
a
toilet-table
were
all
the
implements
necessary
for
the
decoration
and
embellishment
of
female
beauty
;
and
carelessly
thrown
over
a
chair
were
a
coat
,
waistcoat
,
and
trousers
.
A
diminutive
pair
of
patent-leather
Wellington
boots
kept
company
with
delicate
morocco
shoes
,
to
which
sandals
were
affixed
.
A
huge
press
,
half-open
,
disclosed
an
array
of
beautiful
dresses
—
silk
,
satin
,
and
precious
stuffs
of
all
kinds
;
and
on
a
row
of
pegs
were
hung
a
scarlet
hunting-coat
,
a
shooting-jacket
,
a
jockey-cap
,
and
other
articles
of
attire
connected
with
field
sports
and
masculine
recreations
.
Parasols
,
foils
,
single-sticks
,
dandy-canes
,
and
hunting-whips
,
were
huddled
together
in
one
corner
of
that
bureau
.
And
yet
all
the
confusion
of
these
various
and
discrepant
objects
was
so
regular
in
appearance
—
if
the
phrase
can
be
understood
—
that
it
seemed
as
if
some
cunning
hand
had
purposely
arranged
them
all
so
as
to
strike
the
eye
in
a
manner
calculated
to
encourage
the
impression
that
this
elegant
boudoir
was
inhabited
by
a
man
of
strange
feminine
tastes
,
or
a
woman
of
extraordinary
masculine
ones
.
There
was
no
pompous
nor
gorgeous
display
of
wealth
in
this
boudoir
:
its
interior
,
like
that
of
the
whole
villa
throughout
,
denoted
competence
and
ease
—
elegance
and
taste
,
but
no
useless
luxury
nor
profuse
expenditure
.
The
window
of
the
boudoir
was
half
open
.
A
bowl
of
chrystal
water
,
containing
gold
and
silver
fish
,
stood
upon
a
table
in
the
recess
of
the
casement
.
The
chirrup
of
the
birds
echoed
through
the
room
,
which
was
perfumed
with
the
odour
of
sweet
flowers
.
By
the
wall
facing
the
window
stood
a
French
bed
,
on
the
head
and
foot
of
which
fell
pink
satin
curtains
,
flowing
from
a
gilt-headed
arrow
fixed
near
the
ceiling
.
It
was
now
nine
o'clock
,
and
the
sun
shed
a
flood
of
golden
light
through
the
half-open
casement
upon
that
couch
which
was
so
voluptuous
and
so
downy
.
A
female
of
great
beauty
,
and
apparently
about
five-and-twenty
years
of
age
,
was
reading
in
that
bed
.
Her
head
reposed
upon
her
hand
,
and
her
elbow
upon
the
pillow
:
and
that
hand
was
buried
in
a
mass
of
luxuriant
light
chestnut
hair
,
which
flowed
down
upon
her
back
,
her
shoulders
,
and
her
bosom
;
but
not
so
as
altogether
to
conceal
the
polished
ivory
whiteness
of
the
plump
fair
flesh
.
The
admirable
slope
of
the
shoulders
,
the
swan-like
neck
,
and
the
exquisite
symmetry
of
the
bust
,
were
descried
even
amidst
those
masses
of
luxuriant
and
shining
hair
.
A
high
and
ample
forehead
,
hazel
eyes
,
a
nose
perfectly
straight
,
small
but
pouting
lips
,
brilliant
teeth
,
and
a
well
rounded
chin
,
were
additional
charms
to
augment
the
attractions
of
that
delightful
picture
.
The
whole
scene
was
one
of
soft
voluptuousness
—
the
birds
,
the
flowers
,
the
vase
of
gold
and
silver
fish
,
the
tasteful
arrangements
of
the
boudoir
,
the
French
bed
,
and
the
beautiful
creature
who
reclined
in
that
couch
,
her
head
supported
upon
the
well-turned
and
polished
arm
,
the
dazzling
whiteness
of
which
no
envious
sleeve
concealed
!
