"Oh
!
I
wemember
—
the
opening
ith
thimple
but
ekpwethive
:
"
Thwough
the
thea
the
therpenth
wollth
,
Moving
ever
'
thwixth
the
polth
,
Fwightning
herwinth
,
pwath
,
and
tholth
,
In
hith
pwogweth
wapid
;
—
Thwallowing
up
the
mighty
thipth
,
By
the
thuction
of
hith
lipth
,
Onward
thill
the
monthtwer
twipth
,
Like
—
—
"
"
Well
,
strike
me
!
"
interrupted
the
captain
,
"
if
ever
I
heard
poetry
spouted
like
that
before
.
Please
listen
to
me
,
Mr.
Markham
.
This
is
the
way
the
poem
opens
:
—
"
Through
the
sea
the
serpent
rolls
Moving
ever
'
twixt
the
poles
,
Fright'ning
herrings
,
sprats
,
and
soles
,
In
his
progress
rapid
;
—
Swallowing
up
the
mighty
ships
,
By
the
motion
of
his
lips
,
Onward
still
the
monster
trips
,
Like
—
—
"
"
No
,
that
ith
n't
the
way
,
"
cried
Sir
Cherry
.
"
Well
,
strike
me
,
if
I
'll
say
another
word
more
then
,
"
returned
the
captain
of
hussars
,
apparently
very
much
inclined
to
cry
.
"
I
am
sure
Miss
Isabella
was
wrong
not
to
have
inserted
these
verses
in
her
album
,
"
said
Armstrong
,
with
a
smile
of
good-natured
satire
.
"
But
I
know
that
my
young
friend
,
Mr.
Markham
,
has
a
more
refined
taste
with
regard
to
poetry
than
he
chose
just
now
to
admit
.
"
"
Indeed
!
"
said
the
beautiful
Isabella
;
"
I
should
be
delighted
to
hear
Mr.
Markham
's
sentiments
upon
the
subject
of
poetry
;
for
I
confess
that
I
myself
entertain
very
singular
notions
in
that
respect
.
It
is
difficult
to
afford
a
minute
definition
of
what
poetry
is
;
for
,
like
the
unearthly
visitants
which
the
fears
of
superstition
have
occasionally
summoned
to
the
world
,
poetry
fascinates
the
senses
,
but
eludes
the
grasp
of
the
beholder
,
and
stands
before
him
visible
,
powerful
,
and
yet
impalpable
!
"
"
I
concur
with
your
views
,
Miss
Isabella
,
"
said
Markham
,
delighted
to
hear
,
amidst
the
frivolity
of
the
conversation
,
remarks
which
exhibited
sound
sense
and
judgment
.
"
It
is
impossible
to
set
forth
,
in
any
array
of
words
,
the
subtlety
and
peculiarity
of
poetry
,
which
soars
above
the
powers
of
language
and
defies
the
reach
of
description
.
"
"
Yes
,
"
said
Isabella
;
"
the
painter
cannot
place
the
rainbow
or
the
glittering
dew-drop
upon
his
canvass
;
the
sculptor
cannot
invest
his
image
with
a
soul
;
and
it
seems
equally
difficult
to
define
poetry
.
"
"
We
know
of
what
we
are
speaking
when
we
allude
to
it
;
but
there
are
no
definitions
which
give
us
views
of
it
sufficiently
comprehensive
.
"
"
Well
,
strike
me
!
if
I
did
n't
think
that
every
thing
with
rhymes
,
or
in
lines
of
a
certain
length
,
was
poetry
,
"
observed
the
captain
of
hussars
.
"
My
daughter
can
explain
the
mystery
to
you
,
"
said
the
countess
,
surveying
Isabella
with
pride
and
maternal
enthusiasm
.
Isabella
blushed
deeply
.
She
feared
that
she
had
intruded
her
remarks
on
the
company
,
and
dreaded
to
be
considered
vain
or
anxious
for
display
.
Markham
immediately
perceived
the
nature
of
her
thoughts
,
and
skilfully
turned
the
conversation
to
the
poetry
of
her
native
land
,
and
thence
to
the
leading
characteristics
and
features
of
Italian
life
.
Dinner
was
at
length
announced
,
and
Richard
had
the
felicity
of
conducting
the
lovely
daughter
of
the
count
to
the
dining-room
,
and
of
occupying
a
seat
by
her
side
during
the
banquet
.
CHAPTER
XXXIX
.
THE
DREAM
.
THREE
weeks
passed
away
in
a
most
agreeable
manner
,
and
Richard
frequently
expressed
his
gratitude
to
Armstrong
for
the
pleasure
he
had
procured
him
by
this
visit
.
The
more
he
saw
of
Count
Alteroni
's
daughter
,
the
more
he
was
compelled
to
admire
her
personal
and
mental
qualifications
.
But
he
felt
somewhat
annoyed
when
he
discovered
that
Captain
Smilax
Dapper
was
paying
his
addresses
to
her
:
for
he
was
interested
in
so
charming
a
young
lady
,
and
would
have
regretted
to
see
her
throw
herself
away
on
such
a
coxcomb
.
He
did
not
however
find
that
Isabella
gave
the
captain
any
encouragement
:
on
the
contrary
he
had
frequently
seen
an
erratic
smile
of
contempt
upon
her
lips
when
the
military
aspirant
to
her
hand
uttered
an
absurdity
or
indulged
in
an
air
of
affectation
.
By
the
constant
and
unvaried
respect
,
and
the
absence
of
all
familiarity
on
the
part
of
Dapper
towards
the
lovely
Italian
,
Markham
also
argued
that
he
had
not
as
yet
declared
his
sentiments
,
because
had
he
been
a
favoured
suitor
,
the
truth
would
have
betrayed
itself
in
some
trifling
manner
or
another
.
Moreover
,
as
Isabella
conducted
herself
in
only
just
the
same
friendly
way
towards
Captain
Dapper
as
she
manifested
towards
her
father
's
other
guests
,
Richard
saw
no
reason
to
believe
that
this
passion
was
reciprocal
.
Markham
was
thrown
much
in
the
signora
's
society
during
his
visit
at
her
father
's
house
.
He
soon
perceived
that
she
preferred
a
conversation
upon
edifying
and
intellectual
subjects
to
the
frivolous
chit-chat
of
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
and
Captain
Dapper
;
and
he
frequently
found
himself
carrying
on
a
lengthened
discourse
upon
music
,
poetry
,
painting
and
Italian
literature
,
while
the
others
were
amusing
themselves
in
the
billiard
or
smoking-rooms
.
But
Isabel
was
no
blue-stocking
;
she
was
full
of
vivacity
and
life
,
and
her
conversation
was
sprightly
and
agreeable
,
even
when
turning
upon
those
serious
subjects
.
In
a
few
days
after
Richard
's
arrival
,
it
was
always
he
who
turned
the
leaves
of
Isabella
's
music-book
,
"
because
Captain
Dapper
did
n't
know
when
;
"
she
always
took
his
arm
when
they
walked
round
the
shrubbery
and
garden
after
breakfast
,
"
because
Captain
Dapper
was
constantly
leaving
her
to
play
Sir
Cherry
some
trick
;
"
and
somehow
or
another
at
meal-times
,
Richard
and
Isabella
were
invariably
seated
next
to
each
other
.
Such
was
the
state
of
things
at
the
expiration
of
three
weeks
,
to
which
extent
,
although
contrary
to
the
original
proposal
of
Armstrong
,
the
visit
had
already
extended
;
and
Captain
Smilax
Dapper
more
than
once
fancied
that
he
saw
a
rival
in
Richard
Markham
.
At
length
he
determined
to
communicate
his
suspicions
to
his
friend
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
—
a
resolution
which
he
carried
into
effect
in
the
following
manner
.