From
time
to
time
the
eyes
of
that
sweet
creature
were
raised
from
the
book
,
and
thrown
around
the
room
in
a
manner
that
denoted
,
if
not
mental
anxiety
,
at
least
a
state
of
mind
not
completely
at
ease
.
Now
and
then
,
too
,
a
cloud
passed
over
that
brow
which
seemed
the
very
throne
of
innocence
and
candour
;
and
a
sigh
agitated
the
breast
which
the
sunbeams
covered
as
it
were
with
kisses
.
Presently
the
door
was
opened
softly
,
and
an
elderly
female
,
well
but
simply
dressed
,
and
of
placid
and
reserved
aspect
,
entered
the
room
.
"
Mr.
Stephens
is
below
,
"
said
the
servant
;
"
I
told
him
you
had
not
risen
yet
,
and
he
says
he
will
await
your
convenience
.
"
"
I
know
not
how
it
is
,
"
exclaimed
the
lady
impatiently
,
"
but
I
never
felt
less
disposed
for
the
visit
of
him
whom
I
regard
as
my
benefactor
.
Ah
!
Louisa
,
"
she
added
,
a
cloud
overspreading
her
entire
countenance
,
"
I
feel
as
if
one
of
those
dreadful
attacks
of
despondency
—
one
of
those
fearful
fits
of
alarm
and
foreboding
—
of
presentiment
of
evil
,
were
coming
on
;
and
—
—
"
"
Pray
calm
yourself
,
"
interrupted
the
servant
,
speaking
in
a
kind
and
imploring
tone
.
"
Remember
that
the
very
walls
have
ears
;
that
a
word
spoken
in
too
high
a
tone
may
betray
your
secret
;
and
heaven
alone
knows
what
would
be
the
result
of
such
an
appalling
discovery
!
"
"
Yes
,
it
is
that
horrible
mystery
,
"
ejaculated
the
lady
,
"
which
fills
me
with
the
most
acute
apprehensions
.
Compelled
to
sustain
a
constant
cheat
—
to
feel
that
I
am
a
living
,
a
breathing
,
a
moving
falsehood
,
a
walking
lie
;
—
forced
to
crush
all
the
natural
amenities
—
ay
,
and
even
the
amiable
weaknesses
of
my
sex
;
governed
by
an
imperious
necessity
against
which
it
is
now
impossible
to
rebel
,
—
how
can
I
do
otherwise
than
experience
moments
of
unutterable
anguish
!
"
"
You
must
still
have
patience
—
patience
only
for
a
few
months
—
three
short
months
,
—
and
the
result
of
all
this
suspense
—
the
end
of
all
this
anxiety
,
will
be
no
doubt
as
advantageous
—
as
immensely
important
and
beneficial
—
as
we
are
led
to
believe
.
"
"
True
:
we
are
bound
to
believe
a
man
who
seems
so
serious
in
all
his
actions
with
regard
to
me
,
"
said
the
lady
,
after
a
short
pause
,
during
which
she
seemed
to
be
wrapped
up
in
a
deep
reverie
.
"
But
why
does
he
keep
me
in
the
dark
with
regard
to
the
true
nature
of
that
grand
result
?
Why
does
he
not
trust
me
,
who
have
placed
such
unbounded
,
such
implicit
confidence
in
him
?
"
"
He
is
afraid
lest
an
unguarded
moment
on
your
part
should
betray
what
he
assures
us
to
be
of
the
most
vital
—
the
last
importance
,
"
answered
the
domestic
,
in
a
kindly
remonstrative
tone
.
"
And
really
,
my
dearest
girl
,
"
she
added
,
affectionately
,
—
"
pardon
me
for
calling
you
so
—
—
"
"
Ah
!
Louisa
,
you
are
my
dearest
friend
!
"
said
the
lady
energetically
.