"
Cherry
,
my
dear
fellow
,
"
said
he
,
one
morning
,
taking
the
effeminate
young
baronet
with
him
into
the
garden
,
up
the
gravel
walks
of
which
he
walked
in
a
very
excited
state
;
"
Cherry
,
my
dear
fellow
,
I
have
something
upon
my
mind
,
strike
me
!
and
I
wish
to
unburden
myself
to
you
.
"
"
Do
you
,
Thmilackth
?
What
can
pothibly
be
the
matter
?
"
demanded
the
youth
,
turning
very
pale
.
"
Ith
it
veway
terwible
?
becauth
if
it
ith
,
I
had
better
call
the
count
,
and
he
will
bwing
hith
blunderbuth
.
"
"
Strike
me
an
idiot
,
Cherry
,
if
you
ai
n't
a
fool
with
your
counts
and
blunderbusses
.
Now
listen
to
me
!
I
love
Isabella
,
and
have
been
doing
the
agreeable
to
her
—
—
"
"
On
my
thoul
I
never
could
thee
it
!
"
"
I
dare
say
not
!
strike
me
,
if
I
did
n't
keep
it
so
precious
snug
and
quiet
!
However
I
love
the
girl
;
and
curse
me
if
I
do
n't
have
her
too
—
that
's
more
!
She
shall
be
Mrs.
Smilax
Dapper
,
as
sure
as
she
's
born
,
and
I
hope
the
mother
of
a
whole
regiment
of
little
Smilaxes
.
And
then
Cherry
,
you
shall
stay
a
month
or
six
weeks
with
us
at
a
time
,
and
fondle
the
little
ones
on
your
knees
,
you
shall
,
and
every
thing
will
go
on
comfortable
and
smooth
.
"
"
Oh
!
veway
thmooth
!
"
cried
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
,
making
a
slight
grimace
at
the
pleasing
prospect
of
fondling
the
Little
Dappers
upon
his
knees
.
"
And
I
suppose
I
am
not
presumptuous
in
aspiring
to
the
hand
of
Isabella
?
My
father
is
a
peer
—
and
my
uncle
is
a
peer
—
and
I
have
three
thousand
a-year
of
my
own
,
beside
expectations
.
Strike
me
,
if
I
'm
a
man
to
be
sneezed
at
!
"
"
Who
thinkth
of
thneething
at
you
?
"
"
I
do
n't
know
exactly
.
And
then
I
am
not
such
a
very
bad
looking
fellow
either
.
You
are
not
ugly
,
Cherry
,
you
are
not
—
that
is
,
not
particularly
ugly
,
although
you
have
got
pink
eyes
,
and
white
lashes
,
and
a
pug
nose
;
—
but
I
'm
more
athletic
,
strike
me
!
"
"
I
'm
thure
I
do
n't
dithpute
what
you
thay
.
"
"
Well
then
—
acknowledging
all
this
,
"
proceeded
the
captain
,
"
how
should
I
treat
a
fellow
who
endeavours
to
cut
me
out
?
"
"
Thallenge
him
to
fight
with
thword
and
pithtol
,
"
answered
Sir
Cherry
.
"
But
who
ith
he
?
"
"
That
upstart
fellow
,
Markham
,
who
was
brought
here
by
that
odious
,
republican
,
seditious
,
disloyal
scoundrel
Armstrong
,
and
who
talks
all
day
about
poetry
and
music
,
and
God
knows
what
.
However
,
I
ca
n't
say
I
admire
that
plan
of
yours
,
"
continued
the
hussar
;
"
swords
and
pistols
,
you
know
are
so
very
dangerous
;
and
—
and
—
"
"
And
what
elth
?
"
"
Why
,
you
're
a
fool
,
Cherry
.
I
thought
you
would
have
hit
upon
some
plan
to
enable
me
to
secure
the
prize
.
"
"
Well
then
—
thuppothing
we
carwy
the
girl
off
,
to
Wochethter
for
inthanth
.
"
"
Deuce
take
Rochester
!
my
regiment
is
quartered
at
Chatham
.
"
"
Well
—
to
Canterbury
then
?
"
"
Yes
—
that
will
do
—
strike
me
blind
if
it
wo
n't
!
"
ejaculated
the
captain
.
"
But
if
I
could
only
get
rid
of
this
Markham
somehow
or
another
,
I
should
prefer
it
.
The
fellow
—
—
"
Captain
Smilax
Dapper
stopped
short
:
for
at
that
moment
,
as
he
and
his
companion
were
turning
the
angle
of
a
summer-house
,
they
ran
against
Richard
Markham
.
"
It
wath'nt
me
—
it
wath'nt
me
who
thpoke
!
"
ejaculated
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
;
and
having
uttered
these
words
,
he
very
fairly
took
to
his
heels
,
leaving
his
friend
the
captain
to
settle
matters
as
best
he
might
.
"
Who
was
taking
a
most
unwarrantable
liberty
with
my
name
?
"
demanded
Richard
,
walking
straight
up
to
Captain
Smilax
Dapper
.
"
I
certainly
made
an
observation
,
"
answered
the
captain
,
turning
mighty
pale
,
"
and
I
do
not
hesitate
to
say
,
sir
—
—
"
"
What
,
sir
?
"
"
Why
,
sir
—
that
I
feel
,
sir
—
that
strike
me
,
sir
!
"
"
Yes
,
sir
—
I
shall
strike
you
,
"
very
coolly
answered
Markham
;
"
and
that
will
teach
you
not
to
speak
lightly
of
one
,
who
is
a
comparative
stranger
to
you
,
on
another
occasion
.
"
As
he
uttered
these
words
,
he
seized
the
captain
by
the
collar
,
and
gave
him
a
couple
of
boxes
on
the
ears
.
Dapper
endeavoured
to
pluck
up
a
spirit
and
resist
;
but
the
ceremony
was
performed
before
he
could
release
himself
from
his
assailant
's
clutches
and
he
then
returned
to
the
house
,
muttering
threats
of
vengeance
.
That
same
afternoon
Markham
took
leave
of
his
new
friends
.
On
his
return
home
,
he
found
his
dwelling
more
lonely
and
cheerless
than
ever
.
He
felt
that
he
was
isolated
in
the
world
;
and
his
heart
seemed
to
be
pierced
with
a
red-hot
iron
when
the
remembrance
of
all
his
wrongs
returned
to
his
imagination
.
Oh
!
if
we
would
but
study
the
alphabet
of
fate
,
and
remember
that
each
leaf
which
falls
,
each
flower
that
dies
,
is
but
the
emblem
of
man
's
kindred
doom
,
how
much
of
the
coldness
,
the
selfishness
,
the
viciousness
of
life
would
be
swept
away
,
and
earth
would
be
but
a
proof-sheet
of
heaven
's
fairer
volume
—
with
errors
and
imperfections
,
it
is
true
,
but
still
susceptible
of
correction
and
amendment
,
ere
its
pages
be
unfolded
before
the
High
Chancery
of
heaven
!
Spring
now
asserted
its
tranquil
reign
once
more
;
and
May
strewed
the
earth
with
flowers
,
and
covered
the
trees
with
foliage
.
One
evening
Richard
sate
in
his
library
reading
until
a
very
late
hour
.
Night
came
,
and
found
him
at
his
studies
;
and
the
morning
dawned
ere
he
thought
of
retiring
to
slumber
.
He
hastened
to
his
bed-room
,
with
the
intention
of
seeking
his
couch
;
but
he
felt
no
inclination
to
sleep
.
He
walked
up
to
the
window
,
drew
aside
the
curtain
,
and
gazed
forth
into
the
open
air
.
The
partial
obscurity
seemed
to
hang
like
a
dusky
veil
against
the
windows
:
but
by
degrees
the
darkness
yielded
to
the
grey
light
of
the
dawn
.
He
glanced
in
the
direction
of
the
hill
upon
the
summit
of
which
stood
the
two
trees
;
and
he
thought
of
his
brother
.
He
wondered
,
for
the
thousandth
time
,
whether
the
appointment
would
be
eventually
kept
,
and
why
Eugene
came
not
to
revisit
the
home
of
his
birth
.
He
was
in
the
midst
of
cogitations
like
these
,
when
his
eyes
were
suddenly
struck
by
an
object
which
seemed
to
be
moving
between
the
trees
upon
the
top
of
the
hill
.
A
superstitious
fear
seized
upon
Richard
's
mind
.
In
the
first
moment
of
his
surprise
he
imagined
that
the
apparition
of
his
brother
had
been
led
back
to
the
trysting-place
by
those
leafy
banners
that
proclaimed
the
covenant
of
the
heart
.
But
he
speedily
divested
himself
of
that
momentary
alarm
,
and
smiled
at
his
folly
in
believing
it
to
be
extraordinary
that
any
one
should
visit
the
hill
at
that
early
hour
.
The
object
was
still
there
—
it
was
a
human
being
—
and
,
as
the
morning
gradually
grew
brighter
,
he
was
enabled
to
distinguish
that
it
was
a
man
.
But
that
was
the
hour
at
which
labourers
went
to
their
daily
toils
:
—
still
,
why
should
one
of
those
peasants
linger
upon
the
top
of
the
hill
,
to
reach
which
he
must
have
gone
out
of
his
way
?
Markham
felt
an
indescribable
curiosity
to
repair
to
the
hill
;
—
but
he
was
ashamed
to
yield
to
the
superstitious
impulse
under
the
influence
of
which
he
still
more
or
less
laboured
;
—
and
the
sudden
disappearance
of
the
object
of
his
anxiety
from
the
hill
confirmed
him
in
his
resolution
to
remain
in
his
chamber
.
He
accordingly
closed
the
blind
,
and
retired
to
his
couch
,
where
he
shortly
sank
into
a
deep
slumber
.
Markham
was
now
plunged
into
the
aërial
world
of
dreams
.
First
he
saw
himself
walking
by
the
side
of
Isabella
in
a
cool
and
shady
grove
,
where
the
birds
were
singing
cheerily
in
the
trees
;
and
it
seemed
to
him
that
there
reigned
a
certain
understanding
between
himself
and
his
fair
companion
which
allowed
him
to
indulge
in
the
most
delightful
and
tender
hopes
.
He
pressed
her
hand
—
she
returned
the
token
of
affection
and
love
.
Suddenly
this
scene
was
rudely
interrupted
.
From
a
deep
recess
in
the
grove
appeared
a
wretch
,
covered
with
rags
,
dirty
and
revolting
in
appearance
,
with
matted
hair
,
parched
and
cracked
lips
,
wild
and
ferocious
eyes
,
and
a
demoniac
expression
of
countenance
.
Isabella
screamed
:
the
wretch
advanced
,
grasped
Richard
's
hand
,
gave
utterance
to
a
horrible
laugh
,
and
claimed
his
friendship
—
the
friendship
of
Newgate
!
It
seemed
to
Richard
that
he
made
a
desperate
effort
to
withdraw
his
hand
from
that
rude
grasp
;
—
and
the
attempt
instantly
awoke
him
.
He
opened
his
eyes
;
—
but
the
horror
experienced
in
his
dream
was
now
prolonged
,
for
a
human
countenance
was
bending
over
him
!
It
was
not
,
however
,
the
distorted
,
hideous
,
and
fearful
one
which
he
had
seen
in
his
vision
,
—
but
a
countenance
handsome
,
though
very
pale
,
and
whose
features
were
instantly
familiar
to
him
.
"
Eugene
,
my
brother
—
Eugene
,
dearest
Eugene
!
"
ejaculated
Richard
;
and
he
stretched
out
his
arms
to
embrace
him
whom
he
thus
adjured
.
But
scarcely
had
his
eyes
opened
upon
that
countenance
,
when
it
was
instantly
withdrawn
;
and
Richard
remained
for
a
few
moments
in
his
bed
,
deprived
of
all
power
of
motion
,
and
endeavouring
to
assure
himself
whether
he
was
awake
or
in
a
vision
.
A
sudden
impulse
roused
him
from
his
lethargy
;
—
he
sprang
from
his
couch
,
rushed
towards
the
door
,
and
called
aloud
for
his
brother
.
The
door
was
closed
when
he
reached
it
;
and
no
trace
seemed
to
denote
that
any
visitor
had
been
in
that
chamber
.
He
threw
on
a
dressing-gown
,
hurried
down
stairs
,
and
found
all
the
doors
fast
closed
and
locked
as
usual
at
that
hour
.
He
opened
the
front-door
,
and
looked
forth
,
—
but
no
one
was
to
be
seen
.
Bewildered
and
alarmed
,
he
returned
to
his
bed-chamber
,
and
once
more
sought
his
couch
.
He
again
fell
asleep
,
in
the
midst
of
numerous
and
conflicting
conjectures
relative
to
the
incident
which
had
just
occurred
;
and
when
he
awoke
two
hours
afterwards
,
he
was
fain
to
persuade
himself
that
it
was
all
a
dream
.
He
dressed
himself
,
and
walked
towards
the
hill
.
On
his
arrival
at
the
top
,
he
instinctively
cast
his
eyes
upon
the
name
and
date
carved
in
the
bark
of
his
brother
's
tree
.
But
how
great
was
his
surprise
—
how
ineffable
his
joy
,
when
he
beheld
fresh
traces
of
the
same
hand
imprinted
on
that
tree
.
Beneath
the
former
memento
—
and
still
fresh
and
green
,
as
if
they
had
only
been
engraved
a
few
hours
—
were
the
words
—
Eugene
.
May
17th
,
1838.
"
My
God
!
"
exclaimed
Richard
,
"
it
was
then
no
dream
!
"
He
threw
himself
upon
the
seat
between
the
two
trees
and
wept
abundantly
.
CHAPTER
XL
.
THE
SPECULATION
.
—
AN
UNWELCOME
MEETING
.
FIVE
months
elapsed
;
and
in
the
middle
of
October
Richard
received
an
invitation
to
pass
a
few
days
at
the
abode
of
Count
Alteroni
.
He
contemplated
change
of
scene
with
unfeigned
delight
,
and
lost
no
time
in
repairing
to
Richmond
.
The
count
received
him
with
the
utmost
cordiality
:
the
countess
expressed
a
regret
that
he
should
wait
to
be
solicited
to
honour
them
with
his
company
;
and
Isabella
's
countenance
wore
a
smile
and
a
blush
as
she
extended
her
hand
towards
him
.
"
I
was
anxious
to
see
you
again
,
"
said
the
count
,
after
dinner
,
before
the
ladies
had
retired
,
"
if
it
were
only
to
joke
you
about
the
fright
into
which
you
threw
poor
Bounce
the
last
time
you
were
here
.
Isabel
apprehended
a
duel
between
you
and
Dapper
;
but
we
never
could
learn
the
origin
of
your
dispute
.
"
"
Indeed
,
I
scarcely
dreaded
such
an
event
,
"
said
Isabella
;
"
for
however
capable
Mr.
Markham
may
be
of
fighting
,
I
felt
perfectly
well
convinced
that
Captain
Dapper
would
not
be
induced
to
commit
such
a
breach
of
the
peace
.
"
"
Our
dispute
was
a
mere
trifle
,
"
said
Markham
;
"
and
I
am
sorry
it
should
have
reached
your
ears
.
"
"
The
Trojan
war
sprung
from
a
trifle
,
"
cried
the
count
:
"
but
these
trifles
are
frequently
very
interesting
.
"
"
The
truth
is
,
"
said
Richard
,
"
that
I
overheard
Captain
Dapper
abuse
me
to
his
companion
,
heaven
only
knows
why
!