"
You
,
and
you
alone
,
have
supported
my
courage
during
the
four
years
and
a
half
that
this
horrible
deceit
has
already
lasted
;
your
kindness
—
—
"
"
I
have
only
done
my
duty
,
and
acted
as
my
heart
dictated
,
"
mildly
replied
the
female
dependant
.
"
But
as
I
was
observing
,
you
are
so
very
imprudent
,
as
it
is
;
and
can
you
expect
that
Mr.
Stephens
will
reveal
to
you
the
minute
details
of
a
scheme
,
which
—
—
"
"
Imprudent
!
"
hastily
exclaimed
the
lady
:
"
how
am
I
imprudent
?
Do
I
not
follow
all
his
directions
—
all
your
advice
?
Have
I
not
even
learned
to
talk
to
the
very
groom
in
his
own
language
about
the
horses
and
the
dogs
?
and
do
I
not
scamper
across
the
country
,
upon
my
chestnut
mare
,
with
him
following
upon
the
bay
horse
at
my
heels
,
as
if
we
were
both
mad
?
And
then
you
say
that
I
am
imprudent
,
when
I
have
done
all
I
can
to
sustain
the
character
which
I
have
assumed
?
And
with
the
exception
of
these
rides
,
how
seldom
do
I
go
abroad
?
Half-a-dozen
names
include
all
my
acquaintances
:
and
no
one
—
no
one
ever
comes
here
!
This
is
,
indeed
,
a
hermit
's
dwelling
!
How
can
you
say
that
I
am
imprudent
?
"
"
Without
going
out
of
this
very
room
,
"
began
Louisa
,
with
a
smile
,
"
I
could
—
—
"
"
Ah
!
the
eternal
remonstrances
against
these
habiliments
of
my
sex
!
"
exclaimed
the
lady
,
drawing
back
the
satin
curtain
at
the
head
of
the
bed
with
her
snow-white
arm
,
and
glancing
towards
the
bureau
which
contained
the
female
dresses
:
"
ever
those
remonstrances
!
Alas
!
I
should
die
—
I
could
not
support
this
appalling
deceit
—
were
I
not
to
gratify
my
woman
's
feelings
from
time
to
time
?
Do
you
think
that
I
can
altogether
rebel
against
nature
,
and
not
experience
the
effects
?
And
,
in
occasionally
soothing
my
mind
with
the
occupations
natural
to
my
sex
,
have
I
ever
been
imprudent
?
When
I
have
dressed
my
hair
as
it
should
ever
be
dressed
—
when
I
have
put
on
one
of
those
silk
or
muslin
robes
,
merely
to
see
myself
reflected
in
my
mirror
—
and
,
oh
!
what
a
pardonable
vanity
under
such
circumstances
!
—
have
I
ever
been
imprudent
enough
to
set
foot
outside
this
retreat
—
this
boudoir
,
to
which
you
alone
are
ever
admitted
?
Do
I
ever
dress
with
the
blinds
of
the
windows
raised
?
No
:
I
have
done
all
that
human
being
can
do
to
support
my
spirits
during
this
sad
trial
,
and
sustain
the
character
I
have
assumed
.
But
if
it
be
desired
that
I
should
altogether
forget
my
sex
—
and
cling
to
the
garb
of
a
man
;
if
I
may
never
—
not
even
for
an
hour
in
the
evening
—
follow
my
fantasy
,
and
relieve
my
mind
by
resuming
the
garb
which
is
natural
to
me
—
within
these
four
walls
—
unseen
by
a
soul
save
you
—
—
"
"
Yes
,
yes
,
you
shall
have
your
way
,
"
interrupted
Louisa
soothingly
.
"
But
Mr.
Stephens
waits
:
will
you
not
rise
and
see
him
?
"
"
It
is
my
duty
,
"
said
the
lady
resignedly
.
"
He
has
surrounded
me
with
every
comfort
and
every
luxury
which
appetite
can
desire
or
money
procure
;
and
,
however
he
may
ultimately
benefit
by
this
proceeding
,
in
the
meantime
my
gratitude
is
due
to
him
.
"
"
The
delicacy
of
his
conduct