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
started
away
;
and
I
was
compelled
to
give
the
young
officer
a
couple
of
boxes
upon
the
ears
to
teach
him
courtesy
in
future
.
"
Isabella
laughed
heartily
at
this
anecdote
;
and
Markham
felt
indescribably
happy
when
he
thus
received
a
convincing
proof
that
the
lovely
Italian
was
in
no
way
interested
in
that
aspirant
to
her
hand
.
"
I
shall
not
invite
those
gentlemen
here
very
readily
again
,
"
observed
the
count
.
"
I
thought
that
they
would
have
helped
to
pass
away
the
time
agreeably
;
but
one
was
such
a
fool
,
and
the
other
such
a
fop
,
that
I
was
really
glad
to
get
rid
of
them
.
However
,
I
have
now
something
else
to
occupy
my
attention
.
"
"
The
count
is
going
to
speculate
in
an
English
Company
,
"
said
the
countess
.
"
We
foreigners
,
you
know
,
Mr.
Markham
,
are
struck
with
the
facility
with
which
enormous
fortunes
are
built
up
in
your
country
.
"
"
Italy
has
lost
all
her
commerce
,
"
added
the
count
,
with
a
sigh
:
"
poor
Italy
!
"
"
With
all
due
deference
to
your
experience
,
"
said
Markham
,
"
I
should
counsel
you
to
be
particularly
careful
how
you
allow
yourself
to
be
deluded
by
visionaries
and
adventurers
.
"
"
Oh
!
the
gentleman
who
has
proposed
to
me
certain
schemes
for
the
realization
of
an
immense
fortune
,
is
a
man
of
probity
and
honour
.
The
truth
is
,
that
the
political
condition
of
Italy
may
possibly
compel
me
to
remain
an
exile
from
my
native
land
for
the
rest
of
my
existence
;
and
I
am
anxious
to
turn
the
means
now
within
my
reach
to
the
best
advantage
for
my
daughter
.
"
"
You
know
,
my
dear
father
,
"
said
Isabella
,
her
eyes
filling
with
tears
,
"
that
I
can
be
contented
with
a
little
—
a
very
little
.
"
"
I
think
I
have
before
informed
you
that
I
lost
a
considerable
portion
of
my
own
property
through
the
nefarious
speculations
of
an
adventurer
,
"
observed
Richard
;
"
and
I
must
confess
that
I
look
with
a
suspicious
eye
upon
all
schemes
which
induce
us
to
change
realities
for
chances
.
You
possess
,
count
,
all
that
you
require
to
make
you
happy
during
your
exile
;
—
why
should
you
sigh
and
languish
after
immense
wealth
?
"
The
signora
bestowed
a
glance
of
gratitude
upon
Markham
,
who
also
rose
considerably
in
the
estimation
of
the
countess
.
Indeed
,
both
the
ladies
were
very
much
averse
to
the
count
's
ideas
of
speculating
;
and
they
were
delighted
to
find
in
their
visitor
so
able
an
advocate
of
their
opinions
.
"
I
consider
,
"
resumed
the
count
,
"
that
a
man
is
bound
to
do
the
best
he
can
to
increase
the
property
he
has
to
leave
his
offspring
;
and
as
my
own
estate
in
Castelcicala
is
confiscated
,
and
I
have
nothing
to
rely
upon
but
a
certain
sum
of
ready-money
,
I
am
determined
to
vest
the
greater
portion
of
it
in
an
enterprize
which
will
produce
immense
returns
.
"
"
And
what
may
the
nature
of
the
undertaking
be
?
"
inquired
Markham
.
"
A
line
of
steam-packets
between
London
and
Montoni
,
the
capital
of
Castelcicala
.
Such
an
enterprize
would
absorb
all
the
commerce
now
enjoyed
by
Leghorn
and
Civita
Vecchia
;
and
Montoni
would
be
the
great
mercantile
port
of
Italy
.
"
"
The
scheme
certainly
seems
plausible
,
"
observed
Richard
;
"
and
,
guided
by
your
experience
,
may
realize
your
expectations
.
I
would
rather
see
you
embarking
money
in
such
an
undertaking
than
in
those
desperate
and
outrageous
ones
which
have
nothing
but
their
originality
to
recommend
them
.
"
The
count
smiled
with
triumph
and
satisfaction
at
having
thus
disarmed
the
opposition
of
his
young
friend
to
the
projected
speculation
.
On
the
following
day
Count
Alteroni
repaired
to
London
,
and
did
not
return
home
until
dinner-time
.
After
dinner
,
when
he
and
Richard
were
sitting
alone
together
,
sipping
their
claret
,
the
count
said
in
a
semi-mysterious
and
confidential
manner
,
"
I
have
this
morning
broken
the
ice
:
indeed
,
I
have
made
the
first
plunge
.
I
have
confided
the
necessary
funds
to
Mr.
Greenwood
—
that
is
the
name
of
the
gentleman
with
whom
I
am
to
co-operate
:
—
and
he
will
immediately
busy
himself
with
the
foundation
of
the
enterprize
.
I
shall
not
,
however
,
mention
this
to
the
countess
and
Isabella
for
a
few
days
;
for
in
commercial
matters
ladies
always
entertain
apprehensions
which
give
one
what
you
English
call
the
'
blue-devils
.
'
"
Richard
made
no
observation
.
The
evil
—
if
evil
it
were
—
was
done
;
and
he
did
not
choose
to
fill
the
count
with
apprehensions
which
might
eventually
prove
to
be
unfounded
.
The
conversation
upon
the
subject
accordingly
dropped
for
the
present
;
and
the
two
gentlemen
joined
the
ladies
in
the
drawing-room
.
Several
weeks
glided
away
;
and
Markham
still
remained
at
Richmond
.
His
acquaintance
with
the
count
's
family
rapidly
expanded
into
an
intimacy
which
gave
him
unfeigned
pleasure
.
The
count
treated
him
as
a
near
relative
—
almost
as
a
son
;
the
countess
was
charmed
with
him
because
he
could
converse
upon
German
literature
and
history
;
—
and
where
the
parents
were
so
encouraging
,
how
could
the
daughter
be
reserved
?
Isabella
was
naturally
of
a
frank
and
confiding
disposition
;
and
she
soon
learned
to
consider
Markham
as
a
very
intimate
friend
of
the
family
.
Whenever
he
hinted
at
the
necessity
of
returning
to
his
own
home
,
he
expressed
his
fears
that
he
was
intruding
upon
the
hospitality
of
his
kind
hosts
,
Isabella
always
had
some
cause
ready
to
delay
his
departure
,
as
soon
as
her
father
and
mother
had
concluded
their
own
entreaties
for
him
to
prolong
his
visit
.
Markham
had
nothing
to
occupy
his
attention
elsewhere
;
and
he
was
thus
easily
induced
to
remain
in
a
mansion
where
he
received
so
much
kindness
,
and
where
there
was
an
attraction
that
daily
disclosed
new
charms
and
revealed
fresh
spells
.
It
was
in
the
middle
of
December
that
Markham
was
walking
,
on
a
fine
frosty
morning
,
with
Isabella
along
the
high
road
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
the
count
's
dwelling
,
when
he
noticed
a
strange
and
repulsive
looking
individual
following
them
at
a
short
distance
.
At
first
he
supposed
that
the
man
's
way
lay
in
the
same
direction
which
he
and
his
fair
companion
were
pursuing
;
he
accordingly
turned
with
Isabella
into
another
path
,
and
,
to
his
misfortune
and
annoyance
,
found
that
he
was
still
followed
by
the
stranger
whose
dilapidated
appearance
,
long
black
matted
hair
,
week
's
beard
,
filthy
person
,
and
sinister
expression
of
countenance
,
filled
him
with
alarming
suspicions
.
He
remembered
his
dream
;
and
a
shudder
passed
through
his
frame
.
Determined
to
ascertain
the
motive
of
this
man
's
perseverance
in
dogging
him
thus
,
he
conducted
Isabella
by
a
short
cut
back
to
the
house
,
and
retraced
his
steps
to
encounter
the
person
who
was
still
following
him
.
The
man
advanced
towards
him
with
a
dogged
and
determined
air
,
and
yet
downcast
eyes
,
which
were
buried
beneath
his
projecting
temples
and
shaggy
brows
.
"
Holloa
,
my
fine
fellow
!
"
he
exclaimed
,
when
he
came
within
a
few
yards
of
Richard
;
"
you
do
n't
mean
to
say
that
you
have
forgotten
an
old
pal
?
"
"
What
,
Anthony
—
is
this
you
?
"
said
Markham
,
turning
deadly
pale
as
he
recognised
one
of
his
fellow-prisoners
in
Newgate
.
It
was
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Yes
—
it
is
me
—
poor
Tony
Tidkins
.
But
now
permit
me
to
ask
you
a
question
or
two
.
What
are
you
doing
now
?
Who
lives
there
?
And
what
young
girl
was
that
you
were
walking
about
with
?
"
"
And
by
what
right
do
you
dare
put
those
insolent
queries
to
me
?
"
cried
Markham
,
surveying
the
ruffian
with
mingled
indignation
and
disgust
.
"
Oh
!
if
you
do
n't
choose
to
answer
my
questions
,
I
can
precious
soon
ascertain
all
the
truth
for
myself
,
"
coolly
replied
the
Resurrection
Man
,
who
never
once
looked
Markham
in
the
face
—
then
,
having
uttered
these
words
,
he
advanced
a
few
paces
as
if
he
were
about
to
seek
the
count
's
dwelling
.
"
Wretch
!
what
do
you
mean
to
do
?
"
ejaculated
Richard
,
hurrying
after
him
and
detaining
him
by
the
arm
:
"
you
do
not
know
that
that
abode
is
sacred
—
that
it
is
the
residence
of
probity
,
innocence
,
and
honour
—
that
if
you
were
to
breathe
a
hint
who
and
what
you
are
,
you
would
be
spurned
from
the
door
?
"
"
Ah
!
I
am
accustomed
to
that
in
this
Christian
land
—
in
this
land
of
Bibles
and
Missionary
Societies
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
bitterly
:
then
,
resuming
his
dogged
surliness
of
tone
,
he
added
,
"
But
at
all
events
I
can
first
ask
for
alms
and
a
morsel
of
bread
at
that
house
,
and
thereupon
state
that
the
gentleman
who
was
just
now
walking
with
the
young
lady
belonging
to
the
house
,
was
a
companion
of
mine
in
Newgate
—
a
communication
which
will
tend
to
preserve
the
innocence
,
honour
,
probity
,
and
all
the
rest
of
it
,
of
that
family
.
"
With
these
words
he
again
set
off
in
the
direction
of
the
count
's
abode
.
"
Confusion
!
"
exclaimed
Markham
:
"
this
man
will
now
effect
my
ruin
!
"
A
second
time
did
he
stop
the
Resurrection
Man
as
he
advanced
towards
the
residence
of
the
Italians
.
"
Well
—
what
now
?
is
n't
a
man
at
liberty
to
walk
which
way
he
chooses
?
"
"
You
cannot
be
so
base
as
to
betray
me
?
you
would
not
ruin
my
happiness
for
ever
?
"
said
Richard
,
in
whose
mind
the
particulars
of
his
dream
were
now
uppermost
.
"
And
why
should
I
have
any
regard
for
you
,
since
you
receive
and
treat
me
as
if
I
was
a
dog
?
"
"
I
really
did
not
mean
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
bother
to
all
apologies
,
"
cried
the
Resurrection
Man
ferociously
.
"
My
God
!
what
do
you
want
of
me
?
what
can
I
do
for
you
?
"
exclaimed
Richard
,
uncertain
how
to
act
,
and
his
mind
a
prey
to
the
most
painful
emotions
;
for
he
already
fancied
that
he
saw
himself
exposed
—
banished
from
the
count
's
hospitable
roof
—
separated
from
Isabella
,
without
a
chance
of
reconciliation
—
and
reproached
for
having
intruded
himself
upon
the
society
of
a
virtuous
and
untainted
family
.
The
mere
anticipation
of
such
an
afflicting
series
of
incidents
was
more
than
he
could
bear
;
and
he
was
prepared
to
make
any
sacrifices
to
avert
so
terrible
an
occurrence
.
"
I
may
obtain
from
your
fears
what
I
should
not
have
got
from
your
generosity
,
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
:
"
but
it
does
n't
matter
what
motive
produces
it
,
so
long
as
I
get
it
.
"
"
And
what
is
it
that
you
require
?
"
asked
Richard
hastily
.
"
But
let
us
walk
aside
—
they
may
see
us
from
the
windows
.
"
"
And
what
do
I
care
it
they
do
?
"
brutally
demanded
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
I
suppose
I
sha
n't
suffer
in
character
by
talking
to
a
companion
in
former
misfortunes
?
"
he
added
,
in
a
sarcastic
tone
.
There
was
something
peculiarly
revolting
about
that
man
;
—
his
death-like
countenance
,
jet-black
whiskers
,
shaggy
brows
,
averted
glances
,
and
horrible
nick-name
,
all
combined
to
render
him
a
loathsome
and
disgusting
object
.
The
contact
of
such
a
wretch
was
like
plunging
one
's
hand
amidst
the
spawn
of
toads
.
But
the
savage
irony
of
this
monster
—
oh
!
that
was
utterly
intolerable
.
Richard
writhed
beneath
it
.
"
Now
I
tell
you
what
it
is
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
who
probably
by
this
time
saw
that
he
had
reduced
the
young
man
to
a
pliability
suitable
to
his
purposes
;
"
if
you
will
only
be
civil
I
'll
accommodate
you
to
the
utmost
of
my
power
.
Let
us
walk
away
from
the
house
—
we
can
then
talk
more
at
our
ease
.
"
Richard
accompanied
the
miscreant
a
short
distance
;
and
then
they
again
stopped
,
but
no
longer
within
view
of
the
count
's
residence
.
"
You
can
,
doubtless
,
suppose
what
I
want
!
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
turning
suddenly
round
upon
Markham
,
and
looking
him
full
in
the
face
for
the
first
time
.
"
Money
,
I
presume
,
"
replied
Richard
.
"
Yes
—
money
.
I
know
that
you
were
in
expectation
of
a
great
fortune
when
you
were
in
Newgate
;
and
I
suppose
you
have
not
run
through
it
all
yet
.
"
"
I
was
almost
totally
ruined
,
during
my
imprisonment
,
by
the
unfortunate
speculations
in
which
my
guardian
engaged
,
"
answered
Markham
mournfully
.
"
That
's
all
my
eye
!
Nevertheless
,
I
wo
n't
be
hard
upon
you
:
I
know
that
you
have
got
a
splendid
house
and
a
grand
estate
close
by
—
—
"
"
A
few
acres
of
land
,
as
heaven
is
my
witness
!
"
"
Well
—
you
may
try
it
on
as
much
as
you
like
;
but
I
tell
you
plainly
it
wo
n't
do
for
me
.
Let
us
cut
this
matter
devilish
short
,
and
come
to
some
understanding
at
once
.
I
am
hard
up
—
I
do
n't
know
what
to
turn
my
hand
to
for
a
moment
;
and
I
ca
n't
get
orders
for
the
stiff'uns
as
I
used
to
do
.
"
"
All
that
I
have
told
you
about
the
loss
of
my
property
is
quite
true
,
"
said
Markham
;
"
and
I
have
now
but
little
more
than
a
bare
two
hundred
a-year
to
live
upon
.
"
"
Well
,
I
will
be
generous
and
let
you
off
easy
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
You
shall
give
me
for
the
present
—
—
"
"
For
the
present
!
"
repeated
Markham
,
all
the
terror
of
his
mind
again
betraying
itself
;
"
if
I
make
any
arrangement
with
you
at
all
,
it
would
be
upon
the
express
condition
that
you
would
never
molest
me
more
.
"
"
Be
it
so
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
whom
the
promise
cost
nothing
,
and
who
knew
that
there
was
nothing
to
bind
him
to
its
implicit
performance
;
"
give
me
five
hundred
pounds
,
and
I
will
never
seek
you
out
again
.
"
"
Five
hundred
pounds
!
"
exclaimed
Richard
:
"
I
cannot
command
the
money
!
"
"
Not
a
mag
less
will
I
take
,
"
said
the
extortioner
with
a
determined
air
and
voice
.
"
I
really
cannot
comply
with
the
proposal
—
I
have
not
the
money
—
I
do
not
know
where
to
get
it
.
Why
do
you
persecute
me
in
this
way
?
what
harm
have
I
ever
done
to
you
?
why
should
you
seek
to
ruin
me
,
and
to
annihilate
all
my
hopes
of
again
establishing
myself
in
an
honourable
position
in
society
?
Tell
me
—
by
what
right
,
by
what
law
,
do
you
now
endeavour
to
extort
—
vilely
,
infamously
extort
—
this
money
from
me
?
"
No
pen
could
describe
—
no
painter
depict
the
singular
expression
of
countenance
which
the
Resurrection
Man
wore
as
these
words
fell
upon
his
ears
.
He
knew
not
whether
to
burst
out
into
a
fit
of
laughter
,
or
to
utter
a
volley
of
imprecations
against
his
former
companion
in
Newgate
;
and
so
,
not
to
be
wrong
by
doing
one
and
omitting
the
other
,
he
did
both
.
His
ironical
and
ferocious
laugh
fell
horribly
upon
the
ears
of
Markham
,
who
was
at
the
same
time
assailed
by
such
a
string
of
oaths
and
blasphemies
,
that
he
trembled
.
"
You
want
to
know
by
what
law
and
right
I
demand
money
of
you
,
"
cried
the
wretch
,
when
he
had
indulged
in
this
out-pouring
of
laughter
and
imprecations
to
his
heart
's
content
:
"
well
—
I
will
tell
you
.
My
law
is
that
practised
by
all
the
world
—
the
oppression
of
the
weak
by
the
strong
;
and
my
right
is
also
that
of
universal
practice
—
the
right
of
him
who
takes
what
will
not
dare
to
be
refused
.
Now
,
then
,
you
understand
me
;
and
if
not
,
hear
my
resolution
.
"
"
Speak
,
"
said
Richard
,
now
thoroughly
cooled
and
disarmed
;
"
and
let
me
know
the
worst
at
once
.
"
"
You
have
confirmed
my
suspicion
that
you
are
courting
the
young
girl
I
saw
you
walking
with
:
you
have
confirmed
that
suspicion
by
your
manner
and
your
words
.
Now
,
I
require
five
hundred
pounds
;
and
if
you
are
anxious
that
your
fair
one
should
remain
in
ignorance
of
your
Old
Bailey
adventures
,
you
had
better
comply
with
my
terms
.
"
"
I
positively
declare
that
I
have
not
the
money
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
Make
it
.
"
"
But
how
?
"
"
Borrow
it
of
the
young
lady
's
father
or
mother
,
or
uncle
,
or
aunt
.
"
"
Never
—
impossible
!
"
"
You
say
that
you
have
a
few
acres
of
land
left
.
I
believe
you
have
more
;
but
let
's
take
your
own
statement
.
Upon
those
few
acres
you
can
easily
borrow
the
money
I
require
.
"
"
And
diminish
my
miserable
income
still
more
?
"
"
Yes
—
or
no
,
without
further
wrangling
?
You
must
be
well
aware
that
this
sacrifice
is
necessary
if
the
girl
is
worth
having
.
"
"
In
the
name
of
heaven
,
allude
not
to
—
to
—
to
Miss
—
—
to
the
young
lady
with
whom
you
saw
me
ere
now
;
—
allude
not
to
her
in
this
disgraceful
manner
!
"
cried
Markham
;
for
when
the
lips
of
that
horrible
man
framed
a
sentiment
which
bore
reference
to
Isabella
,
it
seemed
to
Richard
as
if
a
loathsome
serpent
was
pouring
its
slimy
venom
upon
a
sweet
and
blooming
flower
.
"
Will
you
give
me
the
money
?
"
demanded
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
I
will
give
you
two
hundred
pounds
—
I
have
no
more
—
I
can
get
no
more
—
I
will
not
raise
any
more
upon
my
property
.
"
"
Ca
n't
be
done
,
"
returned
the
ruffian
.
"
I
will
have
the
five
hundred
,
or
nothing
.
"
"
It
will
take
some
days
to
procure
the
money
,
"
said
Markham
,
yielding
gradually
.
"
Never
mind
.
Give
me
what
you
have
about
you
for
my
present
purposes
,
and
name
the
day
and
place
for
me
to
receive
the
rest
.
"
Markham
took
his
purse
from
his
pocket
,
and
examined
its
contents
.
There
were
seventeen
sovereigns
at
that
moment
at
his
command
.
He
retained
two
,
and
handed
fifteen
to
the
Resurrection
Man
,
who
pocketed
them
with
savage
glee
.
"
Now
this
looks
like
business
,
"
said
he
,
"
and
is
an
earnest
that
you
will
do
the
thing
that
's
right
.
Where
and
when
for
the
remainder
?
"
"
In
a
fortnight
I
will
meet
you
at
any
place
you
may
name
in
London
,
"
answered
Markham
.
"
Well
,
make
it
a
fortnight
.
Do
you
know
the
Dark
House
,
in
Brick
Lane
,
Bethnal
Green
?
"
"
What
is
it
?
"
asked
Richard
,
shuddering
at
the
name
.
"
A
public-house
.
Any
one
will
tell
you
where
it
is
.
This
day
fortnight
I
shall
expect
to
find
you
there
at
eight
o'clock
in
the
evening
.
If
I
do
n't
happen
to
be
punctual
,
you
can
wait
for
me
;
and
if
I
do
n't
come
that
night
,
I
shall
the
next
.
Remember
how
much
depends
upon
your
fulfilment
of
the
contract
.
"
"
I
shall
not
fail
,
"
answered
Richard
,
with
a
sinking
of
the
heart
which
none
can
understand
who
have
not
been
placed
in
a
similar
position
.
"
And
you
,
on
your
part
,
will
adhere
to
your
side
of
the
agreement
?
"
"
Mute
as
a
mouse
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
;
"
and
should
I
afterwards
meet
you
by
accident
,
I
shall
not
know
you
.
Farewell
.
"
With
these
words
the
Resurrection
Man
turned
away
,
and
pursued
his
course
towards
London
.
Markham
followed
him
with
his
eyes
until
he
turned
an
angle
of
the
road
and
was
no
longer
to
be
seen
.
Then
only
did
Richard
breathe
freely
.
CHAPTER
XLI
.
MR.
GREENWOOD
.
ABOUT
six
o'clock
in
the
evening
—
ten
days
after
the
incident
which
concluded
the
preceding
chapter
,
—
a
handsome
cabriolet
drove
up
to
the
door
of
a
house
in
Spring
Gardens
.
Down
jumped
the
tiger
—
an
urchin
not
much
bigger
than
a
walking
stick
—
and
away
went
the
knocker
,
rat-tat-tat
,
for
upwards
of
fifteen
seconds
.
A
servant
in
livery
opened
the
door
,
and
an
elegantly-dressed
gentleman
,
about
six
or
seven
and
twenty
years
of
age
,
alighted
from
the
vehicle
.
This
gentleman
rushed
up
stairs
to
his
study
,
drew
forth
his
cheque-book
,
wrote
an
order
upon
his
banker
for
a
thousand
pounds
,
enclosed
it
in
an
envelope
,
and
immediately
despatched
the
letter
to
Lord
Tremordyn
by
one
of
his
numerous
domestics
.
He
had
that
afternoon
lost
the
money
to
his
lordship
in
some
sporting-bet
;
and
,
"
as
it
was
a
debt
of
honour
,
"
he
could
not
possibly
think
of
sitting
down
to
dinner
,
or
even
pulling
off
his
boots
(
which
,
being
fashionable
,
pinched
him
excessively
)
without
settling
it
.
As
soon
as
he
had
done
this
,
another
servant
entered
the
room
,
and
said
,
"
If
you
please
,
sir
,
Mrs.
Mangles
has
called
,
and
is
waiting
below
to
see
you
.
She
has
been
here
these
three
hours
,
and
wishes
very
much
to
say
a
few
words
to
you
,
sir
.
"
"
What
!
that
bothering
upholsterer
's
wife
!
"
ejaculated
the
gentleman
,
in
a
tone
of
indignation
which
would
have
induced
a
stranger
to
believe
that
he
was
the
most
persecuted
man
in
the
world
.
"
Why
—
her
husband
's
account
has
n't
been
owing
quite
a
year
yet
;
and
here
she
is
boring
from
morning
to
night
.
"
"
Please
,
sir
,
she
says
that
her
husband
is
locked
up
in
a
spunging-house
.
"
"
Serve
him
right
!
"
"
But
he
is
a
hard-working
sober
man
—
—
"
"
He
should
n't
run
into
debt
.
"
"
And
he
has
five
children
.
"
"
It
is
really
disgusting
!
these
lower
orders
literally
swarm
with
children
!
"
"
And
if
you
would
only
pay
a
quarter
of
the
money
,
he
would
get
out
to-night
.
"
"
I
wo
n't
pay
a
sixpence
till
January
.
"
"
Then
he
will
be
totally
ruined
,
sir
,
his
wife
says
.
"
"
Well
—
he
must
be
ruined
,
then
.
Go
and
turn
her
out
,
and
send
up
Lafleur
.
"
And
the
fashionable
gentleman
,
who
would
not
owe
a
debt
of
honour
for
half
an
hour
,
thought
no
more
of
the
sum
which
was
due
to
a
tradesman
,
which
had
been
already
owing
for
nearly
a
year
,
and
which
he
could
have
immediately
settled
without
the
slightest
inconvenience
to
himself
.
For
this
man
was
rich
;
and
,
having
got
his
money
in
the
City
(
God
knows
how
)
,
had
now
come
to
the
West
End
to
make
the
most
of
it
.
"
Lafleur
,
"
said
the
fashionable
gentleman
to
the
French
valet
,
"
you
must
dismiss
that
fellow
John
to-morrow
morning
.
"
"
Yes
,
sir
.
"
"
He
actually
had
the
impertinence
to
bring
me
a
message
from
a
dun
,
while
I
was
in
a
hurry
to
get
dressed
for
dinner
.
"
"
Indeed
,
sir
—
you
do
n't
say
so
sir
!
"
ejaculated
the
valet
,
who
had
as
much
horror
of
a
dun
as
an
overseer
has
of
a
pauper
.
"
Yes
,
sir
—
I
will
dismiss
him
to-morrow
,
sir
—
and
without
a
character
too
.
"
"
Do
,
Lafleur
.
And
now
to
dress
.
Are
the
company
come
?
"
"
Mr.
Chichester
and
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
are
in
the
drawing-room
,
sir
.
"
"
Oh
!
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
—
for
such
was
the
gentleman
's
name
—
"
very
well
!
"
Having
carelessly
perused
three
or
four
letters
which
he
found
upon
his
table
,
he
repaired
to
his
dressing-room
,
where
he
washed
his
hands
in
a
silver
basin
,
while
the
poor
upholsterer
's
wife
returned
to
her
husband
in
the
lock-up
house
,
to
say
that
their
last
hope
had
failed
,
and
that
nothing
but
a
debtor
's
gaol
awaited
them
.
Accordingly
,
while
the
poor
man
was
being
carried
off
to
Whitecross
Street
Prison
,
Mr.
Greenwood
repaired
to
his
elegantly
furnished
drawing-room
to
welcome
the
guests
whom
he
had
invited
that
day
to
dinner
.
"
My
dear
Sir
Rupert
,
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
I
am
delighted
to
see
you
.
Chichester
,
how
are
you
?
Where
have
you
both
been
for
the
last
six
months
?
Scarcely
had
I
the
pleasure
of
forming
your
acquaintance
,
when
you
were
off
like
shots
:
and
I
have
never
seen
nor
heard
of
you
till
this
morning
.
"
"
Upon
my
honour
,
I
hardly
know
what
we
have
been
doing
—
or
indeed
,
what
we
have
not
been
doing
,
"
ejaculated
the
baronet
.
"
We
have
been
in
Paris
and
Brussels
,
and
enjoyed
all
the
pleasures
of
the
Continent
.
"
"
And
we
found
our
way
into
the
good
graces
of
the
Parisian
ladies
,
and
the
purses
of
their
husbands
,
"
observed
Chichester
,
with
a
complacent
smile
.
"
Ah
!
ah
!
"
said
Mr.
Greenwood
,
laughing
.
"
Trust
you
both
for
allowing
yourselves
to
starve
in
a
land
of
plenty
.
"
"
And
so
here
we
are
,
come
back
to
England
quite
fresh
and
ready
for
new
sport
,
"
said
Chichester
.
"
You
see
that
it
is
useful
to
go
abroad
for
a
season
every
now
and
then
.
Immediately
after
I
passed
through
the
Insolvents
'
Court
,
two
years
ago
,
I
went
to
Paris
for
six
months
,
and
came
home
again
with
a
new
reputation
,
as
it
were
.
"
"
By
the
bye
,
Sir
Rupert
,
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
I
lost
a
cool
thousand
to
your
father-in-law
this
afternoon
at
Tattersall
's
.
"
"
What
!
does
the
old
lord
do
things
in
so
spirited
a
way
as
that
?
"
cried
the
baronet
.
"
Yes
—
now
and
then
.
I
believe
you
and
he
are
not
on
very
good
terms
?
When
I
asked
him
after
you
a
month
or
two
ago
,
he
appeared
to
evade
the
conversation
.
"
"
The
fact
is
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
"
old
Lord
and
Lady
Tremordyn
pretend
that
I
treat
their
daughter
with
neglect
—
just
because
I
cannot
and
will
not
be
tied
to
my
wife
's
apron
strings
.
I
did
not
want
to
marry
her
;
but
Lady
Tremordyn
intrigued
to
catch
me
;
and
the
old
lord
came
down
handsome
—
and
so
the
match
was
made
up
.
"
The
baronet
did
not
think
of
informing
his
friend
that
he
had
stipulated
for
twenty
thousand
pounds
to
pay
his
debts
,
ere
he
would
do
justice
to
the
young
and
beautiful
creature
whom
he
had
seduced
,
and
whose
pathetic
appeal
to
her
mother
has
been
already
laid
before
the
reader
in
the
chapter
which
treats
of
the
Black
Chamber
of
the
General
Post
Office
.
"
Do
you
know
what
has
become
of
your
old
flame
Diana
Arlington
?
"
inquired
Mr.
Greenwood
of
the
baronet
,
after
a
pause
.
"
And
was
she
not
your
old
flame
too
?
"
said
Sir
Rupert
,
laughing
.
"
I
believe
that
when
you
were
plain
Mr.
George
Montague
,
instead
of
Mr.
Montague
Greenwood
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
I
have
assumed
the
name
of
Greenwood
,
remember
,
because
a
relation
of
that
name
has
left
me
a
considerable
fortune
.
"
"
Well
—
that
is
a
very
good
story
to
tell
the
world
,
but
not
friends
,
my
dear
fellow
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
coolly
.
"
But
we
were
talking
of
the
Enchantress
.
I
presume
she
is
still
under
the
protection
of
the
Earl
of
Warrington
?
"
"
So
I
understand
,
"
replied
Greenwood
.
"
Well
—
I
must
say
,
"
continued
the
baronet
,
"
I
always
liked
Diana
;
and
I
dare
say
we
should
have
been
together
up
to
the
present
moment
,
if
it
had
not
been
for
that
infernal
affair
of
Markham
's
.
"
"
Ah
!
Richard
Markham
!
"
ejaculated
Mr.
Greenwood
hastily
.
"
I
have
heard
of
him
—
but
never
seen
him
.
"
"
I
and
Chichester
were
compelled
to
sacrifice
him
to
save
ourselves
,
"
observed
Harborough
.
"
Yes
—
yes
—
it
was
a
pity
—
a
great
pity
,
"
cried
Greenwood
,
poking
the
fire
violently
.
"
I
wonder
what
has
become
of
that
same
Markham
?
"
said
Chichester
.
"
I
understand
that
he
lost
the
greater
portion
of
his
property
by
some
unfortunate
speculation
or
another
,
but
the
nature
of
which
I
have
never
learnt
,
"
replied
Greenwood
.
"
And
what
about
this
Steam-Packet
Company
of
which
you
were
speaking
this
morning
?
"
inquired
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
"
The
fact
is
,
I
have
got
a
certain
Italian
count
in
tow
,
and
I
intend
to
make
him
useful
.
He
is
an
emigrant
from
the
Grand
Duchy
of
Castelcicala
,
having
been
concerned
in
some
treasonable
proceedings
with
Prince
Alberto
,
who
is
the
Grand
Duke
's
nephew
,
and
who
has
also
been
compelled
to
fly
to
some
other
country
.
Be
it
as
it
may
,
this
Count
Alteroni
and
I
became
acquainted
;
and
,
in
the
course
of
conversation
,
he
observed
that
a
fortune
might
be
made
by
the
establishment
of
a
line
of
steam-packets
between
London
and
Montoni
,
the
capital
of
Castelcicala
.
He
added
that
he
should
be
very
willing
to
embark
his
own
capital
in
such
an
enterprise
.
'
How
extraordinary
!
'
I
immediately
exclaimed
:
'
I
had
myself
entertained
the
very
same
idea
!
'
The
count
was
enchanted
;
and
he
has
already
advanced
a
considerable
sum
.
"
At
this
moment
dinner
was
announced
;
and
the
three
gentlemen
proceeded
to
the
apartment
in
which
it
was
served
up
.
The
repast
consisted
of
all
the
luxuries
in
season
,
and
many
out
of
season
:
the
choicest
wines
were
produced
;
and
justice
was
done
to
each
and
all
,
while
wit
and
humour
flowed
as
freely
,
and
sparkled
as
brightly
as
the
juice
of
the
grape
itself
.
The
baronet
was
more
affable
than
ever
;
—
Mr
.
Chichester
related
several
amusing
anecdotes
of
midnight
sprees
,
policemen
,
knockers
,
station-houses
,
and
magistrates
;
—
and
Mr.
Greenwood
explained
his
plans
relative
to
the
steam-packets
.
"
I
should
very
much
like
to
have
you
both
in
the
Direction
,
"
said
Mr.
Montague
Greenwood
,
when
he
had
terminated
his
elucidations
:
"
but
I
have
learnt
that
this
Richard
Markham
,
of
whom
we
have
been
talking
,
is
acquainted
with
the
count
;
and
if
he
saw
your
names
connected
with
the
affair
,
he
would
instantly
blow
upon
it
.
I
should
then
have
the
count
upon
me
for
the
fifteen
thousand
pounds
he
has
already
lodged
in
my
hands
.
"
"
Let
us
write
an
anonymous
letter
to
the
count
,
and
inform
him
that
Markham
has
been
convicted
at
the
Old
Bailey
,
"
suggested
Chichester
.
"
No
—
no
,
"
ejaculated
Greenwood
emphatically
:
"
you
have
injured
that
young
man
enough
already
.
"
"
And
what
do
you
care
about
him
?
"
cried
Chichester
.
"
You
said
just
now
that
you
had
never
seen
him
.
"
"
I
did
—
and
I
repeat
the
assertion
,
"
answered
Greenwood
;
then
,
in
a
very
serious
tone
,
he
added
,
"
and
I
will
beg
you
both
to
remember
,
gentlemen
,
that
if
you
wish
to
co-operate
with
me
in
any
of
those
speculations
which
I
know
so
well
how
to
manage
,
you
will
leave
Mr.
Richard
Markham
alone
;
for
I
have
certain
private
reasons
for
being
rather
anxious
to
do
him
a
service
than
an
injury
.
"
"
Well
,
I
will
not
in
any
way
interfere
with
your
good
intentions
,
"
said
the
baronet
.
"
Nor
I
,
"
observed
Chichester
.
"
And
as
it
is
impossible
for
you
to
enter
my
Steam-Packet
Company
,
"
added
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
I
will
let
you
into
another
good
thing
which
I
have
in
view
,
and
in
which
a
certain
banker
is
concerned
.
To
tell
you
the
real
truth
,
this
banker
has
been
insolvent
for
some
time
;
and
if
his
father
had
not
advanced
him
about
fifty
thousand
pounds
three
years
ago
,
he
would
have
gone
to
smash
.
As
it
was
,
the
Lords
of
the
Treasury
got
hold
of
his
real
position
,
by
some
means
or
another
—
he
never
could
divine
how
;
and
they
refused
a
tender
which
he
sent
in
for
a
certain
money
contract
—
I
do
n't
know
exactly
what
.
Now
his
petition
is
more
desperate
than
ever
,
and
he
and
I
are
going
to
do
an
admirable
stroke
of
business
.
I
will
let
you
both
into
it
.
"
We
need
scarcely
remind
the
reader
that
the
banker
now
alluded
to
was
the
writer
of
one
of
the
letters
perused
by
the
Examiner
's
clerks
in
the
Black
Chamber
.
The
conversation
between
the
three
gentlemen
was
proceeding
very
comfortably
,
when
a
servant
entered
the
room
,
and
,
handing
his
master
a
card
upon
a
silver
tray
,
said
,
"
This
gentleman
,
sir
,
requests
to
be
allowed
to
see
you
,
if
perfectly
convenient
.
"
"
The
Count
Alteroni
!
"
exclaimed
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
What
the
devil
could
have
brought
him
to
London
at
this
time
of
night
?
John
—
show
him
into
the
study
—
there
is
a
good
fire
for
him
;
and
if
that
wo
n't
warm
his
heart
,
perhaps
a
bottle
of
Burgundy
will
.
"
The
servant
left
the
room
;
and
in
a
few
moments
Mr.
Greenwood
hastened
to
join
the
count
in
the
elegant
apartment
which
was
denominated
"
the
study
.
"
"
My
dear
sir
,
I
have
to
apologise
for
calling
thus
late
,
"
said
the
count
;
"
but
the
truth
is
that
I
had
a
little
business
which
brought
me
up
to
town
to-day
,
and
in
this
neighbourhood
too
;
and
I
thought
—
—
"
"
Pray
offer
no
excuses
,
my
dear
count
,
"
interrupted
Mr.
Greenwood
.
"
The
truth
is
,
I
wished
to
see
you
very
particularly
—
upon
a
matter
not
altogether
connected
with
our
enterprise
—
—
"
"
Indeed
,
"
said
the
count
;
"
you
interest
me
.
Pray
explain
yourself
.
"
"
In
the
first
place
,
allow
me
to
ask
whether
the
ladies
are
yet
acquainted
with
the
undertaking
in
